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

August 23rd, 1944.

Lieutenant A. PORTEOUS, of the RNVR of HQ No. 38 Group, called on liaison duties. Wing Commander EYRES and Major R.L. GOERDER of HQ No. 38 Group called on the station commander. Major T. HALL of REME visited the station on duty.

August 26th, 1944.

Squadron Leader D.M. LUNAN, RCAF Liaison Officer Exeter, called to interview Canadian personnel.

August 31st, 1944.

Squadron Leader D.M. LUNAN, RCAF Liaison Officer Exeter, called again to liaison duties.

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

The officer in medical charge reports that the general health of the camp is excellent. Units under medical 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

Naval Detachment

‘C’ Squadron, Glider Pilot Regiment

W.A.A.F.

Squadron Officer C.M. SHALLARD, HQ No. 38 Group, visited the station commander in regard to WAAF matters following an inspection.

Personnel news for August, 1944:

August 1st, 1944.

(F/O) Flight Officer P.G. PLAYFORD posted as WAAF (G) officer to this station from OBAN.

August 3rd, 1944.

Flying Officer P.A. KENNING, Meteorological Officer, posted from No. 38 Group for duty.

August 4th, 1944.

Flying Officer D.G. MADILL returned from attachment to No. 38 Group.

August 17th, 1944.

Flying Officer D. BEECH posted from KELSTERN as PFO.

August 19th, 1944.

Pilot Officer K.R. PERRY posted from ESHOTT, No. 57 O.T.U., for flying control duties.

August 21st, 1944.

Flying Officer S. CHESTER posted to KILSTERN for physical training duties.

The personnel strength as of the end of August, 1944, at RAF Tarrant Rushton was:

RAF officers: 155 RAF other ranks: 2,365

RCAF officers: 28 RCAF other ranks: 36

RNZAF officers: 2 RNZAF other ranks: 5

RAAF officers: 8 RAAF other ranks: 7

WAAF officers: 7 WAAF other ranks: 257

TOTAL OFFICERS: 200 TOTAL OTHER RANKS: 2,670

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

FOR GROUP CAPTAIN (COMMANDING),

RAF STATION TARRANT RUSHTON.

Station Commander’s resume for August, 1944:

The squadrons have put up their highest operational effort during the month of August, 1944, flying on 27 nights a total of 307 sorties, 68 per cent of which were successful. Five crews from each squadron also took part in ‘EXERCISE MOTH’ on August 4th/5th.

Their losses during August were heavy in comparison with those of previous months but not considering the number of sorties flown. The following four crews were missing from operations: Flying Officer ANDERSON and crew of No. 298 Squadron, Warrant Officer BAIN and crew of No. 298 Squadron, Flying Officer CALVERLY and crew from No. 644 Squadron, and Flying Officer BROWN and crew from No. 644 Squadron.

Flying Officer’s ANDERSON’S crew have returned to this country and report that their pilot was killed. Warrant Officer BAIN and two members of his crew - Sergeant HOLDER and Flight Sergeant MANSEL - have also returned to England. The other three members of the crew died in France.

Signed: T.B. COOPER, DFC,

GROUP CAPTAIN (COMMANDING),

RAF STATION TARRANT RUSHTON.

Appendix No. 4:

History of the Servicing Wing during August, 1944:

August has proved another busy month for the ground crews of the Servicing Wing, the increased number of operations forcing the total number of flying hours, including gliders, above the 2,400 mark. During the month, two Halifax III aircraft have arrived for test but progress has been held back due to other commitments. A record for speedy engine change has been set up, an engine change on a Halifax V aircraft took eight hours and 30 minutes from the time of the commencement of work to when the aircraft was ready for air test.

Statistics:

Of a cumulative total of 2,161 Halifax V aircraft held on charge, 1,839 were serviceable - giving a cumulative average serviceability of 85 per cent. In addition, 48 minor inspections were made, nine engine changes effected, five acceptance checks completed and 24 airframe repairs carried out. Total glider lifts for the month were 666.

Compiled by Squadron Leader T.H.W. Pearce.

September, 1944.

September 1st, 1944.

Two aircraft each from No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron carried out supply dropping missions to SAS troops in France. Weather fine, rain after 23.00 hours, visibility moderate or good.

September 2nd, 1944.

Weather rain until 02.30 hours, showers during the day, visibility moderate.

September 3rd, 1944.

Weather continuous rain or drizzle from 15.00 hours onwards, visibility moderate.

September 4th, 1944.

Weather frequent rain until 18.00 hours, visibility moderate.

September 5th, 1944.

Ten aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and nine of No. 644 Squadron operated over France on SOE missions. Three aircraft from each of the squadrons dropped supplies to SAS troops. Weather fair, visibility good.

September 6th, 1944.

News received of the fate of Flying Officer ANDERSON and crew on the night of August 5th/6th, 1944:

Flight Sergeant MUSKIN (flight engineer) who returned to Tarrant Rushton stated that about half an hour after crossing the French coast, the starboard inner engine began to over-heat. The captain decided to feather it and continue the trip. Within the drop zone area, the aircraft was attacked by an ME110. The port inner engine fuel tanks were set alight and the inner port engine put out of action. The aircraft was unable to maintain height at 400 feet. The captain ordered the crew to crash positions, the rear gunner remaining in his turret. It is believed that the captain had been wounded in the action. The aircraft crashed in a wood owing to flames in the forward part of the aircraft. The other two members of the crew were unable to render assistance to the captain. Pilot Officer ANNON (navigator), Flight Sergeant THRELHELD (bomb aimer) and Flight Sergeant DAVIS (wireless operator), Flight Sergeant MUSKIN (flight engineer) made their way to the village of ESSOYES where they contacted members of the Maquis. Pilot Officer ANNON and Flight Sergeant THRELHELD left the village a few hours later with the intention of making their way to Spain. Flight Sergeant LEWIS and Sergeant MUSKIN remained and eventually reached the American lines 16 days later. Sergeant MUSKIN stated that Flying Officer REID (rear gunner) had been picked up by friendly partisans and later betrayed by collaborators to the enemy. Confirmation of Flying Officer ANDERSON’S death was received from the Maquis.

Seven aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and five of No. 644 Squadron operated over France and Belgium on SOE missions. Two aircraft of No. 644 Squadron were detailed for SAS missions over France. Six aircraft from each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron carried out SOE missions over France.

Weather fair, visibility good.

September 7th, 1944.

Weather rain 02.30 hours to 12.30 hours, visibility good.

September 8th, 1944.

Weather occasional showers, visibility good.

September 9th, 1944.

Six aircraft from No. 298 Squadron and six aircraft from No. 644 Squadron carried out SAS missions over France. Three aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and four aircraft from No. 644 Squadron took supplies to SAS troops in France. Weather fair, visibility good.

September 10th, 1944.

Eleven aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and ten aircraft from No. 644 Squadron operated over France and Belgium on SOE missions. Aircraft T-’Y’ of No. 298 Squadron piloted by OWEN K. SMITH was missing from this operation. Weather fair to fine.

September 11th, 1944.

Signal received from United States sources concerning the fate of two of the crew of Warrant Officer BAIN’s aircraft which was shot down in France on the night of August 24th/25th, 1944. Flight Sergeant WEEKES (air gunner) died on August 27th, 1944, from cerebral concussion in No. 19 General Hospital A.E.A.F. and Flight Lieutenant ROWALL (navigator) was also a patient in the same hospital after suffering from a fractured skull.

Two aircraft from No. 298 Squadron and three from No. 644 Squadron operated over France on SOE missions. Weather fair or fine.

September 12th, 1944.

No operations - ‘stand down’. Weather fine.

September 13th, 1944.

Eight aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and seven aircraft of No. 644 Squadron operated over France on SOE missions. The majority failed to complete their task owing to unfavourable conditions. Weather fair.

September 14th, 1944.

Weather cloudy, slight drizzle during the morning.

September 15th, 1944.

Three aircraft each from No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron took part in supply-dropping missions to SAS troops in France. Only one aircraft, however, successfully completed its mission. Weather rain to 15.30 hours, visibility moderate becoming poor in rain.

September 16th, 1944.

Weather fair, visibility good.

September 17th, 1944: 10.20 hours.

‘OPERATION MARKET’ - first lift. Seven Halifax-Hamilcar combinations of No. 298 Squadron and six of No. 644 Squadron took off for LZ ‘Z’ south-west of Arnhem, Holland. All Hamilcars were successfully released except two, the tug of one developing port-inner engine failure returned to base but two crash-landed.

Thirteen Halifax-Horsa combinations of No. 298 Squadron and fourteen from No. 644 Squadron were also detailed to release their gliders over LZ ‘Z’. All gliders were successfully released except two, the tug of one developing port-inner engine failure and returned to base. The other tug returned after the tow-rope had broken and the glider landed in a field north-east of ANDOVER.

Weather conditions over the LZ were good with visibility at six miles. No enemy aircraft were seen or encountered and opposition from ground troops was negligible.

One aircraft from No. 644 Squadron operated over France on an SAS mission but was not successful owing to unfavourable weather conditions.

Weather fair, visibility good.

September 18th, 1944: 11.21 hours.

‘OPERATION MARKET’ - second lift. Eight Halifax-Hamilcar combinations of No. 298 Squadron and seven from No. 644 Squadron were detailed to release gliders over LZ ‘X’. All were successfully released except two from No. 644 Squadron, one tug U-’F’ piloted by Warrant Officer SHAPLEY developed port-outer engine failure and cast off its glider one mile east of CHILBOLTON airfield at 11.59 hours. The other tug, U-’O’ piloted by Wing Commander POPE owing to port-inner engine failure cast off its glider over the sea at 52 degrees and five minutes North and one degree 53 minutes East. The glider pilot Captain McNEIL and second pilot returned to base the following day and reported that the gun crew were safe but that Lieutenant McLAREN and Sergeant CRAWFORD were drowned.

Eight Halifax-Horsa combinations from each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron were also detailed to proceed to the same LZ. All gliders were successfully released, except that attached to aircraft P-’C’ of No. 644 Squadron whose tow rope was severed by flak five miles south-west of the LZ. Increased enemy opposition was mainly encountered in the target RV area. Aircraft A-’J’ of No. 298 Squadron and aircraft P-’F’ of No. 644 Squadron sustained damage from light flak which generally was inaccurate. Weather fair, hazy. Visibility moderate.

September 19th, 1944: 12.06 hours.

‘OPERATION MARKET’ - third lift. Ten aircraft from No. 298 Squadron and eleven from No. 644 Squadron were detailed to release 20 Horsa and 1 Hamilcar gliders on LZ ‘L’. The tow rope of aircraft T-’N’ of No. 298 Squadron broke and glider landed approximately three miles south-east of OSTEND. The tail of the glider towed by Halifax P-’A’ of No. 644 Squadron piloted by Pilot Officer McCONVILLE was shot away by flak at the target RV and went out of control. Aircraft P-’P’ of No. 644 Squadron piloted by Flight Lieutenant TOMKINS lost its glider at position 51 degrees and 17 minutes North and five degrees and three minutes East when a tow rope was severed by flak. Considerably more enemy opposition was met on this lift than on the two previous ones. Three aircraft were damaged by flak. Moderate to accurate light flak was mainly encountered in the REUSEL target RV area and from woods to the north and east of the LZ.

Three aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and four of No. 644 Squadron operated over France on supply dropping missions to SAS troops. Aircraft T-’S’ of No. 298 Squadron piloted by Pilot Officer BERRY crashed in a wood beside MIDDLE WALLOP airfield at 02.50 hours on return owing to shortage of fuel. Sergeant O’KEEFE (u/t wireless operator) was killed and Pilot Officer AUSTIN (flight engineer) slightly injured and three second SAS troops injured. Aircraft was completely written off.

Weather slight drizzle, visibility moderate becoming poor.

September 20th, 1944.

Weather fog from 02.00 hours, improving after 08.00 hours. Visibility very poor.

September 21st, 1944: 14.06 hours.

Two aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and three from No. 644 Squadron operated over France on SAS supply dropping missions. Four aircraft from each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron carried out supply-dropping missions to SAS troops in France. Eleven aircraft from each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron took part in SOE missions over France and Holland. Aircraft A-’M’ of No. 298 Squadron piloted by Flight Sergeant GOLDSMITH reported missing from this operation. Weather fog 02.30 hours to 06.30 hours, otherwise visibility moderate to good.

September 22nd, 1944.

One aircraft of No.644 Squadron carried out supply dropping mission to SAS troops in France. Eight aircraft from each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron operated over France and Holland on SOE missions. Weather fog from 03.00 hours to 09.30 hours, occasional rain during evening, visibility very poor.

September 23rd, 1944.

Squadron Leader IMBER piloting aircraft T-’G’ took off towing a Hamilcar glider piloted by Captain McNEIL for BRIZE NORTON to take part in glider exercise and demonstration. Viewed by Her Majesty Queen Mary. Flying Officer READER, rear gunner in Flying Officer ANDERSON’S crew of No. 298 Squadron reported missing on August 5th/6th, 1944, is now back in hospital in this country. One aircraft from each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron carried out SOE missions over the Netherlands. Weather slight drizzle 03.00 hours with continuous rain from 19.30 hours onwards.

September 24th, 1944.

Four aircraft from No. 644 Squadron and three aircraft from No. 298 Squadron operated over Holland on SOE missions. Two aircraft each from No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron carried out supply dropping missions to SAS troops. Weather intermittent rain to 05.00 hours, visibility moderate to good in pouring rain.

September 25th, 1944.

One aircraft from No. 298 Squadron operated on SAS mission. Two aircraft from No. 298 Squadron and one of No. 644 Squadron operated over Holland on SAS missions. Weather drizzle during evening, visibility good falling to moderate in drizzle.

September 26th, 1944.

Two aircraft from each of No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron operated on SAS missions over France. One aircraft from No. 298 Squadron and two aircraft from No. 644 Squadron took part in SOE missions over Holland. Weather slight rain, visibility good.

September 27th, 1944.

One aircraft from No. 644 Squadron operated on SAS mission over Holland. Weather slight rain 05.00 hours, visibility good.

September 28th, 1944.

Weather fair to cloudy, visibility good.

September 29th, 1944.

Four aircraft of No. 298 Squadron took part in SOE missions over Holland. Weather slight drizzle, visibility poor in drizzle otherwise good.

September 30th, 1944.

Sergeant A.C. BATEY (rear gunner) from Pilot Officer OWEN K. SMITH’S crew returned to base. This crew was missing from operations over France on September 10th/11th, 1944. Sergeant BATEY reported that their aircraft struck the crest of MONT LES VAUX, burst into flames and segregated into three parts. He escaped from the rear turret and found Sergeant ROYAL (flight engineer) severely burned. The remainder of the crew were dead and were later taken by the French to EPINAC where on September 13th, 1944, a requiem mass was held in the church. They were buried in one grave, Sergeants BATEY and ROYAL were driven to WIGON on September 24th, 1944, by F.F.I. Commandant and proceeded by air to HESTON airfield. Weather cloudy, rain from 17.00 hours onwards, visibility good.

Total flying hours for the month of September, 1944, were 1,980 hours and 45 minutes, including 1,136 hours and 30 minutes night flying.

Compiled by Squadron Leader T.H.W. PEARCE:

Personnel details for September, 1944:

September 12th, 1944.

Flight Lieutenant WEATHERLAKE, V.G., General Duties Branch, posted to this station from SQUIRE’S GATE.

September 14th, 1944.

Flying Officer HARRADINE, L., posted to CLEAVE for flying control duties.

September 19th, 1944.

Flying Officer B.F. KNIGHTLEY posted from TILSTOCK for armament duties.

September 21st, 1944.

Pilot Officer W.J. NEEP posted to TILSTOCK for armament duties.

September 23rd, 1944.

Flying Officer W.J. DOULEY, G.D. Branch, posted from BRIGHTON.

Personnel strength as of the end of September, 1944:

RAF officers: 152 RAF other ranks: 2,040

RCAF officers: 30 RCAF other ranks: 37

RNZAF officers: 2 RNZAF other ranks: 8

RAAF officers: 7 RAAF other ranks: 6

WAAF officers: 7 WAAF other ranks: 265

TOTAL OFFICERS: 198 TOTAL OTHER RANKS: 2,356

Administration for September, 1944:

September 2nd, 1944: 10.45 hours.

Station officially sealed.

September 3rd, 1944: 16.20 hours.

Station sealing lifted.

September 3rd, 1944: 16.00 hours.

Squadron Leader B.E. LE SEUR visited the station on P.M. duties.

September 5th, 1944.

No. 4820 Flight and 5026 A.C. Squadron moved to WEST MALLING.

September 6th, 1944: 14.50 hours.

Group Captain WAKE, MAP, visited the station commander in regard to technical modifications.

September 6th, 1944: 15.00 hours.

Flight Lieutenant LOWE of No. 38 Group visited in connection with security matters.

September 6th, 1944: 15.30 hours.

Squadron Leader WOOLFREY, No. 38 Group, called on the equipment officer.

September 6th, 1944: 11.20 hours.

Wing Commander J.E. HOWELL, No. 38 Group, visited the station commander.

September 7th, 1944.

Station reverted from Field Service U.K. rationing to normal RAF rationing.

September 9th, 1944: 17.00 hours.

Reverend R.N. SHAPLEY, Assistant Chaplain-In-Chief, called on the station padre and stayed to dedicate St Michael’s Chapel in the station gymnasium on Sunday September 10th, 1944.

September 10th, 1944: 09.30 hours.

St Michael’s Chapel in the station gymnasium was dedicated by the Assistant Chaplain-in-Chief, Reverend R.N. SHAPLEY. The station commander inspected the church parade prior to going into the church. Several civilians were present who generally assisted by gifts and donations the furnishing of the church.