This page transcribed by Dick Dunn

427 Squadron Wartime Log - March 1945

1/3/45

Weather: Intermittent rain becoming cloudy. Excellent visibility.

More Lancaster training. Cross country was put on, taking the crews up to Inverness, down through the Irish Sea to Land's End, and then back up through the Midlands. The route took 6 hours, 30 minutes. Some fighter affiliation was added to the program.

2/3/45

Weather: Fine becoming cloudy, then fine. Excellent visibility.

Operations through this morning. Operations order No. 354, details 6 aircraft. Aircraft did not take off by midnight.

3/3/45

Weather: Fine becoming cloudy. Excellent visibility.

Aircraft took off early this morning from 0003 hours to 0028 hours. Aircraft got away to a good start. "M" LV993 Halifax III was a non-starter. Target: GARDENING- S. NORWAY. Crews returned to base by approx. 0700 hours. Crews report weather over target was clear with no cloud. Visibility was reported from good to excellent although some crews reported difficulty in identification due to angle of approach in relation to the moon and orbits were necessary in some cases. One crew abandoned mission over the garden due to inability to identify the release point. Crews who mined claim that that their attacks were successful. Nil to slight flak.

4/3/45

Weather: Cloudy with slight rain about noon. Good visibility.

Training order issued this morning detailing nine Lancs on Sim and Range Bombing, Cross-country and Fighter Affiliation. Airborne at 1930 Hours.

5/3/45

Weather: Partly cloudy. Slight rain about noon. Good visibility.

More day and night Lancaster training. Exercises participated in were Fighter Affiliation, Range and Sim Bombing.

6/3/45

Weather: Cloudy. Good visibility.

The Squadron is still undergoing conversion and therefore there are bags of training. Todays training orders detail Cross Country exercises, S.B.A., Fighter Affiliation, Air to Sea, Range and Sim Bombing.

7/3/45

Weather: Cloudy. Excellent visibility.

Training still taking place. Exercises participated in today were Cross Country, Fighter Affiliation, Range and Sim Bombing. Bags of lectures by F /L F.J. Wilgress (82005) Flight Engineer Leader, on Lancaster Engines for Pilots and Flight Engineers of "A" Flight.

8/3/45

Weather: Intermittent slight rain at first becoming cloudy. Good visibility.

The eighth day of Lancaster conversion training continues with Cross Country flights, Range Bombing, Fighter Affiliation, Air to Sea.

9/3/45

Weather: Fine becoming cloudy. Moderate to good visibility.

The Squadrons becoming well "genned" on Lancasters now. Training continued today with more lectures. F/L F.J. Wilgress (52005) F/E Leader, lectured Pilots and Flight Engineers of "B" Flight on what makes a Lancaster tick.

10/3/45

Weather: Cloudy. Moderate to excellent visibility.

The day started off very quiet, but late in the afternoon Operation Order No. 355 was issued detailing 14 aircraft on our first Lancaster Operation. Aircraft did not take off by 2359 hours.

11/3/45

Weather: Cloudy, becoming fine during evening. Wind calm. Visibility good, becoming moderate.

Aircraft got away to a good start around 1130 hours. Target ESSEN. All aircraft returned safely to base by 1813 hours. Crews report 10/10 strata cumulous cloud. Tops 4-8000 feet completely obscured the target area. Visibility above, cloud was reported from good to excellent. All crews identified the target area by skymarking smoke puffs blue and red. Variously checked by Gee and H2S. The raid appears to have been very well directed by the M/B who was heard clearly through the attack. Skymarking was generally sufficient and easily identified. Considerable turbulence existed in the cloud immediately over the area, and two columns of smoke were reported rising to 8000 ft. Raid would appear to have been very successful.

12/3/45

Weather: Fine at .first with .fog developing either 0400 hours, becoming windy. Visibility poor in fog otherwise moderate. Wind, light S.W.'ly.

Operations through today. Operations Order 356 details 13 aircraft. Briefing scheduled for 1000 hours. take off around 1245 hours. Target DORMUND. All aircraft returned to base by 1930 hours. Crews report 10/10 strata cumulous cloud with tops ranging from 3000 to 10,000 ft. All crews were satisfied with tactics and found Met conditions as briefed. P.F.F. marking was plentiful. All bombing was directed by the M/B. Two columns of cloud at the northern section were distinctly oily black and rose to heights of 500 to 1000 ft. above the main turbulence of cloud. It is believed that the attack was quite successful.

Operations Order No. 357 detailed two a/c on Gardening. Aircraft "G" NK.551 piloted by J.21276 F/L W.M. Walker, was a non-starter. The other aircraft took off at 1756 hours. It was not back at base by midnight.

13/3/45

Weather: Fair to cloudy. Visibility moderate. Wind S.E.'ly.

Gardening aircraft returned to base by 0028 hours. Target GARDENING "KATTEGAT". Crew report nil to 4/10 strata cumulous, with tops 8000 to 10,000 feet. All crews mined on H2S. The operation is considered successful. One S/L operated ineffectively from the eastern shore of the T/A.

