Daily Diary

No. 33 Service Flying Training School,
Carberry, Manitoba

February 1941

This Transcription of the Operational Record Book of No. 33 Service Flying Training School that was Located at Carberry, Manitoba, Canada was created by the volunteers at the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum, Brandon, Manitoba. You can visit their website by clicking this heading.

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Carberry,
1 February 1941

• STRENGTH: 63 Officers – 49 Senior N.C.Os – 846 Other ranks
  With the arrival of the second and third echelons including Squadron Leader N.E. Morrison, the return of the Flying Instructors from MacLeod, and the presence of Group Captain H.E. Walker. M.C., D.F.C., together with an addition to the number of aircraft – there was a general feeling that the birth-pangs were at an end and that a new Royal Air Force Station was safely delivered. Naturally enough, many anxieties and difficulties remained. First and foremost there was the problem not only of the grave disparity between the number of pupils and the number of aircraft, but of the necessity of winterising some of the aircraft that had been delivered. Again, the burst of generous weather that had tempered rigours of working in unheated hangars, waned, and there was a condition approaching congestion in the one hangar where a temporary system of heating had been installed. Moreover, in the matter of personnel, whereas the aircraftsmen were approximately at correct numerical establishment comfortably quartered, there was an insufficiency of Non-commissioned Officers, and an apparent glut of Officers. In fact, it was found necessary to take the unusual temporary step of calling upon Officers to sleep in the Sergeants Quarters. The …

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#33 SFTS
1 February 1941
(continued)

• … Messes, too, were bare and comfortless. In addition to the major affairs of organising Squadrons and Flights, the full strength establishment called for adjustments in various temporary measures previously taken. For minor instance, it was – on this first day of the month – found desirable to convert a building planned as a Civilian Mess into a Y.M.C.A. Institute where airmen could play billiards, table-tennis, darts and cards, borrow and read books from the library, write letters on the stationery supplied gratis, purchase stamps, listen to broadcast news, or peruse the many magazines supplied by various donors.

• 2.2.41. NIL.

• 3.2.41. This day was rendered unhappily notable by the first flying accident to occur on the Station. Fortunately, Damage was restricted to the aircraft, and was not very extensive. A Flying Officer, While effecting his first landing on this type of aircraft, alighted satisfactorily on the area of specially rolled snow; but momentum carried the Harvard forward to loose snow where it somersaulted. The two Officers in the cockpit were but slightly shocked – and the machine was soon put into commission again.

• 4.2.41. The religious needs of the Unit, not unheeded in the past, were now catered for more adequately by the appointment of Flight Lieutenant J.A. Norris, Chaplain of the Forces, of Manning Depot, Brandon, as Protestant Visiting Chaplain. The Padre embarked on his duties …

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Carberry,
4 February 1941
(continued)

• … immediately and made as many contacts as possible on this his first Tuesday visit.

• 5.2.41. Flight Lieutenant H.H. Burnell, who for some weeks had been acting as C.G.I. appeared in orders as being promoted to the Acting Rank of Squadron Leader, Chief Ground Instructor, vice Squadron Leader D.J. Hughes-Morgan.

• 6.2.41. NIL.

• 7.2.41. Another Senior Officer, Wing Commander J. Cox, D.F.C. arrived on the Station, and undertook the duties of Chief Instructor. A reminder of the passage of time since No. 33 S.F.T.S. became an entity was offered by Daily Routine Orders in a notice granting seven days leave to sundry airmen.

• 8.2.41. On this day two notices – not so much vital as significant – appeared which might well be taken as illustrating the rapidly increasing settlement of the Camp. One announced that the arrangement of Correspondence Courses was in hand, an Education Officer for the Command having been appointed; and another called for suggestions for a Unit Crest. A Latin Dictionary was borrowed from the Carberry School – not so much as a prop for ignorance, as a referee for erudite conflict.

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Carberry,
9 February 1941

• 9.2.41. NIL.

