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Douglas C-47A Dakota A65-46, VH-CIC, was delivered to the RAAF in April 1944 and served with 36 Squadron. (George Hunt)
Australia’s War Diary
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50 Years Ago…
April 2 – Italy. Attacks by RAAF Kittybombers are directed against bridges in the Foligno, Todi and Ancona areas. During one attack with 1000lb bombs, the tail unit of F/Lt J Doyle’s Kittyhawk of 3 Sqn is riddled with holes. April 4-Italy. For 450 Squadron the early days of April are occupied in escorting supply aircraft, bombing and strafing in support of the Partisans in Yugoslavia, often against heavy AA fire. After such an attack, F/Sgt H Eaves has to be rescued from the sea by the Air/Sea Rescue Unit. April 5 – Britain. F/Lt Charles Scherf had been just “getting into stride” with 418 RCAF (Mosquito) Squadron when his tour came to an end. His tally stands at 7° and he has been awarded the DFC. Now, grounded as a Controller, he is finding no excitement in his new position. He pesters his CO for “one last trip” and it is allowed. Near Tours he strafes and destroys a Fieseler Storch after obliging it to land. Near Lyons airfield, he shoots down a Bf 110 and a Fw 58 and uses up his remaining ammunition on St Yan aerodrome leaving two He 111s on fire. The exploit earns him the nickname, “Last Trip” Scherf.
Australia. De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd begins converting Mosquito FB Mk 40s into reconnaissance aircraft, commencing with the second production machine A52-2. April 5/6-Britain. 144 Lancasters of 5 Group, with unusual accuracy, destroy an aircraft factory at Toulouse. Tar- get marking is carried out by W/Cdr Leonard Cheshire VC of 617 Squadron in the first low level Mosquito marking flight of the war. Master bomber controlling the attack is W/Cdr J Balmer of 467 Squadron. April 6 – Italy. The Australian CO of 112 Sqn RAF, S/Ldr Ken Watts, bales out of Kittyhawk FR811 near Todi when it is crippled by flak. He is captured and brutally beaten by the Gestapo before eventually being sent to Stalag Luft 1 Barth. 112 is taken over by another Australian, S/Ldr L Ahern. Australia. Beaufighters of 31 Squadron raid Semau Island. An oil barge is set on fire and buildings ashore damaged. F/O D Strachan’s A19-156 is hit by AA fire and he belly lands on Cartier Reef, a reef just visible at high tide 260km south of Timor. At dusk, F/O Reg Marr of 43 Squadron in Catalina A24-44 lands in open sea near the “island” and rescues the Beaufighter crew. A covering Beaufighter then strafes A19-156 setting it on fire.
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