This page transcribed by Dick Dunn

427 Squadron Wartime Log - December 1943

1/12/43

Weather: Fine becoming cloudy after mid-day. Fog developed after 2100 hours. Fourteen aircraft were detailed for operations, but later in the day the raid was cancelled due to unfavourable weather conditions.

2/12/43

Weather: Cloudy with fog and rain, clearing to fair after 0900 hours. Breaking to fine with fog developing after 2200 hours and becoming overcast.

Fourteen aircraft were again detailed for operations, but as yesterday, the sortie was cancelled due to the weather.

F/Lt J. Chasanoff, returned to the Squadron, after representing an NCO as defending officer at a Court Martial taking place at R.A.F. Station, Faldingsworth.

3/12/43

Weather: Overcast with intermittent slight rain and fog, improving to cloudy after 0800 hours with visibility moderate.

Fourteen aircraft were detailed for operations against Leipzig. Aircraft "Z", piloted by F/O l.A. Cozens, experienced a rather shaky do. After being airborne for a period of 2 hours and 15 mins., a defect developed in the starboard inner engine, and although steps were taken to remedy the Situation, they proved unsuccessful and as a result P/O Cozens after being unable to feather the engine, switched it off and left it windmilling. As height was being reduced rapidly, bombs were jettisoned and course was set for base. As soon as enemy coast was crossed on the return, a priority message was despatched, informing those concerned of his difficulty. As the aircraft approached the English coast, the port outer engine began fluctuating badly, and feathering procedure was successfully adopted. More height was being lost, and Cozens ordered his crew to the ditching position, but an M/F was obtained by the WOP/AG approx 5 minutes from the Coast and the ditching order was consequently cancelled and crew were ordered to abandon aircraft as soon as the coast was safely crossed. At this point, the star-board outer engine, to add to the pilots difficulties, showed irregular symptoms and the pilot decided to abandon aircraft, but upon opening the throttle, it seemed to settle the engine down to normal, so crash landing was attempted and safely carried out at Woodbridge, which appeared directly beneath, incurring only slight damages to aircraft, and pilot escaped unscathed. The remainder of the crew successfully parachuted to safety, with Sgt C. Hopper incurring a broken ankle on landing.

The remaining thirteen aircraft reached the target and found it covered by 9/10 tenths clouds, with the reflection of numerous fires already visible. The enemy defences consisted of heavy flak, slight to moderate, in barrage form bursting between 15/22,000 feet, with S/L's ineffective due to the cloud condition. Our aircraft identified the target by the P.F.F.T.I. markers, green, and by sky markers, which at the moment of arrival were seen cascading, and all aircraft bombed on these indicators.

Columns of black smoke were issuing from the conflagration below and by the time our aircraft had completed their run, the intensity of the glow of fires on the clouds, had increased considerably, and could be seen for a distance of approx 150 miles. In the target area, vapour trails of numerous aircraft were very apparent, but there was no undue congestion to interfere with the mission.

Although over the target, enemy aircraft were no where to be seen, our aircraft encountered considerable e/a activity on the homeward journey, but none were engaged in combat. Aircraft "J", piloted by F/S A.F. Darlow, reported that an unidentified aircraft approached from astern below to 100 yards at 0500 hours, but after corkscrew evasive tactics were taken, the e/a was lost to view. Aircraft "N", piloted by P/O J .R. Hilton, reports that an F. W. 190 approached from the port beam above, up to 700 yards, at 0520 hours and again was lost to view, after corkscrewing.

A very effective raid, and it is believed that the target was thoroughly pranged.

4/12/43

Weather: Fair to cloudy with mist towards evening.

As the crews who participated in last evenings raid returned from their mission just in time to have their breakfast, it was impossible to detail them for ops. again this evening. However, those new crews who were not employed at LEIPSIG, were put through an intensive ground training program.

