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

July, 29th, 1944.

Weather rain before dawn, occasional showers in afternoon becoming fair later. Winds South-Westerly moderate to fresh, visibility moderate to good except in rain.

July 30th, 1944.

Weather cloudy with fair periods, visibility moderate improving to very good. Winds North-West moderate.

July 30th/July 31st, 1944.

Two aircraft each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron were detailed to carry out SOE missions. Halifax ‘L’ of No. 644 Squadron returned to base at 01.08 hours owing to the failure of radar equipment. One aircraft of each squadron dropped supplies to SAS troops in France. Three aircraft were diverted to BRIZE NORTON on return from operations.

July 31st, 1944.

Weather cloudy with fair periods in the afternoon, visibility moderate to hazy once light.

Total flying hours for the month of July, 1944, were 18.9 hours and ten minutes including 11.85 hours and 55 minutes night flying.

Administration Notes:

July 2nd, 1944: 17.40 hours.

Flight Lieutenant MACADAM visited on staff matters.

July 3rd, 1944: 16.30 hours.

Group Captain DISBREY of TAF visited on staff matters.

July 5th, 1944: 13.45 hours.

Group Captain WAKE of MAP called on the station commander.

July 6th, 1944: 12.00 hours.

Wing Commander GODREY and Squadron Leader CAMPBELL called in connection with signals and radar.

July 6th, 1944: 15.30 hours.

Flight Lieutenant BERREY, No. 38 Group, visited the station on staff matters.

July 7th, 1944: 09.20 hours.

Group Captain SCOTT and Squadron Leader LUNAN of RCAF HQ Exeter called in on liaison duties.

July 8th, 1944: 16.00 hours.

Group Captain LEWIS ROBERTS from the Air Ministry visited the station.

July 12th, 1944: 11.30 hours.

Lieutenant Commander (A) R. ALLEN, No. 38 Group, called on liaison duties.

July 12th, 1944: 14.30 hours.

Flight Lieutenant LIGHT, Flight Lieutenant CAMBRIDGE and Flight Lieutenant WRIGHT of No. 38 Group called on staff duties.

July 12th, 1944: 15.40 hours

Flight Lieutenant MACADAM, No. 38 Group, called on staff duties.

July 15th, 1944.

Squadron Leader PALM, HQ, ADGB, called on staff duties.

July 18th, 1944: 10.20 hours.

Squadron Leader EBBUTT, No. 38 Group, paid a staff visit to the station.

July 19th, 1944: 12.30 hours.

Squadron Leader LEIGH JONES, Flight Lieutenant LOWE and Squadron Leader WALLACE of No. 38 Group visited the station on staff matters.

July 19th, 1944: 14.45 hours.

Flight Lieutenant BENEY, No. 38 Group, called on staff duties.

Flight Lieutenant ORR of the Air Ministry (DSM) and Mr STARR of MAP (RDI) called on staff duties.

July 22nd, 1944: 15.10 hours.

Squadron Leader LUNAN, No. 20 HQ RCAF, called on liaison duties.

July 25th, 1944: 12.00 hours.

Flight Lieutenant WALTERS, No. 38 Group, called on staff duties.

July 25th, 1944: 16.00 hours.

Squadron Leader WOOLFREY, No. 38 Group, called in on staff duties.

July 26th, 1944: 16.10 hours.

Wing Commander ELSE, Squadron Officer SHALLARD and Squadron Leader JOHNSON called in on staff duties.

July 27th, 1944: 12.00 hours.

Squadron Leader LEIGH JONES and Flight Lieutenant HOWE of No. 38 Group, called in on staff duties.

July 27th, 1944: 16.00 hours.

Flight Lieutenant FURNESS-ROWE, HQ TAF, called on intelligence matters.

July 28th, 1944: 11.40 hours.

Wing Commander COOMBS, DDASR, visited the station in connection with ASR.

July 28th, 1944: 12.10 hours.

Flight Lieutenant WRIGHT of No. 38 Group called on staff duties.

July 28th, 1944: 12.15 hours.

Flight Lieutenants WRIGHT, BRAMWELL and SARGENT of MAP visited the CTO.

July 31st, 1944: 14.50 hours.

Squadron Leader SMITH of No. 38 Group visited the station to lecture aircrews. The officer in medical charge reports that the general health of the camp is excellent. During the month, six performances of the film ‘Sex Hygiene’ were given in the camp cinema. The film was seen by all male personnel. A short lecture was given at each performance by a medical officer.

A summary of the chief events in the Servicing Wing is attached.

Personnel Notes for July, 1944.

