Skip to content
Daily Diary
No. 2 Bombing & Gunnery School,
Mossbank, Saskatchewan
August 1941
- 1 August 1941
- Strength of Station at commencement of Month.
- Officers (RCAF) 56
- Army Officers 2
- Airmen 663
- Trainees 138
- Civilians 105
- Other Ranks 8
- Number and type of aircraft on strength
- Fairey Battle 52
- Norseman 1
- Fairchild 1
- In from Rockcliffe, Ontario, 12155A Cpl. Walker, J.S. Fit. Arm. “A”, an airman who has been repatriated from Overseas.
- A severe storm this afternoon with heavy rain falling.
- Maximum available flying time – 15 hours.
- 2 August 1941
- 1945 hrs. A most severe storm commenced at 1945 hours which continued with almost unabated severity all night and until 0700 hours on August 3rd. It left the mud roads in an impassable condition and those who have to depend on motor transportation to get back for duty tomorrow morning will have their difficulties.
- Maximum available flying time – 16 hours.
- 3 August 1941
- 1100 hrs. The Station held a Wing Parade at 1100 hours, all Squadrons mustering nearly full strength to attend Church Parade and Wings Presentation to graduating classes of Air Observers and Air Gunners. The entire ceremony was held on the Parade Square. Honorary Flight Lieutenant W. McClean, the Station Padre, took the Church Service, after which the presentation of wings to the classes was made by the Commanding Officer, Group Captain A.J. Ashton. This important parade was enhanced by the appearance of the newly formed Station Band, which played in a highly commendable form and put the whole ceremony upon a serious and enjoyable basis. The March Past after the ceremony was excellently performed, with Commanding Officer A.J. Ashton taking the salute.
- Maximum available flying time – 16 hours.
- 4 August 1941
- 1430 hrs. Two courses of trainees, one Air Observers, the other Wireless Air Gunners, arrived from Edmonton and Winnipeg, respectively, at 1430 hours today via rail. There are 35 in the Observers’ Course and 34 in the Gunners. The Station Band met them at the gate and all marched to the Ground Instructional School. It was an impressive reception and one which seemed to appeal to the trainees.
- Maximum available flying time – 16 hours.
- 5 August 1941
- After some delay and difficulty a Softball League has been formed which takes in every Section of the Station. Eight teams are in the league, and the first games will be played on August eleventh. A schedule has been drawn up, and at the conclusion of this schedule the winners will play off for the Station Softball Championship.
- Maximum available flying time – 15 hours.
- 6 August 1941
- The Ground Instructional School is giving a course of instruction to all staff pilots in armament in order to better fit them for their jobs. The course is of ten days duration and
- consists of one lecture each day lasting one and one half hours. This course will give the pilots a better understanding of the problems of the trainees. At the conclusion of the course, the pilots will be required to do the pupils’ exercises and this will add to their understanding of the jobs the trainees have to do.
- It is also proposed to change the pilots around from Gunnery to Bombing and visa versa, this change will add to their knowledge and break the routine.
- Maximum available flying time – 16 hours.
- 7 August 1941
- Lt. Col. G.A.H. Trudeau, A.A. and Q.M.G. from M.D. #12 visited the Station and had lunch at the Officers’ Mess. He proceeded from here to Assiniboia to take charge of a recruiting convoy which is staging an exhibition there this evening.
- Maximum available flying time – 16 hours.
- 8 August 1941
- Flying Officer T.E.D. Boys who has been acting as Assistant Administrative Officer for a number of months left today on posting to Air Force Headquarters, Ottawa. The civilian strength of 101 is the lowest for the past six months.
- Maximum available flying time – 16 hours.
- 9 August 1941
- Following the Commanding Officer’s inspection yesterday the special flag was awarded to Hut 9B as being the cleanest and in best order.
- A meeting for the purpose of organizing a Model Aeroplane Club will be held tomorrow at 1930 hours in No. 1 Hangar. We have at this Station a number of skilled and enthusiastic model aeroplane builders.
- Maximum available flying time – 16 hours.
- 10 August 1941
- 1120 hrs. The regular Sunday Church Parade was held at 1120 hours in the Drill Hall under the personal command of Group Captain A.J. Ashton, the Commanding Officer of the Station. Flight Lieutenant W. McClean conducted the service. The Station Band was in attendance.
