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Daily Diary
No. 2 Bombing & Gunnery School,
Mossbank, Saskatchewan
December 1940
- 1 December 1940
- Much discontent among Civilian Personnel regarding the reduction in Rates of Pay for this Station. Speedy action will have to be taken if a general walk-out is to be avoided.
- 2 December 1940
- Flying resumed after a few days of bad weather. Clear and cold. No solution of the Civilian problem has yet come to hand. Trouble is expected tomorrow unless the situation complained of is corrected.
- 3 December 1940
- Delegation of Civilian personnel waited on Commanding Officer in connection with Wage Dispute, threatening walk-out unless matter settled. No solution forthcoming from Command by 1700 hours when another delegation attended, but were persuaded to remain until, Friday in the hope that the matter complained of would be corrected. Word received by telephone at 1930 hours from No. 4 Training Command, Regina, Sask., that Cooks and Messmen be restored to previous rate; Batmen and General Duties yet to be dealt with.
- 1210 hrs. – Arrived from Regina. Lockheed 7647, Piloted by F/O Rhodes, carrying Mr. Perry, Engineer of C.P.R., and Messrs. Chillcott and McConn of Dept. of Transport.
- 3 December 1940 (continued)
- 1420 Hrs. Departed for Regina, Lockheed 7647, Piloted by and carrying passengers as above.
- 4 December 1940
- 1420 Hrs. Avro Anson No. 9823, Piloted by Flt. Lt. Brooks, with F.O. Hibard and two LAC’s as passengers arrived from Moose Jaw R.A.F. Station.
- 1540 Hrs. Aircraft piloted and with passengers as above departed for Moose Jaw.
- 5 December 1940
- Five Flying Officers proceeded on temporary duty to Winnipeg to ferry back 5 Fairey Battles to be added to the Aircraft establishment of this Station.
- Authority for restoration of previous rates of pay for Civilian Employees came to hand.
- 6 December 1940
- 1400 Hrs. Avro Anson No. R9740 piloted by Flt. Lt. Robinson, accompanied by 3 LAC’s arrived from R.A.F. Station, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
- 1425 Aircraft piloted and carrying passengers as above departed for Moose Jaw.
- 7 December 1940
- 8 December 1940
- 1520 Hrs. Fairey Battle, No. 2085, Piloted by F/O Galbraith, arrived from Winnipeg.
- 1530 Hrs. ” ” ” 3940, ” ” P/O Pendergrast ” ” Winnipeg.
- 8 December 1940 (continued)
- 1540 Hrs Fairey Battle, No. 9706, Piloted by F/O Curtis, arrived from Winnipeg.
- These Aircraft constitute additions towards our Establishment.
- 9 December 1940
- The first Class of Air Observers graduated from this School Today. The course was considerably handicapped throughout, but, nonetheless a high degree of proficiency on the part of the Students was attained.
- 10 December 1940
- 1100 Hrs. Dragon Fly No. 7625, Piloted by Air Commodore Cowley, A.O.C. of No. 4 Training Command arrived from Regina with two passengers.
- 1325 Hrs. Aircraft as above and piloted by Air Officer Commanding departed for Regina.
- 1100 Hrs. Fairey Battle, No. 1636, Piloted by F/O Foster, arrived from Regina, Sask.
- 1200 Hrs. ” ” ” 1307, ” ” F/O Ballinger, ” ” “
- 1200 Hrs ” ” ” 1611, ” ” F/O Sage, ” ” “
- 1200 Hrs. ” ” ” 3946, ” ” F/O Kilbourne, ” ” “
- 10 December 1940 (continued)
- 1540 Hrs. Fairey Battle, No. 1316, Piloted by F/O Schooling, arrived from Regina, Sask.
- Officer’s Quarters at last ready for occupation, and Officers moved in, thus making an additional Barrack Block available to the N.C.O’s, who had need of the additional quarters intended for them.
- 11 December 1940
- 0130 Hrs. A Fire occurred at about this time in the Ground Instructional School (G.I.S.), building. One wing of building destroyed, and much damage to remainder of building occurred as a result of smoke and heat. Due to the exemplary conduct of the Airmen and Officers, and with the aid only of chemical fire-extinguishers, which had to be constantly and laboriously refilled, and the Crash Truck, which was soon exhausted, the fire was extinguished after approximately two and one-half hours. The most important equipment was saved. Had there been fire-hose on the Station, or adequate fire-fighting equipment, the task would have been simplified and rendered more certain. A heavy gale might have endangered the whole Station, which is going to be in Jeopardy until further chemicals arrive for the hand-extinguishers, as all chemicals were exhausted in fighting the fire. A Court of Inquiry is to be convened to investigate the cause of the fire.
- 1200 Hrs. Arrived from Regina, Dragon-Fly, No. 7625, Piloted by F/O Rhodes, passengers F/O’s Napier, Jenkins and Fenton.
- 1445 Hrs. Aircraft as above departed for Regina. F/O Jenkins remaining.
