401 Sqn RCAF (Kenley – Spitfire IX) 12.11.42
Weather: Fog still covering the aerodrome but lifted a bit at noon but not fit for flying.
Wind: 5 M.P.H. from East. At 0711 hours the Squadron was on 30 minutes availability and at 1400 hours the pilots challenged 412 Squadron to a softball game and defeated them by a score of 14 to 7. At 1600 hours the Squadron was released.
USAAF
ALGERIA: The Duzerville Airdrome at Bone, a city near the Algeria-Tunisia border, is captured by British commandos landing from the sea and 312 British paratroopers dropped at 0600 hours from 26 64th Troop Carrier Group C-47s out of Algiers/Maison Blanche Airport.
EGYPT: The 57th Fighter Group’s “A” Party moves forward to a former Axis landing ground at Sidi Azez.
USAMEAF is formally dissolved and replaced by LtGen Lewis H. Brereton’s new Ninth Air Force, which immediately assumes responsibility for overseeing USAAF aircraft and operations in support of the British Eighth Army. The new Ninth Air Force components are: a provisional IX Bomber Command, under BriGen Patrick W. Timberlake; IX Fighter Command, under Col John C. Kilborn; and IX Air Support Command, under BriGen Elmer E. Adler.
The 79th Fighter Group ground echelon arrives by ship from the United States.
FRENCH MOROCCO: Fifty-eight of the 33d Fighter Group’s 60 P-40s are finally assembled at the Port Lyautey Airdrome after taking two days to get off the USS Chenango. The two others have been lost, one in a crash at sea and one without a trace from an unknown cause. Seventeen of the group’s P-40s have been damaged in landings because of runway damage resulting from attacks by U.S. Navy light bombers during the invasion.
RAF
Base Changes
2 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Sidi Azeiz
40 Sqn (Wellington IC) moves to LG.104
40 Sqn SAAF TR (Hurricane IIB) moves to Sidi Azeiz
73 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Gambut West
104 Sqn (Wellington II) moves to LG.104
145 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to LG.155
154 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Algiers
260 Sqn (Kittyhawk II) moves to Gambut Main
First and Last Operational Missions
111 Sqn (Maison Blanche) flies its first OM’s in the Spitfire VB & VC
Action This Day
Moderators: Joel Billings, simovitch, harley, warshipbuilder
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warshipbuilder
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Re: Action This Day
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
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warshipbuilder
- Posts: 2691
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
105 Sqn (Marham – Mosquito IV) 13.11.42
Two MOSQUITO AIRCRAFT took off mid-day to attack the ‘NEUMAK’ in FLUSHING harbour.
(1) FLIGHT SERGEANT N. BOOTH (Pilot) and SERGEANT F.A. TURNER (Observer)
(2) PILOT OFFICER C.A. GRAHAM (Pilot) and PILOT OFFICER R.F.ANDERSON (Observer)
Nothing was heard from either aircraft after take off.
Four aircraft took off in the late afternoon on Air Sea Rescue Search for the two missing aircraft. Nothing was seen of the latter.
ADDENDUM – Mosquito IV DZ320 GB-? Crew: P/O CA Graham RAAF, P/O RF Anderson RCAF. T/o 1208 to attack the ‘Neumark’. Hit by flak and crashed 1240 near Oostkapelle (Zeeland), Netherlands. Both lie in Vlissingen Northern Cemetery.
Mosquito IV DZ361 GB-? Crew: F/S N Booth, Sgt FA Turner. T/o 1208 Marham, similarly tasked. Hit by flak and crashed near 1245 near Ritthem (Zeeland), 3 km E of Vlissingen, where they are buried in the Northern Cemetery.
BOMBER COMMAND
6 Wellingtons to Emden but only 1 aircraft dropped bombs, which hit fields. No losses.
The German merchant ship which had recently been damaged at Le Havre was now spotted at Flushing where it had been taken for repair. 2 Mosquitoes of 105 Squadron set out to Flushing but did not return. It is believed, however, that they did hit the ship again. 2 more Mosquitoes and 6 Bostons then took off to carry out a sea search for the crews of the 2 lost Mosquitoes. These were not found and 1 of the Bostons was then lost.
GENOA - 67 Lancasters and 9 Stirlings of the Pathfinder Force and 5 Group. More successful bombing was carried out but no details are available. No aircraft lost.
12 Wellingtons minelaying off Lorient and St-Nazaire without loss.
USAAF
ALGERIA: An advance element of the 1st Fighter Group, in P-38s, arrives at Oran/Tafaraoui Airdrome from England by way of Gibraltar. Also, B-17s of the 97th Heavy Bombardment Group’s 340th Heavy Bombardment Squadron arrive at Algiers/Maison Blanche Airport from England by way of Gibraltar. (BriGen Asa N. Duncan, the Eighth Air Force’s first commander, is killed when the 97th Heavy Bombardment Group B-17 in which he is a passenger goes down over the sea along the way to North Africa.)
Five 64th Troop Carrier Group C-47s out of Maison Blanche Airport land at noon at Bone’s Duzerville Airdrome with fuel and antiaircraft guns for the British occupation force, which is under an unremitting Axis bombardment. After dark, five more supply-laden C-47s, escorted by five USAAF P-38 fighters, also land at Duzerville. These flights are considered decisive in bolstering the ability of the British Army troops to hold the airdrome.
EGYPT: The 98th Heavy Bombardment Group, in B-24s, redeploys from bases in Palestine to Fayid and El Kabrit airdromes, near the Nile Delta. The veteran group, which has been trained to undertake single-plane missions (and which has, in fact, conducted numerous missions in three-plane tactical formations) is ordered to retrain to undertake missions in which the entire group can fly and bomb effectively in squadron and group formations.
FRENCH MOROCCO: The 33d Fighter Group displaces to Casablanca from the bomb-cratered field at Port Lyautey.
LIBYA: As the British Eighth Army recaptures Tobruk, the 57th Fighter Group’s “B” Party moves forward to the large former Axis base at Gambut, 30 miles east of the port city. Also, an advance 98th Heavy Bombardment Group ground detachment is established at Gambut Main Airdrome to facilitate long-range heavy-bomber missions originating in Egypt and staging through the forward base.
RAF
Base Changes
2 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Gambut Main
4 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Gambut Main
5 Sqn SAAF (Non-Op) moves to Gambut Main
37 Sqn (Wellington IC) moves to LG.106
108 Sqn (Wellington IC) moves to LG.106
114 Sqn (Non-Op) leaves for North Africa
145 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Gambut West
225 Sqn (Hurricane IIA/IIC Mustang I/II) moves to Maison Blanche
250 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Gambut Main
253 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Maison Blanche
255 Sqn leaves for North Africa
450 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk III) moves to Gambut Main
462 Sqn RAAF (Halifax II) moves to LG.237
485 Sqn RNZAF (Spitfire VB) moves to Kings Cliffe
First and Last Operational Missions
3 Sqn RAAF (Gambut Main) flies its last OM in the Kittyhawk I
Two MOSQUITO AIRCRAFT took off mid-day to attack the ‘NEUMAK’ in FLUSHING harbour.
(1) FLIGHT SERGEANT N. BOOTH (Pilot) and SERGEANT F.A. TURNER (Observer)
(2) PILOT OFFICER C.A. GRAHAM (Pilot) and PILOT OFFICER R.F.ANDERSON (Observer)
Nothing was heard from either aircraft after take off.
Four aircraft took off in the late afternoon on Air Sea Rescue Search for the two missing aircraft. Nothing was seen of the latter.
ADDENDUM – Mosquito IV DZ320 GB-? Crew: P/O CA Graham RAAF, P/O RF Anderson RCAF. T/o 1208 to attack the ‘Neumark’. Hit by flak and crashed 1240 near Oostkapelle (Zeeland), Netherlands. Both lie in Vlissingen Northern Cemetery.
Mosquito IV DZ361 GB-? Crew: F/S N Booth, Sgt FA Turner. T/o 1208 Marham, similarly tasked. Hit by flak and crashed near 1245 near Ritthem (Zeeland), 3 km E of Vlissingen, where they are buried in the Northern Cemetery.
BOMBER COMMAND
6 Wellingtons to Emden but only 1 aircraft dropped bombs, which hit fields. No losses.
The German merchant ship which had recently been damaged at Le Havre was now spotted at Flushing where it had been taken for repair. 2 Mosquitoes of 105 Squadron set out to Flushing but did not return. It is believed, however, that they did hit the ship again. 2 more Mosquitoes and 6 Bostons then took off to carry out a sea search for the crews of the 2 lost Mosquitoes. These were not found and 1 of the Bostons was then lost.
GENOA - 67 Lancasters and 9 Stirlings of the Pathfinder Force and 5 Group. More successful bombing was carried out but no details are available. No aircraft lost.
12 Wellingtons minelaying off Lorient and St-Nazaire without loss.
USAAF
ALGERIA: An advance element of the 1st Fighter Group, in P-38s, arrives at Oran/Tafaraoui Airdrome from England by way of Gibraltar. Also, B-17s of the 97th Heavy Bombardment Group’s 340th Heavy Bombardment Squadron arrive at Algiers/Maison Blanche Airport from England by way of Gibraltar. (BriGen Asa N. Duncan, the Eighth Air Force’s first commander, is killed when the 97th Heavy Bombardment Group B-17 in which he is a passenger goes down over the sea along the way to North Africa.)
Five 64th Troop Carrier Group C-47s out of Maison Blanche Airport land at noon at Bone’s Duzerville Airdrome with fuel and antiaircraft guns for the British occupation force, which is under an unremitting Axis bombardment. After dark, five more supply-laden C-47s, escorted by five USAAF P-38 fighters, also land at Duzerville. These flights are considered decisive in bolstering the ability of the British Army troops to hold the airdrome.
EGYPT: The 98th Heavy Bombardment Group, in B-24s, redeploys from bases in Palestine to Fayid and El Kabrit airdromes, near the Nile Delta. The veteran group, which has been trained to undertake single-plane missions (and which has, in fact, conducted numerous missions in three-plane tactical formations) is ordered to retrain to undertake missions in which the entire group can fly and bomb effectively in squadron and group formations.
FRENCH MOROCCO: The 33d Fighter Group displaces to Casablanca from the bomb-cratered field at Port Lyautey.
LIBYA: As the British Eighth Army recaptures Tobruk, the 57th Fighter Group’s “B” Party moves forward to the large former Axis base at Gambut, 30 miles east of the port city. Also, an advance 98th Heavy Bombardment Group ground detachment is established at Gambut Main Airdrome to facilitate long-range heavy-bomber missions originating in Egypt and staging through the forward base.
RAF
Base Changes
2 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Gambut Main
4 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Gambut Main
5 Sqn SAAF (Non-Op) moves to Gambut Main
37 Sqn (Wellington IC) moves to LG.106
108 Sqn (Wellington IC) moves to LG.106
114 Sqn (Non-Op) leaves for North Africa
145 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Gambut West
225 Sqn (Hurricane IIA/IIC Mustang I/II) moves to Maison Blanche
250 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Gambut Main
253 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Maison Blanche
255 Sqn leaves for North Africa
450 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk III) moves to Gambut Main
462 Sqn RAAF (Halifax II) moves to LG.237
485 Sqn RNZAF (Spitfire VB) moves to Kings Cliffe
First and Last Operational Missions
3 Sqn RAAF (Gambut Main) flies its last OM in the Kittyhawk I
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
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warshipbuilder
- Posts: 2691
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
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Re: Action This Day
401 SqnRCAF (Kenley – Spitfire IX) 14.11.42
Weather: 10/10 cumulus at 800’ with heavy fog covering the aerodrome.
At 0715 hours “A” Flight on readiness and “B” Flight 15 minutes available. At 0830 hours Squadron on 30 minutes available. No aircraft took off all day. The Squadron was released at 1645 hours.
USAAF
ALGERIA: Three fuel-laden 64th Troop Carrier Group C-47s brave Axis fire to land at Bone to resupply the British Army troops holding out there.
EGYPT: The 79th Fighter Group, in P-40s, and the 19th Heavy Bombardment Wing headquarters, which are both in the process of arriving from the United States, are formally attached to the Ninth Air Force.
FRANCE: Unable to locate the La Pallice U-boat base from above solid cloud cover, 15 VIII Bomber Command B-17s and nine B-24s divert to their secondary target, the St.-Nazaire port area, where they drop 57 tons of bombs at the cost of one B-24 damaged.
LIBYA: Of six IX Bomber Command B-24s dispatched to attack Benghazi harbour, only one locates the target.