- Maximum available flying time – 16 hours.
- 11 August 1941
- All Service Personnel at the Station have now been finger-printed and the Corporal and typist who were on the work have gone back to their regular duties. It has taken over six weeks to do this job.
- Maximum available flying time – 16 hours.
- 12 August 1941
- Flying Officer J.D. Robinson arrived here from Trenton, Ontario, from the School of Administration, Course No. 17.
- Maximum available flying time – 16 hours.
- 13 August 1941
- August 13/41 Messrs. Albert and George Whitmore from Regina visited the Station and had lunch at the Officers’ Mess.
- Pilot Officer L. Cutts reported from the School of Administration, Trenton, Ontario, from Course No. 17.
- Pilot Officer H. Klempner reported from Engineers’ School, Montreal.
- 1630 hrs. Norseman 2467 with Flying Officer Towner as pilot and Squadron Leader W.B. Whillan and Squadron Leader McNabb arrived from Moose Jaw and departed for Regina at 1745 hours with same pilot and passengers.
- Maximum available flying time – 16 hours.
- 14 August 1941
- Flying was washed out this morning due to low ceiling. The weather cleared in the afternoon permitting flying to be resumed.
- The fourth issue of the Station Newspaper “Contact” is off the press today, and two copies are appended hereto (Appendix “A”). (ED NOTE – not attached). As the response from the personnel for contributions was so excellent, it was necessary to issue a supplement which was aptly named “Blast”, two copies of which are also attached as appendix “B”. (ED NOTE – not attached).
- Maximum available flying time – 16 hours.
- 15 August 1941
- A unit from the R.C.A.F. Recruiting Centre, Regina, is at the Station today for the purpose of enlisting all civilians in the Works and Buildings Department at the Station. The unit consists of Flying Officer G.W.C. Kinney, Administrative Officer, Flying Officer R.S. Harris, Medical Officer, and Cpl. W.P. Collings, Trade Tests N.C.O.
- Maximum available flying time – 16 hours.
- 16 August 1941
- Pilot Officer E.W. Anderson, R.A.F., who has been at the Station for six weeks taking an Air Observers’ Course and who will graduate tomorrow, has written a memorandum giving his impressions of the course, a copy of which is appended hereto and marked with the letter “C”. (ED NOTE – see IMAGES 1174 & 1175). His comments are of interest to the staff and should also prove beneficial as they are the reactions of a pupil who has taken one of the courses taught at this School. Thirty Wireless Operator Air Gunners arrived from Calgary to undergo a four weeks course of training.
- Maximum available flying time – 16 hours.
- 17 August 1941
- Sunday. The weekly church parade was held in the Drill Hall due to inclement weather.
- Presentation of “Wings” to the graduating class was made by Group Captain A.J. Ashton, Commanding Officer, following the service. Afterwards there was a March Past. 61 Air Observers made up the graduating class.
- A presentation of a Silver Salver was made at the Officers’ Mess by the Commanding Officer on behalf of all Officers at the Station, to Flight Lieutenant J.G. Begg who is being married tomorrow.
- Maximum available flying time -8 hours.
- 18 August 1941
- 1500 hrs. Monday. 34 Air Observers arrived from No. 3 A.O.S., Regina, at 1500 hours today. They were met at the gate by the Band and marched to the Ground Instructional School.
- 1630 hrs. A wedding was solemnized in the Officers’ Mess at 1630 hours today between Flight Lieutenant J.G. Begg of this Station and Miss Violet Joy Sutor of Mossbank. Flight Lieutenant W. McClean, the Station Chaplain, performed the ceremony. A reception in the Mess followed the ceremony.
- The happy couple were towed beyond the confines of the Station by a 1912 Model “Rumely Oil Pull” Tractor.
- Maximum available flying time – 16 hours.
- 19 August 1941
- Tuesday. A Drill Course for all Officers of the rank of Flight Lieutenant and below will commence on Monday, August 25th, 1941. Squadron Leader W.M. Penman will be in charge of the course.
- Maximum available flying time -16 hours.
- 20 August 1941
- August 20/41 Wednesday. Wing Commander W.A. Jones assumed temporary command of the Station during the absence on leave of Group Captain A.J. Ashton.
- Maximum available flying time – 16 hours.
