Two pilots had a close call in one operation on the morning of the 5^th when their bombs, fitted with 11 second delay fuses, exploded instantaneously on impact. F/L Burton's and F/O Burgess's aircraft received considerable damage from the blasts. On the next sortie
F/O R.A. Johns, one of the Squadron's ablest pilots, was lost. The Squadron had attacked its target across the Rhine and was reconnoitering along the roads towards Emmerich when flak hit Royce's Typhoon and it crashed into a steeple in the town of  Speelberg. Royce had been with No. 439 since January 1943; he had completed 76 sorties on his tour and was regarded as a potential 
flight commander. 

Operations were interrupted by the weather for the four days, 8 to 11 October, although there was some excitement and activity on the ground. First it was a Thunderbolt which pranged on the  airfield and burst into flames, giving the duty crew some busy moments until the pilot was extricated with nothing more serious
than a scratch on the face.

F/O R.A. Johns

Photo courtesy of Dru Johns, (nephew) Copyright © 2005 Used with permission

 

Intentionally left blank

Then there was an early morning alarm when the tannoy roused everyone from slumber to meet a threatened attack from a pocket of Jerries near the airfield. After standing by at action stations for a time the men were allowed to return to their blankets, keeping small arms at hand just in case. Next the King and Field Marshal Montgomery landed at Eindhoven in a Dakota and hurried away in a jeep to visit the troops. For the ground crew there was gratifying news that leave was again in order for the first time since leaving England after D Day. Seven days plus two  days travelling time were permitted for visits to Holland, Belgium and France (Paris excluded!) The Squadron establishment had now been increased from 25 to 27 pilots, and F/Os M.J.A.A. Marcoux and W.G.Davis were posted in. The first named was virtually at the end of his tour, having seen much service previously with Nos. 245, 430 and 440 Squadrons.⁽¹⁾  

On the other hand the Squadron lost F/L A.E. Monson who was posted to No. 44O as squadron commander to replace S/L W.H. Pentland, missing on operations. F/L J.E. Hogg succeeded "Cody" Monson in charge of "B" Flight. A few days later "A" Flight also changed commanders when F/L C.L. Burgess took over from F/L W.D. Burton. With 123 sorties in his logbook Don was tour expired, the second pilot to complete a tour with No. 439.

Some weeks after they had left the squadron both Monson and Burton were decorated with the D.F.C. "Cody"Monson's citation read: "This officer is a fine flight commander who has always displayed
an outstanding fighting spirit. On one occasion his flight, under his leadership, acting in close support of the Army, effectively stopped a threatened German counter attack. On another, flying through intense anti aircraft fire the squadron led by him destroyed an important bridge on the River Orne..... He is an exceptionally able leader and has invariably pressed home his attacks despite any opposition." 

Don Burton's citation was in similar vein:  "Since joining his present squadron F/L Burton has flown on a large number of sorties against of all kinds, including railway sidings, airfields, enemy shipping and transport. In June l944, in spite of very adverse weather and powerful defences, he led his formation at very low level to attack an important bridge on the River Orne. This bridge was demolished and thereby the enemy were denied the use of a very important supply and escape route. On another sortie, in September 1944, F/L Burton, while leading a formation, located an enemy road convoy in Holland. After his attack six vehicles were seen to be on fire and others badly damaged. During the return flight two troop trains were encountered. These also were left on fire. This officer has been a flight commander in his squadron since August 1944. He is an excellent leader and  has set a fine example of courage and resource." 

(1) After completing seven trips with No. 439 F/O Marcoux was
posted as O.T.E. about a fortnight later.

(2) A fighter bomber tour was normally about 100 sorties; squadron
and flight commanders could do a few more trips if not
operationally tired.

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