Action This Day

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7-7-44
467 Sqn RAAF (Waddington – Lancaster I/III)
Operating, on a similar programme as was to have been on yesterday - 18 taking part. All away. The target was St. LEU D’ESSERENT once again, as the effort on July 4/5th was not entirely satisfactory. It is hoped this time to put it completely out of action.

AUS404713 P/O AB BOYLE arrived today to commence his second tour.

During the day 2 flights, totaling 5 hours, were made.

ADDENDUM – Lancaster I LM219 PO-G. Crew: F/L RW Reynolds KIA, JD O’Driscoll RNZAF KIA, Sgt RJ Taylor KIA, F/S LJG Walsh RAAF EVD, F/S S Adams RAAF EVD, F/S HA Cummins RAAF KIA, Sgt GT Tipping KIA, F/S GG Podosky RAAF KIA. T/o 2221 Waddington. Shot down by any one of 4 LW pilots. Those who died rest in Marissel French National Cemetery.

ADDENDUM – Lancaster III LM338 PO-U. Crew: F/O PW Ryan RAAF KIA, Sgt GA Hayes KIA, W/O CC Jones RAAF KIA, F/S VE Cockcroft RAAF KIA, F/S LH Porritt RAAF KIA, F/S WDD Killworth RAAF KIA, F/S JP Steffan RAAF KIA. T/o 2222 Waddington. Shot sown by any one of 3 LW pilots, crashed at Courgent, 12 KM SSW from Mantes-la-Jolie. All lie in Courgent General Cemetery.

BOMBER COMMAND
NORMANDY BATTLE AREA

467 aircraft – 283 Lancasters, 164 Halifaxes, 20 Mosquitoes – of 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups in a major effort to assist in the Normany land battle.

The Canadian 1st and British 2nd Armies were held up by a series of fortified village strongpoints north of Caen. The first plan was for Bomber Command to bomb these villages but, because of the proximity of friendly troops and the possibility of bombing error, the bombing area was moved back nearer to Caen, covering a stretch of open ground and the northern edge of the city. The weather was clear for the raid, which took place in the evening, and two aiming points were well marked by Oboe Mosquitoes and other Pathfinder aircraft. The Master Bomber, Wing Commander S. P. (Pat) Daniels of 35 Squadron, then controlled a very accurate raid. Dust and smoke soon obscured the markers but the bombing always remained concentrated. 2,276 tons of bombs were dropped.

It was afterwards judged that the bombing should have been aimed at the original targets. Few Germans were killed in the area actually bombed, although units near by were considerably shaken. The northern suburbs of Caen were ruined. No German fighters appeared and only 1 Lancaster, of 166 Squadron, was shot down by Flak. 2 further Lancasters and 1 Mosquito crashed behind the Allied lines in France. (For statistical purposes, Bomber Command aircraft which were recorded as having crashed in France, and later in other reoccupied countries in Europe, will be considered as ‘lost’, as it was unlikely that the aircraft would be salvaged for later use, although the crews often returned safely to England.)

7/8 July 1944
ST-LEU-D’ESSERENT
208 Lancasters and 13 Mosquitoes, mainly from 5 Group but with some Pathfinder aircraft, attacked a flying-bomb storage dump in a group of tunnels (formerly used for growing mushrooms). The bombing was accurately directed on to the mouths of the tunnels and on to the approach roads, thus blocking access to the flying bombs stored there.

German night fighters intercepted the bombing force and 29 Lancasters and 2 Mosquitoes were lost, 14.0 percent of the force. 106 Squadron, from Metheringham, lost 5 of its 16 Lancasters on the raid and 630 Squadron, from East Kirkby, lost its commanding officer, Wing Commander W. I. Deas, who was flying his 69th operation. Wing Commander Deas was killed and is buried in a small cemetery at Omer-ville, north-west of Versailles.

VAIRES
123 Lancasters and 5 Mosquitoes of 1 and 8 Groups carried out an accurate raid on the railway yards without the loss of any aircraft.

SUPPORT AND MINOR OPERATIONS
106 aircraft of 1, 3, 5 and 93 Groups on a diversionary sweep almost to the coast of Holland, 7 Mosquitoes of 5 Group dropping ‘spoof’ markers in support of the St-Leu-d’Esserent raid, 32 Mosquitoes to Berlin and 9 to Scholven/Buer, 48 aircraft on R.C.M. sorties or Resistance operations (no breakdown available), 83 Mosquito patrols. 2 Mosquitoes were lost from the Berlin raid and 1 aircraft (type not recorded) was lost from a Resistance flight.

Total effort for the night: 634 sorties, 34 aircraft (5.3 percent) lost.

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2nd TAF
The next day proved to be another of fierce engagements right across the Invasion area. The daybegan for 2nd TAF when Spitfires of 412 Squadron flew an armed reconnaissance over Bernay, L'Aigle and Argentan, starting off at 0630. German fighters engaged in combat with Mustangs and the Canadians waded in, a Focke-Wulf and a Messerschmitt claimed shot down north-east of Bernay at 0710.

Patrols were launched throughout the morning, Spitfires from 401 Squadron encountering some 12 or so Bf 109s near Cabourg soon after 1100, Flt Lt W.R.McRae claiming one shot down. Four more of the unit's aircraft followed, encountering four Bf 109s near Lisieux, accompanied by 20 Fw 190s. Flt Lt A.L.Sinclair claimed a Focke-Wulf and then a Messerschmitt, which he thought dived into the ground before his fire had actually hit it.

Another patrol from 132 Squadron also spotted eight Fw 190s, one being claimed by Plt Off N.V.Chevers. During one of these late morning encounters, a Spitfire was claimed shot down by Lt Prager of II./JG 26; no loss was actually suffered. However at 1230 a 602 Squadron Spitfire was hit by Flak near Aunay whilst attacking railway targets, with Plt Off L.D.Kidd, RCAF killed.

It was then the turn of 412 Squadron again; another patrol which had taken off at 1420 over the same area as the unit had covered earlier, again met hostiles, Flt Lt R.I.A.Smith, a veteran of Malta, claiming one Fw 190 and Flg Off G.T.Schwalm a second, whilst a third was claimed damaged. However Flt Lt W.B.Needham's aircraft was hit by Flak south-west of Falaise, and was shot down; once more, the pilot was able to evade capture and return.

At 1616 132 Squadron took off in squadron strength, the unit's 12 Spitfires engaging 15 fighters in a very one-sided fight at about 1645. Four Bf 109s and three Fw 190s were claimed shot down, one of each by Flg Off Francis Campbell, who also claimed damage to a second Focke-Wulf, whilst other pilots claimed a probable and four more damaged, all in the Lisieux area. This was all achieved without loss, despite Lt Dieter Zink and Uffz Lederer of III./JG 3 each claiming a Spitfire during this engagement.

Close behind 132 Squadron more Spitfires from 411 Squadron had commenced an armed reconnaissance at 1630, eight to ten Fw 190s being seen east of Caen at 1710, where Flt Lt G.W.Johnson claimed one shot down and Flt Lt H.J.Nixon one damaged. Finally, during a late evening patrol at around 2100, 401 Squadron pilots reported at least eight Bf 109s in the same area, again one destroyed and one damaged being claimed.

On this date II. Jagdkorps lost 19 fighters, including seven Fw 190s and 11 Bf 109s. 2nd TAF fighters claimed seven Fw 190s, but so did their US counterparts; claims for Bf 109s were seven and two respectively.

The day was also marked by the posting of Sqn Ldr B.D.Russel from 442 Squadron to replace Wg Cdr George Keefer (tour expired) as Wing Leader, 126 Wing. It was his second posting as Wg Cdr Flying, as he had led the Wing during the previous year. Following his rest tour, he had dropped rank to Sqn Ldr in order to get back on operations; his position in his old unit was taken by Flt Lt H.J.Dowding.

USAAF
CZECHOSLOVAKIA: Fifteenth Air Force B-24s attack an armaments factory at Dubnica.

FRANCE: More than 100 IX Bomber Command B-26s and A-20s attack rail bridges near Tours and targets of opportunity around Beauzeville and Lisieux. More than 500 Ninth Air Force fighters and fighter- bombers patrol the beachhead area and bomb and strafe a broad variety of tactical and communications targets in western France.

IX TAC fighter pilots down eight GAF fighters over France between 0930 and 2025 hours. Capt Felix M. Rogers, a P-51 pilot with the 354th Fighter Group’s 353d Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs two FW-190s over Perdreauville at 2025 hours.

During the night of July 7–8, to help alleviate V-1 terror attacks on targets in England, 32 B-26s from the IX Bomber Command’s 322d Medium Bombardment Group are dispatched to attack the V- weapons headquarters at Chateau de Ribeaucourt. Alerted by radar, GAF night-fighters, some using flares, down nine B-26s. Bomber gunners down a single- engine night-fighter and a Ju-88.

GERMANY: Nine hundred thirty-nine Eighth Air Force B-17s and B-24s, escorted by 656 VIII Fighter Command fighters, attack three synthetic-oil plants, eight aircraft-assembly plants, marshalling yards at two locations, an equipment depot, railway repair shops, a railroad station, and two airdromes in central Germany. Thirty-seven heavy bombers are lost and 390 are damaged. Also, 166 escort fighters strafe airfields and rail targets.

Six escort fighters and their pilots are lost. Capt James M. Morris, a P-38 ace with the 20th Fighter Group’s 77th Fighter Squadron, brings his victory tally to 7.333 when he downs an Me-410 near Halle at 0935 hours, but Morris is then downed by another Me-410 and taken prisoner; and Col Glenn E. Duncan, the commanding officer of the 353d Fighter Group and a 19.5- victory P-47 ace, is downed by flak. Duncan (who is the third 353d group commander in a row to be shot down) evades capture and will continue to do so until April 22, 1945, when he returns to Allied hands.

VIII Fighter Command escort pilots down 77 GAF aircraft over Germany between 0830 and 1045 hours. LtCol Claiborne H. Kinnard, Jr., the 355th Fighter Group executive officer, in a P-51, achieves ace status when he downs two Me-410s and a Bf-109 near Lingen at about 0830 hours; Capt Frederick J. Christensen, Jr., a P-47 ace with the 56th Fighter Group’s 62d Fighter Squadron, brings his final personal tally to 21.5 confirmed victories when he downs six Ju-52s near Gardlegen Airdrome at about 1045 hours; and 2dLt Billy G. Edens, a P-47 pilot with the 56th Fighter Group’s 62d Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs three Ju-52s in the same engagement.

Fifteenth Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack two synthetic-fuel plants at Blechhammer, and B-24s also attack a synthetic-fuel plant and a coke plant at Odertal. Escort pilots from the 52d, 82d, and 325th Fighter groups down 13 Axis fighters along the bomber routes between 0950 and 1240 hours. Overall, 18 Fifteenth Air Force aircraft are lost on the day’s various missions.

ITALY: Twelfth Air Force B-25s and B-26s attack rail bridges and a fuel dump; XII TAC A-20s attack several fuel dumps; and XII TAC fighter-bombers attack Ferrara Airdrome, a town, ammunition dumps, and various tactical and communications targets.

During the night of July 7–8, XII TAC A-20s attack several defended towns.

YUGOSLAVIA: Fifteenth Air Force B-24s attack the airdrome and marshalling yards at Zagreb.

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
88 Sqn (Hartforfbridge) flies its first OM in the Boston IV
347 Sqn (Elvington) flies its last OM in the Halifax V
406 Sqn RCAF (Winkleigh) flies its last OM in the Mosquito NFXII
608 Sqn (Pomigliano) flies its last OM in the Hudson IIIA
627 Sqn (Woodhall Spa) flies its first OM in the Mosquito BXX

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8-7-44
439 Sqn RCAF (B.9 Lantheuil – Typhoon IB)
A large Chateau at a cross-road just south-east of Palatae was believed to be a German Military Headquarters of some importance. Six aircraft, each carrying 2 x 500 lb, bambs, were led by F/L Scharff in the first attack on the target. While crossing over the enemy lines just west of Caen, a barrage of heavy flak caused damage to the aircraft flow by F/O Thomas, P.M. Frank reported damage to his aircraft, adding that he was turning back, In attempting an emergency landing at B,4, the aircraft suddenly fell out of control at 100 feet on the final approach, machine dove, burst into flames, and one bomb exploded. F/O Thomas was thrown clear of the burning wreckage and died instantly. The remaining five aircraft reached the target and dropped all 10 bombs in the immediate target area despite a rather shallow angle of dive from 6000 to 2000 feet in the attack from south-west to north-east, The crossing out of enemy territory was made east of Caen, No flak trouble there,

BOMBER COMMAND
MINOR OPERATIONS
10 Mosquitoes to Scholven/Buer, 8 Halifaxes and 4 Stirlings minelaying off Biscay coasts, 7 aircraft on Resistance operations, 8 Mosquitoes on flying-bomb patrols. No aircraft lost.

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2nd TAF
The night of 7/8 July was to be an extremely busy one, Bomber Command launching a heavy raid on Caen preparatory to a new assault on the city in the morning. II. Jagdkorps launched 95 sorties and its night fighters claimed 66 bombers shot down, including 19 four-engined aircraft and five B-26s by I./JG 301 alone. Losses suffered during the night included a single Boston from 2nd TAF's 88 Squadron operating in the Loire-Seine area (and a considerable number of Ninth Air Force B-26s). A second Boston was damaged by Flak and force-landed on return to England, while a 21 Squadron Mosquito VI was also hit by Flak, making a wheels-up landing back at Thorney Island. One of 69 Squadron's Wellingtons was again intercepted, but escaped, Sgt T.S.Higgot, the tail gunner, claiming damage to a Fw 190.

In the other direction 91 IX. Fliegerkorps bombers undertook minelaying activities, while 24 more attacked villages and roads west of the Orne, and airfields in the Caen-Bayeux area. Five of this command's aircraft failed to return, most apparently falling to 85 Group Mosquitoes; a Ju 88R of I./NJG 4 was also lost over Beauvais. Flt Lt S.B.Huppert/Flg Off J.S.Christie of 410 Squadron claimed a Ju 88 between 0045-0100, whilst two more were claimed near Beauvais, one a Ju 188 by Flg Off H.F.Pearce/Plt Off P.J.Smith of 409 Squadron at 0050, this crew claiming a second - this time a Ju 88 - in the same area at 0105. Twenty minutes later Sqn Ldr I.A.March/Flt Lt Eyolfson of 410 Squadron claimed an Me 410 on the south-western outskirts of Paris. An unidentified aircraft was claimed by Flg Off Bennett/Wt Off Gordon of 29 Squadron during an intruder sortie to Brussels, this aircraft seen to crash without Bennett having to fire a shot. Further afield another Ju 88 was shot down by an ADGB intruder.

However, during the first of the engagements described above, Huppert's Mosquito had been hit by debris from his victim, and the starboard engine knocked out. Christie, the radar operator, managed to bale out into the sea from where he was safely picked up, but Huppert was killed.

During the night a new form of attack, which had commenced during June, was again undertaken by the Luftwaffe. It is generally thought that the air-launching of V-1 flying bombs from He 111 'mother' aircraft only began to occur after the main launching sites for these missiles in the Pas de Calais area were overrun by the Allied advance during late August and early September. In fact during the night of 7/8 July ten aircraft from III./KG 3 launched eight of these bombs against London, and by the end of July at least 243 would have been launched towards the British capital and 70 against the port of Southampton by this unit.

During the day II. Jagdkorps would launch 259 sorties in an effort to support the Wehrmacht, but recorded that "...owing to great enemy activity our own aircraft were only able to carry out their tasks to a limited extent, as they were intercepted by enemy fighters in the Paris-Dreux area before reaching the battle area." Under the circumstances, the Jagdwaffe was able to claim only two victories throughout the day, both of these against US aircraft. In return they lost two Fw 190s and six Bf 109s, one of the former and two of the latter being claimed by US pilots.

The only 2nd TAF unit to meet opposition was 19 Squadron, whose Mustangs flew an armed reconnaissance over the Caen-Villers Bocage area, where two Bf 109s were seen. Both were claimed shot down over Alencon by Flt Lt D.P.Lamb, Flg Off J.M.Maynard and Flt Sgt B.Vassiliades, and were probably TacR aircraft of 3/NAGr 14, which lost two aircraft within this area during the day:

2nd TAF did not escape unscathed however, Flak continuing to take its toll. One Typhoon of 439 Squadron was destroyed when it crashed whilst landing at B.4 after being hit by Flak; Flg Off F.McD.Thomas was killed. Three more 83 Group Typhoons and one Spitfire were damaged by Flak during the day, while a 182 Squadron Typhoon suffered severe damage on the ground when B.6 landing ground was bombed.

The day was also marked by the withdrawal of 133 Wing from 84 Group, the Polish Mustangs and those of 129 Squadron moving to Brenzett to undertake defensive patrols under ADGB control against the V-1s which were appearing in growing numbers over Southern England; they would not return to 2nd TAF.

The two 84 Group Typhoon Wings at Hurn, 123 and 136 (each with two squadrons) began a series of moves at the same time as reorganisation of Wings was taking place within 2nd TAF. The ground elements of 123 Wing had started moving in to B.10, Plumetot, a few days earlier, but now the aircraft of 198 and 609 Squadrons flew to B.5, as B.10 was unserviceable. They would continue operations from B.5, but the pilots would be transported to B.10 each evening to spend the night there, as no accommodation was available on the crowded strip near the villages of Le Fresne and Camilly. B.10 at this time was already occupied by 129 (RCAF) Wing, whose only resident unit was 184 Squadron, but this Wing would be disbanded on 12 July and replaced by 123 Wing (as will be detailed later). Meanwhile, despite the upheaval and the danger of being shelled, the evening trip to B.10 was popular with the pilots since the disbanding 129 Wing mess was disposing of its 'liquid assets' at no charge!

There were several further changes of command and promotions at this time which are of note. 135 Wing recorded the arrival of a famous Polish pilot, Wg Cdr Jan Zumbach, to lead the Wing for a few weeks, whilst next day Geoffrey Page would be promoted to lead 125 Wing, handing over 132 Squadron to Ken Charney, who was posted in from 602 Squadron. This latter unit also welcomed a new and distinguished commanding officer with the arrival on 8th of Sqn Ldr J.J. 'Chris' Le Roux, DFC & two Bars.

With the night fighters of 85 Group, Wg Cdr Constable-Maxwell handed over 604 Squadron to Wg Cdr F.Desmond Hughes, DFC & two Bars, although he would mark his departure by achieving a final victory over a Ju 88, also claiming a Do 217 as a probable during the night of 8/9th. In 2 Group, 613 Squadron's notable and well-respected leader, Wg Cdr Bateson, handed over to Wg Cdr C.W.M.Newman, DFC.

USAAF
AUSTRIA: Fifteenth Air Force heavy bombers attack targets in the Vienna area: the Markersdorf, Munchendorf, and Zwolfaxing airdromes; a marshalling yard; refineries at Korneuburg and Vosendorf; and the Floridsdorf oil storage facilities.

Escort pilots of the 52d, 82d, and 325th Fighter groups down 29 Axis fighters near Vienna, including many twin-engine bomber destroyers. Two 82d Fighter Group P-38 pilots achieve ace status on this mission: 1stLt Walter J. Carroll, Jr., of the 96th Fighter Squadron, when he downs three Me-410s near Vienna; and 1stLt Robert C. Griffith, of the 97th Fighter Squadron, when he downs one Bf-109 near Vienna. Maj Ralph J. Watson, the commanding officer of the 52d Fighter Group’s 2d Fighter Squadron, in P-51s, also achieves ace status when he downs a Bf-109 at 1100 hours.

Altogether, 14 Fifteenth Air Force aircraft are lost.

FRANCE: Despite poor weather that results in more than 550 aborts, 462 Eighth Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack numerous tactical targets, including V-weapons sites, bridges, rail junctions, marshalling yards, and several airfields. Nine B-17s are lost.

Escort for the heavy bombers is provided by 588 VIII Fighter Command fighters, and 86 VIII Fighter Command P-47 fighter-bombers attack the St.-Andre- de-L’Eure Airdrome. VIII Fighter Command pilots claim the destruction of 15 locomotives during the day. One fighter and its pilot are lost.

Approximately 280 IX Bomber Command B-26s and A-20s attack the V-weapons headquarters at Chateau de Ribeaucourt as well as German Army strongpoints around Caen, fuel dumps, and road and rail bridges. Ninth Air Force escort fighters and IX TAC fighter-bombers conduct armed-reconnaissance missions over a broad area of France, but especially in the Normandy battle area, where numerous tactical targets are attacked.

Ninth Air Force fighter pilots down three GAF fighters over France during the morning.

HUNGARY: Fifteenth Air Force heavy bombers attack Veszprem Airdrome.

ITALY: Twelfth Air Force B-25s and B-26s attack a rail line near Parma, and several marshalling yards; XII TAC A-20s attack fuel dumps; and XII TAC fighter-bombers attack lines of communication north of the rather fluid U.S. Fifth Army battle area.

