Historical Aircraft

April 1943

 

Thursday, 1 April, 1943

The weather was dull and overcast with 10/10ths cloud all day.  One section was scrambled without incident and some local flying was done.  The Bishop of Toronto (Church of England) visited the Squadron.  He chatted with the boys, and gave a short address to the ground crew who were assembled in the Orderly Room.

Friday, 2 April, 1943

The weather was overcast 10/10ths cloud with some mist and rain.  No flying was done today.

Saturday, 3 April, 1943

It was sunny and fine all day.  Ramrod 49: S/L Ford led 11 aircraft of the Squadron which, along with 9 aircraft of 416 Squadron, acted as first Fighter Echelon with orders to sweep the St. Omer area under special control after the bombing of the Abbeville-Drucat aerodrome.  The English coast was crossed over Dungeness at 21,000 to 26,000 feet at 1450 hours.  The Wing was up-sun when 15-20 FW 190s appeared, flying West in fours and line abreast at slightly staggered heights and in an excellent position for a bounce.  403 Squadron was ordered down on the starboard half of the formation and 416 on the port half.  S/L Ford took Red Section down and F/L Magwood took Blue Section while F/O MacDonald remained above with Yellow Section as cover.  S/L Ford and F/L Magwood evidently crisscrossed in pressing home their attacks, for Blue 2,3 and 4 (F/O Cameron, F/O Fowlow and P/O Dover) found themselves with Red 1 (recognizing him later) and witnessed the later portion of his attack.  Blue 2 and 3, fired short burst themselves.  S/L Ford, F/O Fowlow, and F/O Cameron saw the 190 go down in a tight spin after a second burst by S/L Ford from close in.  F/O Fowlow and F/O Cameron saw the e/a smoking black and pouring flames from the cockpit that later enveloped the whole a/c like a ‘ball of fire’.  This FW is claimed as destroyed by S/L Ford.

F/L Magwood opened fire from about 15? to the rear-port quarter, closing from 150 to 50 yards.  From the opening of the burst, there was a succession of long flashes and flames from cannon strikes all around the centre section of the fuselage and the wings.  Chunks flew off and then the whole aircraft completely disintegrated, leaving only a big black cloud hanging in the air.  This FW is claimed as destroyed by F/L Magwood.  The disintegration was witnessed by S/L Ford, F/O Cameron, F/O Fowlow and P/O Dover.

F/O Macdonald closed to about 100 yards on a FW 190 that was diving onto Red Section.  He saw strikes along the fuselage and the port oleo leg hanging down before the coop flew off, narrowly missing him.  He then saw a streak of white coming from the aircraft, which he recognized, as a parachute.  Sgt Uttley (Yellow 2) confirmed these facts.  This FW is claimed as destroyed by F/O MacDonald.

W/C Johnson, leading the Wing, destroyed a FW 190 and 416 Squadron netted 1 destroyed, 1 probably destroyed and one damaged for the loss of one pilot.  The Squadrons returned independently after this engagement, coming out in the Le Touquet/Berck area and crossing into England near Hastings.  Up at 1415 and down at 1540 hours.  A bit of heavy flak was reported in the Berck area, coming up to 15,000 feet.  The sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Magwood    S/L Ford    F/O MacDonald
F/O Cameron    Sgt Hamilton    Sgt Uttley
F/O Fowlow     F/O Aitken     F/O Wozniak
P/O Dover        P/O Lane

Enemy casualties:     1 FW 190 destroyed by S/L Ford flying ‘Canadian Pacific’
1 FW 190 destroyed by F/L Magwood
1 FW 190 destroyed by F/O MacDonald

Our casualties: nil

One Section patrolled Mayfield at 15,000 feet and twelve non-operational sorties were made.

Sunday, 4 April, 1943

The weather was sunny and fine with a light NW wind.  Ramrod 51: S/L Ford led ten aircraft of the Squadron which, with 416 Squadron, acted as the first withdrawal cover to the leading box of Fortresses returning from a raid on the Renault Works at Billancourt, Paris.  Rendezvous was made with 416 Squadron at Beachy Head at 1400 hours, at a height of 10,000 feet.  We went in at Quiberville at 1415 hours at 24,000 feet, and contact was made with the bombers East to Northeast of Rouen at about 1432 hours.  The bombers were in two large boxes, flying in tight formation.  As they neared the rendezvous, FW 190s could be seen attacking and one of the Fortresses was seen spinning down with one parachute coming from it.  In the background, a cloud of black smoke rising up to 7,000 feet hung over Paris and some flak-bursts were seen there and to the East of Rouen.  As the rendezvous was made, FWs in pairs and in fours were making head-on and flank attacks on the middle of the first box of Fortresses and the Wing Leader gave permission for 403 Squadron to go down on these 190s.  Only a few 190s attempted to press home the attacks on the Fortresses after the engagement started.  416 Squadron maintained a frontal position while 403 looked after the rear.  S/L Ford, Red 1, closed in on one FW 190 to about 200 yards before giving a long burst.  A large explosion was seen coming from this e/a, followed by fragments flying off and the wheel s coming down.  The whole front of the aircraft was engulfed in a solid yellow flame.  The port wing broke upwards and the aircraft dropped away.  This FW 190 is claimed as destroyed by S/L Ford who was again flying ‘Canadian Pacific’.

