Action This Day

Eagle Day to Bombing of the Reich is a improved and enhanced edition of Talonsoft's older Battle of Britain and Bombing the Reich. This updated version represents the best simulation of the air war over Britain and the strategic bombing campaign over Europe that has ever been made.

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Re: Action This Day

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401 Sqn RCAF (Catterick – Spitfire VB) 16.3.43
At 0639 hours Blue section at readiness. 0653 hours Blue section 30 minutes available. 0754 hours Blue section released. At 1834 hours Blue section at readiness. At 1934 hours Blue section released. The weather was unsuitable for flying in the morning but in the afternoon formation flying, tail chase, aerobatics and air to sea firing were taken part in.
Serviceability: “A” Flight 3 a/c, 6 pilots; “B” Flight 5 a/c, 7 pilots.

BOMBER COMMAND
16 Mosquitoes attacked railway workshops at Paderborn, nearly 200 miles inland from the coast, and scored direct hits. 1 Mosquito lost.

2 Wellingtons of 1 Group minelaying in the Frisian Islands without loss.

USAAF
EGYPT: Using personnel drawn from IX Fighter Command headquarters and the headquarters of the 8th and 9th Fighter wings, the 1st Provisional Training Group is established to oversee in-theater training of replacement fighter and medium-bomber pilots and crewmen.

MEDITERRANEAN: NASAF B-17s attacking an Axis convoy at sea between Sicily and Tunisia leave two small vessels burning from bomb hits.

TUNISIA: All NAAF bombers are grounded by bad weather.

IX Fighter Command fighter-bombers support British Eighth Army troops preparing to conduct limited assaults against the Mareth Line.

RAF
Base Changes
154 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to Sou-el-Khemis

First and Last Operational Missions
55 Sqn (Marsa Gardane) flies its first OM in the Baltimore IIIA
144 Sqn (Leuchars) flies its first OM in the Beaufighter VIC
223 Sqn (Ben Gardane) flies its first OM in the Baltimore IIIA
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Re: Action This Day

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401 Sqn RCAF (Catterick – Spitfire VB) 17.3.43
0637 hours Blue section at 30 minutes available. 0746 hours Blue section released. At 1842 hours Blue section at readiness. At 1915 hours Blue section at 30 minutes available. At 1942 hours Blue section released. At 1942 hours 10 a/c at 30 minutes available (nightstate) 2040 hours Squadron released (bad weather). Only flying to take place was late in the afternoon when a/c tests were made for possible night flying. This was the first night of the current moon period but poor visibility made flying after dark impossible.
Serviceability: “A” Flight 5 a/c, 5 pilots; “B” Flight 5 a/c, 6 pilots.

USAAF
ENGLAND: All VIII Fighter Command fighters are grounded by extremely bad weather, and 78 VIII Bomber Command B-17s on their way to attack the Rouen/Sotteville marshalling yard are recalled before they leave English airspace. Also, of 44 2d Heavy Bombardment Wing B-24s dispatched on a diversionary mission over the North Sea, only 28 leave British airspace, and all of them are soon recalled.

TUNISIA: NAAF bombing operations are canceled because of bad weather, but A-20s and fighters conduct sweeps and armed- reconnaissance missions over a broad area and support U.S. II Corps infantry attacks leading to the capture of Gafsa.

IX Fighter Command fighters directly support the British Eighth Army along the Mareth Line.

RAF
Base Changes
81 Sqn (Spitfire IX) moves to Sou-el-Khemis
168 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Odiham

First and Last Operational Missions
37 Sqn (Gardabia West) flies its last OM in the Wellington IC
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Re: Action This Day

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118 Sqn (Coltishall – Spitfire VB) 18.3.43
5 flights by 16 a/c sweep Maasluis. We lost Sgt. LM Lack in very unfortunate circumstances. This marred an otherwise perfect sweep in which W/Cdr Flying got 1 F.W.190 destroyed and I F.W.190 damaged and F/Lt Newberry got a destroyed F.W.190 and Sgt. Flight a probable F.W .190. Sgt. Pilot Lack missing believed killed posted No. 1 RAF Depot Uxbriddge non effective.

ADDENDUM Spitfire VB EP228. Pilot, Sgt LM Lack KIA. Lost in a friendly fire incident. In poor visibility, he strayed over a sea fort off Harwich and was hit by AA fire and crashed into the sea off Felixstowe.

BOMBER COMMAND
12 Venturas attacked an oil refinery at Maasluis but their bombs just missed the target; 12 further Venturas turned back from raids to targets in France. No aircraft lost.

USAAF
GERMANY: In VIII Bomber Command’s forty-fifth mission of the war, 97 B-17s and B-24s attack the Vegesack U-boat yard with 268 tons of bombs. During the final moments of his unit’s bomb run, 1stLt Jack W. Mathis, the 303d Heavy Bombardment Group lead bombardier, is thrown from his bombsight by the near detonation of an antiaircraft shell. Despite the traumatic amputation of an arm and many other dreadful shrapnel wounds that will prove to be mortal, Mathis struggles back to his post and releases the bombs, an act for which he is awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor. Air opposition is the heaviest encountered to date, as revealed in claims by bomber gunners of 52 GAF fighters downed and 20 probably downed. However, USAAF aircraft losses amount to one B-17 and one B-24 missing, one B-17 written off due to damage, and nine B-17s and 14 B-24s damaged. Crew losses are one killed, 16 wounded, and 20 missing, plus three crewmen injured in an emergency landing.

The Vegesack mission also marks the first successful use of experimental automatic flight control equipment (AFCE), a device that links the bombardier with the automatic pilot and thus allows the bombardier to fly the airplane during the final approach on the target. Modified AFCE devices eventually will be installed in all Eighth Air Force lead bombers.

ITALY: IX Bomber Command B-24s, escorted by IX Fighter Command P-40s, attack Naples harbor. This is IX Bomber Command’s first heavy-bomber mission undertaken at maximum bombing altitude (28,000 to 30,000 feet), a move to defeat the effects of increasingly dense and accurate flak concentrations around the oft- targeted port area.

TUNISIA: All NAAF bombers are grounded by bad weather, but NATAF fighters fly numerous reconnaissance and sweep missions, and attack many ground targets of opportunity.

RAF
Base Changes
613 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Ringway
616 Sqn (Spitfire VI) moves to Ibsley
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Re: Action This Day

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BAD WEATHER EVERYWHERE!

401 Sqn RCAF (Catterick – Spitfire VB) 19.3.43
0635 hours Blue section at readiness. At 0745 hours Blue section released. 1846 hours Blues section at readiness. 1946 hours Blue section released. Once again weather curtailed flying activity being limited to a formation flight and local flying. No night state was kept. Sergeants held a dance in the evening.
Serviceability: “A Flight 6 a/c 5 pilots; “B” Flight 5 a/c, 7 pilots.

RAF
Base Changes
86 Sqn (Liberator III) moves to Aldergrove
175 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Stoney Cross
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Re: Action This Day

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401 Sqn RCAF (Catterick – Spitfire VB) 20.3.43
0634 hours Blue section at readiness. At 0737 hours Blue section released. 1310 hours Blues section at readiness. 1847 hours Blue and Green sections 15 minutes available. 1947 hours both sections released. An Air gunnery lecture was given to pilots at dispersal in the morning by F/Lt. Friendship, D.F.M. and Bar, the new station gunnery officer, a former Spitfire pilot. In the early afternoon the pilots saw their recent cine gun films and later, in a challenge game, “A” Flight trounced “B” Flight at softball 26-12. The night state was again washed out due by adverse weather.
Serviceability: “A Flight 5 a/c 5 pilots; “B” Flight 5 a/c, 7 pilots.

