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Daily Diary
No. 2 Bombing & Gunnery School,
Mossbank, Saskatchewan
March 1942
- 1 March 1942
- Strength of Station at commencement of Month
- Officers (RCAF) (RAF) 49
- Army Officers 3
- Airmen 912
- Trainees 140
- Civilians 111
- Other Ranks 11
- Number and Type of Aircraft on Strength
- Fairey Battles 60
- Norseman 1
- Harvard 1
- Sunday:
- Station Victory Loan Campaign reached $5000.00 as at yesterday.
- Weather continues good.
- Crane aircraft No. 8035 Flt. Lt A.C. Hull, pilot, arrived from Yorkton at 1415 hours with three passengers and departed for Moose Jaw at 1455 hours.
- Good flying, ceiling and visibility unlimited.
- Maximum available flying time – 12 hours.
- 2 March 1942
- Monday:
- The C.O. journeyed to Moose Jaw to meet the new C.O. and returned with him in the evening. The new Commanding Officer is (C48) Wing Commander F.C. Higgins.
- Crane aircraft No. 8063 arrived from Yorkton 1015 hours, Sergeant B. St.John, Pilot, Sergeant Peck passenger. Departed for Yorkton 1400 hours.
- Flying Officer Hagest flew in Moth No. 1170 from Moose Jaw and Flying Officer Lindsay flew in Moth No. 1158 with him, both arriving 1145 hours.
- Maximum available flying time – 16 hours
- 3 March 1942
- Tuesday:
- The Officers met our New Commanding Officer in the Mess at Noon. The pleasure of greeting the new C.O. was tinged with regret at losing Group Captain Ashton. Wing Commander Higgins and Group Captain Ashton made an inspection tour of the Hangars during, the afternoon.
- It had been arranged to have a photograph of all the Officers on the Station taken at 1155 hours but it commenced snowing at about 0940 hours and continued past the hour set. The snow stopped and flying was resumed at 1430 hours.
- Crane aircraft No. 8015 arrived from Regina at 1240 hours. Flt.Lt. Sommerville, Pilot, Flt.Lt. McGillvray, passenger. Flt.Lt. Sommerville left for Yorkton 1405 hours.
- Maximum available flying time – 11 hours
- 4 March 1942
- Wednesday:
- Flight Lieutenant J.B. Brown spent a busy time preparing for the farewell party for Group Captain Ashton tonight.
- Before noon today Group Captain Ashton and Wing Commander Higgins made an inspection tour of the Barrack blocks, Canteen, Kitchen etc.
- At 1155 hours all the officers on the Station assembled at No. 4 Hangar and were photographed.
- Moth No. 1137, Pilot P/O White, passenger P/O Sneddon arrived from Assiniboia at 1020 hours.
- Battle 2054, Pilot F/O Wright, passenger Flt.Lt; Al. Cheesman and Flt.Lt. Johnson arrived from Lethbridge.
- Harvard No. 3853 Flt.Lt. James arrived from Regina 1740 hours.
- Maximum available flying time – 9hrs.55mins.
- 5 March 1942
- Thursday:
- The farewell party for Group Captain Ashton last night was a decided success. Visitors were present from Mossbank, Moose Jaw, Assiniboia and Gravelbourg. Flt.Lt. Al Cheesman and J. Johnson who were formerly on this Station were also present. Squadron Leader Penman on behalf of the Officers on the Station presented to the Group Captain a pewter Beer Mug engraved with the names of the Officers. G/C Ashton made a graceful speech on accepting the gift and expresses his appreciation of the co-operation he had received from the Officers on the Station.
- Effective today Wing Commander F.C. Higgins is the Commanding Officer of this Station.
- Maximum available flying time – 14hrs.45mins.
- 6 March 1942
- Friday:
- In the morning a high wind and snow made flying impossible. It seemed to moderate a little at noon but resumed shortly after so that there was no flying today.
- Oxford A.T.440 P/O Swan Pilot and two passengers arrived from Medicine Hat at 1455 hours and left for Swift Current at 1625 hours.
- Harvard 3833 from Moose Jaw, F/O Rhodes, pilot.
- Maximum available flying time – NIL
- 7 March 1942
- Saturday:
- Low ceiling in the morning interfered with flying for a time and conditions were uncertain most of the day but some flying was done.
- Norseman 2492 F/O Vandre, Pilot, P/O Costley passenger went to Moose Jaw at 0840 hours and returned at 0930 hours.
