OPERATIONS RECORD BOOK
of (Unit or Formation) No. 443 Squadron R.C.A.F. |
| Place |
Date |
Time |
Summary of Events |
| B.82 Airfield, Grave Holland |
1-Oct-44 |
|
Weather cloudy and unsettled, periodic rain showers
throughout the day. Ground personnel moving to B.82 airfield
(Grave) Holland today without any incident on the road. All
equipment and tents now set up ready for normal operations again.
Two new pilots reported to the squadron at noon being C.10399
F/L T.P. Watt and R.88145 W/O R.L. Gaudet. Four patrols flown
by squadron without incident today. F/O P.E. Piche returned
from England and 7 day leave. F/O W.J. Sherman and P/O P.C.
Bookman departed for 83 G.S.U. Thorny Island to pickup two replacement
Spitfire aircraft. |
| |
2-Oct-44 |
|
Weather clear and warm, visibility very good.
Squadron took part in front line patrols again today without
incident. This airfield was subjected to an attack by enemy
anti-personnel bombs at approximately 1100 hrs. It is likely
that only one large container of these bombs was dropped; there
were two casualties among our pilots, W/O Gaudet received a
slight cut on one arm which was treated immediately and this
pilot cleared as fit; F/L H. C. Charlesworth was injured in
the left arm and has been transferred to Casualty Clearing Station
at Eindhoven for X-Ray to determine the extent of his injuries
which at present are considered only slight. There were two
other attacks later in the day but not in our immediate vicinity.
P/O P.C. Bookman returned this evening with a replacement Spitfire
for the Squadron. Personnel busily engaged in “digging-in”
around their living quarters as only protection against enemy
attack by missiles from the air. |
| |
3-Oct-44 |
|
Weather cloudy and cool, 10/10 cloud at 4,000
feet. Squadron took part in usual front line patrols without
incident and was on immediate readiness without being sent off
in the afternoon. F/O A.M. Thomas returned from leave in England
today. Information received that F/L H.C Charlesworth will return
to the squadron from Eindhoven within four days, his injuries
being only light and not requiring further treatment and hospitalisation. |
| |
4-Oct-44 |
|
Weather clear and warmer, visibility good, becoming
cloudy in late afternoon. Squadron took part in regular patrols
over front lines during the day without incident. F/O W.J. Sherman
returned today from 83 G.S.U. with a replacement aircraft. Pilots
moved into billets provided in the nearby town of Grave this
afternoon. Present home is in a large building built as an old
folks home during peace time. At present there is no heat, no
electricity and no water but it is expected that some of these
services will be provided in the near future. The necessary
M.T. [motor transport] runs have been authorized and set up
to maintain steady communication at all times. |
| |
5-Oct-44 |
|
Weather cloudy and cool, 9/10’s cloud at
5,000’; clearing somewhat during afternoon, but still
very hazy. Squadron tool part in three patrols over Nijmegen
area without incident. Amendment to establishment received to
allow 13 N.C.O. pilots and 14 officers for a total of 27 pilots. |
| |
6-Oct-44 |
|
Weather clear and cold. Squadron took part in
three patrols over Nijmegen area without incident. A packet
of anti-personnel bombs was dropped by enemy aircraft at our
aircraft dispersal. None of the kites were damaged but one airman
was fatally injured and another received slight wounds. A number
of the tents received tears from flying particles. Due to inconvenience
of periodic M.T. bottlenecks in contact between the airfield
and pilots billets in Grave, … to the night, a temporary
squadron den has been arranged from pilot’s tents and
furnished comfortably for unavoidable periods. |
