This page transcribed by Dick Dunn

427 Squadron Wartime Log - February 1945

1/2/45

Weather: Fair to cloudy with some rain and fog.

Operation Order came through this morning detailing fourteen aircraft. Briefing was scheduled for 13:00 hours. Take off around 15:35 hours. Target - MAINZ. Crews report 6-10/10ths cloud over target. The attack appeared quite scattered with fires burning well over a wide area. Two large explosions were noted. Flak was slight to moderate and inaccurate. A/C "H" MZ517 encountered a JU 88 but evasive action was taken and ElA disappeared. A/C "E" MZ452 and "N" MZ422 returned early. All aircraft returned safely to base by 23:20 hours. Five of our aircraft diverted to Blackbush on 28 Jan. returned this afternoon.

2/2/45

Weather: Cloudy with rain and fog. Visibility becoming good.

Operations called for today. Seventeen aircraft were detailed. Briefing scheduled for 17:00 hours. Fifteen aircraft only" were able to take off as "B" NR171 swung on the runway and rendered it u/s. A/c "Q" LV942 was an early return. The aircraft did not return by midnight. F/O E.E. Morgan (J.17009) attended an Investiture at Buckingham Palace today, where he received his D.F.C.

3/2/45

Weather: Fine becoming fair then cloudy with rain at night. Visibility good becoming moderate.

All aircraft on operations last night returned safely to base by 02.36 hours. The target was WANNE-EICKEL(sic) - (WANNE EICHEL on slide). Crews report 10/10ths cloud in the target area. The raid appeared to be well concentrated and should prove quite successful. Three large explosions were seen in the target area. Flak was slight to moderate. No searchlights.

Late in the afternoon another Battle Order was issued detailing ten aircraft for early tomorrow morning. Meals were set for 06.00 hours and Briefing for 07.30. hours.

Eleven aircraft carried out training exercises today, mainly S.B.A., X-Country, Sim bombing and Air to Sea Firing.

4/2/45

Weather: - Cloudy with rain at first becoming fair later. Visibility poor becoming good.

Operations were scrubbed before briefing this morning. Later on two Battle Orders were issued detailing six aircraft for mining and twelve for bombing. Briefing for Bombing was at 13 :15 and for Mining 14:45 hours. Take off for Bombing started at 17:11 hours immediately followed by the Mining effort.

Mining area was YOUNG YAMS. Crews report 10/10ths cloud in the Gardening area. All crews mined in the briefed areas on H2S and report no difficulties. A/C"X" NP941 encountered a FW190 which passed quickly overhead and disappeared.

The target for bombing was OSTERFELD. 10/10ths cloud obscured the target. Several large explosions were seen. Owing to cloud condition it is difficult to assess the success of the raid. Flak was slight to moderate and searchlights ineffective through cloud. All aircraft returned safely to base by 23:44 hours.

5/2/45

Weather: Cloudy with rain during early morning becoming fair. Visibility moderate at first becoming good. Wind S'E'ly 5-10 mph veering W'ly.

Operation Order issued this morning detailing sixteen aircraft. Briefing was scheduled for 17;00 hours. The aircraft were marshalled for takeoff around 19:30 hours when scrub came through.

Word came through that all crews will have to complete 36 trips for a first tour of operations. (Moans and groans). Never mind, Joe Stalin is only 35 miles from Berlin, arid not stopped yet.

6/2/45

Weather: Fair at first with rain during afternoon. Visibility good at first becoming poor. Wind S/E'ly 5-10 mph. Windy and raining today.

There was no operations scheduled for today, so several aircrew chappies were called up for interview with a view to commissioning.

F/L G.J. Williams (J.12969) held a lecture for all Bomb Aimers on points of interest in connection with the Lancaster Bomber.

7/2/45

Weather: Cloudy at first becoming fair to fine. Visibility moderate becoming good. Wind W'ly 15-30 mph.

Operations came through this morning detailing seventeen aircraft. Briefing was scheduled for 14:00 hours. Take off around 18:40 hours. At 23:59 hours our aircraft were not back at base.

8/2/45

Weather: Cloudy at first with rain and drizzle during afternoon. Visibility good at first becoming poor. Wind W'ly becoming S/E'ly 5-10 mph.

