Action This Day

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21 Sqn (Oulton – Ventura I/II) 5.4.43
Weather: Fair to cloudy; Moderate visibility. Orders received from 2 Group to carry out RAMROD operation with 10 Group. 12 aircraft led by F/L Dennis DFC took off escorted by fighters of 10 Group to bomb 490ft tanker at Brest. Heavy explosion seen after bombing, and bursts alongside tanker. Four aircraft were missing, one shot down off French by FW 190 on return route, one after leaving target, one ditched in sea 40 miles from Lizard, the fourth, pilot F/O Hicks, ditched near Portreath, but he and the crew were picked up by a fishing boat after 20 minutes. Many combats with FW 190’s, heavy though inaccurate FLAK encountered. The weather was good. No cloud, visibility excellent.

ADDENDUM – Ventura I AE715 YH-X. Crew: P/O MA MacDonald RCAF KIA, P/O LG Girty RCAF KIA, Sgt RC Miliken RCAF KIA. Sgt BH May RCAF KIA. Ramrod 63. Shot down, leaving target area by FW 190’s. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Ventura I AE726 YH-H. Crew: Sgt HE Blundell KIA, Sgt TC Du Bose RCAF KIA, Sgt KE Price RCAF KIA, Sgt EA Norman RCAF KIA. Ramrod 63. Crashed 1745 near Ploudalmezeau, 21 km NW of Brest. All lie in Ploudalmezeau Communal Cemetery.

Ventura II AE752 YH-S. Crew: Sgt EJ Andrew KIA, Sgt GB McKennie RCAF KIA, Sgt JS Laidlaw RCAF KIA, Sgt GC Gardner. Ramrod 63. Chased out to sea and shot down some 30 km off the coast. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

BOMBER COMMAND
12 Venturas attacked a tanker at Brest. The ship was not hit but nearby dock installations were. 3 Venturas were lost.

USAAF
BELGIUM: Sixty-four VIII Bomber Command B-17s and 18 B-24s attack industrial targets around Antwerp with more than 245 tons of bombs. Flak and GAF fighter opposition account for four B-17s missing, 12 B-17s and B-24 damaged, 40 crewmen missing, and three crewmen wounded, of whom one will die several weeks later. The Belgian ambassador to the U.S. protests the high casualty rate among civilians caused by misdropped bombs.

NORTH AFRICAN THEATER: Operation FLAX is launched by Allied air commands to cut off the flow of reinforcements and supplies being flown from Italy to Axis-held air bases in Tunisia. The general air offensive of which FLAX is a part is in support of Operation VULCAN, the upcoming final Allied ground offensive in Tunisia.

At 0800 hours, during a sweep over the Straits of Sicily aimed at interdicting the German aerial line of supply, 26 1st Fighter Group P-38s encounter a formation of 50 to 70 multi-engine aircraft (mostly transports) and 30 escort fighters, all about 25 miles northeast of Cap Bon. In relentless attacks in which just two P-38s are lost, the USAAF pilots down 11 Ju-52s, one FW-187, two Ju-87s, three Bf-109s, and two other unidentified aircraft. Capt Darrell G. Welch, a P-38 pilot with the 1st Fighter Group’s 27th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs three Ju-52s.

Within twenty minutes of the first attack, a force of 18 310th Medium Bombardment Group B-25s, escorted by 82d Fighter Group P-38s, arrives in the same area to attack an Axis surface resupply convoy from Sicily that is being covered by a force of GAF fighters from bases in Tunisia. As the B-25s attack and demolish a destroyer and damage two freighters, the P-38s engage the covering GAF fighters and another aerial resupply convoy that happens to fly into the fight. In this battle, the 82d Fighter Group P-38 pilots are credited with nine Ju-52s, three Ju-87s, three Bf-109s, one Bf-110, and one Me-210. USAAF losses are four P-38s and their pilots and one B-25 and its crew.

Next, late in the morning, 36 321st Medium Bombardment Group B-25s, escorted by 18 82d Fighter Group P-38s, attack Bo Rizzo Airdrome, Sicily, one of the originating points for the Axis aerial resupply effort. Light fragmentation bombs are thought to destroy or damage as many as 90 airplanes parked at Bo Rizzo. The P-38s engage GAF fighters on the way home over the Egadi Islands, downing two Bf-109s. Also downed on this mission are two B-25s.

Afternoon bombing missions associated with Operation FLAX are as follows: 18 B-17s escorted by USAAF Spitfires attack Bizerte/Sidi Ahmed Airdrome with unknown results; 22 B-17s escorted by USAAF Spitfires attack Tunis/El Aouina Airdrome, destroying an estimated 30 Axis aircraft, mostly transports; an attack by 22 B-17s on Bocca di Falco Airdrome, Sicily, is thought to destroy or damage as many as 150 Axis aircraft on the ground, and bomber gunners claim three fighters shot down; and 28 B-17s, escorted by 16 P-38s, attack Trapani/Milo Airdrome, Sicily, where an estimated 52 Axis transports and bombers are damaged or destroyed.

Two afternoon P-38 fighter sweeps over the Mediterranean fail to encounter any Axis aircraft but throughout the day, in addition to credits already cited, pilots of the 31st, 33d, and 52d Fighter groups down a total of 14 Axis fighters, bringing the day’s tally to 47, the highest so far in the war against Germany and her allies. Also of special note this day is the accomplishment of Maj Levi R. Chase, Jr., the commanding officer of the 33d Fighter Group’s 60th Fighter Squadron. By downing two Bf-109s in an afternoon action over La Fauconnerie Airdrome, Tunisia, Chase becomes the first USAAF double ace in the theater. (In 1945, by shooting down two Japanese fighters in the same action over Burma, Chase also will become one of only three USAAF pilots to score confirmed victories against German, Italian, and Japanese aircraft.) (It should be noted that German records show that, among GAF transports lost throughout April 5, 1943, only 14 Ju-52s were shot down, only 11 Ju-52s and Me-323s were destroyed on the ground, and only 67 other transports were damaged in the air and on the ground.)

TUNISIA: NATBF A-20s attack the El Djem landing ground and La Fauconnerie Airdrome; NAAF fighters attack German Navy E-boats encountered off Pont-du-Fahs and German Army motor vehicles near Bou Hamran; and WDAF aircraft attack various ground targets in support of Allied ground operations.

RAF
Base Changes
12 Sqn SAAF (Boston III) moves to Senem
21 Sqn SAAF (Baltimore II/III) moves to Senem
19 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Fairlop
132 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Eastchurch
174 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Gravesend
181 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Lasham
182 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Fairlop
192 Sqn (Wellington X) moves to Feltwell
247 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Fairlop

First and Last Operational Missions
32 Sqn (Maison Blanche) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VC
86 Sqn (Aldergrove) flies its first OM in the Liberator V
88 Sqn (Swanton Morley) flies its first OM in the Boston IIIA
226 Sqn (Swanton Morley) flies its last OM in the Boston III

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405 Sqn RCAF (Leeming – Halifax II) 6.4.43
OPERATION NO. 11 CINNAMON
Six aircraft were detailed for Gardening Operations in the Cinnamon Area. Take off commenced at 2039 hours. Visibility was good in gardening area except for a slight haze. Pin points were obtained by five of the crews and vegetables were laid in the designated area. Parachutes were seen to open by two of the crews. Five of the a/c returned undamaged, on a/c “G”, Captain F/O Edwards J.H. is missing, unreported from time of take off.

ADDENDUM – Halifax II DT699 LG-Q. Crew: F/O JH Edwards RCAF KIA, Sgt AD Gordon RCAF KIA, Sgt RV Stuart RCAF KIA, Sgt RJ Jones RCAF KIA, Sgt LR Wallace KIA, Sgt FRW Anderson RCAF KIA, Sgt FD Roberts RCAF KIA. T/o 2042 Leeming. Last heard on w/t at 2323 and is presumed to have crashed in the sea. Four are buried in St-Mart-de-Ré Communal Cemetery on Ile de Ré; Sgt Gordon rests in Pornic War Cemetery, while Sgt Wallace and Sgt Anderson are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

BOMBER COMMAND
8 Mosquitoes attacked Namur railway workshops accurately and without loss.

