This page transcribed by Dick Dunn

427 Squadron Wartime Log - November 1944

1/11/44

Weather! Cloudy with good visibility. Wind northerly at ten to fifteen m.p.h.

Operations today - word came through in the morning and sixteen aircraft were detailed. Briefing was held at 1500 hours and around 1600 hours sixteen aircraft took off to bomb OBERHAUSEN. Thin stratus cloud over target varied from 3/l0ths to 10/0ths with tops from five to ten thousand ft. with good. to excellent visibility. Red and yellow Wanganui flares were estimated visually and by H.2.S. to be accurately placed whilst green markers appeared about 1/2 mile to starboard. All crews bombed skymarkers except one which bombed visually on fires. A fair concentration of incendiaries and many fires in the target area were reported by crews. Orange explosions were seen. Slight to intense heavy flak over the target area. Searchlights were ineffective due to cloud. Fighter reaction occurred mainly in an area between 0500 and 0600 Degrees East on the homeward route. Photographs attempted.

2/11/44

Weather: Fair to cloudy with moderate visibility. Wind light northerly.

Operations again scheduled today for sixteen aircraft. Briefing at 1330 hours. Target - DUSSELDORF. Fifteen aircraft attacked the objective, one retuned early due to engine trouble. All others landed at base except "V" piloted by F/O Wagar which landed at Swinderby.

Returning crews reported weather over the target was nil to 5/l0ths cloud with tops at 3000 to 8000 ft. Visibility was fair to excellent, sky and ground marking appeared to be well concentrated and as attack progressed moved from south to east and west, of the target area, appearing to be directing bombing from area already burning well. Three large explosions were reported. Defences approaching and over the target area consisted of moderate to intense flak in barrage form bursting at own heights and below, Many searchlights were exposed and were slightly effective. Some coning was observed but of short duration. Enemy fighters were moderately active from the target area to 5025N 0400E on homeward route. All aircraft attempted photographs.

Oranges were distributed to the various aircrew sections today.

3/11/44

Weather: Rain at first becoming cloudy with good visibility. Wind light south-easterly at first becoming north-westerly at ten to fifteen m.p.h.

Flying training consisted of four cross-countries plus fighter affiliation, air to air firing and practice bombing. Ten aircraft participated on these exercises.

No operations were scheduled today although the weather looked O.K.

There was little else doing on the Squadron today.

4/11/44

Weather: Fine becoming cloudy with rain during early afternoon. Visibility good. Wind south-westerly at ten to fifteen mph.

Word came through this morning for operations. Briefing was at 1430 hours and sixteen aircraft took off around 1700 hours to bomb BOCHUM (note: Gelsenkirchen on slide). All aircraft returned to base except "C" piloted by F/O ROBERTS which landed at WOODBRIDGE.

Returning crews reported cloud at target nil to 4/10ths with tops about 3000 to 4000 feet with visibility hazy to good. Little visual ground identification was possible but red and green T.Is. were clearly visible and apparently well placed. Spoof sky markers were seen by nearly all crews and are reported to have attracted some flak. Bombing generally appeared excellent and was concentrated in the well marked area. Large explosions seen in the target area. Defences were moderate with heavy flak co-operating in some instances with searchlights which were unable to hold coned aircraft, otherwise flak was in barrage form. Fighter flares were seen but only two or three sightings were reported. All crews attempted photographs.

5/11/44

Weather: Fair becoming fine with good visibility. Wind southwesterly at twenty to twenty m.p.h.

No operations scheduled for today, crews participating in last night's "do" sleeping in late this morning. A little flying training with one H.2.S. Cross-country and two local flying exercises. No other flying today.

A stand-by list was put up but not used. A very good chance for a rest.

6/11/44

Weather: Fair to cloudy with rain during evening. Visibility good. Wind south-westerIy at twenty to thirty m.p.h.

Briefing was at 0915 hours for operations. Take-off was around 1200 hours with sixteen aircraft to attack GELSENKIRCHEN in daylight. Returning crews reported that the target was obscured by from 5/10ths to 10/10ths cloud with tops about, 10,000 ft. with fair to good visibility. One or two crews reported seeing red and green T.Is, but as they were on the near edge of a cloud shelf could not be bombed. Master Bomber gave the code word to all crews to bomb any built up area. Three or four crews bombed the primary on Gee but the majority bornbed targets of opportunity in the vicinity of GELSENKIRCHEN where cloud was nil to 5/10ths. Aircraft concentration into target was considered very good but was of course spoiled when bombing became scattered. Fighter opposition was nil and flak was generally slight to moderate, inaccurate and scattered. No assessment of results is possible. All crews attempted photographs.

