This page transcribed by Dick Dunn

427 Squadron Wartime Log - January 1945

1/1/45

Weather: Clear to cloudy with periods of continuous drizzle. Visibility moderate. Wind light variable becoming 10–15 mph.

Very quiet day. Stand down all day.

2/1/45

Weather:- Mainly cloudy. Visibility moderate. Wind NW’ly 20-35 mph, gusty at times.

The New Year was started off with a Battle Order. 15 aircraft were detailed and briefing scheduled for 12:30 hours. Take off around 14:50 hours. Target: LUDWIGSHAVEN(sic)-(LUDWIGSHAFEN on slide). All aircraft took off and proceeded to the target.
Nil cloud in target area but only a fair amount of haze. Several good sized explosions were seen and so far as visual and other identification could establish some were obviously of an oil category. Flack was moderate but searchlights activity was experienced over target area. Our aircraft “S” LW133 encountered an ME210 and the rear gunner opened fire with 200 rds and enemy aircraft broke away. Shortly after a twin engine enemy aircraft attacked the same A/C and the rear gunner fired a short burst as evasive action was taken.
Nil claims. All aircraft returned safely to base.

3/1/45

Weather: Cloudy with periods of rain and slights snow. Visibility good. Wind W–NW 30–35 mph, gusty at first, falling to 5–10 mph at midday.

Operations called for this morning detailing fifteen aircraft. Briefing scheduled for 12:30 hours. However it was scrubbed after main briefing. G/C J.B. Millard, DFC and BAR had everyone together for a half hour during the afternoon for a lecture. Title “Review of recent Ops”.

4/1/45

Weather: Fair to cloudy with wintry showers during. Visibility good, but poor in showers. Wind N.W. 10–20 mph.

Cold today but clear. Ten aircraft were detailed for training exercises (F/A, Sim. Bombing, Air to Sea) in the morning but this was scrubbed later. In the afternoon nine aircraft were detailed for Sim. mining, H2S X–Country, Gee and APT homings and these exercises were carried out. Aircraft “W” MZ 355 (Captain F/O Miller) landed at Hemswell while on H2S X–country.

5/1/45

Weather: Cloudy becoming fine visibility good. Wind NW–W 5–10 mph.

Operation order issued during morning detailing 15 aircraft. Briefing scheduled for 12:30. Takeoff around 16:20 hours. Target: HANOVER(sic)-(HANNOVER on slide). All aircraft took off and proceeded to the target. 8/10th cloud over the target and assessment of the raid is impossible. Master bomber was heard by most of the crew. Several large explosions were reported. The flak was slight to moderate in barrage form aimed at sky markers. Searchlights were ineffective. One aircraft “Y” NR 257 Captain S/L S.G. Crew, DFC (second tour) “B” Flight Commander, did not come back. All other aircraft returned safely to base.
Five crews carried out training exercises during the afternoon. (F/A, Sim. and Range Bombing and Air to Sea). A/C “W” returned from Hemswell.

6/1/45

Weather: Cloudy with fair periods. Visibility good. Wind light variable.

Operation Order came through this morning detailing fifteen aircraft. Briefing at 12:45 hours, take-off at apporx. 15:50 hours. Target– HANAU. All aircraft took off and proceeded to the target. 10/10th cloud over in the target. Most of the crews bombed on sky markers as instructed by the Master Bomber. Result of the bombing is impossible to assess But there was a good concentration of aircraft over the target. A very large glow on the cloud was visible for forty miles after leaving the target. Slight to moderate flak mostly in barrage form. One aircraft “J” LM 130 was attacked by an unidentified aircraft – believed to be a Halifax. Mid Upper replied with a short burst, as he felt sure that the attacking aircraft was a Halifax he ceased firing. F/O Gerald, V.J.P (J.26347) Bomb Aimer was hit by a bullet as he moved forward to take over the V.G.O. He had his nose removed. This aircraft landed at Woodbridge. Bullets extracted were mk 303. All other aircraft landed at base.

7/1/45

Weather:Fair to fine with occasional slight rain early. Visibility good. Wind N-NW 10–30 mph.

Very cold morning. Training programme was issued detailing three aircraft at 12:30 hrs. And 10 at 14:00 hours. Another training list detailed six crews for night flying. All but two got away o.k. and landed before 23.59 hours as weather was expected to close in. F/O Bell in “J” LM130 returned from Woodbridge at 15:20 hours.

8/1/45

Weather: fair to overcast with frequent snow showers. Visibility good, becoming moderate poor in showers. Wind NW’ly 15–40 mph, gusty at times.

