In all, between 27 March 1944 and 4 May 1945, when hostilities ended on the 21st Army Group front,

•  86 pilots flew on operations with No. 439 Squadron.

• Twenty finished their tours;

• 36 were reported missing on operations and in at least 29 cases the cause was flak,

• Of the 36 casualties,

  • 24 were killed or presumed dead,

  • eight were prisoners of war,

  • three evaded capture and

  • one other was liberated after a few days in enemy hands.

• In addition to these operational causalities, five pilots were killed in training or flying accidents.

The statistics of "the job" speak for themselves;

•  3999 sorties (4207 Hours flying) on 537 operations during which over 1800 tons of bombs were dropped and more than 270,000 rounds of 20 mm ammunition were fired;

• 360 rail lines were cut,

• six bridges were knocked out,

•  five locomotives,

•  65 freight care,

• 237 vehicles,

• l7 tanks and

• ten barges were destroyed, and

•  92 locomotives,

• 396 freight cars,

• 321 vehicles

• 13 tanks and

• 27 barges were damaged.

• Eleven enemy aircraft were also destroyed, another was probably destroyed and nine were claimed as damaged.

• Twelve D.F.C.s were awarded to members of the Squadron. (See Medals & Awards)