402 Sqn RCAF (Kenley – Spitfire IX) 4.12.42
“B” Flight did formation flying in the morning and one a/c did air firing. “A” Flight. One a/c on ground firing. In the afternoon Squadron took off accompanied by 401 and led by Wing Commander on a Rodeo to France. Sgt. Honeycombe and Sgt. McGraw failed to return. F/O Simpson crash landed at Hawkinge uninjured. Nine planes took off on A.S.R.S. patrol. Enemy a/c spotted but not engaged. Landed at Manston 15:30 hours. Enemy casualties: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged.
ADDENDUM – Spitfire IX BS450. Pilot Sgt HE McGraw KIA. Engaged by JG26. Buried at Pihen-les-Guines Military Cemetery.
Spitfire IX BS132. Pilot Sgt RB Honeycombe RCAF KIA. Engaged by JG26. He was from Brooklyn, New York. Buried at Longuenesse Souvenir Cemetery.
BOMBER COMMAND
MINOR OPERATIONS
29 aircraft minelaying in the Frisians and in the Baltic off Gdynia and Danzig, 3 O.T.U. sorties. No aircraft lost.
USAAF
ITALY: In the first USAAF air attack directly upon the territory of a European Axis nation, Italian Navy warships and port facilities in Naples harbour are attacked by 20 IX Bomber Command B-24s. Hits are claimed on several of the warships, including a battleship. There are no USAAF losses.
TUNISIA: XII Bomber Command B-17s, followed a half hour later by B-26s, attack shipping and port facilities in Bizerte harbour. While escorting the bombers and conducting far-ranging sweeps and reconnaissance missions, pilots of the 1st, 14th, and 52d Fighter groups down five Bf-109s and a Bf-110.
RAF
Base Changes
2 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Belindah
4 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Belindah
40 Sqn SAAF TR (Hurricane IIB) moves to Belindah
248 Sqn (Beaufighter VIC) moves to Talbenny
400 Sqn RCAF (Mustang I) moves to Dunfold
First and Last Operational Missions
175 Sqn Harrowbeer) flies its last OM in the Hurricane IIB
Action This Day
Moderators: Joel Billings, harley, warshipbuilder, simovitch
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warshipbuilder
- Posts: 3040
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
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Re: Action This Day
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 3040
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
132 Sqn (Martlesham Heath– Spitfire VB) 5.12.42
There were two scrambles at 08.45 hours by S/Lt Beraud and Sgt Cross and at 12.45 hours by Sgts Chiddenton and Southward but there were no interceptions. At 14.25 hours S/Lt Beraud (Free French) and Sgt Chiddenton (Canadian) took off on a Rhubarb and Sgt Chiddenton did not return. Landfall was made 5 miles off Dunkirk and a goods train was damaged at Bray Dunes. The Dunkirk-Farnes canal was followed and two barges were shot up with cannon and machine gun. Over Farnes at approximately 1500 hours on the return journey light flak was met and Sgt Chiddenton’s aircraft was hit. Sgt Chiddenton reported to his No. 1 who was not at that time attacking a barge and immediately turned for the coast. S/Lt Beraud turned with him and saw glycol pouring from the radiator and advised him to regain height. Sgt Chiddenton did not do this, but carried on behind his No. 1 for about 2 minutes and then suddenly when doing about 240 A.S.I. at 400/500 ft did a slight roll and the aircraft dived straight into the sea. Sgt Chiddenton got outside the aircraft but fell into the sea when his parachute failed to open. Sgt. Chiddenton is reported missing believed killed.
ADDENDUM – Spitfire VB AD369. Pilot Sgt. AD Chiddenton RCAF KIA. Sgt Chiddenton has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
BOMBER COMMAND
6 O.T.U. sorties were flown to France without loss.
USAAF
ALGERIA: LtGen Carl Spaatz is named Acting Deputy Commander-in-Chief for Air of the Allied Force in Northwest Africa.
The 3d Reconnaissance Group, equipped with F-4 and F-5 aircraft (P-38 variants), arrives at Oran/La Senia Airdrome to support the Twelfth Air Force.
LIBYA: The Ninth Air Force’s 12th Medium Bombardment Group, in B-25s, is recommitted to combat following a period of retraining. From its new base at Gambut, the group is to join the 57th Fighter Group and RAF light-bomber units in applying pressure to Axis air groups supporting the German Army battle line at El Agheila. During the early part of the month, USAAF and RAF pressure specifically against the Axis air establishment eventually drives all Axis aircraft from all the landing grounds within 90 miles of the front.
TUNISIA: Aircraft of the Twelfth Air Force’s XII Bomber Command and XII Air Support Command open a concerted bombing campaign against German-held port facilities in Tunisia. The objective is to hamper the flow of German troops and supplies into Tunisia while Allied ground forces prepare for an all-out offensive to liberate the entire country. Kicking off the new venture, XII Bomber Command B-17s, escorted by 14th Fighter Group P-38s, attack shipping and port facilities at Tunis. 14th Fighter Group P-38 pilots down two Bf-109s near Bizerte Airdrome.
Twelfth Air Force B-25s attack Bizerte/Sidi Ahmed Airdrome, and A-20s attack German Army positions at Faid Pass.
RAF
Base Changes
13 Sqn (Blenheim V) moved to Canrobert
114 Sqn (Blenheim V) moved to Setif
414 Sqn RCAF (Mustang I) moved to Dunsfold
614 Sqn (Blenheim V) moved to Canrobert
First and Last Operational Missions
169 Sqn (Clifton – Mustang I) flew its first OM of the war
255 Sqn (Beaufighter VIF) flew its first OM in the MTO
309 Sqn (FindoGask – Mustang I) flew its first OM of the war
There were two scrambles at 08.45 hours by S/Lt Beraud and Sgt Cross and at 12.45 hours by Sgts Chiddenton and Southward but there were no interceptions. At 14.25 hours S/Lt Beraud (Free French) and Sgt Chiddenton (Canadian) took off on a Rhubarb and Sgt Chiddenton did not return. Landfall was made 5 miles off Dunkirk and a goods train was damaged at Bray Dunes. The Dunkirk-Farnes canal was followed and two barges were shot up with cannon and machine gun. Over Farnes at approximately 1500 hours on the return journey light flak was met and Sgt Chiddenton’s aircraft was hit. Sgt Chiddenton reported to his No. 1 who was not at that time attacking a barge and immediately turned for the coast. S/Lt Beraud turned with him and saw glycol pouring from the radiator and advised him to regain height. Sgt Chiddenton did not do this, but carried on behind his No. 1 for about 2 minutes and then suddenly when doing about 240 A.S.I. at 400/500 ft did a slight roll and the aircraft dived straight into the sea. Sgt Chiddenton got outside the aircraft but fell into the sea when his parachute failed to open. Sgt. Chiddenton is reported missing believed killed.
ADDENDUM – Spitfire VB AD369. Pilot Sgt. AD Chiddenton RCAF KIA. Sgt Chiddenton has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
BOMBER COMMAND
6 O.T.U. sorties were flown to France without loss.
USAAF
ALGERIA: LtGen Carl Spaatz is named Acting Deputy Commander-in-Chief for Air of the Allied Force in Northwest Africa.
The 3d Reconnaissance Group, equipped with F-4 and F-5 aircraft (P-38 variants), arrives at Oran/La Senia Airdrome to support the Twelfth Air Force.
LIBYA: The Ninth Air Force’s 12th Medium Bombardment Group, in B-25s, is recommitted to combat following a period of retraining. From its new base at Gambut, the group is to join the 57th Fighter Group and RAF light-bomber units in applying pressure to Axis air groups supporting the German Army battle line at El Agheila. During the early part of the month, USAAF and RAF pressure specifically against the Axis air establishment eventually drives all Axis aircraft from all the landing grounds within 90 miles of the front.
TUNISIA: Aircraft of the Twelfth Air Force’s XII Bomber Command and XII Air Support Command open a concerted bombing campaign against German-held port facilities in Tunisia. The objective is to hamper the flow of German troops and supplies into Tunisia while Allied ground forces prepare for an all-out offensive to liberate the entire country. Kicking off the new venture, XII Bomber Command B-17s, escorted by 14th Fighter Group P-38s, attack shipping and port facilities at Tunis. 14th Fighter Group P-38 pilots down two Bf-109s near Bizerte Airdrome.
Twelfth Air Force B-25s attack Bizerte/Sidi Ahmed Airdrome, and A-20s attack German Army positions at Faid Pass.
RAF
Base Changes
13 Sqn (Blenheim V) moved to Canrobert
114 Sqn (Blenheim V) moved to Setif
414 Sqn RCAF (Mustang I) moved to Dunsfold
614 Sqn (Blenheim V) moved to Canrobert
First and Last Operational Missions
169 Sqn (Clifton – Mustang I) flew its first OM of the war
255 Sqn (Beaufighter VIF) flew its first OM in the MTO
309 Sqn (FindoGask – Mustang I) flew its first OM of the war
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 3040
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
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Re: Action This Day
425 Sqn RCAF (Dishforth – Wellington III) 6.12.42
OPERATIONS (NIGHT) 9 aircraft required and 5 D.N.C.O. 1 aircraft missing and 3 aircraft D.C.O.
Missing aircraft: Wellington III. B.J.657 “G” Sgt. Cronk and crew. S.O.S. Q.D.M. 006°X 0020 hrs. not acknowledged.
CAN-R93187 Sgt. Cronk, G.E. (Pilot) OP TRIPS 4, HOURS 21.05
CAN-R100788 Sgt. Hayes, R. (Navigator) OP TRIPS 1, HOURS 6
CAN-R83541 Sgt. Cachia, J (W.OP./A.G.) OP TRIPS 2, HOURS 8.05
CAN-R84760 Sgt. Rodger, J.D.J. (Bomb Aimer) OP TRIPS 3, HOURS 14.45
CAN-R119542 Sgt.Urqhart, D.S. (Air Gunner) OP TRIPS 3, HOURS 14.05
ADDENDUM – Lost without a trace. They are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. Sgt. Cronk was from Los Angeles.
BOMBER COMMAND
EINDHOVEN
This was a special, and famous, raid carried out by all of the operational day-bomber squadrons in 2 Group. Their targets were the Philips radio and valve factories in the Dutch town of Eindhoven. These factories produced a large amount of important electrical material for the German armed forces. 93 aircraft took part in the raid – 47 Venturas, 36 Bostons and 10 Mosquitoes. 1 of the Mosquitoes was a photographic aircraft. A squadron equipped with the North American Mitchell bomber was withdrawn from the force during the training period because its crews had not gained enough experience on this new type of aircraft. Eindhoven was situated 70 miles inland and well beyond the range of any available fighter escort. A large diversion to Lille was flown by 84 American B-17S escorted by Spitfires of Fighter Command and an R.A.F. Mustang squadron carried out a sweep along the Dutch coast to give indirect support. The raid was flown at low level and in clear weather conditions. Bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused to the factory, which was situated in the middle of the town. Because the raid was deliberately carried out on a Sunday, there were few casualties in the factory but several bombs fell in nearby streets and 148 Dutch people and 7 German soldiers were killed. Full production at the factory was not reached again until 6 months after the raid.
The bomber casualties were heavy: 9 Venturas, 4 Bostons and 1 Mosquito were lost over Holland or the sea. This was a loss rate of 15 percent for the whole force; the Venturas, the aircraft with the poorest performance, suffered 19 percent casualties. 3 more aircraft crashed or force-landed in England and most of the other aircraft were damaged – 23 by bird strikes!
MANNHEIM
272 aircraft – 101 Lancasters, 65 Halifaxes, 57 Wellingtons, 49 Stirlings. 10 aircraft – 5 Wellingtons, 3 Halifaxes. 1 Lancaster. 1 Stirling – lost, 37 percent of the force, and 4 more aircraft crashed in England.
The target area was found to be completely cloud-covered. Most of the Pathfinders withheld their flares and many of the 220 crews who bombed did so on dead-reckoning positions. Mannheim reports only 500 or so incendiary bombs and some leaflets. The only serious incident over the city was the destruction by fire of an old wooden building at the army ‘Pioneer Water Exercise Centre’ on the Neckar Canal; the lower part of the building was used by a local farmer who lost 25 sheep, 4 lambs, some turnips and some hay. The total claim for the building was 11,000 Reichsmarks ( £ 1,100) and for the animals, etc. 3,000 Reichsmarks ( £ 300). The roofs of a house and of the local canoe clubhouse were also set on fire but soon extinguished. There were no casualties in Mannheim.
14 Lancasters and Wellingtons laid mines in the Frisian Islands without loss.
USAAF
ENGLAND: The 93d Heavy Bombardment Group, in B-24s, is reassigned to the VIII Bomber Command’s 2d Heavy Bombardment Wing.
FRANCE: In the day’s main effort, 37 of 66 VIII Bomber Command B-17s dispatched attack a locomotive factory at Lille. Losses are one B-17 downed and nine damaged, one crewman killed, two crewmen wounded, and ten crewmen missing.
