In for the Kill

On 24th August 1944, aircraft of 404th "Buffalo" Squadron was airborne from Davidstow Moor under the lead of S/L Tacon in company with 236 Squadron to conduct a recce of the Gironde. As a climax to three weeks of successful strikes, the "Buffaloes" participated in the probable destruction of two of the very few serviceable naval vessels left to the enemy in Western Europe. The two ships discovered during the recce were the 3,664-ton German destroyer Z.24 and 1,780-ton torpedo boat T.24, lying off of Le Verdon. As the attacking aircraft approached the vessels got underway and sent up a terrific barrage of flak. The Beaufighters pressed home their attack, however, and scored numerous hits with RP and cannon, causing fire and explosions on both ships. The only trace of the vessels that could be found by recce aircraft the next day was two large oil streaks. It was assumed that both ships were sunk. Most of the 404 aircraft were damaged in the attack, but none were lost.