MINELAYING
47 aircraft to lay mines off the Biscay ports. 1 Halifax and 1 Wellington lost.

USAAF
MEDITERRANEAN: Acting on short notice, 301st Heavy Bombardment Group B-17s launch against a convoy of Axis transports and freighters that is approaching Bizerte. Attacking through extremely intense flak sent up by both shipboard and shore-based batteries, the B-17s hold formation at 10,500 feet, hit the largest ship, which is filled with munitions, and blow it clean out of the water. The detonation is large enough to damage several of the bombers. Near misses are also scored against another freighter and an escort vessel. GAF fighters attack the withdrawing bombers. No bombers are lost, but the attacks by the GAF fighters account for nine crewmen wounded. Bomber gunners claim eight GAF fighters downed, plus three probably downed.

Shortly after the 301st Heavy Bombardment Group B-17s return to their base at St.-Donat Airdome, Algeria, an Allied reconnaissance airplane locates two of the Italian Navy’s three remaining cruisers, the Trieste and the Gorizia. The two are anchored behind a wall of submarine nets in a cove near La Maddalena, in northern Sardinia. All available NAAF B-17s are immediately armed with 1,000-pound bombs and dispatched with a heavy long-range fighter escort. The attack force is divided into three groups: one mixed group of 24 B-17s is sent to bomb the harbor installations; one group of 36 97th Bombardment Group B-17s is sent after the Gorizia; and one group of 24 301st Heavy Bombardment Group B-17s is sent after the Trieste. The harbor facilities and the Gorizia are badly damaged by bombs, and the Trieste is sunk by several direct hits.

SICILY: NAAF B-17s attack port facilities and shipping at Trapani, and IX Bomber Command B-24s attack the ferry terminal at Messina.

TUNISIA: NATBF A-20s and B-25s attack Enfidaville Airdrome, La Fauconnerie Airdrome, and the El Djem landing ground.

The day’s only confirmed aerial victory is scored by a 31st Fighter Group Spitfire pilot over La Fauconnerie Airdrome in the morning.

In direct support of a new British Eighth Army offensive that quickly breaches the German Army defenses along the Oued el-Akarit River, IX Bomber Command B-25s mount two separate missions against German Army troop concentrations.

RAF
First and Last Operational Missions
332 Sqn (North Weald) flies its first OM of its 2nd tour of duty in the Spitfire VB
340 Sqn (Turnhouse) flies its first OM of its 2nd tour of duty in the Spitfire VB

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420 Sqn RCAF (Middleton St. George – Wellington X) 8.4.43
In spite of the fact that conversion was well under way, the Squadron still continued to operate and six aircraft were bombed up and crews briefed and took off for an operation against DUISBURG “D”. It can be assumed four aircraft bombed the target successfully. One aircraft, the pilot of which was on his 2nd tour of operations, failed to return. One aircraft returned early.

ADDENDUM – Wellington X MS479 PT-? Crew: P/O WA Walkinshaw RCAF KIA, P/O KW MacDonald RCAF KIA, F/S DF Evans RCAF KIA, F/S F Bemi RCAF KIA, F/S RG Rispin RCAF KIA. T/o 2115 Middleton St. George. Hit by 2. & 3./schw. Flak Abt. 430, 1./schw. Flak Abt. 134, 4./schw. Flak Abt. 394, 3./schw. Flak Abt. 642 and 3./I.Flak Rgt. 42 and crashed at Essen-Borbeck. All were buried on 13 April in the Nordfriehof at Düsseldorf, although all now rest in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.

The conversion mentioned in the Squadron ORB refers to the fact that on 5.4.43, six crews had been sent to an OTU to begin training on the Halifax. These plans came to a halt on 16.5.43, when 420 and its Wellingtons were shipped off to North Africa. 424 and 425 Squadrons were also sent there as well.
BOMBER COMMAND
DUISBURG
392 aircraft – 156 Lancasters, 97 Wellingtons, 73 Halifaxes, 56 Stirlings, 10 Mosquitoes. 19 aircraft – 7 Wellingtons, 6 Lancasters, 3 Halifaxes, 3 Stirlings – lost, 4.8 percent of the force.

Thick cloud again ruined the Pathfinder marking and the resultant bombing was widely scattered. Duisburg experienced only moderate damage, with 40 buildings destroyed, 72 seriously damaged and 36 people killed. Bombs fell on at least 15 other towns in the Ruhr.

27 aircraft sent minelaying off the Biscay coast. 1 Wellington lost.

USAAF
FRANCE: The 56th and 78th Fighter groups are declared fully operational. An unchallenged fighter sweep (RODEO mission) between Dunkirk and Sangatte is the first all-P-47 operation of the war. Participating are 17 P-47s from the 4th Fighter Group (which has transitioned completely from Spitfires), with 12 78th Fighter Group P-47s and four 56th Fighter Group P-47s attached for purposes of giving their pilots operational experience.

TUNISIA: All NASAF bombers are grounded by bad weather, but NATAF and WDAF fighters manage to get airborne to attack retreating German Army units. Also, IX Bomber Command and IX Fighter Command aircraft mount an all-out effort to harass the retreating Axis forces.

One Bf-109 is downed by a 52d Fighter Group Spitfire pilot in an engagement near Kairouan at 1650 hours.

RAF
Base Changes
73 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Gabes
144 Sqn (Beaufighter VIC) moves to Tain
175 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Colerne
303 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Heston
411 Sqn RCAF (Spitfire VB) moves to Redhill
424 Sqn RCAF (Wellington X) moves to Leeming

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460 Sqn RAAF (Breighton – Lancaster I) 9.4.43
Weather: Bright clear day, a little wind. A little local flying was carried out during the day. At night 7 aircraft took part in an attack on Duisburg. 10/10 cloud covered the target and results were difficult to observe but it is thought that the results were good. Aircraft E.D.521 has been reported as missing.

ADDENDUM – Lancaster I ED521 UV-B. Crew: W/O DI MacDonald RAAF KIA, Sgt AK Meadows RAAF KIA, F/S JH Dodgshun RAAF KIA, F/S JL Forrest RAAF KIA, F/S WF Jones KIA, F/S WF Allsopp RAAF KIA, Sgt M Hoofe KIA. T/o 2044 Breighton. Hit by 1./schw. Flak Abt. 305, 3./schw. Flak Abt. 543 (Eisb) and Iei. Falk Abt.22/VI, crashing at Duisburg-Meiderich at 2335 hours. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. Sgt Meadows RAAF was a regular airman and the flight engineer, a post usually filled by RAF personnel.

BOMBER COMMAND
DUISBURG
5 Mosquitoes and 104 Lancasters were dispatched but thick cloud again caused a scattered attack. 50 houses were destroyed and 27 people were killed in Duisburg. Other bombs fell over a wide area of the Ruhr. 8 Lancasters lost.

5 O.T.U. Wellingtons carried leaflets to France without loss.

USAAF
LIBYA: Following completion of its in-theater training cycle, the 340th Medium Bombardment Group, in B-25s, is declared operational and formally released to the IX Bomber Command for combat duty.

TUNISIA: All NASAF bombers are grounded by bad weather, but NAAF and IX Fighter Command fighters attack Axis troops and facilities throughout northern Tunisia.

52d Fighter Group Spitfire pilots down nine Ju-88s around Kairouan at about 1740 hours.

While on a photo-reconnaissance sortie from Sbeitla to Kairouan, a 154th Observation Squadron pilot engages in the first combat mission in the theater by a North American P-51A Mustang fighter, one of several on loan to his unit for combat testing.

