427 Squadron Wartime Log - January 1944

1/1/44

Weather Cloudy with strong westerly wind. Visibility good.
As the New Year opened, this unit was notified, through the medium of the London Times of the award of the Air Force Cross to Wing Command- er R.S. Turnbull, DFM. No citation accompanied the award, and neither has scrutiny failed to locate under what meritorious service the award was granted. Therefore the Wing Commander is the proud possessor of an added ribbon for what he knows not.  It would appear that the London Times serves as an official publication in that confirmation of an award in the London Gazette and Group Routine Orders reaches units, a considerable period of time after it has appeared in the press.

No operations were scheduled for this date and in order to permit personnel to recuperate from the New Year's Eve festivities, an official standown was declared.

2/1/44

Weather: Cloudy with strong westerly wind which turned gusty at times. Visibility good.
Operations remained at a standstill today, but after the rather hectic festive season, aircrews again buckled down to work, participating in an intensive training program both in the air and on the ground.

3/1/44

Weather: Cloudy with light north westerly winds. Visibility good.
A further operational lull, as our aircraft were not called upon to operate on any bombing sessions However, the post holiday training program inaugurated yesterday, continued where it was left off, as local flying conditions continued favourable.

4/1/44

Weather Fine with moderate north westerly winds. Visibility very good.
Again no operations were scheduled. Notwithstanding, thirteen aircraft were detailed on a cross country roil, and all returned safe and sound, having successfully completed their mission.

Five aircraft were detailed for a Practice Bombing exercise on the range nearby, thereby preparing inexperienced crews for oncoming operational work which appears imminent.

5/1/44

Weather: Mainly cloudy with light southerly winds becoming very misty and foggy.
Flying training was continued as weather permitted in the forenoon, with operations again not called for.

The Lion's adoption by the Metro Goldwyn Mayer Co., is finally bearing fruits, when today a bill of lading was received from the Canadian Red Cross Society, informing the Squadron that 6 cases containing 60,000 cigarettes for Squadron personnel use, has gone forward in bond by steamer, as dispatched by the M.G.M.studios in Toronto.

6/1/44

Weather: Moderate, gusty westerly winds accompanied by occasional rain, rendering visibility as moderate.
Again operations were at a standstill. However, four crews were detailed for air to air firing exercises and additional flying training, in an effort to get new crews up to Standard. W/C R.S. Turnbull, AFC, DFM, proceeded on leave, and S/L G.J. Laird, DFC, assumed command of the squadron, in his absence.

7/1/44

Weather: Cloudy. Visibility good becoming moderate. Moderate westerly winds becoming calm.
No operations were called for this date, and as weather conditions did not permit, no flying training was carried out, however, an intensive ground training program which consisted of lectures and Instruction in the gunnery section, occupied the time of the idle aircrews.

8/1/44

Weather: Mainly cloudy. Visibility poor becoming moderate. Moderate westerly winds.
An experienced effort was called for this date, and consequently six of the Squadron's veteran crews were detailed for a bombing raid, which was to take place in full moon. The raid however, was cancelled later in the day.

9/1/44

Weather: Slight rain. Visibility good becoming poor and calm, becoming light westerly.
For the purpose of bolstering the morale of the station, and also to fill a gap in the Squadron inactivity from an operational standpoint, a service information film called "The Nazis' Strike" was shown at the Station cinema for ail ranks g which left them with a good intimation of why this war is being fought, and for the necessity of continued efforts in order that the Hun's regime may be blasted from the face of the earth. A worthwhile film and good entertainments.

10/1/44

Weather: Variable skies. Visibility mainly moderate Wind light north westerly.
Since no operations were called for, a flying training program which was comprised of seven aircraft detailed for a cross country run. All returned safely having successfully completed their tasks.

11/1/44

Weather: Cloudy with some slight snow in afternoon. Fog developed by 1900 hours.
First snow of the year in this region fell today, leading a thin blanket of snow over the whole aerodrome. No operations were scheduled and all local flying was curtailed.

12/1/44

Weather: Overcast with poor visibility.
Again local flying was at a standstill due to the above climate conditions as well as not being called for to operate against the enemy.

13/1/44

Weather: Cloudy with rain and fog. Visibility improved after mid-day to moderate limits.
The fog as set forth above, did not permit any local flying training. The Squadron was not called upon for operations.

14/1/44

Weather: The sky was fair to cloudy with good visibility.
For the fourth consecutive day, all flying was at a standstill due to the fog which has clung close to the ground in this district. Group headquarters did not detail the Squadron for Ops.

15/1/44

Weather: Cloudy with poor visibility.
The fog persisted throughout the day, thereby prohibiting all local flying training. Operations were not scheduled.

