January & February 1943

Off to Chivenor

In January, 404 Squadron continued its long established routine of flying from Dyce, Skitten and Sumburgh. On 7 January, "Cancelled detachment slated for Leuchars...Rush call for a detachment to Sumburgh". Most of the aircrew were quickly gone, but the groundcrew were delayed when a tire burst on their Harrow transport plane. Many of these groundcrew were still waiting to get to their aircraft four days later...

Everything seemed to be quite ordinary until, on 16 January, a squadron security parade was held and addressed by the Commanding Officer, W/C Truscott. The subject of his talk was the necessity for silence about the upcoming move of the squadron to RAF Chivenor. The squadron was to be sent to Chivenor in Devonshire to take part in the great air battles then being fought over the Bay of Biscay by Coastal Command. The unit's role during the three months it was to remain at Chivenor under the control of 19 Group, and to provide long-range fighter escort for the anti-submarine and reconnaissance aircraft.

The main party arrived at Chivenor on 22 January followed by the Beaufighters and Blenheims the next day. As a squadron member recalled:

"It was not with a heavy heart that the unit prepared to depart sunny Scotland for the south of England. On January 22 the main party arrived in Chivenor and by January 25, the squadron had settled in. The remainder of the month was taken up with local flying to get used to the new surroundings."

February 1943

After a period of training at Chivenor, the 404 Beaufighters began operations over the Bay of Biscay by mid-February. Duties included interception patrols, trying to catch Luftwaffe meteorological planes gathering weather data, but with no luck for the Buffaloes. Other missions included convoy escorts and fishing-fleet patrols, again with the unit seeing very little enemy activity.

On 4 February,

"We deeply regret to have to presume one of the pigeons carried on search as 'missing whilst engaged on ASR operations'. The rear of Tiger Browne's aircraft blew open during flight and the pigeon - complete in box - went diving down to a watery grave. All Reg Dickey's efforts to save it were of no avail." Below this is inscribed "Footnote: This pigeon has since returned to its loft. Method of escape unknown!"

The Air Officer in Chief of Coastal Command, Air Marshal Sir John Slessor, visited Chivenor on 9 February and discussed the re-equipping of 404 Squadron . These discussions likely involved the squadrons training toward the Mk XI Beaufighter. On 19 February, the squadron was again visited, this time by Air Vice Marshal Curtiss (RCAF HQ Overseas). He left the same day.