RAF Activity Over Normandy on June 4, 1944

[schnellmeyer]

I recently posted looking for information on RAF units operating over Normandy on June 3,1944. However, after receiving a copy of an original document on German losses it would appear that the incident took place on June 4 . I doing research on a book project and am looking for any information on a RAF Squadron which attacked German ground targets along the Le Neubourg - Evreux road on the morning of June 4, 1944. Thanks

[Chris Goss]

Wasn't 4 June 1944 a no flying day as they were having black and white stripes painted and did not want to give the game away to the Germans?

[Buckeye30]

Chris. The stripes were ordered applied (by Operational Memo.23 April 18 1944) "as near to the invasion date as possible", they were actually painted on the 5th. by P-51 / P-47 Groups, usually PM. They obviously wanted to leave this as late as possible for security.

The 4FG finished about midnight. Some P-38 squadrons started on the 4th. June.
The fighters were flying missions on the 4th., the 4FG strafed a convoy but in the afternoon, bomber escorts were assigned to F.O.s 389 and 391.


Regards
Nick

[Chris Goss]

222 Sqn stated no flying because of the stripe painting! 122 Sqn "concentrated on serviceability of aircraft"

[MW Giles]

It was a quiet day, but there was still some activity

For 2 TAF the following squadrons did the following activities:

Defensive Patrol – 132, 332, 401, 441 Sqn
Dive Bombing (Radar sites) – 132, 441, 442, 443, 453, 602 Sqn
Interception – 401 Sqn
Photo Recce – 4, 16, 140, 168, 400, 414, 430 Sqns
Shipping Patrol – 401, 416 Sqn
Weather Recce – 132, 441 Sqn

ADGB did Convoy Patrols and Shipping Recces, but I am still compiling my records for these

None of these match the question. I wondered if it was a 2 Group Mosquito doing an intruder/interdiction sortie on the night of 3/4 June (ie the early hours of the 4th)

Martin

[Buckeye30]

Chris the RAF did start painting on the 4th. by an "Immediate-Secret" order effective on that date, which was intended to be the day before the invasion (D-1) planned for the 5th. but postponed.

They evidently pre-empted the AAF who received their Memo a day later, the 5th.


Nick

[schnellmeyer]

Many thanks for your replies to my post gents. From the information I have a Spitfire attacked a German staff car on the road between Le Neubourg - Everux road " during the late morning " of June 4th. I am trying to see what RAF Squadron was involved in this incident if possible, thanks.

[Stephen M. Fochuk]

Yes, June 4th and 5th were days where the air offensive was restricted to half so as to conserve the aircraft, and prep them for the main event. I suspect the original date, June 3rd is correct as we have 222 and 349 Squadrons, part of Ramrod 962, who were tasked with the sweeping the roads in the following areas: Le Neubourg/Breteul and Evreux/Lisieux between the hours of 1345-1510. They are the only ones who claimed a staff car that day.

It's a start...

Stephen

[schnellmeyer]

Thanks for your reply Stephen. I have checked the ORB of 222 Squadron for June 3 and they fit perfectly with the action I am trying to research. However, the German records show the incident taking place on June 4 and the German officer in the staff car also gives the date as June 4. I wonder was it a lone Spitfire on a recon mission ?

[Stephen M. Fochuk]

Hi Justin,

What German records are you referring to?

Stephen