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

Signed by: Squadron Leader R. MCMAHON,

Station Medical Officer,

R.A.F. Tarrant Rushton.

History of the Servicing Wing, October, 1944:

Compiled by Flying Officer P.M. LAUNDERER.

October with its four operational sorties produced a total of approximately 1,100 flying hours by gliders and powered aircraft. Ground crews of the servicing Wing have, however, been busily employed in the change over from Halifax V to Halifax III aircraft, 20 of the latter having arrived during the month. The unfamiliarity of the Hercules XVI sleeve-valved two row radial engine to the majority of ground crews has been considerably lessened by the showing of a series of specialist films and by lectures and demonstrations of an A.S.T.B. NCO loaned by the Air Ministry.

A request at short notice to modify three Halifax V aircraft with long range fuselage tanks for a special mission met with enthusiasm and the aircraft were delivered ahead of schedule. Mass production of parts required for 24 container drops has continued in the station workshops. A number of successful operational drops have been made but production has considerably out-paced demand and a stock has been built up. Practise mass lifts and loading of 17 pounder guns in addition to trial loading of jeep and porte in the Hamilcar has kept the Glider Servicing Echelon busy. The month saw the last of the original flock of Hadrians, the remaining nine migrating to HAMPSTEAD NORRIS on October 6th, 1944.

Total lifts for the month were 496.

Statistics:

Of a cumulative total of 1,880 aircraft held on charge, 1,564 were serviceable, giving a cumulative average serviceability of 85 per cent. In addition, 26 minor inspections were made, 8 engine changes were effected, 12 Halifax Mk III modified to airborne forces standard for paratrooping and tugging, 14 acceptance checks were completed and 18 airframe repairs carried out.

November, 1944:

Compiled by Squadron Leader N.H. De V. HEATHCOTE.

November 1st, 1944: 09.52 hours.

Operations ‘EXERCISE BEAR’ - seven Halifax combinations from this station joined in exercise to release gliders and paratroops near CHILBOLTON Aerodrome. Some 34 aircraft were engaged, the remainder being provided by No. 190 Squadron and No. 620 Squadron based at GREAT DUNMOW.

November 10th, 1944: 23.16 hours.

Three aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and three aircraft of No. 644 Squadron engaged in SOE operations over Holland. No enemy opposition was encountered.

November 15th, 1944: 12.14 hours.

Two aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and two aircraft of No. 644 Squadron operated over western France (CHATEAU BERNARD AERODROME) on SOE operations.

November 16th, 1944: 00.24 hours.

Eleven Stirling aircraft from GREAT DUNMOW were diverted to this airfield after operating on SOE operations over Holland.

November 19th, 1944: 11.30 hours.

Flight Lieutenant DURNFORD (M.I.9.) delivered an M.I.9. lecture to all available aircrew of both squadrons.

November 24th, 1944: 17.21 hours.

Four aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and four aircraft of No. 644 Squadron engaged in container and package dropping on seven Norwegian and one Dutch DZs. The success of the operation was largely the fault of bad weather and only one aircraft - from No. 644 Squadron - dropped its containers and packages on the DZ (‘Necking Four’).

November 29th, 1944.

Four aircraft of No. 298 Squadron and four aircraft from No. 644 Squadron were detailed to drop containers and packages on six D.Z.s in Norway. None of these aircraft completed the task owing to cloud over the DZ areas. One aircraft of No. 644 Squadron landed at HAMPSTEAD NORRIS on the return owing to fuel shortage.

Summary of SOE and SAS operations for November, 1944:

Compiled by Flying Officer W.L. DONLEY:

SAS : Nil.

SOE : Tarrant Rushton operated on five occasions during the month - on the nights of 4th/5th, 10th/11th, 24th/25th and 29th/30th, and one daylight operation on the day of November 15th, 1944.

In all, 35 sorties were flown, of which 14 were completed. Of the remainder, 20 did not drop due to unfavourable weather conditions in the DZ areas or no reception, and one failed due to the unserviceability of the aircraft.

Of the above sorties, 15 were carried out on Norwegian targets but, in all cases, weather conditions prevented crews from completing.

November, 1944:

Glider Pilot Regiment Report:

Compiled by Lieutenant J. CUTHBERTSON.

Three mass lifts of six Halifax-Horsa combinations plus one mass lift of 12 Halifax-Horsa combinations took place at the beginning of the month. ‘EXERCISE BEAR’ for which this station provided seven Halifax-Hamilcar combinations and 24 Horsas for Stirlings from DOWN AMPNEY. On November 13th, 1944, one Hamilcar

(17 pounder A/T gun and Porte) was flown to NETHERAVON as part of an airborne demonstration. Twelve pilots successfully completed the Horsa first pilot’s conversion course. Flying this month was concentrated in the training of Hamilcar and Horsa pilots who have joined this squadron as re-enforcements.

