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

FOR GROUP CAPTAIN (COMMANDING),

RAF STATION TARRANT RUSHTON.

Appendix No. 1: June 30th, 1944; Ref. TR/1580/ENG/J100.

A History of the Servicing Wing, June, 1944:

(i) Prior to the commencement of operations, the Servicing Wing made unrelenting efforts to produce the maximum possible serviceability, reaching a peak of 97.5 per cent of all operational aircraft on June 5th, 1944.

(ii) Meanwhile, much colourful activity was in progress, giving both aircraft and gliders their operational stripes for which purpose something like 30,000 lbs of black and white distemper was supplied.

(iii) The Servicing Wing personnel were assisted in the final preparations and in loading the gliders by a No. 1. HGSU Heavy Glider Servicing Unit detachment and by an expert party from General Aircraft Ltd whose whole- hearted co-operation proved a valuable asset.

(iv) During the initial operations, 70 combinations comprising 36 Halifax-Hors and 34 Halifax-Hamilcar combinations were despatched from the airfield without one technical failure.

(v) Although a considerable number of aircraft returning from operations were damaged by enemy action, only 5 were sufficiently bad to be categorised ‘A’ and of these the last was completed and air tested in three days. Much good work in this direction was effected by a small ‘quick repair’ party led by the Technical Air Force.

(vi) During this period, 8 USAAF aircraft found refuge on the airfield with varying degrees of infirmity following enemy action. With the exception of one Fortress which belly-landed, the remainder were soon cleared and returned to base; one Liberator caused some consternation by despatching a bomb on the runway in use but this was rapidly disposed of by the station armament officer.

(vii) On the heels of the combination on operations came the fitting in the Halifax fuselage bomb bay of a car and six pounder gun. Some difficulty was experienced in the initial fitting of the 8,000 lbs bomb beam which carries the load and load attachments but the two main drops on the 10th and 17th June of six and eight pairs respectively was successfully accomplished. Since then, a number of drops with a car and six pounder gun alone have been made.

(viii) The Servicing Wing was honoured by visits and the attendant congratulatory speeches from the Air Officer commanding the No. 38 Group on June 9th, the Secretary of State for Air on the 10th and the Marshall of the Royal Air Force, LORD TRENCHARD, on the June 12th.

(ix) The glider dispersal was not allowed to assume a bear appearance for very long. Numbers of new gliders soon arrived, including 34 WACO / HADRIAN gliders which made their first en-mass appearance on the station.

(x) A number of experiments and tests have been made during the month including initial trials of a new Hamilcar towbar, experimental Hamilcar loads, experimental container drops and the repositioning of the Gee aerial. The last operation being carried out by a visiting No. 32 M.U. fitting party.

Statistics:

During the month of June, of a cumulative total of 2,234 aircraft on charge, 2,040 were serviceable giving a cumulative average serviceability of 91 per cent. A total of 20 minor inspections were made, 6 engine changes effected, 3 acceptance checks completed and 13 airframe repairs carried out.

Since the beginning of the month, the station has been self-supporting in the field of compressed air supply, a total of 170 1,500 litre and 37 smaller type bottles being charged by the Fullerton air compressor plant operated by the station workshops.

Summary of events:

Ref: TR/S.253/7/AIR.

June 2nd, 1944.

With effect from 14.00 hours on June 2nd, 1944, the station is sealed. This will mean:

(i) All officers and airmen must live at the camp.

(ii) No-one will be allowed outside the camp bounds. These extend in all directions up to the first house or village, i.e., personnel may walk in the country around provided they do not go as far as any civilian dwelling.

(iii) All leave of any kind is stopped.

(iv) It’s absolutely prohibited for any officer or airmen to enter into conversation with any civilian or member of other forces who are not confined to this station.

(v) Civilians who have volunteered to remain ‘sealed’ in the camp are confined to camp in the same way as service personnel. Those who have not volunteered to be confined to the camp are excluded. All civilian passes are to be withdrawn immediately.

(vi) All postings out to stations other than operational stations are ‘frozen’.

(vii) Attached personnel may not leave unless they are proceeding to another No. 38 Group station.

(viii) Anyone who must make a journey outside the station must obtain written permission from the station commanders, CTO, Station Administration Officer or Station Adjutant. The Station Administration Officer to arrange the form these passes take. Anyone authorised to make a journey outside the station must proceed directly to his destination. Under no circumstances is he to make any intermediate stop or depart from the authorised route.

(1) Routine runs for stores, mail etc. will be escorted by a reliable senior N.C.O. Civilian contractors or service personnel delivering loads to this station must report to the guard room and will then be escorted. They must not enter into conversation with personnel on this station.

(2) Any other visitors to the station will be interviewed by the Adjutant or CTO responsible for necessary security measures to prevent them obtaining information they should not have.

