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| PLACE |
DATE |
TIME |
SUMMARY OF EVENTS COMPILING OFFICER __Fg. Off. C. Boyack.___ |
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| WUNSTORF |
1.11.54 |
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The month began with bright, clear weather - ideal for air-to-ground
firing which was scheduled for today. By approximately 1130 hours, 12
air-to-ground sorties had been flown with an average score of 12%. Highest
scorer was Flying Officer Sanders with 22.5%. At this hour, a message from
No. 2 Group Headquarters "grounded" all aircraft until further notice.
Flights 12 Hours 6.55 |
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2.11.54 |
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Owing to the 2 Group Instruction, no Sabre flying was permitted. Training
films were shown and various lectures delivered to the Squadron. One film was
"The Battle of Britain". |
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3.11.54 |
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Sabre flying was again not permitted. Lectures included one on U.S.A.F.
air-to-air firing technique and dive-bombing given by Sergeant Knight, 93 Squadron. |
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4.11.54 |
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Orders from No. 2 Group Headquarters indicated a fault in the aircraft
generator terminal connections and instructions were issued for rectifying this
fault. Rectification was started locally and two aircraft were air-tested
this afternoon. Training films and lectures occupied the Squadron this
morning.
Flights 2 Hours 1.10 |
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5.11.54 |
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As crews are still engaged in modifying the generator terminal connections,
only three aircraft were flown at any one time. High and low-level battle
formations were flown and cine quarter attacks and dogfights were incorporated.
Most sorties also ended with a G.C.A., so that even more training value than
normal was derived from one flight.
Flights 16 Hours 15.55 |
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| WUNSTORF |
6.11.54 |
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With the limitation of only three aircraft flying from the Squadron,
few exercises were carried out. High level battle formations and low-level
cross-country flights were flown.
Flights 5 Hours 4.40 |
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8.11.54 |
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Main training carried out was air-to-ground firing at Strohen Range.
Squadron average for the day was 9.1% and best individual score was 30% by
Flying Officer Molden. Battle formation and some cine exercises were also
flown. Flight Lieutenant S.H.R.L. D'Arcy joined the Squadron as "A" Flight
Commander.
Flights 21 Hours 17.45 |
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9.11.54 |
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With five aircraft on battle Flights, little else could be done in the
way if flying training, but two low-level formation exercises were flown.
Flights 22 Hours 20.50 |
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10.11.54 |
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The day began with two formations of three aircraft engaged in low-level
strikes on Jever airfield. Both sorties were successful. Air-to-Ground
firing was the main training carried out. Squadron average for the day 10.8 %,
highest individual score 27% by Flying Officer Swart.
Flights 16 Hours 12.10
In a Pilots versus Ground Crew soccer match this afternoon, the ground
crew were victorious by 10 goals to 5. Ground crew morale was greatly
raised. |
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11.11.54 |
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Moderately good weather permitted a variety of exercises, including high and
low-level battle formation with tail chases, dogfights and cine quarter attacks,
to be carried out. Flying was however, brought to an early stop by haze,
which coupled with a setting sun, reduced visibility in the circuit to barely
half a mile.
Flights 24 Hours 26.45 |
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| WUNTORF |
12.11.54 |
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There was generally poor weather all day. In addition to the airfield colour
state alternating between red and amber, preparations for leaving Wunstorf for
Jever were going ahead at full steam. No flying was done. |
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13.11.54 |
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This morning saw the departure of the main(rail) party of the Squadron for Jever.
Only 22 other ranks and approximately 15 officers remain. No flying was done. |
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15.11.54 |
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Poor weather prevented a punctual departure of the air party from Wunstorf.
First take-off was at 10:55 hours and all aircraft were airborne by 1130 hours.
On arrival at Jever, landing conditions were poor with a very wet runway, moderate
rain and low cloud. One aircraft flown by Flying Officer Ewens could not stop
on the slippery runway and ran off into the overshoot area without being
damaged. Another aircraft [Sabre XB983 S] flown by Flying Officer Mitchell ran off the side
of the runway at fairly high speed and was severely damaged. The pilots were
uninjured. Summaries of Evidence were ordered by the Station Commander. No
flying other than the flights from Wunstorf to Jever were carried out. Squadron
Leader P.W. Gilpin resumed command of the Squadron on his return from the Day
Fighter Leaders' Course, West Raynham.
Flights 15 Hours 13.00 |
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| R.A.F. JEVER |
16.11.54 |
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High and low-level battle formation flying was practiced. Extensive use was
also made of our Medium Frequency beacon for Radio Compass Homings and let-downs, and it
has been noted that reception of the beacon has been much better than it was before
our detachment to Sylt. Fg.Off. Giffin returned to the Squadron after a course as
instructor at the Outward Bound Sea School, Aberdovey.
Flights 20 Hours 19.25 |
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17.11.54 |
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High level battle formation was the main training carried out. On two flights
with formations of four aircraft, G.C.I. assistance was called in and a number of
successful precise interceptions were done. Cine quarter-attacks and tail chases
were done.
Flights 14 Hours 16.25
The summaries of Evidence on our two pilots involved in the landing incidents
on 15th November, 1954, were completed today and the pilots were reproved by the
Station Commander. |
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18.11.54 |
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Bad weather prevented all flying. Crew chief training was given to the aircrew during the
morning and in the afternoon an interflight hockey match was played. |
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19.11.54 |
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Fog and poor visibility persisted all day and there was no flying. Films were shown
during the morning and a return hockey match was played in the afternoon. |
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20.11.54 |
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All our Sabres were grounded for an inspection of the gooseneck bracket on the
tailplane actuator and many of our aircraft were found to have unserviceable parts.
A station parade was held and this was followed by a tactics lecture by the
Squadron Commander. |
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| JEVER |
22.11.54 |
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"A" Flight officers were taken to Wildenrath to do a short course at the Sabre
Ground Training Unit. "B" Flight spent the day taking Crew Chief examinations
Fg.Off. Ewens flew to Sylt in a Sabre to conduct gunnery trials with various types of
radar-reflecting flags.
Flights 1 Hours .45 |
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23.11.54 |
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B" Flight spent the day at the Sabre Ground Training Unit at Wildenrath while
"A" Flight carried out a series of low-level cross-country exercises.
Flights 10 Hours 11.10 |
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24.11.54 |
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Three sorties were flown before the weather deteriorated about mid-morning.
Officers carried out .303 and Bren Gun firing on the range for the remainder of
the morning. The afternoon was Station Sports afternoon.
Flights 3 Hours 3.10 |
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25.11.54 |
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Bad weather prevented all flying. Officers spent the morning in the
Intelligence Library reading the latest intelligence summaries. In the
afternoon hockey matches were arranged against the officers of No. 93 Squadron. |
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26.11.54 |
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Poor visibility delayed flying until 1100 hours. During this time,
a lecture on Army Organisation was given by Captain Hook, R.A.. Squadron
flying was limited by lack of aircraft but "B" Flight put up two pairs of
cine parallel quarter attacks and two single aircraft for aerobatics.
Flights 8 Hours 7.55 |
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27.11.54 |
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A Station Parade was held at 0815 hours and this only permitted one long
high-level; detail from each aircraft during the morning.
Flights 4 Hours 4.15 |
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| JEVER |
29.11.54 |
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Four aircraft were available for flying and high-level battle formation and
practice interceptions were carried out by fours composed of a pair from each
flight.
Flights 15 Hours 15.20 |
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30.11.54 |
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Flying consisted of high-level battle formation and cine parallel
quarters which were practiced at 25,000 feet. Cloud up to 24,000 feet
made snake climbs and controlled descents very useful practice.
Flights 16 Hours 20.00 |
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PERSONNEL
(a) Movement of Officers
8th November, 1954 - Flight Lieutenant D'Arcy posted in as "A" Flight Commander
15th November, 1954 - Squadron Leader Gilpin returned to the Squadron
after a course at the Day Fighter Leader School, West Raynham
16th November, 1954 - Flying Officer Giffin returned to the Squadron after
a course at the Outward Bound School, Aberdovey.
22nd November, 1954 - Flying Officer Boyack left the Squadron for a short
period of leave before starting the P.A.I. Course at R.A.F. Leconfield.
22nd November, 1954 - Flying Officer Ewens was detached to R.A.F. Sylt to
carry out gunnery trials on various patterns of radar-reflecting flags.
4th November, 1954 - Flight Lieutenant Wallace posted away.
(b) Squadron Strength -
Officers S.N.C.O.; OTHER RANKS
28 8 130 |
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| JEVER |
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SUMMARY OF THE MONTH
The month started with the Squadron still at R.A.F. Wunstorf, while
our home base of Jever has the runway lengthened. Halfway through the month
the Squadron left Wunstorf and returned to Jever, where the airfield was
serviceable for flying although the extension to the runway is not completed.
The flying effort was devoted to routine training but was seriously
affected by the few days "grounding" of the aircraft at Wunstorf followed by
further 'grounding' towards the end of the month. It is earnestly hoped
that the new parts required for sixteen of the Squadron Sabres will arrive
in the near future.
Taking into consideration the serious curtailment of flying effort
caused by the "Grounding" of the aircraft and the days completely lost to
flying by bad weather, the flying achieved was satisfactory.
Sabre 222.45hours Training Types 24.15 hours |
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NH Giffin
(N.H. GIFFIN)
Flying Officer
Compiling Officer,
Number 4 squadron
PWGilpin
(P.W. GILPIN)
Squadron Leader,
Officer Commanding
Number 4 Squadron |
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