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F540 Operations Record Book September 1956 NO 98 SQUADRON.
PRO Kew No. AIR27 Piece 2640 Microfilm Row1 Draws 52-71
Place Date Time Summary of Events                                               Compilation Officer:   FG/Off. Barrow. REFS TO APPENDICES
       
R.A.F. Jever Sat. 1st Sept.
1956
In preparation for the forthcoming Sylt detachment the accent on flying during the
first part of the month is on simulated flag exercises.   Flying today consisted of Cine
and individual sorties.
 
  Mon. 3rd Sep. Low cloud, rain and poor visibility covering the North German plain precluded flying
more than six sorties of cine and close formation.
 
  Tues. 4th Sep. Flying today consisted of simulated flag, cine and individual sorties of aerobatics
G.C.A.S and bad weather circuit.
 
  Wed. 5th Sep. Flying this morning consisted of individual sorties of mach runs, aerobatics and
practice forced landings.   The afternoon was devoted to sport.
 
  Thurs. 6th Sep. Flying today once more consisted mainly of sorties of simulated flag.   However, further
sorties of practice interceptions and low battle formation were carried out.   Only four
night sorties were possible owing to a sudden deterioration in weather.
 
  Friday 7th Sep. A good flying day with some 30 sorties of simulated flag, low flying and cross countries
accomplished.   Flt/Lt. C.J. Barrey and FG/Off. D.A.W. Todman flew from Jever to Linton on
Ouse in a Vampire T.11 via Marham, returning on the 8th September.
 
  Sat. 8th Sep.    Squadron Standown.  
  Mon. 10th " During today 28 sorties of simulated flag were flown at heights varying between 10,000
and 23,000Ft.   A further 7 sorties of individual aerobatics were carried out.
Programmed night flying was cancelled because of fog.
 
  Tues. 11th " In spite of deterioration in the weather during the day a total of 31 sorties were flown.
These consisted of simulated flag exercises, close formation and individual sorties
of G.C.A'S, aerobatics and P.F.L'S.
 
  Wed. 12th " During this morning 8 sorties of simulated flag were flown.   In addition four aircraft
were dispatched to intercept visiting D.F.L.S. Hunters from West Raynham.   Flying ceased
at lunch time and the afternoon was devoted to sport.
 
  Thurs. 13th " There was no flying today as the Squadron was preparing for Sylt.  
  Friday 14th " Squadron Leader D.T. Adamson, Flt/Lt. Weston, Fg/Off. D.J. Young and Fg/Off. J.D. Rastall
left Jever to take part in the Derby Battle of Britain commutation.   Today they flew to
Wymeswold via Marham, where they were met by the committee of the Derby Branch of the
R.A.F.A.
 
  Sat 15th Sep. This afternoon the flypast was carried out over Derby from Wymeswold.  
  Mon. 17th " During this morning 8 aircraft were flown to Sylt for the commencement of the detachment.
The four aircraft which have been to Wymeswold over the weekend returned and arrived at
Sylt during the Afternoon.   The latter part of the afternoon was devoted to a detailed briefing,
on the detachment to Sylt.
 
  Tues. 18th " With the exception of the last two sorties of the day flag sorties were entirely cine
attacks.   The last two sorties contributed to producing a first daily average of 10.3 %.
In all 38 sorties were carried out.
 
  Wed. 19th " Firing started today for the whole Squadron and 35 sorties were flown.   The stoppage rate
was rather low ( 458) which was attributed to faulty gun pack servicing.
 
  Thurs. 20th " Fog cancelled the first two flights of the morning but flying was possible after 08,30 am.
In all 32 sorties were flown and the Squadron average for the day was 6.7%.
 
  Friday 21st " A good flying day and 37 air firing sorties were flown.   The stoppage rate has still
remained low at 380 and the Squadron average increased to 6.9%.
 
  Sat. 22nd " Only 12 sorties were flow this morning as the aircraft and packs needed re harmonising.  
  Mon. 24th " During today 34 air firing sorties were flown.   The average stoppage rate improved to 423 and
the Squadron average for the day was 7.1%.
 
  Tues. 25th " A fair flying day with a further 31 air firing sorties flown.   There was only one stoppage
during the day bringing the progressive stoppage rate up to 506.   The progressive Squadron
average is 6.7%.
 
