Daily Diary

No. 2 Bombing & Gunnery School,
Mossbank, Saskatchewan

January 1943

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 January 1943
  Friday:
  • A bright clear day, north-west wind.
  • The School hockey team played the Assiniboia team this afternoon, the game ending in a tie – 7 all after one period of overtime was played. Many hockey fans of Assiniboia turned out to witness this struggle.
  • A holiday atmosphere appears on the Station. A good spirit prevails.
  • The Senior N.C.O.s paid a return visit to the Officers today. During the get together W/C H.E. Stewart gave a short talk on the value of a proper esprit de corps and congratulated the Senior N.C.O.s for their splendid work on the Station.
  • Maximum available flying time – 24 hrs.
• 2 January 1943
  Saturday:
  • Wind has changed to the south-west. Quite cold today. During the early morning hours the temperature dropped to 20° below.
  • The showing of “The Valiant Lady” at the Canadian Legion Hut to all personnel was much enjoyed. This picture provided by the Legion was acclaimed by all as being a splendid show. The stars were Ginger Rogers and James Stewart.
  • Maximum available flying time – 16 hrs, 13 min.

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• 3 January 1943
  Sunday:
  • Somewhat milder today with the wind in the south. Cloudy in morning and bright and clear in the afternoon.
  • Maximum available flying time – 24 hrs.
• 4 January 1943
  Monday:
  • Bright and clear throughout the whole of the day. Wind directly south. Speed – 5 m.p.h.
  • Course No. 45 W.O.A.G. reported here for duty from No. 3 Wireless School, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
  • Maximum available flying time – 24 hrs.
• 5 January 1943
  Tuesday:
  • Wind in north-easterly direction. Somewhat hazy this morning. Ice started to form on wings of aircraft.
  • Maximum available flying time – 21 hrs.
• 6 January 1943
  Wednesday:
  • Wind in the south. Mild for this time of the year. Ceiling – 7,000 feet.
  • The Curling enthusiasts of the Station got their first taste of competition last evening at the Mossbank Curling Club. The Curling League made up of teams from this School and Civilian teams from Mossbank and district promises to provide lots of good sport for all Curlers. The RCAF(WD) are entering in the Ladies Curling Section.
  • Very poor flying weather and a larger number of unserviceable aircraft than usual is hindering training considerably.
  • Maximum available flying time – 18 hrs. 30 min.
• 7 January 1943
  Thursday:
  • Hazy. No wind. The sun came out about 1100 hrs., and it stayed bright and clear until 1600 hrs., when a ground fog set in.
  • W/C D.S. Blaine, the recently appointed Commanding Officer of this Unit reported here for duty today. W/C H.E. Stewart introduced him to the Officers’ on the Station in the Mess at the noon hour. He appears to have all the qualities necessary for success.
  • Maximum available flying time – 2 hrs. 20 min.
• 8 January 1943
  Friday:
  • This Unit got in on the trail end of a chinook. The roads became slushy. The sun shone brightly but the wind speed was 50 m.p.h. for part of the day preventing flying operations.
  • Maximum available flying time – 14 hrs.

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• 9 January 1943
  Saturday:
  • Ground fog prevailed in morning. However it did not interfere with the flying schedules except for a period of two hours and fifteen minutes in the morning.
  • The Mossbank Gunners trimmed the Civilian Hockey Team from Assiniboia in the Mossbank Hockey Rink last evening by an 11 – 5 score. Over two hundred attended the game and witnessed some very good hockey.
  • A buffet supper and cocktails were enjoyed by the Officers, their wives and friends. W/C Stewart and Mrs. Stewart gave the party. A dance followed the supper.
  • A hard time dance for all of the rank of Corporal and below was held in the Recreation Hall. The costumes were to say the least, unique. Good fun was had by all.
  • Forty-five trainees reported for Course 66, W.O.A.G.
  • Maximum available flying time – 15 hrs. 55 win.
• 10 January 1943
  Sunday:
  • Fine, bright clear day. Gusty during the early part of the afternoon.
  • Air Vice-Marshal Stedman spoke to a number of officers and airmen on the Station regarding the advancement in armament that is taking place and the need for all to keep abreast of the times.
  • Night flying was held up for approximately an hour due to a shortage in the wires carrying circuit to the obstruction lights and wind arrow.
  • Twenty-seven Air Bombers, Course No. 71, reported, ten from No. 7 I.T.S., Saskatoon, seven from No. 2 I.T.S., Regina and the balance from No. 4 I.T.S., Edmonton.
  • Maximum available flying time – 13 hrs. 30 min.
• 11 January 1943
  Monday:
  • Cold north-west wind. Wind speed approximately forty miles per hour.
  • Station parade was held this morning. Air Vice-Marshal Stedman took the salute on the march past, later being present in the Recreation Hall, giving an appropriate address to Course 44, W.O.A.G.s who graduated today and witnessing the taking-over ceremony at which time W/C D.S. Blaine signed the papers. The Commanding Officer spoke to all officers and airmen in a fitting manner. F/L Wilkinson accompanied Air Vice Marshal E.V. Stedman…