RAF
Base Changes
414 Sqn RCAF (Mustang I) moves to Middle Wallop

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424 Sqn RCAF (Topcliffe – Wellington X) 10.4.43
Weather: Cloudy all day, visibility 10 – 20 miles improving by mid-day to 30 miles, winds 6-12 m.p.h. This Squadron was ordered to detail 16 A/C for operations to-night. Primary briefing was held at 16.00 hrs. and main at 18.00 hrs. Target – FRANKFURT. Time off set: 23.15 hrs. One of our aircraft had to be scrubbed because of engine trouble. Fifteen others took off as ordered. One of our aircraft “P” had the petrol flap of the port wing unlocked causing the wing to fly low. This aircraft returned and landed after being airborne for 24 minutes, bringing back its bomb load. Another “T”, had three guns in the rear turret u/s, this aircraft also returned with its bomb load. Our aircraft “P” crashed at ROLVENDEN, KENT, at approximately 00.58 hrs. All the crew except the rear gunner were killed. According to his statement, something went wrong with the engines and the pilot gave the order to bail out. This aircraft must have been losing height for some time as the gunner said he bailed out from approximately 600 ft. When he landed the aircraft had crashed and was burning. Our successful aircraft reached the target and bombed the target between 02.34 and 02.58 hrs. Visibility was very bad and apparently, the PFF was late over the target as some had to orbit the bombing area while waiting for the flares. 10/10 cloud prevented any pinpointing nor was the target seen at any time. The first flares were seen by our pilots at 02.58 hrs. Light and heavy flak but inaccurate was experienced by most crews. A few searchlights were seen but were ineffective due to cloud thickness. For the same reason, it was impossible to see any results in the bomb bursts. One of our crews saw a JU. 88 at o2.50 hrs. flying at 15,000 ft. The enemy passed above this aircraft on the port side and did not attack. Most crews were disappointed in the raid as the weather was bad and did not permit them to notice any results although a certain amount of glow could be noticed through the clouds. Owing to a shortage of petrol three of our aircraft landed at other stations. None of the aircraft sustained any damage and all landed safely.

BOMBER COMMAND
FRANKFURT
502 aircraft – 144 Wellingtons, 136 Lancasters, 124 Halifaxes, 98 Stirlings. 21 aircraft – 8 Wellingtons, 5 Lancasters, 5 Stirlings, 3 Halifaxes – lost, 4.2 percent of the force.

Complete cloud cover in the target area again led to a failure. The bombing photographs of every aircraft showed nothing but cloud and Bomber Command had no idea where bombs had fallen. Frankfurt reports only a few in the suburbs of the city south of the River Main. The only damage listed was fires in a paper-goods store and in the rafters of a few neighbouring houses. The Frankfurt report says that there were no casualties in the city, but another report says that 18 people died, presumably in country areas.

Minor Operations: 7 Stirlings minelaying in the Frisians, 4 O.T.U. sorties. No losses.

USAAF
ITALY: IX Bomber Command B-24s attack Naples.

LIBYA: The IX Fighter Command headquarters displaces from Egypt to Tripoli.

MEDITERRANEAN: As part of Operation FLAX, 1st Fighter Group P-38 pilots down eight Axis fighters and twenty GAF Ju-52 transports in an attack on the Axis air line of supply linking Sicily with German bases in Tunisia. The attack takes place between 0747 and 0757 hours over the sea about 20 miles east-northeast of Cap Bon. High-scoring honors go to 1stLt Meldrum W. Sears of the 71st Fighter Squadron, whose credits for four Ju-52 transports renders him an ace with seven confirmed victories overall. 2dLt Walter J. Rivers, also of the 71st Fighter Squadron, is also credited with four victories in this action, two Ju-52s and two Mc.200 fighters.

In an unrelated action that begins at 1240 hours, 82d Fighter Group P-38s attack another Axis air-supply convoy, this time just a mile north of Cap Bon. In this action, 13 GAF transports and fighters are downed. 2dLt Ray Crawford of the 95th Fighter Squadron achieves ace status when he downs two Ju-52s.

SARDINIA: NASAF B-17s attack La Maddalena.

TUNISIA: NASAF B-26s and NATAF fighter-bombers attack German Army troops and motor vehicles around Enfidaville, and 33d Fighter Group P-40 pilots down five Bf-109s in a midafternoon engagement north of Enfidaville.

Late in the day, Sfax falls to the British Eighth Army.

RAF
First and Last Operational Missions
53 Sqn (Bircham Newton) flies its first OM in the Whitley VII
134 Sqn (LG.121) flies its last OM in the Hurricane IIC
428 Sqn RCAF (Dalton) flies its last OM in the Wellington III

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425 Sqn RCAF (Dishforth – Wellington X) 11.4.43
Weather: Fair to cloudy. Visibility excellent. Surface wind S.W’ly 10 – 20 mph. This Squadron was ordered to detail 5 a/c for gardening over Trefoil area. Take-off was set at 2110 hrs. All successful aircraft reported a good trip, each planting two vegetables as ordered. Parachutes were seen to open and mine hit water. One aircraft, Wellington X, H.E.491 “U” failed to return.

Addendum – Wellington X HE491 KW-B. Crew: Sgt ER Carvajal RCAF KIA, P/O GW Elliot RCAF KIA, P/O RJ Howard RCAF KIA, Sgt BWA Perry KIA, P/O E Kitt RCAF KIA. T/o 2110 Dishforth. Presumed lost in the target area. Four are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, while P/O Kitt lies in the Esbjerg Cemetery, Denmark.

BOMBER COMMAND
8 Mosquitoes bombed an engineering factory at Hengelo and railway workshops at Malines. 2 Mosquitoes lost.

46 aircraft were sent to lay mines off Texel, Brittany and the Biscay ports. 1 Stirling and 1 Wellington lost.

USAAF
ITALY: IX Bomber Command B-24s attacking Naples harbor are assailed by intense flak and fighter attacks from all quarters. One B-24 is downed.

MEDITERRANEAN: P-38 pilots of the 82d Fighter Group’s 95th Fighter Squadron intercept an Axis air convoy over the Straits of Sicily and down 20 Ju-52s, two Ju-88s, and five GAF fighters between Marsala, Sicily, and Cap Bon, Tunisia, at about 0800 hours. 1stLt William J. Schildt achieves ace status when he downs three Ju-52s.

At 1030 hours, P-38 pilots of the 82d Fighter Group’s 96th Fighter Squadron down five Ju-52s near Marettimo Island.

SICILY: NASAF B-17s attack Marsala and Trapani.

TUNISIA: NASAF B-17s attack Tunis; NAAF B-26s attack Oudna Airdrome; NAAF B-25s attack Ste.-Marie du Zit Airdrome; IX Bomber Command B-25s attack Axis motor vehicles and troop concentrations near Sfax; and NATBF A-20s and NATAF fighter-bombers attack German Army motor columns around Enfidaville.

Kairouan falls to British and American ground forces.

Base Changes
1 Sqn SAAF (Spitfire VC) moves to La Fauconnerie
40 Sqn SAAF TR (Hurricane IIB/Spitfire VB) moves to La Fauconnerie
92 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC/IX) moves to La Fauconnerie
145 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to La Fauconnerie
601 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to La Fauconnerie

RAF
First and Last Operational Missions
70 Sqn (Gardabia West) flies its first OM in the Wellington X

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264 Sqn (Colerne – Mosquito II) 12.4.43
Weather – cloud 10/10 at 400 feet deteriorating into drizzle. Vis closing to 400 yards but clearing later in the day. F/O. A.L. BARGE & F/O. A.J. MATTHEWS (NR) set course for RANGER but crashed at Shepton Mallet shortly after leaving base. Both killed. “B” Flight on duty. Some night flying and practice in use of alternative base.

USAAF
ENGLAND: In accordance with a directive issued during the Casablanca Conference, a plan for the proposed Combined Bomber Offensive is completed by a panel of RAF and USAAF officers.

ITALY: B-24s of the IX Bomber Command’s 376th Heavy Bombardment Group dispatched to attack Naples harbour turn back in the face of bad bombs aboard, but the remaining B-24s attack targets of opportunity at Cosenza and Crotone. A second mission is mounted later in the day, also by the 376th; Naples is attacked, as is the briefed secondary, Pizzo.

MEDITERRANEAN: NASAF B-17s attack Axis ships in the Straits of Sicily.

SICILY: NASAF B-17s attack the harbour at Trapani.

TUNISIA: NASAF B-17s attack Bizerte harbor; NATBF A-20s and B-25s attack Oudna and Ste.-Marie du Zit airdromes; and NAAF fighters mount numerous attacks on Axis ground forces and installations throughout northern Tunisia.