16/1/44

Weather: Cloudy with poor visibility.
Again fog did not permit local flying and visibility remained at zero feet. No operations were scheduled.

17/1/44

Weather: Sky obscured, and thick persisting on surface.
Fog is proving more of a handicap in the prosecution of the war from the air, than all the enemy opposition that the Naai minds could contrive. At any rate, all flying as has been the case for the past few days, has been curtailed completely today, giving the Jerries another day's reprieve before the apparent storm.

18/1/44

Weather: Cloudy with poor visibility.
The fog finally lifted and as a result the whole Squadron was cut in an effort to prepare themselves for renewed operational activities. Information received from No. 6 Group, to the effect that S/L Donald MacKenzie Arraot, has been awarded a non-immediate Distinguished Flying Cross, for his devotion to duty over an extended period of time while with this Squadron.

Two former members of this Squadron also were awarded non-immediate D.F.C.'s in the persons of 146448 F/0 G.L. Hughes, RAF, and 146994 F/0 A/F/L A. Rodwell, RAF, the latter being a very skillful pilot and former deputy flight commander. Both these aircrew members had completed a tour of operations while with the Lions.

19/1/44

Weather: Cloudy to overcast with continuous rain and poor visibility.
As no operations were scheduled, eight aircraft were this date detailed on a Cross Country exercise while the weather was particularly un- favourable. Consequently, shortly after lunch time the run was cancelled.

Further honours were conferred upon present and former personnel of the Lions. Our former colourful and well-liked adjutant F/L J. Chasanoff, who had been recommended for the M.B.E. with the recommendation reading in part "There is no doubt that his cheerful confidence and outstanding personality have inspired a high standard of morale over a long period to aircrew and ground crew alike", was honoured by a Mention of Despatches.

Four section leaders who were under the Command of W/C D.H. Burnside, DFC & BAR, RAF, were also honoured by Mentions in Dispatches for ability and enthusiasm in carrying out their normal duties since the formation date of the Squadron. These honours were bestowed upon F/L L.D. Izzard, 128408, RAF, the former Signals' Leader, F/L N.W. Morrison, the former bombing leader, 118658 F/L S.A. Hansby, RAF, the Navigation Officer and F/L J.E. "Rocky" Durocher, our erstwhile gunnery leader.
354146 W/0 M. Derbyshire, RAF, ARMOURER - was Mentioned in Dispatches for "his enthusiasm and ability have been an inspiration to those under his control".

20/1/44

Weather: Fair becoming cloudy with poor to moderate visibility.
At long last the Squadron became operational again after an extended period during which it appeared that the Lion Squadron would take on the form of an CTU. This date the news of the detail was very welcomed, when sixteen aircraft were called for a raid on BERLIN,, Of that total however, in view of last minute cancellations, only fourteen became airborne and Hun bound. S/L G.J. Lair, DFC, failed to reach the target after his aircraft "V", developed a starboard inner engine failure. He therefore returned early after jettisoning his bomb load safely. F/0 G.A. Weldon and crew in aircraft "T" also returned early, due to the unserviceability of "G", after the bomb load had been jettisoned. The remaining twelve aircraft proceeded to enemy territory encountering cloud cover on the inward journey, which entirely obscured ground detail, but otherwise encountering no enemy opposition. The target was completely covered by 10/lOths clouds but was identified by red flares with green stars seen cascading, and it was on these indicators that the bomb loads were released. The results of the bombing however, remained unobserved due to the condition of the clouds.

On the return journey F/0 W.A. Cozens, RAF, due to lack of fuel decided to land at Coltishall, but after three attempts to land, he over- skidded the airdrome, crashing into tree tops and finally ending up in a nearby field, completely wrecking the aircraft and instantly killing F/0 L.G. Biddiscombe, RAF, the Navigator and critically injuring the pilot, Sgt H.P. Whittaker, RAF, the WOP/AG, Sgt, W.L. Stockford, RAF, the Bomb Aimer and Sgt. J. McGowan, RAF, the Flight Engineer, while the other two members of the crew the gunners, Sgt R.B. Nairn and F/S G.L. Bemier, escaped uninjured. The Coltishall report of this crash is as follows:

"The aircraft crashed on its third attempt to land at this airfield the pilot having previously requested permission to land because of fuel shortage.
The only members of the crew available to give evidence (Mid~upper and Rear Gunners) stated that the pilot went round again after his first attempt to land because the undercarriage was not completely locked down. They also stated that no engine trouble was apparent and that immediately before the crash, the pilot had said that he could not see the funnel lights.
It would appear that the aircraft was flying dangerously low when approaching to land and at a distance of two miles from the airfield. It first struck H.T. cables and, without losing height, flew on some 200 yards, striking the tops of trees in a small wood, finally crashing in a field approximately 100 yards from the wood. The aircraft was completely wrecked on impact. Fire occurred on the port side but this was localized and extinguished.
An examination of the wreckage was made but it was not possible to determine the amount of fuel owing to crash and fire damage. All propeller blades were broken off at their hubs and it is thought that all engines were running at power when the crash occurred. Propeller C/S levers were at 'course' and throttles closed, but these may have been disturbed on impact. All magneto switches were ON - elevator trim 'neutral' - altimeter registering 3s' The air- craft crashed with wheels and flaps down. Visibility was not ideal at the time of the crash and -this may have some bearing on the accident".

