Action This Day

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429 Sqn RCAF (East Moor – Wellington X) 26.4.43
Ten aircraft from this Squadron took part in a bombing raid on DUISBURG tonight. Eight successfully completed the operation and the other two were not reported after leaving base.

ADDENDUM – Wellington X HE382 AL-? Crew: Sgt S Hannah RCAF KIA, Sgt GK Thompson KIA, Sgt MP Brown KIA, F/S FH Purchase RCAF KIA, Sgt EG Litchfield KIA, Sgt FS Lane RCAF KIA. T/o 0046 East Moor. Shot down by Oblt. August Geiger (21st victory) 7./NJG1, at Bornerbroek 5 km S Almelo at 0311 hours. All lie in Borne Roman Catholic Cemetery.
Wellington X HE737 AL-? Crew: S/L JC Cairns DFC POW, Sgt KE Rabbitt RCAF KIA, F/O RH Larkins KIA, F/L CMS Awad RCAF KIA, F/S RT Lang POW, F/O SMN Pozer RCAF POW. T/o 0037 East Moor. Homebound at 16,000 feet, shot down by Oblt Lothar Linke (20th victory) near Bergen/Alkmar at 0336 hours.

BOMBER COMMAND
6 Mosquitoes attacked railway targets at Tours, Jülich and Lingen without loss.

DUISBURG
561 aircraft – 215 Lancasters, 135 Wellingtons, 119 Halifaxes, 78 Stirlings, 14 Mosquitoes. 17 aircraft – 7 Halifaxes, 5 Wellingtons, 3 Lancasters, 2 Stirlings – lost, 3.0 percent of the force.

This heavy raid was a partial failure. The Pathfinders claimed to have marked the target accurately but daylight reconnaissance showed that most of the bombing had fallen to the north-east of Duisburg; the Main Force may have bombed too early or they may have been lured by early fires short of the target. However, Duisburg had more than 300 buildings destroyed and a death roll of between 130 and 207 (reports vary). 4 of the Mosquitoes taking part in this raid were from 2 Group; they bombed Duisburg 3 hours after the main raid, then dived hard and flew back to England at low level.

Bombs hit 6 other towns in the Ruhr.

8 O.T.U. aircraft dropped leaflets over France without loss.


USAAF
ITALY: NASAF B-17s attack Grosseto Airdrome; and, in IX Bomber Command’s largest mission to date, 70 B-24s attack Bari Airdrome.

MEDITERRANEAN: NASAF B-26s and P-38 escorts attack Axis shipping at sea near Marettimo Island and Porto Ponte Romano, Sardinia; and NATBF B-25s attack Axis ships at sea off Cap Bon.

TUNISIA: NASAF B-25s attack the rail line at Mateur and the town of Teboura, and NATBF A-20s and B-25s attack numerous targets, including transportation targets, throughout the battle area in northeast Tunisia.

31st Fighter Group Spitfire pilots down five Bf-109s in the course of several aerial engagements over the battle area between 1105 and 1400 hours. Also, while escorting IX Bomber Command B-25s in an attack against the landing ground at Soliman South, 1stLt Robert J. Byrne and 1stLt Robert J. Overcash, of the 57th Fighter Group’s 64th Fighter Squadron, both achieve ace status when they each down two Bf-109s at 1440 hours.

RAF
First and Last Operational Missions
300 Sqn (Ingham) flies its last OM in the Wellington III

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101 Sqn (Holme-on-Spalding Moor – Lancaster III) 27.4.43
“A” Flight: Carried out one air test and sent out F/S K.G. Gray and crew on mining operation: He was forced to return early with a u/s engine.

“B” Flight: Sent up one aircraft for an air test and one captained by F/L A.E. Bigelow on operations, he was successful and returned to base.

“C” Flight: One air test done: F/L L.L. McCullough and Sgt Edwards, I.L., successfully placed their mines, and Sgt Margerum, G.A., failed to return: This Captain was known to have fulfilled his duty in pressing home his attack in the face of difficulties – a loss to the Squadron.

ADDENDUM – Lancaster III ED728 SR-Y. Crew: Sgt CA Magerum KIA, Sgt H Clegg KIA, Sgt RN Dixon KIA, Sgt RD Balfour KIA, Sgt DJ Park KIA, Sgt JW Stotter, Sgt JJ Veldsman KIA. T/o 2145 Holme-on-Spalding Moor for operations in the Elderberry area. Presumed crashed in the target area. All are buried in Biarritz (du Sabrou) Communal Cemetery. Sgt Veldsman came from Southern Rhodesia.

BOMBER COMMAND
12 Venturas dispatched to attack a railway target at St-Brieuc turned back because of 10/10ths cloud.

MINELAYING
160 aircraft – 58 Halifaxes, 46 Lancasters, 31 Wellingtons, 25 Stirlings – in the biggest minelaying operation so far mounted. 123 aircraft carried out their flights successfully, laying 458 mines off the Biscay and Brittany ports and in the Frisian Islands. 1 Lancaster lost.

4 O.T.U. Wellingtons carried leaflets to France without loss

USAAF
MEDITERRANEAN: NASAF B-25s attack Axis shipping at sea west of Zembra Island.

SARDINIA: NASAF B-17s attack Villacidro Airdrome.

TUNISIA: NATAF aircraft mount numerous ground-support attacks throughout the battle area, and IX Fighter Command P-40s bomb and strafe Axis positions north of Enfidaville.

RAF
Base Changes
2 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Sawbridgworth

First and Last Operational Missions
206 Sqn (Benbecula) flies its first OM in the Fortress II

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75 Sqn (Newmarket – Stirling I/III) 28.4.43
Operations MINING IN KIEL BAY
Eight aircraft were detailed to carry out the above operation with mines of 1500 lbs. One of these aircraft returned early owing to its compass being faulty and four failed to return. The remaining three aircraft successfully dropped their mines in the allotted area and the parachutes were seen to open. A.A. Fire cooperating with searchlights was encountered which is believed to have come from an A.A. ship in the mining area. No enemy aircraft were seen. Visibility was fairly good with scattered cloud, in the mining area. Navigation was very good.

ADDENDUM – Stirling I R9290 AA-X. Crew: F/S AE Lewis RAAF KIA, Sgt A Graham KIA, Sgt HG Corin RNZAF KIA, F/O CJ Bickham KIA, Sgt FA Moulton KIA, Sgt JH Whitehart KIA, Sgt AW Bond KIA. T/o 2041 Newmarket for mine laying duties in the Radisch area of the Fehmarn-Belt. Shot down by Hptm Hans Baer (5th victory) 4./NJG3 into the sea 40 km SW Espjerg at 0117 hours. The first three named are buried in Frerickshavn Cemetery, Denmarak, Halsingborg Municipal Cemetery, Sweden and Copenhagen’s Bispejery Cemetery respectively. The rest are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. The aircraft that may have been shot down could have been 75 Squadron’s Stirling I W7513 AA-G. See below.

Stirling I W7513 AA-G. Crew: Sgt K Halliburton RNZAF KIA, Sgt DS Sidhu KIA, Sgt PT Hunter RNZAF KIA, Sgt LT Scarfe KIA, Sgt D Church KIA, Sgt CHG Boxhall KIA, Sgt AC Howell RNZAF KIA. T/o 2042 Newmarket similarly tasked. Shot down by Fw Rudolph Mangelsdort (1st victory) 12./NJG3 80 km SW Ringköbing at 0145 hours. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. The aircraft that may have been shot down may have been 75 Squadron’s Stirling I R9290 AA-X. See above.