BOMBER COMMAND
12 Mosquitoes to Louvain and Malines railway yards but only Louvain was reached.

1 Lancaster bombed Leer, near Emden. This flight was carried out by Squadron Leader C. O’Donoghue of 103 Squadron, 1 Group. O’Donoghue decided to make this lone flight after a major Bomber Command effort planned for the previous night was cancelled. The Lancaster attacked Leer soon after dawn and its bombs fell close to the railway station.

12 Wellingtons and 4 Lancasters minelaying off Biscay ports but the Wellingtons were recalled. No aircraft lost.

USAAF
ALGERIA: The Northwest African Tactical Bomber Force (NATBF) is established under NATAF control from the 47th Light Bombardment Group (A-20s), the RAF’s 236 Wing, and the air echelons of two 12th Medium Bombardment Group B-25 squadrons.

ITALY: During the night of March 20–21, IX Bomber Command B-24s attack Naples harbor and city areas.

MEDITERRANEAN: 82d Fighter Group P-38s escorting NASAF B-25s on an anti-shipping sweep between Sicily and Tunisia are attacked by a reported 50 Axis aircraft from the direction of Tunis. In the ensuing battle, the P-38 pilots down two Ju-88s, eight Bf-109s, and an Italian fighter in an action 30 miles east-northeast of Pantelleria Island. In this action, which occurs at about 1230 hours, 2dLt Claude R. Kinsey, Jr., a P-38 pilot with the 82d Fighter Group’s 96th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs the Italian fighter.

In an unrelated action, a force of 17th Medium Bombardment Group B-25s on an anti-shipping sweep over the Straits of Sicily is jumped by a reported 30 GAF fighters. Taking advantage of experimental waist and tail gun positions that have been fitted out for test purposes only in 17th Group B-25s, gunners are able to hold the attacking fighters at bay. Claims for enemy fighters downed amount to seven, including four to improvised waist and tail guns. One B-25 is lost in the battle, and one is damaged beyond repair by more than 500 bulletholes.

TUNISIA: NASAF B-25s and B-26s in separate formations mount successive attacks on the Axis landing ground at Djebel Tebaga; IX Bomber Command B-25s attacking the Mareth Line through intense flak sustain many damaging hits; and, as the British Eighth Army opens what will turn out to be the final assault on the German Army’s Mareth Line, IX Fighter Command fighters provide direct support against infantry and artillery emplacements.

RAF
Base Changes
2 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Fowlmere
4 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Bottisham
260 Sqn (Kittyhawk II/III) moves to Medinene
340 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Turnhouse

First and Last Operational Missions
115 Sqn (East Wretham) flies its first OM in the Lancaster II
152 Sqn (Souk-el-Khemis) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VB
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Re: Action This Day

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401 Sqn RCAF (Catterick – Spitfire VB) 21.3.43
0632 hours Blue section 30 minutes available. At 0735 hours Blue section released. 1310 hours Blues section at readiness. 1847 hours Red section at readiness. 1950 hours Red section released; 10 a/c at 30 minutes available (night state). 2036 hours Squadron released (poor visibility). In the morning the pilots did some skeet-shooting and throwing of live Mills bombs. Several bomber affiliates were carried out in the afternoon. At 1730 hours F/Lt. Carlson, the R.C.A.F. padre from Croft, visited dispersal and held a short impromptu service at the edge of the field. Later a softball game was organized that was short-lived, “B” flight in the lead, when a possible practise fighter night was ordered by Group for 2100 hours. A short briefing of 10 pilots was held at Intelligence at 2030 hours but Group cancelled the exercise and Squadron was released for the night at 2036 hours due to limited visibility. Many of the Squadron personnel listened to Churchill’s speech at 2100 hours.
Serviceability: “A Flight 5 a/c 5 pilots; “B” Flight 6 a/c, 7 pilots.

USAAF
TUNISIA: NASAF B-17s, escorted by P-38s, attack the Axis landing ground at Djebel Tebaga; NATBF A-20s and B-25s attack Djebel Tebaga and Mezzouna; and under escort by nearly 100 IX Fighter Command P-40s, IX Bomber Command B-25s attack the road through Gabes.

Between 1045 and 1055 hours, as elements of the U.S. 1st Armored Division drive to within artillery range of Maknassy, 31st Fighter Group Spitfire pilots down four Ju-87 dive-bombers and damage several Bf-109s. Also, a 1st Fighter Group P-38 pilot downs a Bf-109 over Gabes Airdrome at about 1445 hours.

RAF
Base Changes
2 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Hazbub
3 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk II) moves to Medinene
4 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk I) moves to Hazbub
5 Sqn SAAF (Kittyhawk III) moves to Hazbub
21 Sqn (Ventura I/II) moves to Exeter
73 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Nefatia
112 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Medinene
250 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to Medinene
450 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk III) moves to Medinene
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Re: Action This Day

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460 Sqn RAAF (Breighton – Lancaster I) 22.3.43
Some local flying was carried out during the day. At night 8 aircraft took part on a fairly successful raid to ST. NAZAIRE. Many fires were observed burning in the target area. Aircraft (D) W.4879 was attacked by a J.U.88 and was forced to crash land at R.A.F. SOUTH CERNEY, the crew were uninjured.

BOMBER COMMAND
12 Venturas attacked Maasluis oil refinery but again failed to hit the target. 12 further Venturas turned back from French targets. No aircraft lost.

ST-NAZAIRE
357 aircraft – 189 Lancasters, 99 Halifaxes, 63 Stirlings, 6 Mosquitoes. 1 Lancaster lost.

3 Group sent out a recall order to its Stirlings and only 8 carried on to bomb the target. Accurate marking led to a concentrated attack by 283 aircraft on the port area of St-Nazaire.

6 Wellingtons laid mines off Texel without loss.

USAAF
GERMANY: Eighty-four of 102 VIII Bomber Command B-17s and B-24s dispatched attack the Wilhelmshaven U-boat yards in the middle of the afternoon with 224 tons of bombs. Three bombers are lost, 22 bombers are damaged, one crewman is killed, 18 crewmen are wounded, and 32 crewmen are listed as missing in action.

MEDITERRANEAN: NASAF B-26s conducting an anti-shipping sweep between Sicily and Tunisia attack several Axis vessels at sea near Zembra Island.

SICILY: In the first bomber mission mounted against Sicily from Northwest Africa, 24 301st Heavy Bombardment Group B-17s attack port facilities at Palermo harbor with nearly 72 tons of bombs. Two 120-foot vessels are demolished, other ships are damaged, and major damage is caused to docking and warehouse facilities.

TUNISIA: IX Bomber Command B-25s attack road junctions, troop concentrations, and motor transport throughout the Gabes area; and NATBF A-20s attack Mezzouna Airdrome. 82d Fighter Group P-38 pilots down two Italian Air Force Mc.202s and nine Bf-109s north of Bizerte between 1345 and 1400 hours; 52d Fighter Group Spitfire escort pilots down two Ju-88s, two FW-190s, and six Bf-109s over Mezzouna Airdrome at about 1530 hours; and a 79th Fighter Group P-40 pilot downs one Bf-109 (the unit’s first official score) near Mareth at 1610 hours. The final fighter tally—22 Axis aircraft downed—is the best one-day score run up by USAAF pilots so far in the war against Germany and her allies.

