Intentionally left blank.

That evening Bomber Command made a devastating attack on Caen, the smoke and the flames being visible from the airfield at Lantheuil.  This attack was the prelude to a push by the Army which was heralded by a terrific artillery barrage in the early morning of the 8^th.

Enemy headquarters also provided the targets for three operations on 8 July.  Shortly before 7 a.m. two formations took off from the temporary base at Camilly to bomb two chateaux which had been identified as a German H·Q·  S/L Norsworthy's group of seven found their objective, nestling in a small woods near Louvigny, south-west of Caen, and came down on it in a beautiful dive through a curtain of heavy flak. The fourteen bombs had such devastating effect that it was believed the target did not need further attention. Results of the attack on the second chateau near Fa1aise were not entirely satisfactory so later in the morning a larger formation of twelve went out to finish the job. This time the chateau was believed to be totally destroyed.

Flying Officer FRANK MACDONALD THOMAS

Picture source: 439 Sqn archives

The successful day's work was marred, however, by the Squadron's first casualty since moving to Normandy. As the pilots were crossing the enemy line west of Caen on the first mission that morning they encountered a barrage of heavy flak which damaged F/O F.M. Thomas's aircraft.  Frank reported that he was turning back, and attempted an emergency lending on the strip at Beny-sur-Mer. His first approach overshot; on the second the engine suddenly cut and the Typhoon crashed out of control. The pilot was instantly killed.  He was one of the old-timers who had been with the unit since November 1942

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