Historical Aircraft

August 1943

 

Sunday, 1 August, 1943

The weather was clear in the morning but clouded over towards noon with rain in the afternoon.  There was no sweep carried out today, the weather being unserviceable.  The Squadron was released in the afternoon with the exception of three pilots who had to remain on readiness along with three of 421 Squadron.  Later on in the day, there was a scramble of one pilot form each Squadron but nothing was seen and our section was recalled.  There were nine non-operational sorties today, mainly cine-gun, local flying and aircraft tests.  F/L Coles left for 1 PDC today.

Monday, 2 August, 1943

The weather was clear and bright all day, clouding over early in the evening.  Ramrod 184: S/L Godefroy led the Wing, which crossed over Rye at 12,000.  Our role was 1st Fighter Sweep.  The Wing climbed further and then crossed the French coast at Le Touquet at 24,000 feet.  They then continued at the same height to the Bethune area.  At about this time, S/L Godefroy had to return due to R/T trouble and so F/L Fowlow, leading 421 Squadron assumed leadership of the Wing and led it to the target area.  They were then vectored by Appledore control to St. Omer, Calais and Boulogne areas at 24,000 feet before coming back in over the English coast at Rye at 10,000 feet.  The bombs were seen to fall on the target and in the dispersal area on the Northeast side of the airfield.  Moderate to heavy flak to 15,000 feet was experienced over the target area with slight heavy flak in the St. Omer and Calais areas.  The Wing was up by 0735 hours and down by 0905 hours.

The Wing went to Manston late in the afternoon for a sweep but returned as the weather went u/s.  Altogether, there were 33 non-operational sorties, which included the flight to and from Manston and some cine gun, local flying and air firing at Friston.  S/L MacArthur, the Medical Officer, received news today that S/L Boulton of 421 Squadron is a prisoner of war.

Tuesday, 3 August, 1943

There were a few scattered clouds in the morning with a few light showers later on in the day.  There were no operations carried out today but a total of eight non-operational sorties consisting of air firing at Friston, cine gun practice and aircraft tests.  F/L H.D. MacDonald, DFC, left for ‘R’ Depot, Warrington, today to go home to Canada for leave.  P/O Dowding was promoted to the rank of F/O dating back to 15 April 1943.  P/O L. S. Irvine, the Squadron Adjutant, was promoted to the rank of F/O and his promotion was also backdated some time.

Wednesday, 4 August, 1943

The day started with some scattered clouds that thickened during the day.  There were 15 non-operational sorties carried out today on formation and tail chase and air-to-air firing at Shoreham.  S/L Godefroy gave a lecture today on the preparation of the Squadron to move.

Thursday, 5 August, 1943

Today the weather started out as warm with very few clouds and became cloudy and windy later on in the day.  There was no flying at all today.  The pilots drew their tents and equipment and everybody pitched them around the dispersal area.  The tents were later taken down and the ground crew slept in the crew rooms and at dispersal, ready to move early in the morning.

Friday, 6 August, 1943

It was 10/10ths cloud in the morning and raining.  Later around noon, the clouds broke up a little becoming sunny in the afternoon with scattered clouds.  There was no flying at all today and a briefing was supposed to take place early in the morning for a sweep but was postponed and then later cancelled.  Today is the day for the big move and everybody has been busy loading the remainder of the equipment onto the trucks.  The ground crew, with the exception of a few who were posted elsewhere, are part of 127 Airfield Headquarters and only the pilots and a few airmen are still in 403 Squadron.  The trucks were all loaded and lined up in convoy ready for the move at 1000 hours.  By 1430 hours, the convoy had arrived at camp Lashenden and everybody was kept busy unloading and setting up the tents.

Saturday, 7 August, 1943

The weather today was very cold with a light wind and ground haze.  Everyone is finally getting settled.  The pilots flew from Kenely to 127 Airfield at Lashenden this morning.  There were a total of 29 non-operational sorties today which included a Wing formation practice and sector reccos.  Our new Squadron Medical Officer, F/L D.S. Munroe, was posted wef today.