RAF
Base Changes
40 Sqn TR SAAF (Hurricane IIB) moves to El Adem
64 Sqn (Spitfire IX) moves to Hornchurch
66 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to Zeals
92 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Gambut West
152 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Maison Blanche
242 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Djidelli
451 Sqn RAAF (Hurricane I) moves to St. Jean
600 Sqn (Beaufighter VIF) moves to Portreath
First and Last Operational Missions
25 Sqn (Church Fenton) flies its first OM in the Mosquito NFII
Weather: 10/10 cumulus at 800’ with heavy fog covering the aerodrome.
At 0715 hours “A” Flight on readiness and “B” Flight 15 minutes available. At 0830 hours Squadron on 30 minutes available. No aircraft took off all day. The Squadron was released at 1645 hours.
USAAF
ALGERIA: Three fuel-laden 64th Troop Carrier Group C-47s brave Axis fire to land at Bone to resupply the British Army troops holding out there.
EGYPT: The 79th Fighter Group, in P-40s, and the 19th Heavy Bombardment Wing headquarters, which are both in the process of arriving from the United States, are formally attached to the Ninth Air Force.
FRANCE: Unable to locate the La Pallice U-boat base from above solid cloud cover, 15 VIII Bomber Command B-17s and nine B-24s divert to their secondary target, the St.-Nazaire port area, where they drop 57 tons of bombs at the cost of one B-24 damaged.
LIBYA: Of six IX Bomber Command B-24s dispatched to attack Benghazi harbour, only one locates the target.
RAF
Base Changes
40 Sqn TR SAAF (Hurricane IIB) moves to El Adem
64 Sqn (Spitfire IX) moves to Hornchurch
66 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to Zeals
92 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Gambut West
152 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Maison Blanche
242 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Djidelli
451 Sqn RAAF (Hurricane I) moves to St. Jean
600 Sqn (Beaufighter VIF) moves to Portreath
First and Last Operational Missions
25 Sqn (Church Fenton) flies its first OM in the Mosquito NFII
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 2691
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
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Re: Action This Day
78 Sqn (Linton-on-Ouse – Halifax II) 15.11.42
5 aircraft detailed for operations. Target GENOA. All reached and attacked the target area with excellent results. All aircraft returned safely to this country with the exception of ‘B’ DT.522. Crew baled out owing to suspected petrol shortage. All crew uninjured with the exception of Captain F/Sgt. Martin who landed in Estuary and was drowned.
BOMBER COMMAND
GENOA
78 aircraft – 40 Halifaxes, 27 Lancasters, 11 Stirlings – continued the raids on Genoa with further accurate bombing. No aircraft lost.
22 Wellingtons of 1 Group minelaying off La Pallice, Lorient and St-Nazaire. 1 aircraft lost.
USAAF
Fighter Group, both in P-38s, are reassembled at Oran/Tafaraoui Airdrome following flights from England by way of Gibraltar. Also fully assembled at Tafaraoui are the 62d Troop Carrier Group, in C-47s, and the 15th Light Bombardment Squadron, in A-20s, both of which have also staged through Gibraltar from England.
Flying from Algiers/Maison Blanche Airport, 20 60th Troop Carrier Group C-47s, escorted by 18 USAAF P-38s, drop 350 U.S. Army paratroopers on Youks-les-Bains, Algeria, from 400 feet at 0945 hours. A second force of 32 64th Troop Carrier Group C-47s laden with British Army paratroopers is dispatched to Souk el-Arba, but it is recalled due to bad weather.
LIBYA: Two small formations of IX Bomber Command B-24s dispatched to attack Tripoli are prevented from reaching the target by bad weather. However, one group attacks a motor convoy, an airdrome, and road traffic.
As soon as British Eighth Army ground troops capture Martuba Airdrome, the 57th Fighter Group “A” Party is ordered to redeploy to it. (To facilitate the new leapfrog tactic, an RAF squadron flying Lend-Lease P-40s, is attached to the 79th Fighter Group at Martuba; thereafter, as the “A” and “B” parties leapfrog to new bases in the wake of the British Eighth Army advance, they do so at equal and effective strength.
TUNISIA: Elements of the British First Army enter western Tunisia from Algeria.
RAF
Base Changes
2 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Gazala III
3 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk II) moves to Gazala I
40 Sqn TR SAAF (Hurricane IIB) moves to Gazala II
114 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Blida
250 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Gambut 2
255 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Maison Blanche
260 Sqn (Kittyhawk II) moves to Gazala I
450 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Gazala I
First and Last Operational Missions
422 Sqn RCAF (Oban) flies its last OM in the Catalina IB
5 aircraft detailed for operations. Target GENOA. All reached and attacked the target area with excellent results. All aircraft returned safely to this country with the exception of ‘B’ DT.522. Crew baled out owing to suspected petrol shortage. All crew uninjured with the exception of Captain F/Sgt. Martin who landed in Estuary and was drowned.
BOMBER COMMAND
GENOA
78 aircraft – 40 Halifaxes, 27 Lancasters, 11 Stirlings – continued the raids on Genoa with further accurate bombing. No aircraft lost.
22 Wellingtons of 1 Group minelaying off La Pallice, Lorient and St-Nazaire. 1 aircraft lost.
USAAF
Fighter Group, both in P-38s, are reassembled at Oran/Tafaraoui Airdrome following flights from England by way of Gibraltar. Also fully assembled at Tafaraoui are the 62d Troop Carrier Group, in C-47s, and the 15th Light Bombardment Squadron, in A-20s, both of which have also staged through Gibraltar from England.
Flying from Algiers/Maison Blanche Airport, 20 60th Troop Carrier Group C-47s, escorted by 18 USAAF P-38s, drop 350 U.S. Army paratroopers on Youks-les-Bains, Algeria, from 400 feet at 0945 hours. A second force of 32 64th Troop Carrier Group C-47s laden with British Army paratroopers is dispatched to Souk el-Arba, but it is recalled due to bad weather.
LIBYA: Two small formations of IX Bomber Command B-24s dispatched to attack Tripoli are prevented from reaching the target by bad weather. However, one group attacks a motor convoy, an airdrome, and road traffic.
As soon as British Eighth Army ground troops capture Martuba Airdrome, the 57th Fighter Group “A” Party is ordered to redeploy to it. (To facilitate the new leapfrog tactic, an RAF squadron flying Lend-Lease P-40s, is attached to the 79th Fighter Group at Martuba; thereafter, as the “A” and “B” parties leapfrog to new bases in the wake of the British Eighth Army advance, they do so at equal and effective strength.
TUNISIA: Elements of the British First Army enter western Tunisia from Algeria.
RAF
Base Changes
2 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Gazala III
3 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk II) moves to Gazala I
40 Sqn TR SAAF (Hurricane IIB) moves to Gazala II
114 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Blida
250 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Gambut 2
255 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Maison Blanche
260 Sqn (Kittyhawk II) moves to Gazala I
450 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Gazala I
First and Last Operational Missions
422 Sqn RCAF (Oban) flies its last OM in the Catalina IB
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 2691
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
142 Sqn (Grimsby – Wellington III) 16.11.42
GARDENING. Six took off four laid O.K. One Missing. (F/O. Stower and crew – no news after take off – now prisoners! One unable to pin point, mines brought back.
ADDENDUM – Wellington III BK278 QT-C. Crew: F/O H Stower, WO1 F Renkiewicz RCAF, Sgt HE Peake, Sgt HEJ Wilkingson RCAF, Sgt WPS Rae. T/o 1714 Grimsby. Hit by IV. & V./5 Res. Flak Abt. 247 and 1. and 5./M. Flak Abt. 274, crashed in mud flats S Büsum near St. Peter. Crew captured.
BOMBER COMMAND
65 aircraft minelaying to various places from Lorient to the Frisian Islands. 2 Wellingtons and 1 Stirling lost. 5 Halifaxes on leaflet flights to France without loss.
USAAF
FRANCE: Four 4th Fighter Group Spitfires are dispatched to strafe targets of opportunity along the French coast. Although one Spitfire is severely damaged when it hits a tree, it returns to base and lands safely.
LIBYA: Allied aircraft from the newly captured airfield at Martuba, including the 57th Fighter Group “A” Party, are able to effectively cover a convoy from Port Said, Egypt, much of the way to Malta.
TUNISIA: Thirty-two 64th Troop Carrier Group C-47s, escorted by 12 P-38s, drop 384 British Army paratroopers on Souk el-Arba Airdrome, only 90 miles from Tunis.
Six B-17s from the 97th Heavy Bombardment Group’s 340th Heavy Bombardment Squadron, mount the veteran group’s first mission in North Africa, an attack on Bizerte’s Sidi Ahmed Airdrome. This is the first heavy-bomber mission flown by a XII Bomber Command unit.
RAF
Base Changes
40 Sqn TR SAAF (Hurricane IIB) moves to Martuba III
73 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to El Adem
81 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Bone
122 Sqn (Spitfire IX) moves to Fairlop
134 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to LG.222
614 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Portreath
First and Last Operational Missions
541 Sqn (Benson) flies its first OM in the Spitfire PRIX
GARDENING. Six took off four laid O.K. One Missing. (F/O. Stower and crew – no news after take off – now prisoners! One unable to pin point, mines brought back.
ADDENDUM – Wellington III BK278 QT-C. Crew: F/O H Stower, WO1 F Renkiewicz RCAF, Sgt HE Peake, Sgt HEJ Wilkingson RCAF, Sgt WPS Rae. T/o 1714 Grimsby. Hit by IV. & V./5 Res. Flak Abt. 247 and 1. and 5./M. Flak Abt. 274, crashed in mud flats S Büsum near St. Peter. Crew captured.
BOMBER COMMAND
65 aircraft minelaying to various places from Lorient to the Frisian Islands. 2 Wellingtons and 1 Stirling lost. 5 Halifaxes on leaflet flights to France without loss.
USAAF
FRANCE: Four 4th Fighter Group Spitfires are dispatched to strafe targets of opportunity along the French coast. Although one Spitfire is severely damaged when it hits a tree, it returns to base and lands safely.
LIBYA: Allied aircraft from the newly captured airfield at Martuba, including the 57th Fighter Group “A” Party, are able to effectively cover a convoy from Port Said, Egypt, much of the way to Malta.
TUNISIA: Thirty-two 64th Troop Carrier Group C-47s, escorted by 12 P-38s, drop 384 British Army paratroopers on Souk el-Arba Airdrome, only 90 miles from Tunis.
Six B-17s from the 97th Heavy Bombardment Group’s 340th Heavy Bombardment Squadron, mount the veteran group’s first mission in North Africa, an attack on Bizerte’s Sidi Ahmed Airdrome. This is the first heavy-bomber mission flown by a XII Bomber Command unit.
RAF
Base Changes
40 Sqn TR SAAF (Hurricane IIB) moves to Martuba III
73 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to El Adem
81 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Bone
122 Sqn (Spitfire IX) moves to Fairlop
134 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to LG.222
614 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Portreath
First and Last Operational Missions
541 Sqn (Benson) flies its first OM in the Spitfire PRIX
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 2691
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
158 Sqn (Rufforth – Halifax II) 17.11.42
Two Nickelling Raids. One aircraft missing, piloted by “A” Flight Commander S/L. P. de G. SEYMOUR and containing the Squadron Bombing Leader, F/L. R. Tudor-Jones, one of the Signal Leaders P/O. G. SLIDE and F/L. L. FAIRBAIRN second in charge of Navigation – a particularly hard blow to the Squadron. The Flight Engineer also an ace man and already recommended for a commission.
ADDENDUM – Halifax II W7863 NP-V. Crew: S/L PDeGH Seymour, Sgt G Johnson, Sgt RB Greensmith, P/O LJ Fairbairn RNZAF, F/L R Tudor-Jones, P/O GV Slide, Sgt JD-L-W Anstruther, Sgt CJ Murray. T/o 1718 Rufforth. Shot down by Hptm Heinrich Wohlers (3rd victory) 8./NJG4 2 km NE of Consigny at 2105 hours. P/O Slide captured and the rest are buried in Consigny Communal Cemetery.
BOMBER COMMAND
43 aircraft minelaying from Lorient to the Frisian Islands, 14 aircraft on leaflet flights to France. 1 Halifax lost on the leaflet operation.
USAAF
FRANCE: Of 63 VIII Bomber Command heavy bombers dispatched, 35 B-17s and B-24s attack the St.-Nazaire U-boat base with nearly 94 tons of bombs. Losses are 16 bombers damaged, one crewman killed, and three crewmen wounded against claims by bomber gunners of six GAF fighters downed and eight probably downed. The 303d Heavy Bombardment Group, in its combat debut with 16 B-17s, fails to find the target. Six 44th Heavy Bombardment Group B-24s also fail to find their target, the Cherbourg/Maupertus Airdrome, but in this case there is solid cloud cover over the GAF base.
The 305th Heavy Bombardment Group makes its combat debut when it dispatches ten B-17s on a diversionary flight.
