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

Statistics:

Strength of aircraft:

Halifax III 54

Oxford II 3

Spitfire VB 2

Tiger Moth II 2

Strength of gliders:

Hamilcar I 70

Horsa I 31

Horsa II 2

Hadrian 2

Of a cumulative total of 1,597 Halifax aircraft on charge, 1,282 were serviceable, giving a cumulative average serviceability of 80 per cent. During the month, 20 minor inspections were carried out, three engine changes effected, seven acceptance checks completed and 24 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.

Meteorological Report for December, 1944:

Compiled by Flight Lieutenant CANNING.

December 1st - 6th, 1944.

Mainly cloudy, occasional rain or drizzle.

December 7th - 12th, 1944.

Fair to fine, occasional showers, slight frost on the 9th December, 1944.

December 13th, 1944.

Fine but foggy during the morning.

December 14th - 17th, 1944.

Overcast, intermittent rain or drizzle.

December 18th, 1944.

Fair, occasional showers.

December 19th - 31st, 1944.

Considerable mist and fog, some slight rain on December 21st/22nd, 1944, otherwise mainly clear skies. Slight to hard frost.

Strong winds were experienced on December 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 17th and 18th, 1944.

( See Appendix ‘A’)

Equipment Activities Report for December, 1944:

Compiled by Flight Lieutenant PRESCOTT.

The rearming of aircraft from Halifax V to Halifax III has been completed during the month and the section has now a considerable range of Bristol spares.

History of the M.T. Section for December, 1944:

Compiled by Flight Lieutenant C.N. TAYLOR.

The month of December has been, from the MT point of view, been normal, although owing to poor flying weather, the Servicing Wing requirements have not been so heavy. MT maintenance has been very difficult owing to the weather and the very limited accommodation provided for working on vehicles under cover. In spite of the working conditions and having to wait for spares, the under noted maintenance has been carried out:

68 500 mile inspections.

18 2,000 mile inspections.

4 10,000 mile inspections.

2 engine changes.

1 gearbox change.

1 rear axle change.

In addition to the above, four vehicles have been overhauled under the G.R.O.V.E.R. Repair Scheme, and four vehicles have been replaced on F523 action. Mileage covered during the month is 45,196 miles with four accidents of a minor nature.

Visits to RAF Station Tarrant Rushton during December, 1944:

Compiled by Section Officer J.E. LEWIS.

December 6th, 1944: 10.30 hours.

Squadron Leader LANE, Squadron Leader BESSEY and Squadron Leader WEBSDALE from HQ No. 38 Group visited the engineering staff.

December 6th, 1944: 12.15 hours.

Flight Officer CUNNINGHAM-WATKINSON from RAF TILSTOCK came to lecture the WAAF.

December 7th, 1944: 10.55 hours.

Flight Lieutenant WHITBREAD, Mr CHAMBERS and Mr WRIGHT from the Air Ministry paid us a visit regarding the MT establishment.

December 10th, 1944: 14.50 hours.

Group Captain UBEE (A.F.E.E.) paid us a visit regarding Halifax trials.

December 11th, 1944: 11.25 hours.

Squadron Leader LEIGH-JONES from No. 38 Group came in connection with Flying Control.

December 14th, 1944: 16.30 hours.

Squadron Leader HERVEY (M.L.G.W.O.) came here on an intelligence lecture tour as did Lieutenant FONGNEN (R.N.A.F.).

December 19th, 1944: 11.15 hours.

Squadron Leader CROSSLAND from No.2 DHQ RCAF Exeter came to visit RCAF personnel.

December 30th, 1944: 14.30 hours.

Squadron Leader WOOLFREY from No. 38 Group visited the Equipment Section.

Station Headquarters personnel for December, 1944:

Compiled by Section Officer J.E. LEWIS.

December 1st, 1944.

Squadron Leader FREEBORN was posted here from RAF HAWARDEN as Station Administrative Officer.

December 1st, 1944.

Flight Lieutenant HARDACRE was posted to No. 9 Squadron.

December 5th, 1944.