F/L Magwood, Blue 1, broke to port to attack a FW that had come up through the bombers.  At this point, P/O Gimbel, Blue3, and F/O Cameron, Blue 4, turned starboard, towards the bombers.  F/O Cameron saw a Fortress shoot down a FW 190 as he and P/O Gimbel went down quite steeply on a FW that was about 2,000 feet below.  P/O Gimbel fired and P/O Cameron saw pieces fall off of this 190 before it rolled over and went straight down.  This FW 190 was claimed as damaged for P/O Gimbel who is missing after this action.  As P/O Gimbel and F/O Cameron broke from this combat, three FW 190s came in close line astern from 200 yards behind.  F/O Cameron called ‘Watch out Ed’ as he broke sharply to the starboard and upward.  There was no reply.  As he came around well above, he saw a Spitfire, which he believes was P/O Gimbel, going down in a gentle dive and streaming smoke.  This was the last seen or heard of Pilot Officer E.L. Gimbel, DFC.  At least some minutes later, and not in the same vicinity, F/O Cameron noticed a parachute fully opened at about 12,000 feet.  He is sure that it was not from one of the Fortresses for they were not in that area and only Spitfires and FWs were about there.  F/L Magwood, at about 1435 hours, fired at a 190 that took evasive action.  As it dove and turned away, it was seen to crash on the edge of a big woods in the area of Bellencombre.  This FW is claimed as destroyed by F/L Magwood.  F/L Magwood, Blue 1, and Sgt Deschamps, Blue 2 then climbed back to 23,000 feet and were able to close on a FW 190 with F/L Magwood getting in a short burst at 200 yards astern but he saw no results.  The e/a broke to starboard and, while it was passing below F/L Magwood, cannon strikes were seen around the cockpit coming from an attack made by Sgt Deschamps.  The cockpit immediately became enveloped in flames and the aircraft spun down.  This aircraft is claimed as destroyed for Sgt L.J. Deschamps who is missing.  A short time later, Sgt Deschamps was attacked by two FW 190s from above and out of the sun.  This was seen by F/L Magwood who reported that he last saw Sgt Deschamps skidding off to the starboard streaming glycol after he was attacked.  It is thought that Sgt Deschamps may have been able to bale out and that it was his parachute seen by F/O Cameron.

F/L Magwood had a running engagement until he crossed the French coast near St. Valery where he dove down beneath a 190 and came up to dead astern at about 50 yards range.  He gave a short burst and saw flashes of flame from cannon strikes hitting all around the cockpit and along the starboard wing.  Chunks flew back, the cockpit was then enveloped in flames and it fell off to the right diving vertically.  Shortly after this, two splashes in the channel were seen.  This FW 190 is claimed as destroyed by F/L Magwood.

F/O MacDonald got on the tail of one FW 190 which he singled out of a gaggle of about 20 e/a that were following after the bombers off of St. Valery.  At fairly close range, he fired and saw the e/as starboard wing tip come off and bright scarlet flames in the cockpit.  Some white stuff flew back onto both his and Sgt McGarriggle’s, Yellow 2, windscreens.  The e/a went into a tight spiral and a splash followed shortly thereafter.  This was corroborated by Sgt McGarrigle, and by F/O Aitken who saw most of the action including the two splashes as reported by F/L Magwood, one of which he felt was the e/a attacked by F/O MacDonald.  This FW 190 is claimed as destroyed by F/O MacDonald.

F/O Aitken and P/O McWilliams fired at a pair of 190s from long range at about this time but observed no results and made no claims.  Camouflage, as noted by F/L Magwood was mostly dark grey, rather mottled with black crosses outlines in white on the upper surface of each wing.  There were several with yellow rudders and a few with red, white and blue strips on the fin.  He also saw two FW 190s with solid sky-blue bellies and under-wing surfaces and a very light coloured camouflage as noted above on the upper surfaces.  Eight aircraft of the Squadron returned independently. Up 1345 and down 1525 hours.

The results of Ramrod 51 and the Sections taking part are as follows:

Enemy Casualties:    1 FW 190 destroyed by S/L Ford flying ‘Canadian Pacific’
2 FW 190s destroyed by F/L Magwood
1 FW 190 destroyed by F/O MacDonald
1 FW 190 destroyed by Sgt Deschamps
1 FW 190 damaged by P/O Gimbel

Our casualties:    P/O E.L. Gimbel DFC and Sgt R. Deschamps are missing.

