This page transcribed by Dick Dunn

427 Squadron Wartime Log - December 1944

1/12/44

Weather: No operations scheduled for today due to adverse weather conditions.

Three crews went to Ripon for Dinghy Drill during the afternoon. An Officers Mess meeting was held. Its evident that a shortage of cash prevails. There were some suggestions of mortgaging the farm. Two aircraft were detailed for Sim. Bombing. One a/c landed after 45 minutes due to bad weather.

2/12/44

Weather:

Operations were laid down this morning for 10 aircraft. Briefing at 13:30 hours and take off around 17:15 hours. The aircraft were not back at base by midnight. Several aircraft carried out Air to Air practice and Sim. Bombing exercises.

3/12/44

Weather:

All crews returned around 00 :30 hours this morning from bombing HAGEN. Crews reported 10/10ths cumulus cloud prevailed over the target area with tops ranging from 14,000 to 18,500 feet. All crews bombed by Navigational aids. An assessment of the results was impossible due to cloud conditions but some crews consider that the attack was fairly successful in view of the heavy concentration of bombing and the numerous flashes seen reflected on the cloud. Flak was negligible at target. Other Ruhr defences were in action at Dusseldorf, Cologne, and Duisburg. Charlebroi defences were active for unknown reasons. Enemy aircraft were sighted but no combats or claims resulted. No aircraft were damaged by flak. All A/C attempted photographs but cloud conditions will no doubt obscure ground details.

In the afternoon an operation order was put out detailing twelve aircraft for an early morning operation.

4/12/44

Weather: Fair to cloudy with frequent showers. Visibility good. Wind westerly at 10 to 20 m.p.h.

Crews were not called this morning as expected. Word came through for another briefing at 14:00 hours. All aircraft (12) took off and proceeded to the target KARLSRUHE. Visibility was good. All crews bombed visually and on T.Is. The concentration of aircraft was good and incendiaries were all over the dock area to the centre of the city. This is a very good prang as fires were seen from 100 miles from the target area. At least twenty aircraft were burning Navigation lights over France on way to target. All aircraft returned safely to base. One aircraft dropped photo flash in Channel due to accidental release.

Several Air Bombers and Navigators are putting in some time at photography in the Radar Section. A very good constructive part of their training.

5/12/44

Weather: Fair to cloudy with wintry showers during morning. Visibility good. Wind westerly from 10 to 15 m.p.h.

Operations were scheduled for today. Fourteen aircraft were detailed to take off around 17:45 hours. "P' was a non-starter due to engine trouble on take-off. Y-York was an early return due to oxygen failure. TARGET - SOEST. 4/10 to 10/10ths cloud over target but visibility was good. There was a good concentration of bombing and about six good sized explosions were seen in target area. Flak was slight to moderate with also some heavy predicted flak. No searchlights in target area. The attack is considered good.

Also a training programme was issued. Three aircraft were detailed for H2S Cross-Country for new crews. They took-off around 17:30 hours.

6/12/44

Weather: Fair to cloudy with occasional showers. Periods of continuous rain at mid-day. Visibility good except in rain. Wind south westerly from 5 to 15 m.p.h.

Operations again scheduled for tonight with twelve aircraft detailed to take off around 16:00 hours. Target - OSNABRUCK. All aircraft took off and proceeded to the target. Cloud obscured the target and it was difficult to assess. Some aircraft reported three distinct areas of fire in target area. Slight to moderate flak was experienced. Fighter are reported over target area and homeward trip. This was a good attack although the weather was poor.

In the afternoon there was some Radar training for crews not detailed for operations.

7/12/44

Weather: Fair to cloudy with wintry showers. Visibility good, deteriorating towards mid-day and becoming poor. Wind mainly south 5-10 m.p.h.

Nothing much doing today but operation order issued for tomorrow detailing fourteen aircraft and a spare crew. The Canadians of all Sections had a lecture on Rehabilitation given by the Education Officer F/L Spears.

8/12/44

Weather: Cloudy with wintry showers during morning, becoming fair. Wind N.W. 5-10 m.p.h. backing during evening to w.n.w. 12-18 m.p.h.