"A" - piloted by F/O J. HARDY returned early on three engines. "O" - piloted by P/O THOMSON landed at LINTON.

Flying training for today consisted of one aircraft carrying out H.2.S. cross-country.

7/11/44

Weather: Fair. Occasional showers. Visibility good. Wind westerly at twenty to thirty m.p.h.

No operations scheduled for today so five aircraft carried out a map-reading exercise successfully.

Standby list was issued but scrubbed later in the day due to weather conditions.

8/11/44

Weather: Cloudy with good visibility. Wind westerly at five to ten m.p.h.

Six aircraft were detailed for mining but the effort was scrubbed around four o'clock after briefing was held. No flying training today.

The "Black Out" show put on by the R.C.A.F. has made a hit on the Station. It is great to have a little first class entertainment for a change.

Word came through about six o'clock for nineteen aircraft for an early morning operation but was scrubbed around nine o'c lock.

9/11/44

Weather: Fine with good visibility. Wind north-westerly at ten to fifteen m.p.h.

A flying training programme scheduled today so six aircraft carried. out, a sim. bombing exercise , while six others took part in a night Cross-country and Fighter affiliation combined.

Operations were scheduled but scrubbed later on.

Squadron Leader N.S. STRANGE, DSO, our "B" Light Commander was screened today. S/L STRANGE won the confidence of all Squadron members by his fine qualities of leadership and his great personal interest in the welfare and work of his crews. We are indeed sorry to see him go and know that the Squadron has lost a very valuable member in "MAXIE".

10/11/44

Weather: Mainly cloudy with good visibility. Wind north-westerly at ten to fifteen m.p.h.

Activity began on camp this morning at 0700 hours when the "Tannoy" blared forth with the Pay Parade announcement. At 0930 hours a lecture was held at the Station Cinema for the aircrew of both Squadrons on "Security".

Only one aircraft became airborne during the morning, this carrying out local flying. In the afternoon, four practiced bombing at the local range. A battle order was issued during the afternoon indicating an early morning detail.

A poppy sale was held on the Station today.

11/11/44

Weather: Cloudy with slight rain early. Visibility moderate to good. Wind light and variable.

Operations today!! Six aircraft employed on mine laying duties with take-off around 1500 hours. All returned safely to base. Returning crews reported good weather with broken cloud and some sea haze. Visibility was fair. All crews claim to have laid their mines in the allotted areas. Very slight heavy flak barrage was reported over target area. Light flak was negligible on route. No searchlights. The city itself was reported as brilliantly lighted. No enemy fighters were seen. All crews attempted photographs.

12/11/44

Weather: Cloudy with rain during afternoon and evening. Visibility moderate with light variable wind.

No operations today so flying training programme consisting of ten aircraft took place instead. Exercises consisted of fighter affiliation, air to air firing practice bombing and local flying. No night flying although a detail was scheduled. At least the rain has some good points. A really miserable day.

13/11/44

Weather: Mainly cloudy with moderate rain during evening. Visibility moderate with light wind, becoming north-westerly at 12 to 18 m.p.h.

No operations again today and more training with nine aircraft participating. A morning schedule was scrubbed due to weather conditions.

Two crews went to RIPON on wet dinghy drill exercises.

The Group Bombing Leader paid a visit to the Squadron in the afternoon.

14/11/44

Weather: Mainly cloudy with intermittent rain and showers. Visibility moderate with northerly north-west to easterly north-east wind at ten to fifteen m.p.h, falling to five to ten m.p.h.

No operations. Two aircraft on map-reading exercise consisted of the day's flying.

Navigators and Bomb Aimers were lectured on mine laying by Flight Lieutenant A.J.F. CLARK, DFC our Squadron Bombing Leader. Apparently we will be doing a little more mining in the future.

The most appropriate way to describe today is "RAIN, RAIN, RAIN."

15/11/44

Weather: Mainly cloudy with showers of sleet and rain. Visibility moderate with a northerly north-west, wind at five to ten m.p.h.

Although the Squadron was not called upon for operations we were far from being inactive. Instead all sections worked earnestly to chalk up nineteen flying training sorties for the day consisting mostly of map reading.

16/11/44

Weather: Mainly cloudy with local showers to 1800, then fine to fair. Visibility moderate with wind mainly northerly at five to ten m.p.h., failing (sic) light.