Flight Officer HUNT was posted here from RAF EARLS COLNE. Pilot Officer RIDGEWELL was posted here from Fighter Command HQ.

December 6th, 1944.

Flight Lieutenant TATTERSALL was posted here from RAF HAMPSTEAD NORRIS.

December 8th, 1944.

Squadron Leader FREEBORN was posted to Station HQ at NETHERAVON.

December 11th, 1944.

Squadron Leader ENTWISTLE was posted here from RAF HORNCHURCH as Senior Accountant Officer. Squadron Leader MARSH-ALLEN was posted here from RAF NETHERAVON as Station Administrative officer.

December 13th, 1944.

Squadron Leader ENTWISTLE was posted to No. 1 CMP for disposal following medical appointment.

December 16th, 1944.

Flying Officer SHIPPAM was posted here from GREAT DUNMOW.

December 18th, 1944.

Squadron Leader McBRIDE was posted here from RAF CRANWELL as Senior Accountant Officer.

December 28th, 1944.

Flight Lieutenant BENNIE was posted here from RAF OLD SARUM as Station Adjutant.

Personnel strength for December, 1944:

Officers: 222 Other Ranks: 2,085.

(See Appendix ‘B’)

Personnel strength at RAF Tarrant Rushton for December, 1944:

RAF officers: 167 RAF other ranks: 1,787

RCAF officers: 34 RCAF other ranks: 21

RNZAF officers: 2 RNZAF other ranks: 9

RAAF officers: 13 RAAF other ranks: 5

WAAF officers: 16 WAAF other ranks: 263

TOTAL OFFICERS: 222 TOTAL OTHER RANKS: 2,085

Local Defence Adviser’s Report for December, 1944:

Compiled by Flying Officer YOUNG.

December 12th, 1944: 21.00 hours.

Civil Defence Lecture at Wimborne. Attendance 50, duration one hour, questions 30 minutes.

Remarks:

Great interest and well received enthusiasm by all in release from harness. A number practised the operation without loss of time.

Medical History of RAF Station Tarrant Rushton for December, 1944:

Compiled by Squadron Leader R. McMAHON.

General health of the camp is excellent. See Appendix ‘C’.

WAAF Section report for December, 1944:

Compiled by Flight Officer P.G. PLAYFORD.

December 6th, 1944.

Visit by Flight Officer CUNNINGHAM-WATKINSON to speak on moral welfare to WAAF section. Two meetings held, both very well attended.

December 22nd, 1944.

Visit of Section Officer GEORGE from DAPM Regional Office, Salisbury.

December 25th, 1944.

Christmas dinner and tea in airman’s mess for WAAFs and RAF personnel.

Summary of sports during December, 1944:

Compiled by Flying Officer D. BEECH.

Soccer: 23 inter-section matches have been played this month, Glider Pilot Regiment being regular attenders. The station team have played four matches against the local teams. A five-a-side tournament was arranged for Christmas Day but Christmas fayre and ‘spirits’ were responsible for a poor turnout and eventual cancellation of the tournament.

Squash: Played regularly by officers.

Badminton: Still the most popular indoor game with WAAF and WAAF personnel attend regularly in afternoons and evenings.

Netball: Played by WAAF and Glider Pilot Regiment regularly in gymnasium.

Minor Games: Darts, billiards etc. well used in messes and station institutes.

Night Vision Training: Regular attendance of four crews each day, four and a half to two hours becoming increasingly popular with crews.

Rehabilitation: One airmen attended for medical exercises.

Station Entertainments Report for December, 1944:

Compiled by Flying Officer WYNDHAM-LEWIS.

Cinema shows were given five nights a week with an ENSA show every Saturday evening. During this month, we also had three USO Camp shows. Special dances were held during Christmas week and admission was free during the whole of the Christmas period, all entertainment expenses being met by the PSI.

Signed: C.C. MARSHALL (Squadron Leader)

For: T.B. COOPER (Group Captain)

Commanding RAF Station Tarrant Rushton.

Weather Diary for December, 1944:

December 1st, 1944.