Operations scrubbed early this morning. Very quiet day. Stand down all day. Two aircraft carried out H2S Cross country, night training flights.

9/12/44

Weather: Fair to fine. Visibility good. wind WNW 10-20 m.p.h.

Training programme was issued this morning detailing ten crews for Gaggle. Briefing scheduled for 11:30 hours. Late in the evening an operation order was issued but it was cancelled shortly after. Several crews were on H2S Cross-Country training.

10/12/44

Weather: Fair to cloudy with continuous snow during afternoon and early evening. Visibility good becoming poor during late morning and for rest of day. Wind easterly 10-15 m.p.h. backing SE'ly 5 m.p.h. and becoming light variable.

The day started out quietly but Battle Order was issued at noon. The operation was cancelled however. Some training took place during the morning and early afternoon. All flying was scrubbed for the day when it started snowing. All aircrew attended a lecture by Intelligence at 15:00 hours, where much good "gen" was expounded by S L Stagg S.I.0.

11/12/44

Weather: Mainly cloudy with slight rain late in evening. Visibility poor. Wind light and variable.

Operations came through during the morning for fourteen kites. All Crews were briefed at 13:20 hours. No time could be wasted as take-off was due to start at 15:00 hours. Once again, however, the inevitable scrub came through five minutes before take-off. It was not entirely unexpected. Everybody was just waiting for the scrub as the weather was very poor, being overcast all day.

12/12/44

Weather: Cloudy with slight rain in early morning. Visibility poor becoming moderate. Hind light light becoming NW'ly 5-10 m.p.h.

A training order waS issued this morning for another "Gaggle" exercise. Thirteen aircraft detailed. Briefing at 12:00 hours. Another training order was issued in the afternoon detailing 9 aircraft on H2S X-Country. This latter exercise was cancelled, However, because of oncoming operations. Twelve aircraft took part in the Cross-Country exercises.

13/12/44

Weather: Fine becoming overcast with fog after dusk. Visibility poor. Wind light and variable.

Operations scheduled for today. Briefing at 07:00 hours. Seventeen crews detailed and 2 spares. Operation was again cancelled just prior to take-off. Seven aircraft took part in Cross-Country, Sim. Bombing and S.B.A. exercises. F /0 Stelfox (Back) is left wondering about some of the limitations of the bomb circuit, (1 x 500 Ib S.A.F.) dropped off in dispersal as they were taxiing out. Tough luck "Buck". Its nice to have you with us. Better luck next time.

14/12/44

Weather: Overcast, with fog to midday. Continuous rain from 20:00 hours. Visibility poor. Wind southerly 5-20 m.p.h.

Weather right down on the deck this morning. Even the birds are walking. Seventeen crews were detailed for operations late this morning. Briefing scheduled for 14:00 hours. However the scrub came through once again. No flying today. The crews were given a lecture by W/C V.F. Ganderton, our commanding officer. Subject: SECURITY. After the lecture the C.O. suggested that the aircrew throw a party for the groundcrew. This idea was unanimously accepted.

15/12/44

Weather: Overcast with rain early. Fog during morning. Visibility poor. Wind southerly 5-20 m.p.h.

Very dull looking today but Battle Order has been issued this morning for 17 crews. Briefing 13:30 hours. Operations were scrubbed during briefing owing to bad weather. No flying today.

16/12/44

Weather: Cloudy to overcast with rain and fog. Visibility poor. Wind SE'ly 5-20 m.p.h.

Training programme issued today for Sim. Bombing, Air to Sea Firing exercises. This program was not carried out due to duff weather.

17/12/44

Weather: Overcast with moderate rain at first, becoming fair with slight showers. Visibility poor. Wind SE'ly 5-30 m.p.h.

The weather is a little better today. Battle Order issued detailing twenty aircraft. Briefing was held at 23:59 hours. The weather cleared up during the evening and was perfect for take-off.

18/12/44

Weather: Fine and hazy during darkness; cloudy with rain during daylight.

