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

14 January 1945

 B-78 Holland

The weather was unblemished today except for thin and insignificant scattered cloud, hence an armed weather recce was sent out early to view climatic conditions over the prospective target areas which were reported favourable so that the Squadron had a picnic on the three other operations that were squeezed in.

We did receive a jolt when F/L J.A. Cote "B" Flight Commander failed to return from an operation this afternoon, but are consoled by the fact that he made a safe forced landing in enemy territory. He is pretty crafty, speaks a little German and it would not surprise us to learn some day that he sneaked back to our own lines. This was his 57th trip over enemy territory, which gives him credit for 67 operational hours and a total of 1202:55 flying hours.

This afternoon the loud and flat putt-putt of a buzz bomb was heard going over the Officers Mess and we were expecting to hear the motor cut out at any time.

F/L Johnny Carr returned from leave in England and F/O's Mac McBride and Johnny Johnson from ferrying two new Typhies today. 

F/O Bob Laurence who has long since exhausted his patience awaiting Court martial, finished his first tour of operations with 57 sorties, 106:30 operational hours and a total of 1022:35 flying hours. We will regret seeing him finally leave the Squadron as he is one of the keenest types that one could meet, always ready for a show against the Jerries. His other achievements on Ops are: 

• bombs - 64,000 lbs. dropped,

• enemy aircraft - 4 destroyed, 

• MET - 12 flamers, 22 damaged,

• locomotives - 10 destroyed, 

• barges - 6 damaged,

• ships - 1 damaged,

• balloons - 2 destroyed,

• horse-drawn vehicles - 8 damaged.

One aircraft was sent to Maintenance reducing our strength to thirteen, with eleven serviceable.

 

Detail of Work Carried Out by  No. 439 RCAF Squadron 

as recorded by J20602 F/O R.H. Laurence, J29881 F/O W.G. Davis,  and C20089 F/L M. Harrison in the  439 Squadron Operations Record Book Form 541

A/C Type & Number	Crew	Duty	Up	Down
RB204 RB198	F/O Laurence R.H. F/O Kubicki W.	Armed Weather Recce	08:30	09:40
Details of Sortie or Flight The weather recce led by F/O Bob Laurence consisted of two aircraft. They took off in what appeared to be fairly ropey weather, there being considerable low lying stratus with a base at  a 1000 feet. But on climbing through this, they were greeted by clear blue sky. They then headed across the Rhine into the Borken - ????? area. There was no movement noticeable on the ground so they returned to base pronouncing the weather serviceable for operations. This incident was F/O Bob Laurence's last trip, having finished a very successful tour. Congratulations are in order for Bob from  all the lads of 439 Squadron.
A/C Type & Number	Crew	Duty	Up	Down
RB262 RB286 PD608 RB377 MP151 MP144	F/L Cote J.A. F/O Marlatt S.D. F/O Davis W.C. F/O Sweeney J.D. F/O Derouin A.H. F/O Roberts J.	Armed Recce	10:15	11:20
Details of Sortie or Flight Six aircraft without bombs took off on the first show of the day. The Squadron led by F/O Jack Sweeney set course for the Munster area. The weather was quite good except for a slight ground haze in the East. The Squadron combed the area from Borhen to Coesfeld but not a bit of movement was noticed. There was not flak at all and the boys returned safely to base without firing cannons. More balloons than usual were noticed at Wesel.
A/C Type & Number	Crew	Duty	Up	Down
MN424 PD608 RB204 RB262 RB377 MN144 RB198 RB286	S/L Crosby R.G. F/O Davis W.G. F/O Cote J.A. F/O Anderson W. F/O Sweeney J.D. F/O Shaver L.C. F/O McBride A.C. F/O Roberts J.	Ramrod on bridge at Bestmerberg, and strafing.	12:55 12:55 12:55 12:55 12:55 12:55 12:55 12:55	13:35 14:20 13:55 14:20 14:20 14:20 14:20 14:20
Details of Sortie or Flight Eight aircraft took off on a Ramrod led by S/L Crosby who had to return early due to a rough engine and F/O Sweeney who was leading Blue Section took over the Squadron and led it to the target which is a bridge at Bestmerberg in northern Holland, almost due east of Zwolle. The bomb line was crossed at Arnhem at 800 feet and since no flak was encountered , the aircraft let down to 400 feet. F/O Sweeney and his number 2 went down to have a look first then dropped their 1,000 pounders (11 sec delay), the remainder of the Squadron went down in pairs. Two hits were scored on the embankment at the north end of the bridge and part of the bridge was blown out. Light flak was thrown up over the target area which hit F/O Cote's aircraft causing a bad glycol leak and he was informed of this. He made a successful forced landing about four miles south, south-west of Bestmerberg and then called up on the R/T stating that he was alright. The rest of the Squadron strafed the woods around Bestmerberg and the Jerry barracks north of the target clobbering many enemy troops and damaging the barracks considerably. 160 Squadron provided top anti-flak and top cover for us. The remaining six aircraft returned safely to base and rueful of Joe's absence, but we feel optimistic about his safety especially since he speaks a little German and is quite crafty.
A/C Type & Number	Crew	Duty	Up	Down
MP134 RB262 PD608 AB286 MN144 MP151 RB198 MN691	S/L Crosby R.G. F/O Kubicki W. F/O Marlatt S.D. F/O Saunders A.W. F/O Sweeney J.D. F/O Harrison J.L. F/L Le Gear W.H. F/O Cleghorn D.G.	Armed Recce	15:30 15:30 15:30 15:30 15:30 15:30 15:30 15:30	17:10 17:05 17:00 17:00 17:10 17:10 17:00 17:05
Details of Sortie or Flight Eight aircraft took off on an armed recce led by S/L Crosby in search of transport or trains between Coesfeld and Munster. Blue flight led by F/O Sweeney found a train of about 20 cars without an engine. They strafed these cars getting a little flak. F/O Harrison got a small hole in his tail plane from an 88 MM. Red Section found a train with about 20 to 25 cars on, also between Coesfeld and Munster. They attacked scoring hits on train and cars. The Engine  of the train was claimed damaged, but since it was parked  and did not have steam up, the extent is uncertain. When Blue section was forming up they got bounced by Tempests but after Blue section broke, they departed. The Squadron patrolled Munster - Coesfeld area at 6,000 feet and was attacked by 88 M.M. on going in and coming out. Visibility over this area was pretty good.  All aircraft returned safely to base with the following claims:  Locomotives -1 damaged, train cars - 10 damaged.

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