Although 44th Heavy Bombardment Group B-24s are recalled from a mission against Abbeville/Drucat Airdrome, a squadron of six of the heavy bombers fails to receive the order and presses on. One B-24 is lost and another is damaged, at a cost of ten crewmen missing and three crewmen wounded.
TUNISIA: Fifteen XII Bomber Command B-17s attack the port of Tunis; 15th Light Bombardment Squadron A-20s attack the bridge over the Medjerda River at El Bathan; and 14th Fighter Group P-38 pilots down a Ju-88, two Bf-110s, and a Ju-52 in two separate actions.
The 33d Fighter Group’s 58th Fighter Squadron, in P-40s, moves to the rather sparse forward fighter field at Thelepte and thus becomes the first USAAF unit to be based inside Tunisia. The unit will be primarily responsible for supporting ground troops and for undertaking low-level attacks on transportation targets such as rail lines, bridges, and road traffic.
RAF
Base Changes
24 Sqn SAAF (Boston III) moves to Soluch
112 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Belindah
174 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Odiham
239 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Hurn
First and Last Operational Missions
21 Sqn (Methwold - Ventura I/II) flies its first OM since reforming
199 Sqn (Blyton – Wellington III) flies its first OM of the war
234 Sqn (Portreath) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VB
464 Sqn RAAF (Feltwell - Ventura I/II) flies its first OM of the war
487 Sqn RNZAF (Feltwell - Ventura I/II) flies its first OM of the war
OPERATIONS (NIGHT) 9 aircraft required and 5 D.N.C.O. 1 aircraft missing and 3 aircraft D.C.O.
Missing aircraft: Wellington III. B.J.657 “G” Sgt. Cronk and crew. S.O.S. Q.D.M. 006°X 0020 hrs. not acknowledged.
CAN-R93187 Sgt. Cronk, G.E. (Pilot) OP TRIPS 4, HOURS 21.05
CAN-R100788 Sgt. Hayes, R. (Navigator) OP TRIPS 1, HOURS 6
CAN-R83541 Sgt. Cachia, J (W.OP./A.G.) OP TRIPS 2, HOURS 8.05
CAN-R84760 Sgt. Rodger, J.D.J. (Bomb Aimer) OP TRIPS 3, HOURS 14.45
CAN-R119542 Sgt.Urqhart, D.S. (Air Gunner) OP TRIPS 3, HOURS 14.05
ADDENDUM – Lost without a trace. They are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. Sgt. Cronk was from Los Angeles.
BOMBER COMMAND
EINDHOVEN
This was a special, and famous, raid carried out by all of the operational day-bomber squadrons in 2 Group. Their targets were the Philips radio and valve factories in the Dutch town of Eindhoven. These factories produced a large amount of important electrical material for the German armed forces. 93 aircraft took part in the raid – 47 Venturas, 36 Bostons and 10 Mosquitoes. 1 of the Mosquitoes was a photographic aircraft. A squadron equipped with the North American Mitchell bomber was withdrawn from the force during the training period because its crews had not gained enough experience on this new type of aircraft. Eindhoven was situated 70 miles inland and well beyond the range of any available fighter escort. A large diversion to Lille was flown by 84 American B-17S escorted by Spitfires of Fighter Command and an R.A.F. Mustang squadron carried out a sweep along the Dutch coast to give indirect support. The raid was flown at low level and in clear weather conditions. Bombing was accurate and severe damage was caused to the factory, which was situated in the middle of the town. Because the raid was deliberately carried out on a Sunday, there were few casualties in the factory but several bombs fell in nearby streets and 148 Dutch people and 7 German soldiers were killed. Full production at the factory was not reached again until 6 months after the raid.
The bomber casualties were heavy: 9 Venturas, 4 Bostons and 1 Mosquito were lost over Holland or the sea. This was a loss rate of 15 percent for the whole force; the Venturas, the aircraft with the poorest performance, suffered 19 percent casualties. 3 more aircraft crashed or force-landed in England and most of the other aircraft were damaged – 23 by bird strikes!
MANNHEIM
272 aircraft – 101 Lancasters, 65 Halifaxes, 57 Wellingtons, 49 Stirlings. 10 aircraft – 5 Wellingtons, 3 Halifaxes. 1 Lancaster. 1 Stirling – lost, 37 percent of the force, and 4 more aircraft crashed in England.
The target area was found to be completely cloud-covered. Most of the Pathfinders withheld their flares and many of the 220 crews who bombed did so on dead-reckoning positions. Mannheim reports only 500 or so incendiary bombs and some leaflets. The only serious incident over the city was the destruction by fire of an old wooden building at the army ‘Pioneer Water Exercise Centre’ on the Neckar Canal; the lower part of the building was used by a local farmer who lost 25 sheep, 4 lambs, some turnips and some hay. The total claim for the building was 11,000 Reichsmarks ( £ 1,100) and for the animals, etc. 3,000 Reichsmarks ( £ 300). The roofs of a house and of the local canoe clubhouse were also set on fire but soon extinguished. There were no casualties in Mannheim.
14 Lancasters and Wellingtons laid mines in the Frisian Islands without loss.
USAAF
ENGLAND: The 93d Heavy Bombardment Group, in B-24s, is reassigned to the VIII Bomber Command’s 2d Heavy Bombardment Wing.
FRANCE: In the day’s main effort, 37 of 66 VIII Bomber Command B-17s dispatched attack a locomotive factory at Lille. Losses are one B-17 downed and nine damaged, one crewman killed, two crewmen wounded, and ten crewmen missing.
Although 44th Heavy Bombardment Group B-24s are recalled from a mission against Abbeville/Drucat Airdrome, a squadron of six of the heavy bombers fails to receive the order and presses on. One B-24 is lost and another is damaged, at a cost of ten crewmen missing and three crewmen wounded.
TUNISIA: Fifteen XII Bomber Command B-17s attack the port of Tunis; 15th Light Bombardment Squadron A-20s attack the bridge over the Medjerda River at El Bathan; and 14th Fighter Group P-38 pilots down a Ju-88, two Bf-110s, and a Ju-52 in two separate actions.
The 33d Fighter Group’s 58th Fighter Squadron, in P-40s, moves to the rather sparse forward fighter field at Thelepte and thus becomes the first USAAF unit to be based inside Tunisia. The unit will be primarily responsible for supporting ground troops and for undertaking low-level attacks on transportation targets such as rail lines, bridges, and road traffic.
RAF
Base Changes
24 Sqn SAAF (Boston III) moves to Soluch
112 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Belindah
174 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Odiham
239 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Hurn
First and Last Operational Missions
21 Sqn (Methwold - Ventura I/II) flies its first OM since reforming
199 Sqn (Blyton – Wellington III) flies its first OM of the war
234 Sqn (Portreath) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VB
464 Sqn RAAF (Feltwell - Ventura I/II) flies its first OM of the war
487 Sqn RNZAF (Feltwell - Ventura I/II) flies its first OM of the war
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
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warshipbuilder
- Posts: 3040
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
263 Sqn (Warmwell – Whirlwind I) 7.12.42
A day of triumph and tragedy for the Squadron. In Roadstead 45, one ship was probably sunk, two seriously damaged, and one probably damaged. But Warrant Officer B. MacPhail (R.C.A.F.) is missing presumed killed in action, and Squadron Leader R.S. Woodward, DFC is missing, in circumstances which lead to hope that he may be a prisoner-of-war. Squadron Leader Woodward was awarded his DFC for his night-fighting exploits with 600 Squadron. He commanded this Squadron since February 10th, 1942. Something of his record may be gleaned from the foregoing pages in this book. The months of May and November without accidents. The full and effective programme of operational training set alongside the intense Convoy activity of the Spring of this year. The development of the Whirlbomber, and finally the offensive activity of the past three months. In operations, Squadron Leader Woodward showed his keenness in both persuading lay them on and in his own leadership. He personally lead the Squadron on eleven offensive operations and his own exploits were both gallant and successful. Warrant Officer DB MacPhail (RCAF) came to us two months ago from 137 Squadron. Of sober habits, he was very well liked. An excellent amateur photographer, his productions were in great demand and as Warrant Officer 1/c Squadron Photographic Records he greatly enriched the Squadron scrap-book (q.v.)
A point about to-day’s operation which may be of future interest. 66 Squadron lead in the line abreast formation which has been recently developed in the defence of Malta. It was to-day used probably for the first time by 10 Group aircraft.
ADDENDUM – Whirlwind I P7105. Pilot S/Ldr RS Woodward DFC KIA. Shot down by flak SW of Jersey, seen to ditch.
Whirlwind I P6987. Pilot W/O DB MacPhail RCAF KIA. Shot down by ship flak.
BOMBER COMMAND
MINELAYING
36 aircraft were sent to a wide extent of coast from the southern Biscay to the Frisians. This appears to be the first night on which aircraft of 4 Group joined in the minelaying campaign.
USAAF
ALGERIA: Three squadrons of the Eighth Air Force’s 93d Heavy Bombardment Group, in B-24s, arrive in Algeria to bolster XII Bomber Command. (The group’s fourth squadron remains in England to conduct night-operations experiments.)
TUNISIA: XII Bomber Command B-17s, escorted by P-38s, attack shipping and port facilities at Bizerte. Also, A-20s, escorted by P-38s, attack German Army tanks in the Teboura–El Bathan area, but other A-20s dispatched to attack La Hencha and Sousse are turned back by bad weather.
Two Ju-52 tri-motor transports are downed by a pair of 14th Fighter Group P-38 pilots near Sfax.
RAF
Base Changes
124 Sqn (Spitfire VI) moves to Martlesham Heath
171 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Hartfordbridge
243 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Phillipeville
453 Sqn RAAF (Spitfire VB) moves to Southend
600 Sqn (Beaufighter VIF) moves to Maison Blanche
604 Sqn (Beaufighter IF) moves to Predannack
First and Last Operational Missions
25 Sqn (Church Fenton) flies its last OM in the Beaufighter IF
168 Sqn (Odiham – Mustang I) flies its first OM of the war
A day of triumph and tragedy for the Squadron. In Roadstead 45, one ship was probably sunk, two seriously damaged, and one probably damaged. But Warrant Officer B. MacPhail (R.C.A.F.) is missing presumed killed in action, and Squadron Leader R.S. Woodward, DFC is missing, in circumstances which lead to hope that he may be a prisoner-of-war. Squadron Leader Woodward was awarded his DFC for his night-fighting exploits with 600 Squadron. He commanded this Squadron since February 10th, 1942. Something of his record may be gleaned from the foregoing pages in this book. The months of May and November without accidents. The full and effective programme of operational training set alongside the intense Convoy activity of the Spring of this year. The development of the Whirlbomber, and finally the offensive activity of the past three months. In operations, Squadron Leader Woodward showed his keenness in both persuading lay them on and in his own leadership. He personally lead the Squadron on eleven offensive operations and his own exploits were both gallant and successful. Warrant Officer DB MacPhail (RCAF) came to us two months ago from 137 Squadron. Of sober habits, he was very well liked. An excellent amateur photographer, his productions were in great demand and as Warrant Officer 1/c Squadron Photographic Records he greatly enriched the Squadron scrap-book (q.v.)
A point about to-day’s operation which may be of future interest. 66 Squadron lead in the line abreast formation which has been recently developed in the defence of Malta. It was to-day used probably for the first time by 10 Group aircraft.
ADDENDUM – Whirlwind I P7105. Pilot S/Ldr RS Woodward DFC KIA. Shot down by flak SW of Jersey, seen to ditch.
Whirlwind I P6987. Pilot W/O DB MacPhail RCAF KIA. Shot down by ship flak.
BOMBER COMMAND
MINELAYING
36 aircraft were sent to a wide extent of coast from the southern Biscay to the Frisians. This appears to be the first night on which aircraft of 4 Group joined in the minelaying campaign.
USAAF
ALGERIA: Three squadrons of the Eighth Air Force’s 93d Heavy Bombardment Group, in B-24s, arrive in Algeria to bolster XII Bomber Command. (The group’s fourth squadron remains in England to conduct night-operations experiments.)
TUNISIA: XII Bomber Command B-17s, escorted by P-38s, attack shipping and port facilities at Bizerte. Also, A-20s, escorted by P-38s, attack German Army tanks in the Teboura–El Bathan area, but other A-20s dispatched to attack La Hencha and Sousse are turned back by bad weather.
Two Ju-52 tri-motor transports are downed by a pair of 14th Fighter Group P-38 pilots near Sfax.
