OPERations
'A Prelude to Overlord'
13-02-1944 After a short embarkation leave, the squadron personnel reported to No. 1 “Y” Depot at Lachine for transport to Halifax, where they boarded the “Pasteur” on January 20, 1944, and sailed for overseas. The squadron landed at Liverpool on the last day of January and remained at No. 3 Personnel Reception Center at Bournemouth until February 13. It was here that the Fighting Four Hundred and Forty-Third began on February 8, 1944. Earlier in the war, the Royal Air Force had allocated a special block of numbers to the Dominion Air Forces, the Royal Canadian Air Force squadrons “overseas” were assigned the No. 400 series. No. 127 became No. 443. From Bournemouth the unit moved to Digby in Lincolnshire, where it formed a new R.C.A.F. fighter wing (144) with Nos. 441 and 442 Squadrons which also had just arrived from Canada. The wing commander flying of this new formation was Wing Cdr. J. E. Johnson, D.S.O. and Bar, D.F.C. and Bar, the R.A.F.'s top "ace". After some preliminary training on Spitfire V-B's, the wing received more modern IX-B's, and a few days later moved south to Holmsley in Hampshire to begin operations. The squadron now had only twenty-three pilots, plus a medical officer and three airmen. All the ground crew were posted to No. 6443 Servicing Echelon and since no adjutant was provided for, lucky F/O C. E. Scarlett assumed those duties after all the practice that he had in Canada. No. 443, however, had to wait almost four weeks before making its initial sorties against the enemy. Hardly had the unit settled into its tents at Holmsley than it was sent back north to Yorkshire for an air-firing and bombing course. Early in April the squadron rejoined the wing, which in the interval had moved to Funtingdon.
13.04.1944 Sqn. Ldr. McLeod was to lead No. 443's first operation, an escort for 18 Fortresses bombing a target at Dieppe. The aerial preparation for D-Day was now in full course, and the next eight weeks were a very busy period for the pilots and their groundcrews. Between April 13th and June 5th, No. 443 made 487 sorties on 43 offensive operations.
19.04.1944 On April 19, while escorting a Marauder formation to bomb Malines, S/L McLeod scored the squadron’s first kill and his fourteenth personal kill. His combat report, the first of more than 60 filed by pilots of 443 Squadron, read: “I was flying White 3 on the starboard side of Ramrod 753. When proceeding east of Louvain at zero feet, my number two (F/L Russell) reported a Do. 217 at three o’clock, same level. White 1 (W/C Johnson) told me to attack. I cut in behind the Do. 217 firing a four second burst from 300 to 100 yards from dead astern. Many strikes were observed: large pieces flew off and the starboard engine burst into flames. I broke under him to avoid the debris, as my windscreen was covered with his oil. He pulled up sharply to starboard several hundred feet and then spun in, exploding in flames. My engine had cut, so I returned to base with White 4. I claim one Do. 217 destroyed. Rounds fired 79 cannon, 200 machinegun.”
25.04.1944 On the morning of the 25th, W/C Johnson led No. 441 and 443 Squadrons on a sweep around Paris. They encountered six FockeWulfs and destroyed them, two kills by “Johnny”, one by F/L Hugh Russell and F/L Walz and two by No. 441 Squadron. Only three of 443 pilots returned directly to base; four ended up in Exeter, and “. . . two crashed near Warmwell when their fuel ran out.” Later that evening, the squadron flew close escort to Fortresses over Cherbourg...
26.04.1944 No.443 Squadron carried out its first dive-bombing mission against a flying-bomb site south of Dieppe. In the next six weeks there were many such operations against "Noballs" (the V-l sites), bridges, rail junctions and yards, and radar posts. On most of the attacks the pilots had to run a gauntlet of intense flak and many of the Spits came home peppered with holes.
05.05.1944 In the early morning of May 5, W/C Johnson took his whole wing on a fighter sweep over the Lille area which claimed four Luftwaffe FW 190s. Johnny Johnson accounted for one (his 28th destroyed); Wally McLeod dog-fought another into the turf; and No. 441 Squadron claimed two more Huns. Whether escorting Mitchells, American A20s or Marauders to bombing sites, the squadron’s Spitfires were always on the look-out for enemy movement on the ground, and often used barges or motor lorries for target practice.
14.05.1944 144 Wing moves to RAF Ford. Combats with the enemy were the exception, however, in this pre-D-Day period. On most of the fighter sweeps and bomber escorts the only opposition encountered was flak. But the Spitfires were no longer simply fighters to engage the enemy in the air; they had now become fighter-bombers to attack the enemy on the ground as well.
01.06.1944 Weather cloudy and moderate, clearing up during afternoon. Monthly returns being prepared and forwarded as quickly as possible. No flying carried out by squadron and at 15.30hrs official release was received until following day.
02.06.1944 Weather clear and fresh, visibility good. Ground personnel joined personnel of 6443 echelon to listen to a short talk by the Commander of the Wing - an advance briefing for the invasion. All pilots attended a lecture at 10.30hrs in the Briefing room on tactics for the coming invasion operations.
