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Daily Diary
No. 2 Bombing & Gunnery School,
Mossbank, Saskatchewan
June 1941
- 1 June 1941
- Strength of Station at commencement of Month
- Officers 62
- Airmen 903
- O.R.’s 11
- Civilians 115
- A Church Parade was held at 1100 hours in the Drill Hall. The Commanding Officer, Group Captain A.J. Ashton, was in command. The lesson was read by Squadron Leader W.M. Penman and the services were conducted by Flight Lieutenant W. McClean, the Chaplain.
- 1200 hrs. Battle 1754, piloted by Sergeant Orr J.D., forced landed near Herbert, Saskatchewan, due to shortage of fuel. No injury was done to the pilot or aircraft and after being refuelled the aircraft took off and reached the station safely.
- 1047 hrs. Norseman 2461, Pilot, Flight Lieutenant R.D. Byers, passengers, Squadron Leader J. Verner, Flight Lieutenant T. Fenton and four airmen arrived from Regina. Returned at 1135 hours with same personnel except Flight Lieutenant T. Fenton.
- Maximum available flying time – 17 hours.
- 2 June 1941
- Battle No. 1732, piloted by Flying Officer A.M. Vandre and with LAC Myles, W.R. and LAC McAlary N.B., as passengers, landed about 10 miles northwest of aerodrome. Cause, broken Glycol Connection, no injury to personnel only damage to aircraft was a damaged airscrew.
- 3 June 1941
- 1612 Hrs. Harvard B.W. 188 with Flight Lieutenant G.M. Ross as pilot, and Flying Officer A.E. Brown, as passenger arrived from No. 5 Bombing & Gunnery School, Dafoe, and returned at 1905 hours.
- Maximum available flying time – None.
- 4 June 1941
- Squadron Leader W.R. Pollock, who only arrived a few days ago, has been posted to No. 3 Wireless School, Winnipeg.
- Today No. 2 Bombing & Gunnery School has its own crest and motto. The Crest is made up as follows: A shield, quarterly blue and red, a machine gun and practice bomb crossed in natural colours, in the upper V caused by the crossed weapons, the shield of the province of Saskatchewan in proper colours. The badge is superimposed on a wreath of Maple Leaves and a garter on which the name of the School appears. Below appears the name, Royal Canadian Air Force also in the garter and on the scroll is the School Motto “Aim Well – Shoot Straight”, the whole surmounted by the Royal Crown in colours, designed and executed by the well known Aviation Artist Flight Lieutenant H.H. Booth.
- Maximum available flying time -17 hours
- 5 June 1941
- About 2000 bedding plants have arrived from the Dominion Experimental Farm at Swift Current and are being transplanted. An island has been built at the intersection of the Group Captain’s Walk with California Avenue which, besides being decorative, serves a useful purpose namely, that of giving protection to the fire hydrant. The Grounds are being slowly but steadily improved. The daily change is not very noticeable but taken over a period of a month the transformation is decidedly apparent. The roads are still without hard surfacing, but they are graveled and that helps a good deal.
- Maximum available flying time – 9 hours.
- 6 June 1941
- The past 12 days have been wet, cold and cloudy. The sun, during this time has hardly been seen. It is hard to convince those who are strange to these parts that we are situated in the heart of the prairie “Dust Bowl”. The expression “Most unusual weather” is getting to be a joke around the Station and our newcomers are beginning to think they are having their legs pulled.
- Maximum available flying time – 17 hours.
- 7 June 1941
- 0812 hrs. Battle 1652, piloted by Flying Officer G.H. Nolf with 404581 LAC Godfrey H.W. and 404360 LAC A.N. Giles as passenger, blew a tire in taking off and damaged the airscrew. No injury to personnel in the aircraft was received.
- 1543 hrs. Moth 4303 piloted by Mr. J.E. Coker, passenger 70044 LAC Evans, arrived from Moose Jaw and returned at 1716 hours with the same pilot and passenger.
- Maximum available flying time -17 hours.
- 8 June 1941
- A Station Church Parade was again held at 1130 hours at the Drill Hall.
