Daily Diary

No. 2 Bombing & Gunnery School,
Mossbank, Saskatchewan

October 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 October 1941
  • Strength of Station at commencement of Month
    • Officers (RCAF) 58
    • Army Officers 3
    • Airmen 841
    • Trainees 133
    • Civilians 83
    • Other Ranks 11
  • Number & Type of Aircraft on Strength
    • Fairey Battle 57
    • Norseman 2
  • Average Daily Water Consumption 26650 Gallons for September. Weather turned out warmer today.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 13 Hours.
• 2 October 1941
  • Flight Lieutenant J. Johnston left today for No. 8 Bombing & Gunnery School, Lethbridge, Alta. where he has been posted.
  • Flight Lieutenant J.B. Badgley reported today from Jarvis, Ontario.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 9 Hours.
• 3 October 1941
  • Flying Officer F.S. Lapnewski, piloting Battle No. 1705, with LAC Eckert, A.J.J, as bomb-aimer set a new Canadian record for low level Bombing (2000 feet) when they dropped four Bombs with an average error of only 17 and 1/4 yards. Their record, however, was short lived as within an hours time Battle Aircraft 1754, piloted by Sgt. G.A.B. Moore, and with LAC MacDonald, R.W. as bomb aimer, succeeded in dropping four bombs with an average error of only 16 and 3/4 yards.
  • Mr. A. Bishopric, with Pilot J. Crew at the controls of his “Waco”, arrived at 1150 Hours. Squadron Leader Michelmore with three Corporals as passengers arrived in a “Beaufort” at 1205 Hours, leaving for Regina again at 1618 hours.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 9 Hours.

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• 4 October 1941
  • A very dull Overcast Day, with Flying having to be washed out for the whole day.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: Nil
• 5 October 1941
  • Church Parade was held at 1130 Hours today, Sunday, in the Drill Hall, as the weather did not permit having the Parade outdoors.
  • The day was cold and wet. A light rain falling all day. Flying was Washed Out.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: Nil.
• 6 October 1941
  • Fire destroyed No. 1 Control Tower at the Range, Lake Johnstone last evening at 1830 Hours. The origin of the Fire is still unknown. The Building and contents are a total loss. A very successful Fire Drill was carried out at 1645 Hours today. All personnel were at their Stations in excellent time the moment the alarm sounded, and the Fire Engine was ready to throw water in 2 and 1/2 minutes.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 9 Hours.
• 7 October 1941
  • A Station Tailor Shop was opened today under Civilian Mr. S.B. Doherty, formerly a tailor in Mossbank, who has held a Contract with the R.C.A.F. for some time.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 9 Hours.
• 8 October 1941
  • Under Authority of D.A.P.S. Letter 866-1-40 (R.3) d/October 3rd, 1941, Seventy-Five (75) Potential Radio Technicians were posted from this Station to the R.C.A.F. Detachment at the University of British Columbia, at Vancouver, B.C. reporting on October 13th, 1941. Flight Sergeant F.P. Bouchard is to escort the party to Vancouver.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 9 Hours.
• 9 October 1941
  • Flying Officer L.W. Kundrath (C.2718) proceeded to Estevan, Sask., where he approved the Site of a new Station on behalf of the R.C.A.F., together with Mr. William Irving of the Department of Lands.
  • While F/O L.W. Kundrath was away, he and F/O H.H. Hessenflow, were posted to Picton, Ontario on the Ferry Service. (A.F.H.Q. Ferry Flight).
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 9 Hours.
• 10 October 1941
  • Flying had to be washed out at 1445 Hours due to a Dust Storm.
  • Following the Commanding Officer’s Inspection the Special Flag was awarded to Barrack Hut 8A ss being the Cleanest and in best Order.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 6 Hours and 40 Minutes.

