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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
04
November 1944
B-78
Holland
Scattered
cloud throughout the day accompanied by a stiff cool breeze in the
afternoon. With the advent of more favourable weather, two weather
recces and three operations were carried out. Funeral arrangements are
being made for F/O MacDonald of which F/L C.A. Lambert has been
appointed to take charge. S/L K.J. Fiset, DFC, the C.O. of the
Squadron and F/O J. Carr proceeded to London for a spot of leave. F/L
J.E. Hogg assumes temporary command of the Squadron during the O.C.'s
absence. Cardinal
Villeneuve paid a visit to the Wing and celebrated Mass in the
morning in a Parish Church just outside the Airfield which was
attended by R.C. personnel of our Squadron. A summary of evidence was
being held today respecting F/O R.H. Laurence who was
dog-fighting with F/O R.N. MacDonald yesterday.
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
JR506 |
F/O
J. Roberts
F/L
W.L. Saunders |
Weather
Recce |
08:10 |
09:00 |
|
Details
of Sortie or Flight
F/O
Jack roberts led by F/ Saunders on a weather recce before
commencing the days operations. They flew north to Zwello,
Holland, then turned east as far as Almelo, Holland, back to Zwello,
and then returned to base. F/O Roberts reported the weather
suitable over target and though a large layer of cloud covered
the Rhine in the ******
area
|
| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
| ******
MN869
MN547
******
MN348
MN581
MN691
MP145 |
F/O
B.P. Swingler
W/O
S.A. Church
F/O
J.H. Stitt
F/O
J. G. Martin
F/O
J. A. Brown
F/O
A.C. McBride
F/O
N.H. Rassenti
F/O
C.A, Lambert |
Dive
Bombing |
09:30 |
10:55 |
|
Details
of Sortie or Flight
Webmasters
note: Much of this entry is illegible, so this is my best guess
as to contents. Note as always, text
in white
is suspect and is only my best interpretation of individual
words.
***********************took-off
with 500 lb. bombs (.025 tail fusing) to bomb the railroad at *****
(*.1814) ten
miles from ******. Holland. They set course and climbed to 10000
feet flying near several layers of cloud that extended over the
Rhine ****10/10ths.
On breaking cloud they were not sure of their position and
returned to the Rhine picking up a pin point at ******
and setting course again, this time going below cloud. F/O
Swingler decided to bomb the railway at *****, Holland, as an
alternate target, their gas supply was preventing
them to go to the original. They bombed the railway at a point
four miles north of ******
at B.905878,
diving from 7000 to 2000 feet. The first flight didn't score any
hits, the wind causing too much drift, the second flight scored
a direct hit, severing the rails. They reformed and returned to
base. Very little flak was encountered during the entire
operation.
|
| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
| PD554
MP151 |
F/O
I.W. Smith
F/O
J. Roberts |
Weather
Recce |
11:25 |
12:50 |
|
Details
of Sortie or Flight
F/O
I.W. Smith with F/O Roberts as his number two, took-off to make
a weather recce of the area north of the Rhine. They climbed to
10000 feet and flew to Rijssen, Holland and then swung northwest
to Zwello, Holland, and returned to base. F/O Smith reported a
good deal of cloud at 5000 but felt the weather over the target
suitable for operations.
|
| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
| MN869
**492
MN894
JR506
MN547
MN345
MN665
MP145 |
F/O
J.E. Hogg
F/O
P.N. Bernhart
F/O
J.A. Cote
F/O
W.G. Davis
F/O
J.G. Fraser
F/O
J. Sweeney
F/L
G.A. Lambert
F/L
W.L. Saunders. |
Dive
Bombing |
12:10 |
13:25 |
|
Details
of Sortie or Flight
F/L
Hogg led the squadron off to bang away at the familiar old
target south of Zwello at *.9226,
the aim in view this time was to cut the rail at Windeshiem,
a small town south of Zwello, Holland. The Squadron took-off and
formed up, setting course and climbing above cloud to about 5000
feet. On approaching Arnhem, they turned slightly to port and
dove a little and after heading this course for a few minutes,
they swung starboard back onto track - by doing so, they
experienced no flak whatsoever from Arnhem which, as a rule, is
heavily defended. The target was approached from the south and
the Squadron went nicely into bombing formation, then rolled
over and dove to the left in a steep dive. Two direct hits were
seen at B.903500
and B.907291.
The
other bombs falling very near. After an orbit they returned to
base safely, completing a good show.
|
| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
| MN345
MN581
MN691
MP145
PD554
PD432
MP151
MN547 |
F/O
J.A. Brown
F/O
S.C. McBride
F/O
N.H. Rassenti
F/O
J. roberts
F/O
I.W. Smith
W/O
S.A. Church
F/O
J.H. Stitt
F/O
J.G. Martin |
Dive
Bombing |
15:25 |
16:20 |
|
Details
of Sortie or Flight
F/O
Brown took the Squadron up to bomb the rail running between
Amerstoort and Apeldoorm, intending to cut it at a point four
miles east of the junction at Barneveld, Holland (B.5902).
They took-off with 500 lb. bombs (.025 tail fusing) and set
course, flying beneath cloud and then climbing to 6000 feet over
the target. On reaching the point to be bombed, they crossed the
rail, turned left flying parallel to the rail, then rolled to
the left in an average dive, going from west to east. All the
bombs were ****
at B.595007,
though though no direct hits were made; one bomb fell on the
equipment operating one of the double rails. The boys did a wide
orbit to port and formed up, then returned to base, concluding
an uneventful and moderately successful trip.
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