14/2/45

Weather: Fine at first with fog between 0300 and llOO hours. Visibility poor in fog, otherwise moderate. Wind westerly 5-10 mph.

Operations Order No. 358 issued this morning detailing 12 aircraft. Kites took off around 1628 hours. Target ZWEIBRUKEN. Aircraft returned to base by 0047 hours. Crews report nil cloud. Visibility generally good. Crews bombed by P.F.F. markings. As the attack progressed T.I.s. were obscured by smoke and some later crews bombed on the concentration of smoke and fires. Bombing appeared well centered and concentrated on the markers. Several fires were seen and five large explosions in the T/A were noted. Another large explosion at 2025 hours on the southern edge of the target appeared to be an ammunition dump which blew up with a vivid flash throwing debris 2000 feet in the air. This raid would seem to have been very successful.

15/3/45

Weather: Fine becoming fair to cloudy. Wind westerly during the afternoon. Visibility moderate.

Battle Order No. 359 detailed 13 aircraft. Take off around 1640 hours. Target "HAGEN". A/C returned to base by 2358 hours. Crews report no cloud over the target. Crews bombed by ground marking and illuminating flares. M.B. was clearly heard. Fires were visible up to 100 miles from the target. Many bombs were seen bursting right on the ground markers. Attack rated as very good to excellent.

16/3/45

Weather: Cloudy. Visibility moderate to good. Wind westerly 10-15 mph.

Operations Order No. 360 detailed 5 aircraft. Take off around 1758 hours. Target: "Gardening - HELIGOLAND". All aircraft returned to base by 22:40 hrs. Crews report 7/10 to 9/10 strata cumulous with tops generally 6000 to 7000 ft. Visibility above the cloud fairly good to excellent. All a/c mined on H2S. No results are as yet available.

17/3/45

Weather: Mainly fair to fine. Visibility good. Wind westerly 10-15 mph.

Training Order issued today for 8 crews. Training exercises included Fighter Affiliation, air to Sea, Cross COuntry, Range and Sim Bombing. The day was quiet otherwise.

18/3/45

Weather: Fair at first becoming cloudy. Wind S.W'ly 10-15 mph. Visibility moderate to good.

Three crews were detailed on Operations Order No. 3 61 for Sweepstakes effort. Take off at approx. 2223 hours. Crews did not return to base by midnight.

19/3/45

Weather: Cloudy becoming rainy. Visibility moderate. Wind light S.E.'ly becoming moderate S.W.'ly.

Crews returned to base by 0614 hours this morning. Sweepstakes exercise was carried out as per schedule. No. Operations today but big clean-up campaign was in progress. All sections are painting and cleaning up.

20/3/45

Weather: Fair to cloudy. Visibility excellent. Wind W'ly moderate.

Operations Order No. 362 was issued today detailing 15 aircraft. Kites did not take off by 2359 hours.

21/3/45

Weather: Fair to cloudy. Visibility excellent. Wind W'ly light to moderate.

Crews took off around 0150 hours. Target: HEMMINGSTEDT (HEIDE). Crews returned to base by 0723 hours. Crews report weather over the target was nil. to 4/10 broken stratas. All crews bombed with the aid M.B. who was clearly heard giving concise instructions" Some crews were aided by H2S off Heligoland, in identifying the target position. fires and smoke over the target area were visible 50 miles (homeward). All crews are of the opinion that this attack should be a definite success.

22/3/45

Weather: Fair to cloudy. Vis. poor at first becoming moderate. Wind light S'ly.

Operation Order No. 363 issued this morning detailing 15 aircraft. Take off around 1100 hours. Target: HILDESHEIM. Crews returned to base by 1723 hours. They report continent clear of cloud.. Target was identified visually. The centre of the target was covered by billowing smoke obscuring the T.Is. M.B. instructed bombing on cascading T.Is. Area of fire and smoke grew under very accurate bombing until huge ring- of· smoke covered everything but the outskirts of the town. Target considered a write-off.

Battle Order No. 364 through late this evening detailing 15 aircraft. Kites did not take off by midnight.

23/3/45

Weather: Fog at first becoming fine with moderate vis. Wind light S'ly.

Operations were scrubbed, but in the afternoon another Battle Order No. 365 was issued detailing 11 aircraft. Aircraft did not take off by midnight.

24/3/45

Weather: Little cloud with poor Vis. at first, becoming moderate. Wind calm becoming light SE'ly.

Aircraft took off around 1300 hours. Target: (BONITROP) MATHIAS STINNES. Crews returned to base by 1905 hours. Crews report all cloud in target area. P.F.F. marking was not considered too satisfactory. M.B. instructed that these be disregarded. Crews bombed by various methods. Bombing would appear to have been somewhat scattered although assessment cannot be considered too accurate because of smoke obscuration during the latter part of the attack.