BASE CHANGES
451 Sqn RAAF (Spitfire LFIXB) moves to St. Catherines

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
118 Sqn (Skeabrae) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VB
151 Sqn (Predannack) flies its first OM in the Mosquito FBVI
227 Sqn (Berka 3) flies its last OMs in the Beaufighter VI/ITF/TFX/XIC and in the MTO. It now leaves for the UK to convert to Lancasters.

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9-7-44
78 Sqn (Breighton – Halifax III)
27 Aircraft detailed for Operations, later announced 26 required. The Operation was cancelled at 18:45 hours, owing to expected thick ground mist over Base. All crews then stood by for early morning take off. The aircraft finally took off at 1130 hours in cloudy weather to attack a target in Northern France CHATEAU BERNAPRE. Weather was very cloudy, 10/10ths up to 16,000 feet, with icing conditions. 25 Aircraft dropped their bombs at heights from between 12,00 and 15,000 feet. Bombing done on GEE and instructions from Master Bomber. Crews reported a very scattered attack. Considered very unsatisfactory. One aircraft after losing two engines shortly after take off, was forced to ditch in the North Sea off Bridlington. All crew were soon rescued uninjured. The remainder of the aircraft landed safely in poor visibility low cloud and rain. 1 aircraft landed at RAF Burn.

BOMBER COMMAND
FLYING-BOMB SITES
347 aircraft – 197 Halifaxes, 120 Lancasters, 30 Mosquitoes – of 3, 4, 6 and 8 Groups bombed 6 launching sites but most of the targets were cloud-covered and some of the bombing was scattered. 1 Halifax and 1 Lancaster lost.

________________________________________
9/10 July 1944

MINOR OPERATIONS
8 Mosquitoes to Scholven/Buer, 14 R.C.M. sorties, 9 Serrate patrols, 8 Halifaxes and 4 Stirlings minelaying off Biscay ports, 19 aircraft on Resistance operations, 4 O.T.U. sorties. No aircraft lost.

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2nd TAF
At last on 9th, British I Corps units fought their way into Caen, taking all the city to the north of the River Orne, and also securing Carpiquet airfield. The city had been almost completely destroyed by the efforts of Bomber Command and artillery shelling. The fighting for the airfield at Carpiquet had been particularly fierce and had inflicted severe casualties on the Canadian infantry. Effective support had been received from the Typhoons, which in the closing stages of the capture of this objective on 4th and 5th had expended much effort against 17 dug-in tanks at the east end of the runway.

Despite this conclusion, the suburb of Vaucelles on the southern bank of the Orne was still strongly held and all the bridges across the river had been blown. I Corps had suffered more than 3,500 casualties and the loss of 80 tanks in taking Caen.

With the city at last in his hands, Montgomery now ordered VIII Corps to attack south-east from the Odon bridgehead which it had secured by the end of Operation 'Epsom' on 30 June, towards the Falaise road. His grand strategy had now been taken a step forward, but required further extremely hard fighting to develop to its conclusion. The British and Canadian front now had to be expanded in the east, forcing Rommel to use the greater part of his eight Panzer divisions there, whilst the Americans were to break through to the open country south of the bocage, and from there swing east towards the Seine. First however, the two Allied armies needed time to regroup, but it was vital to ensure that the Panzers continued to be held around Caen. The task of the British and Canadian divisions had already proved to be a difficult and costly one. What the US First Army was now to experience as it drove deep into the bocage was to prove equally hard and bloody.

French Spitfire pilots of 340 and 341 Squadrons departed their airfield in England soon after midday to escort a large formation of Lancasters and Halifaxes to attack 'Noball' sites, while over Normandy more such aircraft from 453 Squadron undertook a patrol over the Lisieux area, both formations becoming engaged with German fighters at around 1330. The Australians of the latter squadron met some 40 Fw 190s and Bf 109s which, they recorded, were led by "the German ace Matoni". These dived on the Squadron and a large dogfight ensued. During this the commanding officer, Sqn Ldr D.H.Smith - another Malta veteran - claimed a Bf 109 probably destroyed (according to the unit history, confirmed), and an Fw 190 damaged, whilst his pilots claimed two more Fw 190s destroyed and three damaged, plus a Bf 109 destroyed and two damaged, all the Spitfires returning unscathed.

North of Bernay meanwhile, the French pilots had seen P-47s in combat with eight Bf 109s, and at once joined the fight. Wg Cdr Bill Crawford-Compton, the 145 Wing Leader, and Cdt J.A.M.Fournier, Commanding Officer of 340 Squadron, each claimed a Bf 109 shot down, while Capt Michel Boudier of 341 Squadron joined a P-47 on the tail of another Messerschmitt. Obviously mistaking the Spitfire for one of the Germans, the US pilot turned on Boudier and shot him down; the French 'ace' baled out, wounded, and spent the rest of the war as a prisoner.

These two engagements brought forth a considerable number of claims from the Luftwaffe pilots involved. At 1315 Lt Alfred Gross of III./JG 54 claimed one Spitfire over Lisieux, whilst between 1319-1324 Hptm Emil Lang, now Kommandeur of II./JG 26 (since 29 June), claimed three more over the Caen-Lisieux area. All these claims would appear to relate to the fight with 453 Squadron, but while this unit did not lose any Spitfires, neither did either of the German units lose any Fw 190s!

The P-47s which the pilots of 145 Wing joined in their fight with the Bf 109s, appear to have been from the 350th and 351st Squadrons of the US Eighth Air Force's 353rd Fighter Group, the pilots of these units claiming four Bf 109s. Their opponents seem to have been II. and III./JG 53 and IV./JG 27, which between them lost three Bf 109s (against total Allied claims here of six), Fw Edmund Wieland of JG 27 claiming a Spitfire at 1324, while at 1330-31 Oblt Günther Seeger of II./JG 53 claimed two P-47s.

In the evening, despite difficult weather conditions, eight Typhoons from 439 Squadron and a single aircraft from 438, dropped 18 x 500-pounders on enemy transport and tanks gathering for an offensive at St German d'Ectot. The assault broke up the German attack before it had started, in full view of the British troops, and drew an ecstatic 'strawberry' (the opposite of a 'raspberry') from 30 Corps HQ.

During the day a Typhoon of 175 Squadron flown by Flt Sgt R.C.Dale, had been shot down by a fighter south of St Lô, the pilot being killed, but no other Luftwaffe claims seem to have been made on this date. The possibility has to be considered that this aircraft had been shot down in error by a US pilot- something which would happen with increasing frequency as the war in Europe continued. Indeed, 341 Squadron lost one of its senior pilots, Cpt M.Boudier, to a USAAF P-47 later in the day. Two more Typhoons of 184 Squadron were damaged by ground fire whilst attacking tanks near Ardenne, while another of 257 Squadron was destroyed in a landing accident at B.3.

USAAF
FRANCE: Despite bad weather over the target area that results in no attacks on assigned targets, 140 1st Bombardment Division B-17s attack several bridges and Chateaudun Airdrome during the morning.

Also during the morning, 60 of 250 IX Bomber Command B-26s and A-20s attack various lines-of-communication targets, but the remainder are thwarted by bad weather.

During the afternoon, 37 of the 104 3d Bombardment Division B-24s dispatched attack V-weapons launching sites, as assigned, and 15 of 77 3d Bombardment Division B-17s dispatched against V-weapond sites attack targets of oppor tunity, including St.-Omer/Longuenesse Airdrome.

Altogether during the day, 313 VIII Fighter Command fighters escort the heavy bombers, and, during the morning, 90 P-38s strafe ground targets.

VII Fighter Command pilots down six GAF aircraft over France between 0825 and 1400 hours. Capt William J. Maguire, a P-47 pilot with the 353d Fighter Group’s 351st Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs a Bf-109 near Argentan at 1400 hours. Also, 2dLt Billy G. Edens, a 56th Fighter Group P-51 pilot who achieved ace status two days earlier, is downed by flak and captured near Trier, Germany.

Throughout the day, Ninth Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers cover the beachhead area and attack numerous on-call targets and targets of opportunity.

ITALY: Most scheduled Twelfth Air Force flight operations are canceled in the face of bad weather, but XII TAC fighter-bombers are able to attack several rail lines, German Army tanks and motor vehicles, and several gun emplacements.

ROMANIA: Fifteenth Air Force B-17s and B-24s, led for the first time by B-24s equipped with H2X radar, attack Ploesti’s Xebia and Concordia-Vega refineries through an otherwise impenetrable smoke screen.

1stLt Donald R. Pucket, the pilot of a 98th Heavy Bombardment Group B-24 severely crippled by flak, administers first aid and words of encouragement to wounded crewmen while surveying the damage. Realizing that the bomber cannot possibly reach friendly territory, Pucket orders the crew to bail out, but he refuses to leave the descending bomber himself when he sees that three injured crewmen cannot do so. Pucket, who is killed with his three wounded comrades when the B-24 crashes into a mountainside, is awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor.

Pilots of the 1st, 52d, and 325th Fighter groups down 13 Axis fighters along the bomber route or over Ploesti between 1000 and 1115 hours. Two P-51 pilots of the 52d Fighter Group’s 2d Fighter Squadron achieve ace status while escorting the bombers: Capt Fred F. Ohr and 1stLt James E. Hoffman, Jr., who each down a Bf-109 over Ploesti at 1020 hours.

Altogether, six Fifteenth Air Force aircraft are lost.

BASE CHANGES
129 Sqn (Mustang III) moves to Brenzett
198 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to B.5 La Fresne-Camilly
213 Sqn (Mustang III) moves to Leverano
237 Sqn (Spitfire IX) moves to St. Catherines
250 Sqn (Kittyhawk IV) moves to Crete
306 Sqn (Mustang III) moves to Brenzett

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
68 Sqn (Castle Camps) flies its first OM in the Mosquito NFXVII

[warshipbuilder]

10-7-44
692 Sqn (Graveley – Mosquito BXVI)
Twelve aircraft detailed for operations. Eleven of the aircraft completed operations successfully. One aircraft is missing.

ADDENDUM – Mosquito BXVI PF380 P3-? Crew:W/C SD Watts DSO DFC MiD RNZAF KIA, P/O AA Matheson DFM RNZAF KIA. Shot down by Maj. Hans Karlewski (5th victory) 2./NJG1 35 km N Terschelling at 0318.

BOMBER COMMAND
NUCOURT
213 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitoes of 1, 3 and 8 Groups attacked a flying-bomb storage dump but the target was covered by cloud and the bombing was not concentrated. No aircraft lost.

6 Mosquitoes carried out Ranger patrols without loss. 1 Ju 88 was claimed destroyed near Oldenburg.

________________________________________

10/11 July 1944
MINOR OPERATIONS
35 Mosquitoes to Berlin, 8 Halifaxes and 6 Lancasters minelaying in the Kattegat and in the Frisians, 13 Halifaxes and 9 Stirlings on Resistance operations, 4 O.T.U. sorties. 1 Mosquito lost on the Berlin raid.

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2nd TAF
During the night a single Ju 88 was claimed shot down by Sqn Ldr Chase/Flg Off Watson of 264 Squadron from amongst 86 IX. Fliegerkorps aircraft minelaying in the Seine Bay and 12 bombing ground targets.

In the early hours a 487 Squadron Mosquito VI was hit by Flak over Orleans, returning on one engine and force-landing near Littlehampton. During an armed reconnaissance in the morning of 10th a Spitfire of 416 Squadron was shot down over Thury-Harcourt by Flak; Plt Off J.E.R.McCrea baled out and was back at his airfield by lunchtime! One other Spitfire was damaged by Flak during the day, but this was the extent of 2nd TAF's casualties for the day. II. Jagdkorps reported an apparent reduction in Allied air activity on this date, and submitted one claim - a Spitfire by Lt Wilhelm Hofmann of II./JG 26 north of Caen at 1135; had he actually been responsible for shooting down McCrea, rather than the Flak? Two Spitfire VBS of ADGB's 345 Squadron were shot down during the day during a 'Ramrod' to Rouen, both coming down in the Vernon area with the death of one of the French pilots, but both were again reported to have been the victims of Flak.

One of ADGB's remaining two Typhoon units was tranferred to 2nd TAF on this date, 263 Squadron flying to Hurn to join 164 and 183 Squadrons in 136 Wing. This Wing was also joined by 266 Squadron from 146 Wing, nominally at least for, as already noted, it was attending APC. In 122 Wing 65 Squadron bade farewell to their New Zealand Commanding Officer, 'Jerry' Westenra, whose place was taken by Deryck Lamb, one of the flight commanders. Flt Lt L.A.P.Burra-Robinson was posted in from 122 Squadron to take over the vacant flight commander position. In the latter unit next day Sqn Ldr R.L.Stillwell, DFM, took over command from Sqn Ldr J.T.Shaw.

USAAF
FRANCE: On a day otherwise marred by mission cancellations in the face of bad weather, Ninth Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers attack targets of opportunity and lines of communication in the battle area.

ITALY: Twelfth Air Force B-25s and B-26s attack bridges, viaducts, and marshalling yards in north-central Italy; and XII TAC fighter-bombers attack gun emplacements, rail lines, roads, and the Modena Airdrome.

BASE CHANGES
3 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk IV) moves to Crete
5 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk IV) moves to Crete
112 Sqn (Mustang III) moves to Crete
263 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Hurn
315 Sqn (Mustang III) moves to Brenzett
450 Sqn (Kittyhawk IV) moves to Crete

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
32 Sqn (Foggia Main) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VIII
310 Sqn (Lympne) flies its first OM and 2nd tour of duty in the Spitfire VB
313 Sqn (Lympne) flies its last OM in the Spitfire LFIXB

[warshipbuilder]

11-7-44
442 Sqn RCAF (B.3 St. Croix-sur-Mer –Spitfire LFIXB)
Dawn readiness, still cool and cloudy. Not airborne till 1450 hours when weather improved and twelve set out an Armed Recce. Saw Huns in the clouds but could’nt attack them. Flight Lieutenant T.H. Hallihan (J8904), on his first trip with the Squadron flying No. 2 on S/L Dowling and hit by flak near Caen. Smoke was seen coming from Y2-H and he was instructed to bale out, due to heavy flak and clouds he was not seen again. Only with 442 about 24 hours and is the first to be missing (or killed) in the five months since the squadron was formed. We pray it may be as long again. Two new pilots reported in- (J22982) P/O J.P. Lasion and (J14308) F/O R.K. Trumley. "The Ledger” a movie about Jack the Ripper shown in the officers' mess. Total flying hours-13:20.

ADDENDUM – Spitfire LFIXB NH325 Y2-H. Pilot:F/L THO Hallihan KIA. Burieds in St. Manview War Cemetery. F/L Hallihan had spent 1941-42 flying Spitfires out of Malta.

BOMBER COMMAND
GAPENNES
26 Lancasters and 6 Mosquitoes of 8 Group made two separate raids on this flying-bomb site. The Lancasters made the first ‘heavy Oboe’ attack of the war. A Lancaster of 582 Squadron had been fitted with Oboe equipment and Wing Commander G. F. Grant, from 109 Squadron, one of the Oboe Mosquito squadrons, flew in the Lancaster and directed the bombing. When Grant released his bombs, other Lancasters flying in formation did the same. This method allowed a greater tonnage of bombs to be dropped directly on the Oboe signals and it became one of Bomber Command’s most accurate bombing methods and enabled small targets like the flying-bomb sites to be bombed accurately in cloudy conditions. No aircraft were lost on this raid.

2 Mosquitoes flew Ranger patrols. 1 aircraft attacked a tanker with cannon-fire. The Mosquitoes returned safely.

________________________________________

11/12 July 1944
MINOR OPERATIONS
8 Mosquitoes to Homberg oil plant, 3 Serrate patrols, 21 aircraft on Resistance operations. No aircraft lost.

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2nd TAF
About two hours after midnight a Mosquito VI of 305 Squadron was lost in the Lille-Amiens area, a second aircraft from this unit also failing to return from this area an hour later. Amongst the night fighters, Flt Lt K.G.Rayment/Flg Off Bone of 264 Squadron shot down a V-1, while Sqn Ldr Elwell/Flg Off Ferguson from this unit claimed a Do 217 probably destroyed. However, two Mosquitoes were lost; Flg Off R.E.Lee/Flt Sgt J.W.Wales, RAFVR, of 409 Squadron went down south of Folkestone whilst intercepting a V-1, whilst an ADGB aircraft of 219 Squadron was lost in combat with a hostile aircraft off Le Havre.

During the day two Typhoons and a Spitfire were shot down by Flak. At about 0900 an aircraft of 182 Squadron force-landed east of Cully, whilst around 1600 another such aircraft from 609 Squadron crashed south-east of Hottot and Flt Sgt L.E.Bliss was killed. 442 Squadron suffered its first casualty since being formed when Flt Lt T.H.O.Hallihan's Spitfire came down near Conde, and he was killed. A 3 Naval Fighter Wing Spitfire V also crashed into the sea, with the loss of Sub Lt Hughes.

However, when a pair of Bf 109s attempted to 'bounce' a formation of 198 Squadron Typhoons, Flt Lt J.M.G.Plamondon jettisoned his rockets, pursued one Messerschmitt and claimed to have shot it down.

On this date III. Flakkorps reported that in the period since 1 July its gunners had claimed 17 Allied aircraft shot down.

USAAF
FRANCE: IX Bomber Command B-26s and A-20s attack V-weapons sites, fuel dumps, and a rail bridge. Ninth Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers escort the bombers and attack rail targets, fuel dumps, gun emplacements, and various targets of opportunity around the battle area in France.

While attacking German Army pillboxes through driving rain in the vicinity of St.-Lo, in the Normandy beachhead area, P-47s of the Ninth Air Force’s 366th Fighter Group discover a German Army tank column moving on an unsuspecting U.S. First Army ground unit. Despite the rain and intense flak, the group destroys the pillboxes against which it had been initially directed and severely damages many of the tanks from extremely low level, thus turning back the enemy attack on friendly forces. In fact, the group renews its attack on surviving tanks after landing at its base to rearm. Later, on their third mission of the day, 366th Fighter Group P-47s locate and defeat another German Army tank force. The group’s activities during the day are considered “decisive” by U.S. Army ground forces in the area.

When bad weather prevents missions from going to other areas, 87 Fifteenth Air Force B-24s attack the port area at Toulon.

GERMANY: Guided by H2X radar, 1,047 Eighth Air Force B-17s and B-24s, escorted by 699 VIII Fighter Command fighters, attack marshalling yards, industrial targets, an airdrome, and several targets of opportunity in and around Munich. Sixteen B-24s, four B-17s, and four escort fighters are lost.

ITALY: Despite bad weather, a number of Twelfth Air Force medium bombers are able to mount attacks against several rail targets and bridges; and XII TAC fighter-bombers attack fuel dumps, gun emplacements, rail lines, Rimini Airdrome, and targets of opportunity in the battle area.

BASE CHANGES
1 Sqn (Spitfire LFIXB) moves to Lympne
41 Sqn (Spitfire XII) moves to Lympne
154 Sqn (Spitfire IX) moves to Calenza
193 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to B.15 Ryes
198 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to B.10 Plumetot
206 Sqn (Liberator VI) moves to Leuchars
232 Sqn (Spitfire IX) moves to Calenza
243 Sqn (Spitfire IX) moves to Calenza
310 Sqn (Spitfire VB/IX) moves to Digby
312 Sqn (Spitfire HFIX) moves to Coltishall
313 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Skeabrae
316 Sqn (Mustang III) moves to Friston
504 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Detling

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
32 Sqn (Foggia Main) flies its last OM in the Spitfire IX

[warshipbuilder]

12-7-44
416 Sqn RCAF (B.2 Bazenville – Spitfire LFIXB)
Squadron escorted Mitchells on a bombing show and from this Show F/L J Campbell failed to return. He was forced to bale out 12 miles east of Caen. Let’s hope he landed okay. F/L Dave Herrling left today <unreadable> at <unreadable> back in old “Blighty”, and you can be sure he wasn’t happy to leave just when things were beginning to pop.

ADDENDUM – Spitfire LFIXB MJ141 DN-? Pilot:F/L JC Campbell SAFE. Fuel ran out.

BOMBER COMMAND
FLYING-BOMB SITES
222 aircraft – 168 Halifaxes, 46 Lancasters, 8 Mosquitoes – of 4, 6 and 8 Groups bombed a storage dump at Thiverny but the target was cloud-covered and no results were seen. 18 Lancasters and 5 Mosquitoes of 8 Group used Oboe to bomb the Rollez launching site. No aircraft lost.

VAIRES
153 Lancasters and 6 Mosquitoes of 1, 3 and 8 Groups to attack the important railway yards on the outskirts of Paris; the target area was covered by cloud and the Master Bomber ordered the attack to be abandoned after 2 Mosquitoes had marked and 12 Lancasters had bombed. No aircraft lost.

