In mid March, 438 squadron began cross channel offensive operations against pre-invasion targets from RAF Hurn and RAF Funtington in the UK. After D-Day, its main task was close support to allied ground forces by dive-bombing and strafing enemy strong-points, bridges, rail and road traffic. The front lines moving further inland, on 27 June the squadron moved to forward airfield B-9 Lantheuil in France. This base was still well within the range of German artillery and on 15 July Flying Officer Ross Johnson, a young 21 year old squadron pilot was killed during a barrage directed at his motor transport. The Wildcats moved from airfield to airfield following the front lines ever deeper within the European Continent. B.24 St André on 31 August, B.48 Glisy on 3 September, B.58 Melsbroek on 6 September just in time to participate in Operation Market Garden. It moved into the airfield at Eindhoven, Netherlands on 26 September. The base had just been recently vacated by the enemy as a result of the operation. There they lost their new Commanding Officer Acting Squadron Leader Peter Wilson on the very day he took command, 1 January 1945, during the Luftwaffe's Operation Bodenplatte against allied airfields.