RAF
Base Changes
124 Sqn (Spitfire VI) moves to Martlesham Heath
171 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Hartfordbridge
243 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Phillipeville
453 Sqn RAAF (Spitfire VB) moves to Southend
600 Sqn (Beaufighter VIF) moves to Maison Blanche
604 Sqn (Beaufighter IF) moves to Predannack
First and Last Operational Missions
25 Sqn (Church Fenton) flies its last OM in the Beaufighter IF
168 Sqn (Odiham – Mustang I) flies its first OM of the war
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 3040
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
9 Sqn (Waddington – Lancaster I) 8.12.42
TURIN again was chosen as the target and the following crews were chosen. X: F/L STUBBS. “W”: P/O Cowan. “S”: F/S STOREY. “N”: SGT. DOOLAN. “K”: F/S JORDAN. “B”: SGT. HAYELL. “Y”: F/L LONSDALE. “J”: F/L FRY.
All aircraft took off but “X” (F/L STUBBS) he had to turn back after 1½ hours owing to engine trouble. Again the attack was considered very successful with fires covering large areas. One huge fire was seen by all crews in the centre of the city was emitting volumes of black smoke and was thought to be an oil fire. Smoke again made identification difficult. “W” (P/O COWAN) landed at Woodhall Spa and “K” (F/S JORDAN) was the only aircraft which failed to return.
ADDENDUM – Lancaster I W4764 WS-K. Crew: F/S LH Jordan RCAF KIA, Sgt LFW Jones KIA, Sgt ECP Newton KIA, Sgt AWA Robertson KIA, Sgt KF Neville KIA, Sgt WM Rimscha KIA, Sgt Warburton. T/o 1741 Waddington. Shot down by Oblt. H. Prinz zu Zayn-Wittgenstein (24th victory) and crashed at Marolles-sur-Seine (Seine-et-Marne), 36 km SE of Melun, France. All are buried in Marolles-sur-Seine Communal Cemetery.
BOMBER COMMAND
5 Mosquitoes on individual flights to France and Holland; all aircraft attacked targets, mostly trains. No losses.
TURIN
227 aircraft – 115 Lancasters, 47 Halifaxes, 40 Wellingtons, 25 Stirlings. 2 Wellingtons and 1 Lancaster lost.
This was a disappointing raid with the Pathfinders not able to perform as efficiently as on the previous night. Smoke from old fires partially obscured the target area. Turin, however, records 73 more people killed and 99 injured.
Minor Operations: 2 Stirlings minelaying in the Frisians, 12 O.T.U. sorties. 1 O.T.U. Whitley lost.
USAAF
ALGERIA: One Ju-88 medium bomber is downed by a 33d Fighter Group P-40 pilot in his unit’s first combat encounter of the war.
RAF
Base Changes
1 Sqn SAAF (Spitfire VC) moves to Agedabia
6 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Idku
39 Sqn (Beaufort I/II) moves to Shallufa
64 Sqn (Spitfire IX) moves to Predannack
122 Sqn (Spitfire IX) moves to Hornchurch
175 Sqn (Hurricane IIB) moves to Gatwick
First and Last Operational Missions
245 Sqn (Charmy Down) flies its last OM in the Hurricane IIB
256 Sqn (Woodvale) flies its first OM in the Beaufighter VIF
TURIN again was chosen as the target and the following crews were chosen. X: F/L STUBBS. “W”: P/O Cowan. “S”: F/S STOREY. “N”: SGT. DOOLAN. “K”: F/S JORDAN. “B”: SGT. HAYELL. “Y”: F/L LONSDALE. “J”: F/L FRY.
All aircraft took off but “X” (F/L STUBBS) he had to turn back after 1½ hours owing to engine trouble. Again the attack was considered very successful with fires covering large areas. One huge fire was seen by all crews in the centre of the city was emitting volumes of black smoke and was thought to be an oil fire. Smoke again made identification difficult. “W” (P/O COWAN) landed at Woodhall Spa and “K” (F/S JORDAN) was the only aircraft which failed to return.
ADDENDUM – Lancaster I W4764 WS-K. Crew: F/S LH Jordan RCAF KIA, Sgt LFW Jones KIA, Sgt ECP Newton KIA, Sgt AWA Robertson KIA, Sgt KF Neville KIA, Sgt WM Rimscha KIA, Sgt Warburton. T/o 1741 Waddington. Shot down by Oblt. H. Prinz zu Zayn-Wittgenstein (24th victory) and crashed at Marolles-sur-Seine (Seine-et-Marne), 36 km SE of Melun, France. All are buried in Marolles-sur-Seine Communal Cemetery.
BOMBER COMMAND
5 Mosquitoes on individual flights to France and Holland; all aircraft attacked targets, mostly trains. No losses.
TURIN
227 aircraft – 115 Lancasters, 47 Halifaxes, 40 Wellingtons, 25 Stirlings. 2 Wellingtons and 1 Lancaster lost.
This was a disappointing raid with the Pathfinders not able to perform as efficiently as on the previous night. Smoke from old fires partially obscured the target area. Turin, however, records 73 more people killed and 99 injured.
Minor Operations: 2 Stirlings minelaying in the Frisians, 12 O.T.U. sorties. 1 O.T.U. Whitley lost.
USAAF
ALGERIA: One Ju-88 medium bomber is downed by a 33d Fighter Group P-40 pilot in his unit’s first combat encounter of the war.
RAF
Base Changes
1 Sqn SAAF (Spitfire VC) moves to Agedabia
6 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Idku
39 Sqn (Beaufort I/II) moves to Shallufa
64 Sqn (Spitfire IX) moves to Predannack
122 Sqn (Spitfire IX) moves to Hornchurch
175 Sqn (Hurricane IIB) moves to Gatwick
First and Last Operational Missions
245 Sqn (Charmy Down) flies its last OM in the Hurricane IIB
256 Sqn (Woodvale) flies its first OM in the Beaufighter VIF
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
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warshipbuilder
- Posts: 3040
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
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Re: Action This Day
453 Sqn RAAF (Southend – Spitfire VB) 10.12.42
It is unfortunately necessary to record the loss of F/Lt. Yarra and P/O De Cosier of “B” flight. They were one of three sections which went out on a shipping reconnaissance and attacked a bunch of three merchantmen and a flak ship off Flushing. The two pilots named were both hit by flak. De Cosier was not able to get enough height to jump, and although Yarra did bale out he hit the tail plane and went in. Neither body was recovered, and accordingly the official report is “Missing Believed Killed”. It must be said, however, that not the slightest hope for either can be entertained. Of the enemy ships, one merchantman was heavily damaged, while a large number of men on the flak ships were killed, and many guns silenced. The other sections concerned were, F/O. Esau, P/O. Darcey, and P/O. Hansell, Sgt. Stanfield. All pressed home their attacks with vigour, and special credit must be given to F/O. Esau, who took command after F/Lt. Yarra had been shot down, and brought his 4 aircraft back safely.
USAAF
EGYPT: On the first anniversary of Germany’s and Italy’s declarations of war on the United States, a 57th Fighter Group P-40 pilot downs an BF-109 in a battle over the Marble Arch Airdrome.
RAF
Base Changes
74 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Mehrabad
181 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Snailwell
229 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to Qrendi
260 Sqn (Kittyhawk II) moves to Belindah
First and Last Operational Missions
59 Sqn (Thorney Island) flies its last OM in the Liberator III
129 Sqn (Grimsetter) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VC
It is unfortunately necessary to record the loss of F/Lt. Yarra and P/O De Cosier of “B” flight. They were one of three sections which went out on a shipping reconnaissance and attacked a bunch of three merchantmen and a flak ship off Flushing. The two pilots named were both hit by flak. De Cosier was not able to get enough height to jump, and although Yarra did bale out he hit the tail plane and went in. Neither body was recovered, and accordingly the official report is “Missing Believed Killed”. It must be said, however, that not the slightest hope for either can be entertained. Of the enemy ships, one merchantman was heavily damaged, while a large number of men on the flak ships were killed, and many guns silenced. The other sections concerned were, F/O. Esau, P/O. Darcey, and P/O. Hansell, Sgt. Stanfield. All pressed home their attacks with vigour, and special credit must be given to F/O. Esau, who took command after F/Lt. Yarra had been shot down, and brought his 4 aircraft back safely.
USAAF
EGYPT: On the first anniversary of Germany’s and Italy’s declarations of war on the United States, a 57th Fighter Group P-40 pilot downs an BF-109 in a battle over the Marble Arch Airdrome.
RAF
Base Changes
74 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Mehrabad
181 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Snailwell
229 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to Qrendi
260 Sqn (Kittyhawk II) moves to Belindah
First and Last Operational Missions
59 Sqn (Thorney Island) flies its last OM in the Liberator III
129 Sqn (Grimsetter) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VC
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 3040
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
7 Sqn (Oakington – Stirling I) 11.12.42
Eight sorties were detailed to attack TURIN once more. One of the Squadron’s best crews, F.L. Christie, was missing on this raid. He was a most experienced Captain. There was some haze and the weather was so bad that only F/L. Barron found the target, the other crews having to turn back, some owing to icing and others owing to excessive petrol consumption.
ADDENDUM – Stirling I BF379 MG-D. Crew: F/L WT Christie DSO DFM KIA, Sgt WR Jaggar RNZAK POW, F/S JG Jeffery POW, S/L VC McAuley RCAF DFC POW, F/S O Falkingham POW, F/S I MacDonald POW, Sgt FK Nightingale POW, Sgt RW McGregor RCAF POW. T/o 1704 Oakington. Hit by flak while at 7,000 feet over the target, setting fire to the outer starboard engine. F/L Christie managed to get clear of the target but was unable to gain height in order to cross the Alps. Heading S, he ordered his crew to bale out near Cunio, after which the Stirling crashed at Fossano, Italy. F/L Christie rests in Milano War Cemetery.
BOMBER COMMAND
TURIN
82 aircraft of 1, 4 and 5 Groups and the Pathfinders – 48 Halifaxes, 20 Lancasters, 8 Stirlings, 6 Wellingtons – were dispatched but more than half of the force turned back before attempting to cross the Alps, because of severe icing conditions. 28 crews claimed to have bombed Turin but the city reports only 3 high-explosive bombs (2 of them duds) and a few incendiaries, with no casualties. 3 Halifaxes and 1 Stirling lost.
Minor Operations: 26 Wellingtons minelaying off Biscay ports and in the Frisians, 4 O.T.U. sorties. No losses.
USAAF
ALGERIA: Col Charles T. Phillips replaces Col Claude E. Duncan as commanding officer of the XII Bomber Command.
To better oversee flight operations and administration in the huge area for which it is responsible, Twelfth Air Force establishes five regional commands: the Moroccan Composite Wing, the West Algerian Composite Wing, the Central Algerian Composite Wing, XII Bomber Command; and XII Fighter Command.
ITALY: IX Bomber Command B-24s attack port facilities and the area surrounding the Naples port. One 98th Heavy Bombardment Group B-24 is downed by flak.
LIBYA: In anticipation of a British Eighth Army offensive against the Axis El Agheila Line—set to begin December 14—the 57th Fighter Group moves forward to a landing ground at Belandah.
TUNISIA: XII Bomber Command B-25s, with fighter escort, attack rail bridges at La Hencha.
RAF
Base Changes
23 Sqn (Mosquito NFII) moves to Malta
228 Sqn (Sunderland II/III) moves to Castle Archdale
241 Sqn (Non-Op) leaves for North Africa
First and Last Operational Missions
58 Sqn (Holmsley South) flies its last OM in the Whitley VII
Eight sorties were detailed to attack TURIN once more. One of the Squadron’s best crews, F.L. Christie, was missing on this raid. He was a most experienced Captain. There was some haze and the weather was so bad that only F/L. Barron found the target, the other crews having to turn back, some owing to icing and others owing to excessive petrol consumption.
ADDENDUM – Stirling I BF379 MG-D. Crew: F/L WT Christie DSO DFM KIA, Sgt WR Jaggar RNZAK POW, F/S JG Jeffery POW, S/L VC McAuley RCAF DFC POW, F/S O Falkingham POW, F/S I MacDonald POW, Sgt FK Nightingale POW, Sgt RW McGregor RCAF POW. T/o 1704 Oakington. Hit by flak while at 7,000 feet over the target, setting fire to the outer starboard engine. F/L Christie managed to get clear of the target but was unable to gain height in order to cross the Alps. Heading S, he ordered his crew to bale out near Cunio, after which the Stirling crashed at Fossano, Italy. F/L Christie rests in Milano War Cemetery.
BOMBER COMMAND
TURIN
82 aircraft of 1, 4 and 5 Groups and the Pathfinders – 48 Halifaxes, 20 Lancasters, 8 Stirlings, 6 Wellingtons – were dispatched but more than half of the force turned back before attempting to cross the Alps, because of severe icing conditions. 28 crews claimed to have bombed Turin but the city reports only 3 high-explosive bombs (2 of them duds) and a few incendiaries, with no casualties. 3 Halifaxes and 1 Stirling lost.
Minor Operations: 26 Wellingtons minelaying off Biscay ports and in the Frisians, 4 O.T.U. sorties. No losses.
