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02.21.1945 Typhoon at Piershil
02.21.1945 Typhoon at Piershil
Piershil (NE) Typhoon IB, PD476, 438 Sqdn., W / O GRErrington
Mission
Mission
February 21, 1945. Somewhere northeast of Piershil, presumably in the inundated polder Klein-Piershil, a Typhoon crashed during a mission of 438. Squadron to attack a V1 launch site, probably that at Puttershoek, the plane was hit in the coolant reservoir. The pilot Errington saves his life by parachute and becomes POW. He returns to England on May 11, 1945.
The V-bombs
Hitler's last trump card was the flying bomb, the "Vergeltung Eins" (V-1) and "Zwei Vergeltung" (V-2). This weapon was in fact a flying bomb, an unmanned aircraft. Powered by a jet engine and reached a speed of 600 km / hour when sent to a target. The nose of the bomb carried almost 1000 kg. The effect was horrible.
These bombs caused huge anxiety among the population of London and Antwerp. You could hear and see it, but you never knew where he would come down. When the engine stopped, it was wait and see where the bomb came down. Between June 1944 and March 1945 thousands of V-1's were launched from special launchers in northern France, and later from parts of the Netherlands. Most targeted were London and the port of Antwerp. Anti-aircraft guns, balloons and fighter planes tried to stop these deadly weapons as much as possible. The fighters had the most success with their so-called wing tip attack. The Spitfire and later the Tempest, the fastest fighter of the RAF, destroyed 24% of the V-1's. Of the 9300 missiles that were fired toward England, around 2400, reached the target. To delay or prevent the supplies to the Allied landing forces at the front 8700 V-1's were fired at Antwerp and another 3100 to the city of Liege. A total of over 21,000 V-1s were launched, of which 12,000 from the Netherlands.
The successor of the V-1 was the V-2, a real missile with a heavy explosive in the nose. This reached an altitude of 100 km and had a range of 200 km. On September 8, 1944 the first V-2 was fired from Wassenaar toward England. The only defense against this weapon was a counterattack to destroy the launchers. Between September 1944 and end March 1945 almost daily bombing run on the V 1 and V-2 launchers were carried out, most of which were established in the occupied Netherlands.
http://www.regionaalarchieftilburg.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=110&Itemid=181
Throughout the month V.1 flying bombs were frequently seen passing over the airfield and there were occasions when these and V.2 bombs exploded in the vicinity. On the 16th a wing effort was organized against a V.1 site at Puttershoek, fifteen miles south of Rotterdam. Some 24 tons of bombs were dropped on the target which was cleverly concealed amongst some factory buildings. The Wildcats took off first at 1335 hours followed by the Westmount Squadron and the Beavers. All were equipped with 1,000 lb. bombs. A large explosion and a great deal of smoke indicated that the target had at least been hit though it was not wiped out. “There was a great column of smoke from the target as I left,” said S/L James Hogg, D.F.C. of the Wildcats. “Just before that a big explosion shook us. I figure one of the bombs hit a rocket bomb or some other explosives.” For the rest of the day a routine order of rail cutting was carried out. On the next flying day, the 21st, two more V:1 sites, southwest of Rotterdam, were attacked, the three Canadian squadrons co-operating with other Typhoon aircraft. The rockets of the R.A.F. Tiffies and the cluster bombs of the Beavers took care of the heavy flak while the Wildcats and the Westmount Squadron dropped 1,00o pounders on the ramps at the two sites. WO G. R. Errington of the Wildcats was hit by flak but was seen to bale out safely on the German side of the lines.
source : THE R.C.A.F. OVERSEAS THE SIXTH. YEAR
The V1's were launched from a catapult-type ramp, the Abschussrampe. With a pressure generator and a spark ignited the jet after which the V-1 lwas launched by means of compressed air over a 46 meters long sloping rails at an angle of 6 °.
According to German data 8564 V-1's were launched to England and the port of Antwerp. Of these, approximately 57% hit its target, the rest were destroyed by the anti-aircraft, balloons or fighters. A lot were also lost due to defects at launch or in flight.
Puttershoek
Puttershoek
One of the launchers was on the field of cooperative sugar factory in the South Holland Puttershoek Hoeksche-Waard. V1 parts were transported by barge over the "Oude Maas" and off-loaded at the quay of the factory. The V1's were assembled in the factory by a special unit that had nothing to do with the Wehrmacht unit that was stationed in the village.