1st Fighter Group P-38 pilots down four GAF fighters in a morning action just to the west of Tunis at about 0800 hours. The 71st Fighter Squadron’s Capt Lee V. Wiseman achieves ace status in this fight when he downs a Bf-109.

Sousse falls to the British Eighth Army

RAF
Base Changes
2 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Sfax
4 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Sfax
5 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk III) moves to Sfax
21 Sqn SAAF (Baltimore III) moves to Hazbub
73 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Sfax
417 Sqn RCAF (Spitfire VBT) moves to Ben Gardane


First and Last Operational Missions
613 Sqn (Wellingore) flies its first OM in the Mustang I

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103 Sqn (Elsham Wolds – Lancaster I) 13.4.43
SPEZIA – Twenty aircraft were detailed to attack this target which appears to have been well blitzed. For this raid the P.F.F. resorted to the old technique of light up the target with white flares so that the crews could pin-point the target. Bombing height was between 7,000 and 12,000 ft. One aircraft failed to reach the target owing to an unserviceable D/R compass, another ditched in the English Channel and another failed to return. F/Lt. E.C. LEE-BROWN and crew have been posted to War Casualties Non-affective Accounts Depot, Uxbridge, as non-affective missing. W/CMDR CARTER, only, returned to base, the others being diverted to Westcott, Wyton, Exeter and Middle Wallop.

ADDENDUM – Lancaster I W4824 PM-G. Crew: F/L EC Lee-Brown KIA, Sgt GW Houliston KIA, Sgt J Smart KIA, F/S JW Toon RCAF KIA, F/S JJ O’Brien DFM KIA, Sgt S Mosely KIA, Sgt A Mck Munn KIA. T/o 2018 Elsham Wolds. Crashed near Le Mans, where the crew lie in the West Cemetery.

Lancaster I W4318 PM-C. Crew – safe. Ditched in the English Channel after being hit by flak. For the next thirty-three hours the Lancaster remained afloat but during an attempted salvage operation some 50 miles off Falmouth, Cornwall, the bomber sank.

BOMBER COMMAND
208 Lancasters and 3 Halifaxes bombed the dock area of La Spezia and caused heavy damage. 4 Lancasters were lost and 3 more, either damaged or in mechanical difficulty, flew on to land at Allied airfields in North Africa. It is believed that this was the first occasion that the recently captured North African airfields were used for Bomber Command aircraft in distress. The 3 Lancasters flew back to England later.

MOSQUITO NUISANCE RAID
6 Mosquitoes of 105 Squadron, 2 Group, carried out nuisance raids to Bremen, Hamburg and Wilhelmshaven, 2 aircraft being sent to each target. These were the first non-Oboe Mosquito night raids and were the forerunners of Light Night Striking Force operations; the Germans hated the nuisance and harassing effect of the Mosquito raids and could rarely shoot down any of these fast, high-flying aircraft. The Mosquito was later modified to carry a 4,000-lb bomb as far as Berlin – a favourite Mosquito target – and, in winter, individual Mosquitoes were sometimes able to make 2 flights to Berlin under the cover of darkness in the same night, changing crews after the first landing.

Minor Operations: 10 Lancasters minelaying off Germany, 18 O.T.U. sorties. 1 O.T.U. Wellington was lost in the sea.

USAAF
ENGLISH CHANNEL: In the first of two separate fighter missions, 20 4th Fighter Group P-47s are joined while escorting RAF bombers (RAMROD mission) by four 56th Fighter Group P-47s and 12 78th Fighter Group P-47s. In what is considered to be the 78th Fighter Group’s official combat debut, one of its P-47s suffers an engine failure over the English Channel, but the pilot is picked up by the Air-Sea Rescue Service after bailing out. The mission is unchallenged.

FRANCE: The 56th Fighter Group clocks its first official mission of the war when 12 of its P-47s join 12 from the 78th Fighter Group and 16 from the 4th Fighter Group for an unchallenged fighter sweep (RODEO mission) to St.-Omer.

SARDINIA: XII Fighter Command P-38s mount bombing attacks against an Italian Navy cruiser at La Madallena and other Axis ships at Porto Torres.

SICILY: NASAF B-17s attack Castel-vetrano and Trapani/Milo airdromes, but IX Bomber Command B-24s dispatched to attack the harbor at Catania are thwarted by heavy cloud cover over the target.

TUNISIA: NAAF B-25s attack Oudna Airdrome.

RAF
Base Changes
6 Sqn (Hurricane IID) moves to Sfax
114 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to King’s Cross
120 Sqn (Liberator I/III) moves to Reykjavik
151 Sqn (Mosquito NFII) moves to Colerne
260 Sqn (Kittyhawk II/III) moves to El Djem
454 Sqn RAAF (Baltimore II/III) moves to Gambut

First and Last Operational Missions
41 Sqn (Hawkinge) flies its first OM in the Spitfire XII
234 Sqn (Grimsetter) flies its last OM’s in the Spitfire VC & VI
412 Sqn RCAF (Perranporth) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VC

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428 Sqn RCAF (Dalton – Wellington X) 14.4.43
Ten aircraft of this Squadron took part on a raid of the German city of STUTTGART. Nine of them returned safely, the tenth, (Pilot SGT. HARRIS, W.S.) failed to return.

ADDENDUM – Wellington X HE176 NA-F. Crew: Sgt WS Harris RCAF KIA, Sgt RT Sutton RCAF POW, P/O DH Ferry RCAF POW, Sgt JL Warren RCAF POW, F/S TH White RCAF POW. T/o 2114 Dalton. Crashed at Freiburg. Unclear as to whether it was flak or a nightfighter that was responsible for bringing the aircraft down. Sgt Fraser was originally buried in Freiburg, his grave now is in Durnbach War Cemetery.

BOMBER COMMAND
STUTTGART
462 aircraft – 146 Wellingtons, 135 Halifaxes, 98 Lancasters, 83 Stirlings. 23 aircraft – 8 Stirlings, 8 Wellingtons, 4 Halifaxes, 3 Lancasters – lost, 5.0 percent of the force.

The Pathfinders claimed to have marked the centre of this normally difficult target accurately but the main bombing area developed to the north-east, along the line of approach of the bombing force. This was an example of the ‘creepback’, a feature of large raids which occurred when Main Force crews – and some Pathfinder backers-up – failed to press through to the centre of the marking area but bombed – or re-marked – the earliest markers visible. Bomber Command was never able to eliminate the creepback tendency and much bombing fell outside city areas because of it.

On this night the creepback extended over the suburb of Bad Canstatt, which was of an industrial nature, and some useful damage was caused, particularly in the large railway-repair workshops situated there. The neighbouring districts of Münster and Mühlhausen were also hit and the majority of the 393 buildings destroyed and 942 severely damaged and the 200-plus civilian casualties were in these northern areas.

Only a few bombs fell in the centre of Stuttgart but the old Gedächtnis church was destroyed. In the district of Gaisburg, just east of the centre, 1 bomb scored a direct hit on an air-raid shelter packed with French and Russian prisoners of war. 257 Frenchmen and 143 Russians were killed. This tragedy brought the total death roll in Stuttgart to 619, a new record for raids to Germany.

USAAF
SARDINIA: NASAF B-17s attack Elmas and Monserrato airdromes.

TUNISIA: NASAF B-17s attack Tunis/El Aouina Airdrome, and escorting P-38s strafe an Axis ship beached near Cape Zebib; NATBF A-20s attack Bordj Toum; and NATAF fighter-bombers attack an Axis truck convoy and an artillery battery.

IX Fighter Command’s 79th Fighter Group displaces forward to La Fauconnerie Airdrome, near Sfax.