TUNISIA: The battle for Tunisia effectively begins when elements of the British First Army probing toward Tunis contact German ground forces 70 miles west of the city. Meantime, a force of U.S. Army paratroopers dropped by USAAF C-47s captures Gafsa Airdrome, in west-central Tunisia.
RAF
Base Changes
1 Sqn SAAF (Hurricane IIC) moves to LG-X
4 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Gazala III
5 Sqn SAAF (Non-Op) moves to Martuba 1
238 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to El Adem
260 Sqn (Kittyhawk II) moves to Martuba 4
614 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Blida
First and Last Operational Missions
13 Sqn (Macmerry) flies its first OM in the Blenheim V
114 Sqn (Blida) flies its first OM in the Blenheim V
130 Sqn (Perranporth) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VB
Two Nickelling Raids. One aircraft missing, piloted by “A” Flight Commander S/L. P. de G. SEYMOUR and containing the Squadron Bombing Leader, F/L. R. Tudor-Jones, one of the Signal Leaders P/O. G. SLIDE and F/L. L. FAIRBAIRN second in charge of Navigation – a particularly hard blow to the Squadron. The Flight Engineer also an ace man and already recommended for a commission.
ADDENDUM – Halifax II W7863 NP-V. Crew: S/L PDeGH Seymour, Sgt G Johnson, Sgt RB Greensmith, P/O LJ Fairbairn RNZAF, F/L R Tudor-Jones, P/O GV Slide, Sgt JD-L-W Anstruther, Sgt CJ Murray. T/o 1718 Rufforth. Shot down by Hptm Heinrich Wohlers (3rd victory) 8./NJG4 2 km NE of Consigny at 2105 hours. P/O Slide captured and the rest are buried in Consigny Communal Cemetery.
BOMBER COMMAND
43 aircraft minelaying from Lorient to the Frisian Islands, 14 aircraft on leaflet flights to France. 1 Halifax lost on the leaflet operation.
USAAF
FRANCE: Of 63 VIII Bomber Command heavy bombers dispatched, 35 B-17s and B-24s attack the St.-Nazaire U-boat base with nearly 94 tons of bombs. Losses are 16 bombers damaged, one crewman killed, and three crewmen wounded against claims by bomber gunners of six GAF fighters downed and eight probably downed. The 303d Heavy Bombardment Group, in its combat debut with 16 B-17s, fails to find the target. Six 44th Heavy Bombardment Group B-24s also fail to find their target, the Cherbourg/Maupertus Airdrome, but in this case there is solid cloud cover over the GAF base.
The 305th Heavy Bombardment Group makes its combat debut when it dispatches ten B-17s on a diversionary flight.
TUNISIA: The battle for Tunisia effectively begins when elements of the British First Army probing toward Tunis contact German ground forces 70 miles west of the city. Meantime, a force of U.S. Army paratroopers dropped by USAAF C-47s captures Gafsa Airdrome, in west-central Tunisia.
RAF
Base Changes
1 Sqn SAAF (Hurricane IIC) moves to LG-X
4 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Gazala III
5 Sqn SAAF (Non-Op) moves to Martuba 1
238 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to El Adem
260 Sqn (Kittyhawk II) moves to Martuba 4
614 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Blida
First and Last Operational Missions
13 Sqn (Macmerry) flies its first OM in the Blenheim V
114 Sqn (Blida) flies its first OM in the Blenheim V
130 Sqn (Perranporth) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VB
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 2691
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
35 Sqn (Graveley - Halifax II) 18.11.42
Eight aircraft took part in an attack on TURIN, all but one dropping their flares and succeeding in illuminating the target area for the main force. The flares in W.7885 (B) hung-up, as did one bundle in DT.488 (S), Captain WING COMMANDER B.V. ROBINSON, DSO. DFC. One of these flares caused a fire in the bomb-bay when the aircraft was over the ALPS on the return journey. Wing Commander Robinson ordered his crew to bale out which they successfully did. Before the Captain could leave the aircraft the fire subsided and Wing Commander Robinson brought the aircraft back alone, landing safely at COLERNE.
ADDENDUM – The crew were all captured. W/C Robinson was killed on a raid to Berlin, 24.8.43. By this date he had been promoted to G/C and was the Station Commander at Graveley. He went on the raid as a passenger.
BOMBER COMMAND
TURIN
77 aircraft dispatched. Many fires were started in the city-centre area. Hits were also achieved on the Fiat motor factory. Turin records show that 42 people were killed and 72 injured.
5 O.T.U. aircraft took leaflets to France without loss.
USAAF
FRANCE: Twenty-one 91st and 306th Heavy Bombardment group B-17s attack the La Pallice U-boat base, as planned, while 19 303d Heavy Bombardment Group B-17s mistake St.-Nazaire (more than 100 miles distant) for La Pallice and drop their bombs there. (The 303d Heavy Bombardment Group had failed to locate any target during its debut mission the day before.) In separate action, 13 93d Heavy Bombardment Group B-24s attack Lorient. Overall losses are one B-17 missing, one B-24 damaged beyond economical repair, three B-24s and 24 B-17s damaged, six crewmen killed, and 14 crewmen wounded. Also, two 4th Fighter Group Spitfires destroy a locomotive while on a strafing mission in France.
FRENCH MOROCCO: The 47th Light Bombardment Group, in A-20s, arrives at Mediouna following a flight from England in which one airplane is lost at sea. Also arriving at Mediouna is one B-25 squadron of the 310th Medium Bombardment Group.
LIBYA: 376th Heavy Bombardment Group B-17s attack the marshalling yard and port area at Benghazi.
RAF
Base Changes
33 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to El Adem
72 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Bone
80 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Bu Amud
127 Sqn (Hurricane IIB) moves to LG.8
179 Sqn (Wellington VIII) moves to Gibraltar
208 Sqn (Hurricane IIA/IIB/IIC) moves to Burg el Arab
213 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to El Adem
239 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Odiham
274 Sqn (Hurricane IIB/IIC) moves to Bu Amud
335 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to LG.121
600 Sqn (Beaufighter VIF) moves to Blida
First and Last Operational Missions
153 Sqn (Ballyhalbert) flies its first OM in the Beaufighter VIF
Eight aircraft took part in an attack on TURIN, all but one dropping their flares and succeeding in illuminating the target area for the main force. The flares in W.7885 (B) hung-up, as did one bundle in DT.488 (S), Captain WING COMMANDER B.V. ROBINSON, DSO. DFC. One of these flares caused a fire in the bomb-bay when the aircraft was over the ALPS on the return journey. Wing Commander Robinson ordered his crew to bale out which they successfully did. Before the Captain could leave the aircraft the fire subsided and Wing Commander Robinson brought the aircraft back alone, landing safely at COLERNE.
ADDENDUM – The crew were all captured. W/C Robinson was killed on a raid to Berlin, 24.8.43. By this date he had been promoted to G/C and was the Station Commander at Graveley. He went on the raid as a passenger.
BOMBER COMMAND
TURIN
77 aircraft dispatched. Many fires were started in the city-centre area. Hits were also achieved on the Fiat motor factory. Turin records show that 42 people were killed and 72 injured.
5 O.T.U. aircraft took leaflets to France without loss.
USAAF
FRANCE: Twenty-one 91st and 306th Heavy Bombardment group B-17s attack the La Pallice U-boat base, as planned, while 19 303d Heavy Bombardment Group B-17s mistake St.-Nazaire (more than 100 miles distant) for La Pallice and drop their bombs there. (The 303d Heavy Bombardment Group had failed to locate any target during its debut mission the day before.) In separate action, 13 93d Heavy Bombardment Group B-24s attack Lorient. Overall losses are one B-17 missing, one B-24 damaged beyond economical repair, three B-24s and 24 B-17s damaged, six crewmen killed, and 14 crewmen wounded. Also, two 4th Fighter Group Spitfires destroy a locomotive while on a strafing mission in France.
FRENCH MOROCCO: The 47th Light Bombardment Group, in A-20s, arrives at Mediouna following a flight from England in which one airplane is lost at sea. Also arriving at Mediouna is one B-25 squadron of the 310th Medium Bombardment Group.
LIBYA: 376th Heavy Bombardment Group B-17s attack the marshalling yard and port area at Benghazi.
RAF
Base Changes
33 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to El Adem
72 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Bone
80 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Bu Amud
127 Sqn (Hurricane IIB) moves to LG.8
179 Sqn (Wellington VIII) moves to Gibraltar
208 Sqn (Hurricane IIA/IIB/IIC) moves to Burg el Arab
213 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to El Adem
239 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Odiham
274 Sqn (Hurricane IIB/IIC) moves to Bu Amud
335 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to LG.121
600 Sqn (Beaufighter VIF) moves to Blida
First and Last Operational Missions
153 Sqn (Ballyhalbert) flies its first OM in the Beaufighter VIF
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 2691
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
305 Sqn (Polish) (Hemswell – Wellington IV) 19.11.42
OPERATION No. 155. Two aircraft proceeded on mine-laying operation, the Captains being the Squadron Commander (W/Cdr SNIEGULA) and SGT. WERSCHNER. The former successfully laid his mines but SGT. WERSCHNER, his crew and aircraft, are missing, nothing has been heard of them since take-off.
ADDENDUM – Wellington IV Z1496 SM-S. Crew: Sgt. L Werschner PAF, F/O S Lubojemski PAF, Sgt. E Szelenk PAF, Sgt. J Gross PAF, Sgt. A Psuja PAF. T/o 1620 Hemswell to lay mines off St-Nazaire (Beech area). Lost without a trace. All are commemorated on the Notholt Memorial.
BOMBER COMMAND
11 Wellingtons of 1 Group minelaying off Lorient and St-Nazaire. 1 aircraft lost.
USAAF
ALGERIA: B-17s of the 97th Heavy Bombardment Group’s 341st Heavy Bombardment Squadron arrive at Algiers/Maison Blanche Airport from England by way of Gibraltar.
EGYPT: The 79th Fighter Group moves to a former Axis landing ground well behind the battlefront and begins an intensive period of advanced combat training. The group will also serve as a reserve fighter pool for the DATF, and its pilots will be given opportunities to fly in combat with the 57th Fighter Group.
ENGLAND: VIII Bomber Command adds the submarine yards at Bremen, Kiel, and Vegesack to its list of approved targets. These are the first USAAF targets in Germany.
NETHERLANDS: A 4th Fighter Group Spitfire pilot downs an FW-190 fighter off Flushing during a shipping patrol over the North Sea.
TUNISIA: B-17s of the 97th Heavy Bombardment Group’s 340th Heavy Bombardment Squadron, escorted by 14th Fighter Group P-38s, attack Tunis/El Aouina Airdrome, destroying eight Axis airplanes on the ground.
RAF
Base Changes
2 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Martuba 1
3 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk II) moves to Martuba 4
4 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Martuba 1
48 Sqn (Hudson VI) moves to Gosport
112 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Martuba 4
250 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves Martuba 4
450 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk III) moves to Martuba 4
First and Last Operational Missions
53 Sqn (Trinidad) flies its last OM in the Hudson V
414 Sqn (Blida) flies its first OM in the Blenheim V
OPERATION No. 155. Two aircraft proceeded on mine-laying operation, the Captains being the Squadron Commander (W/Cdr SNIEGULA) and SGT. WERSCHNER. The former successfully laid his mines but SGT. WERSCHNER, his crew and aircraft, are missing, nothing has been heard of them since take-off.
ADDENDUM – Wellington IV Z1496 SM-S. Crew: Sgt. L Werschner PAF, F/O S Lubojemski PAF, Sgt. E Szelenk PAF, Sgt. J Gross PAF, Sgt. A Psuja PAF. T/o 1620 Hemswell to lay mines off St-Nazaire (Beech area). Lost without a trace. All are commemorated on the Notholt Memorial.
BOMBER COMMAND
11 Wellingtons of 1 Group minelaying off Lorient and St-Nazaire. 1 aircraft lost.
USAAF
ALGERIA: B-17s of the 97th Heavy Bombardment Group’s 341st Heavy Bombardment Squadron arrive at Algiers/Maison Blanche Airport from England by way of Gibraltar.
EGYPT: The 79th Fighter Group moves to a former Axis landing ground well behind the battlefront and begins an intensive period of advanced combat training. The group will also serve as a reserve fighter pool for the DATF, and its pilots will be given opportunities to fly in combat with the 57th Fighter Group.
ENGLAND: VIII Bomber Command adds the submarine yards at Bremen, Kiel, and Vegesack to its list of approved targets. These are the first USAAF targets in Germany.
NETHERLANDS: A 4th Fighter Group Spitfire pilot downs an FW-190 fighter off Flushing during a shipping patrol over the North Sea.
TUNISIA: B-17s of the 97th Heavy Bombardment Group’s 340th Heavy Bombardment Squadron, escorted by 14th Fighter Group P-38s, attack Tunis/El Aouina Airdrome, destroying eight Axis airplanes on the ground.
