This page transcribed by Dick Dunn

427 Squadron Wartime Log - April 1945

1/4/45

Weather: Cloudy with occasional slight rain during morning. Continuous moderate rain in evening. Vis. moderate. Wind SW'ly 20-40 mph, gusty at times.

Easter Day. Very quiet, appropriate to the occasion. No Operations laid on. Today is the 21st Anniversary of the founding of the R.C.A.F. A parade was called, but later washed out due to rain.

2/4/45

Weather: Variable skies with rain early. Showers at midday. Vis. good. Wind W'ly 10-25 mph, gusty at times, falling light late in evening.

Operation Order No. 370 issued detailing 5 aircraft for Mining, and Operations Order No. 371 detailing 9 aircraft for bombing. Both Operations were scrubbed due to uncertainty of the exact whereabouts of the front line in Europe.

3/4/45

Weather: Fair becoming cloudy. Shower at midday. Vis. excellent. Wind 10-35 mph W-NW'ly, gusty at times.

Seven aircraft detailed for bombing on Operations Order No. 372. Effort was practically stillborn. Tried again later in the day, with the same seven aircraft with the same net result.

4/4/45

Weather: Fair becoming cloudy. Shower at midday. Vis. excellent becoming moderate late. Wind mainly W'ly 5-20 mph.

Finally got cracking with two good efforts, a 3 kite Mining "DO" in the "Onions" area, and a 13 kite bombing attack on MERSBURG. All aircraft took off, and all returned safely to base, one being diverted to Blackbush. Crews report the weather in the Mining Area was 6-8/10ths cloud with tops generally 6000 to 7000 ft. Visibility above cloud being very good with a starlit sky. All aircraft mined on H2S. Crews considered this a successful attack and that mines were laid in correct positions.

Bombing crews report 7 to 10/10th strata cumulous cloud over target with tops 6/1000 above which visibility was very good. Some ground marking was reported. Sky marking was considered inadequate. Several crews orbited the target due uncertainty as to what to bomb. Assessment of success is difficult as target was almost completely obscured by cloud, but several large explosions were reported, two in particular at 2252 and 2254 after which dark smoke rose to 3/4000 ft. Bombing variously reported from scattered to concentrated.

5/4/45

Weather: Cloudy becoming fine in late afternoon. Continuous rain before dawn. Showers at midday. Vis. poor till dawn then becoming excellent. Wind Wily 5-20 mph.

Fifteen aircraft laid on in Operations Order 377 for bombing raid. This was later scrubbed. Stand down till 0930 hours of the following morning.

6/4/45

Weather: Fair becoming cloudy. Continuous rain during late morning and afternoon. Vis. good becoming poor during evening with fog forming late. Wind light variable.

Quiet day. Nothing laid on. Aircrew boys were given a talk on the Victory Loan.

7/4/45

Weather: Overcast. to cloudy becoming fine during evening. Vis. poor to moderate. Wind light variable.

Five aircraft were detailed for mining, and eleven for bombing. Both were scrubbed. Later on they tried again with eleven aircraft for bombing. Bombing effort was scrubbed during briefing.

8/4/45

Weather: Mainly fine. Fog during morning. Vis. poor to moderate. Wind light S'ly.

Eleven aircraft detailed to bomb HAMBURG. Operation Order 380. All aircraft took off and successfully completed their missions. All aircraft were diverted to Pershore. Crews report weather over the T/A was 8/10 to 10/10 thin stratus with tops between 1000 ft. and 4000 ft. P.F.F. Marking was plentiful and well sustained. Although the bombing was claimed to be very concentrated, no outstanding area or size of the fires could be assessed because of the cloud cover. There were several explosions noted between 2231 hours and 224l hours. In view of the target being cloud-obscured, enthusiasm regarding the attack was somewhat curtailed. A reasonably good assessment, all things being equal, was the general opinion.

