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| PLACE |
DATE |
TIME |
SUMMARY OF EVENTS COMPILING OFFICER _____Flying Officer Phillips.__ |
Refs |
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| R.A.F. Jever |
1.11.53. |
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The month started very well. We experienced fine weather all day, and Sylt in winter
that really is an experience. Unfortunately, today we were sharing a range with another
squadron, so the number of sorties was only 50% of the possible number. Also eight
of them were rendered abortive when the flag was shot away, and another was dropped in
the mud, making it impossible to distinguish the ammunition colours.
Sqn.Ldr. Gilpin returned by air, and Flt.Lt's Lee and Vasey by rail, from Wahn, where
they had been spectators at No. 2 Squadron's Standard presentation.
Vampire 14 sorties 7.00 Hours
Meteor 2 sorties 1.55 hours |
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2.11.53. |
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As the weather once again was unsuitable for very much flying the day was spent in the
completion of monthly returns and preparations for the squadron's return to happy Jever.
The adjutant was fully occupied in writing the movement order and ordering the baggage
wagons.
Vampire 8 sorties 5.00 hours |
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3.11.53. |
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Although the programme before midday was without a hitch, low cloud and mist prevented
any flying in the afternoon. So Fg.Off.EWENS presented a gunnery quiz. and., after this,
the pilots went through various drill movements in preparation for the Squadron Standard
Presentation parade.
Vampire 17 sorties 9.35 hours |
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4.11.53. |
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Today was taken up by aircraft recognition in the morning and a soccer match in the
afternoon. |
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| R.A.F. SYLT |
5.11.53. |
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A full air-to-air programme was flown, and when a 15 minute period was taken up by a
P.A.I. "demo" the appropriate aircraft was flown, as an aerobatic sortie, the take
off and landing times being the same as had it been on a normal firing sortie,. This
alleviates somewhat our deficiency in flying hours compared with our monthly target.
Vampire 33 sorties 16.50 hours |
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6.11.53. |
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Poor visibility, until approximately 11.00 hours, was the reason for the cancellation of
the earlier sorties. However, the afternoon went as per programme.
Vampire 22 sorties 12.00 hours |
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7.11.53. |
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As the weather was unfit for air firing, a number of battle formation sorties were
flown. Tailchases and dogfights, using cine cameras, were also carried out.
Vampire 18 sorties 14.30 hours |
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8,11.53. |
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This day being Sunday fine weather was assured and it was possible to fly the full air-
to-air programme. Plt.Off. Swart left us to take a course in U.K., to do with his duty
of Station Fire Officer.
Vampire 28 sorties 15.15 hours. |
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9.11.53. |
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The usual low cloud and poor visibility prevented any form of flying, so the day was
spent in the continuation of lectures by various squadron officers.
Drill periods for both officers and airmen took place in preparation for the
Standard Presentation. |
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10.11.53. |
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On our last day at Sylt, the firing was as scheduled, the attachment has been rather
disappointing, as the average number of shoots per pilot is as low as nine.
Vampire 30 sorties 15.25 hours |
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R.A.F. SYLT
R.A.F. JEVER |
11.11.53. |
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The main party returned to Jever, or , rather started their journey, in the early hours.
The aircraft taxied out to the runway at 11.00 hrs. but their departure was delayed until
after lunch when Fg.Off. Sanders, formatting as No. 2 on the C.O. found himself back on
the runway after retracting his undercarriage. So he returned by rail which took a
whole lot longer. !
Vampire 12 sorties 6.45 hours |
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| R.A.F. JEVER |
12.11.53. |
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First priority was given to cleaning the aircraft which were very dirty after having
been parked in the open all the time we were at Sylt. In the afternoon, the C.O.
gave a briefing on the Presentation Parade and the form that it will take. |
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13.11.53. |
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Until the presentation, which is scheduled to take place on Friday 20th, we will be con-
centrating on rehearsal parades. Today we had two rehearsals and it is apparent that
many more are needed. |
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14.11.53. |
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The morning parade was a normal outdoor rehearsal, In the afternoon, the bad-weather
parade was practised in No. 1 Hangar, which is very small, and will not be used on
the day. Instead, our aircraft will be parked in the open, and our own hangar used. |
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15.11.53. |
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The standard of drill was definitely improved, but it is also obvious that it is not
yet good enough. |
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16.11.53. |
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Two more parades were held today. |
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17.11.53. |
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The afternoon parade was in No. 1 dress, the standard of which was far from satis-
factory. The tailor should prosper. |
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18.11.53. |
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In the morning, the parade was held in No. 4 hangar, and, despite the rather cramped
conditions, went very well. |
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19.11.53. |
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The final rehearsal promised well for tomorrow and everyone very wisely retired early,
in preparation. |
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20.11.53. |
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PRESENTATION OF SQUADRON STANDARD.
Friday 20th November, a day destined to be perhaps the most colourful in the history of
No. 4 Squadron. It is the climax of 41 years continuous service, of difficulties overcome
and achievements gained. It is not surprising therefore that everybody from the C.O.
to the most lowly airman was on tenterhooks and only wishing that the parade had been
successfully completed. After ten days of continuous drill we reached a satisfactory
standard and it only remained that we should not have a sudden relapse, unlikely though
it may be, and above all that the weather would be kind to us. The Standard bearer
was perhaps most concerned over this as from his point of view the slightest breeze
would prove difficult and anything approaching the Beaufort scale would be
embarrassing if not hazardous. Despite gloomy forecasts from group - our own met office
were more encouraging - the parade commenced on schedule at 11.30. The parade ground
itself was surrounded on three sides by Vampire aircraft, armoured cars and Bofor guns
representing all the fighting branches at R.A.F. Jever, and on the fourth side the sal-
uting base with the copious Stands behind. The latter seated many illustrious persons
among them being old members of the squadron, four of whom had been C.O's and many
others who had squadron connections. The parade began in earnest when Marshal of the
Royal Air Force, Sir John Slessor arrived to present the standard. Astute observers would
have seen guests from our brother service casting critical eyes on the performance of the
Squadron. It can be said that we came through with colours flying. Afterwards having
marched the Standard into the officers Mess we attended a formal lunch at which speeches
were made and compliments paid. At approximately 3 o-clock in the afternoon Marshal of the
Royal Air Force, Sir John Slessor departed and we then joined the airmen and N.C.O's in a
squadron party befitting the occasion.
