Daily Diary

No. 2 Bombing & Gunnery School,
Mossbank, Saskatchewan

October 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 October 1942
  Thursday:
  • Cloudy but no rain, visibility limited.
  • To start off a new month badly two aircraft accidents occurred today.
    • Battle aircraft #1756, Pilot F/S Reeves, E.W.J, and two pupils all uninjured. The engine overheated on take-off and the pilot, in excitement possibly, made the circuit and landed on the aerodrome with wheels up.
    • Bolingbroke aircraft IV-I Pilot Sgt. Kidd, E.F. and two pupils all uninjured. Aircraft landed on Aerodrome with one wheel up. Cause appears to be failure of undercarriage retracting mechanism.
  • Maximum available flying time – 10 hrs. 30 min.
• 2 October 1942
  Friday:
  • Cloudy with rain and flying washed out the greater part of the day, N.W. wind 15 M.P.H.
  • We are now getting satisfactory action on the work of runway fillets and it is hoped it will be completed shortly.
  • Battle aircraft #1768 piloted by Sgt. Lillicrap with two pupils aboard blew a tire on takeoff, ran off runway and nosed over. No person hurt, propeller damaged.
  • Maximum available flying time – 5 hrs. 45 mil

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• 3 October 1942
  Saturday:
  • Fine clear day, good flying.
  • The balance of the main party of 135 (F) Squadron left yesterday. F/O D. Deegan in charge. There is left now not more than 12 men who will do a certain amount of work on one or two unserviceable aircraft of the Squadron which remain for other action.
  • Maximum available flying time – 12 hours.
• 4 October 1942
  Sunday:
  • Another good day and full advantage being taken of it to get the maximum training output. S.W. wind, 20 M.P.H.
  • Group Captain F.C. Higgins left today for No. 4 Training Command to discuss matters with the A.O.C. prior to Group Captain Higgins going on three weeks compassionate leave and possible posting.
  • Squadron Leader H.E. Stewart assumes temporary command of the Unit. It is expected that the normal functioning of the Station will in no way be affected by the Change since Squadron Leader Stewart, after seeing him in action for several months as Chief Instructor, appears to be eminently suited to handle a command and handle it with a firm and judicious hand.
  • Maximum available flying time – 17 hours.
• 5 October 1942
  Monday:
  • Fine weather continues. Visibility unlimited.
  • Having been warned some weeks ago we were not entirely unprepared when the Deputy Inspector General, Air Vice Marshal A.E. Godfrey flew in at 1015 hours this morning. He was accompanied by Wing Commander E.G. MacPherson, Commanding Officer No. 2 I.T.S., and his P.A. Squadron Leader F. Aldridge. A fairly thorough inspection was carried with more emphasis on the operational end rather than administration. It would appear that the Station was satisfactory as a whole, although some criticism over old discarded aircraft being left out in a compound without sufficient protection. The party left at 1800 hours for Regina.
  • Maximum available flying time – 18 hrs. 40 min.
• 6 October 1942
  Tuesday:
  • Clear day but very strong N.N.W. wind velocity 36 m.p.h. rather think it presages a change in weather.
  • Some distinct improvement has taken place over the last week or two in the matter of serviceable aircraft available. Maintenance Squadron is stepping up its effort and as a result the Flying Squadron is able to carry on the necessary exercises without concern in this connection.
  • Congratulations extended today to F/O C.P. Dunsmore, promoted to Acting Flight Lieutenant a hard working and deserving Junior Equipment Officer, very popular.
  • Maximum available flying time – 19 hrs. 15 min.

