Flt Lt Frede Johannes Florentsen

254 Sqn

Beaufighter X (A)

17.09.44

16:33 - 21:28

1632/44 A/B North Coates, aircraft L.A.Y.C.O. & F. armed with cannon and torpedo, the remainder cannon only and in company with 6 Beaus with cannon and R.P. of No. 236 Squadron, 9 cannon a/c of No. 143 Squad. W/C Cartridge leading in N/254 and F/O Gillies leading Torbeaus in C/254. Mustang escort.
1640 P/254 crashed in sea near Fort Haile but crew were safe.
1642 L/254 landed base - failure signals.
1821 Heligoland sighed dead ahead 15 miles distant. Wing passed S. of the island where there were 6/7 balloons in the anchorage.
1830 54°05'N 08°01'E 2 Coasters type auxiliaries Co., N'ly in line abreast.
These were attacked with cannon, R.P. and torpedoes and the leading vessel was left blasing and out of control and the interior was said to be a blazing inferno. Second vessel blew up and sank leaving wreckage and survivors or bodies in the water. Many crews saw a torpedo hit amidships.
1842 Wing Leader a/c above along patrol from Wangerooge.
1859 Three small drifters seen in Borkum anchorage. Slight heavy accurate flak from shore. Nothong else seen in roads.
1920 Terschelling off patrol.
2021/2128 Wing (except Q/254) landed base. 'Q' landed Donna Nook.

AIR 27/1516