- 12 December 1940
- The Officer’s Mess was opened at breakfast this morning. The Lounge and Ante-rooms, while ready for occupation, are not yet in use by reason of the entire absence of furnishings.
- G.I.S. Has moved into temporary quarters and are continuing with their Classes.
- 1210 Hrs. Fairey Battle, No. 1701, Piloted by F/O Hessenflow arrived from Winnipeg, Manitoba. This constitutes, another addition to Aircraft on the Station, and towards completing our Establishment.
- 13 December 1940
- Breaches continue in the Water-Mains, resulting in periodic shut-off of the water. This creates difficulty for the Messes, for the Steam-Heating Units, and etc.
- 14 December 1940
- The first class of Air Gunners was graduated today, being 24 in number. They were appointed Sergeants (Temporary) (Paid), and posted to the Overseas Pool, R.C.A.F. Station, Rockcliffe, Ontario.
- 15 December 1940
- 16 December 1940
- 17 December 1940
- Flying Officer Herring of No. 2 Training Command, Winnipeg, Manitoba, arrived to install four Bombing Teachers at the G.I.S. This will greatly facilitate the instruction of the Trainees.
- Authority received for the reconstruction of that portion of G.I.S. destroyed by fire on December 11, 1940.
- 1305 Hrs. Fairey Battle, No. 6556, Piloted by F/O Morris, arrived from Edmonton, Alberta.
- 1215 Hrs. ” ” ” 1615, ” ” F/O Hessenflow, arrived from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
- 1230 Hrs ” ” ” 1706, ” ” F/O Howell, ” ” ” Manitoba.
- These Aircraft will constitute part of the Station Establishment.
- 18 December 1940
- General Routine. Very little Flying due to number of Planes unserviceable.
- 19 December 1940
- The first meeting of the Officer’s Mess was held at 1700 Hrs. While the ante-room and Lounge are about ready for occupation, little furniture is available.
- 20 December 1940
- The second class of Air Gunners graduated from this School, being twenty-one in number. The entire class posted to Overseas Pool, RCAF Station, Rockcliffe. Ontario.
- 20 December 1940 (continued)
- A Board of three Officers, President, Flt. Lt. W.M. Penman (RAF 37362) has been appointed to examine certain American Flying Officers, pilots, in Navigation, Aero-Engines, Air-Frames and Airmanship.
- 1255 Hrs. Arrived Fairey Battle No. 4960, Piloted by F/O P. Kelly, from Edmonton, Alberta. Another Aircraft towards the Establishment.
- 21 December 1940
- 22 December 1940
- 23 December 1940
- A further class of 17 Wireless-Operator Air-Gunners graduated today, and were posted to the Overseas Pool, No. 1 Manning Depot, Toronto, Ontario.
- 24 December 1940
- Magnificent weather for the last while has permitted extensive Flying.
- 25 December 1940
- A Christmas Day was observed as a holiday as authorized by Air Officer Commanding No. 4 Training Command. The Officers attended in a body a reception at the Sergeant’s Mess, there after in accordance with Air Force custom proceeded to the Airmen’s Mess and waited on table and otherwise looked after the welfare of the Airmen. A Turkey dinner was enjoyed by all ranks in each Mess.
- 26 December 1940
- The building provided for the Dental Clinic has now been opened, Lieut. J.J. Schachter being the Officer in charge. This will serve a long felt need. A considerable number of the Officers and Airmen are confined to quarters or Hospital with colds and an enervating form of Influenza.
- 27 December 1940
- 28 December 1940
- A Court of Inquiry has been convened consisting of :
- President, Wing Commander, W.A. Jones,
- Members:
- Flying Officer D.T.C. Roberts
- and Flying Officer J.F. Rowan.
- for the purpose of inquiring into an accident which occurred near Virden, Manitoba, on 8-12-40 when Fairey Battle No. L5033, Piloted by Flying Officer Keenan, crashed.
- 29 December 1940
- Weather remains magnificent. Heavy Flying schedules maintained.
- 30 December 1940
- Classes continue and another class of Air Observers is about to be completed.
- 31 December 1940
- Addendum to Daily Diary of December, 1940.
- Dec. 8/40
- 1300 hrs. (approx) Fairey Battle No. L5032 departed from Winnipeg, Manitoba, enroute to No. 2 Bombing and Gunnery School, Mossbank, Saskatchewan, piloted by F/O B.P.M. Keenan (C1396)
- 1500 hrs. (approx.) Near Virden, Manitoba, owing to engine failure and not being able to attempt a forced landing due to vision being obscured by fumes and smoke in cockpit, pilot bailed out at low altitude, hitting the ground with some force. Injuries to pilot consisted of multiple contusions, particularly in region of right hip, teeth loosened and marked nervous strain.
The aircraft crashed and resulted in a total loss.
Cause of crash as found by the Court of Inquiry was glycol leaks into engine base followed by overheating of connecting rod bearings with resulting seizure.
- COMMANDING OFFICER
NO. 2 BOMBING AND GUNNERY SCHOOL,
R.C.A.F. MOSSBANK, SASK.