- Maximum available flying time – 5hrs.30mins.
- 8 March 1942
- Sunday:
- This was a poor flying day, low clouds.
- Norseman 2492 went to Moose Jaw, F/O Vandre Pilot, but could not land.
- Started to snow at 1045 hours.
- Final figures on Victory Loan Subscriptions at No. 2 B. & G. School was $6650.00.
- Maximum available flying time – 2hrs.l5mins.
- 9 March 1942
- Monday:
- Bad weather and icing conditions hindered flying. A dull day.
- Maximum available flying time – 4 hours.
- 10 March 1942
- Tuesday:
- A high wind came up during the night and blew hard all day. Taxi strips covered with sheet ice for a while. However some flying was done. Wind reached 50 m.p.h.
- The Sergeants are having a dance tonight.
- Maximum available flying time – 5 hours.
- 11 March 1942
- Wednesday:
- Good flying weather until 2300 hours.
- Fairey Battle No. 1664 F/O Hemminger Pilot, went to Regina.
- F/O Al Vandre and F/O Ted Daniels left on posting to McLeod. They will be greatly missed by their Messmates. They were duly warned about the high wind prevalent at McLeod where dogs and cats are sometimes blown against buildings and held there by the wind so long they starve to death.
- From reports it appears the Sergeants dance was a lively affair.
- Maximum available flying time – 15 hours.
- 12 March 1942
- Thursday:
- Another beautiful flying day. Gophers have been observed. Sure sign of spring.
- Emergency landing at 1055 hours today near S.E. end of No. 3 runway. F/O Hart Pilot and two students. No one injured but aircraft badly damaged.
- F/O L.T. Fraser from 4 Training Command arrived on business.
- F/O E. Hemminger flew him to Regina in Battle 1936.
- Dragon Fly No.7624, F/O Reeves Pilot arrived from Regina at 1415 hours with F/Lt. McDougall, K.A. and Mr. Cameron and departed for Claresholm 1450 hours.
- Maximum available flying time – 13hrs.55mins.
- 13 March 1942
- Friday:
- Very bad fog, ceiling zero, visibility zero.
- A Class of 45 Wireless Air Gunners and 22 Air Observers received their badges at Wings Parade from Wing Commander F.C. Higgins. This was the new Commanding Officers first Wings Parade on the Station.
- Maximum available flying time – NIL
- 14 March 1942
- Saturday:
- Wing Commander Higgins left today for Calgary on Temporary Duty at Command. Squadron Leader Penman will carry on in his place while absent.
- Fog still hangs heavily and flying was washed out.
- Maximum available flying time – NIL
- 15 March 1942
- Sunday:
- Fog still hangs, no flying and the boys are getting restless.
- Maximum available flying time – NIL
- 16 March 1942
- Monday:
- The weather improved somewhat.
- Five promotions came through today. Squadron Leader Penman becomes Wing Commander Penman, Flight Lieutenant Williams becomes Squadron Leader Williams and Pilot Officers Thompson, Cochrane and Murphy become Flying Officers. There was a good deal of celebration around the Mess on account of the promotions.
- Maximum available flying time – 6hrs.30mins.
- 17 March 1942
- Tuesday:
- Good flying weather again.
- The Red Cross held a dance in Mossbank which was well patronized by the personnel of this School.
- Maximum available flying time – 8hrs.30mins.
- 18 March 1942
- Wednesday:
- The ceiling closed down about noon and it began to snow. Snow flurries during the afternoon.
- The Norseman No. 2492 was grounded at Regina overnight.
- Cessna FJ142 F/O Kundrath Pilot arrived from Rivers at 1635 hours.
- Maximum available flying time – 1hr.15mins.
- 19 March 1942
- Thursday:
- There was good flying all morning but at 1500 hours the weather closed in and a nasty hail storm came on.
- Moths #5922 and #5093 arrived from Regina.
- Moths #5922, #5093, #1185 and #1182 left for Regina at 1620 hours in formation.
- Wing Commander Higgins returned from Command Headquarters.
- Maximum available flying time – 7 hours.
- 20 March 1942
- Friday:
- Excellent flying day.
- F/O S. Lapniewski took Harvard #3833 to Prince Albert with Corporal March a passenger.
- Battle #1763 P/O K. Gray Pilot, Flt.Lt. Laubach, F/O Nicholl, P/O Larcombe passengers, went to Regina.