Everyone is thankful today as word came through for Operations. Fourteen aircraft took off to bomb JULICH. All returned safely with "D” piloted by F/0 Bell landing away at WOODBRIDGE. Cloud in the target area ranged from 3 to 7/10ths with tops from 5 to 8000 ft. but the immediate Aiming Point was clear. Visibility was reported from poor to good with some haze. All crews who attacked the primary bombed either on visual identification or by the aid of T.Is. There was much smoke over the Aiming Point with one column rising to 10,000 ft. Markers appeared to be accurately placed but were quickly obscured by smoke. The majority of crews report that the Master Bomber was not heard clearly and it would appear that the enemy was attempting to jam our transmission. Slight to moderate heavy flak in barrage form was encountered over the target. Crews who orbited reported slight predicted heavy flak on second run over the Aiming Point. Slight predicted heavy flak was also present at 5057N. 1625E. One aircraft was damaged by heavy flak. No enemy fighters seen. All crews attempted photographs.

17/11/44

Weather: Cloudy to overcast with rain and drizzle during morning and fog during the evening. Visibility moderate to poor. Wind south south-easterly at five to ten m.p.h.

An operation list was put out early this morning for sixteen crews. Early call was at 0440 hours. Briefing was at 0615 hours. At 0700 hours the operation was scrubbed. Everyone returned to their beds till noon. The weather really closed in for the rest of the day and even the local birds failed to become airborne.

18/11/44

Weather: Mainly cloudy with rain and drizzle from 1800 and fog forming at 2130 hrs. Visibility moderate to good during day, becoming poor at dusk. Wind mainly south-westerly at ten to eighteen m.p.h. becoming five to ten m.p.h.

Operations today. Fourteen aircraft took off around 1200 hours to attack MUNSTER. All returned safely. Returning crews reported 10/10ths cloud with tops around 10,000 ft., although it had been clear to within 10 miles of the target. Visibility above the cloud was good. Master Bomber gave a time check at H.15 and then Code work, following which he instructed that skymarkers be bombed. Most crews heard him clearly, others reported jamming. Marking generally appeared to be split with green skymarkers to starboard and reds to port a half mile apart. Bombing followed the marking and two concentrations of aircraft ensured. Green skymarkers are reported to have dropped before reds. It was impossible to assess results but it is considered that they would not be better than moderate. Defences were nil and no enemy aircraft were seen. All crews attempted photographs.

19/11/44

Weather: Cloudy to overcast with rain and drizzle during the morning and late evening. Visibility poor in the early morning becoming moderate with wind mainly south south-easterly at five to ten m.p.h.

Operations scheduled today but scrubbed at l445 hours. It looked like a long effort as the overload tanks were being used. Weather lousy again so the day dragged on. Nothing else to report.

20/11/44

Weather: Overcast with continuous rain till early afternoon, becoming cloud. Visibility moderate. Wind mainly northerly at ten to twenty-five m.p.h.

Operations today for nineteen aircraft. Everyone keyed up after a lecture given by the Commanding Officer regarding hang-ups and the consequences of bringing them back. Believe it or not the crews were actually glad the operations was scrubbed.

At night, a boxing tournament was held in No. 2 hangar. Seven bouts were held resulting in two knock-outs.

21/11/44

Weather: Fine becoming cloudy. Vis. good becoming moderate. Wind variable at five to fifteen m.p.h.

Briefing was at 1300 hours for an operation. Nineteen aircraft took off to bomb CASTROP RAUXEL.

Two aircraft returned early, "L" and "P" • Both were due to engine trouble. Cloud over target ranged from nil to 4/10ths with tops at two to seven thousand feet. Visibility good. The majority of crews report P.F.F. marking was well concentrated and plentiful. One group of green markers were reported as being short of and to the right of the T.Is. Numerous large explosions were reported as occurring from 1901.5 to 1906 hours. Some fires were seen developing as the attack progressed. Slight to moderate heavy flak in barrage form bursting from 15 to 19000 ft. was encountered in the target area. Some slight to moderate light flak. Searchlights over the target were active but ineffective. Some enemy fighters were active in the target area and two combats were reported. No claims. All crews attempted photographs.

22/11/44

Weather: Cloudy to overcast with continuous rain or sleet in the early morning, becoming mainly cloudy. Visibility poor to moderate. Wind variable, ten to twenty m.p.h.

Another quiet day after operations. A group W/T exercise carried out in the afternoon. Nothing else to report.

23/11/44

Weather: Cloudy to overcast with continuous rain or sleet in the early morning, becoming mainly cloudy. Visibility poor to moderate. Wind variable five to fifteen m.p.h.

The Squadron was tied up most of the day waiting on briefing times for gardening operations. Nothing unusual occurred. Everything scrubbed at 16:00 hours.

