This Day In History

Summary of Events for  No. 439 (CAN) Squadron 

as compiled by  C20089 F/L M. Harrison  in the  439 Squadron Operations Record Book Form 540

for

26 January 1945

 B-78 Holland

Heavy ground haze for the day with fairly low overcast, but two operations were carried out in the morning. Bridge and snack sessions and reading absorbed most of the time. In the face of heavy snow after supper, the pilots wended their way to the Officers Club at Aalst where we celebrated the promotion of F/L Jim Beatty to the rank of Squadron Leader who is now officially the Squadron Commander and F/O Lyal Shaver Flight Commander of "B" flight. F/L Coffey has gone back to 438. About two days ago surprising news was received that S/Ldr. Crosby is safe. The immediate improved morale was exceedingly obvious.  The few aircraft which exploded on operations had undoubtedly bewildered the new pilots and they were quite shaken, being suspicious of the safety in flying the Typhoon. F/L Johnny Carr and F/L Joe Kyle, ???, went down to see him at 39 British General Hospital at Hesselt where Bing was in good spirits and gave a blow by blow commentary on the explosion of his aircraft.

On the 22 of this month he led the Squadron on a dive bombing operation on Uetterach and after releasing his bombs, his aircraft was clobbered by accurate heavy and light flak causing it to explode  and  disintegrate. He attempted to pull his rip cord of his chute twice and since nothing happened he found his right hand to be U/S (unserviceable). At 1000 feet he pulled the cord with his left hand and sailed earthward landing 100 yards from Uetterach and after rolling up his parachute he found refuge in a nearby wood where he lay wrapped in his parachute  for 36 hours in intense pain unmolested, although Jerries worked within 10 feet of him at times. 

On the 23rd this town was again bombed by our Wing and S/L Crosby got quite a shaking and a layer of dirt and debris. Following his recumbent period of 36 hours and after being frosted up a bit he decided to make for our lines only four miles away which he reached safely on eluding enemy sentries and ran into the British Army which assisted him to 39 British General Hospital and was subsequently transferred to 24 ?? . CCS. on the 24th. 

The injuries sustained by Bing were a dislocated right shoulder and frost bites. Incidentally 1000 pounders are not to be used until further notice pending investigation of the explosions of aircraft on operations and for the present 500 lb. bombs, 11 second delay will be utilized. Another aircraft was transferred to Maintenance reducing our strength to 10 and all are serviceable. Two operations consisted of the total flying for the day.

 

Detail of Work Carried Out by  No. 439 RCAF Squadron 

as recorded by J20602 F/O R.H. Laurence, J29881 F/O W.G. Davis,  and C20089 F/L M. Harrison in the  439 Squadron Operations Record Book Form 541

A/C Type & Number	Crew	Duty	Up	Down
MP151 RB499 RB377 RB198	F/O Shaver  L.C. F/O Elsley D.C. F/O McBride A.C. F/O Cleghorn D.G.	Armed Recce	08:50	10:05 09:55 10:05 10:05
Details of Sortie or Flight F/O Lyal Shaver, leading four aircraft, took off on an armed recce into the Coesfeld area. The weather was expected to hamper operations, but it turned out to be serviceable. A train was sighted just south of Coesfeld which was strafed. Another train minus locomotive was also peppered. Some 40 M.M. was noticed on the first run in,  just south-west of Coesfeld.  The Squadron then climbed up and set course for base. On crossing the bombline Red 2 (F/O Don Elsley) a new member of the Squadron called up to say that he had developed engine trouble. His temperatures were all OK, but a loss of power was noticeable probably due to fuel or ignition trouble. Elsley finally had to bring his aircraft down. He forced landed successfully at E759193, although the aircraft was badly mauled in the radiator, port wing and fuselage, after crashing through an iron fence and a ditch, rendering his aircraft a Cat B.  The remaining three aircraft returned to base, all landing safely. Claims - 2 loco damaged, TRC - 2 damaged.

A/C Type & Number	Crew	Duty	Up	Down
RB281 RB233 RB262 PD564	F/O Davis  W.G. F/O Marlatt S.D. F/O Anderson W. F/O Roberts J.	Dive Bombing	11:35	13:00
Details of Sortie or Flight Four aircraft, finally got airborne after sitting at the end of the runway at readiness. F/O Lyal Shaver was the leader of Red Section, who had taken off previously, and pronounced the weather as serviceable. F/O Bill Davis led his section, heading for the Coesfeld area, and it was on targets of opportunity. A stationary train was seen south of Coesfeld near Lette and the boys took two passes at same. There was very little flak except for a lonely 20 M.M. type who quickly ceased firing as soon as he knew our boys meant business.  All aircraft returned to base, with noticeable deterioration in the weather. Claims - Locos - 1 damaged, TRGS - 8 damaged.

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