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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
20
October 1944
B-78
Holland
Low
cloud all day with a fairly stiff breeze and rain at night. Our
sleeping quarters which are in a former German Guard Room and cells,
were pretty cold without any heat. Two operations were on the program
today and two weather recces were made, one at 06:45 hours and the
other at 13:15 hours.
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 |
| JR500
MN482 |
F/O
Smith I.W.
F/O
Davis W.C. |
Weather
Recce |
06:45 |
07:25 |
|
Details
of Sortie or Flight
F/O
Smith and F/O Davis took-off to do an early morning weather
recce for the Wing. They set course over base in a north
westerly direction, therer was no overcast and except for a
slight haze, the weather was good. After reaching the Rhine, F/O
Smith turned west and led his No. 2 down the river; at this
point they encountered a thin layer of stratus at 2000 feet
which broke up again as they proceeded west. They turned north
and returned to base ********
the weather and conditions for for
operations, though visibility poor, due to ground haze.
|
| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
| MN8863
MN124
MN345
JR506
MN969
MP145
MN581
MN985 |
F/O
Hogg J.H.
F/O
Hiltz R.A.
F/O
Marcoux M.A.
F/O
Martin J.G.
F/O
Laycock M.P.
F/O
McBride A.C.
F/O
Smith R.V.
F/L
Saunders W.L. |
Dive
Bombing & Straffing |
07:40
|
08:50 |
|
Details
of Sortie or Flight
F/O
Hogg led the Squadron this time, the target being the railway
running east from Raalte, Holland. They carried the usual 500 lb
bombs (.025 tail fused) for the job. Eight planes took-off but
Blue four (F/L Saunders) had to return to base as his wheels
wouldn't lock up. The Squadron then set course, climbing to 6000
feet with good visibility. They reached the target area and then
did an orbit. After going into line astern, they bombed fro west
to east, a good dive (65 degrees) and lovely bombing, with at
least four pairs of bombs hitting the track. They then turned
around and when down on a train with steam up, standing just
inside the village. The Squadron made several passes at this,
damaging the engine and the cars. Blue 3 then saw another train
further north and went down to this himself, having a grand
time; after damaging this engine and leaving a few cars smoking,
he found himself a little truck which he damaged. By this time
the other six were through with the first train and came over to
finish F/O Smith's fun. The return was uneventful with no flak
at any time, and all the boys landed safely with that old
satisfied fealing after a good prang!!!
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| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
| MN870
MN482 |
F/O
Burgess C.L.
F/O
Swingler B.P. |
Weather
Recce |
13:15 |
08:50 |
|
Details
of Sortie or Flight
Two
pilots took-off on a weather recce, F/O Burgess leading and F/O
Swingler as his No. 2. They took-off and set course towards the
Nijmegen area, climbing all the time until they reached the
ceiling which was about 8000 feet. They crossed the Rhine and
continued north to the Deventer area where the cloud became much
heavier and extended to 1000 feet above ground; they then
returned to base reporting the weather fit
for operational flying. They experienced the usual flak over the
A****
area
and also intense light flak near Entphen,
Holland
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