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

March 21st, 1944: 15.30 hours.

Wing Commander NEVILLE, ADGB, paid a staff visit.

14.45 hours.

Flight Lieutenant BANTOFT, H.Q. No. 38 Group, visited the station to discuss aircraft and accidents procedure. Weather fair to cloudy.

March 22nd, 1944: 09.45 hours.

Squadron Leader JOHNSTON and Flight Lieutenant LOWE of No. 38 Group paid staff visits. No. 249 Field Company comprising 2 officers and 56 other ranks arrived. Weather cloudy, occasional slight rain or drizzle.

March 23rd, 1944.

Weather fine to fair.

March 24th, 1944; 14.52 hours.

Air Marshall SIR DOUGLAS C.S. EVILL, KCB, DSC, AFC, accompanied by Air Commodore BLADIN arrived by air and departed at 17.17 hours. They witnessed a "mass take-off" of 4 Halifax-Hamilcar combinations and also saw a loaded Hamilcar on the ground. The take off took 100 seconds.

17.00 hours.

Brigadier H.A.B. MANNING of the 69th Brigade called on the station commander. Weather fine but hazy.

March 25th, 1944; 11.00 hours.

Flight Lieutenant L.D.LIGHT, No. 38 Group, visited on staff duties.

‘EXERCISE BIZZ II’ - This exercise was similar to Bizz I. 14 Halifax-Horsa combinations took off between 17.15 hours and 17.23 hours and 33 seconds. 12 Horsas were released at the L.Z., BRIZE NORTON airfield between 18.43 1/4 hours and 18.45 1/2 hours at 2,000 feet A.S.L. The following were landed on the L.Z.: 87 troops, 2 12-500 cwt cars, four motorcycles and 4-20 M/M guns. One Horsa was discovered u/s before take-off and one was airborne when the elevator control failed and the tug and Horsa returned to base. Weather fine, hazy.

March 26th, 1944: 11.00 hours.

Flight Lieutenant A.L. MUIRHEAD, No. 38 Group, visited the photographic section. Weather fine or fair.

March 27th, 1944.

Crews for No. 644 Squadron completed. Weather fine but hazy.

March 28th, 1944.

Weather thick fog after 12.00 hours. Fine, hazy.

March 29th, 1944: 14.30 hours.

Captain J.F.CHAPMAN, Dorset South District, called on liaison duties.

March 29th, 1944: 15.30 hours.

Colonel J.G. McGRAW, USA-AA Blandford Camp, called in on the station commander. Detachment from 8 Parachute Battalion comprising two officers and 52 other ranks arrived. Weather overcast with low stratus and mist.

March 30th, 1944.

Squadron Leader W.H. GOLLINGS, 5351 ACW, visited the station equipment officer and works flight. Weather slight rain becoming slight slight rain, cloudy becoming fair.

March 31st, 1944.

No. 4676 Works Flight arrived from BEAULIEU.

The station strength at this date is:

Station H.Q. - 42 officers and 533 other ranks.

No. 298 Squadron - 47 officers and 300 other ranks.

No. 644 Squadron - 46 officers and 240 other ranks.

No. 3145 Servicing Eschelon - 1 officer and 330 other ranks.

No. 3146 Servicing Eschelon 1 officer and 250 other ranks.

No. 249 Field Company - 2 officers and 56 other ranks.

AEO or ALO - 1 officer and 5 other ranks.

No. 8. Parachute Battalion - 2 officers and 52 other ranks.

Glider Pilot Regiment, ‘C’ Squadron - 10 officers and 100 other ranks.

No. 2810 Anti-Aircraft, RAFR - 6 officers and 237 other ranks.

No. 2733 Anti-Aircraft, RAFR - 6 officers and 175 other ranks.

TOTAL: 164 officers and 2,278 other ranks.

W.A.A.F. - 5 officers and 237 other ranks.

April 1st, 1944: 10.30 hours.

Weather rain later becoming gusty.

April 2nd, 1944.

Weather early fog becoming fair, rain later.

April 3rd, 1944.

Air Vice Marshall EDWARDS visited this station for a special conference with the station commander. Weather rain, visibility poor.

April 4th, 1944: 18.15 hours.

‘EXERCISE DREM’ - Intention to drop 244 troops on L.Z. at BRIZE NORTON and HARWELL. First lift of the 10 Halifax combinations of No. 298 Squadron took off, seven were successfully released over the L.Z. at an average height of 1,450 feet. 3 gliders cast off before reaching the L.Z. Second lift of 8 Halifax combinations of No. 644 Squadron took off at 19.28 hours. 3 were successfully released over the L.Z. but 5 cast off before reaching the objective owing to weather conditions. 208 troops were landed. Weather drizzle, low cloud.