25/3/45

Weather: Fair to cloudy. Vis. poor becoming moderate. Wind calm becoming light S'ly.

Operations Order No. 366 issued detailing 14 aircraft. Take off around 0600 hours. Target: HANOVER. R178842 W/O Proudlove, A.O., Rear Gunner of P/O Kaye's crew was wounded by flak. All crews returned to base by 1251 hours. Crews report weather over continent ideal. The A/P was obscured by smoke which covered most of T/Is. Some RT/s seen to have been dropped short and. Bombing of these was short of A/P. M.B. heard clearly by most crews. Instructions were changed from CR to R and GTI 's to overshoot 1 Sec. on RTI., and then Pickwick. These instructions seemed to control the bombing very effectively. Target was enveloped in a huge mass of billowing smoke which rose to at least 8OOO ft. All crews seemed satisfied that the raid was very effective.

26/3/45

Weather: Fine. Excellent vis. Wind light variable.

Very quiet today. No operations. Stand down.

27/3/45

Weather: Fine, becoming rainy in evening. Vis. excellent, becoming moderate. Wind S'ly light to moderate.

Operations Order No. 367 issued this morning detailing 15 aircraft. This operation was scrubbed in the afternoon.

28/3/45

Weather: Fair with rain in evening. Vis. good but poor in rain. Wind S to SW light to mod.

No operations laid on today. The following awards of Non-Immediate D.F.C. were received today for officers recommended at this Squadron but are no longer on our strength. These awards are issued under authority of Bomber Commander letter.

• J.11866 F/L R.D. Bue
• J.18935 F/O C.E. Monty
• J.8133 F/L J.D.V. Lariviere
• J.25544 F/O P. Slipec
• J.14908 F/L D.T. Hepburn
• J.88373 P/O McKenney R.R.
• J.28286 F/O W.B. Brittain

Operations Order No. 368 issued detailing 14 aircraft. Ops were scrubbed however.

29/3/45

Weather: Fair apart. from rain in the evening. Vis. excellent. Wind S/W'ly, light to mod.

No operations, laid on for today. Some training carried out for the benefit of new crews.

30/3/45

Weather: Occasional showers. Visibility excellent. Wind W'ly moderate to strong.

Very quiet day, no operations laid on.

31/3/45

Weather: Fair to cloudy becoming rainy in evening. Wind S/W'ly moderate to strong.

Two operation orders issued this morning detailing five crews for mining and ten crews for bombing. The mining "do" was scrubbed however. All aircraft took off for the bombing and the target was HAMBURG. 10th cloud in target area. The target was poorly marked and the gaggle was 9 minutes late on the target. Enemy fighters were encountered.

A/C "S" NX552 had three combats. A JU 88 and a ME 262 were sighted and both gunners opened fire but the enemy aircraft disappeared from sight. A Jet A/C attacked and opened fire at 700 yds. Gunners opened fire and E/A/C was observed by our crews to roll on his back and go down·in a vertical dive issuing black smoke. Claim "B".
A/C "D" ME553 also encountered a ME292 (sic) and R/AG fired 150 rds at 800 yds. astern. No claims.
A/C "H" NX553 also encountered a ME262 on· starboard quarter at 400 yds. R/AG opened fire and E/A/C disappeared. No claims.
A/C "W" PA271 encountered a ME262 and R/AG and MU/AG fired 200 rds. and 75 rds respectively and E/A/C broke away.

Heavy flak was encountered over target. All aircraft returned to base.

HONOURS AND AWARDS:

J.11036 R.J. Garvin
J.22764 F/L J.M. Murphy
J.27798 F/L J.F. Smart

were awarded immediate D.F.C.

CASUALTIES: NIL

POSTINGS:

J.39970 F/O G,M. Campbell posted from 429 Sqd. 3.3.45
J.35712 F/O J.E.L. Crewson, to 1666 C.U. 1.3.45
J.25816 F/O W.E. Britton, to 1659 C.U. 8.3.45
J.27163 F/O J.A. Martyn, to 22 O.T.U. 1.3.45
J.36412 F/O N.J. Barrett from 63 Base 26.2.45
J.26347 F/O V.J.P. Gerald from 63 Base 22.2.45
J.35282 F/O N.E. Roberts to 63 Base 20.2.45
J.16872 F/O A.W. Kennedy from 76 Base 28.2.45
J.12968 F /L E.H. Gardner from 76 Base 28.2.45
J.19298 P/O L.E. LeDressay from 76 Base 28.2.45
J.88305 F/O R.A. Baines from 76 Base 28.2.45
J.18851 F/O C.R. Townsend from 76 Base 28.2.45
J.19168 R.I. McGillivray from 76 Base 28.2.45
J.35137 F/O N.R. Gorrell to "R" Depot 27.2.45

COMMISSIONING IN MARCH:

J.93633 P/O S.G. Woods (Joined for duty)
J.93560 F/O T.R. Tollifson (Joined for duty)
J.93867 F/O B. Maltihsky (Joined for duty)