RAF
Base Changes
3 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk II) moves to El Djem
9 Sqn (Lancaster I) moves to Bardney
15 Sqn (Stirling III) moves to Mildenhall
112 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to El Djem
250 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to El Djem
450 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk III) moves to El Djem
602 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Lasham

First and Last Operational Missions
166 Sqn (Kirmington) flies its last OM in the Wellington III
425 Sqn RCAF (Dishforth) flies its last OM in the Wellington III
426 Sqn RCAF (Dishforth) flies its last OM in the Wellington III

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247 Sqn (Fairlop – Typhoon IB) 15.4.43
Another show. Close escort for No. 182 Squadron to bomb Triqueville. Successful bombing. Some fighter opposition was encountered on the way back. Some 190’s swooped down from 22,000 feet as the French cost was crossed. F/Sgt. R.R. Campbell did not return. At first it was expected he landed elsewhere to refuel, but as time passed no news came through. He must have been bounced by the 190’s. Nothing at all was heard on the R/T.

ADDENDUM – Typhoon IB DN431 ZY-V. Pilot F/Sgt RR Campbell RNZAF KIA.

BOMBER COMMAND
13 Venturas bombed a whaling factory ship in dry dock at Cherbourg. Bomb bursts were seen to straddle the target. No Venturas lost.

23 aircraft minelaying from Brest to Lorient, 5 O.T.U. sorties. No aircraft lost.

USAAF
BELGIUM: During a series of fighter sweeps between Furnes and St.-Omer, France, by 57 P-47s of the 4th, 56th, and 78th Fighter groups, three 4th Fighter Group P-47 pilots down three FW-190s between Knocke and Ostend. These are the first enemy airplanes ever downed by P-47s. However, three 4th Fighter Group P-47s are also downed. Two pilots are lost, but the third is rescued from the North Sea.

ENGLAND: The first air echelon of the 95th Heavy Bombardment Group, in B-17s, arrives from the United States via the southern ferry route.

MEDITERRANEAN: NACAF B-26s on an anti-shipping sweep in the Naples area attack an Axis ship at sea south of Ustica Island.

SICILY: IX Bomber Command B-24s attack the harbors and Catania and Palermo.

TUNISIA: NATAF fighters attack ground targets of opportunity throughout northern Tunisia, and IX Bomber Command B-25s attack the airdrome and a large fuel dump at Ste.-Marie du Zit.

The main body of IX Bomber Command’s 12th Medium Bombardment Group displaces forward to Sfax\El Maou Airdrome. Also, the new 340th Medium Bombardment Group is ordered to displace to Sfax from its training base in Egypt.

UNITED STATES: The 379th Heavy Bombardment Group air echelon, in B-17s, begins moving to England via the southern ferry route for service with the 1st Heavy Bombardment Wing’s 101st Provisional Combat Bombardment Wing.

RAF
Base Changes
1 Sqn SAAF (Spitfire VC) moves to Goubrine
24 Sqn SAAF (Boston III) moves to El Djem
40 Sqn SAAF TR (Hurricane IIB/Spitfire VB) moves to Goubrine
55 Sqn (Boston III) moves to La Fauconnerie
92 Sqn (Spitfire VBV/VC/IX) moves to Goubrine
125 Sqn (Beaufighter VIF) moves to Exeter
134 Sqn (Hurricane IIB) moves to LG.219
145 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Goubrine
223 Sqn (Baltimore IIIA) moves to La Fauconnerie
307 Sqn (Mosquito NFII) moves to Fairwood Common
417 Sqn RCAF (Spitfire VBT) moves to Goubrine South
601 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Goubrine South

[warshipbuilder]

427 Sqn RCAF (Croft – Wellington X) 16.4.43
Fourteen aircraft were detailed for a bombing attack on MANNHEIM. Sgt. Chambers crash landed at Twinwood due to engine trouble the crew only being scratched and bruised. Twelve aircraft successfully bombed the target. The other aircraft piloted by Sgt. Tomyn failed to return from this operation and is listed as missing. Six aircraft returned to base, one landed at Harwell, two landed at ??stone, and three at Upper Heyford. Of the twelve aircraft which successfully bombed the target, three came back with flak damage.

ADDENDUM –Wellington X HE547 ZL-D. Crew: Sgt S Tomyn RCAF KIA, Sgt GW Hall POW, Sgt AT Symons POW, Sgt AF Johnson POW, Sgt W Ostaficiuk POW. T/o 2115 Croft. Coned by 3./Flakscheinw. Abt. 300, hit by 2. &3./schw. Flak Abt. 491, 1. &4./schw. Flak Abt. 492, and 1. &3./schw. Flak Abt. 701, crashed at Kirf, SSW of Saarburg at 0210 hours. Sgt Tomyn lies in Rheineberg War Cemetery.

BOMBER COMMAND
25 Venturas bombed a chemical factory at Ostend and railway yards at Haarlem without loss.

The bombing at Ostend was accurate but the Haarlem raid hit housing near the railway causing many casualties. 85 Dutch people were killed and 160 injured and the old Town Hall was damaged by fire.

PILSEN
327 aircraft – 197 Lancasters and 130 Halifaxes. 18 Lancasters and 18 Halifaxes lost, 11.0 percent of the force. The Canadian 408 Squadron lost 4 of its 12 Halifaxes dispatched.

This raid, on the Škoda armaments factory, took place by the light of a full moon but was not a success. In a complicated plan, the Main Force was ordered to confirm the position of the Škoda factory visually; the Pathfinder markers were only intended as a general guide. In the event, a large asylum building 7 miles away was mistaken for the factory and only 6 crews brought back bombing photographs which were within 3 miles of the real target. The Škoda factory was not hit. One report says that 200 German soldiers were killed when their barracks near the asylum was bombed.

MANNHEIM
271 aircraft – 159 Wellingtons, 95 Stirlings, 17 Halifaxes. 18 aircraft – 9 Wellingtons, 7 Stirlings, 2 Halifaxes – lost, 6.6 percent of the force.

The Pathfinders marked this target accurately and an effective attack followed. 130 buildings were totally destroyed and nearly 3,000 damaged. Production was stopped or reduced at 41 industrial premises. 130 people were killed, 269 injured and 6,954 bombed out of their homes.

11 O.T.U. aircraft dropped leaflets over France without loss.

Total effort for the night: 609 sorties, 54 aircraft (8.9 percent) lost. The aircraft losses on this night were the highest so far in the war, exceeding the 50 lost on the 1,000-bomber-type raid on Bremen on 25/26 June 1942, but 14 of the aircraft lost from the Pilsen and Mannheim raids came down in the sea and a proportion of their crews were rescued.

USAAF
FRANCE: Fifty-nine of 83 VIII Bomber Command B-17s dispatched attack the Lorient U-boat base against moderate opposition with 147 tons of bombs. Losses are one B-17 missing and eight damaged, ten crewmen missing, and seven crewmen wounded. An attempt by an F-5 photo-reconnaissance plane to assess the bomb damage—the first such mission by an Eighth Air Force unit—is hindered by cloud cover.

In a second attack, this by 2d Bombardment Wing B-24s, 52 tons of bombs are dropped through a heavy smokescreen on the Brest U-boat base. Losses in this action are three B-24s missing and nine damaged, 31 crewmen missing, and three crewmen wounded.

MEDITERRANEAN: NAAF P-38s mount bombing attacks against Axis ships at sea near Cape Zebib and Cape el-Ahmr. Also, while on fighter sweeps over the Mediterranean associated with Operation FLAX, 82d Fighter Group P-38 pilots down a flying boat south of Sicily at 0745 hours and a Bf-109 near Marettimo Island at 1550 hours.

SICILY: NASAF B-17s attack Palermo harbor, and IX Bomber Command B-24s attacking a tanker at Catania harbor claim several hits.

TUNISIA: NATAF bombers, fighter-bombers, and fighters mount an all-out effort against Axis ground forces, and NASAF B-26s attack the Oudna Airdrome.

The British Eighth Army links up with the U.S. II Corps.

