Daily Diary

No. 2 Bombing & Gunnery School,
Mossbank, Saskatchewan

April 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 April 1943
  Thursday:
  • Bright and clear continuing cold. Evidence of the fact that winter is still holding on is that the frost is still coming out of the ground and the air is still chilly. Wind in an East to South- Easterly direction at ten to fifteen miles per hour.
  • S/L B.F. Pritchard (AE) from A.F.H.Q. and P/O Porter (AE) from No. 4 T.C. were here for the day consulting with S/L J.R. Farquharson of this Unit.
  • The Officers entertained in their mess citizens from Mossbank and District and Assiniboia. Approximately sixty-three civilians attended and good will abounded. It is felt that such a get together will cause civilians in the District to become more conscious than ever of our work here.
  • Maximum available flying time – 15 hours.
• 2 April 1943
  Friday:
  • Slight haze. Wind speed fifteen to twenty miles per hour. Wind North and North-West. Visibility fifteen miles.
  • Maximum available flying time – 17 hrs. 20 min.
• 3 April 1943
  Saturday:
  • Up to 10.30 hours the day was almost perfect with no wind and a bright clear sky. However a wind storm started shortly after this hour and it became gusty. Rain fell in the afternoon. Just prior to the rainfall dust was blowing.
  • Fifty-two Australian airmen reported from No. 2 Wireless School, Calgary for Course No. 52 – Wireless Air Gunners.
  • Forty-six aircrew (I.T.S.) departed to-day for No. 2 I.T.S., Regina and five aircrew (I.T.S.) were posted to No. 4 I.T.S., Edmonton.

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• 3 April 1943
  Saturday: (continued)
  • S/L W. Hammond (A.F.M.) recently posted to No. 4 T.C. made an inspection of the Guard House, Hangars, etc. and conferred with F/O Allingham (D.A.P.M.) and F/S Parkinson, R.A., N.C.O. i/c Service Police.
  • The Station Band are now practising semi-weekly in the Recreation Hall.
  • Twenty-seven R.C.A.F. airmen reported to-day for Air Bombers Course No. 79. Five reporting from No. 2 I.T.S., Regina, eleven from No. 4 I.T.S., Edmonton and eleven from No. 7 I.T.S., Saskatoon.
  • Maximum available flying time – 9 hrs. 45 min.
• 4 April 1943
  Sunday:
  • A noticeable difference in the power of the sun’s rays is noticed as the days become warm again and work begins in cleaning up the Station grounds and plans are laid for a beautification program. Very little wind to-day. Ideal flying weather. Ceiling and visibility unlimited.
  • Maximum available flying time – 15 hours.
• 5 April 1943
  Monday:
  • It has turned colder, cloudy, windy, hindering possible flying operations for a couple of hours in the morning. The wind died down in the early afternoon, the sun came out brightly.
  • Maximum available flying time – 22 hours.
• 6 April 1943
  Tuesday:
  • Another day of good flying weather. Overcast conditions did not prevent flying operations. Clear except in Eastern direction. Visibility unlimited.
  • The fourth lecture in a series of talks to Officers was given by S/L W.J. Bundy, Chief Instructor at this Unit. He dealt with training methods and the vital necessity of the best training methods possible in order to achieve success in the air.
  • W/C D.R. Easton (Med.) and S/L A.W. Farmer (Med.) were here on an inspection trip.
  • Maximum available flying time – 24 hours.
• 7 April 1943
  Wednesday:
  • Ideal weather conditions prevail. Very little wind.
  • The final returns on the Red Cross Drive at this Unit indicated a total of $2,600.59, collected. This is considered a satisfactory increase over last year when $698.28 was raised.
  • S/L C.C.M. Hilditch of the Australian Liaison Commission, Ottawa, was here for four hours to-day.
  • Forty-five airmen graduated from Course No. 50 Wireless Operator Air Gunners, three R.C.A.F. airmen being posted to No. 31 O.T.U., Debert, N.S., thirty R.A.A.F. airmen posted to No. 32 O.T.U., Patricia Bay, B.C. and twelve R.A.A.F. airmen to No. 34 O.T.U., Pennfield Ridge, N.B. The disposition of the remainder of course was as follows: eight R.A.A.F. airmen were transferred to course No. 51 in addition to one R.C.A.F. airman.
  • Maximum available flying time – 24 hours.

