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No 439 (RCAF) Sqn Personnel, aircraft and locations

[1944 | ]

Personnel Movements: Jan - Dec 1944

Rank Name Date Notes
January
Flt Lt H K McAvity  3 Jan 1944 Assumed command of 'A' Flight and appointed Senior Flight Commander
Flt Lt J W Saville  3 Jan 1944 Assumed command of 'B' Flight
Flt Lt T A Dadson  3 Jan 1944 Appointed 2nd i/c 'A' Flight
Flt Lt N E Pollock  3 Jan 1944 Appointed 2nd i/c 'B' Flight
Sqn Ldr W M Smith  6 Jan 1944 Arrived on posting and assumed command of No 439 Sqn
Fg Off Tipple 12 Jan 1944 Arrived on posting from Bournemouth for duty as Signals Officer
Plt Off F M Thomas 15 Jan 1944 Admitted to hospital
Plt Off Laycock 16 Jan 1944 Admitted to hospital
Fg Off P J Elfner 17 Jan 1944 Discharged from hospital
Fg Off Nicholls 18 Jan 1944 Arrived on posting for duty as Intelligence Officer
Plt Off Laycock 18 Jan 1944 Discharged from hospital
Fg Off Scharff 20 Jan 1944 Attached to RAF Wittering for BAT Course
Sqn Ldr Kelly 21 Jan 1944 Departed on posting to RAF Digby
Plt Off Laycock 27 Jan 1944 Admitted to hospital
Fg Off Scharff 28 Jan 1944 Ceased to be attached to RAF Wittering for BAT Course
Plt Off M Laycock 30 Jan 1944 Discharged from hospital
February
Sqn Ldr Kelly  4 Feb 1944 Returned from RAF Digby, pending posting
Flt Lt T A Dadoon  5 Feb 1944 Proceeded to observe an amphibious exercise in the Moray Firth
Fg Off P J Elfner  5 Feb 1944 Proceeded to observe an amphibious exercise in the Moray Firth
Plt Off J Kalen  7 Feb 1944 Attached to the Junior Commanders' School at RAF Dallachy for a course (14 days)
Flt Lt H K McAvity 10 Feb 1944 Killed in a flying accident
Flt Lt T A Dadoon 11 Feb 1944 Returned from observing an amphibious exercise in the Moray Firth
Fg Off P J Elfner 11 Feb 1944 Returned from observing an amphibious exercise in the Moray Firth
Fg Off E L Dixon 20 Feb 1944 Killed in a flying accident
Plt Off R A Brown 23 Feb 1944 Arrived on posting from No 182 Sqn
Fg Off W D Burton 24 Feb 1944 Arrived on posting from No 174 Sqn
March
Fg Off J Ross  4 Mar 1944 Ceased to be attached to RAF Wittering for BAT Course
Plt Off W D Burton  8 Mar 1944 Ceased to be attached to ASR School, Blackpool
Sqn Ldr W M Smith 10 Mar 1944 Relinquished command of No 439 Sqn on posting to RCAF 'R' Depot
Sqn Ldr H H Norsworthy 10 Mar 1944 Arrived on posting from No 3 PRC and assumed command of No 439 Sqn
Fg Off R M MacTavish 18 Mar 1944 Killed in a flying accident
Fg Off P S Barton 20 Mar 1944 Posted to RCAF 'R' Depot
Flt Lt N E Pollock 21 Mar 1944 Killed in a flying accident
Plt Off E J Allen 26 Mar 1944 Posted to No 143 Airfield HQ
April
Flt Lt T A Dadson  4 Apr 1944 Attached to RAF Milfield for Fighter Leaders' Course
Plt Off A C Clarke  4 Apr 1944 Posted to No 143 Airfield HQ as N/E sick following a landing accident
Plt Off J Kalen  9 Apr 1944 Posted to No 83 Group Support Unit
Plt Off Leigh  9 Apr 1944 Posted to No 83 Group Support Unit
Plt Off Mahagan  9 Apr 1944 Posted to No 83 Group Support Unit
Plt Off M H Rossenti  9 Apr 1944 Posted to No 83 Group Support Unit
Fg Off P J Elfner 10 Apr 1944 Killed in a flying accident
Flt Lt D J Moffatt 12 Apr 1944 Arrived on posting from No 3 PRC for duty as Medical Officer
Flt Lt T A Dadson 22 Apr 1944 Ceased to be attached to RAF Milfield for Fighter Leaders' Course
Fg Off M Harrison 24 Apr 1944 Arrived on posting from RCAF Skipton-on-Swale for duty as Adjutant
May
Plt Off E J Allen 21 May 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Cpl Capelman 21 May 1944 Promoted to Sgt
Plt Off J H Stitt 23 May 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Plt Off J A Brown 23 May 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Plt Off M H Rassenti 23 May 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Plt Off J Kalen 23 May 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
June
Flt Lt J W Saville  5 Jun 1944 Killed in action
Flt Lt K J Fiset  5 Jun 1944 Arrived on posting from No 438 Sqn and assumed command of 'B' Flight
