Daily Diary

No. 33 Service Flying Training School,
Carberry, Manitoba

February 1942

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.

IMAGE 1593
Carberry.

• 1.2.42. STRENGTH: Personnel.

	Officers	Other Ranks	Civilians
RAF	83	941	–
Service Personnel other Than RAF
RCAF	7	91	–
CDC	1	2	–
RCASC	1	4	–
Civilians	–	–	9
Trainees
RAF	–	167	–

• STRENGTH: Aircraft.

	Servicable	Unservicable
Ansons	57	62

IMAGE 1594
Carberry.

• 1/2/42. The experiment of putting on a Special Train at midnight on Sundays for the convenience of Service men returning from leave in Winnipeg, had by now proved to be so successful that the Canadian Pacific Railway authorities decided to continue the arrangement for another month or so. The week-end remained a firm favourite as a period for spending forty-eight hour passes.
• 2/2/42. The weather had become fickle and there was some interference both with day and night flying. Its most irritating feature lay in the fact that it was difficult to say what conditions were likely to obtain from hour to hour; and areas of mist appeared and disappeared so disconcertingly that Pilots flying in fine conditions, would suddenly be deprived of their objective landing-fields.
  Frequent snow-flurries tended also to impair the tempers of those responsible for maintaining the outdoor ice-rinks: but though short of practice the Station Hockey Team proved that it could not be treated too lightly by all-Canadian Units by making the Virden Station play desperately in order to win by a very narrow margin.
• 3/2/42. Although the Camp was seemingly settled and complete, this was belied by constructional activity at three points. The new Fire Station was receiving its finishing touches at a moment when a new Post Office was at its noisiest half-way stage of erection and when great baulks of timber were being deposited near the site of two new hangars.
  Part II of D.R.O’s was enlivened by notice of the advancement of no less than five Officers to the rank of Temporary Squadron-Leader, and one to Temporary Flight-Lieutenant.
• 4/2/42. For some time a firm of Constructors had been busy at the Sub-Station at Petrel. With the exception of one matter relating to sewage, their work of providing a half-hangar and living quarters was now completed.
  In the evening, there was Hockey at Brandon and an Airmens’ Dance in the Recreation Hall. Moreover, in more serious vein, the Higher Mathematics Course was under examination at the conclusion of their three months of effort.
• 5/2/42. Wing-Commander T.C. Dickens, whose investigations in the Enquiry on the loss of the Ferry aircraft (as recorded in 26.1.48) had carried him very far afield, now returned to the Station to

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Carberry.

• 5/2/42 (cont’d) find that his Maintenance Wing’s ardours – already lessoned by the arrival some weeks earlier of some new Ansons – had been further mitigated by the fewer flying-hours that had been possible of late.
• 6/2/42. In fact, the Weekly Progress report showed that this last week’s weather had seriously affected the night-flying training of Course No. 34, which was now three-hundred and sixty-eight hours behind its general flying-hour schedule. During the week the serviceability of aircraft
  available for flying-training had averaged 76.9%.
  There was a good deal of fun during the evening. In addition to an exhibition Hockey Match at MacGregor, between the Unit and that Town, there were good responses by airmen to an invitation to a Dance at the Ninette Sanatorium and by Officers to a similar festivity at Brandon. In view of the fact that the Unit was working smoothly and efficiently, such occasions of relaxation seemed justifiable and beneficial.
• 7/2/42. Squadron-Leader M.T.M. Hyland was attached to Communications Flight and left the Station for an unknown period of time. There was a lull in postings, but the presence in the Officers’ Mess of a few newly-commissioned officers from the ranks of the last Course to have graduated, pointed towards further activity in this way.
• 8/2/42. The introduction of ‘Summer Time’ had little effect on the Camp beyond such amendments to routine as were necessitated by the later beginning of day, and night, flying.
  Aggravated by the inconstant weather, personnel sought relief in a new type of Concert setting – an amusing cross between an Austrian beer-garden and a Victorian Music Hall. The introduction of fifty tables to support soft and solid drinks meant the restriction of the attendance to two hundred officers and airman. The M.C. was the Warrant Officer in charge of the Orderly Room, whose departure to the R.A.F. Station at Weyburn was imminent; and to him, at the end of the performance, the Station Commander presented a magnificent bouquet of curiously wrought and delicately ornamented vegetables. During the Concert the elder types of ‘turn’ were bolstered by the modern ingenuity of the cinema, gramophone and microphone.
• 9/2/42. On this day, there was a sporting event with a particularly interesting side to it. The Unit turned out a full Boxing Team and pitted it against the boxing strength of some thousands of R.C.A. and R.C.A.F. personnel of various Units in and around Brandon. The contest took place in No. 2 Manning Depot before a crowd of nearly three thousand people. This was, in all probability, the first occasion in the Dominion’s history when a public Boxing Meeting had been conducted strictly according to the rules of the I.S.B.A., and the attitude of the spectators was expected to be highly problematical. Actually the response and behaviour of the spectators – robbed though they were of their valued vocal participation – was well nigh perfect. The Unit was asked to supply a Referee conversant with the rules,

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Carberry.

