Flt Lt Frede Johannes Florentsen

254 Sqn

Beaufighter X (F)

13.08.44

04:02 - 08:17

0402 to 0434 9 Anti-Flak and 7 Torpedo aircraft airborne in formation W/Cdr Burns leading in T/254 - Deputy Leader F/L Ford in S/254.
0425 'T' landed base - failure engineer. S/254 took over lead.
0515 53°26'N 04°49'E R/V datum. Markers seen from 10 miles.
0541 S/C in company with Langham A/c and Spitfire escort.
53°30'N 04°49'E Z/254 failed to contact formation on markers and S/C base after search.
0620 53°53'N 07°53'E Convoy sighted to starboard of approximate 15 ships close inshore E' bound at 4 kts. - 2 'M Cl M/S leading and one astern and on W'ly Co. 6 E/V's and 5 M/V's in two lines. Some heavy in-accurate flak from islands and from convoy. Group of 3 to 4 vessels, one possibly a L.V. 3 miles ahead of convoy. A low level torpedo attack was made after a gentle glide from 3500 ft.
'B' attacked leading M/V (engines aft) in port column.
'M' attacked E/V or small M/V on port flank.
F.P.O.R. attacked port leading M/S , seven torpedoes being dropped. One doubtful torpedo hit was reported to be in the centre of C/V by two crews.
All aircraft wxcept L & R used cannon and cannon strikes were seen on two leading MMS which were left well on fire and many strikes on engined aft M/V, on a MMS on starboard flank and on at least four other vessels. About 5 vessels thought to be on fire or smoking as Wing withdrew. Two A/C also attacked the small group of vessels further east. There were no casualties to crews but there were small holes in the wing of N/254.
V/254 was hit by two leading 'M' Cl M/S crossfire on run-in, starboard engine being hit. There was a hole on underside of port wing, 3 or 4 in fuselage, one ahead of pilot's seat. A small fire amidships was extinguished by the navigator.
M/254 damage to rudder and elevator.
0717 Z/254 landed base.
0801/0817 13 A/C landed base.
0818 V/254 Landed Donna Nock.

AIR 27/1516