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• 7 October 1942
  Wednesday:
  • Fine warm weather N.N.W. wind.
  • Bingo Game in Canadian Legion Hut tonight. Very popular and the Hut jammed to the rafters. The question of an enlargement to the Hut is very much in our mind at the moment. The Hut accommodates 60 or 75 personnel nicely from point of view of lounge and reading room. Don’t believe there is any night in which there is less than 100 and more likely 150 making use of these facilities. It is a popular common room for RCAF and WD personnel. It is hoped that early action to double the size of the building will take place.
  • Maximum available flying time – 22 hrs. 45 min.
• 8 October 1942
  Thursday:
  • Clear & warm. Light S.S.W. wind visibility unlimited.
  • Air Commodore G.R. Howsam MC phoned from Brooks, Alberta that owing to pressure of other duties he would be unable to visit us today as promised. He also informed us that H.R.H. Princess Alice would visit this Station on Wednesday 14-10-42, stay overnight and depart next morning. It is understood that H.R.H. is keenly interested in the welfare of the RCAF(WD) as in other women’s war organizations.
  • Maximum available flying time – 20 hrs.
• 9 October 1942
  Friday:
  • Excellent flying weather and exercises now up to schedule. Overcast came in at 1700 hours and prevented flying balance of day.
  • Course No. 36B straight A.G.s graduated today. Twenty-two in course all of which graduated, four as Instructors. S/L H.E. Stewart, Commanding Officer addressed the graduates suitably. The ceremony was held on the Parade Square in perfect weather.
  • Maximum available flying time – 10 hrs.

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• 10 October 1942
  Saturday:
  • Clear and very warm for this time of year. S.E. wind, 15 m.p.h.
  • Made arrangements today to purchase four full-size Billiard Tables. One each for Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess and two for the Airmen. Were able to locate four used tables, which, on inspection, were found to be in excellent condition. It is expected that they will prove a very welcome addition to our welfare equipment when the long winter evenings set in.
  • Maximum available flying time – 11 hrs. 15 min.
• 11 October 1942
  Sunday;
  • Clear with S.E. wind, visibility good.
  • Maximum available flying time – 11 hrs.
• 12 October 1942
  Monday:
  • Cloudy and visibility cut down.
  • Maximum available flying time – 10 hrs. 15 min.
• 13 October 1942
  Tuesday:
  • Clear fine day.
  • Training programme up to schedule.
  • The A.O.C. this Command, Air Commodore G.R. Howsam, MC accompanied by his P.A. F/L O’Brien, arrived this afternoon in connection with the visit of H.R.H. Princess Alice which takes place tomorrow and Thursday.
  • Maximum available flying time – 11 hrs. 10 min.
• 14 October 1942
  Wednesday:
  • Cloudy with occasional rain, low ceiling, visibility zero.
  • The A.O.C. Air Commodore G.R. Howsam, MC remained on the Station overnight and left for Assiniboia this morning for the purpose of making on behalf of the RCAF presentation to the Mayor of that town of an autographed photograph of the Bomber Crew, of which Assiniboia’s P/O Higham was in charge, landing in England on its return from the bombing foray over Germany. This was the Bomber Crew which has been touring Canada to so much acclaim. The A.O.C. returned at 1500 hours.
  • H.R.H. Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, Air Commandant of RCAF(WD) is scheduled to arrive at 1800 hours.
  • In the meantime Course No. 49 Air Observers graduating today and at 1715 hours were presented with their wings by Air Commodore Howsam who spoke to them briefly.
  • In view of the importance of the occasion considerable publicity by Press and Radio was arranged and the Station was open to the Public from 1700 to 1830 hours and upwards of a hundred were visitors. A representative of the Leader-Post came down with F/L L’Ami, Command Public Relations Officer.