5/12/43

Weather: Cloudy with poor visibility all day. Limits 1000-.3500 yeards. A cross country, in an effort to qualify new crews for ops was carried out this date.

6/12/43

Weather: Cloudy with poor visibility all day. Limits 1500 - 2700 yds.

Again all flying was curtailed, but an intensive ground training program was carried out,particularly in the gunnery section. S/L Brittain, Group Bombing Leader, paid a short informal visit to the Squadron, paying particular attention to the Bombing Section.

7/12/43

Weather: Cloudy with poor visibility - deteriorating to less than 200 yards in rain towards midnight.

Sgt Yaworski and crew reported in from 1659 conversion unit, bringing with them a very high recommendation of their capabilities as a crew. Due to the inclement climatic conditions all flying was curtailed. Notwithstanding, added ground training was carried out.

8/12/43

Weather: Overcast with poor visibility at first and rain. Later improved.

Several aircrew members proceeded on liaison duties to Stockten, to witness the operations of the ack ack units in that district. They returned reporting that the utmost cooperation was afforded them during their tour, and that they derived an immense amount of invaluable information from the lectures and the visit. Similarly, other aircrews were despatched on liaison work, with another phase of the Royal Air Force, in which they are very keenly interested, namely, Air/Sea Rescue, and gained a great deal of information from the authorities at West Hartlepool.

F/L O.R. Martin, reported on attachment, to understudy the adjutant for subsequent filling of that post. The poor visibility curtailed all flying and again no operations were scheduled.

9/12/43

Weather: cloudy with poor to moderate visibility.

F/L J.E. Durocher proceeded on a liaison visit to R.C.A.F. Station, Wambleton. With the advent of the moon period no operations were scheduled, and weather permitted only local flying training, which was carried out on a somewhat meagre scale.

10/12/43

Weather: cloudy with moderate to good visibility - breaking to fair. Slight frost.

Twelve aircraft piloted by new crews, were detailed for a night cross country run, which was successfully carried out by all concerned.

11/12/43

Weather: Fair but cloudy after 1700 hours. Visibility good. Slight frost.

Nine aircraft were detailed for operations against the enemy, but at a rather late hour they were cancelled. However, seven aircraft were detailed for a cross-country run, and all were successful in completing their mission, and returning to the unit without further incident.

W/C R.S. Turnbull, tested a Mark III Halifax, which the Squadron personnel hope soon to be equipped with, and made favourable comments of its capabilities over the present type.

12/12/43

Weather: Cloudy with occasional breaks. Visibility moderate.

The weather was unsuitable for operations and accordingly, none were scheduled. However, local conditions were favourable for flying, and consequently eight aircraft carried out day bombing exercises on the Strensall Bombing Range.

R70142 Sgt Cardy W.H. C.G.M. who suffered critical injuries from flak wounds, and whose vision is slightly impaired in one eye, after the raid on 3/4th October, was recommended for repatriation to Canada, and to cease full flying duties. During the interim he is being hospitalized until approval is granted.

13/12/43

Weather: Fair to cloudy with misty conditions all day. N'o operations were scheduled for this date.

Through the chill of a crisp winter morning, a station parade was held to introduce the new Station Commander, G/C J .G. Bryans, who recently took over from G/C J.L. Plant. An inspection of the Squadron who were out "en masse" in No 1 blues, found them to be the best on parade, typical of all Lion tradition - "the best in the field".

14/12/43

Weather: General fog persisting with calm conditions.

In one of the thickest fogs which we have yet experienced, the environs of Leeming were engulfed in a "pea-souper" which curtailed all unnecessary Talking, let alone, all flying for the day; the fog persisting throughout the day and far into the morning.

15/12/43

Weather: General fog with sky obscured all day. Calm.

With operations not scheduled, and local flying at a standstill due to the fog, the ling Commander personally led the aircrew personnel of the Squadron, on a route march around the perimeter track, in an effort to keep them in condition physically as well as mentally. Those who had been out the previous evening were easily pin-pointed from the others, after the distance of three miles had been covered. Good idea!