July 1st, 1944.

Flying Officer MADILL, Technical, proceeded on attachment to HAMSTOCK NORRIS.

July 5th, 1944.

Squadron Leader PEARCE proceeded on attachment to the School of Discussion at HIGHGATE.

July 11th, 1944.

Squadron Leader PEARCE returned from attachment.

July 13th, 1944.

Flight Lieutenant McLAREN, Meteorologist, proceeded to No. 38 Group on attachment.

July 23rd, 1944.

Flight Officer GABBOT, WAAF ‘G’, proceeded on a posting to GATWICK.

Flight Lieutenant McLAREN returned from attachment.

July 28th, 1944.

Station Officer HERBERT-SMITH, A.& S.D. (Intelligence) proceeded on posting to No. 38 Group.

July 29th, 1944.

Flight Lieutenant AYLEN of the Dental Branch attached to this station from HURN.

Personnel strength as of the end of July, 1944, is:

RAF officers: 151 RAF other ranks: 2,336

RCAF officers: 26 RCAF other ranks: 25

RNZAF officers: 4 RNZAF other ranks: 0

RAAF officers: 8 RAAF other ranks: 7

WAAF officers: 7 WAAF other ranks: 254

TOTAL OFFICERS: 196 TOTAL OTHER RANKS: 2,622

Signed: T.H.W PEARCE, (Squadron Leader)

FOR GROUP CAPTAIN (COMMANDING),

RAF STATION TARRANT RUSHTON.

Station Commander’s resume:

During the month, the station operated on 18 nights, 129/212 successful sorties were flown on SAS and SOE missions over France. The squadrons also took part in Group station exercises on the night of 24th/25th July, 10 aircraft from the station were detailed for ‘EXERCISE ARCHIMEDES II’, a container drop. A station container dropping exercise was staged on 3rd/4th July in which 25 crews took part. ‘Guinea Pig’ drops by day were carried out by day on the 6th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 25th July. The station lost one aircraft of No. 298 Squadron during the month, the pilot was Warrant Officer CROSSLEY.

Signed: T.B. COOPER, DFC,

GROUP CAPTAIN (COMMANDING),

RAF STATION TARRANT RUSHTON.

July, 1944 - History of the Servicing Wing:

Despite the fact that no major operations took place during the month, it has been a busy one for the ground crews of the Servicing Wing, the speed due to the fact that a total, including gliders, of approximately 2,100 flying hours have been flown. A considerable amount of experimental work with Hamilcar loads has been done. A request for four Spitfire mainplanes to be landed in Normandy led to a rapid design and fitment of special lashings and the delivery was made on July 4th. The initial fitment of lashings for the following Hamilcar loads has also been made: angledozer, bulldozer, scraper and a T9 tank.

Statistics:

Over a cumulative total of 2,234 Halifax aircraft held on charge during the month, 2,040 were serviceable, giving a cumulative average serviceability of 87 per cent. In addition, 56 minor inspections were made, seven engine changes were effected and 24 airframe repairs carried out. The total glider lifts for the month were 674.

August 1st, 1944.

Three Halifax aircraft from No. 298 Squadron and four from No. 644 Squadron took part in SOE operations over France. Enemy aircraft encountered at 46 degrees and 25 minutes North and 0 degrees and 53 minutes East. Believed to be a JU88 burning navigational lights. Fire opened by aircraft of No. 644 Squadron but not returned. Hits claimed on main fuselage. Weather fog during morning becoming fair in the evening.

August 2nd, 1944.

Six aircraft each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron operated over France on SOE missions. Weather cloudy becoming fair to fine during the evening.

August 3rd, 1944.

One aircraft of each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron operated over France on SAS missions. Both aircraft failed to drop their supplies. Weather cloudy with slight drizzle early, becoming fair during the afternoon.

August 4th, 1944.

‘EXERCISE MOTH’ - Five aircraft from each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron took part in this map-reading and container dropping exercise under simulated operational conditions. All save one aircraft successfully located and dropped their containers on their allocated DZ. Four aircraft each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron carried out SOE missions over France. Two aircraft from each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron dropped supplies to SAS troops in France. Weather fine to fair.

August 5th, 1944: 05.27 hours.

