NO 93 SQUADRON - Form 540 August 1952

F540 Operations Record Book August 1952 NO 93 SQUADRON. PRO Kew No. AIR27 Piece 2636 Microfilm Row 1 Draws 52-71 from Duncan Curtis
PLACE	DATE	TIME	SUMMARY OF EVENTS COMPILING OFFICER	REF. TO APPENDICES
JEVER AUGUST	1		Flying finished in the morning, and the August Grant commenced in the afternoon. The new pilots were taken up on formation and Q.G.H. practice. The weather was warm and thundery, and in the evening a very large thunderstorm passed over the airfield. Work has begun on cleaning-up for the A.O.C.s Inspection.
	2		AUGUST GRANT. Two pilots from the Squadron had to be on call all week-end, and will take their Grant the following week.
	3		" " SUNDAY
	4		" " MONDAY
	5		This morning began with a rehearsal for the A.O.C.s Parade. This has become a regular thing first thing in the morning. After this Mr. Duncan Sandys, the Minister of Supply, visited the Squadrons. A Fly-past was arranged for him, consisting of twelve aircraft, six from 93 Sqdn. and six from 112 Sqdn. A rocketing programme was flown all afternoon at Nordhorn Range. No results were obtainable, because one of the Quadrants was unserviceable. 59 rockets were fired, and 15 sorties flown.
	6		A two-hour rehearsal for the A.O.C.s Parade was held in the morning, after which Fg. Off. Bates and Sgt. Thomas went to Fassberg to collect two more newly-camouflaged aircraft. The weather was slightly stormy and the visibility poor. Clearing-up and painting goes on apace for the inspection. The afternoon also was devoted to clearing-up in place of the usual sports.
	7		A working-dress parade was held in the morning, followed by Met Briefing. Sgt. Webster returned from U.K. leave. Little flying was attempted in the day, but four aircraft, later two, flew on formation and cloud-flying practice. The newer pilots took this opportunity of fair weather (slightly bumpy, with cumulus building up) to become proficient at the more operational flying requirements later.
	8		Another working-dress parade in the morning. The procedure is now familiar, and consequently the parade runs more smoothly now. A limited programme of formation flying was carried on, and the Meteor came into use again. Flt. Lt. Paterson gave Sq. Ldr. McGregor a final run-through on the instrument rating test. The rest of the time available together with the labour at hand were used to clean the hangar and surrounds.
	9		Sq. Ldr. McGregor was tested by Flt. Lt. Hughes and passed his re-rating test. The rest of a full working day was fully occupied in preparation for the inspection. Sgt. Garratt Proceeded on U.K. leave.
	10		SUNDAY
	11		The final dress-rehearsal was held and went through without a serious hitch. What was left of the morning was again filled up with the cleaning still necessary. Fg. Off. Bates flew to Buckeburg for a medical examination, and returned the same day.
	12		The day opened at 08.45 with the Squadron falling in. The A.O.C. arrived on time in a Vampire aircraft and the parade went off very successfully. The weather had changed to fair and warm. After the parade the A.O.C. went to inspect living quarters, and after lunch visited the Squadrons. At 16.30 a fly-past was arranged. Twenty-seven aircraft took part. The day ended with a Ball in the Officers' Mess.
	13		This was a pleasant flying day. Fg. Off. Sturman and Flt. Lt. Pearch flew the Meteor while more close formation was flown and cine at 23,000' was resumed. The afternoon was free.
JEVER and BUCKEBURG	14		At first the weather was poor, but it improved, and an Air-to-Ground programme was attempted. This, however, had to be post-poned until 13.30 when the range was at last manned. It continued then until 17.35. Ten sorties were flown and 951 rounds fired.
	15		Fg. Off. Wallace proceeded on leave. Fg. Offs. Sturman and Hardcastle and Sgt. Webster were with Air Traffic Control all day, learning the control of Q.G.H.s for the detach- meant to Florennes. In very poor conditions Flt. Lt. Pearch went to Gutersloh and later Sgt. Thomas went on around trip to several airfields in the south. Most of the other flying done that day was practice for the U/T controllers. The packing for the move, and the organisation of transport went on apace. Towards the end of the day the weather improved and became dry and clear.
	16		SATURDAY Station long weekend. Main road party moved off for Florennes, via Sundern.	Appendix'A' No. 93 S.O.O. 7/52.
	17		SUNDAY
Florennes	18		Met. Briefing was not held until 0915 and was followed immediately by lectures from a C.F.E. team on the Korean air war. Interesting combat films were shown, and training tactics, and escape were all dealt with. Half-way through the second lecture 93 Sqdn. pilots had to leave in order to fly off as soon as possible. Conditions at Florennes, their destination, were reported deteriorating and all speed was made to take-off. At 12.45 seven aircraft took off led by Flt. Lt. Paterson. Sq. Ldr. McGregor's radio was temporarily U/S and he followed about ten minutes later with Sgt. Babou, Fg. Off. Sturman brought up the rear in the Meteor. The weather proved to be very fair all the way and the cloud-base was never less than 1200'. After lunch the convoy arrived safely, having stopped at Sundern and Wildenwrath on the previous two nights. Aircraft controls were locked and covers put on, since they were to be left in the open. The crew-room and offices were shown to the pilots, and the liaison officer introduced himself. Nothing more was attempted this day.	Appendix 'B' No. 93 S.O.O. 7/52.
	19		A comprehensive briefing followed the Met. report (amusingly translated and severely curtailed by one of the Belgian Flight-commanders) Main trouble was the decision which had to be made, as to what frequencies the four-channel sets should carry. Low cloud restricted the morning's flying, besides the fact that the aircraft had to be re-crystallised. Then the type of fuel available had to be verified. Eventually Sq. Ldr. McGregor took off on a local flight, to calibrate the Homer. One Q.G.H. was carried out. By this time the weather was much improved, a good cloud-base with only a few scattered showers.