April 5th, 1944: 15.00 hours.

Group Captain G.E. WOOD and Wing Commander H.B. VERITY of the Air Ministry called with regard to staff matters. Weather early drizzle, later fair, good visibility.

April 5th, 1944.

Three aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and five of 644 Squadron were detailed for operations over France.

April 6th, 1944.

Weather early fog becoming fair.

April 7th, 1944.

Four aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and seven of No. 644 Squadron were detailed for operations over France. Weather cloudy becoming fair.

April 8th, 1944: 11.10 hours.

Wing Commander G.G. MEAGER, HQ of No. 41 Group, visited on glider liaison matters. Weather fair to cloudy, hazy but later rain and drizzle.

April 9th, 1944.

One aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and 3 of No. 644 Squadron were detailed for operations over France.

April 9th, 1944: 10.50 hours.

Air Commodore H.F.V. BATTLE, OBE, DFC, of MAP, called on the station commander. Weather early drizzle with showers later. Low cloud, moderate visibility.

April 10th, 1944: 02.12 hours.

‘EXERCISE TOM’ - Navigational exercise to test accurate timing at R.V. and D.Z. 20 aircraft took off and 18 were over the D.Z. at NETHERAVON between 04.30 and 04.46 hours. 2 aircraft did not reach their objective due to weather. Weather fog and drizzle.

April 11th, 1944.

Seven aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and nine of No. 644 Squadron were detailed for operations over France. Weather intermittent rain becoming fair.

April 12th, 1944.

Weather fair.

April 13th, 1944.

Weather early rain, becoming fair.

April 14th, 1944.

Weather cloudy with rain later.

April 15th, 1944: 14.51 hours.

‘EXERCISE POSH’ - Intention to drop troops of the 1st Polish Paratroop Battalion on D.Z. near WINTERBORNE STOKE. 6 Halifax aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and 8 of No. 644 Squadron were involved. No. 298 Squadron dropped 59 troops and 13 containers and No. 644 Squadron dropped 77 troops and 36 containers. There were no hang-ups in container dropping but two were jettisoned. Weather early fog with thundery rain later.

April 16th, 1944: 15.00 hours.

Air Vice Marshall L.N. HOLLINGHURST, CBE, OBE, DFC, AOC No. 38 Group, called to interview selected officers for permanent commissions. Weather cloudy, fine later.

April 17th, 1944.

Weather fog, improving visibility.

April 18th, 1944.

Weather fair to fine.

April 19th, 1944.

Weather early fog, rain later.

April 20th, 1944.

Weather fair to fine.

April 21st, 1944: 07.20 hours.

‘EXERCISE MUSH’ - Intention to land 1st Air Landing Brigade and Divisional troops, 1st Airborne Division, in two lifts with 16 and 12 Halifax-Horsa combinations on BRIZE NORTON and HARWELL respectively. S.A.S.O., No. 38 Group, reported he was very pleased with the Tarrant Rushton record of take-offs, viz, 16 in 11 minutes and 12 in 9 minutes. Weather fair to cloudy.

April 22nd, 1944: 10.00 hours.

General D. EISENHOWER, Supreme Commander British and US Armies in Great Britain, arrived by air accompanied by Air Chief Marshall SIR TRAFFORD LEIGH-MALLORY, KCB, DSO, and Air Vice Marshall L.N. HOLLINGHURST, CBE, OBE, DFC. The party visited the station operations room where a conference was held and later all crews were addressed in the briefing room. Weather early fog, becoming fine.

April, 23rd, 1944: 10.45 hours.

Wing Commander A.R. PUTT of the Air Ministry visited the station. Weather fog, early drizzle, becoming fair.

April 24th, 1944.

Weather cloudy to fair.

April 25th, 1944.

Weather fair to fine.

April 26th, 1944: 15.00 hours.

Group Captain P.V. PLANT and Wing Commander G.C.BYRON of the Air Ministry called in regard to security matters. Weather fine to fair.

April 27th, 1944, and April 28th, 1944.

Two aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and 4 aircraft of No. 644 Squadron were detailed for operations over France. Weather fine to fair.

April 28th, 1944, and April 29th, 1944.

Five aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and 5 of No. 644 Squadron were detailed for operations over France. Weather fair to cloudy.

April 29th, 1944, and April 30th, 1944.

Six aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and 6 of No. 644 Squadron were detailed for operations over France. Weather cloudy, fine later.

April 29th, 1944: 15.20 hours.