Sunday, 8 August, 1943

It was very clear and warm with a few scattered clouds.  Ramrod 190: W/C Johnson led the Wing and our role was 2nd Fighter Sweep to thirty-six Marauders bombing Poix.  The Wing crossed the French coast North of Dieppe at 20,000 feet.  They were recalled while orbiting in the target area and, on the way back, swept along the French coast from Le Touquet to Cap Gris Nez.  There were no enemy aircraft sighted and the Wing crossed in the English coast over Dover.  The weather in France was 9/10ths cloud at 5,000 feet and high cirrus at 25,000 feet.  The Wing was up by 0930 hours and down by 1045 hours.  There were eight non-operational sorties today on cine gun and sector recco.

Monday, 9 August, 1943

The weather was clear and bright with just a few scattered clouds.  Ramrod 191: W/C Johnson led the Wing, our role being high cover to thirty-six Marauders bombing St. Omer.  Rendezvous was made according to plan and the Wing crossed the French coast at 21,000 feet on the port side of the bombers.  The bombing was not observed due to 10/10ths cloud over the target.  The Wing left the bombers at the coast and swept inland to Berck but no enemy aircraft were around.  Slight heavy flak was experienced over Boulogne up to 15,000 feet.  Except for the target area where the cloud was 10/10ths, the weather was mainly 5/10ths cumulus at 7,000 feet.  One pilot of 421 Squadron, flying as Green 2, had engine trouble when he was 20 miles inland of the French coast.  His motor cut and he glided into haze at 15,000 feet.  Green 3 lost sight of him and no one else saw him although he was heard over the R/T to be giving a “Mayday’ and reported that he was baling out at 2,000 feet.  The Wing was up by 1745 hours and down by 1910 hours.  All of our Blue Section returned early.  There was a total of 12 non-operational sorties carried out today, consisting of local flying, sector recco, cine gun, formation practice and aircraft tests.

Tuesday, 10 August, 1943

It was warm with scattered clouds today.  The Wing went to Bradwell Bay early in the morning for a sweep but returned before noon as the weather over the Continent went unserviceable.  There were thirty-three non-operational sorties today, including the flight to and from Bradwell Bay.  The remainder was mainly local flying.  Sgt Chevers and Sgt Cottrill reported back to the Squadron today.  They had been detached for a few months in the Middle East on duty.

Wednesday, 11 August, 1943

The weather today was 10/10ths cloud, very dull with a few light showers.  There was no operations carried out today but there were eight non-operational sorties on cine gun, aircraft tests and local flying.  An operation was planned in the afternoon but postponed and later cancelled.  A Squadron formation was also called off at the last minute due to an order for 403 pilots to pack all of their equipment for a practice move.  It only takes one hour now to pack everything including tents, ready to move.  A sweep has been planned for early morning.