USAAF
ALGERIA: Col Charles T. Phillips replaces Col Claude E. Duncan as commanding officer of the XII Bomber Command.
To better oversee flight operations and administration in the huge area for which it is responsible, Twelfth Air Force establishes five regional commands: the Moroccan Composite Wing, the West Algerian Composite Wing, the Central Algerian Composite Wing, XII Bomber Command; and XII Fighter Command.
ITALY: IX Bomber Command B-24s attack port facilities and the area surrounding the Naples port. One 98th Heavy Bombardment Group B-24 is downed by flak.
LIBYA: In anticipation of a British Eighth Army offensive against the Axis El Agheila Line—set to begin December 14—the 57th Fighter Group moves forward to a landing ground at Belandah.
TUNISIA: XII Bomber Command B-25s, with fighter escort, attack rail bridges at La Hencha.
RAF
Base Changes
23 Sqn (Mosquito NFII) moves to Malta
228 Sqn (Sunderland II/III) moves to Castle Archdale
241 Sqn (Non-Op) leaves for North Africa
First and Last Operational Missions
58 Sqn (Holmsley South) flies its last OM in the Whitley VII
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 3040
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
412 Sqn RCAF (Redhill – Spitfire VB) 12.12.42
Unlike the previous days, today was a busy one with sweeps being the order of the day. Two were carried out – one in the morning and another in the early afternoon.
Nothing of interest to report during the first operation, 12 aircraft took off at 10.40 hrs. acting as rear support to bomber aircraft proceeding to BERCK, France. They returned to base at 11.50 hrs. all landing safely – nothing to report.
At 13.00 hrs., 11 aircraft took off on the second sweep of the day. Along with No. 416 Squadron they acted as rear support for bomber aircraft attacking Abbeville aerodrome. 412 and 416 met the bombers between ROUEN and ST. VALERY. In this area enemy aircraft were encountered and a number of engagements took place.
A number of F.W.190’s were spotted by 412 Squadron and Yellow section broke away to attack. As they left, 3 F.W.190’s dived on the Squadron. This action took place between RYE and FECAMP in mid-channel. During the melee which followed a Spitfire and a F.W.190 were seen diving vertically at about 2,000 ft. A little later a patch of oil, was seen in the sea. 10 aircraft of 412 Squadron returned to base and landed at 14.35 hrs. P/O. S.W. Pearce was reported as missing after this operation.
Six aircraft of “B” Flight carried out an Air-Sea Rescue at 15.50 hrs. but returned to base at 17.10 hrs. with nothing to report. This completed the days operations.
ADDENDUM – Spitfire VB BL65 Pilot P/O SW Pearce RCAF KIA. He has no known grave, his name is inscribed on the Runnymede Memorial.
BOMBER COMMAND
15 Wellingtons of 1 and 3 Groups were sent minelaying in the Frisian Islands without loss.
USAAF
ALGERIA: A pair of 1st Fighter Group P-38 pilots down an Italian Air Force flying boat over the Mediterranean north of Philippeville.
ENGLAND: The 315th Troop Carrier Group air echelon arrives from the United States following a forced one-month layover in Greenland caused by bad weather. The C-47 unit is assigned to the VIII Air Support Command as a general transportation organization.
FRANCE: Seventy-eight VIII Bomber Command B-17s are dispatched against Romilly-sur-Seine Airdrome, but they are prevented from bombing by heavy cloud cover. In the end, 17 of these B-17s do manage to locate the Rouen/Sotteville marshalling yard, upon which they drop 40 tons of bombs.
TUNISIA: XII Bomber Command B-17s attack the port facilities at Sfax for the first time; B-17s, escorted by P-38s, also attack port and rail facilities at Tunis; and B-26s dispatched to Sousse and La Hencha abort due to bad weather.
1stLt Virgil H. Smith, a P-38 pilot with the 14th Fighter Group’s 48th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs an FW-190 over Gabes Airdrome during an afternoon mission.
RAF
Base Changes
241 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Souk-el-Arba
First and Last Operational Missions
246 Sqn (Bowmore – Sunderland III) flies its first OM of the war
540 Sqn (Leuchars) flies its first OM in the Mosquito PRI
544 Sqn (Benson) flies its first OM in the Wellington IV
Unlike the previous days, today was a busy one with sweeps being the order of the day. Two were carried out – one in the morning and another in the early afternoon.
Nothing of interest to report during the first operation, 12 aircraft took off at 10.40 hrs. acting as rear support to bomber aircraft proceeding to BERCK, France. They returned to base at 11.50 hrs. all landing safely – nothing to report.
At 13.00 hrs., 11 aircraft took off on the second sweep of the day. Along with No. 416 Squadron they acted as rear support for bomber aircraft attacking Abbeville aerodrome. 412 and 416 met the bombers between ROUEN and ST. VALERY. In this area enemy aircraft were encountered and a number of engagements took place.
A number of F.W.190’s were spotted by 412 Squadron and Yellow section broke away to attack. As they left, 3 F.W.190’s dived on the Squadron. This action took place between RYE and FECAMP in mid-channel. During the melee which followed a Spitfire and a F.W.190 were seen diving vertically at about 2,000 ft. A little later a patch of oil, was seen in the sea. 10 aircraft of 412 Squadron returned to base and landed at 14.35 hrs. P/O. S.W. Pearce was reported as missing after this operation.
Six aircraft of “B” Flight carried out an Air-Sea Rescue at 15.50 hrs. but returned to base at 17.10 hrs. with nothing to report. This completed the days operations.
ADDENDUM – Spitfire VB BL65 Pilot P/O SW Pearce RCAF KIA. He has no known grave, his name is inscribed on the Runnymede Memorial.
BOMBER COMMAND
15 Wellingtons of 1 and 3 Groups were sent minelaying in the Frisian Islands without loss.
USAAF
ALGERIA: A pair of 1st Fighter Group P-38 pilots down an Italian Air Force flying boat over the Mediterranean north of Philippeville.
ENGLAND: The 315th Troop Carrier Group air echelon arrives from the United States following a forced one-month layover in Greenland caused by bad weather. The C-47 unit is assigned to the VIII Air Support Command as a general transportation organization.
FRANCE: Seventy-eight VIII Bomber Command B-17s are dispatched against Romilly-sur-Seine Airdrome, but they are prevented from bombing by heavy cloud cover. In the end, 17 of these B-17s do manage to locate the Rouen/Sotteville marshalling yard, upon which they drop 40 tons of bombs.
TUNISIA: XII Bomber Command B-17s attack the port facilities at Sfax for the first time; B-17s, escorted by P-38s, also attack port and rail facilities at Tunis; and B-26s dispatched to Sousse and La Hencha abort due to bad weather.
1stLt Virgil H. Smith, a P-38 pilot with the 14th Fighter Group’s 48th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs an FW-190 over Gabes Airdrome during an afternoon mission.
RAF
Base Changes
241 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Souk-el-Arba
First and Last Operational Missions
246 Sqn (Bowmore – Sunderland III) flies its first OM of the war
540 Sqn (Leuchars) flies its first OM in the Mosquito PRI
544 Sqn (Benson) flies its first OM in the Wellington IV
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 3040
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
167 Sqn (Ludham – Spitfire VC) 13.12.42
Bad day to-day. Squadron Leader B.J.E. LANE, DFC. was lost over HOLLAND. S/Ldr. LANE, F/O. PLESMAN, P/O. EVANS and P/O. HEUKENSFELDT-JANSEN went on a Rhubarb and were jumped by 2 FW.190’s. LANE was not seen to be shot down so let’s hope he will turn up O.K.
ADDENDUM – Spitfire VC AR612. Pilot S/L BJE Lane DFC KIA. Rhubarb SW of Zierikzee, attacked by fighters of JG1.
BOMBER COMMAND
4 Bostons and 4 Mosquitoes on railway attacks in France and Belgium but only 2 Mosquitoes bombed, at Laon and Criel. No aircraft lost.
6 Wellingtons minelaying off Lorient and St-Nazaire without loss.
USAAF
LIBYA: Following a stalemate of several weeks—during which the British Eighth Army prepares for an all-out offensive to clear Libya—German Army forces holding the El Agheila Line suddenly withdraw at the last minute toward Tunisia. As British ground forces struggle to pursue the Germans, the WDAF, including the Ninth Air Force’s 12th Medium Bombardment Group and 57th Fighter Group, maintain pressure and attempt to interdict routes of retreat.
57th Fighter Group P-40 pilots down two Bf-109s near El Agheila.
TUNISIA: Seventeen 97th Heavy Bombardment Group B-17s attack port facilities at Tunis; ten 301st Heavy Bombardment Group B-17s and 19 93d Heavy Bombardment Group B-24s attack port facilities at Bizerte; B-25s attack port facilities at Sousse; B-26s attack a bridge north of Sfax; P-38s escort the medium-bomber missions, fly patrols, and attack Axis road convoys and individual vehicles north of Gabes.
RAF
Base Changes
40 Sqn SAAF TR (Hurricane IIB) moves to Benina
Bad day to-day. Squadron Leader B.J.E. LANE, DFC. was lost over HOLLAND. S/Ldr. LANE, F/O. PLESMAN, P/O. EVANS and P/O. HEUKENSFELDT-JANSEN went on a Rhubarb and were jumped by 2 FW.190’s. LANE was not seen to be shot down so let’s hope he will turn up O.K.
ADDENDUM – Spitfire VC AR612. Pilot S/L BJE Lane DFC KIA. Rhubarb SW of Zierikzee, attacked by fighters of JG1.
BOMBER COMMAND
4 Bostons and 4 Mosquitoes on railway attacks in France and Belgium but only 2 Mosquitoes bombed, at Laon and Criel. No aircraft lost.
6 Wellingtons minelaying off Lorient and St-Nazaire without loss.
USAAF
LIBYA: Following a stalemate of several weeks—during which the British Eighth Army prepares for an all-out offensive to clear Libya—German Army forces holding the El Agheila Line suddenly withdraw at the last minute toward Tunisia. As British ground forces struggle to pursue the Germans, the WDAF, including the Ninth Air Force’s 12th Medium Bombardment Group and 57th Fighter Group, maintain pressure and attempt to interdict routes of retreat.
57th Fighter Group P-40 pilots down two Bf-109s near El Agheila.
TUNISIA: Seventeen 97th Heavy Bombardment Group B-17s attack port facilities at Tunis; ten 301st Heavy Bombardment Group B-17s and 19 93d Heavy Bombardment Group B-24s attack port facilities at Bizerte; B-25s attack port facilities at Sousse; B-26s attack a bridge north of Sfax; P-38s escort the medium-bomber missions, fly patrols, and attack Axis road convoys and individual vehicles north of Gabes.
RAF
Base Changes
40 Sqn SAAF TR (Hurricane IIB) moves to Benina
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 3040
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
401 Sqn RCAF (Kenley – Spitfire IX) 14.12.42
At 0812 hours the Squadron was 30 minutes available. At 0830 hours, Squadron was briefed for Rodeo. Weather – 4/10th cumulus at 3000’ clear over French coast. 10/13 cumulus over Kenley at 5000’. Briefing – No. 401 and 402 Squadrons. R/Vs – Tangmere 1000’ at 0930 hours. ROUTE AND TIMING – Both Squadrons will proceed at zero feet for the first 25 minutes being followed by one Mosquito of 515 Squadron to a point 10 miles North of Colville Sur Mer, where they will split and climb with 401 Squadron sweeping the French coast, at Port au Basin, at 10000’ with 402 sweeping Point La Percee, at 10000’. The Squadrons to rejoin 20 miles North of Colville Sur Mer and return to Kenley. The Mosquito to follow at zero feet and to cross the French coast at Colville Sur Mer, unobserved as it is hoped the German Observers will be following the other Squadrons.
GENERAL REPORT: S/L K.L.B. Hodson DFC, lead 401 Squadron and reported: Squadron (10 a/c) airborne at 0919 hours and made rendez-vous with Mosquito over Tangmere and set course for France. After flying at sea level for 25 minutes, No. 401 and 402 Squadrons split-up and landfall was made at Port Au Basin at 10000’ according to plan. Red 1, S/L Hodson saw a train about 4 miles West of Bayeux and sent Red 3 and 4 down to attack, ordering the rest of the Squadron to act as cover. Red 3 attacked from the front and Red 4 from the side and both pilots observed cannon strikes on the engine with white steam issuing forth. Flak bursts were seen coming from the sixth car from the engine, but none of our aircraft was hit. Red 3 and 4 crossed the French coast at zero feet and climbed up to join Squadron at 10000’. The Squadron returned to Kenley, crossing the English coast at Shoreham at 6000’ and all our aircraft landed safely at 1045 hours.
