One sortie was made on the 19^th,, despite the solid overcast, and once again an alternative target had to be bombed, the bombs scoring one direct hit and several near misses on the tracks near Deventer.

Two weather recces on the 20^th, reported conditions hazy and cloudy but fit for operations, and two formations accordingly took off. At the first target, the railroad east of Raalte, the pilots reported "lovely bombing", at least four pairs of bombs exploding on the line. Then they strafed a train in the village, damaging the engine and cars. F/O R.V. Smith sighted another train a little
distance away and went down on it by himself, "having a great time" damaging the engine and making some cars smoke. Then he clobbered a little truck nearby. By this time the other pilots had finished with the first train and came over to join in Smitty's game. Then it was back to base "with that old satisfied feeling after a good prang."

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The second show was much like the first, except that the bombs, although well concentrated, were wide of the target because of insufficient correction for the strong starboard drift. After bombing, the pilots made two strafing runs at three long freight trains that had been hosing flak up at the aircraft. One engine was exploded and many cars were damaged. 

The 21^st was an unusually good day, permitting three "completely routine" attacks on rail lines at Deventer (two craters), Coesfeld (two craters), and Almelo (also two direct hits). The only unusual incident of the day occurred on the last show when the pilots, after strafing a string of freight cars, noticed a locomotive farther up the track. It was the
first time a camouflaged locomotive had been reported. The sortie was also an operational baptism for F/L C.A. Lambert who had joined the Squadron two days previously.

On 22 October the Wing was called on for an Army support show that proved to be a stirring "do". The target was an enemy headquarters located in a group of buildings on the outskirts of Hertogenbosch. Led by W/C F.C. Crant, who had just succeeded W/C Judd as winco flying, No. 439 reached the objective and went into its bombing dive. A small cloud partially obscured the aiming point and the confusion was increased when F/O R.V. Smith's aircraft suddenly exploded, scattering debris and smoke in the path of the five pilots following him. As a result the bombing was scattered, although several bursts were seen on the buildings. On the return to base F/L W.L. Saunders' Typhoon swerved off the runway, because of a flat tire, and cartwheeled onto its back. "Sandy" emerged from the mess with only a bump on his head. What had caused "Smitty's", aircraft to explode was a mystery, as no flak had been seen. One of the pilots noticed a parachute in the air near the target and there were hopes that "Smitty" had survived.

He returned even sooner than expected! Four days later the Squadron was informed that he was safe in a British hospital at Eindhoven and his comrades found him "just the same as ever with bags of mirth and humour". He told them that he was firing his cannons as he dived and the moment he touched the bomb release there were two explosions which sent him flying through the air. 

"Helmet, pistol and other odds and ends were blown off. He pulled the damaged ripcord and to his relief the 'chute opened. Landing in a small lake near Hertogenbosch, "Smitty" swam to shore where a German officer greeted him with a Luger pistol. He was then taken to a prison in Hertogenbosch, but when he fell on leaving the staff car some senior officers decided to send him to a hospital for treatment of his injuries, lacerations of the hand and a wound in his leg. On arrived at the hospital the Dutch employees winked at him knowingly. The staff were quite courteous and provided ample food especially when the Germans left his bedside.

On Wednesday morning (25 October) our forward troops shelled Hertogenbosch, the enemy withdrew and that afternoon a British Red Cross officer visited the hospital. At night the Germans put down an artillery barrage, many shells striking the hospital. "Smitty" and others took shelter in the basement where continuous and frightened prayers could be heard amid the constant whistle of shells followed by violent explosions."

(1)F/O Smith's place on the Squadron roster was filled by WO1 S.A. Church who had the distinction of being the only NCO pilot in the unit.

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