RAF
Base Changes
411 Sqn RCAF (Spitfire VB) moves to Kenley

First and Last Operational Missions
416 Sqn RCAF (Kenley) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VB and first OM in the Spitfire IX
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Re: Action This Day

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196 Sqn (Leconfield – Wellington X) 23.3.43
Squadron was called upon for five aircraft for Mine Laying Operations. Activities for the day briefing and pre flight preparations for operational crews. Remaining crews carried out Fighter Affiliation, Formation Flying, Bombing Practice on Filey Bay, S.B.A. Practice, Cross Countries and Link Training. One aircraft HE167 “A” piloted by Sgt. DUCKMANTON failed to return from Mine Laying Operations, other aircraft carrying out successful sorties although having to land at Holme and Pocklington due to unserviceable base weather conditions.

ADDENDUM – Wellington X HE167 ZO-A. Crew: Sgt HC Duckmanton RNZAF KIA, Sgt DR Jeffrey KIA, Sgt BJF Crook KIA, Sgt SRO Hermon KIA, Sgt EW Booth POW. T/o 1922 Leconfield. Hit by flak of 6./M Abt. 246 battery Terschelling-Ost and crashed in flames in Waddensea at 2118 hours.

BOMBER COMMAND
15 Mosquitoes to railway-engine works at Nantes. Direct hits were scored and no aircraft were lost.

45 aircraft laid mines in the Frisian Islands and south of Texel, 21 O.T.U. aircraft dropped leaflets over French towns. 2 Wellingtons lost, one each from the minelaying and O.T.U. forces.

USAAF
TUNISIA: While attacking numerous ground targets throughout eastern Tunisia, pilots of the 31st, 52d, and 82d Fighter groups are engaged in several aerial actions in which two Bf-109s are downed and six are damaged between 0950 and 1030 hours.

NASAF B-17s attack shipping in Bizerte harbor, and 1st Fighter Group P-38 escort pilots down three Bf-109s at 1235 hours. One of the Bf-109s is credited to 1stLt John L. Wolford, of the 27th Fighter Squadron, who thus achieves ace status.

RAF
Base Changes
350 Sqn (Spitfire VB/VC) moves to Acklington
421 Sqn RCAF (Spitfire VB) moves to Redhill

First and Last Operational Missions
37 Sqn (Gardarbia West) flies its last OM in the Wellington III
224 Sqn (Beaulieu) flies its first OM in the Liberator V
404 Sqn RCAF (Chivenor) flies its last OM in the Beaufighter IIF
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Re: Action This Day

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486 Sqn RNZAF (Tangmere – Typhoon IB) 24.3.43
F/SGT. MAWSON W.K. (NZ411430) missing from an operational patrol. Last seen by F/O. A.H. SMITH his No.1 before crossing coast between ETRETAT and FECAMP.

ADDENDUM – Typhoon IB EJ956. Pilot F/Sgt WY Mawson RNZAF POW. Shot down by flak near Fecamp.

BOMBER COMMAND
3 Mosquitoes shot up trains in areas east of the Ruhr without loss.

USAAF
SICILY: IX Bomber Command B-24s attack the ferry terminal, rail yard, and fuel storage tanks in and around the Messina port area.

TUNISIA: NASAF B-17s attack port facilities and shipping at Ferryville; NASAF B-26s attack the La Smala des Souassi landing ground; NASAF B-25s attack the Djebel Tebaga landing ground; and NATBF A-20s and B-25s attack Axis troop concentrations in direct support of the U.S. 1st Armored Division attack on El Guettar, as well as the Djebel Tebaga landing ground.

Two 81st Fighter Group P-39 dive-bomber pilots share in the downing of an Fi-156 observation plane at about 0700 hours; 33d Fighter Group P-40 pilots down seven Bf-109s in a sporadic engagement around Djebel Tebaga between 0905 and 1035 hours; and 52d Fighter Group Spitfire pilots down three Bf-109s and an FW-190 between Gafsa and Maknassy during the late afternoon.

IX Bomber Command B-25s directly supporting a British Eighth Army ground assault continuously attack German Army defensive positions around Zarat for three hours. Following the breakthrough, however, the ground forces are halted by German artillery, which is relentlessly attacked for more than two hours by RAF fighters and IX Fighter Command P-40s from the 57th, 79th, and 324th Fighter groups. (The 324th Fighter Group is represented by two squadrons that happen to be in the forward area as part of IX Fighter Command’s combat-familiarization training syllabus. One of the 324th’s squadrons is attached to the 57th Fighter Group, and the other is attached to the 79th Fighter Group.) As a result of the continuous air attacks, the ground forces are able to break through on the Mareth Line’s inland flank. Five P-40s are downed, one pilot is lost, and two pilots are taken prisoner.

During the night of March 24–25, NATBF A-20s and B-25s attack German Army motor vehicles west of Sfax and Sousse.

RAF
Base Changes
21 Sqn (Ventura I/II) moves to Methwold
74 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Abadan
181 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Gravesend
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Re: Action This Day

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609 Sqn (Manston – Typhoon IB) 25.3.43
9 patrols, 1 of Dungeness-Hawkinge for No. 1 sqdn. at Lympne, who make the V sign on relieving. F/Os Van Lierde and Baldwin essay a Rhubarb, but find the weather cloudless. They patrol the coast from Ostend to Le Touquet, see nothing and get light flak from 1 gun near Calais. At 1748 Baldwin and West are scrambled, then put on N.-S. Foreland patrol line. At 1815 Swingate reports bandits at 12,000ft, also mentioning friendlies. Section climbs (downsun) and has reached 8,000ft when West sees 2 Fw 190s diving on them upsun. He turns sharply and calls “Tally-Ho”! E/A overshoot and fire two bursts at Baldwin, the first severing his controls, the second putting his engine on fire. He goes down in a spin. West has a dogfight with the 2 190s, which dash at him twice head-on. The second time West sees strikes, but seeing white exhaust, thinks he has been hit himself, and dives for base, where he reports to F/Lt. Wells. The latter has already had a report that a Typhoon was seen descending in flames, but has failed to make Hornchurch believe this or even that any enemy E/A have been seen in the vicinity. It is only when West lands that a section is finally sent to look for Baldwin. Fortunately and H.S.L. has been put from Ramsgate on the receipt of local information, and, guided by the escort of a local convoy, find Baldwin just in time – without dinghy and only a partially inflated Mae West. He is taken to Ramsgate Hospital suffering from 2nd degree burns to hands and face.

Baldwin’s aircraft bore the letter ‘R’ – about the 6th of that letter to end stickily. The 190s that shot it down are seen from Manston, even by the I.O. The results is a ‘Guns Alert’, followed immediately afterwards by a misleading diversion caused by a gun on Sgt. West’s aircraft going off during a test of the firing mechanism, this not having been unloaded first. A further misleading diversion follows when several Dover balloons are seen going down in flames. F/O. Skett reports one after the other to F/Lt. Wells at the phone, who in turn tells Hornchurch controller – but it is a thunderstorm, and when F/Lt. Atkinson also reports them on the R/T and asks the cause, he is told simply, ‘Nature’ (he is alleged to have replied, ‘Shall I relieve Nature?).