At 1315 hours pilots briefed for Wing Rodeo. At 1405 hours Squadron (12 a/c) crossing English coast at Dover at 20000’ and the French coast at C. Griz Nez at 21000’. The Squadron then turned left, then right, and left the French coast at Sangatte at 21000’. The weather was clear over Dover but 10/10 cumulus over the Channel and the French coast at 10000’ and all aircraft landed safely at 1507 hours. No Flak was encountered and although 20 E/A were reported by Operations, none was seen. At 1620 hours, “A” Flight on readiness, “B” Flight 15 minutes available. At 1721 hours, Squadron was released.
BOMBER COMMAND
4 Mosquitoes on railways attacks in Belgium and Holland but only 1 aircraft bombed at Ghent. No losses.
68 aircraft – 27 Halifaxes, 23 Lancasters, 18 Wellingtons – to Texel, Heligoland and the Frisians. The 5 Group Lancasters were recalled but most of the other types carried out their tasks. There were no losses.
USAAF
ENGLAND: A new report points out that efforts to build up and supply the Twelfth Air Force at the expense of the Eighth Air Force is producing a critical drain on the latter’s ability to complete training cycles and mount combat operations.
LIBYA: 57th Fighter Group P-40 pilots down two Bf-109s at the cost of one P-40 and its pilot lost.
TUNISIA: XII Bomber Command B-24s attack shipping and port facilities at Bizerte, and B-17s attack shipping and port facilities at Tunis.
During the morning, nine 15th Light Bombardment Squadron A-20s, escorted by eight 14th Fighter Group P-38s and twelve 33d Fighter Group P-40s, attack the Sfax railroad station. During the afternoon, nine 15th Light Bombardment Squadron A-20s, escorted by P-38s, attack the same target.
P-38s attack several Axis vessels at sea off the Tunisian coast, strafe traffic on the coast highway between Tunis and Bizerte, and strafe trains near Kerker and La Hencha.
RAF
Base Changes
12 Sqn SAAF (Boston III) moves to Soluch
21 Sqn SAAF (Baltimore III/IV) moves to Soluch
462 Sqn RAAF (Halifax II) moves to LG.237
First and Last Operational Missions
246 Sqn (Bowmore) flies its first OM in the Sunderland II
At 0812 hours the Squadron was 30 minutes available. At 0830 hours, Squadron was briefed for Rodeo. Weather – 4/10th cumulus at 3000’ clear over French coast. 10/13 cumulus over Kenley at 5000’. Briefing – No. 401 and 402 Squadrons. R/Vs – Tangmere 1000’ at 0930 hours. ROUTE AND TIMING – Both Squadrons will proceed at zero feet for the first 25 minutes being followed by one Mosquito of 515 Squadron to a point 10 miles North of Colville Sur Mer, where they will split and climb with 401 Squadron sweeping the French coast, at Port au Basin, at 10000’ with 402 sweeping Point La Percee, at 10000’. The Squadrons to rejoin 20 miles North of Colville Sur Mer and return to Kenley. The Mosquito to follow at zero feet and to cross the French coast at Colville Sur Mer, unobserved as it is hoped the German Observers will be following the other Squadrons.
GENERAL REPORT: S/L K.L.B. Hodson DFC, lead 401 Squadron and reported: Squadron (10 a/c) airborne at 0919 hours and made rendez-vous with Mosquito over Tangmere and set course for France. After flying at sea level for 25 minutes, No. 401 and 402 Squadrons split-up and landfall was made at Port Au Basin at 10000’ according to plan. Red 1, S/L Hodson saw a train about 4 miles West of Bayeux and sent Red 3 and 4 down to attack, ordering the rest of the Squadron to act as cover. Red 3 attacked from the front and Red 4 from the side and both pilots observed cannon strikes on the engine with white steam issuing forth. Flak bursts were seen coming from the sixth car from the engine, but none of our aircraft was hit. Red 3 and 4 crossed the French coast at zero feet and climbed up to join Squadron at 10000’. The Squadron returned to Kenley, crossing the English coast at Shoreham at 6000’ and all our aircraft landed safely at 1045 hours.
At 1315 hours pilots briefed for Wing Rodeo. At 1405 hours Squadron (12 a/c) crossing English coast at Dover at 20000’ and the French coast at C. Griz Nez at 21000’. The Squadron then turned left, then right, and left the French coast at Sangatte at 21000’. The weather was clear over Dover but 10/10 cumulus over the Channel and the French coast at 10000’ and all aircraft landed safely at 1507 hours. No Flak was encountered and although 20 E/A were reported by Operations, none was seen. At 1620 hours, “A” Flight on readiness, “B” Flight 15 minutes available. At 1721 hours, Squadron was released.
BOMBER COMMAND
4 Mosquitoes on railways attacks in Belgium and Holland but only 1 aircraft bombed at Ghent. No losses.
68 aircraft – 27 Halifaxes, 23 Lancasters, 18 Wellingtons – to Texel, Heligoland and the Frisians. The 5 Group Lancasters were recalled but most of the other types carried out their tasks. There were no losses.
USAAF
ENGLAND: A new report points out that efforts to build up and supply the Twelfth Air Force at the expense of the Eighth Air Force is producing a critical drain on the latter’s ability to complete training cycles and mount combat operations.
LIBYA: 57th Fighter Group P-40 pilots down two Bf-109s at the cost of one P-40 and its pilot lost.
TUNISIA: XII Bomber Command B-24s attack shipping and port facilities at Bizerte, and B-17s attack shipping and port facilities at Tunis.
During the morning, nine 15th Light Bombardment Squadron A-20s, escorted by eight 14th Fighter Group P-38s and twelve 33d Fighter Group P-40s, attack the Sfax railroad station. During the afternoon, nine 15th Light Bombardment Squadron A-20s, escorted by P-38s, attack the same target.
P-38s attack several Axis vessels at sea off the Tunisian coast, strafe traffic on the coast highway between Tunis and Bizerte, and strafe trains near Kerker and La Hencha.
RAF
Base Changes
12 Sqn SAAF (Boston III) moves to Soluch
21 Sqn SAAF (Baltimore III/IV) moves to Soluch
462 Sqn RAAF (Halifax II) moves to LG.237
First and Last Operational Missions
246 Sqn (Bowmore) flies its first OM in the Sunderland II
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
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warshipbuilder
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Re: Action This Day
401 Sqn RCAF (Kenley – Spitfire IX) 15.12.42
Weather: Raining in the morning clearing towards noon. 9/10 cumulus cloud at 3000’. Wind at 20 M.P.H. from S.W. At 1000 hours the pilots spent the morning studying a/c recognition. At 1300 hours Red section on patrol from Shoreham to Beachy Head. At 1405 Yellow section on patrol Shoreham to Beachy Head. At 1500 hours pilots given a test on a/c recognition in preparation for an examination to be held in a few days. At 1721 hours Squadron released.
Serviceability: “A” Flight, 7 a/c and 7 pilots; “B” Flight, 6 a/c and 7 pilots.
BOMBER COMMAND
5 Wellingtons minelaying off Lorient and St-Nazaire without loss.
USAAF
LIBYA: Ninth Air Force B-25s and P-40s continue to attack tactical ground targets in support of the British Eighth Army. Eighteen 12th Medium Bombardment Group B-25s join with 36 RAF light bombers in a particularly effective attack against a motor-vehicle concentration west of the Marble Arch.
While flying with the 57th Fighter Group, a 79th Fighter Group P-40 pilot draws “first blood” for his unit when he downs a Bf-109.
TUNISIA: Three 15th Light Bombardment Squadron A-20s attack several bridges linking Gabes with Sfax; six A-20s attack Pont-du-Fahs; XII Bomber Command B-26s attack Tunis/El Aouina Airdrome; and XII Bomber Command B-17s attack port facilities at Bizerte.
In the IX Bomber Command’s first mission to Tunisia—to help XII Bomber Command close Tunisian ports and lines of supply to German reinforcements and supplies—nine 376th Heavy Bombardment Group B-24s attack a railroad yard, roundhouse, and repair facilities at Sfax. The B-24s obliterate a locomotive repair shop.
Weather: Raining in the morning clearing towards noon. 9/10 cumulus cloud at 3000’. Wind at 20 M.P.H. from S.W. At 1000 hours the pilots spent the morning studying a/c recognition. At 1300 hours Red section on patrol from Shoreham to Beachy Head. At 1405 Yellow section on patrol Shoreham to Beachy Head. At 1500 hours pilots given a test on a/c recognition in preparation for an examination to be held in a few days. At 1721 hours Squadron released.
Serviceability: “A” Flight, 7 a/c and 7 pilots; “B” Flight, 6 a/c and 7 pilots.
BOMBER COMMAND
5 Wellingtons minelaying off Lorient and St-Nazaire without loss.
USAAF
LIBYA: Ninth Air Force B-25s and P-40s continue to attack tactical ground targets in support of the British Eighth Army. Eighteen 12th Medium Bombardment Group B-25s join with 36 RAF light bombers in a particularly effective attack against a motor-vehicle concentration west of the Marble Arch.
While flying with the 57th Fighter Group, a 79th Fighter Group P-40 pilot draws “first blood” for his unit when he downs a Bf-109.
TUNISIA: Three 15th Light Bombardment Squadron A-20s attack several bridges linking Gabes with Sfax; six A-20s attack Pont-du-Fahs; XII Bomber Command B-26s attack Tunis/El Aouina Airdrome; and XII Bomber Command B-17s attack port facilities at Bizerte.
In the IX Bomber Command’s first mission to Tunisia—to help XII Bomber Command close Tunisian ports and lines of supply to German reinforcements and supplies—nine 376th Heavy Bombardment Group B-24s attack a railroad yard, roundhouse, and repair facilities at Sfax. The B-24s obliterate a locomotive repair shop.
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
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warshipbuilder
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Re: Action This Day
15 Sqn (Bourn – Stirling I) 16.12.42
3 aircraft with experienced crews were detailed to attack DEIPHOLE AERODROME. 2 aircraft attacked primary, 3rd aircraft failed to return. “F” Capt. F/Sgt. McMonagle was attacked three times by ME.110s. The gunners shot down one, drove a second off, and the third was evaded. The crew landed at COLTISHALL on the return with one member injured as a result of these combats.
ADDENDUM – Stirling I R9168 LS-T. Crew: P/O. FS Millen RCAF KIA, Sgt GCG Hutton KIA, P/O EH Kieswetter RCAF KIA, Sgt RH McKillop RNZAF KIA, P/O RN Holmes RCAF KIA, P/O HE Hill RCAF KIA, Sgt JF Perring POW. T/o Bourn. Shot down by a combination of flak and fighters and crashed 2009 at Gortel (Gelderland), 7 km SW of Epe, Holland. Those who died rest in Epe General Cemetry. P/O Millen and P/O Kieswetter, were Americans, the former from North Providence on Rhode Island, and the latter from Seattle, Washington.
BOMBER COMMAND
8 Stirlings attempted to bomb a German aircraft depot at Diepholz; 3 aircraft bombed the general area of the target but ‘with no evidence of success’ and 1 Stirling was lost. 18 aircraft minelaying in the River Gironde and off Brest and Lorient; 1 Wellington lost.
USAAF
LIBYA: Ninth Air Force B-25s and P-40s attack and harass German Army troops in the El Agheila area.
TUNISIA: In separate missions, A-20s of the 15th Light Bombardment Squadron and the 47th Light Bombardment Group’s 86th Light Bombardment Squadron (the latter on their unit’s first combat mission of the war) attack Axis vehicle columns on the road between Mateur and Massicault. These are the first of many such attacks that will destroy an estimated 100 vehicles along this road by the end of the month.
XII Fighter Command P-38s attacking Axis ships at sea off Tunisia’s northern coast claim a direct bomb hit on one vessel, and a pair of 1st Fighter Group P-38 pilots down a lone Ju-88 at around noon.
RAF
First and Last Operational Missions
210 Sqn (Pembroke Dock) flew its last OM in the Catalina I
3 aircraft with experienced crews were detailed to attack DEIPHOLE AERODROME. 2 aircraft attacked primary, 3rd aircraft failed to return. “F” Capt. F/Sgt. McMonagle was attacked three times by ME.110s. The gunners shot down one, drove a second off, and the third was evaded. The crew landed at COLTISHALL on the return with one member injured as a result of these combats.
ADDENDUM – Stirling I R9168 LS-T. Crew: P/O. FS Millen RCAF KIA, Sgt GCG Hutton KIA, P/O EH Kieswetter RCAF KIA, Sgt RH McKillop RNZAF KIA, P/O RN Holmes RCAF KIA, P/O HE Hill RCAF KIA, Sgt JF Perring POW. T/o Bourn. Shot down by a combination of flak and fighters and crashed 2009 at Gortel (Gelderland), 7 km SW of Epe, Holland. Those who died rest in Epe General Cemetry. P/O Millen and P/O Kieswetter, were Americans, the former from North Providence on Rhode Island, and the latter from Seattle, Washington.