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Magwood    S/L Ford    F/O MacDonald
Sgt Deschamps    Sgt Hamilton    Sgt McGarrigle
P/O Gimbel          F/O Aitken
F/O Cameron        P/O McWilliams

Nine non-operational sorties were made during the day.

Monday, 5 April, 1943

The weather was sunny and fine with up to 8/10ths cloud.  Ramrod 52: S/L Ford led the Squadron which, with 416 Squadron, acted as First Fighter cover to the first box of a mixed force of American bombers proceeding to Antwerp.  The Wing, of 20 Spitfire Mk IXs, flew to Manston in the morning to refuel. The wing rendezvoused with the bombers just West of Ostend at 25,000 feet, forming above and down-sun of the leading box of bombers. Shortly afterwards, 30 plus FW190s were seen positioning up-sun and preparing to attack.  They appeared to have come from Lille and Bethune.  W/C Johnson and 416 Squadron were engaged in a running combat in which the W/C damaged three FWs and S/L Boulton and F/O Rae of 416 Squadron each damaged one.  The FW attacks on the bombers were determined and persistent and were mostly from ahead, above and below, in singles twos, fours, and in sixes.  Our Squadron was protecting the port side of the bombers and only a few attacks were made from that side and no engagements resulted.  The Wing started to return at 1535 hours, crossing the enemy coast Southwest of Ostend at 15,000 feet.  There was some slight heavy flak from Ostend, but it was inaccurate.  The Squadron went up from Manston at 1445 and landed at Kenley at 1615 hours.  The sections were:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Magwood    S/L Ford    F/O MacDonald
P/O Dover    P/O McWilliams    Sgt Miller
F/O Fowlow          F/O Wozniak
F/O Cameron        F/O Aitken

Ten non-operational sorties were made.

Tuesday, 6 April, 1943

The weather was sunny and bright with a fresh westerly wind that got stronger in the afternoon.  Rodeo 195: S/L Ford led the Squadron which, with 416 Squadron, acted as cover to 421 and 411 Squadrons – the Spitfire Mk VB Squadrons of the Kenley Wing, who attacked ground targets.  The Wing flew over Beachy Head at zero feet at 1026 hours and, after 11 minutes, had climbed to cross the French coast just to the East of Le Treport.  The IXs flew at 11,000 feet with 411 at 7,000 feet and 421 at 5,000 feet before going down to attack along the Londinieres-Neufchatel Railway and the Neufchatel-Dieppe railway near Londinieres.  Four signal boxes were attacked as well as a warehouse; on the Dieppe line, six signal boxes, four small switch boxes, two army trucks on the road and goods trains without a locomotive on a siding.  At St. Aubin-sur Mer Drome a stone building blew up well and truly.  The Wing came out at Veules-les-Roses and lost height to crossing at Beachy at 1400 hours.  Three e/a were seen very far away at 8,000 feet when we were coming out.  Time up 1000 hours and down at 1140 hours.  The sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Magwood    S/L Ford    F/O MacDonald
Sgt Brown    P/O Dover    Sgt Uttley
F/O Fowlow     F/O Wozniak    F/O Aitken

Rodeo 198: S/L Ford led the Squadron which, with 416, flew on a freelance role into France over Ambleteuse at 25,000 feet and inland down to the Somme Estuary.  The Wing orbited Abbeville-Drucat aerodrome, returned to the Somme Estuary and then to Heuqueliers where smoke trails, and later enemy e/a, were seen.  The Wing came out at Hardelot at 27,000 feet and in at Hastings at 5,000 feet.  Up at 1520 and down at 1650 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Magwood    S/L Ford    F/O MacDonald
Sgt Brown    P/O Dover    Sgt Miller
F/O Cameron         F/O Aitken

A Flight was scrambled at 1255 hours to patrol over Ashforth at 30,000 feet.  There was no incident.  Those scrambled were F/O Fowlow, P/O Dover, F/O MacDonald, F/O Aitken, F/O Wozniak and Sgt Abbotts.  There were also 12 non-operational sorties to round out a busy day.

Wednesday, 7 April, 1943

The weather was dull with 10/10ths cloud and some rain.  Four patrols at Selsey Hill were flown from 1040 to 1110 hours and 1115 to 1135 hours.  Three non-operational sorties were also flown today.  Most of the morning was taken up by Recognition Study by the pilots at the Hunt Range.

Thursday, 8 April, 1943

It was sunny and cold with 8/10ths cloud and a strong westerly wind.  Fighter Ramrod: S/L Ford led the Squadron which, with 416 Squadron, acted as cover to 411 Squadron on ground attacks.  The Wing left from Shoreham at zero feet and started a climb 40 miles to the NW of Le Havre, but turned back when as there was 10/10ths cloud over France at 2,500 feet.  The Squadron crossed in over Selsey.  Up at 1125 and down at 1255 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section

F/L Magwood    S/L Ford    F/O MacDonald
Sgt Brown    Sgt Abbotts    P/O Lane
F/O Fowlow     P/O Dowding    F/O Wozniak

Friday, 9 April, 1943

The weather was dull and lazy with a westerly wind.  Five local sorties were flown.  All of the pilots attended a showing and assessment of practice and actual combat films.

