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467 Sqn RAAF (Waddington - Lancaster III) 5-1-44
Well I never! - Ops on - tricked everyone, for all thought that we were in the moon period. Target for tonight STETTIN quite a change but it is still near the big city, 11 detailed and captains were AUS415276 F/O C.I.REYNOLDS, AUS414734 P/O M.P.SMITH, AUS416624 P/O R.M.STANFORD, AUS20048 P/O N.R.MCDONALD, AUS408312 P/O J.MITCHELL, AUS3717 P/O A.D. RILEY, AUS425215 P/O C.B. WARTERMAINE, AUS412108 F/SGT AINSWORTH L.S., AUS409666 P/O F.A.CONNOLLY, AUS2945 S/L A.W. DOUBLEDAY, and AUS415306 F/O J.A.COLPUS. All got away which meant that all our available aircraft were in the air. No early returns either.

Good news today for SGT MORLEY, W/OP of S/L LEWIS's crew, missing 2-3 Now, 1943, was reported to have landed back in ENGLAND. A grand effort. He was missing on DUSSELDORP and we are all anxious to hear of his "walk" to GIBRALTAR and the fate of the rest of the crew. Gives us great hopes.

ADDENDUM – Sgt Morley and one other crew member evaded capture, two were POWs, and the rest KIA.

BOMBER COMMAND
STETTIN
348 Lancasters and 10 Halifaxes in the first large raid on this target since September 1941. The Mosquito diversion at Berlin successfully kept most of the German fighters away from the main force of bombers. 16 aircraft – 14 Lancasters, 2 Halifaxes – lost, 4.5 percent of the force.

The raid on Stettin started accurately and the central districts suffered heavily from fire, but later phases of the bombing drifted to the west. 504 houses and 20 industrial buildings were destroyed and 1,148 houses and 29 industrial buildings were seriously damaged. 8 ships were sunk in the harbour. 244 people were killed and 1,016 were injured.

Minor Operations: 13 Mosquitoes to Berlin and 25 to four other targets, 1 Mosquito R.C.M. sortie, 1 Beaufighter Serrate patrol, 6 Lancasters minelaying off Swinemünde. No losses.

The Beaufighter sortie on this night was the last Serrate flight by this type of aircraft; all later Serrate patrols were carried out by Mosquitoes.

Stettin operation as planned: Operations map for the night: USAAF
ENGLAND: USSAFE formally begins coordinating the strategic-bombing offensives by the Eighth and Fifteenth air forces.

FRANCE: One hundred twelve 3d Bombardment Division B-17s, escorted by 76 78th Fighter Group P-47s (split into “A” and “B” groups), attack the Bordeaux/Merignac Airdrome. Eleven B-17s and five P-47s are lost with all hands. An escort pilot downs two Bf-109s over La Rochelle at 1017 hours.

Seventy-eight 1st Bombardment Division B-17s, escorted by 149 4th and 352d Fighter group P-47s, attack Tours Airdrome. One B-17 is lost with its crew. Escort pilots down an He-177 and two FW-190s between 1145 hours and noon.

The 1st Bombardment Division’s 91st Heavy Bombardment Group becomes the first Eighth Air Force bomber unit to complete 100 combat missions.

GERMANY: Escorted by 70 P-38s and 41 P-51s, 119 1st Bombardment Division B-17s and 96 2d Bombardment Division B-24s attack the shipyards and aircraft- industry targets at Kiel. Five B-17s, five B-24s, and seven P-38s are lost.

Of 78 3d Bombardment Division B-17s briefed for an attack on ball-bearing factories at Elberfield, 73 attack various targets of opportunity after running into bad weather. Escort for this attack is provided by 243 P-47s from four VIII Fighter Command groups.

In all, USAAF fighter pilots taking part in escort missions over Germany are credited with 27 GAF aircraft downed between 1120 and 1230 hours.

ITALY: The bulk of the Twelfth Air Force is grounded by bad weather, but some XII Air Support Command A-36s are able to attack gun emplacements and other tactical targets.

RAF
BASE CHANGES
182 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Eastchurch
263 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Fairwood Common
331 Sqn (Spitfire IX/LFIXB) moves to Lianbedr
332 Sqn (Spitfire VB/LFIXB) moves to Lianbedr

Dear Reader,

I posted today's 2nd TAF entry yesterday, so I have removed it from there and posted it in its proper place.

315 Sqn (Polish) (Heston – Spitfire VB) 6-1-44
RHUBARB. Eight aircraft of this squadron took off at 13:10 hours for Operation Rhubarb on 11/A/46 St. Agathe and 11/A/48 Le-Meanil-Allard. Cannon strikes were seen on large rectangular building at 11/A/48. Two sections of four each took off from Heston. The first section attacked 11/A/48 from N.W. and again from S. to N. light flak was experienced. The second section received intense light flak from S. of target 11/A/46, no attack was made. North of target machine gun fire was experienced and gun position attacked. When this section made a left-hand orbit of the target, Flight Sergeant Lojek turned right and was not seen again, and is recorded as missing. Weather 10/10 cloud at 2 to 3,000 feet, visibility good below cloud base.

Weather at Heston: Cloudy, visibility very good.

ADDENDUM – Spitfire VB PK-B P8744. Pilot: F/S K Lojek KIA. Shot down by JG2. Buried in Hautot-sur-Mer Cemetery, Dieppe.

BOMBER COMMAND
MINOR OPERATIONS
Mosquitoes: 16 to Duisburg, 2 to Bristillerie and 1 each to Dortmund and Solingen, 57 aircraft minelaying off Biscay ports, 10 O.T.U. sorties. No losses.

2nd TAF
122 Airfield Spitfires escorted Mitchells and Mosquitoes of 2 Group to attack 'Noball' targets around midday, while 401 and 411 Squadrons from Biggin Hill flew a sweep while the raid was in progress (412 Squadron had left the airfield on this date for an air-firing course at Hutton Cranswick). Both formations were intercepted, the Gravesend squadrons becoming involved in a big fight, during which Flt Sgt Hutchinson of 19 Squadron claimed one enemy fighter shot down and two damaged. 401 Squadron was attacked by an Fw 190 and a Bf 109, and 411 Squadron by four Fw 190s, Flg Off H.K.Hamilton of the former unit and Flt Lt R.W.Orr of the latter each claiming one Fw 190. It may have been that aircraft recognition was not at its strongest on this occasion, for II. and III/JG 2 lost three Bf 109 Gs during the day, whilst the latter unit claimed three Spitfires shot down between 1215-1220 (German time); no claims were submitted by USAAF pilots on this occasion.

464 Squadron, now with two months of Mosquito operations behind it, was taken over by Wg Cdr R.W.Iredale, DFC, who had been one of the unit's original flight commanders in August 1942.

USAAF
ETO: Gen Carl Spaatz assumes command of USSAFE, and LtGen James H. Doolittle formally succeeds LtGen Ira C. Eaker as Eighth Air Force commanding general. To implement his new command, Spaatz redesignates Headquarters, Eighth Air Force, as Headquarters, USSAFE, and names as his deputies for administration and operations, respectively, BriGen Hugh J. Knerr and MajGen Frederick L. Anderson. On the same day, Headquarters, VIII Bomber Command, is redesignated Headquarters, Eighth Air Force, and the VIII Bomber Command ceases to exist as such.

ITALY: XII Bomber Command B-26s attack an aircraft factory at Piaggio and marshalling yards at two locations; and XII Air Support Command A-36s and P-40s attack gun emplacements, rail lines, and railroads in and around the battle area.

RAF
BASE CHANGES
313 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Woodvale
500 Sqn (Hudson V/Ventura V) moves to La Senia

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
120 Sqn (Reykjavik) flies is last OM in the Liberator III
350 Sqn (Hornchurch) flies its first OM in the Spitfire LFIXB

401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire LFIXB) 7-1-44
Weather was quite cloudy locally in the morning, but weather over the Continent was good.

The Squadrons engaged on Ramrod 431 at 10.50 hours, as a Close Escort to 72 Marauders bombing Noball Targets in the Cherbourg Peninsula. The show was unexciting and the Wing returned safely to base. Another show, a Fighter Sweep, was called in the afternoon, and The Wing swept in at Hardelot to Amiens-Albert & Poix while 72 Marauders bombed Noball targets. The trip was uneventful, and the Wing returned safely to base.