The kites did not take off till 02:00 hours this morning. Target - DUISBURG.(sic) - (Duisberg on slide) One aircraft was a non starter ("C" LV 922) due to sudden sickness of a member of the crew. 10/10th cloud over the target and visibility was nil. No assessment is possible due to the cloud condition. Slight heavy flak in loose barrage from bursting from 18000 to 2000 feet was encountered over the target. Searchlights from our own line from Brussels on towards the target picked up our stream and passed us on from one to the other definitely marking our position and approach for the benefit of the Hun.

Aircraft "J" NP956 was attacked by a Me 210 but returned fire and the enemy broke away and was not seen again. No claims. ''N'' MZ 422 was late returning and was almost presumed missing.

Operation order was received. in the afternoon detailing three crews. It was cancelled later, however, although the three crews detailed flew on a night cross-country, the duration of which was three hours.

19/12/44

Weather: FOG.

The day started off with a heavy fog, but evidently it was expected to disperse as a Battle Order was issued around noon. Seventeen crews were detailed. Briefing at 12: 45 hours. In the afternoon the fog has become even heavier. Operations were scrubbed.

20/12/44

Weather: FOG. Slight rain during early evening.

No flying today due to intense fog. A Squadron party was put on today for all ranks. F/Lt. J. Chasanoff (C.8455) ex-adjutant 427 Sqdn. was in attendance. A good time was had by all.

21/12/44

Weather: Cloudy with some rain. Visibility poor at first, improving to moderate to good later.

Improvement in weather today and operation order was issued this morning. Three crews detailed. Briefing 12:30 hours. Operation set back late in afternoon and briefing was held at 21:00 hours. Take-off commenced around 23:25 hours. All aircraft Got away to a good start.

22/12/44

Weather: Cloudy, slight rain at first. Visibility moderate becoming poor late in day.

All aircraft returned around 07:00 hours this morning from GARDENING-ONIONS. All crews claimed successful mining in their allotted areas. 10/10ths strata cumulus cloud prevailed over the mining area with tops ranging from 5000 to 9000 feet. Visibility was clear above cloud. No visual assessment is possible due to cloud condition. Late in the afternoon. a Training Programme was issued. This was later scrubbed in favour of a Battle Order detailing 16 Crews. But this morning 16 kites took part in Sim. Mining and bombing exercises.

23/12/44

Weather: Cloudy, some drizzle. Visibility moderate to poor.

Operations cancelled early this morning and as the weather Was not good there was no flying. Aircrew in Sections took advantage of this stand down for a good cleaning and tidying.

24/12/44

Weather: Cloudy with fog in last half of period. Visibility moderate to poor becoming poor to bad.

Battle Order issued today detailing three aircraft for miming operation. Onions area. They took off around 17:15 hours. Over the target the visibility was good and no cloud. All claimed having released their mines by H2S as instructed. Due to adverse weather over base they were diverted and landed at Peterhead.

25/12/44

Weather: Overcast with thick fog. Visibility poor. Wind calm. Very bad flying weather with a heavy fog. No station activity except at the Messes. Christmas "spirits" were in evidence. Our aircraft from gardening effort not yet returned.

26/12/44

Weather: Overcast to cloudy with fog. Visibility poor. Wind calm to light S'1y.

The morning started off with a heavy fog but towards noon it began to disperse. Battle Order was then issued detailing 16 kites. Briefing was scheduled for 11:00 hours. They took off around 12:30 hours. Target: ST. VITH. One aircraft was a non-starter due to engine trouble. ("U" LW130). Visibility was good with no cloud in the target area. Most of the bombing was done visually until late in the attack when smoke and dust obscured the target. The Master Bomber was clearly heard and appeared well pleased with results. Flak defences in target area were heavier than expected. Good prang. On return all aircraft were diverted due to adverse weather. They landed at Tain, Kalstain and Kinloss. The three kites at Peterhead returned in the afternoon. (This was 427' s contribution to the Battle of the Bulge).

27/12/44

Weather: Overcast to cloudy with fog early. Visibility poor becoming moderate. Wind SE'ly 5-10 mph veering W'ly 5-15 mph.