RAF
Base Changes
2 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Martuba 1
3 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk II) moves to Martuba 4
4 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Martuba 1
48 Sqn (Hudson VI) moves to Gosport
112 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Martuba 4
250 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves Martuba 4
450 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk III) moves to Martuba 4
First and Last Operational Missions
53 Sqn (Trinidad) flies its last OM in the Hudson V
414 Sqn (Blida) flies its first OM in the Blenheim V
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 2691
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
214 Sqn (Chedburgh – Stirling I) 20.11.42
The Squadron was ordered to operate tonight – Target – TURIN
Eight Stirlings were detailed. Three attacked Primary, two landed away, one returned early, one crashed at Stradishall on return.
Three attacked TURIN “D” between 2157 and 2202 hrs. from 16,300ft-7,000ft. dropping 3 x 2000 and 1800 x 4lb. incends. There was no cloud, some haze, bright moon and slight visibility. TURIN was clearly seen in light of P.F.F. flares and identified by the rivers STIRA DI LANZO and the PO. Bursts were seen in the centre of the town and a block of buildings disintegrated after being hit by a 2000 pounder. Eight large fires in the town were visible from the Alps on return, also a large dull red fire with a huge column of smoke in the north of the town with many scattered buildings ablaze. Three photos attempted. One A/C returned early because the rear turret was U/S having reached 5020N 0130E where he jettisoned 1 x 2000lb.and 450 x 4lb live in the sea, and brought 90 x 4lb. back. Of the A/C that landed away “Q” attacked primary at 2215 from 13,000ft. dropping 1 x 2000lb. and 270 x 4lb. incends. 360 x 4lb. incends. were jettisoned before crossing the ALPS owing to airscrew extractor in inner port engine being U/S. This A/C landed at MANSTON, having had to jettison four guns, ammunition, and camera. “X” landed at TANGMERE owing to port outer engine miss fire and oil pressure low and starboard inner engine oil leak and pressure zero, having jettisoned 1 x 2000lb. and 540 x 4lb. safe in the Alps.
The aircraft that crashed near STRADISHALL “D” attacked primary at 2200hrs from 12,000ft dropping 1 x 2000lb. and 630 x 4lb. Owing to airscrew extractor failure on port inner and starboard outer engines and poor visibility at base the crew was ordered to bale out. Five landed unhurt, one the bomb aimer inured his leg, and the (pilot) captain, Sgt. Corlett was killed.
BOMBER COMMAND
TURIN
232 aircraft – 86 Lancasters, 54 Wellingtons, 47 Halifaxes, 45 Stirlings – on the largest raid to Italy during this period. 3 aircraft – 1 Halifax. 1 Stirling. 1 Wellington – lost.
This was another successful attack, with large fires being started. Dense smoke prevented further observations of the effects of the bombing but the casualty roll in Turin, 117 dead and 120 injured, confirms that many bombs fell in the city.
Minor Operations: 4 Stirlings minelaying in the River Gironde, 4 O.T.U. sorties. No losses.
USAAF
ALGERIA: During the night, approximately 30 GAF Ju-87 dive-bombers and Ju-88 medium bombers, apparently from bases in Sardinia, attack the Algiers/Maison Blanche Airport for two hours and destroy on the ground two P-38s, one B-17, four RAF reconnaissance Spitfires, and three RAF Beaufighters.
EGYPT: The British Eighth Army’s advance across Egypt and on into Libya is so rapid that 12th Medium Bombardment Group B-25s are now out of range of the front line. The veteran group is therefore put on training status.
LIBYA: The strategically vital port city of Benghazi falls to the British Eighth Army.
RAF
Base Changes
1 Sqn SAAF (Hurricane IIC) moves to Martuba 1
7 Sqn SAAF (Hurricane IID) moves to Shandur
60 Sqn SAAF R (Maryland I/II Baltimore II/III) moves to Tmimi
72 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Souk el Arba
First and Last Operational Missions
75 Sqn (Newmarket) flies its first OM in the Stirling I
101 Sqn (Holme-in-Spalding Moor) flies its first OM in the Lancaster
The Squadron was ordered to operate tonight – Target – TURIN
Eight Stirlings were detailed. Three attacked Primary, two landed away, one returned early, one crashed at Stradishall on return.
Three attacked TURIN “D” between 2157 and 2202 hrs. from 16,300ft-7,000ft. dropping 3 x 2000 and 1800 x 4lb. incends. There was no cloud, some haze, bright moon and slight visibility. TURIN was clearly seen in light of P.F.F. flares and identified by the rivers STIRA DI LANZO and the PO. Bursts were seen in the centre of the town and a block of buildings disintegrated after being hit by a 2000 pounder. Eight large fires in the town were visible from the Alps on return, also a large dull red fire with a huge column of smoke in the north of the town with many scattered buildings ablaze. Three photos attempted. One A/C returned early because the rear turret was U/S having reached 5020N 0130E where he jettisoned 1 x 2000lb.and 450 x 4lb live in the sea, and brought 90 x 4lb. back. Of the A/C that landed away “Q” attacked primary at 2215 from 13,000ft. dropping 1 x 2000lb. and 270 x 4lb. incends. 360 x 4lb. incends. were jettisoned before crossing the ALPS owing to airscrew extractor in inner port engine being U/S. This A/C landed at MANSTON, having had to jettison four guns, ammunition, and camera. “X” landed at TANGMERE owing to port outer engine miss fire and oil pressure low and starboard inner engine oil leak and pressure zero, having jettisoned 1 x 2000lb. and 540 x 4lb. safe in the Alps.
The aircraft that crashed near STRADISHALL “D” attacked primary at 2200hrs from 12,000ft dropping 1 x 2000lb. and 630 x 4lb. Owing to airscrew extractor failure on port inner and starboard outer engines and poor visibility at base the crew was ordered to bale out. Five landed unhurt, one the bomb aimer inured his leg, and the (pilot) captain, Sgt. Corlett was killed.
BOMBER COMMAND
TURIN
232 aircraft – 86 Lancasters, 54 Wellingtons, 47 Halifaxes, 45 Stirlings – on the largest raid to Italy during this period. 3 aircraft – 1 Halifax. 1 Stirling. 1 Wellington – lost.
This was another successful attack, with large fires being started. Dense smoke prevented further observations of the effects of the bombing but the casualty roll in Turin, 117 dead and 120 injured, confirms that many bombs fell in the city.
Minor Operations: 4 Stirlings minelaying in the River Gironde, 4 O.T.U. sorties. No losses.
USAAF
ALGERIA: During the night, approximately 30 GAF Ju-87 dive-bombers and Ju-88 medium bombers, apparently from bases in Sardinia, attack the Algiers/Maison Blanche Airport for two hours and destroy on the ground two P-38s, one B-17, four RAF reconnaissance Spitfires, and three RAF Beaufighters.
EGYPT: The British Eighth Army’s advance across Egypt and on into Libya is so rapid that 12th Medium Bombardment Group B-25s are now out of range of the front line. The veteran group is therefore put on training status.
LIBYA: The strategically vital port city of Benghazi falls to the British Eighth Army.
RAF
Base Changes
1 Sqn SAAF (Hurricane IIC) moves to Martuba 1
7 Sqn SAAF (Hurricane IID) moves to Shandur
60 Sqn SAAF R (Maryland I/II Baltimore II/III) moves to Tmimi
72 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Souk el Arba
First and Last Operational Missions
75 Sqn (Newmarket) flies its first OM in the Stirling I
101 Sqn (Holme-in-Spalding Moor) flies its first OM in the Lancaster
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 2691
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
401 SqnRCAF (Kenley–Spitfire IX) 21.11.42
Weather: Heavy mist covered the aerodrome with ceiling at 1500’. Wind: 10 M.P.H. from N.E.
At 0748 hours, Squadron at 30 minutes available, at 1018 hours, a hockey practice was held at Forley, mostly attended by ground personnel. At 1430 hours a picture show was put on for the pilots in 402 Dispersal.
BOMBER COMMAND
Minelaying
30 aircraft to Biscay ports from Lorient to Bayonne without loss.
USAAF
ALGERIA: For the second consecutive night, GAF bombers based in Sardinia attack the Algiers/Maison Blanche Airport, this time destroying one B-17 and damaging 16 other Allied aircraft on the ground. This attack, and the one on the preceding night, leads to an immediate upgrading of night-fighter and night antiaircraft defenses.
BELGIUM: A 4th Fighter Group Spitfire pilots downs an Fi-156 observation plane near Furnes during a fighter sweep.
TUNISIA: Making use for the first time of the staging facilities at Gambut Main, near Tobruk, Libya, nine of 15 98th Heavy Bombardment Group B-24s dispatched from their bases in Egypt complete their attacks on the harbor at Tripoli. Later in the day, eight 376th Heavy Bombardment Group B-24s attack the harbor at Tripoli, also after staging through Gambut Main. The refueling stop at Gambut adds 300 miles to the effective combat radius of the Nile Delta–based B-24s.
The 14th Fighter Group’s 48th Fighter Squadron, in P-38s, mounts a strafing attack against German Army units moving on the U.S. Army garrison at Gafsa. Six of the P-38s are lost as they attempt night landings at Youks-les-Bains Airdrome in Algeria.
RAF
Base Changes
13 Sqn (Blenheim V) moves to Blida
154 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Djidjelli/Taher
225 Sqn (Hurricane IIA/IIC Mustang I/II) moves to Bone
253 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Phillipville
First and Last Operational Missions
12 Sqn (Binbrook) flies its last OM in the Wellington II
103 Sqn (Elsham Woods) flies its first OM in the Lancaster
Weather: Heavy mist covered the aerodrome with ceiling at 1500’. Wind: 10 M.P.H. from N.E.
At 0748 hours, Squadron at 30 minutes available, at 1018 hours, a hockey practice was held at Forley, mostly attended by ground personnel. At 1430 hours a picture show was put on for the pilots in 402 Dispersal.
BOMBER COMMAND
Minelaying
30 aircraft to Biscay ports from Lorient to Bayonne without loss.
USAAF
ALGERIA: For the second consecutive night, GAF bombers based in Sardinia attack the Algiers/Maison Blanche Airport, this time destroying one B-17 and damaging 16 other Allied aircraft on the ground. This attack, and the one on the preceding night, leads to an immediate upgrading of night-fighter and night antiaircraft defenses.
BELGIUM: A 4th Fighter Group Spitfire pilots downs an Fi-156 observation plane near Furnes during a fighter sweep.
TUNISIA: Making use for the first time of the staging facilities at Gambut Main, near Tobruk, Libya, nine of 15 98th Heavy Bombardment Group B-24s dispatched from their bases in Egypt complete their attacks on the harbor at Tripoli. Later in the day, eight 376th Heavy Bombardment Group B-24s attack the harbor at Tripoli, also after staging through Gambut Main. The refueling stop at Gambut adds 300 miles to the effective combat radius of the Nile Delta–based B-24s.
The 14th Fighter Group’s 48th Fighter Squadron, in P-38s, mounts a strafing attack against German Army units moving on the U.S. Army garrison at Gafsa. Six of the P-38s are lost as they attempt night landings at Youks-les-Bains Airdrome in Algeria.
RAF
Base Changes
13 Sqn (Blenheim V) moves to Blida
154 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Djidjelli/Taher
225 Sqn (Hurricane IIA/IIC Mustang I/II) moves to Bone
253 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Phillipville
First and Last Operational Missions
12 Sqn (Binbrook) flies its last OM in the Wellington II
103 Sqn (Elsham Woods) flies its first OM in the Lancaster
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 2691
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
115 Sqn (East Wretham – Wellington III) 22.11.42
OPERATIONS NIGHT OF 22/23rd NOVEMBER, 1942 – TARGET STUTTGART
Form B., received from Headquarters No. 3 Group
1840 to 1901
A/C.H.X.3393 S/L. CHILTON and crew took off for operations.
A/C.N.B.J.990 F/L. BAZALGETTE and crew took off for operations.
A/C.T.Z.1655 F/S. HICKMAN and crew took off for operations.
A/C.S.B.K.275 Sgt. PUDSEY and crew took off for operations.
A/C.A.B.K.338 Sgt. McCRAE and crew took off for operations.
A/C.D.B.K.336 Sgt. TUMA and crew took off for operations.
A/C.R.B.K.206 Sgt. ROBERTSON and crew took off for operations.
A/C.G.B.J.756 Sgt. RODGERS and crew took off for operations.
A/C.M.B.J.797 F/O. AVANT and crew took off for operations.
A/C.C.B.J.898 Sgt. BALDWIN and crew took off for operations.
A/C.W.B.J.848 F/O. WALLACE and crew took off for operations.
A/C.Y.X.3565 Sgt. ROSS and crew took off for operations.