Roller skating tonight in No. 2 Hangar also an E.N.S.A. show at the N.A.A.F.I.

24/11/44

Weather: Cloudy with continuous rain and drizzle. Visibility moderate to poor. Wind mainly northerly at five to fifteen m.p.h. falling light in the evening.

One aircraft employed on local Map-reading Exercise consisted of the Squadron's total flying done today. Other training was scrubbed due to bad weather. An operation was scheduled, but scrubbed later. Five aircraft were detailed to stand by for early morning mining operation.

25/11/44

Weather: Cloudy with periods of rain and sleet during morning becoming fine. Visibility moderate. Wind mainly northerly at five to ten m.p.h.

The five aircraft detailed for mine laying last night took off early this morning, to mine waters in the YENTREE (Anholt Island on slide) area.

One aircraft "H" piloted by J.13731 F/L J.T. HARDY crashed into the sea upon return, the other aircraft were diverted to northern SCOTLAND. Two aircraft successfully dropped their mines, and two brought them back. Weather was 10/10ths cloud with bases at 800/1000 ft. with good visibility below cloud. Crews report that their approach was evidently undetected as when the first aircraft arrived, the town and harbour were lit up and the airfield obligingly turned on its lights for them to land. Ten minutes later light flak opened up on island. Considerable shipping lights were seen in harbour and vicinity. No fighters seen. All crews attempted photographs.

In the afternoon a training programme was carried out with eleven aircraft participating in H.2.S. Cross-countries, Fighter Affiliation, Map Reading and local flying.

26/11/144

Weather: Fine becoming cloudy with continuous rain and sleet after midday. Visibility good deteriorating after midday and becoming poor. Wind light, variable.

Nine aircraft took off this morning on a practice mining exercise and were recalled an hour later due to bad weather, some landing away due to bad visibility. Snow and sleet made the afternoon impossible for further flying, and other exercises arranged were scrubbed.

27/11/44

Weather: 7 to 10/10ths thin cloud with tops ranging from three to eight thousand feet. Fair becoming cloudy. Visibility moderate to poor. Wind light variable, becoming south-easterly at ten to fifteen m.p.h.

In the morning three aircraft did practice bombing and H.2.S cross-country combined.

Operations scheduled for today with fourteen aircraft detailed. Briefing at 1430 hours. Target NEUSS. The majority of crews bombed late due to unexpected adverse winds. Most crews bombed on ground markers seen through breaks in the cloud while others bombed on sky markers or the glow of fires in the area. Marking appeared quite accurate and well concentrated. Fires were seen burning by some crews. Others reported. a heavy glow in the clouds. A very large explosion is reported at approximately 2030 hours and two crews report seeing another huge reddish orange explosion at about 2045 hours after leaving the target. Over the target heavy flak was slight to moderate in barrage form bursting 16/20,000ft. with some predicted flak. A few searchlights were exposed at DUSSELDORF but were ineffective. Known decoys were in operation. No enemy fighters were seen. Two aircraft were damaged by flak over the target.

28/11/44

Weather: Rain at first becoming fair to fine. Visibility poor becoming good. Wind south westerly at ten to fifteen m.p.h.

Aircraft returned from diversion on yesterday's operation. No other flying for today. A security film was shown in the Station Cinema. Nothing else to report.

29/11/44

Weather: Fair becoming cloudy with occasional showers. Visibility good. Wind southwesterly at ten to fifteen m.p.h.

Nine aircraft on practice flying consisting of bombing and local flying. Crews were standing by for an early morning call.

30/11/44

Weather: Mainly cloudy with occasional showers early. Visibility good. Wind westerly at ten to fifteen m.p.h.

Fourteen crews were on hand for a briefing at 0700 hours. The operation, however, was scrubbed by 0730 hours. Most of the personnel went back to bed.

Later in the day at 1400 hours, the same crews were back at briefing. Target DUISBURG (sic)-(Duisberg on slide). All crews found 10/10ths cloud, tops about 6/8,000 ft. with visibility above cloud very good. Results of bombing which was done by wanganui sky markers red with yellow stars could not be seen although it was considered that bombing was reasonably well concentrated. Flak was mainly bursting below and at flares. Searchlights few and ineffective. Aircraft "R" returned early due to Port Outer Engine being unserviceable. All aircraft attempted photos.

HONOURS AND AWARDS:

P/O W.K. HAMMOND CAN.J.88664 Awarded the D.F.C. Non Immediate

P/O P.E. REGIMBAL CAN.J .87673 Awarded the D.F.C. Non Immediate.