BOMBER COMMAND
MINOR OPERATIONS
6 Mosquitoes to Krefeld and 5 to Duisburg, 1 aircraft on a Resistance operation, 28 O.T.U. sorties. The Resistance operation aircraft – a 138 Squadron Halifax – crashed in England soon after taking off, killing all 10 men on board, probably 7 crew and 3 passengers.

USAAF
AUSTRIA: P-38 pilots of the 1st and 14th Fighter groups down five GAF fighters and damage or possibly down several others in a running fight from Wiener-Neustadt southward between 1100 and 1140 hours.

FRANCE: Thirty-five IX Bomber Command B-26s attack the Cherbourg/Maupertus Airdrome, but all other IX Bomber Command missions are canceled due to bad weather.

GERMANY: Of 502 Eighth Air Force B-17s and B-24s dispatched, 417 attack the I.G. Farben plant at Ludwigshafen with nearly 1,000 tons of bombs. Twelve bombers are lost with their crews, and 14 crewmen are killed in their airplanes by enemy fire.

Escort and support for the bomber mission is provided by 71 P-38s, 463 P-47s, and 37 P-51s, of which a P-38 and five P-47s are lost with their pilots. Seven GAF fighters are downed over France and Germany between 1145 and 1340 hours. Capt James A. Goodson, a P-47 pilot with the 4th Fighter Group’s 336th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs two FW-190s near Bethune, France, at about 1335 hours.

For the first time, fighters employ the phased-escort tactic, in which specific groups relieve specific groups at specific times and places along the bomber route after flying by way of the most direct route from the U.K. The technique is designed to conserve fuel and thus allow each group to stay with the bombers longer than they had been able to do previously. The phased- escort technique proves so efficacious that it will endure until the end of the war.

ITALY: Fifteenth Air Force B-17s attack a torpedo factory at Fiume; XII Bomber Command B-25s attack Perugia Airdrome; XII Bomber Command B-26s attack marshalling yards at two locations and a bridge; and XII Air Support Command A-20s, A-36s, and P-40s attack road, rail, and tactical targets in or near the battle area.

YUGOSLAVIA: Forty-eight Fifteenth Air Force B-17s attack an aircraft factory at Maribor.

RAF
BASE CHANGES
208 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Meggido

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
25 Sqn (Church Fenton) flies its first OM in the Mosquito NFXVII
72 Sqn (Capodichino) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VC

627 Sqn (Oakington – Mosquito BIV) 8-1-44
4a/c detailed for operations. All took off but 1 a/c (S/L.BELL, Pilot, F/O.BATTLE, Nav) failed to return. F/L. HANLON descended into the sea of the ESSEX Coast, and was taken to COLCHESTER HOSPITAL; there is as yet no news of his Navigator, F/O. EVANS.

Sir. Archibald SINCLAIR, Secretary of State for Air, visited the station, and Senior Officers of the Squadron were introduced; he also gave a short talk to all aircrews in the Briefing Room.

ADDENDUM – Mosquito BIV W4072 AZ-Q. Crew: F/O IH HANLON RNZAF, F/O FK Evans DFM KIA. T/o 1821 Oakington. Crashed 2045, following loss of power from starboard engine.

Mosquito BIV DZ293 AZ-L. Crew: S/L EIJ Bell DFC POW, F/O JRB Battie POW. T/o 1819 Oakington. S/L was OC “B” Flight.

BOMBER COMMAND
23 Mosquitoes: 10 to Frankfurt, 8 to Solingen, 3 to Aachen, 2 to Dortmund. 2 aircraft lost.

2nd TAF
Early in the afternoon Typhoons of 174 and 245 Squadrons were led by Wg Cdr R.T.P.Davidson, at that date still the 121 Airfield Wing Leader, on a sweep to the north of Paris. Over Soissons a twin-engined transport, later identified as a LeO 451, was encountered and shot down by the Wing Leader and Plt Off Dickie of 245 Squadron. A Ju 88 was then seen and this was claimed as a probable by two pilots of 174 Squadron. However, Flt Sgt W.N.Waudby of 245 Squadron, having joined in the pursuit of this bomber as far as Evreux, was shot down by the rear gunner; he evaded capture and returned later.

Wg Cdr Peter Wickham, recently promoted to lead 122 Airfield's squadrons, now completed his tour, his place being taken by 65 Squadron's equally newly-arrived commanding officer, Reg Grant; the latter was replaced at the head of the Squadron by Sqn Ldr G.R.A.MCG.Johnston, DFC.

USAAF
ENGLAND: The 303d Heavy Bombardment Group is reassigned to the 1st Bombardment Division’s 40th Combat Bombardment Wing.

The new 453d Heavy Bombardment Group, in B-24s, is assigned to the 2d Bombardment Division’s 2d Combat Bombardment Wing.

ITALY: One hundred nine Fifteenth Air Force B-17s destroy two-thirds of the aircraft factory at Reggio Emilia, thereby reducing production of Regianne Re.2005 and Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 fighters; XII Bomber Command B-26s attack marshalling yards at two locations; XII Air Support.

Command A-20s and A-36s attack rail targets in or near the battle area; and XII Air Support Command P-40s provide direct support for U.S. Army ground forces.

YUGOSLAVIA: The B-24–equipped 449th and 450th Heavy Bombardment groups, of the Fifteenth Air Force’s 47th Heavy Bombardment Wing, make their combat debuts with an attack on the Mostar Airdrome. There is virtually no opposition, and no losses.

XII Bomber Command B-25s attack the port area, warehouses, and the rail line at Metkovic.

RAF
FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
129 Sqn (Tangmere) flies its last OM in the Spitfire IX
309 Sqn (Snailwell) flies its last OM in the Mustang I
610 Sqn (Exeter) flies its first OM in the Spitfire XIV

401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire LFIXB) 9-1-44
The Weather was very poor for flying, with a bad haze and 10/10 cloud at 15,00 feet, but ideal weather for rhubarb operations. In the morning, F/O W.T. Klerey and P/O Davenport (J.18046) took off on a rhubarb against Noball targets inland from Le Touquet. When about 35 miles inland south of Hesdin, P/O Davenport's aircraft was hit by flak. He and F/O Klerey turned to go home, with Klerey leading. They climbed up into cloud, and then P/O Davenport reported that his engine had lost all power, and that he was going to go down. F/O Klerey returned to base. This was a very unfortunate incident in that "Tex" Davenport was one of our most capable pilots and we will all miss him very much. F/Lt. W.R. Tew and F/Lt. W.S. Johnson tried to carry out another rhubarb against a Noball target in the afternoon, but bad weather forced them back before they reached our coast. The Squadron had done readiness all morning with 3 sections from "B” Flight, but in the afternoon, all were released except for one section from “A” Flight.

ADDENDUM – Spitfire LFIXB MH827 YO-? Pilot: F/O RM Davenport EVD. Returned to the UK in April 1944. Davenport was an American serving in the RCAF.

USAAF
ITALY: Fifteenth Air Force B-17s attack the aircraft factory and a marshalling yard at Reggio Emilia; XII Bomber Command B-25s attack a marshalling yard and docking facilities at Ancona; and XII Air Support Command A-36s and P-40s attack tanks, trucks, and troop positions in and around the battle area.

YUGOSLAVIA: Fifteenth Air Force B-24s attack Mostar Airdrome.

RAF
BASE CHANGES
619 Sqn (Lancaster I/III) moves to Coningsby

195 Sqn (Fairlop – Typhoon IB) 10-1-44
Weather fair. Practice flying carried out. Four Rhubarbs carried out during the afternoon. One section comprising P/O. LOGAN & F/S. WARNER did not bomb the target but the latter named was hit by light flak over the target area, and his machine set on fire. He ditched three miles out from the French coast. His number 1 circled the area, and although he saw F/S. WARNER in the sea, no movement from the F/S. indicated any life, and after circling for half an hour was compelled by shortage of fuel to return. A.S.R. took off in an attempt to locate P/S. WARNER in vain. P/O PORTER and B/O. LONN also set out, the latter named being badly shot up over the target area. P/O PORTER bombed the target, although shot up on crossing the French coast. Other sections made successful attacks against their targets.

ADDENDUM – Typhoon IB JP935. Pilot: F/S Warner KIA.

BOMBER COMMAND
20 Mosquitoes: 10 to Berlin, 7 to Solingen, 2 to Koblenz, 1 to Krefeld. No losses.

