Daily Diary

No. 33 Service Flying Training School,
Carberry, Manitoba

September 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 92

Carberry.

• 1.9.42
  STRENGTH – PERSONNEL

	Officers	Other Ranks	Civilians
RAF	82	1012	–
RCAF	9	103	–
CDC	1	2	–
RCASC	1	4	–
CPS	–	3
Civilians	–	–	16
Trainees
RAF	6	219	–
RAAF	–	33	–

• STRENGTH – AIRCRAFT

	Serviceable	Unservicable
Ansons	65	26

IMAGE 93

Carberry.

• 1.9.42. A cold morning with more than a hint of winter. Drizzle soon set in and flying ceased at 10.15 hrs. Airmen summoned before the Aircrew Selection Board appeared cheerful and confident. The hospital was kept busy with the periodic X-Ray examination. There was no COs conference during the morning and in the evening at Petrel another film show was much enjoyed by the “exiles”.
• 2.9.42. The command of the Station was resumed by G/C C.H. Brill who had returned from leave. On the same day, F/Lt. G.W. Rowe, former Works and Buildings representative left to take up his new duties at Command.
  In the afternoon, AVMs Shearer and McKeen arrived by air. The latter showed much interest in the Station, asking many questions relative to the welfare of camp personnel before departing by immaculate Lockheed.
  DROs announced that boxing would re-commence on or about 28th: sure indication that summer was on the wane.
  News arrived during the evening that two u/t pilots had force landed at Calvin, N. Dakota. They had lost their way and were without sufficient fuel to return to base. No damage was reported and the aircraft was capable of being flown back as soon as border formalities had been completed.
• 3.9.42. Flying continued throughout this chilly Autumn day. In the evening the Station cricket XI visited Camp Shilo, winning the match by 4 wickets and 11 runs.

IMAGE 94

Carberry.

• 3.9.42. (cont’d) It is proposed to have a deciding game at Winnipeg, a “neutral” ground as both teams have won their “away” matches.
  The station softball team were also at the Army camp, winning their match by 6 runs to 4.
• 4.9.42. Ideal flying weather with excellent visibility. Recorded average of serviceability of aircraft is 56.1%, for the four courses, 56, 58, 60 and 62.
  Ground examinations for Course 58 are now complete.
  The good flying weather was shown by the figure of 411 flying hours.
• 5.9.42. The previous days ideal conditions continued, and there was solo flying throughout the day.
  Personnel of the two flights at Petrel returned to the Station by M/T, while the flying Personnel returned by
  ‘plane in formation.
  News of a forthcoming tennis tournament excited some interest, also the information that the bowling alley in Carberry was now complete.
• 6.9.42. Today was set apart as a “National Day of Prayer”. Work ceased at 08.30 hrs. and the Recreation Hall was filled to capacity to hear the address given by the station padre

IMAGE 95

Carberry.

• 6.9.42. (cont’d.) Rev. L.O. Williams.
  Later in the day many services were given in the various churches of Carberry and the use of the Station Voluntary Band was much appreciated at several of them. Today, the 6th of the month, it was announced that over 1800 flying hours had already been completed, a very fine achievement when the poor position as regards serviceable aircraft is considered.
• 7.9.42. A fine Autumn day, with enough sunshine to justify a few photographs of the Station gardens.
  In the Recreation Hall, 40001bs of Cardboard and Cartons of scrap testified to the Camp’s Salvage consciousness.
  Interest was shown in the bowling field and about a dozen teams of Officers, NCOs and airmen were chosen, and playing nights fixed for league matches. Group Captain Brill accepted the captaincy of one team, and the CFI of another.
  In the evening, the Senior NCOs defeated the Security Guard at softball 14-9.
• 8.9.42. The weekly Commanding Officer’s Conference was a brief one. It was agreed that the flying badges for No. 56 Course should be presented by Col. Bliss at the graduation parade on Friday next. It was confirmed that Armament Air Exercises are carried out at this station continuously as there are a sufficiency of bomb sights which can be quickly fitted to either Anson I or II. This form of training is of very definite value for the later exercises

IMAGE 96

Carberry.

• 8.9.42. (cont’d.) at Operational Training Units when actual bombs will be used. It was stated that 17 Anson I aircraft are fitted with R/T.
  In the afternoon a meeting of the wives of camp personnel took place. 21 wives attended and it was agreed that an organisation to be called “The Adastral Womens Club” should be set up for voluntary war work.
  The salvage campaign bore further fruit today when some 3971bs of rags arrived from Carberry Town.
  At the bowling alley this evening Nav, Section beat Nav, Flight by the handsome margin of 340 points.
  At a meeting of the living-out personnel held in the CGI building, Messrs Shucker and Miles (both members of the Local Rent Control Board) gave valuable aid in the interpretation of the various recent legislations dealing with Rent restriction and price control. Some 50 Officers and airmen attended and great interest was shown.
• 9.9.42. The weekly colour hoisting parade was held at 07.30 hrs. and at 08.00 hrs. flying training commenced, continuing throughout the day in warm weather.

