Flt Lt Frede Johannes Florentsen

254 Sqn

Beaufighter X (D)

28.09.44

15:42 - 20:18

1535/46 A/B North Coates in formation with 11 R.P. and cannon Beaufighters of No. 236 Squadron, and 9 Cannon Beaufighters of No. 143 Squadron for armed recce in Heligoland Bight.
1541 L/254 S/C as Outrider.
1558 Wing S/C led by S/L Mille-Rowland in T/236 - Torbeaus led by W/C Hutton in O/254.
1635 53°28'N 05° - L/254 on Outrider patrolled through following positions:-
1644/1723 53°35'N 06°E - 53°46'N 07°E - 53°55N 08°05'E - 54°N - 08°20'N - 54°10'N 08°20'E - 54°20'N - 08°E
Nothing seen on convoy route or in roadsteads, including mouth of Schillig Roads.
1725 Wing Leader received 'Nil' report from L/254. No fighter had been seen up to this point as Mustangs were flying at 500 ft one mile astern of Wing. S/C direct for convoy route without passing E of Heligoland.
1730 54°20'N 07°40'E Outrider joined formation.
1738 53°48'N 07°35'E Wing turned on to C/V route off Langeoog and began patrol westward.
1750 Borkum 4 small vessel in anchorage and 3 small vessels S of island in channel.
1756 Schiermonnikoog. - 3 very small vessels inshore of island.
1810 Terschelling. - 10 small vessels inshore of island, stationary.
1813 53°28'N 05°E. Off patrol. A few rounds of heavy flak from Ameland and Juist and starshell from Borkum.
1920/2032 Wing landed. C/254 at Donna Nook, remainder at North Coates.

AIR 27/1516