USAAF
BULGARIA: Fifteenth Air Force B-17s attacking a marshalling yard at Sofia are attacked by an estimated 60 Axis fighters. Two B-17s are downed, but 14th Fighter Group P-38 escort pilots down nine GAF fighters over Sofia at about 1230 hours.

ITALY: XII Bomber Command B-25s attack a town, and XII Air Support Command aircraft attack numerous rail, road, tactical, and communications targets throughout central Italy.

During the night of January 10–11, XII Bomber Command B-26s attack iron and steel works at Piombino.

YUGOSLAVIA: Fifteenth Air Force B-24s attack a marshalling yard at Skoplje.

RAF
BASE CHANGES
213 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Lakatamia
313 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Ayr
547 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to St. Eval
617 Sqn (Lancaster) moves to Woodhall Spa

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
219 Sqn (La Sebala) flies its last OM in the Beaufighter VIF

401 Sqn (Biggin Hill – Spitfire LFIXB) 11-1-44
Weather was fair with good visibility in the early morning, but a solid layer of cloud at 2,500 feet. A squadron formation was carried out first thing and at 11.40, the Wing was rushed into the air for a fighter sweep, but by this time the weather had closed in and the Wing was recalled after 5 minutes. W/Cdr. McNair led on a wild low flying wing formation and we landed at 12.16, which finished flying for the day.

USAAF
ENGLAND: The 96th Heavy Combat Bombardment Wing headquarters is activated to oversee several Eighth Air Force B-24 groups.

GERMANY: The Allied strategic air offensive against Germany (Operation POINTBLANK) is officially inaugurated with the dispatch of 663 Eighth Air Force heavy bombers against several industrial targets in Germany.

One hundred fifty-nine 1st Bombardment Division B-17s attack aircraft-industry targets at Oschersleben. Thirty-four B-17s are downed and 83 are damaged by intense flak and fighter attacks. Crew losses are 349 missing and nine killed.

One hundred seven 1st Bombardment Division B-17s attack aircraft-industry targets at Halberstadt. Eight B-17s and their crews are lost, and 42 B-17s are damaged.

Escort for the 1st Bombardment Division is provided by 177 P-47s and 44 P-51s, whose pilots down 27 GAF fighters against the loss of two P-47s and their pilots missing.

In the first officially sanctioned test of the “freelance” fighter tactic [see December 20, 1943], the 56th Fighter Group mounts two small fighter groups, 56A (36 P-47s) and 56B (48 P-47s), both to range ahead and far to the flanks of two separate bomber streams in the hope of disrupting GAF fighter formations as they gather for mass attacks on the heavy bombers. The 56A Group is credited with 11 confirmed victories in the vicinity of Osnabruck between 1105 and 1115 hours.

Maj James H. Howard, the commanding officer of the 354th Fighter Group’s 356th Fighter Squadron, in P-51s, becomes the only U.K.-based fighter pilot to earn a Medal of Honor in the war when he single-handedly defends a small formation of B-17s that is under attack by a large force of GAF fighters over Halberstadt. Howard, a former U.S. Navy pilot who has already downed 2.333 Japanese airplanes over China and Burma while serving with the American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) and a GAF fighter over Germany, also achieves ace status in this heroic action when, without any backup whatsoever from other fighters, he downs two Bf-110s and an FW-190 (and probably downs another FW-190) between 1150 and 1215 hours.

Two hundred thirty-four 3d Bombardment Division B-17s and 138 2d Bombardment Division B-24s briefed to attack aircraft-industry targets at Brunswick are recalled because of bad weather. By then the bomber formations are over Germany, so a total of 285 heavy bombers attack various targets of opportunity through holes in the clouds. Sixteen B-17s and two B-24s are lost. Taking part in this mission is the first H2S-equipped B-24 to be dispatched on a combat mission.

Escort for the Brunswick mission is provided by 49 P-38s and 322 P-47s. One P-38 and one P-47 are lost, and a pair of P-47 pilots down two GAF fighters.

GREECE: Fifteenth Air Force B-17s attack the port and shipping in the harbor at Piraeus, and 1st Fighter Group P-38 pilots down two Bf-109s over the harbor area at about 1310 hours. Six B-17s are lost in a series of midair collisions in dense overcast.

ITALY: XII Bomber Command B-25s attack a rail yard and a rail junction, and XII Air Support Command A-36s and P-40s attack numerous gun emplacements and rail and road targets in the battle area and central Italy.

RAF
FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
451 Sqn RAAF (El Daba) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VC
504 Sqn (Peterhead) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VB

401 Sqn (Biggin Hill – Spitfire LFIXB) 12-1-44
Weather was poor with rain and fog and low cloud all morning prohibiting any flying. The wing was released in the afternoon, and most of the pilots went to London for the day.

USAAF
ITALY: XII Bomber Command B-25s and B-26s attack a dam and several bridges in central Italy; XII Air Support Command A-20s attack a town; XII Air Support Command A-36s and P-40s attack numerous German Army defensive positions along the battle line and many rail targets in or near the battle area; and the Fifteenth Air Force’s 325th Fighter Group, in P-47s, strafes a marshalling yard and numerous buildings across central Italy during a fighter sweep to Rome.

Col Archibald Y. Smith assumes command of the XII Air Force Training and Replacement Command.

YUGOSLAVIA: 57th Fighter Group P-47 pilots down three Bf-109s off the coast at Korcula during a morning mission, and XII Air Support Command P-40s attack a ship in the Krka River.

401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire LFIXB) 13-1-44
Fog and low cloud locally prohibited flying for the whole day. In the morning, "A" Flt. did readiness with 1 section immediate and 2 sections at 15 minutes. In the afternoon, “B” Flt. carried on with the same readiness state until dusk. The pilots spent their time by cleaning their aircraft and doing Daily Inspections. Today, we were informed that F/Lt. A.E. Studholme (missing on 30.11.43) is a Prisoner of War, which was very good news to us all. Pilot states: 21 operational, 8 non-operational, 1 detached.

BOMBER COMMAND
25 Mosquitoes: 12 to Essen, 9 to Duisburg, 2 to Aachen, 2 to Koblenz. 1 aircraft lost.

USAAF
FRANCE: One hundred ninety-three IX Bomber Command B-26s attack V-weapons sites in France.

ITALY: As part of the preparation for the upcoming amphibious landings at Anzio, 100 Fifteenth Air Force B-17s and B-24s and 241 XII Bomber Command B-25s and B-26s, escorted by fighters from both air forces, attack the Rome-area airdromes at Centocelle, Ciampino, Guidonia, and Perugia. The bombers are credited with destroying or disabling most of the GAF aircraft based in central Italy.

In the course of the bomber attacks, which take place at about noon, eight Bf-109s are downed and 11 others are damaged or possibly downed by pilots of the 14th and 325th Fighter groups. 2dLt Paul H. Wilkins, a P-38 pilot with the 14th Fighter Group’s 37th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs one of the Bf-109s.

XII Air Support Command A-36s and P-40s mount numerous tactical missions and attack road and rail targets in and around the battle area.

YUGOSLAVIA: MATAF fighter-bombers attack shipping at Sibenik and along the Krka River.

RAF
BASE CHANGES
74 Sqn (Spitfire VVB/VC/IX) moves to Dekheila
164 Sqn (Hurricane IV) moves to Fairlop
181 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Merston
247 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Merston

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
87 Sqn (Palermo) flies its first OM’s in the Spitfire VIII & IX
614 Sqn (Barizzo) flies its last OM in the Blenheim V

432 Sqn RCAF (East Moor – Lancaster II) 14-1-44
Sixteen aircraft were detailed for bombing operations on BRUNSWICK. All aircraft took off at a scheduled time. All the aircraft bombed their objective successfully. Two of our aircraft failed to return from this operation.

ADDENDUM - Lancaster II DS740 QO-Z. Crew: P/O DA Rae RCAF KIA, Sgt KE Evans KIA, F/O GV Holmes KIA, WO2 DT Lyng RCAF KIA, F/S EF Howe KIA, Sgt CF Tarr KIA, WO2 WH Hoppus RCAF. T/o 1702 East Moor. Crashed at Lagershausen, 6 km NE of Northeim. All are in interred at Hannover War Cemetery.

