This page transcribed by Dick Dunn

427 Squadron Wartime Log - September 1943

1/9/43

All aircraft which were diverted to West Malling, Kent, from previous night's Operation returned to base safely. Due to fact that the Squadron had operation on two proceeding night's a "stand down" was ordered, and due to bad weather and poor visibility no day flying was possible.

2/9/43

A good response was made by Squadron Personnel to the appeal for blood donors made by the blood transfusion team re-visiting Leeming. Six aircraft detailed for MINELAYING Operations. Two aircraft returned early due to U/S Goons. The funerals were carried out for Sergeant Henry, Cpls Holt, Keighan and AC1 Davies, killed in a flying accident at SEDBURGH Westmorland. Internment being made at Holwood cemetery, Harogate at 1400 hours. Large party of Bearers and personnel from the Squadron attended. Cpt C.A. Taylor and P/O E. Williams and their respective crews were screened from operations upon completion of their first tour. More postings of Groundcrew to the Tactical Air Force effected.

3/9/43

No operations activity by Squadron - "Total stand down". Information received that Wing Commander R.S. Turnbull, DFM is coming to take over command of Squadron from Wing Commander D.H. Burnside, DFC & Bar, on posting to Headquarters Bomber Command. At pay parade all Squadron personnel contributed towards a gift for Wing Commander Burnside. F /Lt Morton & Crew screened from operations today.

4/9/43

No operations were scheduled for today and the Squadron had another stand down. In the evening the Officers of the Squadron took Wing Commander Burnside into Ripon for an informal farewell party. Reports indicated that the party was an unqualified success. There were further groundcrew postings out and the situation was becoming critical respecting the manning position of the Squadron. The Adjutant on contacting records at Gloucester was informed that the personnel had to proceed as ordered due to a shortage of surplus of personnel available for postings.

5/9/43

Squadron parade was held and the Adjutant F/Lt Chasenoff presented gifts of a silver plate, a wrist watch and a traveling bag to Wing Commander and Mrs. Burnside as a farewell token of the esteem in which Wing Commander Burnside was held by the Squadron.

5/9/43

These gifts were paid for by the voluntary subscription by all members of the Squadron. Two new crews captained by Sgts Darlow and Dressler reported to the Squadron. Twelve aircraft were detailed for operations against MANHEIM. All the aircraft successfully took off but F/S Caldwell returned early due to engine trouble. Ten of the remaining eleven successfully bombed the target and nine returned to base. F/Lt Laird landed at Boscombe Down with one engine badly shot up. Crews reported numerous fighters and a good prang. F/S Fletcher is missing from this operation. Wing Commander Burnside departed on his posting to Bomber Command Headquarters.

6/9/43

Wing Commander R.S. Turnbull arrived and took over command of the Squadron. Ten aircraft were detailed for operations - Target MUNICH. All the aircraft took off successfully. Two aircraft returned early to base due to technical trouble. Two other aircraft returned early to bases in the South also due to technical trouble. The other four aircraft landed at Manston. Two aircraft were missing from this operation.P/O Biggs DFM and Flying Officer Perry-Knox-Gore. The loss of these two Captains will be a serious blow to the Squadron. Biggs being an original member of the Squadron and Perry-Knox-Gore showing enough stuff in the short time he was with us to convince all that he was ace material.

7/9/43

After operation to Manheim (slide spelling Mannheim) and Munich on successive nights, the Squadron had a stand down today. F /Lt Ganderton DFC, was promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader on taking over command of "B" Flight. A party was accordingly held in North Allerton at the Station hotel to celebrate this promotion and preliminary reports indicate a successful operation.

8/9/43

Eight aircraft were detailed for a bombing attack on BERLIN but this operation was scrubbed due to weather. Italy capitulated and suitable celebrations were held in both the Sergeants and Officer's Messes at which Lion Squadron personnel played a prominent part. Three crews captained by P/O Harrison, P/O Hurray and Sgt Mawson, reported to the Squadron. This date the Inspector General of the R.A.F. visited the Station.

9/9/43

Squadron Leader H. Francis of Croft visited the Squadron today for the purpose of interviewing F/Sgt Dan with a view to posting him as Station Warrant Officer at R.C.A.F. Croft. Ten aircraft were scheduled for operations against BERLIN again but at the last minute this operation was also scrubbed.

10/9/43

Rain all day and no operations were scheduled. Wing Commander Turnbull addressed all the aircrew NCO's of the Squadron. Some of the Officers of the Squadron made a low level attack on Leeds with the Queen's hotel as aiming point.

11/9/43

The weather continued unfavourable and no operations were scheduled for this date. A Squadron sports conference was held which the YMCA supervisor and Station Sports Officer attended with a view to organize Squadron Sports. F/Lt G. Laird and F/L D.M. Arnet were appointed Squadron Sports Officers and it was decided that sports to be concentrated on would be Volleyball and Soft ball.

