|
|
| Place. |
Date. |
Time. |
Summary of Events. COMPILING OFFICER_Flt. Lt. R. Rimington__ |
References
to
Appendices. |
| R.A.F. JEVER |
August, |
|
Operations
The whole of Flying Wing was dispersed for the month of August, but the
squadron still managed to achieve the target of 310 hours by the 27th August.
There was an exchange detachment with the Royal Canadian Air Force from
the 10th to 21st August. Twelve pilots and eight aircraft exchanged with the
same number of Sabres from Gros-Tonquin in Mid-Eastern France. The detachment
was of the greatest value from the point of view of flying over strange
mountainous country and also for the new targets offered, including Radar and
missile sites in the American Zone. During the day at Gros Tonquin one
aircraft was damaged when Flight Lieutenant R. Barcilon landed with a
starboard undercarriage leg unlocked. It appeared down in the air but
collapsed on touchdown, and had to be removed to the Maintenance Unit by road.
The Squadron took part in Exercise Amled this month on the 27th August.
For the exercise No. 79 Squadron were attached to the Wing and brought four
Swifts with them occupying the empty dispersal on the station but working
in conjunction with No. 2 Squadron.
On the last flying day of the month - 27th August - Flight Lieutenant
R. Rimington had engine failure in a Swift near Minden and had to abandon the
aircraft [WN124]. The ejection was normal, but at the same time the parachute
harness was released and he was fortunate enough to be held by one leg when
the loop tightened. He was falling head first and was again fortunate
enough to fall in the River Weser and so was uninjured. He attributes this
lucky escape to it being his birthday on that day. [Click to see more detailed report.]
Two pilots were posted from the Squadron this month. They were Flight
Lieutenant D. Ives who is going for an interview to Central Flying School
and Flight Lieutenant D.C. Gathercole who is going to Chivenor as an
instructor. They were both dined out in the traditional manner at Gros-Tonquin.
Social
The Squadron Officers gave a party for the other Station Officers on
the 22nd August. For the party they hired a boat from Wilhelmshaven and
cruised around the Jade Basin with an adequate bar on board for the journey.
Although the Captain had one or two anxious moments, nobody was actually
at sea, or at least has not been reported to date.
signed AKIbbett
(A. K. IBBETT)
Flight Lieutenant,
Officer Commanding
4th September, 1959 No. 2 (A.C.) Squadron
|
|
|