• 9/2/42 (cont’d.) and another of the Unit’s Officers advised the various officials of their changed functions.
  The Commanding Officer and other officers of No. 33 S.F.T.S., were subsequently the guests, of various Messes with, of course, a representative at the supper served to the boxers when the shortest of speeches accompanied the largest of steaks.
• 10/2/42. At the Station Commander’s Conference there was the usual diversity of items for discussion. Attention was paid not only to the new arrangements of Flights (to include a Navigation Flight) the allocation of rooms rendered available by the housing of the Link Trainers in their new building, the condition of First Aid kits, the wear and tear of the internal and external Camp roads, the possibilities of enabling Airmen to remuster, the modification required for remotely controlled aircraft cameras, barrack damage etc., etc., but to such matters as Sunday cinematograph performances, a range for ‘skeet’ shooting, and other desirable amenities – including larger premises for the steadily – growing Model Aircraft Club.
  Four Pilot-Officers were promoted to the substantive rank of Flying-Officers.
• 11/2/42. The Senior Medical Officer reported that the health of personnel continued to be generally good. There was a percentage of merely 1.0 in Hospital, and, on daily average, 1.3 reporting sick with minor maladies.
  In the evening there was yet another Hockey League Match in Brandon, and a Whist Drive on the Station.
• 12/2/42. The Commanding Officer issued a personal encouragement to all Ranks to make due efforts to attend the voluntary Church of England Services on Sunday mornings. For various reasons, many of them avoidable, the earlier excellent attendances had waned, and the continuance of a pleasant and hopeful experiment was endangered.
• 13/2/42. For the third week in succession the weather had proved to be unfavourable for flying training. Course No. 34, further handicapped by the necessity of devoting two days to Ground Training Examinations, was now deplorably behind schedule (579 hours,) and Course No. 48 was also behind-hand.

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Carberry.

• 13/2/42 (cont’d) Course No. 36, on the other hand, had for two weeks steadily reduced its hours behind schedule (114)
  The entire Station had now been photographed for identification purposes and the Canadian-style cards were being issued.
• 14/2/42. Twenty-nine A.C.2’s of the R.C.A.F. Security Guard left for No. 2 I.T.S. Regina and were replaced by twenty-nine A.C.2’s from No. 5 P.H.U., No. 7 B.G.S. Paulson.
  Later, in addition to a Hockey Match against the Carberry Juniors, the Station had the opportunity of enjoying the first Cinema performance at which the new high-powered arc-lamps and larger screen (presented to the Station by Mr. H. Harder of Winnipeg) were in use. The selection of films, their projection and general presentation were now comparable with these obtaining in almost any good- class public cinema.
  At a yet later hour began a Corporals’ Dance which in organisation and amusement exceeded anything of its kind before.
• 15/2/42. On this Sunday there were two special engagements which were fully attended although occurring at the same hour. In Carberry there was a Special Service for Airmen at which the address was rendered by one of the Officers of the Unit; and on the Camp there was an excellent Concert Party from Winnipeg performing before a packed ‘House’.
• 16/2/42. Four Pilot-Officers were posted to the Station from No. 39 S.F.T.S. Swift Current.
  Although without previous experience as Instructors they were quickly engaged on these duties.
• 17/2/42. It was announced that Morse and Signals Instruction Classes were now in operation twice weekly. The Station was well aware that other Courses were being instituted to satisfy the demands – already invited, and made – of personnel to increase their technical knowledge and to be prepared for opportunities of remustering.
  At the Station Commander’s Conference the various new buildings on the Camp and at Petrel were discussed and reference was made to the projected construction of extended Officers’ Quarters. On a more sporting side, the new Skeet-Shooting Range was pronounced excellent, and a notice was published appealing for higher-altitude flying ever Fox and Mink Farms where those animals, alarmed by the sound of aircraft engines, tended towards the protecting of their young by the questionable method of swallowing them.
• 18/2/42. The shadow of a recently re-imposed Domestic Evening was new happily removed from the Camp by an announcement indicating that the temporary lapse in tidiness was regarded by the Station

IMAGE 1598
Carberry.