- This Station took part in the Victory Loan Parade at Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan, today.
- 41 airmen under Flying Officer G.B. Randall marched in the parade from the cathedral to the Cenotaph. The Commanding Officer Group Captain A.J. Ashton spoke in support of the Victory Loan drive.
- Maximum available flying time – 17 hours.
- 9 June 1941
- A Post Office Savings Bank is now in operation at the Camp Post Office which affords a long needed facility of depositing money safely without having to make a trip off the station.
- 0905 hrs. Fleet CFCER piloted by Flying Officer M.S. Evans with Flying Officer C. Lessene as passenger arrived from Moose Jaw, at 0925 hours the same plane returned minus the passenger.
- Maximum available flying time – 17 hours.
- 10 June 1941
- 1210 hr. Cessna 7695 piloted by Flying Officer G.A. Bland and with Flying Officer R.M. Staynor and R51857 Sergeant Lonn, J. as passengers arrived from Saskatoon.
- 1547 hr. The above mentioned aircraft returned with the same crew.
- Maximum available flying time – 17 hours.
- 11 June 1941
- Moth 4144, Pilot, Mr. A.W. Lindsay, passenger R77525 LAC Pearson, arrived from Moose Jaw and returned at 0955 hours with the same pilot and passenger.
- 1750 hr. Dragon Fly 7624 piloted by Squadron Leader K. Grey, arrived from Medicine Hat and departed for Regina at 1845 hours with Flying Officer V.H. Peterson and Pilot Officer J.H. Passmore as passengers. Flying Officer Peterson and Pilot Officer Passmore spent the day at the station on duty from Command.
- Maximum available flying time – 17 hours.
- 12 June 1941
- The aerodrome is being prepared for night flying which commences tonight.
- 1020 hr. Norseman 2461 piloted by Flight Lieutenant R.D. Byers and with Flying Officer F.C. Gardhouse, Flying Officer R.H. Gregson, Pilot Officer J.H. Passmore, Major M.S. Bailey and Major D.A. Coons arrived from Regina and departed for Moose Jaw with same pilot and with Pilot Officer…
- 12 June 1941 (continued)
- … J.H. Passmore, Major Bailey and Major Coons as passengers at 1220 hours. Majors Bailey and Coons are dental officers from Headquarters and were here on an inspection trip.
- Maximum available flying time – 18 hours.
- 13 June 1941
- Night flying was again carried out by the Bombing Flight and worked satisfactory. The night flying tonight and last night were in the nature of tests to see whether this type of flying could be carried out satisfactory at this station. These tests have demonstrated that it can and we are now only waiting instructions from headquarters when to start.
- Maximum available flying time – 17 hours.
- 14 June 1941
- 1550 hrs. Dragon Fly 7624 piloted by Squadron Leader J.A. Verner and with Squadron Leader S.G. Cowan, Flight Lieutenant A.C. Pearce and Flight Lieutenant L.L. Cromien, arrived from Moose Jaw.
- 1825 hrs. The above aircraft with same pilot and passengers departed for Regina.
- Six cases of Maple Syrup and one case of Assorted Comforts have arrived from the High Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Australia for the Australian Trainees here and have been distributed amongst them.
- Maximum available flying time – 17 hours.
- 15 June 1941
- The regular Station Church Parade was held today at 1100 hours in the Drill Hall.
- Maximum available flying time – 17 hours.
- 16 June 1941
- Twenty two R.A.F. Pilot trainees arrived at this station late this evening from the old Country. They were posted to 32 S.F.T.S. Moose Jaw, but as there were no room for them there, they came on to this Station, temporarily, for quarters and rations until room is available at 32 S.F.T.S.
- Maximum available flying time – 18 hours.
- 17 June 1941
- 1020 hrs. Norycraft 65 C.F.-B.P.X. (privately owned) piloted by Mr. F. Lasby and with Mr. S.M. McRae, as passenger, arrived rom Moose Jaw and returned with same pilot and passenger at 1305 hours.
