Scattered cloud
throughout the whole day. The day of the invasion is here ! The
whole Squadron feels a part of the initial assault. This could
be seen on the countenance of every man in the Squadron. The
maintenance lads were busy all morning and night ensuring that
the aircraft were on top line for operations. The first
operation carried out by our Squadron to assist the
invasion was at 0700 hrs in which twelve of our aircraft
participated. The objective was Gun positions behind the
proposed beachhead at Courselles. S/L Norsworthy led the
Squadron on this operation which delivered 1000 lb bombs
to the Fuerher's forces and made successful attacks on the Gun
positions.
Another operation was carried out at 16:40 hrs. by
eight aircraft and again S/l Norsworthy led the Squadron. 500
lb. bombs were carried for use on targets of opportunity but
none were presented so they were jettisoned in the English
Channel with the greatest regret. At 19:45 hrs. eight aircraft
led by F/L Dadson loaded with 500 lb. bombs, attacked an
armoured column proceeding north of Caen, in France. Heavy
damage was inflicted on the Jerry vehicles. No aircraft were
damaged on the operations today and there were no enemy
opposition to speak of. In addition to the ops, those not participating
were on constant readiness. the groundcrew of 439 worked like
mad today trying to keep up with the good serviceability and
plenty of bundles on hand for the "square heads"(1) .
Note 1: According to the Racial Slur Database Square
head = Shape of head, late 19th / early 20th
century racial slur referring to, in this case, the Germans.
Webmaster's Note: The
541 Form for the month of June 1944 is extremely illegible, and
difficult to read, and may entail a trip to Ottawa to get a
better copy out of the Directorate of History. Hopefully theirs
will more legible.
In the meantime, illegible text is indicated by a
series of question " ? " marks.
| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
|
MN370
MN435
MN381
MN353
MN352
MN417
MN308
MN464
JR306
MN565
MN356
MN663 |
F/L
Dadson
F/O Hogg
F/O Burton
F/O Laycock
?????
F/O Moen
S/L Norsworthy
F/O Smith
F/O Scharff
F/O Burgess
F/O Johns
F/O Brown R.A.
|
Dive
Bombing
|
07:00 |
09:15 |
|
Details
of Sortie or Flight
Today
was the "Big Day". In conjunction with the
landings of Allied Forces on the northern coast of
France, our Squadron straffed a number of gun positions
behind the proposed beachhead at Courselles. This
Squadron, led by S/L Norsworthy dropped 34 x 1000 lb.
bombs in direct support of the Assault landings of the
Third Canadian Division. Red Flight struck at one German
Battery position while Blue Flight struck at another one
only a short distance away. After the bombs struck, both
batteries were believed to be " a long ???????"
The actual bombing attacks were made through billowing
clouds of smoke and corruption to the tune of an intense
sea land
bombardment by heavy naval guns. Tanks were observed
landing on the beach and aircraft of all descriptions
were present in every corner of the sky. No resistance
appeared to be offered to the invaders in this early
stage of the attack. All our aircraft returned safely.
|
| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
|
MN352
JR906
MN464
JR981
MN370
MN401
MN353
JR352 |
S/L
Norsworthy
F/O Swingler
F/O Thomas
F/O Monson
F/ Dadson
F/O Porritt
F/O Ross
F/O Stelter
|
Dive
Bombing
|
16:40 |
18:05 |
|
Details
of Sortie or Flight
Following
up the invasion forces, our Squadron provided eight
aircraft as a recon
??????? Squadron
over the Caen area. The aircraft carried 2 x 500 lb. W.C.
bombs to be used on target of opportunity. No good
opportunity presented itself as the Squadron searched
the area from varying altitudes, 500 ft to 5000 ft ????
S/L Norsworthy was forced to land his men heavy
without the smell of cordite. Only two of our own
armoured scout cars were seen heading south from
Courselles. Bombs were jettisoned into the channel.
|
| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
|
JR506
MN356
MN370
MN435
MN352
MN362
MN581
MN417 |
F/O
Scharff
F/O Bernhart
F/L Dadson
F/O Rassenti
F/O Monson
W/C Hillock
F/O Barton
F/O Moen
|
Dive
Bombing
|
19:45 |
21:00 |
|
Details
of Sortie or Flight
Briefed
to search for enemy armoured vehicles near Caen. F/L
Dadson led the Squadron ?????
over a large north bound armoured column just north of
Caen, in France. The columns believed to be a part of
the
21st Panzer Division en route to assemble near Caen.
The Squadron attacked the column with 500 lb. bombs and
cannon inflicting heavy damaged on a large number of
vehicles. Bombs were dropped over various parts of the
column on individual attacks. None of our aircraft were
damaged. All returned safely.
|
Tiger
Squadron