(3) The above regulations are for the purpose of security, the importance of which cannot be over emphasised. They must be intelligently applied in spirit as well as in the letter. It is hoped these restrictions will not be in force for too long and on all occasions when aircrews are not briefed, the sealing will be relaxed.

July, 1944.

Compiled by Flight Lieutenant H. Quinlan.

July 1st, 1944.

Weather rain and drizzle throughout 24 hours.

July 2nd, 1944.

Weather rain and drizzle throughout 24 hours.

July 3rd, 1944.

Weather rain and drizzle to mid-afternoon, improving to fair later with moderate North Westerly winds.

July 3rd / July 4th, 1944.

4 aircraft of No. 298 Squadron were detailed for special operations (SOE) and were airborne from 23.10 hours on July 3rd, 1944, to 04.54 hours on July 4th. Two were successful. For aircraft from No. 644 Squadron were detailed for the same operations and were airborne from 23.26 hours to 05.07 hours. 3 were successful. In addition, 2 Stirlings from No. 299 Squadron and 2 Stirlings from No. 196 Squadron operated from Tarrant Rushton on similar missions, one from each squadron being successful.

July 4th, 1944.

Two Hamilcar gliders loaded with Spitfire mainplanes were towed to a landing strip in Normandy. Weather fair to midday becoming cloudy later.

July 4th/July 5th, 1944.

Three aircraft from each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron were detailed for special operations (SAS). All were successful and only two landed back at base, the remainder being diverted owing to bad weather conditions. 5 aircraft from No. 644 Squadron and 4 aircraft from No. 298 Squadron were detailed for special operations (SOE). 3 from each squadron were successful. 4 landed at base, the remainder being diverted. 6 aircraft from No. 196 Squadron, 5 of No. 295 Squadron, 7 of No. 299 Squadron and four of No. 570 Squadron operated on similar missions from Tarrant Rushton.

July 5th, 1944.

Weather drizzle and low cloud to midday, cloudy during afternoon and later towards midnight drizzle and low cloud again.

July 6th, 1944: 10.20 hours.

One aircraft from each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron took off to retrieve the Hamilcars ferried to Normandy on July 4th. The aircraft returned with the gliders at 14.28 hours and 14.44 hours. Weather foggy to dawn then becoming fair.

July 6th/July 7th, 1944.

Seven aircraft of each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron took part in SOE operations over France. Five aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and four aircraft of No 644 Squadron completed their missions. Six aircraft of No. 196 Squadron, seven of No. 298 Squadron, one of No. 296 Squadron and one of No. 297 Squadron took part from Tarrant Rushton on similar operations. Five of these aircraft failed to complete their mission.

July 7th, 1944.

Weather cloudy with showers late afternoon and evening.

July 7th/July 8th, 1944.

Four aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and five aircraft of No. 644 Squadron were detailed for special operations (SOE). All of No. 298 Squadron and three of No. 644 Squadron were successful. The navigator of one of the No. 644 Squadron aircraft injured his head shortly after take-off and the aircraft returned to base without having crossed the English coast. In addition, five aircraft of No. 196 Squadron (four successful), five aircraft of No. 296 Squadron (one successful), five aircraft of No. 297 Squadron (two successful), six aircraft from No. 299 Squadron (four successful) operated from Tarrant Rushton on similar missions.

July 8th, 1944: 10.02 and a 1/2 hours.

Halifax ‘N’ of No. 644 Squadron piloted by Squadron Leader NORMAN and rear gunner Flight Sergeant GRANT encountered enemy aircraft identified as FW 190 at 49 degrees, 21 minutes North and 00 degrees, 5 minutes East at 6,500 feet A.S.L. ‘N’ corkscrewed to port, enemy aircraft chased to 400 feet and rear gunner opened fire with a two second burst. Enemy aircraft did not open fire and broke away in a violent dive.

A Boston aircraft of No.342 Squadron, No 2 Group, piloted by Lieutenant ROUSSELOF landed at Tarrant Rushton on return from patrolling a bombing mission over MAZENNE, ALENCON , LE MANS and LAVAL areas. Weather fair with light drizzle during morning, cloudy later.

July 8th/July 9th, 1944.

Three aircraft from No. 196 Squadron, three aircraft from No. 296 Squadron and one aircraft of No. 299 Squadron operated from Tarrant Rushton on SOE missions. Two aircraft failed to complete their missions and returned to Tarrant Rushton.

July 9th, 1944.

Weather cloudy with rain and drizzle from midday onwards. Wind becoming fresh in evening, visibility good except in rain.

July 10th, 1944.

Weather rain and drizzle for 24 hours, wind fresh, cloudbase 1,000 feet or lower. Visibility below cloud very good except in rain.

July 10th/July 11th, 1944.

