Daily Diary

No. 2 Bombing & Gunnery School,
Mossbank, Saskatchewan

February 1941

This Transcription of the Operational Record Book of No. 2 Bombing & Gunnery School that was Located at Mossbank, Saskatchewan, Canada was created by the volunteers at the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum, Brandon, Manitoba. You can visit their website by clicking this heading.

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• 1 February 1941
  • 1700 Hrs. Fairey Battle No. P.2259, Pilot Flight Lieutenant A.R. Rhodes., arrived from Edmonton, Alberta, This Aircraft taken on strength.
  • Strength of Station at Commencement of Month.
    • Officers. 54
    • Airmen. 638
    • Other Ranks. Two Officers. Six Privates.
    • Civilians. 142
  • Maximum available Flying Time. – 10 Hours.
• 2 February 1941
  • 1645 Hrs. Fairey Battle K.9316 piloted by Flying Officer W.V. Decker, and Fairey Battle K.9407 piloted by Flying Officer G. Schmitz arrived from Edmonton, Alberta. These two Aircraft taken on strength.
  • Maximum available Flying Time. – 10 Hours.
• 3 February 1941
  • Magnificent flying Weather and full advantage is being taken of it as shown by the

IMAGE 1075

• 3 February 1941 (continued)
  • number of hours flown.
  • Maximum available flying time, – 10 Hours.
• 4 February 1941
  • General Routine.
  • Maximum available flying time, – 10 Hours.
• 5 February 1941
  • 1615 Hrs. Arrived from Regina Dragon Fly No. 4325, piloted by Flying Officer W.V. Decker, passengers Flying Officer Schmitz and Flying Officer W.R. Pearce of No. 4 Training Command Headquarters.
  • 1625 Hrs. Departed for Regina Aircraft piloted as above, carrying Flying Officer G. Schmitz,
  • Flying Officer W.R. Pearce remained here to act as President of Board of Officers appointed to take over buildings constructed for No. 2 Bombing & Gunnery School. Other two members of the Board are Flight Lieutenant J.I.M. Beddall and Flight Lieutenant B.P. Duncan.
  • Flying Officer H.C.L. Ransom, who has been the station Adjutant since its opening, today left for No. 4 Training Command, Headquarters where he has been posted.
  • Maximum available flying time, – 10 Hours.
• 6 February 1941
  • Ten Armourers and six Air Frame Mechanics left the Station today on posting to No. 1 Manning Depot. Toronto. Ontario and destined for Overseas Service.

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• 6 February 1941
  • 1045 Hrs. Fairey Battle No. 1693 piloted by Flying Officer F.L. Sage, passengers Flying Officers D.V. Thomas, G.C. Smith and G.R. Randall departed for Regina. Flying Officers Thomas and Smith, constitute a Court of Enquiry to investigate an accident which occurred to R4193A AC1 Larkin, L.S. on 27-1-41, and proceeded to Regina to take the evidence of AC1 Larkin, L.S. who is in hospital there.
  • Maximum available flying time. – 10 Hours,
• 7 February 1941
  • 1145 Hrs. Fairey Battle No. 1693 returned from Retina with Pilot and passenger as shown under entry of 6-1-41.
  • Captain J.F. Cork, (RCAMC) arrived to relieve Flight Lieutenant B.P. Duncan who proceeded on annual leave.
  • Maximum available flying time. – 10 Hours.
• 8 February 1941
  • 1235 Hrs. Dragon Fly 7624 piloted by Air Commodore A.T.N, Cowley, passengers Wing Commander F.H. Smith and Messrs E. Banwayt and H.L. Straddley of the Clayton Knight Committee

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• 8 February 1941 (continued)
  • 1620 Hrs. arrived from Regina, departed at 1620 Hours for Regina. A conference was had by the aforementioned with the American Officers of this Station.
  • 1600 Hrs. Group Captain C.E.H. James, Commanding Officer of No. 32 S.F.T.S. arrived by Government Motor Transport.
  • 1715 Hrs. Group Captain C.E.H. James departed for Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
  • Flying Officer E.C. Anderson (C2448) struck off strength this day on retirement for Medical reasons. He departed for his home in Hollywood California.
  • Maximum available flying time. – 10 Hours.
• 9 February 1941
  • 1200 Hrs. Harvard 2568 piloted by Flight Lieutenant R.D. Byers arrived from 32 S.F.T.S. Passenger Flying Officer S. Taylor, both being from No. 4 Training Command Headquarters, departing at 1430 hours.
  • There has been enjoyed nine days of uninterrupted weather permitting of utilizing full daylight hours for full flying.
  • Maximum available flying time. – 9 Hours
• 10 February 1941
  • Heavy fog today, the fine weather ends. No. visibility and flying completely washed out.
  • Maximum available flying time – Nil.

