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| Place |
Date |
Time |
Summary of Events COMPILING OFFICER__Fg. Off. C. W. Powell_________ |
REF. TO APPENDICES |
| |
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 |
|
| JEVER |
1.1.56 |
|
STAND-DOWN |
|
JEVER
JEVER |
2.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
A strong cross-wind prevented flying for the first hour or so this morning,
during which time the pilots did some aircraft recognition training.
Full flying commenced about 1000 hrs. with a section of three getting airborne
on high level battle formation.
A total of about 12 hours were flown today, together with a few Vampire T.11
sorties to re-rate the newer pilots.
PERSONNEL
Fg. Off. Irish returned from the U.K. this evening by air. |
|
| JEVER |
3.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
Although only two aircraft were available this morning, an early start was
made and the pair was airborne by 0815 hours. Flying continued all day in excellent
weather and more aircraft became serviceable during the day.
A close formation trip was carried out by four aircraft this afternoon, and
some night flying was done for a total of about 23 hours on operational type.
PERSONNEL
Flt. Lt. Goodwin arrived tonight having returned early from U.K. leave. |
|
| JEVER |
4.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
One pair got airborne fairly early this morning, but the rather doubtful
weather clamped soon afterwards and flying ceased for the rest of the day.
The rest of the morning was spent looking at cine film and doing an aircraft recognition
test. |
|
| JEVER |
5.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
Fog prevented flying this morning. An anti-cyclone over the zone is almost
stationary, and the weather should hardly alter all day.
Some aircraft recognition was done at first, followed by lectures. |
|
| JEVER |
6.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
Once again poor visibility prevented flying. A lecture on anoxia was given by
the S.M.O. and then the squadron did some ejection seat and dinghy drill. |
|
| JEVER |
7.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
After a squadron drill parade, the squadron M.T.O. took a convoy run to give
the drivers a little practice, as no flying was possible. |
|
| JEVER |
8.1.56 |
|
STAND-DOWN |
|
| Jever |
9.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
Again the weather was bad with light snow, but a few sorties were flown during
the afternoon until the weather clamped again.
PERSONNEL
A new pilot arrived tonight. He is Plt. Off. D. HENDERSON from Chivenor O.C.U.
F.S. Ward also arrived back from U.K. leave. |
|
| JEVER |
10.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
The thin cover of snow which fell yesterday evening froze during the night and
made conditions rather bad.
Although attempts were made to make the runway serviceable, not much success
was met with until after lunch, when flying started on a reduced scale. The
surface still wasn't very good, and all flying ceased quite early.
One pilot slid off the taxi track onto the grass, but without damage to the
aircraft. |
|
| JEVER |
11.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
The forecasted snow did not arrive during the night, and milder conditions
precluded the formation of ice. As the visibility and cloudbase were good, flying
started immediately after met. briefing.
About lunch-time, the viz. decreased considerably, due to drizzle, and the
airfield went 'Amber' with one section of four aircraft flying per squadron.
Altogether, about 11 hours were flown, on high level battle and cine practices.
One more of our aircraft was flown back of the U.K.
PERSONNEL
Fg. Off. Dodds returned this evening from U.K. leave. |
|
| JEVER |
12.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
This morning's weather was 2,000 ft. and 4-6 miles, with a possibility of
slight drizzle. Very early, however, only one pair per squadron was permitted, due
to a deterioration of the cloud base and visibility.
The squadron flew two sorties of four aircraft each, on exercise 'ARGUS', which
entailed intercepting Canberras. These interceptions were moderately successful.
Flying ceased altogether at about 1530 hrs. |
|
| JEVER |
13.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
For the last few days the squadron has been trying to land off Q.G.H.'s in bad
weather, in an attempt to decrease the circuit traffic. This morning a short talk
was given to try and standardise this procedure, which seems to be working fairly
well.
The airfield colour state this morning was 'Amber', with one section of four
per squadron. Later, this changed to 'Green' and unlimited flying was allowed.
A few battle formation trips were done with four aircraft each time. Other
syllabus sorties were carried out. A total of about 24 hours was flown, bringing the
total for the month up to over one hundred. |
|
| JEVER |
14.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
Mist and fog prevented flying this morning. The pilots learned a little more
about the aircraft by helping the ground crew to do Primary Inspections. |
|
| JEVER |
15.1.56 |
|
STAND-DOWN |
|
| JEVER |
16.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
Today the weather was very good and a good deal of flying was done. The trips
consisted of high level battle, cine practices and G.C.A.
