Daily Diary

No. 33 Service Flying Training School,
Carberry, Manitoba

November 1943

This Transcription of the Operational Record Book of No. 33 Service Flying Training School that was Located at Carberry, Manitoba, 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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CARBERRY, 1943

• 1st NOV – S.B.A. training commenced on the Unit today. Extensive tests have been carried out to enable continuous flying training on the Beam to be given.
  The radio equipment proved very satisfactory. A minor accident took place today when an instructor during low-flying cross country in poor visibility struck the top of a tree. No injuries were sustained.
• 2nd NOV – Tonight the Musical Appreciation Group met in the G.I.S. Block, and a very fine
  programme of recorded music was given.
• 3rd NOV – There was a general meeting of personnel in the Drill Hall at 1800 hours for the
  forming of a basket ball and floor-hockey league for the winter season.
• 4th NOV – The Camp Concert Party, the “Rip-Chords”, tonight gave a rendering of their show
  at Camp Shilo.
• 5th NOV – The weather deteriorated today, and flying training was reduced to minimum, only
  ten hours being flown.
• 6th NOV – P/O. J.H. Platt, No. NZ. 416160, proceeded on posting to No. 31 P.D., MONCTON.
• 7th NOV – Weather improved considerably, and flying training was maintained throughout the
  twenty-four hours. Aircraft serviceability was 67.2%.
• 8th NOV – The Station Bowling League is now in full swing, and is the main topic of interest in
  the Camp.
  A concert of recorded jazz tunes was given tonight in the YMCA Canteen, and proved a great
  success.
• 9th NOV – To stimulate interest in the Camp, an exhibition floor-hockey game was staged in
  the Drill Hall tonight, and was well patronized by the Station.
  A minor accident occurred tonight when a pupil on night-flying landings landed to the right of the
  flare path owing to engine trouble. No injuries were sustained, and only slight damage caused.
  P/O. J. BAKENDALE, No. 139757, arrived on posting from No. 41 S.F.T.S.
• l0th NOV – Tonight personnel of R.1 at PETREL held their first social function, in the form of a
  dance. About eighty couples were present, including G/C. and Mrs. J.S.T. FALL, and a number of senior Officers.

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CARBERRY, 1943

• 10th NOV. (Cont) – from CARBERRY. The evening was an outstanding success.
  P/O. E.M. FORBES, No. 121288, and F/O. C.A. HOBSON, No. 121303 proceeded on posting to No. 31 A.N.S.
• 11th NOV – Course No. 86 graduated today. There was an intake of sixty-six, 24 of whom were
  Discontinued (17 for unsatisfactory progress, 1 for disciplinary reasons, 2 for medical reasons, 2
  for failure to pass ground examinations, 1 unsuitable Ansons and 1 killed in flying accident). The dispositiong of these was as follows:-
  • To BRANDON:- 16
  • To MONCTON:- 1
  • To Course No. 88 (On Unit): – 1
  • To Course No. 90 ( ” ):- 2
  • To No. 32 S.F.T.S.:- 1
  • Retained pending further instructions:- 2

  The 42 graduates received their Wings from G/C J.S.T. FALL, DSC, AFC, Officer Commanding, six of them receiving commissions. The disposition of these graduates was as follows:-

  • To Crse. No. 93 at No. 3 F.I.S., ARNPRIOR:- 6
  • To Crse. No. 93 at No. 2 F.I.S., PEARCE:- 6
  • To Crse. No. 119 at 31 G.R.S., CHARLOTTETOWN:- 8
  • To Crse. No. 26 at No. 34 OTU., PENNFIELD RIDGE:- 2
  • To Crse. No. 13 at No. 31 ANS., PORT ALBERT:- 3
  • To No.31 P.D., MONCTON, N.B.:- 17
• 12th NOV – No flying today by Course No. 88, who were engaged in ground school
  Examinations.
• 13th NOV – Weather conditions during the week have been ideal, and flying training was
  maintained at a high level. Aircraft serviceability was 68%.
• 14th NOV – Today, Corporal ALDERSON, on behalf of the Station Soccer Team, was presented with the Manitoba Football Championship Cup won by the Station Team in the final against Weston United at OSBORNE STADIUM, WINNIPEG, on 25th September, 1943. The presentation took place in the Civic Caledonian Club Rooms, Winnipeg.
  F/O. B. ILLINGWORTH, No. 86087, arrived today on posting from No. 31 P.D., MONCTON.
• 15th NOV – Course No. 94 commenced today, with an intake of sixty pupils

