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Daily Diary
No. 2 Bombing & Gunnery School,
Mossbank, Saskatchewan
September 1941
- 1 September 1941
- Strength of Station at commencement of Month.
- Officers (RCAF) 62
- Army Officers 3
- Airmen 786
- Trainees 147
- Civilians 89
- Other Ranks 12
- Number & type of Aircraft on Strength
- Fairey Battle 53
- Norseman 2
- The average daily consumption of Water for the Station during the month of August was down to 24, 500 gallons, the lowest on record.
- Group Captain A.J. Ashton, the Commanding Officer, returned from Leave last evening looking very fit after his vacation.
- Thirty Three Wireless Air Gunners, Class No. 16, arrived this afternoon from No. 2 Wireless School, Winnipeg. They were met at the Station gate by the Band and marched to G.I.S.
- Fifteen potential pilots also arrived this date from No. 2 Manning Depot,, Brandon, Manitoba.
- Battle 1901, piloted by Flying Officer W. Wright, force-landed at No. 2 Emergency Landing Field near Lake Johnston. No damage occurred to Aircraft or personnel.
- Maximum available flying time – 15 hours.
- 2 September 1941
- A visit of more than usual interest was made to us today when Sir William Glasgow, High Commissioner for Australia, accompanied by Air Vice-Marshall S.J. Goble, Principal Representative for Australia to the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, arrived on the Station; they arrived in a “Cessna” at 0920 hours, piloted by Air Commodore A.T.N. Cowley, Air Officer Commanding, No. 4 Training Command, Regina. The party only stayed an hour and a half but accomplished much in that time, in the usual efficient style one comes to expect from high-ranking Officers of the Air Force wherever they may be.
- Maximum available flying time – 9 hours.
- 3 September 1941
- Wing Commander W.A. Jones, who has been Chief Instructor at this Station since it was opened, left last night for Regina, whence he will proceed to Lethbridge to become the Commanding Officer of No. 8 Bombing & Gunnery School there, which shortly will open.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – Nil
- 4 September 1941
- The Quarantine on this Station for encephalitis was lifted at Noon today to the delight
- of all personnel, including the Medical Officers.
- Major A.E. Gardiner – explosives expert – spent the greater part of the day with us, checking up on Station Explosives. The Inspecting Officer remarked that he had found everything in excellent order.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 14 Hours.
- 5 September 1941
- Aboard their own “Douglas”, Captain C.E. Jean Hansen and Lieutenant L. Brandthowe arrived at 0940 leaving again at 1310 hours. Those two Norwegian Officers were on a routine trip of Stations in the interests of Norwegian personnel.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 14 Hours.
- 6 September 1941
- Our big trouble today – one might say our “bete noir” – is the black topping of all roads and Parade Ground. This terrible tar is being tracked into every building, and even D.R.O. has to tell us to wipe our shoes. Soon however, a new surface will be applied and the very superior appearance and comfort which it will give to the Station will be well worth the discomfort of a few days.
- Lady visitors again now that the quarantine is lifted.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 14 Hours.
- 7 September 1941
- All parades were called off today as the tar was still wet on all roads.
- A heavy fog shrouded the Station for most of the day.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – Nil Hours.
- 8 September 1941
- The Drill Course for Officers officially ended this morning.
- The Trade Test Officer Flying Officer L.H. McBride, moved in on us for a week, setting up his School in the Building formerly used for laundry.
- Major E.H. McDougall, Command Dental Officer, inspected our Clinic this morning, and expressed himself as being delighted with the splendid showing.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 14 Hours.
- 9 September 1941
- On Monday we had a visit from Dr. T.F. Donnelly, Member of Parliament for Wood Mountain Constituency. Accompanying him was Mr. W.G. Bock, District Inspector under the Prairie Farm Re-habilitation Act.
- 1150 Hrs. Harvard 2564 piloted by Flight Lieutenant Dr. R. Miller, and with Lieutenant H.A. Dawson as passenger, arrived from Moose Jaw , and returned at 1220 Hours, with Lieutenant H.A. Dawson remaining here.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 14 Hours.
- 10 September 1941
- The Station, in the throes of preparation for the Inspection of the Air Officer Commanding, was visited by Flt. Lt. D.B. Ross, Engineer Officer; Flt. Lt. P.F.J. Kerans, Education Officer; and Squadron Leader E.B. Howard, Chaplain. They remained for Lunch, and then after transacting their several businesses, flew in to Regina.
