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Since its re-formation overseas No. 439, with the other squadrons in 143 Wing, had been part of 22 Sector. In mid-July it was decided to "wash out" the Sector organization and as a result G/C P.Y. Davoud, DSO, DFC, formerly C.O. of the Sector, replaced W/C Frankie Hillock in command of l43 Wing.  W/C Judd remained as Winco flying. During this period of decreased activity because of the weather, the pilots and ground-crews were able to get an enthusiastic sports program under way, directed by a sports and entertainment committee under the leadership of Ray Brown. Softball, horseshoes and volleyball were the main diversions. 

The Luftwaffe was still fairly active at night, frequently robbing the airfield personnel of their slumber, but it was not often that enemy aircraft were seen over the beach-head in daylight. One of the exceptions was on 14 July when "bags of excitement” was caused by several Jerries that flew over the Squadron dispersal. They received a warm welcome from the anti-aircraft defences and patrolling Spitfires and retired rather hurriedly, leaving some of their number behind. After supper another formation came over to meet an equally hot reception. One of the enemy was seen coming down, “hell bent for election", to hit the ground a few miles away and explode. These two incidents appear to have made both the gunners and the fighter pilots "trigger happy", with the result that when Royce Johns took his aircraft up for a test flight later in the evening he too had a hot reception. First the ground defenses gave him an overdose of flak; then the Spitfires gave him a merry chase!

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The low cloud which had impeded activities for many days finally cleared at midday of 17 July, and No. 439 crowded five operations into the next 24 hours, making the most of the unusual good weather.  The first mission in the series was a complete dud. Hitherto the Squadron had used MC (medium compression) bombs; on this occasion it used GP (general purpose) missiles, and not one of the fourteen bombs dropped on a railroad bridge exploded!  On the second sortie that day the pilots returned to the MC type and scored twelve direct hits in a quarry which the enemy was using as a supply dump.  Clouds of smoke and dust rising from the target were still visible when the pilots returned to base. Of the fourteen Tiffies used on the two operations eight returned with minor flak damage. Jerry's defenses wore getting hotter!

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