BOMB LOAD
The above aircraft carried 4 4,000lb. H.C’s 3 1,000lb. G.P’s 21 500lb. G.P’s and 54 S.B.C’s (4lb. Incend). All the aircraft carried cameras.
12 aircraft took off between the hours of 18.40 and 19.01 to attack target STUTTGART. 1 aircraft was forced to abandon sortie owing to the top escape hatch flying open and inability to close it and returned to base early bringing back its incendiaries. 2 aircraft failed to return from operations. The other 9 aircraft successfully located and bombed from heights ranging between 6,000 and 9,500 feet. Many bursts were seen on a factory in the North of town and in centre of town. Incendiaries were seen to ignite in the vicinity of the marshalling yards and very good fires were burning in the whole of STUTTGART. Leaflets were dropped and photographs attempted.
ADDENDUM – Wellington III BJ842 KO-W. Crew: Sgt. EA Coates RAAF, Sgt FS Wager, F/O GW Wallace RCAF, Sgt R Watson, Sgt J Devenish-Meares RAAF, Sgt EG Payle RCAF. Shot down by Oblt. Hans-Karl Kamp 7./NJG4, at 2046, crashed near Signy-Signets (Seine-et-Marne), 13 km ESE of Meaux, France. Sgt. Coates evaded, Sgt’s Wager, Watson, and Devenish-Meares captured. Those who died rest in Perreuse Chateau Franco British National Cemetery, Signey-Signets.
Wellington III BK206 KO-R. Crew: Sgt AW Robertson, Sgt AL Wood, Sgt KA Gosney, Sgt JA Texter, Sgt RD Morris. Shot down by Hptn. Wilhelm Herget (25th victory) Stab I./NJG4, at 2348, crashed at Chalndry (Aisne), 15 km N of Laon, France. Sgt Gosney was captured, the rest of the crew are buried in Chalandry Churchyard.
BOMBER COMMAND
STUTTGART
222 aircraft – 97 Lancasters, 59 Wellingtons, 39 Halifaxes, 27 Stirlings. 10 aircraft – 5 Lancasters, 3 Wellingtons, 2 Halifaxes – lost, 4.5 percent of the force.
A thin layer of cloud and some ground haze concealed Stuttgart and the Pathfinders were not able to identify the centre of the city. Heavy bombing developed to the south-west and south and the outlying residential districts of Vaihingen, Rohr, Mohringen and Plieningen, all about 5 miles from the centre, were hit. 88 houses were destroyed and 334 seriously damaged; 28 people were killed and 71 injured. The Stuttgart report says that 2 bombers attacked the centre of the city at low level and dropped bombs on to the main railway station which caused severe damage to the wooden platforms and some trains in the station.
There was 1 O.T.U. leaflet sortie to France which returned safely.
USAAF
ALGERIA: B-17s based at the Algiers/Maison Blanche Airport are withdrawn to Oran/Tafaraoui Airdrome to prevent further damage or losses at the hands of GAF bombers operating from bases in Sardinia.
The 14th Fighter Group (two P-38 squadrons only) and the 15th Light Bombardment Squadron, in A-20s, move forward to Youks-les-Bains Airdrome and Tebessa Airdrome, respectively, to directly support U.S. and British ground forces fighting along the front.
FRANCE: Although 76 VIII Bomber Command heavy bombers are dispatched against the Lorient U-boat base, only 11 303d Heavy Bombardment Group B-17s find a hole in the clouds and drop their bombs. The 305th Heavy Bombardment Group, in B-17s, makes its combat debut but drops no bombs.
RAF
Base Changes
40 Sqn SAAF TR (Hurricane IIB) moves to Tmimi II
93 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Souk-el-Arba
242 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Bone
First and Last Operational Missions
16 Sqn (Weston Zoyland) flies its first OM in the Mustang I
234 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Perranporth
315 Sqn (Northolt) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VB
460 Sqn RAAF (Breighton) flies its first OM in the Lancaster
OPERATIONS NIGHT OF 22/23rd NOVEMBER, 1942 – TARGET STUTTGART
Form B., received from Headquarters No. 3 Group
1840 to 1901
A/C.H.X.3393 S/L. CHILTON and crew took off for operations.
A/C.N.B.J.990 F/L. BAZALGETTE and crew took off for operations.
A/C.T.Z.1655 F/S. HICKMAN and crew took off for operations.
A/C.S.B.K.275 Sgt. PUDSEY and crew took off for operations.
A/C.A.B.K.338 Sgt. McCRAE and crew took off for operations.
A/C.D.B.K.336 Sgt. TUMA and crew took off for operations.
A/C.R.B.K.206 Sgt. ROBERTSON and crew took off for operations.
A/C.G.B.J.756 Sgt. RODGERS and crew took off for operations.
A/C.M.B.J.797 F/O. AVANT and crew took off for operations.
A/C.C.B.J.898 Sgt. BALDWIN and crew took off for operations.
A/C.W.B.J.848 F/O. WALLACE and crew took off for operations.
A/C.Y.X.3565 Sgt. ROSS and crew took off for operations.
BOMB LOAD
The above aircraft carried 4 4,000lb. H.C’s 3 1,000lb. G.P’s 21 500lb. G.P’s and 54 S.B.C’s (4lb. Incend). All the aircraft carried cameras.
12 aircraft took off between the hours of 18.40 and 19.01 to attack target STUTTGART. 1 aircraft was forced to abandon sortie owing to the top escape hatch flying open and inability to close it and returned to base early bringing back its incendiaries. 2 aircraft failed to return from operations. The other 9 aircraft successfully located and bombed from heights ranging between 6,000 and 9,500 feet. Many bursts were seen on a factory in the North of town and in centre of town. Incendiaries were seen to ignite in the vicinity of the marshalling yards and very good fires were burning in the whole of STUTTGART. Leaflets were dropped and photographs attempted.
ADDENDUM – Wellington III BJ842 KO-W. Crew: Sgt. EA Coates RAAF, Sgt FS Wager, F/O GW Wallace RCAF, Sgt R Watson, Sgt J Devenish-Meares RAAF, Sgt EG Payle RCAF. Shot down by Oblt. Hans-Karl Kamp 7./NJG4, at 2046, crashed near Signy-Signets (Seine-et-Marne), 13 km ESE of Meaux, France. Sgt. Coates evaded, Sgt’s Wager, Watson, and Devenish-Meares captured. Those who died rest in Perreuse Chateau Franco British National Cemetery, Signey-Signets.
Wellington III BK206 KO-R. Crew: Sgt AW Robertson, Sgt AL Wood, Sgt KA Gosney, Sgt JA Texter, Sgt RD Morris. Shot down by Hptn. Wilhelm Herget (25th victory) Stab I./NJG4, at 2348, crashed at Chalndry (Aisne), 15 km N of Laon, France. Sgt Gosney was captured, the rest of the crew are buried in Chalandry Churchyard.
BOMBER COMMAND
STUTTGART
222 aircraft – 97 Lancasters, 59 Wellingtons, 39 Halifaxes, 27 Stirlings. 10 aircraft – 5 Lancasters, 3 Wellingtons, 2 Halifaxes – lost, 4.5 percent of the force.
A thin layer of cloud and some ground haze concealed Stuttgart and the Pathfinders were not able to identify the centre of the city. Heavy bombing developed to the south-west and south and the outlying residential districts of Vaihingen, Rohr, Mohringen and Plieningen, all about 5 miles from the centre, were hit. 88 houses were destroyed and 334 seriously damaged; 28 people were killed and 71 injured. The Stuttgart report says that 2 bombers attacked the centre of the city at low level and dropped bombs on to the main railway station which caused severe damage to the wooden platforms and some trains in the station.
There was 1 O.T.U. leaflet sortie to France which returned safely.
USAAF
ALGERIA: B-17s based at the Algiers/Maison Blanche Airport are withdrawn to Oran/Tafaraoui Airdrome to prevent further damage or losses at the hands of GAF bombers operating from bases in Sardinia.
The 14th Fighter Group (two P-38 squadrons only) and the 15th Light Bombardment Squadron, in A-20s, move forward to Youks-les-Bains Airdrome and Tebessa Airdrome, respectively, to directly support U.S. and British ground forces fighting along the front.
FRANCE: Although 76 VIII Bomber Command heavy bombers are dispatched against the Lorient U-boat base, only 11 303d Heavy Bombardment Group B-17s find a hole in the clouds and drop their bombs. The 305th Heavy Bombardment Group, in B-17s, makes its combat debut but drops no bombs.
RAF
Base Changes
40 Sqn SAAF TR (Hurricane IIB) moves to Tmimi II
93 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Souk-el-Arba
242 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Bone
First and Last Operational Missions
16 Sqn (Weston Zoyland) flies its first OM in the Mustang I
234 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Perranporth
315 Sqn (Northolt) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VB
460 Sqn RAAF (Breighton) flies its first OM in the Lancaster
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 2691
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
401 Sqn RCAF (Kenley – Spitfire IX) 24.11.42
Weather: Fog still persisted to cover the aerodrome and although the sun shone brightly the ground haze was too heavy for landing. At 0747 hours Squadron 30 minutes available. At 1100 hours Pilots attended Hunt Range with a view to improving their aircraft recognition. At 1700 hours a lecture was given to all pilots by Lieutenant-Colonel D. Smith of the Armoured Division on tank tactics and how they are controlled on the field. At 1740 hours Squadron released.
Serviceability: “A” Flight: 7 a/c and 9 pilots. “B” Flight: 8 a/c and 9 pilots.
USAAF
SARDINIA: In what was to have been their unit’s combat debut in the theater, a small force of 319th Medium Bombardment Group B-26s, with fighter escort, is only 20 miles south of Sardinia when it is ordered to abort the mission.
TUNISIA: XII Bomber Command B-17s, escorted by P-38s, abort their mission against Bizerte harbor because of bad weather.
In the course of two fighter engagements, 14th Fighter Group P-38 pilots down 11 Axis aircraft, including nine Italian Air Force transports downed between Gabes and Sfax at 1355 hours. Five of the transports are claimed by the 49th Fighter Squadron’s 1stLt Virgil M. Lusk. (Lusk is awarded official credit for only four of the transports. If he did in fact down all of the five claimed, he is the first USAAF ace in the war against Germany and her partners, and the first USAAF “ace in a day” in World War II.) 1stLt James E. Butler, also of the 49th Fighter Squadron, is credited with the other four Italian transports.
RAF
Base Changes
92 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Msus
145 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Msus
152 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Souk-el-Arba
243 Sqn (Non-Op) leaves for North Africa
453 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Martlesham Heath
Weather: Fog still persisted to cover the aerodrome and although the sun shone brightly the ground haze was too heavy for landing. At 0747 hours Squadron 30 minutes available. At 1100 hours Pilots attended Hunt Range with a view to improving their aircraft recognition. At 1700 hours a lecture was given to all pilots by Lieutenant-Colonel D. Smith of the Armoured Division on tank tactics and how they are controlled on the field. At 1740 hours Squadron released.
Serviceability: “A” Flight: 7 a/c and 9 pilots. “B” Flight: 8 a/c and 9 pilots.
USAAF
SARDINIA: In what was to have been their unit’s combat debut in the theater, a small force of 319th Medium Bombardment Group B-26s, with fighter escort, is only 20 miles south of Sardinia when it is ordered to abort the mission.
TUNISIA: XII Bomber Command B-17s, escorted by P-38s, abort their mission against Bizerte harbor because of bad weather.
In the course of two fighter engagements, 14th Fighter Group P-38 pilots down 11 Axis aircraft, including nine Italian Air Force transports downed between Gabes and Sfax at 1355 hours. Five of the transports are claimed by the 49th Fighter Squadron’s 1stLt Virgil M. Lusk. (Lusk is awarded official credit for only four of the transports. If he did in fact down all of the five claimed, he is the first USAAF ace in the war against Germany and her partners, and the first USAAF “ace in a day” in World War II.) 1stLt James E. Butler, also of the 49th Fighter Squadron, is credited with the other four Italian transports.
RAF
Base Changes
92 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Msus
145 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Msus
152 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Souk-el-Arba
243 Sqn (Non-Op) leaves for North Africa
453 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Martlesham Heath
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 2691
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
207 Sqn (Langar – Lancaster I) 25.11.42
Cloudy and showery. Five aircraft detailed for operations. One crashed (Captain F/Lt Hannan) all members of the crew were killed. Another (Captain Sgt Parkyn) failed to return to base. One aircraft turned back. The remaining two aircraft failed to attack the target, VECHTA owing to lack of cloud cover.
ADDENDUM – Lancaster I R5695 EM-G. Crew: P/O AJ Parkyn RCAF, Sgt JJ Gallimore, F/S WJ Vandervoort RCAF, F/S JL Guichard RCAF, Sgt J McG Allan RCAF, P/O EE Chouniere RCAF, Sgt J Slater, Sgt WFR Webb. Lost without a trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. P/O Parkyn, was an American from Palisades Park, New Jersey.
