Marville, France

Historical Narrative 439 Squadron
1 December 1957 to 31 May 1958
National Archives of Canada


439 (F) Squadron Report
1 December 1957 to 31 May 1958

December 1957

The Squadron had a normal month, with quite reasonable weather. On 3 Dec 496 Sqn, USAF, came down for a party from Hahn. The squadron laid on a flypast, free beer, and a dining-in night.

A mug party was held for F/Os Holt and Frioult, the latter leaving shortly afterwards.

F/Os Landreville, Tremblay, Redmond and Tidball spent a weekend at Weathersfield.

F/Os Cambell and Olson arrived on the squadron and started their phase training.

F/L Baker took 13 day's leave and F/L Norris was in bed for a week with a bad ear infection.

The month closed with the normal Christmas and New Year's festivities.

The usual Zulu committments were met and Scan Plan was carried out on three separate occasions.

January 1958

F/Os Brown and Coles reported to the squadron this month and F/Os Campbell and Olson completed their phase training.

F/Os Titterton and Holt were granted permanent commissions and F/O Pickering an extension. Six people were busy writing promotion exams this month.

The normal Zulu commitments were filled.

F/Os McCann, Tidball, Grimm, Johnson, Rice and Turner all took leave and F/O Titterton was married at the end of the month. F/L Baker left for Canada on the Fighter Leaders Course.

Normal flying was done through the month, with some cine work and phase training for F/Os Brown and Coles.

February

This month started off with terrible weather and there was no flying for the first nine days. The weather for the remainder of the month was not too good. Zulu commitments were held and one escort exercise using CF-100s as bombers. Phase training was continued for F/Os Brown and Coles and F/O Small joined the squadron.

The hockey schedule was in full swing and team practices were held regularly.

F/Os Redmond, Olson, Donald and Johnson flew to Munich for a weekend.

F/O Olson bailed out on a GCA and suffered a compression fracture of the spine and will be in a cast for two months.

F/Ls Milne and Gourlay, and F/Os Joy, Hollingshead, Smith, and Landreville on leave during the month.

Cine exercises emphasized this month as the squadron was going to Sardinia in March.

March 1958

No leave during the first part of the month, as the squadron left for Sardinia on 13 Mar - five sections of four and the remainder by Dakota. The Squadron averaged 25.17%, the highest score to date. The weather was fair to good, only about three days being lost due to clouds over the range. The squadron flew back on 26 Mar and had a few days off.

Our Zulu commitment was taken by 441 Sqn, and no Scan Plans were done.

April

The squadron went on Zulu on 2 Apr and phase training was continued for F/O Small.

The weather, on the whole, was good.

Zulu and Scan Plan commitments were kept.

The squadrons are now being controlled by a new Technical Center at Air Division HQ.

F/O Kerr left for Canada on the Flight Safety Course and F/L Baker returned from the Fighter Leaders Course. S/L Cannon and F/L Lewis each took a week's leave.

F/O Burke joined the squadron and F/O Titterton left for Canada.

Eleven pilots ferried German Mk V Sabres from Refrew to Oldenburg.

F/O McCann returned to Canada for two weeks as his father died suddenly.

May 1958

The squadron did a double Zulu shift this month as 441 Sqn went to Sardinia. One Scan Plan was done and numerous varied escort and recce exercises controlled by "Salesman" at Air Div HQ.

F/O Kerr returned from Flight Safety Course and left on his honeymoon. F/Os Landreville and Cater on leave.

F/Os Carter and Pattee reported to the squadron. F/O Small now combat-ready.

F/O Brown took one aircraft to Etain Air Base (USAF) for a static display.

Two "live scrambles" were experienced during Zulu, but the aircraft proved to be a USAF fighter.

:)