Squadron Leader L.M. JOHNSTON and Squadron Leader WEBSDALE of HQ No. 38 Group called on duty matters.

April 30th, 1944.

Weather early fog becoming fine.

The station strength at this date is:

Station HQ - 49 officers and 706 other ranks.

No. 298 Squadron - 54 officers and 268 other ranks.

No. 644 Squadron - 40 officers and 174 other ranks.

No. 6298 and No. 6644 Servicing Eschelons, and No. 14 and No. 15 Glider Servicing Eschelons - 1 officer and 888 other ranks.

A.L.O. - 3 officers and 70 other ranks.

No. 2733 and No. 2810 of the RAFR - 11 officers and 400 other ranks.

DSAF ‘C’ Squadron - 14 officers and 186 other ranks.

TOTAL: 172 officers and 2692 other ranks.

W.A.A.F. - 7 officers and 250 other ranks.

GRAND TOTAL: 179 officers and 2942 other ranks.

May 1st, 1944.

Weather fair to cloudy.

May 2nd, 1944: 10.00 hours.

‘EXERCISE SABU’ - 10 aircraft of No. 644 Squadron and 2 of No. 298 Squadron detailed to drop "guinea pigs" on provisional D.Z. Instructions subsequently received to cancel exercise but not before 4 aircraft were airborne. These aircraft reached the D.Z. and dropped 30 paratroops. Weather cloudy becoming fine.

May 3rd, 1944:

Six aircraft of No. 298 Squadron carried out operations over France. Weather cloudy becoming fair to fine.

May 4th, 1944: 22.00 hours.

‘EXERCISE CONFIRMATION’ - Intention to drop 1 container from each of 30 Halifax aircraft on D.Z. of Sheet 122 508 494 by moonlight without ground aids. 15 aircraft of 298 Squadron dropped 12 containers on the D.Z. 15 aircraft from No. 644 Squadron dropped 13 containers on the D.Z. Weather cloudy with slight rain late morning, becoming fair with showers.

May 5th, 1944: 15.00 hours.

Seven aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and 6 of No. 644 Squadron carried out operations over France. Weather fair with occasional showers afternoon and evening.

May 6th, 1944.

Seven aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and 7 of No. 644 Squadron carried out operations over France. Weather cloudy becoming fair at night.

May 7th, 1944: 21.30 hours.

‘EXERCISE DEAD STICK II’ - 4 aircraft from No. 298 Squadron and 2 of No. 644 Squadron released gliders loaded with ballast over D.Z. Sheet 122, co-ordinates 618 692 by moonlight. Weather fair to fine.

May 8th, 1944.

Lancaster L57 of EAST KIRBY, No. 5 Group, landed on return from an attack on Tours. Aircraft attacked by JU88 over target and again over Jersey. Damage to aircraft sustained and rear gunner badly hit.

May 8th, 1944: 23.05 hours.

‘EXERCISE DINGO II’ - Intention to land Horsa gliders over NETHERAVON south airfield by moonlight and drop containers on the divisional D.Z. 8 Halifax-Horsa combinations of No. 644 Squadron took off and 6 released their gliders over the D.Z. 3 aircraft dropped one container each over the D.Z. 6 Halifax-Horsa combinations of No. 298 Squadron took off and 4 released their gliders over the D.Z. while 3 dropped their containers. 2 aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and 1 of No. 644 Squadron carried out operations over France. Weather fair to fine.

May 9th, 1944.

Six aircraft of No. 298 Squadron carried out operations over France. Weather fine, slight haze.

May 10th, 1944.

Wellington ‘P’ of No. 30 O.T.U. at LEIGHFORD, No. 93 Group, landed on return from Nichel raid over France. Target was Orleans. Navigator taken ill on course. Weather fair to cloudy becoming fine at night.

May 11th, 1944.

Three aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and 4 from No. 644 Squadron departed on operations over France. Weather fog clearing by 10.00 hours, fine thereafter.

May 12th, 1944.

Weather fine.

May 13th, 1944: 01.15 hours.

While landing, Horsa glider LH 339 collided with Halifax aircraft on the airfield. Glider badly over-shot airfield. Both Halifax and glider sustained damage but no casualties sustained.

May 13th, 1944: 02.15 hours.

Badly over-shooting the airfield, a Horsa glider LH 520 collided with Halifax aircraft QQ. Aircraft sustained damage category B and Horsa glider written off. Glider pilot Sergeant BLACKBURN was killed and Staff Sergeant HAROLD FORD was seriously injured. Weather fine becoming cloudy with intermittent light rain.

May 14th, 1944.

Weather fair to fine.

May 15th, 1944.