Fg Off J W Ross 15 Jun 1944 Failed to return from an operation, later reported to be a POW
WO2 W A Gray 15 Jun 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Fg Off R A Brown 23 Jun 1944 Failed to return from an operation, but was rescued from the Channel
July
Fg Off F M Thomas  8 Jul 1944 Killed in action
Fg Off J Kalen 18 Jul 1944 Killed in action
Fg Off R H Laurence 20 Jul 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Fg Off R V Smith 22 Jul 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Flt Lt T A Dadson xx Jul 1944 Posted to No 13 PTC
August
Flt Lt I W Smith  8 Aug 1944 Failed to return from a sortie, later returning safe after making a forced landing
Fg Off R O Moen 12 Aug 1944 Killed in action
Fg Off E J Allen 12 Aug 1944 Killed in action
Fg Off J G Fraser 14 Aug 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Fg Off J Roberts 14 Aug 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Fg Off R A Brown 18 Aug 1944 Admitted to No 50 MFH after being wounded in action and posted to RCAF 'R' Depot as N/E sick
Fg Off M Laycock 18 Aug 1944 Admitted to No 74 British General Hospital following a motorcycle accident
Fg Off R A Porritt 19 Aug 1944 Killed in action
Flt Lt W K Scharff 19 Aug 1944 Killed in action
Fg Off R N MacDonald xx Aug 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
September
Fg Off J Carr  6 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Fg Off G W Hewson  9 Sep 1944 Failed to return from a sortie, later reported to be a POW
AC1 H East RAF 10 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting from No 6439 Servicing Echelon
Sqn Ldr H H Norsworthy 14 Sep 1944 Relinquished command of No 439 Sqn on posting to No 9 PDC, pending repatriation to Canada
Flt Lt K J Fiset 14 Sep 1944 Assumed command of No 438 Sqn
Fg Off M J A Cote 14 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Fg Off W G McBride 15 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Flt Lt K J Fiset 16 Sep 1944 Promoted to Act Sqn Ldr
Fg Off R W Vokey 17 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Fg Off A E Monson 17 Sep 1944 Promoted to Act Flt Lt and assumed command of 'B' Flight
Fg Off R W Vokey 24 Sep 1944 Killed in action
WO2 W A Gray 27 Sep 1944 Killed in action
Fg Off R A Hiltz 28 Sep 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Fg Off M J A Cote 28 Sep 1944 Failed to return from a sortie, but returned on 1 Oct 1944 having evaded capture
WO2 W A Gray 28 Sep 1944 Appointed to a commission in the rank of Plt Off, wef 14 Jul 1944 (missing)
October
Fg Off J G Martin  1 Oct 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Flt Lt W L Saunders  2 Oct 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Fg Off W G McBride  2 Oct 1944 Failed to return from a sortie, later returning safe after making a forced landing
Fg Off R A Johns  5 Oct 1944 Killed in action
Fg Off J H Stitt  5 Oct 1944 Proceeded to RAF Milfield for a Fighter Leaders' Course
Fg Off W G Davis xx Oct 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Flt Lt A E Monson 10 Oct 1944 Promoted to Act Sqn Ldr on posting to No 440 Sqn to command, wef 8 Oct 1944
Flt Lt W D Burton 17 Oct 1944 Posted to No 9 PDC on becoming tour expired
Fg Off W G Davis 18 Oct 1944 Failed to return from a sortie, returning the following day after making a forced landing
Flt Lt C A Lambert 19 Oct 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Fg Off J E Hogg 19 Oct 1944 Promoted to Act Flt Lt for duty as a Flight Commander, wef 8 Oct 1944
Fg Off C L Burgess 19 Oct 1944 Promoted to Act Flt Lt for duty as a Flight Commander, wef 16 Oct 1944
Fg Off R V Smith 22 Oct 1944 Failed to return from a sortie, but admitted to No 52 MFH in Eindhoven as a result of wounds
Fg Off M A Marooux 22 Oct 1944 Posted to No 9 PDC on becoming tour expired
Fg Off J H Stitt 23 Oct 1944 Returned from the UK following cancellation of his Fighter Leaders' Course
