The rest of November 1944 was a wash out weather wise, with few operational or training flights possible. December began much the same, three attacks on the Urft Dam were planned and then postponed. A near repeat of the Kembs Barrage raid the attack on Urft was not possible until the 11th, although conditions were much improved the target remained largely undamaged. On December 15th, a return to the E-Boat pens at Ijmuiden was far more successful with several direct hits putting several pens out of action. Heavy flak caused damage to several aircraft but all returned. The Ijmuiden raid was Taite's last mission, after 101 operations over almost 5 years of near continuous duty, he was grounded. His expertise would now be used in training Canadian bomber crews.For his efforts Taite was awarded an unprecedented 4th DSO. With further ops cancelled due to weather, No 617's last mission of 1944 was flown on December 21st. A raid on an oil refinery at Politz, on the North German coast, No 617 was part of a force of 200 aircraft. This was 617's first night mission for several months, and the first in a long while when they did not do the marking. Results were scattered but damage was done over a wide area of the plant. No 617 Sq was stood down on December 25th and on the 28th threw a farewell party for Taite. The calibre of crews serving in No 617 Sq had always been high, but the men chosen to lead the squadron were amongst the best commanders Bomber Command could find. Taite’s replacement was no different, Canadian Grp Cpt John Fauquier, No 617 squadrons first non British CO. January 1945 began as December had finished, with the usual cycle of ops scheduled and then cancelled until the 12th. Three No 617 Lancasters were briefed to strike shipping in Bergan harbour, Norway, while aircraft from No 9 squadron attacked boat pens and a floating dock. With extensive damage done and several ships sunk another mission ‘in keeping with tradition’ was chalked up.Several Fw-190's attacked the formation however and Flg Off Ian Ross was forced to ditch in the sea. Ross and his crew were seen to leave the aircraft and enter a raft.Although an ASR Launch was at the crash site within an hour neither they or the raft were found, this led to speculation that they had been strafed by the enemy aircraft.This suspicion seemed to be borne out when the body of wireless operator Flg Off Mowbray was washed ashore on the Norwegian coast 2 months later. Following the Bergen raid the weather once again clamped down. Although most of the Dambuster Lancs had been sent to RAF Metheringham, six had remained with No 617 Sq. At the end of 1944 it had been decided there was no immediate prospect that they or ' Upkeep ' would be used again. Accordingly and with the agreement of ACM Harris, No 5 Group ordered all the aircraft sent to RAF Lossiemouth for storage, where they were to be kept at seven days readiness. This move was completed by the first week in February. February 3rd saw a raid on the midget submarine pens at Pootershaven in Holland, several direct hits destroyed almost the entire facility. Attacks on the vital Bielefeld Viaduct were aborted on the 6th and the 14th , a third attempt on the 22nd saw bombs dropped but little damage. A final mission saw a return to the Dortmund-Ems canal for a follow up raid. This too was aborted in progress due to foul weather, bringing a rather dismal end to a frustrating month. March opened with Barnes Wallis bringing the smile back to the faces of the men of No 617 (and No 9) Squadron, with the arrival of new aircraft and even bigger toys.