- 1250 hrs. Tiger Moth 4127 piloted by Group Captain C. Gregg with Flight Lieutenant R.G. Ladara as passenger, arrived from Moose Jaw and returned at 1255 hours minus the passenger. Another issue (the second) of “Contact”, the Station Newspaper, is off the press and is creating a great deal of interest amongst the personnel.
- Maximum available flying time – 18 hours.
- 18 June 1941
- A District Court Martial was held at this Station today. The Court consisted of:
- Wing Commander J.C. Malone (C516) as president;
- Flight Lieutenant E.V.C. Hamilton (C2264) of No. 2 Bombing & Gunnery School; Flying Officer R.O. Rabbitt (C2876) No. 2 Initial Training…
- 18 June 1941 (continued)
- (continued)
- … School, Regina; Flight Lieutenant W.J. Bundy, No. 2 Bombing & Gunnery School, was member in waiting:
- Flying Officer A.C. McClasky (C3199) No. 4 Training Command, Headquarters, Regina, was Judge Advocate.
- Flying Officer J.A. Peterson (C609) was prosecuting Officer and
- Flying Officer O.W. Durdin (C3622) defending Officer.
- The trial took place in the Recreational Hall. R81327 Sgt. K.W. Tyler, No. 2 Bombing & Gunnery School, was the accused. The charges against him were (a) Low flying (b) Failing to enter such low flying in the Low Flying Log Book. The case lasted all day. The members of the Court from Regina arrived by plane this morning and departed by the same mode of transportation at 1930 hours.
- Maximum available flying time – 18 hours.
- 19 June 1941
- Flying was washed out at 1815 hours due to a storm.
- 1210 hrs. Avro Anson W2066 arrived from Rivers, Manitoba, piloted by Flight Lieutenant Gilbert, passengers were Sergeant Dawson, Corporal Bunker.
- 1410 hrs. Departed as above same aircraft, pilot and passengers.
- Maximum available flying time – 18 hours.
- 20 June 1941
- Fairey Battle No. 1756 made a forced landing near No. 2 Target at Lake Johnston. Pilot Sergeant Nurse, Crew – LAC Brownie and LAC Tetroe C.W.. The aircraft was not damaged, the forced landing was caused by a leak in the Coolant Tube. The aircraft was flown back to the station.
- “B” Flight held a baseball practice on the Station Baseball diamond.
- Maximum available flying time – 19 hours.
- 21 June 1941
- Forced landing of Fairey Battle 1686 piloted by Sgt. Langren near Lake Johnston.
- 1700 hrs. Fairey Battle 1702 departed for Paulson Manitoba, with Flying Officer F. Buchanan as pilot.
- The average daily water consumption for week of June 15th to 21st inclusive, 60442 gallons.
- In the evening a mild storm with considerable rain occurred. This moisture is of considerable benefit to the improved grounds and new grass.
- The Commanding Officers Flag, for the cleanest barrack hut and in the best order was awarded to Barrack 13A.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 18 hours.
- 22 June 1941
- The station Protestant Church Parade was held at 1130 hours. A Wings Parade was held in the Drill Hall at 1400 hours, when the Observers and Air Gunners were presented with their wings by Group Captain A.J. Ashton. 71 Air Gunners of Course No. 9 proceed to embarkation point No. 1 “M” Depot, Halifax. On this course there was one failure and 5 in the Station hospital with mumps. These five will write supplementary examinations when they are discharged from the hospital. Six of the class were standard Air Gunners. One of the graduated Sergeants was general manager of the New Zealand Branch of the Shipping & Finance…
- 22 June 1941 (continued)
- … Company of Australia, also a director in three other companies. The Air Observers Class No.9 graduated with 38 obtaining their wings. This class made the Canadian Record in one low level bombing exercise with an average error of only 20 yards and another exercise of an average error of only 30 yards. The highest mark obtained on this course was 77.8 the lowest 65.8, the whole class being about 5% above average.
- Fairey Battle 1702 which left this Station 21-6-41, reported as force landed at Langdon, North Dakota, U.S.A.
- Maximum available flying time – 18 hours.