• 10.2.41. The first solo flight on an Anson by a u/t pilot was made at 09.45 hours by L.A.C. S. Critchison. Fifty minutes later the first solo flight on a Harvard by a u/t pilot was made by L.A.C. A. Boakes.

• 11.2.41 NIL.

• 12.2.41. The name of Group Captain H.E. Walker, M.C., D.F.C., for the first time appeared on Daily Routine Orders as Commanding the Station.

• 13.2.41. An airman engaged in his own particular job must, during this period, have become to increasingly aware from their minor effects on his work, of the major changes at

• 19.2.41 points nearer the centre of administration. The performance of the Operetta ‘Moon Maiden’, or the foundation of a dance orchestra and brass band, would not altogether distract his attention from notices relating to executive changes, or to the arrival of the Adjutant, Flight Lieutenant W.W. Watson. At this time, also, the u/t pilots could grapple with Navigation problems, or win the Basket Ball Tournament, with hearts the lighter for knowing that more comfortable conditions for messing and private study were being prepared for them. The Civilian Canteen, which had been temporary used as a Y.M.C.A. Institute, was now converted to the benefit of the u/t pilots, and the greater part of it was set aside for their messing and for their use as an ante-room. As day succeeded day, so creation and alteration went hand in hand. Such terms as ‘Duty Flight’ and Airman of the Watch’ at last appeared in Orders. An airman could now volunteer not only to clear the snow from the ice-rinks, but also to be a

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Carberry,
13-19 February 1941

• 13.2.41 – 19.2.41. (cont’d) trainee for a Fire Crash Tender Crew, or a student in the Shorthand Classes. At the same time the Officers and Senior N.C.Os suddenly found during the interval between dinner and supper of a single day that change – so far from being associated with decay – entailed the god-send of being able to sit down in comfort in their respective ante – rooms. Indeed, the Sergeants now had their quarters to themselves; for, as a result of a not entirely hopeless quest in Carberry, a number of Officers was welcomed by the Nelson Hotel. The comfortable and tasteful furnishing of the Officers’ Mess was carried out by Eatons of Winnipeg – gratis! This was a finely generous gift, deeply appreciated by the Officers. As a gesture from a great Canadian Store to the Royal Air Force, it was superb. Another indication of a certain liveliness was the difficulty of obtaining fatigue-parties – always a healthy sign. Nearly all individuals were now engaged on the task in which they were most qualified to engage – and all tasks seemed to be more directly oriented to the main part of an S.F.T.S. Hardwork became easier, since this had rapidly become a general habit, and spirits rose higher, for there was the right kind of music in the air.

• 20.2.41. A visit from a representative of the Canadian Broadcasting Company to plan a

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Carberry,
20 February 1941

• 20.2.41. (cont’d) half-hour radio concert on the 11th. March caused a certain amount of interest and stimulus, but, as an offset, a slight melancholy was felt in view of the departure from the Unit, of the Squadron Leader Administration – Squadron Leader Shaw – an elderly Officer of ripe experience, strong character and great popularity. Squadron Leader G.S.M. Warlow succeeded him.

• 21.2.41. Miss. G. Williams reported for duty as Nursing Sister. At this time the Station Hospital was very busy, but mainly with ailments of a not very serious character. There were by now three Medical Officers to cope with the work: and the Senior Medical Officer had, earlier in the month, been promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader. Squadron Leader Loxton was operated on for appendicitis with satisfactory results.
  In the matter of spiritual health the Station was visited by a Roman Catholic Chaplain to hear confessions and distribute communion, and a fifteen per cent attendance at a Church of England Service on the next Sunday was arranged, and, as touching the more earthly pleasures, three hundred airmen were given the opportunity of attending the Dress Rehearsal of the Winnipeg Winter Club’s Ice Carnival.

• 22.2.41. The Camp was submitted to a detailed inspection by the Commanding Officer, and the task of officially taking over from the Constructors was begun.
  The conditions of cold weather and poor visibility were again affecting flying-hours, and a low record similar to that of the 12th. of the month was visible on the

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Carberry,

• 22.4.41 (cont’d) graph in the Adjutant’s Office. The Ansons fell into a hibernating mood. Even the Harvards sulked.