RAF
Base Changes
6 Sqn (Hurricane IID) moves to Goubrine

First and Last Operational Missions
91 Sqn Hawkinge) flies its last OM’s in the Spitfire VA & VB
404 Sqn RCAF (Tain) flies its first OM in the Beaufighter VIC
429 Sqn RCAF (East Moor) flies its last OM in the Wellington III
541 Sqn (Benson) flies its last OM in the Spitfire PRV

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409 Sqn RCAF (Acklington – Beaufighter VIF) 17.4.43
Ranger Report: F/O N. Taylor (Pilot) and Sgt. Brown (R/N) made a successful sortie over enemy occupied territory (France) and attacked and damaged a locomotive near Vire. Light flak was encountered near Hesidon. P/O. Harker (Pilot) and Sgt. Williams (R/N) made an operational sortie over enemy occupied territory, but unfortunately the aircraft and crew did not return, and therefore was reported as missing. The unit feels their loss as they were both popular in the Squadron as well as very keen aircrew.

ADDENDUM – Beaufighter VIF V8718. Crew: P/O BM Harker KIA, Sgt VI Williams KIA. Night Ranger to LIsieux and Vire. Sgt Williams is buried at Viilers-sur-Mere Cemetery.

BOMBER COMMAND
37 Venturas bombed railway targets at Abbeville and Caen and a power-station at Zeebrugge. All targets were hit and no aircraft were lost.

24 aircraft laid mines off the Biscay ports without loss.

USAAF
GERMANY: Breasting what crew reports describe as the heaviest opposition to date, the largest force of VIII Bomber Command heavy bombers to reach a target so far in the war—107 B-17s—attack aircraft- industry targets at Bremen with more than 265 tons of bombs. Bomber gunners claim 63 GAF fighters downed and 15 probably downed against the heaviest losses sustained until now by the Eighth Air Force in a single mission—16 bombers missing and 39 damaged, two crewmen killed, 159 crewmen missing, and four crewmen wounded. Six of the lost crews are from the 91st Heavy Bombardment Group’s 401st Heavy Bombardment Squadron. It is noted that FW-190 fighters unveil a new tactic, that of attacking the heavy bombers in waves so as to bring a maximum amount of firepower to bear at one time.

MEDITERRANEAN: NACAF bombers and fighters attack Axis ships at sea in the Straits of Sicily. In an action at 1540 hours, 82d Fighter Group P-38 pilots down one Ju-88 and four Italian Fiat Br.20 medium bombers near Zembra Island. Maj Harley C. Vaughn, the commanding officer of the 82d Fighter Group’s 96th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs the Ju-88.

SICILY: NASAF B-17s attack shipping and port facilities at Palermo, and escorting P-38 pilots of the 1st Fighter Group’s 94th Fighter Squadron down three Ju-88s and damage at least ten other GAF aircraft in an engagement over the target at 1300 hours. Also, IX Bomber Command B-17s and a squadron of RAF Liberators attack Catania.

TUNISIA: NASAF B-17s attack shipping and port facilities at Ferryville, and NATBF A-20s attack a variety of targets in support of Allied ground units.

In their unit’s combat debut, 36 P-40s of the 325th Fighter Group’s 318th and 319th Fighter squadrons escort B-25s of NASAF’s 319th Medium Bombardment Group on an afternoon mission against the GAF airdrome at Mateur. When GAF fighters attack the strike group, the P-40s keep them at bay, but one of the P-40s and its pilot are lost. On the other hand, a pilot from the 318th Fighter Squadron scores the group’s first confirmed victory of the war. (The 325th Fighter Group arrived in North Africa in late February, but its aircraft were soon commandeered for use by the 33d Fighter Group. Only enough new aircraft have been received to date to reequip the two squadrons in action this day; there are not enough yet to reequip the group’s 317th Fighter Squadron.)

IX Fighter Command’s 79th Fighter Group displaces forward to the landing ground at Hani, and the 57th Fighter Group displaces forward to the El Djem landing ground. Both units are thus able to reach a considerable distance across the Axis Mediterranean aerial resupply routes.

RAF
Base Changes
2 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Alem el Chel
4 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Alem el Chel
5 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk III) moves to El Adem
18 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Souk el Arba
60 SAAF R (Maryland I/ Baltimore II/III/ PRMosquito IV) moves to El Djem
302 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Hutton Cranswick

First and Last Operational Missions
246 Sqn (Bowmore) flies its last OM in the Sunderland II
604 Sqn (Ford) flies its last OM in the Beaufighter IF

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156 Sqn (Warboys – Lancaster I) 18.4.43
13 aircraft detailed for operations. All took off but one did not return. SGT. COOPER and crew (Missing).

ADDENDUM – Lancaster I W4849 GT-G. Crew: Sgt GS Cooper KIA, Sgt R Harrison KIA, Sgt K Coulson KIA, Sgt JJ Vaulkhard KIA, Sgt DR Edwards KIA, Sgt NO Robertson RCAF KIA, Sgt AK Eley KIA. T/o 2121 Warboys. Presumed lost off the French coast. Sgt Eley lies in Merville-Franceville-Plage Churchyard on the eastern side of the Orne estuary while the others are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

BOMBER COMMAND
LA SPEZIA
173 Lancasters and 5 Halifaxes were dispatched to bomb the dockyard but the centre of the bombing was north-west of the aiming point. The main railway station and many public buildings were hit. 1 Lancaster was lost. 8 further Lancasters laid mines off La Spezia harbour.

Minor Operations: 10 Stirlings minelaying in southern Biscay, 5 O.T.U. sorties. No losses.

USAAF
MEDITERRANEAN: Beginning at about 1750 hours, at least 61 Ju-52s and 15 Bf-109s are downed over the Gulf of Tunis when they are engaged by 12 RAF Spitfires and 46 P-40s from the IX Fighter Command’s 57th Fighter Group and an attached squadron of the 324th Fighter Group. In the course of the so-called Palm Sunday Massacre, three of the USAAF fighter pilots are credited with five aerial victories apiece: 2dLt Richard E. Duffy of the 324th Fighter Group (five Ju-52s); 2dLt MacArthur Powers of the 324th Fighter Group (four Ju-52s and a Bf-109 fighter—plus 2.5 victory credits that might have been awarded while he served earlier with the RAF); and 2dLt Arthur B. Cleaveland of the 57th Fighter Group (five Ju-52s). Also achieving ace status in this action is Capt Roy E. Whittaker of the 57th Fighter Group’s 65th Fighter Squadron, whose downing of three Ju-52s and a Bf-109 brings his final personal tally to seven confirmed victories. Six P-40s and a Spitfire are lost in the action.

SARDINIA: NASAF B-25s attack Alghero/Fertilla Airdrome and shipping at Porto Torres.

SICILY: Seventy-five NASAF B-17s attack a marshalling yard at Palermo and the Bocca di Falco Airdrome, and IX Bomber Command B-24s attack Catania.

TUNISIA: Ninth Air Force fighters attack a variety of tactical ground targets throughout Axis-held Tunisia, and IX Bomber Command B-25s attack several Axis landing grounds.

1stLt Sylvan Feld, a Spitfire pilot with the 52d Fighter Group’s 2d Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs an FW-190 east of Tunis at 1530 hours.

RAF
Base Changes
3 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk II) moves to Kairouan
21 Sqn (Baltimore III/IV) moves to El Djem
97 Sqn (Lancaster I/III) moves to Bourn
112 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Kairouan
250 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Kairouan
260 Sqn (Kittyhawk II/III) moves to Kairouan
450 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Kairouan
612 Sqn (Whitley VII) moves to Davidstowe Moor

First and Last Operational Missions
80 Sqn (Bu Amud) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VC
542 Sqn (Benson) flies its last OM in the Spitfire PRIX

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401 Sqn RCAF (Catterick – Spitfire VB) 19.4.43
Weather: - Cloud 9/10 at 3,000 feet, visibility 6 miles, wind 10 m.p.h. from West. Serviceability 13 a/c. Statte: - At 0614 hours, the Squadron was released and Blue section was at readiness; 0729 hours, Blue released, 2042, Red at readiness; 2142, Red released and Squadron at 30 minutes.