USAAF
EGYPT: The 316th Troop Carrier Group air echelon, less one squadron, arrives in Egypt and immediately begins operational duties. The 316th is the first unit of its kind to operate in the Western Desert.
RAF
Base Changes
1 Sqn SAAF (Spitfire VC) moves to Msus
2 Sqn SAAF (Spitfire VC) moves to Msus
4 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Msus
32 Sqn (Non-Op) leaves for North Africa
40 Sqn (Wellington IC) moves to Luqa
213 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Martuba
227 Sqn (Beaufighter VIC) moves to Takali
232 Sqn (Non-Op) leaves for North Africa
601 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Msus
Cloudy and showery. Five aircraft detailed for operations. One crashed (Captain F/Lt Hannan) all members of the crew were killed. Another (Captain Sgt Parkyn) failed to return to base. One aircraft turned back. The remaining two aircraft failed to attack the target, VECHTA owing to lack of cloud cover.
ADDENDUM – Lancaster I R5695 EM-G. Crew: P/O AJ Parkyn RCAF, Sgt JJ Gallimore, F/S WJ Vandervoort RCAF, F/S JL Guichard RCAF, Sgt J McG Allan RCAF, P/O EE Chouniere RCAF, Sgt J Slater, Sgt WFR Webb. Lost without a trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. P/O Parkyn, was an American from Palisades Park, New Jersey.
USAAF
EGYPT: The 316th Troop Carrier Group air echelon, less one squadron, arrives in Egypt and immediately begins operational duties. The 316th is the first unit of its kind to operate in the Western Desert.
RAF
Base Changes
1 Sqn SAAF (Spitfire VC) moves to Msus
2 Sqn SAAF (Spitfire VC) moves to Msus
4 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Msus
32 Sqn (Non-Op) leaves for North Africa
40 Sqn (Wellington IC) moves to Luqa
213 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Martuba
227 Sqn (Beaufighter VIC) moves to Takali
232 Sqn (Non-Op) leaves for North Africa
601 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Msus
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 2691
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
401 Sqn RCAF (Kenley – Spitfire IX) 26.11.42
Weather: Aerodrome covered with rain and fog, visibility at 100 yards. Wind: 10 M.P.H. from North. At 0750 hours Squadron at 30 minutes available. At 1015 hours Pilots saw three films on aircraft recognition. At 1400 hours Pilots attended Hunt Range to improve their aircraft recognition. At 1408 Blue Section (2 a/c) airborne on patrol Shoreham to Beachy. At 1727 hours Squadron was released.
Bomber Command
30 aircraft minelaying off Lorient and St-Nazaire and in the Frisians and the Kattegat. No losses.
USAAF
ALGERIA: The first air echelon of the 301st Heavy Bombardment Group, in B-17s, arrives at Oran/Tafaraoui Airdrome from England.
LIBYA: IX Bomber Command B-24s conducting three separate attacks on Tripoli claim direct hits on three Axis vessels.
TUNISIA: 14th Fighter Group P-38 pilots down seven GAF aircraft, including five Ju-52 transports, during two separate missions.
RAF
Base Changes
234 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to Portreath
Weather: Aerodrome covered with rain and fog, visibility at 100 yards. Wind: 10 M.P.H. from North. At 0750 hours Squadron at 30 minutes available. At 1015 hours Pilots saw three films on aircraft recognition. At 1400 hours Pilots attended Hunt Range to improve their aircraft recognition. At 1408 Blue Section (2 a/c) airborne on patrol Shoreham to Beachy. At 1727 hours Squadron was released.
Bomber Command
30 aircraft minelaying off Lorient and St-Nazaire and in the Frisians and the Kattegat. No losses.
USAAF
ALGERIA: The first air echelon of the 301st Heavy Bombardment Group, in B-17s, arrives at Oran/Tafaraoui Airdrome from England.
LIBYA: IX Bomber Command B-24s conducting three separate attacks on Tripoli claim direct hits on three Axis vessels.
TUNISIA: 14th Fighter Group P-38 pilots down seven GAF aircraft, including five Ju-52 transports, during two separate missions.
RAF
Base Changes
234 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to Portreath
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 2691
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
401 SqnRCAF (Kenley –Spitfire IX) 27.11.42
Weather: Rain and fog still persisted. Wind: 10 M.P.H. from N.E. At 0751 hours Squadron 30 minutes available. The morning was spent between the Link Trainer and the Hunt Range. At 1400 hours Pilots practiced skeet shooting. At 1728 hours the Squadron was released.
Serviceability: “A” Flight; 7 a/c and 9 pilots: “B” Flight; 6 a/c and 9 pilots.
Bomber Command
6 Bostons in low-level pairs to Belgium and Holland. 3 aircraft bombed various targets. No losses.
32 Lancasters and Stirlings were recalled from a raid to Stettin and jettisoned their bombs in the North Sea. 10 aircraft were sent minelaying in the River Gironde and off Texel, Gdynia and Danzig. The more distant locations were not reached. No aircraft lost.
USAAF
DODECANESE ISLANDS: 376th Heavy Bombardment Group B-17s attacking the harbor at Portolago Bay (Leros Island) claim hits on two Axis vessels.
This is the last mission undertaken by B-17s under the control of the 376th Heavy Bombardment Group, or, indeed, the Ninth Air Force. Hereafter, the only heavy bombers associated with the group and the air force are B-24s.
EGYPT: The hitherto provisional IX Bomber Command is formally established.
RAF
Base Changes
40 Sqn SAAF TR (Hurricane IIB) moves to Magrun
104 Sqn (Wellington II) moves to LG.237
274 Sqn (Hurricane IIB/IIC) moves to Martuba I
First and Last Operational Missions
602 Sqn (Skeabrae) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VI
Weather: Rain and fog still persisted. Wind: 10 M.P.H. from N.E. At 0751 hours Squadron 30 minutes available. The morning was spent between the Link Trainer and the Hunt Range. At 1400 hours Pilots practiced skeet shooting. At 1728 hours the Squadron was released.
Serviceability: “A” Flight; 7 a/c and 9 pilots: “B” Flight; 6 a/c and 9 pilots.
Bomber Command
6 Bostons in low-level pairs to Belgium and Holland. 3 aircraft bombed various targets. No losses.
32 Lancasters and Stirlings were recalled from a raid to Stettin and jettisoned their bombs in the North Sea. 10 aircraft were sent minelaying in the River Gironde and off Texel, Gdynia and Danzig. The more distant locations were not reached. No aircraft lost.
USAAF
DODECANESE ISLANDS: 376th Heavy Bombardment Group B-17s attacking the harbor at Portolago Bay (Leros Island) claim hits on two Axis vessels.
This is the last mission undertaken by B-17s under the control of the 376th Heavy Bombardment Group, or, indeed, the Ninth Air Force. Hereafter, the only heavy bombers associated with the group and the air force are B-24s.
EGYPT: The hitherto provisional IX Bomber Command is formally established.
RAF
Base Changes
40 Sqn SAAF TR (Hurricane IIB) moves to Magrun
104 Sqn (Wellington II) moves to LG.237
274 Sqn (Hurricane IIB/IIC) moves to Martuba I
First and Last Operational Missions
602 Sqn (Skeabrae) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VI
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 2691
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
75 Sqn (Newmarket – Stirling I) 28.11.42
OPERATIONS. Attack against Targets at Turin
Four aircraft were detailed to attack the above target. Bomb load of 1,000lb. 500lb. were dropped in the target area by 3 of the aircraft, the Captain of the other aircraft being forced to jettison his bombs in the Alps, as one engine was out and he was unable to maintain height with his bomb load. The raid was very successful, large fires being seen in the whole of the Town, it appeared to be on fire from end to end. It is thought by the crews that both the Lancia and Fiat Works were ablaze. There was some light A.A. fire at the target, but heavy and light A.A. was encountered at Dieppe and Amiens area. Only one searchlight was seen at Turin. A few enemy aircraft were seen but no combats took place. The weather was cloudy to the Alps, it then cleared and was clear but hazy at Turin. Navigation was good by D.R., T.R., and Astro. Stirling I, BK608 captained by Flight Sergeant Blincoe ran short of petrol when nearing base, the engines were failing and the aircraft was losing height, when at 900 feet, he gave the crew the option of baling out, two of the crew, the Navigator and Rear Gunner baled out at 600 feet and landed safely about two miles North of Stadishall, the aircraft crash landed at Stradishall, none of the remainder of the crew being injured.
ADDENDUM – Stirling I BK608 AA-T. T/o 1810 Newmarket. Crash-landed 0317 Stradishall. The wrecked airframe was later converted for instructional purposes as 3565M.
Bomber Command
TURIN
228 aircraft – 117 Lancasters, 47 Stirlings, 45 Halifaxes, 19 Wellingtons. 2 Stirlings and 1 Wellington lost.
Part of the force bombed before the Pathfinders were ready but the remainder carried out very accurate bombing, some of it around the Royal Arsenal. Wing Commander G. P. Gibson and Flight Lieutenant W. N. Whamond of 106 Squadron dropped the first 8,000-lb bombs on Italy. Turin recorded 67 people killed and 83 injured.
During the raid on Turin, a Stirling of 149 Squadron came down to 2,000 ft in order to establish the exact position of its target. The Australian captain of the crew, Flight Sergeant R. H. Middleton, made 3 runs across the city and his aircraft was hit by light anti-aircraft fire, a shell exploding in the cockpit. The 2 pilots and the wireless operator were all seriously wounded. Flight Sergeant Middleton became unconscious temporarily, but the co-pilot, Flight Sergeant L. A. Hyder, managed to keep control and the bombs were released. The Stirling was hit again over Turin and also over France on the return flight.
The coast of England was reached but the captain decided there was little chance of landing safely, mainly because of a shortage of petrol but also because of the damaged state of the aircraft and the injuries of the 2 pilots. Flight Sergeant Middleton himself had been badly wounded in the head, was very weak and could hardly see or speak. He turned parallel with the coast and ordered his crew to bale out, 5 men did so and survived but Middleton and 2 other men were still in the plane when it crashed into the sea.
Flight Sergeant Middleton was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross; he was the second Australian in Bomber Command to win the V.C. The co-pilot was awarded the D.F.M. and 4 other members of the crew were decorated. Middleton’s body was washed up on the Kent coast and was buried at Beck Row, Mildenhall, near his home airfield of Lakenheath.
Minor Operations: 19 aircraft minelaying off Biscay ports, 5 O.T.U. sorties. No losses
USAAF
TUNISIA: Thirty-seven XII Bomber Command B-17s of the 97th and 301st Heavy Bombardment groups attack Bizerte Airdrome and port area. GAF fighters down two of the bombers.
In their unit’s first completed mission of the campaign, several 319th Medium Bombardment Group B-26s attack the port facilities, oil tanks, and railway yard at Sfax. This is the first medium-bomber mission flown over North African soil by a Twelfth Air Force unit, and the first B-26 mission ever flown in the theater.
RAF
Base Changes
33 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Benina
73 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Magrun
238 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Martuba I
459 Sqn RAAF (Hudson III/IIIA/VI) moves to Gianaclis
First and Last Operational Missions
129 Sqn (Grimsetter) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VB
181 Sqn (Duxford – Typhoon IB) flies its first OM of the war
OPERATIONS. Attack against Targets at Turin
Four aircraft were detailed to attack the above target. Bomb load of 1,000lb. 500lb. were dropped in the target area by 3 of the aircraft, the Captain of the other aircraft being forced to jettison his bombs in the Alps, as one engine was out and he was unable to maintain height with his bomb load. The raid was very successful, large fires being seen in the whole of the Town, it appeared to be on fire from end to end. It is thought by the crews that both the Lancia and Fiat Works were ablaze. There was some light A.A. fire at the target, but heavy and light A.A. was encountered at Dieppe and Amiens area. Only one searchlight was seen at Turin. A few enemy aircraft were seen but no combats took place. The weather was cloudy to the Alps, it then cleared and was clear but hazy at Turin. Navigation was good by D.R., T.R., and Astro. Stirling I, BK608 captained by Flight Sergeant Blincoe ran short of petrol when nearing base, the engines were failing and the aircraft was losing height, when at 900 feet, he gave the crew the option of baling out, two of the crew, the Navigator and Rear Gunner baled out at 600 feet and landed safely about two miles North of Stadishall, the aircraft crash landed at Stradishall, none of the remainder of the crew being injured.
ADDENDUM – Stirling I BK608 AA-T. T/o 1810 Newmarket. Crash-landed 0317 Stradishall. The wrecked airframe was later converted for instructional purposes as 3565M.
Bomber Command
TURIN
228 aircraft – 117 Lancasters, 47 Stirlings, 45 Halifaxes, 19 Wellingtons. 2 Stirlings and 1 Wellington lost.