Baldwin, interviewed in hospital the next day, is still at first under the impression that he has been shot down by friendlies, partly owing to the fact that these had been reported, partly because he has been shot at by them several times before. His remark, ‘Stop shooting you bastards’! though it seems did not have the desired effect, and because Hornchurch seem to have been unaware of the Huns, gives rise to suspicion in higher circles that he has in fact been shot down by his No. 2, and a long supplementary report has to be sent to prove that this was impossible. Baldwin’s hands were to burnt and cold to pull the pin from his CO2 bottle, and it has been suggested that in future this be provided with a thong.

USAAF
TUNISIA: NASAF B-17s attack port facilities and shipping at Sousse; through the day, the Djebel Tebaga landing ground is attacked, in succession, by NASAF B-25s, NATBF A-20s and B-25s, and XII Air Support Command B-25s and escorting fighters; and numerous NAAF fighters undertake attacks on various kinds of ground targets throughout eastern Tunisia.

Two Bf-109s and an FW-190 are downed by USAAF fighter pilots in at least three separate actions during the day.

RAF
Base Changes
41 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to High Ercall
169 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Andover
170 Sqn (Mustang I) moves to Snailwell
402 Sqn RCAF (spitfire VB) moves to Digby
458 Sqn RAAF (Wellington VIII) moves to LG.91

First and Last Operational Missions
64 Sqn (Hornchurch) flies its first OM in the Spitfire IX
225 Sqn (Souk-el-Arba) flies its last OM in the Hurricane IIC
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Re: Action This Day

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426Sqn RCAF (Dishforth – Wellington III) 26.3.43
Seventeen crews were required by Group. The target selected was Duisburg. The seventeen A/C took-off at 19.10 hours and flew to the RUHR by way of EGMOND. Crews found 10/10 cloud over the target area, and markers by P.P.F. unusually scattered. Bombs were dropped in the area from 15,000 – 20,000’ Clouds prevented results from being observed, but some reflections of fires and bursts were seen on the clouds. Moderately heavy scattered flak was encountered. Four enemy A/C were encountered in the target area. Because of bad visibility at Base, all A/C were diverted to EAST ANGLIA. Thirteen landed at SWANTON MORLEY, one at MARHAM, one at OULTON and one at COLTISHALL. A/C X.3696 is missing from this operation in mysterious circumstances. Topcliffe reported A/C given fix at 5347N – 0120E after having CATFOSS. Nothing further has been heard.

ADDENDUM –Wellington III X3696 OW-T. Crew: Sgt E Hall KIA, Sgt JJ Reade KIA, Sgt F Simpson, Sgt W Stevenson KIA, Sgt CD Reed KIA. T/o 1922 Dishforth. Last heard on W/T at 0205 hours when its position was roughly 60 miles E of the Yorkshire coastal town of Withernsea. Despite and extensive search, nothing was found and all are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

BOMBER COMMAND
DUISBURG
455 aircraft – 173 Wellingtons, 157 Lancasters, 114 Halifaxes, 9 Mosquitoes, 2 Stirlings. 6 aircraft – 3 Wellingtons, 1 Halifax, 1 Lancaster, 1 Mosquito – lost, 1.3 percent of the force. The Mosquito lost was the first Oboe Mosquito casualty. A message was received from the pilot, Flight Lieutenant L. J. Ackland, that he was having to ditch in the North Sea. His body was never found but his navigator, Warrant Officer F. S. Sprouts, is believed to have survived.

This raid was one of the few failures of this series of attacks on Ruhr targets. It was a cloudy night and, for once, accurate Oboe sky-marking was lacking because 5 Oboe Mosquitoes were forced to return early with technical difficulties and a sixth was lost. The result was a widely scattered raid. The only details reported from Duisburg were 15 houses destroyed and 70 damaged, with 11 people killed and 36 injured.

5 O.T.U. aircraft carried leaflets to France without loss.

USAAF
NASAF B-25s attack targets around Grombalia, but all other NASAF missions are aborted or canceled because of bad weather. However, 81st Fighter Group P-39s destroy several German Army trucks, and NATAF fighters, A-20s, and B-25sattack a fuel dump, roads, rail lines, and the Sfax dock area, and strafe the Djebel Tebaga landing ground and motor vehicles encountered between Faid and Gabes. Also, one Ju-88 is downed near the coast at 0940 hours by an 82d Fighter Group P-38 pilot.

IX Bomber Command B-25s mount two missions against targets along the Mareth Line, and P-40s damage an estimated 50 trucks, tanks, and other vehicles in strafing and bombing attacks. However, several USAAF fighters are lost to intense ground fire.

The British Eighth Army renews its ground attack on the Mareth Line.

RAF
Base Changes
303 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Martlesham Heath

First and Last Operational Missions
85 Sqn (Hunsdon) flies its first OM in the Mosquito NFXII
225 Sqn (Souk-el-Arba) flies its last OM in the Hurricane IIB
300 Sqn (Ingham) flies its first OM in the Wellington X
544 Sqn (Benson) flies its first OM in the Mosquito PRIV
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Re: Action This Day

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35 Sqn (Graveley – Halifax II) 27.3.43
Of seventeen aircraft detailed for operations, sixteen took off in an attack upon BERLIN. Four aircraft returned early and one (W.7907 (M)) captained by F/O. H.S. Espy failed to return. A fairly successful attack was reported.

ADDENDUM – Halifax II W7907 TL-M. Crew: F/O HS Espy KIA, Sgt RAH Thomas KIA, Sgt DC Dynes KIA, Sgt JH Naylor RNZAF KIA, Sgt RC Smith KIA, Sgt GH Yeates KIA, Sgt C Patterson KIA. T/o 1950 Graveley. Hit by 1. And 4./schw. Flak Abt. 117, 2./schw. Flak Abt. 531, 1. And 2./schw. Flak 615 and 3./schw. Flak Abt. 185, crashed to the north of Habighorst near Vegesack/Bremen at 21.45 hours.

BOMBER COMMAND
BERLIN
396 aircraft – 191 Lancasters, 124 Halifaxes, 81 Stirlings. 9 aircraft – 4 Halifaxes, 3 Lancasters, 2 Stirlings – lost, 2.3 percent of the force.

This raid was basically a failure. The bombing force approached the target from the south-west and the Pathfinders established two separate marking areas, but both well short of the city. No bombing photographs were plotted within 5 miles of the aiming point in the centre of Berlin and most of the bombing fell from 7 to 17 miles short of the aiming point.

The Berlin report confirms that damage in the city was not heavy, although the bombing was slightly more widespread than the bombing photographs indicated. The local report, however, contains several interesting aspects. Only 16 houses were classed as completely destroyed but many further buildings, including public utilities and factories, suffered light damage. These were typical results in a scattered raid; the local fire services were able to contain fires quickly. But 102 people were killed and 260 injured. The majority of these casualties occurred when two bombs at the Anhalter Station hit a military train bringing men on leave from the Russian Front; 80 soldiers were killed and 63 injured. Our researcher in Berlin, Arno Abendroth, states that the damage in Berlin would have been heavier if approximately one quarter of the bombs dropped had not turned out to be ‘duds’. The English factories must have been under some stress,’ he writes. Further out from the city centre, stray bombs hit several Luftwaffe establishments. 3 planes were destroyed and a Flak position was hit at Tempelhof airfield; the flying school at Staaken airfield was damaged and a further 70 service personnel were killed or wounded. These casualties are in addition to those in Berlin.

