January 1st, 1944. Weather fair to cloudy. January 2nd, 1944

November 24th, 1944.

DAY: Intermittent rain 15.00 - 17.00 hours. Cloud base 1,000 - 1,500 feet. Visibility good. West South West to West North West wind moderate.

NIGHT: Occasional showers, visibility good. Wind West to North West moderate.

November 25th, 1944.

DAY: Occasional showers. Visibility good. Wind West to North West moderate.

NIGHT: Slight shower 21.00 hours. Visibility good. Light to moderate North West winds.

November 26th, 1944.

DAY: Slight rain in morning, showers in afternoon and evening. Visibility good. Moderate South West to West South West wind.

NIGHT: Occasional showers, good visibility, cloud base lowered to 800 feet at 07.00 hours. Light West South West to North West winds.

November 27th, 1944.

DAY: Cloudy to fair, cloud base 800 feet lifting to 1,000 - 2,000 feet from 10.00 hours. Moderate visibility. Light variable North West winds.

NIGHT: Continuous rain or drizzle after 23.30 hours. Cloud base lowering to 400 - 600 feet after midnight. Visibility moderate to poor. Wind light at first becoming South to South South West moderate, increasing after midnight and becoming fresh to strong.

November 28th, 1944.

DAY: Rain and drizzle until 12.30 hours. Cloud base 200 - 500 feet rising to 800 - 1,000 feet after 14.00 hours. Visibility moderate to good, wind West South West to South West strong becoming moderate after midday.

NIGHT: Fair, good visibility, light West wind.

November 29th, 1944.

DAY: Fair to good visibility, light West to West South West wind.

NIGHT: Fair visibility but light West wind.

November 30th, 1944.

DAY: Intermittent slight rain after 15.50 hours. Visibility good, wind West South West, light.

NIGHT: Intermittent slight rain to 22.00 hours. Good visibility. Light to moderate South West wind.

Station Armament Officer’s Report for November, 1944.

Compiled by Flight Lieutenant GATFORD.

Double banking containers on fuselage stations of Halifax aircraft at Tarrant Rushton.

With the increase of all-up weight to 63,000 lbs, 4,207 lbs extra carrying capacity was available when the normal load of 15 containers with full petrol was carried. Tests were made to find a satisfactory method of carrying extra containers to make up this extra weight. This was done by double banking containers on all fuselage stations. Double containers were attached together with two long straps with positioning blocks between the containers. Static lines tied the bomb rack were fitted to quick release pins on the straps which operated and separated the containers on release from the aircraft. A delayed action device was fitted to the bottom container parachutes to avoid the pranging of containers together in mid-air. Webbing straps were fitted to secure the bottom containers to take the place of cradles and straps normally used. The bomb doors had to repain open whilst double banked containers were carried but pilots are not perturbed about this in any way.

History of Servicing Wing, November, 1944:

Compiled by Wing Commander W.J. HENDLEY.

The month of November has seen the completion of the change over from Halifax V to Halifax III aircraft. On November 1st, 1944, Halifax V and 22 Halifax III aircraft were held but by the 28th of the month the last Halifax V slid off the runway in use for its new happy hunting ground and by the end of the month the 50th new Halifax III had arrived. Despite a month of atrocious weather and a considerable reduction in operational targets, a total for aircraft and gliders of over 1,300 flying hours was accomplished, the majority of which were credited to training. The average serviceability of aircraft was lower this month than normally but this was largely due to acceptance checks and modifications as necessary to bring the new aircraft up to fully operational standard. A scheme to overcome the difficulty of retrieving Hamilcar gliders after operations has been devised and put forward to higher authority. At present, the necessary ballast box is too cumbersome to move by air and would have to be transported by sea whereas under the new scheme, ferro-concrete cylinders cast and adapted to fit on a normal container station can be carried by the retrieving aircraft and used to ballast the glider for the return flight.

Statistics:

Of a cumulative total of 1,655 Halifax aircraft held on charge, 1,223 were serviceable, giving a cumulative average serviceability of 75 per cent. During the month, 13 minor inspections were carried out, four engine changes effected, 30 acceptance checks completed and 45 airframe repairs and major modifications carried out.

Glider lifts for the month totalled 729.

Signed: Wing Commander W.J. HENDLEY,

Commanding Servicing Wing HQ,

R.A.F. Tarrant Rushton.

Visits to RAF Station Tarrant Rushton, November, 1944:

Compiled by S/O HERBERT-SMITH:

November 2nd, 1944: 18.00 hours.

Flight Lieutenant HOLMES from HQ Fighter Command visited the station on staff duties.

November 3rd, 1944: 09.15 hours.