The weather today is not bad. The kites which were diverted yesterday at Tain, Kalstain and Kinloss are returning. A Battle Order was issued early this morning detailing 3 crews. This was a Skipton effort and our 3 crews were to go in Skipton aircraft. Operation was however scrubbed. Late in the afternoon another Battle Order was issued detailing 14 kites. Briefing was scheduled for 23:45 hours.

28/12/44

Weather: Fair to fine. Visibility good. Wind NW'ly 5-15 m.p.h., falling calm.

Take off around 03:00 hours. "0" MZ291 blew a tire on take-off and swung off the runway. Before the pilot could control the aircraft it crashed into an empty house and set on fire. The crew got out safely just before the bombs went off. All other kites took off safely. Target - OPLADEN. 10/10ths low cloud in target area but visibility was good above. Bombing appeared to be well concentrated and accurate on the markers. Slight to moderate flak. Enemy aircraft were sighted but no claims are made. All our aircraft returned safely to base around 0930 hours.

Another Battle Order was issued at noon detailing four crews for mining effort. Briefing scheduled for 13:15 hours. The crews took off around 15:56 hours. Target - Polyanthus area. Perfectly clear and visibility unlimited. Crews reported no difficulty whatever in visually identifying the gardening areas. One aircraft "Z" NR148 dropped his mines on the land due to hung up before release. Flak was confined to one or two light guns in known coastal areas. All Crews returned safely to base around 22:30 hours.

29/12/44

Weather: Fine becoming cloudy. Visibility good becoming moderate. Wind light variable becoming SW'ly 5-15 m.p.h.

Weather today cold but clear. Battle Order came through around 1100 hours. Fourteen A/C were detailed. Briefing was scheduled for 1330 hours. Take off around 15:30 hours. Target - OBERLAR. 10/10ths cloud over the target but visibility was good above. The majority of the crews bombed on the reflective glow of the T.Is. Results were impossible to assess due to cloud but the crews feel that bombing was fairly well concentrated and appeared accurate. Slight flak was encountered, in the target area. One jet propelled aircraft was sighted on route outward. All crews returned by 22:45 hours. "K" LV996 was diverted at Tholthorpe on 3 engines.

30/12/44

Weather: Cloudy becoming fair; slight drizzle early. Visibility good. Wind mainly NW'ly 5-20 m.p.h.

Battle Order came out about 1100 hours detailing 13 aircraft. Briefing scheduled for 1300 hours. Take off around 17:45 hours. Target - COLOGNE. 10/10ths cloud with tops at 5000 to 10000 feet at the target area. Markers were clearly visible but somewhat scattered. Several crews report both dummy sky and ground markers. Assessment of the raid was impossible due to cloud condition. Slight to moderate flak bursting mostly below bombing levels was encountered.

Aircraft "L" NP957 and aircraft "J" NP956 had combats with enemy aircraft but no claims are made. "J" took effective evasive action although on three engines. The pilot was W/C V.F. GANDERTON (J.10133). All aircraft returned safely to base.

31/12/44

Weather: Fine to cloudy. Visibility excellent. Wind NW’y 5-10 m.p.h.

Operation order issued this morning detailing 4 crews. Briefing scheduled for 14:00 hours. Take off around 1600 hours. Target Polyanthus area. No cloud and good visibility but slight sea haze. All crews mined visually.

One aircraft “Y” NR257 (Captain F/O Britton W.B.) (J.25816) encountered a JU 88 over target area. The enemy aircraft attacked three times. Strikes were seen on wing and fuselage of EA which dived straight down towards sea. A large splash followed. Claimed as destroyed. All aircraft returned safely to base by 23:10 hours.

HONOURS AND AWARDS:

Flying Officer V.C. Sunstrum (J.28038) Distinguished Flying Cross. 17.12.44.

COMMISSIONS: NIL

POSTINGS:

J.80133 F/O H.D. Egli posted to 24 O.T.U. 5.12.44

J.877633 F/O P.E. Regimbald posted to 22 O.T.U. 5.12.44

J.20385 F/L W.E.E. Towne posted from 76 Base 7.12.44