________________________________________

12/13 July 1944
RAILWAYS
378 Lancasters and 7 Mosquitoes of 1, 5 and 8 Groups attacked railway targets at Culmont, Revigny and Tours. Culmont and Tours were accurately bombed but cloud interfered with the all-1 Group raid at Revigny and only half of the force bombed. 10 Lancasters were lost on the Revigny raid and 2 on the Culmont raid.

FLYING-BOMB SITES
230 aircraft – 196 Halifaxes, 17 Lancasters, 17 Mosquitoes – of 4, 6 and 8 Groups attacked 4 launching sites. All targets were hit, the raid on the Bremont-les-Hautes site being particularly accurate. No aircraft were lost.

SUPPORT AND MINOR OPERATIONS
168 aircraft of all Main Force groups and 92 and 93 (O.T.U.) Groups on a diversionary sweep over the North Sea, 8 Mosquitoes to Homberg, 32 R.C.M. sorties, 32 Mosquito patrols, 12 Halifaxes minelaying off Heligoland, 14 O.T.U. sorties. No aircraft lost.

Total effort for the night: 881 sorties, 12 aircraft (1.4 percent) lost.

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2nd TAF
Increasingly, morning mists were reducing operational flying over Normandy even on days of generally better weather. On the finer days this burnt off as the sun rose in the sky, but the consequence of this meteorological phenomenon was to ensure that most encounters between opposing aircraft tended to occur during the afternoon, whilst most close-support sorties were constrained in the same manner to allow target identification to be achieved reliably.

At 1450 on 12th, 19 Squadron undertook an armed reconnaissance to the Alencon-Le Mans- Laval area. South of Caen at about 1610, 16 Bf 109s and a lone Fw 190, which appeared to be leading the Messerschmitts, were seen. At once bombs, which were still being carried, were jettisoned, two Bf 109s being claimed shot down by Sqn Ldr W.M.M.Gilmour and Flg Off Jim Paton, while three more were claimed damaged, Flg Off J.E.Staples also claiming damage to the Focke-Wulf. One of the unit's Mustangs crash-landed at B.7 a few minutes later, a second suffering damage during the fight. Claims for two P-51s were submitted by III./JG 1 as a result of this encounter.

Typhoons of 183 Squadron then set off from Hurn to attack a 'Giant Würzberg' radar at Cap d'Antifer. When attacking this target two months earlier (see 11 May) Sqn Ldr F.H.L.Scarlett had a narrow escape; this time the Flak proved deadly and he was shot down, crashing in the target area. At much the same time Spitfires of 421 Squadron escorted Mitchells to Chartres. In the Pont l'Eveque area at 1815, Flg Off G.M.Smith claimed a Bf 109 shot down and a second damaged, Flg Off J.M.Calvert claiming a probable and Flg Off R.C.McRoberts another damaged. The latter pilot's aircraft was hit and damaged by fire from a German aircraft, and he was wounded.

Whilst providing beach cover between 1820-1845, two 132 Squadron Spitfires were damaged by German fighters, Flt Lt M.Graham being wounded, while Flg Off W.A.Doyle force-landed in the beachhead area. Some 25 minutes later, four 412 Squadron pilots who had gone off to bomb a railway bridge at Le Mesnil, saw two Bf 109s near Mortagne, Flg Off W.J.Banks claiming one shot down. A few minutes later other Spitfires of 453 Squadron, also escorting Mitchells to Chartres, met more enemy fighters, Wg Cdr Page and Wt Off E.F.Cowpe claiming one Bf 109 between them.

During the evening period a Mustang of 65 Squadron, which had been dive-bombing in the Evreux area, suddenly dived vertically into the ground; Flt Lt E.Cooper was killed. This was the Wing's second loss, for a couple of hours earlier Flg Off H.St.J. Smith had baled out of his 122 Squadron aircraft, east of Alencon, when it suffered an engine failure, possibly the result of Flak damage. A 416 Squadron Spitfire was also lost when Flt Lt J.C.Campbell ran out of fuel, baling out east of Caen.

During the evening engagements with 421 and 132 Squadrons, Oberstleutnant Herbert Ihlefeld, Geschwaderkommodore of JG 1, claimed three Spitfires shot down between 1903-1905, whilst at the latter time one was also claimed by Ofw Kaiser of the Geschwader's III. Gruppe.

Earlier, in the morning, two pilots of I./JG 11 had claimed two Spitfires in the Tours area. Two possibilities exist; during a shipping reconnaissance two Spitfire Vs of 501 Squadron were shot down, reportedly by Allied AA, and both crashed on the coast, their pilots being killed. Alternatively, a PR Spitfire of 400 Squadron was attacked by 25 Bf 109s when at 21,500 feet, south-west of Caen; the pilot escaped, but only after his aircraft had been damaged.

On this date II. Jagdkorps lost ten Bf 109 fighters and five Fw 190s, two TacR Bf 109s also failing to return. US fighters claimed only Fw 190s - six of them - while 2nd TAF pilots claimed a total of five Bf 109s.

USAAF
FRANCE: One hundred thirty-one 3d Bombardment B-24s and 131 RAF Spitfire escorts dispatched against ten V-weapons sites in the Pas-de-Calais area are thwarted by bad weather.

During morning and afternoon missions, more than 300 IX Bomber Command B-26 and A-20 sorties are flown against fuel dumps, troop concentrations, and road and rail targets. Also, Ninth Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers attack rail lines, bridges, motor vehicles, parked airplanes, and infantry and artillery emplacements in and around the battle area.

Ninth Air Force fighter pilots down six GAF fighters between 0955 and 1545 hours.

More than 420 Fifteenth Air Force B-24s attack marshalling yards at Miramas and Nimes, and bridges spanning the Var and Theoule rivers.

GERMANY: Unable to visually attack assigned targets in and around Munich, 1,124 Eighth Air Force B-17s and B-24s, escorted by 717 VIII Fighter Command fighters, employ radar to conduct an area attack on the city of Munich. Also, 27 heavy bombers attack other targets of opportunity. Twenty-four heavy bombers are lost, and 297 are damaged.

ITALY: Operation MALLORY MAJOR opens with attacks by Twelfth Air Force B-25s and B-26s against bridges spanning the Po River. Also, XII TAC A-20s attack ammunition dumps, and fighter-bombers attack small boats and barges on the Arno River as well as roads and rail lines, gun emplacements, ammunition dumps, and motor vehicles in and north of the battle area.

BASE CHANGES
118 Sqn(Non-Op) moves to Detling
213 Sqn (Mustang III) moves to Biferno
260 Sqn (Mustang III) moves to Crete

[warshipbuilder]

13-7-44
105 Sqn (Bourn – Mosquito BXVI)
2 aircraft attacked the HOMBERG area with 11 x 500 M.C., one of F/O Whipp’s hanging up.

2/2 aircraft attacked SCHOLVEN with 10 x 500 M.C. W/O Lickley had 2 hang ups. There was 10/10 aloud over the target and flak man accurate and intense. W/O Lickley was hit over the target and was forced to return an one Engine. Whilst trying to land at COLTISHALL he crashed near NORTH WALSHAM, completely wrecking the aircraft. W/O Lickley sustained cuts on his head and F/S. Cameron was cut on the hand.

BOMBER COMMAND
13 Lancasters of 8 Group to attack a flying-bomb site and 2 Mosquitoes on Ranger patrols but thick cloud prevented all aircraft from operating.

________________________________________

13/14 July 1944
Minor Operations
4 Mosquitoes to Homberg and Scholven/Buer, 4 Serrate patrols over Denmark, 6 Stirlings minelaying off Brest, 3 Halifaxes on Resistance operations. No aircraft lost.

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2nd TAF
During the night, one of 69 Squadron's Wellingtons was again intercepted, and once more made good its escape, with one of the gunners claiming damage to a Fw 190 near Jumieges. Flg Off R.L.J.Barbour/Flg Off Paine of 264 Squadron claimed a Ju 188 shot down, while Sqn Ldr J.A.Hatch/Flg Off Eames of 409 Squadron claimed damage to a Bf 110 over Jouvincourt airfield.

On a morning sortie Flg Off M.H.Pinches of 122 Squadron claimed damage to a Bf 109 in the Evreux area, whilst at about 1715 that evening Flt Lt Bill Klersy of 401 Squadron made a similar claim east of Caen, his opponent identified as a Fw 190 however.

At this time the sky was quite full of Typhoons. Wg Cdr Baldwin had led three 197 Squadron aircraft on an armed reconnaissance south-east of Cabourne, while Sqn Ldr W.C.Ahrens led a 257 Squadron formation to attack the Verneuil rail yards. Both formations were 'bounced' by Bf 109s of III./JG 1 and I./JG 5, but although outnumbered, Baldwin and Flt Sgt A.Shannon of 257 Squadron each claimed a Bf 109 shot down, while five more were claimed damaged by pilots of the latter unit.

However, Flt Sgt M.E.Marriot of this unit was shot down, and Flg Off K.A.J.Trott of 197 Squadron, collided with a Bf 109. He later recalled: "As I came out of cloud I noticed a solitary Me 109 coming towards me. I lined up for a head-on attack, firing my cannon. The next minute I realised I would have to break to avoid collision. As I did so my starboard wing collided with the wing of the 109 and I felt my head hit the cockpit cover and my left shoulder the side of the cockpit. My helmet, oxygen mask, goggles and revolver holster were torn from my body and I hurtled into space with only my parachute intact. I realised I would have to pull the ripcord as my altitude was only about 3,000 ft. The next moment the canopy opened and I lost conciousness. I came round to find myself hanging from a tree in an orchard surrounded by several armed Germans..."

Plt Off Rook's Typhoon was badly shot-up. An aircraft from 245 Squadron seems also to have blundered into this engagement, Flt Lt W.E.Reynolds being shot down near Forge-a-Cambro, and killed. Five claims for Typhoons were submitted by the Luftwaffe units, all made by leading 'Experten. Hptm Alfred Grislawski and Ofw Herbert Kaiser of III./JG 1 each claiming one (their 126th and 67th victories respectively), while Hptm Theodore Weissenberger of I./JG 5 claimed two (his 191st and 192nd) and Lt Alfred Mors claimed one as his 50th. These two units lost one Bf 109 apiece.

As this combat came to an end, Spitfires of 132 Squadron entered the area on patrol, reporting 12 Fw 190s and Bf 109s with long-range tanks, Sqn Ldr Ken Charney claiming a Bf 109 damaged ten miles south of Lisieux and a Fw 190 damaged south-east of Cabourg. A quarter of an hour later Flt Lt W.A.Prest of 443 Squadron claimed damage to another Fw 190 in the Falaise area, while at 1845 another was claimed damaged by Plt Off J.N.Thorne of 122 Squadron over Gisors. At 2025 damage to a Bf 109 was claimed by Flg Off S.M.McClarty of 442 Squadron south- east of Cabourg, although Flt Lt A.W.Roseland of this unit was shot down and killed. He would appear to have fallen to Ofw Karl-Heinz Munsche of III./JG 2, who claimed a Spitfire over Vimoutiers at 2035. One other claim for a Spitfire had been made at 1715 in the Lisieux area by Oblt Schauder of III./JG 26, while a IV./JG 27 pilot had claimed a 'Lysander' at 1858 over Bayeux.

441 Squadron then took off on an armed reconnaissance over Argentan, where at 2035, 12 Fw 190s were seen and attacked, with no fewer than ten claimed shot down north of L'Aigle without loss, Flg Off W.J.Myers claiming three of these and Sqn Ldr T.A.Brannagan, two. It seems likely that on this occasion much double- and even triple-claiming took place, for II. Jagdkorps losses do not substantiate casualties of this magnitude. Indeed, no more than five Focke-Wulfs were lost on this date, only two of these being from the same unit - 4./JG 26.

In England, 127 Squadron, so recently a new member of 134 Wing, departed for 17 APC at Southend, where it would remain until 23rd, training in dive-bombing. On 14th 183 Squadron would go to 18 APC, Eastchurch, also to undertake armament training and practice. 604 Squadron now moved to Colerne, while the French personnel of 145 Wing received RAF battledress to replace their dark blue Armée de l'Air uniforms prior to a forthcoming move to their homeland.

USAAF
ENGLAND: All IX Bomber Command bombers are grounded by bad weather.


FRANCE: A limited number of Ninth Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers attack road and rail traffic, warehouses, a barracks, and armored vehicles. IX TAC fighters also provide close air support for Allied ground troops and attack gun emplacements, vehicles, and troop concentrations.


GERMANY: Using H2X radar in the face of heavy cloud cover, 356 1st Bombardment Division B-17s and 139 3d Bombardment Division B-17s attack the city of Munich; 100 3d Bombardment Division B-17s attack aircraft-industry targets at Munich; 12 B-17s attack targets of opportunity; and 298 2d Bombardment Division B-24s attack a marshalling yard at Saarbrucken. Nine B-17s and one B-24 are lost.


Escort for the various heavy-bomber formations is provided by 543 VIII Fighter Command fighters, of which five airplanes and three pilots are lost. Escort pilots down two GAF fighters between 1045 and 1150 hours.


ITALY: Fifteenth Air Force B-24s attack the port at Fiume, oil storage facilities at Porto Marghera and Trieste, and marshalling yards at four locations; Fifteenth Air Force B-17s attack a marshalling yard and rail bridges at three locations; Twelfth Air Force medium bombers continue Operation MALLORY MAJOR with attacks on Po River bridges; XII TAC A-20s attack an ammunition plant; and XII TAC fighter-bombers concentrate on rail facilities servicing the battle area.


LUXEMBOURG: Two IX TAC P-47 pilots down four FW-190s over Luxembourg City at 1705 hours. One of them, Capt Edwin O. Fisher, of the 362d Fighter Group’s 377th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status.

BASE CHANGES
39 Sqn (Beaufighter TFX) moves to Biferno
165 Sqn (Spitfire LFIXB) moves to Lympne
266 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Hurn
336 Sqm=n (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to El Adem

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
124 Sqn (Bradwell Bay) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VII
313 Sqn (Skeabrae) flies its first OM and starts its second tour of duty in the Spitfire VB
347 Sqn (Elvington) flies its first OM in the Halifax III

[warshipbuilder]

14-7-44
460 Sqn RAAF (Bourn – Lancaster I/III)
Weathers Cloudy OPERATIONS 15 Aircraft took part in a bombing attack on REVIGNY. Unfortunately App-634 one of these vis:- Lancaster Aircraft ME 755 failed to return.

ADDENDUM – Lancaster I ME755 AR-Z. Crew: P/O WAH Vaughn RAAF KIA, Sgt A Allan KIA, F/S F Jeffries KIA, F/S KLT Dickerson RAAF KIA, F/S BF Raftery RAAF EVD, Sgt HS Kilsby KIA, Sgt D Wade EVD. T/o 2138 Binbrook. Shot down by Uffz Heinz Siebert (6th victory) at 0200 and crashed Chevillon, 16 km SE St. Dizier. Those who died lie along side five airmen of 166 Squadron, killed two nights earlier, in the Communal Cemetery at Chevillon.

BOMBER COMMAND
Minor Operations
19 Lancasters of 8 Group attacked the flying-bomb site at St-Philibert-Ferme through thick cloud and 4 Mosquitoes flew Ranger patrols to Northern Germany and Denmark. No aircraft lost.

14/15 July 1944
RAILWAYS
242 Lancasters and 11 Mosquitoes of 1, 5 and 8 Groups to attack the railway yards at Revigny and Villeneuve. The raid on Villeneuve was carried out and the railways were hit, though much of the bombing fell to the east of the target. The raid to Revigny was abandoned because the railway yards could not be identified. 7 Lancasters lost from the Revigny raid.

FLYING-BOMB SITES
115 aircraft – 101 Halifaxes, 10 Mosquitoes, 4 Lancasters – of 4, 6 and 8 Groups attacked launching sites at Anderbelck and Les Landes. Anderbelck was accurately bombed in good visibility but the bombing at Les Landes was through 10/10ths cloud.

SUPPORT AND MINOR OPERATIONS
132 aircraft on a diversionary sweep over the North Sea, 42 Mosquitoes to Hannover, 35 R.C.M. sorties, 56 Mosquito patrols, 8 Stirlings minelaying off Biscay ports. 1 Mosquito of 100 Group lost.

Total effort for the night: 641 sorties, 8 aircraft (1.3 percent) lost.

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3

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4

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2nd TAF
.Reorganisation became the order of the day, as several wings were to be disbanded, their squadrons despatched to other wings to bring them up to four-squadron establishment. Thisprocess would continue during the month, and those wings raised to the higher establishment of units were taken over by Group Captains rather than Wing Commanders as administrative commanding officers, although all retained their Wing Commanders Flying (Wing Leaders) for operational leadership and control.

The first units to be affected in this manner were those of 144 Wing. 441 Squadron was posted to 125 Wing, where Grp Capt Jamie Rankin, DSO, DFC, took over command from Wg Cdr J.H.Lapsley, OBE, DFC; 442 Squadron went to 126 Wing and 443 Squadron to 127 Wing, where 144's Wing Leader, 'Johnnie' Johnson, also moved to take over this function from Bob Buckham, who was tour-expired.

In the air, the day began badly when during the morning a 132 Squadron Spitfire engaged on an armed reconnaissance, was shot down in error by a yellow-nosed P-51 of the US Eighth Air Force near Dozule, Calvados, Wt Off J.H.Reeves being killed. Thereafter the afternoon proved to be another satisfactory one for the Canadian Spitfire units. At 1400, four 416 Squadron aircraft and others from 411 Squadron commenced beach patrols in the Lisieux area. Flg Off J.B.Gould and Flg Off M.R.Sharun of 416 claimed two of seven Bf 109s which they encountered, while Flg Offs T.R.Wheler and N.L.Harrison claimed two of 12 Fw 190s, other pilots claiming two more damaged.


Three more 416 Squadron aircraft scrambled at 1425, and three Bf 109s were seen; Flt Lt Dave Noonan claimed one and shared a second with Flg Off A.J.Fraser, who also claimed a Fw 190 damaged.
At 1417 Wg Cdr Page and Sqn Ldr Charney of 132 Squadron took off to undertake a cannon test, but in the Argentan-Lisieux area, they saw three Fw 190s and each pilot claimed one shot down with Page adding damage to the third. Between 1415-1456 six claims were made by Luftwaffe pilots, I./JG 11 reporting a Spitfire and a Typhoon shot down, JG 1 pilots then claiming two Spitfires at 1440-45; at 1441 Hptm Theo Weissenberger of I./JG 5 claimed a Spitfire, followed at 1456 by a Typhoon. No Spitfires were lost during this period, and no Typhoons were lost or damaged to any cause on this date.

At 1900 four 416 Squadron Spitfires went off on another patrol, followed at 1920 by four from 401 Squadron. The first flight reported meeting more than 50 Bf 109s and Fw 190s over landing ground B.2, two Focke-Wulfs and one Messerschmitt being claimed shot down, although Flt Lt W.F.Mason's Spitfire was hit by Fw 190s, causing him to force-land. The 401 Squadron pilots then also engaged large numbers of German fighters over Bayeux, with two more claimed shot down. This fight had been with I./JG 5, Stab and III./JG 1, and I./JG 11, two German pilots becoming POWs. Luftwaffe claims were quite high between 1917-2100, including five Spitfires and four P-51s. One of each were claimed by Obstlt Ihlefeld of JG 1, all but two of the others by pilots of this Geschwader; two Spitfires were claimed by I./JG 5 between 1932-34.

During the day 609 Squadron reported that six Luftwaffe fighters strafed the unit's dispersal at B.5, but that the defending AA gunners were successful in shooting three of the Fw 190s down. They had set fire to one aircraft which was already damaged, slightly damaged two more, and wounded six ground crew. Although losses generally had been extremely light on this date, during an evening reconnaissance over Falaise, 403 Squadron encountered Flak over Flers whilst attacking ground targets; two Spitfires were shot down, and their pilots killed. Luftwaffe claims were again quite high during the 1917-2100 time-slot, and included five Spitfires and four P-51s. II. Jagdkorps lost 13 Bf 109s and six Fw 190s over Normandy on 14th, Allied pilots claiming ten of the former (seven by 2nd TAF) and nine of the latter (six by 2nd TAF).

The day ended with one of 2 Group's Mosquitoes' special attacks. It will be recalled that the successful attack on the fuel trains at Chatellerault had been the result of information provided by French Resistance personnel via an SAS unit ("Bulbasket'), operating behind the lines. News had been received from survivors that on 3 July the SAS base had been overrun in the Forêt de Verriers, and that 31 SAS, and a USAAF evader who had joined them, had been captured by the 158th Security Regiment from Poitiers. One wounded officer, Lt Twm Stephens, was beaten to death with rifle butts and his body tied to a tree before the inhabitants of the nearby town of Verriers. Three more wounded soldiers were given lethal injections whilst in hospital, all the others, including the US pilot, then being shot in the Forêt de Saint Sauvant. Although this was in line with the notorious 'Commando Order', personally issued by Hitler, it was seen by the British as an atrocity which required immediate reprisal. It was believed that the German unit responsible was billeted at Bonneuil Matours, in what was described as a Gestapo HQ.