P/0 N.S. Cook and crew failed to return from the operation and has been posted as missings "Cookie" as he was known to the Squadron, had recently been commissioned, and was well liked by all who came in contact with him. He was the possessor of a much admired handlebar moustache, which accentuated his otherwise "simplicity of conducts", A sad loss to the Squadron as a pilot and a gentleman.

21/1/44

Weather: Fair, becoming cloudy with frequent showers towards late evening. Visibility good.
In the forenoon information received from R.A.F. Station Coltishall, the scene of the crash the previous evening, that F/0 Cozens, Sgt Stockford and Sgt J. McGowan had passed away, as a result of injuries incurred from the crash. Sgt Whittaker remains on the dangerously injured list. F/0 Cozens, a bridegroom of a month, will be greatly missed by the Squadron, as he was becoming one of the most proficient pilots on the Squadron.
Twelve aircraft were detailed for an operation against Magdsnburg, which turned out to be one of the most unfortunate efforts of the Lions in quite some time. Of the twelve aircraft which became air- borne, aircraft "G" piloted by F/S King, returned early because flexible tube to Navigators oxygen mask was missing and could not be found in the aircraft, thereby not permitting him to draw the necessary oxygen. Aircraft "Y" piloted by P/0 T.W. Cooper returned early after the starboard inner engine became unserviceable due to a technical fail- ure. Four aircraft failed to return from the operation including "D" piloted by the "A" Flight Commander, S/L Don H. Amot, DFC, who had only a few days previous been awarded his gong. Flying as second pilot with S/L Arnot was the new Officer Commanding of No 424 Squadron, W/C Martin who had recently returned to England after very intensive and meritorious service in the Middle East. The remaining three crews which failed to return were captained by inexperienced pilots whose operational records range from 2 to 5 trips; they were as follows: F/S R.N. Wier, Sgt G.W.C. Toal, and F/0 J.E. Dickinson.
The remaining aircraft arrived at the target area to find it covered by 5/lOths clouds, and each bombed as indicated in the individual sortie records on the Form 541. Aircraft "U" piloted' by F/S G.H. Goathup, immediately after the Bomb Aimer had ordered bomb doors closed, encountered a stream of tracer, and an ME 109 was sighted on the port bow down, about 500 yards away. The pilot then executed combat manoeuvre which consisted of a diving turn to port. At this point the fighter was diving onto the Halifax and let loose with a short burst of cannon and machine gun fire, which missed the target. His second burst however, fared better, and damaged both starboard.engines. The fighter then broke off the attach on the port beam down and flew away astern. Neither gunners were able to return fire as the hun was out of range by the time they could bring their guns to bear.
The action of "2" under the capable captaining of F/S A,R. Clibbery, can best be told by quoting an extract from the Wing Commander's recommendation for the Distinguished Flying Medal, which was dis- patched the following day.

"While over the target area coned in searchlights and surrounded by fighter flares, his aircraft was raked by cannon and machine gun fire from an enemy fighter, destroying the inner communication system, the supply of exygen, shooting away all flying instruments and setting the aircraft on fire in the Flight engineer's position. Despite this attack, this captain completed his bombing run, and under very difficult weather conditions flew his aircraft home, and made a safe landing.

F/S CLIBBERY has shown great fortitude throughout the operation and by his skillfdl airmanship, successfully completed his duties."

In this action., the enemy fighter in question was destroyed by Sgt. R.E. QUALE, the raid-upper gunner, under very trying conditions. The fighter had shot-away one of his guns, and had penetrated the turret perspex by machine gun fire. Even though Sgt. QUALE was dazed by searchlights, and cut by flying perspex, he brought his guns to bear, and downed the Hun. For this skilful handling of his guns, he too, was recomended for the award of the D.F.M.

22/1/44

Weather: Cloudy with squally showers of rain. Visibility good.
It was hoped although seeming very hopeless, that one of the missing kites of last nights raid, might have possibly been shot down into the sea and had taken to dinghys. Consequently when volunteers were called for sea search duties all available crews offered their services. The three crews who were finally selected, were very disappointed when the search was cancelled later in the day.