Flying Officer GREEN was here regarding the Court of Enquiry.

November 3rd, 1944: 09.15 hours.

Flight Officer SLESSOR and Squadron Leader STEWART were also here in connection with the Court of Enquiry.

November 5th, 1944: 21.00 hours.

Flight Lieutenant LOWE from No. 38 Group visited us on staff duties.

November 6th, 1944: 12.00 hours.

Squadron Leader SHIELDS from No. 38 Group was here on staff duties.

November 7th, 1944: 12.00 hours.

Mr GOWLLAND paid us a welfare visit.

November 7th, 1944: 12.00 hours.

Lieutenant Colonel PASS accompanied by Mr GOWLLAND.

November 6th, 1944: 13.10 hours.

Air Vice Marshall J.R. SCARLETT-STREATFIELD, CBE, the Air Officer Commanding, was on this station. He came by air.

November 10th, 1944: 11.00 hours.

Flight Lieutenant CUNNING from HQ No. 38 Group was here.

November 11th, 1944: 10.30 hours.

Squadron Leader DUNCAN from HQ Fighter Command visited this station.

November 12th, 1944: 14.00 hours.

Squadron Officer SHALLARD of No. 38 Group was here regarding WAAF administration.

November 13th, 1944: 13.20 hours.

Squadron Leader LEIGH-JONES paid us a staff visit.

November 14th, 1944: 09.05 hours.

Wing Commander BIDDLE, Inspector of Accounts, came here from HQ Fighter Command.

November 20th, 1944: 10.00 hours.

Group Captain VICKERS paid a personal call on the commanding officer.

November 24th, 1944: 16.00 hours.

Flight Lieutenant REEVELY of No. 38 Group was here today.

November 24th, 1944: 16.00 hours.

Wing Commander J.E. HOWE, Senior Group Medical Officer, was here on staff duties.

Station Headquarters News for November, 1944:

Wing Commander V.A. POPE relinquished command of No. 644 Squadron on November 10th, 1944, and left the station to take over the command of RAF Station RIVENHALL as Group Captain. Wing commander E.L. ARCHER, AFC, took over command of No. 644 Squadron on November 10th, 1944. Squadron Leader G.H. BRIGGS, DFC, was posted on November 16th, 1944, as an instructor to the SCHOOL OF AIR SUPPORT. Squadron Leader M. BARREN took over in his place.

Personnel News for November, 1944:

Compiled by Station Officer HERBERT-SMITH.

November 6th, 1944.

Flying Officer CASHMAN and Flying Officer SAUNDERS posted to this station for fighter affiliation duties.

November 10th, 1944.

Squadron Leader (now Wing Commander) ARCHER was posted here today to command No. 644 Squadron and replace Wing Commander POPE.

November 12th, 1944.

Station Officer BRITTEN was posted to GREAT DUNMOW today.

November 22nd, 1944.

Flying Officer BROWN (Meteorological Section) posted to NETHERAVON.

November 22nd, 1944.

Flying Officer J.W. THOMAS posted here from HAMPSTEAD NORRIS to take over Flying Officer BROWN’s place.

The personnel strength at the end of November, 1944, is:

* RAF officers: 217 RAF other ranks: 2,150

( * See Appendix ‘B’)

Appendix ‘B’:

RAF officers: 151 RAF other ranks: 1,840

RCAF officers: 38 RCAF other ranks: 31

RNZAF officers: 2 RNZAF other ranks: 17

RAAF officers: 20 RAAF other ranks: 10

WAAF officers: 6 WAAF other ranks: 252

TOTAL OFFICERS: 217 TOTAL OTHER RANKS: 2,150

WAAF Section report:

Compiled By Flight Officer P.G. PLAYFORD.

November 10th/28th, 1944:

Section Officer REEVES (C & G) attached from HQ Fighter Command to replace Assistant Section Officer WADDINGTON.

November 18th/25th, 1944.

Two WAAF officers and two WAAF NCOs attended a No. 38 Group course on ‘citizenship’ in Manchester.

Medical history of RAF Station Tarrant Rushton for November, 1944.

Compiled by Squadron Leader R. McMAHON.

(See Appendix ‘C’)

The general health of the camp is excellent.

Appendix ‘C’:

Units under medical care are:

Station HQ

No. 298 Squadron

No. 644 Squadron

No. 6298 Servicing Echelon

No. 6644 Servicing Echelon

No. 4676 Works Flight

No. 14 and No. 15 Glider Servicing Echelons

‘C’ Squadron, Glider Pilot Regiment

Naval Detachment

W.A.A.F.