Consequently, in the late afternoon on 14th, Grp Capt Peter Wykeham-Barnes, Commanding Officer of 140 Wing, led 18 Mosquitoes of 21, 464 and 487 Squadrons in a dusk attack on the building, which was successfully bombed.

USAAF
FRANCE: Three hundred fifty-nine 3d Bombardment Division B-17s conducting a special operation (Operation CADILLAC) drop 3,700 arms containers from low altitude to French Resistance fighters around Limoges, St.-Lo, and Vercorse. Escort is provided by 499 P-51s.

Ninety-three 2d Bombardment Division B-24s attack Montdidier and Peronne airdromes.

Ninety-four VIII Fighter Command P-38 fighter-bombers attack rail targets around Paris. One P-38 and its pilot are lost.

Although bad weather severely curtails IX Bomber Command bomber operations, a total of 62 B-26s and A-20s attack two rail targets; Ninth Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers attack military transport and rail targets and troop concentrations across a wide area of France; and IX TAC ground controllers direct numerous close-air-support missions in the U.S. First Army zone of action.

VIII Fighter Command and IX TAC fighter pilots down 11 GAF fighters over France between 0930 and 2050 hours. Five Ninth Air Force fighters are lost in action with GAF fighters.

HUNGARY: More than 430 Fifteenth Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack four oil refineries at Budapest and Petfurdo. USAAF escort pilots down five Axis fighters.

ITALY: Fifteenth Air Force heavy bombers attack a marshalling yard at Mantua; Fifteenth Air Force P-38s dive-bomb Ghedi Airdrome and strafe trains north of La Spezia; Twelfth Air Force B-25s and B-26s continue to attack the Po River bridges (Operation MALLORY MAJOR); XII TAC A-20s attack supply dumps; and XII TAC fighter-bombers attack gun emplacements and lines of communication.

The XII Fighter Command headquarters is transferred from Algeria to Italy.

BASE CHANGES
32 Sqn (spitfire VC) moved to Canne
183 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moved to Eastchurch
184 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moved to B.5 Le Fresne-Camilly
418 Sqn RCAF (Mosquito FBVI) moved to Holmsley South

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
139 Sqn (Upwood) flew its last OM in the Mosquito BIV
611 Sqn (Predannack) flew its last OM in the Spitfire VB

[warshipbuilder]

15-7-44
15 Sqn (Mildenhall – Lancaster I/III)
One aircraft was detailed for fighter affiliation exercise, and others carried out air tests. Sixteen aircraft were detailed for night operations, one being later canelled. The target was the railway junction and centre of CHALONS SUR MARNE and one aircraft failed to return. The pilot was Flight Sergeant Upton AUS410203, and the crew included Warrant Officer McLennan J 50312. One aitcraft returned early (F/L Ball DFC pilot) due to the illness of the engineer. Reports and photographs show that the attack was successful and well concentrated.

ADDENDUM – Lancaster I LL827 LS-Q. Crew: All KIA. F/S JA Upton RAAF, Sgt DG Tarbin, F/S FR Ashcroft, WO2 JA MacLennan RCAF, Sgt E Attenborrow, Sgt ED Carmichael, Sgt C Sykes. T/o 2141 Mildenhall. Shot down by Maj Walter Borchers (27th victory) Stab NJG5. Crashed at approximately 0140 at St. Gibrien, roughly 6 km NNW of Chalons-sur-Marne. All lie in St. Gibrien churchyard.

BOMBER COMMAND
NUCOURT
47 Lancasters and 6 Mosquitoes carried out an ‘Oboe leader’ attack on the flying-bomb supply dump. No bombing results were seen, because of poor weather conditions. No aircraft lost.

________________________________________

15/16 July 1944
FLYING-BOMB SITES
234 aircraft – 162 Halifaxes, 58 Lancasters, 14 Mosquitoes – carried out accurate attacks in the Bois-des-Jardins launching site and the Nucourt supply dump. 1 Halifax lost.

RAILWAYS
222 Lancasters and 7 Mosquitoes attacked railway yards at Châlons-sur-Marne and Nevers. Both raids were successful. 3 aircraft lost, 2 Lancasters from the Nevers raid and 1 Lancaster from Châlons.

SUPPORT AND MINOR OPERATIONS
162 aircraft from 7 different groups on a diversionary sweep over the North Sea, 36 Mosquitoes to Berlin, 25 R.C.M. sorties, 45 Mosquito patrols, 6 Lancasters minelaying off Denmark, 11 aircraft on Resistance operations. 1 minelaying Lancaster lost.

Total effort for the night: 748 sorties, 5 aircraft (0.7 percent) lost.

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2nd TAF
During the hours of darkness an 85 Group Mosquito was lost when, returning from a patrol over the beaches, an aircraft of 488 Squadron crashed into woods south-east of Southampton in cloud, and both Flt Sgt H.G.Scott and his radar operator, Flg Off C.C.Duncan were killed.

At 0640 four Spitfires of 412 Squadron commenced the unit' second patrol of the morning, encountering 30-plus enemy aircraft south-east of Caen, Flg Off L.F.Berryman claiming one Fw 190 shot down, although one of the Spitfires suffered some damage. Three Spitfires were claimed shot down by pilots of I. and III./JG 26 in this area between 0710-15, I. Gruppe losing one Fw 190. An hour later Spitfires of 602 Squadron were scrambled, engaging four Fw 190s near Caen, Sqn Ldr 'Chris' Le Roux claiming to have shot down one of these at about 0810.

Nothing more transpired until early afternoon, when one of 140 Squadron's Mosquito PR XIS crashed in bad visibility into Windsor Great Park due to engine failure and the crew killed. At about 1650 Wt Off W.H.Stiffen of 66 Squadron was lost during an escort to Lancasters attacking 'Noball' sites in the Pas de Calais; he was last seen in cloud near Beauvais.

602 Squadron took off for a sweep at 2030, but was then vectored onto a 'bogey' which proved to be a Bf 109, and this was claimed shot down by Sqn Ldr Le Roux. During the evening, 247 Squadron suffered the loss of two Typhoons and their pilots; Wt Off D.L.Burke, RNZAF, was last seen near Esquay and was believed to have been shot down by fighters, though no Luftwaffe claims were made at this time. Flt Lt G.C.Robinson fell to Flak over Evrecy, while a third of the unit's aircraft was damaged. Two 411 Squadron Spitfires were also hit by Flak, one returning in a damaged condition, while Flt Lt D.H.Evans baled out of the other in the Caen area.

Finally, four Mustangs of 122 Squadron undertook a 'Ranger' to the Paris area when a Ju 188 was seen south of Conflans and was despatched by Flg Offs M.H.Pinches, A.V.Hargreaves and R.Tickner. During the day 122 Wing had begun moving to a newly-completed airfield, B.12, Ellon, just to the north-west of Tilly-sur-Seulles and dangerously close to the lines. As 19 Squadron flew in, shells began falling. 122 Squadron followed it next day, but by the morning of 16th, the former unit would only have four of its Mustangs left serviceable, while three members of the ground crew had been killed and others wounded. The four undamaged aircraft were then flown over to B.6, with eight more going to B.9 two days later. 122 Squadron would stay on at this dangerous spot until the evening of 17th (by which time 23 of the Wing's Mustangs had been damaged), when serviceable aircraft were flown to B.9, Lantheuil, until it was safe to return to B.12.

Other moves were also afoot; with the disbandment of 129 Wing, 184 Squadron now flew to B.5 to join 121 Wing. 193 and 257 Squadrons of 146 Wing flew in to to B.3, where they would be joined on 17th by 266 Squadron (after its temporary attachment to 136 Wing), and on 19th by 197 Squadron (which had already had a short spell operating from B.3 between 11th and 13th).

USAAF
ENGLAND: Virtually all USAAF bomber operations are curtailed by bad weather.

FRANCE: Ninety-four VIII Fighter Command P-38s and 84 P-47s attack German military transport in the region southeast of Paris. Three fighter-bombers are lost with their pilots and one bombardier.

Because of bad weather, only four of 96 IX Bomber Command B-26s dispatched during the afternoon to attack a rail bridge at L’Aigle are able to do so; the remainder of the B-26s abort.

A limited number of fighters and fighter-bombers under IX TAC control attack infantry, artillery, and rail targets during the day.

ITALY: Operation MALLORY MAJOR is deemed a success and is officially terminated, but Twelfth Air Force tactical bombers will continue to interdict bridge traffic attempting to cross the Po River. Twelfth Air Force fighter-bombers spend the day attacking gun emplacements, roads and road bridges, and targets of opportunity as well as providing on-call support for Allied ground forces.

ROMANIA: More than 600 Fifteenth Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack four oil refineries at Ploesti and the pumping station at Teleajenul. Fifteenth Air Force fighter pilots down four Axis fighters over Romania between 0950 and 1040 hours.

BASE CHANGES
3 Sqn SAAF (Spitfire IX) moves to Almaza
19 Sqn (Mustang III) moves to B.12 Ellon
94 Sqn (Spitfire VC/IX) moves to Savoia
193 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to B.3 St. Croixe-sur-Mer
249 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to Canne
257 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to B.3 St. Croixe-sur-Mer
441 Sqn RCAF (Spitfire LFIXB) moves to B.11 Longues
442 Sqn RCAF (Spitfire LFIXB) moves to B.4 Beny-sur-Mer
443 Sqn RCAF (Spitfire LFIXB) moves to B.2 Bazenville
614 Sqn (Haifax III) moves to Amendola

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
402 Sqn RCAF (Merston) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VB

[warshipbuilder]

17-7-44
400 Sqn RCAF (B.8 Sommervieu – Spitfire PRXI)
Clear sunny day. Excellent day for flying. Four Spitfires carried out operational flying from Odiham involving the following areas: Antwerp. Le Havre-Diopp. Kemue-Dinant, and Honfleur. Three of these sorties were successful, one abortive due to cloud. Ten Spitfires XI carried out Photo/R sorties from B.8 France of the following areas: Lisieux, Bernay, Coument, Villiers and Argenten. Five of these sorties were successful, three partially successful, remaining two unsuccessful, one due to weather, the other due to aircraft catch ing fire and the pilot (F/L F.E. Hanton, D.F.C.) (J.10116) forced to bale out. Pilot baled out over base and suffered burns about face with arms and legs injured.

BOMBER COMMAND
FLYING-BOMB SITES
132 aircraft – 72 Halifaxes, 28 Stirlings, 20 Lancasters, 11 Mosquitoes, 1 Mustang – attacked 3 sites without loss. Few details of bombing results were recorded.

________________________________________

17/18 July 1944
MINOR OPERATIONS
23 Stirlings and 11 Halifaxes from Heavy Conversion Units of 1 and 5 Groups on a diversion flight over the North Sea without loss, although no major operation took place elsewhere, 31 Mosquitoes to Berlin, 24 R.C.M. sorties, 38 Mosquito patrols, 8 Halifaxes minelaying off Heligoland and the Frisians, 16 aircraft on Resistance operations. No aircraft lost.

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2nd TAF
A Spitfire XI of 4 Squadron undertook a photo reconnaissance sortie at high-level during the morning, but an oil leak caused the engine to catch fire and Flg Off N.S.Cooper baled out into the Channel. Once more the area was engulfed in dense fog, and it was not until evening that he was found, by which time he was dead.

Again it was 602 Squadron which was first to become involved with opposing aircraft when 12 of its Spitfires were led on an armed reconnaissance by Sqn Ldr Le Roux during the afternoon. Near Flers six Bf 109s appeared and Le Roux at once got on the tail of one, which crashed before he could even open fire. He then shot up a staff car and a motorcyclist, and claimed damage to a further Bf 109.

It later transpired that the car he attacked was probably that carrying Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel, who suffered a fractured skull as a result, and had to be replaced. During this particular operation Flt Lt D.A.W.Manson's Spitfire was hit by Flak and he crash-landed south-east of Alencon, but was killed.

Meanwhile more Spitfires from 411 Squadron had commenced an armed reconnaissance at 1600, during which a lone Bf 109 was seen and shot down by Sqn Ldr Robertson north-east of Lisieux. Six 441 Squadron aircraft then went off on patrol, attacking six Fw 190s at 1655, three of which were claimed in the Verneuil-Dreux-Chartres area, two by Flt Lt W.W.C.Brown.

As 403 Squadron was involved in another armed reconnaissance, a lone Bf 109 'bounced' the Squadron over Sourdeval, its fire hitting Flt Lt L.P. Commerford's Spitfire, which was damaged and its pilot wounded. The audacity of this attack makes it seem extremely likely that his assailant had been III./JG 26's very experienced Kommandeur, Maj Klaus Mietusch, who claimed a Spitfire at 1640.

Two other aircraft were lost during the early evening, Plt Off F.E.Hanton, DFC, baling out of a 400 Squadron PR XI - the second such aircraft to be lost on this date, and apparently due to a similar fault; he was taken to hospital suffering from burns to his face, legs and arms. At 1820 a 440 Squadron Typhoon was ẞlost, reportedly hit by Flak; Flg Off R.G. Hattie was wounded and baled out over Maltot. It is possible however, that he had actually been hit by fire from a Luftwaffe fighter, for during the evening a Typhoon was claimed by Oblt Schauder of III./JG 26.

602 Squadron was off again, six of the unit's pilots engaging 25-30 Bf 109s in the Caen- Carpiquet-Cabourg area at about 2015, claiming three Messerschmitts and two Focke-Wulfs shot down, two of the former being credited to the Squadron's Norwegian flight commander, Capt T.Johnsen.


At 2035 Flt Lts W.S.Johnson and R.H.Cull of 401 Squadron claimed damage to a pair of Bf 109s near Carpiquet, whilst about two hours later other pilots of this unit on another patrol encountered three Do 217s while over the Caen-Cabourg-Le Havre area, with two claimed shot down by Flt Lt Bill Klersy and Flg Off R.M.Davenport, the third claimed damaged. During the first of these engagements, the highly over-optimistic pilots of III./JG 1 claimed four Spitfires shot down between 2030-2040, although the Canadians suffered no damage at all on this occasion.

Six more 602 Squadron Spitfires were off at 2230, Bf 109s once more being observed. Sqn Ldr Le Roux claimed one shot down into the sea for his fifth victory in three days. He then spotted some more of these fighters and claimed damage to one.

Thus 2nd TAF fighters had claimed 11 victories over opposing fighters during the day, plus the two bombers, while US pilots had also made 11 claims - all for Fw 190s. RAF claims had been for five Focke-Wulfs and six Messerschmitts. II. Jagdkorps actually lost 20 fighters, divided equally between the two types.

Reorganisation of the wings continued, 134 Wing being disbanded on this date. 33 Squadron joined 135 Wing, where Wg Cdr Ray Harries also arrived as new Wing Leader, and Sqn Ldr H.C.Rigby, DFC, took over command of 222 Squadron. 74 Squadron meanwhile went to join the French units of 145 Wing, and 127 Squadron, on completion of its spell at APC, would return to action with 132 Wing.

By night 604 Squadron undertook seven defensive patrols between 2200 and 0530 next morning, on one of which Flt Lt G.A.Hayhurst/Wt Off Gosling claimed a Ju 88 shot down. Crews of 410 Squadron intercepted and shot down three V-1s during the night, these missiles increasingly involving the night fighters during the month; indeed, 264 Squadron had already destroyed two, two nights earlier.

At this stage of the campaign two new major offensives had been planned. Operation 'Goodwood' was an attack by the British and Canadian forces designed to complete the encirclement of Caen, and hold the bulk of the German armour in the east, while Operation 'Cobra' was launched by US forces in an effort to achieve the desired breakout to the south. Montgomery's orders to General Dempsey, commander of Second Army, was: "To engage the German armour in battle and "write it down" to such an extent that it is of no further value to the Germans as a basis for battle. To gain a good bridgehead over the Orne through Caen and thus improve our positions on the eastern flank. Generally to destroy German equipment and personnel as a preliminary to a possible wide application of success." He stressed that the eastern flank must remain "a bastion" upon which the US offensive could be launched about three days later to the immediate west of St Lô.

Despite the losses suffered, the German front in Normandy was still very strong and its maintenance there was the only alternative to a general withdrawal from France. By this time the front was very much in the form it would be prior to the Allied breakthrough. In the west 7. Armee under Hausser faced the US Army from Caumont to the sea, while in the east Panzer Group West under Eberbach faced the British and Canadians from Caumont to the airborne bridgehead in the east.

Heavy fighting had continued after the capture of Caen, mainly around the tactically important Hill 112, but whilst there had been some limited Allied gains, casualties on both sides had been heavy. The fighting here continued to persuade the German commanders that the main thrust would be made in this area. Further west US pressure through the bocage also continued, and troops were approaching St Lô, which the Germans would abandon on 18 July.

The Wehrmacht was now suffering greatly from the constant interdiction of its supply and reinforcement routes, whilst the increasingly successful Allied bombing offensive against the fuel industry was generally beginning to make itself felt seriously. The impact showed both in shortages, and in the quality of replacement tank and aircrew, whose inadequate training was increasingly evident in operations.

On 15 July, two days before his severe injury, Rommel had reported to von Kluge: "Within a measurable time, the enemy will succeed in breaking through our thinly held front, especially that of Seventh Army, and in thrusting deep into France.... The force is fighting heroically everywhere, but the unequal struggle is nearing its end. In my opinion it is necessary to draw the appropriate conclusion from this situation."

By the time 'Cobra' came to be launched, the Wehrmacht in Normandy had suffered some 117,000 casualties since D-Day, but had received only 12,000 replacements, whilst only 17 new tanks had arrived to make good 250 losses.


USAAF
FRANCE: Six hundred twenty Eighth Air Force B-17s and B-24s, escorted by 433 VIII Fighter Command fighters, attack numerous bridges spanning the Vire and Seine rivers, rail junctions, and other tactical targets, including many targets of opportunity. After completing their escort assignments, fighters from four groups strafe rail and road targets, claiming the destruction of 23 locomotives, 55 rail cars, and 18 motor vehicles. One B-17 and one P-47 are lost.


In a separate mission, 106 Eighth Air Force B-24s and 34 B-17s, escorted by 206 VIII Fighter Command fighters, attack 12 V-weapons sites in the Pas-de Calais area.


Despite bad weather, 69 IX Bomber Command B-26s are able to attack fuel dumps around Rennes, and 37 A-20s attack a marshalling yard and a fuel dump. Ninth Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers provide direct support for U.S. First Army units near Coutances and St.-Lo, and attack a marshalling yard at Nevers, Angers Airdrome, and a fuel dump.


For the first time in the war, IX TAC fighter-bombers attack ground targets with aerial rockets, which 12 P-47s (armed with four rockets apiece) employ with great success against a marshalling yard at Nevers. Also placed in use for the first time is napalm, which 14 370th Fighter Group P-38s employ against ground targets near Coutances.


VIII Fighter Command and IX TAC fighter pilots down 11 GAF fighters over France between 1000 and 2020 hours.


The IX TAC’s 36th Fighter Group moves into Advance Landing Ground A-16, at Brucheville.


Fifteenth Air Force B-24s attack a marshalling yard at Avignon and rail bridges at Arles and Tarascon. 332d Fighter Group P-51 pilots down three Bf-109s near Toulon.
ITALY: Twelfth Air Force B-25s and B-26s continue to attack the Po River bridges as well as bridges and viaducts servicing the battle area; and XII TAC fighter-bombers attack rail targets and bridges north of the battle area.


During the night of July 17–18, XII TAC A-20s attack several road junctions and the La Spezia area.


BASE CHANGES
15 Sqn (Non-Op) leaves Egypt for Italy
33 Sqn (Spitfire LFIXE) moves to Funtingdon
65 Sqn (Mustang III) moves to B.12 Ellon
74 Sqn (Spitfire LFIXE) moves to Selsey
164 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to B.8 Sommrvieu
197 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to B.3 St. Croix-sur-Mer
611 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Bolt Head

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
73 Sqn (Foggia Main) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VIII
114 Sqn (Cecina) flies its last OM in the Boston IIIA
132 Sqn (B.14 Amblie) flies its first OM in the Spitfire LFIXE
151 Sqn (Predannack) flies its last OM in the Mosquito NFXIII
402 Sqn RCAF (Merston) flies its first OM in the Spitfire LFIXB

[warshipbuilder]

18-7-44
431 Sqn RCAF (Croft – Halifax III)
Thirteen aircraft took off on a daylight raid on VAIRES. Two aircraft failed to return.

ADDENDUM – Halifax III LW572 SE-Q. Crew: P/O FA Longstaff RCAF POW, Sgt RS Cole RCAF KIA, F/O JWK Dunn RCAF KIA, Sgt G Jackson RCAF KIA, F/O DA Cooper RCAF KIA, Sgt JE Williams RCAF KIA, F/S WA Young RCAF KIA. T/o 1523 Croft. Crashed near Nerville-la-Forêt 6 km SE of l’Isle-Adam. Those who died were taken to Boran-sur-Oise Communal Cemetery.