Our aircraft on operations last night returned to base by 02:00 hours. The target was GOCH. Five crews only bombed their objective. The others were called off by the Master Bomber who was not clearly heard.

A/C "A" MZ823 encountered a JU 88. Both aircraft exchanged fire but enemy aircraft disappeared as evasive action was taken. A/C "M" MZ423 encountered a FW190 which- crossed 50 feet over the Halifax. The MU/AG opened fire and the Rear/AG followed. The fighter went out of control burst into flames and crashed to the ground and exploded. Claim as destroyed.

A/C "J" NP956 encountered a jet propelled aircraft. Evasive action was taken but E/ A/C followed in corkscrew. Both gunners opened fire and the E/A was seen to burst into flames and dropped away, exploding when it hit the ground. Claimed as destroyed.

A/C "X" NP941 encountered what was identified as a flying wing. Both gunners opened fire and it was seen to burst into flames and exploded on hitting the ground. Flak was slight to moderate in target area.

Operation Order was issued again this morning detailing ten aircraft. But it was cancelled later on.

9/2/45

Weather: Occasional showers at first becoming fair to cloudy with rain during late afternoon. Visibility good at first becoming moderate during evening. Wind W'ly backing during afternoon to S'ly 15-25 mph.

Fairly day today although rather windy.

S/L R.J. Lawlor (J .5102) "A” Flight Commander was awarded the D.F.C. today.

Operations came through this morning with two Battle Orders. Ten crews were detailed for Mining and seven for Bombing. Both operations were cancelled late in the afternoon.

10/2/45

Weather: Rain at first becoming fair to cloudy. Occasional showers during early evening, becoming ffair to fine. Visibility moderate at first becoming good. Wind S'ly 10-15 veering S/W'ly 15-20, decreasing during evening, to 5-10 mph.

Operations through this morning for a bombing effort with seven crews. Briefing scheduled for 13:30 hours. Ops was scrubbed after briefing. Several crews carried out night flying training.

W/C V.F. Ganderton DFC (J.10133) assumes command of R.C.A.F. Station Leeming during the temporary absence of Group Captain J.B. Millward, D.F.C.

11/2/45

Weather: Fine at first with snow and fog during afternoon and evening. Visibility good at first becoming poor. Wind S/W'ly 5-10 mph falling light.

Cloudy today but fair weather for flying. Operation order issued this morning detailing seven aircraft. In the afternoon the weather deteriorated and it started to rain and snow steadily. Ops. were scrubbed.

12/2/45

Weather: Cloudy with fog early. Rain during afternoon and evening. Visibility poor at first becoming moderate. Wind W/S'ly becoming Wily 20-30 mph.

Cloudy today with wind and rain. No flying being carried. out.

F /L F.J. Willgress gave a lecture in the Educational Hut to the Pilots, Engineers and Bomb Aimers on Lancaster Aircraft and Merlin Engine.

13/2/45

Weather: Rain at first. Fair to fine. Visibility moderate at first becoming good after. Wind w'ly 20-30 mph.

Battle Order issued this morning detailing fourteen aircraft. Briefing, was held at 14:00 hours. Take off around 17:54 hours. All aircraft got away to a good start but were not back at base by midnight.

14/2/45

Weather: Fair to fine. Fine to cloudy. Visibility good. Wind W'ly 15-25 mph.

Thirteen of our aircraft on operations last night landed at EYE. A/C "A" MZ823 was first reported missing when report failed to come through that he had landed at Juvincourt, France. He landed at Base at 21:00 hours today. Target was BOHLEN. Crews report 9-10/10ths at the target. The markers, were spread over a wide area. Several explosions and a few fires were seen through break in cloud. Moderate to intense flak (heavy) in barrage form. No aircraft damaged by flak.

Two operations orders were issued this morning detailing three Crews for Bombing and six crew for mining. Gardening crews took off at approx. 16:00 hours and the bombing at 18:50 hours. They were not back at midnight.

Early in the afternoon our aircraft from EYE returned to base.

15/2/45

Weather:- Fair to fine. Visibility good at first becoming poor during afternoon and evening. Wind NW'ly becoming light SE'ly.

