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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
22
October 1944
B-78
Holland
Cloudy
first thing in the morning, but cleared up in the morning with only
thin scattered clouds accompanied by a fairly stiff breeze and
haze. In the afternoon the weather closed down with a taunting haze so
that the Squadron was released. But we did squeeze in one operation in
the morning with some misfortune. J.27992 F/O R.V. Smith's aircraft
exploded on going into a dive on the target which was north-east of Hertegenbesch,
Holland, but a very few seconds after the explosion, a parachute was
seen drifting down, but due to poor visibility, the pilot was not
seen. "Smitty" as we called him, was a very keen pilot, and
the life of any party. Our future plans earmarked him for the next
Flight Commander post. All told he carried out 50 Operational Sorties
with a total of 49:40 Operational Hours.
J.22803
F/L W.L. Saunders a comparatively new pilot, was returning from
operations, set his aircraft down on the runway, but due to a flat
tire, his aircraft turned over, but "Sandy" managed to crawl
out of his seat unharmed.
The
third pilot of our Squadron has finished a tour of operations, this
time J.17856 F/O M.A. Marcoux gets the bouquet with 109 Operational
Sorties totalling 150:00 Hours. He had only been with the Squadron a
short while and had 102 trips under his belt before joining our outfit
which were counted with 245, 430 and 440 Squadrons.
F/O J.
Fraser returned from leave today.
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 |
| MJ
MN691
MP136
MN969
MN432
PD492
MN124
MN665 |
W/C
Grant F.E.
P/O
McBride A.G.
F/O
Smith R.V.
F/L
Saunders W.L.
F/O
Laurence R.H.
F/O
Davis W.G.
F/O
Marcoux M.A.
F/O
Hiltz R.A.
|
Dive
Bombing |
11:25 |
12:00 |
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Details
of Sortie or Flight
The
Winco Flying led the Squadron this time in the first Army
Support show for a considerable while. The target was a group of
buildings on the east edge of Hertogenbesch, Holland, said to be
German Army Headquarters. The aircraft carried 1000 lb bombs
(.025 nose & tail). The visibility was terrible with a heavy
haze in the air, this hindered an easy form-up, however, it was
completed and the Squadron set course doing one orbit on the way
to gain height; once over the target, the Squadron went into
bombing formation. The dive was from north to south and about 60
degrees. A small cloud obscured the target somewhat, and the
confusion was increased when Red three (F/O Smith) blew up in
the dive, scattering smoke and debris in the path of the five
aircraft following; due to all those distractions,
the bombing was scattered, though several bombs fell on the
Headquarters.
Blue
four, reported seeing a parachute falling northwest of the
target and it is hoped F/O Smith landed safely, although in
enemy territory. It is as yet a small mystery as to what caused
Red three to explode, no flak being seen in the area. Events
were yet to follow, for Red four (F/L Saunders) came in to land
oblivious of the fact that his port tire was flat, on landing he
went off the runway to the port and then up on his nose and over
on to his back; much to everyone's relief, he got out of the
mess with only a bump on his head.
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