Halifax III MZ628 SE-Y. Crew: S/L CG Bull RCAF KIA, P/O R Heald KIA, P/O W Abbott KIA, F/O FE Mitchell KIA, P/O L Robin KIA, Sgt JE Lockett RCAF KIA, Sgt JA Blasko RCAF KIA, P/O PL Alp KIA. T/o 1521 Croft. Crashed 1810 about 1 km SW of Camoisy, 6 km W frome the centre of Creil, where four are buried in the town’s communal cemetery. The others lie in Camoisy Communal Cemetery.

BOMBER COMMAND
NORMANDY BATTLE AREA
942 aircraft – 667 Lancasters, 260 Halifaxes, 15 Mosquitoes – to bomb 5 fortified villages in the area east of Caen through which British Second Army troops were about to make an armoured attack, Operation Goodwood.

The raids took place at dawn in clear conditions. 4 of the targets were satisfactorily marked by Oboe and, at the target where Oboe failed, the Master Bomber, Squadron Leader E. K. Creswell, and other Pathfinder crews used visual methods. American bombers also attacked these targets and a total of 6,800 tons of bombs were dropped, of which Bomber Command dropped more than 5,000 tons. Elements of two German divisions, the 16th Luftwaffe Field Division and the 21st Panzer Division, were badly affected by the bombing, the Luftwaffe Division particularly so. Operation Goodwood made a good start. This raid was either the most useful or one of the most useful of the operations carried out by Bomber Command in direct support of the Allied armies.

The aircraft bombed from medium heights, 5,000–9,000 ft, but army artillery and naval gunfire subdued many of the Flak batteries and only 6 aircraft – 5 Halifaxes and 1 Lancaster – were shot down. No German fighters appeared; Allied air superiority over the battlefield by day was complete.

VAIRES
110 aircraft – 99 Halifaxes, 6 Lancasters, 5 Mosquitoes – of 4, 6 and 8 Groups attacked the railway yards but no report on the bombing results was filed. 2 Halifaxes lost.

Total effort for the day: 1,052 sorties, 8 aircraft (0.8 percent) lost.

________________________________________

18/19 July 1944
WESSELING
194 aircraft – 111 Halifaxes, 77 Lancasters, 6 Mosquitoes – of 1, 6 and 8 Groups to attack the synthetic-oil plant. 1 Halifax lost.

A useful German report from Wesseling shows that this was a very successful raid and a credit to the Pathfinder marking. Approximately 1,000 high-explosive bombs fell inside the area of the plant in 20 minutes. 20 percent of the installations were destroyed but, because some important buildings were particularly hard-hit, the loss of production was greater than this figure. 600 workmen were present on the night shift but they had good air-raid shelters and only 3 were killed. The nearby town was also hit and 151 houses were destroyed, many of them being in the estate for the oil-plant workers. The people here must also have been provided with good shelters because only 8 German people were killed. The local report stresses that no children of school age were among the casualties; the local school had been evacuated to Silesia a few weeks earlier. Foreign workers and prisoners of war in a nearby camp probably had poorer air-raid shelters; 22 foreign workers and 9 prisoners of war died.

SCHOLVEN/BUER
157 Lancasters and 13 Mosquitoes of 1 and 8 Groups attacked the oil plant. 4 Lancasters lost.

This was also a successful raid. The local report says that 550 bombs fell in the plant area, although 233 of them did not explode. Production came to ‘a complete standstill for a long period’. 5 people were killed in the plant and a further 25 died in nearby houses which were hit. One of the fatal casualties committed suicide by shooting himself during the raid and another man drowned when he fell into an emergency water tank in the darkness and confusion.

RAILWAYS
253 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitoes of 1, 3, 5 and 8 Groups attacked railway junctions at Aulnoye and Revigny. Both targets were hit and the railway lines to the battle front were cut. 2 Lancasters were lost on the Aulnoye raid but the 5 Group raid to Revigny was caught by German fighters and 24 Lancasters were shot down, nearly 22 percent of the Lancasters involved. 619 Squadron, from Dunholme Lodge, lost 5 of its 13 aircraft taking part in the raid.

ACQUET
62 aircraft – 51 Halifaxes, 9 Mosquitoes, 2 Lancasters – of 4 and 8 Groups bombed a flying-bomb launching site but photographs indicated that no new damage was caused. 2 Halifaxes lost.

SUPPORT AND MINOR OPERATIONS
115 aircraft – 86 Wellingtons, 19 Stirlings, 10 Halifaxes – from Heavy Conversion and Operational Training Units on a diversionary sweep over the North Sea, 22 Mosquitoes to Berlin and 6 to Cologne, 20 R.C.M. sorties, 76 Mosquito patrols, 8 Halifaxes minelaying in the Frisians, 36 aircraft on Resistance operations. 3 aircraft lost: 1 Mosquito from the Berlin raid and 2 Halifaxes from Resistance operations.

Total effort for the night: 972 sorties, 36 aircraft (3.7 percent) lost.

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2nd TAF
Operation 'Goodwood' opened at 0545 with a massive bombing attack by some 4,000 aircraft from Bomber Command and the US Eighth and Ninth Air Forces, continuing until 0745. At that point the waiting troops of Second Army moved forward. Initially, good progress was made in fine weather, and by midday Tilly-la-Compagne had been reached. Here however, resistance stiffened, and by nightfall 11th Armoured Division had lost 126 tanks while the Guards Armoured Division on its left had lost a further 60. During the night the Germans evacuated the eastern suburbs of Caen and withdrew to the Bourgebus Ridge, from where they enjoyed commanding positions over the immediate front. Attacks would be continued over the next two days, but during the afternoon of 20th a heavy rainstorm turned the ground to a quagmire, bringing all further movement to a halt. The attack had, however, achieved one of its major aims, resulting in two Panzer divisions, the 2nd and 116th, being diverted from the western end of the front to bolster Panzer Gruppe West, further weakening the 7. Armee forces facing the Americans.

The cost of these three days had been very heavy for Second Army, with 500 tanks lost and 4,000 casualties. The bridgehead had indeed been expanded, but not by as much as had been hoped. However, German casualties had also been heavy, and since 6 June 2,360 experienced officers had been lost - assets very difficult to replace.

Throughout the offensive 2nd TAF had provided constant air support until the weather changed, but losses here too had not been light. During the initial advance by the army, between 0745-0800 on 18th two Typhoons of 143 Wing were shot down by Flak, including the aircraft flown by Flt Lt R.M.McKenzie of 438 Squadron who was killed. By the early afternoon seven more Typhoons had been hit, four of them crashing, one force-landing and two returning in a damaged condition; two pilots were killed and two taken prisoner. The aircraft of the one of the latter, Flg Off F.M.Botting, RCAF, was discovered by advancing troops and recovered for repair, but the pilot had disappeared.

The Spitfires had also been active, 12 from 441 Squadron undertaking a patrol over the front from 0835. North of Argentan at 0935 a pair of Bf 109s were seen and both were claimed shot down. At B.11, 453 Squadron received the first of its new Mark IXE Spitfires.

During the early afternoon Maj Barlow, SAAF, led 12 182 Squadron Typhoons on an armed reconnaissance during which tanks and MET were attacked in the Troarne-Argences area. Here however, Flak shot down both the unit's flight commanders, and Barlow's fellow South African, Capt G.H.Kaufman, was killed, while Flt Lt A.C.Flood became a prisoner.

Pilots of III./JG 1 claimed two Spitfires shot down during the day, but the only aircraft of this type to be lost was from 421 Squadron, Flt Lt P.G.Johnson being killed when he flew into some trees whilst strafing. Jagdwaffe pilots also claimed eight P-51s (having claimed seven of these aircraft the previous day), but on neither date were any of 122 Wing's Mustangs lost, so their opponents must be assumed to have been USAAF aircraft. The latter were extremely active against II. Jagdkorps during the day, claiming 39 fighters shot down. This was undoubtedly somewhat of an overestimate, for the Korps' losses on this date totalled 21 aircraft.

Following the fall of night Mosquitoes of 488 Squadron patrolled overhead, Wt Off W.G.Kirkwood/Wt Off C.N.Matheson claiming a Ju 88 and Flg Off A.S.McPhail/Plt Off P.J.Smith a Do 217, both at 2315 hours, and both in the Caen area.


BASE CHANGES
13 Sqn (Baltimore V) moves to Cecina
18 Sqn (Boston III) moves to Cecina
55 Sqn (Baltimore V) moves to Cecina
266 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to B.8 Sommervieu

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
303 Sqn (Merston) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VB
21 Sqn SAAF (Pescara) flies its last OM’s in the Baltimore III & IV
22 Sqn SAAF (Gibraltar) flies its first OM in the Ventura V
27 Sqn SAAF (La Senia) flies its first OM in the Ventura V

[warshipbuilder]

19-7-44
402 Sqn RCAF (Merston – Spitfire LFIXB)
Weather fine, and fully operational. Starting at 08:50 hours in the morning Squadron aircraft in sections of two aircraft patrolled channel covering convoy. During the patrol being carried out between 08:00 to 09:25 hours (F/O H.B. Dixon and P/O F.D.Miles) section ran into very 'duff' weather. F/O Dixon gave order to climb up through it. On getting on top F/O Dixon could not contact P/O Miles and all attempts via R/T failed. P/O Miles is listed as missing from this operation. He was a very popular member of the squadron and his loss will be felt by both Groundcrew and Aircrew. Time logged for day Operational - 18:55 hours. Non-operational-:55 minutes. All other patrols proved uneventful some non-operational flying on weather tests and aircraft testing carried out during the day, Flying washed out late in the afternoon and Squadron was released.

ADDENDUM – Spitfire LFIXB LZ816 AE-? Pilot: P/O FD Miles RCAF KIA. Last seen about 50 miles off Selsey Bill. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

BOMBER COMMAND
FLYING-BOMB SITES
132 Lancasters and 12 Mosquitoes of 5 and 8 Groups attacked two launching sites and a supply dump. All target areas were partially cloud-covered but the targets were believed to have been hit. No aircraft lost.

________________________________________

19/20 July 1944
MINOR OPERATIONS
36 Mosquitoes to Bremen, 9 R.C.M. sorties, 29 Mosquito patrols, 6 Halifaxes minelaying off Heligoland, 8 O.T.U. sorties.

No aircraft lost.

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2nd TAF
Whilst close-support sorties continued, several changes of base were made, 198 and 609 Squadrons moving to B.7, Martragny, followed by 164 Squadron next day. The Mustangs of 19 and 65 Squadrons returned to B.12, now no longer being shelled. Losses to Flak were less severe, only one Typhoon and one Spitfire being lost to this cause during the day. Flt Lt K.F.Gear of 181 Squadron crash-landed at B.6, although 602 Squadron's Wt Off J.D.Pincus was killed, crashing into the sea off Trouville. Greater damage was suffered from 'friendly fire, a 174 Squadron Typhoon suffering damage from a P-47, while three of 403 Squadron's Spitfires were hit by Allied AA, all force-landing, with one of the pilots wounded.

II. Jagdkorps made its presence felt however, during the early afternoon Bf 109s claiming two Austers shot down in the US sector. In the absence of losses of British aircraft, these are assumed to have been US Piper L 4s. At 2000 eight Typhoons of 266 Squadron commenced an armed reconnaissance over the Lisieux area, where they were attacked by 25 Bf 109s from I./JG 5 and III./JG 1. Plt Off J.H.Meyer and Flt Sgts J.C.Harrold and R.McElroy - all Rhodesians - were all shot down and killed, only Plt Off I.H.Forrester being able to turn into the attackers and shoot down one of the JG 5 aircraft, the only loss suffered by the German units. It seems that a pair of 168 Squadron Mustang Is on a TacR south of St Pierre, flew into this mêlée, when 20 Bf 109s were seen, six of which attacked, shooting down Flg Off J.C.Warnock's aircraft and damaging the other Mustang. A Ninth Air Force F-6 Mustang TacR aircraft was also lost to Bf 109s in the area. Claims by the German pilots were wild in the extreme on this occasion. Hptm Theodor Weissenberger, leading the I./JG 5 formation, claimed three Typhoons and the 168 Squadron Mustang, raising his personal score to 198, while Lt August Mors of this unit also claimed three - his 55th-57th-Lt Alfred Lehner one (his 35th), and two other pilots brought this Gruppe's total claims to nine. The JG 1 pilots obviously attacked at exactly the same moment, their leader, Hptm Alfred Grislawski, claiming one Typhoon as his 128th victory, Ofw Leo Barann one as his personal eighth, while six other pilots each claimed one, and a claim for a Spitfire was also made. Thus were 17 claims submitted for Typhoons against the actual loss of three - a classic example of the overclaiming that can occur in a fighter-versus-fighter engagement where several units are involved! During the fighting Weissenberger was heard by the Allied 'Y' Service (the W/T interception service) to be involved in a long and difficult combat during which he screamed almost hysterically at the pilots of one of his Staffeln to come down and join in the fight or else he would climb up and shoot them down himself!

USAAF
BELGIUM: IX TAC fighter-bombers attack transportation targets in western Belgium, the farthest-ranging tactical strikes since D day.

FRANCE: During the afternoon, a total of 262 IX Bomber Command B-26s and A-20s attack bridges spanning the Loire and Seine rivers, and a fuel dump. Although hampered by bad weather, Ninth Air Force fighters and fighter bombers attack tactical targets, rail lines, and troop concentrations and positions.

Capt Joseph L. Egan, Jr., a five-victory P-47 ace with the 56th Fighter Group’s 63d Fighter Squadron, is shot down and killed by flak near Nancy.

The IX TAC’s 373d Fighter Group moves into Advance Landing Ground A-13, at Tour en Bessin.

GERMANY: 1,082 Eighth Air Force heavy bombers attack a broad array of industrial targets, a river dam, marshalling yards at six locations, and four airdromes throughout western and southwestern Germany, and even into Austria. Fourteen B-17s and three B-24s are lost, and three B-17s are interned in Switzerland.

Escort for the various heavy bomber formations is provided by a total of 670 VIII Fighter Command fighters, of which seven are lost with their pilots. Many fighters strafe ground targets following their release from escort duty. This is the first mission undertaken by the 55th Fighter Group since its transition from P-38s to P-51s.

VIII Fighter Command pilots down 15 GAF fighters over Germany between 0945 and 1020 hours. Capt William J. Hovde, a P-51 pilot with the 355th Fighter Group’s 358th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs a Bf-109 near Augsberg at 0945 hours.

Following by 90 minutes the Eighth Air Force heavy-bomber attacks in the same area, more than 400 Fifteenth Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack an aircraft factory, a motor factory, and an ordnance depot in and around Munich. Heavy flak opposition and weak fighter opposition account for 16 Fifteenth Air Force aircraft downed.

14th Fighter Group P-38 escort pilots down seven Bf-109s. 2dLt Michael Brezas, a P-38 pilot with the 14th Fighter Group’s 48th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs a Bf-109 near Munich.

ITALY: Twelfth Air Force bomber operations are severely restricted by bad weather, but B-26s are able to mount a late-afternoon attack against bridges at two locations, and B-25s attack a third bridge. Fighter-bomber operations are also severely limited by bad weather to several attacks on rail targets.

BASE CHANGES
609 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to B.7 Matragny

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
124 Sqn (Bradwell Bay) flies its first OM in the Spitfire HFIX
459 Sqn RAAF (St. Jean) flies its last OM in the Ventura V
611 Sqn (Bolt Head) flies its first OM and starts its second tour of duty in the Spitfire IX.

[warshipbuilder]

20-7-44
405 Sqn RCAF (Gransden Lodge – Lancaster III)

“OPERATIONS” “BOTTROP” “4 A/C DETAILED” “(ONE MISSING)”

Three aircraft successful ‘A’ dropping 8 x T.I. Green 2,000 lb. 3 by 4,000 H.C. <unreadable> 12 x 500 G.P., 6 x 500 100. 025 and 6 x 500 MC. TD.025, and 6 x 500 G.P. LD, between 0134:18 and 0136 hours from 17,800 to 17,900 feet. Weather, three reports vary from no cloud at 134 hours, 10/10 thin cloud at 0135 hours, from 5 to 6/10 cloud at 0136 hours. Two B/U dropped their green T.I.’s at 0134:18 and 01351.36 hours. One retained <unreadable> he was not certain which of scattered red were at A.P. First red was reported at 0128 hours 1 to 2 miles Southeast of A.P. All Other reds fell at 0130:30 hours 0132:42 hours, and six red T.I.s were seen altogether. The second and third reds were checked by 405 aircraft and H.2.S. as being at A.P. but not greens were seen to fall here, but one green fall ¼ mile to Southwest. Fourth was ¼ mile ti Southwest. Fifth was one mile to West of A.P. Sixth 1¼ to 2 miles Southwest of A.P. near No. w to be later followed by a green T. I. Some bombing was seen at 2nd and 3rd T.I.s and 1st and 6th. The A.P was not identified visually. An explosion with black smoke to 4 to 5,000 feet was reported at approximately 0136 hours. Flak was moderate for Ruhr and much searchlight activity hampered by haze. Fighters were active at target and fighter flares were seen. Three aircraft were reported falling, one at 0119 hours with T.I. green falling from it. Three aircraft attempted photographs and returned to base. One aircraft missing – 405 ‘P’.

ADDENDUM – Lancaster III PB174 LQ-P. Crew: F/L JD Virtue RCAF KIA, Sgt PN Gilbert KIA, F/O JJR Johnson RCAF KIA, F/O AG McCarthy RCAF KIA, F/S VF Dodds RCAF KIA, WO2 AJ Britts RCAF KIA, Sgt T Davenport KIA, F/S MS Stoyko RCAF POW. T/o 2340 Gransden Lodge. Shot down by Hptm Martin Drewes (45th victory) Stab III./NJG1, crashed 0115 at Reutum, 11 km ENE of Almelo. Those who died rest in Tubbergen Roman Catholic Cemetery.

BOMBER COMMAND
V-WEAPON SITES
369 aircraft – 174 Lancasters, 165 Halifaxes, 30 Mosquitoes – attacked 6 flying-bomb launching sites and the V-weapon site at Wizernes. All raids were successful except the small raid by 20 aircraft on the Forêt-de-Croc site where the Oboe leader Lancaster was shot down on the bombing run and the bombs of this force all missed the target. This was the only aircraft lost.

8 Mosquitoes flew uneventful Ranger patrols.

The unsuccessful attempt on Hitler’s life at his headquarters in East Prussia took place on this day.

________________________________________

20/21 July 1944
COURTRAI
302 Lancasters and 15 Mosquitoes of 1, 5 and 8 Groups attacked the railway yards and a ‘triangle’ rail junction at Courtrai. The Bomber Command report states that both targets ‘were devastated’. 9 Lancasters lost.

BOTTROP
166 aircraft – 149 Halifaxes, 13 Mosquitoes, 4 Lancasters – of 4 and 8 Groups attacked the synthetic-oil refinery. The northern part of the target was badly damaged. 7 Halifaxes and 1 Lancaster lost.

HOMBERG
147 Lancasters and 11 Mosquitoes of 1, 3 and 8 Groups attacked the oil plant and caused severe damage. German documents show that the production of aviation fuel, which had stood at nearly 6,000 tons per day at the end of April, was now fluctuating between 120 and 970 tons per day, following Bomber Command and American Eighth Air Force raids. But German night fighters caught the Homberg bomber force and 20 Lancasters were lost. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron, from Mepal, lost 7 of its 25 aircraft on the raid.

V-WEAPON SITES
87 aircraft – 54 Halifaxes, 23 Lancasters, 10 Mosquitoes – of 4, 5 and 8 Groups attacked sites at Ardouval and Wizernes without loss but only 23 aircraft bombed at Ardouval and none at Wizernes.

SUPPORT AND MINOR OPERATIONS
106 aircraft from training units on a diversionary sweep over the North Sea, 6 Lancasters and 5 Mosquitoes on a ‘spoof’ raid to Alost, 26 Mosquitoes to Hamburg, 33 R.C.M. sorties, 42 Mosquito patrols, 8 Stirlings minelaying off Lorient, 17 aircraft on Resistance operations. 1 Mosquito lost from the Hamburg raid.

Total effort for the night: 971 sorties, 38 aircraft (3.9 percent) lost.

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2nd TAF
In the early hours, soon after midnight, a 69 Squadron Wellington was again intercepted 15 miles north-west of Etretat. On this occasion one gunner, Sgt Dennison, claimed that the Fw 190 at which he fired, blew up. No German bombers were intercepted, hut 264 Squadron submitted claims for six V-1s destroyed.