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• 11 February 1941
  • Heavy fog again today. Lifted partly for about an hour before sunset. Advantage is being taken of the lull in the flying to bring Aircraft to the maximum state of serviceability.
  • Maximum available flying time. – Nil.
• 12 February 1941
  • Heavy fog still prevails. Turning colder with wind in the north. No. flying today.
  • Fifty General Duties arrived from Manning Pool, Brandon, Manitoba. This will permit of a beginning in the replacement of Civilians by Service Personnel.
  • Maximum available flying time. – Nil.
• 13 February 1941
  • 1105 Hrs. Arrived from Regina Dragon Fly 7624 piloted by Flight Lieutenant R.D. Byers, passengers Nursing Sisters L.M. Carey and M.P. Seaman, who are posted to this Station.
  • 1155 Hrs. Departed for Regina, Aircraft aforementioned piloted by Flight Lieutenant R.D. Byers.
  • Maximum available flying time, – 7 Hours.

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• 14 February 1941
  • 1430 Hrs. Lecture to all Pilots and Aircrew on Air Fighting Tactics by Flight Lieutenant E.W. Beardmore.
  • Flying washed out all Afternoon to permit attendance at this lecture.
  • Maximum available flying time, – 1 Hour.
• 15 February 1941
  • 1515 Hrs. Arrived from Edmonton Fairey Battle No. 3933 piloted by Flying Officer G. Schmitz, passenger AC2 Gauthier, B. This Aircraft taken on strength.
  • 1300 Hrs. Arrived from Winnipeg Fairey Battle No. 1309 piloted by Flying Officer Cunningham.
  • Maximum available flying time. – 10 Hours.
  • First Major Operation this day performed in the Hospital by Captains J.C. Whyte & B.P. Duncan.
• 16 February 1941
  • 1620 Hrs. Arrived Fairey Battle No. 5002 piloted by Sgt. Pilot R.J. deBeaupre. This Aircraft had been flown from Winnipeg to Regina by Flying Officer A.R. Rhodes and Sgt. Pilot deBeaupre who is attached to this Station had earlier proceeded to Regina to pick it up. This Aircraft taken on strength.
  • 1630 Hrs. Arrived Fairey Battle 4005 from Regina piloted by Flying Officer S.A. Cheesman. This Aircraft taken on strength, Lieutenant P. Hetkoen and two other ranks of the RNNAF. reported today, arriving from Royal Norwegian Army and Naval Air Forces, Toronto, Ontario. They propose to take the Air Observers course here.

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• 16 February 1941 (continued)
  • Maximum Flying Time. – 10 Hours.
• 17 February 1941
  • Sixty one Wireless Operator Air Gunners graduated today and posted to R.C.A.F. Station Debert, Nova Scotia. Granted 21 days leave reporting; 12-3-41.
  • Sixty one Wireless Operator Air Gunners arrived from No. 2 Wireless School Calgary, Alberta.
  • Flying Officer J.H. Lazelle being in charge. Flying Officer Lazelle left the sane day to return to Calgary.
  • Twenty-six Air Observers arrived from No. 2 Air Observers School Edmonton, Alberta. These were all Royal Australian Airforce Personnel.
  • Forty Air Observers graduated and posted to No. 1 Air Navigation School, Rivers, Manitoba.
  • Flight Lieutenant J. Fergus Grant, accompanied by Mr. F.J. Townsend, Western Field Secretary, Canadian Legion Educational Services, and Mr. James Woods, City Librarian, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, arrived today by rail at 1301 hours. Matters pertaining to Canadian Legion Educational Services and library facilities were studied and reviewed.
  • The party remained over night.

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• 17 February 1941 (continued)
  • Maximum Flying Time. – Nil.
• 18 February 1941
  • 1030 Hrs. Arrived from Regina Moth No. 4127 piloted by Squadron Leader J.A. Verner, passenger Squadron Leader S.G. Cowan, both of No.4 Training Command Headquarters.
  • 1645 Hours Departed for Regina above Aircraft piloted and occupied as aforementioned.
  • Four American Flying Officers namely W.T. March, W.S. Hale, B. Foster and P. Kelly departed the Station on posting. Flying Officers H.T. March and W.S. Hale going to refresher course at R.C.A.F. Station, Picton, Ontario, and Flying Officers B. Foster And P. Kelly to No. 4 Bombing & Gunnery School, Fingal, Ontario.
  • Maximum Flying Time. – 10 Hours.
• 19 February 1941
  • 1115 Hrs. Fairey Battle departed for Regina piloted by Flying Officer F.L. Sage., carrying Wing Commander A.J. Ashton.
  • 1650 Returned carrying in addition Flying Officer B.M. Laubach. Flight Lieutenant J. Fergus Grant, Mr. F.J. Townsend and Mr. James Woods departed by Government Motor Transport for Moose Jaw Saskatchewan.
  • Maximum Flying Time – 7 Hours.

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• 20 February 1941
  • General Routine.
  • Maximum available flying time. – 10 Hours.
• 21 February 1941
  • Thirty Aircrew Standard, Serving here as Service Police Guard today posted to No. 2 Initial Training School, Regina, Saskatchewan, being replaced by thirty Aircrew Standard who arrived from No. 2 Manning Depot, Brandon, Manitoba.
  • Maximum available flying time. – 10 Hours.
• 22 February 1941
  • The water situation again has reach a crucial stage. The production from the wells is falling, and the amount available from the C.N.R. well at Ardill, Saskatchewan, from which source of water has been hauled by tank truck, does not for the time being appear adequate to permit this Station to obtain its requirements. Only 40,000 gallons in the reservoir today causing particular concern from the fire fighting angle. The weather is cold with a heavy gale blowing and the various heating units on the Station are worked to capacity.
  • Maximum available flying time. – Nil.