Thursday, 12 August, 1943

It was very cold with intense ground fog in the early morning.  This lifted later on, leaving only a few scattered clouds during the remainder of the day, which turned out to be very warm.  Ramrod 194: Owing to the intense fog, the Wing was airborne 30 minutes late.  W/C Johnson led the Wing, our role being escort to Fortresses returning from their target.  The Belgian coast was crossed at 22,000 feet after the Wing had climbed continuously from the base.  Shortly after crossing the coast, a number of Fortresses were seen to the North with the Hornchurch Wing covering them as they withdrew.  Our Wing flew North to the Rotterdam area where they made an orbit before returning South.  Another large gaggle of bombers were seen escorted by Thunderbolts and still another lot which were escorted along with a lone straggler.  These last bombers were being attacked by single and pairs of ME 109s, about eight all told.  Attacks were made by W/C Johnson and F/L Conrad, which resulted in one ME 109 destroyed and one ME 109 damaged.  421 Squadron also claimed two ME 109s damaged.  The Forts were attacked halfway across the North Sea but none of them were seen to be in trouble.  Just 10 miles off the Belgian coast, a convoy of twenty ships were sighted; also one 5,000-ton ship was seen in the Straights North of Neusen.  Slight heavy flak was experienced from Ostend, Brida and Noorderhoofd.  The weather over the North Sea was 4/10ths cumulus cloud and along the coast and inland it was 1/10th cumulus at 4,000 feet.  Most of the a/c landed at Bradwell Bay whereas the Blue Section landed at Martlesham Heath.  The Wing was up by 0925 hours and landed at the different aerodromes by 1130 hours.  Ramrod 198: W/C Johnson led the Wing on this operation, our role being 1st Fighter Sweep.  The Wing swept Abancourt, the Amiens area, Abbeville and Crecy.  Twenty ME 109s were seen but could not be engaged.  Flak was experienced at the places named above.  The Wing was up by 1800 hours and down by 1930 hours.  There were 15 non-operational sorties today which were done when the Squadron flew back from Bradwell bay.  There was no practice flying carried out, although there were two aircraft tests.  F/O Ogilvie was promoted to the position of ‘A’ Flight Commander today.  F/L Conrad was promoted to Acting S/L and also posted as Commanding Officer of this Squadron … however, this notification did not come through until after he had been reported missing … see the report for 17th of this month.

Friday, 13 August, 1943

It was very dull with mainly 10/10ths cloud.  With the exception of two non-operational sorties, there was no flying at all today, the weather being unfit for operations.  The authority for the promotion of P/O Dover to Flight Commander and the rank of Acting F/L came through.  It was to take effect from the 4th of August.

Saturday, 14 August, 1943

There were some scattered clouds but otherwise it was sunny with a few light showers in the evening.  There were no operations carried out today although there was a total of 14 non-operational sorties; mainly air firing at Shoreham, cine gun, local flying and aircraft tests.  Two sorties were carried out on dusk landings tonight.  F/O S.W. Matthews reported for flying duties today with the Squadron.  Our old CO, S/L Godefroy, was posted to 17 Wing HQ wef from 12-8-43 … he will probably be our new W/C Flying.

Sunday, 15 August, 1943

There were scattered clouds all-day and sunny.  Ramrod 201: W/C Johnson led the Wing on this operation, our role being forward target support to marauders bombing Woensdrecht.  The sweep was carried out according to plan and the Wing arrived at the target on time but the bombers were not seen.  There were some engagements and one FW 190 was damaged by F/O Johnson of 421 Squadron, South of Flushing.  The Wing was up by 1015 hours and down by 1150 hours.  Ramrod 202: On this operation, the role of the Wing was escort to Fortresses bombing Poix and Amiens.  W/C Johnson led the Wing and the rendezvous and sortie were carried out according to plan.  Poix aerodrome was not hit but Amiens was well blanketed causing a large number of fires.  Lille and Vitry were also hit.  Heavy accurate flak was experienced from Abbeville and Amiens but all of the bombers crossed the French coast safely and there was no enemy action.  The Wing was up by 1850 hours and all had landed safely by 2030 hours.  There were 11 non-operational sorties carried out today which consisted of local flying, aircraft tests and sections of two on low level, triangular cross country trips.