Most activity on this date occurred during the early-mid afternoon, before the rain closed down further activity in the air was well as on the ground. 442 Squadron despatched a number of patrols over the front, each comprising four aircraft. On the second of these which took off at 1225, 40 hostile aircraft were seen. Flt Lt Bill Olmsted claimed two Fw 190s south-east of St Lô, a third being credited to Flg Off G.R.Blair at 1315. Close behind them came 12 Spitfires of 602 Squadron on an armed reconnaissance, Flg Off B.J.Oliver spotting a lone Fw 190 and claiming its destruction. During the day JG 1 lost up to nine Fw 190s.

12 more Spitfires of 401 Squadron, led by Wg Cdr Johnson on a similar operation, were vectored onto the fight in which 442 Squadron was engaged, two more Focke-Wulfs being claimed by the Squadron, while Johnson damaged a third. These claims brought 401 Squadron's total to 100. Pilots of II./JG 1 claimed three Spitfires shot down during these engagements, two of them by Oblt Rüdiger von Kirchmayr and one by Ofw Reinhard Flecks, but in reality the Canadians suffered no losses.

Two hours later at 1530, aircraft of 443 Squadron which had set off on an armed reconnaissance at 1445, met a lone Fw 190 and four pilots broke off to pursue this, and it was shot down by Sqn Ldr McLeod. The other six pilots then attacked 30 more Fw 190s over Bernay, Flt Lt Larry Robillard, DFM, claiming one of these.

Finally, during a patrol around 1600 hours, Plt Off D.R.C.Jamieson of 412 Squadron claimed another Fw 190 south of La Hague. Wg Cdr Geoffrey Page, accompanied by Flt Lt Hawkins of 132 Squadron, had taken off on another cannon test in the course of the afternoon, the pair also becoming engaged, but with Bf 109s (cannon tests quite often actually being good excuses for pilots to get involved in the action!). Page claimed one shot down and Hawkins one damaged, but both their aircraft were then hit and damaged by Flak; Page suffered a wound in his left leg, although both pilots managed to land their aircraft successfully. At about 1645 however, a 438 Squadron Typhoon was also hit by Flak, Flg Off A.B.Newsome baling out into Allied-held territory.

126 Wing received its new commanding officer following its recent increase in strength to four squadrons, Grp Capt G.B.McGregor, OBE, DFC, taking over from Wg Cdr K.C.B.Hodson, DFC & Bar. By night the crews of 264 Squadron claimed a further three V-1s.

USAAF
ALGERIA: The XII Air Force Training and Replacement Command is disbanded.

FRANCE: IX Bomber Command bombing missions are delayed by rain during the morning, but 62 B-26s and A-20s are able to mount an afternoon attack against a marshalling yard and a fuel dump. Ninth Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers attack gun emplacements, bridges, and rail lines.

GERMANY: On the day of the unsuccessful assassination attempt against Adolf Hitler, 1,077 Eighth Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack a broad array of oil-industry targets, ball-bearing plants, five airdromes, an arms factory, and an optical-instruments plant in western and central Germany. Nineteen heavy bombers are lost.

Escort for the heavy bombers is provided by 476 VIII Fighter Command fighters, of which eight are lost with seven pilots. One of the pilots who fails to return is LtCol Francis S. Gabreski, the USAAF’s high-scoring fighter ace in the ETO, who is shot down by flak over Bassinheim Airdrome and taken prisoner.

VIII Fighter Command pilots down ten GAF fighters and a Do-217 over Germany between 1100 and 1140 hours. Capt Norman J. Fortier, a P-51 pilot with the 355th Fighter Group’s 354th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs a Bf-109 near Oschatz at 1115 hours.

This is the first mission undertaken by the 20th Fighter Group since its transition from P-38s to P-51s.

Fifteenth Air Force B-24s attack several aircraft factories around Friedrichs-hafen, and B-17s attack the airdrome at Memmingen.

Between 1045 and 1240 hours, pilots of the 1st, 14th, 31st, 82d, and 332d Fighter groups down 15 GAF fighters—over Memmingen during the bombing attack there and over northern Italy during both the penetration and withdrawal phases. 1stLt Robert J. Goebel, of the 31st Fighter Group’s 308th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs a Bf-109 over Villaorba, Italy, at 1210; and Maj Harry W. Dorris, Jr., commanding officer of the 31st Fighter Group’s 308th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs an Mc.202 near Villaorba at 1240 hours.

ITALY: Twelfth Air Force B-25s and B-26s continue to attack the Po River bridges, and XII TAC fighter-bombers concentrate on rail targets north of the battle area.

BASE CHANGES
5 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk IV) moves to Crete
43 Sqn (Spitfire LFIXB) moves to Calvi
72 Sqn (Spitfire LFIXB) moves to Calvetti
111 Sqn (Spitfire IX) moves to Calvi
164 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to B.7 Matrigny
252 Sqn (Beaufighter TFX) moves to Gambut

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
185 Sqn (Hal Far) flies its last OM in the Spitfire IX
303 Sqn (Merston) flies its first OM and starts its second tour of duty in the Spitfire IX
415 Sqn RCAF (Bircham Newton) flies its last OM’s in the Wellington XII and Albacore I

[warshipbuilder]

Dear Reader,

If you notice I haven't posted by 12 hours after my usual time, please drop me a line. It most likely means I have forgotten, like yesterday.

22-7-44
345 (FF) Sqn (Shoreham – Spitfire VB)
The Squadron received a visit by Colonel Cros of French H.Q., accompanied by Aspirante Dumas. The Squadron was unfortunate in losing another pilot - 30934 Sergeant Mendes, over the Channel, owing to engine failure. His body was picked up by a naval craft and taken into Portsmouth.

A small party was given by the Squadron in the evening in honour of the visit of Colonel Cros and Miss Dumas.

BOMBER COMMAND
FLYING-BOMB SITES
48 Lancasters and 12 Mosquitoes of 8 Group carried out ‘Oboe leader’ bombing of 4 sites through 10/10ths cloud. No aircraft lost.

2 Mosquitoes on Ranger patrols to Holland and Germany shot up trains without loss.

________________________________________
22/23 July 1944
MINOR OPERATIONS
6 Lancasters minelaying in the Kattegat, 10 Halifaxes on Resistance operations, 5 O.T.U. sorties. No aircraft lost.

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2nd TAF

Lt Rudolf Schmid of I./JG 11 claimed two Spitfires on 21st, his 10th and 11th victories, but the only loss which may possibly relate to these claims was of a Spitfire of 16 Squadron which undertook a low-level photo reconnaissance sortie to Doullens and failed to return, Flt Sgt N.P.Morris being reported a POW.

Following Operation 'Goodwood' and particularly the aerial bombardment which immediately preceded its launch, von Kluge now wrote gloomily to his Führer on 21st: "My discussions yesterday with the commanders in the Caen sector has afforded regrettable evidence that, in the face of the enemy's complete command in the air, there is no possibility of our finding a strategy which will counter-balance its truly annihilating effect, unless we give up the field of battle.

"Whole armoured formations allotted to the counterattack were caught in bomb-carpets of the greatest intensity, so that they could be extricated from the torn-up ground only by prolonged effort and in some cases only by dragging them out. The result was that they arrived too late. The psychological effect of such a mass of bombs coming down with all the power of elemental nature upon the fighting troops, especially the infantry, is a factor which had to be given particularly serious consideration. It is immaterial whether such a bomb-carpet catches good troops or bad; they are more or less annihilated. If this occurs frequently, then the power of endurance of the forces is put to the highest test; it becomes dormant and dies.”

"I came here with the fixed determination of making effective your order to stand fast at any price. But when one has to see by experience that this price muct be paid in the slow but sure annihilation of the force... anxiety about the immediate future of this front is only too well justified... In spite of intense efforts, the moment has drawn near when this front, already so heavily strained, will break. And once the enemy is in open country, an orderly command will hardly be practicable in view of the unsufficient mobility of our troops. I consider it my duty to bring these conclusions to your notice, my Führer, in good time."

Had von Kluge but known it, his troops were to be hit again in the immediate future by further massive 'bomb-carpets'.

USAAF
ENGLAND: Virtually the entire Eighth Air Force and most of the Ninth Air Force are grounded by bad weather.

FRANCE: Despite bad weather, two IX Bomber Command B-26 groups and one A-20 group attack a rail bridge and several fuel dumps. Escort for supply and evacuation aircraft and medium and light bombers is provided by the IX Fighter Command.

During the late evening, four IX Fighter Command fighter-bomber groups conduct rail-interdiction missions.

The IX TAC’s 367th Fighter Group moves into Advance Landing Ground A-6, at Beauzeville.

GERMANY: In the only mission completed by Eighth Air Force aircraft, seven B-17s, escorted by 27 4th Fighter Group P-51s, drop leaflets over northwestern Germany. Two of the P-51s are lost in operational accidents, and one of the pilots is killed.

ITALY: Most Twelfth Air Force flight operations are canceled in the face of bad weather, but XII TAC A-20s are able to conduct several armed-reconnaissance missions and attacks on a munitions factory and motor vehicles; Twelfth Air Force B-25s are able to mount attacks on three bridges; and XII TAC fighter-bombers are able to strafe parked aircraft at Bergamo Airdrome and attack several gun emplacements, road and rail bridges, motor vehicles, and trains north of the battle area.

During the night of July 22–23, XII TAC A-20s strafe motor vehicles in the Po River valley.

ROMANIA: Four hundred fifty-eight Fifteenth Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack an oil refinery at Ploesti or alternate rail targets at Orsova, Verciorova, and Kragujevac (Yugoslavia).

On the Fifteenth Air Force’s second (and first all-fighter) FRANTIC mission to the Soviet Union, 76 82d Fighter Group P-38s and 58 31st Fighter Group P-51s damage or destroy an estimated 41 Axis aircraft on the ground and a confirmed 20 Axis aircraft in the air while strafing the Buzau and Zilistea airdromes between 1015 and 1100 hours. Maj Victor E. Warford, the commanding officer of the 31st Fighter Group’s 309th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs a Bf-109 and an FW-190 near Buzau Airdrome at about 1030 hours. Also destroyed during the all-fighter mission are six locomotives and several trucks encountered along the way.

[warshipbuilder]

23-7-44
408 Sqn RCAF (Linton-on-Ouse – Lancaster II)
Another call was made by Bomber Command this morning, requesting thatSquadron be prepared for operations. Once again we responded by servicing fourteen aircraft plus one spare, and detailing fourteen crews to take part in the mission. The first aircraft took off at 2251 hours and all aircraft were airborne at 2305 hours, however unfortunaetly one aircraft “S” Sugar had slight difficulty on the take off and crash landed at MARSTON MOOR. All the crew aboard this aircraft were safe and abandoned the aircraft in orderly manner after which the aircraft caught fire. Captain of this aircraft "S” Sugar was F/O. J.A. BROWN. Remaining thirteen aircraft were successful in attacking and reaching their objective which was KIEL. The following is a condensed report of this operation: Weather reported as 7/10ths to 10/10ths cloud with tops between 1,000 and 6,000 feet, with good horizontal visibility. Ground markers were plentiful throughout the attack and on the whole appeared to very well concentrated although they were only visible as a glow through the thin cloud. Most of the crews heard the Master Bomber instructing them to bomb the ground markers. It was difficult to assess the result of the attack but there were two large explosions at 01.22 and 01.25 hours and the glow of fires was visible for about 100 miles on the return journey. Ground defences consisted of moderate Heavy flak and Slight light flak and only one searchlight. Fighter apposition was negligible with only one combat being reported over the target area.

BOMBER COMMAND
KIEL
This was the first major raid on a German city for two months. 629 aircraft – 519 Lancasters, 100 Halifaxes, 10 Mosquitoes – were dispatched. The elaborate deception and R.C.M. operations combined with the surprise return to a German target completely confused the German fighter force and only 4 aircraft – all Lancasters – were lost, a rate of 0.6 percent.

Kiel suffered heavily in this first R.A.F. raid since April 1943 and its heaviest R.A.F. raid of the war. The bombing force appeared suddenly from behind a Mandrel jamming screen and the local radio warning system only reported it as being a force of minelaying aircraft. 612 aircraft then bombed in a raid lasting only 25 minutes. All parts of Kiel were hit but the bombing was particularly heavy in the port areas and all of the important U-boat yards and naval facilities were hit. 315 people were killed and 439 injured. The presence of around 500 delayed-action bombs or unexploded duds caused severe problems for the rescue and repair services. There was no water for 3 days; trains and buses did not run for 8 days and there was no gas for cooking for 3 weeks.

DONGES
119 aircraft – 100 Halifaxes, 14 Lancasters, 5 Mosquitoes – of 6 and 8 Groups attacked an oil refinery and storage depot at Donges, near the mouth of the River Loire. This was the start of a new campaign against oil targets in the occupied countries. The bombing took place in good visibility. The target was severely damaged and a tanker was hit and capsized. No aircraft lost.

FLYING-BOMB SITES
116 aircraft – 102 Halifaxes, 12 Mosquitoes, 2 Lancasters – of 4 and 8 Groups attacked 2 sites with accurate bombing. 1 Halifax lost from the raid on the Les Hauts Buissons site.

SUPPORT AND MINOR OPERATIONS
180 aircraft of training units on diversionary sweep over the North Sea, 27 Mosquitoes to Berlin and 5 to Düren, 39 R.C.M. sorties, 45 Mosquito patrols, 6 Lancasters minelaying off Kiel and 2 Stirlings off Brest, 12 aircraft on Resistance operations, 8 O.T.U. sorties. 1 Lancaster lost while minelaying near Kiel.

Total effort for the night: 1,188 sorties, 5 aircraft (0.4 percent) lost.

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2nd TAF
180 Squadron reported that fighters were about during the night of 22/23rd, one Mitchell failing to return with the loss of the crew. By day, 15 of these bombers from 98 Squadron attacked railyards at Gros Montfort, but as bombs were released one bomber blew up, apparently by premature detonation of its bombs, three others in the formation being damaged by the blast. The crew of Sqn Ldr Paynter, whose aircraft had been the subject of the explosion, and that of Flt Lt Weekes, which went down with it, were all lost. Flg Off Berry, with himself and two of his crew wounded, crash-landed at a strip in the US sector, while Flt Sgt Harnden, was also wounded, as were two members of his crew, crash-landed at Tangmere on return to England.

During the evening a Mustang II of 2 Squadron suffered engine failure returning while from a sortie, Flt Lt R.G.Gent baling out into the sea 40 miles south of Selsey. Other TacR aircraft of 414 Squadron operated over the Bernay-Evreux-Dreux area, where Flg Offs Young and Russell attacked and destroyed five staff cars and their occupants. At 2125 a Spitfire was claimed in the St Lô-Caumont-l'Evêque area by Uffz Gallbach of II./JG 1. The only known loss was Sous Lt H.F.V. le Page of 340 Squadron, lost while escorting Mitchells, but later reported safe.

USAAF
ALBANIA: Forty-two Fifteenth Air Force B-24s, escorted by 15 P-51s, attack oil- industry targets at Berat.


FRANCE: Employing GH radar guidance, 78 1st Bombardment Division B-17s attack Creil Airdrome; and a total of 166 2d Bombardment Division B-24s attack the Juvincourt, Laon/Athies, and Laon/Couvron airdromes. Escort for the heavy bombers is provided by 177 VIII Fighter Command fighters.


More than 330 IX Bomber Command B-26s and A-20s from all eleven IX Bomber Command groups attack nine rail bridges and a fuel dump. Most of these attacks are carried out under cloudy conditions with the aid of pathfinders. IX TAC fighters and fighter-bombers attack strongpoints, bridges, and a supply dump in and around the battle area.
ITALY: Twelfth Air Force B-25s and B-26s attack bridges and bridge approaches in the Po River valley, and small flights of XII TAC fighter-bombers attack lines of communication in the battle area and throughout the Po River valley.

BASE CHANGES
87 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Perugia
263 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Eastcurch

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
114 Sqn (Cecina) flies its last OM in the Boston III
310 Sqn (Digby) flies its last OM in the Spitfire IX

[warshipbuilder]

24-7-44
428 Sqn RCAF (Middleton St. George – Lancaster X)
Fifteen crews were detailed for night operations on STUTTGART. Fourteen aircraft returned safely to base. F/O C.M. CORBET (J.86489, RCAF) struck by a friendly aircraft some miles from the target and returned to England, making an emergency crash landing at WOODRIDGE. The collision damaged the propellers, the bomb doors and undercarriage. The starboard inner engine fired but responded to feathering action and was extinguished by use of the Gravener. No one was injured in the crash landing but the aircraft was badly damaged and placed in E 1 category. Immediately after the collision which occurred at midnight over FRENCH territory it was discovered by F/O CORBET that he rear gunner missing and that it is presumed that he baled out. The pilot had given instructions to put on chutes after the collision but did not order to abandon as he was able to resume control of the aircraft. The colliding aircraft was seen below with one engine on fire but it is not known if it crashed or not.

BOMBER COMMAND
STUTTGART
461 Lancasters and 153 Halifaxes. 17 Lancasters and 4 Halifaxes lost, 4.6 percent of the force.

This was the first of 3 heavy raids on Stuttgart in 5 nights and the only report available is a composite one for the 3 raids. The 3 raids caused the most serious damage of the war in the central districts of Stuttgart which, being situated in a series of narrow valleys, had eluded Bomber Command for several years. They were now devastated and most of Stuttgart’s public and cultural buildings were destroyed. The second of the 3 raids, on the night of 25/26 July, was the most successful. Total casualties in Stuttgart during this series of raids were 1,171 people killed and 1,600 injured.

DONGES
104 Lancasters and 9 Mosquitoes of 5 and 8 Groups attacked the oil depot again and, according to reports, the target was ‘devastated’. 3 Lancasters lost.

FERFAY
112 aircraft – 100 Halifaxes, 10 Mosquitoes, 2 Lancasters – of 6 and 8 Groups attacked a flying-bomb site but the Master Bomber allowed only 73 aircraft to bomb. 1 Halifax lost.

SUPPORT AND MINOR OPERATIONS
107 aircraft from training units on diversionary sweep, 27 Mosquitoes to Berlin, 8 to Frankfurt and 5 to Aachen, 36 R.C.M. sorties, 46 Mosquito patrols, 4 Halifaxes minelaying off Brest and Lorient, 12 aircraft on Resistance operations, 4 O.T.U. sorties. No aircraft lost.

Total effort for the night: 1,088 sorties, 25 aircraft (23 percent) lost.

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2nd TAF
Following several postponements due to weather and delays in concentrating units, Operation 'Cobra' was finally due to be launched this morning. Again, a massive bombing attack was to precede the troops' advance, but as the bombers flew towards their target, problems arose. Flying with them, the commander of the Allied Expeditionary Air Forces, Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory, observed that the sky was too overcast and visibility too restricted to allow an accurate attack, which was to be made only 1,200 yards in front of the waiting Allied troops. He signalled for a cancellation, but 300 bombers did not receive the warning, their bombs falling short onto American soldiers, 25 of whom were killed and 131 wounded. The offensive was delayed for 24 hours.

By night prior to this event, 85 Group's 29 Squadron had again been involved in intruder activity, during which Flt Lt Musgrove/Plt Off Egerton-Hine claimed a Ju 188 shot down over Leeuwarden airfield in Holland.

A heavy attack was launched during the afternoon on woods at La Hogue by 48 Mitchells of 139 Wing accompanied by 12 more of 226 Squadron. One aircraft from the latter unit was shot down, the crew baling out into the Channel, a second of the unit's bombers being damaged and landing at B.5. Five of 180 Squadron's aircraft were damaged by Flak, one crash-landing at Tangmere on return.

In the early afternoon a Spitfire of 453 Squadron was attacked by a P-47 south-west of Bayeux, and Plt Off K.G.Kinross was killed. About an hour later 412 Squadron on its first operation of the day, a weather reconnaissance, engaged 40-plus German fighters over Lisieux, where Flg Off W.J.Banks claimed two Bf 109s and a Fw 190, Plt Off D.R.C.Jamieson two Bf 109s and Flt Lt O.M.Linton two Fw 190s.

Somewhat later, 453 Squadron suffered another loss when Flt Sgt J.H.Lynd's aircraft was hit by Flak, causing him to crash-land at Villers-Bocage, while Flt Lt W.R.Tew of 401 Squadron was also hit when on an armed reconnaissance over Lisieux, and baled out. At 2000 however, 453 Squadron pilots engaged fighters over Cambremer, claiming two shot down and two damaged.

These claims brought 2nd TAF's total for the day to nine- five Bf 109s and four Fw 190s. USAAF pilots claimed six Bf 109s and five Fw 190s. II. Jagdkorps reported 21 losses, 15 of them Bf 109s and six Fw 190s, five of the latter being aircraft of JG 2. The German pilots claimed two Spitfires and two Austers during the day.

During the day 604 Squadron despatched six Mosquitoes to A.15, Maupertus, to commence night operations in France, while 331 Squadron exchanged its Spitfire IXBs for new Mark IXES. At 2310 Wt Off D.J.MacDonald/Flt Sgt J.R.King of 409 Squadron claimed a Ju 88 shot down north-east of Le Havre.