Stirling III BF467 AA-W. Crew: P/O DL Thompson RNZAF KIA, Sgt C Abbot KIA, WO2 JA Ramsay RCAF KIA, F/S JM Williams RAAF KIA, W/O ER Jenkins RNZAF KIA, Sgt G Phillips KIA, Sgt GT Glendinning KIA. T/0 2038 Newmarket similarly tasked. Coned by searchlights for 3 minutes, hit by flak of MAA 508, crashed and exploded in sea 325 yards off coastline on W side of Lolland Island, Denmark, at 0023 hours. All are buried in Svino Churchyard.

Stirling III BK807 AA-M. Crew: P/O DV Hamer KIA, Sgt GL Lennox KIA, Sgt DR Ross RNZAF KIA, F/S RC Buckley RNZAF KIA, F/S WLF Brian RNZAF KIA, Sgt HP Holme KIA, Sgt MEJ Shogren RNZAF KIA. T/o 2030 Newmarket similarly tasked. Coned by searchlights for 2 minutes, hit by flak of MAA 508, and crashed in sea off Lolland 4 km S of Kapel at 0008 hours. Five are commemorated on the Runnmede Memorial, while both air gunners lie in Svino Churchyard.

BOMBER COMMAND
MINELAYING
207 aircraft – 68 Lancasters, 60 Halifaxes, 47 Wellingtons, 32 Stirlings – carried out another large minelaying operation. 167 aircraft laid 593 mines off Heligoland, in the River Elbe and in the Great and Little Belts. Low cloud over the German and Danish coasts forced the minelayers to fly low in order to establish their positions before laying their mines and much German light Flak activity was seen. 22 aircraft – 7 Lancasters, 7 Stirlings, 6 Wellingtons, 2 Halifaxes – were lost. This was the heaviest loss of aircraft while minelaying in the war, but the number of mines laid was the highest in one night.
6 Mosquitoes carried out a raid to Wilhelmshaven, dropping many flares to divert attention from that part of the minelaying force which was operating near by. No Mosquitoes lost.

Note. 12 Squadron also lost 4 aircraft this night, for the second time in four months. Casualties were heavy throughout 1943 and by the end of the year sixty-six crews had either been reported missing, or had been lost in operational crashes.

USAAF
ITALY: IX Bomber Command B-24s attack Naples harbour.

MEDITERRANEAN: NASAF B-25s and P-38 escorts attack two Axis vessels at sea off northeastern Sicily, and 82d Fighter Group P-38 pilots down six Axis fighters near the Egadi Islands at about 0830 hours.

SARDINIA: In their unit’s combat debut of the war, B-17s of the 2d Heavy Bombardment Group (a linear descendent of a famous World War I bombardment unit) attack the port facilities at Terranova.

SICILY: IX Bomber Command B-24s attack the ferry terminal at Messina.

TUNISIA: NASAF B-25s attack shipping in Tunis harbor; NASAF B-26s attack the landing grounds at Mabouban and Mabtouha; NATAF aircraft attack Axis shipping near Tunis and undertake numerous ground-support attacks throughout northeastern Tunisia; and IX Fighter Command P-40s attack embattled German Army troops near Enfidaville.

A 31st Fighter Group Spitfire pilot downs a Bf-109 during a morning engagement over the desert.

RAF
Base Changes
53 Sqn (Non-Op) moved to Thorney Island

First and Last Operational Missions
6 Sqn (Bou Gabrine) flew its last OM in the Hurricane IID
427 Sqn RCAF (Croft) flew its last OM in the Wellington X

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401 Sqn RCAF (Catterick – Spitfire VB) 29.4.43
Weather: Cloud 12/10 at 10,000 ft., wind 5 m.p.h. from E to nil, visibility 20 miles. Serviceability: 14 a/c. State: At 0501 hours Red and Yellow sections were at readiness and White at 30 minutes; 0616 Red at readiness, Yellow at 15 min.; White released at 2155, Red and Yellow at readiness; 2255, Red and Yellow released.

Again, no flying took place all day. In the evening all ranks gathered at dispersal for a little “family” party. S/L Neal and F/O Bragg were skinned in a little crap game. Several kegs of beer were opened and when emptied with despatch the party came to a close.

USAAF
MEDITERRANEAN: NASAF P-38s attack Axis ships at sea near Marettimo Island; NAAF P-40s attack Axis ships at sea along Tunisia’s northeastern coast; NATAF bombers and fighters attack Axis ships at sea in the Gulf of Tunis; and IX Fighter Command P-40s bomb and strafe Axis vessels encountered at sea between the Tunisian coast and Zembra Island.

In the course of at least four separate engagements through the day over or near Marettimo Island, Cap Bon, and the Gulf of Tunis, USAAF fighter pilots down 11 Bf-109s and three Mc.202s. Capt T H McArthur, a P-38 pilot with the 82d Fighter Group’s 95th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs a Bf-109 off Cap Bon at 1450 hours.

NORTHWESTERN EUROPE: In the largest VIII Fighter Command offensive operation to date, 112 P-47s from the 4th, 56th, and 78th Fighter groups conduct a series of high-altitude fighter sweeps from Pas-de- Calais to The Hague. In the only action of the day, however, a pair of 56th Fighter Group P-47s are downed by GAF fighters, and two others are damaged. No GAF fighters are officially credited, but three are claimed.

The VIII Fighter Command program of mounting fighter sweeps (rather than bomber-escort missions in support of the increasingly hard-pressed VIII Bomber Command) is drawing sharper criticism from many quarters, but the VIII Fighter Command chief, MajGen Frank O’D. Hunter, is steadfast in his conviction that sweeps are the best way to draw the GAF into battle—even though the GAF is rather pointedly ignoring VIII Fighter Command operations to the increasing peril of VIII Bomber Command heavy bombers and their crews. Hunter is aided in his fight to maintain sweeps by the philosophy of MajGen Ira C. Eaker, the Eighth Air Force commanding general, who is a champion of the view that heavy bombers are self-defending and thus not in need of fighter escort—only better formations and defensive tactics.

TUNISIA: During the afternoon, NASAF B-26s attack a landing ground near Protville, and NATAF and Ninth Air Force bombers and fighters mount numerous attacks on a variety of targets in the ground-battle area.

RAF
Base Changes
73 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to La Sabella II
182 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Lasham
222 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Spitfire VB
308 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Church Fenton
317 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Martlesham Heath
602 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Fairlop

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467 Sqn RAAF (Bottesford – Lancaster III) 30.4.43
Sixteen aircraft were detailed to attack ESSEN. The aircraft took off shortly after midnight, and over the target found 10/10 cloud. These conditions made it difficult for crews to assess the results of their bombing, though all crews identified the P.F.F. flares over the target area. In some cases the flares were lost to sight in the cloud tops, which were up to 16/17000 ft. A red glow was seen beneath the clouds, and many crews observed the red flashes of bursting cookies reflecting back on them. Flak was heavy and accurate and of the barrage type. F/SGT WHITING was over the target (21000 at 0317) when many guns opened fire at him. He dived 2000 ft, and as he was below cloud could see the streets of ESSEN plainly. Two searchlights which help him were put out by prompt action on part of the gunners, and he climbed away and hurried on home.

