The New Year's Day strafe wrote off two more (one on the ground, one in the air) and damaged another. Nevertheless five hours after the Luftwaffe storm had passed the Squadron put up its four serviceable aircraft on an armed recce, and operations continued (weather permitting) until the Squadron was again at full strength. Armed recces over the American front were interspersed with strafing attacks in the Squadron's usual tactical area in the north around Munster. 

 

 Luftwaffe FE-190 (Photo from the Internet - Site unknown)

Dive-bombing activities were resumed again with an operation against a bridge in Holland. The light flak defences at the target hit F/L J.A. Cote's aircraft and forced him to land a few miles away. For eleven weeks Cote, with the help of the Dutch underground, dodged the enemy until he could join the advancing British troops.