USAAF
FRANCE: Operation COBRA, the scheduled air offensive leading up to an all-out push by the U.S. First Army to break out of the Normandy beachhead is delayed by poor flying conditions over the target area. Nevertheless, a total of 487 Eighth Air Force heavy bombers, escorted by 478 VIII Fighter Command fighters, attack alternate tactical targets in the Normandy area. Three VIII Fighter Command fighter groups strafe tactical targets in the battle zone. Three heavy bombers and five fighters are lost. Misdropped bombs kill 20 U.S. soldiers on the ground and wound approximately 60.


IX Bomber Command B-26s and A-20s originally scheduled to take part in the Operation COBRA missions are diverted against several ammunition and fuel dumps, and Ninth Air Force fighter-bombers attack bridges and supply dumps in the U.S. First Army battle area. The 344th Medium Bombardment Group, in B-26s, destroys part of a vital Loire River bridge near Tours.
USAAF fighter pilots down ten GAF fighters over France between 1300 and 1750 hours.
The IX TAC’s 370th Fighter Group moves into Advance Landing Ground A-3, at Cardonville.
In southern France, Fifteenth Air Force B-24s attack Les Chanoines and Valence/La Tresorerie airdromes.


GERMANY: One hundred forty-three VIII Fighter Command P-51s conduct a sweep over Lechfeld and Leipheim airdromes. Three single-engine biplane trainers are downed by 359th Fighter Group P-51 pilots over Neu-Ulm at 1220 hours.


ITALY: Fifteenth Air Force B-24s attack the harbor at Genoa; Fifteenth Air Force B-17s attack a tank factory and ball- bearing plant at Turin; Twelfth Air Force B-25s and B-26s attack several bridges; XII TAC A-20s attack an ammunition dump; and XII TAC fighter-bombers attack rail lines in the Po River valley.


YUGOSLAVIA: Fifteenth Air Force heavy bombers attack troop concentrations at four locations, and escort fighters attack targets of opportunity.

BASE CHANGES
74 Sqn (Spitfire LFIXE) moves to Southend

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
108 Sqn (Hal Far) flies its last OM in the Mosquito NFXIII
432 Sqn RCAF (East Moor) flies its last OM on the Halifax III

[warshipbuilder]

25-7-44
427 Sqn RCAF (Leeming – Halifax III)
Judging by the weather the morning it looked like another day of rest but still the word came through that we were needed to supply sixteen aircraft for operation.

Cloud over target w 8/10 above 18000 ft. and those aircraft detailed to bomb on STUTTGART from above this height had to bomb through cloud. Crews bombing from a height of 18000 ft. or less reported thin stratus at about 9/10,000 ft. but markers could easily be seen, and somw crewa reported seeing ground detail. Slight haze generally hampered visibility. First red were dropped on time and these were scattered. Green T.Is. backing up the reds appeared as a better concentration. All markers were reported by crews as being in the city area and bombing we centered throughout the built-up area. Crews arriving target towards the completion of attack report that fires and glow could be seen as far as 100 to 150 miles away from target. H.F. over target a moderate, barrage from co-operating with S/ls. was reported. ORLEANS was also active. There was fighter activity both into and away from target. Effective mainly on route in, our tactics after leaving the target seemed to be effective against fighter interception. All crews attempted photography and all aircraft landed away.

Our aircraft "J" piloted by CAN.J.85233 P/O. H.D. EGLI was hit by flak over the target and the undercarriage dropped. The crew managed to steer the badly damaged plane as far as the Normandy Beachhead but had to abandon the aircraft due to patrol shortage. At the present time all occupants are accounted for except the Captain but word is expected from him. The Bomb Aimer is in hospital, suffering from back injuries.

ADDENDUM – The crew was operating together again by September.

BOMBER COMMAND
STUTTGART
412 Lancasters and 138 Halifaxes to continue the attack on Stuttgart. 8 Lancasters and 4 Halifaxes lost, 2.2 percent of the force.

WANNE-EICKEL
135 aircraft – 114 Halifaxes, 11 Lancasters, 10 Mosquitoes – of 1, 4 and 8 Groups attacked the Krupp oil refinery. No aircraft lost.

Only a few bombs hit a corner of the oil refinery and production was not seriously affected. Other bombs hit the south-eastern part of Eickel, destroying 14 houses and killed 29 civilians, 4 foreign workers and 3 prisoners of war and causing production at the Hannibal coal mine to cease.

FLYING-BOMB SITES
36 Lancasters and 15 Mosquitoes of 1 and 8 Groups bombed 3 launching sites and succeeded in destroying the launching ramp at the Bois-des-Jardins site. No aircraft lost.

Minor Operations: 21 Mosquitoes to Berlin, 15 to Mannheim and 6 to Somain, 28 R.C.M. sorties, 37 Mosquito patrols, 4 Halifaxes minelaying off Brest, 5 Halifaxes on Resistance operations, 1 Mosquito of 100 Group lost.

Total effort for the night: 852 sorties, 13 aircraft (1.5 percent) lost.

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2nd TAF
Operation 'Cobra' at last commenced with a tremendous bombing attack by 1,500 B-17s and B-24s of the US Eighth Air Force, followed by 380 Ninth Air Force mediums and 550 fighter- bombers. It was, at last, the beginning of the breakout, and while US VII Corps was to be held for a couple of days at Marigny, on the right flank, along the west coast of the Cotentin Peninsula, rapid gains were made and Arromanches was reached by 30th. Thoroughly alarmed, Hitler now ordered three infantry divisions and 9. Panzer Division to move northwards from the South of France on 28th, despite a further invasion being anticipated here. It would take a considerable time for these units to reach the area.

With the weather much improved, 2nd TAF became extremely busy, intensifying its armed reconnaissance activity behind the front lines, whilst the calls for close-support came thick and fast as activity increased everywhere.

Soon after midnight 69 Squadron for the first time since D-Day lost one of its Wellington XIIIS, Plt Off P.E.Rushton's aircraft failing to return from the Elbeuf-Lisieux area, with the loss of the crew. On an early sortie, one of 453 Squadron's Spitfires was brought down north-east of Trun with the loss of Wt Off C.A.Seeney, whilst at 0915 182 Squadron lost its SAAF Commanding Officer, Maj D.H.Barlow when he baled out of his Flak- stricken Typhoon over Bretteville-le-Rabet to become a prisoner.

Between 1000 and midday the skies filled with aircraft. 421 Squadron undertook an armed reconnaissance to the Rouen area where at 1100 more than 40 Bf 109s were seen, with five claimed shot down, three of them by Flt Lt 'Hank' Zary, while one more was claimed as a probable and three damaged. One Spitfire was shot down in return, Flg Off G.A.S.Cashion being killed. Five Spitfires were claimed by pilots of III./JG 1 and I./JG 5, two of them by Hptm Weissenberger and one by Lt Mors of the latter unit, and one by Hptm Eberhardt Mätzke of the former. III./JG 1 was to lose ten of its Bf 109s during the course of the day, several of them in the Rouen area.

At 1115 Flt Lt G.Roberts and Wt Off F.F.Cowpe of 453 Squadron claimed a Fw 190 shot down six miles east of Falaise, while the Mustangs of 122 Wing then entered the area in force, led by Wg Cdr Robin Johnston. 122 Squadron bombed marshalling yards in the Chartres-Etampes area, the pilots of this unit then also reporting 40 plus fighters, which attacked the Wing over St Leger. Johnston claimed one Fw 190 shot down, shared with Flg Off R.Benoit, the other pilots of 122 adding one more and one damaged, while those of 65 Squadron, whose aircraft had been carrying 1,000 lb bombs for the first time, claimed three Bf 109s and one damaged, one of these being the unit's 100th destroyed of the war. The Wing may have engaged aircraft of II./JG 3 amongst others, Lt Oskar Zimmermann of the German unit claiming a P-51 at 1125 as his 25th victory, although he himself was shot down and baled out during this action, another of the unit's Bf 109s also being lost. No Mustangs appear to have been lost in this fight, although Wt Off G.C.Dinsdale of 65 Squadron crashed ten minutes or so later while strafing vehicles in the Rambouilet area, and was killed. As the Wing sought to land back at B.12 at 1210, one Mustang of 65 collided with another of 122 Squadron, the pilot of the former aircraft being injured.

The Typhoons suffered rather heavily on this date as they answered calls to attack armoured vehicles, artillery and mortar positions, etc. 182 Squadron was hardest hit, having already lost Maj Barlow earlier in the day, when at around 1210 Wt Off H.C.B.Talalla (brother of the 122 Squadron Mustang pilot) was last seen apparently under attack by a German fighter near Fontenay; the Sinhalese pilot was killed. Another of this unit's aircraft was hit by Flak and crash-landed.

During the middle of the day Flt Sgt J.L.B.Morgan of 247 Squadron was shot down and killed by Flak over Bayeux, while Flt Lt R.N.G.Allen of 266 Squadron was hit whilst firing his rockets and baled out near Thury Harcourt, becoming a POW. Flt Lt G. Sheppard of 198 Squadron force- landed at Couverville, while at 1440 or thereabouts, Flt Lt P.E.Tickner of 181 Squadron force- landed south of Caen; both these pilots were victims of Flak, and both survived unhurt. Two more Typhoons were damaged, both from 143 Wing, while a 302 Squadron Spitfire was also damaged whilst escorting bombers.

At 1540 453 Squadron became involved in a fierce fight with Bf 109s in the Falaise-Liseiux area. Here two Bf 109s were claimed shot down and two more probably so, but two Spitfires fell in return. Wt Off A.W.Dowding was brought down by both the fire of a Bf 109 and by Flak damage, and became a POW. Flg Off 'Rusty'Leith was reported variously as the victim of a fighter or of Flak; he crash-landed near St Philibert des Champs and was able to hide until Canadian troops overran the area on 22 August, after which he returned to the unit. No claims were submitted for Spitfires at this time, although a claim for a P-51 was made at 1555 by Fw Lau of III./JG 1 in the Lisieux area; this pilot then claimed a P-47 in the same area five minutes later, while Uffz Esser claimed two more.

The Mustangs were back a few minutes later, 19 Squadron undertaking an armed reconnaissance to Dreux. In the Evreux area two Bf 109s were seen, and then four Fw 190s were spotted over Creton; two of the latter were claimed by Wt Offs T.A.Carson and M.H.Bell to the east of Lisieux.

During the afternoon Mosquitoes of 406 Squadron, an 11 Group ADGB night fighter unit, flew a day 'Ranger' to the Plurien/Nantes area, from which three of them failed to return, all the crews being killed. It seems that they were intercepted by Bf 109s of I./JG 27, Lt Max Winkler and Fw Wiese of this unit each claiming one such aircraft shot down at 1720-25.

At 1815 Mustangs of 122 Squadron were in the area again, bombing marshalling yards east of Dreux, when 12 Fw 190s attempted to 'bounce' the squadron. Flg Off M.H.Pinches and Flg Off S.K.Walker turned on them, each claiming one shot down, while Pinches claimed two more damaged before his own aircraft was hit by five Focke-Wulfs on his tail, from which he made good his escape. Flg Off A.V.Hargreaves also claimed damage to one, but was shot down; he evaded capture and returned the following month, reporting: "...the enemy aircraft spun and I prepared to follow him but found another 190 on my tail and was forced to take evasive action - which lasted 26 days!" He had been brought down by Lt Peter Crump of III./JG 54, who claimed his victim at 1922.

Finally, at around 2000 Spitfires of 135 Wing escorted Lancasters to the St Cyr area, encountering Fw 190s, one of which was claimed by Wg Cdr Ray Harries over Routat. Between 1923-2012 Jagdwaffe units claimed one Lancaster of 463 Squadron and four Spitfires shot down. The Lancaster and one Spitfire were claimed by Obstlt Ihlefeld of JG 1, two more of the latter by Lt Hans Dortenmann and Uffz Grobe of III./JG 54, and the fourth by Ofw Leo Barann of III./JG 1.

USAAF
AUSTRIA: Four hundred twenty Fifteenth Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack an armored-vehicle factory at Linz, the marshalling yard at Villach, and targets of opportunity elsewhere in Austria. A total of 21 bombers and escort fighters are downed when as many as 200 Axis fighters attack the bomber force.

Escort pilots of the 1st, 52d, and 325th Fighter groups down 13 Axis fighters over Austria between 1055 and 1220. Capt John B. Lawler, a P-51 pilot with the 52d Fighter Group’s 2d Fighter Squadron, brings his final personal tally to 11 confirmed victories when he downs two Bf-109s at about 1115 hours.

BELGIUM: A scheduled late-afternoon attack by 106 3d Bombardment Division B-17s and 136 VIII Fighter Command fighters against the Brussels/Melsbroek Airdrome is recalled after encountering severe weather on the way to the target.

FRANCE: Operation COBRA begins when, between 0938 and 0957 hours, eight Ninth Air Force fighter groups, attacking at three-minute intervals in group and squadron columns, bomb and strafe an area 250 yards wide by 7,000 yards long just to the south of the St.-Lo–Periers road. When all Ninth Air Force fighters complete their attacks, 1,503 Eighth Air Force B-17s and B-24s, flying at right angles to the front lines, drop 3,300 tons of bombs in an area 1 mile wide by 5 miles long. Then, between 1100 and 1118 hours—immediately following the departure of the heavy bombers—seven Ninth Air Force fighter groups sweep the eastern and western extremities of the target area. Meanwhile, the U.S. First Army ground offensive jumps off right on schedule, at 1100 hours. Between 1132 and 1223 hours—as the last of the second wave of fighter-bombers depart—580 IX Bomber Command B-26s and A-20s from eleven groups saturate the target area with 260-pound fragmentation and 500-pound high-explosive bombs. In all, more than 4,000 tons of bombs are dropped from low level in an area occupied by just one German Army division. In addition, Eighth Air Force heavy bombers support Operation COBRA by attacking German troop concentrations around Montreuil. The German troops are rendered immobile and the ground assault is a success. Five heavy and one medium bombers—and no fighter-bombers—are lost. However, bombs dropped early by 42 B-26s from one group kill 102 and wound 380 U.S. soldiers.

Escort for the Eighth Air Force heavy bombers and IX Bomber Command medium and light bombers is provided by 483 VIII Fighter Command fighters, of which two are lost with their pilots.

Seventy-seven VIII Fighter Command P-47 fighter-bombers led by one droopsnoot P-38 attack a fuel dump at Fournival/Bois de Mont.

Between 1135 and 2104 hours, Ninth Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers, operating at group strength, aggressively patrol the COBRA battle area—as far as Amiens, Ghent, and Laval—attacking all manner of on-call targets and targets of opportunity. Also during the afternoon, four IX Bomber Command bomber groups attack bridges spanning the Loire and Seine rivers.

USAAF fighter pilots down 17 GAF fighters over France between 1115 and 2000 hours. Capt John F. Pugh, a P-51 pilot with the 357th Fighter Group’s 362d Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs a Bf-109 near Versailles at noon.

ITALY: Twelfth Air Force B-25s and B-26s attack numerous bridges in northwestern Italy; XII TAC A-20s attack rail lines and a storage dump; and XII TAC fighter-bombers attack lines of communication through the Po River valley.

During the night of July 25–26, XII A-20s attack roads and motor vehicles.

POLAND: Thirty-three 82d Fighter Group P-38 fighter-bombers and 34 31st Fighter Group P-51 escort fighters taking part in the latest FRANTIC mission (beginning July 22) attack Mielec Airdrome, 120 miles west of Lwow, where they destroy 12 Axis fighters on the ground and down three in the air. While returning to bases in the Soviet Union, the P-51s destroy a German Army truck convoy and down 27 of 44 Ju-87 dive-bombers encountered along the way.

BASE CHANGES
454 Sqn RAAF (Baltimore IV/V) moves to Pescara
524 Sqn (Wellington XIII) moves to Bircham Newton

[warshipbuilder]

26-7-44
83 Sqn (Coningsby – Lancaster I/III)
Fighter Affiliation with "Y" runs and bombing if cloud base O.K. Squadron standing by and towards tea time Squadron re-assembled and Battle Order produced, flying conditions much worse than anticipated, as weather conditions on route and over target very bad. Result failure as unable to mark target. Squadron suffered a great blow as W/C. Georgeson and S/Ldr. Eggins did not return from this trip. Target Givors. Four other crew having to return early through bad icing. The squadron was represented by 15 aircraft on this occasion.

ADDENDUM – Lancaster III ND586 OL-E. Crew: S/L RE Eggins DFC KIA, Sgt WH Maltman KIA, W/C GF Georgeson DSO DFC KIA, F/L JF Gilmour DFM KIA, F/O JE Patterson DFC KIA, P/O GJ Purcey DFC RAAF KIA, F/O FA Marden DFC. All now lie in Mazargues Cemetery extension at Marseille.

BOMBER COMMAND
GIVORS
178 Lancasters and 9 Mosquitoes of 5 Group carried out an accurate attack on the railway yards. 4 Lancasters and 2 Mosquitoes lost.

Minor Operations: 30 Mosquitoes to Hamburg, 11 to Somain and 2 to Saarbrücken, 6 R.C.M. sorties, 23 Mosquito patrols, 6 Lancasters minelaying off Heligoland, 6 aircraft on Resistance operations. 1 Mosquito lost from the Hamburg raid.

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2nd TAF
At one minute after midnight Wg Cdr J.W.Reid/Flt Lt J.W.Peacock of 409 Squadron claimed a Ju 88 shot down south-west of Rouen, while about two and a half hours later an intruder Mosquito of 464 Squadron crashed at Loiret after being hit by Flak; the crew escaped and reached Allied-held territory.

The day was again to be a busy one. Shortly after 0800 nine Typhoons of 440 Squadron were airborne, each armed with two 1,000 lb bombs. Sqn Ldr W.H.Pentland's aircraft soon showed signs of engine trouble and he made for Carpiquet airfield; with bombs still on and undercarriage not yet locked down, the engine quit entirely, forcing Pentland to make a 200 mph belly-landing. One bomb exploded, blowing the tail off the aircraft, but the pilot was able to climb from the wreck uninjured. At 0900 414 Squadron despatched two Mustang Is on a TacR to the Berveaux-Vernon area. Over Gisors they were intercepted by Fw 190s of I./JG 26, Flg Off D.C.McLeod being shot down and killed by Oblt Hans Hartigs at 1015. During the morning, 135 Wing provided escort to 36 Mitchells and 24 Bostons of 2 Group bombing a dump at Alençon. At least 30 German fighters attempted to intercept, but the Spitfires were ready for them, Flt Lt L.G.Mason of 33 Squadron claiming a Fw 190 and a Bf 109 shot down, while the Belgian pilots of 349 Squadron claimed two more Bf 109s plus three damaged. The interceptors got nowhere near the bombers, which suffered no loss.

Over the midday period, three 2nd TAF aircraft fell to Flak, Flt Lt P.V.McDade of 453 Squadron force-landing near Lillebonne, while Flg Off W.C.Vatcher, flying a Typhoon of 174 Squadron 'went straight down' during an RP attack on a wood near St Pierre-sur-Dives and was killed. A TacR Mustang I of 414 Squadron was hit over Verneil, Flg Off J.A.Levi baling out. He had been wounded and was removed to hospital in Paris by his captors, where he would be liberated during the following month.

During a patrol in the early afternoon, 132 Squadron encountered a reported 80 plus fighters east of Caen, four being claimed damaged. At 1800 hours two Typhoons of 440 Squadron were lost, Flt Lt D.C.W.Stults baling out over Roquancourt, having been wounded, while Flt Sgt N.L.Gordon took to his parachute north of Caen; a third Typhoon, this one from 197 Squadron, was damaged - all these casualties being due to Flak. 122 Squadron Mustangs were off at 1820, four of them carrying bombs, heading for the Dreux area. The weather appeared unsuitable for bombing so the formation set course for Argentan, hoping to come across enemy aircraft reported by the Controller. Fifteen Fw 190s were seen south-west of Laigle, soon joined by two further groups, making a total of more than 30. Six were claimed shot down, one probably so, and six damaged. Star performers were Plt Off J.N.Thorne (a US citizen) with claims for two destroyed and one damaged, and Flt Lt A.F.Pavey, who claimed one destroyed, plus the probable and three of those damaged. However Plt Off K.A.Galloway was shot down and became a prisoner, and Thorne's Mustang was sufficiently damaged to require him to crash-land in a field at the south-west corner of a glider strip at St Aubin.


Thorne's combat report gives some idea of the performance advantages of the Mustang: "Picking the starboard e/a (enemy aircraft) in the smaller formation I opened fire from 55 yards, 30/40 degree angle off. I saw strikes on his starboard wing but then had to break as eight Huns were behind me. It became a series of breaks gradually losing height to 5,000 ft. One e/a dived down in front of me and I got on to his tail. He broke to port and I followed. At 400 yards, 50 degrees off I fired short bursts observing strikes on his tail unit. He half-rolled and dived vertically downwards; following him in a steep diving turn I saw him dive straight into the ground. Simultaneously three Fw 190s that were above dived on me and I was hit in the starboard flap. The four of us began to mill around firing. I was trying to regain height and join the squadron 5,000 ft above. Eventually at 7,000 ft I lost the Huns and picked another ela which flew across in front of me. He dived to starboard and then zoomed upwards. Following, I caught him easily on the zoom and closing to 75-100 yards I opened fire as he almost stalled. He attempted to half roll and in doing so I got many strikes along the length of his a/c. Pieces flew off and he dived vertically. Following him down in a tight spiral he hit the ground when I was at 4,000 ft. Climbing again I looked for another ela but there were not many left."