Lancaster II DS850 QO-M. Crew: F/L CV Wales RCAF POW, F/S GC Pike RCAF POW, Sgt ALJ Thomas POW, F/S JS Evans POW, F/S WJT Garvey POW, Sgt JH Aplin KIA, Sgt RA Hutchinson KIA, F/L GH Rainville DFM RCAF POW. T/o 1703 East Moor. Hit over the target which severely wounded Sgt Aplin and caused much structural damage. Petrol tanks were holed and the order to bale out was givenin the vicinity of Rheine, the Lancaster crashing on the Engdener Wüste, E of Nordhorn. The two airmen who died are buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. F/L Rainville RCAF was the Squadron’s Gunnery Leader.

BOMBER COMMAND
496 Lancasters and 2 Halifaxes on the first major raid to Brunswick of the war. 38 Lancasters lost, 7.6 percent of the force. The German running commentary was heard following the progress of the bomber force from a position only 40 miles from the English coast and many German fighters entered the bomber stream soon after the German frontier was crossed near Bremen. The German fighters scored steadily until the Dutch coast was crossed on the return flight. 11 of the lost aircraft were Pathfinders.

Brunswick was smaller than Bomber Command’s usual targets and this raid was not a success. The city report describes this only as a ‘light’ raid, with bombs in the south of the city which had only 10 houses destroyed and 14 people killed. Most of the attack fell either in the countryside or in Wolfenbüttel and other small towns and villages well to the south of Brunswick.

FLYING-BOMB SITES
82 aircraft – 59 Stirlings, 13 Halifaxes, 10 Mosquitoes – attacked sites at Ailly, Bonneton and Bristillerie without loss.

Minor Operations: 11 Mosquitoes to Magdeburg and 6 to Berlin, 9 R.C.M. sorties, 2 Serrate patrols, 29 aircraft minelaying off Brest and in the Frisians, 36 O.T.U. sorties. No losses.

Total effort for the night: 673 sorties, 38 aircraft (5.6 percent) lost.

Brunswick route as planned: Operations for the night of 14/15 Jan. 1944 2nd TAF
During another busy day for the Allied air forces, Canadian and Polish units undertook an escort to Mitchells to the Pas de Calais as 'Ramrod 452, taking off around 1945. Ten miles south-east of St Omer 308 Squadron was 'bounced' by 20 fighters, Flt Lt J.Piotrowski being shot down at 1158 by Hptm Klaus Mietusch, Kommandeur of III/JG 26, who saw the Spitfire pilot bale out; Piotrowski did not, however, survive. In return the Poles were able to claim only damage to a single Fw 190. Two more Spitfires were claimed by other pilots of III./JG 26, Uffz Karl Laub claiming one at the same time as Mietusch, while one was claimed two minutes later by Ofw Heinz Kemethmüller.

Immediately behind this raid, 19 and 122 Squadrons flew forward support to 'Ramrod 453' which involved B-26s, while 132 and 602 Squadrons provided direct escort as the formation headed for the Etaples area at 1055. Near Hésdin ten German fighters were spotted by 132 Squadron's pilots, led by Wg Cdr Yule, and this unit dived to attack, Yule claiming a Bf 109 damaged, while Flg Off H.S.Smith claimed an Fw 190 shot down. This may have been the aircraft flown by Uffz Gerhard Maletz of 6./JG 26, who was killed. However, the Squadron's commander, Sqn Ldr F.F.Colloredo-Mansfield, DFC & Bar, was shot down and killed, reportedly by Flak- although he may have been shot down by Oblt Walter Matoni of 5./JG 26, who claimed a Spitfire over Doullens at 1202. At the same time- midday - 602 Squadron also attacked, Flt Lt Ken Charney claiming an Fw 190, whilst a Bf 109 was claimed as a probable and another Focke-Wulf as damaged. It appears that during this engagement two Bf 109s of 11./JG 26 were lost to the Spitfires, both pilots being killed.

During another 'Ramrod' on 'Noball' sites during the morning, a 342 Squadron Boston had been hit by Flak and badly damaged, crash-landing on the South Coast; one crew member died and the rest were hospitalised.


USAAF
FRANCE: Due to bad weather over Germany, 552 Eighth Air Force heavy bombers are dispatched to attack 21 V-weapons sites around Pas-de-Calais. In the end, 522 B-17s and B-24s attack 20 of the briefed targets with more than 1,500 tons of bombs, and 19 B-24s attack various targets of opportunity. Two B-17s and one B-24 are lost with their crews.

Escort and support for the heavy bombers is provided by 645 USAAF fighters whose pilots are credited with downing 13 GAF fighters over France and Belgium between 1448 and 1530 hours. Three USAAF fighters are lost with their pilots. Capt Don S. Gentile, a P-47 pilot with the 4th Fighter Group’s 336th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs two FW-190s over the Bois de Compiegne between 1500 and 1520 hours. (Two of Gentile’s earlier victories were scored while he was flying a Spitfire with the RAF’s 133 Eagle Squadron.)

ITALY: XII Bomber Command B-25s attack a bridge; XII Air Support Command A-20s provide direct support for U.S. Fifth Army ground forces around Monte Trocchio; and XII Air Support Command A-36s and P-40s attack numerous tactical, transportation, and communications targets, including an A-36 strike against the harbor at Anzio.

YUGOSLAVIA: Approximately 200 Fifteenth Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack the Mostar Airdrome, and 82d Fighter Group P-38 pilots down three GAF fighters and damage several others over the target.

RAF
BASE CHANGES
142 Sqn (Wellington X) moves to Amendola

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
15 Sqn (Mildenhall) flies its first OM in the Lancaster I
64 Sqn (Coltishall) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VC
65 Sqn (Gravesend) flies its last OM in the Spitfire IX
231 Sqn (Redhill) flies its last OM in the Mustang I
622 Sqn (Mildehall) flies its first OM’s in the Lancaster I & III
458 Sqn RAAF (Bone) flies its last OM in the Wellington VIII
489 Sqn RNZAF flies its first OM in the Beaufighter TFX

401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire LFIXB) 15-1-44
A very clear bright day with only a very slight haze in the London area. The Squadron was airborne in the morning on Ramrod 452, in which the Wing patrolled the St. Pol-Amiens area While Mitchells and Bostons bombed Rocket Gun Emplacements in the area west of the patrol line. When over France, the Squadron became engaged with enemy aircraft. /F/Lt. Stayner & F/Lt. W.S. Johnson both fired, but no claims were made. Due to being equipped with only 30 gallon jettison tanks, the Squadron could not indulge in a long fight, and several chases had to be curtailed. The Wing returned, most of the pilots landed at Lympe, Hawking, or Friston, due to shortage of petrol. The pilots returned individually to base.

In the afternoon, the Squadron became airborne on Ramrod 453, to patrol between Cap de le Carteret and St. Lo while 72 Marauders bombed Noball targets in the Cherbourg peninsula. The show was quite uninteresting except for very accurate flak. The Wing landed at Tangmere where they spent the night. The Kenley and Biggin Wings got a liberty run into Chichester where everyone spent the evening at the local cinema or pub.

USAAF
ITALY: Fifteenth Air Force B-24s attack a marshalling yard at Prato, nearby roads, and the town area at Pistoia; Fifteenth Air Force B-17s attack marshalling yards at eight locations and two rail bridges; XII Bomber Command B-25s attack a rail junction; XII Bomber Command B-26s attack bridges at Orvieto; the XII Air Support Command’s 79th Fighter Group, in P-40s, and an RAF fighter wing attack a railroad station; XII Air Support Command A-36s and P-40s attack gun emplacements and troop positions in direct support of the U.S. Fifth Army; and Twelfth Air Force P-40s on an armed reconnaissance attack several rail targets.

52d Fighter Group Spitfire pilots down three He-115 reconnaissance float planes over Savona harbor at 1545 hours.

The 306th Heavy Bombardment Wing headquarters is activated in anticipation of its becoming a heavy-bomber component of the Fifteenth Air Force. However, in May 1944, it will be redesignated the 306th Fighter Wing and will oversee the operations of all fighter groups assigned to the Fifteenth Air Force.

MTO: LtGen Ira C. Eaker formally assumes command of MAAF and AAFMTO.