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• 8 April 1943
  Thursday:
  • The snow is now practically all gone from the country side. Continuous good flying weather prevails.
  • The fifth lecture in the series of talks to Officers was given by S/L B.M. Laubach on outlining the duties of an Administrative Officer on a Station such as this. Information as to how each Section fitted into the general functioning of the Station was outlined. Valuable assistance was gleaned by those present to assist them further in the work that lies ahead.
  • A re-organization of the No. 2 B & G Rifle Club took place this evening with considerable enthusiasm being shown by members generally.
  • Maximum available flying time – 24 hours.
• 9 April 1943
  Friday:
  • Cloudy and dull in the early morning hours, brightening up at 0900 hours, becoming windy in the early afternoon with dust blowing and unsuitable for flying.
  • The posting out of Aero Engine Mechanics has again made the problem of keeping aircraft in good repair an acute one and a task confronts this Unit in this connection.
  • Maximum available flying time – 13 hrs. 30 min.
• 10 April 1943
  Saturday:
  • Alternatively throughout the day cloudy and dull in comparison with sunshine and clear blue sky. Wind eight to twelve miles per hours. In afternoon high cirrus and stratus.
  • A dance was held in the Sergeant’s Mess with the Station Orchestra in attendance.
  • F/L W.J. Beck, appointed to head-up the Victory Loan Drive on the Station proceeded to Moose Jaw to-day along with citizens of Mossbank to hear of the details of the Campaign from Moose Jaw Officials.
  • Maximum available flying time – 18 hrs. 55 min.
• 11 April 1943
  Sunday:
  • It has become chilly owing to a North-West wind that came up in the early morning hours and this has continued throughout the day. The flying program continues. Wind ten to fifteen miles per hour, visibility ten to fifteen miles, high cirrus.
  • W/C H.P. Crabb from No. 4 T.C. was here for a few hours to-day.
  • Maximum available flying time -11 hrs. 20 min.

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• 12 April 1943
  Monday:
  • Overcast conditions. Ceiling 3,000 feet in morning, lowering with a depression moving in from the North.
  • Maximum available flying time – 5 hrs. 25 min.
• 13 April 1943
  Tuesday:
  • Wind North and North-West, overcast conditions. Ceiling never above 2,000 feet, visibility fifteen to twenty miles.
  • Maximum available flying time – 17 hrs. 15 min.
• 14 April 1943
  Wednesday:
  • Fine bright clear day. Ceiling and visibility unlimited except in early hours of the morning when it was dull and cloudy.
  • By order of Air Vice-Marshall G.R. Howsam, M.C., A.O.C.. No. 4 T.C., R60453 F/S Beckett, H.S. was tried by District Court-Martial for (1) neglecting to obey Station Standing Orders, flying in a foolhardy and dangerous manner (2) being the pilot of one of His Majesty’s aircraft, flying it so as to cause unnecessary annoyance to a person.
    • President of Court – W/C A.A.F. Hickman – No. 39 S.F.T.S., RAF, Swift Current.
    • Members
      • S/L R.K. McConnell, D.F.C.. – No. 2 I.T.S., RCAF, Regina.
      • S/L A.B. Mix – No. 4 T.C., Calgary.
    • Waiting Member – F/O S.G. Nicholls – No. 2 B & G School, RCAF, Mossbank.
    • Judge Advocate – S/L L..A. McClaskey – No. 4 T.C. H.Q., RCAF, Calgary.
    • Prosecutor – P/O H.B. Mulligan – No. 2 B & G School, RCAF, Mossbank.
    • Defending Officer – F/L 0. Ward – No. 2 I.T.8., RCAF, Regina.
  • Maximum available flying time – 16 hrs. 05 min.
• 15 April 1943
  Thursday:
  • Wind in a North-Westerly direction from fifteen to twenty miles per hour. Bright clear sky with ceiling and visibility unlimited up to 14.30 hours. In the late evening the wind became violent turning into a gale, with the result that no night flying took place.
  • Mr. C.W. Parker, Field Engineer of the Federal Aircraft Corporation visited here to-day.
  • A Dance Carnival was held for those attached to this School in the Drill Hall. Games of Chance and dancing kept everyone in high spirits throughout the night.
  • Maximum available flying time – 8 hours.
• 16 April 1943
  Friday:
  • Dull and cloudy in the morning turning colder. The sky became bright and clear in afternoon.
  • F/L J.C. Parkinson gave three lectures to-day on the Geography of the War Zones. Two at G.I.S. and one at the Legion Hut, the former to the trainees and the latter lecture to all Station personnel who cared to attend. The lectures were well received and the opinions expressed by the lecturer conjectured future possible happenings in the War Zones. This officer’s recent journey through the Mediterranean assisted him greatly in dealing with the subject matter.