• 18/2/42 (cont’d) Commander as unlikely to recur. In view of evidence to support this confidence a more affirmative and encouraging measure was introduced whereby the Station Commander would award points for orderliness and cleanliness in the Barrack Blocks on Friday Inspections, with (on a competitive basis) suitable rewards. The whole attitude and good-spirit of Airmen in these days seemed to call for encouragement rather than punishment.
  The Station Dramatic Society presented an enjoyable performance of “French Leave” and the size and conduct of a large audience yet again demonstrated that the taste of personnel in entertainment was catholic and by no means devoted exclusively to the curves and curvettes commonly associated with Camp inclinations.
• 19/2/42. This day – ear-marked for enjoyable manoeuvres too rarely possible at a busy School – culminated in tragedy.
  In the afternoon, responding to a belated appeal from the leading citizens of Carberry to be attacked and occupied in a manner resembling what would happen in a hostile operation, time was found to send three detachments of fifteen rifles (supported by a mortar and smoke-screen unit) to take the Town suddenly and with despatch. Warning to the inhabitants was given by siren at 16.00 hours, but almost immediately two ‘armoured-car’ patrols – after swift descents on the C.P.R. and C.N.R. railway stations and elevator – barricaded the Main Street at both ends and erected machine guns to cover all approaches. Essential services were taken over within two minutes. As some resistance came from the Bank of Montreal’s building, mortar-bombs were dropped there and a smoke-screen was laid by the appropriate attacking unit. An attack on the Bank then developed and when answering-fire had ceased, the third Reserve Unit approached, dropped troops to surround the building, and drove to its steps. An entry was then forced and the Protestant Minister was blindfolded, escorted to the base of the steps and shot by a Firing-Party. During the action of twelve minutes every place of Worship was placarded with notices forbidding further services or congregations of people and every important public building was
  placarded with instructions on how the inhabitants were to behave.
  This operation was carried out in support of the Second Victory Bonds Appeal and was much enjoyed by the lucky personnel detailed off for this burst of military activity.

IMAGE 1599
Carberry.

• 19/2/42 (cont’d.) But the humour aroused by many incidents in the action, ceased towards dusk when news reached the Station that there had been a flying accident – unrelated of course with the Carberry maneuvers in which no aircraft was permitted to participate – during practice in formation-flying some miles away. It was learned that there had been mid-air contact between the two aircraft engaged and that the Pupil-Pilot of one aircraft had made a forced landing at Pleasant Point with a badly-damaged wing. He was personally unharmed. A search was made for the other Aircraft involved, and the remains of Flying-Officer D.P. Watson, No. 42922 were found when the wrecked Anson was located north of Melbourne. It was known that a Pupil-Pilot had accompanied him and search parties continued to operate during the intensely cold night. Shortly after dawn, the body of No. 1087357 L.A.C. Wellings. G.O. was found in a bush some distance from the wreckage. In both cases death must have been instantaneous. It appeared that the tail of the wrecked Anson had been smashed by contact with the other Anson’s wing.
  Flying-Officer D.P. Watson was the first of the Unit’s Flying Instructors to lose his life. The Pupil-Pilot was the ninth Pupil to lose his life as a result of a Flying accident while training.
  The Pupil-Pilot who made a successful forced landing was No. 1314921 L.A.C. Wright. L.A.
• 20/2/42. Squadron-Leader B.C. Andrews of No. 10 S.F.T.S., Dauphin, Flight-Lieutenant J.A. Kelly of No. 2 Training Command, and Flight-Lieutenant W.R. Burton of this Unit, formed the Court of Inquiry.
  On this day a Pilot-Officer was posted to the Unit from No. 36 S.F.T.S., Penhold and Flight-Lieutenant W.R. Burton from No. 32 S.F.T.S. Moose Jaw also arrived on posting. The Station Commander and Wing Commander T.C. Dickens flew to Yorkton on duty and the Senior Equipment Officer also proceeded on temporary duty to the new Station at Neepawa. It had become quite a normal experience for Officers, of Maintenance and Equipment Sections in particular, to spend a few days on newly-founded Stations in an advisory capacity.
  An attractive notice in D.R.O’s announced that personnel visiting the United States had been conceded reduced railway-fares for round or return trips on the basis of five-sixths of a normal single first-class ticket.
• 21/2/42. An Impressive double-funeral of the late Flying-Officer D.P. Watson and L.A.C. G.C. Wellings took place in Brandon. The Unit provided the Firing-Party and full Escort, with twenty-six Officers as mourners, and two Bearer-Parties. No. 4 Artillery Training Centre, Fort Brandon, supplied two gun-carriages and drivers; and No. 2 Manning Depot sent an Attending Party of ninety Airmen. The cortege formed up at the Funeral Parlour and slow-marched to the Pre-Cathedral where the Service was conducted by the Rector of Brandon and the Station Chaplain. Subsequently, after a short march, the Funeral Parade mounted transport and re-formed at the gates of the Cemetery where the Committal was made.

