The
weather was fairly good throughout the day with scattered cloud
marring the sky spasmodically permitting three operations. A sector
recce was carried out in the morning to familiarize the new pilot P/O
A.E. Derouin with this part of the country. He went in the last
operation today and had to make a belly landing at this Airfield on
returning when his undercarriage would not release. F/O
Bob Hiltz, the pilot who forced landed on the 19th of this month
had a tough break when his aircraft was hit by flak on the first
operation which necessitating his baling out, but unfortunately, his
parachute streamed. He has done 27 sorties making 29:00 operational
hours making a total of 427:40 flying hours.
F/O
P.N. Bernhart's posting came through today posting him to B.P.C.
****
20.11.44 and requesting he report to 3 PRC Bournemouth. The pilot is
recommended to do his non-op tour at Bascombe Down experimental
station or alternatively at T.E.U.
| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
| MN144
PD459
MP145
MN989
MN124
PD554
JR506
PD492
|
F/L
J. Carr
P/O
B.E. Bell
F/O
J. Roberts
F/O
A.C. McBride
F/O
R.A. Hiltz
P/O
S. Angelini
F/O
R.H. Laurence
F/O
W.G. Davis |
Dive
Bombing |
09:20 |
10:15
'
'
'
10:00
10:15
'
' |
|
Details
of Sortie or Flight
The
squadron took-off, led by f/o Johnny carr, to prang the railroad
running between Bocholt and Borken, Germany at A.3360 and
carried 16 x 500 lb bombs (.025 tail fused). The squadron set
course climbing above a lot of cumulus and stratus cloud which
was close to 9/10ths They then broke cloud near Wesel, Germany
and swung north towards the target going into bombing formation.
The dive was from east to west and commenced at 8000 feet, it
was a moderately dive , 60 degreees, all aircraft following
closely. No direct hits were seen, most bombs falling slighly to
the left of the target, one pair of bombs appeared to fall in
the embankment beside the rails and probably damaged the line.
Once the aircarft commenced their dive, the flak became quite
intense and consisted of accurate medium and light stuff.
Blue
one (F/O Hiltz) received a direct hit in his starboard wing and
it blew off. The plane spun to earth and he was seen to bail
out; however his parachute didn't appear to open fully and he
hit the ground south of the target at considerable speed. The
remaining seven aircraft returned safely to base.
|
| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
| MP151
MN691
PD492
MP482
MN869
MN989
PD554
**202
|
F/O
.H. Stitt
P/O
S. Angelini
F/O
W.G. Davis
P/O
B.E. Bell
F/O
J.A. Cote
F/O
A.C. McBride
F/O
J. Sweeny
F/O
L.C. Shaver |
Dive
Bombing |
11:30 |
12:35
12:40
12:35
12:40
12:35
12:40
12:35
12:40 |
|
Details
of Sortie or Flight
The
Squadron led by F/O Stitt and armed with 1000 lb. bombs (tail
inst) took-off to take part in a Wing prang in support of the
British army. The target was the little German village of Beck,
map reference K.915663 and was just outside the bomb line. F/O
Stitt set course flying about three minutes behind 438 squadron
led by the Winco. The target area appeared to be covered
with 10/10ths stratus and cumulus, so the Wing did a wide orbit
looking for an opening but none could be found. They flew a
little further east and jettisoned their bombs (fused safe) not
being too sure how far over the bombline they were. Coming out
they received the business and a few 88mm shells though no
damage was done and they all returned safely.
|
| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
| MN144
MN989
MP145
PD478
MP151
MN482
PD554
PD492
MN869
MN348
|
F/O
J. Carr
P/O
A.E. Derouin
F/O
J. Roberts
F/O
J. Sweeney
F/O
R.H. Laurence
F/O
W. Anderson
F/O
J.H. Stitt
F/O
W.G. Davis
F/O
J.A. Cote
F/O
L.C. Shaver |
Dive
Bombing
'
'
'
'
'
'
'
Fighter
Cover
'
|
16:00 |
17:20
17:30
17:20
17:20
'
'
17:25
17:20
17:25
'
|
|
Details
of Sortie or Flight
The
squadron, with F/O Johnny carr leading, took-off with 500 lb.
bombs (.025 tail fused) to cut the railway between Haltern and
Dulman, Germany. Due to increased enemy activity, the sqaudron
too two extra aircarft as fighter cover. Climbing through
scattered cumulus the squadron levelled out at 11ooo feet and
set course for the target. On the way there were enemy aircraft
reported and the boys were kept on their toes; across the Rhine
there was considerable heavy flak but it did not hinder the
approach to the target. The dive was made starightway from eastn
to west, it was a long steep dive and the bombing was a little
scattered. However, one good hit was scored and the squadron
left the line well damaged. The return trip was uneventful
except that it was a bit dark and necessitated landing by
flare path. Red two (P/O Derouin) in his first operation, could
not get his wheels down but carried out a successful belly
landing that made his aircarfty a Cat. B.
|
Tiger
Squadron