Saturday, 10 April, 1943

It was 10/10ths cloud with a slight wind.  Fourteen sorties for local flying and air to air firing were carried out.  F/L A.P. Richer, on landing at Shoreham, had a minor accident when his aircraft nosed up.  He was uninjured.  The combat films of the ‘do’ earlier in the month were seen by most of the aircrew in the Pilots briefing Room.  Many also saw a security film and were explained the system and set-up for briefings by the Squadron Intelligence officer, P/O M. Berger.

Sunday, 11 April, 1943

The weather was dull with 10/10ths cloud and a southwesterly wind, which began to clear in the afternoon.  There were seven local non-operational sorties.  F/L Carlson, RCAF Padre stationed at Kenley, conducted a church service in the Ground Crew Room.  The Squadron was quite excited by the stories in the English Sunday papers about the Wolf Squadron, as we have been named (and approved by HQ) ‘shooting down eight FW 190s in two days.’  The Squadron motto of “Stalk and Strike” is quite appropriate now.

Monday, 12 April, 1943

It was dull, damp and misty with 10/10ths cloud.  The only flying was a patrol from 1805 to 1935 hours by Sgt Miller and Sgt Abbotts at Beachy Head and Shoreham with no incident.  All of the pilots saw pictures on dinghy drill which, though seen often, still held their interest.  Films on recognition of the ME 109 E&F were also viewed by the pilots and more of the ground crew watched the combat films from the last ‘do’.

Tuesday, 13 April, 1943

It was sunny and bright with a southerly wind and no cloud.  Circus 201: W/C Johnson led the Squadron (the CO left on leave) which acted as escort cover for bombing of the Abbeville marshalling yards.  After crossing at Ault, good bomb bursts were seen on the marshalling yards.  The Squadrons were crossing out of France at 18,000 to 20,000 feet at Cayeux when we were vectored by Special Control up sun and to the East of Abbeville where we saw 15 to 20 FW 190s flying West in line abreast at 17,000 to 18,000 feet.  Leaving 416 above the W/C led 403 Squadron down to attack but the e/a saw the Wing and half rolled and dived away inland.  Some of the e/a then began climbing to the up-sun position so the W/C re-formed, climbed and came home.  The weather was clear and many gun flashes were noted from the marshalling yards.  Up 1343 and down at 1515 hours.  The Sections were:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Magwood    W/C Johnson    F/L Godefroy
Sgt Miller    P/O Dover    Sgt Abbotts
F/O Fowlow     F/O Wozniak     F/O Aitken
Sgt Uttley        P/O Dowding

Ramrod 57: W/C Johnson again led the Squadron which, with 416 Squadron, acted as fighter echelon and crossed the English coast at Brighton at zero feet and the French coast West of Trouville at 21,000 feet while still climbing to 22,000 to 24,000 feet.  Bomb bursts were seen on the Caen aerodrome on a blister hangar and about the perimeter.  The Wing then patrolled in the Bay with one pilot reporting 15 hostile aircraft that could not be sighted again.  The Wing returned via Brighton.  Three small boats and one large barge were seen in Le Havre Harbour.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Magwood    W/C Johnson    F/L Godefroy
Sgt Miller    Sgt Hamilton    Sgt McGarrigle
F/O Fowlow     F/O MacKay     F/O MacDonald
Sgt Brown    Sgt Abbotts    Sgt Uttley

Seven sorties were made on patrols, chiefly to Selsey, and one section, F/O Fowlow and Sgt Miller, were scrambled to Selsey at 15,000 feet with no incident.  There were 13 other non-operational sorties to round out a heavy day of flying.

Wednesday, 14 April, 1943

There was much haze in the morning, which cleared by noon into a fine afternoon.  Rodeo 204: W/C Johnson led the Squadron which, with 416 Squadron acted as 2nd Fighter Echelon, entering France at 10,000 feet at Port-au-Bassin.  610 and 485 Squadrons were at 8,000 feet and 411 at ground level carrying out a beat-up.  One of 411 Squadron’s pilots was seen to bale-out and get into a dinghy approximately 15 miles from the French coast ENE of Cap de Barfleur.  Eight A/C of the Squadron remained to patrol the dinghy while the remainder of the Wing left France 5 miles West of Isigny and landed at Westhampuett.  Neither flak nor e/a were seen.  The Squadron was up from Kenley at 1415 hours.  F/O Aitken returned early with a U/S A/C, two others landed at Westhampuett with W/C Johnson at 1545 hours and the rest of the Squadron at 1630 hours.  The sections were:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Magwood    W/C Johnson    F/L Godefroy
F/O MacKay    P/O Dowding    Sgt McGarrigle
F/O Fowlow     F/O Aitken     F/O MacDonald
Sgt Brown    Sgt Abbotts    Sgt Hamilton