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CARBERRY, 1943

• 16 NOV – Tonight a Farewell Dance was given, by the Corporals’ Club in honour of the many members who are being repatriated on the twenty-fourth.
• 17th NOV – An airman’s Farewell Dance was held tonight in the Recreation Hall, and was attended by about two hundred couples. Many of the airmen who were due to be repatriated had been on the Station for about three years, and they one and all made the most of the occasion. It was agreed that it was one of the most enjoyable dances that had been held for some time. G/C. and Mrs. J.S.T. FALL attended the function, and during the course of the evening gold medals for the Manitoba Football Championship League were presented to members of the Station Soccer Team.
• 18th NOV – Two minor accidents occurred today. After making a successful forced landing at No. 12 SFTS., BRANDON, due to lack of oil pressure, pupil taxied aircraft too close to control tower in strong wind; the aircraft did not respond to throttle and gentle braking, and when brakes were applied firmly the aircraft tipped onto its nose, damaging both propellers. A second accident occurred at R.1, PETREL, when an instructor taxied too close to a stake, striking the stake with the tailplane as he joined the rank. The centre-section of the tailplane was damaged. No injuries were sustained by personnel in either accident.
  P/O. I.J. DAVIS, No. 15902, and P/O. D.H. EMERSON, No. 159028, proceeded on posting to No. 38 SFTS., ESTEVAN.
• 19th NOV – An exhibition snooker match was played in the YMCA Canteen, Officers vs. airmen. Play was of a high standard, with points definitely in favour of the airmen.
• 20th NOV – Record range was obtained over the radio telephone today, the signals operator maintaining communication with the pilot of an Anson II flying on a Navigation Radio Test Flight to WEYBURN. This range of two hundred miles is thought to be the best yet obtained in the whole of the Command.
• 21st NOV – Weather conditions over the last week have been exceptional, and flying training was maintained at a high average. Aircraft serviceability was 68%.
• 22nd NOV – Great interest was shown tonight in the finals of the Station Bowling League, played tonight in BOWLADROME, CARBERRY. The Equipment Section furnished the winning team and were worthy winners.

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CARBERRY, 1943

• 23rd NOV – The Badminton Club had a meeting in the Drill Hall which was extraordinarily well-attended, a few sets being played after the meeting concluded.
  Weather conditions deteriorated very suddenly, and all flying had to be cancelled.
• 24th NOV – Great activity prevailed on the Camp today, 128 ground personnel – members of the first echelon – left by special train from the Unit siding for No. 31 P.D., en route for the United Kingdom, having completed their tour of duty in this Country.
  P/O. A.O. BENNETT reported on posting from Air Force Headquarters, OTTAWA.
• 25th NOV – Owing to the popularity of the Snooker Exhibition held the previous week, a further exhibition match was held tonight in the Airmen’s Canteen. Once again, although the Officers were on their metal, the airmen proved victorious.
  F/L. A.H. LANKESTER (MED) reported on posting from No. 38 SFTS., as relief for F/L. J.R. BELCHER, who has gone to take over the duties of S.M.O. at No. 39 SFTS.
  W/Cdr. the Reverend J. ROSSIE BROWN of Air Force Headquarters visited the Station to discuss matters pertaining to the Chaplain Service.
• 26th NOV – A minor accident occurred today when a pupil did a precautionary landing two miles north of PRATT, Manitoba, due to insufficient control, no injuries or damage being sustained.
• 27th NOV – A friendly bowling match was arranged tonight between the Signals Section and a team from R.1., PETREL, the former team being the winners by a narrow margin.
• 28th NOV – An informal concert of requested classical music was held tonight in the G.I.S. Block. The concert proved very successful, and was well attended.
  Aircraft serviceability was 68%.
• 29th NOV – P/O. D. SPENCE, No. 153140 (GD), P/O. M. SMITH, No. 152518 (GD) reported on posting from No. 1 I.F.S., DESERONTO.
  F/L. J.R. BELCHER, No. 86275 (MED), proceeded on posting to No. 39 SFTS.
  A recorded session of popular jazz tunes was given tonight in the YMCA Canteen, and was as successful as previous concerts of this nature.
• 30th NOV – Adverse flying weather prevailed, only five and a half hours being flown.
  F/O. J.T.L. BURNETT, No. NZ417001 (GD), proceeded on posting to No. 31 G.R.S.
  A second meeting of the Station Badminton Club was held this evening in the Drill Hall. The meeting was well attended, and every indication was given that a keen and enthusiastic Club would come into being. After the meeting, several games were played for the benefit of those new to the sport.
  Station magazine “GEN” for the month of DECEMBER is on sale today.

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CARBERRY, Man
1943

• 30th NOV – Total Flying Hours for the Month of NOVEMBER, 1943:- 4939 hours.
  STRENGTH PERSONNEL

	Officers	Other Ranks	Civilians
RAF	113	853	–
RCAF	5	63	–
RNZAF	1	–	–
RAAF	–	–	–
RCADC (CDC)	1	2	–
RCASC	1	2	–
CPC	–	3
Civilians	3 (met)	–	63
Trainees
RAF	4	208	–
RCAF	–	8	–
RNZAF	–	–	–
RAAF	–	2	–

‘B’ AIRCRAFT STRENGTH

		Number
Anson II		118
	– Servicable	72
	– Unservicable	42
	– Not Available	4

• (J.S.T. Fall) G/C.,
  OC., No. 33 S.F.T.S.