RAF
BASE CHANGES
72 Sqn (Spitfire IX) moves to Lago
93 Sqn (Spitfire VC/IX) moves to Lago
111 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC/IX) moves to Lago

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
231 Sqn (Redhill) DISBANDED
313 Sqn (Ayr) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VB and its first OM in the Spitfire LFIXB
458 Sqn RAAF (Bone) flies its first OM in the Wellington XIV

401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire LFIXB) 16-1-44
A very thick haze covered London, and to the north, just like a heavy pall of smoke, grounding the bombers and also threatening to close in on us. Local flying consisted of flight formation and cine-gun exercises for most of the day. States: 20 operational, 7 non-operational, 1 in hospital, 2 detached or on leave.

USAAF
AUSTRIA: Sixty-one Fifteenth Air Force B-17s damage the Bf-109 components factory at Klagenfurt. Two Bf-109s are downed and two are probably downed by 14th Fighter Group P-38 pilots south of the target at 1150 hours. Three P-38s are lost.

ETO: Gen Dwight D. Eisenhower formally assumes his duties in England as Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force.

ITALY: Fifteenth Air Force B-24s attack the landing ground at Osoppo; Fifteenth Air Force B-17s attack Villaorba Airdrome; XII Bomber Command B-25s attack a marshalling yard and rail lines at Terni; XII Bomber Command B-26s attack a marshalling yard and a bridge at Orte; XII Air Support Command A-20s attack Atina; XII Air Support Command A-36s attack rail lines, rail junctions, and several towns in and around the battle area; and XII Air Support Command P-40s attack gun emplacements in and around Cassino and several other frontline towns.

33d Fighter Group P-40 pilots down an FW-190 in a morning clash over Anzio, and 31st Fighter Group Spitfire pilots down three Bf-109s and damage several others near Cassino at 1030 hours.

YUGOSLAVIA: Fifteenth Air Force B-24s attack the town area at Zara.

RAF
BASE CHANGES
43 Sqn (Spitfire IX) moves to Lago
214 Sqn (Stirling III) moves to Sculthorpe
225 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to Lago

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
132 Sqn (Detling) flies its last OM in the Spitfire LFIXB

401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire LFIXB) 17-1-44
Cloud 10/10 at 1,500 feet with rain all day. “B" Fight did readiness in the morning, with 2 sections at immediate and 1 section at 15 minutes. In the afternoon, "A" Flight took over with same state. The pilots spent their time playing a little poker. At 1700 hours, the readiness flight was released except for 1 section on aerodrome defence. Pilot states: 20 operational, 7 non-operational, 1 in hospital, 2 detached or on leave.

2nd TAF 17-1-44 to 20-1-44
Following intense operations, 132 and 602 Squadrons were rested on 17th, the former flying up to Castletown in Scotland, the latter to the Orkneys. On 19 January 453(RAAF) Squadron arrived at Detling to join 125 Airfield, exchanging its Spitfire VBS for Mark IXBs. The resident Spitfire squadrons (132 and 602) were reversing the process, leaving for Castletown and Perranporth respectively, and 'trading down' to Mark Vs. Three days later 453 departed for Hutton Cranswick's APC.

The Czech squadrons at 134 Airfield had by now also received Spitfire IXs, and on 20 January undertook their first operational sorties with these aircraft. At 124 Airfield on this date Wg Cdr Derek Walker finished his tour, his place now going to the Norwegian, Wg Cdr Erik Haabjörn, DFC, formerly commander of 247 Squadron; this latter unit was taken over by Sqn Ldr R.J.McNair, DFC, previously a flight commander with 245 Squadron. Typhoons with clear all-perspex blown 'blister' cockpit hoods had been available in small numbers since the previous September, and were usually the preserve of unit commanders, but now they were reaching the squadrons in growing numbers. During the coming months many of the older Typhoons would be withdrawn and rebuilt with the new canopies, and with modifications to allow them to carry rockets. Even so, small numbers of the older aircraft would remain in service until mid-summer, notably with some of the 121 and 124 Airfield squadrons.

USAAF

RAF
BASE CHANGES
33 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to Mersa Matruh
92 Sqn (Spitfire VIII) moves to Marcianise
129 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Peterhead
132 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Castletown
145 Sqn (Spitfire VIII) moves to Marcianise
268 Sqn (Mustang IA) moves to North Weald
417 Sqn RCAF (Spitfire VIII) moves to Marcianise

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
118 Sqn (Castletown) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VB)

401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire LFIXB) 18-1-44
Weather was still completely impossible for flying with rain and low 10/10 cloud prevailing. The morning was spent seeing cine-films, taking sun ray etc., and doing Daily Inspections. In the afternoon, we played poker and release allowed most of the pilots to go into town. At night, seven or eight of the pilots played a basketball game practice with Maintenance, and with more practice quite a fair team should develop.

USAAF
ITALY: Fifteenth Air Force B-24s attack a marshalling yard at Arezzo; Fifteenth Air Force B-17s attack marshalling yards at two locations; XII Bomber Command B-25s attack marshalling yards at three locations; XII Bomber Command B-26s attack a rail bridge and a marshalling yard; XII Air Support Command A-36s attack Anzio, Avezzano, and Tarquinia; and XII Air Support Command P-40s attack the docks at Anzio and gun emplacements at two locations.

YUGOSLAVIA: XII Air Support Command P-40s attack the harbor at Sibenik.

RAF
BASE CHANGES
601 Sqn (Spitfire VIII) moves to Marcianise
602 Sqn (Spitfire LFIXB) moves to Skeabrae

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
453 Sqn RAAF (Skeabrae) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VB

401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire LFIXB) 19-1-44
The weathers still duff in the morning, clearing slightly in the early afternoon, but after a weather test, it was decided that flying was not worthwhile. S/Ldr. Cameron made the brilliant suggestion that it was about time that a Dispersal Party was held, and 12 cases of beer were procured from the officers Mess. Everyone brought down what food they had, and poker and beer drinking ensued. In a game of red-dog, F/O Roxy Houser walked away with forty-five pounds. Unfortunately, the Squadron had to do readiness all afternoon for No. 126 Airfield who were stranded at Coltishall, which left some of us to cover. At night the party continued at the Bromley Country Club where a few "Blacks" were put up and it was hinted that if some of us didn't return again we would not be missed.

USAAF
ENGLAND: The Eighth Air Force establishes a radio countermeasures detachment based on technology available from the RAF. Designated the 803d Provisional Bombardment Squadron, the detachment is equipped with several B-17s and assigned for training by RAF personnel.

ITALY: Fifteenth Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack three airdromes around Rome; XII Bomber Command B-25s attack Rieti Airdrome; XII Bomber Command B-26s attack Viterbo Airdrome; XII Air Support Command A-36s attack troop positions and rail and communications targets along the U.S. Fifth Army battlefront at the Garigliano River; and XII Air Support Command P-40s attack German Army troop positions and defended villages in the battle area.

YUGOSLAVIA: XII Air Support Command P-40s attack two schooners at Makarska.

RAF
BASE CHANGES
504 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Hornchurch
453 Sqn RAAF (Spitfire LFIXB) moves to Detling

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
453 Sqn RAAF (Detling) flies its first OM and starts its second tour of duty in the Spitfire LFIXB

419 Sqn RCAF (Middleton St. George – Halifax II) 20-1-44
16 aircraft were detailed to attack BERLIN. One aircraft was scrubbed just prior to take-off and "T" returned early with the port inner engine u/s. "Q" was diverted to WOODRIDGE with one engine u/s and short of petrol. "V" landed at HARDWICK short of petrol.

Two aircraft were missing from this operation, "M" – F/S Hoskins and “X” - P/O Bullis. This was P/O Bullis’ 14th operation and his 3rd to BERLIN in the present sorties.

This was a Wanganui attack but those planes equipped with H2S equipment were of the opinion that it was most effective.

The new daily maintenance and servicing scheme were started with this operation, a particularly nice job being done by the Armoury Section when they bombed up 35 aircraft in record time.

Those crews not detailed for operations were engaged in lining up the new crew room and under the self help scheme did a nice job of painting the walls.

ADDENDUM – Halifax II DT731 VR-M. Crew: F/S IV Hopkins RCAF POW, Sgt J Chambers POW, WO2 WE MacKenzie RCAF POW, T/S FS Paules USAAF, F/O A Cormack RCAF POW, Sgr ER Jenkins POW, Sgt WD McCaghey RCAF POW. T/o 1554 Middleton St. George. Homebound, intercepted at 18,000 feet by a night-fighter and abandoned SW of Leipzig. On 18 April 1945 Typhoons strafed a prisoner of war column near Gresse and amongst the many victims was WO MacKenzie. He rests in Berling 1939-45 War Cemetery.

