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

November 7th, 1944: 12.00 hours.

Mr GOWLLAND paid us a welfare visit.

November 7th, 1944: 12.00 hours.

Lieutenant Colonel PASS accompanied by Mr GOWLLAND.

November 6th, 1944: 13.10 hours.

Air Vice Marshall J.R. SCARLETT-STREATFIELD, CBE, the Air Officer Commanding, was on this station. He came by air.

November 10th, 1944: 11.00 hours.

Flight Lieutenant CUNNING from HQ No. 38 Group was here.

November 11th, 1944: 10.30 hours.

Squadron Leader DUNCAN from HQ Fighter Command visited this station.

November 12th, 1944: 14.00 hours.

Squadron Officer SHALLARD of No. 38 Group was here regarding WAAF administration.

November 13th, 1944: 13.20 hours.

Squadron Leader LEIGH-JONES paid us a staff visit.

November 14th, 1944: 09.05 hours.

Wing Commander BIDDLE, Inspector of Accounts, came here from HQ Fighter Command.

November 20th, 1944: 10.00 hours.

Group Captain VICKERS paid a personal call on the commanding officer.

November 24th, 1944: 16.00 hours.

Flight Lieutenant REEVELY of No. 38 Group was here today.

November 24th, 1944: 16.00 hours.

Wing Commander J.E. HOWE, Senior Group Medical Officer, was here on staff duties.

Station Headquarters News for November, 1944:

Wing Commander V.A. POPE relinquished command of No. 644 Squadron on November 10th, 1944, and left the station to take over the command of RAF Station RIVENHALL as Group Captain. Wing commander E.L. ARCHER, AFC, took over command of No. 644 Squadron on November 10th, 1944. Squadron Leader G.H. BRIGGS, DFC, was posted on November 16th, 1944, as an instructor to the SCHOOL OF AIR SUPPORT. Squadron Leader M. BARREN took over in his place.

Personnel News for November, 1944:

Compiled by Station Officer HERBERT-SMITH.

November 6th, 1944.

Flying Officer CASHMAN and Flying Officer SAUNDERS posted to this station for fighter affiliation duties.

November 10th, 1944.

Squadron Leader (now Wing Commander) ARCHER was posted here today to command No. 644 Squadron and replace Wing Commander POPE.

November 12th, 1944.

Station Officer BRITTEN was posted to GREAT DUNMOW today.

November 22nd, 1944.

Flying Officer BROWN (Meteorological Section) posted to NETHERAVON.

November 22nd, 1944.

Flying Officer J.W. THOMAS posted here from HAMPSTEAD NORRIS to take over Flying Officer BROWN’s place.

The personnel strength at the end of November, 1944, is: *

RAF officers: 217 RAF other ranks: 2,150

( * See Appendix ‘B’)

Appendix ‘B’:

RAF officers: 151 RAF other ranks: 1,840

RCAF officers: 38 RCAF other ranks: 31

RNZAF officers: 2 RNZAF other ranks: 17

RAAF officers: 20 RAAF other ranks: 10

WAAF officers: 6 WAAF other ranks: 252

TOTAL OFFICERS: 217 TOTAL OTHER RANKS: 2,150

WAAF Section report:

Compiled By Flight Officer P.G. PLAYFORD.

November 10th/28th, 1944:

Section Officer REEVES (C & G) attached from HQ Fighter Command to replace Assistant Section Officer WADDINGTON.

November 18th/25th, 1944.

Two WAAF officers and two WAAF NCOs attended a No. 38 Group course on ‘citizenship’ in Manchester.

Medical history of RAF Station Tarrant Rushton for November, 1944.

Compiled by Squadron Leader R. McMAHON.

(See Appendix ‘C’)

The general health of the camp is excellent.

Appendix ‘C’:

Units under medical care 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

‘C’ Squadron, Glider Pilot Regiment

Naval Detachment

W.A.A.F.

Signed by: Squadron Leader R. McMAHON,

Station Medical Officer,

R.A.F. Tarrant Rushton.

Station Entertainments for November, 1944:

Compiled by Flying Officer WYNDHAM-LEWIS.

No. 2 Airman’s Dining Hall is being converted into a concert hall and cinema for which suitable chairs have been purchased from BSI funds. Three different cinema programmes are played weekly: Monday and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and Sunday, with Red Circuit ENSA shows presented weekly on Saturday nights. Station dances are held in the gymnasium each Wednesday and a whist drive is held in the corporals’ room of the NAFFI, also on Wednesday nights. Special grants are made from PSI funds to all sections wishing to hold invitation dances. Special events such as fancy dress dances are held from time to time, and the WAAF section hold an invitation evening in their NAFFI once a week. A gramophone circle meets weekly in the WAAF officers’ mess.

Summary of sports during November, 1944:

Compiled by Flying Officer D. BEECH.

Soccer: football field close to the officers’ mess, most popular game on camp. A number of inter-section matches and station matches have been played. Matches arranged one per day. Five station matches against the following opponents:

November 2nd, 1944: aircrew personnel.

November 7th, 1944: Winton.

November 14th, 1944: Shaftesbury Military Hospital.

November 20th, 1944: Queen’s Regiment.

November 27th, 1944: Queen’s Regiment

Badminton: Becoming increasingly popular. Played by all ranks. Gymnasium open three nights per week for use, average attendance each night 10.

Squash: Played by senior NCOs and officers. Shortage of balls has cut down attendances.

Basket Ball: Glider pilots are regular attenders, average three times per week.

P.T. (Physical Training): Regular attendance from defence course, glider pilots and airmen.

Rehabilitation: Two airmen attend for remedial exercises.

Signed: C.C. Marshall.

For T.B. COOPER, D.F.C.,

GROUP CAPTAIN (COMMANDING),

RAF STATION TARRANT RUSHTON.

R.A.F. Form 540.

See instructions for use of this form in K.R. and A.C.I., para 2349 and War Manual. Pt. II., chapter XX. and notes in R.A.F. Pocket Book.

OPERATIONS RECORD BOOK

R.A.F. Station Tarrant Rushton

Summary of Events - SECRET.

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 West winds.

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.