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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
for
18
October 1944
B-78
Holland
Weather
was fairly clear this morning but clouded up rapidly with showers that
increased the mud here-abouts and is slowing down our progress in the
war. This place looks more and more like a carpentry school with the
construction going on. The airmen won't be caught flat when winter
comes. F/O Stitt is having more grief, a signal has been sent to the
United Kingdom recalling as another pilot in another squadron in the
Wing is being substituted for the Flight Leader's course at
R.A.F. Wittering. Only two operations were logged today and on one
J29861 F/O W.G. Davis, a new addition to our offensive team, was hit
by flak and forced landed around E.7153 within Allied lines. But we
expect to see him today or tomorrow.
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 |
| MN870
MN989
MP145
MN691
MN482
JR500
PD557
MN894
|
F/O
Burgess C.L.
F/O
Carr J.
F/O
Laycock M.P.
F/O
Rassenti N.H.
F/O
Swingler B.P.
F/O
MacDonald R.N.
F/O
Laurence R.H.
F/O
Cote J.A. |
Dive
Bombing |
08:40 |
09:40 |
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Details
of Sortie or Flight
The
Squadron, led by F/O Burgess, took off to attack the railroad
running north from Lecham, Holland, armed with 500 lb bombs
(.025 tailed fused). The form up was good; after doing one orbit
the Squadron set course for target, climbing above 7/10ths
stratus from two to 4000 feet and levelling out at 6000 feet. As
the Rhine was approached, the weather became steadily worse, the
cloud closing to 9/10ths and developing into heavy cumulus. Once
it became obvious that the target was completely covered, the
Squadron turned about and set course in a southwesterly
direction. Through a clear spot, a railway was sighted and
bombed effectively, at least one pair of bombs falling on the
line; this railway was pinpointed to be the one running east
from Varseveld, Holland. The Squadron then returned through
increasingly bad weather, however, they found base which was
better luck than their fighter escort who had become lost and
eventually required a Homing.
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| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
| MN869
PD557
PD554
PD492
MN665
MN345
MN969
MP145 |
F/O
Hogg J.E.
F/O
Davis W.G.
F/O
Smith I.W.
F/O
Hiltz R.A.
F/O
Stetler J.
F/L
Saunders W.L.
F/O
Smith R.V.
P/O
McBride A.C. |
Dive
Bombing |
13:35 |
15:10 |
|
Details
of Sortie or Flight
Eight
pilots, led by F/O Hogg, and armed with 500 lb bombs (.025 tail
fused) took-off to attack the railway running north out of
Almele, Holland. After forming up, they set course and proceeded
to climb on track. The cloud was heavy cumulus, extending from
2005 to 9000 feet and 9/10ths, promising an uncomfortable show.
They pressed on and as the Rhine was reached, the cloud thinned
out to 5/10ths enabling them to find the target and bomb it with
some success; diving from north to south in a steep dive (about
70 degrees), one pair of bombs cutting the rails. No flak was
experienced over the target. The Squadron then formed up and set
course for base, flying above cloud. After flying about fifteen
minutes, they proceeded to let down, the cloud becoming thicker
and extending up to 20,000 in cumulus-nimbus. Due to the
terrific head wind, they had not crossed the Rhine as they
anticipated and emerged beneath cloud just north of Arnhem; they
were met by a hail of flak, mostly 40mm. ed two (F/O Davis) was
hit in the engine and developed an oil leak forcing him to make
a crash landing, however, he was able to was able to reach our
lines and returned safely by road. The remaining seven aircraft
returned unscathed, though all short of gas - and were the
pilots glad to be down again after a "shaky do" !!!
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