- 21 August 1941
- Thursday.
- Flying to Moose Jaw and Regina respectively, Flight Lieutenant B.M. Laubach and Flying Officer J.A. Peterson transacted Air Force business.
- The gradual enlistment and weeding out process for the civilian personnel still continues and we have only 93 civilians on the establishment as opposed to 142 when we were at the peak.
- Maximum available flying time – 16 hours.
- 22 August 1941
- Friday The whole station turned out in pyjamas, etc., at 0001 hours last night when someone inadvertently sounded the siren. The Orderly Officer soon discovered that it was a cry of “Wolf” and well earned slumbers were again resumed. It is hoped this won’t recur when it is below zero.
- Wing Commander W.A. Jones conducted the weekly Station Inspection in the absence of Group Captain A.J. Ashton.
- The weather continued bright and clear and numerous requests for harvest leave are being received.
- Flying Officer M. Robinson proceeded to Edmonton to fly back a “Battle”, No. 1936.
- Group Captain G.R. Howsam, Commanding Officer of No. 11 S.F.T.S., Yorkton, paid an unofficial visit to the Station enroute to the new Airport being built near Assiniboia.
- Maximum available flying time – 16 hours.
- 23 August 1941
- Saturday. 10 potential Air Observers (R.A.F.) have arrived at this School from Miami, Florida, for a 6 weeks course of training.
- Owing to a severe outbreak of encephalitis in Regina, were 70 cases are reported, the Medical Officer has ordered all sloughs and other stagnant waters to be spread with oil. This treatment is to stop mosquitoes from breeding, who are the reputed carriers of the germ.
- Maximum available flying time – 16 hours.
- 24 August 1941
- 1130 hrs. Sunday. Church Parade was held in the Drill Hall at 1130 hours today. Wing Commander W.A. Jones took over the Wing from Squadron Leader Penman, and Honorary Flight Lieutenant W. McClean, the Station Chaplain, officiated. Very heavy rainfall in the afternoon.
- Maximum available flying time – 8 hours.
- 25 August 1941
- Monday. Group Captain E.G. Nairn, Squadron Leader H.N. Compton, Flight Lieutenant L.W. Spear, and Mr. H.G. Norman, yesterday reviewed the Accounting Section, interviewing each member of the staff individually. The party were unable to fly back to Command owing to bad weather and were guests of the Officers’ Mess for the night.
- 1300 hrs. Anson 6040 with Wing Commander W.A. Twigg as pilot, and
- 1405 hrs. Cpl. J.L. Lindsay and LAC W.N. Legallis as passengers, arrived from Rivers, Manitoba, and returned at 1405 hours with Flying Officer C.B. Church, one of the Station’s Medical Officers, as additional passenger.
- Maximum available flying time – 16 hours
- 26 August 1941
- Tuesday. Acting under instructions from Command, the cities of Moose Jaw and Regina were placed out of bounds until further notice, or until such time as there is an abatement in the epidemic of encephalomyelitis.
- Two more aircraft have been taken on strength: 1936 Fairey Battle, which was flown here from Calgary by Flying Officer N. Robinson, and 2491 Norseman flown here from Regina by Flying Officer, C.H. Harris. Flying Officer Robinson took our Fairchild to Calgary and brought the Battle back.
- Maximum available flying time 16 hours.
- 27 August 1941
- Further restrictions were placed upon the Station today regarding encephalomyelitis.
- All ranks must now stay on the Station, but Mossbank Village may be visited only. There are no cases here, but there are more than 70 in Regina.
- Battle 1623 piloted by Flying Officer G.D. Millar forced landed at No. 2 Emergency Field yesterday. No injury to personnel and no damage to aircraft.
- 1400 hrs. Anson 6401 piloted by Flying Officer D.H. Stewart, with Flying Officer C.B. Church
- as passenger, arrived from Rivers and returned at 1545 hours minus the passenger.
- Maximum available flying time – 15 hours.
- 28 August 1941
- At midnight a total quarantine will go into effect. No personnel except those on Service duty will be allowed to leave the Station. So far no cases of encephalomyelitis have been reported on the Station, but at Mossbank 2 cases are reported. All Service personnel as well as all civilians employed by the R.C.A.F., are required to live on the Station as from tomorrow until the quarantine is lifted.