BOMBER COMMAND
8 Stirlings attempted to bomb a German aircraft depot at Diepholz; 3 aircraft bombed the general area of the target but ‘with no evidence of success’ and 1 Stirling was lost. 18 aircraft minelaying in the River Gironde and off Brest and Lorient; 1 Wellington lost.
USAAF
LIBYA: Ninth Air Force B-25s and P-40s attack and harass German Army troops in the El Agheila area.
TUNISIA: In separate missions, A-20s of the 15th Light Bombardment Squadron and the 47th Light Bombardment Group’s 86th Light Bombardment Squadron (the latter on their unit’s first combat mission of the war) attack Axis vehicle columns on the road between Mateur and Massicault. These are the first of many such attacks that will destroy an estimated 100 vehicles along this road by the end of the month.
XII Fighter Command P-38s attacking Axis ships at sea off Tunisia’s northern coast claim a direct bomb hit on one vessel, and a pair of 1st Fighter Group P-38 pilots down a lone Ju-88 at around noon.
RAF
First and Last Operational Missions
210 Sqn (Pembroke Dock) flew its last OM in the Catalina I
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
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warshipbuilder
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- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
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Re: Action This Day
44 Sqn (Waddington – Lancaster I) 17.12.42
Seven aircraft were detailed to carry out a bombing raid on NIENBERG (F.O. Michell, F.O. McNamara, P.O. Walker, F/Sgt. Dening, Sgt. Paige, Sgt. Morris, Sgt. Shattock). Three aircraft did not return from this operation – (F.O. McNamara, F.O. Michell, & F/Sgt. Dening), and must therefore be considered lost with all members of the Crews. No messages or signals were received from any of these three aircraft after leaving ‘Base’. Three of the remaining aircraft believed they attacked the main area. Sgt. Shattock attacked a built up area after identifying the WESER RIVER. His bombs were seen to burst, and he then attacked 7 searchlights at approximately 15 miles West of the target. Sgt. Paige, whilst leaving Holland on his way to the target, attacked an Army Camp, Aerodrome Dispersal, Searchlights, (One of which went out), a Hamlet, and a stationary train, with machine gun fire. His machine was hit by flak and the rear turret was damaged. The Rear Gunner (Sgt. Lightfoot) sustained slight head injuries. P.O. Walker identified target by bend in the River and by Railway. His bombs were seen to burst on edge of town. He attacked the town with machine-gun fire, and also two Railway Engines in the Station Yard. The remaining aircraft (F/Sgt. Morris), did not locate main target, but believed attacked STOLZENAU. Bombs were seen to burst and incendiaries started fires. The rear turret and port wing were holed by machine-gun fire.
ADDENDUM – Lancaster I R5666 KM-F. Crew: F/O RR Michell POW, Sgt JK Alger POW, F/S GT Graham RCAF POW, Sgt H Brown RCAF PO, Sgt EH Bundy RCAF POW, F/S J Kinghorn KIA, Sgt WG Sheppard KIA. T/o Waddington. Crashed near Bramsche. The two airmen who died now rest in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
Lancaster I W4126 KM-B. Crew: F/O LGL McNamara KIA, Sgt GA READ POW, F/O RN McCleery RCAF KIA, F/O JW Loree RCAF KIA, Sgt KT MacLeod KIA, Sgt G Beckett KIA, Sgt GW Jones KIA. T/o Waddington. Hit by Kriegsmarine Flak and crashed 1845 on the island of Texel. Those who died were buried with full military honours by the German authorities, on 22 December in Den Bung General Cemetry. F/O McCleery on his release from captivity stated the Lancaster was on fire as he made his exit.
Lancaster I ED355 KM-D. Crew: F/S JG Dening RAAF KIA, Sgt JA Callan KIA, F/O MA Nias KIA, Sgt GB Wilkinson KIA, Sgt LG Powell KIA, Sgt W McB J Stark RCAF KIA, Sgt E Croal RAAF KIA. T/o Waddington. Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed 2022 onto a road between Waterloo and Harich (Friesland), some 15 m SSE of Sneek, Holland. Most lie in Jonkerbos War Cemetery, but the graves of Sgt Wilkinson and Sgt Croal are at Wymbritseradeel (IJpecolsga) General Cemetery. The remains of the Lancaster were discovered in 1951 during road reconstruction and a memorial was erected nearby.
BOMBER COMMAND
6 Wellingtons and 4 Mosquitoes on cloud-cover and railway attacks over a wide area. 5 aircraft attacked various targets. There were no losses.
27 Lancasters of 5 Group were sent on raids to 8 small German towns and 16 Stirlings and 6 Wellingtons of 3 Group attempted to attack the Opel works at Fallersleben. This type of limited operation proved to be a costly failure. 9 of the 27 Lancasters were lost and, at Fallersleben, only 3 aircraft bombed the target, in cloud conditions, and 6 Stirlings and 2 Wellingtons were lost from this part of the night’s operations. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron, based at Newmarket, lost 4 out of the 5 Stirlings sent on the Fallersleben raid, including the aircraft of its commanding officer, Wing Commander V. Mitchell, whose name is on the Runnymede Memorial to the Missing.
50 aircraft were dispatched to lay mines from Denmark to southern Biscay – 1 Lancaster was lost – and there were 5 O.T.U. sorties to France.
Total losses for the night: 18 aircraft out of 104 dispatched, 17.3 percent.
USAAF
TUNISIA: A total of 36 XII Bomber Command B-17s attack port facilities at Tunis and Bizerte; A-20s attack targets north and west of Gabes Airdrome and the Axis landing ground at Sidi Tabet; XII Bomber Command B-25s and B-26s dispatched to attack Axis ships in the Gulf of Tunis fail to locate their targets; XII Fighter Command P-38s escort all the bombing missions; and 1st Fighter Group P-38 pilots down a Ju-88 and two Bf-109s in separate midday actions.
RAF
Base Changes
18 Sqn (Blenheim V) moved to Canrober
21 Sqn SAAF (Baltimore III/IV) moved to LG.98
32 Sqn (Non-Op) moved to Maison Blanche
608 Sqn (Hudson III/IIIA/V) moved to Blida
First and Last Operational Missions
260 Sqn (Belandah) flew its first OM in the Kittyhawk III
547 Sqn (Chivenor – Wellington VIII) flew its first OM of the war
Seven aircraft were detailed to carry out a bombing raid on NIENBERG (F.O. Michell, F.O. McNamara, P.O. Walker, F/Sgt. Dening, Sgt. Paige, Sgt. Morris, Sgt. Shattock). Three aircraft did not return from this operation – (F.O. McNamara, F.O. Michell, & F/Sgt. Dening), and must therefore be considered lost with all members of the Crews. No messages or signals were received from any of these three aircraft after leaving ‘Base’. Three of the remaining aircraft believed they attacked the main area. Sgt. Shattock attacked a built up area after identifying the WESER RIVER. His bombs were seen to burst, and he then attacked 7 searchlights at approximately 15 miles West of the target. Sgt. Paige, whilst leaving Holland on his way to the target, attacked an Army Camp, Aerodrome Dispersal, Searchlights, (One of which went out), a Hamlet, and a stationary train, with machine gun fire. His machine was hit by flak and the rear turret was damaged. The Rear Gunner (Sgt. Lightfoot) sustained slight head injuries. P.O. Walker identified target by bend in the River and by Railway. His bombs were seen to burst on edge of town. He attacked the town with machine-gun fire, and also two Railway Engines in the Station Yard. The remaining aircraft (F/Sgt. Morris), did not locate main target, but believed attacked STOLZENAU. Bombs were seen to burst and incendiaries started fires. The rear turret and port wing were holed by machine-gun fire.
ADDENDUM – Lancaster I R5666 KM-F. Crew: F/O RR Michell POW, Sgt JK Alger POW, F/S GT Graham RCAF POW, Sgt H Brown RCAF PO, Sgt EH Bundy RCAF POW, F/S J Kinghorn KIA, Sgt WG Sheppard KIA. T/o Waddington. Crashed near Bramsche. The two airmen who died now rest in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
Lancaster I W4126 KM-B. Crew: F/O LGL McNamara KIA, Sgt GA READ POW, F/O RN McCleery RCAF KIA, F/O JW Loree RCAF KIA, Sgt KT MacLeod KIA, Sgt G Beckett KIA, Sgt GW Jones KIA. T/o Waddington. Hit by Kriegsmarine Flak and crashed 1845 on the island of Texel. Those who died were buried with full military honours by the German authorities, on 22 December in Den Bung General Cemetry. F/O McCleery on his release from captivity stated the Lancaster was on fire as he made his exit.
Lancaster I ED355 KM-D. Crew: F/S JG Dening RAAF KIA, Sgt JA Callan KIA, F/O MA Nias KIA, Sgt GB Wilkinson KIA, Sgt LG Powell KIA, Sgt W McB J Stark RCAF KIA, Sgt E Croal RAAF KIA. T/o Waddington. Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed 2022 onto a road between Waterloo and Harich (Friesland), some 15 m SSE of Sneek, Holland. Most lie in Jonkerbos War Cemetery, but the graves of Sgt Wilkinson and Sgt Croal are at Wymbritseradeel (IJpecolsga) General Cemetery. The remains of the Lancaster were discovered in 1951 during road reconstruction and a memorial was erected nearby.
BOMBER COMMAND
6 Wellingtons and 4 Mosquitoes on cloud-cover and railway attacks over a wide area. 5 aircraft attacked various targets. There were no losses.
27 Lancasters of 5 Group were sent on raids to 8 small German towns and 16 Stirlings and 6 Wellingtons of 3 Group attempted to attack the Opel works at Fallersleben. This type of limited operation proved to be a costly failure. 9 of the 27 Lancasters were lost and, at Fallersleben, only 3 aircraft bombed the target, in cloud conditions, and 6 Stirlings and 2 Wellingtons were lost from this part of the night’s operations. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron, based at Newmarket, lost 4 out of the 5 Stirlings sent on the Fallersleben raid, including the aircraft of its commanding officer, Wing Commander V. Mitchell, whose name is on the Runnymede Memorial to the Missing.
50 aircraft were dispatched to lay mines from Denmark to southern Biscay – 1 Lancaster was lost – and there were 5 O.T.U. sorties to France.
Total losses for the night: 18 aircraft out of 104 dispatched, 17.3 percent.
USAAF
TUNISIA: A total of 36 XII Bomber Command B-17s attack port facilities at Tunis and Bizerte; A-20s attack targets north and west of Gabes Airdrome and the Axis landing ground at Sidi Tabet; XII Bomber Command B-25s and B-26s dispatched to attack Axis ships in the Gulf of Tunis fail to locate their targets; XII Fighter Command P-38s escort all the bombing missions; and 1st Fighter Group P-38 pilots down a Ju-88 and two Bf-109s in separate midday actions.
RAF
Base Changes
18 Sqn (Blenheim V) moved to Canrober
21 Sqn SAAF (Baltimore III/IV) moved to LG.98
32 Sqn (Non-Op) moved to Maison Blanche
608 Sqn (Hudson III/IIIA/V) moved to Blida
First and Last Operational Missions
260 Sqn (Belandah) flew its first OM in the Kittyhawk III
547 Sqn (Chivenor – Wellington VIII) flew its first OM of the war
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
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warshipbuilder
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- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
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Re: Action This Day
486 Sqn RNZAF (Tangmere – Typhoon IB) 18.12.42
F/O. G.G. THOMAS, destroyed one Do. 217 E2. Sgt. R.W. PENNEY, No. 2 to F/O. G.G. THOMAS did not return from this patrol and was not seen by his leader during and subsequent to this action.
ADDENDUM – Typhoon IB R8800. Pilot F/Sgt RW Penney KIA. Engaged Do 217, hit by return fire and crashed.
USAAF
LIBYA: The pursuit by the British Eighth Army of German forces retreating toward Tunisia bogs down.
XII Bomber Command B-17s attack shipping and port facilities at Sousse.
The Eighth Air Force’s 93d Heavy Bombardment Group, in B-24s, is transferred from the operational control of the Twelfth Air Force to that of the Ninth Air Force. The group begins moving to the Gambut Main Airdrome.
TUNISIA: Thirty-six XII Bomber Command B-17s, escorted by 16 1st Fighter Group P-38s, attacking Bizerte through German fighters and flak claim a direct hit on one vessel. However, four P-38s and a B-17 are downed over the target by GAF fighters, and another B-17 is written off after it crash-lands at a friendly base.
Eleven XII Bomber Command B-26s, escorted by P-38s, attack a marshalling yard and other rail facilities at Sousse. Flak downs two B-26s.
Twelfth Air Force A-20s, escorted by P-38s, attack a landing ground, dispersal areas, and the rail facilities at Mateur.
One Ju-88 and an FW-190 are downed during the day by 33d Fighter Group P-40 pilots.