Station Navigation Report:

Compiled by Squadron A.W. SLIPPER.

Concentrating on the new methods of navigation, both squadrons carried out extensive training programmes, viz. drift taking, DR navigation on drifts, astro-navigation and medium level bombing.

Operations:

Not many carried out. Those over the Norway area were very successful from a navigation view although reception not obtained. This was due to bad weather conditions experienced on these operations. Aircraft equipment now includes astrographs, Marganine bomb sights, drift recorders, Mark II astro-compasses and flame floats.

Intelligence Report:

Compiled by S/O HERBERT-SMITH.

November 19th, 1944.

Flight Lieutenant H. DURNFORD, MC, from M.I.9, visited the station and gave a lecture to all available aircrews from both squadrons and glider pilots.

November 27th, 1944.

Wing Commander H. TUDOR (GIO) visited the station and stayed until November 28th, 1944.

Meteorological Report for November, 1944:

Compiled by Flight Lieutenant CANNING.

The daytime weather during November was poor, only one fine day being recorded. Seven fair ones, ten rainy and two with fog, the remaining ten being showery or drizzly. The prevailing winds were South Westerly or North Westerly direction. East and North ones reported on six days. The winds varied from strong to moderate on the majority of days. Night weather was generally better than daytime, there being eleven fair to fine nights, ten rainy, six drizzle and showery ones and one foggy. Winds were fresh to strong on eleven nights and light on nine and one Southerly gale was reported. The prevailing winds were again from the North West or South West. There were nine nights when owing to bad weather no local flying was possible.

Squadron Note: See Appendix ‘A’.

Appendix ‘A’: Weather summary for November, 1944.

November 1st, 1944.

DAY: Cloudy in morning, fair in afternoon. Moderate North North East to East North East winds. Moderate visibility becoming good in afternoon.

NIGHT: Fine becoming cloudy after 04.00 hours. Moderate to poor visibility. Light North to North North East winds.

November 2nd, 1944.

DAY: Cloudy in morning, fair in afternoon. Cloud base 2,000 - 3,000 feet. Visibility poor at first, moderate in afternoon. Light North North East winds.

NIGHT: Fair or fine. Moderate to poor visibility. Light North Westerly winds.

November 3rd, 1944.

DAY: Occasional rain or drizzle during the morning and evening. Cloud base 1,000 - 2,000 feet. Moderate visibility. High to moderate Westerly winds.

NIGHT: Slight rain at first, becoming fine by 22.00 hours. Good visibility. Light to moderate West to West South West winds.

November 4th, 1944.

DAY: Slight showers. Moderate to good visibility. Moderate West South West wind becoming fresh to strong during the afternoon.

NIGHT: Slight drizzle before midnight, moderate to good visibility. Fresh to strong wind West South West to South West.

November 5th, 1944.

DAY: Continuous rain from 13.30 hours. Cloud base below 1,000 feet. Moderate to fresh South West to West South West gale, veering light to moderate North West wind at 16.05 hours.

NIGHT: Rain at first becoming fair from 19.40 hours. Good visibility, moderate North West wind backing light West.

November 6th, 1944.

DAY: Fair to cloudy, cloud base 1,500 feet or above. Good visibility, fresh West South West to South West wind.

NIGHT: Almost continuous rain 21.00 hours to 04.40 hours. Good visibility, cloud base 1,200 - 2,000 feet. Moderate to fresh West South West gale veering West to West North West strong from 01.50 hours.

November 7th, 1944.

DAY: Continuous rain 12.00 hours to 18.45 hours, cloud base 1,000 - 2,000 feet. Good visibility. Moderate to fresh West wind.

NIGHT: Slight rain until 19.40 hours. Cloud base 3,000 feet or above. Good visibility. Moderate to light West to North West winds.

November 8th, 1944.

DAY: Almost continuous rain 09.20 hours to 16.15 hours. Cloud base 1,000 - 2,000 feet. Patches at 300 feet. Moderate to good visibility. Moderate East North East to North winds.

NIGHT: Fair to cloudy, good visibility, light to moderate South West to West North West winds veering North West fresh to strong. End of period.

November 9th, 1944:

DAY: Fair, good visibility. Fresh North West winds falling light during the evening.

NIGHT: Fair or fine, good visibility, moderate to light North West winds.

November 10th, 1944.

DAY: Fair or fine, good visibility, moderate North West winds.