Frequent drizzle morning and later afternoon, much cloud at 800 - 1,500 feet. Moderate to good visibility, winds South West to West South West 10 mph becoming 20 - 25 mph, gusty in the evening.

December 2nd, 1944.

Drizzle to 04.20 hours, much cloud 800 - 1,200 feet until 05.15 hours then broken cloud at 2,500 - 3,000 feet. Visibility moderate in drizzle becoming good afterwards. Winds South West 20 - 25 mph, moderating during the day to 5 - 15 mph.

December 3rd, 1944.

Cloudy with rain mid-morning and late evening, 9/10ths to 10/10ths low cloud at 800 feet after 07.00 hours breaking in the afternoon but increasing again in the evening at 1,500 feet. Visibility good except in rain. Wind West South West 5 mph at first becoming West North West 25 - 30 mph gusty after 11.30 hours.

December 4th, 1944.

Showers 01.00 hours, 05.00 hours and 11.00 - 12.00 hours. Broken cloud at 2,000 - 2,500 feet. Visibility good, wind West North West 15 - 20 mph gusty.

December 5th, 1944.

Showers 04.00 - 14.00 hours. Broken cloud at 2,000 - 2,500 feet. Visibility good, wind West 15 mph becoming calm by evening.

December 6th, 1944.

Showers at 12.20 to 12.30 hours, 14.50 hours, 16.10 hours, 19.20 hours. Almost continuous rain after 20.00 hours. Broken cloud at 2,500 feet falling to 1,500 feet in rain. Visibility good becoming moderate in rain. Wind West light increasing after 11.00 hours to 10 - 15 mph.

December 7th, 1944.

Light rain from 04.00 to 07.00 hours. Showers 09.00, 13.00, 14.00 and 18.00 hours. Much multi-layered cloud base mainly above 2,000 feet dispersing during the evening. Visibility good, wind West 15 mph moderating.

December 8th, 1944.

Showers 09.00 to 11.30 hours, visibility good, well broken cloud at 2,000 feet, wind West South West 5 - 10 mph until dawn and then North West 20 - 25 mph gusty moderating 5 - 10 mph again after dusk.

December 9th, 1944.

Fair or fine, small amounts of cloud at 2,000 - 4,000 feet, visibility good. Wind North to West North West 10 - 15 mph becoming 15 mph - 20 mph gusty late morning and afternoon.

December 10th, 1944.

Continuous rain 10.00 - 15.00 hours, much upper cloud falling 600 - 800 feet in rain, becoming little or none after 16.30 visibility good becoming moderate in rain. Wind light West becoming South 25 - 35 mph gusty 12.00 - 16.00 hours then West South West 10 - 15 mph.

December 11th, 1944.

Shower 19.00 to 19.30 hours. Little cloud during darkness otherwise well broken cloud at 2,500 feet. Visibility good, winds West South West to West North West 10 - 20 mph.

December 12th, 1944.

Fine evening apart from showers at 07.00 hours and 11.00 hours. Broken cloud above 2,000 feet dispersing in the evening. Good visibility, winds strong at first decreasing in the evening.

December 13th, 1944.

Fog after 07.00 hours until 14.00 hours visibility then becoming 2 miles. Little cloud until 22.00 hours when large amounts at 3,500 feet. Winds light and variable.

December 14th, 1944.

Cloudy, hazy. Considerable cloud above 8,000 feet with well broken cloud at 1,500 - 2,000 feet during daylight. Visibility 2 - 5 miles, winds South South East 10 - 20 mph.

December 15th, 1944.

Frequent rain and drizzle until 19.30 hours. Visibility moderate at first then poor. Cloud 8/10th - 10/10ths at 800 - 1,000 feet falling to 200 feet 07.00 hours to 12.00 hours and 23.00 to 24.00 hours. Winds South West to East South East 2 - 7 mph.

December 16th, 1944.

Light rain 08.00 hours to 12.45 hours continuous rain heavy at times after 18.45 hours. Visibility moderate to poor. Much cloud at 300 - 700 feet, breaking temporarily and lifting to 1,500 feet 13.00 hours to 17.00 hours then falling steadily in rain to 500 feet. Wind East South East to South East 8 - 15 mph until 08.00 hours then South South West 15 - 25 mph until 21.00 hours South 30 - 35 mph.