Four Spitfire Mk IXs and two Mk VBs went out to escort a Walrus in search of F/L Johnson of 411 Squadron.  The IXs saw a Walrus flying off of Shoreham but were told that it was not the search Walrus, and were given a vector to pick-up the right one.  The VBs lagged behind the IXs en route to Shoreham and, when they arrived there were told to pancake, which they did.  The IXs did not rendezvous with the Walrus, but, when some 30 miles due ENE of Barfleur, saw two dinghies being orbited by 6 A/C of 416 Squadron.  The section also orbited and saw both of the dinghy occupants being picked up by a Walrus.  No sign was seen of a third dinghy.  Up at 1640 hours and down at 1830 hours.  The IXs were: F/O MacDonald, Sgt Hamilton, F/O Aitken, and F/O Wozniak.  The two in the VBs were F/O Cameron and F/O Brannagan who landed at Kenley at 1710 hours.  Eleven non-operational sorties were made during the day.

Thursday, 15 April, 1943

The weather was clear and bright.  Rodeo 204: W/C Johnson led the Squadron which, with 416, acted as 4th Fighter Echelon, crossing into France at Bercks Mer at 25,000 feet.  The Wing swept to port, being vectored by Special Control to the St. Omer area where it maneuvered to contact enemy aircraft, which were not sighted.  There was neither flak nor enemy shipping sighted.  The Wing came out West of Calais at 25,000 feet and in about Dover.  Up at 1730 and down at 1850 hours.  Sections:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Magwood    W/C Johnson    F/L Godefroy
F/O MacKay    P/O Dowding    Sgt McGarrigle
F/O Fowlow     F/O Cameron     F/O Aitken
Sgt Brown        F/O Wozniak

Thirteen sorties of local flying were made and two sorties went on patrol at Beachy Head.  P/O P.K. Gray, W/O J.A. Wilson, F/S G.M. Shouldice and Sgt K.D. Windsor were all posted in for flying duties from 401 Squadron.  F/L R.W. McNair, DFC, was posted supernumerary from 412 Squadron.  He has a record of eight destroyed, five probable, eight damaged – mostly gained in the Middle East.  Cpl S.W. Calvert, Armourer, was posted to the Squadron from 3 PRC Bournemouth.

Friday, 16 April, 1943

It was sunny and bright today, with very little cloud and wind.  Ramrod 60: W/C Johnson led the Squadron which, with 416, acted as Escort Cover to a bombing expedition on Triqueville aerodrome.  Rendezvous was made at Beachy head at zero feet, then continuing at sea level until a rapid climb was made just off the coast, crossing in at 10,000 feet at Eletot.  A patrol was done inland before coming out again at Eletot at 20,000 feet, flying parallel to the coast until opposite Le Treport.  No e/a were seen but some 50 fishing vessels were spotted off of Dieppe.  The results of the bombing were not seen because of a thin 8/10ths cloud layer at 5,000 feet.  Up at 0745 hours and down at 0920 hours.  The Sections were:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Magwood    W/C Johnson    F/L Godefroy
F/O MacKay    P/O Dowding    Sgt Hamilton
F/O Fowlow     F/O Cameron     F/O MacDonald
P/O McWilliams    Sgt Miller    Sgt Uttley

Circus 283: F/L Magwood led the Squadron which, with 416 Squadron, acted as 3rd Fighter Echelon, going out at Hastings at 12,000 feet and crossing into France at Le Touquet at 24,000 feet.  The Wing patrolled from Hesdin, NW of St. Omer, to St. Omer, Ambleteuse and Cap Gris Nez before coming out at Sangette at 30,000 feet and coming in at Folkstone at 10,00 feet.  No flak or shipping was seen.  Eight plus FW 190s and ME 109s were observed in the St. Inglevert area behind and below the Wing.  We turned to engage but could not get within range although two pilots of 416 Squadron had long range and ineffective shots at two ME 109s.  There was 9/10ths thin cloud at 24,000 to 26,000 feet with horizontal visibility of 1 mile.  Up at 1415 and down at 1540 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/O Fowlow    F/L Magwood    F/L Godefroy
P/O Dover    Sgt Uttley    Sgt McGarrigle
F/O MacKay        P/O Dowding
Sgt Brown         Sgt Hamilton