12/9/43

Weather continued unfavourable and no operations were scheduled for this date. Infomation received of award of DFC's to F/Lt B.G. Crew, P/O G.B. Whyte and P/O E.A. Johnson also award of D.F.M. to F/S Carleton. This occasion was marked by festivities in the respective messes during the evening.

13/9/43

Weather continued unfavourable this date and also due to the moon period, no operations were scheduled for this date. Intensive ground training was carried out in all sections go gen up the new crews.

14/9/43

Weather continued unsuitable and no operations were scheduled. F /Lt J.E. Durocher, Squadron Gunnery Leader, just returned to this Squadron after being away for more than two months. His foot that had been injured on operations by a machine gun bullet was completely healed.

15/9/43

Our aircraft that landed in North Africa returned to camp. The members of the crew brought back some fresh fruit which were distributed to all Squadron personnel. Thirteen aircraft were detailed for operations against the rubber factory at MONTLUCON. Three of the aircraft returned early due to various troubles and the other ten aircraft successfully bombed the target. Sgt Chabinoff and crew crashed at West Drayton on the way home and all the personnel were killed. The remaining aircraft all landed successfully at base.

16/9/43

Nine aircraft were detailed for operations against MODANE (Italy) One aircraft returned early. The other eight aircraft successfully bombed the target and all landed at Bassingbourne due to adverse weather conditions at Base with exception of one which landed at Coningsby.

17/9/43

Weather was very duff this date and aircraft could not return to base. F/Sgt Caldwell and Crew were posted to No 3 Group.

18/9/43

Weather cleared and the Aircraft returned from Bassingbourne. No operations were scheduled for this date.

19/9/43

No operations were scheduled for this date. Intensive air and ground training was conducted in all sections including practice bombing, fighter affiliation air to air firing. P/O A. Rodwell was promoted to the rank of Acting Flight Lieutenant.

20/9/43

No operations scheduled for this date. Intensive training program was conducted today both ground and air. P/O J. Weston was promoted to the rank of Acting Flight Lieutenant. Sgt Johnie Duval was appointed to commissioned rank. The advance party proceeded to Skipton to arrange for the reception of the main body of personnel who would be proceeding on the 2lst subject to operations. Three crews reported in this date - Two from Croft and one from Topcliffe.

21/9/43

Squadron groundcrew moved to Skipton and the aircraft were flown down in the morning of this date. Sgt F.J. Thompson WOP/AG was appointed to a commission this date. No operations were scheduled for this date and this helped materially in causing the move to go off as planned. Funeral of F/O Wells, Sgts Chibanoff & Frost took place this date at Brookwood Cemetery, and Sgt Potts was buried at Knaresborough. S/Ldr Griffits Station Padre reprensented us at the Funeral at Brookwood and P/O R.J. Hayhurst DFC at Knaresborought(sic).

No War Diary entries from September 22 to 29 but four operations carried out

30/9/43

Twelve aircraft detailed for operations this date. Operation scrubbed at 1300 hrs. F/S Countess (Pilot) appointed to commissioned rank this date.

Honour and Awards

During the month of September the Distinguish Flying Cross were awarded to F/L B.G. Crew and P/O G.B. Whyte - also the Distinguish Flying Medal to Sergeant Carleton.

Commissions

J18359 p/O J.P. Duval appointed to Pilot Officer wef 14/7/43
J18387 F/O D.O. Olsvik, appointed to Pilot Officer wef 5/8/43
J18418 F/O J.L.J. Fontaine (HOP/AG) appointed to Pilot Officer wef 9/5/43
J18508 F/O R.E. Countess (Pilot) appointed to Pilot Officer wef 11/9/43 .
156268 F/O F.J. Thompson (A/B) appointed to Pilot Officer wef 16/7/43
156386 F/O R.S. Thompson (WOP/AG) appointed to Pilot Officer wef 15/8/43
155970 F/O F.D. Smith, (A/G) appointed to Pilot Officer wef 11/7/43
156550 F/O J .A. McClune, (F/E) appointed to Pilot Officer wef 9/8/43
156417 P/O J .T. Rogerson (WOP/AG) appointed to Pilot Officer wef 15/8/43
160104 F/O J .B. Arl A/B appointed to Pilot Officer wef 14/7/43

Promotions

JI0133 F/O A/F/Lt V.F. Ganderton promoted to A/S/Ldr wef 1/9/43
J219ll F/O H.L. Joyce promoted to War subs rank of F/O wef 25/3/43
J20079 F/O P.J. Kennedy, promoted to War subs rank of F/O wef 23/4/43
J22671 F/O W. Weston, promoted to A/F/Lt wef 7/9/43
139642 F/O D.B. Ross, promoted to War subs rank of F/O wef 30/6/43
51503 P/O. P. Dormand, promoted to War subs rank of F/O wef 14/8/43
146994 P/O A. Rodwell, promoted to A/F/Lt wef 25/8/43