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| Place |
Date |
Time |
Summary of Events COMPILING OFFICER Fg.Off. J.S.C. Davis |
REF. TO APPENDICES |
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| R.A.F. Jever |
1st
1955 |
November, |
It was a varied day's flying; high level battle, low level battle,
individual aerobatics and formation aerobatics being flown Unfortunately there
were only three aircraft serviceable through the day and so the aerobatics team
had to be content with a 'vic' for their first trip since the A.O.C.s air display.
In the evening all the squadron pilots except two were airborne either in T.11s or
Sabres practicing dusk and night flying. |
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2nd |
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The visibility was 2,000 yards during the morning and only one pair per
Squadron was allowed to fly. As we had four aircraft serviceable one pair was
always waiting to line up as the previous pair touched down, thus no time was wasted.
A sports afternoon began at 13.00 hours whereupon the visibility rose to 2-3 miles;
during this time the Wing pilots football team beat 4 Squadron 4-1, holding their
position at the top of the league. |
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3rd |
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The visibility was even lower this morning being 800 yards. It did not clear
beyond 2,000 yards during the whole day; there being only one trip from the station.
This was flown by our Squadron and B flight commanders (both Master Green) on a
weather check. Within five or ten minutes of their landing however, the airfield
colour state became red again and no more flying took place. |
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4th |
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After a recognition lecture on the Saab J-29 and a met. lecture on fog formation,
flying began at 10.00 hours. Owing to the poor visibility one pair per Squadron
was allowed to be airborne. Three aircraft were serviceable so to achieve
maximum flying effort, the third aircraft took off to do 20 minutes bad weather
circuits after each sortie while the pair was being turned round. Fg. Off. Davis
was unlucky to be on his re-familiarisation trip after three weeks U.K. leave when
the weather deteriorated rapidly at 16.00 hours. He rejoined with a cloud base
at 400 and just over 1,000 yards visibility and six flares had to be lit to enable
him to see the runway for his final approach. |
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5th |
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An expected warm sector was giving us low stratus cloud base 200 feet
and a visibility of 1200 yards in heavy drizzle. A parade was held in the hangar
under the Squadron Commander when arms drill was practiced. After this the pilots
attended met. briefing at 09.00 hours then saw some films and listened to a lecture
by Flt Lt. Yates on Airmen's documents and Barrack Damages, before the Squadron
stood down for the weekend. |
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7th
Monday |
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Thick fog covered the whole of the North German plain and hence there was no
flying. After the Met. briefing the motion "The efficient defence of the U.K.
cannot be achieved without the use of flight refuelling of standing patrols" was
debated. This motion was defeated. In the afternoon the wing pilots visited
the demolished submarine pens at Wilhelmshaven. The accuracy of the pin point
bombing and the precautions taken by the Germans to protect their submarines were
of genuine interest to all. |
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8th |
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Five sorties were flown when the fog and low stratus suddenly lifted However
the poor weather returned and so flying ceased. Lectures were delivered to the
pilots by Fg.Offs. Davis, Exley and Chadwick, the subjects being Instrument Landing,
System, Pressure suits, and Range and Endurance flying, respectively. |
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9th |
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Although there was but little cloud cover this morning visibility kept the
airfield colour state to red until 10.15 hours. A total of six sorties were then
flown until a wide rain belt arrived from the south west which stopped further
flying. The sorties flown consisted of aerobatics and weather checks with one
period of refamiliarisation and one practice forced landing to complete the
total of 6 sorties (4 hours, 5 minutes).
Instruction in first line servicing of Hunter aircraft was received by a number of
pilots. It is hoped that with the co-operation of the 'Hunter' Squadrons 93 Squadron
pilots will be qualified "Crew Chiefs" before re-equipment commences. |
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10th |
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An air to ground firing programme was arranged and a satisfactory day's flying
was anticipated. However the cloud base at the range dropped to 1,500 feet and so
firing was cancelled. A limited flying programme of low level navigation trips
and simulated flame out Q.G.H.s was maintained. A total of 9 sorties and 6 hours
50 minutes were flown. Sports afternoon enforced the end of flying at 13.00 hours. |
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11th |
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Today's weather was ideal for flying and a comprehensive programme was
maintained. Emphasis was laid on high level battle formation and interceptions
The Squadron aerobatic team 'banged' and 'flew past' H.M.S. Diamond which this
morning left Wilhelmshaven after a good will visit to Jever.
Thanks to the co-operation of No. 118 Squadron three pilots flew their first
solo on Hunter aircraft, and one [John Severne, click to see his report] of No. 118's pilots was checked out in a Sabre.
