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Daily Diary
No. 2 Bombing & Gunnery School,
Mossbank, Saskatchewan
January 1941
- 1 January 1941
- 1200 hr. New Years Day observed as a holiday. All Officers on Station paraded at Officer’s Mess and played hosts to Sergeants. Weather remained fine and some flying engaged in.
- 1400 hr. Fairey Battle 9248 piloted by F/O P. Kelly arrived from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Another A/C towards the establishment.
- Strength of Station at Commencement of Month.
- Officers…………..52
- Airmen…………..536
- Other Ranks……….2 Officers 6 Privates
- Civilian Personnel…………………122
- Maximum available flying time – 8 hours.
- 2 January 1941
- Wing Commander A.J. Ashton departed on leave.
- F/O E. Friesen attended before Police Magistrate at Moose Jaw, Sask., to watch proceedings in the case of F/O S.G. Howell who stands charged with unlawfully discharging firearms with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
- 2 January 1941
- 1500 hr. Arrived from Edmonton, Alberta, Fairey Battle P5293 piloted by Sergeant Field. A further A/C towards the establishment.
- 1550 hr. Arrived from R.A.F. Station, Moose Jaw, Avro Anson 9668 piloted by F/O Shorthouse accompanied by crew of four.
- 1615 hr. Departed for Moose Jaw Avro Anson 9668 as above
- Maximum available Flying time – 8 hours.
- 3 January 1941
- Nil.
- Maximum available Flying time – Nil.
- 4 January 1941
- Another class, 49 in number graduated today. Appointed to rank of Sergeant (Temporary) Paid, and posted to No. 1 Air Navigation School, Rivers, Manitoba.
- Flt/Lt L.C. Scott (Chaplain) protestant, arrived today, assigned office and entered on his duties.
- Maximum available Flying time – 2 hours.
- 5 January 1941
- 1030 hr. Arrived from Regina Dragon Fly 7625 piloted by A.O.C. of No. 4 Training Command, Air Commodore A.T.S. Cowley accompanied by the Acting Deputy Minister of National Defense for Air, James S. Duncan and by S/L H.R. Stewart, and Mr. H.C. Coldbrook.
- 5 January 1941
- 1030 hr. The party toured the Station accompanied by Wing Commander W.E. Jones and expressed satisfaction at what had been accomplished here under known difficulties.
- 1200 hr. The A.O.C. and party as above departed by air for Regina.
- A failure in the watermain occurred, emptying the entire reservoir capacity of 100,000 gallons. Station without water for the day, the tank trucks resume hauling to replenish reservoir.
- Maximum available Flying time – 8 hours.
- 6 January 1941
- 1430 hr. Arrived from Regina Dragon Fly 7625 piloted by F/Lt Rhodes conveying W/C J.W. Tice of the Directorate of Medical Services for R.C.A.F. W/C J.W. Tice inspected the Hospital and conferred with Medical Officers on the Station.
- 1530 hr. Dragon Fly 7625 piloted and carrying passenger as above, departed for Regina.
- A new course of 37 Air Observers arrived.
- Maximum available Flying time – 4 hours.
- 7 January 1941
- F/O J.E. Willson reported on temporary duty from No. 4 Training Command, to assume charge of the Station Maintenance. It is hoped he will be posted here as the need for such an Officer has long been stressed.
- The Drill Hall is now complete, the heating unit being now in operation. It will afford recreational facilities as well as permit drill classes to be conducted.
- 1115 hr. Arrived Norseman 693 piloted by F/O W.E. Demming and three passengers, departing 1245 hours for Medicine Hat, Alberta.
- Maximum available Flying time – 8 Hours.
- 8 January 1941
- Nil.
- Maximum available Flying time – 6 Hours.
- 9 January 1941
- 1405 hr. Arrived from Edmonton, Alberta, Fairey Battle L5386 piloted by F/O D.C. Morris.
- 1545 hr. Arrived from Edmonton, Alberta, Fairey Battle K9274 piloted by F/O B. Foster.
- 1620 hr. Arrived from Edmonton, Alberta, Fairey Battle L4955 piloted by F/O G.E. Schooling.
- These A/C taken on strength of this Station.
- F/O J. C. Howell (C2746) permitted to resign his commission effective this date.
- Maximum available Flying time – 8 Hours.
- 10 January 1941
- The entire water distribution system was chlorinated today under the direction of the recently arrived Engineer, Works and Buildings, F/O J.E. Willson.
- Maximum available Flying time – 8 hours,
- 11 January 1941
- Magnificent flying weather.
- A Board Of Officers consisting of Flt/Lt C. S. Godson, F/O H.H. Booth, and F/O R.M. Mace will conduct Wing Examinations of certain Officers on strength of this Station, who have not so far qualified.