Ramrod 61: W/C Johnson led the Squadron which, with 416 Squadron, acted as 2nd Fighter Echelon, going out at Beachy head at zero feet.  The Wing then climbed to cross at D’Ailly at 21,000 feet before flying East of Fauville to Candebec and out North of Le Havre.  The Wing then turned due West going to 20 miles East of Barfleur at 10,000 feet then doubling back on the track to a point 10 miles off of Fecamp at 500 feet.  We were then given a vector of 340? for 30 miles and sighted an upturned yellow wooden 6×4-foot raft.  The Wing returned via Beachy Head at 2,000 feet.  No cloud and nothing else were seen.  Up 1735 and down at 1900 hours.  Sections:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Magwood    W/C Johnson    F/L Godefroy
P/O Dover    P/O McWilliams    Sgt McGarrigle
F/O Fowlow    F/O McKay    P/O Dowding
Sgt Brown         Sgt Abbotts

Air-Sea Rescue: One flight of five; F/O MacKay, Sgt Cottrill, P/O McWilliams, P/O Dowding and Sgt Chevers were scrambled for an air-sea rescue at 1035 hours landing at 1220 hours.  No combat today but plenty of flying was done to tire the boys.  Three RAF ground crew ACH/GDs were posted to Chigwell pending posting overseas.

Saturday, 17 April, 1943

It was a beautiful day with bright sun and very light haze with no cloud.  Circus 285: W/C Johnson led the Squadron which, with 416 Squadron acted as escort cover to 12 Venturas which were four minutes late for the rendezvous at Beachy Head at zero feet.  While proceeding to the target, a Defiant and a Mosquito followed the beehive out so the W/C broke radio silence to send a section to investigate them.  The French coast was crossed at Cayeux at 1453 hours, with 411 Squadron and the bombers at 13,000 feet, and the IXs at 15,000 feet and above.  The bombing was successful with hits being seen on the yards.  The bombers and the escort left the French coast between Le Treport and Cayeux at 10,000 feet at 1505 hours, the IXs climbing round Abbeville to 24,000 feet.  Twenty miles from the French coast, the W/C left the bombers and 411 as he was informed that there were e/a in the Abbeville area and the Hornchurch Wing was engaged.  He led 403 and 416 up sun to 33,000 feet and proceeded under Special Control to the Treport area where about 15 FWs were bounced, two of which were destroyed by our Squadron.  F/L Godefroy, leading Yellow Section at 29,000 feet, took his section down, with the Wing CO’s permission, on three FWs that he saw climbing out to sea at about 20,000 feet.  He picked the one on the right, delivering a two-second burst of cannon and MG from 10? at about 250 yards.  He saw the FWs port cannon magazine explode and hits on the fuselage in front of the pilot.  The e/a spun and, at about 2,000 feet below, burst into flames.  The pilot was seen to bale out.  F/L Godefroy then turned to port and climbed while seeing another FW go into the sea with a parachute going down close by.  P/O Gray, flying as Yellow 2, opened fire on the port A/C of the three that F/L Godefroy had dived on at about 200 yards range.  As the e/a went into a half-roll to the port, he fired again.  The e/a went into a spiral with white smoke pouring out from it.  The pilot baled out and the e/a dived into the sea.  The Squadron came out near Le Treport and crossed the English coast at Beachy Head at 1,000 feet.  There had been a slight amount of heavy flak over the target area.  It was noted that some of the FWs had brown noses.  Up at 1417 and down at 1552 hours.

Enemy casualties:     1 FW 190 destroyed by F/L Godefroy
1 FW 190 destroyed by P/O Gray
with Cine cameras used on both
Our casualties: nil

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Magwood    W/C Johnson    F/L Godefroy
PO McWilliams    P/O Dover    Sgt Hamilton
F/O Fowlow    F/O Aitken    F/O MacDonald
F/O MacKay         P/O Gray

