Missions (and victories) of the 418th RCAF Squadron

[strafer]

Dear all, could you please let me (us) know whether you are familiar with missions of the 418th RCAF Squadron, particualrly those carried out in then Czechoslovakia?
Thanks. Regards, Filip

[Mark Proulx]

I am familiar with 418, City of Edmonton Squadron. Is there some specific date or location that you are interested in?

Mark Proulx

[strafer]

Yes, Mark, I am interested in the mission on October 12, 1944. Your assistance would be welcome.
Regards, Filip

[Chris Goss]

Ranger to Caske-Rubojorice and Nemecky Brod. Sqn Ldr Gray/Flt Lt Gibbons destroyed 2 x Ju 34s and 4 x Ju 87s on ground and damaged 5 x Ju 87s and 1 x Ju 34. On same airfield, Fg Off Thomas/Flt Lt MacDonald) destroyed 1 x Ju 34 and 1 x Ju 87 and damaged 3 x Ju 87s and probably destroyed 1 x Ju 87

[strafer]

Great, Chris, thank you! Do you know whether they strafed Ceske Budejovice or Nemecky Brod? Regards, Filip

[Chris Goss]

The entry does not I am afraid but surely you will be able to work it out unless another Sqn was having a go that day? By the way, it should be listed as 418 Sqn RCAF

[Michal]

They strafed both airfields. Destroyed and damaged planes belonged to Stab and I./SG 102.

Strafer, if you would like to know more, contact me via e-mail.

Michal

[Mark Proulx]

I have the combat report (plus other documents) for this encounter flown by these two crews. That day the were flying HR148 (S/L Gray) and MM426 (F/O Thomas). Interestingly, due to weather, after the raid the crews had to make for Italy were they refueled and ate before returning to Hunsdon.

The crews originally departed from St. Dizier after staging from Hunsdon. They saw other targets of opportunity during the trip into Czechoslovakia put didn't attack so as to create as much surprise as possible at Budejovice and Nemecky Brod A/F. They opened fire at Budejovice at 0640. Nemecky Brod was attacked at 0715. Areas of patchy fog did hamper much of the raid

Clearly, 418 had some success on this Day Ranger!

Mark Proulx

[Peter Kassak]

Mark,

I see you have backround for 418 Sqn RCAF. Any combat report or any possible data on Piestany Ranger mission on October 16, 1944? Onwe plane shot down, the other from Ranger couple lost next day...
I have some data...but looking for whether twose oct 16. survivors wrote any statement or report on what happened over PIestany...

Thanks

Peter

[Mark Proulx]

Peter:

You may have to check your dates or identify another group. Only one aircraft from 418 took-off that day due to adverse weather. S/L Annan and F/O MacIntosh flew to Ahlhorn, Varrelbusch and encountered 10/10ths cloud cover and thunderstorms over the Dutch Coast and reported "uneventful". No other aircraft was dispatched on October 16th from 418.

HTH

Mark Proulx