December 17th, 1944.

Continuous rain until 09.30 hours, shower 21.00 to 21.30 hours. Gales to 07.00 hours, visibility poor until 09.30 hours then moderate. Cloud 8/10ths to 10/10ths at 500 feet in rain until 09.30 hours then 4/10ths to 8/10ths cloud at 800 - 1,000 feet until dusk and then breaking and lifting to 2,500 feet. Wind South South West 40 mph until 07.00 hours, 25 - 30 mph until dusk and then 15 - 20 mph.

December 18th, 1944.

Showers rather frequent after 15.00 hours. Well broken cloud at 2,000 feet, visibility good. Wind South South West 25 mph moderating slowly during the day and becoming calm after 18.00 hours.

December 19th, 1944.

Fog just before dawn and after dusk. Visibility 1 - 3 miles, falling to 300 yards just before dawn and 100 - 300 yards after dusk. Cloud small amounts at 2,500 feet. Wind light and variable.

December 20th, 1944.

Fog all day, visibility 50 - 200 yards. Wind calm or light South East, sky obscured by fog.

December 21st, 1944.

Fog until 07.00 hours. Slight drizzle 10.30 hours to 13.30 hours. Visibility 100 - 400 yards, improving 3 - 6 miles during daylight then falling 2,000 - 3,000 yards. Cloud surface in fog lifting slowly after day-break and becoming well broken at 1,500 feet by 16.00 hours. Wind calm becoming light North to North West.

December 22nd, 1944.

Drizzle 02.00 hours to 04.30 hours, 09.00 to 09.30 and then after dusk. Visibility 1 to 3 miles falling temporarily to 100 yards at dawn and to 1,000 yards after dusk. Considerable cloud forming to surface near dawn and to 700 - 1,000 feet after dusk. Wind North 5 - 10 mph but becoming light East North East after dusk.

December 23rd, 1944.

Fog and mist until 12.00 hours. Visibility 700 - 2,000 yards until 12.00 hours then 2 - 4 miles. Considerable cloud falling to surface from dawn to 12.00 hours then lifting and dispersing. Wind light East becoming North North east 5 - 10 mph.

December 24th, 1944.

Mist and haze, visibility 3,000 - 6,000 yards. Little or no cloud, wind North East to North North East 8 - 15 mph.

December 25th, 1944.

Hazy fog 19.00 - 21.00 hours. Visibility 200 - 500 yards 19.00 to 21.00 hours otherwise 1 - 3 miles. Cloud patches, lifted fog 200 - 300 feet 09.00 hours to 11.00 hours otherwise little or none. Wind North East 6 - 12 mph.

December 26th, 1944.

Hazy, fog after 22.00 hours. Visibility 1,200 yards to dawn, then 2 - 3 miles until dusk then falling 60 - 100 yards. No cloud except for fog on surface after 22.00 hours. Wind East North East 5 - 10 mph until dusk then calm.

December 27th, 1944.

Thick fog all day. Visibility 60 - 100 yards improving late to 1,000 - 1,500 yards. Cloud sky obscured by fog lifting to 800 to 1,500 feet late. Wind calm, light and variable becoming North West 10 mph after 22.00 hours.

December 28th, 1944.

Fair, visibility 1.5 - 3 miles. Little cloud, wind North North East 8 - 12 mph.

December 29th, 1944.

Fine, visibility 2,000 yards at first becoming 3 miles by 14.00 hours, deteriorating to 2,000 yards after 21.30 hours. Winds light North.

December 30th, 1944.

Mainly cloudy with poor visibility and drizzle 13.00 - 16.00 hours. Visibility 1,000 yards at first improving 3,000 - 4,000 yards then becoming less than 100 yards temporarily about 16.00 hours to 18.00 hours. Cloud generally above 6,000 feet, wind North West 12 mph.

December 31st, 1944.

Mainly fine, small amounts of cloud above 2,000 feet, visibility 5 miles, wind North 5 - 10 mph.