16/12/43

Weather: Fog until 1000 hours, visibility improved to 2000 yds and remained the same until midnight.

A ground training program was carried out during the day, as all local flying was curtailed due to poor visibility.

17/12/43

Weather: General fog after 0500 hours, persisting rest of day.

Visibility was reduced to almost a standstill and as a result all local flying was curtailed. However, an intensive ground training program was carried out, comprised of lectures and instruction.

18/12/43

Weather: General fog persisting with sky obscured most of time.
Sixteen aircraft were detailed for operations this date, but due to the climatic conditions which have persisted throughout the week, this operation was cancelled later in the day.

19/12/43

Weather: Fog dispersed after midnight giving way to occasional showers and visibility improving 15/20 miles. Deteriorating to less than 1500 yds, again after dusk.

Notification received this date of the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to F/L G.L. Vogan, the Squadron Bombing Leader, one of the veterans of the-Squadron.

20/12/43

Weather: Fair to cloudy with occasional squally showers.

Sixteen aircraft were detailed for a raid on Frankfurt and as many aircraft became airborne. Of the total, two failed to return from the operation and as a result F/O R.J. Lacerte, flying in aircraft "K", and F/o J .H. Grieve, piloting aircraft "C", and crews have been posted as missing. The remaining fourteen aircraft reached the target during the opening stages of the raid and found the area although covered by 5/10 thin cloud cover, presenting good visibility of the ground detail below. The aircraft bombed their target on the T.I. green markers, in the face of stiff opposition by enemy flak and S/L defences.

While on the inward journey to the target aircraft "A", piloted by F/S Dowdell S.G. encountered an enemy twin engine aircraft, first seen at 1915 hours while flying at 18,000 feet. Visibility was hazy below and illuminated by flares marking the turning point. No cloud and no moon. The E/ A was first sighted by rear gunner Sgt J .L. Lozo at 400 yds on the starboard quarter slightly up. The rear gunner gave combat manoeuvre, corkscrew, and both gunners opened fire and closed in breaking away to port down. The E/A was not seen again, and no damages on either aircraft is claimed.

On the bombing run, F/O G.A. Weldon in aircraft "N" encountered an E/A which was identified by the rear gunner Sgt J. Hewitt, as a ME 109, at 1940 hrs from 20,000 feet, flying below and astern at 400 yds. Rear gunner immediately opened fire and enemy aircraft returned fire closing in and breaking away to port quarter up where rear and mid upper gunners fired at E/ A. Strikes were seen on it and flames developed on the E/A. This caused the E/A to dive and the flames were extinguished and it was not seen again. This aircraft is claimed as damaged. The pilot showed great courage and determination, because rather than take evasive action, he continued on his bombing run, until the mission was completed.

En route to the target at 1925 hrs at 19,000, aircraft "B", piloted by F/S C .H. Fisher, encountered an unidentified E/A; the first indication of its whereabouts was from tracers seen to pass ahead of the nose to port. Mid upper gunner gave combat manoeuvre ''corkscrew port" and the E/A then attacked from dead astern and opened fire. Both gunners opened fire simultaneously with aircraft's tracer. During the whole attack no visual of the E/A, was taken and the E/A was not seen again. No claim is made on the E/A, however, our Halifax sustained slight damage near nose, and the Navigator F/S A.B. Johnson was wounded in the leg by cannon splinters.

21/12/43

Weather: Fair at first, becoming cloudy with occasional showers after mid-day, persisting well into the night. Visibility good.

Standown(sic) for aircrew personnel.

22/12/43

Weather: Showery until 0700 hrs breaking fair to fine. Visibility good. No operations were called for this date, however, an intense flying training-program was carried out, during the day.

