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| PLACE |
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SUMMARY OF EVENTS COMPILING OFFICER _____Fg.Off.A.E.Sanders.__ |
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R.A.F. Jever
2nd T.A.F.,
B.A.O.R. 25 |
1.12.53. |
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The weather was pleasant all day and we managed to get in quite a few sorties with
about eight aircraft. The training consisted mostly of high level battle formations,
dummy attacks on targets in the low-flying area and formation QGH's. 'A' Flight
borrowed some of 'B' Flights aircraft and seemed determined to write them off! Plt.Off.
Bradley saw a Landrover float across his bows when he was at 500ft., and had
palpitations of the heart; Plt.Off. Friend swerved violently onto the grass--a practise
brake failure .Fg.Off. Laycock came to a grinding halt to avoid a rabbit or something.
In all, it was much of a shambles.
Vampire 45 sorties 32.45 Hours. |
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2.12.53. |
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Two sorties were flown to Meppen Range in the early morning, but the weather soon clamped
and the rest of the day was spent on normal squadron duties.
Vampire 2 sorties 1.00 Hours. |
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3.12.53. |
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Today's training was beneficial in that the weather was good and all aspects of flying were
covered-- both individual and formation.
'B' Flight was due to night fly, and in the afternoon we carried out dusk sorties
consisting of four pairs on a snake climb, high level battle formations and QGH.
Night flying was subsequently cancelled owing to low stratus.
Vampire 43 sorties 31.25 hours. |
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4.12.53. |
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With a total of eight aircraft we carried out in the region of fifty sorties. These
consisted of high and low level formations, snake climbs and QGH's. We felt quite
pleased with the effort, considering the small number of aircraft available.
Vampire 45 sorties 35.35 Hours. |
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| R.A.F. SYLT |
5.12.53. |
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After the normal Saturday parade and inspection, we spent a pleasant morning flying
over the North German countryside in the Tiger Moth. |
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7.12.53. |
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The notorious Jever fog has returned, and deters even the local herons from flying.
Instead, lectures and Crew Chief training was carried out. |
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8.12.53. |
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The poor weather continued, so sport was the order of the afternoon. |
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9.12.53. |
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We were due to carry out a demonstration for the Army, in order to convince them of the
hopeless inadequacy of their 40 mm. Bofors against fast, low flying aircraft.
However, it was impossible to fly more than a few sorties--even so, Fg.Off. Richardson
managed to have an exciting time. Whilst on a low-level sortie, he experienced
vibrations and pulled up to gain height. No 3 of the formation reported flames coming
from the engine (Vampire FB.5 VV638), and Flt.Lt Vasey, leading, advised that the bale-out, which Richardson
was in the process of doing. He landed safely, and was immediately surrounded by
hordes of German farmers and schoolchildren, who appeared apparently from nowhere!
When found, he was smelling strongly of German beer, and seemed quite sorry that he
had to leave his new-found friends so soon!
Vampire 6 sorties 4.05 Hours. |
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10.12.53. |
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Again the weather is terrible, so we attended lectures in the morning and played sport in the
afternoon.
In the evening, the 2nd. TAF Boxing Championships were held on the station, and this
proved to be a very popular and thrilling event. |
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11.12.53. |
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Lectures were again the order of the day. |
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12.12.53. |
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After the morning parade, we attended lectures, and later a number of airmen were
given trips in the Tiger Moth. |
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14.12.53. |
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First of all, two aircraft were sent off on weather reconnaissances to the local area.
Air Traffic Control had reason to suppose that Fg.Off. Molden, in one of the aircraft,
had lost his R/T above cloud, and Flt.Lt. Wallace was ordered off to effect a rendezvous.
Later, it was found that he was not above cloud, and had not lost his R/T, but was
simply out of R/T range.
Vampire 3 sorties 1.50 Hours. |
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15.12.53. |
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Most of our Vampire 9's are now out of A.S.F., and we had the rather unusual
situation of sufficient aircraft for pilots available! We managed to fly quite a
number of sorties, the emphasis being on snake climbs and QGH's--maybe with an
eye to the future, when we have all-swept surfaces.