Circus 286: F/L Magwood led the Squadron which, with 416 Squadron, acted as target support and freelance Wing over the Caen marshalling yards which was bombed by 12 Venturas.  The Wing crossed Brighton at less than 500 feet, then climbed to 21,000 feet, crossing in at Dives and then turndown towards Caen.  The wing came out at Quistreham after seeing excellent results in the bombing of the marshalling yards.  Intense, accurate flak was encountered at 11,000 feet over the target.  The wing then flew at 22,000 to 25,000 feet to 25 miles NW of Fecamp and turned East diving to 2,000 feet when 10 miles off of Dieppe when notice of four plus enemy aircraft, believed to be involved in an air-sea rescue search, were reported by the Controller to the Wing Leader.  The e/a were sighted coming down the coast and the Wing Leader gave the order to the Squadrons to engage.  403 Squadron was flying NE at 3,000 to 5,000 feet along the French coast, with 416 seawards and doing a port turn to set course for home.  F/L Godefroy, Leading Yellow Section and having just taken over the Squadron because F/L Magwood’s R/T was U/S, saw three e/a approaching from the NE at about 2,000 feet below.  The other pilots of the Squadron also saw this.  Red and Yellow sections broke down to attack, finding the e/a to be FW 190s.  Blue Section apparently became involved with at least one ME 109 from another formation of e/a before the Section turned to attack the 190s.  F/L Magwood led P/O McWilliams in to attack the 190s.  One of the e/a pulled up sharply through the attacking Spitfires and then turned sharply to the right towards the French coast.  F/L Magwood half-rolled down on top of this 190, which also tried to half-roll down and away but evidently did so too low for he tried to aileron turn out of it, but crashed into the sea.  Neither F/L Magwood or P/O McWilliams fired.  F/L Godefroy was about to fire on one FW when he had to pull up sharply to avoid a collision with a number of Spitfires that broke in front of him.  He afterwards saw two disturbances in the sea, one of which was certainly where an A/C had gone in, the water being vividly stained with green.  The other might have been made by the pilot of this aircraft or by another aircraft.  F/O MacDonald saw an e/a go in exactly as described in F/L Magwood’s and F/LGodefroy’s accounts and was sure that it was a FW 190.  F/O Fowlow fired at a ME 109 that pulled up and then dived away in front of him.  He saw no results of his fire and so made no claim.  As he turned away from the French coast, he came almost head-on to a FW 190 that was diving towards the coast below.  He fired at short range, saw no hits, but Sgt Brown behind him reported seeing this same 190 dive into the sea right after this.  On the evidence available, it appeared that the various sections of the Squadron were all involved with the same FW 190, with no one pilot appearing to have accounted for it in a clear-cut or definitive style.  For that reason, the whole Squadron shared credit for destroying one FW 190.  The Squadron was up at 1745 and down at 1930 hours.  S/L Boulton got a good cannon burst at a ME 109F and was awarded it as a destroyed after further investigation.

Enemy casualties caused by 403 Squadron were one FW 190 destroyed and shared by the Squadron.  Our losses were nil.  The sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/O Fowlow    F/L Magwood    F/L Godefroy
F/O MacKay    P/O McWilliams    F/O Marshall
P/O Dover        F/O MacDonald
Sgt Brown         P/O Gray

F/L A.P. Richer was posted to 416 Squadron.  AC2 Roy C.J. RTO was posted to Fairwood Common.

Sunday, 18 April, 1943

The weather was sunny with a slight haze in the morning and 5/10ths cloud.  Ramrod 63: F/L Magwood led the Squadron which, with 416 Squadron, acted as Fighter Echelon for a raid on Doudeville.  We crossed over the English coast at Bexhill at less than 500 feet and came into France at 21,000 feet over Le Treport.  The Wing patrolled inland before coming out Northeast of Dieppe, then flew off-shore to St. Valery, losing height to 10,000 feet and coming in at Beachy Head.  No cloud, or anything else for that matter, was seen.  Up at 1750 and down at 1920 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/O Fowlow    F/L Magwood    F/L Godefroy
F/O MacKay    F/O Wozniak    Sgt McGarrigle
F/O Cameron        F/O MacDonald
PO McWilliams        F/O Marshall

Sgt George Brim was promoted to the rank of Flight Sergeant in charge of  ‘A’ Flight.  Six patrols at Tenterden and some non-operational flying were carried out today.

Monday, 19 April, 1943

The weather toady was dull with 9/10ths cloud and very little wind.  Ramrod 65: W/C Johnson led the Squadron which. With 416 Squadron, swept Doudeville-Yauville area where a few e/a were seen too far away to be engaged.  Up 0745 and down 0905 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Magwood    W/C Johnson    F/L Godefroy
P/O Dover    P/O McWilliams    Sgt McGarrigle
F/O MacDonald    F/O Wozniak    F/O Marshall
F/O MacKay        Sgt Abbotts

The weather deteriorated with rain in the afternoon.  Six non-operational sorties were made.  S/L Ford, although away on leave, was promoted to the rank of Wing Commander and posted to Digby as W/C Flying.

Tuesday, 20 April, 1943

It was sunny and bright with no cloud or wind.  Rodeo 209: W/C Johnson led the Squadron which, with 416 Squadron swept Le Touquet and Abbeville area, coming out at Dieppe.  The Wing was recalled when 75 plus e/a were reported in the vicinity of our Wing, which was all alone.  Nothing was seen by the Wing which returned as ordered by the Controller.  Up at 1045 and down at 1210 hours.  The Sections were as follows:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L Magwood    W/C Johnson    F/L Godefroy
F/O Brannagan    P/O McWilliams    Sgt Chevers
F/O Fowlow    P/O Dover    F/O Marshall
Sgt Brown    Sgt Abbotts    F/O Wozniak

Eight patrols were carried out off of Beachy Head without incident.