4Z7 "H" was attacked by an ME.262 from Stbd quarter up at 5420N 093 5E, 2216 hrs., 17800 feet outward. First sighted at 300 yards. The R.G. opened fire at 250 yards. During evasive action the E/ A was lost. No strikes seen.
427 "H” 5400N 0948E. 2218 hrs, 17800 ft (Outwards) a ME. 262 came in from Port Quarter down. First sighted at 200 yds. The R.G. opened fire with 150 rounds. Violent evasive action was taken and E/ A disappeared. No strikes noted.
427 "W" 5325N 0930E 2252 hrs, l4000 ft (Homeward). A ME.262 came in from astern, stbd down at 600 yds. Our A/C took evasive action and the R.G. opened fire. The E/A closed in to about 200 yds then broke away to Port and was lost. No strikes were seen.
427 "W" 5325N 0930E 2252 hrs, l4000 ft (Homeward). A ME.262 came from Stbd behind and slightly above, crossing the nose. The B.A. opened fire no strikes were noted.

NOTE. All of the encounters by 427 "W" followed in quick succession. No accurate time or height could be given for the latter engagements. No firing was noted at any time from the enemy.

9/4/45

Weather: Fine to fair with fog early. Vis. poor. Wind light S'ly.

Crews returned from diversion at Pershore about 1320 hours. Five crews were detailed for Mining on Operations Order 382. Target KIEL BAY, T.O. 1934 hrs. Crews were not back at base by midnight.

10/4/45

Weather: Fair to cloudy, becoming overcast late. Vis. poor to moderate. Wind. mainly light variable or E.S.E’ly 5-15 mph.

Crews returned from Gardening by 0129 hours. They report weather over T/A was clear with some very low stratus cloud or haze. Visibility above this was good. Crews mined on H2S and consider the effort as successful.

Operations Order No. 382 issued today detailing 11 aircraft. Take off was at approximately 1314 hours. The target was LEIPZIG. All crews returned safely to base by 2158 hours. Crews report weather over the Target was clear with some slight ground haze. P.F.F. marking was considered excellent. Crews map read into the target and bombed either visually, or on the markers according to the M.B.'s instructions. A good concentration of bombing was reported. All crews consider the raid to be a definite success.

Wing Commander V.F. Ganderton DFC (J .10133), the Squadron Commander, was screened upon the completion of his second. tour. (W.C. Bryson assumed command of N.427).

11/3/45

Weather: Overcast to cloudy. Periods of continuous rain. Vis. poor. Wind mainly N’ly 5-10 mph.

Quiet day with no Operations laid on. All aircrew personnel of this Squadron visited S.S.Q. this afternoon to have X-Rays taken.

12/4/45

Weather: Overcast at first becoming fine late. Fog forming before dawn, clearing early. Continuous rain during morning. Vis. poor becoming good. Wind W'ly 10-20 mph.

No operations laid on for today, but "training program out in the afternoon. 7 crews carried out Fighter Affiliation, Range Bombing, Air to Sea, and Cross-Country exercises in the afternoon. In the evening 9 crews carried out CrossCountry, Range Bombing and F/A exercises.

13/4/45

Weather: Mainly fine with fog forming late. Vis mainly good becoming poor later. Wind, light variable.

Two Operations Orders issued this morning. Operation Order No. 383 detailed 4 crews on Mining, am No. 384 detailed 10 crews on Bombing. All crews took off around 2000 hours. Target for Gardening was KIEL BAY and Bombing Target was at KIEL itself. Crews were not back by midnight.

14/4/45

Weather: Cloudy with a period of continuous rain, moderate at times. Vis. moderate to poor. Wind S'ly 5-15 mph.

All crews returned safely to base by 0249 hours. Crews report weather in the Target Area (Gardening. - Forget Me Not) was 5/10 to 10/10 stratus cloud with tops ranging from 2000 ft. to 6000 ft. Some crews claimed that instead of cloud a thick sea haze obscured the area. Visibility above was fair to unlimited. All crews mined on H2S. The operation is considered successful.

