The Tigers received this news with numerous misgivings because they felt that with competition among Sabre squadrons as high as it was, there was a very good possibility that the high morale, of which 439 had always been proud, might suffer considerably. This small fear was quickly dispelled however, with the arrival of W/C PB St. Louis (ex OC of 427 Sqn) in January as the new commanding officer replacing W/C Bell.

W/C St Louis immediately informed the other new Squadron pilots that they were now an integral part of 439, and that their utmost co-operation was fully expected and demanded.

As a result, morale over the last eleven months of operations remained very high indeed, and as it turned out, feared defeat turned into a routine victory, because the combination of fresh blood and new ideas kept everyone on their toes right to the end. The standard operating procedures were placed under close scrutiny by every new pilot, and it became impossible to spout procedures without being able to back up a statement with logical fact. many improvements were introduced right up to the end, and if anything, morale soared rather than diminished.

 

The Beginning of the End