's.
A number of night flying sorties were flown, bringing the total for the day
to over 30 hours.
PERSONNEL
Fg. Off. Saunders left the squadron today after completing his four years
service in the Royal Air Force. Fg. Off. Faulkes arrived back from U.K. leave. |
|
| JEVER |
17.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
Another reasonable day produced about 15 hours flying. This would have been
increased, but the squadron had to hand over three 'pool' aircraft to No. 93 Sqn.
For the first time, the squadron did some air-to-air sorties today, flying
on the flag at Sylt. Flt. Lt. Goodwin did very well, scoring 18 hits on each of
his two shoots. |
|
| JEVER |
18.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
The airfield started off 'Amber' this morning, with one pair per squadron.
However, after the second detail, it went 'Red' due to low cloud and poor visibility,
and remained so all morning. This afternoon was a sports afternoon. |
|
| JEVER |
19.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
The weather forecast was quite good, with the likelihood of snow showers. When
the first detail was homing, one of these 'showers' caused them to be diverted to
Oldenburg, landing there about 0900 hours. Altogether, thirteen Jever aircraft
landed there at about the same time.
None of the aircraft were able to return to Jever until about 1530 hours, when
they all got back safely.
This was the only flying done all day. |
|
| JEVER |
20.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
The weather this morning was not very good; low cloud and occasional rain. The
Colour state started as 'Amber' and remained so all day, so only a limited amount
of flying was done.
One pilot severely damaged an aircraft when it went off the runway on landing. |
|
| JEVER |
21.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
No flying was done this morning as there was a strong cross-wind gusting to
60 knots. |
|
| JEVER |
22.1.56 |
|
STAND-DOWN |
|
| JEVER |
23.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
Low cloud and heavy snow prevented flying today. The forecast was that it
would continue all day, turning to rain later. By evening, the ground was very
slushy, with a forecast of a hard frost. |
|
| JEVER |
24.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
The forecast frost did not materialise and conditions this morning were quite
good. Fairly soon, however, a snow-storm started and the aircraft were recalled.
Short sorties were flown after this, but aircraft were again recalled once or
twice due to more snow-storms.
PERSONNEL
Fg. Off. Thomson returned today from the Guided Weapons Course in the U.K. |
|
| JEVER |
25.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
Snow fell during the night and froze,- successfully preventing any flying today. |
|
| JEVER |
26.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
Although the runway and taxi-tracks were fairly slippery, 'Amber' flying (one
pair per squadron) was carried out. Visibility dropped considerably after lunch, and
the airfield went 'Red' about 1330 hours.
The squadron did a number of cine sorties and some more air-to-air firing at Sylt. |
|
| Jever |
27.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
A couple of inches of snow covered everything this morning and no flying was
done until after lunch when a few sorties were flown, mainly on cine exercises. |
|
| JEVER |
28.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
Ice and snow prevented flying this morning. |
|
| JEVER |
29.1.56 |
|
STAND-DOWN. |
|
| JEVER |
30.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
Once again icy runways and taxi-tracks prevented flying.
PERSONNEL
Flt. Lt. Denison rejoined the squadron from leave and Fg. Off. Craig returned
from the Winter Survival Course at Bad Kohlgrub. |
|
| JEVER |
31.1.56 |
|
OPERATIONAL
A reasonable amount of flying was done today after a late start, bringing the
total hours on operational type for the month to over 200.
In view of the squadron's imminent detachment to A.P.S. Sylt, most of the
sorties were on simulated flag attacks, together with a few individual trips. |
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FLYING HOURS SQUADRON STRENGTH
Aircraft Hrs. Mins. Sorties Officers 18
Hunter F Mk. 4 211 55 286 S.N.C.O.'s(Aircrew) 1
Vampire T.11
17 55 22 S.N.C.O.s 9
TOTAL 229 50 308 Corporals 15
A.C.'s 46
TOTAL 89
signed NCP Buddin Sqn. Ldr.
(N.C.P. BUDDIN)
Squadron Leader,
Officer Commanding,
No. 118 Squadron,
Royal Air Force.
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