Very quiet today. Snowing and heavy wind. No flying due to adverse weather.

9/1/45

Weather: mainly cloudy with frequent snow showers. Visibility moderate to poor. Wind N’ly 5–20 mph.

Weather is bad for flying today. There is a heavy snowfall and wind. Aircraft personnel were detailed to shovel the snow from the runways. No flying.

10/1/45

Weather: Fair to cloudy with wintry showers during evening. Visibility moderate to poor. Wind NW’ly 10–20 mph.

No flying today as snow is still bad. The pelting snow is freezing over and more aircrew are being sent to clean it away.
F/O Gerald V.J.P (J.26347) has been sent to R.A.F hospital East Grinstead, where plastic surgery is remodelling his nose.

11/1/45

Weather: Cloudy with wintry showers. Visibility moderate. Wind mainly N'ly 10-25 mph.

Weather still bad for flying. Ice, snow and slush everywhere. Several Lancs have come in lately and are beginning to crowd the Hangars. The latest news has it that these Lancs will all be going to Skipton and then the Squadrons on this Station will be converting.
In the afternoon there was a lecture on P.F.F given by Group Captain Hanish. The lecture lasted for just over an hour. Good "gen".

12/1/45

Weather: Cloudy with rain and drizzle. Visibility moderate. Wind NE'ly 10-20 mph.

Operation came through this morning detailing 13 aircraft on a bombing "do" and three aircraft on a mining ops. The bombing was scrubbed however. The aircraft detailed for mining took off around 7:45 hours. Target - Young Wallflower. One aircraft "Z" NR148 was u/s and 429/V MZ865 replaced it. 10/1Oths cloud prevented visual identification at the mining area but operation is considered to be successful. Heavy flak slight to moderate was encountered en route and in the target area. Numerous fighter flares, orangish in colour were noted on track outward. and homeward. All aircraft landed safely at base before 23:45 hours.

13/1/45

Weather: Cloudy with slight rain and drizzle during morning. Visibility moderate. Wind NE’ly less than 10 mph.

Battle Order came through this morning. Four aircraft were detailed for mining and fourteen for bombing. Main Briefing for mining scheduled for 13:30 hrs. and bombing 1430 hrs. The mining was scrubbed prior to take-off. The aircraft detailed for bombing took off around 15:35 hrs. Target· - SAARBRÜCKEN. Nil to 2/1Oth cloud and slight ground haze is reported at the target . The bombing was concentrated on the marshaling yard and two large explosions were seen on the northern edge of the target area. It is considered to be a very successful attack. Slight heavy flak and a few fighter flares are reported in the area. All crews attempted photographs. Two aircraft "U" LW130 and "X" NP.941 returned on three engines and all landed at base.
Watching the take-off and landing were Air Vice Marshal C.M. McEwen MC DFC A.O.C. of No. 6 (RCAF) Group, Mr. P. Bracken, the premier of Manitoba, Canada, and several other unnamed notables.

14/1/45

Weather: Cloudy, visibility moderate, wind light and variable.

Two operation orders through this morning again. Four aircraft detailed for Gardening and ten aircraft detailed for bombing. Main briefing for bombing was scheduled for 13:00 hours. Take off around 15:55 hours. Target - GLADBACH(sic)-(Grevenbroich on slide). One aircraft "J" NP956 was replaced by 429/E MZ318 and all aircraft took off. Nil cloud, slight haze but visibility was good and clear. Very good marking and bombing looked equally good. Concentration of aircraft was very heavy over the target and many fires were seen to start. As out aircraft were on the first wave the crews find that it is too early for an assessment but believe that this must be a good "do". All aircraft returned safely to base.

The aircraft detailed for mining operation took off around 1935 hrs. "P" LV.988 was a non starter due to a mechanical failure. The mining area was Oslo Fjord. 8/10th to 10/10th cloud in mining area but visibility was good above. All crews claimed to have released their mines by aid of H2S. Met winds were not as briefed and the three aircraft were late to make concentration point on time. All aircraft returned safely to base.

15/1/45

Weather: Fair to cloudy. Slight rain and drizzle during evening. Visibility moderate. Wind N.W. 5-10 mph, becoming light variable.

Two of our repatriated pilots were awarded a Bar to their D.F.C. These are the Twin Sherlock Brothers. These boys enlisted together in 1940, gained their commission the same day in 1942. They completed their second tour of operations with our Squadron and Training exercises were held in the morning. Nine aircraft were on Bombing, Air to Sea, Fighter Affiliation and S.B.A. Six aircraft were detailed for night flying but this was cancelled at 1700 hrs.

