Daily Diary

No. 2 Bombing & Gunnery School,
Mossbank, Saskatchewan

September 1942

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 September 1/42
  • Tuesday:
  • Generally unsettled weather and fog for several hours this morning.
  • A refresher course in Navigation was inaugurated today. The course is available to any personnel who may wish to take advantage of it. It is under the direction of P/O B.E.Mazur, Obs.
  • Maximum available flying time – 7 hrs. 55min.
• 2 September 2/42
  • Wednesday:
  • Cloudy with rain – low ceiling N.E. wind, 35 m.p.h.
  • All officers having satisfactorily passed tests, the Drill Refresher Course is now completed.
  • A Rifle Club has been organized and at a first meeting today an excellent turn-out showed enthusiasm and an active schedule was drawn up. An encouraging interest was shown by all ranks.
  • The Station Men’s Softball Team plays the RAF No. 33 EFTS Station at Caron in the last of a Play-off Series; No. 2 B. & G. School won.
  • Maximum available flying time – 3 hrs. 30 min.

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• 3 September 3/42
  • Thursday:
  • Weather very much improved today, good visibility.
  • F/L J.F. Naylor; S.E.O. from No. 8 B. & G. School, Lethbridge, was a visitor today.
  • Another Hidden Talent show was held last night. A very good programme topped by a stunt by G/C F.C. Higgins, entitled “Flaming Cartwheel” in which the G/C whirled a six foot pole in various arcs, the pole flaming at each end. The G/C apparently being a bit of a showman was well provided with a battery of Fire Fighters. The act was vey effective and he had to repeat it more than once for an enthusiastic audience. The C.O.s interest and his taking an active part will undoubtedly provide a stimulus for “local talent”.
  • Maximum available flying time – 21 hrs, 10 min.
• 4 September 4/42
  • Friday:
  • Another fine flying day and a full days flying activities carried out.
  • A Battle a/c was involved in a minor taxiing accident today when it was run off the runway by a cross wind into the fillet construction bed and damaged an oleo leg.
  • One of the Station’s popular N.C.O.s was appointed to a commission effective today in the person of F/S R.L. Jenkins; a very fine chap and hard worker.
  • Maximum available flying time – 21 hrs. 30 min.
• 5 September 5/42
  • Saturday:
  • Mr. F. Jones, Mayor of Assiniboia and party were luncheon visitors today. They conferred with G/C F.C. Higgins regarding “Home Town” ceremonies for the visit of P/O Higham and his Bomber Crew recently returned from England . A suitable programme in which personnel from this Unit will take part, has been arranged.
  • Maximum available flying time – 21 hrs. 40 min.
• 6 September 6/42
  • Sunday:
  • Good weather continues.
  • Today is National Day of Prayer, specially set aside. This Unit held a Drum Head Service at 1900 hrs. in which all personnel took part. Following the Service in which both the Protestant and R.C. Chaplains took part, the C.O. took the salute in a march past.
  • Maximum available flying time – 8 hrs. 15 min.

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• 7 September 7/42
  • Monday:
  • Fine Flying weather.
  • W/C K. Gray, No. 4 T.C, arrived today in Cessna Crane, accompanied by F/L J.F. Gashler, Armament, and visiting flight.
  • The Station Baseball Team was in Regina today and played a double-header with the Regina Red Sox in the finals of the South Saskatchewan League. It being labour day a large turnout was on hand to see our team take the first game 4 to 3 and drop the evening game 1 to 0.
  • Maximum available flying time – 18 hrs. 50 min.
• 8 September 8/42
  • Tuesday:
  • Fine weather, visibility unlimited, west wind, 15 m.p.h.
  • Visitors today were W/C M.H. Robinson, S.E.O., No. 4 T.C. and A/S/O Clarke, Messing Officer No. 4 T.C. Advantage of W/C Robinson’s visit was taken to discuss more accommodation for equipment.
  • F/L Farquharson, Engineer Officer reported in today. He will replace F/L W.E. Jamison as O.C. Maintenance Wing.
  • G/C F.C. Higgins and a flight each of Service men and W.D. went to Assiniboia today to take part in the ceremony of welcome to F/O Higham and his crew. The speakers included the Lieut. Governor, G/C Higgins and Mayor Jones. The day was entirely successful and the detail from this Unit acquitted themselves very creditably.
  • Maximum available flying time – 21 hrs. 40 min.