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• 23 February 1941
  • Cold and blizzardy weather continues. Flying had to be washed out.
  • Maximum available flying time. – 2 hours.
  • Fairey Battle No. 1658 piloted by Flying Officer R.G. Galbraith carrying three trainees 407195 LAC Nicholson, B.W., 402279 LAC North, H.A., and 404256 LAC Nugent, F.J., all of the R.A.A.F. while on a routine training flight got lost in blizzard which developed after he went aloft. He ultimately landed at Indian Head, Saskatchewan at 1300 hours with his wheels down. An excellent landing with Aircraft and crew uninjured.
• 24 February 1941
  • 1315 Hrs. – Arrived from Regina Dragon Fly No. 7625 piloted by Flying Officer G. Schmitz, passengers Squadron Leader W.J. Peace and Flying Officer D.C. Birch of Air Force Headquarters, Flight Lieutenant W. Thornber and Pilot Officer F.C. King of No. 4 Training Command Headquarters. Engine trouble being experienced with the above Aircraft, the party remained overnight.
  • 1300 Hrs. – Arrived from Regina, Waco C.F.-G.J.B. piloted by W.H. Irvine, passenger, Mr. C.L. Fisher and J.M. McLean, all of Department of Transport.
  • 1645 Hrs. – Departed for Regina, Waco C.F.-B.J.B., with pilot and occupants as above.
  • Maximum available flying time – 10 1/2 Hours.

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• 25 February 1941
  • Heavy ground blizzard all day. Flying impossible.
  • Dragon Fly 7625 which arrived yesterday remains grounded and the party which arrived in it are still on the Station.
  • Maximum available flying time. – Nil.
• 26 February 1941
  • 0815 Hrs. Departed for Regina, Dragon Fly 7625 piloted by Flying Officer G. Schmitz, passengers Squadron Leader W.J. Peace, Flight Lieutenant W. Thornber and Pilot Officer F.G. King. This party had been on the Station since 24-2-41.
  • 1135 Hrs. Arrived from Regina Dragon Fly 7625, piloted by Pilot Officer F.G. King, passengers, Squadron Leader J.A. Verner, Flying Officers H.M. Cootes and E.H. Sharpe and Corporal Farrell S.S. all of No. 4 Training Command Headquarters.
  • 1150 Hrs. Departed for Regina above Aircraft piloted by Pilot Officer King, the passengers remaining on the Station.
  • 1420 Hrs. Fairey Battle No. 1702 piloted by Flight Lieutenant W.M. Penman departed for Regina, transporting Flying Officer D.C. Birch of Air Force Headquarters who had arrived

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• 26 February 1941 (continued)
  • by Air on 24-2-41, the Aircraft returning at 1520 Hours.
  • 1518 Hrs. Arrived from Indian Head, Saskatchewan, Fairey Battle No. 1558, piloted by Flying Officer R.C. Galbraith, this was the Aircraft that made the forced landing on 23-2-41.
  • Squadron Leader J.A. Verner this evening delivered a lecture to pilots on the Merline Engine.
  • Flight Lieutenant F.H. Fletcher, Armament Officer, arrived from No. 4 Training Command Headquarters and is spending a few days on the Station.
  • Maximum available flying time. – 10½ Hours.
• 27 February 1941
  • Flying Officer E.O.W. Hall who arrived on 25-2-41 has been appointed Officer Commanding of “E” Flight, Gunnery.
  • 1055 Hrs. Fairey Battle No. 1764 piloted by Flying Officer R.I. Ehrlichman accompanied by Flying Officer H. Prendergast, departed for Calgary, returning at 1750 Hours. Purpose of the flight was to obtain some vitally needed equipment to complete the course of Air Observers about to graduate.
  • 1505 Hrs. Arrived from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Cessna 7669 piloted by Flying Officer A. Bland Passenger LAC Crenk, R.D., departing at 1530 hrs.
  • Maximum available flying time. – 10½ Hours.

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• 28 February 1941
  • 1015 hrs. Fairey Battle No. 1704, piloted by Flying Officer J.R. Bryan and carrying trainees LAC Jamieson, J.M., R62754 LAC Jowett, W., R59562 LAC Hardesty G.P.M., made a forced landing on the Bombing Range due to an air lock in the gas line. A good landing with wheels up, damage negligible. Minor repairs are being made at the scene and it is expected Aircraft will be flown off without difficulty.
  • Strength of Station at end of Month.
    • Officers 51
    • Airmen 787
    • Other Ranks 9
    • Civilians 115
  • MAFT – l0¾ hrs.
  • Total Flying Time For Month 198¼ hrs.
• COMMANDING OFFICER, NO. 2 BOMBING AND
  GUNNERY SCHOOL, R.C.A.F., MOSSBANK, SASK.