Signed by: Squadron Leader R. McMAHON,

Station Medical Officer,

R.A.F. Tarrant Rushton.

Station Entertainments for November, 1944:

Compiled by Flying Officer WYNDHAM-LEWIS.

No. 2 Airman’s Dining Hall is being converted into a concert hall and cinema for which suitable chairs have been purchased from BSI funds. Three different cinema programmes are played weekly: Monday and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and Sunday, with Red Circuit ENSA shows presented weekly on Saturday nights. Station dances are held in the gymnasium each Wednesday and a whist drive is held in the corporals’ room of the NAAFI, also on Wednesday nights. Special grants are made from PSI funds to all sections wishing to hold invitation dances. Special events such as fancy dress dances are held from time to time, and the WAAF section hold an invitation evening in their NAFFI once a week. A gramophone circle meets weekly in the WAAF officers’ mess.

Summary of sports during November, 1944:

Compiled by Flying Officer D. BEECH.

Soccer: football field close to the officers’ mess, most popular game on camp. A number of inter-section matches and station matches have been played. Matches arranged one per day. Five station matches against the following opponents:

November 2nd, 1944: aircrew personnel.

November 7th, 1944: Winton.

November 14th, 1944: Shaftesbury Military Hospital.

November 20th, 1944: Queen’s Regiment.

November 27th, 1944: Queen’s Regiment

Badminton: Becoming increasingly popular. Played by all ranks. Gymnasium open three nights per week for use, average attendance each night 10.

Squash: Played by senior NCOs and officers. Shortage of balls has cut down attendances.

Basket Ball: Glider pilots are regular attenders, average three times per week.

P.T. (Physical Training): Regular attendance from defence course, glider pilots and airmen.

Rehabilitation: Two airmen attend for remedial exercises.

December, 1944:

Compiled by Flying Officer SHIPPAM.

December 7th, 1944.

‘EXERCISE RECURRENT II’ - 20 Halifax-Hamilcar combinations from this station took part in this exercise, making a concentrated glider landing on Tarrant Rushton Airfield. Some 100 aircraft were engaged, 80 of these being Stirlings and Halifaxes from other stations in No. 38 Group, which released their gliders at GREAT SAMPFORD Airfield. Fighter aircraft of No. 11 Group were co-operating in making dummy interceptions on the tug and glider combinations.

December 8th, 1944: 13.30 hours.

26 Lancaster aircraft (13 of No. 57 Squadron and 12 of No. 630 Squadron from EAST KIRKBY and one of No. 196 Squadron at STRUBBY, all of No. 5 Group) landed at Tarrant Rushton after taking part in an attack on the Ruhr.

December 17th, 1944.

‘EXERCISE BUZZ’ - 30 Halifax and Horsa combinations and one Halifax and Hadrian combination took part in this exercise, the object being to lift a Headquarters Airborne Corps from Tarrant Rushton and release over the Divisional DZ. Of the aircraft participating, 15 were detailed from No. 644 Squadron and 16 from No. 298 Squadron. No. 12. Group day fighters co-operated in making dummy interceptions on the Halifax and gliders combinations.

December 24th, 1944.

Five aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and five aircraft of No. 644 Squadron engaged on SOE operations over Norway. One aircraft on ‘Tail 8’ completed its mission and one failed to take off. The remainder were unsuccessful owing to weather conditions and no reception in the DZ areas.

December 26th/27th, 1944.

Five aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and five aircraft of No. 644 Squadron engaged on SOE operations over Norway. Two aircraft of No. 298 Squadron were cancelled. Of the remainder, six aircraft were successful and two unsuccessful owing to no reception in the DZ area.

December 30th/31st, 1944.

Seven aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and six aircraft of No. 644 Squadron engaged on SOE operations over Norway. Four aircraft were successful, the remainder having no reception on being unable to locate the DZ. All aircraft were diverted to EARLS COLNE but one landed at WOODBRIDGE and one at THORP ABBOTTS.

Summary of SOE and SAS operations for December, 1944:

Compiled by Flying Officer SHIPPHAM.

SAS : Nil.

SOE : Tarrant Rushton operated on three occasions during the month - on the nights of 23/24th, 26th/27th and 30th/31st December, 1944. In all, 31 sorties were flown of which were completed. Of the remainder, 19 aircraft failed to complete their mission owing to unfavourable weather conditions in the DZ area or no reception. One aircraft was delayed in take-off and weather conditions made later take-off impossible. All the above sorties were carried out on Norwegian targets.

Glider Pilot Regiment report for December, 1944:

Compiled by Lieutenant T.H. GROVES.

December 7th, 1944.