- 23 June 1941
- The Physical Training Schedule for the School is effective today. All squadrons have hours allotted to fit in with the training schedule being conducted by the School. Considerable improvement has been made in the Airmens’ Canteen. The walls have been painted in light and dark green with the ceiling being done in white. Curtains have been hung. They are homespun material in natural shade with a tie back of three strand rope in dark and light green. A radio was installed today with the machine behind the counter and the loud speaker attached outside.
- Maximum available flying time – 18 hours.
- 24 June 1941
- Honourary Squadron Leader W.B. Willam (C4158), Command Protestant Chaplin and Honourary Squadron Leader E.B. Haward (C1813) Roman Catholic Chaplain and Flying Officer G.A.P. Brackenden arrived from Regina for a routine visit.
- 24 June 1941 (continued)
- Captain M.C. Robinson, superintendent of the Institute of the Blind for Western Canada and co-ordinating Council War Services Auxiliary of Greater Vancouver, was a visitor to the Station.
- 0630 hrs. Dart Aircraft No. N.C. 20993 piloted by J.E. Coker arrived here from Regina, with Flying Officer B. Galbraith as a passenger.
- 1200 hrs. The aircraft and pilot as above departed for Moose Jaw, minus the passenger.
- 1050 hrs. Norseman 2461 piloted by Flight Lieutenant R.D. Byers with Squadron Leader A. Whillan and Squadron Leader G. Howard and Flying Officer G. Brackenden as passengers arrived from Regina.
- 1105 hrs. The aircraft and pilot as above departed for Regina, minus the passengers.
- 1345 hrs. Norseman 2461 piloted by Flying Officer R.D. Toltschin arrived here from Regina.
- 1355 hrs. Norseman 2461 piloted by Flying Officer R.D. Toltschin departed for Regina, with Squadron Leader A. Whillan, Squadron Leader C. Howard and Flying Officer G. Brakendon as passengers.
- 1620 hrs. Avro Anson No. 6058 piloted by Flight Lieutenant D.L. Berg arrived from Rivers with Flight Lieutenant Brand, Flying Officer E. Gates, Flying Officer C.B. Church and Corporal Harvey K.H. …
- 24 June 1941 (continued)
- … as passengers.
- 1710 hrs. Avro Anson No. 6058 piloted by Flight Lieutenant D.L. Berg departed for Rivers with the aforementioned passengers with the exception of Flying Officer C.B. Church.
- 2030 hrs. Norseman No. 693 piloted by Wing Commander R.A. Cameron arrived from Paulson, with Flight Lieutenant S.A. Allan, Flying Officer C.M. Crawford and Corporal Willis E.M. as passengers.
- 1430 hrs. Battle 1653 piloted by Flying Officer P.M. Hale, with Corporal Miller J. as the passenger, and Battle 1307 piloted by Sergeant Pilot Stewart G.A. departed for Paulson. These two aircraft were transferred to Paulson, Manitoba.
- Maximum available flying time – 18 hours.
- 25 June 1941
- Night Flying Exercises by No. 1 A.N.S. Rivers, Manitoba, brought several aircraft to this Station for which a flare path was laid at 2200 hours. The following aircraft visited the Station:
- 2115 hrs. Avro Anson 6084 piloted by Flying Officer P.L. Donnell, with Squadron Leader G.W. Jacobi, Squadron Leader W. Price and Corporal Heal A.J. arrived from Rivers Manitoba and departed at 2240 hours.
- 2129 hrs. Avro Anson 6499 piloted by Flying Officer D. Eshelman with Flight Lieutenant B. Weatherwax, Flight Lieutenant J. Wolfenden, LAC Sleeman A.W. and LAC Cunningham H.E. arrived from Rivers and departed at 2242 hours.
- 25 June 1941 (continued)
- 2130 hrs. Avro Anson No. 6542 piloted by Flying Officer W.V. Mudra with Flying Officer J. Brand, Flying Officer W. Christie, W.O. O’Byrne J.R. and LAC Cameron J.R. as passengers and departed at 2244 hours.