RR 210915Z ROUTINE
FM HQ 2 TAF
TO RAF JEVER
BT
U N C L A S S A 68.
FOR GROUP CAPTAIN POWELL SHEDDON FROM M.R.A.F. SLESSOR.
I SHOULD LIKE TO SEND YOU AND ALL RANKS UNDER YOUR COMMAND MY
WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS ON THE REALLY EXCELLENT CEREMONIAL YOU
LAID ON YESTERDAY, IT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BETTER DONE AND I KNOW
WHAT A LOT OF HARD WORK IT HAS MEANT FOR YOU ALL .
IN PARTICULAR WOULD YOU CONVEY MY SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS TO
SQUADRON LEADER GILPIN AND ALL RANKS OF 4 SQUADRON.
IT WAS A GREAT DAY FOR THEM AND THEY PUT UP A SPLENDID SHOW.
IT WAS A PROUD DAY FOR ME TO SEE MY OLD SQUADRON IN SUCH GOOD
FORM. SLESSOR.
BT
21/0836Z NOV RPPP
COPY
FROM H.Q. 2 T.A.F.
TO R.A.F.JEVER
UNCLAS A.67/C.IN.C.
PERSONAL FROM COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF FOR GROUP CAPTAIN POWELL
SHEDDON AND SQN LDR GILPIN.
PLEASE LET ALL PERSONNEL WHO TOOK PART IN THE PARADE FOR THE
PRESENTATION OF NO 4 SQUADRONSTANDARD KNOW THAT THE
CEREMONIAL DRILL AND GENERAL TURNOUT WERE UP TO THE VERY BEST
STANDARD OF OUR SERVICE.
IT WAS A MATTER OF EXPECIAL PERSONAL PRIDE TO ME TO HAVE FROM
YOUR UNITS SUCH CLEAR PROOF THAT THE BEST TRADITION OF THE
R.A.F. ARE BEING UPHELD. I COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BETTER PLEASED
WITH AN OFFICIAL CEREMONY WHICH IS IN FACT THE LAST WHICH I
WILL ATTEND AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THIS COMMAND.
WELL DONE. |
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23.11.53. |
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23 Pilots with five aeroplanes to operate did not give us many sorties today. Up
to mid-day all the latter were confined to battle flight and in the afternoon
another Vampire became serviceable and this was shared out amongst 'B' flight pilots
for 'refresher' flights after the fortnights drill.
Vampire 18 sorties 15.5 hours |
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24.11.53. |
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There is an even greater dearth of aeroplanes this morning despite great efforts by
the ground crew. We still provide Battle Flight but poor visibility somewhat
curtailed the number of sorties.
Vampire 6 sorties 2.30 hours |
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25.11.53. |
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An expected clearance of the early morning mist gave way to 'JVOG' a singularly persistent
and unpleasant form of fog, characteristic of Jever. In the afternoon we watched the
rugger team who were just visible, beat Oldenburg in the second round of the inter Station
Cup. |
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26.11.53. |
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It seems that JVOG has come to stay for a while and so we were grounded all day. |
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27.11.53. |
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Besides a number of sorties on Battle Flight we also ferried up about six of our new
replacement aircraft in the form of Vampire II's This was a great thrill and we now
feel we can compare with the Sabre and Venom squadrons.
Vampire 13 sorties 6.35 hours |
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28.11.53. |
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Today flying was unusual because of renewed spate of barostat failures fortunately there
were no mishaps and it was significant that they all occurred on aircraft which had been
specially modified for preventing barostat failures.
Vampire 6 sorties 3.35 hours |
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30.11.53. |
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Although the airfield was amber all day we managed to get in a few sorties in the
afternoon in anticipation of night flying which however was cancelled.
Vampire 9 sorties 5.40 hours Day
" 4 sorties 2.30 " Night |
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MONTHLY SUMMARY
Although we reached a greater number of hours this month than during the last one it
still fell short of the target. The main cause obviously was the Standard Presentation
and the preparation for the parade.
Although we have been established with 23 aircraft our serviceability was still
below par. In order to try and cure this our present aircraft are being replaced with
the very much newer Vampire IXs.
Also during this month we welcomed five new pilots including, one who will eventually
become a Flight Commander.
This Month however will always be memorable; the Squadron Standard was
presented for past deeds but if we live up to our motto "In futurum Videra" we will not
rest on past laurels but try and pave the way in the future.
Monthly Totals
Day Night
VAMPIRE 234 Sorties 135-45 Hours 4 Sorties 2.30 hours
METEOR 2 sorties 1.55 hours
TOTAL 240 Sorties 140-10 hours.
Compiled by.......PJCPhillips.....Fg.Off. Authorised By.....PWGilpin....Sqn.Ldr.
(P.J.C. PHILLIPS) (PWGILPIN)
Parading Squadron Standard marching past in slow time.
Parading Squadron Standard marching past in quick time.
The Standard party.
The Squadron Mascot. Jnr.Tech. "Buster" in Ceremonial Dress.
March past in Column of Route.
Parade preparing to advamce in review order.
Receiving the Standard from Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir John C. Slessor.
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