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These attacks continued through the first days of June. On the 2^nd  Tommy Dadson led a 14 plane formation against the radar installation and coast watcher south of Anneville, on the east coast of the Cherbourg peninsula. Diving from 7,000 feet to 2,000 through a light and ineffective curtain of flak, the pilots planted four 500 lb. bombs squarely on the target and 22 more nearby; two hung up and did not release until the aircraft was over the Channel.  The next target was at St. Peter Port on Guernsey, attacked in the evening of the 3^rd  by eight pilots, led once again by Dadson.  They came in high over the heavily-defended island, diving from 12,5000 feet down to 5,000 with light and heavy flak following them all the way. The fire was very accurate and it was a miracle that only two aircraft received minor damage. The bombing too was accurate, all the bombs appearing to burst within the target area.

Photographic evidence showed that the radar sit a at St. Peter Port had been three-quarters destroyed, only one Freya in the north-eastern corner having escaped.  To finish the job and knock out this set, F/L Johnny Saville set out at 0820 on the 5^th  with the usual formation of eight Typhoons. To get the aircraft ready, the armourers had worked late the previous night in a "discouraging drizzle" preparing the bomb load. Once again they attacked in a long dive from 12,000 down to 4,000 fed and the sixteen bombs all exploded on or very close to the target.  A large disturbance was seen in the sea, about a mile off shore;  at first the pilots thought it had been caused by bombs but when they checked their formation they found their leader, Johnny Saville, was missing.  His aircraft presumably had been hit by the intense flak and did not recover from its dive,  A section of four immediately left Hum to search for Saville but they could find no trace of him or his Typhoon.  On this sortie "Flak-bait" Stelter's aircraft was struck in the radiator by a heavy chunk of shrapnel.

Flight Lieutenant JOHN WALTON SAVILLE

Photo source: 439 Sqn archives

Johnny Saville's death was the first casualty suffered by the Squadron due to enemy action. He was one of the original members of the unit, joining it as a sergeant pilot on its formation as the School of Army Co-operation in October 1941.  After more than 20 months service he had left the Squadron for a few months in 1943, rejoining it on the eve of its departure overseas. The full significance of the operation on which Johnny was lost and the six similar ones which had preceded it became apparent a few days later whom the invasion was launched and achieved complete tactical surprise. The achievement was attributed largely to the destruction of the enemy's radar stations by the units of 22 Sector to which No. 439 and its sister Typhoon squadrons belonged. F/L K.J Fiset was posted in from No. 438 Squadron to take Saville's place as "B" Flight Commander.

For some days it had been obvious that D-Day was very near.  On 25 May A/M  (Air Marshall) Sir Arthur Coningham, the A.O.C. 2^nd  Tactical Air Force, visited Hum for an informal talk to the personnel of the Wing. The congeniality and informality of his words did not conceal their serious import. The next day there was another "pep-talk" by A/C/M  (Air Chief Marshall) Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory, in command of the Allied Expeditionary Air Force.  Visits were paid to Southampton to examine the assault landing craft aid ships assembled there. The aircraft were painted with black and white invasion stripes.  Day by day the feeling of expectancy increased.  Finally late on 5 June, the anxiously awaited news was received.  At a special briefing the pilots were given their instructions far the morrow, and W/C Hillock passed the information to the ground crews.  "The spirit of the lads on hearing his address knew no bounds and they had the great difficulty of suppressing their joy throughout the speech.” 

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