IMAGE 97

Carberry

• 9.9.42 (cont’d.) In the afternoon a meeting of the Fire Committee was held. A high wind and threat
  of storm caused night flying to be cancelled.
• 10.9.42. The threatened storm broke in the early morning and lasted for some three hours. There was vivid lightning and much thunder but hardly any rain. The storm blew itself just after 0500 hrs. and flying training commenced at 07.30 hrs.
  Col. Bliss (A3 Canadian Infantry Training Centre) presented the wings to No. 56 Course as arranged. The clouds grew ever more lowering as the ceremony progressed and just after the last graduate had received his flying badge, heavy rain began to fall, followed by hail a few minutes later.
• 11.9.42. In all 2.2 inches of rain fell in l½ hrs., while some of the hailstones were over an inch in diameter, the latter being of special interest to the recent arrivals in Canada.
  Much damage to aircraft was caused and 52 Ansons were rendered unserviceable. The upper skin surfaces of main and tail planes, naturally suffered most, while punctures of the actual plywood had occurred in many cases due to the bombardment by outsize hailstones.
  Two pupil pilots showed initiative in evading the storm and forced landed safely outside the storm area.
  Despite dull skies, solo flying training commenced at 07.00 hrs. The Commanding Officer’s inspection of barrack huts took place as scheduled. The extensive damage to the station

IMAGE 98

Carberry.

• 11.9.42. (cont’d) flower beds was plainly visible, but there were very few windows broken by hail.
  54 graduates (13 Pilot Officers and 41 Sergeants) left this afternoon on posting.
  The few planes which had escaped damage were flown throughout the day, but there was no night flying.
• 12.9.42. The new Airmens’ Recreation Hall is now nearing completion. Originally the Corporals’ Club, the building has been completely renovated and now furniture and a billiard table purchased.
  The weather today has been excellent and solo flying has continued all day: there is no night flying however.
  The return cricket match between this Unit and Shilo Camp took place this evening and resulted in a win for the Army by thirty runs.
• 13.9.42. At the church parade this morning, the Padre, instead of the usual sermon, arranged for one of the pupils to give a short piano recital of Chopin’s works. The innovation was most successful.
• 14.9.42 All aircraft were grounded this morning, due to unfavourable weather. This

IMAGE 99

Carberry.

• 14.9.42 (cont’d) continued until neon when a weather flight was made.
  F/O Black arrived this evening on staff duty from AFHQ, Ottawa.
  The Station Concert Party – “The Rip Chords” – has gained some new members and will go into rehearsal shortly. The Party has lost a number of members in the recent postings home, so that it is good news to hear that they will soon be active again.
• 15.9.42. This morning was bitterly cold and service blue began to be worn again by many of the RAF personnel who appeared sceptical regarding stories of the Manitoba “Indian Summer”.
  There was no COs conference this morning and flying continued throughout the day.
  In the afternoon there was a PSI meeting.
  Today was Pay-day and many airmen purchased a Wartime Souvenir of Carberry put out by the local printer. The latter had chosen his time well and business appeared to be brisk.
  A most successful gathering of the “Adastral Womens Club” took place this afternoon, 34 wives attending and a number of articles for the Bombed-Out Areas of Britain being completed.
  F/O Black ceased his staff duty today at this unit and left for No. 12 SFTS by air.
  W/C. Q.W.J. Gregson arrived by rail. As Senior Staff Chaplain (RAF) in Canada, he was making a tour of RAF stations in the Dominion before returning to AFHQ, Ottawa.
  Due to the untiring efforts and ingenuity of the Maintenance Wing, 28 out of 52 Anson aircraft
  damaged in the hailstorm (11.9.42) will be serviceable tomorrow morning, and a further 7 later

IMAGE 100

Carberry.

• 15.9.42 (cont’d) in the day. To cope with the very considerable extra work, 38 airmen carpenters have been 1oaned by 8 Repair Depot and 6 by Macdonald as well as 3 by No. 12 SFTS and they have been of great assistance.
• 16.9.42. The station was proud to learn today of the following awards gained by ex-pupils of this School:- P/O D.J. Bint has been awarded the DFM (gained as a F/Sgt) while F/Lt. R. Frowd has received the DFC for “gallantry and devotion to duty”.
  COs Colour Hoisting Parade was cancelled owing to the necessity for hastening repair of ‘planes still unserviceable due to the storm on 10.9.42.
  It was a cold blustery day and the appearance in DROs regarding Xmas cards seemed more than appropriate.
  In the evening, the usual bi-monthly Airmens’ dance was held while during the afternoon, despite the weather, one of the station personnel (a member of the hard pressed Maintenance Section) competed in the Sports Meet held at Brandon. He won the 220 yards championship and was second in the 100 yards event. The meet was staged by the Brandon District Services Athletic Association.