F/SGT DIXON, F.W. was also compelled to return early. The crew discovered that the rear A/G., 1451360 SGT GARNETT R. had passed out due to the lack of oxygen. The crew had great difficulty in reviving him, giving him oxygen from the portable bottle and bringing the aircraft down to a lower altitude and returned to base at height not requiring oxygen after jettisoning. The Squadron regrets the loss on this operation of 40210 F/L CRAIGIE and his crew. F/L CRAIGIE was a newcomer to the squadron, but his crew were developing into an efficient operational unit.

16 x 4000HC and 16290 x 4lb inc were expended on this operation.

ADDENDUM – Lancaster III ED771 PO-E. Crew: F/L RA Craigie POW, Sgt WT Fair POW, F/O RH Capron KIA, P/O GJ Phillips POW, Sgt GH Edwards KIA, Sgt TD Peat KIA, Sgt JA Proctor KIA. T/o 0022 Bottesford. Hit by flak and crashed 0315 at Harderwijk (Gelderland), Holland, where those who died rest in the General Cemetery.

BOMBER COMMAND
ESSEN
305 aircraft – 190 Lancasters, 105 Halifaxes, 10 Mosquitoes. 6 Halifaxes and 6 Lancasters lost, 3.9 percent of the force.

Cloud was expected over the target so a Pathfinder technique based solely on Oboe Mosquito sky-markers was planned. This was not expected to give such good results as ground-marking but the plan worked well and 238 crews reported that they had bombed Essen. Because of the cloud, no bombing photographs were produced. A map from Essen shows that this modest attack did produce new damage areas all over the city, although there was no major concentration. 189 buildings were destroyed and 237 severely damaged. The Krupps factory was hit again. 53 people were killed and 218 injured.

Bombs also fell on 10 other Ruhr towns, particularly in Bottrop just to the north of Essen, which was hit by 86 high-explosive bombs.

8 Stirlings and 4 Halifaxes of the Pathfinders carried out H2S training attacks on Bocholt. 1 Stirling lost.

USAAF
MEDITERRANEAN: NASAF B-26s and P-38s attack Axis ships at sea off Tunis; NASAF B-25s attack Axis ships at sea near Cap Bon; NATAF fighters and bombers attack Axis ships at sea in the Gulf of Tunis; and IX Fighter Command P-40s on anti-shipping sweeps claim one destroyer and three other ships sunk and two destroyers and two ships damaged. Although three IX Fighter Command P-40s are reported missing with two of their pilots following a midair collision, 57th and 79th Fighter group P-40 pilots down five Axis fighters over the Gulf of Tunis or near Cap Bon in three of the day’s at least four separate actions between 1115 and 1655 hours.

SICILY: IX Bomber Command B-24s attack the ferry terminal at Messina, also hitting a nearby marshalling yard and sections of the city.

TUNISIA: NASAF B-25s attack Axis road convoys along the Tunis–Medjez el-Bab highway, and NATAF bombers and fighters attack Axis ground forces and installations throughout the shrinking battle area.

RAF
Base Changes
130 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Ballyhalpert
141 Sqn (Beaufighter IF) moves to Wittering
264 Sqn (Mosquito NFII) moves to Predannack
340 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Drem
501 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Westhampnett
610 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Perranporth

First and Last Operational Missions
201 Sqn (Castle Archdale) flies its last OM in the Sunderland II
246 Sqn Disbanded
260 Sqn (Karouan) flies its last OM in the Kittyhawk II
540 Sqn (Leuchars) flies its last OM in the Mosquito PRI

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149 Sqn (Lakenheath – Stirling I/III) 1.5.43
3 aircraft detailed for mining of S.S.W. coast of FRANCE. 2 aircraft laid mines as ordered. 1 A/C returned due to low oil pressure – high oil temperatures.

7 aircraft detailed for mining of S.W. coast of FRANCE. 6 aircraft laid mines as ordered. 1 aircraft brought mines back as unable to pinpoint.

ADDENDUM – Stirling III BK696 OJ-L. T/o 2130 Lakenheath. Badly damaged by the dual combination of flak and fighters and on return the crews’ problems were heightened by lack of petrol and an unserviceable compass. Uncertain of their position, the Stirling was abandoned and left to crash at 0532 at Windmill Hill, near Havant, Hampshire.

BOMBER COMMAND
12 Bostons to a railway target at Caen and 6 Mosquitoes to the Philips factory at Eindhoven; both raids were abandoned because of cloud.

MINELAYING
18 Wellingtons and 12 Stirlings laid mines off the Brittany and Biscay coasts. 1 Stirling lost.

USAAF
FRANCE: Poor weather prevents all but 29 of 78 VIII Bomber Command B-17s dispatched from attacking the day’s primary target, the St.-Nazaire U-boat base. Only 59 tons of bombs are released. Most of the day’s losses are precipitated by a navigational error during the withdrawal. This error carries the main bomber formation over the heavily defended Brest Peninsula, where dense flak downs three B-17s and results in a dispersion of the bomber formations that work to the advantage of pursuing GAF fighters that until then are mostly heckling the formations. In all, seven B-17s are lost to enemy fire, two others are damaged beyond repair, and 20 are damaged. Crew losses amount to three killed, 73 missing, and 17 wounded.

Sgt Maynard H. Smith, a gunner aboard a 306th Heavy Bombardment Group B-17, is awarded a Medal of Honor for his heroic actions after enemy bullets ignite fires in the radio compartment and waist sections of his airplane. Sgt Smith, who is on his first combat mission, throws exploding ammunition overboard and then remans his machine gun to help fight off attacking GAF fighters. Despite severe battle damage, Smith’s B-17 lands safely in the U.K. and is ultimately salvaged.

ITALY: IX Bomber Command B-24s attack the harbor at Reggio di Calabria, directly opposite the Sicilian port of Messina.

MEDITERRANEAN: NASAF B-26s and P-38s on anti-shipping sweeps between Sicily and Tunisia are unable to locate any Axis shipping in their zone, but NATAF A-20s and fighters attack Axis ships at sea in the Gulf of Tunis as well as harbor facilities at several small Tunisian ports.

In the day’s only fighter engagement, two 33d Fighter Group P-40 pilots team up to down an FW-190 over the Gulf of Tunis, near Cape Carthage.

TUNISIA: NATAF A-20s and fighters attack Axis forces on the ground, and IX Fighter Command P-40s strafe port facilities and Axis shipping at sea along the northeastern coast.

RAF
First and Last Operational Missions
107 Sqn (Great Massingham) flies its first OM in the Boston IIIA
144 Sqn (Tain) flies its last OM in the Beaufighter VIC

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401 Sqn RCAF (Catterick – Spitfire VB) 2.5.43
Weather: 10/10 cloud at 1,000 ft., visibility ½ mile, wind 10 m.p.h. from N. Serviceability: 14 a/c. State: At 0645 hours Blue section was at 30 minutes, at 0735 Blue at readiness, 0742 Blue released, 2109, Red at 30 minutes, 2206, Red released.

Again poor visibility wiped out flying practically all day. In the evening it was the Station cinema or “The Angel” for amusement for most.

BOMBER COMMAND
12 Bostons and 12 Venturas attacked a steelworks at Ijmuiden; the Venturas hit the target but not the Bostons. 7 Mosquitoes bombed railway workshops at Thionville. No aircraft lost.

USAAF
MEDITERRANEAN: Bad weather restricts NAAF flight operations over the sea to reconnaissance missions, but IX Fighter Command P-40s manage to attack Axis ships at sea off the northeastern coast of Tunisia.