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• 16 April 1943 (continued)
  Friday:
  • S/L IE.G. Macnutt and P/O W.J. Allison returned from No. 5 B & G School, RCAF, Dafoe after haying spent slightly over two full days there discussing mutual training problems in general and examining the organization in force at the Ground Instructional School and the Bombing Teacher Section, particularly. As a result of the trip several changes were effected here which will likely prove to be beneficial in our training work.
  • Maximum available flying time – 20 hrs. 30 min.
• 17 April 1943
  Saturday:
  • Fine and bright throughout the whole of the day. Wind five to ten miles per hour.
  • The outbreak of mumps now seems to be well under control with a number of the airmen now being granted four days sick leave after leaving hospital in order to fully recover before beginning their duties again.
  • The second Carnival night of the week took place in the Drill Hall open to all and sundry. Hundreds of civilians from many miles around attended along with Service personnel to make a gala evening. Dancing, games of chance, hot dog stand operated by the Red Cross Society of Mossbank all assisted in making fun and frolic for all. From this event and the one held two days previous $1,900.00 was raised toward the many desired improvements being undertaken at this Unit.
  • Thirteen R.C.A.F. airman – air bombers course No. 72 were posted to No. 7 A.O.S., Portage La Prairie.
  • Maximum available flying time – 24 hours.
• 18 April 1943
  Sunday:
  • The velocity of the North-West wind blowing caused the dust to fly, however, flying training continued. The wind died down in the afternoon and it became nice outside.
  • Bill Schultz and his Variety Show from Moose Jaw entertained the personnel in the Recreation Hall with Song and Dance and provided much merriment.
  • Maximum available flying time – 24 hours.
• 19 April 1943
  Monday:
  • The wind has moved around to the South East. It has become considerably warmer and the day is bright and clear.
  • Seven or eight Service men having Trench Mouth, the Dental Officers are checking the messes very carefully and are parading all civilian employees on the establishment together with civilians who are here on contract work in an endeavor to take all necessary precautions against a general outbreak of this disease.

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• 19 April 1943 (continued)
  Monday;
  • The Officers commenced to-day a systematic schedule whereby flying personnel will receive Physical Training three times a week and non-flying personnel are required to Attend classes at least twice a week, Warrant Officers and Senior N.C.O.s in Training Wing began P.T. to-day on the sane basis as the officers on the General and non-flying lists. It is expected that a great deal of good will result from this work.
  • Twenty-six airmen and one officer reported for Air Bombers Course No. 80. Six R.C.A.F. airmen reporting from No. 3 “M” Depot, Edmonton and 18 R.A.F. airmen and one R.N.Z.A.F. airman from No. 2 Manning Pool, Brandon, and one R.C.A.F. Officer and one R.C.A.F. airman from No. 2 “M” Depot, Brandon.
  • Forty-five airmen reported for Course No. 53 – Wireless Operator Air Gunners. Six R.N.Z.A.F. airmen and eight R.C.A.F. Airmen from No. 3 Wireless School, Winnipeg and thirty-one R.C.A.F. airmen from No. 4 Wireless School, Guelph.
  • Maximum available flying time – 24 hours.
• 20 April 1943
  Tuesday
  • A slight north wind blowing but continuing mild. In the morning ceiling and visibility unlimited. It became hazy in the afternoon but not sufficient to hold up training in the air.
  • The sixth lecture in the series of talks to officers was given by S/L M.D. Williams who spoke on “Hygiene and Sanitation.” Officers derived beneficial information which they could use and in turn pass on to airman.
  • An accident occurred at 1020 hours on the main aerodrome when P/O R.C. Charlton, pilot of the aircraft on returning from routine Gunnery exercises noticing that the wheels failed to lock down force landed on aerodrome with wheels retracted. The aircraft was a Bolingbroke 10120 Mercury XV Port RCAF 12370 makers 54371 starboard RCAF 12380 makers 853465. The passengers were
    • LAC AUS 4422706 Reach, R.D.,
    • LAC AUS 421401 Schofield, L.A. both Air Gunners,
    • ACl R150078 Jenner, E. do F. armourer.
  • … No one was injured. The damage to aircraft consisted of the propellers being curled on tips, undercarriage bent and under portion of aircraft scraped.
  • Maximum available flying time – 24 hours.
• 21 April 1943
  Wednesday:
  • A miserable day with dust blowing. Wind in a South-Westerly direction. In the late afternoon the dust was obscuring the targets. For s few hours bombing exercises had to be washed out.
  • Maximum available flying time – 20 hours.
• 22 April 1943
  Thursday:
  • A good flying day on the whole with dust on the horizon for a small part of the day reducing visibility to ten to fifteen miles.
  • P/O I.G. Gilkes spoke to the officers on “Sports and Recreation and Drill”, this being the seventh talk in the series of lectures to officers. He spoke of the physical well being of a Unit being imperative if a station was to function properly. He set forth a Sports plan that would operate to best advantage at a Unit such as this.
  • The Commanding Officer then made a special appeal to all officers to give of their utmost in the Victory Loan Drive about to start.