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• 11 October 1941
  • 1530 Hours Battle 1852, Piloted by Flying Officer W.R.S. Wright with Flight Lieutenant S.A. Cheesman and Corporal Wagstaffe as passengers, arrived from No. 8 Bombing & Gunnery School, Lethbridge, Alberta.
  • About 200 Guests were entertained at the Officer’s Mess at the First Formal Ball in the Mess since the School opened. Guests came from Regina, Moose Jaw, No. 32 Service Flying Training School, Assiniboia, Gravelbourg and the territory adjacent to the Station.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 9 Hours.
• 12 October 1941
  • The weekly Church Parade was held on the Parade Square at 1100 hours. Flight Lieutenant W. McClean conducted the Service, and the Commanding Officer, Group Captain A.J. Ashton, commanded the Parade. Following the Church Service presentation of Badges was made to a Graduating Class of 32 Wireless Air Gunners. Colonel K. McClellan, of Vancouver, made the presentations. Lieutenant-Colonel Brooke Stevenson, Commanding Officer, 16th Scottish Regiment Victoria, B.C., was also present for the Service and the presentation that followed. Battle No. 1852, with the same Pilot and Passengers, returned to Lethbridge, Alta. at 1535 Hrs.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 9 Hours.
• 13 October 1941
  • Messrs. R.R. Williams and G. Campbell arrived from No. 3 Air Observer’s School, Regina, Saskatchewan, for a course of training in Bombing, arriving on Oct. 12/41.
  • Major D.W. Murray, Purchasing Agent for the Department of Munitions & Supply, together with Captain W. Evans, R.C.A.S.C., visited the Station yesterday.
  • Mr. J. Bisset, Engineer i/c of Construction at the new Air Port at Congress, Sask., was also a Visitor yesterday.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 9 Hours.
• 14 October 1941
  • This Station reverted to Standard Time at 0001 Hours today.
  • Another Fire Drill was held at 1645 Hours yesterday, and there was a marked improvement over the Drill held a week ago. Maximum Available Flying Time: 9 Hours.

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• 15 October 1941
  • No. 6, Volume.1. of the Station Newspaper “Contact” came off the Press today. Two copies are enclosed. (ED NOTE – not enclosed).
  • Tree and Shrub Planting was started in earnest today. The Gardeners began on the Lawn surrounding the Administration Building, digging the holes, with a Gasoline Engine Digger. Hundreds of Shrubs and some Spruce Trees should greatly enhance the appearance of the Station, which promises to look like a Park next year.
  • The Sergeants and Senior N.CO’s held a Game Dinner this Evening, which was a huge success. The Commanding Officer and all the “Pioneer Officers” were Guests.
  • Lieutenant McK. Coons, Dental Corps, arrived to substitute for Captain R. Henderson who is taking his Annual Leave beginning Friday.
  • Norseman No. 2495 ground-looped when taking off for Regina. Flying Officer L.G. Cutts had two stitches taken in his chin but no one else was hurt.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 9 Hours.
• 16 October 1941
  • We are still besieged with Applications for Employment from Civilians – most, of them men of some standing in the Community who have suffered Crop Failures. We have
  • ceased to employ them for the moment as our Strength is back to 102.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 10 Hours.
• 17 October 1941
  • Flight Lieutenant B.G. Green visited us from No. 32 Service Flying Training School, (RAF) Moose Jaw, Sask., yesterday. He returned to Moose Jaw, leaving this School at 1625 hours. Mr. A. Bishopric arrived in his “WACO” piloted by Mr. J.R. Crowe at 1525 Hours. He had a Mr. Nicholls as guest passenger.
  • An M.T. Truck returned from Neville, Sask., with a load of excellent ash trees the gift of Mr. A.E. Suter of that town.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 9 Hours.
• 18 October 1941
  • Sergeant Pilot J.W. Hermiston made a very good job of force landing Battle Aircraft #1766 this morning when his engine stalled. No one was hurt and little damage was done. The weather continues bright and fine and not too cold.
  • Anson Aircraft #6445, Piloted by Squadron Leader Price, with Flt. Lt. Lowry and Flt. Lt. Cowan as passengers stopped here at 1505 hours en route to Rivers, Manitoba.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 10 Hours.
• 19 October 1941
  • Church Parade with Flt. Lt. W.J. Bundy in charge of the Wing and H/Flight Lieutenant Wallace McClean, our Chaplain in charge of the Service, was carried out at 1100 Hrs. on the Parade Square.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 10 Hours.