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• 11 January 1943 (continued)
  Monday:
  • … This being graduation day for Course No. 44, the Wings were presented by Air Vice-Marshal E.V. Stedman. Twenty-eight graduated, six being posted to No. 31 O.T.U., Debert, ten to No. 36 O.T.U. Greenwood, N.S., two to No. 7 A.O.S., Portage la Prairie, ten to No. 1 “Y” Depot, Halifax. One failure (academically) was posted to K.T.S., Trenton, Ontario.
  • Maximum available flying time – 24 hrs.
• 12 January 1943
  Tuesday:
  • Turning milder. Wind in the South.
  • Twenty-seven Air Bombers, graduated from Course No. 67 and were posted to No. 3 A.O.S., Pearce, Alta., reporting Jan.13/43. Three were transferred to Course 68 for Medical Reasons. One transferred to Course 68 until completion of Air exercises. One failed academically arid was posted to Course 68.
  • A hockey match between the airwomen of Huts 15A and 15B took place on the Station rink, Barrack Hut 15A winning by a score of 3 – 0. Spectators witnessed a spirited Contest. Hot chocolate and sandwiches were served to the contestants in the RCAF(WD) Canteen after the game.
  • Maximum available flying time – 14 hrs. 35 min.
• 13 January 1943
  Wednesday:
  • Continuing mild. Very unusual weather. It started to rain at 1030 hrs., and continued for half an hour.- Flying training was started again in the afternoon.
  • Started to pour concrete in connection with the swimming pool at 2200 hrs., the previous evening and finished the job at 0230 hrs., this morning.
  • Maximum available flying time – 6 hrs.
• 14 January 1943
  Thursday:
  • The wind is now in the west and it has turned colder. More seasonable weather is what we desire as this usually means more flying weather. Celling unlimited today with good visibility.
  • Maximum available flying time – 9 hrs. 30 min.
• 15 January 1943
  Friday:
  • A cold north-east wind had to be contended with by the personnel this morning. The largest amount of snow this winter occurred during the night. Dull day with no flying.
  • Maximum available flying time – NIL

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• 16 January 1943
  Saturday:
  • A cold north-west wind prevails. A real blizzard occurred during the night and action was taken to have the Station well patrolled in event of fires. No flying due to poor visibility, high winds and light snowfall.
  • Maximum available flying time – NIL
• 17 January 1943
  Sunday:
  • Very cold. It dropped to 25° below during the night. This together with a cold north-west wind has kept everyone hurrying from place to place. The firemen have kept the buildings reasonably warm during the cold weather. Flying for one hour and 45 minutes only in morning due to low ceiling and poor visibility.
  • Protestant Church Services are now held in the morning at 1000 hrs. F/L E.S. Light (Padre) took his first service here. He is a young officer, eager and active and great things are hoped for regarding his work here.
  • Maximum available flying time – 6 hrs. 45 min.
• 18 January 1943
  Monday:
  • Continuing cold. The wind continues in the north-west. Fog started to roll in at 1500 hrs., and flying was washed out at 1530 hrs.
  • Maximum available flying time – 7 hrs.
• 19 January 1943
  Tuesday:
  • Wind directly east this morning. It dropped to -40° during the night. Very little flying due to cold weather and not having sufficient aircraft serviceable.
  • Maximum available flying time – 2 hrs.