During the combat Wt Off Castleton had been attacked by a 'silver' Mustang (all RAF Mustangs were camouflaged at this time) and his canopy was shattered. The Squadron's formal opponents, however, appear to have been from several II. Jagdkorps units, pilots of II. and III./JG 2 each claiming P-51s at 1855-1900, while Lt Xavier Ellenrieder of I./JG 26 claimed one at 1902 and Gefr Anton Schoeppler of I./JG 5 another at 1905. These units recorded the loss of four Fw 190s during the day.

A little later in the evening Spitfires of 401 Squadron undertook an attack on Dreux airfield, while 443 Squadron flew a sweep over the Paris area, reporting seeing 20 or more German fighters and some Mustangs over Dreux. Flg Off G.R.Stephen claimed one Fw 190 shot down here, but 401 lost their Commanding Officer when Sqn Ldr I.F.'Hap' Kennedy's Spitfire was hit by Flak, causing him to bale out south-west of Creton. Hugh Trainor would take his place, but 'Hap' managed to avoid being captured, and was back later.

Towards dusk 257 Squadron lost two Typhoons, both hit by Flak, with Flt Lt J.F.Williams killed and Flg Off "Ted' Tennant (later a Folland test-pilot) force-landing, as did Flt Sgt A.H.Rowley of 164 Squadron, who was also brought down by Flak; a 430 Squadron Mustang I was damaged whilst on a Tack near Falaise. Sgt Rowley had been engaged in an attack on tanks to the south of Caen, involving 164 and 609 Squadrons. Some days later a signal from the Army was received at 123 Wing HQ, congratulating the two squadrons on their effective support- interrogation of German POWS had revealed that elements of 21. Panzer Division had been severely mauled by RP Typhoons as they massed for an attack, and as a result the attack had been cancelled.

There had also been further movement and re-organisation at this time. A fourth Typhoon squadron, 183, joined 123 Wing at B.7, and Wg Cdr 'Farmer' Dring, previously of the now defunct 136 Wing, took the Wing Leader post. The previous incumbent, Wg Cdr Brooker, went on rest; he would return in the winter to lead a Tempest Wing. 145 Wing's newly-arrived 74 Squadron departed to 17 APC, Southend, while in England 124 Squadron now left 85 Group, returning to ADGB control to form a wing with 118 and 504 Squadrons at Detling. Amongst 85 Group's night fighters, the remaining part of 604 Squadron still in England joined 410 and 488 Squadrons at Zeals, while 264 Squadron moved to Hunsdon.

USAAF
ALBANIA: Fifteenth Air Force heavy bombers attack an oil storage facility at Berat.

AUSTRIA: Fifteenth Air Force B-24s attack three Vienna-area airdromes, and Fifteenth Air Force B-17s attack an aircraft factory at Wiener-Neustadt.

Escort pilots from the 14th, 52d, 325th, and 332d Fighter groups down 20 Axis fighters and two Ju-52s over Austria and Hungary between 1055 and 1330 hours. Capt Richard W. Dunkin, a P-51 pilot with the 325th Fighter Group’s 317th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs a Bf-109 and an FW-190 near Wiener-Neustadt at about 1100 hours, during penetration escort; and 1stLt Arthur C. Fiedler, Jr., also a 317th Fighter Squadron P-51 pilot, scores his fourth victory of the war, an FW-190, over Vienna at 1115 hours and then, on the withdrawal, downs a Bf-109 near Lake Balaton, Hungary, at 1135 hours.

FRANCE: Many of the IX Bomber Command B-26s and A-20s on their way to support the U.S. First Army breakout abort in the face of bad weather, but 160 light and medium bombers manage to attack a fuel dump. Also, fighters and fighter-bombers respond to numerous close-air-support requests and fly aggressive armed-reconnaissance patrols around the battle area.

Forty VIII Fighter Command P-47 fighter-bombers attack a fuel dump, and 93 VIII Fighter Command P-47 fighter-bombers attack a marshalling yard after failing in the face of bad weather to locate their primary target, a fuel dump. One P-47 is lost.

In addition to one planned fighter-bomber mission, IX TAC fighters and fighter-bombers mount sixteen eight-plane “armed reconnaissance” missions in which the pilots are permitted to attack any authorized-type target anywhere within the mission area. On a day-to-day basis, armed-reconnaissance missions will shortly become the norm for most Ninth Air Force tactical fighter units.

Putting another new ground-support innovation to use for the first time in the war, a total of 70 four-plane flights of IX TAC fighter-bombers are attached to various U.S. Army armored units to provide “column cover.” The aircraft are controlled by pilots on the ground with the tanks who have been specially trained to direct rocket, bombing, and strafing attacks on ground targets within their sight. Indeed, thanks to an innovation promulgated by the IX TAC’s MajGen Elwood R. Quesada, air-force–type radios have been installed in selected armored vehicles for use by forward air controllers and ground-force commanders, who are also authorized to speak with and direct pilots of covering aircraft. Such covering operations are extremely profitable at the outset, resulting in higher German Army losses and swift advances by ground forces that might otherwise have been delayed or rebuffed. (Although such operations are far from being an American innovation, the evolution of the technique by American forces from July 26, 1944, onward to the end of the war brings about a revolution in combined-arms maneuver warfare.)

IX TAC fighter pilots down 17 GAF fighters over France between 1430 and 1840 hours.

XII TAC fighter-bombers attack gun emplacements and destroy an estimated 20 parked aircraft at Valence Airdrome.

HUNGARY: Fifteenth Air Force heavy bombers attack Szombathely Airdrome.

ITALY: Twelfth Air Force B-25s and B-26s attack numerous road and rail bridges in northern Italy; XII TAC A-20s attack a fuel dump.

P-47 pilots of the 79th Fighter Group’s 86th Fighter Squadron down five Bf-109s near Brescia during an afternoon mission.

ROMANIA: Fifteenth Air Force P-38s and P-51 fighters returning to Italy from the Soviet Union strafe several targets around Bucharest and Ploesti, as do Fifteenth Air Force escort fighters released from duty with the heavy-bomber formations. In all, the Fifteenth Air Force fighter pilots down 18 Axis aircraft. Maj Claud E. Ford, the commanding officer of the 82d Fighter Group’s 97th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status in a P-38 when he downs a Bf-109 near Galati; Maj Warner F. Gardner, the commanding officer of the 82d Fighter Group’s 95th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs an He-111 over Manesti Airdrome; and Maj Samuel J. Brown, of the 31st Fighter Group’s 307th Fighter Squadron, brings his final personal tally to 15.5 in under four months when he downs a Bf-109 at 1245 hours.

YUGOSLAVIA: Fifteenth Air Force fighters released from escort duty conduct aggressive sweeps between Brod and Zagreb.

BASE CHANGES
122 Sqn (Mustang III) moves to B.24 St-Andre de l’Euree
124 Sqn (Spitfire HFIX) moves to Detling
264 Sqn (Mosquito NFXIII) moves to Hunsdon
266 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to B. St. Croix-sur-Mer

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
68 Sqn (Castle Camps) flies its first OM in the Mosquito NFXIX
432 Sqn RCAF (East Moor) flies its first OM in the Halifax VII

[warshipbuilder]

27-7-44
411 Sqn (B.4 Beny-sur-Mer – Spitfire LFIXB)
Good weather permitted the carrying out of four operations. On one the A/C piloted by F/L H.J. Nixon (J.6187) was hit apparently by return fire from tanks he was attacking and he crash landed near Fleury. The others in his section saw him running into a nearby woods apparently uninjured.

ADDENDUM – Spitfire LFIXB NH344 DB-? Pilot F/L HJ Nixon EVD.

BOMBER COMMAND
FLYING-BOMB SITES
72 aircraft – 36 Lancasters, 24 Stirlings, 12 Mosquitoes – of 3 and 8 Groups attacked 5 sites without loss. All targets were cloud-covered and most of the bombing was ‘confused and scattered’.
Some of the Stirlings on this raid, from 218 Squadron, were fitted with the G-H blind-bombing device and they used this in the attack on one of the sites; this was the first use of the ‘G-H leader’ technique.

________________________________________

27/28 July 1944
MINOR OPERATIONS
30 Mosquitoes to Stuttgart and 12 aircraft on Resistance operations. No aircraft lost.

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2nd TAF
Night fighters were once more active, Flg Off F.E.Pringle/Flg Off Eaton of 29 Squadron claiming a Ju 188 over Melun while Flg Off J.C.Truscott/Flg Off Howarth of 604 Squadron claimed a Ju 88 over Granville. At 0132 Sqn Ldr R.S.Jephson/Flg Off J.M.Roberts of 409 Squadron shot down another Ju 88 near Caen, but flew into the debris flying off their victim, their Mosquito being so badly damaged that they crashed to their deaths.

At 0625 12 Spitfires of 401 Squadron took off for an armed reconnaissance, followed 25 minutes later by Mustangs of 122 Squadron. Around 0715 the latter spotted 40 or more German fighters near Caen and jettisoned their bombs to engage. Four Fw 190s were claimed shot down, with three more claimed damaged, but Flt Lt A.F.Pavey who had recently been achieving considerable success, was shot down and killed, and a second Mustang was damaged.

Whilst this fight was underway the Canadians of 401 Squadron appeared on the scene, claiming one Fw 190 and seven Bf 109s shot down without loss. Not far behind them, 416 Squadron Spitfires had also taken off on an armed reconnaissance at 0640, as had 12 441 Squadron aircraft, these units also engaging, 441 claiming two Fw 190s in the Caen area at 0726, and 416 Squadron two more and a damaged north-east of Alencon.

In the course of this wide-ranging battle II. Jagdkorps units submitted claims for four P-51s and a Spitfire. Claiming pilots for the Mustangs included Lt Crump of III./JG 54, Obstlt Ihlefeld of JG 1, and two pilots of III./JG 26, while the Spitfire was claimed by I./JG 5. Actual 2nd TAF losses did not exceed the one Mustang and one damaged. During operations on this date I./JG 1 reported the loss of four Fw 190s, III./JG 54 losing four more, and I./JG 5 two Bf 109s, whilst III./JG 1 lost two more, Hptm Alfred Grislawski baling out unharmed, but Uffz Werner Moser being severely wounded.

No sooner was this engagement over than 453 Squadron lost three Spitfires to Flak in the Lisieux area, two pilots being killed and the third crash-landing. Soon after midday 132 Squadron claimed a twin engined aircraft destroyed during a strafing attack on Conches airfield, while in the mid-afternoon during another armed reconnaissance, 442 Squadron became involved in a very hard fight when the Squadron was 'bounced' by some 40 Fw 190s and Bf 109s over Dreux. One of the attackers was claimed probably shot down and three damaged, but plt Off W.S.Curtin's Spitfire was hit and damaged, and he was wounded. His aircraft was claimed shot down by Oblt Eberhard Graf von Treuberg of III./JG 3 at 1515.

Around 1600 three of 411 Squadron's Spitfires were hit by Flak during an armed reconnaissance. Flt Lt H.J.Nixon force-landed near Fleury-sur-Andelle, escaping capture, while the other two aircraft came down in a damaged condition on return to their airfield. During the evening two Typhoons of 609 Squadron were also shot down by the gunners, Plt Off J.D.Buchanan crashing at Tilly le Campagne, while Flt Sgt P.M.Price came down six miles south- east of Caen; both were killed.

Starting at 1500, 401 Squadron had undertaken five patrols. Now, at 1840, a sixth was commenced; this time 12 Fw 190s were intercepted south-east of Caen, one being claimed shot down and one damaged.

Following the loss of Flt Lt Pavey in 122 Squadron, his place was taken by newly-promoted Flt Lt 'Jimmy' Talalla. In 421 Squadron Sqn Ldr W.A.G.Conrad, DFC, the unit's highly experienced Commanding Officer also ended his tour.

Back in England, the 34 Wing diarist noted that the 'low-level Spits' (Mark IXs which 16 Squadron had acquired as 'dicers' during the previous month) were now painted pink!

USAAF
BELGIUM: Thirty-four 3d Bombardment Division B-24s attack a signals depot in Brussels, and 12 B-24s attack several targets of opportunity, but 79 bombers dispatched on this mission return to base after being thwarted by low-lying haze.

FRANCE: Twenty 3d Bombardment Division B-24s attack the coastal batteries at Gravelines.

One hundred ninety-three VIII Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack rail targets and traffic south of Amiens and Rouen. Four fighters and their pilots are lost.

All IX Bomber Command B-26s and A-20s dispatched to attack bridges spanning the Loire and Seine rivers are recalled because of bad weather. However, Ninth Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers attack military installations, gun emplacements, and other tactical targets in and around the expanding battle area.

IX TAC fighter pilots down eight GAF fighters over France between 1220 and 2130 hours.

During the night of July 27–28, IX TAC fighter-bombers seed selected road junctions in the German Army area of operations with delayed-action bombs.

HUNGARY: Three hundred sixty-six Fifteenth Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack armaments factories in and around Budapest, and 24 B-24s attack a marshalling yard at Pecs. Fourteen Axis fighters are downed between 0933 and 1013 hours by pilots of the 52d, 325th, and 332d Fighter groups.

ITALY: During the night of July 27–28, XII TAC A-20s attack motor vehicles and lights encountered while on area patrol over northern Italy.

BASE CHANGES
108 Sqn (Beaufighter VIF) moves to Idku
415 Sqn RCAF (Non-Op) moves to East Moor

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
150 Sqn (Regina) flies its last OM in the Wellington III
501 Sqn (Westhampnett) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VB
616 Sqn (Manston) flies its first OM in the Meteor I

[warshipbuilder]

28-7-44
415 Sqn RCAF (East Moor – Halifax III)
The weather still typically Yorkshire – DAMP!! All personnel busy whipping homes, offices, sections etc. into shape and the midnight oil is burning. First op, was scrubbed but we are getting set for the second op. tonight and Battle Order No.2 has been prepared (attached as Appendix D). The first 415 A/C, "U”-uncle, pilot J.57060 P/G. DR. Andrews, had the stbd. outer cut just as ready to become airborne, causing A/C. to swing of runway. A/C crashed and caught fire, but miraculously all the crow got any and all except one were uninjured. The R/AG R137944 F/Sgt. Conroy, J.J., suffered a minor cut in the face. The remainder of the aircraft continued to take off. It must take lots of guts to take off on when you see an A/C burning at the end of the runway loaded with 8000 lbs. of bombs and not know how the crew was or not know when the "kite" is going to explode.

Note - 415 Sqn was the last unit to join 6 Group. Bringing its total Squadron strength to 15.

BOMBER COMMAND
PAS DE CALAIS
199 aircraft – 159 Halifaxes, 20 Mosquitoes, 20 Stirlings – of 3, 4 and 8 Groups attacked two launching sites and made two further separate raids on the Forêt de Nieppe storage site. All bombing was through cloud but the various methods used were believed to have led to accurate results. 1 Halifax lost from one of the Forêt de Nieppe raids.

________________________________________

28/29 July 1944
STUTTGART
494 Lancasters and 2 Mosquitoes of 1, 3, 5 and 8 Groups in the last raid of the current series on this target. German fighters intercepted the bomber stream while over France on the outward flight; there was a bright moon and 39 Lancasters were shot down, 7.9 percent of the force.

HAMBURG
307 aircraft – 187 Halifaxes, 106 Lancasters, 14 Mosquitoes – from 1, 6 and 8 Groups. German fighters again appeared, this time on the homeward flight, and 18 Halifaxes and 4 Lancasters were lost, 7.2 percent of the force. The Halifax casualties were 9.6 percent; 431 (Canadian) Squadron, flying from Croft airfield in Co. Durham, lost 5 of its 17 aircraft on the raid.
This was the first heavy raid on Hamburg since the Battle of Hamburg just a year earlier. The bombing on this raid was not well concentrated. The Germans estimated that only 120 aircraft bombed in the city area, with no recognizable aiming point, though western and harbour areas received the most bombs. A large proportion of the attack fell on areas devastated in 1943 but 265 people were killed and more than 17,000 had to be evacuated from homes damaged in this raid, many of which were probably only temporary wooden accommodation at this stage of the war. Brunswig (p. 339) describes how a panic developed at the large Reeperbahn air-raid shelter when a lone aircraft came in to bomb after the all clear had sounded and nearby Flak guns opened fire. 2 women were trampled to death and others were badly hurt.

FORÊT DE NIEPPE
119 aircraft of 1, 4 and 8 Groups attacked the stores area again. No aircraft lost.

SUPPORT AND MINOR OPERATIONS
95 training aircraft on a diversionary sweep over the North Sea, 13 Mosquitoes to Frankfurt, 41 R.C.M. sorties, 50 Mosquito patrols, 5 Halifaxes minelaying in the River Elbe. No aircraft lost.
Total effort for the night: 1,126 sorties, 61 aircraft (54 percent) lost.

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2nd TAF
Once more, as earlier in the month, activity was restricted until afternoon. At 1645 a single Fw 190 was claimed damaged by 453 Squadron in the Caen-Bayeux area, but at 1800 416 Squadron took off to patrol, engaging three Bf 109s over Caen, claiming one, one probable and one damaged. The Squadron sent off another patrol at 1905, the six pilots spotting 40 Fw 190s which were attacking a formation of 50 B-24s north-west of Caen, Flt Lt N.G.Russell claiming one of these shot down. During the evening Plt Off I.H.Forrester of 266 Squadron was killed when his Typhoon crashed near Bayeux due to engine failure.

USAAF
BELGIUM: Bad weather prevents attacks by 111 3d Bombardment Division B-24s against fuel dumps and a signals depot. All bombers are recalled.

ENGLAND: BriGen Ned Schramm assumes command of the IX Air Defense Command.

FRANCE: Bad weather prevents attacks by 180 2d Bombardment Division B-24s against rail bridges, fuel dumps, and V-weapons sites. All bombers are recalled.

IX Bomber Command B-26s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers respond to on-call requests from ground controllers with the U.S. First Army and also range afield against numerous rail bridges and dumps.

During the afternoon, 405th Fighter Group P-47 pilots on an armed reconnaissance locate a vast German Army road column bogged down by an immense traffic jam. Following continuous attack extending over six hours, the group claims the destruction of at least 400 motor vehicles, 12 tanks, and numerous other vehicles.

IX TAC fighter pilots down seven GAF fighters over France between 1615 and 2030 hours.

A small number of Twelfth Air Force fighter-bombers venture up the Rhone River valley to attack German Army road traffic.

During the night of July 28–29, IX TAC fighter-bombers seed selected road junctions in the German Army area of operations with delayed-action bombs.

GERMANY: Six hundred fifty-two Eighth Air Force B-17s attack the Leuna synthetic-oil plant at Merseburg; 36 B-17s attack the Taucha oil plant in Leipzig, and 26 B-17s attack targets of opportunity. Losses are seven B-17s. Among the airmen lost is Col Archibald Y. Smith, the 452d Heavy Bombardment Group commander, who is killed.

Bomber crewmen report the first sighting of the new Me-163 rocket-propelled fighter.

Escort is provided by 386 VIII Fighter Command fighters, of which two are lost during post-escort strafing attacks on rail and road traffic.

This is the first mission undertaken by the 364th Fighter Group since beginning its transition from P-38s to P-51s.

VIII Fighter Command escort pilots down three GAF fighters and a Ju-52 over Germany between 0930 and 1030 hours.
ITALY: Twelfth Air Force B-25s, B-26s, and fighter-bombers attack bridges throughout northwestern Italy, especially in the Po River valley.

ROMANIA: Three hundred forty-nine Fifteenth Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack two oil refineries at Ploesti and a marshalling yard at Florina with a total of 913 tons of bombs. Pilots of the 1st, 31st, and 325th Fighter groups down 11 Axis fighters over or near Ploesti between 1025 and 1035 hours, but 20 heavy bombers are lost to flak and fighter attacks.

BASE CHANGES
17 Sqn SAAFV (Ventura V) moves to Alghero
41 Sqn SAAF (Spitfire VC) moves to Almaza
410 Sqn RCAF (Mosquito NFXIII) moves to Colerne
488 Sqn RNZAF (Mosquito NFXIII) moves to Colerne
600 Sqn (Beaufighter VIF) moves to Rosignano

FIRST AND LAST OPERATIONAL MISSIONS
408 Sqn RCAF (Linton-on-Ouse) flies its first OM in the Halifax VII
415 Sqn RCAF (East Moor) flies its first OM in the Halifax III