|
This
Day In History
Summary
of Events for No.
439 (CAN) Squadron
as
recorded in the 439 Squadron Operations Record Book
for
24
May 1944
R.A.F.
Hurn
Sunshine all day with
partial haze in the morning. Received new instructions from 11
Group to the effect that locomotives and trains in enemy
territory are now released for attack by fighter aircraft but
the intention is not to lay on special large scale anti-train
operations or the Rhubarb type of operation. Attacks are not to
be made in Marshalling or known heavily defended areas or
when intense unexpected flak is encountered. Synchronized
attacks from different sides are to be employed, taking
advantage of the sun. When trains are sighted during a sweep,
bombing or after having completed escorting medium or heavy
bombers, the formation leader is to detach two or at the most
four aircraft to go down and attack which are
(then) to rejoin the main
formation. The formation is to remain above during the attack to
provide cover. Fighters are not to cruise around below cloud,
and within light flak range looking for suitable targets.
Ten of our aircraft
bombed the Marshalling Yards at Douai with 500 lb. bombs. All
bombs were in the target area. Several trucks were blown up. The
aircraft crossed the French Coast at Hardelot and returned
through that location.
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 |
|
MN516
MN417
MN435
MN379
MN569
MN464
JR506
MN580
MN356
MN370 |
S/L
Norsworthy
F/O Henderson F/O
Monson F/O
Stetler F/L
Saville F/O
Hewson F/O
Scharff F/O
Burgess F/O
Johns F/O
Ross
|
Dive
Bombing
|
13:00 |
14:10 |
|
Details
of Sortie or Flight
Pilots
were briefed to attack the railway Marshalling Yards
at Douai by the Operations Officer at Manston. The
coast was crossed at Hardelot and the target was
attacked with 500 lb. bombs from 8000' to 4000' from
N.W. to S.W. Some flak was thrown up during the dive
and the breakaway but none of our aircraft were
damaged. During the dive, the port undercarriage leg
of the aircraft flown by F/O Stetler became unlocked
and fell down causing his aircraft to swerve violently
and his bombs were flung wide of the target. All other
bombs were seen to burst well in the target area.
As
the undercarriage leg would not come up again, F/PO
Stetler was forced to drop behind the main formation
so F/O Johns and F/O Ross, flying as spares, escorted
him home to Manston. The landing was made without
incident. In the course of the return to base, S/L
Norsworthy's aircraft caught fire and crash landed in
a field near Ford. Pilot unhurt.
|
Copyright
©1998-2016 Michael T. Melnick. All rights reserved
the
unofficial homepage of  Tiger
Squadron
.
.
.
|