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• 22 April 1943 (continued)
  Thursday:
  • S/L R.W. Sutherland of No. 2 Service Audit Group completed his audit here today.
  • Maximum available flying time – 24 hours.
• 23 April 1943
  Friday:
  • Good weather prevails. Wind in an Easterly direction.
  • A Station Parade was held this morning, the second since the present Commanding Officer took over. The C.O. spoke fittingly on the occasion bringing attention to the improvements generally by the personnel and the necessity of contributing to the limit of our ability in the Victory Loan Drive. The two Padres took active part. F/L E.S. Light ‘giving the prayer and F/L J.E. Branch speaking on our duties respecting the Service including our duty to the Fourth Victory Loan Drive.
  • The Sports Field is gradually being put in shape. Volunteer assistance is forthcoming and it will not be long before the jumping pits, the quarter mile track, etc., will become a reality and supply a long felt need here and Track and Field events will become the order of the day. Other sports such as Hardball, Softball, Badminton, Volley Ball, Soccer are not being forgotten.
  • R60453 LAC Beckett, H.S., who was tried at this Unit by District Court-martial April 14, 1943 was paraded before all Flying personnel by his Commanding Officer and heard read the sentence given by D.C.M., later confirmed by A.O.C., No. 4 T.C., which was as follows: Sixty days detention at Command Detention Barracks, Calgary, reduced to the rank of LAC and remustered to Standard General Duties.
  • Maximum available flying time – 24 hours.
• 24 April 1943
  Saturday:
  • Ceiling 700 to 1200 feet in morning. Dust and rain in afternoon. Night visibility ten to fifteen miles per hour. Ceiling – low cumulus.
  • Maximum available flying time – 14 hours.
• 25 April 1943
  Sunday:
  • A good flying day with ceiling and visibility unlimited with very light wind.
  • Maximum available flying time – 24 hours.
• 26 April 1943
  Monday:
  • Clear and bright in early morning hours, clouding up toward noon. Light rainfall in early afternoon, clearing again in evening.
  • Maximum available flying time – 18 hours.

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• 27 April 1943
  Tuesday:
  • Low lying clouds in morning, clearing up nicely in early afternoon with bright clear sky for balance of the day.
  • The eighth lecture in the series of talks being given to officers was taken by P/O V.M. Mulligan who dealt with Powers of the Subordinate Commander, how to draw up Charge Sheets, investigations, Summaries of Evidence and what is meant by Open and Close arrest.
  • S/L I.H. Baillie has been here for the past day and a half discussing Sanitation and Hygiene problems in the Service with the Commanding Officer and the Medical Officers of the Unit. One of the main points of discussion was disinfection of dishes by diversel double sinks now being considered absolutely essential.
  • Maximum available flying time – 24 hours.
• 28 April 1943
  Wednesday:
  • Fine bright clear day with ceiling and visibility unlimited.
  • All the personnel put their best effort forward in a general clean-up campaign which took place this evening. Sticks and stones were gathered up along with bottles, pieces of wood, paper, etc. Rakes and shovels helped to make the grounds more attractive looking. A great deal of rubbish was burned in the Incinerator.
  • Maximum available flying time – 24 hours.
• 29 April 1943
  Thursday:
  • Dull during the greater part of the day.
  • W/C C.A. Cook (SAEO) has been here for the past twenty-four hours, accompanying him was Mr. W. Groundwater of the Bristol Aeroplane Company.
  • P/O R. Jenner, G.M. of this Unit, departed for A.F.H.Q., Ottawa, there to receive instructions regarding a lecture tour, he will likely be required to undertake, to assist in the Victory Loan Campaign.
  • Air Vice-Marshall G.R. Howsam M.C., Air Officer Commanding, No. 4 T.C., along with G/C C.A. Davidson (W&B), F/L D.A.B. Marshall (A.D.M.), and Pilot F/L D.J. Tyler arrived in a Lockheed aircraft spending a few hours here.
  • The Officers at a Mess Dinner this evening did honor to S/L J.D. Brown, P/O I.G. Gilkes, P/O A.P. Hennessey and P/O E.C. Espley who have been posted from this Unit.
  • Maximum available flying time -24 hours.
• 30 April 1943
  Friday:
  • North-West wind at from fifteen to twenty miles per hour. Ceiling and visibility unlimited.
  • Thirty-eight deferred aircrew (I.T.S.) reported to-day from No. 3 Manning Depot, Edmonton.
  • Maximum available flying time – 24 hours.

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• 30 April 1943 (continued)
  Friday:

Water Consumption for Month of April, 1943	974,700 gallons
Average Daily Consumption	32,490 gallons

Total Flying Hours for Month of April	2,460 hours and 50 minutes
Number of days Aerodrome unserviceable –	Nil

• (D.S. Blaine) Group Captain,
  Commanding Officer,
  No. 2 Bombing & Gunnery School,
  MOSSBANK, Saskatchewan.