|
This
Day In History
Summary
of Events for No.
439 (CAN) Squadron
as
recorded in the 439 Squadron Operations Record Book
for
27
December 1944
B-78
Holland
Webmaster's
note: This entry is very difficult to decipher so please bear with me.
Heavy
ground haze and heavy frost prevailed throughout the day although
there was an absence of heavy cloud. We lost J.44311 F/O B.E. Bell on
the first operation of the day although we have some consolation in
the fact that he baled out close to the bomb line and is only
classified as missing. He had performed 21 sorties, totalling 24:50
operational hours and give him a total of 521:45 flying hours. This
makes our pilot strength 21. Eight of our unserviceable aircraft have
been transferred to the Maintenance Section for repairs and of the 10
on strength bow, only 8 are serviceable. Many explosions were heard
during the day, some are presumed due to flying bombs. Two operations
carried out today which constituted the whole of the days flying
activity.
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 |
| MN144
PD608
MP145
MN581
|
F/L
J. Carr
F/O
D.E. Johnson
F/O
B.E. Bell
F/O
J.L. Harrison |
Armed
Recce |
11:15 |
12:30
12:55
12:00
13:00 |
|
Details
of Sortie or Flight
F/L
Carr led a section of four aircraft off to so an armed off to do
an armed recce, without bombs, over the same old battle area
south west of AACHEN in the HAUFFALIZE area. They arrived over
ST. VITH, the focal point of most of our efforts, and split up
into pairs. F/L Carr found a small convoy and had considerable
joy.
F/O
Bell, leading the other pair searched the area and went down in
attack on sighting something. On pulling out, he was seen
pouring black smoke. Red 1 came to his aid and noticed flames
coming from the radiator. he advised him to bail out and F/O
Bell did so but appeared to hit himself on the tail plane and
was seen hanging limp in his parachute as he floated earthward.
He fell inside German lines at P.7690 and his fate from here is
unknown. The remaining three aircraft returned safely. CLAIMS:
MET - 6 damaged.
|
| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
| RB233
MN589
PD554
AB281
|
F/L
J.A. Cote
F/O
W. Kubicki
F/O
W.G. Davis
F/O
A.H. Fraser |
Armed
Recce |
12:00 |
13:45 |
|
Details
of Sortie or Flight
Four
aircraft led by F/L Joe Cote took off at a noonhour heading for
the same area (ST. VITH) with the same idea in mind - to prang
the Hun. Arriving over the target area Joe Cote spotted
plenty of movement and the next fifteen minutes were spent in
using our ammo on a truck convoy which incidentally was pretty
well camouflaged, but not well enough. Result, four flamers and
two damaged, further results could not be seen as the trucks
were hidden by the trees and very well hidden. With their ammo
expended, the aircraft returned to base. On the way home they
were bounced by two Mustangs, who came out of the sun. Our boys
turned into them but didn't fire.
|
Copyright
©1998-2016 Michael T. Melnick. All rights reserved
the
unofficial homepage of  Tiger
Squadron
|