Monday, 16 August, 1943

It was sunny with no clouds all day.  Ramrod 203: W/C Johnson led the Wing whose role was to escort Fortresses returning from Paris, Le Bourget area.  The operation was carried out all according to plan and there was no enemy action.  The Wing was up by 0940 hours and all had safely landed by 1115 hours.  Ramrod 205: W/C Johnson led the Wing again on this operation, our role being forward target support to Marauders bombing Beaumont le Roger.  The sweep was carried out according to plan.  South of Rouen, 16 plus FW 190s dived away from combat resulting in no engagements.  Th e rest of the operation was uneventful.  The Wing was up by 1620 hours and all had safely landed by 1800 hours.  For Ramrod 205, the Wing was brought to readiness at about 1600 hours.  This was the first news that anyone heard of a sweep coming off so there was quite some panic.  The whole Wing however was airborne by 1620 hours.  In the evening, there was another panic for awhile because all of the aircraft had to go to Bradwell Bay early in the morning.  Most of our aircraft got off and a couple of spares were to be flown to Bradwell Bay early in the morning.  All of our aircraft made dusk landings at Bradwell Bay.  There were 17 non-operational sorties today and, other than the flight to Bradwell there were only a couple local flying sorties done.

Tuesday, 17 August, 1943

Today was bright and sunny with about 2/10ths scattered cloud.  Ramrod 206 Part I: W/C Johnson led the Wing, which acted as escort to some Fortresses.  They were airborne from Bradwell bay and made rendezvous with the bombers just North of Walcheren Island.  From here, our Wing escorted them to the Antwerp area where American Thunderbolts took over.  Some enemy aircraft were sighted and sections were detailed to attack them, but there were no engagements, as our aircraft could not close on the enemy.  The Wing was airborne by 1315 hours and all had landed by 1457 hours at Bradwell Bay.  Ramrod 206 Part II: The Wing was led by W/C Johnson, our role being escort to Fortresses.  The Wing took off again from Bradwell Bay and made rendezvous according to plan.  There were dogfights seen around the Antwerp area and one enemy aircraft was seen to crash.  The Wing swept out after the bombers.  When they were North of Ghent, a ME 110 was sighted and attacked.  After a number of attacks on the enemy aircraft it was destroyed and shared by W/C Johnson, F/L Dover, F/O Foster and F/O Preston.  421 Squadron escorted the bombers back to the English coast whereas 403 Squadron left the bombers in the Bergues area to investigate some aircraft, which proved to be friendly.  When around Bergues a lone FW 190 was sighted and attacked by Red 3 and Red 4 which resulted in the enemy aircraft being destroyed and shared by F/L W.G. Conrad and F/S Shouldice.  Around Bergues, F/L Conrad’s aileron and tail unit came off and he was last seen in a steep dive.  F/S G.M. Shouldice lost an aileron also but managed to make his way back as far as Dover where, a few miles off the coast, his machine went out of control and he was last seen in a steep dive.  Both F/L Conrad and F/S Shouldice are reported as missing.  The Wing took off at 1608 hours and had landed by 1750 hours at 127 Airfield.  There were seven non-operational sorties carried out today, two on Cannon tests and the remainder on flights of spare a/c to and from Bradwell Bay.  There was no practice flying.  Word was received today about the promotion of F/L Conrad to be the CO of this Squadron … F/S Shouldice’s commission also came through today.

Wednesday, 18 August, 1943

It was very sunny today with only a few light clouds.  Ramrod 208: The Wing, led by W/C Johnson, was high cover to marauders bombing the Lille and Vaudeville aerodromes on this operation.  The rendezvous was carried out according to plan and our Wing escorted the bombers to a point ten miles off the French coast where heavy, black towering clouds of 10/10ths thickness and heavy rain were encountered.  At this point, the bombers and part of the escort went through, whereas our Wing circled around the cloud and picked up the bombers in the Ypres area.  There were no enemy aircraft sighted.  The Wing was airborne by 0945 hours and all had safely landed by 1105 hours.  There was no practice flying carried out today and four aircraft tests were flown.  WO Wilson was granted a commission with the rank of P/O dated back to 21-6-43.