But the most interesting story concerns a secret Luftwaffe stores depot in the woods at Teltow, 11 miles south-west of the centre of Berlin. By chance, this was in the middle of the main concentration of bombs and a large quantity of valuable radio, radar and other technical stores was destroyed. The Luftwaffe decided that this depot was the true target for the R.A.F. raid on this night and were full of admiration for the special unit which had found and bombed it so accurately. The Gestapo investigated houses near by because someone reported that light signals had been flashed to the bombers.

Minor Operations: 24 aircraft minelaying in the Frisians and off Texel, 4 O.T.U. sorties. No losses.

Total effort for the night: 424 sorties, 9 aircraft (2.1 percent) lost.

USAAF
TUNISIA: NATAF fighters attack numerous ground targets, but NAAF bombers are grounded by bad weather.

RAF
Base Changes
222 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Southend
453 Sqn RAAF (Spitfire VB) moves to Hornchurch
603 Sqn (Beaufighter IC/VIC) moves to Misurata West

First and Last Operational Missions
59 Sqn (Thorney Island) flies its last OM in the Fortress IIA
341 Sqn (Biggin Hill) flies its first OM in the Spitfire LFIXB
407 Sqn RCAF (Chivenor) flies its last OM in the Wellington XII
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Re: Action This Day

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105 Sqn (Marham – Mosquito IV) 28.3.43
A formation led by F/L. Gordon was intercepted by 2 to 4 FW.190’s (exact number unknown) F/O. Bruce’s and Sgt. Leighton’s were last seen being pursued by enemy aircraft at close range. The remaining aircraft were unable to bomb the primary (the marshalling yards at LIEGE) owing to extremely poor visibility over the target, instead they attacked a factory just north of VAL BENOTT bridge in LIEGE. Results not adequately observed and photographs poor.

ADDENDUM – Mosquito IV DZ416 GB-Q. Crew: F/O JG Bruce DFM KIA. F/O RL Reilly KIA. T/o 1752 Marham. Last seen 1840. Both airmen rest in Little Southern Cemetery.

Mosquito IV DZ522 GB-W. Crew: Sgt GK Leighton KIA. Sgt TN Chadwick. T/o 1752 Marham. Both are buried in Little Southern Cemetery.

BOMBER COMMAND
24 Venturas, escorted by fighters, bombed Rotterdam docks and hit at least 6 ships and started a fire in a dockside warehouse. No Venturas were lost.

6 Mosquitoes were dispatched to attack a railway yard near Liège but 2 aircraft were shot down and the remaining 4 bombed an alternative target.

USAAF
ENGLAND: The Eighth Air Force’s “moling” experiment—attempts to trigger German air-defense systems on days on which the VIII Bomber Command is grounded by bad weather—is abandoned following seven failures since January 2, all caused by good weather over Germany. Despite the failure of the moling experiment, Eighth Air Force B-24 crews from the 93d Heavy Bombardment Group’s 329th Heavy Bombardment Squadron have gained valuable blind-bombing experience that will prove to be crucial in coming months.

FRANCE: Seventy VIII Bomber Command B-17s attack the Rouen/Sotteville marshalling yard with 209 tons of bombs, but all 23 B-24s dispatched are recalled due to bad weather. Losses are one B-17 downed and nine damaged, two crewmen wounded, and 10 crewmen missing.

In the first sortie of its kind undertaken under Eighth Air Force command, a 13th Photographic Squadron F-5A (P-38 variant) photographs enemy positions north of Dieppe. Based on the findings, an RAF bomber mission will be mounted the next day against a marshalling yard at Le Treport.

ITALY: Three IX Bomber Command B-24s dispatched via Malta to mount an experimental low-level attack against the ferry terminal at Messina fail to rendezvous, but one B-24 attacks a chemical plant at Crotone, Italy, and another attacks the Vibo Valentia Airdrome, in Sicily.

TUNISIA: Although most NAAF bombers are grounded by bad weather, NASAF B-26s attacking Gabes Airdrome find that the base has been abandoned (presumably the day before) by its complement of GAF fighters, which have apparently been withdrawn to the Cap Bon area.

NATAF fighters conduct numerous offensive sweeps throughout eastern Tunisia, especially in support of heavy ground fighting near Mezzouna; and IX Fighter Command P-40 fighter-bombers attack ground targets at El Hamma, which German Army ground units are using as an escape route from the collapsing Mareth Line.

During the night of March 28–29, NAAF bombers attack roads, rail lines, and military transport in the Sfax and Sousse areas.

RAF
Base Changes
64 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Ayr

First and Last Operational Missions
198 Sqn ( Manston - Typhoon IB) flies its first OM of the war
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Re: Action This Day

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428 Sqn RCAF (Dalton – Wellington III/X) 29.3.43
Eleven aircraft of this Squadron took part in a raid on the German city of Bochum. Two of our aircraft failed to return. One of these, piloted by Sgt. Martyn, was forced down in the North Sea off the coast of Scotland and a search for the crew is in progress. No word has been heard from the aircraft piloted by Sgt. Cartier since time of take off.

ADDENDUM – Wellington III BK564 NA-R. Crew: Sgt JLRF Cartier RCAF KIA, Sgt PB Gustavsen RCAF KIA, F/O JF Spencer KIA, Sgt HF Rhodes INJ, Sgt D King RCAF POW. T/o 1934 Dalton. Crashed near Gelsenkirchen. Sgt Rhodes baled out, but died on 12 April while being treated for his injuries. All those who died are buried in the Reichswald War Cemetry.

Wellington X HE175 NA-U. Crew: Sgt JB Martyn RNZAF KIA, Sgt NS Farr KIA, Sgt K Benjamin KIA, Sgt LW Halward KIA, Sgt JC Donaldson KIA. T/o 1935 Dalton. Last heard by Hull D/F at 0155 when its position was plotted some 25 miles W of Acklington. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. These were the first operational casualties sustained by 428 Squadron.

BOMBER COMMAND
BERLIN
329 aircraft – 162 Lancasters, 103 Halifaxes, 64 Stirlings. 21 aircraft – 11 Lancasters, 7 Halifaxes, 3 Stirlings – lost, 6.4 percent of the force.

Weather conditions were difficult, with icing and inaccurately forecast winds. The marking for the raid appeared to be concentrated but in a position which was too far south and the Main Force arrived late. Most of the bombs fell in open country 6 miles south-east of Berlin. German records say that 148 people were killed in Berlin and 148 buildings were totally destroyed but there is some doubt about the accuracy of these figures.

BOCHUM
8 Oboe Mosquitoes and a ‘Main Force’ composed of 149 Wellingtons to Bochum. 12 Wellingtons lost, 8.0 percent of the Wellington force.

This raid was another failure. The night was moonless and cloudy. The Mosquitoes were not able to adhere to their timetable and there were long gaps in the sky-marking. Local records say that only 4 buildings in Bochum were destroyed and 35 were damaged, with 28 people being killed.

Minor Operations: 1 Mosquito to Dortmund and 7 Stirlings minelaying in the Frisians without loss.

Total effort for the night: 494 sorties, 33 aircraft (6.9 percent) lost.

USAAF
TUNISIA: All NAAF aircraft are grounded by bad weather, but some NATAF fighters are able to attack various motor transport and troop concentrations along the battlefront. In the course of these attacks, 33d Fighter Group P-40 pilots down seven Bf-109s in desultory morning engagements centered on Faid Pass; and 31st Fighter Group Spitfire pilots down three FW-190s over El Guettar between 1430 and 1450 hours.