Some air firing and cloud and formation flying was done during the day. In the afternoon, S/Ldr. E.L. Neal, D.F.C., F/O. S.C. Cosburn, D.F.C., F/O. W.R. Yew, and F/O. J. Shepherd, took off on cross-country formation flight, which took them to Biggin Hill, West Malling, and Kenley. At West Malling they saw one of the F.W.190 fighter-bombers which had landed there two nights before, and at Kenley saw the Canadian Wing depart on its second sweep of the day. S/L Neal a/c developed an internal glycol leak so it was left at Kenley in charge of F/O Cosburn. At Kenley, it was learned that the day before No. 403 Squadron had destroyed three E/A, one by F/Lt. Hugh Godefroy, formerly with No. 401 Squadron, and another by P/O P.K. Gray, who had left us only on the previous day for a posting there. It was learned, meanwhile, that P/O E.E. Cummings had become a flying officer, and that F/Sgt Maurice Jacques, an “Old Original” of the Squadron, who had been with the old 1st Canadian Fighter Squadron, is to be posted somewhere overseas. “Jakes” was a real institution in the Squadron and is bound to be missed, especially around pay days when there are cigarettes, soap coupons and other impedimenta to be issued. Commenting on the forthcoming voyage, he asserted he wasn’t afraid of submarines – it’s the sharks that worry him!!

BOMBER COMMAND
6 Mosquitoes to bomb railway workshops at Namur could not locate the target in bad visibility. No aircraft lost.

USAAF
MEDITERRANEAN: During a dawn sweep over the sea northwest of Cap Bon, 79th Fighter Group P-40 pilots down three Bf-109s and two Ju-88s.

TUNISIA: NASAF B-17s and B-25s attack the Axis landing grounds and airdromes at Creteville, La Marsa, La Sebala, Mabtouha, Protville, and Bizerte/Sidi Ahmed.

52d Fighter Group Spitfire pilots down five Bf-109s and two FW-190s north and west of Tunis between 0915 and 0920 hours.

The British Eighth Army captures Enfidaville.

RAF
Base Changes
12 Sqn SAAF (Boston III) moves to El Djem
43 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Tingley
242 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Marylebone
405 Sqn RCAF (Halifax II) moves to Gransden Lodge

First and Last Operational Missions
130 Sqn (Drem) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VC and its first OM and 2nd tour of duty in the Spitfire VB
183 Sqn (Gatwick – Typhoon IB) flies its first OM of the war

[warshipbuilder]

Dear Reader, minor gaff. Today's USAAF entry was actually yesterday's, and yesterday's was today's. My bad.


419 Sqn RCAF (Middleton St. George – Halifax II) 20.4.43
Thirteen aircraft attacked STETTIN, one of which failed to return. The missing aircraft was piloted by P/O T.E. JACKSON.

ADDENDUM – Halifax II JB912 VR-B. Crew: P/O TE Jackson RCAF POW, Sgt JF WEsterman RCAF POW, Sgt CJ Sebastian RCAF POW, F/S JM Carlton RCAF POW, P/O JR Fry RCAF POW, Sgt TM Crandall RCAF POW, F/S DA Watkins DFM KIA, Sgt E Jury POW. T/o 2114 Middleton St. George. Shot down by Hptm. Werner Hoffman (3rd victory) 4./NJG5 1.5 km E. Eggesin/Pommern at 0045 hours. Sgt. Watkin lies in the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery.

BOMBER COMMAND
36 Venturas bombed railway yards at Boulogne, shipping at Cherbourg and the power-station at Zeebrugge. No Venturas lost.

STETTIN
339 aircraft – 194 Lancasters, 134 Halifaxes, 11 Stirlings. 21 aircraft – 13 Lancasters, 7 Halifaxes, 1 Stirling – lost, 6.2 percent of the force.

This raid, on a target more than 600 miles from England, proved to be the most successful attack beyond the range of Oboe during the Battle of the Ruhr. Visibility was good and the Pathfinder marking was carried out perfectly. 24 fires were still burning when a photographic reconnaissance aircraft flew over Stettin a day and a half later. Approximately 100 acres in the centre of the town were claimed as devastated; much of this area comprised industrial buildings. German reports show that 13 industrial premises and 380 houses were completely destroyed. A large chemical factory was among the places where production was completely halted. 586 people were killed in Stettin.

ROSTOCK
86 Stirlings were dispatched to attack the Heinkel factory near Rostock but a smoke-screen concealed this target and bombing was scattered. 8 Stirlings were lost.

Minor Operations: 11 Mosquitoes carried out a raid to Berlin as a diversion for the forces attacking Stettin and Rostock; 18 Wellingtons were minelaying off Brittany ports and there were 3 O.T.U. sorties. 1 Mosquito was lost from the Berlin raid.

Total effort for the night: 457 sorties, 30 aircraft (6.6 percent) lost.

USAAF
TUNISIA: NASAF B-17s attack shipping at Tunis; NATBF A-20s attack La Sebala Airdrome; NATAF fighter-bombers attack German Army tanks along the active battlefront; and IX Bomber Command B-25s attack Axis landing grounds and German Army defensive positions.

In the course of three separate aerial engagements between 1040 and 1730 hours, pilots of the 31st and 52d Fighter groups down five GAF fighters.

RAF
Base Changes
73 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Kairouan
91 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Honily
404 Sqn RCAF (Beaufighter XIC) moves to Wick

First and Last Operational Missions
53 Sqn (Bircham Newton) flies its first OM in the Whitley VII
76 Sqn (Linton-on-Ouse) flies its first OM in the Halifax V
234 Sqn (Grimsetter) flies its first OM and second tour of duty in the Spitfire VB
246 Sqn (Bowmore) flies its last OM in the Sunderland III
407 Sqn RCAF (Chivenor) flies its first OM Wellington XII

[warshipbuilder]

21 Sqn (Oulton – Ventura I/II) 21.4.43
Weather fine. Visibility good. 12 aircraft led by F/L. Dennis escorted by 11 Group Fighters bombed the marshalling yards at Abbeville. Bombs of last box fell to West of target, those of second box opposite side of tracks. Going in and on return aircraft heavily engaged by enemy fighters. Three aircraft failed to return. One E/A was seen to dive away emitting smoke.

ADDENDUM – Ventura I AE692 YH-K. Crew: Sgt RH Wells KIA, Sgt FJM Ashdown RCAF KIA, Sgt WA Lyttle RCAF KIA, Sgt DJK Wallace RCAF KIA. T/o 1058 Oulton. Shot down by fighters after leaving the target area. Sgt Lyttle is buried locally in the Communal Cemetery Extension: the others have no known grave.

Ventura I AE743 YH-?, Crew: F/O GB Chippendale KIA, F/S H Hudson KIA, F/S AW Richmond KIA, Sgt LN Kelsall KIA. T/o 1057 Oulton. Lost at 1218 in circumstances previously described. All lie in Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension.

Ventura II AE913 YH-? Crew: F/O GL Hicks KIA, F/S FJ Bowles KIA, Sgt R Watson KIA, Sgt F Taylor KIA. T/o 1058 Oulston. Lost at 1215 in circumstances previously described. All lie in Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension.

BOMBER COMMAND
11 Venturas bombed railway yards at Abbeville. 3 Venturas lost

USAAF
MEDITERRANEAN: 79th Fighter Group P-40 pilots down three Bf-109s near Cap Bon during a dawn sweep, and IX Fighter Command P-40s strafe and bomb barges along the coast.

NETHERLANDS: In VIII Fighter Command’s deepest penetrations to date, a total of 82 P-47s conduct high-altitude fighter sweeps over three distinct areas of the Netherlands. For all that, GAF fighters fail to rise to the bait, and the sweeps are unchallenged.

TUNISIA: NASAF medium and heavy bombers are grounded by bad weather, but NATBF A-20s, fighters, and fighter-bombers mount a variety of missions in support of Allied ground forces.

31st Fighter Group Spitfire pilots down three Bf-109s, two FW-190s, and two FW-190s, respectively, in three separate missions.

RAF
Base Changes
2 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Sorman
73 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Monastir
210 Sqn (Catalina IB) moves to Hamworthy
461 Sqn RAAF (Sunderland II/III) moves to Pembroke Dock

First and Last Operational Missions
18 Sqn (Souk-el-Arba) flies its first OM in the Boston III
114 Sqn (King’s Cross) flies its first OM in the Boston III

[warshipbuilder]

300 Sqn (Polish) (Hemswell – Wellington X) 22.4.43
Twelve aircraft were detailed for MINING operations, eight completed the task successfully, three abandoned one due to technical failure and two due to the inability to obtain pinpoints. Aircraft V.291 captained by F/L E.Pryzsiecki failed to return from the Operation. Three aircraft encountered flak and M.G. fire from local defences and shipping but no serious damage was done.