Part of the force bombed before the Pathfinders were ready but the remainder carried out very accurate bombing, some of it around the Royal Arsenal. Wing Commander G. P. Gibson and Flight Lieutenant W. N. Whamond of 106 Squadron dropped the first 8,000-lb bombs on Italy. Turin recorded 67 people killed and 83 injured.
During the raid on Turin, a Stirling of 149 Squadron came down to 2,000 ft in order to establish the exact position of its target. The Australian captain of the crew, Flight Sergeant R. H. Middleton, made 3 runs across the city and his aircraft was hit by light anti-aircraft fire, a shell exploding in the cockpit. The 2 pilots and the wireless operator were all seriously wounded. Flight Sergeant Middleton became unconscious temporarily, but the co-pilot, Flight Sergeant L. A. Hyder, managed to keep control and the bombs were released. The Stirling was hit again over Turin and also over France on the return flight.
The coast of England was reached but the captain decided there was little chance of landing safely, mainly because of a shortage of petrol but also because of the damaged state of the aircraft and the injuries of the 2 pilots. Flight Sergeant Middleton himself had been badly wounded in the head, was very weak and could hardly see or speak. He turned parallel with the coast and ordered his crew to bale out, 5 men did so and survived but Middleton and 2 other men were still in the plane when it crashed into the sea.
Flight Sergeant Middleton was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross; he was the second Australian in Bomber Command to win the V.C. The co-pilot was awarded the D.F.M. and 4 other members of the crew were decorated. Middleton’s body was washed up on the Kent coast and was buried at Beck Row, Mildenhall, near his home airfield of Lakenheath.
Minor Operations: 19 aircraft minelaying off Biscay ports, 5 O.T.U. sorties. No losses
USAAF
TUNISIA: Thirty-seven XII Bomber Command B-17s of the 97th and 301st Heavy Bombardment groups attack Bizerte Airdrome and port area. GAF fighters down two of the bombers.
In their unit’s first completed mission of the campaign, several 319th Medium Bombardment Group B-26s attack the port facilities, oil tanks, and railway yard at Sfax. This is the first medium-bomber mission flown over North African soil by a Twelfth Air Force unit, and the first B-26 mission ever flown in the theater.
RAF
Base Changes
33 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Benina
73 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Magrun
238 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Martuba I
459 Sqn RAAF (Hudson III/IIIA/VI) moves to Gianaclis
First and Last Operational Missions
129 Sqn (Grimsetter) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VB
181 Sqn (Duxford – Typhoon IB) flies its first OM of the war
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 2691
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
7 Sqn (Oakington – Stirling I) 29.11.42
Nine sorties attacked TURIN again. There was thick haze but no cloud, F/L. SMITH and were reported missing, and F/S. RUMBALL and crew had to abandon the sortie owing to heavy icing. All other crews successfully bombed the target. F/L. CHRISTIE’s mid-upper turret was hit by light flak, over the Fiat works. Fires were still burning from the previous night. F/L. SMITH (W.A.) was a huge flash which lit up the sky for 30 – 40 miles. F/O. DURO and F/L. TRENCH experienced flak over the target, and P/O BOYLSON reported flak over LE HAVRE. The defences had improved at TURIN but were still not very effective.
ADDENDUM – Stirling I R9150 MG-O. Crew: F/L RM SMITH DFC KIA, Sgt AHJ Searle KIA, Sgt MG Low RCAF POW, Sgt RA Fee RCAF POW, Sgt WG Kirby RCAF KIA, Sgt JW Wheildon KIA, Sgt WL Jones KIA. T/o 0002 Oakington. Shot down at Pécy, 34 km NE of Melun, by Oblt. Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein (23rd victory), Kommandeur of II/NJG.2 at 0547. Those who died are buried in Pécy Communal Cemetery.
Bomber Command
TURIN
29 Stirlings and 7 Lancasters of 3 Group and the Pathfinder Force dispatched, with the Fiat works as their main target. Weather conditions were poor and only 18 aircraft – 14 Pathfinders and 4 Stirlings of 3 Group – are known to have definitely crossed the Alps and bombed Turin. 2 further Stirlings were lost. Turin can report only that 16 people were killed and 15 injured.
6 Mosquitoes to Belgium to seek targets of opportunity. This was the first Mosquito night operation of the war. Railway yards at 5 places in Belgium were bombed and the Mosquitoes all returned safely.
USAAF
ENGLAND: The 78th Fighter Group, in P-38s, arrives by ship from the United States and is assigned to the VIII Fighter Command.
LIBYA: IX Bomber Command B-24s attacking Tripoli harbor at dusk claim hits of two vessels, an antiaircraft battery, docks, and warehouses.
TUNISIA: Forty-four C-47 transports of the 62d and 64th Troop Carrier groups drop 530 British Army paratroopers at Depienne, near Oudna Airdrome, 10 miles south of Tunis. However, although the paratroopers sustain no losses in a highly accurate jump, the subsequent ground attack fails despite concerted ground-support attacks by RAF and USAAF aircraft. (The British paratroopers, who are forced by a German Army counterattack to retreat, will reach Allied lines on December 2.) The failure of this and other ground attacks results in a months-long stalemate on the ground.
15th Light Bombardment Squadron A-20s, escorted by P-38s, attack Gabes Airdrome.
319th Medium Bombardment Group B-26s are ordered to return to Algiers/Maison Blanche Airport when they reach a point only 30 miles from their target of the day, Bizerte.
1st and 14th Fighter group P-38 pilots down two GAF Bf-110 twin-engine fighters and two Ju-88 medium bombers during two separate actions.
RAF
Base Changes
5 Sqn SAAF (Non-Op) moves to Msus
237 Sqn (Hurricane I) moves to Kirkuk
241 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Maison Blanche
462 Sqn RAAF (Halifax II) moves to LG.167
First and Last Operational Missions
171 Sqn (Gatwick) flies its last OM in the Mustang I
330 Sqn (Reyjavik) flies its last OM in the Northrop N3-PB
Nine sorties attacked TURIN again. There was thick haze but no cloud, F/L. SMITH and were reported missing, and F/S. RUMBALL and crew had to abandon the sortie owing to heavy icing. All other crews successfully bombed the target. F/L. CHRISTIE’s mid-upper turret was hit by light flak, over the Fiat works. Fires were still burning from the previous night. F/L. SMITH (W.A.) was a huge flash which lit up the sky for 30 – 40 miles. F/O. DURO and F/L. TRENCH experienced flak over the target, and P/O BOYLSON reported flak over LE HAVRE. The defences had improved at TURIN but were still not very effective.
ADDENDUM – Stirling I R9150 MG-O. Crew: F/L RM SMITH DFC KIA, Sgt AHJ Searle KIA, Sgt MG Low RCAF POW, Sgt RA Fee RCAF POW, Sgt WG Kirby RCAF KIA, Sgt JW Wheildon KIA, Sgt WL Jones KIA. T/o 0002 Oakington. Shot down at Pécy, 34 km NE of Melun, by Oblt. Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein (23rd victory), Kommandeur of II/NJG.2 at 0547. Those who died are buried in Pécy Communal Cemetery.
Bomber Command
TURIN
29 Stirlings and 7 Lancasters of 3 Group and the Pathfinder Force dispatched, with the Fiat works as their main target. Weather conditions were poor and only 18 aircraft – 14 Pathfinders and 4 Stirlings of 3 Group – are known to have definitely crossed the Alps and bombed Turin. 2 further Stirlings were lost. Turin can report only that 16 people were killed and 15 injured.
6 Mosquitoes to Belgium to seek targets of opportunity. This was the first Mosquito night operation of the war. Railway yards at 5 places in Belgium were bombed and the Mosquitoes all returned safely.
USAAF
ENGLAND: The 78th Fighter Group, in P-38s, arrives by ship from the United States and is assigned to the VIII Fighter Command.
LIBYA: IX Bomber Command B-24s attacking Tripoli harbor at dusk claim hits of two vessels, an antiaircraft battery, docks, and warehouses.
TUNISIA: Forty-four C-47 transports of the 62d and 64th Troop Carrier groups drop 530 British Army paratroopers at Depienne, near Oudna Airdrome, 10 miles south of Tunis. However, although the paratroopers sustain no losses in a highly accurate jump, the subsequent ground attack fails despite concerted ground-support attacks by RAF and USAAF aircraft. (The British paratroopers, who are forced by a German Army counterattack to retreat, will reach Allied lines on December 2.) The failure of this and other ground attacks results in a months-long stalemate on the ground.
15th Light Bombardment Squadron A-20s, escorted by P-38s, attack Gabes Airdrome.
319th Medium Bombardment Group B-26s are ordered to return to Algiers/Maison Blanche Airport when they reach a point only 30 miles from their target of the day, Bizerte.
1st and 14th Fighter group P-38 pilots down two GAF Bf-110 twin-engine fighters and two Ju-88 medium bombers during two separate actions.
RAF
Base Changes
5 Sqn SAAF (Non-Op) moves to Msus
237 Sqn (Hurricane I) moves to Kirkuk
241 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Maison Blanche
462 Sqn RAAF (Halifax II) moves to LG.167
First and Last Operational Missions
171 Sqn (Gatwick) flies its last OM in the Mustang I
330 Sqn (Reyjavik) flies its last OM in the Northrop N3-PB
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 2691
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
132 Sqn (Martlesham Heath – Spitfire VB) 1.12.42
Shipping protection was carried out for a total of 19 hours. An attack was delivered by a F.W.190 on the convoy patrol at 16.30 hours. Two Spitfires V.B. yellow section F/Lt D Popp (Yellow 1) and Sgt R.A. Carr (Yellow 2) were airborne from Martlesham Heat at 15.40 hours. The weather had closed down to 10/10 cloud at 2000 feet and visibility was limited by misty rain 1 to 2 miles. At about 16.20 hours the section was told by Debden Controller that a bandit was approaching from south: no height given. About 10 minutes later when yellow section had just turned the rear of the convoy approximately 6 miles due east of Orfordness and was flying on the starboard side at 1500 to 2000 feet with Sgt Carr 100 yards to starboard and 200 yards behind Yellow 1 at the same height, Yellow one saw a F.W. 190 go past his tail and carry out a diving attack on his No. 2 from 30 degrees astern. Yellow 1 did a steep turn to the right towards the tail of the E/A and saw Yellow 2 pull upwards towards the convoy with smoke coming from his tail. Yellow 2 was not seen again by anyone and is reported missing believed killed. Yellow 1 chased the bandit for about 5 minutes, but was unable to get closer than 400 yards. The E/A jettisoned his bombs and dived down to 200 feet heading southeast and weaving. Three 2 second bursts of cannon from dead astern caused the E/A to emit a putt of black smoke on each occasion but no hits appeared to register. Yellow 1 turned back for lack of fuel and reported he could not contact his No. 2.
ADDENDUM – Spitfire VB BL713. Pilot: Sgt RA Carr RCAF, KIA. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
USAAF
ENGLAND: Upon receiving orders from LtGen Dwight D. Eisenhower, LtGen Carl Spaatz leaves for Algeria to serve as Eisenhower’s air adviser. MajGen Ira C. Eaker replaces Spaatz as commanding general of the Eighth Air Force.
TUNISIA: A regular pattern of air attacks is opened by the Twelfth Air Force against Tunis/El Aouina Airdrome. In the first of these, conducted before 0900 hours, the base is attacked by six A-20s and 13 B-17s, which are followed closely by nine A-20s and six RAF Bristol Bisley light bombers. An estimated 30 aircraft are destroyed on the ground, and a 14th Fighter Group P-38 pilot downs a Bf-109 in the air over the airdrome. During the afternoon, an attack by 12 B-26s destroys an estimated 15 GAF aircraft on the ground.
XII Fighter Command P-38s attack German Army tanks near Djedeida.
RAF
Base Changes
2 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Antelat
4 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Antelat
5 Sqn SAAF (Non-Op) moves to Antelat
60 Sqn SAAF R (Maryland I/II Baltimore II/III) moves to Benina
150 Sqn (Non-Op) leaves for North Africa
304 Sqn (Wellington IC) moves to Dale
First and Last Operational Missions
174 Sqn (Manston) flies its last OM in the Hurricane IIB
Shipping protection was carried out for a total of 19 hours. An attack was delivered by a F.W.190 on the convoy patrol at 16.30 hours. Two Spitfires V.B. yellow section F/Lt D Popp (Yellow 1) and Sgt R.A. Carr (Yellow 2) were airborne from Martlesham Heat at 15.40 hours. The weather had closed down to 10/10 cloud at 2000 feet and visibility was limited by misty rain 1 to 2 miles. At about 16.20 hours the section was told by Debden Controller that a bandit was approaching from south: no height given. About 10 minutes later when yellow section had just turned the rear of the convoy approximately 6 miles due east of Orfordness and was flying on the starboard side at 1500 to 2000 feet with Sgt Carr 100 yards to starboard and 200 yards behind Yellow 1 at the same height, Yellow one saw a F.W. 190 go past his tail and carry out a diving attack on his No. 2 from 30 degrees astern. Yellow 1 did a steep turn to the right towards the tail of the E/A and saw Yellow 2 pull upwards towards the convoy with smoke coming from his tail. Yellow 2 was not seen again by anyone and is reported missing believed killed. Yellow 1 chased the bandit for about 5 minutes, but was unable to get closer than 400 yards. The E/A jettisoned his bombs and dived down to 200 feet heading southeast and weaving. Three 2 second bursts of cannon from dead astern caused the E/A to emit a putt of black smoke on each occasion but no hits appeared to register. Yellow 1 turned back for lack of fuel and reported he could not contact his No. 2.