Halifax II HX162 VR-X. Crew: P/O HL Bullis RCAF POW, Sgt DJ Ferguson KIA, WO2 HA Towers RCAF POW, Sgt EH Boisvert USAAF POW, F/S R Bonathan POW, Sgt FG Sanderson RCAF KIA, F/S MA Potter RCAF POW. T/o 1653 Middleton St. George. Lost to the dual combination of night-fighter and flak, crashing at Hörst, 18 km ENE of Schleswig. Both casualties died when the night-fighter struck. Sgt Ferguson lies in Kiel War Cemetry, while Sgt Sanderson lies in Hamburg War Cemetery, Ohlsdorf.

BOMBER COMMAND
BERLIN
769 aircraft – 495 Lancasters, 264 Halifaxes, 10 Mosquitoes. 35 aircraft – 22 Halifaxes, 13 Lancasters – lost, 4.6 percent of the force. 102 Squadron, from Pocklington, lost 5 of its 16 Halifaxes on this raid, 2 more crashed in England and the squadron would lose 4 more aircraft in the next night’s raid. The bomber approach route took a wide swing to the north but, once again, the German controller managed to feed his fighters into the bomber stream early and the fighters scored steadily until the force was well on the way home. The diversions were not large enough to deceive the Germans.

The Berlin area was, as so often, completely cloud-covered and what happened to the bombing is a mystery. The Pathfinder sky-marking appeared to go according to plan and crews who were scanning the ground with their H2S sets believed that the attack fell on eastern districts of Berlin. No major navigational problems were experienced. No photographic reconnaissance was possible until after a further 4 raids on Berlin were carried out but the various sources from which the Berlin reports are normally drawn all show a complete blank for this night. It is not known whether this is because of some order issued by the German authorities to conceal the extent of the damage or whether the entire raid missed Berlin.

Minor Operations: 12 Mosquitoes to Düsseldorf, 4 to Kiel and 3 to Hannover, 6 R.C.M. sorties, 5 Serrate patrols, 29 aircraft minelaying in the Frisians and off French ports, 20 O.T.U. sorties. No losses.

Total effort for the night: 848 sorties, 35 aircraft (4.1 percent) lost.

Berlin operation as planned: Berlin route map: USAAF
ENGLAND: In accordance with Gen Dwight D. Eisenhower’s January 18 directive, Gen Carl Spaatz’s USSAFE formally assumes administrative responsibility for all USAAF commands and units in the United Kingdom.

ITALY: Fifteenth Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack the Centocelle, Ciampino, and Guidonia airdromes, around Rome; XII Bomber Command B-25s attack rail lines around Carsoli; XII Bomber Command B-26s attack a bridge and a marshalling yard; XII Air Support Command A-20s provide close support for U.S. Fifth Army ground forces around Minturno; and XII Air Support Command A-36s and P-40s attack rail targets and mount more than 200 close-support sorties in conjunction with the U.S. 36th Infantry Division’s crossing of the Rapido River.

31st Fighter Group Spitfires down three GAF fighters and damage or possibly down four others during afternoon missions over central Italy.

RAF
BASE CHANGES
118 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Detling
241 Sqn (Spitfire IX) moves to Madna
257 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Beaulieu

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
51 Sqn (Snaith) flies its first OM in the Halifax III
132 Sqn (Castletown) flies its first OM and starts its second tour of duty in the Spitfire VB
158 Sqn (Lissett) flies its first OM in the Halifax III
169 Sqn (Little Snoring) flies its first OM in the Mosquito NFII
239 Sqn (Hornchurch) flies its first OM in the Mosquito NFII
578 Sqn (Snaith – Halifax III) flies its first OM of the war

427 Sqn RCAF (Leeming – Halifax V) 21-1-44
Twelve aircraft were detailed for an operation against MAGDEBURG, which turned out to be one of the most unfortunate efforts of the Lions in quite some time. Of the twelve aircraft which became airborne, aircraft “C” piloted by F/S King, returned early because flexible tube to Navigators oxygen mask was missing and could not be found in the aircraft thereby not permitting him to draw the necessary oxygen. Aircraft "Y" piloted by P/O T. COOPER returned early after the starboard inner engine became unserviceable due to a technical failure. Four aircraft failed to return from the operation including "D" piloted by the "A" Flight Commander S/L DON M. ARNOT, DFC, who had only a few days previous been awarded his gong. Flying as second pilot with S/L ARNOT was the new Officer Commanding of No. 424 Squadron, W/C MARTIN, who had only recently returned to England after very intensive and meritorious service in the Middle East. The remaining three crews which failed to return were captained by inexperienced pilots whose operational records range from 2 to 5 trips they were as follows, F/S R.N. WEIR, SGT G.W.C. TOAL, and F/O J.E. DICKINSON

The remaining aircraft arrived at the target area to find it covered by 5/10ths clouds, and each bombed as indicated in the individual sortie records on the Form 541. Aircraft "U" piloted by F/S C.H. COATHUP, immediately after the Bomb Aimer had ordered bomb doors closed, encountered a stream of tracer, and a Me.109 s sighted on the port bow, down, about 500 yards away. The pilot then executed combat manoeuvre which consisted of a diving tum to port. At this point the fighter was diving onto the Halifax and let loose with a short burst, of cannon and machine gun fire, which missed the target. His second burst, however, fared better and damaged both starboard engines. The fighter then broke off the attack on the port beamdown and flew away astern. Neither gunner were able to return fire as the hun was out of range by the time they could bring their guns to bear.

The action of “Z” under the capable captaining of F/S A.R. CLIBBERY, can boat be extolled by quoting an extract from the Wing Commander'srecommendation for the Distinguished Flying Modal, which was dispatched the following day.

"While over the target area coned in searchlights and surrounded by fighter flares, his aircraft was raked by cannon and machine gun fire from an enemy fighter, destroying the inner communication system, the supply of oxygen, shooting away all flying instruments and setting the aircraft on fire in the Flight Engineer’s position. Despite this attack, this captain completed his bombing run, and under very difficult weather conditions flew his aircraft home, and made a safe landing.

F/S Clibbery has shown great fortitude throughout the operation and by his skillful airmanship, successfully completed his duties."

In this action, the enemy fighter in question was destroyed by Sgt. R.K.QUALLE, the mid-upper gunner, under very trying conditions. The fighter had shot away one of his guns and had penetrated the turret perspex by machine gun fire. Even though Sgt. QUALLE was dazed by searchlights, and cut by flying perspex, he brought his guns to bear and downed the hum. For this skillful handing of his guns, he too was recommended for the award of the D.F.M.

ADDENDUM – Halifax V LK293 ZL-B. Crew: F/S GWC Toal RCAFKIA, Sgt R Richards KIA, F/O RA Carson RCAF KIA, Sgt R Fuller RCAF POW, WO2 WJ Ogilvie RCAF POW, Sgt F Spence POW, Sgt N Smith RCAF KIA. T/o 2000 Leeming. Outbound, very badly damaged by Uffz Emil Nonnenmacher 9./NJG, which left the Halifax with most of its rudders destroyed and petrol streaming from its tanks. Despite these immense difficulties, the target was attacked but shortly afterwards the engines started to fail due to lack of fuel. The aircraft was abandoned, and it crashed and exploded near Hamersleben. F/S Toal has no known grave, Sgts Richards and Smith are buried in the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery.

Halifax V LL139 ZL-D. Crew: S/L DM Arnot RCAF KIA, W/C AN Martin RCAF KIA, P/O RAN Rondelet RCAF KIA, P/O LWW Jones RCAF KIA, F/O MV Thome RCAF POW, P/O R Dawson KIA, P/O LS Gray RCAF KIA, P/O RO Nickerson RCAF KIA. T/o 2000 Leeming. Attacked at 19,500 feet by Uffz Albert P Thiele (3rd victory 1./NJG3. The order to abandon was given, but before the crew could react, the Halifax exploded, throwing clear F/O Thom. The others are buried in the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery. P/O Rondelet was from Belgium.

Note. It is believed this is the first all commissioned crew reported missing from BC Operations in 1944.