‘EXERCISE RECURRENT’ - 20 Halifax and Hamilcar combinations (12 heavy, 8 light) took off. One returned to base after one hour at the tug’s request. The remainder completed the exercise.

December 17th, 1944.

‘EXERCISE BUZZ’ - 29 Halifax and Horsa combinations, and one Halifax Hadrian took off. 25 gliders landed at LZ, two combinations returned due to u/s tugs, two combinations returned due to glider faults and one force-landed due to tow row breakage following simulated fighter interception.

December 18th, 1944.

No. 3 Flight of ‘B’ Squadron, Glider Pilot Regiment, arrived from EARLS COLNE to convert to Hamilcars.

December 29th, 1944.

One Sergeant force-landed a Hamilcar during training. Rest of month was occupied by normal flying.

Navigation Report for December, 1944:

Compiled by Squadron Leader SLIPPER.

Training in the new methods of navigation are principally completed and this is shown by the fact that on operations on the night of 26th/27th December, 1944, 75 per cent of this station’s aircraft successfully dropped. This is the highest percentage obtained by any station in this Group so far. Trouble was experienced over the Northern Chain during the month and experiments are now in hand to rectify this. Apart from this, navigation on the operations was of a high standard. Bomb aimers have not yet reached the standard of proficiency required by No. 38 Group but are progressing slowly.

Intelligence Report for December, 1944:

Compiled by Station Officer C.M. HERBERT-SMITH.

December 4th, 1944.

A film on Pressure, Wind and Temperature was shown by Flight Lieutenant P.A. CANNING to aircrews.

December 8th, 1944.

A lecture on Pressure, Wind and the Altimeter was given by Flight Lieutenant P.A. CANNING to aircrews.

December 11th, 1944.

A lecture on Depressions and Frosts by Flight Lieutenant P.A. CANNING was given to aircrews.

December 15th, 1944.

Squadron Leader HERVEY, M.C., of M.I.9. assisted by Lieutenant FOUGMER (Norwegian Air Force) visited the station and gave a lecture on Norway to all available aircrews and glider pilots.

December 16th, 1944.

From December 16th - 30th, 1944, Flight Lieutenant J.F. MOFFATT gave ten lectures on security, POW and escape to crews of No. 644 Squadron and the Glider Pilot Regiment.

December 21st, 1944.

A film on Fog was shown by Flight Lieutenant P.A. CANNING to aircrews.

Armament activities during December, 1944:

Compiled by Flight Lieutenant R.GATFORD.

Operations were on a smaller scale than of late, 39 sorties being flown during the month. Of these, 12 only were successful, the small percentage being due to the more difficult and longer range targets our squadrons were given this month. A total of 153 containers were dropped and there three hang-ups, two due to electrical faults and one suspected poor manipulation. The latter was excusable owing to the aircraft having a rough passage over the target. Next to operations, the chief job of the month has been the commencement of practise bombing. Several snags arose over bombing ranges but with the MANNINGTON DOWN now available six days a week, we hope to get really ‘cracking’ in this direction during the next few weeks. We had the use of two Martinets for a week’s air to air firing but the weather interfered considerably and only a very few sorties were flown. Air firing stoppages on operations worked out at one for every 750 rounds fired. It was hoped this would be considerably improved upon in the future.

History of the Servicing Wing, December, 1944:

Compiled by Wing Commander W.J. HENDLEY.

The month of December has seen the completion of re-equipment with Halifax III aircraft to new establishment figures, the 54th new Halifax being received on December 22nd, 1944. This month has shown a gradual but well defined increase in serviceability as both pilots and ground crews have gained experienced on the new type, this despite the fact that 82 Naval Fleet Air Arm personnel who have been loaned to this station since the formation of the No. 6644 Servicing Echelon have been withdrawn to the Navy. It might be set on record at this junction that the Servicing Wing could not have reached its high level of achievement had it not been for the whole-hearted co-operation afforded by these members of the Royal Navy. The work this month which has included a limited number of operations has been mainly devoted to training which, considering the difficult flying weather, is reflected in the number of glider lifts made, namely 607 and the total flying hours for all types including gliders which is nearly 1,500.

During the month, a brace of the new Mark II Horsa gliders made their debut, and a couple of Hadrians reappeared to take part in an exercise. Army load trials were made with the former. Clearance trials were made with the heavy Hamilcars and Horsas towed by the Halifax Mark III and the clearance was subsequently raised to 55,000 lbs.

Glider crashes resulted in four category ‘A’ and two category ‘AC’ repairs. On the tenth day of the month, the Servicing Wing was honoured by a visit from Colonel DUMAS of the French Air Force who was greatly interested in the possibilities of the Hamilcar as a strategic weapon.