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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
02
November 1944
B-78
Holland
Heavy
cloud and haze all morning, breaking up after lunch allowing the
sun to shine upon this neglected neck of land. Volley-ball and horshoe
pitching were in progress this afternoon. Operations ordered all
serviceable aircraft to be bombed up, but only one operation and one
weather recce were carried out today. A sector recce was also made to
familiarize one of the new pilots.
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 |
| PD432
MN482 |
F/O
P.N. Bernhart
P/O
J. Sweeney |
Weather
Recce |
15:35 |
16:45 |
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Details
of Sortie or Flight
Before
commencing operations, the Wing called for a weather recce over
target area. This was supplied and F/O Bernhart with F/O Sweeney
as number two, took-off to do the recce. they flew east to the
Meuse and then turned south crossing the river below *****.
Before turning back to base, they reported oranges sweet. This
was F/O Sweeney's first operation and all in all was quite
uneventful, no movement being seen or flak encountered.
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| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
| MN665
MN348
MN345
MN145
MN694
MN581
MP151
JR506 |
F/O
J. Stelter
F/L
W.L. Saunders
F/O
J.A. Brown
F/O
J. Roberts
F/O
J. Cote
W/O
S.A. Church
F/O
R.N. MacDonald
F/O
W.G. Davis |
Dive
Bombing |
16:35 |
17:25
17:20
17:25
17:30
"
"
"
" |
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Details
of Sortie or Flight
The
weather finally cleared sufficiently towards late afternoon to
allow the Squadron, led by F/O J. Stelter, to take-off on a
Ramrod with the railroad running south from Venlo (Netherlands)
as the target at B.9502. They took-off with their 500 lb bombs
(.025 tail fusing) setting course and climbing above a layer of
cloud that extended as far as the Meuse at a height of 5500
feet. the point at which the railroad was to be bombed was ten
miles from Venlo, well inside Germany; they approached from the
northwest encountering a little flak as they crossed the Meuse.
Flying straight to the target, they rolled to the left diving
from 7000 to 2000 feet in a steep dive (70 deg). The bombing was
very accurate with two definite cuts at B78994
and the remaining bombs falling very close to the track and
among railway installations in the little village directly
below. After an orbit to form up, they set course and returned
to base.
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