|
This
Day In History
Summary
of Events for No.
439 (CAN) Squadron
as
compiled by C20089
F/L M. Harrison
in the 439 Squadron Operations Record Book Form
540
for
29
April 1945
B-150
Celle, Germany
Low cloud, a high wind
that threatened the tents continuously all day and it was pretty
frigid. In spite of this the show must go on and we were able to
do an armed weather recce in the morning, another operation in
the afternoon and one in late afternoon. On the first show, F/O
Buck McGibbon pranged his kite on the runway due to the stiff
crosswind and no brakes, but finger trouble is also suspected. So
far our Bond Sales on the 8th Victory Loan Campaign, is in the
amount of $16,250.00 (Canadian currency1945) and we expect to
exceed this by tomorrow afternoon. One aircraft was transferred
away today as a result of the prang mentioned leaving a total of
15 with only one unserviceable.
Detail
of Work Carried Out by
No. 439
RCAF Squadron
as
compiled by J23040
F/L V.H. LeGear, J37015 F/O A.W. Saunders, and C200589
F/L M. Harrison
in the 439 Squadron Operations Record Book
Form 541
| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
|
RB262
RB377
SW498
PD608 |
F/L
Marlatt S.D.
F/O McGibbon D.S.
F/L Whelan M.J.
F/L Breck A.W.
|
Armed
Weather Recce |
11:10 |
11:45 |
|
Details
of Sortie or Flight
This
short trip was a weather recce of the tactical area,
to prepare for a close support job for the army. F/L
Staff Marlatt led the Section of four aircraft off at
11:10 hours. They climbed to 4000 feet but as they
approached the Elbe the ceiling became lower, and they
crossed the river at 1500 feet. The weather became
worse as they went further north, so after penetrating
about 5 miles into enemy territory, they turned about
and returned to base. F/O Buck McGibbon had tough luck
when his undercarriage collapsed on landing, but he
was unhurt. The rest of the Section landed safely at
11:45 hours. No claims.
|
| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
|
SW524 SW446 SW534 RB198 RB456 RB477 EK219 MN691 |
S/L
Beatty J.H.
W/O Hornberger F.J.
F/O Saunders A.W.
W/O Kidd E.F.
F/L Jackson S.C.
W/O Johnson D.E.
F/O Fraser A.H.
F/O Johnson D.E. |
Dive
Bombing |
16:05 |
16:45 |
|
Details
of Sortie or Flight
Eight
aircraft led by S/L Beatty took off at 16:05 hours to
smear the town of Schewarzenbek with cluster bombs.
The ceiling was 1500 feet and visibility was cut down
by mist and rain. They headed directly for the target
in close formation - a feature of the show was the
good formation under adverse conditions throughout the
whole period. Red Section flew straight and level over
the town followed by Blue Section led by F/L Chuck
Jackson. The bombing was spread over the whole town
all bombs landing in or close to the target area. Some
light flak was thrown up but this was stopped when the
bombs landed. One train facing west was spotted just
west of the town but no attack was made as many
Tempests and Spitfires were milling about. The
Squadron returned directly to base landing safely at
16:45 hours.
|
| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
|
SW534
RB262
SW498
SW446
SW524
RB369
RB477
RB198 |
F/L
LeGear V.H.
F/O Burden G.F.
F/O Harrison J.L.
F/O Hallford F.M.
F/L Gray J.O.
W/O Horrocks L.J.
F/O Kubicki W.
F/L Breck A.W. |
Dive
Bombing |
19:50 |
20:50
20;50
20;50
20:50
20:40
20;40
20:40
20:40 |
|
Details
of Sortie or Flight
Red
and Blue Sections led by F/L Vic LeGear and F/L Tex
Gray were briefed to cut the Boizenburg main line just
east of the town by request of the Second Army. The
eight aircraft carried 500 lb bombs with | |