Vampire 29 sorties 20.40 Hours. Meteor 2 sorties 1.30 Hours. |
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16.12.53. |
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It was our intention to fly all day (Wednesday), but weather deterioration made
that impossible, so we had our normal sports afternoon, after all.
Vampire 14 sorties 9.40 Hours. |
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17.12.53. |
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After the short respite from lectures we find ourselves once again sitting in the
old, familiar room. |
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18.12.53. |
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Owing to the inclement weather it was not possible to carry out any form of flying, so
the day was spent in general squadron duties and preparation for tomorrow's
inspection. |
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19.12.53. |
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The morning parade was cancelled, but the inspection was carried out and apparently
everything was satisfactory. |
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20.12.53. |
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Due to the fact that the Squadron's flying hours are well below the target, and
Christmas Break is yet to come, a full programme was carried out on this day, Sunday.
The exercises were mainly battle formations with snake climbs and descents, the
remainder being individual sorties by the new pilots and those just returned from
leave.
Vampire 38 sorties 30.50 Hours. Meteor 1 sortie .55 Hours. |
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21.12.53. |
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All the available 'A' Flight aircraft were engaged On Battle Flight, and gave reports
of rather poor controlling.
'B' Flight flew a number of sorties to Meppen Range, but were troubled by the
visibility.
Night flying was in its final stages, with the last aircraft airborne, when the arrival
of snow showers necessitated a general recall, but, fortunately, no diversions.
Vampire 52 sorties 42.00 Hours. Meteor 4 sorties 4.10 Hours. |
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22.12.53. |
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Visibility today was such that Battle Flight had to be proceeded to their dispersal
by an airman carrying a red flag! |
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23.12.53. to
27.12.53. |
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This period was taken up entirely by Christmas festivities---and I do mean ENTIRELY! |
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28.12.53. |
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As 93 Squadron is leaving for Sylt, this week's Battle Flight duty falls upon our
squadron, as, indeed, it does for the next four weeks.
The remainder of the flying effort was almost wholly individual sorties.
Unfortunately, Plt.Off. Stacey, whilst on a long-range cross country flight, crashed
on Hohne Range, near Fassberg, and was killed. Although he was a comparatively
recent arrival, he had become a popular member of the Squadron, and, as such, we
will miss him. However, "Dulce et decorum est-------" and so on. (Click to see aircraft details WA167)
Vampire 33 sorties 25.35 Hours. |
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29.12.53. |
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Battle Flight today provided most of our hours, being scrambled five times. One of
these was on a Form 'D', which entailed Air/Ground firing at Meppen Range.
The night-flying programme was cancelled due to the very low temperatures, which
caused ice to form on the runway, cockpit canopies and mainplanes, and which
reappeared almost as quickly as it was scrubbed off.
Vampire 43 sorties 31.15 Hours. Meteor 1 sortie .55 Hours. |
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30.12.53. |
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For December, this has been very fine weather. Combined with the fact that it was
our allocated Range day. It has been exceptional weather! Apart from a small number
of pilots, noone has fired R/P or cannon on the range for approximately four
months--a fact which is quite obvious from today's scores. There is no doubt that
much regular practise is needed if a high standard of firing is to be achieved
and maintained.
Vampire 30 sorties 22.15 Hours. Meteor 7 sorties 7.50 Hours. |
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31.12.53. |
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Only three flights were made today, all of them being weather reconnaissances, and
all reporting poor conditions.
Vampire 3 sorties 1.35 Hours. |
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SUMMARY for DECEMBER
Not a great deal of flying has been possible this month, owing to the weather
conditions and the Christmas Stand-down.
The newer pilots have been introduced to Battle formations, and seem to be coping
quite well. They have also visited the Range and carried out Air/Ground firing, with
less satisfactory results. However, this is possibly due to the fact that it is
fairly difficult to pick out the targets until one becomes familiar with the range
lay-out.
Unfortunately, there was a fatal accident at th end of the month, when Plt.Off.
Stacey crashed near Fassberg.
MONTHLY TOTALS.
Vampire 398 Sorties 298.05 Hours
Meteor 16 sorties 15.20 Hours.
Compiled by.......AESanders.....FG.OFF.
Authorised by.....PWGilpin........SQN.LDR.
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