  Wed. 26th " The low level phase of the detachment was completed at mid day and the afternoon sorties
were carried out.   The progressive average stands at 6.7%.   A total of 35 sorties were flown.
 
  Thurs. 27th " Low cloud and fog covered the area during the day and only three sorties were flown.  
  Friday 28th " A total of 16 sorties were flown during this morning but deterioration of weather pre -
vented further flying.
 
  Sat. 29th " Low cloud and poor visibility prevented further flying throughout the day and pilots
attended to producing the end of month returns.
 
                                                    FLYING HOURS
            Operational (Day)      333.05              Instrument Flying (Actual)         20.20
            Operational (Night)        2.40              Instrument Flying (Simulated)   5.20
            Training Type             107.30              Other Pilots                                   2.30
                                                    OPERATIONAL
The month of September has been a successful month for flying although the hours flown
were a little below the target.   The accent in the early stages of the month was on cine
exercises simulating flag patterns.   This was marred a little by clouds at the desired
heights for these exercises.   One major event of the month was the participation by
four of the Squadron aircraft in the Battle of Britain commemoration at the City of Derby.
The aircraft piloted by Sqn/Ldr. D.T. Adamson, Flt/Lt. I.P. Weston, Fg/Off D.J. Young and
Fg/Off J.D. Rastall flew to Wymeswold and carried out a flypast over Derby on 15th Sept.
During their weekend stay they were entertained by both Civic authorities and R.A.F.A.
The Squadron moved to Sylt on the 17th September and commenced firing on the 18th.
At the end of the month the Squadron progressive average stood at 6.7%, the stoppage
rate
was 456 and the total rounds fired 21,865 of which 16,409 rounds were effective.
 
                                                        PERSONNEL  
  Mon 10th " Flt/Lt A.D. Lethbridge and FG/Off C.P. Sanderson returned from leave.   Fg/Off R. Shore
detached to Sylt for Meteor re familiarisation course.
 
  Friday 14th " Sqn/Ldr. D.T. Adamson, Flt/Lt. I.P. Weston, Fg/Off D.J. Young and Fg/Off J.D. Rastall left
to take part in the Battle of Britain commemoration at the City of Derby.
 
  Mon. 17th " Sqn/Ldr. D.T. Adamson, Flt/Lt. I.P. Weston, Fg/Off D.J. Young and Fg/Off J.D. Rastall re -
turned from Derby.
 
                                                             ADMINISTRATION
   The Squadron is still underestablished and whilst this has produced no strain whilst
the Squadron was still at Jever it has done so since the Squadron arrived at Sylt.
The underestablishment in armourers was overcome by the attachment of armourers from
Central Armoury Jever.

                                                                                                       signed DTAdamson
                                                                                                              (D.T. ADAMSON)
                                                                                                              Squadron Leader
                                                                                                              Officer Commanding
                                                                                                              No. 98 Squadron.


 
                                                             Operational Summary for September, 1956.
The accent on flying during the month has been towards preparation for Sylt.   To this
end cine simulated flag exercises have been carried out.   This was marred at times by
clouds at the altitudes at which those exercises were flown.
                    A major event of the month was the participation of four pilots of the
Squadron in the Battle of Britain commemorations at the City of Derby.
The pilots were Sqn/Ldr. D.T. Adamson, Flt/Lt. I.P. Weston, Fg/Off D.J. Young and
Fg/Off J.D. Rastall who flew from Jever to Wymeswold vis Marham.   On the 15th September they
carried out a flypast over Derby.   Throughout the weekend they were entertained both
civically and by the Derby branch of the R.A.F.A.
With the return of Flt/Lt. A.B. Lethbridge and Fg/Off. C.P. Sanderson the Squadron was
up to strength for the Sylt detachment which commenced on the 17th September.
Firing has been carried out at both 10000 and 20000 feet.   The progressive average stands
at the end of the month at 6.7%.   The stoppage rate 456 with a total 21,265 rounds fired
of which 16,409 were effective.
                      The Squadron is still under established in certain trades which has caused
a certain during the Sylt detachment.
                     To counteract the under establishment in armourers some armourers have been
attached to the Squadron from Central Armoury, Jever.
                                                  FLYING HOURS
            Operational (Day)      333.05              Instrument Flying (Actual)         20.20
            Operational (Night)        2.40              Instrument Flying (Simulated)   5.20
            Training Type             107.30              Other Pilots                                   2.30


 
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