TUNISIA: NATAF fighters attack Axis tanks and troops around Massicault and TebouraAF.

RAF
Base Changes
3 Sqn SAAF (Hurricane IIB) moves to Bersis
43 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Nefza
253 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Phillipeville

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487 Sqn RNZAF (Methwold – Ventura I/II) 3.5.43
Fourteen aircraft detailed to attack AMSTERDAM. Twelve took off at 16.43 but one returned 5 minutes later with a lost escape hatch, and sorry to say it was the only one that did return with the exception of F/LT. DUFFILL and crew, who was badly shot up by fighters and both his WO/AG and A.G. were badly wounded both were removed to R.A.F. Hospital, ELY. Ten of our machines did not return nor has any further news been heard of them. This is a very black day in the Squadron History. Crews like S/LDR. TRENT'S, F/O. PERYMAN'S, ANDY COUTTS, TOM BAYNTON'S, F/O. POSTER, P/O. MOGOWAH, P/O TERRY TAYLOR, LEN RICHBELL, STANLEY COSHALL, RUPERT NORTH and many others all short. A better set of boys could not be met in 30 years. Everybody is still feeling dazed by the news.

ADDENDUM – Ventura I AE684 EG-B. Crew: F/O S Coshall KIA, F/O RA North POW, Sgt W Stannard POW, Sgt GH Sparkes KIA. T/o 1643 Methwold to attack an electricity power station on the northern outskirts of Amsterdam. Shot down by fighters and crashed 1745 near Bennebroek, 7 km SSW of Haarlem. Those who died are buried in Bergen General Cemetery. The entire operation was part of a 12 Group Ramrod (#16) with a total of nine fighter squadrons involved. A diversionary sweep, Rodeo 212, by 11 Group entered Vlissingen area 30 minutes early and alerted defences.

Ventura I AE713 EG-T. Crew: F/O SB Perryman RNZAF KIA, P/O ET Williams KIA, Sgt GH Southam KIA, Sgt JE Addison KIA. T/o 1643 Methwold, similarly tasked. Shot down 1753 Hembrug in the NW suburbs of Amserdam. All rest in the city’s New Eastern Cemetery.

Ventura I AE716 EG-U. Crew: F/O TJ Baynton RNZAF KIA, F/S HC Lamacraft KIA, F/S PHRB Davies KIA, Sgt NA Price KIA. T/o 1643 Methwold, similarly tasked. Crashed 1800 into a polder NW of Amsterdam. All rest in Amersfoort General Cemetery.

Ventura I AE731 EG-O. Crew: P/O TLB Taylor RNZAF POW, P/O MB Shapiro RNZAF POW, Sgt LJ Littlewood POW, Sgt GT Tattum KIA. T/o 1643 Methwold, similarly tasked. Crash landed 1745 just to the NE of Vijkhuisen, 4 km SE of Haarlem. Sgt Tattum is buried in Bergen General Cemetery. P/O Shapiro was admitted to hospital in Amsterdam with severe wounds caused by cannon shell splinters. In 1944 he was amongst a group of Allied prisoners of war repatriated on medical grounds.

Ventura I AE780 EG-S. Crew: F/O S McGowan RNZAF KIA, F/O EG Thornber RCAF KIA, Sgt CR Smith RNZAF KIA, Sgt IF Urlich RNZAF POW. T/o 1643 Methwold, similarly tasked. Short down 1750 in the NW suburbs of Amsterdam. Those who died lie in the city’s New Eastern Cemetery.

Ventura I AE798 EG-D. Crew: Sgt J Lowe KIA, Sgt HW Toombs RCAF KIA, Sgt JC Lynass RCAF KIA, Sgt AE Downs KIA. T/o 1643 Methwold, similarly tasked. Presumed lost over the sea. Three are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. Sgt Toombs was washed onto Langeoog on 2 July and laid to rest on the island. His grave now is on the German mainland in the Sage War Cemetery.

Ventura II AE956 EG-H. Crew: Sgt AE Coutts RNZAF KIA, F/O LE Richbell KIA, Sgt DC Robinson KIA, Sgt WDL Goodfellow RNZAF KIA. T/o 1643 Methwold, similarly tasked. Presumed lost over the sea. F/O Richbell was later found on Pellworm his grave now is Hamburg Cemetery, Ohlsdorf. The rest are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Ventura II AJ200 EG-G. Crew: Sgt JD Sharp RNZAF POW, Sgt H Gibson KIA, Sgt A Stevens KIA, Sgt DL Rowland KIA. T/o 1413 Methwold, similarly tasked. Last seen E of Vijkhuisen and believed to have crashed at Hoofddorp, 3 km W of Schipol airport. Those who died lie in Haarlemmermeer General Cemetery.

Ventura II AJ209 EG-V. Crew: S/L LH Trent POW, F/L V Phillips POW, F/O RDC Thomas KIA, Sgt GW Trenery KIA. T/o 1643 Methwold, similarly tasked. Broke up in the air and crashed 1800 into Kometen polder, close to the target. The two airmen who died are buried in Amsterdam New Eastern Cemetery. For his outstanding courage on continuing to fly towards his objective, despite being aware that all around him were being shot from the sky, S/L Trent was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Ventura II AJ478 EG-A. Crew: F/O OE Foster RNZAF POW, F/O TA Penn RNZAF POW, Sgt RW Mann RNZAF POW, Sgt TWJ Warner INJ. T/o 1643 Methwold, similarly tasked. Ditched 20 km off the Dutch coast. Sgt Warner had been mortally wounded when the Ventura was attacked by fighters and died in the dinghy before help arrived. Committed to the sea, his body was washed ashore two days later and is now buried in Bergen op Zoom War Cemetery.

All these aircraft had been shot down. Such a fate often accompanied 2 Group operations over the years.

BOMBER COMMAND
12 Venturas of 487 (New Zealand) Squadron were dispatched to attack a power-station on the northern outskirts of Amsterdam. 1 aircraft returned early; the remaining 11 proceeded with an escort of 3 squadrons of Spitfires. Unfortunately, an earlier Spitfire sweep alerted the German defences while the Ventura force was still flying at low level over the North Sea. Unfortunately, too, an exceptional number of experienced German fighter pilots were present at Schiphol airfield for a conference. 69 German fighters were thus up in the air near Amsterdam when the Ventura force crossed the Dutch coast. Some of the German fighters engaged the Spitfires while the remainder attacked the bombers. 9 Venturas were shot down before reaching the target and a tenth was badly damaged but it managed to turn back and reach England. The only remaining Ventura from the formation was that of Squadron Leader L. H. Trent, a New Zealander. His Ventura, completely alone, pressed on to the target and bombed it. The bombs just missed but some blast damage was caused. This last Ventura was then immediately shot down. Squadron Leader Trent and his navigator were the only survivors and became prisoners of war. The story of this action, in which 10 out of 11 Venturas were shot down, was reconstructed after the war and Squadron Leader Trent was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1946.

6 Bostons successfully bombed the steelworks at Ijmuiden but 1 aircraft crashed into the sea.

Total Bomber Command effort for the day: 18 sorties, 11 aircraft (61 percent) lost

USAAF
ICELAND: LtGen Frank M. Andrews, ETOUSA commanding general and an American military aviation pioneer, is killed in an air crash on the way to the United States.

TUNISIA: NASAF B-17s attack Axis shipping at Bizerte; NASAF B-25s attack the Axis landing ground at Protville; NATAF fighter-bombers attack ground targets around Massicault; and IX Fighter Command P-40 fighter-bombers attack targets in northeastern Tunisia.

Mateur falls to U.S. Army ground forces.

RAF
Base Changes
41 Sqn SAAF (Hurricane IIB) moves to El Gamil
123 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Bu Amud
183 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Lasham
424 Sqn RCAF moves to Dalton
500 Sqn (Hudson V) moves to Tafaraoui

First and Last Operational Missions
85 Sqn (Hunsdon) flies its last OM in the Mosquito NFII
108 Sqn (Bersis) flies its first OM in the Beaufighter VIF
610 Sqn (Perranporth) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VC

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405 Sqn RCAF (Gransden Lodge – Halifax II) 4.5.43
17TH OPERATION:- Bombing Attack on DORTMUND
Ten a/c were detailed for operations, and take-off commenced at 2201 hours and all a/c were airborne at 2150 hours, Seven a/c reached primary and bombed from an average height of 17,000 feet. Many fires and also terrific explosions were observed by six of the crews. Bombs hung up on one a/c and the reason was not ascertained. Severe flak damage was encountered by one a/c, which abandoned the operation. A/C "T" pranged at Gravely on return and four members of the crew were slightly injured. Target was well alight when a/c left target area and glow could be seen from Dutch Coast on return journey. One a/c failed to return from this operation.

ADDENDUM – Halifax II JB904 LQ-E. Crew: P/O JW Lennox RCAF KIA, Sgt AAA Adlam POW, Sgt AT Knight POW, P/O JJB Graham POW, Sgt FV Roberts POW, Sgt JL Prieur RCAF POW, Sgt B Moody KIA. T/o 2150 Gransden Lodge. Shot down by a nightfighter and crashed 0435 at Quendorf, 4 km NE of Bad Bentheim, the two airmen who died were laid to rest at Lingen on 6 May, since then they have been moved to the Reichswald War Cemetery.

BOMBER COMMAND
DORTMUND
596 aircraft – 255 Lancasters, 141 Halifaxes, no Wellingtons, 80 Stirlings, 10 Mosquitoes – on the largest ‘non-1,000’ raid of the war to date and the first major attack on Dortmund. 31 aircraft – 12 Halifaxes, 7 Stirlings, 6 Lancasters, 6 Wellingtons – lost, 5.2 percent of the force. A further 7 aircraft crashed in bad weather at the bomber bases.

The initial Pathfinder marking was accurate but some of the backing-up marking fell short. A decoy fire site also attracted many bombs. But half of the large force did bomb within 3 miles of the aiming point and severe damage was caused in central and northern parts of Dortmund. The city’s report states that 1,218 buildings were destroyed and 2,141 seriously damaged, including the Hoesch and the Dortmunder Union steel factories and many facilities in the dock area. The old Rathaus was among 7 buildings of a cultural nature which were destroyed. At least 693 people were killed, including 200 prisoners of war, and 1,075 people were injured. The number of dead in this raid was a new record.

Minor Operations: 6 Stirlings and 2 Halifaxes on an H2S training raid to Rheine, 24 O.T.U. sorties. No losses.

Total effort for the night: 628 sorties, 31 aircraft (4.9 percent) lost.

USAAF
BELGIUM: Sixty-five of 79 VIII Bomber Command B-17s dispatched attack Antwerp industrial areas with 161 tons of bombs. No bombers are lost, but 16 are damaged and crew losses amount to three wounded. Of special note on this mission is the participation of Capt Clark Gable, who heads a film crew gathering material for a USAAF instructional film on combat gunnery. While flying with a cameraman as observers aboard the lead 305th Heavy Bombardment Group B-17 (also the mission lead airplane), Gable mans a radio-room machine gun and helps fend off attacking GAF fighters. The B-17 is slightly damaged in the attack, but no one, including America’s leading male film star, is injured. This is the first of four combat missions that Gable will undertake with the Eighth Air Force.

ITALY: IX Bomber Command B-24s attack shipping at Reggio di Calabria and Taranto.

MEDITERRANEAN: NASAF bombers dispatched on anti-shipping sweeps are unable to locate any targets.

A 33d Fighter Group P-40 pilot downs a Bf-109 over the Gulf of Tunis during an afternoon engagement.

TUNISIA: NATAF A-20s and B-25s attack ground targets around Zaghoun in support of a ground attack by Free French ground units; NATAF fighters attack gun positions and motor vehicles near Massicault and Zaghoun; IX Air Support Command B-25s attack Zaghoun, the Zaghoun landing ground, and road traffic between Zaghoun and Bou Ficha; and IX Fighter Command P-40 fighter-bombers attack ground targets around Zaghoun.

RAF
Base Changes
228 Sqn (Sunderland III) moves to Pembroke Dock

First and Last Operational Missions
234 Sqn (Skeabrae) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VI

[warshipbuilder]

75 Sqn (Newmarket – Stirling I/III) 5.5.43
Training.
The weather was bad during the morning and it was only possible to carry out Air Tests. We then prepared for night operations.

Operations. MINING OFF THE FRISIAN ISLANDS.
Six aircraft were detailed to carry out the above attack with Mines of 15001b. One aircraft, however, failed to take-off and one failed to return. The remaining four aircraft successfully dropped their Mines in the allotted area, and all of the parachutes were seen to open. Some light A.A.Fire was encountered, but it was ineffective. No enemy aircraft were seen. There was broken cloud in the mining area, although visibility was fairly good. Navigation was very good. The missing aircraft was Stirling Mk.I. EF.340, captained by Sgt. R.F.Westwood.

ADDENDUM – Stirling I EF340 AA-Q. Crew: Sgt RF Westwood RAAF KIA, Sgt FH Bennetton KIA, P/O RHW Bentley RNZAF KIA, Sgt EHR Lamb RNZAF KIA, Sgt W Harkness KIA, Sgt GH Rogers KIA, Sgt J McL Boswell RNZAF KIA. T/o 2153 Newmarket for mining operations in the Nectarines area off the Frisian Islands. Engaged by flak and crashed 0115 in the Waddenzee, SE of Vlieland. All are perpetuated on the Runnymede Memorial.

BOMBER COMMAND
5 Mosquitoes to attack a railway works south of Brussels. Only one aircraft is believed to have hit this target. No aircraft lost.

21 Stirlings minelaying in the Frisian Islands; 1 aircraft lost.

USAAF
MEDITERRANEAN: NASAF B-17s attack Axis ships at sea off Capo San Vito, Sicily; NASAF B-25s and B-26s attack Axis ships at sea east of Cape Zebib and off Marettimo Island; and NAAF fighters attack Axis ships at sea in the Gulf of Tunis.

In a single action at 0745 hours, seven P-38 pilots of the 82d Fighter Group’s 95th Fighter Squadron down six Italian SM.82 transports, two Bf-109s, and one Mc.200 near Marettimo Island. During the early afternoon, a 79th Fighter Group P-40 pilot downs a Bf-109 over the Gulf of Tunis.

TUNISIA: NASAF B-17s attack port facilities and ships at Tunis and port facilities at La Goulette; NASAF B-25s, B-26s, and fighters attack two Axis landing grounds in northeastern Tunisia; NATAF bombers and fighters mount six separate missions against Axis defensive positions in support of a ground attack by a British Army infantry division; and IX Fighter Command P-40 fighter-bombers attack shipping, warehouses, and port facilities at Nabeul.

RAF
Base Changes
92 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC/IX) moves to Hergla
142 Sqn (Wellington III) moves to Fontaine Chaude
227 Sqn (Beaufighter VIC) moves to Derna
427 Sqn RCAF (Non-Op) moves to Leeming

First and Last Operational Missions
418 Sqn RCAF (Ford) flies its first OM in the Mosquito NFII

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401 Sqn RCAF (Catterick – Spitfire VB) 6.5.43
Weather: Cloud 8/10 at 2,500 ft., visibility 5-8 miles, wind 15 M.P.H. from N. Serviceability: 15 A/C. State: At 0532 hours Red section was at 30 min., 0708, Red released; 2120, Red at 30 min., 2220, Red released.
Good flying conditions made possible sector reccos., two squadron formations, cine gun exercises, cloud and cross country flying, air firing and low level navigation flights. In the early afternoon F/Lt. H. C. Godefroy looked in on route by air to Scotland. He is a former 401 type presently leading a flight of 403 Squadron. F/O W. R. McRae, a veteran of flying in West Africa and the Gold Coast, arrived today for flying duties.

USAAF
ITALY: IX Bomber Command B-24s attacking the harbor at Reggio di Calabria claim hits on several ships.

MEDITERRANEAN: NASAF B-25s and B-26s attacking numerous Axis ships at sea between Sicily and Tunisia claim the sinking of six ferries and five small boats laden with Axis military evacuees. IX Fighter Command P-40s also attack Axis ships at sea in the Gulf of Tunis.

SICILY: NASAF B-17s attack the Marsala and Milo/Trapani airdromes.

TUNISIA: Following weeks of positioning and preparation, Operation VULCAN, the Allied final offensive in Tunisia, opens at dawn with massed artillery fire and the largest air offensive of the North Africa Campaign. Following attacks by NATAF aircraft during the night of May 5–6 against Tunis/El Aouina, and La Sebala airdromes and the landing ground at Ariana, NATAF and IX Fighter Command mount more than 1,400 fighter, bomber, and fighter-bomber sorties on May 6 against all types of targets throughout northeastern Tunisia.

In several separate morning aerial engagements over land and sea near the coast, pilots of the 1st, 31st, 52d, 82d, and 325th Fighter groups down ten GAF fighters and a Ju-52 transport. During the afternoon, 31st Fighter Group Spitfire pilots down seven Bf-109s, one FW-190, and one Mc.202 near Tunis. In all, 18 Axis aircraft are downed by USAAF pilots. During the afternoon action, LtCol Harrison R. Thyng and Maj Frank A. Hill, respectively the commanding officer and executive officer of the 31st Fighter Group’s 309th Fighter Squadron, both achieve ace status, Hill by downing his third Bf-109 of the day and Thyng by downing his fifth enemy fighter in the war.

Except for reconnaissance aircraft, this is the last day in which Axis aircraft appear over Tunisia.

RAF
Base Changes
1 Sqn SAAF (Spitfire VC) moves to Hergla
41 Sqn SAAF (Hurricane IIB) moves to Almalza
145 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Hergla
183 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Harrowbeer
417 Sqn RCAF (Spitfire VBT) moves to Hergla
601 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Hergla North

First and Last Operational Missions
40 Sqn (Gardabia South) flies its first OM in the Wellington X

[warshipbuilder]

412 Sqn RCAF (Perranporth– Spitfire VC) 7.5.43
Six aircraft flown by F/L. K.I. Robb, F/O. D.G. Makay, F/O. LW. Jones, P/O. R.N. Earle,F/Sgt. B.J. Levesque and Sgt. J. Zabek Ieft base at 09.20 hours on a Shipping Recco – USHANT - ILE DE BATZ. Large ship seen 15 miles south and was immediately attacked. Many strikes seen - the ship was left belching smoke. Yellow 1 and 2 both report, when coming in to attack, they saw what appeared to be the aftermath of an explosion just above the stern of the ship, and pieces resembling engine cowling and panels dropping into the water. This may have been F/O. LW. Jones's aircraft as nothing was seen or heard of this pilot after the attack. There were, however, no indications of an a/c having gone into the sea in the neighborhood of the ship. 5 a/c returned to base at 11.00 hours.
Practice flying such as Low Flying, Air to Air, and Air to Ground also carried out during the day.

ADDENDUM – Spitfire VC EE747. Pilot F/O LW Jones RCAF KIA. Hit by flak and exploded. Fell into the sea fifteen miles south of Ile D’Ouessant. Buried at Kerfautras, Brest.

BOMBER COMMAND
6 Mitchells to a railway target at Boulogne were recalled.

USAAF
ENGLAND: LtGen Jacob L. Devers is appointed ETOUSA commanding general.

MEDITERRANEAN: IX Fighter Command P-40 fighter-bombers attacking Axis ships at sea in the Gulf of Tunis sink a destroyer loaded with evacuees and claim severe damage on three other destroyers.

TUNISIA: NAAF P-40s attack small ships and port facilities at Tunis; NATBF A-20s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers attack Axis road traffic around Tunis and the Tunis/El Aouina Airdrome; and IX Bomber Command B-25s attack Keliba.

Tunis and Bizerte fall to Allied ground forces.

RAF
Base Changes
15 Sqn SAAF (Blenheim V) moves to LG91

First and Last Operational Missions
59 Sqn (Swanton Morley) flies its first OM in the Liberator V

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401 Sqn RCAF (Catterick– Spitfire VB) 8.5.43
Weather: Cloud 10/10 at 1500 feet, visibility 8 miles, wind 10 from E. Serviceability: 15 a/c. State: 0541 Red section at 50 min., 0703 Red released. At 2121 Red section at 30 mins 2220 Red released.

The weather as unfavourable for flying all day and the only aircraft to venture off the ground was F/Lt. Grant on a weather test.

USAAF
ENGLAND: The first YB-40 gunships (B-17s converted for use as heavily-armed bomber escorts) arrive from the United States. They are turned over to crews from the 92d Heavy Bombardment Group’s 327th Heavy Bombardment Squadron, which will begin testing them in combat in June.

FRENCH MOROCCO: The 52d Troop Carrier Wing begins overseeing transport and cargo operations for the Twelfth Air Force’s 61st, 313th, and 314th Troop Carrier groups.

MEDITERRANEAN: Although most planned NAAF anti-shipping sweeps are canceled because of bad weather, NASAF B-26s and P-40s attack small Axis ships at sea off the northeastern Tunisia coast; NATAF A-20s and fighters attack Axis shipping at sea between Sicily and Tunisia; and IX Fighter Command P-40 fighter-bombers attack Axis ships at sea in the Gulf of Tunis.

PANTELLERIA: P-38 fighter-bombers attack the Italian Army garrison on Pantelleria Island, and NATBF B-25s and NATAF A-20s and fighters attack the landing ground.

TUNISIA: NAAF B-25s attack the road junction and rail line at Korba and the highway north of Beni Khaled; NAAF P-40s attack port facilities near Thona; and NATAF aircraft attack numerous ground targets in support of Allied advances throughout northeastern Tunisia.

In what turns out to be the last fighter engagements of the North African Campaign, USAAF fighter pilots down a total of 11 Bf-109s and an Fi-156 observation plane over Tunisia or near the coast in at least two separate actions between 1140 and 1850 hours.