- Maximum available Flying time – 4 hours.
- 12 January 1941
- General Routine.
- Maximum available Flying time – 5 Hours.
- 13 January 1941
- General Routine.
- Maximum available Flying time – Nil
- 14 January 1941
- General Routine
- Maximum available flying time – Nil
- 15 January 1941
- General Routine
- Maximum available flying time – Nil
- 16 January 1941
- 1045 Hr. Dragon Fly No. 7426 piloted by Flt. Lt. R.D. Byers transporting Wing Comdr. J.C. Malone, Sqdn. Ldr. Lee of Air Force Headquarters and Flt. Lt. J.F. Grant arrived. Sqdn. Ldr. Lee and Flt. Lt. Grant were intent on surveying the recreational faci1ities on the Station and were afforded every opportunity of do so.
- 1220 hr. Departed A/C as above. Wing Commander J.C. Malone however remained to explore the Station and study its personnel problems.
- Maximum available flying time – 2 hours
- 17 January 1941
- 1200 hr. Wing Commander A.J. Ashton returned from leave and resumed command of the Station.
- Maximum available flying time – 4 hours.
- 18 January 1941
- Wing Commander J.C. Malone returned to No. 4 T,C. By P.M.T, and rail.
- 18 January 1941
- 1655 hr Fairey Battle 1680 piloted by F.O C.L. Werly arrived from Edmonton, Alta.
- Fairey Battle 5240 piloted by F.O. W.S. Hale arrived from Edmonton, Alta.
- Fairey Battle 7703 piloted by F.O. S.A. Cheesman arrived from Edmonton, Alta.
- These continue further A/C towards the Stations establishment.
- Maximum available flying time – 7 hours.
- 19 January 1941
- No.3 Course, Entry No.7 containing 39 A.O. graduated today and departed for Air Navigation School, River, Manitoba.
- Maximum available flying time – 3 hours.
- 20 January 1941
- No.4 Course, entry No.4 A. Gunner, numbering 29 graduated today and posted to Militia Rest Camp, Halifax, N.S.
- Sixty-one Wireless Air Gunners arrived today on posting from No.2 Wireless School, Calgary.
- Thirty-one A.O. arrived from No.2 A.O.S., Edmonton, Alta.
- 20 January 1941
- 0745 hr. Fairey Battle 1706 piloted by P.O. H.L, Prendergast on a weather check flight was unable to land on aerodrome fog having closed in, so landed near Vantage, Sask., 10 miles S.W. Good landing. No damage to A/C or injury to pilot or passengers.
- Maximum available flying time – Nil.
- 21 January 1941
- 1220 hr. Fairey Battle 1706 arrived from Vantage, Sask., piloted by F.O. S.A. Cheesman. This was the plane that made the forced landing yesterday.
- A/C of 32 S.F.T.S. (R.A.F.) fly over the Station frequently in the course of training. F.O.’s D.G. Morris and J.M. Ogilvie posted to Overseas Pool, Rockcliffe R.C.A.F. Station, Ottawa.. These are the first pilots from this Station to depart for Overseas.
- Maximum available flying time – Nil
- 22 January 1941
- Every effort is being made to have this Station in readiness-for the Inspector General’s visit tomorrow. Instructions have been received from A.O.C. No.4 T.C. that if weather permits flying is to be carried on.
- Maximum available flying time – Nil
- 23 January 1941
- 0945 hr. The Inspector General, Air Vice Marshall G.M. Croil, A.F.C., the A.O.C. No.4 T.C., Air Commodore A.T.S. Cowley accompanied by their respective personal assitants, F.O.’s G.P. Dymond and A.T. Mason arrived by air in Dragon Fly 7624 piloted by Air Commodore Cowley. An inspection of the Station on duty was made. At 1300 hrs. the Inspector General and party met the Officers in the Officers’ Mess where luncheon was served. After lunch the tour of inspection was resumed concluding at 1615 hours. The party left by G.M.T. for Moose Jaw at 1625 hrs. A snow storm having developed, flying in the Gunnery Flight was engaged in but the bombing flights were grounded owing to the low ceiling.
- Maximum available flying time – Nil
- 24 January 1941
- Nil
- Maximum available flying time – Nil
- 25 January 1941
- F.O. W..S. Hale pilot of Fairey Battle No. K9311 ferrying same from Edmonton, Alta. got lost en route to the Station, in snow storm, making a forced landing at Hanley Sask., with wheels up. Outside of frost bites and shaking up pilot not hurt. “A” category crash. A/C being dismantled to the extent necessary to ship by freight to Calgary.