Thursday, 19 August, 1943

The early morning was cloudless and very sunny.  This changed around noon to 6/10ths cloud and a very warm day.  Ramrod 209: W/C Johnson led the Wing on this Ramrod, our role being first fighter sweep.  The operation was carried out according to plan.  When Southeast of Abbeville, 12 plus ME 109s were engaged, the result being one ME 109 destroyed by F/L Coles of 403 Squadron and one ME 109 damaged by P/O A.E. Fleming of 421 Squadron.  F/S Joyce of 421 Squadron is posted as missing.  The Wing was up by 1245 hours and had land at base by 1400 hours.  Ramrod 210: Our role on this operation was escort withdrawal.  The bombers returned but W/C Johnson led our Wing around the Ghent and Flushing areas.  Twelve plus ME 109s were sighted and engaged with the result that two of them were destroyed, one shared by F/O Fowling and F/O Brannagan and the other ME 109 destroyed by F/L Dover.  Our Wing did not suffer any loss.  The Wing was up by 1720 hours and all had landed by 1840 hours.  There was no practice flying carried out today and only two non-operational sorties were flown.

Friday, 20 August, 1943

The day started off being dull but cleared to a very warm, sunny day with a few scattered clouds.  Ramrod 211: W/C Johnson led the Wing on this operation and our role was forward target support.  The sweep went all according to plan and there was no enemy reaction.  The Wing was up by 1450 hours and all had landed by 1610 hours.  There was no practice flying today but our Squadron, along with the rest of 127 Airfield, moved to a new aerodrome nearby at Headcorn.  Everybody was busy all day loading and unloading trucks and the sweep in the afternoon came off in the middle of the panic.  By evening, everyone was pretty well settled.

Saturday, 21 August, 1943

The weather today was very dull with light showers and mainly 10/10ths cloud.  There were no operations flown today and only four non-operational sorties were done for aircraft tests.  The Squadron was released after noon until dawn the next day.

Sunday, 22 August, 1943

The weather today was sunny with about 6/10ths cloud.  Ramrod 213: The Wing was led by S/L R.W. McNair and our role was first fighter sweep.  The operation was carried out as planned but the results of the bombing were not seen.  There were 16 plus FW 190s sighted East of Le Havre but hey could not be engaged.  Red marker flak was experienced around Fecamp.  The Wing was airborne by 1820 hours and had landed by 1950 hours.  There were ten non-operational sorties today which included two sections on a triangular, low-level cross-country and some aircraft tests.  An early morning sweep was planned but around eight o’clock this morning it was postponed indefinitely and then later cancelled.  This afternoon at three o’clock, a lecture was given in the hangar on ‘War Strategy’.

Monday, 23 August, 1943

The weather was very sunny with about 3/10ths cloud.  Ramrod 214: W/C Johnson led the Wing, our role being target cover to Marauders bombing Gosnay.  The bombers turned back but our Wing continued to the target area where they engaged 12 plus ME 109s.  The combat took place at 24,000 feet over Gosnay where W/C Johnson destroyed one ME 109 and F/O Middlemiss got one damaged.  All of our aircraft returned safely.  The Wing was up by 0750 hours and had landed by 0900 hours.  Rodeo 252: W/C Johnson led the Wing and the sweep went according to plan.  Five enemy aircraft dived towards Amiens when our Wing attempted to engage them.  There was no further action.  The Wing was up by 1720 hours and had landed by 1840 hours.  There were 12 non-operational sorties carried out today on local flying, aircraft tests and low-level cross-country.  Practice flying was planned for the afternoon, mainly low level cross-country but was called off due to the briefing, which took place at 1630 hours.

Tuesday, 24 August, 1943

It was sunny with about 7/10ths cumulus cloud in the morning with less cloud in the afternoon.  Ramrod 215: W/C Johnson led our Wing as first escort to Fortresses bombing Evreux and Conches.  The operation went according to plan.  A lone Fortress was seen East of Rouen going North but was untroubled.  Southwest of Rouen, a fire was noticed on the ground, which was said to have possibly been caused by an aircraft crash.  No enemy aircraft were sighted.  Our Wing was airborne by 1755 hours and had landed by 1925 hours.  There was a total of 12 non-operational sorties carried out on aircraft tests, local flying and low-level flying.  In the afternoon, six of our pilots were ordered to beat up the aerodrome and the gun positions around it on a practice attack, which turned out very good indeed.