- 1205 Hrs. Harvard 2796, with Flt. Lt. G.H. Stemhope as pilot, arrived here from Moose Jaw, and returned to that City at 1222 Hours, with Lt. H.A. Dawson as a passenger.
- A successful rehearsal of the Ceremonial Parade in preparation for the visit of The Air Officer Commanding, No. 4 Training Command, was held in Winter Blues,- quite a welcome change from our porous tropicals.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 14 Hours.
- 11 September 1941
- A very high wind has been blowing all day from a south-easterly direction, but nevertheless, Flying has proceeded without interruption.
- Mr. E.A. Pocock, a Member of the Staff Of Examiners, Inspection Board – United Kingdom and Canada – paid a visit to the Station today.
- The monthly meeting of the Officers Mess took place at Noon today.
- 805 Hrs. Harvard 2579, with Flt. Lt. A.S. Hails as pilot, and LAC Hill as passengers, arrived from Moose Jaw and returned at 0815 hours.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 13 Hours.
- 12 September 1941
- 0945 Hrs. Air Commodore A.T.H. Cowley, A.O.C;, Air Officer Commanding, No. 4 Training Command, Regina, arrived at 0945 hours in Harvard Aircraft No. 3023, for the purpose of conducting an inspection of the Station. The A.O.C. first inspected the Wing as a whole, and then took the salute from the Saluting Base as the Wing marched past in Column of Route. He afterwards made a thorough inspection of all the buildings on the Station. Lunch was a parade and Officers in charge of Messing are still being complimented on the excellent fare which was produced. All personnel can be happy in the fact that the Section was found to be practically perfect.
- Two photographs of the Wing Inspection are attached as Appendix. “A” (ED NOTE – not attached).
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 8 Hours.
- 13 September 1941
- Our football team went to Moose Jaw today and won 4-2, against No. 32 S.F.T.S. (R.A.F.) Moose Jaw. Several Officers flew in to Moose Jaw to lend their moral and vocal support to our team.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 13 Hours.
- 14 September 1941
- 1330 Hrs. Mr. A. Bishopric flew into the Station at 1330 Hours and he and his party were guests in the Mess, of which Mr. Bishopric has been made an honourary member.
- Wing Parade this morning for 35 Australian Air Observers and 20 Canadian “Standard Wireless Air Gunners.”
- 1025 Hrs. Harvard 3023, piloted by Flying Officer J.R. Frizzle, with Flt. Lt. L.C. Scott as passenger, arrived from Regina and returned to that Station at 1315 Hrs.
- 1400 Hrs. “Vulee” No. M.C.14252, piloted by Mr. C.W. Gage, and with the owner, Mr. A. Bishopric, as passenger, arrived from Calgary and departed for Regina at 1700 Hours.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 13 Hours.
- 15 September 1941
- Lieutenant-Colonels A.W. Pascor and Hainey of The King’s Own Rifles Regiment of Moose Jaw, paid a visit to this Station.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 11 Hours.
- 16 September 1941
- Our “all-weather” roads are now complete, and we can now claim to have a road system on the Station second to none in Canada. We can now look forward to “Rain without Mud”!
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 11 Hours.
- 17 September 1941
- Five Officers from No. 4 Training Command, Regina, Sask., flew into the Station today, piloted by F/O R.A. Toltschin. They were:
- Wing Commander C.A. Davidson
- Wing Commander P.R. Hampton
- Flt. Lt. A.S. Turnbull
- Lieut. Col. Hughes (Medical)
- Lieut. G.H. Jerome.
- After their work was finished here they took off for Assiniboia and thence home to Regina.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 11 Hours.
- 18 September 1941
- 79 Radio Mechanics (U.T.) arrived from No. 2 Manning Depot, Brandon, Manitoba, by train, on 17-9-41, to be quartered and rationed here until posted to a University for Training. This brings the strength of the Station up to 1131 which is the largest number of personnel we have had on strength at any one time, and completely fills our Barrack Accommodation.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 11 Hours.
- 19 September 1941
- 1725 Hrs. Dragon Fly No. 7625, piloted by Wing Commander J.R. Newbegging (R.A.F.), with Sgt. Grayhouse, as passenger, arrived from Regina and returned at 1845 Hours.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 11 Hours.
- 20 September 1941
- A new system of Flying has been inaugurated. Flying commences at 0700 Hrs. and continues uninterrupted, by shifts, till 1700 Hours.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – Nil Hours.
