High
thin cloud in the morning with a ground haze, the cloud increased in
density later on in the afternoon. Air Chief Marshall Sir
Leigh-Mallory bid adieu to all the pilots in the Wing who congregated
at the sally Ann. Apparently he is proceeding to the Eastern Theatre
of War. F/O J. Fraser returned from the United Kingdom today with a
new Typhie.
F/O
J. Roberts our pilot architect has put the finishing touches to the
floor in the pilots' tent with the assistance of a few of the aggressive
types in the tent. The next step in the building agenda is to procure
a heater for the frigid confines of pilots' hang-out.
We
chalked up three more operations on the register today. Our optics
were treated with a lovely view of Libs, Lancs and Hallies heading
towards Hitler's territory which if seen back home, would have given
some incentive towards the oncoming 7th Victory Loan campaign. We have
been advised by signal that the course at Millfield is postponed for
about two weeks due to the move of the school to RAF Wittering, so we
sent another signal to F/O J.H. Stitt.
| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
| MN894
MN124
PD492
MN482
MN869
MP145
MN989
MN345 |
F/L
Monson A.E.
F/O
Hiltz R.A.
F/O
Burgess C.L.
F/O
MacDonald R.N.
F/O
Hogg J.E.
F/O
Roberts J.
F/O
Henderson A.L.
F/O
Carr J.
|
Dive
Bombing |
07:25 |
08:15 |
Details
of Sortie or Flight
The
Squadron of eight aircraft was led by F/L Monson on a
dive-bombing attack on the railway line just north of Geldern at
E.9828. Again 500 lb. bombs (11 second delay) were carried. Very
good bombing results were observed, having scored at least six
direct hits. The weather was very bad with only about a half
mile visibility and thick haze up to 8ooo feet. A reconnaissance
showed the railway line at Xanten was still out. F/L Monson
really did a marvellous job of navigating in such adverse
weather conditions. Rail definitely cut in three places. Geldern
marshalling yards still unserviceable. No movement seen, due to
weather. All aircraft returned safely to base.
|
| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
| MN581
MN989
MN869
MP145
MN894
MP136
MN482
PD492 |
F/L
Burton W.D.
F/L
saunders W.L.
F/O
brown J.A.
P/O
McBride A.C.
F/L
Monson A.E.
F/O
martin W.C.
F/O
Smioth I.W.
F/O
Bernhart P.N. |
Dive-Bombing |
11:35 |
13:00 |
|
Details
of Sortie or Flight
Eight
aircraft of our Squadron carrying 500 lb bombs (11 second delay)
were under the command of F/L Burton who led them on the railway
line at A.5582. The line was cut in two places by our bombs.
Otherwise no movement seen and all aircraft returned safely to
base.
|
| A/C
Type & Number |
Crew |
Duty |
Up |
Down |
| JR500
MN482
PD554
MN124
MN691
MP145
MN665
MP136 |
F/O
Burgess C.L.
F/O
Marcoux M.A.
F/O
Bernhart P.N.
F/O
Laycock M.P.
F/O
Martin W.G.
F/O
Roberts J.
F/O
Stelter J.
F/O
Carr J.
|
Straffing |
14:40 |
15:40 |
|
Details
of Sortie or Flight
The
Squadron led by F/O Burgess, went after the railways near Bruht
at A.3142. The rails were cut in three places at A.3943. 500 lb
bombs (11 second delay) were carried out on this mission.
Following the bombing, the Squadron strafed and damaged a
locomotive and two goods trucks near the target area. All
aircraft returned safely to base, unharmed.
|
Tiger
Squadron