	20		Was dismal, the cloud was on the ground and it drizzled continuously. These conditions did not change all day and flying was out of the question. A very slow-moving occlusion covered the whole of Southern Belgium. The personnel are living in barracks and messing with the Belgians. During the day work is carried on from lorries, and a large marquee beside the strip. The aircrew have a crew hut, and the Commanding Officer and Flight Commanders have a separate hut containing their offices. This is merely the normal accommodation of one of the Belgian Squadrons now in Germany.
	21		The morning was again poor, but by lunch-time a few sector Recces were flown. The C.O. did several G.C.A.s. The G.C.A. is very reliable, and the homer has an extremely good range. During the afternoon the weather improved a great deal. The rest of the Sector Recces were carried out. Sgt. Thomas took a Vampire to Jever, and during the afternoon a signal came summoning the two French pilots back there. Lt. Montagnon went in the Meteor with Fg. Off. Bates, and Sgt. Babou flew a Vampire.
	22		The sky was clear in the morning, but it soon clouded over with layer cloud. Although a pleasant day, the visibility was very poor. Black section of four aircraft were scrambled to work with "Stockfish". They contacted four different civil aircraft before returning to base. After this, another section of four went up on practice Battle and Close formation. Immediately after lunch four more scrambled to intercept B.45's, again under "Stockfish" control. They met them but made no attack owing to the fact that Control thought they had the wrong target. A pair continued with G.C.A,s and the Meteor carried out general I.F. One pair flew formation. Flying finished by 16.30.
	23		This was a free day for most of the Squadron - but those who were not already away on long week-end had to fit drop-tanks to four of the aircraft ready for a move on the morrow. These have to go to England to have ten-channel sets installed.
	24		MONDAY. AT 10.15 the four took off for England, flown by Flt. Lts. Pearch and Paterson, Fg. Off. Hardcastle and Sgt. Webster. Once they were gone everyone relaxed again. Sgt. Williams returned to Jever from leave, there to await the arrival of the Squadron.	Appendix 'D' No.93 S.O.O. 8/52
	25		The weather was now much improved, and for the whole day small formations of two and three aircraft did interceptions, while single aircraft practised G.C.A.s. The Meteor went to Jever and back.
	26		Preparations were started for the return to Jever. Two pairs flew in poor visibility on interceptions. Flt.Lt. Highet, who has been attached to the Squadron, and who is a New Zealander, flew one of the aircraft back to Jever, whence he is due to return home. Sgt. Thomas went on errands taking him to both Gutersloh and Wildenwrath. The rest of the time was occupied with packing up.
JEVER	27		In very poor conditions the Squadron managed to find their way back to Jever. Sgt. Williams took an aircraft to Fassberg for respray. There he picked up our remaining four-channel aircraft, and went with it to England. It being Wednesday, an early finish was made. The road party left Florennes as soon as possible.	Appendix'B' No.93 S.O.O. 8/52. Appendix 'A' No.93 S.O.O. 8/52.
	28		Three of the four original aircraft to go to England, arrived back. With the aircraft which had no tanks on, a normal cine-gun programme was flown. Flt. Lt. Paterson came back after lunch. In the evening eight night sorties were flown. Wing Cdr. Elsdon flew one of the Squadron aircraft.
	29		A general day's training flying. Good weather prevailed all day, and in all fifteen sorties were flown. Sgt. Webster went off in the afternoon to take one of 4 Sqdn's aircraft from Sylt to England.
	30		Another general morning's flying. Ten sorties were flown before flying finished, most of which were practices at ranging and tracking for the new pilots.
	31		SUNDAY.
			ADMINISTRATION. The move to Belgium during the month provided good practice in organisation as the planning commenced only two days before the execution. The operation was of value in that it provided an opportunity to work alongside an allied Air Force. Superimposed on this exercise was Task "Beef", the alteration of aircraft radio sets to TR 1934 in the U.K. All squadron aircraft are now fitted with 10 channel sets, a factor which eases crystallisation problems. The squadron has been working at short strength in pilots for most of the month owing to non-effectives, leave and new trainees.
			MOVEMENTS Fg.Off. R.L.JAMES - continues on P.A.I.Course. Fg.Off. J.C.M. WOOD - continues non-effective sick. Fg.Off. B.H.LATIMER - posted release w.e.f.20.8.52. Sgt. D.G.GARRATT - Leave w.e.f. 10.8.52. Fg.Off.J.E.F.HARDCASTLE ) Sgt. D.WEBSTER ) - Returned from leave 6.8.52. Sgt. C.WILLIAMS - " " " 21.8.52. Fg.Off. A.R. WALLACE. - Leave w.e.f. 12.8.52.
			NOMINAL ROLL OF PILOTS Squadron Leader S.M. McGREGOR. 'A' Flight'B' Flight Flt. Lt. A.W.PATERSON.Flt. Lt. K.M.PEARCH. Fg.Off. J.E.F.HARDCASTLE.Fg.Off. R.L. JAMES. Fg.Off. A.V.H. STURMAN.Fg.Off. E.K.G.BATES. Fg.Off. A.R.WALLACE.Plt. Off. G.FREEMAN. Plt.Off. M.C.COBURN.Sgt, D.C.GARRETT. Sgt. D. WEBSTER.Sgt. D.J.THOMAS. Sgt. C. WILLIAMS.
			Total hours for month -179:55 Vampire15:00 Meteor. Sorties flown -231 "17 " Ammunition expended -Rockets -59.20 mm. - 951 rounds. 4th. September, 1952.Signed SM McGregor (S. M. McGregor.) Squadron Leader, Officer Commanding, No. 93 Squadron.