In the Bombing area there was 10/10 stratus cloud with tops 3/5000 ft. over the target. Above cloud visibility was good. M.B. instructed crews to bomb alternative target. This was done by all except one crew who did not hear M.B. until after bombing. Cascading green T.I.'s were seen in good time and quantity. Plus the glow of the freen (sic) on the ground made identification of target sure. Bombing was fairly well concentrated, but scattering was seen. Glow from the target could be seen for at least 50 miles. Accurate assessment of the raid impossible due to prevailing cloud coverage.

427 "0" reports 5409N 1010E 2335.6 hrs., 17000 ft. A Fishpond 1000 yds up stbd. We corkscrewed stbd. A visual obtained on U/I E/A - R/G and M/U fired 200 x 50 rounds respectively as E/A veered to stbd and was lost.

15/4/45

Weather: Cloudy becoming fine. Visibility good except early and late, then moderate. Wind SW'ly 10-15 mph.

Operations through this morning detailing 15 aircraft. Main briefing was scheduled for 1500 hours. Operations were scrubbed, however, around 1600 hours with the order to "Stand By".

16/4/45

Weather: Fair to cloudy. Visibility moderate. Wind S-SW'ly 10-15 mph.

Operations Order No. 386 issued today detailing 15 aircraft for Bombing. Main briefing scheduled for 2000 hrs. Aircraft took off around 2245 hours. Target SCHWANDORF. Aircraft were not back at base by midnight.

17/4/45

Weather: Fair to cloudy. Visibility excellent. Wind W'ly 5-10mph.

Aircraft returned safely to base by 0808 hours. 427 "C" ME.426 piloted by F/L W.E. Towne (J.20385) was an early return, landing at base at 0042 hours, on three engines. Crews report weather over the target ranged from clear to 3/10 to 9/10 thin stratus cloud or ground haze. The target was well and consistently marked. All crews bombed on the instructions of the M.B. who was .loud and clear. The M.B. gave regular and concise instructions. As the raid progressed the target became completely obscured by columns of dense greyish-black smoke rising to 8000 ft. Four outstanding explosions occurred at 0401 0403 0408 and 0411 hours, and in 2 instances emitted smoke which might have indicated oil stores. The attack is considered to have been quite successful.

18/4/45

Weather: Fair to cloudy. Visibility excellent. Wind W-NW'ly 5-15 mph.

No operations through today, but Training Program came through in the morning. 15 a/c were detailed for Cross-Country, Range Bombing, Air to Sea: and Fighter Affiliation. Aircraft were airborne at 1500 hours. 2 crews were detailed for F/A. Cross country, and Range Bombing. Take-off at 2000 hours.

19/4/45

Weather: Fine. Visibility excellent becoming moderate late. Wind light variable.

More training through today. Three crews detailed for Range Bombing, Sim Mining and Fighter Affiliation at 1400 hours. Two crews detailed for Range Bombing and X-Country at 1430 hours, and three crews detailed for X-Country, Range Bombing & F/Affiliation at 1900 hours.

20/4/45

Weather: Fair to cloudy. Slight rain during late afternoon. Visibility moderate. Wind mainly light variable.

Operation Order No. 387 came through today detailing 5 aircraft for Mining. This was later scrubbed. Stand down till 1100 hours following morning.

21/4/45

Weather: Cloudy. Slight shower at noon. Visibility moderate becoming excellent. Wind NW'ly 10-20 mph.

Tried again with same Operation Order as yesterday. This time kites took off at approximately 2007 hours. Aircraft were not back by midnight.

The Squadron was called to form a parade early this afternoon. The occasion was the presentation of the Bristol Bombing Trophy to our Squadron for the best bombing score for March. The trophy was presented by Air Vice Marshal C,M. McEwen, M.O.,DFC, A.C.C.,No.6 (RCAF) Group. The trophy was received by Wing Commander V.F. Ganderton,DFC on behalf of No.427 (RCAF) Squadron.

22/4/45

Weather: Cloudy. Wind N-ly 10-15 mph. Vis. good.

