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This
Day In History
Summary
of Events for No.
439 (CAN) Squadron
as
recorded in the 439 Squadron Operations Record Book Form
540
for
17
October 1944
B.78
Eindhoven, Holland
Cloudy
and quite breezy throughout the day. F/L W.D. Burton who finished his
tour left this afternoon bag and baggage, via Dakota, but only got as
far as B.56 near Brussels. He is on his way to Uxbridge and perhaps
Canada for leave. A recommendation was forwarded to 83 Group
respecting his transfer to Mosquitoes on his second tour. One
operation and one weather recce was carried out today. Construction is
still in progress around our dispersal and we notice a few stoves
about. The pilots installed two in their tent and the airmen are doing
the same for their huts.
Detail
of Work Carried Out by No. 439 RCAF
Squadron
as
compiled by in the 439 Squadron Operations Record Book Form
541
| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
| MN869
MN124
PD557
JR500
MN665
MP136
MN345
MN894 |
F/O
Hogg J.E.
F/O
Davis W.G.
F/O
laurence R.H.
F/O
Martin J.G.
F/O
Stelter J.
F/O
McBride A.C.
F/O
Brown J.A.
F/O
Cote J.A. |
Dive-Bombing |
07:45 |
09:15 |
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Details
of Sortie or Flight
Eight
pilots led by F/O Hogg took-off with the intention of cutting
the railroad running north from the city of Almelo, Holland.
They carried 500 lb bombs for the job. After taking-off and
forming they set course for target, climbing through cloud. At
this point Blue Three (F/O Brown) had to return as his engine
was running roughly and showed signs of cutting. The seven
aircraft continued to climb and levelled off at 6000 feet with
10/10ths stratus and stratus-cumulus beneath. The ground was not
sighted again until they crossed the Rhine, a slight break in
the clouds enabled a quick pin point to be made and once again
the clouds closed in to 10/10ths. On E.T.A., a slight break in
the clouds was sighted again and the Squadron orbitted while Red
One and Two went down to make sure of the position, Red One and
Two then returned and altered course. After flying for a short
while, they clouds became worse so the Squadron turned around to
return.
A
railway was sighted through the clouds, so the Squadron took
advantage of the break and went in and pranged it, getting two
or three good hits. This form up was difficult because of the
cloud but the Squadron eventually became regrouped and set
course for home. The only point of interest in the return trip
was the intense flak as the Squadron broke cloud over the Rhine,
they quickly climbed above it and arrived safely over base -
being airborne for one and a half hours, every minute an
exciting one.
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| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
| MP136
MN345
PD492
PD557 |
F/O
Burgess C.L.
F/O
Carr J.
F/O
Bernhart P.N.
F/O
Martin J.G..
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Weather
Recce |
13:25 |
13:55 |
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Details
of Sortie or Flight
A
weather recce was sent out, consisting of four aircraft led by
F/O Burgess. They set course over the base for Nijmegen area,
the cloud being 10/10ths at 3000 feet. nearing Nijmegen, the
cloud seemed to lift a little but then clouded down again to
3000 feet and developing into 10/10ths stratus with heavy
cumulus extending upwards. They turned left in a wide orbit and
then returned to base, pronouncing the weather unfit for
operations.
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