IX Bomber Command B-25s attack the Sfax/El Maou Airdrome, and IX Fighter Command P-40s complete numerous fighter-bomber missions in support of British Eighth Army units pursuing fleeing German Army forces through Gabes. By the end of the day, Gabes falls to British ground forces, and the Eighth Army completes the occupation of the Mareth Line.

RAF
Base Changes
65 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Perranporth
74 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Shajhah
165 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Peterhead
613 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Wellingore

First and Last Operational Missions
18 Sqn (Oulmene) flies its last OM in the Blenheim V
224 Sqn (Beaulieu) flies its last OM in the Liberator III
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Re: Action This Day

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401 Sqn RCAF (Catterick – Spitfire VB) 30.3.43
0602 hours Blue section at readiness. 1715 hours Blue section released. 1907 hours Blue Section 30 minutes available. 2002 hours Blue section released. Local and formation flying, line astern chases and cine gun exercises were carried out in the morning. High wind deterred flying in the afternoon and films were seen at Station Intelligence.
Serviceability: “A” Flight 5 a/c, 4 pilots. “B” Flight 5 a/c, 7 pilots.

BOMBER COMMAND
10 Mosquitoes bombed the Philips works at Eindhoven but could only hit the corner of the factory. No aircraft lost.

USAAF
TUNISIA: All NAAF medium and heavy bombers are grounded by bad weather, but NATBF A-20s that are able to get airborne attack La Fauconnerie Airdrome as well as directly support an attack by U.S. Army ground forces on Djebel Berda; NAAF fighters attack numerous ground targets; IX Bomber Command B-25s attack Sfax/El Maou Airdrome; and IX Fighter Command P-40s support British Eighth Army ground attacks.

Pilots of the 33d and 52d Fighter groups down ten Bf-109s and damage 11 others during a major engagement over and around La Fauconnerie Airdrome between 0807 and 0945 hours.

As German Army forces in southern Tunisia establish a new defensive line along the Oued el-Akarit River, the British Eighth Army halts its advance to reorganize and await reinforcements.

RAF
Base Changes
88 Sqn (Non-Op) moves to Swanton Morley
130 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Drem
320 (Non-Op) moves to Attlebridge
456 Sqn RAAF (Mosquito NFII) moves to Middle Wallop

First and Last Operational Missions
40 Sqn (Gardabia South) flies its first OM in the Wellington III
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Re: Action This Day

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401 Sqn RCAF (Catterick – Spitfire VB) 31.3.43
0600 hours Blue section at readiness. 0720 hours Blue section released. 1908 hours Blue Section at readiness. 2008 hours Blue section released. Tail chases, formations and cine gun exercises were carried out. High wind deterred flying in the afternoon and films were seen at Station Intelligence.
Serviceability: “A” Flight 6 a/c, 6 pilots. “B” Flight 4 a/c, 7 pilots.

USAAF
MEDITERRANEAN: NASAF B-25s dispatched on anti-shipping sweeps between Sicily and Tunisia attack several Axis ships at sea off northeastern Tunisia.

82d Fighter Group P-38 pilots down a Bf-109 and a Ju-88 off Cap Zambra during the late afternoon.

NETHERLANDS: Following the collision and loss of two 303d Heavy Bombardment Group B-17s during the assembly, an attack by 103 VIII Bomber Command heavy bombers fizzles when heavy cloud cover is encountered over the target. Thirty-three B-17s drop a total of 99 tons of bombs on several shipyards, but the others return to their bases fully loaded. Losses due to enemy action are three B-17s and a B-24 missing, one battle-damaged B-17 written off after its entire crew bails out over England, and four B-17s and one B-24 damaged. Crew losses are one killed by enemy fire, 15 killed in the collision, ten wounded, and ten missing.

SARDINIA: NASAF B-17s—including a number compiling the combat debut of the 99th Heavy Bombardment Group— simultaneously attack the Decimomannu, Monserrato, and Villacidro airdromes and Cagliari harbor.
TUNISIA: NATAF A-20s, B-25s, and fighters attack La Fauconnerie Airdrome and numerous tactical targets throughout the shrinking Axis holdings in eastern Tunisia; IX Bomber Command B-25s and elements of the WDAF attack the Sfax/El Maou Airdrome; and IX Fighter Command P-40s attack numerous ground targets of opportunity, particularly motor vehicles along the highway north of Gabes.

While supporting a late-afternoon ground-attack mission, 33d Fighter Group P-40 pilots down nine Bf-109s and four Ju-87s near El Guettar. All of the Ju-87s are credited to Col William W. Momyer, the commanding officer of the 33d Fighter Group, who thus achieves ace status and a final personal tally of eight confirmed victories.

The attack by IX Bomber Command B-25s on Sfax/El Maou Airdrome includes aircraft and crews from the 340th Medium Bombardment Group, which are undertaking a combat-familiarization course following the recent arrival of their unit in Egypt via the southern ferry route. In this combat debut, however, two of the 340th Group’s aircraft are lost at sea, but both crews are recovered.

RAF
Base Changes
245 Sqn (Typhoon IB) moves to Gravesend
406 Sqn RCAF (Beaufighter VIF) moves to Valley
547 Sqn (Wellington VIII) moves to Chivenor

First and Last Operational Missions
19 Sqn (Middle Wallop) flies its last OM in the Spitfire VC
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Re: Action This Day

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401 Sqn RCAF (Catterick – Spitfire VB) 1.4.43
Weather: 8/10 cloud at 3500’, visibility 10 miles, wind 10 M.P.H. from N.W.
Serviceability: 14 a/c. State: At 0556 hours Blues section was at readiness; 0656, Blue section released; 1855, Blue at 15 minutes; 1911, Blue and Green at readiness, Black 30 minutes; 2011, Squadron released.

Today was the 25th anniversary of the founding of the R.A.F. and after some a/c tests and formation low flying in the morning all pilots not on readiness were released for the day. F/L G.B. Murray, D.F.C. arrived back from a brief flying to Kenley to tell how he ran into “zero ceiling” cloud on the return journey yesterday and was forced to make a nearly blind landing at Cottesmore. A Wellington, which attempted the same thing soon afterwards, crashed into a hangar with a bomb load, causing casualties and considerable damage and giving “Scotty” reason to be grateful that he had made it safely. A big anniversary dance was held in the Sergeants mess in the evening.

BOMBER COMMAND
12 Mosquitoes bombed a power-station and railway yards at Trier. Both targets were hit. A local report says that 21 people were killed in the attack but gives no other detail. No Mosquitoes were lost.

A lone Lancaster of 103 Squadron, again piloted by Squadron Leader C. O’Donoghue, set out to bomb the town of Emmerich just over the German border, but the Lancaster was shot down over Holland and the crew were all killed.

USAAF
SICILY: Two IX Bomber Command B-24s staging through Malta mount an experimental low-level attack (from 100 feet) against the ferry terminal at Messina. Many direct hits are observed, and the B-24’s low-level bombing capability is confirmed.

TUNISIA: NATBF A-20s attack La Fauconnerie Airdrome and the El Djem landing ground, and conduct numerous attacks against the German Army in the Sidi Mansour-Djebel Tebaga region; and IX Bomber Command medium and light bombers attack flak batteries and Axis aircraft parked at Sfax/El Maou Airdrome.