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• 20 January 1943
  Wednesday;
  • The wind is back in the north-west again, the thermometer reading -42° during the night. Low ceiling, ground fog and ice conditions.
  • The pilots reported engine temperatures too cold for efficient operation.
  • Congratulations were in order today when word came through from AFHQ that the Commanding Officer had been appointed to the rank of Group Captain.
  • Maximum available flying time – 1 hr.
• 21 January 1943
  Thursday:
  • Wind in the north-west and continuing quite cold. Ground fog and icing conditions. If this weather continues the runways may become unserviceable. We are busy trying to keep them clear of snow.
  • Maximum available flying time – NIL
• 22 January 1943
  Friday:
  • Considerably milder than the previous day. Wind in the north-east. Overcast conditions. Ice crystal fog. Snow storm in afternoon.
  • A skating party for all the personnel on the Station was held at the Mossbank rink. Twenty-five cents covered the cost of skating and also provided for light refreshments after the buses returned to the Station. Food was served in the Airmen’s Mess to the two hundred odd skaters – a good time was had by all.
  • Maximum available flying time – 3 hrs. 30 min.
• 23 January 1943
  Saturday:
  • Light fall of snow in morning. Hazy, wind in the south. Continuing cold. This is the section of Canada where the thermometer stands on its hind legs and howls in the wintertime.
  • A party was held in the officers’ Mess in honour of W/C H.E. Stewart and Mrs. Stewart. G/C D.S. Blaine in fitting remarks expressed the good wishes of all to this couple, thanking particularly W/C H.E. Stewart for his fine work at this Unit.
  • 21 W.O.A.G.s reported for Course No. 47. All from No. 3 Wireless School, Winnipeg, Man.
  • Maximum available flying time – 3 hrs.
• 24 January 1943
• Sunday:
  • Clear, crisp and cold. The wind is from the north-west. The thermometer dropped to -35° during the night.
  • We had to bring into service two tractors with rollers for compaction purposes on the aerodrome. In addition the edge on the runways were put in good order.
  • 15 Air Bombers reported for Course No. 72, 7 from No. 2 I.T.S. Regina, 7 from No. 7 I.T.S., Saskatoon and 1 (u/t Navigator B) from No. 4 T.C., Calgary.
  • Maximum available flying time – 8 hrs. 50 min.

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• 25 January 1943
  Monday:
  • Unsuitable for flying. Blustery with a high wind. The wind is now in the south-west. Continuing cold – about -32° during the night.
  • Tractors still being used on aerodrome for dragging and rolling operations.
  • Maximum available flying time – 2 hrs. 30 min.
• 26 January 1943
  Tuesday:
  • South-easterly wind. Considerably milder. A light fall of snow occurred today. Low ceiling. Ice crystal fog. Another day of poor flying weather. It has become essential to request postponement of graduating dates of trainees.
  • Maximum available flying time – 5 hrs. 55 min.
• 27 January 1943
  Wednesday:
  • Continuing fairly mild, with the wind in the east. Low ceiling and bad icing conditions.
  • Another gala night in the Recreation Hall. Every available seat being utilized. This was highly advertised as being a “corny” programme. Comic recitation, tap dancing, vocal solos, card tricks, harmonicas, demonstrated, comic dances, all helped to make the evening highly entertaining.
  • Maximum available flying time – 4 hrs. 15 min.
• 28 January 1943
  Thursday:
  • Continued overcast conditions prevailed with light snow and ceiling at 800 feet. Visibility 1 to 4 miles in the snow. Wind – east and south-east 5-10 m.p.h. The snow fall caused No. 3 runway to be covered over by the drifts.
  • Maximum available flying time – NIL

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• 29 January 1943
  Friday:
  • Low ceiling in morning prevented flying. Training in the air was proceeded with in the afternoon although fog conditions existed. Flying started at 1645 hrs. in evening and was washed out at 2315 hrs. due to ground fog conditions.
  • Maximum available flying time – 8 hrs. 40 mln.
• 30 January 1943
  Saturday:
  • Fine, bright clear day. Wind in the west.
  • The regular fortnightly dance took place in the Recreation Hall for Airwomen and airmen of the rank of corporal and below. The station orchestra was in attendance.
  • The Canadian Legion put on a movie at 1900 hrs starting with a comic and finishing up with “You’ll find Out” starring Boris Karloff and Kay Kyser – a full length picture. The Legion Hut decided to repeat the show the next evening at the same time since the Hut was crowded.
  • Maximum available flying time – 22 hrs.
• 31 January 1943
  Sunday:
  • Wind in the south from 5 – 10. m.p.h.
  • Altogether it has been another poor month as far as flying conditions go and it has only been by taking advantage of every possible flying minute that the schedules have been so well maintained. Coupled with this fact is the matter of unserviceable aircraft which continually presents a problem.
  • Maximum available flying time – 24 hrs.

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• 31 January 1943 (continued)
  Sunday:

Water Consumption for Month of January, 1943	964,200 gallons
Average Daily Consumption	31,112.26 gallons

Total Flying Hours for Month of November	1,173 hrs. 50 mins.
Number of days Aerodrome unserviceable –	3

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