Halifax V LL169 ZL-L. Crew: P/O JE Dickerson RCAF POW, Sgt WH Blake POW, Sgt AA Deane POW, F/O CS Lambert POPW, Sgt JF Pratt POW, Sgt N Martin RCAF POW, Sgt RC Bechtold POW. Abandoned after being engaged by a night-fighter, at 19,000 feet in the target area, and crashed near Börssum, 90 km W of Magdeburg. The LW pilot was either Hptm Julius Schürbel (1st victory) 4./NJG5 or Lt. Robert Wof (5th victory) 3./NJG5.

Halifax V LL176 ZL-Q. Crew: F/S RN Weir RCAF KIA, Sgt JI Jones KIA, F/O VM Warwick RCAF KIA, F/O EL MacKeigan RCAF KIA, Sgt WT Morgan KIA, Sgt RN Lehman RCAF POW. T/o 2000 Leeming. Set on fire by a Ju-88 before being subjected to several attacks by an Me-109, exploded and crashed 1 km N of Glöthe. LW pilots were Fw Rudolf Frank (22nd vicory ) 6./NJG3 and Lt Manfred Dieterie (3rd vicory) 3./JG300. Those who died rest in Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery.

Note. These were the last Halifax Vs reported missing from 427 Squadron, now in the process of receiving Halifax IIIs.

BOMBER COMMAND
MAGDEBURG
648 aircraft – 421 Lancasters, 224 Halifaxes, 3 Mosquitoes – on the first major raid to this target. The German controller again followed the progress of the bomber stream across the North Sea and many night fighters were in the stream before it crossed the German coast. The controller was very slow to identify Magdeburg as the target but this did not matter too much because most of the night fighters were able to stay in the bomber stream, a good example of the way the Tame Boar tactics were developing. 57 aircraft – 35 Halifaxes, 22 Lancasters – were lost, 8.8 percent of the force; it is probable that three quarters of the losses were caused by German night fighters. The Halifax loss rate was 15.6 percent!

The heavy bomber casualties were not rewarded with a successful attack. Some of the Main Force aircraft now had H2S and winds which were stronger than forecast brought some of these into the target area before the Pathfinders’ Zero Hour. The crews of 27 Main Force aircraft were anxious to bomb and did so before Zero Hour. The Pathfinders blamed the fires started by this early bombing, together with some very effective German decoy markers, for their failure to concentrate the marking. No details are available from Magdeburg but it is believed that most of the bombing fell outside the city. An R.A.F. man who was in hospital at Magdeburg at the time reports only, ‘bangs far away’.

BERLIN
22 Lancasters and 12 Mosquitoes of 5 and 8 Groups carried out a diversionary raid; 1 Lancaster lost.

FLYING-BOMB SITES
111 aircraft – 89 Stirlings, 12 Lancasters, 10 Mosquitoes – carried out raids on 6 sites in France without loss.

Minor Operations: 8 Mosquitoes to Oberhausen and 5 to Rheinhausen, 8 R.C.M. sorties, 5 Serrate patrols, 8 Wellingtons minelaying off St-Nazaire, 16 O.T.U. sorties. No aircraft lost.

Total effort for the night: 843 sorties, 58 aircraft (6.9 percent) were lost. The number of aircraft lost was the heaviest in any night of the war so far, but only by 2 aircraft.

Magdeburg operation as planned: Operations for the night: 2nd TAF
Units engaged in attacking the 'Noball' sites were finding the surrounding Flak defences even more effective. On the 21st, 21 Squadron lost two Mosquitoes off Bruneval during one such attack on a site at St Pierre, both aircraft coming down in the sea with the loss of both crews.

Several 'Ramrods' were undertaken during the day, 403 and 421 Squadrons sweeping to the Dieppe-Amiens-Cambrai-Arras area. Over the latter location, four Fw 190s were seen and attacked by 403 Squadron from 19,000 feet, two being claimed shot down and one damaged at 1240, one of the successful pilots again being Plt Off Claude Weaver. 'Ramrod 468" was an attack on Le Grismot by Mitchells, which was escorted by 122 Airfield Spitfires. Over the Somme Estuary an aircraft identified as an Me 210 (possibly an Me 410) was seen at 12,000 feet, Wg Car Grant leading pilots of 122 Squadron down to attack, and sharing its destruction with the squadron as a whole. A second such aircraft was spotted near Hucqueliers by Flt Lt Z.Drybanski of 306 Squadron, who attacked and claimed to have damaged this. Following an examination of his camera gun footage, this claim was upgraded to 'destroyed.

USAAF
ENGLAND: The first air echelon of the 457th Heavy Bombardment Group, in B-17s, arrives from the United States for service with the 1st Bombardment Division’s 94th Combat Bombardment Wing.

FRANCE: After being grounded for a full week by bad weather over the Continent, 795 Eighth Air Force B-17s and B-24s are dispatched against 36 V-weapons sites in the Cherbourg and Pas-de-Calais areas. Results are decidedly mixed due to heavy cloud cover. Four hundred one of the heavy bombers never drop their bombs, but 26 V-weapons sites and several targets of opportunity, including three airdromes, are eventually attacked by 394 heavy bombers releasing 1,141 tons of bombs. Six bombers are lost.

Escort and support for the mission is provided by a record 628 USAAF fighters (including a new P-47 unit, the 361st Fighter Group, in its combat debut). USAAF P-47 pilots down seven GAF fighters against the loss of one P-47 and its pilot. 56th Fighter Group P-47s turn in the first claims in the theater for GAF fighters destroyed during a strafing attack on an enemy airdrome.

One hundred nineteen IX Bomber Command medium bombers also attack V-weapons sites.

In an effort to stop at the source GAF bomber attacks on shipping and bases in Corsica and Sardinia, a total of 72 Fifteenth Air Force B-17s attack the GAF airdromes at Salon-de-Provence and Istres-le-Tube at about noon with an aggregate of 228 tons of bombs. Damage is heavy and both bases are put out of commission temporarily just as a major Allied amphibious landing is about to take place in central Italy. Six GAF fighters are downed over southern France by 1st and 82d Fighter group P-38 escort pilots.

ITALY: Fifteenth Air Force B-24s attack marshalling yards at Pisa, Pontedera, and Prato; Fifteenth Air Force B-17s attack marshalling yards and a bridge at Rimini, and a marshalling yard at Porto Civitanova; XII Bomber Command B-26s attack rail bridges around Orvieto; XII Bomber Command B-25s attack a bridge at Pontecorvo and rail lines around Rome; XII Air Support Command A-20s attack Atina; and XII Air Support Command A-36s and P-40s attack numerous tactical targets, troop concentrations, and a radar station in the U.S. Fifth Army zone.

325th Fighter Group P-47 pilots down four FW-190s near Florence at about 1230 hours.

RAF
BASE CHANGES
64 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Ayr
80 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC)moves to Madna
168 Sqn (Mustang IA) moves to Lianbedr
174 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Eastchurch
182 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Merston
252 Sqn (Beaufighter TFX) moves to Mersa Matruh West
313 Sqn (Spitfire LFIXB) moves to Ibsley
331 Sqn (Spitfire LFIXB) moves to North Weald
332 Sqn (Spitfire LFIXB) moves to North Weald

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
78 Sqn (Brighton) flies its last OM in the Halifax II
87 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) flies its last OM in the Hurricane IIC
504 Sqn (Hornchurch) flies its first OM in the Spitfire LFIXB
547 Sqn (St. Eval) flies its first OM in the Liberator V
428 Sqn RCAF (Middleton St. George) flies its last OM in the Halifax V

268 Sqn (Turnhouse – Mustang IA) 22-1-44
OPERATIONS: P/O A.R. HILL, D.F.C. and F/L M. LISSNER (No. 2) carried out PHOTOGRAPHIC RECCE of LILLE VENDEVILLE AIRFIELD. Landfall BRAY DUNE PLAGE. Both aircraft made good runs over target and obtained good photographs. Came out over GRAVELINES. No FLAK or aircraft seen.

F/L A. BREES and F/O F. JENKINS carried out PHOTOGRAPHIC RECCE of CAMBRAI EPINOY Airfield. Landfall POINTE DE ST. QUENTIN, flying at 2000’. F/L BREES obtained photographs (oblique) from 2300'; F/O JENKINS also took photographs. Much FLAK, light and heavy from CAMBRAI and PREVANT. To avoid this both aircraft went to zero feet. Attacked by two Focke-Wulf 190's three miles South of HESDIN. In course of violent evasive action F/L BREES flew through a tree and the enemy aircraft followed him. It is thought to have crashed as it disappeared and F/L BREES saw smoke. P/O JENKINS shook off the other aircraft. Our section crossed coast POINTE HAUT BLANC and landed at FRISTON, both aircraft being damaged but pilots unhurt.