- Flt.Lt. J. Gellner (J.2822) D.F.C., Czech Military Cross and Czech Medal for Valour, who served with a Czech Squadron overseas gave lectures here to the students on his operational experiences.
- Maximum available flying time – 15hrs.5mins.
- 21 March 1942
- Saturday:
- Excellent flying day.
- Eight Battles departed for Saskatoon on a cross country flight.
- Norseman #2492 back from Regina.
- Maximum available flying time – 13hrs.25mins.
- 22 March 1942
- Sunday:
- Clear day, frost coming out of the ground. Runway corners soft, necessitates careful taxiing.
- The eight Battles arrived back from Saskatoon at 0850 hours.
- Maximum available flying time – 9hrs.30mins.
- 23 March 1942
- Monday:
- Good flying day.
- Moth #1191 F/O Varga Pilot and Moth #1178 F/O Reeves arrived from Calgary.
- P/O Morgan ferried F/O Varga and F/O Reeves to Moose Jaw in Norseman #2492.
- Maximum available flying time – 9hrs.30mins.
- 24 March 1942
- Tuesday:
- A report from Drogue aircraft at 0820 hours of icing conditions caused flying to be washed out for Gunnery and low level bombing.
- Maximum available flying time – 1hr.40 mins.
- 25 March 1942
- Wednesday:
- Good flying day.
- Norseman #2492 with F/O Lapniewski as Pilot went to No. 32 S.F.T.S. at 1650 hours with F/O Wite, McGee and Costley as passengers. Returned with them at 1740 hours.
- Maximum available flying time – 9hrs.40mins.
- 26 March 1942
- Thursday:
- There was a snow flurry at 1600 hours but otherwise a fair flying day.
- Norseman #2468 F/O Barnett Pilot arrived from Dafoe at 1630 hours and departed again at 1640 hours.
- Headquarters Squadron had a route march under the command of Wing Commander Higgins.
- Maximum available flying time – 9hrs.40mins.
- 27 March 1942
- Friday:
- A gusty strong wind washed out flying at 1240 hours.
- A Class of 26 Wireless Air Gunners and 21 Air Observers graduated today. Wing Commander F.C. Higgins presented the badges at Wings Parade at 1400 hours and delivered an appropriate address to the graduates. The Wireless Air Gunners Class included a number of Australians and New Zealanders.
- Maximum available flying time – 7hrs.35mins.
- 28 March 1942
- Saturday:
- Fog, snow and high wind washed out flying today.
- Good fortune descends on the Sgts. Mess today. 7 Sgts became WO2’s and 12 Sgt’s became Flt.Sgt’s. A celebration of some sort is expected. These NCO’s were all Airman Pilots.
- Maximum available flying time – NIL
- 29 March 1942
- Sunday:
- Low clouds kept aircraft grounded until 1100 hours but flying commenced then and a fair days work was accomplished.
- Maximum available flying time – 10 hours.
- 30 March 1942
- Monday:
- Good flying day.
- Flt.Lt. Hibberd arrived from No. 32 S.F.T.S. with F/O Feather as passenger in Harvard aircraft #31.
- Squadron Leader Haywood arrived from Regina in a Moth and continued on to Assiniboia.
- Maximum available flying time – 16hrs.45mins.
- 31 March 1942
- Tuesday:
- The Station had a visit today from Group Captain D.D’A. Greig, D.F.C, A.F.C., accompanied by Wing Commander K. Gray. After a tour of the station they proceeded to Assiniboia. They were using Cessna #8187.
- Len Chase of Regina, Provincial Secretary of the Canadian Legion accompanied by E.M. Holliday Educational Secretary spent the day on the Station.
- Water Consumption for month of March, 1942 – 806,713 gallons. Average Daily Consumption 26,022 5/6 gallons.
- Maximum available flying time – 13hrs.50mins.
- Strength of Station at End of Month
- Officers (RCAF)(RAF)…… 51
- Army Officers……………….. 3
- Airmen (Staff)……………….. 823
- Trainees………………………… 131
- Civilians………………………… 112
- Other ranks…………………….. 11
- Number and Type of Aircraft on Strength
- Fairey Battles…………….. 60
- Norseman…………………… 1
- Harvard……………………. 1
- Total Flying Hours for month of March – 1,762.500
- Number of days Aerodrome unserviceable – NIL
- COMMANDING OFFICER, No. 2 BOMBING AND
GUNNERY SCHOOL, R.C.A.F., MOSSBANK, SASK.