RAF
Base Changes
3 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk II) moves to Marble Arch
40 Sqn SAAF TR (Hurricane IIB) moves to Marble Arch
250 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Marble Arch
450 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk III) moves to Marble Arch
First and Last Operational Missions
131 Sqn (Westhampnett) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VC
153 Sqn (Ballyhalbert) flies its last OM in the Beaufighter I
210 Sqn (Pembroke Dock) flies its last OM in the Catalina GRIIA
410 Sqn (Acklington) flies its last OM in the Beaufighter IIF
F/O. G.G. THOMAS, destroyed one Do. 217 E2. Sgt. R.W. PENNEY, No. 2 to F/O. G.G. THOMAS did not return from this patrol and was not seen by his leader during and subsequent to this action.
ADDENDUM – Typhoon IB R8800. Pilot F/Sgt RW Penney KIA. Engaged Do 217, hit by return fire and crashed.
USAAF
LIBYA: The pursuit by the British Eighth Army of German forces retreating toward Tunisia bogs down.
XII Bomber Command B-17s attack shipping and port facilities at Sousse.
The Eighth Air Force’s 93d Heavy Bombardment Group, in B-24s, is transferred from the operational control of the Twelfth Air Force to that of the Ninth Air Force. The group begins moving to the Gambut Main Airdrome.
TUNISIA: Thirty-six XII Bomber Command B-17s, escorted by 16 1st Fighter Group P-38s, attacking Bizerte through German fighters and flak claim a direct hit on one vessel. However, four P-38s and a B-17 are downed over the target by GAF fighters, and another B-17 is written off after it crash-lands at a friendly base.
Eleven XII Bomber Command B-26s, escorted by P-38s, attack a marshalling yard and other rail facilities at Sousse. Flak downs two B-26s.
Twelfth Air Force A-20s, escorted by P-38s, attack a landing ground, dispersal areas, and the rail facilities at Mateur.
One Ju-88 and an FW-190 are downed during the day by 33d Fighter Group P-40 pilots.
RAF
Base Changes
3 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk II) moves to Marble Arch
40 Sqn SAAF TR (Hurricane IIB) moves to Marble Arch
250 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Marble Arch
450 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk III) moves to Marble Arch
First and Last Operational Missions
131 Sqn (Westhampnett) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VC
153 Sqn (Ballyhalbert) flies its last OM in the Beaufighter I
210 Sqn (Pembroke Dock) flies its last OM in the Catalina GRIIA
410 Sqn (Acklington) flies its last OM in the Beaufighter IIF
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
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- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
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Re: Action This Day
MERRY CHRISTMAS DEAR READER, CU2023
401 Sqn RCAF (Kenley – Spitfire IX) 19.12.42
Weather: Heavy ground haze covering the aerodrome. 10/10 cumulus cloud at 1500’. Wind 10 M.P.H. from S. At 0816 hours “B” Flight on readiness. Pilots spent the morning at Hunt range practicing aircraft recognition and range estimation. At 1450 hours the Squadron was released.
Serviceability: “A” Flight, 7 a/c and 7 pilots; “B” Flight, 7 a/c and 8 pilots.
BOMBER COMMAND
15 Wellingtons minelaying off Brest, Lorient and St-Nazaire without loss.
USAAF
TUNISIA: Twelfth Air Force A-20s, escorted by 33d Fighter Group P-40s, attack the marshalling yards at Sfax, and a 33d Fighter Group P-40 pilot downs a Ju-88 near Sfax.
RAF
Base Changes
87 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Phillipville
142 Sqn (Wellington III) moves to Kirmington
150 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Blida
153 Sqn (Non-Op) leaves for North Africa
260 Sqn (Kittyhawk II/III) moves to Marble Arch
401 Sqn RCAF (Kenley – Spitfire IX) 19.12.42
Weather: Heavy ground haze covering the aerodrome. 10/10 cumulus cloud at 1500’. Wind 10 M.P.H. from S. At 0816 hours “B” Flight on readiness. Pilots spent the morning at Hunt range practicing aircraft recognition and range estimation. At 1450 hours the Squadron was released.
Serviceability: “A” Flight, 7 a/c and 7 pilots; “B” Flight, 7 a/c and 8 pilots.
BOMBER COMMAND
15 Wellingtons minelaying off Brest, Lorient and St-Nazaire without loss.
USAAF
TUNISIA: Twelfth Air Force A-20s, escorted by 33d Fighter Group P-40s, attack the marshalling yards at Sfax, and a 33d Fighter Group P-40 pilot downs a Ju-88 near Sfax.
RAF
Base Changes
87 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Phillipville
142 Sqn (Wellington III) moves to Kirmington
150 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Blida
153 Sqn (Non-Op) leaves for North Africa
260 Sqn (Kittyhawk II/III) moves to Marble Arch
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 3040
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
401 Sqn RCAF (Kenley – Spitfire IX) 1.1.43
Weather: Cold, rain. Visibility: zero. Wind: 30 m.p.h. from N.E.At 0821 hours, Squadron 30 minutes available. At 0925 hours Blue Section (2 a/c) 30 minutes available. At 1731 hours Squadron released. P/O. S.C. Cosburn awarded the D.F.C. and was congratulated by all the boys.
Serviceability: “A” Flight, 6 a/c and 8 pilots; “B” Flight, 6 a/c and 8 pilots
USAAF
SICILY: Several IX Bomber Command B-24s attack unspecified targets along the southeastern and southwestern coasts.
TUNISIA: XII Bomber Command B-17s and IX Bomber Command B-24s attack the harbor at Tunis in separate missions; XII Bomber Command B-26s attack the Tunis marshalling yards; and XII Bomber Command B-25s dispatched to attack Axis shipping near La Goulette abort in the face of bad weather.
Four 1st Fighter Group P-38 pilots down three Ju-52 transports near Cape El Fortress at 1515 hours.
RAF
Base Changes
73 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Alamel Chel
92 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to El Chel 1
250 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to El Chel 2
260 Sqn (Kittyhawk II/III) moves to Hamraiet 1
First and Last Operational Missions
43 Sqn (Maison Blanche) flies its first OM in the Hurricane IIC
93 Sqn (Souk-el-Chemis) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VC
142 Sqn (Blida – Wellington III) flies its first OM in the MTO
253 Sqn (Phillipeville – Hurricane IIC) flies its first OM in the MTO
451 Sqn RAAF (Mersa Matruh) flies its last OM in the Hurricane I
Weather: Cold, rain. Visibility: zero. Wind: 30 m.p.h. from N.E.At 0821 hours, Squadron 30 minutes available. At 0925 hours Blue Section (2 a/c) 30 minutes available. At 1731 hours Squadron released. P/O. S.C. Cosburn awarded the D.F.C. and was congratulated by all the boys.
Serviceability: “A” Flight, 6 a/c and 8 pilots; “B” Flight, 6 a/c and 8 pilots
USAAF
SICILY: Several IX Bomber Command B-24s attack unspecified targets along the southeastern and southwestern coasts.
TUNISIA: XII Bomber Command B-17s and IX Bomber Command B-24s attack the harbor at Tunis in separate missions; XII Bomber Command B-26s attack the Tunis marshalling yards; and XII Bomber Command B-25s dispatched to attack Axis shipping near La Goulette abort in the face of bad weather.
Four 1st Fighter Group P-38 pilots down three Ju-52 transports near Cape El Fortress at 1515 hours.
RAF
Base Changes
73 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Alamel Chel
92 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to El Chel 1
250 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to El Chel 2
260 Sqn (Kittyhawk II/III) moves to Hamraiet 1
First and Last Operational Missions
43 Sqn (Maison Blanche) flies its first OM in the Hurricane IIC
93 Sqn (Souk-el-Chemis) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VC
142 Sqn (Blida – Wellington III) flies its first OM in the MTO
253 Sqn (Phillipeville – Hurricane IIC) flies its first OM in the MTO
451 Sqn RAAF (Mersa Matruh) flies its last OM in the Hurricane I
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 3040
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
310 Sqn (Czech) (Exeter – Spitfire VC) 2.1.43
Red Section (F/Lts. V.CHOCHOLIN and R.BOROVEC) were sent on a weather reconnaissance flight, ILE DE BREHAT and SEPT ILES landing without incident at 10.30 hours after a flight of 1 hour and 10 minutes.
At 11.50 hours Yellow Section was ordered to carry out an anti-rhubarb patrol TORQUAY – START POINT being relieved by White Section, pilots P/O. L.ZADROBILEK and P/O. K.ZOUHAR. This section when near TORQUAY saw rockets being fired at about 12.30 hours from direction of DARTMOUTH, and then observed bombs bursting in KINGSBRIDGE. ZOUHAR then saw 2 FW.190’s quite close ahead at sea level and gave chase firing a short burst when some 3 to 4 miles over the sea, but did not observe results as at this moment ZADROBILEK called on his R/T saying that he was wounded and ZOUHAR broke off to give him protection. It would appear that ZADROBILEK was engaged by 2 or 3 more FW.190’s and had received a cannon shell which broke his left arm, his aircraft Spitfire AC L.R, A.R.610 being badly shot up (Cat.B) by Cannon and M.G. bullets. Despite his serious wound ZADRBILEK returned to base and made a perfect landing but was to seriously injured to be interrogated. It appears 6 FW.190’s were sighted and reported.
At 14.30 hours the Squadron 12 aircraft, together with Wing Command Flying took off to join the rest of the Czech Wing to take part in a sweep, 10 Group Rodeo No. 27. The French coast was crossed at ILE BREHAT at 25,000 feet, this Squadron being top Squadron of the formation. The sweep was without incident and the Squadron landed at base by 16.10 hours. This completed flying for the day.
BOMBER COMMAND
12 Bostons and 1 Mosquito, all or most to attack a whaling factory ship at Cherbourg but all aircraft recalled.
24 Wellingtons and 18 Lancasters minelaying off Biscay ports, 2 O.T.U. sorties. No losses.
USAAF
ALGERIA: A status report issued by Headquarters, Twelfth Air Force, shows 520 operational aircraft of 755 assigned. It is estimated at this time that the GAF has 610 aircraft available for the defense of Tunisia, of which approximately 225 are Ju-88 bombers and 150 are FW-190 or Bf-109 fighters. The Italian Air Force in the region is thought to have 560 aircraft assigned, of which half are fighters, but of which only half are thought to be operational.
CRETE: To help stem Axis air attacks against Allied convoys bound for Malta, 12 376th Heavy Bombardment Group B-24s join 36 RAF light bombers for an attack against Kastelli/Pediada Airdrome, and 11 12th Medium Bombardment Group B-25s attack Heraklion Airdrome. This is the 12th Group’s first combat mission outside of North Africa. During the return flight, two B-25s are lost over the sea for unknown reasons.
GERMANY: Four radar-equipped B-24s from the 93d Heavy Bombardment Group’s 329th Heavy Bombardment Squadron conduct separate “moling” intruder-type sorties over the Ruhr region of northwestern Germany to test the efficacy of dispatching special bombers to harass and confuse the German air-defense system. The B-24s are equipped with British-made GEE navigational equipment, which can be used for precise location fixes at night or in cloudy weather (the better to conceal single aircraft over hostile territory). It is the goal of the moling experiment to trigger German air-raid warning defenses on days on which the VIII Bomber Command is grounded by bad weather. It is thought that doing so will inflict operational casualties upon GAF interceptors scrambled in inclement weather as well as disrupt work in German industrial areas when air-raid warnings are sounded. Perversely, the four initial moling sorties are foiled by good weather over the target area.
TUNISIA: XII Bomber Command B-17s attack shipping and port facilities at La Goulette. 1st Fighter Group P-38 pilots escorting the bombers down three Bf-109s, but two P-38s and their pilots are also lost.
XII Fighter Command A-20s, escorted by P-38s, attack Sousse harbor in two waves in the morning; A-20s return to attack Sousse in the afternoon; and XII Bomber Command B-26s, escorted by fighters, attack a bridge north of El Djem.
52d Fighter Group Spitfire pilots down two Ju-87s and an FW-190 between Bone and Cape Rosa between 0835 and 0915 hours.
RAF
Base Changes
16 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Andover
49 Sqn (Lancaster I) moves to Fiskerton
64 Sqn (Spitfire IX) moves to Fairlop
266 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Exeter
485 Sqn RNZAF (Spitfire VB) moves to Westhampnett
First and Last Operational Missions
467 Sqn (Bottesford – Lancaster I) flies its first OM of the war
543 Sqn (Benson – Spitfire PRIX) flies its first OM of the war
Red Section (F/Lts. V.CHOCHOLIN and R.BOROVEC) were sent on a weather reconnaissance flight, ILE DE BREHAT and SEPT ILES landing without incident at 10.30 hours after a flight of 1 hour and 10 minutes.