2nd TAF
268 Squadron re-commenced operations following a break for training, two Mustang IAs undertaking a 'Popular' operation during which they were attacked by two Fw 190s south of Hesdin. They escaped after Flg Off Jenkins' aircraft had been hit and damaged, Flt Lt Brees then hitting a tree as he manoeuvred at low level. He then saw one of his attackers apparently fly into a similar obstacle and blow up; he was awarded a probable victory in respect of this.

USAAF
ITALY: Beginning at 0200 hours, the Anzio beachhead is established by an Anglo-American invasion force supported by air and naval bombardment. Thanks to Fifteenth Air Force attacks on GAF bomber bases in southern France on January 21, only two of the 58 GAF aircraft that attack the beachhead and fleet on January 22 are bombers. Nearly the entire Twelfth Air Force is dedicated to supporting the invasion.

Fifteenth Air Force B-24s attack the marshalling yard at Arezzo and a road defile at Terracina; and Fifteenth Air Force B-17s attack a marshalling yard and the airdrome at Pontedera, a marshalling yard and rail bridges at Terni, and highway and rail bridges around Pontecorvo and Stazione di Campoleone.

In several afternoon clashes, Twelfth and Fifteenth air force fighter pilots down 12 GAF fighters over central Italy, especially between Anzio and Rome.

RAF
BASE CHANGES
2 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to North Weald

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
87 Sqn (Palermo) flies its first OMs in the Spitfire VB & VC
93 Sqn (Lago) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VC
250 Sqn (Cutella) flies its first OM in the Kittyhawk IV

401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire LFIXB) 23-1-44
The weather was duff for flying in the early morning but cleared enough to allow practice flying at 11.00 hours which continued through the afternoon till 17.00 hours. At 14.50, the Wing was airborne on Ramrod 472 as close escort to 54 Marauders in the Pas de Calais area. The show was unexciting and the Wing returned safely to base. Pilot states: 18 op., 1 non-operational, 1 in hospital, 3 detached.

BOMBER COMMAND
MINOR OPERATIONS
37 Mosquitoes dispatched to 6 different targets, 3 R.C.M. sorties, 9 aircraft minelaying off Cherbourg, Brest and Le Havre. No aircraft lost.

2nd TAF
During 'Ramrod 472' Marauders were escorted by 132 and 134 Airfield units during the early afternoon. At 1540, two pilots of 306 Squadron engaged a pair of Fw 190s near Gravelines and claimed damage to one, while five minutes later, Lt Col Birksted and his Norwegian pilots claimed three of four shot down after pursuing them from Amiens to Breteuil.

USAAF
FRANCE: Approximately 200 IX Bomber Command B-26s attack V-weapons sites along the Channel coast.

ITALY: Fifteenth Air Force B-24s attack marshalling yards at three locations, Rieti Airdrome, a landing ground near Iesi, a bridge, and several targets of opportunity; Fifteenth Air Force B-17s attack marshalling yards at two locations, a rail line, a rail bridge, and two highway bridges; XII Bomber Command B-25s and B-26s attack targets in and around Avezzano, and B-25s also attack a road junction; XII Air Support Command A-20s attack Vallecorsa; XII Air Support A-36s attack numerous tactical targets; and XII Air Support Command fighters cover the Anzio beachhead throughout the day.

Spitfire pilots of the 52d Fighter Group’s 2d Fighter Squadron down two Ju-88s and three He-111s near the port of Viareggio at about 1650 hours.

The 414th Night-Fighter Squadron moves nine of its twelve Beaufighters, with air and maintenance crews, into the Anzio beachhead area. At 1940 hours, following 30 minutes of stalking and chasing, a 414th Squadron aircrew downs a Do-217 that had been picked up on the Beaufighter’s airborne radar as it crossed the northern tip of Sardinia. Twenty minutes later, a second 414th Squadron Beaufighter crew downs a Ju-88 from the same GAF night-raiding formation.

Col William S. Gravely is named to head the XII Air Force Training and Replacement Command.

YUGOSLAVIA: 57th Fighter Group P-47 fighter-bombers attack a bridge at Skradin.

RAF
BASE CHANGES
118 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Peterhead
263 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Beaulieu

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
214 Sqn (Sculthorpe) flies its last OM in the Stirling III

401 Sqn RCAF (Biggin Hill – Spitfire LFIXB) 24-1-44
The weather was fair, and the Wing was airborne at 0915 on Ramrod 475 with 64 Marauders in the Le Treport-Poix-Amiens area. The show was unexciting, except that when half-way between Boulougne and Dungeness, F/Lt. J. Sheppard was seen gliding down towards the water. He had no R/T and his engine was dead. He began to lose height from 11,000 feet and at approximately 2,800 feet, was seen to bale out. His descent was covered by the reminder of Yellow Section F/O H.K. Hayward and F/O W.T. Klerey remained on the scene and sent F/Lt. R.A. Haywood back to base. F/O Klerey left short of petrol, but met the Walrus on the way back and guided it back to the scene. F/0 Klerey landed at Hawkinge with only 2 gallons of petrol, which was a very good effort. F/Lt. Sheppard was finally picked up by the Air Sea Rescue launch, the sea being too rough for the Walrus to land, after he had been in the water for about an hour. He was taken to Hawkinge, where the C.O. later picked him up, quite well and thoroughly flushed with Naval hospitality. State: 20 oper., 6 non-oper., 1 in hospital, 2 on leave, 1 on posting.

2nd TAF
On the 24th, 19 Squadron flew its last sorties with Spitfires, following which all squadrons at 122 Airfield were ordered to pass their Mark IXBS to the Canadians at 127 Airfield, to replace the latter's Mark IXAS. 19, 65 and 122 Squadrons were now to complete re-equipment with Mustang IIIs.

USAAF
BULGARIA: Fifteenth Air Force B-17s attack marshalling yards at two locations.

1stLt David D. Kienholz, a P-38 pilot with the 1st Fighter Group’s 94th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs an FW-190 over the airdrome at Sofia. Altogether, three GAF fighters are downed and four others are damaged or possibly downed over Sofia by 1st and 82d Fighter group P-38 pilots between 1215 and 1230 hours.

FRANCE: Approximately 175 IX Bomber Command B-26s attack V-weapons sites along the Channel coast.

GERMANY: The Eighth Air Force’s briefed mission against aircraft-industry targets and marshalling yards at Frankfurt am Main turns into a complete shambles when the 857 B-17s and B-24s encounter immense problems forming up over England. Only 563 bombers are actually dispatched, none from the 2d Bombardment Division, which is recalled while still over England. Finally, as the lead 3d Bombardment Division combat wing is approaching the German frontier at 1020 hours, the mission is canceled and all bombers are recalled. Nevertheless, the 56 3d Bombardment Division B-17s in the lead wing, plus two stray 1st Bombardment Division B-17s, elect to carry out an attack on a target of opportunity, and they drop 143 tons of bombs on a power station at Eschweiler. Two 95th Heavy Bombardment Group B-17s are downed by enemy fire and two other B-17s are lost in operational accidents during takeoffs.

The VIII Fighter Command dispatches a record 678 fighters to escort and support the heavy bombers. An attempt is made to test a new area-patrol technique—tying specific groups to specific areas along the bomber route—but the effort is abandoned due to the weather-related problems encountered by the bombers. Twenty-one GAF fighters are downed over France, Belgium, and western Germany between 1115 and 1310 hours. Losses among USAAF fighters, however, amount to four P-38s, three P-47s, and two P-51s, and all their pilots.

ITALY: All Twelfth Air Force bombers are grounded by bad weather, but XII Air Support Command A-36s and P-40 fighter-bombers are able to attack various communications targets in central Italy. Also, Twelfth Air Force fighters provide continuous cover over the Anzio beachhead.

52d Fighter Group Spitfire pilots down two Do-217s and damage another near Pisa at 1635 hours.

YUGOSLAVIA: Fifteenth Air Force B-24s attack the town airdrome at Skoplje.

RAF
BASE CHANGES
255 Sqn (Beaufighter VIF) moves to Foggia Main
501 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Southend

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
19 Sqn (Gravesend) flies its last OM in the Spitfire IX
232 Sqn (Aleppo) flies its first OM in the Spitfire IX