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• 21/2/42. (cont’d.) A bugler from No. 2 Manning Depot was in attendance.
  By an unavoidable coincidence, while this Ceremony was being carried out in Brandon, the Station Chapel was the scene of the first wedding, to be celebrated there.
• 22/2/42 The voluntary Morning Service, well attended again, was in the nature of a Memorial Service for the deceased Officer and Airman.
• 23/2/14. Squadron-Leader M.T.M. Hyland returned to the Unit from Communications Flight and Flight Lieutenant W.J. Ditto was posted to No. posted to No. 41 S.F.T.S., the recently founded Station at Weyburn. Another Flying-Officer was posted to the War Substantive rank of Flight-Lieutenant.
  The increasing scarcity of brass was revealed when personal were instructed to return any buckles, badges, etc., surplus to their immediate requirements.
• 24/2/42. At the Station Commander’s Conference a good deal of time was devoted to re-mustering matters. Seven voluntary courses were already in progress in the Camp to help Airmen towards proficiency in various trades and others were contemplated. Moreover, it now became clear that remustering for air-crew training, after some months of disappointing inanition, was moving promisingly. The effect of the news on the Station was invigorating.
  During night-flying training a Pupil-Pilot misjudged his approach, passed through some telegraph-wires some distance short of the landing field and eventually came to earth at the starting post causing damage to propellers and wings what required ten days for repair.
• 25/2/42. Another allocation of Instructors to Flights was now made, and there were now eight normal Flights and a Navigation Flight under the commands of Squadron-Leader G.V. Smither (“A” Squadron) and Squadron-Leader D.J. McGlinn (“B” Squadron).
  In the evening the Station Concert Party (The ‘Rip-Chords’) presented its Third Edition and scored another great success. Rumours of a new show had already spread far and wide, and numerous towns, as well as the cities of Winnipeg and Brandon, were hopeful of visits. This third Edition

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• 25/2/42. (cont’d) suggested that the Station’s well of talent was pretty-nearly inexhaustible.
• 26/2/42. During the past week weather conditions had greatly improved and great efforts were made to decrease the serious number of flying hours behind schedule of Courses 34 and 48. Course 36 had succeeded to a satisfactory degree in holding its own. As a result of these efforts Course 34 picked up nearly three hundred, and Course 48 fifty, hours. Course 36 went ahead of schedule.
  The Central Trade Test Board (R.A.F.) examined a large number of Airmen for remustering to such trades as Fitter IIE and IIA, F/Mech. 2. Photographer, Electrician II, and Clerk Pay Accounts.
• 27/2/42 Flying-Officer H.D. Wells was posted to No. 32 O.T.U. Patricia Bay, where he would find a Senior Equipment Officer and a Station Chaplain previously of this Unit (No. 33 S.F.T.S.).
  The end-of-the-month Pay Day brought with it the second number of the Station Magazine, on the cover of which appeared the recently granted Unit Crest. The photographic Section had secured an excellent negative of the original and a positive from this will be attached to the Daily Diary far this month.
  In the evening the Station Dramatic Society presented ‘French Leave’ to the neighbouring town of Austin, and Cricket enthusiasts astonished Canadians by rigging up a Practice-Net in the Drill Shed.
• 28/2/42. The Station Second Team (Ice-Hockey) went off to Birtle to enjoy a week-end of hospitality and a Joyful Dance was held by the Senior N.C.O.’s in their Mess. During the course of the evening it was learned that an Airman had had a very serious accident when starting an
  aircraft’s engine. He was given a blood transfusion in hospital but at midnight his condition was regarded as being grave.

IMAGE 1602
Carberry.

• 28.2.42 . STRENGTH: Personnel.

	Officers	Other Ranks	Civilians
RAF	84	926	–
Service Personnel other Than RAF
RCAF	7	87	–
CDC	1	2	–
RCACS	1	4	–
Civilians	–	–	9
Trainees
RAF	–	160	–

• STRENGTH: Aircraft.

	Servicable	Unservicable
Ansons	56	71

• (C.H. Brill)
  Group Captain, Commanding,
  No.33 S.F.T.S., R .A .F .
  Carberry – Manitoba.

January 1942


ORB Index
No. 33 SFTS


March 1942