RAF
Base Changes
422 Sqn RCAF (Sunderland III) moves to Bowmore

First and Last Operational Missions
69 Sqn (Luqa) flies its first OM in the Baltimore IIIA

[warshipbuilder]

401 Sqn RCAF (Catterick– Spitfire VB) 9.5.43
Weather: 10/10 cloud at 1500 feet, visibility 8-10. Wind: West at 40 M.P.H. Serviceability 16 a/c. State: At 0531 Red at 30 minutes until 0641 then Red was released. Blue section at 30 minutes from 2053 until released at 2220.

Again there was no flying because of the very high wind and rain. After Tea Squadron Leader Neal D.F.C. and Lt Grant flew south to stay for a couple of days, commencing their tour at Bassingbourne. F/Lt Johnson returned from Ayr by Beaufighter to Acklington, and Oxford from Acklington to here. P/O Fiander was not allowed to take off with the Spitfire due to bad weather.

BOMBER COMMAND
21 Stirlings minelaying off La Pallice and in the River Gironde without loss.

USAAF
PANTELLERIA: Preparations begin for Operation CORKSCREW, the massive air and naval bombardment of the island of Pantelleria. The NAAF is ordered to turn its entire attention to the bombardment, which will last until the island is to be invaded on June 11.

NATAF A-20s and fighters and IX Bomber Command B-25s attack the landing ground.

SICILY: A total of 122 USAAF B-17s, 89 USAAF B-25s and B-26s, and 23 RAF Wellingtons attack various targets in Palermo with 485 tons of bombs. One B-17 is lost and approximately 50 others are damaged by flak. P-38 pilots of the 1st and 14th Fighter groups down four Axis aircraft in two separate actions over Palermo between 0915 and 1415 hours. Also, IX Bomber Command B-24s attack the Messina ferry terminal.

TUNISIA: Even though the Axis high command in Tunisia surrenders unconditionally, some German units continue to fight on. And, though the focus USAAF air operations in the North African Theater of Operations shifts immediately and sharply against targets in the Mediterranean, NATAF A-20s and fighters and IX Fighter Command fighters mount an all-out ground-support effort throughout the ground battle zone.

RAF
Base Changes
91 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Kings Cliffe

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401 Sqn RCAF (Catterick– Spitfire VB) 10.5.43
Weather: 10/10 cloud at 1000 feet, snowing heavily with visibility restricted to 200 yards in snow. Wind 5 M.P.H. Serviceability 17 a/c.

State: Blue section at 30 minutes from 0529 until released at 0745. At 1946 Blue was called to readiness, and released at 2005. At 2132 Blue at 30 min., At 2229 Blue section released.

It snowed heavily all morning and left a white carpet over all. The show turned to rain at noon, which washed flying out for the day. A better Enba show at night provided entertainment, after which the officer's entertained the ENBA players at the mess. S/Ldr E.L. Neal and F/Lt. F. E. Grant flew from Bassingbourne to Debden.

USAAF
PANTELLERIA: NATAF A-20s, B-25s, and fighters attack the harbor, and IX Bomber Command B-25s attack the landing ground.

SICILY: Forty-five NAAF B-17s attack Trapani/Milo Airdrome, and 46 NAAF B-17s attack Bo Rizzo Airdrome, where one B-17 is lost.

Pilots of the 1st, 14th, and 82d Fighter groups down four GAF fighters in three separate engagements over Sicily between 1040 and 1705 hours. Maj Joel A. Owens, Jr., newly transferred from the 1st Fighter Group to the position of 14th Fighter Group operations officer, achieves ace status when he downs two Bf-109s over Bo Rizzo Airdrome.

TUNISIA: NATAF A-20s, B-25s, and fighters and IX Fighter Command P-40s continue to attack Axis troops and vehicles on the Cap Bon Peninsula and in other areas in which Axis units are still putting up resistance.

[warshipbuilder]

Dear Reader,

Last update until the end of the month.

197 Sqn (Tangmere – Typhoon IB) 11.5.43
There were 3 Scrambles during the day. Patrols were continued in the evening. Whilst on one of these Patrols P/O. Pattullo had engine trouble and immediately commenced to make for base, at the same time making notes of oil temperature, revs etc. Before very long he could not see his dashboard for oil and his engine seized. He informed Ops. and baled out 3 miles from Selsey. This Pilot knew his dinghy drill and all was well. The sea though calm was very cold and he was quite thankful to see the Walrus arrive and pick him up.

P/Sgt. Figgis arrived on posting, from 55.0.T.U.

BOMBER COMMAND
6 Mitchells to a railway target at Boulogne were recalled.

USAAF
ENGLAND: The VIII Bomber Command’s 94th Heavy Bombardment Group is assigned to the new 4th Heavy Bombardment Wing’s 401st Provisional Combat Bombardment Wing.

ITALY: XII Fighter Command P-40 fighter-bombers attack the harbour at San Michele.

SICILY: IX Bomber Command B-24s attacking port facilities and ships at Catania harbor sink a tanker and damage two freighters, and 180 NASAF B-17s, B-26s, and B-25s attack rail and port facilities at Marsala with 450 tons of bombs.

Three Axis fighters are downed over Marsala between 1130 and 1150 hours by 14th and 82d Fighter group P-38 pilots. Capt Ernest K. Osher, a P-38 pilot with the 82d Fighter Group’s 95th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs a Bf-109 on this mission, at 1150 hours.

TUNISIA: NATAF A-20s, B-25s, and fighters, IX Bomber Command B-25s, and IX Fighter Command P-40s continue to attack Axis forces that are still resisting in northeastern Tunisia.

RAF
Base Changes
41 Sqn SAAF (Hurricane IIB) moves to Shandur
59 Sqn (Liberator V) moves to Aldergrove

First and Last Operational Missions
123 Sqn (Bu Amud) flies its first OM in the Hurricane IIC

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485 Sqn RNZAF (Marston – Spitfire VB) 30.5.43
Returning from a Weather Recco in the Cherbourg/Fecamp area with F/O Sutherland, when 15 miles off English coast F/O Moorhead hit the sea with the tip of his propellor. He then climbed to 1,000’ as if attempting to bale out but then lost height having apparently decided to ditch. The aircraft stalled when just over the water and dropped a wing diving into the sea. F/0 Sutherland circled the position and gave a fix but nothing could be seen. Subsequently, A/S/Rescue operations revealed nothing.

BOMBER COMMAND
27 aircraft minelaying off Biscay ports, 14 O.T.U. sorties. No losses.

USAAF
ITALY: NASAF B-17s attack an aircraft-industry factory and landing ground at Pomigliano and the airdrome and marshalling yards at Capodichino; IX Bomber Command B-24s attack the air-base complex and facilities at Foggia; and NAAF P-38 fighter-bombers attack Chilivani and the port and railway station at Aranci.

A 1st Fighter Group P-38 pilot downs an Italian Re.2001 fighter over the Golfo Aranci at 1705 hours.

PANTELLERIA: IX Bomber Command B-25s attack troop concentrations, and NAAF fighters and medium bombers and NATAF fighters attack various targets around the island.

SARDINIA: NAAF P-38s attack the marshalling yard at Chilivani and strafe various targets of opportunity throughout the island.

RAF
Base Changes
7 Sqn SAAF (Hurricane IIC) moved to Derna
37 Sqn (Wellington X) moved to Kairouan
183 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moved to Colerne
306 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moved to Catterick

First and Last Operational Missions
124 Sqn (Catterick) flew its last OM in the Spitfire VI

[warshipbuilder]

180 Sqn (Foulsham – Mitchell II) 31.5.43
Nine Aircraft in one box in local formation flying. Six aircraft and one reserve on circus operations to FLUSHING. Four aircraft returned to base. One aircraft landed at MANSTON with an engine unserviceable. One aircraft landed in the sea, the crew being picked up, with the exception of the wireless operator, who was seen to go down with the aircraft. (F/O LEVEN in aircraft "B" FL695 landed at MANSTON and SGT. A.W. WOOD wireless operator in aircraft "P" (FL198)

ADDEENDUM – Mitchell II FL198 EV-P. Crew: Sgt ALH Dobbie INJ, F/S LB Whiteside, F/S AW Wood RNZAF KIA, Sgt E Walters INJ. T/o 1630 Foulsham to bomb shipping facilities. Hit by flak and later ditched 1810 off the East Anglia Coast twixt Clacton and Felixstowe. Sgt Wood is perpetuated on the Runnymede Memorial. This was the last aircraft to be written off by a 2 Group squadron, while part of BC. Flying as part of Circus 309, the operations here referred to involved 6 Mitchells from 180 Squadron and six from 98 Squadron. On June 1, 1943, the Group became part of the 2nd TAF.

Note – The operational history of 2 Group is one of immense courage and fortitude by its crews who, for the most part, carried the bombing war by day to the enemy in aircraft that were either obsolete or totally unsuited for the task demanded of them.

BOMBER COMMAND
LAST 2 GROUP RAIDS
The squadrons of 2 Group dispatched 54 aircraft on 5 raids on this, the last day before the group left Bomber Command.

30 Venturas were dispatched: 12 to attack Zeebrugge power-station, 12 to Caen airfield and 6 to Cherbourg docks. 12 Mitchells bombed a shipyard at Flushing. All of these raids were successful. The only casualty was a Mitchell of 180 Squadron which ditched in the sea; 3 of its crew were picked up safely, but Flight Sergeant A. W. Wood, the New Zealand wireless operator/air gunner, died – the last casualty suffered by 2 Group with Bomber Command. 12 Bostons sent to attack a power-station in France were not able to reach their target.

USAAF
ALGERIA: The 319th Medium Bombardment Group, a veteran B-26 unit that had to be withdrawn from combat on February 27 to rest and refit, arrives at Sedrata Airdrome, Algeria, from Oujda Air- drome, French Morocco, to resume combat operations.

ITALY: NASAF B-17s attack a marshalling yard and air-base complex at Foggia.

PANTELLERIA: NAAF medium bombers and fighters attack defensive positions, and NATAF P-40s attack numerous other ground targets.

SARDINIA: NAAF P-38 fighter-bombers attack Cagliari, a factory at Guspini, and the power station at Santa Caterina.

RAF
Base Changes
44 Sqn (Lancaster I/III) moves to Dunholme Lodge
65 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Selsey
90 Sqn (Stirling III) moves to Wratting Common
114 Sqn (Boston III) moves to Grombalin
195 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Matlask
268 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Odiham
515 Sqn (Defiant NFII) moves to Hunsdon
547 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Davidstowe Moor

First and Last Operational Missions
178 Sqn (Hose Raui) flies its first OM in the Halifax II
315 Sqn (Northolt) flies its last OM in the Spitfire IX and starts its 2nd tour of duty in the Spitfire VB

[warshipbuilder]

196 Sqn (Leconfield – Wellington X) 1.6.43
Six aircraft detailed and briefed for Operations - Gardening in ARTICHOKES Area, All aircraft took off four aircraft completed the operation - one aircraft returned with bombs (Target not found) one aircraft had to make forced landing outside airfield - Jettisoned mines before landing aircraft burst into flames on landing complete loss HK163 - all crew uninjured.
Weather: Cloudy with fair periods most of day, with showers in late afternoon and evening.
Visibility: Moderate, becoming good in afternoon deteriorating later in night.

BOMBER COMMAND
MINELAYING
23 Wellingtons and 10 Stirlings laid mines in the Frisians, off Texel and off the Biscay ports without loss.

USAAF
ITALY: NASAF P-40s strafe the seaplane base at Stagnone Island, and P-38 fighter-bombers attack the rail line near Balestrate.

PANTELLERIA: NASAF B-17s and P-38s attack targets throughout the island, and NATAF P-40s attack gun emplacements. The B-17s are the first heavy bombers to attack the island. Also, incessant aerial bombardment of the island is supplemented for the first time by what will be an ongoing naval bombardment.

SARDINIA: NASAF B-25s, B-26s, and P-38s attack Olbia, Porto Ponte Romano, and the harbor at Porto Torres.

TUNISIA: Two B-25s squadrons of the Ninth Air Force’s 12th Medium Bombardment Group that have been on detached duty with XII Air Support Command since February are returned to the Ninth Air Force and reunited with the remainder of their group.

RAF
Base Changes
12 Sqn SAAF (Boston III) moves to Ben Hagan
16 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Middle Wallop
16 Sqn SAAF (Blennheim V) moves to LG.91
21 Sqn SAAF (Baltimore III/IV) moves to Ben Hagan
24 Sqn SAAF (Boston III) moves to Soliman North
39 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Protville II
55 Sqn (Baltimore IIIA) moves to Enfidaville
122 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Bognar Regis
219 Sqn (Non-Op) leaves for North Africa
223 Sqn (Baltimore IIIA) moves to Enfidaville South
245 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Selsey
302 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Heston
303 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Northolt
317 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Heston
602 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Bognar Regis

First and Last Operational Missions
29 Sqn (Bradwell Bay) flies its first OM in the Mosquito NFXII
150 Sqn (Kairouan) flies its first OM in the Wellington X
315 Sqn (Hutton Cranswick) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VC
430 Sqn RCAF (Dunsfold – Mustang I) flies its first OM of the war

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400 Sqn RCAF (Dunsfold – Mustang I) 2.6.43
Weather raining. Captain Morrice and Captain Lines pay visit to Canadian Corps and to Army Headquarters. F/O J.H. Robb went down to the B.C.D. and gave a short lecture on the workings of a Squadron on Army Co-operation Duties. Rhubarb undertaken by F/Lt. W.H. Gordon and F/O R.W. Clarke both missing - last seen over French Coast. 430 Squadron also undertook a Rhubarb with F/O. T. Pethick also lost. He was seen to crash.

ADDENDUM – Mustang I AG661. Pilot - F/Lt WH Gordon RCAF EVD. Shot down by JG2.

Mustang I AM256. Pilot – F/O RW Clarke RCAF KIA. Shot down by JG2.

Mustang I AM200. Pilot – F/O TM Pethick RCAF KIA. Shot down by flak over Airel.

BOMBER COMMAND
MINELAYING
21 Wellingtons and 14 Stirlings laid mines off the Biscay ports without loss.

USAAF
PANTELLERIA: NAAF fighters and medium bombers attack targets throughout the island all morning and into the afternoon.

SARDINIA: NAAF P-40s attack targets of opportunity throughout the island.

SICILY: NAAF P-38s attack Trapani/Milo Airdrome.

TUNISIA: The 79th Fighter Group moves to El Haouaria Airdrome to be in position to support the Allied air attacks against Pantelleria. Also, the 12th and 340th Medium Bombardment groups displace to Hergla Airdrome, also for better access to Pantelleria Island and other Mediterranean islands.

RAF
Base Changes
175 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Appledram
181 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Appledram
182 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Appledram

First and Last Operational Missions
192 Sqn (Feltwell) flies its first OM in the Halifax II
222 Sqn (Hornchurch) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VB