MP145

MN869

MN989

JR500

MP151

MN765

MN375

F/L Burton W.D.

F/O Roberts J.

F/O Hogg J.E.

F/O Smith R.V.

F/O Johns R.A.

W/O Gray W.A.

F/O Swingler B.P.

F/O Laurence R.H.

This show was a low-level attack by eight aircraft of our Squadron against the railway line over the embankment at E.539855. This is a single track line running east into Arnhiem. The Squadron, led by F/L Burton, carried 500 lb. bombs (11 sec delay fuses) and attacked the target in pairs from the south. No flak was experienced throughout the attacks which began at 8,000 feet and went down to 50 feet in 35 and 4o degree dives. As a result of these tactics, the narrow railway line was cut by large bomb craters in three places and the remaining bombs were very close. Two burnt out trains were reported just west of the target at E.4386. All aircraft returned safely to base at 11:10 hours.

 

MP145

MN869

MN691

MN989

MN352

PD492

PD458

MN379

S/L Fiset K.J.

F/O Fraser J.G.

F/O Stelter J.

F/O McBride A.C.

F/O Carr J.

F/L Monson A.E.

F/O Cote J.A.

F/O Burgess C.L.

F/O Stitt J.H.

Details of Sortie or Flight

S/L Fiset, DFC, was in command when nine aircraft of this Squadron carried out bombing attacks against railway embankments at6 E.2396 just northeast of Utrecht. The approach to the target was made from the north at 8,000 feet, pulling out away from the town of Utrecht itself. No flak was evident and 17 x 500 lb. bombs (11 sec delay) were released at the target. The remaining bomb hung up on the aircraft flown by F/O McBride  and was finally jettisoned out of the target area. As a result of this attack, one rail was cut by a bomb crater, and 1o other craters were in the immediate target area. All aircraft landed safely and taxied into the dispersal at 15:45 hours.

MN345

JR500

MN765

MP151

MN375

MN869

MN969

F/L Burton W.D.

F/O Rassenti N.H.

F/O Johns R.A.

F/O Swingler B.P.

S/L Fiset K.J.

F/O Laurence R.H.

F/O Hogg J.E.

F/O Laycock M.P.

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16:40

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18:15

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These four aircraft of 439 and four of 438 Squadron under command of F/L Reid of 438 Squadron, were scrambled from readiness at 15:55 hours. Once airborne, the flight was unable to establish contact with the controller by R/T, and after twenty minutes orbitting base, the eight aircraft pancaked. At 16:40 hours S/L Fiset, DFC, led 4 aircraft from 439 and 4 from 440 Squadron into the air to carry out a fighter patrol over Nijmegen. The patrol proved fruitless but one pilot reported sighting a strange aircraft climbing steeply to the northeast away from Nijmegen at 7,500 feet. The aircraft was presumed to have been one of the new "Jerry" jet jobs. All aircraft landed at 18:15 hours.

MP145

MN691

MN989

MN352

PD458

MN379

MN870

F/L Burton W.D.

F/O Roberts J.

F/O Rassenti N.H.

F/O Smith R.V.

F/L Monson A.E.

W/O Gray W.A.

F/O Stitt J.H.

F/O Burgess C.L.

Details of Sortie or Flight

This was a fighter patrol carried out over the Nijmegen-Arnhiem area by eight aircraft of 439 Squadron, under the leadership of F/L Burton. The patrol was carried out without incident until 19:00 hours when fuel tank trouble made it necessary for F/L Burton to lead F/O Rassenti back to base.

While engaged in that task, he heard R/T signals which indicated that Blue Section led by F/L Monson had made contact with enemy aircraft near Nijmegen. F/L Burton then led his remaining three aircraft towards the embyro sky battle, the position of which was now made visible by the flak and flares being fired in the night sky over Nijmegen. Red Section was unable to make contact with the enemy and returned to base to await the arrival of Blue Section to hear the story. Here it is:

Blue Section, maintaining patrol over the area, was repeatedly attacked by Thunderbolt formations until the result that Blue Section became divided into two pairs. Just as night was becoming thick flares were seen to be dropping from aircraft at 10,000 feet over Nijmegen and the ground defenses, guns and searchlights, began to sweep the sky. F/L Monson caught a fleeting glimpse of a JU-88 and fired one short burst before losing in the blackness.

W/O Gray, spotted a FW-190 caught in the searchlights and closed in to about 400 yards  almost astern. W/O Gray opened fire saw strikes on the port wing root of the 190 just before the Jerry jettisoned his long range tank and spiraled downwards out of sight. W/O Gray scored this 190 as a "damaged".

F/O Stitt meanwhile spotted a JU-88 at 7,000 feet and closed in to a 5 degree off to port of a dead astern shot and fired a long burst. Strikes were visible on the port engine and port wing root. The aircraft burst into flame and spiraled to earth. It was seen to crash and burn by F/L Burton and F/L Monson.

/O Burgess ran short of gas near base and was forced to make a dead stick night landing. His judgement was perfect and he landed at base on the runway. All pilots were in very high spirits that night.