WO1 S A Church xx Oct 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Fg Off M P Laycock 28 Oct 1944 Killed in action
November
Fg Off J Sweeney  1 Nov 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Fg Off R N MacDonald  3 Nov 1944 Killed in a flying accident
Fg Off A L Henderson  5 Nov 1944 Posted to RCAF 'R' Depot on compassionate grounds
Plt Off J A Brown  6 Nov 1944 Failed to return from a sortie, later reported to be a POW
Plt Off B E Bell  6 Nov 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Fg Off J Stelter  7 Nov 1944 Posted to No 83 Group Support Unit (tour-expired)
Fg Off J G Fraser 11 Nov 1944 Killed in action
Fg Off W Anderson 12 Nov 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Fg Off L C Shaver 17 Nov 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Plt Off S Angelini 17 Nov 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Fg Off J G Martin 19 Nov 1944 Failed to return from a sortie, but later returned having evaded capture
Flt Lt R G Crosby 20 Nov 1944 Arrived on posting from No 438 Sqn as supernumerary
Plt Off A K Derouin 20 Nov 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Fg Off R A Hiltz 21 Nov 1944 Killed in action
Fg Off P N Bernhart 21 Nov 1944 Posted to BPC (tour-expired), wef 20 Nov 1944
Fg Off M J A Cote 24 Nov 1944 Promoted to Temp Flt Lt
Fg Off R V Smith 24 Nov 1944 Discharged from No 52 MFH and proceeded on sick leave
Fg Off B P Swingler 25 Nov 1944 Admitted to No 52 MFH
Flt Lt C L Burgess 26 Nov 1944 Posted to BPC (tour-expired)
Fg Off B P Swingler 26 Nov 1944 Posted to BPC (tour-expired) but still in hospital
Flt Lt J E Hogg 27 Nov 1944 Posted to BPC (tour-expired)
Flt Lt R G Crosby 27 Nov 1944 Assumed command of 'B' Flight
Fg Off J Carr 27 Nov 1944 Promoted to Act Flt Lt and assumed command of 'A' Flight
Fg Off M H Rassenti 27 Nov 1944 Posted to BPC (tour-expired)
Flt Lt C A Lambert 28 Nov 1944 Admitted to No 52 MFH
Fg Off J H Stitt 29 Nov 1944 Screened from operations on completion of his second tour
Sqn Ldr K J Fiset 30 Nov 1944 Screened from operations on completion of his tour
Flt Lt K F Sage 30 Nov 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Flt Lt C A Lambert 30 Nov 1944 Discharged from No 52 MFH
Fg Off B P Swingler 30 Nov 1944 Discharged from No 52 MFH
Fg Off V H J LeGear 30 Nov 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Fg Off W Kubinski 30 Nov 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
December
Fg Off B P Swingler  1 Dec 1944 Posted to No 3 PRC
Flt Sgt A W Wright  2 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Sqn Ldr K J Fiset  4 Dec 1944 Relinquished command of No 439 Sqn on posting to BPC (tour-expired)
Flt Lt W L Saunders  3 Dec 1944 Killed in action
Flt Lt R G Crosby  5 Dec 1944 Promoted to Act Sqn Ldr and assumed command of No 439 Sqn, wef 4 Dec 1944
Flt Lt M J A Cote  5 Dec 1944 Assumed command of 'B' Flight
Fg Off J H Stitt  5 Dec 1944 Posted to BPC (tour-expired)
Fg Off I W Smith  5 Dec 1944 Screened from operations on completion of his tour
Fg Off J L Harrison  5 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Plt Off A H Fraser  5 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Plt Off D G Cleghorn  5 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Fg Off A W Saunders  9 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Fg Off D E Johnson  9 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Sqn Ldr K J Fiset 12 Dec 1944 Departed on posting to BPC (tour-expired)
Fg Off I W Smith 12 Dec 1944 Departed on posting to BPC (tour-expired)
Flt Lt C A Lambert 15 Dec 1944 Killed in action
Flt Sgt B Propas 22 Dec 1944 Arrived on posting from No 83 Group Support Unit
Flt Lt K F Sage 24 Dec 1944 Killed in action
Flt Sgt A W Wright 24 Dec 1944 Killed in action
Fg Off B E Bell 27 Dec 1944 Failed to return from a sortie, later reported to be a POW
WO1 S A Church 29 Dec 1944 Failed to return from a sortie, later reported to be a POW
Plt Off B E Bell xx Dec 1944 Promoted to Fg Off
Plt Off S Angelini xx Dec 1944 Promoted to Fg Off