ADDENDUM – Wellington X HE291 BH-V. Crew: F/L E.Pryzsiecki PAF KIA, Sgt JJ Belina-Prazmowski PAF KIA, Sgt C Krelowski PAF KIA, Sgt I Debowski PAF KIA, Sgt T Szeremeta PAF KIA. T/o 2049 Hemswell and headed for the Beeches garden off St. Nazaire. Shot down in the target area by flak. Sgt Szeremeta has no known grave, the others are buried in Escoublac-la-Baule War Cemetery.

BOMBER COMMAND
32 aircraft minelaying off Biscay ports, 5 O.T.U. sorties. 1 Lancaster and 1 Wellington from the minelaying force were lost.

USAAF
TALY: NASAF B-26s attack the harbour at Carloforte, San Pietro Island.

TUNISIA: NASAF B-25s attack two Axis landing grounds near Protville, and NATAF A-20s and fighters and IX Fighter Command P-40s attack numerous targets in support of Allied ground units.

In the course of three separate aerial engagements between 1135 and 1645 hours, 31st Fighter Group Spitfire pilots down three GAF fighters.

RAF
Base Changes
60 Sqn SAAF TR (Maryland I/II, Baltimore II/III, Mosquito IV) moves to Monastir

First and Last Operational Missions
18 Sqn (Souk-el-Arba) flies its first OM in the Boston IIIA

[warshipbuilder]

41 Sqn (Hawkinge – Spitfire XII) 23.4.43
06.30 F/O T.A.H. Slack on dawn shipping recco to Griz Nez/Ostend. No shipping except fishing fleet
07.20 leaving Nieuport and Gravelines. Accurate flak received from Ostend when at 2,000 feet about half off shore.

06.30 Weather mainly clear, patches of cloud at 4,000 ft. at Ostend. Haze up to 3,000 ft. tending to
07.20 increase as sun rises.

06.50 F/O P. Cowell on Dieppe recco. Cowell flew over Boulogne at 2,000 ft. to investigate object in Basin Loubeg reported last night by F/Lt. T.R. Poynton. He reported that this is not a ship but appears to be a structure partially submerged dividing the Qui Nord from the remainder of the basin. No shipping seen. Weather cloud 3/10ths at 5,000 ft.

06.40 Patrols carried out over Dungeness this morning, four pairs taking between 06.40 and 11.20. 11.20 Nothing seen at all to report from all these patrols.

10.55 F/Lt. T.R. Poynton (South African) left Hawkinge to patrol Dieppe. When 10 miles north of Dieppe he turned sharply towards the French coast and operations report that his “plot” disappeared almost immediately. Shortly before his disappearance he was informed that eight Huns were twenty miles to his north. He acknowledged this message but that was the last contact. It is with deep regret we have to record him as missing. He was with 41 for twelve months and came to us from 52 O.T.U. having previously been an instructor at No. 19 E.F.T.S. A brilliant leader and most enthusiastic pilot who was respected and liked by all the Squadron. He was promoted A/F/Lt. in November 1942 and his keenness robbed him of leave during this time. We had the most affectionate memories of him, a brave and fearless boy.

10.55 P/O B.B. Newman (Aus) on shipping recco to Ostend. Fishing fleet seen off Gravelines and Nieuport and one 500 ton vessel seen entering harbour at Ostend. A 1,000 ton vessel off Ostend fired a fair amount of heavy and accurate flak and Newman’s plane received damage. Landed safely back at base 11.40. Machine Cat “A” repairable at Unit. Weather bad, blowing up Channel West to East.

11.10 Sgt. J. Stonier and W/O Wilson on another Dungeness patrol, nothing to report.

ADDENDUM – Spitfire XII EN601. Pilot F/Lt TR Poynton KIA. Claimed as Mustang by JG26.

USAAF
ITALY: NASAF B-25s and B-26s attack Arbatax harbour.

MEDITERRANEAN: NASAF B-17s attack Axis ships at sea north of Sicily. Also, in the course of four separate engagements while patrolling along the coast or out to sea, pilots of the 1st, 31st, and 52d Fighter groups down three Axis flying boats and damage a Bf-109.

TUNISIA: NASAF B-25s and B-26s attack motor vehicles and the rail line at Mateur, and various targets found along the Mateur-Bedja road; 320th Medium Bombardment Group B-26s undertake that unit’s first combat mission of the war against Pont-du-Fahs; NATAF A-20s, B-25s, fighter-bombers, and fighters, and IX Fighter Command P-40s mount an all-out effort against Axis ground forces throughout the battle area; and IX Bomber Command B-25s attack Axis troop concentrations, artillery positions, and a landing ground north of Enfidaville.

RAF
First and Last Operational Missions
58 Sqn (Holmesly South) flies its first OM in the Halifax II
69 Sqn (Luqa) flies its first OM in the Baltimore III
547 Sqn (Chivenor) flies its last OM in the Whitley VIII

[warshipbuilder]

401 Sqn RCAF (Catterick – Spitfire VB) 24.4.43
Weather: Cloud 3/10 at 6,000 feet, visibility 18 miles, wind 10 m.p.h. from N.W. Serviceability: 13 a/c. State: At 0108 hours, Squadron at 60 minutes, 0559 hours, Squadron released, Red at readiness; 0714, Red released; 2054 hours, Red at 30 minutes, 2154 Red released.

It was a beautiful sunny day of which full advantage was taken for flying, which included local, cine gun exercises, and section and squadron formations. The day was made even more joyful by the arrival of two big parcel mails from Canada. The April moon period is now over.

BOMBER COMMAND
5 Mosquitoes attacked railway targets at Tours, Paderborn and Trier without loss.

USAAF
ICELAND: A Ju-88, presumably on a reconnaissance mission, is downed by two P-38 pilots of the Iceland Air Command’s 50th Fighter Squadron.

TUNISIA: All NASAF bombers are grounded by bad weather, but NATAF fighters are able to mount attacks against ground targets in the Pont-du-Fahs area, and IX Fighter Command P-40s attack German Army troops north of Enfidaville.

RAF
Base Changes
219 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Catterick
234 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VI) moves to Skeabrae
256 Sqn (Beaufighter VIF) moves to Ford
604 Sqn (Beaufighter VIF) moves to Scorton

[warshipbuilder]

137 Sqn (Manston – Whirlwind I) 25.4.43
At 10.35 hours 6 Whirlwinds took off on “Rhubarb” operations resulting in the loss of F/O. Rebbetoy. He was No. 2 to F/Lt. Bryan who was about to attack a train with five coaches near Thielt when he observed flak from each coach. He broke away and told F/O. Rebbetoy not to attack but immediately afterwards he saw Rebbetoy beating up train with cannon and noticed strikes on engine and first truck. A bit later, he saw an explosion with flames and smoke in a field in the vicinity, obviously F/O. Rebbetoy’s machine. It is not thought there is any hope of Rebbetoy surviving. F/Lt. Bryan patrolled from Roulers to Cassel but only sighted trains in towns which he did not attack. He then proceeded to Calais where, about ten miles from this town, he scored a direct hit with 2 x 250 lb. bombs on a lock. One of the gates was blown into the air and the other left hanging on its hinges. A large stationary loco was then attacked with cannon, strikes being observed.

ADDENDUM – Whirlwind I P7058 HE-G. Pilot F/O R Rebbetoy RCAF KIA. Buried at Adegem Canadian War Cemetery.

USAAF
TUNISIA: All NASAF bombers are grounded by bad weather, but NATAF fighters are able to mount direct-support missions in the battle area, and NATBF A-20s and B-25s and IX Bomber Command B-25s and P-40s attack a landing ground near Enfidaville and other targets in Axis-held territory.

USAAF fighter pilots down two Axis fighters in the course of at least three separate afternoon actions.

RAF
Base Changes
224 Sqn (Liberator V) moves to St. Eval