This page transcribed by Dick Dunn

427 Squadron Wartime Log - March 1943

1/3/43

Two aircraft were detailed for a MINE-LAYING Operation. Both aircraft successfully completed the operation.

2/3/43

Three aircraft were detailed for a MINE-LAYING again this date. Two aircraft successfully completed this operation, but Sgt Lymburner and his crew did not return from this operation.

3/3/43

Three aircraft were detailed for a daylight BCMBING raid, but this was scrubbed. Six aircraft were detailed to bomb HAMBURG in North Western Germany. Sgt Schmitt returned on reaching the English Coast due to aircraft becoming unserviceable. The other five aircraft very successfully bombed the target and returned home safely.

4/3/43

The Squadron had a "stand down" this date and "A" Flight had a very successful party in Darlington.

5/3/43

Seven aircraft were detailed to bomb ESSEN in the Ruhr. All aircraft successfully bombed the target and six of them returned to base. F/Sgt Vandekerckheve lost a propeller 20 miles off the English Coast on the return journey and made an emergency landing at R.A.F. CATFOSS.

6/3/43

Three aircraft were detailed for a DAYLIGHT BOMBING raid on Germany but this operation was scrubbed. Four aircraft were detailed for a bombing attack on ESSEN but at the last minute the operation was scrubbed due to weather.

7/3/43

No operations were detailed for this date and the Squadron had a "stand down".

8/3/43

No operations were detailed for this date and the Squadron had a "stand down" for the second day in succession.

9/3/43

Three aircraft were detailed for a DAYLIGHT BOMBING, but this Operation was scrubbed. There were no Night Operations detailed this date.

10/3/43

Due to unfavourable weather no operations were scheduled this date and the Squadron devoted the day to training.

11/3/43

The weather continued unfavourable and no Operations were scheduled this date.

12/3/43

Three aircraft were detailed for a DAYLIGHT BOMBING RAID on Germany but this was scrubbed. Eleven aircraft were detailed to bomb ESSEN. All aircraft successfully bombed the target and ten returned safety to base. W/Cmdr Burnside's aircraft was hit by flak before reaching the target, his Navigator was killed, and his Wireless Operator had his foot shot off. Nevertheless he successfully bombed the target and after many harrowing experiences made a successful forced landing at STEADISHALL.

13/3/43

No operations were detailed for this date and the Squadron had a "stand down".

14/3/43

Due to weather, there was a further stand down today.

15/3/43

Four aircraft were detailed for a DAYLIGHT BOMBING attack on Germany, but this operation was scrubbed due to weather. Six aircraft were detailed for MINE-LAYING but this operation was scrubbed at the last minute due to weather.

16/3/43

Six aircraft were detailed for MINE-LAYING but this operation was also scrubbed due to weather.

17/3/43

No operations were scheduled for this date due to weather.

18/3/43

Seventeen aircraft were detailed for a bombing attack on ST NAZAIRE but the weather was found unsuitable and this operation was scrubbed. The A.O.C. congratulated the Squadron on having seventeen aircraft available for operations. The A.O.C. also rang through to congratulate the Squadron Commanding Officer on his performance during the March 12th raid on ESSEN.

19/3/43

Wing Commander R.C. Macinnes from R.C.A.F. Headquarters rang up the Squadron CO to inform him that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer were interested in adopting the Squadron and invited him down for Tuesday the 23rd., to attend a conference with M.G.M. Officials to confirm arrangements for the adoption. Seventeen aircraft were detailed for a bombing attack on ST NAZAIRE but this operation was also scrubbed due to weather.

20/3/43

For the third successive night, seventeen aircraft were detailed for a bombing attack on the submarine base at ST NAZAIRE and for the third time this operation was scrubbed at the last minute due to unfavourable weather.

21/3/43

Twelve aircraft were detailed for MINE-LAYING operation off the Frisian Islands. Scrubbed at 1500 hrs.

22/3/43

Six aircraft were detailed for a bombing attack on ST NAZAIRE at the same time twelve aircraft were detailed for MINE-LAYING. These two operations were scrubbed, however, due to weather. The Adjutant F/Lt. J. Chasenoff proceeded to R.C .A.F. Headquarters re-adoption by M.G.M.

23/3/43

No operations were scheduled this date.

24/3/43

Fifteen aircraft were detailed for a bombing raid on WILHEMSHAVEN but this operation was scrubbed after the aircrew had entered their aircraft due to bad weather. The A.O.C. of R.C.A.F. (Overseas) Headquarters, Air Marshal Edwards visited the Squadron.

25/3/43

Sixteen aircraft were detailed for a bombing attack on COLOGNE but this operation was scrubbed due to weather.

26/3/43

Thirteen aircraft were detailed for a bombing attack on DUISBURG (slide spelling Duisberg). Twelve took off, the other scrubbed due to compass trouble, and all successfully bombed the target. Eleven aircraft returned to base and one aircraft piloted by Sgt Erickson landed at WATTESHAM F/O Ganderton hit a tree in England returning to base, but there were no casualties although the aircraft was categorized A.C. W/Cmdr Burnside awarded a bar to his D.F.C. and P/O P.J. Hayhurst, awarded the D.F.C. for their effort on March 12th over ESSEN.

27/3/43

Fifteen aircraft were detailed to bomb COLOGNE but this operation was scrubbed early in the afternoon. The A.O.C. No.6 Group visited the Squadron.

28/3/43

Fourteen aircraft were detailed for a bombing attack on ST NAZAIRE . All aircraft successfully bombed the target and seven returned to base, the other seven aircraft landing away at diversion fields.

29/3/43

Three aircraft were detailed for DAYLIGHT BOMBING attack but this operation was scrubbed due to weather. Twelve aircraft detailed for main target at BOCHUM in the Ruhr. Eleven aircraft took off - one being a non-starter due to inter-com. trouble. Three aircraft turned back, one due to icing and two due to mechanical trouble. Seven of the remaining eight aircraft successfully bombed the target. Sgt McFadden and his crew are missing from this operation.

30/3/43

The Squadron had a well earned rest on this date. No operation being scheduled.

31/3/43

Due to weather, no operations were scheduled this date.

Honours and Awards

Wing Commander D.H. Burnside was awarded the Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross also the Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded to P/O R.W. Hayhurst.

Commissions

R125621 Sgt Beaton J.J. (Nav) appointed to Pilot Officer w.e.f. 11/9/42
R123450 Sgt White V.N. (B/A) appointed to Pilot Officer w.e.f. 3/7/42
967166 F/S Ross D.B. (A.G.) appointed to Pilot Officer w.e.f. 30/12/42
R87056 F/S Berg G.T. (B/A) appointed to Pilot Officer w.e.f. 10/12/42
R95772 F/S Cadmus G.A. (Pilot) appointed to Pilot Officer w.e.f. 30/12/42
R119518 Sgt Thornton G.M. (A.G.) appointed to Pilot Officer w.e.f. 21/1/43 .
R792D4 F/S Gagnon G.A. (Pilot) appointed to Pilot Officer w.e.f. 30/12/42

Promotions

C8455 F/O J. Chasonoff appointed to the rank of A/F/Lt w.e.f 10/2/43
J15895 P/O N.W. Morrison appointed to the rank of A/F/Lt w.e.f. 7/2/43
110633 F/O K. Webster, appointed to the rank of A/F/Lt w.e.f. 19/3/43.