03.06.1944 Weather cloudy and warm, quite hazy. Squadron on readiness from 04.30hrs ceasing at 23.22hrs. Orders received from No.144 Wing that the squadron was to leave the wing for static station, RAF Ford, as at 09.00hrs today. This meant moving from tents into temporary quarters (Nissen huts) on the Aircrew site, Ford. All camp equipment and the greater part of officers' personal baggage has been packed in the one three-ton lorry assigned to the squadron for any movements. Aircraft servicing being done by static station personnel and those members of the servicing echelon who are on the air-lift party. Pilots of the squadron are keeping only as much kit as can be carried in a Spitfire aircraft when the squadron eventually moves over-seas. The adjutant and the two airmen on squadron strength who are proceeding by air-lift party are taking all their baggage with them by transport plane. A start has been made on the painting of white stripes on the squadron aircraft in accordance with T.A.F. instructions on a/c markings. A second new Spitfire IX ML303 was flown in from Redhill today.
04.06.1944 Weather cloudy and cool with a strong wind blowing, visibility good. Our parent wing (No.144) moved out this morning ("B" echelon, the main party) on its way to the concentration area. Instructions received this morning to cease aircraft marking until further notice. Only three of ours had been completed. Six a/c engage in training flying during the morning practicing attacks and bounces. Pilots called to briefing at 17.00hrs and 12 a/c dispatched on bombing do at 17.55hrs. No 48 hour passes or days off being granted in the squadron beginning today.
05.06.1944 Weather cloudy and warm with increasing cloud as the morning progressed. Painting of distinctive markings on our aircraft continued during the night and all are now completed. Pilots attended a lecture on first-aid by F/L Whitelaw, the air-lift party M.O. It was given in the dispersal hut at 10.30hrs. A second lecture was given at 16.00hrs. Squadron personnel were given a final oppotunity to draw pay this afternoon before the parent wing accountant officer leaves. Forms 1250 (R) have been issued to all members of the squadron and old forms 1250 have been withdrawn for return to Provost Marshal for Department of Air Ministry. C.12586 F/L D.M. Walz and C.25274 F/O P.E. Piche flew to Redhill during the afternoon in the Squadron's Auster. It is being left in this country at the 83 G.S.U. Both pilots flew a new Spitfire IX back to Ford for the reserve of aircraft. Aircraft numbers are ML814 and ML114. Twelve a/c despatched on a channel convoy escort at 20.15hrs, returning at 21.40hrs. All pilots attended a briefing in Intelligence hut at 22.15hrs. Complete information was given by the Wing Commander Flying on invasion operations commencing at 00.01hrs the following morning. The landing area was indicated and the entire air support program outlined.
'Operation Neptune'
06.06.1944 "D"-Day; Weather cool with 8/10 cloud at 2-5,000ft. Squadron on readiness from 04.30hrs, the squadron are to take part in four beach-head patrols in the British area of the beach-head on the left flank, 10 miles from Le Harve. Landing operations have taken place from this point as far west as the Cherbourg peninsula. The area of patrol extends five miles inland. A posting notice was received today for another fitter armourer to fill newly-created establishment vacancy. A telephone request for cancellation was made to Records Office as no extra personnel can be taken in the Air-lift party when the squadron moves and main party is now in the concentration area. It has been impossible to arrange any incoming private mail facilities and the Field Post Office at Westhampnett advises that all squadron mail is being sent to No.144 Wing in the concentration area; we will therefore receive no mail until meeting our parent wing in France. At 10.25hrs, the B.B.C. broadcast a portrayal of what had taken place in A Wing briefing room last night when pilots were being told of the D-Day operations. In actual fact, this was our own briefing at which Wing Commander J.E. Johnson gave everyone the big news.
07.06.1944 Weather continuing cloudy and cool. Four low cover patrols were carried out over the beach-head during the day. F/L MacLennan was forced to crash land just inside the beach in territory which is not under complete control of British forces. He landed safely and ran towards farm buildings but no further particulars are known. On the third patrol, one Me109 was destroyed, being shared by F/L Russel and F/O Ockenden. Another new Spitfire IX was flown into Wing reserve today, it being MK300. F/O Henderson forced to crash land on the allied bridgehead in France during this evening's patrol. He was last seen after he had climbed out safely, attempting to get a ride to the beachhead. S/L Hall received a slight leg injury when a stray allied bullet penetrated the fuselage under his seat during the evening's patrol.
08.06.1944 Weather clear early in the morning but clouded over and became hazy later in the morning. Three low cover patrols carried out by squadron over the beachhead, the fourth being scrubbed because of poor weather. Several pilots were able to be released during the evening for their first 'break' since "D" minus one. Office recrds and maintenance of returns, correspondence etc., considerably held up due to lack of typewriter. Static stations have not as yet been able to supply machine.
09.06.1944 Weather cloudy with light rain during most of the day, visibility poor. Squadron on readiness throughout the day. F/O Henderson returned safely to the suqadron today from the allied beac in France where he had crash landed on June 7th. F/O Henderson had met some Canadian soldiers immediately after he had left his crashed a/c and states he was looked after very well. Nil flying.