F/Sgt. CLIBBERY returned to base after the masterful job the previous evening. The 0.C. felt his skilful piloting warranted an honour and recommended CLIBBERY as well as QUALE, the mid upper gunner for the award of the D.F.M.

No operations were called for the evening which afforded an opportunity to the ground crews to get all aircraft serviceable, after the past couple of nights shaking up.

23/1/44

Weather: Occasional showers. Good visibility. Strong westerly winds in the middle of the day.
The weather did not permit local flying and neither was there any call for operations.
The Adjutant proceeded by Station aircraft to Coltishall in order to make funeral arrangements for the burial of F/0 COZENS, BIDDISCOMBE and Sergeants McGOWAN and STOCKFORD.
In order to provide a short cut to the new Sergeants aircrew Mess, personnel not previously detailed for other duties were utilized in aiding in the construction of a pathway.

24/1/44

Weather: Occasional slight rain. Visibility good becoming poor. Wind becoming S.S.E., moderate.
As no flying was scheduled both by day or night, flying personnel continued on the "read gang", while others were lectured to during the afternoon. Otherwise a very uneventful day.

25/1/44

Weather: Showery becoming cloudy. Westerly winds up to gale force at times. Visibility moderate becoming good...
Ten aircraft were detailed for an operation on enemy territory, but later in the day it was cancelled in view of the inclement weather conditions, which persisted in the latter part of the day. Notwithstanding, aircrews were absorbed in ground instruction.

26/1/44

Weather: Cloudy. Visibility good. Moderate variable winds.
The bad weather persisted and consequently operations were not called for. Funeral services with full Air Force honours, were held for Sgt. McGOWAN who was buried at Ferryhill in Durhan, and Sgt. STOCKFORD and F/0 BIDDISCOMBE who were buried at Cambridge.

27/1/44

Weather: Cloudy. Vis. good. Wind westerly gale force, about 1100 hours moderating.
Ten aircraft were detailed for an operation but the raid was scrubbed later in the day. Information received from the International Red Cross to the effect that F/0 R.J. Lacerte and crew who was reported missing on the 20.l2.43 was reclassified Prisoners of War. Being a P.O.W., is not unusual for F/0 LACERTS vho was shot down over the Bay of Biscay on his l9th operation and succeeded escaping to friendly territory. If he makes a second attempt at freedom let us hope that it is as successful as the first.

28/1/44

Weather: Mainly cloudy. Visibility moderate to good. Wind westerly moderate.
F/0 C0ZENS funeral was held today in Surrey at which the Squadron was well represented by his many friends snd acquaintances on the squadron.
Nine aircraft proceeded in the evening on another BERLIN bashing raid but of this totsl only six succeeded in reaching the target area. F/L J.R. "Taffy" MILTON, RAF, pilot of aircraft "R", returned early bringing back all bombs, due to fact that daylight artificial horizon had been inadvertently fitted to this aircraft, and pilot claimed that while flying through haae and cloud, he found difficulty in controlling the aircraft. F/L G.J. CRIBB, RAF, pilot of aircraft "N", returned early with all bombs due to starboard outer not going into "S"' gear which reduced height and made it difficult to control aircraft. On landing at base a tyre burst but pilot landed aircraft without mishap. F/0 J.ML MATHERLY, pilot of aircraft "A", returned early with all bomb load, after his W/T equipment went entirely u/s and. it was impossible to receive group and command. met. reports. There were no winds to aid navigator and pilot experienced difficulty in climbing.
These few remaining aircraft which succeeded in reaching the target found it well aglow and to these fires they added their downpour of bombs, leaving the target a blazing inferno with conflagration gaining in momentum. The raid was otherwise uneventful as little enemy opposition vas encountered either on the inward or homeward journeys.

29/1/44

Weather: Mainly cloudy. Visibility good. Moderate light westerly winds.
No flying this date as operations not called for. Aircrews volunteered to contribute one shilling bimonthly towards the Red Cross, Prisoner of War Fund, which is a genourous gesture on their part.

30/1/44

Weather: Cloudy. Visibility good. Wind westerly light to modersate.
Squadron aircraft were re-equipped with Halifax IIIs and those vho have already been fortunate enough to test the new type are profuse in their admiration of its far superior performance and manoeuvrability in comparison, to the old Halifax V.

No operations scheduled and very little flying carried out.

31/1/44

Weather: Fine becoming cloudy. Visibility moderate except for smoke base about 1100 hours. Wind southerly becoming south westerly light.
Operations uncalled for this date. However, considerable flying carried out in testing the newer type of aircraft.

Signal received from A.O.C-in-C. informing this unit of the immediate award of ths DPM to F/S CLIBBERY and SGT QUALE.