In the evening, three aircraft were detailed for a bullseye operations, with aircraft "Y" piloted by F/S A.R. Clibbery, experiencing a rather nerve shaking experience on landing. On the return from the exercise, he forgot to lower the undercarriage, and what was intended to be a three point landing, turned. out to be a four point prang. The results of the belly landing, was the breakage of four propellers and slight damage to the airframe. Fortunately, however, none of the crew were injured.

23/12/43

Weather: Mainly fair to fine. Good visibility.

Sixteen aircraft were detailed for operations. The raid however, was scrubbed early in the day.

24/12/43

Weather: Fair to fine with good visibility.

Operations were not scheduled for this evening, and Squadron personnel diverted to many centres in the locality, to bring in Christmas, each to their own choosing.

25/12/43

Weather: Cloudy with moderate to good visibility.

Immediately that the news was received this morning that no operations were scheduled for the evening, the Squadron was granted a standown.(sic)

In the afternoon, the traditional Christmas dinner was served to the Airmen by the Officers, and a great tribute should be extended to the kitchen staff, who by their untiring efforts, produced a turkey dinner, which would have rivaled anything that the Savoy in London could have prepared.

26/12/43

Weather: Mainly fine with good visibility.

With most members of the Squadron recuperating from Xmas festivities, the information that no operations were scheduled for this date was very welcome.

27/12/43

Weather: Fair to Cloudy. Good visibility.

Although no operations were scheduled the Squadron began in earnest for post Xmas eventualities, and partook in an intensive training program, as Heather conditions were most ideal and clear for local flying. Eight aircraft were detailed for a bombing practice and carried out their missions satisfactorily.

In the evening eleven aircraft participated in a Cross country run. All returned having successfully completed their tasks without having any undue incidents to report.

28/12/43

Weather: Fair to cloudy. Visibility moderate to good.

As the weather conditions continued to be ideal for local flying more flying training was carried out, along with an intense ground training program.

29/12/43

Weather: Fair to cloudy. Light shower in evening. Good visibility.

Sixteen aircraft took off this date, destined for a raid on BERLIN. The Wing Commander, who personally was leading the operation, flying in "B" for Beer, returned early after a technical failure in the port outer engine rendered it unserviceable. Aircraft "F" piloted by P/O H.W. Holland, also returned early due to the failure of the port inner engine. Aircraft "L" piloted by F/S A.F. Darlow, also failed to reach the target, because of the inability of his aircraft to gain sufficient height, and landed on the CO's orders.

P/O R.C. Deegan flying ''W", making his 15th operational trip, by his exceptional skill and untiring efforts, was responsible for bringing back a badly crippled bomber, and perhaps saving the life of all the crew. His aircraft was a little better than halfway to the target and flying at about 18,000 feet when the port outer engine failed and went completely u/s, and difficulty was encountered in maintaining height. Consequently the bomb load was jettisoned safely, and course was set for base. Ten minutes later, the war (sic) gunner F/S P.A. Dubois warned the pilot that night fighters were dropping flares in an attempt to vector the aircraft, and continued to do so for the best part of an hour, until the Zaider Zee was reached at which point a night fighter finally succeeded in picking up the Halifax and attacked from starboard and below. The rear gunner gave evasive action as soon as e/a closed to within a 1,000 yds, and after the manoeuvre, it was lost to view. Soon after the starboard inner engine went completely unserviceable and the pilot was faced with the task of reaching home on two engines. This further reduced height, and as a result all bomb containers and loose equipment were jettisoned over the Dutch Coast. During the confusion which followed, the trailing aerial was cut off by the bomb doors, which made it impossible for the Wireless Operator F/S J.A. Smith, to obtain fixes and send out messages, and in an attempt to repair the set, he did a masterful job in erecting a spare aerial for the purpose of dispatching the necessary S.O.S.'s. Shortly after leaving the Dutch Coast, the port inner was on the verge of packing up, and all the way across the North Sea at 5,000 feet, the pilot nursed two engines along, while the aircraft laboured and crawled through the air at 110 miles per hour, at almost stalling speed. But the pilot's perseverance and perspiration were rewarded when an aerodrome appeared below soon after crossing the English Coast, on which P/O Deagan immediately dove straight in for the runway, and just as he touched down the port engine faded completely, necessitating a one engine landing, which was as smooth as if he had all four engines available. P/O Deagan, in expressing his appreciation to the remainder of the crew, lauding the work and the cooperation of everyone concerned including the Co-Pilot, particularly praised the work of the Wireless Operator and the Flight Engineer, Sgt J.C. Corbiell.