Wednesday, 25 August, 1943

There was a slight bit of sun in the morning with mostly patches of thick cloud and a few showers.  The rest of the day was sunny with only scattered cloud. Ramrod 15A: W/C Johnson led the Wing and on this operation, our role was high cover to 18 Bostons bombing Beaumont le Roger.  The rendezvous and the operation went according to plan.  The bombers were attacked in the Caen area and 421 Squadron bounced some enemy aircraft with the result that one FW 190 was destroyed.  Our aircraft returned safely.  The Wing was airborne by 1840 hours and had landed by 2030 hours.  There were only five non-operational sorties carried out today on local flying.  Our Squadron all made dusk landings when they returned from the sweep this evening.

Thursday, 26 August, 1943

It was sunny at times in the morning, with patches of thick cloud and a few showers.  In the afternoon it was mainly 8/10ths cloud which dissipated towards the evening.  Ramrod S.5: W/C Johnson led the Wing as 4th fighter sweep over Tricqueville, Rouen and Caen.  About 15 plus FW 190s and ME 109s were engaged in and out of cloud from 12,000 feet down to 5,000 feet.  There were several close range combats, which were inconclusive because of the cloud cover, and at least two enemy aircraft were damaged, if not destroyed but could not be verified because of the cloud.  W/C Johnson, flying as Red 1, destroyed one FW 190 around Caen.  Green Section of 421 Squadron frightened a FW 190 into firing and destroying a ME 109 which is claimed as destroyed by P/O Cook of 421 Squadron.  All of our aircraft returned safely.  The Wing was up by 1805 hours and landed by 1940 hours.  There were only two non-operational sorties today done on local flying.  Besides the sweep, there were two other operational sorties conducted by F/L Pattinson and F/L Southwood who went on a weather recco around the coast of France.  Today we stood readiness for the first time in 127 Airfield.  It consisted of four aircraft, which remained on the end of the runway from dawn to dusk for aerodrome defence purposes.  There were six aircraft brought to readiness later to do a weather recco if needed but they were soon taken off readiness.  Our Squadron however, is to supply four a/c every other day for immediate readiness.

Friday, 27 August, 1943

It was sunny for awhile in the morning with some scattered cloud and later in the day went cloud increased to 9/10ths.  Ramrod S.6: The Wing was led by W/C Johnson and our role was high cover to 18 Bostons bombing Beaumont le Roger.  The operation was abortive due to unsuitable weather and the bombers turned back at mid-channel.  Our Wing however, continued on and swept Rouen, Le Havre and the Somme areas but there was no enemy reaction.  Our Wing was airborne by 0835 hours and had landed by 1010 hours.

Ramrod S.8: Our Wing was fighter escort to 60 Fortresses bombing North of St. Omer and was led by W/C Johnson.  One minute before the time set for starting engines, word came without notice to advance the rendezvous time by fifteen minutes.  Our Wing made up ten minutes to the rendezvous and met the bomber at St. Pol.  The bombing was fairly accurate and fires were seen in the target area.  Two Fortresses were seen to go down, one near St. Omer and one around St. Pol and many parachutes were seen.  Out of the melee in the air, only five plus enemy aircraft were actually identified and, although some of our pilots fired, no results were observed.  All of our aircraft landed safely, five at forward landing bases.  F/O Foster crash landed near Manston but fortunately was not seriously injured.  The Wing was up by 1835 hours and all had landed by 2030 hours.  There were only three non-operational sorties carried out today, two on aircraft tests and one on local familiarization for one of the new pilots.  Acting S/L F.E. Grant reported today for duty as our new Officer Commanding.

