JR506

MN869

MP151

MP134

MN144

MP145

MN482

F/L J.A. Cote

F/S Propas B.

W/O S.A. Church

F/O V.H.J. LeGear

S/L R.G. Crosby

F/O J.L. Harrison

F/O J. Roberts

P/O D.E. Johnson

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10:45

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10:50

Details of Sortie or Flight

The first show of the day, after a rather busy Christmas , got underway at 09:15. It was an eight plane effort, with F/L Cote leading the show, and S/L Crosby the leader of Blue section. The area southeast of Aachen around Hauffalime, once again was our target, and anything that looked like a Hun, was to be thoroughly pranged. As the target area came into sight, the two sections (Red & Blue) split up and combed the area. The weather was very good, with no cloud and wizard visibility and both sections had some joy, although it was apparent that Jerry wasn't noticeable as in the previous days. The flak was rather light and scattered and no damage was sustained, although Red 2 (F/S Propas) a new lad, was grazed by 20m/m in the area in the nose tank. Attacks were made on MET, tanks, and an armoured car car giving us the following score: MET - 2 flamers, 6 damaged; TANKS : 1 damaged: AFV: 1 damaged.

MN145

MN144

MP151

RB204

MN869

PD608

MN482

F/O J.D. Sweeney

P/O A.E. Derouin

F/L J. Carr

F/O B.E. Bell

F/O R.H. Laurence

F/O A.H. Fraser

F/O W.G. Davis

F/O W. Kubicki

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12:15

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13:45

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'

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Details of Sortie or Flight

The Squadron took-off without bombs led by F/O Sweeney. They set course and reached the battle area south of Aachen without incident. Over Malmedy, Belgium, the two flights split up and went on independent searches for enemy transport. Red Flight had very little joy and after circling for some time, finally found a staff car which they damaged. About this time, Red 4 (F/O Bell) received a hit in his port wing just below his gas tanks by a 40 m/m shell. He returned to base with Red 3 followed by Red 1 and 2.

Blue Flight had very little joy, they combed the area thoroughly and found a staff car and one or two other things. Blue 4 (F/O Kubicki) became short of fuel so they returned to base where Blue 4 made a belly landing as his indications showed his port wheel to be unlocked and he had insufficient gas to carry out any emergency measures. CLAIMS : MET - 3 damaged.

RB281

PD461

MN581

S/L R.G. Crosby

F/O V.H.J. LeGear

F/O J. Roberts

F/O J.L. Harrison

Details of Sortie or Flight

S/L Crosby with three more aircraft, took off and headed down the beaten path to haunt the Hun in his every move. They covered the entire area south of AACHEN in the ST VITH area with an itchy finger ready to unleash the four cannons on anything that showed itself. After considerable searching they returned to base with no joy and cannons unfired.

RB204

MP145

PD608

MN144

PD459

PD461

MN489

F/L J.A. Cote

F/S PROPAS, B.

W/O S.A. Church

F/O D.E. Johnson

F/L J. Carr

F/O J.D. Sweeney

F/O R.H. Laurence

F/O W.G. Davis

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15:15

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15:30

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16:40

16:30

17:00

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Details of Sortie or Flight

F/L Cote, with his flight of four aircraft, set the old familiar course in a clear and cloudless sky and then settled down for the twenty minute trip that takes one into Hunland, without carrying any bombs. They commenced their search over ST VITH, Belgium, and were first rewarded with the novel target of a double decker bus heading NE from ST VITH, Belgium. A short attack left it rolling down a hill in flames. Occasional movement was seen, and as they were about to return they found a small group trucks parked off the road in some trees and gave them a going over  with their ammunition. On pulling up Green 2 (F/S Propas) received a 40 mm shell through his port wing about two feet in from his trailing edge and wing tip, making his aircraft Cat. AC. All four a/c  returned safely to base.

PD459

PD461

MN489

F/L J. Carr

F/O J.D. Sweeney

F/O R.H. Laurence

F/O W.G. Davis

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15:30

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16:30

17:00

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Details of Sortie or Flight

This time four aircraft went off in pairs which took off at an interval of 15 minutes, as it was felt there was ample air cover over the American 1st Army to ensure safety from air attack, and that the MET was so scattered, two aircraft could cope with anything they found. Red Flight was led by F/L Carr; Blue Flight by F/O Laurence. Both pairs covered the ST. Vith (Belgium) area, ST. VITH being quite visible and in flames due to an attack by heavies a half hour previously.

Red Flight found a small convoy and had considerable joy, however, Red 2 (F/O Sweeney) was clobbered by 20 mm shells and they returned to base as one shell pierced his gas tank causing it to leak. He reached base and was on approach when he was forced to go around again being cut off by another aircraft, his engine cut at this point due to lack of petrol and he had to make a forced landing on a field just beside the runway. Only one of his wheels retracted which made a hazardous landing writing off his aircraft but he was unhurt.

Blue Flight covered the area surrounding ST. VITH first attacking a truck that burned and then a small group of trucks and soldiers. Both returned safely though heavy concentrations of flak were met throughout. The eight aircraft aircraft as shown are considered as being on the same operation.

CLAIMS: MET - 3 flamers  and 10 damaged; AFV - 1 damaged.