- 2135 hrs. Avro Anson No. 6329 piloted by Flying Officer J. Ashford with Flight Lieutenant S. McDonald, Flight Lieutenant W. McMurtic and W.O. Robertson F. arrived from Rivers, Manitoba and departed at 2246 hours.
- 0750 hrs. Norseman No, 693 piloted by Wing Commander R.A. Cameron with Flight Lieutenant S.A. Allan and Corporal Willis E.M. departed for Rivers, Manitoba.
- 0935 hrs. Battle 1761 piloted by Flying Officer C.M. Crawford departed for Paulson, Manitoba.
- This aircraft was transferred to this Station.
- Maximum available flying time – 17 hours.
- 26 June 1941
- Sports activities are growing and an enlarged Sports Committee held a meeting. All ranks of the Station personnel are represented on this committee with Mr. Howard Large of the Canadian Legion as Secretary.
- 26 June 1941 (continued)
- 1240 hrs. Norseman No. 2461 piloted by Air Commodore A.T.N. Cowley, with Flight Lieutenant Piaree and Flying Officer Cafrier as passengers, arrived from Regina, and departed at 1420 hours with same pilot and passengers.
- 1525 hrs. Dart Aircraft No. N.C. 20993 with J.E. Coker as pilot and LAC Riches E. as passenger arrived from Moose Jaw and returned to Moose Jaw at 1740 hours.
- Maximum available flying time – 18 hours.
- 27 June 1941
- The award of the Court Martial of R81237 Sergeant Tyler K.W. was published today, being found guilty of low flying and failing to report such low flying. Punishment awarded was reduction to AC2 and 21 days detention.
- 1825 hrs. Vultee aircraft No. 14252 piloted by Mr. W.C. Gage with the following passengers, Mr. A.L. Bishopric and Mr. J.R. Crow. The aforementioned stayed over night.
- 1740 hrs. Battle aircraft No. 1652 piloted by Flight Lieutenant A. Cheesman departed for No. 7 Bombing & Gunnery School, Paulson, Manitoba. This aircraft was transferred to the said school.
- Maximum available flying time – 7½ hours.
- 28 June 1941
- The Station Soccer Team played 32 S.F.T.S. at Moose Jaw this evening. 32 S.F.T.S. won the game by a score of 6 – 2. The field was very muddy after heavy rains.
- 1115 hrs. Vultee aircraft No. 14252 piloted by Mr. W.C. Gage, with Group Captain A.J. Ashton, Mr. A.L. Bishopric, Mr. J.C. Grow, and Mr. D. Moore as passengers departed for No. 5 Bombing & Gunnery School, Dafoe.
- 28 June 1941 (continued)
- 1630 hrs. Vultee Aircraft No.14252 Piloted by Mr. W.C. Gage with Group Captain A.J. Ashton, Mr. J.C. Crow and Mr. D. Moore as passengers, arrived back from Dafoe.
- 1705 hrs. The above aircraft departed for Moose Jaw with same pilot and Mr. J. Crow as a passenger.
- The average daily water consumption for week of June 22nd to 28th was 59621 gallons.
- Maximum available flying time. – 9 hours.
- 29 June 1941
- The Station Protestant church parade was held at 1130 hours in the Drill Hall.
- There were several showers during the day with considerable rain falling. Eighteen members of the Canadian Legion Woodrow Branch, visited the Station and were entertained at the Canadian Legion Hut on the Station.
- Maximum available flying time. 4 hours.
- 30 June 1941
- No. of days aerodrome was unserviceable during June – Nil.
- Total hours flown during the Month of June – 2114 hours 35 minutes
- Number and type of aircraft on strength –
- Fairey Battle #1 – 51
- Norseman – 1
- 30 June 1941 (continued)
- Personnel on Strength of this Station:
- Officers – 54
- Airmen – 775
- O.R.s – 14
- Trainees – 114
- Civilians – 110
- Maximum available flying time – 8 hours.
- COMMANDING OFFICER, NO. 2 BOMBING AND
GUNNERY SCHOOL, R.C.A.F., MOSSBANK, SASK.