Saturday, 28 August, 1943

It was 10/10ths cloud, rain and very dull all day.  Our Squadron was released this afternoon but, it being our day for aerodrome defence readiness, we had to supply six pilots who were to remain on 30 minutes notice for the remainder of the day.  There were only six non-operational sorties carried out today, mainly pilots returning from the forward bases that they had landed at last night.  S/L Grant went up in the morning to look around the sector for the first time.

Sunday, 29 August, 1943

It was sunny at times during the day with a layer of 8/10ths cloud.  The weather was unsuitable today for any operations to take place.  An early morning sweep was planned and a briefing scheduled for 0645 hours was postponed indefinitely and then later cancelled.  There were nine non-operational sorties today done on aircraft tests and low level cross-country exercises.  P/O Wilson, on landing from his flight this afternoon, broke his tail wheel from the aircraft on the wire netted runway.  No blame was attached to him for the accident.

Monday, 30 August, 1943

Today the weather was scattered cloud at about 7/10ths in the morning, which changed to a very thin layer of 5/10ths cloud in the afternoon.  Ramrod S.14: W/C Johnson led the Wing on this operation with out role being target support.  The sweep was carried out according to plan with the Wing sweeping Armentieres and covering the bombers.  There was no enemy reaction and the bombing results were not clear.  Our Wing was airborne by 1820 hours and had landed by 1958 hours.  There were ten non-operational sorties today, mostly aircraft tests.  A briefing was supposed to take place around noon today but was cancelled and the briefing for Ramrod S.14 was held at 1730 hours.

Tuesday, 31 August, 1943

It was sunny and bright in the early part of the morning with only light, scattered cloud.  Around noon the cloud increased to about 9/10ths.  Ramrod S.16 Part 2: W/C Johnson led the Wing on this operation according to the plan, with our Wing being top cover to 16 Marauders bombing Maringarge.  The bombing results were good and 12 ME 109s were seen around Lille but our Wing was unable to engage them.  The remainder of the sweep was uneventful.  The Wing was airborne by 0655 hours and had landed by 0825 hours.  Ramrod S.17 Part 2: W/C Johnson led our Wing as fighter escort to Fortresses bombing Brussels.  The rendezvous was carried out according to the plan but the bombers turned NE before reaching the target.  When the Wing was ten miles South of Ghent, 421 Squadron bounced five ME 109s from out of the sun and destroyed two of them, one by S/L McNair and one by F/L Phillip.  Our Squadron remained as top cover to the bombers and so, was not engaged.  The Wing reformed and left France via Dunkirk.  The Wing was airborne by 1655 hours and had landed by 1830 hours.  There were a total of 14 non-operational sorties today on a/c tests, army co-op beat-up and low-level cross-country.  Sgt Delong, Fitter 2E was posted to 127 AFHQ.

403 Squadron Establishment and Flying Times for Month of August 1943

RCAF        Other
No. of Officers – Flying    25    –
No. of Officers – Ground    2    –
No. of Airmen – Flying     8    –
No. of Airmen – Ground    1    –

Flying Times for the Month

Operational:         509:10
Non-Operational:    201:25
Tiger Moth:        _25:45
Total    736:20

Aircraft on Squadron Strength:     19 Spitfire Mk IX
1 Tiger Moth

Our Casualties for the Month:  (8)     F/L Dover 16-8-43 uninjured
A/S/L Conrad 17-8-43 missing
F/Sgt (P/O) Shouldice 17-8-43 missing
F/O Brannagan 20-8-43 uninjured
Sgt Cousineau 20-8-43 uninjured
F/O Foster 28-8-43 slightly injured
P/O Wilson 29-8-43 uninjured
F/O Dowding 31-8-43 uninjured

Enemy Casualties:     (1) FW190 destroyed
(1) FW 190 damaged
(3/4)  ME 110 destroyed
(3) ME 109s destroyed