At 11.50 hours Yellow Section was ordered to carry out an anti-rhubarb patrol TORQUAY – START POINT being relieved by White Section, pilots P/O. L.ZADROBILEK and P/O. K.ZOUHAR. This section when near TORQUAY saw rockets being fired at about 12.30 hours from direction of DARTMOUTH, and then observed bombs bursting in KINGSBRIDGE. ZOUHAR then saw 2 FW.190’s quite close ahead at sea level and gave chase firing a short burst when some 3 to 4 miles over the sea, but did not observe results as at this moment ZADROBILEK called on his R/T saying that he was wounded and ZOUHAR broke off to give him protection. It would appear that ZADROBILEK was engaged by 2 or 3 more FW.190’s and had received a cannon shell which broke his left arm, his aircraft Spitfire AC L.R, A.R.610 being badly shot up (Cat.B) by Cannon and M.G. bullets. Despite his serious wound ZADRBILEK returned to base and made a perfect landing but was to seriously injured to be interrogated. It appears 6 FW.190’s were sighted and reported.
At 14.30 hours the Squadron 12 aircraft, together with Wing Command Flying took off to join the rest of the Czech Wing to take part in a sweep, 10 Group Rodeo No. 27. The French coast was crossed at ILE BREHAT at 25,000 feet, this Squadron being top Squadron of the formation. The sweep was without incident and the Squadron landed at base by 16.10 hours. This completed flying for the day.
BOMBER COMMAND
12 Bostons and 1 Mosquito, all or most to attack a whaling factory ship at Cherbourg but all aircraft recalled.
24 Wellingtons and 18 Lancasters minelaying off Biscay ports, 2 O.T.U. sorties. No losses.
USAAF
ALGERIA: A status report issued by Headquarters, Twelfth Air Force, shows 520 operational aircraft of 755 assigned. It is estimated at this time that the GAF has 610 aircraft available for the defense of Tunisia, of which approximately 225 are Ju-88 bombers and 150 are FW-190 or Bf-109 fighters. The Italian Air Force in the region is thought to have 560 aircraft assigned, of which half are fighters, but of which only half are thought to be operational.
CRETE: To help stem Axis air attacks against Allied convoys bound for Malta, 12 376th Heavy Bombardment Group B-24s join 36 RAF light bombers for an attack against Kastelli/Pediada Airdrome, and 11 12th Medium Bombardment Group B-25s attack Heraklion Airdrome. This is the 12th Group’s first combat mission outside of North Africa. During the return flight, two B-25s are lost over the sea for unknown reasons.
GERMANY: Four radar-equipped B-24s from the 93d Heavy Bombardment Group’s 329th Heavy Bombardment Squadron conduct separate “moling” intruder-type sorties over the Ruhr region of northwestern Germany to test the efficacy of dispatching special bombers to harass and confuse the German air-defense system. The B-24s are equipped with British-made GEE navigational equipment, which can be used for precise location fixes at night or in cloudy weather (the better to conceal single aircraft over hostile territory). It is the goal of the moling experiment to trigger German air-raid warning defenses on days on which the VIII Bomber Command is grounded by bad weather. It is thought that doing so will inflict operational casualties upon GAF interceptors scrambled in inclement weather as well as disrupt work in German industrial areas when air-raid warnings are sounded. Perversely, the four initial moling sorties are foiled by good weather over the target area.
TUNISIA: XII Bomber Command B-17s attack shipping and port facilities at La Goulette. 1st Fighter Group P-38 pilots escorting the bombers down three Bf-109s, but two P-38s and their pilots are also lost.
XII Fighter Command A-20s, escorted by P-38s, attack Sousse harbor in two waves in the morning; A-20s return to attack Sousse in the afternoon; and XII Bomber Command B-26s, escorted by fighters, attack a bridge north of El Djem.
52d Fighter Group Spitfire pilots down two Ju-87s and an FW-190 between Bone and Cape Rosa between 0835 and 0915 hours.
RAF
Base Changes
16 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Andover
49 Sqn (Lancaster I) moves to Fiskerton
64 Sqn (Spitfire IX) moves to Fairlop
266 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Exeter
485 Sqn RNZAF (Spitfire VB) moves to Westhampnett
First and Last Operational Missions
467 Sqn (Bottesford – Lancaster I) flies its first OM of the war
543 Sqn (Benson – Spitfire PRIX) flies its first OM of the war
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 3040
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
460 Sqn RAAF (Breighton – Lancaster I) 4.1.43
At night 10 aircraft took part in a raid on ESSEN. The raid appeared to be quite successful. W.4724 (B) failed to return, the crew were AUS 405 SGT BROOKS H.G., Pilot, AUS 411327 SGT HUTCHINSON F.B., Navigator, 546010 SGT WATSON J., Flight Engineer, AUS 405443 SGT GRAY H.P., Air Bomber, AUS 402273 SGT LONSDALE R.T., Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, AU# 405547 SGT FLETCHER E., Air Gunner, AUS F/S HARRIS H.J., Air Gunner.
ADDENDUM – Lancaster I. W4724 UV-B. T/o 1726 Breighton. Shot down by Hptm. Rheinhold Knacke (41st victory) 1./NJG1 at Hatert, 5 km S. of Nijmegen at 2019 hours. All were buried on 7 January at Uden, possibly in the garden of a parish priest. Their graves are now in Uden War Cemetery.
BOMBER COMMAND
ESSEN
4 Pathfinder Mosquitoes and 29 Lancasters of 5 Group. 2 Lancasters lost.
‘Skymarker’ flares were dropped on Oboe. Essen reports concentrated bombing in the Borbeck suburb, north of the centre, with 42 buildings destroyed, 64 seriously damaged and 14 people killed.
USAAF
TUNISIA: XII Bomber Command B-25s attack the marshalling yard at Kairouan; XII Fighter Command A-20s attack Cherichera; and two formations of XII Bomber Command B-17s dispatched to attack Bizerte are thwarted by heavy cloud cover over the target.
Six GAF Ju-88s, escorted by Bf-109s, bomb the exposed forward fighter strip at Thelepte. A Ju-88 and a Bf-109 are downed when five 33d Fighter Group P-40 pilots based at Thelepte intercept the departing strike group.
RAF
Base Changes
260 Sqn (Kittyhawk II/III) moves to Hamraiet 3
First and Last Operational Missions
170 Sqn (Andover – Mustang I) flies its first OM of the war
232 Sqn (Constantine – Spitfire VB) flies its first OM in the MTO
At night 10 aircraft took part in a raid on ESSEN. The raid appeared to be quite successful. W.4724 (B) failed to return, the crew were AUS 405 SGT BROOKS H.G., Pilot, AUS 411327 SGT HUTCHINSON F.B., Navigator, 546010 SGT WATSON J., Flight Engineer, AUS 405443 SGT GRAY H.P., Air Bomber, AUS 402273 SGT LONSDALE R.T., Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, AU# 405547 SGT FLETCHER E., Air Gunner, AUS F/S HARRIS H.J., Air Gunner.
ADDENDUM – Lancaster I. W4724 UV-B. T/o 1726 Breighton. Shot down by Hptm. Rheinhold Knacke (41st victory) 1./NJG1 at Hatert, 5 km S. of Nijmegen at 2019 hours. All were buried on 7 January at Uden, possibly in the garden of a parish priest. Their graves are now in Uden War Cemetery.
BOMBER COMMAND
ESSEN
4 Pathfinder Mosquitoes and 29 Lancasters of 5 Group. 2 Lancasters lost.
‘Skymarker’ flares were dropped on Oboe. Essen reports concentrated bombing in the Borbeck suburb, north of the centre, with 42 buildings destroyed, 64 seriously damaged and 14 people killed.
USAAF
TUNISIA: XII Bomber Command B-25s attack the marshalling yard at Kairouan; XII Fighter Command A-20s attack Cherichera; and two formations of XII Bomber Command B-17s dispatched to attack Bizerte are thwarted by heavy cloud cover over the target.
Six GAF Ju-88s, escorted by Bf-109s, bomb the exposed forward fighter strip at Thelepte. A Ju-88 and a Bf-109 are downed when five 33d Fighter Group P-40 pilots based at Thelepte intercept the departing strike group.
RAF
Base Changes
260 Sqn (Kittyhawk II/III) moves to Hamraiet 3
First and Last Operational Missions
170 Sqn (Andover – Mustang I) flies its first OM of the war
232 Sqn (Constantine – Spitfire VB) flies its first OM in the MTO
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 3040
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
401 Sqn RCAF (Kenley – Spitfire IX) 5.1.43
Weather: Dull and cold. Wind: 10 to 15 m.p.h. from n. west. At 0830 hours Squadron 30 minutes available. At 1340 hours 2 a/c airborne for air firing practice at Leysdown. At 1733 hours Squadron released.
USAAF
LIBYA: The 57th Fighter Group’s “A” Party displaces forward to Hamraiet North Airdrome and is immediately bombed by 24 Axis fighter-bombers (the first of numerous similar raids mounted three or four times a day for three days).
TUNISIA: XII Bomber Command B-17s, escorted by P-38s, attack the power station at Sfax; XII Bomber Command B-26s, also escorted by P-38s, attack Kairouan; and B-24s of IX Bomber Command’s 93d Heavy Bombardment Group encountering heavy clouds over their primary target, Tunis, attack the harbor at Sousse instead.
The 82d Fighter Group, a new P-38 unit, arrives at Telergma Airdrome.
RAF
Base Changes
154 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Bone
242 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Constantine
Weather: Dull and cold. Wind: 10 to 15 m.p.h. from n. west. At 0830 hours Squadron 30 minutes available. At 1340 hours 2 a/c airborne for air firing practice at Leysdown. At 1733 hours Squadron released.
USAAF
LIBYA: The 57th Fighter Group’s “A” Party displaces forward to Hamraiet North Airdrome and is immediately bombed by 24 Axis fighter-bombers (the first of numerous similar raids mounted three or four times a day for three days).
TUNISIA: XII Bomber Command B-17s, escorted by P-38s, attack the power station at Sfax; XII Bomber Command B-26s, also escorted by P-38s, attack Kairouan; and B-24s of IX Bomber Command’s 93d Heavy Bombardment Group encountering heavy clouds over their primary target, Tunis, attack the harbor at Sousse instead.
The 82d Fighter Group, a new P-38 unit, arrives at Telergma Airdrome.
RAF
Base Changes
154 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Bone
242 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Constantine
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 3040
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
401 Sqn RCAF (Kenley – Spitfire IX) 6.1.43
Weather: Ceiling at 200’. Visibility: very poor. Wind: 30 m.p.h. from the S. At 0820 hours Red Section on readiness. At 0915 hours Squadron released for the day.
Serviceability: “A” Flight: 8 a/c, 8 pilots. “B” Flight: 6 a/c, 7 pilots.
USAAF
FRENCH MOROCCO: The 350th Fighter Group, in P-39s, arrives at Oujda Airdrome following a seven-hour, 1,200-mile direct flight from England. Of the 62 P-39s dispatched, two are lost without a trace, ten are interned in Portugal, and one is interned in Spain.
TUNISIA: Two formations of XII Fighter Command A-20s attack the military base at Kairouan, and XII Bomber Command B-25s attack the city’s rail facilities.
A 52d Fighter Group Spitfire pilot downs an FW-190 near Cape Rosa at 1305 hours.
UNITED KINGDOM: The 56th Fighter Group, the first P-47 unit to be deployed overseas, arrives by ship from the United States and is assigned to the VIII Fighter Command.
RAF
Base Changes
1Sqn SAAF (Spitfire VC) moves to Hamraiet 1
127 Sqn (Hurricane IIB) moves to St. Jean
253 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Setif
First and Last Operational Missions
232 Sqn (Constantine) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VC
451 Sqn RAAF (Mersa Matruh) flies its first OM in the Hurricane IIC
Weather: Ceiling at 200’. Visibility: very poor. Wind: 30 m.p.h. from the S. At 0820 hours Red Section on readiness. At 0915 hours Squadron released for the day.
Serviceability: “A” Flight: 8 a/c, 8 pilots. “B” Flight: 6 a/c, 7 pilots.
USAAF
FRENCH MOROCCO: The 350th Fighter Group, in P-39s, arrives at Oujda Airdrome following a seven-hour, 1,200-mile direct flight from England. Of the 62 P-39s dispatched, two are lost without a trace, ten are interned in Portugal, and one is interned in Spain.
TUNISIA: Two formations of XII Fighter Command A-20s attack the military base at Kairouan, and XII Bomber Command B-25s attack the city’s rail facilities.
A 52d Fighter Group Spitfire pilot downs an FW-190 near Cape Rosa at 1305 hours.
UNITED KINGDOM: The 56th Fighter Group, the first P-47 unit to be deployed overseas, arrives by ship from the United States and is assigned to the VIII Fighter Command.
RAF
Base Changes
1Sqn SAAF (Spitfire VC) moves to Hamraiet 1
127 Sqn (Hurricane IIB) moves to St. Jean
253 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Setif
First and Last Operational Missions
232 Sqn (Constantine) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VC
451 Sqn RAAF (Mersa Matruh) flies its first OM in the Hurricane IIC
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/