A Stirling aircraft EC of No. 295 Squadron piloted by F.L. STEWART landed on airfield on return from SOE mission over France. Five Halifax-WACO combinations from each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron took part in an SAS mission over Brittany. All gliders successfully released over the LZ. Five aircraft of No. 644 Squadron and four of No. 298 Squadron carried out SOE operations over France. Aircraft A-’Q’ of No. 298 Squadron piloted by Flying Officer ANDERSON failed to return. Four Stirlings of No. 620 Squadron based at FAIRFORD were diverted to Tarrant Rushton on return from SOE operations over France. Lancaster aircraft ‘B’ of No. 622 Squadron piloted by Flying Officer ROBBINS landed at Tarrant Rushton on return from a bombing mission over France due to leaking petrol and failure of outer-port engine. Weather fair.

August 6th, 1944.

Three aircraft each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron carried out SOE missions over France. Weather fine at first, fair to cloudy.

August 7th, 1944.

Two aircraft from No. 298 Squadron and one from No. 644 Squadron carried out SOE operations over France. Weather fine.

August 8th, 1944.

Three aircraft each from No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron took part in SOE operations over France. Weather cloudy at first becoming fair to fine.

August 9th, 1944.

Nine aircraft from No. 298 Squadron and seven from No. 644 Squadron carried out SOE operations over France. Weather slight drizzle early becoming fair to fine.

August 10th, 1944: 02.30 hours.

Wellington aircraft ‘C’ of No. 30. OTU, 19 Group, based at LEIGHFORD piloted by Flight Sergeant CRONE landed at Tarrant Rushton owing to port engine failure on return from bombing raid over CHATEAUDURE. Three aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and four from No. 644 Squadron operated on SOE missions over France. Weather fine.

August 11th, 1944.

Two aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and one from No. 644 Squadron carried out SOE tasks over France. Weather fog during morning with drizzle at 10.00 hours then clearing.

August 12th, 1944.

Three aircraft from each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron operated over France on SOE missions. Stirling aircraft ‘M’ of No. 570 Squadron based at HARWELL piloted by Pilot Officer HOURGATE landed at Tarrant Rushton on return from unsuccessful SOE mission over France. Weather fog at first with slight rain and drizzle.

August 13th, 1944.

One aircraft from No. 644 Squadron dropped supplies to SAS troops in France. Two aircraft of No. 299 Squadron based at KEEVIL (pilots Flight Lieutenant TAYLOR and Flight Officer BEESFORD) were diverted to Tarrant Rushton on return from SAS missions over France due to unserviceability of airfield lighting at base. Weather fine.

August 14th, 1944.

One aircraft each from No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron operated over France on supply-dropping missions to SAS troops. Weather fine. Two aircraft from No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron operated over France on supply-dropping missions to SAS troops. Weather fine.

August 16th, 1944.

One aircraft from No. 298 Squadron and two from No. 644 Squadron carried out supplying-dropping missions to SAS troops in France. Weather fine.

August 17th, 1944.

Weather slight drizzle with very low cloud until 10.00 hours then fair.

August 18th, 1944.

One aircraft from each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron dropped supplies to SAS troops in France. Seven aircraft from each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron operated over France on SOE missions.

August 18th, 1944: 02.08 hours.

One Halifax aircraft ‘C’ of No. 425 Squadron, No. 6 Group, piloted by Flying Officer GALLIPEAU landed at Tarrant Rushton on return from bombing raid on the CONNANTRE marshalling yards. Weather fair.

August 19th, 1944.

Weather intermittent rain.

August 20th, 1944.

Six aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and five from No. 644 Squadron operated over France on supply-dropping missions to SAS troops. Four aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and one from No. 644 Squadron carried out SOE missions over France. Weather cloudy with thunder at 07.10 hours and almost continuous rain.

August 21st, 1944.

Weather almost continuous rain or drizzle.

August 22nd, 1944.

Weather slight drizzle until 10.00 hours then fair to cloudy.

August 23rd, 1944.

Three aircraft from No. 298 Squadron and six from No. 644 Squadron took part in SOE missions over France. Owing to weather conditions over the DZ, the operation was not too successful. Four aircraft from No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron also operated over France on SOE supply-dropping missions. Weather continuous rain with cloud then fine.

August 24th, 1944.

One aircraft from No. 298 Squadron and two from No. 644 Squadron dropped supplies to SAS troops in France. 19 aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and 18 from No. 644 Squadron operated over France on SOE missions. Aircraft A-’T’ of No. 298 Squadron piloted by Warrant Officer BAIN was missing from this operation. Weather fog forming rapidly at dawn, clearing about 08.00 hours.

August 24th, 1944.

Aircraft U-’Z’ of No. 644 Squadron piloted by Flying Officer NICKELL and rear gunner Sergeant EBBELS encountered unidentified aircraft burning a red light at

48 degrees and 15 minutes North and 0 degrees and 47 minutes East. The aircraft closed to 400 feet range and the rear gunner opened fire with a one second burst. He immediately afterwards recognised the aircraft as a Halifax and the red light appeared to be coming from the Astrodome. The aircraft passed overhead and broke away to port. Hits claimed on the front of the machine by the rear gunner.

August 24th, 1944.

Weather fog forming rapidly at dawn and clearing about 08.00 hours.

August 25th, 1944.

Nine aircraft each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron operated over France on SOE missions. Aircraft P-’O’ of No. 644 Squadron piloted by Flight Sergeant USSEL made heavy landing owing to thin low stratus cloud. Undercarriage collapsed at the end of the run on runway but no member of crew was injured. Weather light drizzle with cloud.

August 26th, 1944: 01.30 hours.

Halifax III pilot Flying Officer AINSLEY of No. 51 Squadron, No. 4 Group, landed at Tarrant Rushton on the return from a bombing raid over BREST owing to suspected damage to fuel system.

August 26th, 1944: 01.00 hours.

Halifax III pilot Flying Officer ROBINSON of No. 176 Squadron, No. 4 Group, landed at Tarrant Rushton on return from a bombing raid over BREST. Bombs were not dropped owing to cancellation of attack my master bomber. Five aircraft from No. 298 Squadron and four from No. 644 Squadron took part in SOE operations over France. Weather fair.

August 27th, 1944.

Halifax U-’U’ of No. 644 Squadron piloted by Flying Officer FLACK landed with three engines running. Swung off runway to starboard and proceed downhill and finally came to rest near PRESTON FARM near TARRANT RUSHTON village. The crew escaped injury but the aircraft was completely written off. News received that

Warrant officer BAIN reported missing from operations on August 24th/25th, 1944, was in WROUGHTON HOSPITAL. Condition not serious. From information received, it appears that the aircraft was shot down by friendly anti-aircraft fire killing the flight engineer, Flight Sergeant BENSLEY. Rest of crew were believed to be safe but whereabouts unknown.

Eight aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and seven of No. 644 Squadron operated over France on SOE missions. One aircraft of No. 644 Squadron detailed to drop supplies for SAS troops in France. Weather fine with visibility good.

August 28th, 1944: 22.17 hours.

Halifax III piloted by Pilot Officer RYAN of No. 425 Squadron, No. 6 Group, landed at Tarrant Rushton owing to shortage of fuel on return from bombing attack on coastal battery on LES SAVATES island in SAINT MALO Harbour. One aircraft of No. 644 Squadron operated over Belgium on SAS mission which was not successful owing to very hazy conditions in the DZ area. Weather drizzle and moderate rain.

August 29th, 1944.

Weather intermittent rain or drizzle.

August 30th, 1944.

Seven aircraft from No. 298 Squadron and eight from No. 644 Squadron carried out supply dropping to SAS troops in France. Weather fair or fine.

August 31st, 1944.

Halifax IV pilot Flying Officer CONNOR of No. 431 Squadron, No. 6 Group, landed at Tarrant Rushton on return from a bombing raid on the ISLE DE CEZEBEMBRE off SAINT MALO owing to oil leak in the starboard inner engine. Weather showers.

Total flying hours for the month of August, 1944, were 2,226 hours and 15 minutes including 1,626 hours and 35 minutes night flying.

Administration news for August, 1944:

August 3rd, 1944.

Group Captain J. HEBER-PERCY of the Air Ministry visited the station commander.

August 4th, 1944.

Squadron Leader E.F. CROSSLAND, Liaison Officer No. 2 HQ RCAF at Exeter visited Canadian personnel on this station. Squadron Leader J.W. EBBUTT, HQ No. 38 Group, called on the station administration officer with regard to works services.

August 7th, 1944.

Flight Lieutenant H. COLLINS, DAPM No. 25 Area, called to see the station signals officer. Squadron Leader FENDER, ATDU, visited in regard to operations.

August 8th, 1944.

Colonel PETER, Army School of Chemical Warfare, called on the station commander.

August 15th, 1944.

Lieutenant Colonel SINCLAIR, CAE, visited the station commander. Squadron Leader R. SAUNDERS, Education Officer, visited in regard to educational and other matters.

August 16th, 1944: 12.10 hours.

Station sealed pending operations. Fifty per cent censorship of mail imposed.

August 17th, 1944: 19.30 hours.

Sealing of station raised but censorship remains in force. Squadron Leader WILLIAMS and Flight Lieutenant WALTERS of HQ No. 38 Group, and Flight Lieutenant WRIGHT of MAP visited on engineering matters.