Flt Lt Frede Johannes Florentsen

254 Sqn

Beaufighter X (D)

23.09.44

15:58 - 19:56

1558[/1626] A/B Langham W/C Cartridge leading in Z/254.
1641 S/C in formation with 9 Beaufighters 489 Squad. (Cannon only) 6 of 489 Squadron (torpedo) and 15 of 455 (cannon and R.P) Mustang Escort and Boston film unit.
1729 Wing passed between Terschelling and Vlieland. Heavy and light flak, fairly accurate from Terschelling all short from Vlieland.
Leader called 'prepare prepare' but Mustangs answered 'Not in position'
1735 53°03'N 05°18'E Leader turned Wing in a figure eight. 1743 One Beaufighter reported bomb bursts in Den Helder but Wing had completely lost formation so Leader off attack one minute later.
An RDF station at 52°40'N 04°38'E was attacked by 6 A/C of 143 Squadron, 2 of 236, and Z.K.L.X/254.
Many hits were seen and screen ceased to revolve. Top of mast blown off and base of aerial assembly damaged. Men in nearby villages seen to be waving their hands.
X,L/254 attacked gasholder in Bergen [aan Zee, Holland] area and was set on fire. B/254 attacked gun position on Beach. Two on fire. R/254 attacked Bergen aerodrome. H/254 along with T/143 attacked trucks in a railway siding at 52°42'N 04°35'E. Hits were seen and one truck left on fire. N/254 attacked a heavily laden barge at 52°26'N 04°35'E and set it alight.
Casualties B/254 was damaged by flak.
S/254 (F/L Ford and F/O Wilcox) seen with port engine on fire after attack on Gasworks turned S. along coast and then inland 52 32'N 04 38'E aircraft appeared to be under control when last seen.
1858/1956 Landed base except A/254 which landed Langham and S/254 which failed to return.

AIR 27/1516