PLACE DATE TIME SUMMARY OF EVENTS COMPILING OFFICER. FLT. LT. J.T. HALL
R.A.F. JEVER April, 1960 Operations.
During April the customary Squadron training was carried
out. This included low level strikes on targets selected by the
Squadron in the low flying area, and Tac. R. strikes on a German
missile squadron positioned north of Osnabruck (21st April). A
number of sorties were flown against camouflaged army targets in
 the Soltau training area. The high level training this month emphasised combat,
broadcast control and cine weave. A new form of bomber attack was also
practised by the Squadron, namely, co-ordinated attacks on bombers. Two
aircraft fly up to the perch, one on either side of the bomber, and carry out
quarter attack simultaneously. One of the two aircraft is briefed to fly this
attack slightly behind the other, and the bomber's guns are thus presented with
two aircraft, one on either side, neither of which (ideally) falls into line astern on
the bomber until 300 yards range.
Exercises this month included on 2nd April Exercise Quicktrain, the practice
general alert. The Squadron's reaction time was very good; eight aircraft were
on state within 40 minutes of the alarm. Exercise Co-op, a bomber interception
and practice diversion exercise, took place on 5th April, and Exercise Amled on
29th April.
Two air-to-ground sorties only were flown in April, the higher scorer being
Flt. Lt. T.A.K. Wood with 40%.
The Squadron was on Battle Flight from the beginning of the month until
4th April, and from 26th April until the end of the month. One scramble took
place during this period, on 30th April, to investigate a German F 84 F with IFF
switched to emergency, which was circling over the coast off Husum.
The flying target was achieved by the end of the month.
MONTHLY TOTALS
Type Day Night Total Sorties
Hunter F. 6. 312.15 23.05 335.20 339
AIR TO GROUND FIRING. Rounds fired 100
Hits 20
Month's average 20%
Month's stoppage rate Nil.
Administration.
The Easter Grant took place from mid-day Thursday, 14th April until mid-day, 19th April.
Personnel
Flt. Lt. V. Ventham and Fg. Off. C.R. Lamont were declared operational at the end of the month.
Flt. Lt. R.D. Stone won the aerobatic competition for the Hunter, which took place at Bruggen on 23rd April. This means that during the year he will again represent the Command in aerobatic displays at other stations.
Flt. Lt. P.A. Barrow was selected to go to G.A.F. base at Leck as R.A.F. advisor. The posting will be for a year in the first instance.
Fg. Off. D. Fahey returned to the Squadron having successfully completed the I.R.E. course at West Raynham.
Flt. Lt. P.B. Hine was in England throughout the month on the D.F.C.S. course.
Flt. Lt. T.A.K. Wood and Flt. Lt. J.T. Hall completed the simulator course at Jever.
General.
A Dutch ACT visited the Squadron and was shown round the Hunter. Two Squadron officers paid a liaison visit to Northag's fire power demonstration at Fallingbostel.
Socially the Squadron was only moderately active during April: a dinner was held on 13th April to welcome the Commanding Officer to the Squadron, and to say "Goodbye" to Flt. Lt. P.A. Barrow, who will leave the Squadron some time in May.
A champagne party was held on Friday 29th April for the newly created operational pilots.
A barrel of beer was drunk by air and groundcrew on the Thursday before Easter to speed the Easter Grant.
A Mess Dining-in night was held on Friday, 8th April, 1960. Flt. Lt. B. Butterworth broke his finger during the games. Otherwise no casualties.
Signature O Bergh
(M.O. Bergh)
Squadron Leader
Officer Commanding
No. 93 Squadron
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