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No. 439 Squadron's first operational base was at Hurn in Hampshire, not far from Bournemouth and Christchurch.  After fixing up their dispersal, scrounging furniture, cabinets and other items to make things comfortable, the pilots impatiently awaited the beginning of operations, scheduled for 21 March,  There were last minute preparations and instructions, lectures on the necessity of R/T  (radio) silence, the use of I.F.F. (Identification - Friend or Foe), ditching procedures, escape methods, and dinghy drill.  Air-firing and flying practice continued, and resulted in another tragic casualty.

On the afternoon of the 21st F/L N.E. Pollock and F/O C.W. Hewson were engaged in dog-fighting practice when two American Thunderbolts intercepted them and made passes at the Hurricanes.  One Thunderbolt did not break in time and struck Norv Pollock's aircraft, cutting off half of the starboard wing.  The Hurricane spun into the ground.  Norv was one of the old-timers who had been with the Squadron since September 1942.  As a Christmas present he had received a bottle of whisky, to be opened after his first operational trip.  A few nights after the accident his comrades opened the bottle at a Squadron party and drank toasts to Norv Pollock and "Mac" MacTavish.

Flight Lieutenant NORVAL EDWARD POLLOCK

Photo source : 439 Sqn archives PL28808

Shortly after the move to Hurn, F/O Paul Barton left the unit on posting to the R.C.A.F. "R" Depot at Warrington.