NIGHT: Continuous rain and drizzle from 01.20 hours. Cloud base lowering to 900 feet by 05.00 hours. Good to moderate visibility. Light North West winds backing South to South East after 04.00 hours.

November 11th, 1944.

DAY: Continuous drizzle for the day with fog at times. Winds light East or calm.

NIGHT: Drizzle and fog until 01.00 hours. Light variable winds.

November 12th, 1944.

DAY: Continuous rain and drizzle from 09.00 hours with fog. Visibility poor to very poor. Calm or light South West winds.

NIGHT: Occasional drizzle until 02.00 hours. Cloud base 200 - 800 feet lifting 3,000 - 4,000 feet after 04.00 hours. Winds North West moderate to fresh.

November 13th, 1944.

DAY: Slight showers 16.00 hours. Patches of cloud 800 - 1,200 feet. Visibility good, moderate to fresh North West to West winds.

NIGHT: Slight rain 22.00 hours to 00.30 hours. Cloud base 1,500 to 2,500 feet. Visibility good. Light West North West winds.

November 14th, 1944.

DAY: Fair, visibility good, moderate West North West winds becoming light North

to North East after 16.00 hours.

NIGHT: Slight drizzle 23.30 hours. Cloud base 800 - 1,500 feet. Good to moderate visibility. Moderate North to North North East wind.

November 15th, 1944.

DAY: Fair to cloudy, moderate visibility. Moderate North to North East winds.

NIGHT: Moderate to poor visibility, fine. Light North West wind.

November 16th, 1944.

DAY: Fog 08.00 hours to 11.00 hours. Visibility poor becoming moderate in afternoon. Light West to North West wind becoming East light in evening.

NIGHT: Rain from 22.20 hours, cloud base 800 feet or below after 01.00 hours. Visibility moderate to poor. Moderate East to South East winds becoming fresh to strong South to South South East after midnight.

November 17th, 1944.

DAY: Continuous rain, cloud base 300 - 500 feet. Strong South West to South South West wind.

NIGHT: Continuous rain until 02.00 hours then intermittent. Cloud base 600 feet or below. Visibility poor, winds South West strong and gusty.

November 18th, 1944.

DAY: Intermittent rain after 12.00 hours, cloud base 600 - 1,000 feet. Visibility moderate to good. Strong to fresh South Westwinds.

NIGHT: Intermittent rain, cloud base 500 - 800 feet. Moderate to poor visibility. Moderate to fresh South wind freshening to gale force from 02.00 hours.

November 19th, 1944.

DAY: Continuous drizzle to 14.45 hours. Cloud base 400 - 800 feet, visibility moderate to good. Strong South South West wind veering West South West to South West fresh to strong from 15.00 hours.

NIGHT: Continuous slight rain or drizzle to 04.45 hours. Cloud base 500 - 800 feet, lifting to 1,000 feet after 04.45 hours. Visibility moderate to good. Fresh to strong South South West to South West winds.

November 20th, 1944.

DAY: Intermittent rain or drizzle, cloud base 1,000 - 2,000 feet. Moderate to good visibility. Moderate South West wind becoming West North West fresh to strong after 12.00 hours.

NIGHT: Fair or fine. Good visibility. Fresh West North West to North West wind.

November 21st, 1944.

DAY: Fair or fine. Good visibility. Moderate West to North West wind backing South West to South 4 - 8 mph from 16.00 hours.

NIGHT: Continuous rain 21.30 - 04.00 hours then drizzle. Cloud base lowering 400 - 600 feet after 23.00 hours. Visibility good to moderate, wind light South backing South South East fresh to strong around midnight veering South West after 04.00 hours.

November 22nd, 1944.

DAY: Intermittent drizzle from 10.30 to 14.30 hours. Continuous rain from 17.00 hours. Good visibility. Cloud base 600 - 1,000 feet or below. Winds West South West moderate to fresh.

NIGHT: Continuous most of night. Cloud base 200 - 600 feet rising to 900 feet. Visibility moderate to good. Moderate South West to West South West wind.

November 23rd, 1944.

DAY: Slight drizzle. Cloud base 600 - 1,000 feet or below. Visibility moderate to good, wind West to West South West moderate.

NIGHT: Slight drizzle. Cloud base 500 - 1,000 feet. Visibility moderate to good. Wind West South West to South West fresh.

November 24th, 1944.

DAY: Intermittent rain 15.00 - 17.00 hours. Cloud base 1,000 - 1,500 feet. Visibility good. West South West to West North West wind moderate.

NIGHT: Occasional showers, visibility good. Wind West to North West moderate.

November 25th, 1944.

DAY: Occasional showers. Visibility good. Wind West to North West moderate.