16/1/45

Weather: Fair to cloudy with slight rain early. Visibility mainly moderate. Wind light variable becoming W'ly 10-25 mph.

Operation Order came through this morning for mining and Bombing efforts again. Three A/C were detailed for mining and fifteen for bombing. Main briefing for mining was scheduled for 1230 hrs. Take off around 1825 hrs. Main briefing for Bombing was scheduled for 1400 hrs. and take off for 1905 hrs. Prior to take off "C" LV922 was (replaced?) by "J" NP956.

17/1/45

Weather: Fair to cloudy with slight rain during evening. Visibility good. Wind W'ly 15-25 mph, gusty.

All aircraft returned from yesterday operations by approximately 0155 hrs. The Gardening area was (ONIONS) ( Oslo). The three aircraft took off and proceeded to their allotted areas. Nil to 2/10th cloud with visibility excellent over mining area. Winds were much higher than briefed. One aircraft "L" NP957 did not drop his mines according to instructions received at briefing. Winds were 50 miles per hour too fast. Defences were slight in the gardening area. All aircraft returned safely to base.
Fifteen aircraft detailed for bombing MACDEBURG returned at approximately the same time as the mining do. Clear weather with slight haze but visibility was very good. Markers clearly visible and well concentrated over target. Fires were reported to be seen at a distance of 100 miles from target area. Flak was slight to moderate in loose barrage form. Searchlights were active in target area with some attempt at coning but ineffective. Fighter flares were in evidence en route, at the target and particularly all along the track homeward. All crews attempted photos. None of our aircraft were damaged by flak and all landed safely at base. A new arrival to this squadron, F/0 F.D. Kaye and his crew had a check out flight today. Five aircraft carried out some training namely H2S X-Country and S.B.A.

18/1/45

Weather: Mainly cloudy with wintry showers. Continuous rain during morning. Visibility moderate. Wind mainly W’ly 20-30 mph, max. 35.

Very quiet day. The Engineers' section sent one man for link training and also six men to No.1 Hangar for practical repairs of aircraft under the supervision of M.A.P.

19/1/45

Weather: Wintry showers. Visibility good. Wind N'ly 30- 40 mph.

Operations came through this morning detailing 18 A/C. Briefing was scheduled for 1400 hrs however, the operation was scrubbed later on. Three crews took part in night flying exercises.

2O/1/45

Weather: Fair to cloudy with wintry showers. Visibility moderate. Wind calm becoming NW'ly 15-20 mph.

A training order was issued this morning detailing nine A/C for take off at 1130 hrs. All crews got out to their A/C and a few got airborne. But a snowstorm promised by for 1200 hrs surprised - all by arriving at 1158 hrs. Thus the training was scrubbed. All aircrew reported to the Station Cinema at 1445 hrs where Major Nicholson, the flak and fighter expert from Group, kept us all happy as he gave us the latest information on Jerry's defences, flak, radar and fighters. News is going around today that F/O Gerald, the "Plastic Nose Kid" is on his way back to the squadron soon.

21/1/45

Weather: Fine to Fair. Visibility good. Wind NW'ly 10-20 mph.

A training programme issued for this morning was cancelled as Battle Order came through detailing 17 aircraft. Briefing scheduled for 1700 hours. However operations were scrubbed when Nav. Briefing was well under way. In the evening there was some night flying. Two crews could not get off the deck due to mechanical failure of the aircraft.

22/1/45

Weather: Fine, visibility good, deteriorating during evening. Wind NW' ly 10-20 mph at first becoming light variable.

Operation called for this morning. Battle Order detailed twenty aircraft. Briefing was scheduled for 16:30 hrs but at 1400 hrs the usual scrub came through. Ten aircraft carried out Sim. Bombing and H2S X-Country exercises during the day. The Engineer Section sent a man to Link Training during the morning and afternoon.

23/1/45

Weather: Mainly overcast with fog. Visibility poor. Wind calm. Foggy this morning. According to yesterday paper, Leeming was the coldest spot in England. No flying today.

Ten pilots and navigators held a Navigation Lecture for two hours in the morning and again in the afternoon another lecture for three hours with twelve pilots and navigators attending. In the Bombing Section F/L Head J.T. DFC (J.14508) kept our Bomb Aimers very interested with a lecture on Operational Navigation.

24/1/45

Weather: Fine with fog and mist. Visibility poor. Wind calm.