ADDENDUM – Spitfire VB BL713. Pilot: Sgt RA Carr RCAF, KIA. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
USAAF
ENGLAND: Upon receiving orders from LtGen Dwight D. Eisenhower, LtGen Carl Spaatz leaves for Algeria to serve as Eisenhower’s air adviser. MajGen Ira C. Eaker replaces Spaatz as commanding general of the Eighth Air Force.
TUNISIA: A regular pattern of air attacks is opened by the Twelfth Air Force against Tunis/El Aouina Airdrome. In the first of these, conducted before 0900 hours, the base is attacked by six A-20s and 13 B-17s, which are followed closely by nine A-20s and six RAF Bristol Bisley light bombers. An estimated 30 aircraft are destroyed on the ground, and a 14th Fighter Group P-38 pilot downs a Bf-109 in the air over the airdrome. During the afternoon, an attack by 12 B-26s destroys an estimated 15 GAF aircraft on the ground.
XII Fighter Command P-38s attack German Army tanks near Djedeida.
RAF
Base Changes
2 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Antelat
4 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Antelat
5 Sqn SAAF (Non-Op) moves to Antelat
60 Sqn SAAF R (Maryland I/II Baltimore II/III) moves to Benina
150 Sqn (Non-Op) leaves for North Africa
304 Sqn (Wellington IC) moves to Dale
First and Last Operational Missions
174 Sqn (Manston) flies its last OM in the Hurricane IIB
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 2691
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
102 Sqn (Pocklington – Halifax) 2.12.42
12 aircraft detailed to attack FRANKFURT.
“L” S/L Walkington, “C” Sgt. Morrissey, and “H” Sgt. Chapman, all missing. Bad visibility prevented accurate location of the target. Operation only partially successful.
ADDENDUM – Halifax II W7884 DY-H. Crew: Sgt HAE Chapman POW, Sgt EN Neilson POW, P/O WD McKim RCAF POW, Sgt FS May RCAF POW, Sgt GE Nutter POW, Sgt CJ Pope KIA, Sgt TIM Edwards RCAF KIA. T/o 0138 Pocklington. Shot down by Lt. Heinz-Martin Hadeball (5th victory) 8./NJG4 near Laumersheim at 0425. The two airmen who died were buried at Laumersheim, but since 1945 their remains have been taken to Rheinberg War Cemetery.
Halifax II W7913 DY-C. Crew: Sgt H Morrissey DFM RCAF KIA, Sgt RFH Kenyon KIA, Sgt JMB Albrecht KIA, P/O DE Pike KIA, Sgt ELR Brown KIA, Sgt GA Robson KIA, Sgt JW Taylor KIA, Sgt T McCallum. T/o 0145 Pocklington. Shot down by Oblt. Fritz Carstens (3rd victory) Stab III/NJG4 and came down between Resteigne and Gruport, (Luxembourg) at 0355. All are buried in Florennes Communal Cemetery.
Halifax II W7916 DY-L. Crew: S/L JGG Walkington KIA, W/C JRA Embling EVD, Sgt J Law KIA, P/O AR Haines RCAF EVD, Sgt RCA Douglas POW, F/S LC Fantini POW, Sgt H Johnson POW, Sgt LCMollowy KIA. T/o 0128 Pocklington. Shot down by Uffw. Dieter Eriksen (1st victory) 2.NJG/4 and crashed at Couvron-et-Aumencourt at 0517. Those who died rest in Couron-et-Aumencourt Communal Cemetery. W/C Embling, who was on attachment from 77 Squadron, had joined the crew for operational experience.
BOMBER COMMAND
FRANKFURT
112 aircraft – 48 Halifaxes, 27 Lancasters, 22 Stirlings, 15 Wellingtons. 6 aircraft – 3 Halifaxes. 1 each of the other types – lost, 5.4 percent of the force.
There was thick haze and the Pathfinders were unable to establish the location of Frankfurt. Most of the bombing fell in country areas south-west of the city; it is possible that a decoy fire site was operating.
4 O.T.U. sorties were flown without loss
USAAF
ENGLAND: BriGen Newton Longfellow replaces MajGen Ira C. Eaker as commanding general of the VIII Bomber Command.
TUNISIA: Twelfth Air Force A-20s, followed by B-26s, attack Tunis/El Aouina Airdrome; Twelfth Air Force B-17s attack Bizerte/Sidi Ahmed Airdrome and Bizerte harbour; and Twelfth Air Force B-25s attack flak batteries near Gabes Airdrome.
A total of nine GAF fighters are downed during the day by pilots of the 1st, 14th, and 52d Fighter groups undertaking a number of escort missions and aggressive sweeps into enemy territory.
RAF
Base Changes
58 Sqn (Whitley VII) moves to Holmsley South
First and Last Operational Missions
5 Sqn SAAF (Antelat) flies its first OM in the Kittyhawk III
23 Sqn (Bradwell Bay – Mosquito NFII) flies its last OM in the ETO
12 aircraft detailed to attack FRANKFURT.
“L” S/L Walkington, “C” Sgt. Morrissey, and “H” Sgt. Chapman, all missing. Bad visibility prevented accurate location of the target. Operation only partially successful.
ADDENDUM – Halifax II W7884 DY-H. Crew: Sgt HAE Chapman POW, Sgt EN Neilson POW, P/O WD McKim RCAF POW, Sgt FS May RCAF POW, Sgt GE Nutter POW, Sgt CJ Pope KIA, Sgt TIM Edwards RCAF KIA. T/o 0138 Pocklington. Shot down by Lt. Heinz-Martin Hadeball (5th victory) 8./NJG4 near Laumersheim at 0425. The two airmen who died were buried at Laumersheim, but since 1945 their remains have been taken to Rheinberg War Cemetery.
Halifax II W7913 DY-C. Crew: Sgt H Morrissey DFM RCAF KIA, Sgt RFH Kenyon KIA, Sgt JMB Albrecht KIA, P/O DE Pike KIA, Sgt ELR Brown KIA, Sgt GA Robson KIA, Sgt JW Taylor KIA, Sgt T McCallum. T/o 0145 Pocklington. Shot down by Oblt. Fritz Carstens (3rd victory) Stab III/NJG4 and came down between Resteigne and Gruport, (Luxembourg) at 0355. All are buried in Florennes Communal Cemetery.
Halifax II W7916 DY-L. Crew: S/L JGG Walkington KIA, W/C JRA Embling EVD, Sgt J Law KIA, P/O AR Haines RCAF EVD, Sgt RCA Douglas POW, F/S LC Fantini POW, Sgt H Johnson POW, Sgt LCMollowy KIA. T/o 0128 Pocklington. Shot down by Uffw. Dieter Eriksen (1st victory) 2.NJG/4 and crashed at Couvron-et-Aumencourt at 0517. Those who died rest in Couron-et-Aumencourt Communal Cemetery. W/C Embling, who was on attachment from 77 Squadron, had joined the crew for operational experience.
BOMBER COMMAND
FRANKFURT
112 aircraft – 48 Halifaxes, 27 Lancasters, 22 Stirlings, 15 Wellingtons. 6 aircraft – 3 Halifaxes. 1 each of the other types – lost, 5.4 percent of the force.
There was thick haze and the Pathfinders were unable to establish the location of Frankfurt. Most of the bombing fell in country areas south-west of the city; it is possible that a decoy fire site was operating.
4 O.T.U. sorties were flown without loss
USAAF
ENGLAND: BriGen Newton Longfellow replaces MajGen Ira C. Eaker as commanding general of the VIII Bomber Command.
TUNISIA: Twelfth Air Force A-20s, followed by B-26s, attack Tunis/El Aouina Airdrome; Twelfth Air Force B-17s attack Bizerte/Sidi Ahmed Airdrome and Bizerte harbour; and Twelfth Air Force B-25s attack flak batteries near Gabes Airdrome.
A total of nine GAF fighters are downed during the day by pilots of the 1st, 14th, and 52d Fighter groups undertaking a number of escort missions and aggressive sweeps into enemy territory.
RAF
Base Changes
58 Sqn (Whitley VII) moves to Holmsley South
First and Last Operational Missions
5 Sqn SAAF (Antelat) flies its first OM in the Kittyhawk III
23 Sqn (Bradwell Bay – Mosquito NFII) flies its last OM in the ETO
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
-
warshipbuilder
- Posts: 2691
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:52 pm
- Location: C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
Re: Action This Day
401 Sqn RCAF (Kenley – Spitfire IX) 3.12.42
Weather: A little clearer with hopes of flying in the morning but it had closed in again by noon. Wind: 10 M.P.H. from the South. At 0800 hours the Squadron on 30 minutes available. At 1004 hours 1 a/c airborne, on gun firing exercises. The Squadron was informed that they would be taking part in a circus on Fives Locomotive Works at Lille but owing to ground haze our Squadron couldn’t take off. At 1300 hours Red Section (2 a/c) at readiness. At 1430 hours Air Vice Marshall Curtis, DCM and Group Captain Campbell visited the pilots dispersal hut and were introduced to the pilots. They spent a very enjoyable half hour looking through the Squadron’s scrapbook. Air Vice-Marshall gave a very short talk, and broke the news that the Squadron was losing its Spitfire IX’s stating that it couldn’t be avoided as there was a shortage in the East. All the pilots feeling rather badly about it and would like to go to the East also. At 1725 hours the Squadron was released.
USAAF
TUNISIA: 97th Heavy Bombardment Group B-17s attack shipping and port facilities at Bizerte at about 1030 hours. Forewarned by radar, GAF fighters attack the bombers, but they are attacked in turn by 1st Fighter Group P-38s. Three Bf-109s are downed against the loss of five P-38s.
15th Light Bombardment Squadron A-20s, escorted by P-38s, attack Tunis/El Aouina Airdrome, and P-38s and Spitfires attack a variety of ground targets while on far-ranging sweeps and reconnaissance missions. While on these missions, pilots of the 14th and 52d Fighter groups down three Bf-109s
RAF
Base Changes
1 Sqn SAAF (Spitfire VC) moves to El Hasseit
111 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to Souk-el-Arba
601 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to El Hasseit
First and Last Operational Missions
410 Sqn RCAF (Acklington) flies its first OM in the Mosquito NFII
Weather: A little clearer with hopes of flying in the morning but it had closed in again by noon. Wind: 10 M.P.H. from the South. At 0800 hours the Squadron on 30 minutes available. At 1004 hours 1 a/c airborne, on gun firing exercises. The Squadron was informed that they would be taking part in a circus on Fives Locomotive Works at Lille but owing to ground haze our Squadron couldn’t take off. At 1300 hours Red Section (2 a/c) at readiness. At 1430 hours Air Vice Marshall Curtis, DCM and Group Captain Campbell visited the pilots dispersal hut and were introduced to the pilots. They spent a very enjoyable half hour looking through the Squadron’s scrapbook. Air Vice-Marshall gave a very short talk, and broke the news that the Squadron was losing its Spitfire IX’s stating that it couldn’t be avoided as there was a shortage in the East. All the pilots feeling rather badly about it and would like to go to the East also. At 1725 hours the Squadron was released.
USAAF
TUNISIA: 97th Heavy Bombardment Group B-17s attack shipping and port facilities at Bizerte at about 1030 hours. Forewarned by radar, GAF fighters attack the bombers, but they are attacked in turn by 1st Fighter Group P-38s. Three Bf-109s are downed against the loss of five P-38s.
15th Light Bombardment Squadron A-20s, escorted by P-38s, attack Tunis/El Aouina Airdrome, and P-38s and Spitfires attack a variety of ground targets while on far-ranging sweeps and reconnaissance missions. While on these missions, pilots of the 14th and 52d Fighter groups down three Bf-109s
RAF
Base Changes
1 Sqn SAAF (Spitfire VC) moves to El Hasseit
111 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to Souk-el-Arba
601 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to El Hasseit
First and Last Operational Missions
410 Sqn RCAF (Acklington) flies its first OM in the Mosquito NFII
warshipbuilder
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/