NIGHT: Slight shower 21.00 hours. Visibility good. Light to moderate North West winds.

November 26th, 1944.

DAY: Slight rain in morning, showers in afternoon and evening. Visibility good. Moderate South West to West South West wind.

NIGHT: Occasional showers, good visibility, cloud base lowered to 800 feet at 07.00 hours. Light West South West to North West winds.

November 27th, 1944.

DAY: Cloudy to fair, cloud base 800 feet lifting to 1,000 - 2,000 feet from 10.00 hours. Moderate visibility. Light variable North West winds.

NIGHT: Continuous rain or drizzle after 23.30 hours. Cloud base lowering to 400 - 600 feet after midnight. Visibility moderate to poor. Wind light at first becoming South to South South West moderate, increasing after midnight and becoming fresh to strong.

November 28th, 1944.

DAY: Rain and drizzle until 12.30 hours. Cloud base 200 - 500 feet rising to 800 - 1,000 feet after 14.00 hours. Visibility moderate to good, wind West South West to South West strong becoming moderate after midday.

NIGHT: Fair, good visibility, light West wind.

November 29th, 1944.

DAY: Fair to good visibility, light West to West South West wind.

NIGHT: Fair visibility but light West wind.

November 30th, 1944.

DAY: Intermittent slight rain after 15.50 hours. Visibility good, wind West South West, light.

NIGHT: Intermittent slight rain to 22.00 hours. Good visibility. Light to moderate South West wind.

Station Armament Officer’s Report for November, 1944.

Compiled by Flight Lieutenant GATFORD.

Double banking containers on fuselage stations of Halifax aircraft at Tarrant Rushton.

With the increase of all-up weight to 63,000 lbs, 4,207 lbs extra carrying capacity was available when the normal load of 15 containers with full petrol was carried. Tests were made to find a satisfactory method of carrying extra containers to make up this extra weight. This was done by double banking containers on all fuselage stations. Double containers were attached together with two long straps with positioning blocks between the containers. Static lines tied the bomb rack were fitted to quick release pins on the straps which operated and separated the containers on release from the aircraft. A delayed action device was fitted to the bottom container parachutes to avoid the pranging of containers together in mid-air. Webbing straps were fitted to secure the bottom containers to take the place of cradles and straps normally used. The bomb doors had to remain open whilst double banked containers were carried but pilots are not perturbed about this in any way.

History of Servicing Wing, November, 1944:

Compiled by Wing Commander W.J. HENDLEY.

The month of November has seen the completion of the change over from Halifax V to Halifax III aircraft. On November 1st, 1944, Halifax V and 22 Halifax III aircraft were held but by the 28th of the month the last Halifax V slid off the runway in use for its new happy hunting ground and by the end of the month the 50th new Halifax III had arrived. Despite a month of atrocious weather and a considerable reduction in operational targets, a total for aircraft and gliders of over 1,300 flying hours was accomplished, the majority of which were credited to training. The average serviceability of aircraft was lower this month than normally but this was largely due to acceptance checks and modifications as necessary to bring the new aircraft up to fully operational standard. A scheme to overcome the difficulty of retrieving Hamilcar gliders after operations has been devised and put forward to higher authority. At present, the necessary ballast box is too cumbersome to move by air and would have to be transported by sea whereas under the new scheme, ferro-concrete cylinders cast and adapted to fit on a normal container station can be carried by the retrieving aircraft and used to ballast the glider for the return flight.

Statistics:

Of a cumulative total of 1,655 Halifax aircraft held on charge, 1,223 were serviceable, giving a cumulative average serviceability of 75 per cent. During the month, 13 minor inspections were carried out, four engine changes effected, 30 acceptance checks completed and 45 airframe repairs and major carried out.

Glider lifts for the month totalled 729.

Signed: Wing Commander W.J. HENDLEY,

Commanding Servicing Wing HQ,

R.A.F. Tarrant Rushton.

Visits to RAF Station Tarrant Rushton, November, 1944:

Compiled by S/O HERBERT-SMITH:

November 2nd, 1944: 18.00 hours.

Flight Lieutenant HOLMES from HQ Fighter Command visited the station on staff duties.

November 3rd, 1944: 09.15 hours.

Flying Officer GREEN was here regarding the Court of Enquiry.

November 3rd, 1944: 09.15 hours.

Flight Officer SLESSOR and Squadron Leader STEWART were also here in connection with the Court of Enquiry.

November 5th, 1944: 21.00 hours.

Flight Lieutenant LOWE from No. 38 Group visited us on staff duties.

November 6th, 1944: 12.00 hours.

Squadron Leader SHIELDS from No. 38 Group was here on staff duties.