- 21 September 1941
- Squadron Leader D.A. Foster (R.A.F.), the padre at No. 32 S.F.T.S.(R.A.F.) Moose
- Jaw conducted the Church Parade Service today at 1100 hours, in the Drill Hall. He also held Communion Service at 0800 hours, in the Recreation Hall. He arrived by plane at 1730 hours yesterday, and is returning by plane this afternoon.
- Father Branch (R.C.), who is just back from an extended holiday in Eastern Canada, conducted Mass at the Recreation Hall at 1100 Hours.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 10 hours.
- 22 September 1941
- No. 5 of Vol.1. of “Contact” came off the press today. Two copies are attached. (ED NOTE – not attached.)
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 13 Hours.
- 23 September 1941
- Group Captain Johnston visited the Commanding Officer today.
- Squadron Leader H.N. Compton, Command Accountant, No. 4 Training Command, Regina, together with Flt. Lt. R.H. Gregson, Accountant Officer, No. 4 Training Command, Regina, made an inspection of the Accounting Section today.
- Wing Commander K. Gray, piloting his own “Dragon Fly” from Regina, called on us this morning.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 13 Hours.
- 24 September 1941
- Messrs. Blakeley and Campbell from the Dominion Experimental Farm at Swift Current spent most of the afternoon teaching us how to grow grass.
- The work of covering over our old eyesore – The Water Tank – is now finished, and the Water from now on will be pumped from the load.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 12 Hours.
- 25 September 1941
- The Station was invaded at 1345 hours by Air Vice Marshall L.S. Breadner, Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal H. Edward, air member for personnel in the Air Council of Canada. Air Commodore A.T. Cowley, A.O.C. No. 4 Training Command, Group Captain R.L. Collard Works and Buildings Division, Air Force Headquarters, and Mister S.L. de Carteret Deputy Minister for Air. Travelling with the party also were Wing Commander T.C. Macfarlane Principal Adviser to The Chief of The Air Staff, and Flt.Lt. P.A. Cumyn, Principal Adviser to The Air Member for Personnel. From Swift Current also came Wing Commander C.W. Davidson, Wing Commander P.R. Hampton, and Squadron Leader R.D. Byers, this group being piloted by our own Air Officer Commanding in a “Cessna”. A marvellous Lunch of Hungarian Partridge and all accessories;- and then the party went to work. We have reason to believe that they were well satisfied with what they saw.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 13 Hours.
- 26 September 1941
- Snow started falling early this morning and the storm continued for the best part of the day. This was the first snow storm of the year.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – Nil Hours
- 27 September 1941
- Twenty-Five Wireless Operator Air Gunner reported today from No. 3 Wireless School. They were met at the gat by the band and marched to the Ground Instructional School. Forty more came in from No. 2 Air Observer School, Edmonton, Alberta, unexpectedly and we were hard put – to accommodate them.
- It froze hard last night and all our flowers were destroyed.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 13 Hours.
- 28 September 1941
- Church Parade was held at 1100 hours in the Drill Hall, in spite of a bright sunshine, a strong wind was found very cold. After the Church Parade, officiated over by our own Padre newly returned from leave. The Commanding Officer presented wings to Air Observer Course No. 25 and Air Gunner Course No. 15, then the whole Wing marched past the Commanding Officer in Column of Route. Quite a goodly number of civilian visitors were at the services and parades.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 13 Hours.
- 29 September 1941
- A Committee has been formed to sponsor concerts of all types among the personnel.
- Battle aircraft 1616 piloted by Sergeant Harwood, D.F. , Forced landed, wheels down between No. 1 and 2 Control yesterday. No injury to personnel, only damage to aircraft was to the pitot head.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 13 Hours.
- 30 September 1941
- A District Court Martial Assembled at 1000 hours on Monday to try R71074 Sergeant Moore A.B. on four charges. The President was Squadron Leader P.M. Milligan (R.A.F.). …
- 30 September 1941 (continued)
- … Members: Flight Lieutenant E.V.C. Hamilton and Flight Lieutenant J. Gray. The trial concluded at 1100 hours today. The accused was acquitted on all charges.
- Maximum Available Flying Time – 3 Hours.
- Strength of Station at end of Month.
- Officers (RCAF) 8
- Army Officers 3
- Airmen 841
- Trainees 133
- Civilians 89
- Other Ranks. 11
- Number and Type of Aircraft on Strength
- Fairey Battle 57
- Norseman 2
- Total Flying Hours for September 1924 Hrs. 5 min.
- Number of days Aerodrome unserviceable – Nil
- COMMANDING OFFICER, NO. 2 BOMBING AND
GUNNERY SCHOOL, R.C.A.F., MOSSBANK, SASK.