- Maximum available flying time – Nil
- 26 January 1941
- Maintaining an adequate supply of water in the reservoir continues to present a problem. The supply obtainable through the pumping and pipe line system has to be augmented by hauling in tanks.
- Maximum available flying time – Nil
- 27 January 1941
- Airmen’s ‘ Canteen Stocking Board and Boards of Audit for Airmen’s Mess, Officers’ Mess, Sergeants Mess and Sports Club today appointed.
- 0840 hr. R4193A AC1 Larkin, L.S. while assisting in operating snow blower had left foot severed above ankle by blader of snow blower. Owing to lack of nurses to assist the two Medical Officers, it was impossible to perform the necessary operation in the Station Hospital. He was consequently conveyed by air, Lockheed C.F. B 52, piloted by F.O. W.C. Kilbourne, accompanied by Flt. Lt. J.C. Whyte, M.O., to Regina where he was admitted to Regina General Hospital. His general condition remained good. This Aircraft was requisitioned from Regina, arriving Mossbank 1200 hrs. departing 1220 hrs.
- 1420 hr. Fairey Battles 6538 and 7587 piloted by F.O. A.H. Farrington and F.O. W.V. Decker, respectively, arrived this Unit today from Edmonton for inclusion in this Station’s establishment.
- 1206 hr. Moth 4127 piloted by Flt. Lt. A.R. Rhodes arriving from Regina carrying Flt, Lt. R.B. Byers as passenger. Departed on return trip 1450 hours.
- 27 January 1941
- 1220 hr. Dragon Fly 7624 piloted by Flt. Lt. R.D. Byers took off for Regina. This plane was flown here 23-1-41 on the occasion of the Inspector General’s visit and was grounded due to bad weather.
- Maximum available flying time – 8½ hours.
- 28 January 1941
- The Dental Officer having discovered a few cases of Trench Mouth is proceeding with a systematic examination of the entire personnel of the Station. Civilian personnel if affected are being sent off Station for private treatment.
- 1130 hr. Arrived from Regina, Dragon Fly piloted by Flt. Lt. A.R. Rhodes, F.O. J.M. Godfrey passenger.
- The following Courts of Inquiry have been ordered to assemble:
- To inquire into and report upon the accident in which F.O. H.C.L. Ransom was involved on the first of November 1940
- Pres. F.O. D.L. Quinn.
- Members
- F.O. A.H. Farrington and
- F.O. H. Hessenflow.
- 28 January 1941 (continued)
- To inquire into and report upon the accident in which R.4193A, AC.l, Larkin, L.S. was involved on the twenty-seventh day of January 1941.
- President: F/O R.F. Wilson,
- Members:
- F/O F.L. Sage and
- F/O B. Foster.
- 1640 Hrs. Above Aircraft piloted and carrying passenger, as above departed for Regina, Saskatchewan.
- Maximum Available Flying Time: 8 and 1/2 Hours.
- 29 January 1941
- 0945 Hrs. Arrived from Winnipeg Lockheed, CF-B.52, piloted by Wg. Comdr. H.B. Godwin, and carrying Sqn. Ldr. J. Humphreys and 6 passengers whose names were not ascertained by Duty Pilot.
- 1005 Hrs. Aircraft as above departed for Calgary, Alberta, only Sqn. Ldr. J. Humphreys remaining here to observe operation of Schools.
- Maximum Available Flying Time: 8 Hours.
- 30 January 1941
- 1000 Hrs. Dragon Fly, 7624,. piloted by Flt. Lt. R.D. Byers, passengers F.O. R.D. White, of S.P.S.O. branch, Sqn. Ldr. J. E. Cahill, Command Chaplain, Roman Catholic, and Sqn. Ldr. W.B. Willin, Command Chaplain, Protestant, all from No. 4 Training Command, arrived from Regina, Sask.
- 1020 Hrs. Above Aircraft piloted by F.O. R.D. Byers, departed for Regina, passengers remaining here.
- Maximum. Available Flying Time: 8 Hours.
- 31 January 1941
- 1330 Hrs. Departed for Regina, Fairey Battle 1693, Piloted by Wg. Comdr. W.A. Jones with Lieut. T. Hamill (R.C.A.S.C.), Sqn. Ldr, H. Humphreys, and F.O. R.D. White returning Mossbank, 1530 Hours.
- Maximum Available Flying Time: 6 Hours.
- Strength of Station at end of Month.
- Officers 54
- Airmen 622
- O.R. 1 Officer, 1 Lance-Corporal, and 1 private.
- Civilians 142
- W.L. Jones
for COMMANDING OFFICER No. 2 BOMBING AND
GUNNERY SCHOOL, R.C.A.F., MOSSBANK, SASK.