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• 14 October 1942 (continued)
  Wednesday:
  • The Wings Ceremony was held on the Tarmac in a colorful setting drawn up on lines suggested by the A.O.C. A Saluting Stand was set up and considerable flag decorations in evidence. All courses under training were on parade as also two augmented flights of WD under the command of A/S/O M.L. Acland and A/S/O H. Irwin. The weather unfortunately was poor, a cold wind, ceiling about 500 feet and visibility very limited.
  • The aircraft bearing H.R.H. and party piloted by W/C H. Kennedy arrived promptly a few minutes after 1800 hours. The receiving party consisted of Air Commodore G.R. Howsam, MC and his P.A. F/L O’Brien, S/L H.E. Stewart, C.O., F/L W.N. Keeling, Adjutant, S/L E.G. Macnutt, O.C., G.I.S. and S/O B.E. Rooke. After the General Salute, H.R.H. inspected the two flights of WD followed by the March Past.
  • A very excellent semi-formal Mess Dinner was held at 1930 hours following introductions and H.R.H. and party retired soon after. H.R.H. having visited four Air Stations during the day – No. 33 S.F.T.S, No. 5 B. & G. , No. 4 S.F.T.S., and this one was too fatigued to attend a special entertainment given by the members of the WD in honour of her visit. Air Commodore G.R. Howsam MC put in an appearance and spoke to the girls in appreciation.
  • Maximum available flying time – 45 minutes
• 15 October 1942
  Thursday:
  • Clear and warn. West wind 15 to 20 m.p.h.
  • The A.O.C. Air Commodore G.R. Howsam, MC left by air this morning at 0945 hours after paying his respect to H.R.H. Princes Alice.
  • H.R.H. spent a very active morning inspecting various Station Units and Sections, particularly those employing WD personnel. She was undoubtedly keenly interested in their work and working conditions and was constantly asking questions of the girls themselves of those in authority and by the questions showed a remarkable knowledge of Air Force natters and WD problems in particular.

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• 15 October 1942 (continued)
  Thursday:
  • There is no question but that the visit would be of immense benefit. H.R.H. intense interest and sympathetic understanding which she conveyed to the girls by her tact and personal contact was reflected immediately and the general offset on the morals would most certainly have a beneficial result.
  • The Vice-Regal party had a quiet lunch in the Officers’ Mess at 1145 hours and departed for Brandon, Man., by Air at 1245 hours.
  • Maximum available flying time – 17 hours 30 min.
• 16 October 1942
  Friday:
  • Fine flying weather, day and night. Flying schedules are going through with precision and the training programme is well up to scratch.
  • Maximum available flying time – 17 hrs. 30 min.
• 17 October 1942
  Saturday:
  • Good weather continues.
  • Maximum available flying time – 9 hrs. 40 min.
• 18 October 1942
  Sunday:
  • The weather has been ideal.
  • Many of the Officers and Airmen are taking good advantage of their 48’s and getting in some good shooting. Ducks are plenty this year.
  • Westerly wind at from 8 to 10 m.p.h.
  • Maximum available flying time – 19 hrs. 10 min.
• 19 October 1942
  Monday:
  • The velocity of the wind increased. Still westerly at 10 to 12 m.p.h.
  • At the Sergeants’ Mess a celebration took place commemorating two years since the opening of the Station. The actual anniversary is October 28th the official date of the opening of No. 2 B. & G. School. WO2 Cralle of G.I.S. was in the chair. S/L Stewart was the main speaker, other speakers included S/L Macnutt, F/L Prendergast (as the Officer with the longest service on the Station), Mr. Sargent, Barrack Officer was another invited guest having previously been Barrack Warden at this Station. F/S Paulson (the N.C.O. with the Longest service on the Station) was also a speaker. Altogether a good time was had by all.
  • Maximum available flying time – 10 hrs.

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• 20 October 1942
  Tuesday:
  • A high wind prevailed all day.
  • Maximum available flying time – 3 hrs. 15 min.
• 21 October 1942
  Wednesday:
  • The RCAF(WD) are one year old today. They can be proud of their accomplishments.
  • Two of the RCAF(WD) Officers here namely S/O Rooke and A/S/O Acland were both on the first administration course given to potential Officers starting October 23rd, 1941.
  • Rainfall followed the windstorm. It rained practically all day being particularly heavy at the noon hours. No flying day or night.
  • F/O Hall and student pilot LAC Waldon flying Harvard aircraft #2736 on cross country night flying trip were obliged to land here at 0300 hrs. owing to low ceiling. Left here to return to their Station (No. 32 S.F.T.S., Moose Jaw) at 0900 hours.
  • Maximum available flying time – 5 hrs. 15 min.
• 22 October 1942
  Thursday:
  • Turning much colder today. Cloudy weather caused flying to be washed out for the day and night after 1315 hours; snow started to fall today.
  • Maximum available flying time – 5 hrs. 15 min.