Weather fine to fair with slight showers in late afternoon.

May 16th, 1944.

Weather fair in morning then showery.

May 17th, 1944.

Weather cloudy with intermittent rain or showers.

May 18th, 1944: 21.05 hours.

Practise mass glider take-off and landing at dusk. 12 Halifax-Hamilcar combinations of No. 298 Squadron and 12 similar combinations of No. 644 Squadron took part. Weather fair, mainly slight showers towards dusk then becoming fine.

May 19th, 1944: 11.04 hours.

Practise mass glider take-off and landing by day. 18 Halifax-Horsa combinations of No. 298 Squadron and a similar number from No. 644 Squadron took part.

May 19th, 1944: 19.00 hours.

Practise mass glider take-off and landing at dusk. 18 Halifax-Horsa combinations from each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron took part. Weather mainly fine, slight shower late afternoon.

May 20th, 1944.

Weather fine.

May 21st, 1944.

Weather becoming overcast about 03.00 hours. Slight drizzle at dusk, fair later.

May 22nd, 1944: 16.07 hours.

Aircraft ‘H’ of No. 644 Squadron crash landed off runway 01. Aircraft damaged. No casualties.

May 22nd, 1944: 21.31 hours.

Practise mass take-off of Halifax-Hamilcar combinations at dusk, including combinations from each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron took part. One glider ran into a hedge near the Wimborne road on landing. Starboard under carriage collapsed. Weather mainly fine.

May 23rd, 1944.

Weather fair becoming cloudy.

May 24th, 1944: 00.51 hours.

Glider crash landed near the station sick quarters. Glider pilots received minor injuries. Weather mainly fine.

May 25th, 1944.

Weather becoming cloudy during the morning with intermittent light rain or drizzle afternoon onwards.

May 26th, 1944: 10.30 hours.

Weather intermittent drizzle becoming fair in afternoon.

May 27th, 1944: 00.19 hours.

Halifax aircraft ‘E’ of No. 644 Squadron crashed on take-off. The pilot and rear gunner were killed. The other members of the crew were uninjured. The pilots of the glider which was being towed escaped without injury. Weather mainly fair to fine.

May 28th, 1944.

One aircraft from each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron carried out operations over France. Weather fine.

May 29th, 1944: 11.32 hours.

Practise mass take-off of gliders by day. 36 Halifax-Horsa combinations took part. 19 from No. 298 Squadron and 17 from No. 644 Squadron. Two aircraft from each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron took part in operations over France. Weather fine.

May 30th, 1944: 23.55 hours.

Practise mass take-off of gliders by moonlight. 36 Halifax-Horsa combinations took part, 18 from No. 298 Squadron and 18 from No. 644 Squadron. Three gliders failed to land at base. 1 glider crash-landed at MOOR CRITCHELL and was completely written off, another at SHAPWICK sustained damage and a third at SPETTISBURY. Weather fine to midday, thunderstorms afternoon and evening, becoming fine after dusk.

May 31st, 1944.

Weather fair, hazy and cloud near surface coming in from the Channel at dusk.

The total operational flying time for the month of May, 1944, was 2,159 hours and 40 minutes including 1,097 hours and 25 minutes of night flying.

Administration:

May 1st, 1944: 10.15 hours.

Visit from Flight Lieutenant CAMBRIDGE, H.Q. No. 38 Group, on armament matters.

May 2nd, 1944: 12.00 hours.

Squadron Leader SANDIFORD and Flight Lieutenant LACE of No. 38 Group visited the station to discuss intelligence problems.

May 5th, 1944: 12.99 hours.

Mr GUYALL of the Air Ministry visited the station administrative officer in regard to station horticultural matters.

May 5th, 1944: 14.40 hours.

Group Captain WAKE of MAP visited on liaison duties.

May 6th, 1944: 12.30 hours.

Flight Officer C.M. RAWCLIFFE, H.Q. No. 38 Group, visited in connection with WAAF matters.

May 8th, 1944: 12.30 hours.

Squadron Leader C.D.PALMER, H.Q. ADGB, visited the station to discuss staff matters.

May 9th, 1944: 16.00 hours.

Squadron Leader A.R.G. WOOLFREY, H.Q. No. 38 Group, attended to inspect the equipment section. Flight Lieutenant BANTOFT, No. 38 Group Accidents and Inspection Department, called on the CTO on aircraft safety.

May 11th, 1944: 10.30 hours.

Brigadier C.B. BRITTEN and Lieutenant Colonel R.L.SHERBROOKE, No. 38 Group, visited the station to discuss defence matters with Major RYCROFT, L.D.A.

May 16th, 1944: