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F540 Operations Record Book June 1957 NO 4 SQUADRON.
RAF Museum Hendon. Holds 2nd copy of F540 1945 to 1970.
PLACE DATE TIME SUMMARY OF EVENTS                     COMPILING OFFICER   __Flying Officer I. Carr.___ Refs
      iancarr.jpg, 1569 bytes  
R.A.F. JEVER 1.6.57      This month began with no flying.  After the Station Commanders Parade, the Squadron
carried out their extraneous duties for the remainder of the morning.
 
  3.6.57      With a fine day and five serviceable aircraft the Squadron carried out a full days
programme.  The accent being on P.I.s with 101 S.U. as it has been a considerable time
since the last interception exercise.  The odd aircraft did several sorties comprising
aerobatics and low flying.
                                    24   SORTIES                17:05  HOURS
 
  4.6.57      Another fine day but with serviceability troubles dogging the aircraft, an inter-
mittent programme was kept going as the aircraft became serviceable.  Throughout the day
aerobatics and cine sorties were carried out.  At 15.00 hours four aircraft led by
Flt.Lt.J.M.D. Sutton took off to go to Bruggen where they were to join in a Flypast for
the incoming Commander in Chief Air Marshal Sir J.H. Edwards - Jones, K.C.B. C.B.E.
D.F.C. A.F.C. on the morrow.  Unfortunately one aircraft flown by Fg.Off J. Slaney had
to return through unserviceability.
                                            17   SORTIES          12:55  HOURS
 
  5.6.57      There was no Squadron flying as such today at Jever, except that Fg.Off J. Slaney took
off early so as to be at Bruggen in time to make up our complement for the C.in.C's
flypast.  After the flypast. which was carried out in boxes of four, our section refuelled
at Bruggen and returned to Jever.  Being a sports afternoon there was no further flying.
                                              9   SORTIES            5:15  HOURS
 
  6.6.57      A rather dull day with cloud steadily building up all day.  Minor troubles again
prevented four aircraft from flying together, so once again the details were mainly
solo aerobatics, and cine pairs, all trips ending with a Q.G.H./G.C.A. as the airfield
was declared Amber II.
                                          20   SORTIES        15.15  HOURS
 
  7.6.57      The day began with low cloud and a weather check was sent off in the morning.  However
the weather cleared rapidly as the cloud proved to be isolated thunder storms.  With
three aircraft several successful low level strikes were made on bridge targets in the
low flying area in Schleswig Holstein.  After which flying ceased for the duration of
the Whitsun Grant.
                                                 16   SORTIES        11:45  HOURS
 
  12.6.57      At 09.00 hours the Station returned to work following the Whitsun Recess.  The entire
morning was given over to rehearsals for the Queens Birthday Parade which is to be held
on 13th June, 1957, and at which the Squadron Standard will be paraded.  After the
Parade the Station dispersed to carry out normal Wednesday afternoons sporting activities.
                                                     NO   SORTIES        NO  HOURS
 
  13.6.57      Today, the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was celebrated by a ceremonial
parade at which No 4 Squadron Standard was paraded.  The Standard Bearer for this
occasion was Fg.Off T.M. Jeffrey, who was supported by Sgt M. Perkins, Sgt D. McLachlan
as escort and F.S. H. Morris as Standard Warrant Officer.  After the Royal Salute and
three cheers for Her Majesty, the Standard was marched off, and the Squadron dispersed
to enjoy the benefits of the traditional holiday.
                                                NO   SORTIES        NO  HOURS
 
  14.6.57      Back to work on a bright and fine summers day.  After the first sortie consisting of
a high level battle formation of three aircraft, minor troubles beset the serviceability
and aircraft were flown singly for the remainder of the day.  All pilots having an
opportunity of practicing solo aerobatics.  During the latter part of the day two trial
runs were made over the proposed route for a fly past and low level strike on the air-
field, which is scheduled, for the following Wednesday in an 'At Home' day for the Station.
The strike is to be led by Sqn.Ldr J.R. Chapman O.C. Number 4 Squadron and is all part of
the forthcoming Anglo-German week.
                                                         16   SORTIES      11:40  HOURS
 
  15.6.57      No flying at all this morning.  Preparations are going ahead for the forthcoming
Anglo - German week due to commence on the morrow.  The Station Commander expressed his
desire that all personnel would support the various functions to be held in the forth -
coming week.
                                                 NO   SORTIES        NO  HOURS
 
  16.6.57      A fine morning with clear skies and bright sun heralded the opening of Anglo-German
week.  The first event was a combined Church Service in the Jever Parish Church.  The
service was conducted in English and German and hymns were also sung in both languages.
stationpic031.jpg, 18478 bytes                     Anglo-German Week Padre Fullerton with German Priests 21Jun57
                                          (Thanks to Gladys Watson) (Not in F540)

The service was followed by a parade through the streets of Jever.  he parade consisted
of detachments of the Royal Air Force,
stationpic029.jpg, 123262 bytes
Anglo-German Week RAF March Past in Jever 21Jun57. [Anyone know who is the leading Sqn Ldr and the Flt Lt behind?]   (Thanks to Gladys Watson) [Not in F540]

The German Navy and the Combined Cadet Force from Prince Rupert School,
Wilhelmshaven.  This last detachment was headed by Fg.Off A.A. Boyle who was recently
appointed P.E.T.L.O.  The salute was taken by the Station Commander, The German Naval
Commander and the Jever Bergomeister.  Music was provided by the band of the 2nd Tactical
Air Force.
stationpic053.jpg, 181069 bytes
RAF 2ATAF Band in March Past in the centre of Jever Town during Anglo-German Week - 21Jun57.   (Thanks to Gladys Watson) [Not in F540]
 
  17.6.57      Flying was again restricted due to practices being held for the Wednesday's Open Day.
There were practices for the Wing Strike and flypast led by Squadron Leader J.R. Chapman.
In between aerial demonstrations over the airfield the Squadron managed to carry out a
programme of aerobatics and cine sorties.
                                                                                     18   SORTIES   9:40  HOURS
 
  18.6.57      Once again ?????????????????????????????????????????????????
during the morning.  In the afternoon there was a full scale dress rehearsal for the air
display.  All the Squadron not involved retired to the roof of the Hangar and basked in
the sun whilst they watched a very impressive display.
                                                    11   SORTIES          6:40  HOURS
 
  19.6.57      Open Day at Royal Air Force Jever, the first time that the airfield has been open
to the public since 1938 when Marshal Goering inspected the Station.  During the
morning the Squadron flew a few sorties but interest was mainly in the aircraft flying
in to form the static Park.  These comprised of a pair of Javelins, a pair of Swifts,
Canberras B2 & I8, a Venom, F84 from Holland and a Mosquito from Schleswig - Land.
stationpic174.jpg, 35814 bytes
Visiting Aircraft from roof of Station Flight during Open Day Anglo-German Week - 19Jun57.   (Thanks to Bruno Albers) [Not in F540]

The gates of the Station due to open at 14.00 hours were opened early and by 14.30
hours when the flying display was due to commence it was estimated that about eight
thousand visitors had arrived on the airfield.
stationpic067.jpg, 20505 bytes
Crowd in front of German Flag during Open Day Anglo-German Week - 21Jun57.
(Thanks to Gladys Watson)   [Not in F540].

   In the evening a Squadron dining in night was held in the famous Bismark Room at the
Haus de Getreuen in Jever, stationpic476.jpg, 37160 bytes
Haus Der Getreuen alongside the Jever Pils brewery.   In 2005 we ran a "Taceval" on the quality of Pils still being brewed.   It was a lovely day and it tasted as good as ever.   (Click to see)   This pub is also famous for its Bismark room where the elder statesman used to enjoy the hospitality.   This is how it looked in 1954.
(Thanks to George Englefield-Bishop.) [Not in F540].

this was to say farewell to Fg.Offs Daniels and Blake who
are due for repatriation the following week.  Also at the same time Fg.Off D. Watt who
is in charge of the Central Armoury and has done a lot of good work for the Squadron on
the armaments side was made an Honorary Member of Number 4 Squadron.  A guest at the
dinner was Wg,Cdr W.T. Harrington spoke a few words and reminded us that No 4 Squadron
was one of the few Squadron's to have survived being disbanded both after the First World
War and then in the present scheme, and that we should be proud of our unbroken traditions.
                                                    7   SORTIES                  4:20  HOURS
 
  20.6.57      After open day the Squadron hoped to be able to begin regular flying again, but this
was not to be.  After a few sorties in the morning there was only one serviceable
aircraft on the squadron and despite several air tests during the afternoon the day
ended with no serviceable aircraft.  This was no fault of the ground crew, or even of
the Station Technical Side, as six of our aircraft have been A.O.G. for a considerable
time, but unfortunately there are no spares available at the moment.  Also the fact that
we have two aircraft categorised leaves only seven aircraft that we can possibly fly.
Taking into account scheduled servicing leaves us very poorly off as regards available
aircraft.  In view of our committment of six aircraft on the 24th for a weeks
detachment to Middleton - St - George, flying ceased today until Monday to allow the
technical staff to work on the aircraft.
                                           11   SORTIES                  7:50  HOURS
 
  21.6.57      No flying at all today, all pilots spent the time becoming qualified as crew
chiefs on the Hunter VI, in readiness for the forthcoming detachment.  Meanwhile the
ground crews are working hard on the aircraft.
                                                      NO   SORTIES                  NO  HOURS
 
  22.6.57      Last preparations for Monday, routes, preliminary flight planning, custom regulations
and general packing took place but F.S. H. Morris is very optimistic about service-
ability for Monday.
                                                    NO   SORTIES              NO  HOURS
 
  24.6.57      This morning six aircraft led by Flt.Lt. J.M.D. Sutton got airborne for Waddington
and then for Middleton - St - George.  This was entirely due to the hard work put in over
last few days by our ground crews.  Not only did they get the six aircraft away, but the
seventh was serviceable before the pilots left behind at Jever.  In the afternoon
Sqn.Ldr J.R. Chapman went out to welcome to Jever No 92 Squadron from Middleton - St -
George who are here in exchange.  They hope to use Meppen Range and do ground attacks
sorties.  They brought eight aircraft and were led by their C.O. Sqn.Ldr M. Hobson.
                                                                                   15   SORTIES          10:50  HOURS
 
R.A.F. MIDDLETON &
R.A.F. JEVER
25.6.57      This morning four serviceable aircraft at Middleton - St - George lined up on the
O.R.P using for the first time telescramble which was installed there  The remainder of
the day was spent on exercises with Northern Sector  At Jever the remaining pilots flew
three sorties, having only one aircraft.
                                                26   SORTIES            19:10  HOURS
 
  26.6.57      Only two aircraft were serviceable in the U.K. and further P.I.s were carried out
with Northern Sector.  In the evening No 4 Squadron held a cocktail party for the
officers and wives of Number 92 Squadron which was a great success.  Whilst at Jever
with two serviceable aircraft more aeros and manual flying was carried out, the weather
being hot and fine.
                                                  19   SORTIES                  13:45  HOURS
 
  27.6.57      Serviceability dropped to an all time low  One aircraft at Middleton - St -George
very soon went unserviceable.  All the aircraft were handed to 92 Squadron ground crew,
who worked the remainder of the day at attempting to get the aircraft serviceable to return
to Jever on the morrow.  Only one trip was flown at Jever today.
                                                    5   SORTIES                3:15  HOURS
 
  28.6.57      Despite all troubles all six aircraft left Middleton - St - George to return to
base, via Marham.   At Marham, turn round and Custom Clearance was completed in 1 hour
20 minutes.  The flight back to Jever was uneventful.  At Jever the one aircraft was
again flown on aerobatics and manual flying the weather remaining hot and fine.
                                                  17   SORTIES                  11:30  HOURS
 
R.A.F. JEVER 30.6.57      A fine morning but as most aircraft returned from U.K. had to have primaries
and servicing the month ended with three aircraft being flown spasmodically during the morning.
                                                       8   SORTIES                5:30  HOURS