Ramrod 67: W/C Johnson led the Squadron which, with 416 Squadron, acted as Target Support over Tricqueville aerodrome which was bombed successfully by eight Typhoon bombers.  Beachy Head was crossed at sea level and Etretat at 7,000 feet after a rapid climb.  The Wing flew to Lillebonne and Triqueville area and, after the bombing, to Blangy at 21,000 feet where they were taken over by Special Control.  Some six FW 190s were seen coming head-on to 416 Squadron in the Dieppe area.  One FW was claimed as destroyed and one damaged for no losses.  Our Squadron was not engaged.  Fifteen more FWs were coming in from behind to attack so the W/C ordered the Wing out and this command was smartly obeyed.  We came out at Le Treport and in at Hastings.  Up at 1815 and down at 1950 hours.  The Sections were:

Blue Section    Red Section    Yellow Section
F/L MacDonald    W/C Johnson    F/L Godefroy
Sgt Cottrill    P/O Dover    P/O Gray
F/O MacKay    Sgt brown    F/O Marshall
Sgt Uttley        P/O Lane

Sgt Cottrill landed at Redhill short of petrol.  F/O Aitken and F/O Wozniak flew to Redhill for dusk landings and night flying as part of a new scheme to give pilots experience in night flying.  F/L Magwood became the CO of the Squadron following the posting of W/C Ford L.S.  F/O MacDonald took over as ‘B’ Flight Commander as Flight Lieutenant.  AC1 T. Hawkins, RAF Electrician, was posted to 207 Squadron Bottesford.

Wednesday, 21 April, 1943

It was sunny in the morning with no wind and cloud and haze in the afternoon.  Scrambles: F/O Wozniak, P/O Dover, P/O McWilliams and Sgt Uttley were scrambled in the morning with no incident.  Another section carried out a patrol at 20,000 feet and some half-dozen other sorties of local flying were made.  An early ‘do’ was cancelled.

Thursday, 22 April, 1943

It was chilly and overcast with 10/10ths cloud and a light rain all day.  No flying was done and the Squadron was released at 1300 hours.

Friday, 23 April, 1943

The weather was dull, 10/10ths cloud with rain of and on all day.  No flying was done until the afternoon and four non-operational sorties were made.  F/O W.J. Cameron and Sgt H.H. Miller were posted to 5 PDC Blackpool, pending posting overseas.  They were granted leave until their reporting date of 5-5-43.

Saturday, 24 April, 1943

It was a crisp and sunny day with 5/10ths cloud.  One section, F/O Aitken and Sgt Hamilton were scrambled to 15,000 feet over Selsey Bay without incident.  Some 21 non-operational sorties were made.  Sgt N.V. Chevers and Sgt N.F. Cottrill were
posted to West Kirby wef 30-4-43 for ferrying duties to the Middle East.

Sunday, 25 April, 1943

The weather was crisp, sunny, gusty with 2/10ths to 7/10ths cloud.  F/L Godefroy took the Squadron on formation flying with F/O Marshall making practice attacks.  Six of the A/C, after being vectored by the Controller, landed at Martlesham Heath, low on petrol.  All returned by 1800 hours.  Other formation flying and cine gun exercises were carried out.

Monday, 26 April, 1943

It was alternately sunny and overcast with 5/10ths to 10/10ths cloud and very gusty winds.  Six short sorties were flown to conduct air tests.  ‘Caught in the Draft’ was shown in the Wing Pilots Room for all pilots.

Tuesday, 27 April, 1943

It was sunny and bright with 7/10ths cloud.  An early briefing was cancelled.  Ten non-operational sorties were made.  F/L McNair, F/S Shouldice and Sgt Windsor spent an hour in the Hunt Range on recognition.

Wednesday, 28 April, 1943

The weather was alternately sunny and dull with a cool wind and 5/10ths to 9/10ths cloud.  Eleven non-operational sorties were made.  The Squadron was released at 1430 hours but took the bi-monthly Recognition and S.D. 158 tests.  Twenty pilots were tested and the Squadron led the Wing with 97.75% in Recognition but only achieved 85.5% in the S.D. 158 test.

Thursday, 29 April, 1943

The weather was warmer and sunny with scattered cloud and mist in the early morning.  About a dozen non-operational sorties were made.  RCAF Overseas Orders showed that Sgt Abbotts had been commissioned although he had not been previously informed.  He was off to London for his outfit.

Friday, 30 April, 1943

The weather was variable with some sun and up to 10/10ths cloud.  No flying was done and the film ‘Lady Hamilton’ was shown for the pilots.

403 Squadron Establishment and Flying Times for Month of April 1943

RCAF
No. of Officers – Flying    20
No. of Officers – Ground    4
No. of Airmen – Flying     9
No. of Airmen – Ground    109

Operational Flying Times:     386:20
Non-Operational:    200:35
Non-Operational night    2:30
Tiger Moth:        20:50
Total    610:15

Aircraft on Squadron Strength:     15 Spitfire Mk IX
6 Spitfire Mk VB
1 Tiger Moth

Casualties for the Month:     P/O E.L Gimbel DFC and Sgt L.J Deschamps

Enemy Casualties: 11 FW 190s destroyed, 1 FW 190 damaged.