Source - No 439 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1879)

Organisational Movements: Jan - Dec 1944

Date Notes
31 Dec 1943 The squadron pilots arrived at RAF Wellingore from Bournemouth
January
 1 Jan 1944 No 123 Squadron RCAF was redesignated No 439 (RCAF) Squadron at RAF Wellingore

35 x Cooks arrived on posting
 2 Jan 1944 The squadron ground crews arrived at RAF Wellingore from Bournemouth
 6 Jan 1944 2 x Hurricane IVs were collected from RAF Wittering
Hurricane IV
 7 Jan 1944 Advance party departed RAF Wellingore for RAF Ayr
 8 Jan 1944 Main party departed RAF Wellingore for RAF Ayr by rail
10 Jan 1944 The two Hurricanes were flown from RAF Wellingore to RAF Ayr
14 Jan 1944 5 x Hurricanes were delivered by ferry pilots (total on strength - 14)
29 Jan 1944 3 x Typhoons were delivered by the ATA
Typhoon IB of No 439 Squadron (August 1944)
February
 2 Feb 1944 Pilots began converting to Typhoons
22 Feb 1944 9 x Typhoons were collected from RAF Tain
March
12 Mar 1944 Advance party departed RAF Ayr for RAF Hurn
14 Mar 1944 Main convoy departed RAF Ayr for RAF Hurn
18 Mar 1944 Air party departed RAF Ayr for RAF Hurn via RAF Woodvale
31 Mar 1944 Strength of the squadron on this date: -
 
  Aircrew Groundcrew
Officers 28 0
Airmen 0 23

Aircraft on charge: -

  • Typhoon IB - 7

  • Hurricane IV - 9
April
 1 Apr 1944 Main convoy departed RAF Hurn for Funtington ALG
 2 Apr 1944 Aircraft departed RAF Hurn for Funtington ALG
 3 Apr 1944 Rear convoy departed RAF Hurn for Funtington ALG
10 Apr 1944 5 x Hurricanes were collected by ferry pilots for disposal
11 Apr 1944 3 x Hurricanes were collected by ferry pilots for disposal
19 Apr 1944 Advance and air parties moved from Funtington ALG to RAF Hurn
20 Apr 1944 Main party moved from Funtington ALG to RAF Hurn

2 x Typhoons were collected
21 Apr 1944 1 x Typhoon was collected
23 Apr 1944 3 x Typhoons were collected
26 Apr 1944 1 x Typhoon was delivered
29 Apr 1944 1 x Typhoon was delivered
30 Apr 1944 Strength of the squadron on this date: -
 