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• 9 September 9/42
  • Wednesday:
  • Continuing excellent weather.
  • S/L W.R. Pearce, W. & B., No. 4 T.C. is a visitor today also F/L W.C. Gowdie, Aux. Serv.
  • The Station Soccer Team played against No. 32 SFTS at Moose Jaw today. No. 32 won.
  • At 1900 hrs. this evening the W.D. took part in a broadcast over CKCK by remote control. The broadcast originated from the Control Tower and was under the direction of a W.D. Officer from No. 5 Recruiting Centre, Regina. From comments received it is believed that the broadcast was successful.
  • Maximum available flying time – 13 hrs. 30 min,
• 10 September 10/24
  • Thursday:
  • Change in weather – cloudy, low ceiling and poor visibility, N.W, wind 20 m.p.h. Exercises were confined to (Splash) Gunnery Targets.
  • Regrettable occurrence in the death by self-administered poison today of A/Sgt. (Unpaid) Seymour, H.M. Sgt. Seymour was an excellent type of Airwoman and had been recommended for a Commission some months ago and later sent on a Course. During the Course she apparently suffered a mental breakdown which affected her permanently. At the time she was returned to this Unit she was to all appearances very much improved and it was considered that back to her normal routine here might clear it up. However a few days later she showed signs of a set back, was admitted to Hospital, and realizing, perhaps, she would be sent to D.P. &N.H. took the step she did with fatal result.
  • Maximum available flying time – 9 hrs. 35 min.
• 11 September 11/42
  • Friday:
  • Good weather today. Visibility unlimited, west wind 15 to 20 m.p.h.
  • Maximum flying exercises are being carried out these days and training up to schedule, although still handicapped somewhat by insufficient serviceable a/c.
  • S/L G.L. Adamson arrived from No. 2 I.T.S., to convene Court of Inquiry into death of Sgt. Seymour.
  • By winning two games from Saskatoon, No. 2 B. & G. Men’s Softball Team are Saskatchewan Intermediate Softball Champions.
  • Maximum available flying time – 21 hrs.

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• 12 September 12/42
  • Saturday:
  • Good weather – good flying.
  • F/L J.P. Gashler, visiting flight, left today for No. 7 B. & G. School, Paulson, Man.
  • Visitors today were Mr. Len Chase, Prov. Secty. Can. Legion and Mr. Richardson, their representative at No. 11 SFTS. Mr. Chase spent some time looking over their facilities and is fully cognizant of the need of increased accommodation for Lounge and Reading Room. The Can. Leg. Hut here is much too small to handle the crowds at this isolated Station and action has been instituted to remedy the situation.
  • Mr. Warrington, advance agent for Lever Bros, show “Lifebuoy Follies” was here today to check arrangements for Monday evening the 21st.
  • Maximum available flying time – 20 hrs. 50 min.
• 13 September 13/42
  • Sunday:
  • Good weather continues, but low clouds developed late afternoon.
  • Station Baseball Team played in Regina yesterday in Semi-finals for Sask. Championship and won 4 to 1. G/C F.C. Higgins was on hand to cheer the boys along.
  • Maximum available flying time – 13 hrs.
• 14 September 14/42
  • Monday:
  • Cloudy weather – visibility cut down flying washed out at 0945 hrs. to noon account of rain, washed in at 1400 hrs. and washed out again at 2000 hrs. for rain.
  • F/O C.S. Lindberg, No. 4 T.C., Trade Test Officer arrived today. He has a heavy programme ahead of him.
  • Maximum available flying time – 8 hrs. 15 min.

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• 15 September 15/42
  • Tuesday:
  • Change of weather, flying washed out at 1100 hours on account rain and low clouds.
  • Station clean-up and general maintenance work carried out.
  • Maximum available flying time – 4 hrs.
• 16 September 16/42
  • Wednesday:
  • Low ceiling and rain. Managed to squeeze an hour or two flying in both morning and afternoon.
  • F/L H.A. Sloan, Command M.T. Officer, was in today on inspection.
  • Hidden Talent Concert tonight. A very successful programme was run off to a large and enthusiastic audience.
  • Maximum available flying time – 5 hrs. 30 min.
• 17 September 17/42
  • Thursday:
  • Cloudy with occasional rain very cool.
  • Routine Station activities.
  • Maximum available flying time – 11 hrs. 30 min.
• 18 September 18/42
  • Friday:
  • Same cloudy and generally dirty weather, quite cold and heat turned on in practically all buildings. The unusually bad weather is restricting training considerably, and we are beginning to think that the reported high percentage good flying weather in Western Canada is a myth. Certainly this year the average has been low.
  • Maximum available flying time – 19 hrs. 10 min.
• 19 September 19/42
  • Saturday:
  • Cloudy and cool but no rain good day’s flying exercises carried out.
  • Battle a/c No. 1974 was involved in an accident, taxiing, due to unfinished construction work on runway fillets. Through pressure on the Dept. of Transport we now see that definite action is being taken to have this job cleaned up as quickly as possible.
  • Maximum available flying time – 17 hrs.