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• 23 October 1942
  Friday:
  • An indication that winter it not far off, if not already here, was brought home to use with the snow storm and colder weather that prevailed. Greatcoats were dug out and were used extensively. A high wind made it necessary to wash out flying at 1030 hrs.
  • Maximum available flying time – 2 hrs. 30 min.
• 24 October 1942
  Saturday:
  • Flying was washed out all day. The wind was from a North westerly direction at 25 m.p.h. Snow flurries. Low ceiling with no flying taking place.
  • 23 Graduated course 62. Four members failed, three being transferred to course 63 and one to Conversion Training School, Trenton.
  • A successful dance was held in the Recreation Hall for Corporals and other ranks with the Station orchestra providing the music.
  • Maximum available flying time – none
• 25 October 1942
  Sunday:
  • It has calmed down. The sun is shining again although much colder than what it was a week ago, the weather is seasonable and appears to be more settled.
  • Maximum available flying time – 15 hrs. 15 min.
• 26 October 1942
  Monday:
  • It was somewhat cloudy throughout the day. The sun shone off and on. No wind.
  • Plans were started today by the Station Entertainment Committee to hold a Hallowe’en Carnival and Dance on October 31/42 in the Drill Hall.
  • Maximum available flying time – 10 hrs. 30 win.
• 27 October 1942
  Tuesday:
  • A high wind prevailed all day ranging from 30 to 50 m.p.h. and from a North Easterly direction for the greater part of the day.
  • A blizzard started at 1930 hrs. and continued for the balance of the day. A considerable amount of snow fell and it was thought before morning snow compaction would have to begin on the aerodrome.
  • Maximum available flying time – 12 hrs. 30 min.

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• 28 October 1942
  Wednesday:
  • The compaction of snow on the aerodrome was begun during the night. The early morning hours found the wind subsiding. It was still cloudy overhead but snow stopped falling in the very early hours of the morning. Flying was washed out at 1615 hours due to the weather closing in.
  • Maximum available flying time – 8 hrs. 30 min.
• 29 October 1942
  Thursday:
  • It turned colder during the night. No wind and day bright and clear.
  • An inter-unit basketball league is underway with the possibility of ten teams performing.
  • F/L J. Eisen, Jewish Chaplain from A.F.H.Q., was a visitor on the Station along with G/C Hampton, Personnel Officer and S/L Eastham, Principal Medical Officer from No. 4 T.C.
  • Maximum available flying time – 8 hrs. 55 min.
• 30 October 1942
  Friday:
  • The weather continued fine.
  • Final plans are being made today by the Entertainment Committee for the Hallowe’en Carnival to be held in the Drill Hall tomorrow evening.
  • A dinner and dance was held at No. 34 E.F.T.S., Assiniboia to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the Central Manitoba Flying School. Those in attendance from this School included S/L Stewart and Mrs. Stewart, S/L Badgley, S/L Brown, F/L Laubach, F/L Blackmore and Mrs. Blackmore and F/L Beck and Mrs. Beck. A speaker at the gathering was S/L Stewart of No. 2 Bombing & Gunnery School.
  • Maximum available flying time – 10 hrs. 15 min.

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• 31 October 1942
  Saturday:
  • Another fine, bright, clear day. The weather has been considerably more settled the past few days and we are catching up on our flying training programme.
  • The Hallowe’en party in the Drill Hall provided a barrel of fun for everyone. The hall was decorated in attractive fashion for the occasion. Dancing was again a popular feature and the games played were thoroughly enjoyed.
  • Maximum available flying time – 16 hrs.

Water Consumption for Month of October, 1942	971,500 gallons
Average Daily Consumption	31,225 gallons

Total Flying Hours for Month of October	1,833 hours and 5 minutes
Number of days Aerodrome unserviceable	Nil

• C.O. No. 2 B & G SCHOOL
  MOSSBANK. SASK.