The remaining twelve aircraft proceeded to the target on P.F.F. track, encountering little opposition from enemy defences en route. F/S R.E. Cook, the pilot of "S", received a Monica warning at 19:58 hours. The rear gunner then sighted an enemy aircraft on the star-board quarter down 400 yards and immediately gave the combat manoeuvre "Corkscrew Starboard". The fighter and both Gunners opened fire at the same time, the E/A crossing over to port beam down and was lost to sight, until it reappeared. again two minutes later on the port quarter up 300 yards. Another corkscrew followed, while the fighter closed in and crossed to starboard beam up. However, neither the fighter, nor our Halifax opened fire, and enemy aircraft left the scene. No damage was sustained by the Halifax, and no visual damage was observed on the fighter.

The target was found covered by 10/10th clouds to a height of 8,000 feet, with lateral visibility very good. Although at the time of arrival the raid was rapidly growing in intensity, the area was entirely obscured by the cloud cover, and our crews bombed on the red flares with green stars, seen cascading on the fires, reflecting on the clouds. Little or negligible enemy defences were in operation, and our crew's had a free run to the target.

On the homeward journey the only incident encountered. was the experience of F /L F.N. Murray, a native of Trinidad in the R.C.A.F., who by a wizard show, brought his badly damaged aircraft back to Britain, under the most adverse circumstances.

Dick's comment:I guess we can consider this a M.A. !!

The crew of "P" for Peter had just dropped their bomb load on the target, when a Halifax above them about 1,000 feet began to release its bombs, incendiaries from which, crashed through the tail plane, the starboard wing and bent the aileron. The weight of the incendiaries sent the aircraft into an uncontrollable spiral dive, and only after 2,000 feet were lost, was the pilot able to regain control. The aircraft however, refused to stay on track and on the homeward journey continually kept listing to starboard. To add to the pilot's difficulties, a heavy flak barrage was encountered over Emden, shrapnel penetrating the aircraft in several places, one piece coming through the star-board window up to the co-pilot's seat. With the condition of the aircraft precarious, evasive action was attempted, but proved impossible owing to the condition of the aircraft. Strong head winds made it uncertain whether "P" would have sufficient petrol to reach the English Coast, but it eventually loomed up ahead, and the aircraft was landed perfectly, on the first aerodrome sighted. Examination of the aircraft found a gaping hole in the tail plane, caused by the incendiaries of the friendly Halifax, and the starboard aileron and a portion of the wing tip torn away. The operation is considered to have left a wide area of devastation in the already battered and tattered Berlin.

30/12/43

Weather: Fine becoming fair.

No Operations were scheduled for this date, and those crews had not participated in the raid on Berlin in the previous evening, were put through a strenuous training program which touched every phase of operational training.

31/12/43

Weather: Fair to cloudy. Slight drizzle and. rain in the afternoon.

The twelve crews who were detailed for an operation this evening were, to say the least, very glad when they later received the information that the operation had been cancelled, and the Squadron as a whole, diverted to various localities to bring in the New Year which threatens to be the most active, from this theatre of war, since the war began. For the second time since his arrival on this station, the Station Commander, G/C J.H. Bryans' attempt to participate in an operational sortie was frustrated; he was scheduled to go with W/C Turnbull, as second pilot.