The Puttershoek Abschußrampe was only briefly used, but in that short time it caused casualties in immediate vicinity. Probably because of sabotage during production in Nordhausen at least three V1's crashed shortly after its launch in the vicinity of the sugar factory. Two did not explode and disappeared in the clay soil at Puttershoek and were only 30 years later removed by the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team and rendered harmless. One fell on a house in Maasdam, 2 km south of Putterhoek and exploded upon impact. One occupant was killed.
From the at that time already liberated Noord-Brabant an observer came over and moved into a farm nearby, a mile from the launch site. From there he reported by radio launches to London.
On February 17, 1945 the installation at Puttershoek was still completely undamaged after a failed Allied bombing. The bombs were thrown too high and fell on the land of the factory. One of the bombs missed at only a few dozen meters three children who were playing on the nearby dike. Almost 60 years later, these bomb craters are still visible and after heavy rainfall a pond in a field beside a storage silo to the plant can be seen.
This action led to anger with the local resistance movement, where one of the their members said: "If this is the way they want to destroy it, we better blow it up ourselves!" On February 22, 1945 an air strike put the V1 launch site out of action for good with several direct hits.
Unit
Unit
438 Squadron had ITS roots as a fighter-bomber squadron constantly World War II. At That time, it Flew Hurricanes and Typhoons. After the war, it was Equipped with Vampires and Sabres, Becoming 438 "City of Montreal" Squadron Reserve.
History
438 Fighter Bomber Squadron was created from No.118 Fighter Squadron in November 1943. During the war the squadron was stationed in England, France, Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany. They Were disbanded on 26 August 1945. They Reformed St.Hubert at RCAF Station on 15 April 1946. The "City of Montreal" title was added on 1 May 1950. In 1981 the squadron changed roles, 438 Tactical Helicopter Squadron and Becoming Currently flying the CH-146 Griffon.
Aircraft
Aircraft
Blackburn Shark
The Blackburn Shark was a British carrier-borne torpedo bomber built by the Blackburn Aircraft company in England. Flew it first went on 24 August 1933 and enter service with the Fleet Air Arm, Royal Canadian Air Force, Portuguese Navy, and the British Air Observers' School.
(October 1939 - September 1940)
Armstrong Withworth Atlas (October 1939 - September 1940)
Westland Lysander
The Westland Lysander was a British army co-operation and liaison aircraft Produced by Westland Aircraft. Used consistently it was the Second World War and was Renowned for its ability to operate from small, Unprepared airstrips.
(October 1939 - September 1940)
Grumman Goblin (December-November 1940)
P-40 Kittyhawk MkI (December 1941 - October 1943)
Hawker Hurricane
The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd.. Some production out of the Hurricane was carried interest in Canada by the Canada Car and Foundry Co. Ltd.
MkIV (November 1943 - May 1944)
Hawker Typhoon
The Typhoon was a British single-seat fighter-bomber, Produced by Hawker Aircraft. While the Typhoon was designed to be a medium-high altitude interceptor, and a direct replacement for the Hawker Hurricane, Were Encountered Several design problems and the Typhoon never Completely Satisfied this role. The Typhoon secured a new role as a low altitude interceptor catching the Fw 190 at low altitudes.
MkIB (January 1944 - August 1945)
No. 438 Squadron
#
Hurricane IV
November 1943 - May 1944
Typhoon IB
June 1944 - August 1945
This Day In History
Summary of Events for No.. 439 (CAN) Squadron
as recorded in the 439 Squadron Operations Record Book
for
30 November 1944
B-78 Holland
Details of Sortie or Flight
F / O Smith Other with three pilots, all armed with 500 lb bombs (.025 fused tail) fired off to do a weather recce and strike if weather permitted. Once airborne They found a heavy layer of cloud (10/10ths) over the Maas and Extending to the east beyond the target area. This cloud was about 3000 feet and made conditions unsuitable for total assessment operations. They returned to base and Reported "sour oranges.
http://www.thisisme.ca/439squadron/334.htm
Seems PD476 Has Been in use with No. 439 Sqdn first before it was used and crashed on February 21st 1945 in the Netherlands near Piershil Flown by 438 Sqdn.
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