• 23.2.41. NIL.

• 24.2.41. There appeared in Daily Routine Orders two notices which shed some light on the increased disciplinary control. The first established three Attention Areas in the Camp. The second unhappily related to a complaint about the slack personal appearance of some airmen, in Winnipeg and elsewhere, which fell far below the standard expected from a Service of such high repute. With the Station’s attainment of full numerical establishment and its freshly acquired consciousness of being a complete Unit, the duty of achieving a higher polish on its buttons was accepted without demur.

• 25.2.41. For some weeks the only visitor from Command had been a Squadron Leader interested in Recreation, and doubtless in touch with those regulations that removed the not unpleasant burden of managing the Canteens on to the powerful shoulders of a civilian organisation – the Y.M.C.A., but on this day, the Station welcomed a visit of Inspection from Air Vice-Marshal Steadman accompanied by Group Captain Grant, Wing Commander Pleasance, and …

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Carberry,
25 February 1941
(continued

• … two other Wing Commanders.

26 February 1941

• For the first time there was night-flying – by the Instructors only of course. It was found that the contrast between dark sky and snow-covered earth provided something of a horizon. As compared with war-time conditions at Home the following observations were made: that lights in Camp served as useful direction marks: that the ground illumination was much less – in fact the lights provided nothing more than indications of position: that added confidence was given by the knowledge that no Air Raid Warnings would suddenly deprive the pilots of all lights. This day was also outstanding for the sufficient reason that a heating system was installed in four hangars and the drill hall. The repercussions on the efficiency and progress of the Station require no emphasis. Greedy eyes were instantly cast on the drill hall – and ideal indoor recreation arena, and a place in the sun for the burgeoning Stores. Betting was brisk at evens.

27 February 1941

• The month closed with precisely the feeling that, at its outset, the Station had and optimistically expected. There were over forty aircraft. The u/t pilots were well down

28 February 1941

• to it. A warmer temperature coincided with a visit by Group Captain D.W.F. Bonham Carter, and the Senior N.C.Os got through the Second Round of the Basket Ball Tournament.

STRENGTH: 82 Officers; 64 Senior N.C.Os; 1,033 Other ranks.
H.E.Walker
Group Captain, Commanding,
No. 33 S.F.T.S. R.A.F.

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Amendments to the Daily Diary of this Unit, for the month of February, 1941.
CARBERRY.
1 February 1941

• STRENGTH:
  • Officers (R.A.F.) 63. (R.C.A.F.) 5. (Army) 7. (Civilians) 1.
  • Senior N.C.Os: (R.A.F.) 49. (R.C.A.F.) 5. (Army) 1.
  • Other ranks: (R.A.F.) 734. (R.C.A.F.) 61. (Army) 7. (u/t Pilots) 112.

20 February 1941

• A Pupil Pilot taxied his Anson into a Harvard and caused some damage to it without injuring his own aircraft.

22 February 1941

• A Pupil Pilot at the end of his landing run collided with an Anson causing some damage to both aircraft (Cat. ‘C’).
• A Pupil Pilot, after his landing run, in a Harvard, pulled up his undercarriage in error necessitating the replacement of the Port wing and aileron.
• Also, an Anson on tow by a tractor touched another Anson doing some damage to its rudder. (Cat. ‘C’).
• The strength of aircraft was:
  • 18 Harvards
  • 28 Ansons.
• Both Courses (First and Second) were enjoying good health and working excellently.

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CARBERRY.

STRENGTH: 

	Officers	W.Os and Senior N.C.Os	u/t Pilots	Cpls and Other Ranks
RAF	82	54	113	920
RCAF	5	3	–	27
Army	2	2	–	4
Civilians	1	–	–	–

H.E.Walker
Group Captain, Commanding,
No. 33 S.F.T.S. R.A.F.
5th April, 1941 ………………………………………….