- Maximum available flying time – 15 hours.
- 29 August 1941
- 1610 hrs. Harvard 2985 piloted by Flight Lieutenant P.G. Lamb arrived from No. 32 S.F.T.S., Moose Jaw, and returned at 1710 hours with Lieutenant H.A. Dawson of the R.C.A.S.C. as passenger.
- Following the Commanding Officer’s inspection, the Special Flag was awarded to Hut 9B as being the cleanest and in best order.
- Maximum available flying time – – 15 hours.
- 30 August 1941
- In order to keep the troops occupied and entertained in their leisure hours during the period of the quarantine, additional moving pictures have been provided and now pictures will be shown each evening excepting Wednesday instead of 4 evenings a week as heretofore. Boxing matches are being held in the Drill Hall, Bingo Games in the Legion Hut, and other forms of recreation and entertainment.
- Maximum available flying time – 15 hours.
- 31 August 1941
- 1100 hrs. A Church Parade was held at 1100 hours on the Parade Square. A Wings Parade was held at 1330 hours, when 34 Wireless Operator Air Gunners received their badges. Wing Commander W.A. Jones, in the absence of the Commanding Officer, made the presentation. A heavy ground fog settled in early this morning and continued until noon, making flying impossible during this period.
- Maximum available flying time – 11 hours.
- Strength of Station at end of month Number and type of aircraft on strength
- Officers (RCAF) 62 Fairey Battle 53
- Army Officers 3 Norseman 2
- Airmen 786 Total Flying hours for August 2102 hrs. 15 min.
- Trainees 147
- Civilians 89 Number of days aerodrome unserviceable – Nil.
- Other Ranks 12 .
- COMMENT ON OBSERVERS COURSE NO. 22 AT NO. 2 B & G SCHOOL
- We are told that a school has two objects. To teach, and to implant a wish for more. With regard to the first, Mossbank’s record supplies the answer. And as for the second, we leave the school keen and eager to learn more, absolutely confident that in time we shall be up to
- Mossbank’s high expectations. The credit for this goes to the personnel of G.I.S., for their keenness and patience, and above all their personal interest and encouragement in our difficulties, and our disappointments. G.I.S. is surely fortunate in its staff.
- So, with all humbleness, the following suggestions are made:
- (1) To a “temporary” airman the course does seem to contain too much fact. The theory is excellently taught and most helpful but one doubts whether all the details in the rather terrifying precis are of real importance. One would have liked even more time on the Light Beam Trainer and the A.M.I. In the case of the latter, an N.C.O to teach, as well as the technician we had, would have been a great help. Timed TT/S and D tests might be rather stimulating.
- (2) It is understood that the spending of whole days on one subject was unavoidable, but it must have been hard on the instructors at least:
- (3) The aircraft and ship recognition was hardly up to the standard of the rest of the course.
- (4) The practical work seemed to us to be most efficient and great fun.
- A very special word of praise to the pilots for their patience and apparent interest in the job. Never did one hear of their expressing in the air the irritation they must so often have felt. The gunnery flight armourers too were almost fatherly in the interest they took in the performance of their guns. I think the bombing flight armourers had difficulty in keeping the bombsights up to this standard.
- (5) The 25 yard range was excellent, the ingenious stoppages that were arranged being most instructive.
- (6) In the plotting room we learnt that our theory really did mean something.
- Unfortunately the plotting of bombs was often
- Page 2
- (Cont’d)
- … difficult to follow. True at times two aircraft would bomb one target, or the last bombs of an exercise would be credited to the next man. But also there were cases where the only reasonable explanation, was an error between the bomb and the chart. A ten degree alteration in one quadrant reading would sometimes reconcile bomb aimer and plotter.
- (7) Finally, speaking personally, I should like to have seen more of our Officers. An occasional lecture would have been most stimulating, and their appearance in the A.M.L; or the plotting room was always welcome.
- (8) In the barracks and on the camp all the men, despite their reluctance to give up the Englishman’s privilege of grumbling, seem to have been happy and comfortable. I need hardly say how happy I was in the Officers’ Mess.
- I trust that our gratitude and appreciation does show through these comments. At the express request of Flight Lieutenant Hamilton I have mentioned all the small difficulties and ignored the many excellences. And that request in itself is typical of the temper of the school.