10.06.1944 Weather cloudy and warm, 4/10 cloud and light haze, visibility 15 miles. Weather much better for air support of any operations over the continent. Squadron on readiness for the second day. During the afternoon two a/c at a time took part in convoy escort in the English Channel to a convoy moving west 10-15 miles off the coast. Five a/c took part in a wing sweep over northern France...
11.06.1944 Weather cloudy and cool, visibility poor, 8/10 cloud at 1,000ft. Twelve a/c took part in a fighter sweep into Paris area and south-east of this area. No enemy a/c seen, one engine destroyed on ground by P/O Hodgins. Squadron on readiness throughout the day; no further patrols or sorties flown. List prepared of pilots to fly squadron a/c and those to go by air-lift party on forthcoming move to France when our airfield has been prepared. Only twenty-five pilots are to be carried on squadron strength when the move is made.
12.06.1944 Weather clear and warm. Ceiling and visibility unlimited. Twelve a/c took part in four low cover patrols during the day. No incident reported and no casualty to any of our a/c. Daily newspapers today carried pictures of first wing to land in France, being 144 Wing. Two pilots of our squadron and quite visible in the picture. Squadron prepared to move to France at short notice - air-lift party and Spitfire escort.
13.06.1944 Weather clear and warm. Ceiling and visibility unlimited. Twelve a/c took part in four low cover patrols during the day. No incident reported and no casualty to any of our a/c. Daily newspapers today carried pictures of first wing to land in France, being 144 Wing. Two pilots of our squadron and quite visible in the picture. Squadron prepared to move to France at short notice - air-lift party and Spitfire escort.
14.06.1944 Weather clear and warm. Ceiling and visibility unlimited. Twelve a/c took part in four low cover patrols during the day. No incident reported and no casualty to any of our a/c. Daily newspapers today carried pictures of first wing to land in France, being 144 Wing. Two pilots of our squadron and quite visible in the picture. Squadron prepared to move to France at short notice - air-lift party and Spitfire escort.
15.06.1944 Squadron moves to France today. Air-lift party will leave by Dakota transport at 11.00hrs and the Spitfires are to fly over in the evening. The wing will now be based at the newly constructed landing strip at St.Croix near the coast. Only twenty-five pilots will be brought to France.
'The Battle of Normandy'
16.06.1944 Weather cloudy with scattered showers. Considerable enemy air-activity during the night over the beach-heads and airfields. No damage to our a/c or personnel. The airfield is very dusty having been constructed on an exposed rise of land which has no coarse top soil whatsoever. Considerable difficulty experianced by pilots on landing and taking-off due to the sand storms raised by the aircraft ahead.
17.06.1944 Weather cloudy cool breeze from English channel, visibility poor, clearing up by noon and visibility improved. Squadron readiness during morning, free during afternoon and on again during evening. Twelve aircraft took part in a bombing mission in the evening, objectives being four bridges over which advancing German panzers would have to pass to succeed in their intention of outting off airborne troops who have been holding ground to the east of the canal running from the English channel to Caen. No further information received on F/L F. A. Wilson, missing yesterday, and must be considered lost to the squadron. Effects collected and prepared for dispatch to England.
18.06.1944 Weather cloudy and cool. Squadron on 30 minute readiness throughout the day, only a maximum of twelve a/c available at present. F/O Gilbert and F/O Munro left for Redhill, England during the afternoon to pick up two more a/c and fly the mto France. Four more replacement pilots expected shortly. F/O Stephen and F/O Scarlett spent an hour back at RAF Ford this evening when they escorted casualty-carrying Dakotas over the English Channel. Various members of the suqadron have collected a good many souvenirs or the German occupation - ammunition, rifles, helmets, etc. Personal effects of F/L Wilson taken to Wing Stores for despatch to Central Depository.
19.06.1944 A miserable day, strong wind, heavy cloud and light rain. Squadron on immediate readiness but no sorties made. Considerable activity during the night by low flying enemy a/c coming in under protection of clouds. No damage suffered, slight loss of sleep.
20.06.1944 Weather continuing cloudy with strong wind, but rain has cleared. Routine readiness, but no sorties flown. F/O Horrell reported back after flying a replacement a/c over from G.S.U. at Redhill. Due to readiness no longer than 30 minutes, it is impossible to allow any pilots away from camp. A present their time is mainly passed playing cards. Enemy activity at night over the airfield continues on a small scale but is of great nuisance value.
21.06.1944 Weather continuing cloudy and windy, signs of clearing in the late evening, no rain. Three new pilots reported in today to go to 443 Squadron. No sorties carried out although continued readiness maintained. Effort made in the afternoon by the adjutant and two flight commanders to procure miscellaneous furniture from deserted German installation for use in squadron dispersal.. However army authorities are now in complete control of all available sources and impossible for the squadron to get anything. Nil flying time.
22.06.1944 Weather cloudy with strong wind, clearing towards the evening, good visibility. Squadron t ook part in bombing do to Bois de Homme north of Fougeres.