Aircraft returned to base from Gardening by 0228 hrs. Target - KATTEGAT (SILVERTHORNE). Crews report 2-6/10 broken stratus and strato-cu. Base 8000, tops 14000 was encountered in Garden Area. Visibility was good to excellent. Crews mined on H2S and visually. All reported good mining runs and consider attack successful.

Operations Order No. 388 was issued today detailing 10 aircraft. Take off approximately 1600 hours. Target BREMEN. Aircraft returned safely to base by 21.45 hours. Crews report weather over the target ranged from 2/10 (?) to 10/10 stratus cumulous with tops 6,000 to 10,000 ft. Visibility above the cloud was considered slightly hazy to excellent. No target marking was observed by any of the crews. The M.B. was heard before, the target, and by some crews at the target, but no instructions were received to bomb. Some crews did not hear the M.B. at all. All crews reported the actual aiming point to have been cloud obscured,

23/4/45

Weather: Cloudy becoming fine. Visibility moderate. Wind N'ly 5-10 mph. Falling late.

The Squadron held. a farewell presentation today for Wing Commander V.F. Ganderton DFC (JI0133) who is leaving the Squadron after completion of his 2nd tour. The presentation took place outside No. 2 Hangar. W/C Ganderton received a silver trophy from S/L C.C. Collins (J.5819) on behalf of the Squadron. Squadron pictures were then taken with W/C Ganderton and his Adjutant, F/L H.O. Holroyde (C. 9960 ), and the new Squadron Commander W/C E.M. Bryson DFC (J. 5116) and the new Adjutant F /L S.S.D. Francis (C.35419).

Operation Order No. 389 came through detailing 10 aircraft for Bombing. This was later scrubbed.

24/4/45

Weather: Weather fine becoming fair. Visibility moderate to poor. Wind S.E.’ly 5-10 mph.

A quiet day with no Operations. Two crews were detailed for Range Bombing and S.B.A. Homings, and one for Bullseye.

25/4/45

Weather: Cloudy. Visibility poor. Wind light at first becoming N'ly 5-10 mph.

Operation came through today with Operations Order No. 390 detailing 10 aircraft. Take Off was at approximately 1500 hours. The target was WANGEROOGE. All crews returned safely to base by 2000 hours. Crews report no cloud over the target, but it was hazy with a lot of smoke in the area. Most of the crew heard the M.B. loud and clear, and on his instructions bombed Pickwick. There was a good concentration of bombing in the area of the aiming point, but some bombs fell short, also some in the water. It was thought by most crews that the scattered bombing was caused by the compactness of the gaggle as this hindered a good bombing run. An explosion is reported at 1722 hours, and a column of black smoke rose to 2000 ft.

26/4/45

Weather: Cloudy. Occasional rain. Wind N'ly 5-10 mph. Visibility poor to moderate.

Operation Order No. 391 was issued today detailing 15 aircraft. This was later scrubbed. The rest of the day was quiet.

27/4/45

Weather: Cloudy. Occasional showers. Wind N'ly 10-15 mph. Visibility good.

Yesterday's Operation Order was again put through today, but was scrubbed again before briefing. Some training was carried on.

28/4/45

Weather: Fine becoming cloudy with snow showers. Wind NW'ly 10-15 mph. Visibility good.

Several new crews have arrived during the week. They are participating in training exercises and lectures to make them good "Operational Types."

29/4/45

Weather: Cloudy. Occasional showers, rain sleet. Visibility good. Wind 10-15 mph.

Still no Operations through, but History is still being made. A.C. Cochrane has submitted F541 completed at 1200 hours on the 29.4.45. Must be working for a repat.

30/4/45

Weather: Cloudy with snow. Visibility good. Wind 10-15 mph.

A quiet day, although training was carried out this afternoon. F/L A.L. D'Eon DFC (J.85496)was posted to RCAF "R" Depot today. F/L D'Eon is the Squadron Signals Officer. A telegram was immediately made out to recall F/L D'Eon from leave, when he walked in himself and offered to take it down for despatch.