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• 20 October 1941
  • Fire Drill was again carried out at 1645 Hours. The Fire Engine was three minutes late in getting to the alleged scene of the Fire at the Motor Transport Section, but all personnel in other parts of the Station were right on the job.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 10 Hours.
• 21 October 1941
  • Another load of Trees arrived from Pangman this afternoon. They were a gift from Mr. W. Rainey, father of our “Sergeant Rainey”.
  • 1040 Hrs. Battle No. 1690, Piloted by Sergeant Pilot Avery, forced landed at Belle Plaine at 1040 Hrs. An excellent job was done with no damage to Plane or its occupants.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 10 Hours.
• 22 October 1941
  • Norseman No. 2467, piloted by Flying Officer McHugh, with Flight Lieutenant Richardson and five other passengers stopped here at 1245 hours en route to Calgary, Alta.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 10 Hours.
• 23 October 1941
  • Flight Lieutenant Penton, Works and Buildings Officer from No. 4 Training Command, made an inspection of our Works and Buildings Section.
  • Flight Lieutenant W. Thornber arrived from No. 4 Training Command Headquarters to conduct an Armament inspection.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 10 Hours.
• 24 October 1941
  • Nil entries for today.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 10 Hours.
• 25 October 1941
  • A convivial evening was spent in the Officers Mess, Saturday, being Visitors Day on the Station.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: No Flying.

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• 26 October 1941
  • Church Parade was held at 1100 Hours today with Flight Lieutenant W. McLean officiating – after the Parade the Commanding Officer distributed “Wings” to One Class of Air Gunners and One Class of Air Observers, graduating and leaving this School for Overseas and further Training. Nearly One Hundred Civilians and other interested friends of the Graduates were in attendance at this Parade.
  • One young Australian Graduate put most of his Pay into a Long Distance Telephone Call to his Parents “down under”.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: No Flying.
• 27 October 1941
  • Flight Lieutenant A. Cheeseman landed here from Winnipeg, Manitoba, at 1125 Hours en route to Lethbridge, Alta. Departing this Station at 1425 Hours.
  • There was no Fire Drill held this Date.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 10 Hours.
• 28 October 1941
  • A slight flurry of snow occurred today. Greatcoats were made optional for wear in todays Dally Routine Orders.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 8 Hours.
• 29 October 1941
  • Snow fell and drifted heavily and badly all night.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 2 Hours.
• 30 October 1941
  • The monthly meeting of the Officers Mess took place at 1300 Hours – Flight Lieutenant B.P. Duncan was made the next Mess Secretary in place of Flying Officer J.B. Brown who retired after six months excellent service in that capacity. All extra messing difficulties were ironed out.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 8 and 1/2 Hours.
• 31 October 1941
  • The sun came out again today and is doing its best to disperse the snow which envelops the whole Station. The afternoon was really summer weather and Greatcoats have gone back to the “Moth Balls”.
  • Maximum Available Flying Time: 7 and 1/2 Hours.
  • Strength of Station at End of Month Number
    • Officers (RCAF) 48
    • Army Officers 3
    • Airmen 724
    • Trainees 115
    • Civilians 100
    • Other Ranks 48
  • and Type of Aircraft on Strength
    • Fairey Battle 58
    • Norseman 2
  • Total Flying Hours for October – 2211 Hours, 25 Minutes
  • Number of days Aerodrome unserviceable Nil
• COMMANDING OFFICER, NO. 2 BOMBING AND
  GUNNERY SCHOOL, R.C.A.F., MOSSBANK, SASK.