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• 20 September 20/42
  • Sunday:
  • Cloudy today with rain.
  • The Station Baseball Team was in Saskatoon yesterday to compete in the finals of the Senior Saskatchewan Championship. Our team lost both games by scores of 1 to 0 and 2 to 1.
  • Maximum available flying time – 7 hrs. 10 min.
• 21 September 23/42
  • Monday:
  • The cool weather continues, N.W. wind; cloudy with limited visibility.
  • Lever Bros, show “Lifebuoy Follies” was in performance here this evening. This Unit, not having to contend with outside means of entertainment, an audience of well over1600 was on hand and it was necessary to hold the show in the Drill hall. An excellent show and very highly appreciated.
  • Maximum available flying time – 11 hrs. 15 min.
• 22 September 22/42
  • Tuesday:
  • Cold, heavy nimbus clouds and rain, N.W. wind.
  • W/C G.L. Best was in today from No. 4 T.C. for discussions with the C.O. and the C.I. regarding Maintenance problems.
  • F/L G.H. Emery, Med. arrived today on posting. He comes in as Surgeon replacing F/L C.B. Church posted overseas.
  • Maximum available flying time – 4 hrs. 30 min.

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• 23 September 23/42
  • Wednesday:
  • Still cool with northerly winds, but no rain today and a fairly good day’s flying carried out.
  • Visitors F/O C.G. Childs and F/O L.J. Ricks from No. 4 T.C. reporting in. P/O K.K. Knapp, P.T. & Drill replacing P/O E.W. Mayers posted to Sea Island.
  • The official Opening of the Can. Legion Hostess Club in Mossbank took place this evening. The Club is located in a very suitable building loaned for the duration by the Masonic Lodge. The building was crowded to capacity for the opening. G/C F.C. Higgins accompanied by S/L H.E. Stewart and F/L B.M. Laubach spoke very suitably and appreciatively in acceptance. Mr. Len Chase, Prov. Secty. Can. Legion, outlined the purpose and desire of that organization to better serve by means of this club.
  • Maximum available flying time – 12 hrs. 10 min.
• 24 September 24/42
  • Thursday:
  • Cool northwest winds but good visibility.
  • Hon. W/C A. Charest, Senior R.C. Chaplain from AFHQ was a visitor today for an hour or two.
  • Maximum available flying time – 14 hrs. 15 min.
• 25 September 25/42
  • Friday:
  • Northerly winds and cool, heavy clouds but good visibility.
  • Maximum available flying time – 11 hrs. 30 min.
• 26 September 26/42
  • Saturday:
  • Light N.W. wind, good visibility.
  • This Station will go back to the six pool duty watch on October 1st. It being considered advisable in view of the increased training programme. There is always the difficulty of transportation to overcome here and it is hoped that a Bus system will be provided as was the case last year.
  • Maximum available flying time – 11 hrs.

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• 27 September 27/42
  • Sunday:
  • A fine clear day, typical September day on the Prairies, S.E. breeze, temperature up considerably. Ceiling unlimited.
  • Maximum available flying time – 20 hrs. 20 min.
• 28 September 28/42
  • Monday:
  • Mild westerly winds, clear and turning quite warm, 100% visibility.
  • Movement of No. 135 (F) Squadron began today with the outgoing of the advance party by Rail. The Station generally sorry to see the Squadron go. They have been a good bunch of fellows, worked hard, trained well and behaved well under crowded conditions. The best wishes of all go with the entire squadron.
  • Maximum available flying time – 21 hrs. 10 min.
• 29 September 29/42
  • Tuesday:
  • Light S.W. breeze clear and quite warm, visibility unlimited.
  • After some weeks of planning a Station Dance and Carnival is to be held tomorrow evening in the Drill Hall. It is being attempted on a large scale with the object of having something interesting going on all the time for everybody. The fact that it was set for pay day must be “co-incidental”.
  • Three flights of Hurricane a/c of No. 135 Squadron left at 1400 hrs. today on the first leg of their journey to destination at West Coast. Got away in good style.
  • Maximum available flying time – 19 hrs. 45 min.

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• 30 September 30/42
  • Wednesday:
  • Warm and clear – perfect visibility.
  • The Station Dance and Carnival turned out to be a huge success, and that would appear to be the opinion of all personnel from top to bottom. Invitations were extended to a number of citizens from outlying district. 100% attendance by personnel. G/C Higgins suitably opened proceedings at 2030 hrs. exhorting all to have a good time. Drill hall very well decorated and whole setting attractive. Proceeds of about $300.00, will be turned in to Station Fund. Red Cross Committee of Mossbank catered and it is understood made something like $150.00 for their branch.
  • Maximum available flying time – 14 hrs. 20 min.

Water Consumption for Month of September, 1942	1,147,100 gallons
Average Daily Consumption	38,230 gallons

Total Flying Hours for Month of September	2192 hours
Number of days Aerodrome unserviceable –	Nil

• COMMANDING OFFICER No. 2 BOMBING AND
  GUNNERY SCHOOL, R.C.A.F., MOSSBANK, SASK.