By helping to down a Ju-88 during the day, SSgt James E. Butler, a 52d Fighter Group Spitfire pilot, becomes the only USAAF enlisted fighter pilot to score an aerial victory in World War II. (Butler will score a total of four aerial victories while flying with enlisted rank.) In other fighter action, pilots of the 31st, 33d, and 52d Fighter groups are credited with five Bf-109s and four Ju-88s, bringing the day’s tally to ten.

UNITED STATES: The advance air echelons of the 94th and 351st Heavy Bombardment groups, both in B-17s, depart for England for service with the 1st Heavy Bombardment Wing’s 101st Provisional Combat Bombardment Wing.

RAF
Base Changes
21 Sqn (Ventura I/II) moves to Oulton
222 Sqn (Spitfire VB) moves to Martlesham Heath
253 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Jemappes

First and Last Operational Missions
92 Sqn (Bou Grara) flies its first OM in the Spitfire IX
124 Sqn (North Weald) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VII
193 Sqn (Harrowbeer – Typhoon IB) flies its first OM of the war
197 Sqn (Tangmere – Typhoon IB) flies its first OM of the war
221 Sqn (Luqa) flies its first OM’s in the Wellington XI and XII
224 Sqn (Beaulieu) flies its last OM in the Liberator II
225 Sqn (Souk-el-Arba) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VC
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Re: Action This Day

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50 Sqn (Skellingthorpe – Lancaster III) 2.4.43
GARDENING – DEODARS AREA
Nine aircraft were briefed to lay mines on this operation. Eight aircraft completed the operation very successfully, but unfortunately, one aircraft - F/O Nichols – failed to return. Only one real incident of note to report. Aircraft captained by Sgt. Pickens encountered two small flak ships which fired at the aircraft, but no damage was received. Another aircraft – Sgt Wilkie – did not reach the allotted area owing to a navigational error but planted veg. from the coast line which was believed to be the East end of Ile de Yeu. A total of 54 veg. were expended on this operation.

ADDENDUM – Lancaster III ED482 VN-? Crew: Sgt AH Nichols KIA, Sgt JW Moon KIA, P/O JC Davis KIA, P/O J Parsons KIA, Sgt AE Roberts KIA, Sgt CM Skelton KIA, F/S SG Maguire KIA. Lost without a trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. Their average age was 23.

BOMBER COMMAND
The only Bomber Command operation on this day was the first sortie of the newly formed 1409 (Meteorological) Flight, based at Oakington. One Mosquito, crewed by Flight Lieutenant P. Cunliffe-Lister and Sergeant J. Boyle, made a weather reconnaissance flight to Brittany in preparation for the Bomber Command raids to be carried out in the coming night. The Mosquito returned safely.

1409 Flight operated until the end of the war, flying 1,364 sorties on 632 days. Only 3 Mosquitoes were lost during this period.

ST-NAZAIRE/LORIENT
55 mixed aircraft to St-Nazaire and 47 to Lorient in the last raids on these French ports. Bomber Command was released from the obligation to bomb these targets 3 days later. 1 Lancaster was lost from the St-Nazaire raid.

The only report available from France says that the local fire-brigade headquarters at St-Nazaire was hit and 1 person was wounded. Both towns were now largely deserted by their former civilian populations.

33 aircraft laid mines off the southern part of the Biscay coast. 1 Lancaster lost.

USAAF
ITALY: When 27 IX Bomber Command B-24s dispatched against Naples find the target area totally obscured by clouds, nine release their bombs through the clouds and three attack targets of opportunity their bombardiers can see.

SICILY: Two IX Bomber Command B-24s conduct a special mission in which one each attacks the ferry terminals at Messina and Villa San Giovanni, Italy. However, 24 IX Bomber Command B-24s dispatched to attack Palermo abort in the face of heavy clouds obscuring the target area.

TUNISIA: NATBF A-20s and B-25s attack La Fauconnerie Airdrome.

USAAF fighter pilots down four Bf-109s in at least three separate actions during the day. One of them, Capt Lyman Middleditch, Jr., a P-40 pilot with the 57th Fighter Group’s 64th Fighter Squadron, achieves ace status when he downs a Bf-109 at 1540 hours.

RAF
Base Changes
223 Sqn (Baltimore IIIA) moves to Mendinene Main
304 Sqn (Wellington IC) moves to Docking
404 Sqn RCAF (Non-Op) moves to Tain

First and Last Operational Missions
7 Sqn (Oakington) flies its first OM in the Stirling III
65 Sqn (Perranporth) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VC
80 Sqn (Bu Amud) flies its last OM in the Hurricane IIC
257 Sqn (Middle Wallop) flies its first OM in the Typhoon IB
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Re: Action This Day

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408 Sqn RCAF (Leeming – Halifax II) 3.4.43
Weather: Fair to cloudy with good visibility. We were called upon for a full effort and twelve aircraft were prepared for operations. All aircraft were off on time and nine were successful in attacking the target area being ESSEN. One aircraft returned to base early owing to the illness of the pilot. Two of our aircraft failed to return from this operation.

ADDENDUM – Halifax II HR713 EQ-F. Crew: F/L RHP Gamble RCAF KIA, Sgt RW Barker KIA, F/S DL Jarrett RCAF KIA, P/O CN Black RAAF KIA, F/S KF McColl RAAF KIA, Sgt AJ Hawkins KIA, F/O ER Ray RCAF KIA. T/o 1945 Leeming. Probably hit by Marine Flak of 1./M FL. Abt. 816 near Ijmuiden at 2345 hours, crashed into the North Sea. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Halifax II JB866 EQ-T. Crew: P/O EA Sirett RCAF KIA, Sgt KO Brice KIA, F/S MG Church RCAF KIA, F/S GA Fletcher RCAF KIA, F/O JD McBride RCAF KIA, Sgt GD Boyer RCAF KIA, Sgt FR Burke RCAF KIA. T/o 1952 Leeming. Shot down by Hptm. Hans-Dieter Franke (16th victory) 2./NJG1, 5 km SE Rhenen at 2245 hours. All were buried in the Uden War Cemetery.

BOMBER COMMAND
ESSEN
348 aircraft – 225 Lancasters, 113 Halifaxes, 10 Mosquitoes; this was the first raid in which more than 200 Lancasters had taken part. 12 Halifaxes and 9 Lancasters lost – 6.0 percent of the force – and 2 further Halifaxes crashed in England.

The weather forecast was not entirely favourable for this raid and the Pathfinders prepared a plan both for sky-marking and ground-marking the target. In the event, there was no cloud over Essen and the Main Force crews were somewhat confused to find two kinds of marking taking place. The resultant bombing, however, was accurate and a higher proportion of aircraft produced good bombing photographs than on any of the earlier successful raids on Essen.

Local reports showed that there was widespread damage in the centre and in the western half of Essen. 635 buildings were destroyed and 526 seriously damaged. 118 people – 88 civilians, 10 Flak gunners, 2 railwaymen, 2 policemen and 16 French workers – were killed and 458 people were injured.

Minor Operations: 16 Wellingtons minelaying off Brittany ports, 9 O.T.U. sorties. 1 minelaying aircraft lost.

Total effort for the night: 377 sorties, 23 aircraft (6.1 percent) lost.

