This Day In History

Summary of Events for  No. 439 (CAN) Squadron 

as recorded in the  439 Squadron Operations Record Book

for

30 November 1944

 B-78 Holland

Scattered cloud in the morning accompanied by ground haze, but in the afternoon there was a complete and low overcast that prevented further operations. Even so we did four weather recces each of which consisted of four aircraft. Under the new policy, each aircraft carries bombs in case targets of opportunity present themselves and which may cause these recces to be more fruitful.

The first time in the history of 439 , enemy balloons were victimized by the spewing cannons of our Typhies. The flight led by F/O Laurence, claimed to have had "a hell of a good time" by (but) regretted not having had more 20mm shells. One A&E test constituted  the only non-operational flying of the day. F/L Chuck Lambert and F/O Babe Swingler were both discharged from 52 MFH  in Eindhoven this afternoon, the latter being fit for proceeding on posting tomorrow. The Squadron pilot strength yesterday was 20 until three new  flying types were posted from 83 G.S.U. They are C.1191 A/F/L K.F. Sage, J.23040 F/O V.H.J. LeGear, and J. 25140 F/O W. Kubicki. Good news was received from 83 Group H.Q. This morning advising that J.36722 F/O W. Fraser who went missing since the 11th of this month is now in friendly hands in Northwest Holland.

Late in the afternoon, the Squadron was to attempt a new way of bombing; however, weather necessitated its cancellation. Further advances of Radar will permit what is known as vector bombing. Aircraft on operations are to fly at a certain height, speed and course, and will be vectored by G.C.C. to the target. G.C.C. will also give the order to release bombs. This method is predicted to be very accurate if the height, speed and course are maintained exactly. Lanterns were cast asunder when the electric power was reinstated thus obviating undue strain on the eyesight. S/L K.J. Fiset, DFC, our squadron commander has been officially screened from operations with 101 sorties, 100:10 operational hours and 1459:00 hours flying time. He has been recommended for a month's leave immediately, following which he is to do his non-operational tour in England where he will be available for further operations.

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
 PD459

PD492

PD461

MN869

F/O J.A. Cote

F/O W.G. Davis

F/O L.C. Shaver

W/O S.A. Church

 Armed Weather Recce 08:05 08:45
 

Details of Sortie or Flight

F/O Cote leading Green section on an armed recce with 500 lb bombs (.025 tail fused) and also with the purpose of reporting the weather. After setting course, they climbed above a cloud layer from 6000 to 7000 feet, 10/10ths, that extended over the entire area, visibility was further decreased by a **** haze. They reported "oranges sour" and returned to base.

 
A/C Type & Number Crew Duty Up Down
PD478

PD459

MN482

MN691

F/L J.A. Cote

P/O A.E. Derouin

F/O W. Anderson

P/O S. Angelini

 

 Armed Weather Recce 09:30 10:45
Details of Sortie or Flight

F/L Cote with three other pilots and armed with 500 lb bombs (.025 tailed fused) took-off on an armed recce to cover the target area and send back a weather report. On setting course, they found a layer of cloud at 3000 feet (10/10ths) and were forced to return to base reporting weather as "oranges sour".

 
A/C Type & Number Crew Duty Up Down
 RB204

MN869

PD459

MN348

F/O R.E. Laurence

W/O S.A. Church

F/O J. Sweeney

F/L W.L. Saunders

 Armed Weather  Recce 11:15 12:35
 

Details of Sortie or Flight

F/O Laurence led a section of four aircraft armed with 500 lb bombs (.025 tail fused) to carry out a weather recce over the target area. On taking off and setting course, they climbed to 10000 feet and then commenced a gradual descent to gain speed. A layer of stratus at 7000 feet lay between the Rhine and Meuse Rivers. Beneath this was a layer of 10/10ths stratus at 3000 feet. The section flew east by dead reckoning for about 15 minutes looking for an opening through which to drop their bombs; they could find none so turned about.

On the way out the barrage balloons over Wesel, Germany were visible about 3000 feet above cloud top. F/O Laurence prepared to attack one; not being sure of their reaction to gun fire, he left the rest of the formation orbiting above. On the first attack no visible results were available until 2 or 3 minutes, after which, it deflated and sank. This procedure was repeated again with the same success. Each member of the flight had a go at them in succession. One balloon burst into flame and Red 2 (W/O Church) said it only did so after his tracer shells entered it.  The flight returned to base with their bombs with a sciore in balloons of 1 flamer - 3 destroyed - 1 probable.
A/C Type & Number Crew Duty Up Down
PD554

PD492

MP145

PD476

F/O I.W. Smith

P/O W.G. Davis

F/O J. Roberts

P/O B.E. Bell

 Armed Weather  Recce 13:40 14:45
 

Details of Sortie or Flight

F/O Smith with three other pilots, all armed with 500 lb bombs (.025 tail fused) took-off to do a weather recce and strike if weather permitted. Once airborne they found a heavy layer of cloud (10/10ths) over the Maas and extending to the east beyond the target area. This cloud was about 3000 feet and made conditions totalling unsuitable for operations. They returned to base and reported "oranges sour".

 
End Month Report

Total number of 20mm rounds expended for the month - 6,160 rounds.

    "        "         " 500 lb bombs        "         "    "       "      - 291

    "        "         " 1000 lb bombs       "         "    "       "      - 101

         Operational Sorties : 263

         Operational Hours : 305:05 - Typhoon 1 B

Non-Operational Hours :   32:45  -      "

 

Postings: 

J44311 F/O B.E. Bell posted from 85 G.S.U. on 6.11.44

J36997 F/O W. Anderson "        "   "     "        "   12.11.44

J17158 F/O L.G. Shaver  "        "   "     "        "   17.11.44

J37114 P/O Angelini        "        "   "     "        "   17.11.44

J87748 P/O A.E. Derouin "        "   "     "        "   20.11.44

C1119 A/F/L K.F. Sage     "        "   "     "        "   20.11.44

J25140 F/O W. Kubicki     "        "   "     "        "   20.11.44

J23040 F/O V.B.J. LeGear "        "   "     "        "   29.11.44

C22655 A/F/L R.G. Crosby "        "   "     "        "   29.11.44

 

J27825 F/O A.L. Henderson  posted to R.C.A.F. "B" Depot. on 6.11.44 (Compassionate)

J21925 F/O J. Stelter                 "      "  83 GSU (tour-expired)

J25260 F/O P.N. Bernhart         "      "  ******        "     "    

J21143 A/F/L C.L. Burgess        "      "  ******        "     "    

J21119 A/F/L J.E. Hogg              "      "  ******        "     "    

J21837 F/O B.P. Swingler           "      "  ******        "     "    

J22462 F/O N.H. Rassenti           "      "  ******        "     "    

 

Casualties:

J21003 F/O R.N. MacDonald - Killed in flying accident on 3.11.44

J28760 F/O J.A. Brown           - missing in action on 6.11.44

J36722 F/O J.G. Fraser           - missing in action on 11.11.44 (now in friendly hands     in                                                                                                     in NW Holland )

J37648 F/O J.G. Martin           - missing in action on 13.11.44

J37855 F/O R.A. Hiltz              - missing in action on 21.11.44

 

AIRCREW                                           GROUNDCREW

Officers - 22                                                    Officers - 3

Airmen -    1                                                     Airmen  - 30

 

Aircraft on Charge:   TYPHOON 1B          - 18  

 

Original signed by

 

(K.J. Fiser, D.F.C) Squadron Leader

Officer Commanding

439 RCAF Squadron.

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