A total of 46 sorties was flown of which 8 were at night. |
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12th |
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The meteorological forecast was good - no cloud, little wind and a visibility
of 10 - 15 miles. A pair of aircraft got airborne but fifteen minutes later the
section landed as the fog drifted in, visibility dropped to 150 yards. Flying
ceased.
Flying Officer Clayton-Jones delivered a lecture on the problems of bomber
design. This lecture lasted until lunch time. |
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14th
Monday |
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With ideal weather conditions and 70% serviceability a total of 35 hours
55 minutes flying was achieved. Again battle formation and interceptions at
40,000 feet and above were the 'Order of the day'. Towards evening the weather
deteriorated and the night flying programme was cancelled. |
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15th |
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The C.O. was informed at 09.30 hours that the Squadron was to carry out
battle flight duties for the following week. Four aircraft were hurriedly
brought to readiness in order to effect the interception of an invading force
of Canberras The high standard of G.C.I. was completely nullified by the fact
that the battle flight was scrambled much too late to climb to height and effect
interceptions, and this fault was common throughout the day. |
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16th |
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A morning of battle flight throughout which the standard of ground
control was good.
There was a sports afternoon during which the wing pilots team lost to 98
Squadron team 3-2 in a friendly match. The Squadron team beat the Sergeants
Mess 7-2. |
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17th |
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Fog covered the airfield giving a visibility of 700 yards. This fog was
expected to lift and clear at 10 o'clock and so the Squadrons stood by. At 11.15
the fog became 6/8 stratus at 1,000 feet giving 'amber' conditions. |
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18th |
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A warm sector and its associated weather covered the northern plain. The
pilots, after seeing the film Desert Victory, went trench digging. This was work
essential to the station and no one objected to the exercise.
After an abortive weather check (the section was recalled) Fg. Off. Balfour
gave a lecture on instrument flying technique. |
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19th |
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The only notable achievement of the morning was the excellent drill of the
airmen on the Squadron parade Fog enveloped the airfield at 09.30 hours making
flying impossible. The officers attended their Squadron duties until 12.00 hours. |
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21st
Monday |
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Low stratus and fog covered the North German plain The pilots took
advantage of the weather to say their last farewells to Fg. Off. Bell and Fg. Off.
Revnell who left for the U.K. at 09.00 hours These two officers are but part of
a trickle of tour expired pilots which will result in a completely changed Squadron
in the next few months.
Flying commenced at 11 o'clock when battle flight were scrambled. The
standard of control was poor throughout the day - the position of the target
aircraft when passed to the attacking aircraft being as much as 180° in error.
This however was mainly due to "bent weapons". Twelve hours flying was achieved
throughout the day. |
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22nd |
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Although the weather today was not conducive to good shooting, a satisfactory
air to ground programme was maintained. There was a strong inclination to fire
out of range and not exceed a 20° angle of dive. In all 32 air to ground sorties
were flown.
One new green card I.F. rating was obtained by Fg. Off. Davis, the Squadron
Adjutant. |
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23rd |
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Very turbulent conditions existed throughout the day, 8/8 cumulus and
cumulonimbus with a base of 1200 feet and tops at 20,000 feet were the result of a
cold sector which covered the local area. Fg.Off. Davis lost the fairing of the
radio antennae in clear air just as climbing speed was obtained.
In the afternoon the Wing pilots soccer team beat No. 118 Squadron 3-1, thus
consolidating their position at the top of the league. The Squadron team lost
to the G.S.O. team by the only goal of the match. |
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24th |
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A jet stream, 20,000 feet in vertical extent covered the area. This coupled
with complete cloud cover meant that the fixer service was well exercised
throughout the day. Flying consisted of mainly of high level battle formation and
interceptions. The night flying programme was cancelled due to bad weather
At the end of flying 32 Sabre and 1 Hunter sorties had been flown |
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25th |
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Apart from the jet stream which still persisted, conditions were perfect for
flying. The cloud cover was nil and the visibility 'unlimited'. 26 Sabre,
5 Vampire T.11 and 4 Prentice sorties were flown. Two new aircraft
collected from Oldenburg. At 16.15 hours the groundcrew were stood down.
The pilots refueled the aircraft and put them to 'bed' on completion of flying. |
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26th |
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The morning started with the Station Commander's parade. After this all
airmen below S.A.C. attended trade training lectures, whilst the remainder worked
on aircraft in the hangar. Only one aircraft was flown and this was turned
round by the pilots. Flying ceased at 12.00 hours. |
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28th |
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A warm sector and its associated weather covered the Jever area. Amber
flying conditions prevailed and so only one pair per Squadron was allowed to fly. However, the second pair were waiting to take off as the first pair landed, thus ensuring the maximum utilisation of aircraft. At 15.45 hours fog and drizzle rolled in and flying was cancelled for the day. |
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29th |
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Poor visibility prevailed throughout the day. There was no flying.
In the afternoon a soccer match was played on the Squadron's new pitch,
between the officers and airmen. The airmen won by four goals to three. |
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30th |
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Poor visibility again prevented flying. In the morning the airmen worked
on primary inspections while the pilots worked on their Squadron jobs and the
end of month returns.
In the afternoon the Wing Pilots soccer team beat Technical Wing 3-2. The
Squadron team lost 4-2 to Admin. Wing. |
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Flying Hours. |
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Operational Type. Day Night Sorties
Sabre Mk.4 266 18.20 401.
Hunter Mk.4 5 - 7.
Training Type.
Vampire T.11 26. 14.05 42.
Prentice 3.35 - 6.
Total 300.35 32.25 456.
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PERSONNEL |
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4th |
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Fg. Off. Davis and Sanderson returned from U.K.leave. |
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19th |
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Fg. Off. Couch returned to U.K. - tour expired.. |
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21st |
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Fg. Offs. Revnell and Bell returned to U.K. - tour expired. |
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21st |
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Sqn Ldr Browne was sick at home. |
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24th |
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Sqn Ldr Browne returned from a Summary of Evidence at Oldenburg. |
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25th |
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Flt Lt. Colvin attended a conference at R.A.F. Oldenburg. |
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27th |
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Fg. Off. Garthwaite proceeded on weeks U.K. leave. |
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9th |
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Fg. Off. Ritchie proceeded on 10 days continental leave. |
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18th |
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Fg. Off. Ritchie returned leave. |
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OPERATIONAL November weather has been a plain indication of the usual weather for the
winter months in this area. Low cloud and poor visibility have been fairly
persistent. There has been the equivalent of only 10 full flying days during
the period. The Squadron flew some 285 Sabre hours which was supplemented by
5 hours Hunters and 4 Vampire hours.
The flying training was evenly balanced and included two days on the air
to ground range and three evenings dusk and night flying. There was one week
of battle flight duties, and this type of training was well supplemented by
high level battle cine quarter attacks and interceptions at 30,000 feet and above.
With the restricted and marginal type of weather, emphasis was also given to
bad weather circuits Q.G.H.s, Radio Compass let downs and G.C.A. practices.
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ADMINISTRATIVE
The Squadron strength is now 12 aircraft of which, seven are A.O.G.
for exhaust cones. The pilots strength is now 18 and by the end of January
will be 15, with a further loss of two pilots in each subsequent month.
The strength of the men has steadily decreased until there is in some
trades (Engine and Instrument mechanics) an extreme shortage.
Signed DFM Browne (D.F.M. BROWNE)
Squadron Leader
Officer Commanding
No. 93 Squadron
Attached 3 Photos 9Nov55 All ranks. (2699G Differing exposures). [See also.]
Back: Don Exley, John Davis, Bill Ritchie, Dave Chadwick, Tommy Balfour, CJ Clayton-Jones
Middle: Lulu Leigh-Lancaster, Eric Pigdon, Brian Dunbar, Roy Garthwaite, Bill Shrubsole,
George Hickman, Jerry Busby, Podge Page
Front: Bernie Revnell, Sandy Sanderson, Al Colvin, Sqn Ldr Browne, Ralf Hayes, Tinker Bell, Jeff Couch
(Thanks to Eric Pigdon)
3 Photos 9Nov55 Aircrew only. (2698G Differing exposures). [See also.]
2nd Row: George Hickman, Bernie Revnell, Brain (Sandy) Sanderson, Flt Sgt. i/c Groundcrew?, B Flt Cdr Al Colvin, Sqn Boss Sqn Ldr Des Browne, A Flt Cdr Ralf Hayes, Flt Sgt Shruby Shrubsole, Tinker BellJeff Couch, Tommy Balfour
Front: Brian (Black) Dunbar, Don Exley, Pete (Lulu) Leigh-Lancaster, Eric Pigdon, Richard (Clam) Clayton-Jones, Bill Ritchie, Gerry Busby, Dave Chadwick, Podge Page, John Davis,
Roy (Garth) Garthwaite
(Thanks Eric Pigdon)
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