One aircraft from each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron took part in SOE operations over France. The aircraft of No. 298 Squadron was unsuccessful. One aircraft of No. 644 Squadron piloted by Wing Commander POPE on SAS operations dropped supplies successfully on DZ.

July 11th, 1944.

Four aircraft of No. 644 Squadron took part in a "Guinea Pig" drop on the Divisional DZ. Weather cloudy with fair intervals, winds moderate, visibility very good.

July 11th/July 12th, 1944.

One aircraft of No. 644 Squadron successfully took supplies on SAS operations. Six aircraft of No. 644 Squadron and seven of No. 298 Squadron took part in SIOE missions over France. One aircraft of No. 644 Squadron and four aircraft of No. 298 Squadron were unsuccessful and brought their loads back.

July 12th, 1944.

One aircraft of No. 644 Squadron and three aircraft of No. 298 Squadron took part in a "Guinea Pig" drop on the Divisional DZ, each aircraft dropping 10 troops. Weather cloudy with fair intervals. Visibility very good but less than 2 miles towards midnight in slight drizzle.

July 13th, 1944.

"Guinea Pig" drop - 4 aircraft of No. 298 Squadron dropped 10 troops each on the Divisional DZ. Weather cloudy with rain and drizzle mid-afternoon, visibility moderate except in showers.

July 13th/July 14th, 1944.

Nine aircraft each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron operated over France on SOE missions. Two aircraft from, each squadron were unsuccessful and one aircraft of No. 298 Squadron was only partially successful due to container hang-up. Aircraft ‘H’ of No. 298 Squadron piloted by Flight Sergeant MacKrill, rear gunner Sergeant Bridge encountered a JU88 in the drop zone area. Enemy aircraft approached to within 50 yards range and the rear gunner fired two bursts (300 rounds). Flight engineer observed strikes on enemy aircraft before it turned away. The JU88 did not open fire.

July 14th, 1944.

Two aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and three of No. 644 Squadron took part in the "Guinea Pig" drop on the Divisional DZ. Weather cloudy with occasional drizzle in the evening, visibility very good except in drizzle. Winds moderate.

July 14th/July 15th, 1944.

Five aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and six aircraft of No. 644 Squadron operated over France on SOE missions. One aircraft from No. 298 Squadron and two aircraft from No. 644 Squadron failed to complete their missions.

Five Stirlings of No. 196 Squadron and five Stirlings of No. 299 Squadron operated from Tarrant Rushton on the same missions. One aircraft from No. 196 Squadron was unsuccessful. All visiting aircraft returned to their base at KEEVIL.

July 15th, 1944.

Weather cloudy with occasional drizzle about dawn, improving to fair in the afternoon. Winds moderate south-west before becoming fresher in the afternoon. Visibility good.

July 15th/July 16th, 1944.

Eight aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and seven aircraft of No. 644 Squadron operated over France on SOE missions. On return, all aircraft were diverted - landing at HARWELL, METHWOOLD, BOSCOMBE DOWN, FAIRFORD, BOVINGTON and DUNFORD.

Three aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and one aircraft of No. 644 Squadron failed to complete their mission. Halifax ‘N’ of No. 298 Squadron piloted by Warrant Officer CROSSLEY failed to return from operations.

July 16th, 1944.

Weather foggy about dawn becoming cloudy about 09.00 hours, improving to fair in afternoon. Fine in the evening. Winds light, visibility poor about dawn becoming good later.

July 17th, 1944.

Weather fair to fine, winds light and variable becoming moderate. Visibility moderate to good.

July 17th/July 18th, 1944.

Three aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and four aircraft of No. 644 Squadron operated over France on SOE missions. One aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and three aircraft from No. 644 Squadron were unsuccessful. Halifax ‘Q’ of No. 644 Squadron piloted by Flying Officer NICKEL with rear gunner Sergeant EBBELS when eight miles west of LISIEUX opened fire on a twin engined aircraft which came in from the starboard quarter. The unidentified aircraft dived away to port but from general observation, the gunner believed it to be a Mosquito.

Weather mainly fair with light showers in the evening, visibility moderate to good.

July 18th/July 19th, 1944.

Five aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and six aircraft of No. 644 Squadron took part in SOE missions. Five aircraft of No. 644 Squadron were unsuccessful and returned to base with their loads.

July 19th, 1944.

Weather cloudy with fair intervals. Winds light and variable. Visibility moderate, deteriorating about dusk - 2 miles hazy.

July 20th, 1944.

Weather cloudy with fair intervals, hazy. Winds easterly light to moderate. Visibility three to five miles.

July 20th/July 21st, 1944.