  Aircrew Groundcrew
Officers 22 2
Airmen 0 27

Aircraft on charge: -

  • Typhoon IB - 18

  • Hurricane IV - 1

  • Auster III - 1
May
 5 May 1944 3 x Typhoons were delivered to Redhill for disposal
11 May 1944 Ground party departed No 143 Airfield for No 16 APC, RAF Hutton Cranswick, stopping at Lutterworth
12 May 1944 Ground party departed Lutterworth and arrived at RAF Hutton Cranswick

12 x Typhoons were flown from No 143 Airfield to RAF Hutton Cranswick
19 May 1944 12 x Typhoons were flown from RAF Hutton Cranswick to No 143 Airfield
20 May 1944 Main ground party ordered to remain at RAF Hutton Cranswick to service No 438 Sqn

Remaining ground party departed RAF Hutton Cranswick and stopped overnight at Northampton
21 May 1944 Remaining ground party arrived at No 143 Airfield
29 May 1944 Groundcrew arrived at No 143 Airfield on return from No 16 APC
31 May 1944 Strength of the squadron on this date: -
 
  Aircrew Groundcrew
Officers 27 2
Airmen 0 26

Aircraft on charge: -

  • Typhoon IB - 10

  • Hurricane IV - 1

  • Auster III - 1
June
26 Jun 1944 'S' Echelon departed RAF Hurn for ALG B-9 ay Lantheuil in Normandy
27 Jun 1944 Ground crew were airlifted from RAF Hurn to ALG B-9 ay Lantheuil in Normandy

Typhoon aircraft departed RAF Hurn but were forced to land at No 121 Airfield
28 Jun 1944 Typhoon aircraft departed 121 Airfield for No 143 Airfield (B-9)
30 Jun 1944 Strength of the squadron on this date: -
 
  Aircrew Groundcrew
Officers 25 2
Airmen 1 26

Aircraft on charge: -

  • Typhoon IB - 18

  • Auster V - 1
July
11 Jul 1944 1 x Typhoon was collected from the UK
31 Jul 1944 Strength of the squadron on this date: -
 
  Aircrew Groundcrew
Officers 25 2
Airmen 0 20

Aircraft on charge: -

  • Typhoon IB - 18

  • Auster V - 1
August
30 Aug 1944 'A' Party departed B-9 for B-24 at St André-de-l'Eure
31 Aug 1944 Squadron departed B-9 for B-24 at St André-de-l'Eure
31 Aug 1944 Strength of the squadron on this date: -
 
  Aircrew Groundcrew
Officers 22 3
Airmen 1 28

Aircraft on charge: -

  • Typhoon IB - 18
September
 3 Sep 1944 'A' Party departed B-24 B-48 at Amiens/Glisy
 4 Sep 1944 Squadron departed B-24 for B-48 at Amiens/Glisy
 7 Sep 1944 Squadron departed B-48 at Amiens/Glisy for B-58, Melsbroek
25 Sep 1944 Squadron departed B-58, Melsbroek for B-78, Eindhoven
30 Sep 1944 Strength of the squadron on this date: -
 
  Aircrew Groundcrew
Officers 25 3
Airmen 0 29

Aircraft on charge: -

  • Typhoon IB - 18

  • Auster V - 1
October
   
31 Oct 1944 Strength of the squadron on this date: -
 
  Aircrew Groundcrew
Officers 25 3
Airmen 1 30

Aircraft on charge: -

  • Typhoon IB - 18
November
30 Nov 1944 Strength of the squadron on this date: -
 
  Aircrew Groundcrew
Officers 22 3
Airmen 1 30

Aircraft on charge: -

  • Typhoon IB - 18
December
31 Dec 1944 Strength of the squadron on this date: -
 
  Aircrew Groundcrew
Officers 19 3
Airmen 1 30

Aircraft on charge: -

  • Typhoon IB - 9

Source - No 439 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1879)

This entry was last updated on 15/09/25

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