Crews returned to base this morning around 01:25 hours. Gardening area was WILlOW ONE. Crews reported 9-10/10ths cloud in gardening areas. All crews mined on H2S and experienced no difficulties. No flak in mining area but defences at Copenhagen were active. One A/C "P” LV988 was an early return and "0" MZ814 was a non starter. Aircraft "W" MZ355 Captain S/L W.B. Brittain "B" Flight Commander did not come back from this operation.

Bombing target was CHEMNITZ. Crews report 7-10/10ths cloud in target area. The marking was punctual but appeared scattered. Many fires were seen to take hold. Heavy flak was negligible to slight. Enemy fighter were sighted but no combat were reported. One aircraft "N" MZ422 Captain F/0 V.S. Roy did not come back from operation.

A/C "M" MZ423 which was on mining "do" and landed at Halesworth returned this afternoon.

Operation order was issued this morning detailing three crews for mining operations. The mining area was OSID. 10/10ths cloud in garden area. All crews mined on H2S without difficulties. All crews attempted photographs. Some moderate heavy flak was encountered in the target area. Due to adverse weather over base they landed at Charter Hall.

16/2/45

Weather: Cloudy and fog. Visibility poor. Wind SW'ly 5-10 mph.

Quiet most of the day but very late in the afternoon a "Chop List" came through detailing thirteen aircraft. However the briefing was postponed for an early morning operation.

17/2/45

Weather: Cloudy with fog at first with poor visibility during the remaining of the day. Wind S/E'ly 5-10 mph.

Main briefing was held at 09:00 hours this morning. Take off around 11:30 hours. The target was WESSEL. This raid was abortive over enemy territory due to 10/10ths cloud over the "target. The Master Bomber called the raid off. Due to adverse weather over base our A/C landed at Middleton St. George. Three of our aircraft which were at diversion base at Charter Hall returned at 16:09 hours.

18/2/45

Weather: Cloudy becoming fair during evening. Visibility moderate- becoming good during evening. Wind N/W'ly.

Our aircraft diverted at Middleton St. George returned early this morning. Battle Order was issued this morning detailing two crews for mining operations. Crews took off at 15:51 hours. The target was KATTEGAT. 10/10ths cloud with nil visibility at the mining area. The crews mined as briefed and experienced no difficulties. Nil to slight inaccurate flak was encountered. Nil fighter activity but Fredrikshaven aerodrome was lit up.

The kites returned at base at 22:00 hours.

19/2/45

Weather: Cloudy. Visibility moderate to poor. Wind S'ly 5-10 mph.

Quiet day. The Sergeants Mess held a dance at 20:00 hours. There were bevies of beautiful girls imported for the occasion. Much fun was had by all.

20/2/45

Weather: Cloudy with slight rain before dawn, becoming fair. Visibility moderate becoming good. Wind W'ly 10-20 mph.

F/L H.O. Holroyde (C.9960) our adjutant, went on leave starting after duty today. Operation order issued at noon detailing fourteen crews. Briefing scheduled for 19:00 hours. Take off around 21:45 hours. The aircraft were not back by 23:59 hours.

21/2/45

Weather: Fair to cloudy. Visibility moderate. Wind S'ly 5-15 mph.

Crews returned to base around 05:00 hours. The target was Monheim. Crews report 10/l0ths cloud over target. Marking was sufficient and concentrated. There was an extremely large explosion and several other reddish orange ones. The target was obscured but reports indicate that the raid was fairly successful. Slight to moderate heavy flak in loose barrage form.
A/C "Z" NRl48 was damaged by flak en route homeward.
A/C"X" NP941 encountered an U/I T/E enemy aircraft. MU/AG opened fire and the starboard engine of the enemy aircraft burst into flames. Its wing was seen to fall off. The A/C went straight down and exploded upon contact. Claim "A".
One aircraft "Y" NP942 Captain F/L J .M. Murphy did not return from this operation.

Another battle order was issued at noon detailing eleven a aircraft. Briefing was scheduled for 15:00 hours and take off around 16:50 hours. Crews were back at base by 23:59 hours. The target was WORMS. Crews report that the target was clear of cloud with slight, ground haze. Marking was well concentrated and sufficient. The town was burning brightly over a two mile square area. Fires were visible 80 miles on the homeward route. Several large explosions were reported. Flak varied from moderate to intense.
A/C "C" RG347 encountered and destroyed an unidentified enemy aircraft. As fighter attacked the rear gunner opened fire with 400 rds. Enemy fighter dove to the ground trailing sparks. Two large explosions were seen on the ground. Claim "A”.
A/C "R" MZ755 encountered an unidentified single engine enemy fighter. MU/AG and R/AG opened fire and lots of hits were claimed. The enemy aircraft burst into flames and broke into two pieces and fell to the ground. Claim "B”.
One aircraft "F'' NR288 P/O W.R. Wilson is missing from this operation.

22/2/45

Weather: Cloudy. Periods of slight drizzle during morning. Slight rain from 20:45. Visibility moderate to good. Wind light variable.

Many of our pilots had a check out on the Lancaster Aircraft today. As many of these kites are now available for our Squadron all the aircrews are anxious to start air training. Crews rested today but were standby for an early call tomorrow morning.

23/2/45

Weather: Cloudy to overcast, becoming fine in evening. Rain and drizzle to 10:45. Visibility moderate becoming good. Wind NW'ly 5-12 mph.

This morning a battle order detailed eleven crews for a day attack. Briefing was scheduled for 08:30 hours. Takeoff around 11: 50 hours. The target was ESSEN. Crews report 10/10ths cloud at the target with tops at 6-8000 feet. Visibility was poor at times. All crews bombed on GEE. Results cannot be assessed due to cloud condition. There was a good concentration of aircraft at the target. Flak was slight to medium and inaccurate. All aircraft returned safely to base by 18:20 hours.

24/2/45

Weather:Fine becoming cloudy. Visibility good. Wind SW'ly 10-30 mph gusty at times.

Again this morning a battle order was issued detailing ten aircraft. Main briefing was scheduled for 09:00 hours. Take off around 12:45 hours. The target was KAMEN. Crews report 10/10ths cloud in the target area. Master Bomber instructed to bomb on Navigation aids. It is believed to be a scattered attack. Flak was slight in target area.
A/C "B" NR171 was abortive and landed at Carnaby on two engines. All other aircraft landed at Base.

25/2/45

Weather: Cloudy. Slight rain to 0700. Slight drizzle 1635 to 2250. Visibility good. Wind SW'ly to W'ly 5-30 mph gusty at times to 40 mph.

Operation order issued at noon detailing five aircraft for mining operations. Briefing scheduled for 14:30 hours. Takeoff at approximately 16:45 hours. Target was ARENDAL(sic)-(Larvik on slide) south of Norway. Crews report nil cloud in mining area but several crews found difficulty in identifying the target and orbited to make certain of their position for mining. In northern mining area flak was encountered being fired from a ship. All crews attempted photographs, and returned safely to base.

On Lancaster training three crews carried out Cross Country and Range Bombing.

26/2/45

Weather: Cloudy, slight rain. Good visibility

This afternoon four crews carried out Lancaster training. It was cross country, Range Bombing and Air to Sea. Four other pilots had a check out flight.

27/2/45

Weather: Cloudy, scattered showers. Good visibility.

Operation order issued this morning detailing seven crews. Briefing scheduled for 11:00 hours. Target - Mainz. Five aircraft took off due to an aircraft which crashed and exploded on the runway. Crews report 10/10ths cloud in target area but visibility was good above. Sky markers were late and meagre. No assessment of the raid is possible due to the cloud condition. All aircraft returned safely to base.

28/2/45

Weather: Fair to cloudy. Good visibility.

News came through today that the Squadron is temporarily taken off operations on conversion to Lancaster Aircraft. Seven crews carried out Cross Country, Range Bombing and Air to Sea exercises. Quiet otherwise.

Honours and Awards -

J.5102 S/L R.J. Lawlor, J.16091 F/L J.M. Morrice and 169141 F/O J .H. Gribbon were awarded a non-immediate D.F.C.

Commissions - Nil

CASUALTIES: