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

September 11th, 1944: 14.00 hours.

Reverend R.N. SHAPLEY, Assistant Chaplain-In-Chief, left the station.

September 11th, 1944: 11.15 hours.

Lieutenant R. ALLEN and Lieutenant A. PORTEOUS, R.N.V.R., No. 38 Group, visited the station on liaison duties.

September 13th, 1944.

No. 4757 Flight and 5026 A.C. Squadron moved to this station from RAF GRAVESEND.

September 16th, 1944: 10.00 hours.

Station officially sealed.

September 17th, 1944: 10.30 hours.

Flight Officer STEELE of No. 38 Group Intelligence visited the station.

September 18th, 1944: 18.15 hours.

Captain C.L. NAIVOC, No. 38 Group, called at the station on liaison duties.

September 19th, 1944: 18.00 hours.

Flight Lieutenant L.P. LIGHT, No. 38 Group, visited the station.

September 20th, 1944: 18.00 hours.

Sealing of station listed.

September 21st, 1944: 16.00 hours.

Captain C.L. NAIVOC, No. 38 Group, called again in connection with liaison matters.

September 22nd, 1944: 16.00 hours.

Squadron Leader WOOLFREY, No. 38 Group Equipment, called on staff matters.

September 29th, 1944: 18.00 hours.

Captain C.L. NAIVOC, No. 38 Group, called on liaison duties.

September 30th, 1944: 14.00 hours.

Squadron Leader EVERETT and Flight Lieutenant THOMAS of No. 44 Group conferred with station commander and obtained major particulars concerning the station.

September 30th, 1944.

The Station Medical Officer reports that the general health of the station personnel remains very good.

A summary of the outstanding features of the Servicing Wing is given as an appendix.

Commanding Officer’s resume:

During the month of September, 1944, No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron operated on 18 nights, flying 188 SOE and SAS sorties over France, Belgium and Holland, 106 of which were successful. On September 21st/22nd, 1944, the squadrons also took part in supply-dropping missions to SAS troops in France by day, flying nine sorties all of which were successful. These were the first daylight operations undertaken by the squadrons. The chief operation of the month was ‘Operation Market’ which was operated in three lifts, each on succeeding days. A total of 92 aircraft were detailed by the squadrons for the towing of Horsa and Hamilcar gliders to the LZs south-west of Arnhem. Only two aircraft were lost during the month.

Signed: T.B. COOPER, D.F.C.,

GROUP CAPTAIN (COMMANDING),

RAF STATION TARRANT RUSHTON.

Appendix V: September 18th, 1944.

Medical History of RAF Station Tarrant Rushton, September, 1944:

The general health of the camp remains very good. One aircrew officer was admitted to the Station Sick Quarters with multiple small wounds received while on an operational flight.

Units under medical care are:

Station HQ

No. 298 Squadron

No. 644 Squadron

No. 6298 Servicing Echelon

No. 6644 Servicing Echelon

No. 14 and No. 15 Glider Servicing Echelons

‘C’ Squadron, Glider Pilot Regiment

Naval Detachment

No. 4757 Works Flight

W.A.A.F.

Signed by: Squadron Leader R. MACMAHON,

Station Medical Officer,

R.A.F. Tarrant Rushton.

Appendix VI:

History of the Servicing Wing, September, 1944:

September proved a busy month for the ground crews of the Servicing Wing, a large majority of 2,400 flying hours made by powered aircraft and gliders being operational. More than 90 Hamilcar and Horsa gliders were despatched from this station on operations and of the three that failed to reach their objectives, not one was due to a preventable technical failure. With the all-up weight of a Halifax V aircraft increased to 63,000 lbs, it was evidenced that with a full petrol and container load, the aircraft still had carrying capacity to spare.

It was, of course, decided to experiment with the means of carrying an additional nine containers and a successful practise drop of two containers strapped together on one bomb station was made early in the month. Further slight alterations in design led to a mass drop of 24 containers from a Halifax V aircraft on September 20th, 1944. This was again completely successful in that all containers were in good condition after landing but an excessively short stick of approximately 100 yards led to the danger of container parachutes fouling in rough weather. The final drop on September 25th, 1944, after a three hour petrol consumption test, of 24 containers was completely successful in every way and the mass production of the necessary parts has begun in the station workshops.

Statistics:

Of a cumulative total of 2,007 aircraft held on charge, 1,775 were serviceable, giving a cumulative average serviceability of 89 per cent. In addition, 41 minor inspections were made, 24 engine changes were effected, four acceptance checks were completed and 29 airframe repairs carried out.

Signed: Wing Commander W.J. HENDLEY,

Chief Technical Officer,

R.A.F. Tarrant Rushton.

Compiled by Flying Officer P.M. LAMDAUER.

October, 1944:

October 1st, 1944.

Three aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and two aircraft of No. 644 Squadron carried out SOE operations. One aircraft from No. 298 Squadron failed to drop (no reception). Both of No. 644 Squadron’s aircraft were hit by flak. Flying Officer BLAKE crash-landed at WOODBRIDGE. All the targets were in Holland. Weather fair, visibility 12 to 20 miles, 5/10ths Cumulus clouds at 2,000 feet dispersing at dusk. Wind North West 5 - 10 mph.

October 2nd, 1944.

Weather visibility 20 miles, little or no cloud in the day, wind North-West 4 - 8 mph.

October 3rd, 1944.

Weather continuous drizzle 01.35 hours to 06.30 hours, wind North-West gusting 15 - 25 mph, showers during the day.

October 4th, 1944.

Weather showers of rain, cloud 4/10ths cover increasing to 7/10ths to 9/10ths in showers. Visibility poor, wind gusty North North East 19 - 24 mph.

October 5th, 1944.

Four aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and two aircraft from No. 644 Squadron operated over Holland on SOE missions. Flying Officer BAIRD’s aircraft failed to return and two others were unsuccessful, there being no reception. Weather: (day) poor, visibility falling to 4 miles, cloud lowering to 800 feet but lifted in the afternoon. Winds North North East 19 - 24 mph.

October 6th, 1944.

Weather a better day, visibility 5 miles improving to 10 miles later, wind North North East gusting to 25 mph. Cloud: 3/10ths at 700 feet but later dispersing to nil.

October 7th, 1944.

No. 298 Squadron sent one aircraft and No. 644 Squadron two aircraft on SOE operations over Holland. Only one aircraft from No. 644 Squadron failed to drop - again, no reception. 30 containers and 6 packages were dropped. Weather intermittent slight rain during the day, cloud 0 - 4/10ths 800 feet to 1,200 feet. Visibility 6 - 10 miles, falling to 3 miles in the afternoon. Wind North East and East North East 25 - 30 mph gusty.

October 8th, 1944.

Weather poor visibility, no more than 2,200 yards improving 4 - 7 miles. Wind North East North 5 - 10 mph. Cloud 10/10ths cover in evening, broke to 6/10ths around midnight.

October 9th, 1944.

Three aircraft from No. 298 Squadron and three from No. 644 Squadron took off on SOE operations over Holland. Three aircraft - one of No. 298 Squadron and two of No. 644 Squadron were successful. Two aircraft of No. 298 Squadron were damaged by flak: Flying Officer EDICK from friendly flak aimed at a flying bomb which crossed below his aircraft. He was forced to land at WOODBRIDGE. Weather fair, dry, visibility 5 miles improving to 20 miles then dropped again. Small amount of high cloud, later 10/10ths cloud cover at 4,000 - 5,000 feet. Winds North East 11 - 12 mph.

October 10th, 1944.

Weather heavy Cumulus cloud and stratus patches, visibility poor, winds light and variable.

October 11th, 1944.

Weather intermittent rain until early afternoon then heavy showers. Visibility 3 to 6 miles, cloud 8/10ths to 10/10ths 500 feet to 1,000 feet. Winds South 25 - 35 mph in gusts.

October 12th, 1944.

Weather another showery day with continual rain from lunchtime to 17.00 hours. Cloud 10/10ths cover at times, winds South West 10 - 15 mph, visibility 8 - 15 miles in early evening.

October 13th, 1944.

Weather rain from 13.25 hours to 17.00 hours, cloud 8/10ths to 10/10ths with rain, visibility 10 - 20 miles, falling in intermittent showers from 3 - 4 miles. Winds light and variable.

October 14th, 1944.

No. 298 Squadron sent five aircraft and No. 644 Squadron six aircraft on SOE operations over Holland. Only three aircraft were successful as the others had no reception. One aircraft piloted by Flying Officer W.B. TAYLOR of No. 298 Squadron is missing. Weather showers, visibility 25 miles, very little cloud, winds West then North South West 15 - 25 mph. Calm in the evening.

October 15th, 1944.

Weather visibility 100 yards, improving by 10.00 hours. Light rain, winds South East 3 - 5 mph.

October 16th, 1944.

One aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and one aircraft of No. 644 Squadron operating from TAIN successfully carried out an operation over Norway. Opposition was negligible and limited to small arms fire. Weather poor, continuous rain in early morning, showers in afternoon, visibility moderate to good, winds South South West to South West 20 - 25 mph.

October 17th, 1944.

Weather continuous rain all day, visibility 6 - 12 miles, winds West South West gusting to 20 mph.

October 18th, 1944.

Weather heavy thunderstorm at 04.00 hours, visibility 1 - 3 miles, storm cleared later but in thundery showers. Winds West South West to West gusting to 20 mph.

October 19th, 1944.

Weather visibility 15 - 25 miles, more upper cloud, winds West South West to West gusty. Fair day.

October 20th, 1944.

Weather rain, 10/10ths cloud until early morning, winds West South West freshened to 15 - 20 mph East South East. Showers in the afternoon. Visibility 3,000 to 4,000 yards.

October 21st, 1944.

Three aircraft from No. 298 Squadron and two from No. 644 Squadron carried out SOE operations over Holland but only one aircraft successfully completed its task. One of No. 298 Squadron’s aircraft took off from here and successfully dropped supplies over two DZs in Dutch territory. Weather fair in the morning, drizzly after 17.00 hours. Cloud 8/10ths to 10/10ths lifting at 12.00 hours. Visibility 3 - 6 miles, winds North 5 - 10 mph.

October 22nd, 1944.

Three aircraft from No. 298 Squadron and two aircraft from No. 644 Squadron all successfully completed their SOE operations over Holland. Weather 8/10ths to 10/10ths cloud with light wind. Visibility 4 - 7 miles.

October 23rd, 1944.

Weather continuous rain in morning, showers to 17.00 hours. Visibility improved to 7 miles. Winds North West 12 - 18 mph.

October 24th, 1944.

Weather visibility 2 - 4 miles, winds North to North East 10 - 5 mph, little or no cloud.

October 25th, 1944.

Weather drizzle in early morning, winds North North East 5 - 10 mph, visibility 3 miles.

October 26th, 1944.

Weather poor day, visibility very bad - 1,110 yards. Winds calm and light.

October 27th, 1944.

Weather light South East winds, visibility in 200 yards in early morning rain. Improved to 6 - 8 miles in the afternoon between showers.

October 28th, 1944.

Five aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and four from No. 644 Squadron took off on SOE operations over Holland. Two aircraft from each squadron were unsuccessful, no reception. Owing to ground mist, four aircraft were diverted to SAINT MAWGAN and one to CHEDDINGTON. The others landed safely here at base. Weather frequent showers in the morning. This day cleared later and visibility 15 - 25 miles, winds West, West-North-West 10 - 20 mph.

October 29th, 1944.

Weather slight showers in early morning. Fog also causing the above mentioned aircraft diversions. Visibility 3 to 6 miles in late morning, dropping to 1,200 feet in drizzle. Wind North East 6 to 12 mph.

October 30th, 1944.

Weather a better day, visibility 5 - 10 miles. Cloud 3/10ths to nil later. Wing North East, North North East 12 - 18 mph, slightly gusty.

October 31st, 1944.

Weather visibility 5 - 7 miles, winds North 15 - 20 mph, gusty, no rain.

Total flying hours for the month of October, 1944, were 998 hours and 10 minutes, including 315 hours and 10 minutes night flying.

Administration notes for October, 1944:

October 3rd, 1944: 15.10 hours.

Squadron Leader LEIGH-JONES of No. 38 Group visited the station on staff duties.

October 3rd, 1944: 15.10 hours.

Flight Lieutenant GULLING of No. 38 Group visited the station on staff duties.

October 4th, 1944: 15.40 hours.

Squadron Leader CAMPBELL of No. 38 Group visited the station on staff duties.

October 8th, 1944: 11.05 hours.

Squadron Leader MITCHELL from No. 38 Group visited the station on intelligence duties.

October 8th, 1944: 11.05 hours.

Flight Lieutenant LACE from No. 38 Group visited the station on intelligence duties with Squadron Leader MITCHELL.

October 9th, 1944: 14.00 hours.

Sup. (Flight Lieutenant) COLOMBO of No. 2. R.C.A.F. HQ, Welfare Officer, is on the station.

October 10th, 1944: 12.00 hours.

Squadron Leader WOOLFREY of No. 38 Group visited the station for equipment reasons.

October 10th, 1944: 12.00 hours.

Flight Lieutenant LOWE of No. 38 Group visited the station for security reasons.

October 12th, 1944: 10.00 hours.

Wing Commander COCHRAN DPM is on the station.

October 12th, 1944: 15.55 hours.

The following - Mr MONTGOMERY and Mr BROWN, the British war correspondents - paid Tarrant Rushton a visit courtesy of the Air Ministry which provided an Air Ministry facility.

October 13th, 1944: 13.50 hours.

Squadron Leader LUNAN, DM, RCAF Liaison Officer, visited Tarrant Rushton.

October 14th, 1944: 13.50 hours.

Squadron Leader RADGAR from No. 2. DHQ, RCAF, called on chaplain duties.

October 16th, 1944: 12.30 hours.

Flying Officer ODELL from HQ ADGB paid this station a visit to visit armament staff.

October 17th, 1944: 12.00 hours.

Flight Lieutenant WALTERS paid us a staff visit from No. 38 Group.

October 19th, 1944: 10.00 hours.

Wing Commander ANGIER called on this station for liaison duties on welfare work for the Air Ministry.

October 20th, 1944: 11.30 hours.

Lieutenant Commander ALLEN from NERTHERAVON visited on liaison duties.

October 23rd, 1944: 15.50 hours.

Squadron Leader FROST from AME. LO. or 10. was here on supply liaison duties.

October 27th, 1944.

The Reverend Group Captain APPLEYARD, APC. No. 3 Area, visited the station.

October 29th, 1944: 20.50 hours.

Squadron Leader BELL of No. 1661 HCU called in regarding an investigation. With him was Flight Lieutenant McFARLANE.

October 31st, 1944: 11.40 hours.

Lieutenant Commander ALLEN called in again.

October 31st, 1944: 15.40 hours.

Squadron Leader LESUEUR APM paid a routine visit to the station.

Personnel news for October, 1944:

October 3rd, 1944.

S/O MILLETT was posted to RAF Station RINGWAY.

October 6th, 1944.

S/O WALLER CTG was posted to the station for operations room duties.

October 9th, 1944.

S/O FAIRBURN FK was posted DUNLHOLME LODGE.

October 17th, 1944.

Flying Officer AIRD GS posted to No. 5 PDC.

October 23rd, 1944.

Flight Lieutenant SLIPPER (Nav B) was posted to this station from No. 38 Group.

October 23rd, 1944.

Squadron Leader COLLINS FT (Nav B) posted to No. 38 Group.

October 24th, 1944.

Flight Lieutenant OLDACRE GD posted to this station from PHU at MORECAMBE for operations room duties.

The personnel strength at the end of October, 1944, is:

RAF officers: 171 RAF other ranks: 1,984

RCAF officers: 32 RCAF other ranks: 23

RNZAF officers: 2 RNZAF other ranks: 10

RAAF officers: 10 RAAF other ranks: 5

WAAF officers: 6 WAAF other ranks: 257

TOTAL OFFICERS: 221 TOTAL OTHER RANKS: 2,279

Commanding Officer’s resume:

During the month of October, No. 298 Squadron and No. 644 Squadron operated on seven nights, flying 47 SOE sorties over Holland. 26 of these sorties were successful. 376 containers, 56 packages or panniers and 4 troops were dropped. There were six hang-ups, four containers were hung-up due to flak damaging in the bomb bays. A special operation ‘QUAVER’ was successfully carried out, one aircraft from each squadron flew to TAIN and from there dropped a total of 12 containers, 12 panniers and four troops on October 16th, 1944, at a DZ in Northern Norway, co-ordinates 66 degrees and 43 and a half minutes North, 15 degrees and 22 minutes East. Two of our aircraft were lost during the month. The pilots were Flying Officer BAIRD of No. 644 Squadron and Flying Officer TAYLOR of No. 298 Squadron. Flying Officer BAIRD and crew have since been reported safe by ‘REGAN’.

Signed: T.B. COOPER, D.F.C.,

GROUP CAPTAIN (COMMANDING),

RAF STATION TARRANT RUSHTON.

Medical history of Tarrant Rushton for October, 1944.

Compiled by Flying Officer P.M. LANDAUER.

The general health of the camp remains very good. The following flying casualties occurred:

October 14th, 1944.

Halifax crash at TARRANT KEYNESTON. Two slightly injured and were treated at the Station Sick Quarters. One was admitted to No. 106 United States Army General Hospital for observation.

October 28th, 1944.

A Stirling crashed at SUTTON WALDRON. Four members of the crew were killed and three injured. One admitted to SHAFTESBURY Military Hospital.

Units under medical care are:

Station HQ

No. 298 Squadron

No. 644 Squadron

No. 6298 Servicing Echelon

No. 6644 Servicing Echelon

No. 14 and No. 15 Glider Servicing Echelons

‘C’ Squadron, Glider Pilot Regiment

Naval Detachment

No. 4757 Works Flight

W.A.A.F.