A Gardening Order came through this morning detailing five crews. This was scrubbed however, during lunch. F/L Wilgress F.J. (52006),the Squadron Flight Engineer leader returned today, from a course which he had been attending at Wombleton. This course was to "gen" him up on Lancs, because we will soon be converting to this A/C.

25/1/45

Weather: Mainly cloudy with fog. Visibility poor. Wind calm. No flying today.

Engineer Section was lectured today on the fuel system and on what makes a Lanc tick. It was given by their Leader F/L F.J. Willgress.
W/C Canderton, our C.O., F/O A.L. D'Eon, acting Signals Leader and F/L J .G. Williams, Bombing Leader, went on leave today.
The Signals section held a party at "Jocks". It was soon discovered, however, that it was not too warm in "Jocks". The beer was frozen in the bottles. There was quite a debate as to whether they should suck the beer, or chew it. Dinner was due to start at 18:30 hrs., but like Met. man at briefing, it was late. The party terminated at Jocks at 22:00 hours but was continued at the Officers' Mess for quite a while.

26/1/45

Weather: Cloudy with snow showers during morning, becoming fine. Visibility poor early and late; moderate late morning and early afternoon. Wind NW'ly 5-10 mph falling calm in evening.

Five aircraft carried out Fighter affiliation, Bombing and Sim. Bombing and S.B.A. exercises during the day. No night training was put on because the weather forecast was duff.
Pilots and Engineers of "A" Flight had a lecture on Hydraulics delivered by F/L Wilgress our Engineer Leader. Lancs "gen" coming up. Two engineers took instruction on the Link Trainer.

27/1/45

Weather: Fair to cloudy with snow showers. Visibility poor to moderate. Wind NW'ly 10-20 mph.

Operation called this morning detailing 16 A/C. Briefing scheduled for 1.3:00 hrs and take off around 16:00 hrs. All A/c were marshaled for take off when the scrub came through. A heavy blizzard was the cause of this. "B" Flight pilots and engineers were today lectured on . Hydraulics by F/L Willgress, F/E Ld???.

28/1/45

Weather: Mainly cloudy with frequent snow showers. Visibility moderate becoming poor late in evening. Wind N'ly 10-20 mph falling calm late in evening.

Operation came through this morning with the same detail as yesterday. Sixteen aircraft. Briefing scheduled for 16:30 hours and take-off around 19:30 hours. All aircraft got away to a good start.

29/1/45

Weather: Cloudy with snow in the evening. Visibility moderate to poor.

Our aircraft did not return this morning because they were diverted to Blackbush. One aircraft "B" NR 171 was an early return and landed at Linton-on-Ouse (62 Base). Engine failure. The target was a suburb of Stuttgart called ZUFFENHAUSEN. Crews reported 10/10ths cloud in the target area. The target marking appeared sonewhat late. Even the backers up were late. A concentrated glow of fires was reflected on the cloud as well as the glow of the T.Is. A good stream of A/C was maintained both into and out of the target area. In view of the cloud cover an assessment of the raid is impossible. FLak was slight to moderate mostly in barrage forms. All aircraft landed at Blackbush around 03:25 hours.
Late in the morning a Battle Order came through for Gardening. Four crews were detailed and it was scrubbed a few minutes prior to briefing. At 23:59 hours our aircraft were not back from Blackbush but "B" NR17I was back to base.

30/1/45

Weather: Cloudy with snow, fog, drizzle rain becoming fair to fine.

This morning the aerodrome is covered with snow. No flying. Our aircraft are still away at Blackbush.

31/1/45

Weather; Fair becoming cloudy with continuous rain and fog.

Ten of our aircraft returned from Blackbush around noon. At the same time a large number of U.S.A. Liberators landed at this base on diversion. A training programme issued for the afternoon was scrubbed as the weather closed in very early.

Honours and Awards - NIL

Commissions

P/0 A.W.J. Chapman (188680) F/E. Joined for duty 4.1.45 on appt. to a commission w.e.f. 29.1O.44.

CASUALTIES (Missing on Hannover in A/C "Y" NR 257 w.e.f. 5.1.45)

CAN.J.1717O S/L B.C. Crew, DFC "B" Flight Commander. (2nd tour)
CAN.J.13117 F/LS.H. Dodge
CAN.J.19I38 F/O A.W. Campbell
CAN.J.15430 F/L J.D.Johnston,DFC Signals Leader
CAN.J.85137 F/O C. Kelway
RAF. 146614 F/O T.Osler
RAF 2208335 Sgt Smith, J.C.