Eleven aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and nine aircraft from No. 644 Squadron operated over France on SOE missions. Only three aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and two aircraft of No. 644 Squadron completed their tasks. The other aircraft

operating on this night were unsuccessful, mainly due to very unfavourable weather conditions in the target area and en route. Halifax ‘R’ of No. 644 Squadron piloted by Flight Lieutenant HOBBS and rear gunner Flying Officer MILLER claimed two single-engined fighters shot down, one at 48 degrees and 6 minutes North and two degrees and 14 minutes East at 01.02 hours, and the other at the DR position, 48 degrees and six minutes North and three degrees and 48 minutes East at 01.45 hours. The rear gunner fired about 800 rounds at the two enemy aircraft, neither of which returned fire.

July 21st, 1944.

Weather intermittent rain and drizzle throughout period with winds North-Easterly moderate to fresh. Visibility moderate to good except in rain. Cloud base falling to 1,000 feet at dusk.

July 22nd, 1944.

Weather rain to mid-morning then cloudy with fair intervals. Winds moderate to light, visibility moderate to good.

July 22nd/July 23rd, 1944.

Nine aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and ten aircraft of No. 644 Squadron flew on SOE missions over France. Seven aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and three aircraft of No. 644 Squadron failed to carry out their missions. Halifax ‘R’ of No. 298 Squadron piloted by Flight Sergeant REID and rear gunner Sergeant JONES when at 44 degrees and 38 minutes North and one degree and five minutes East saw two fighter aircraft on the starboard bow. A twin-engined aircraft was then seen making a run-in from dead astern. The rear gunner opened fire and the enemy aircraft dived into cloud. One aircraft of each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron operated over France on SAS missions. Both aircraft failed to complete their missions owing to low cloud over the DZ area.

July 23rd, 1944.

Weather cloudy with fair intervals, winds moderate to light variable. Visibility moderate.

July 23rd/July 24th, 1944.

Two aircraft of No. 298 squadron and three aircraft of No. 644 Squadron operated over France on SOE missions. Two aircraft from No. 298 Squadron were unsuccessful. One aircraft of each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron successfully dropped supplies on an SAS mission.

July 24th, 1944.

Weather cloudy becoming fair in the afternoon and fine in the evening. Visibility moderate, hazy. Winds light, variable but moderate in the afternoon.

July 24th/July 25th, 1944.

‘EXERCISE ARCHIMEDES II’ - Five aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and five aircraft of No. 644 Squadron took part in this exercise dropping one container each on DZ, Sheet 122 CASTLE MOUNDS 474608. There was a Eureka beacon set up at the DZ and all aircraft homed on Rebecca. One aircraft of each squadron was late taking off owing to technical failures and curtailed the route.

July 25th, 1944.

"Guinea Pig" drop - two aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and one aircraft of No. 644 Squadron dropped 29 troops on the Divisional DZ between 08.25 hours and 08.33 hours. Weather fair to cloudy with intermittent rain after midday. Winds moderate East to South-East, visibility moderate.

July 25th/July 26th, 1944.

Three aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and four aircraft of No. 644 Squadron carried out SOE missions over France. Two aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and three aircraft of No. 644 Squadron did not complete their missions.

July 26th, 1944: 01.30 hours.

Horsa glider RJ 262 when coming into land over-shot and collided with Halifax A-G of No. 298 Squadron on the airfield. No-one sustained injures. The Horsa glider was completely written off and the Halifax damaged Category ‘B’.

July 26th, 1944.

Weather cloudy with drizzle in the morning and occasionally in the afternoon and evening. Wind moderate veering to the South-West, fresh. Visibility moderate becoming good.

July 27th, 1944.

Weather cloudy with rain or light showers in morning and becoming fair in the evening. South-West winds moderate to fresh in afternoon, visibility moderate improving to good.

July 27th/July 28th, 1944.

Five aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and seven aircraft of No. 644 Squadron took part in SOE missions over France. Halifax ‘K’ of No. 298 Squadron returned to base at 23.50 hours due to the failure of one engine. One aircraft of No. 644 Squadron did not complete its mission. Three aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and two of No. 644 Squadron dropped supplies over France to SAS troops. One aircraft of No. 298 Squadron failed to carry out its task and one aircraft of No. 644 Squadron was only partially successful due to the hang-up of the six pounder gun it was carrying.

July 28th, 1944: 11.00 hours.

Flight Lieutenant FURNISS-ROWE lectured on evasion to aircrews of both squadrons and glider pilots in the station briefing room. Weather cloudy with fair intervals, winds South-West moderate, visibility very good.

July 28th/July 29th, 1944.

Four aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and two aircraft of No. 644 Squadron operated over France on SOE missions. One aircraft from each squadron was unsuccessful. One aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and two aircraft of No. 644 Squadron dropped supplies for SAS troops. Only three aircraft landed at base on the return from these operations, the remainder being diverted to BRIZE NORTON.