USAAF
TUNISIA: All NASAF bombers are grounded by bad weather; NATAF aircraft attack Axis military vehicles in eastern Tunisia; NATBF B-25s attack Ste.-Marie du Zit Airdrome; IX Bomber Command B-25s attack Sfax/El Maou Airdrome; and WDAF A-20s attack Axis motor vehicles and gun emplacements.

In a lopsided attack near El Guettar at about 1730 hours, Spitfire pilots of the 52d Fighter Group’s 2d Fighter Squadron down 13 Ju-87 dive-bombers in a matter of minutes. Four 2d Fighter Squadron pilots each down two of the Ju-87s, but high-scoring honors go to Capt Norman L. McDonald, who achieves ace status when he downs three Ju-87s. Also achieving ace status is Capt Arnold E. Vinson, who downs one Ju-87. Unfortunately, Vinson is shot down and killed.

The main body of the IX Bomber Command’s 12th Medium Bombardment Group displaces forward to Medenine Airdrome.

RAF
Base Changes
3 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk) moves to El Hamma
112 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to El Hamma
250 Sqn (Kittyhawk III) moves to El Hamma
260 Sqn Kittyhawk II/III) moves to El Hamma
450 Sqn RAAF (Kittyhawk III) moves to El Hamma
464 Sqn RAAF (Ventura I/II) moves to Methwold
487 Sqn RNZAF (Ventura I/II) moves to Methwold
601 Sqn (Spitfire VC) moves to Gabes


First and Last Operational Missions
12 Sqn (Wickenby) flies its first OM in the Lancaster
64 Sqn (Ayr) flies its first OM in the Spitfire VB
453 Sqn RAAF (Hornchurch) flies its first OM in the Spitfire LFIXB
604 Sqn (Ford) flies its first OM in the Beaufighter VIF
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Re: Action This Day

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426 Sqn RCAF (Dishforth – Wellington III) 4.4.43
Weather: Fine: Visibility moderate: Wind – Light, S’ly, or calm.
The Squadron was able to put up 16 A/C for operations. Crews were briefed to attack KIEL. A/C H.E.431 was unable to take off, and A/C D.F.619 returned early because it was not able to reach the target in time. The remaining A/C crossed the NORTH SEA north of 55°N and found P.F.F. flares marking the turning point on the DANISH COAST. They flew on to KIEL but were disappointed to find 10/10 cumulus clouds over the whole target area. T.I. markers were not easily discerned and in consequence, bombing was probably scattered. Although some bomb aimers saw the glow of markers below the cloud in their sights on the bombing run. There was heavy but inaccurate flak over a wide area, searchlights were not able to penetrate the clouds. Thirteen A/C returned to base. A/C X.3699, captained by F/O D.L. Kennedy, was damaged by flak 5 minutes before E.T.A. target. The rear turret was jammed and put out of action; other damage was sustained. The pilot decided to jettison the bomb load and return to base. On the way back it was noticed there was a light burning under the fuselage, caused presumably by a short circuit. The crew were unable to put it out. The A/C was then attacked by a JU.88 which damaged the hydraulics so that the undercarriage went down and the bomb doors fell open. Although the navigator could not determine his position it was calculated that the A/C would have sufficient petrol to reach ENGLAND and to make a crash landing. For this reason, the pilot thought it was not necessary to take S.O.S. action, not to switch I.F.F. to stud 3. Five minutes before the aircraft would have reached the EAST ANGLIAN coast the engines cut. The pilot “ditched” the A/C but it went under the water and broke up at once. The bomb aimer and wireless operator P/O LASKEY & SGT ANDERSON were able to swim to the overturned dinghy and each helped the other to climb onto it. They could hear the cries of the navigator and rear gunner, but could not paddle to their assistance. Four and one half hours later the two survivors were picked up by a naval destroyer. F/O Kennedy’s body washed up on the shore but the other two bodies have not been recovered.

ADDENDUM – Wellington III X3699 OW-? Crew F/O DL Kennedy RCAF KIA, P/O KM Walley RCAF KIA, P/O D Laskey RCAF, Sgt LL Anderson RCAF, Sgt CN Beaton RCAF KIA. T/o 2030 Dishforth. At 0320 the Wellington was plotted in position 5305N 0130E, but ditched soon afterwards some 10 miles off Cromer. F/O Kennedy is buried in Scottow Cemetery, while the others are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

BOMBER COMMAND
60 Venturas attacked an airfield near Caen (24 aircraft), a shipyard at Rotterdam (24 aircraft) and a railway target as St-Brieuc (12 aircraft). All targets were successfully bombed but 2 aircraft from the Rotterdam raid were lost.

KIEL
577 aircraft – 203 Lancasters, 168 Wellingtons, 116 Halifaxes, 90 Stirlings – on the largest raid so far to Kiel, more than twice as many aircraft as on any previous raid taking part. This was also the largest ‘non-1,000’ bombing force of the war so far. 12 aircraft – 5 Lancasters, 4 Halifaxes, 2 Stirlings, 1 Wellington – lost, 2.1 percent of the force.

The Pathfinders encountered thick cloud and strong winds over the target so that accurate marking became very difficult. It was reported that decoy fire sites may also have drawn off some of the bombing. Kiel reports only a few bombs in the town with 11 buildings destroyed, 46 damaged and 26 people being killed. No commercial premises were hit; the only building hit apart from houses was a Catholic church.

USAAF
FRANCE: Eighty-five VIII Bomber Command B-17s conduct a precision-bombing attack against the Paris Renault Billancourt works, the first USAAF mission within Paris city limits. Despite intense flak and concerted attacks by GAF fighters, 251 tons of bombs fall more or less within the target area. Four B-17s are listed as missing and 16 are damaged. Crew losses are 39 missing and six wounded.

ITALY: Ninety-nine IX Bomber Command B-17s and 64 XII Bomber Command B-24s attack the Capodichino Airdrome, port facilities, barracks, power plants, and gas works throughout Naples; and NASAF B-25s attack several small Axis ships at Carloforte, San Pietro Island.

TUNISIA: NASAF B-25s attack the El Djem landing ground; NAAF P-38s dive-bomb a beached freighter at Cape Zebib; NATBF A-20s attack La Fauconnerie Airdrome; and NATBF B-25s attack the El Djem landing ground and Ste.-Marie du Zit Airdrome.

NAAF and IX Fighter Command fighters accompanying the various bomber missions attack numerous ground targets throughout the battle area. In the course of at least four separate afternoon aerial engagements, USAAF pilots down five Bf-109s and an Mc.202.

UNITED STATES: The first air echelon of the 96th Heavy Bombardment Group, in B-17s, departs for England via the northern ferry route for service with the Eighth Air Force.

RAF
Base Changes
6 Sqn (Hurricane IID) moves to Gabes
24 Sqn SAAF (Boston III) moves to Senem
40 Sqn SAAF TR (Hurricane IIB/Spitfire VB) moves to Gabes
55 Sqn (Baltimore IIIA) moves to Mendinene
87 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Tahir
94 Sqn (Hurricane IIC) moves to Savoia

First and Last Operational Missions
100 Sqn (Grimsby – Lancaster I/III) flies its first OM of the war
424 Sqn (Topcliffe) flies its last OM in the Wellington III
467 Sqn (Bottesford) flies its first OM in the Lancaster III
warshipbuilder

Any ship can be a minesweeper, once.
ED/BTR Ressurection Project
https://www.bombercommandmuseumarchives.ca/
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