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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
08
December 1944
B-78
Holland
Sunshine
in the morning with thin scattered cloud that increased in density and
closed in after lunch. The pilots strength decreased to 22 when F/O
I.W. Smith received his walking papers posting him to B.P.C. but he
will report to No. 3 P.R.C. Bournemouth. Weather kept our flying
activity down to only one operation and one sector recce, the latter
was for familiarization of new pilots with this part of the country.
Today the pilots and office moved into the new hut which is quite
comfortable and at least dry and warm; but we moved one of the
standing tents close to the hut in which parachutes and mae wests were
kept to provide more room in the hut and where constant heat is
supplied by a paraffin heater.
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 |
| RB204
MN691
PD492
MN869
PD554
PD461
PD608
MN482
RB198
PD478
|
F/O
R.H. Laurence
F/S
W.A. Wright
F/O
W.G. Davis
W/O
S.A. Church
F/O
J.D. Sweeney
F/O
L.C. Shaver
F/O
A.C. McBride
F/O
W. Anderson
F/O
W. Kubicki
P/O
B.E. Bell |
Dive
Bombing
'
'
'
'
'
'
Fighter
Cover
'
Dive
Bombing
|
09:55 |
11:25 |
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Details
of Sortie or Flight
F/O
Laurence led the Squadron, accompanied by two aircraft as
fighter cover, deep into Germany in an effort to prang the
railway running between Coesfeld and Dulman, Germany at A.6563,
and they carried the usual 500 lb. bombs (.025 tail fused) for
the job. once on course, the cloud grew denser as Germany was
approached and across the Rhine, it became 10/10ths at 4000
feet. the Squadron flew on as far as Munster, where a small
opening left the city visible. They then turned about and
returned towards base and broke cloud over Arnhem and F/O
Laurence intended to lead them north to prang the railway
running northeast from Arnhem. However his radio packed up and
forced the squadron to return with its' bombs; perhaps it was
just as well for their gas was getting very low. All landed
safely.
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