IMAGE 101

Carberry.

• 16.9.42 (cont’d) Solo-flying training continued all day but there was no night flying.
• 17.9.42 This morning was positively arctic, and the CO ordered the temporary discarding of khaki, pending the provision of heating in the station buildings.
  Despite the dull sky solo flying continued all day.
  Three officers arrived by air to take part in a District Court Martial, to be held next morning. They were S/Ldr. H.F. Gyles, the Judge Advocate, S/Ldr. G.E. Thompson, President, and F/Lt. J.C. Holman.
• 18.9.42. At 10.00 hrs. the District Court Martial assembled. The cases concerned offences allegedly committed by No. 648212 AC2 Borthwiek, D.M., and 632299 Cpl. Halliday,C.E. A number of officers attended, under instructions also two service police for a similar purpose.
  A full flying programme was carried out, including Cross country night flying.
  During the afternoon, seven officer graduates were posted to other units.
• 19.9.42. This morning was warm and cheerful and talk regarding the Indian summer re-commenced.
  Flying continued steadily from 07.15 hrs. onwards.
  The two new hangars are nearing completion and will be of great benefit to the unit when ready.
  The 30 aircraft, picketed astride No. 1 Hangar, and known as the “Ghost Squadron”, are living up to their title. They were deposited here by No. 2 Training Command to serve as a pool for stations being Anson Spares.

IMAGE 102

Carberry.

• 20.9.42. This Sabbath saw a return to real summer weather. A full congregation listened to the address by Rev. Gregson.
  In the afternoon several officers and their wives attended the christening of the infant daughter of the CGI, S/Ldr. Burnell, and Mrs. Burnell.
  W/C Gregson and S/Ldr. L.O. Williams both visited Carberry in the evening to preach at different
  churches: a large number of camp personnel were in the congregation.
• 21.9.42 Servicing Squadron announced with some justifiable pride that the serviceability State for Aircraft now stands at 58%.
  Despite flying being cancelled twice, the unit accomplished no less than 100 hrs. flying in the Anson II, a new record.
  Much interest has been shown in the formation of a “Music and Artists Club”. The avowed object of the Club is to promote greater interest in artistic matters and accommodation has been obtained suitable for this purpose. There was a good attendance at the first general meeting and a committee was duly elected, officers appointed and a constitution formulated.
• 22.9.42. Today dawned icy cold, and the early morning sun had little or no heat.

IMAGE 103

Carberry.

• 22.9.42. Solo flying ceased at 10.20 hrs. dual only continuing thereafter.
  At the COs conference a number of general matters were discussed. In the afternoon the “Adastral Womens’ Club” held a meeting, and 26 ladies attended. A number of garments for bombed-out families in the UK were completed.
  A record attendance of airmen listened to a Technical Training lecture, and much interest was shown.
  The night flying programme was cancelled owing to unfavourable weather conditions.
• 23.9.42. There were high winds and snow flurries in the early morning and there was no COs parade.
  Despite the weather flying training continued, wind varying from 35-40 miles per hour.
  A number of newly appointed Corporals of Maintenance Wing attended a meeting at which the Wing WO Discip., presided. Useful advice was given in a general talk which was greatly appreciated.
  This afternoon the third homeward bound echelon left Carberry. The party numbered 54 airmen under W.O. Bloxam, formerly SWO. The CO and OC Maintenance Wing attended the leave taking as well as many civilians, friends of the departing airmen.
  Later S/Ldr. Millington and P/O Collie arrived from No. 2 TC. The former, from DAPS in Ottawa dealt with a number of problems affecting airmen.
• 24.9.42. Today a full flying programme was carried out despite some rain and a few

IMAGE 104

Carberry.

• 24.9.42 (cont’d) snow flurries.
  In the evening, a trial football match was played. There was also a meeting of the Airmens’ Living-Out Club at which the shorter title of “Adastral Club” was adopted. Plans for a winter programme were drawn up and it was hoped that full support would enable this to be accomplished.
• 25.9.42. Solo flying commenced at 07.00 hrs. today. The CO carried out an inspection of barrack huts and buildings.
  In the afternoon the weather worsened, there were heavy flurries of snow and visibility greatly reduced.
  Many of the camp personnel who owned cars viewed the arctic conditions with alarm and were much cheered by a radio announcement that ample stocks of alcohol for anti-freeze purposes were available.
• 26.9.42. Much coming and going among the Senior NCOs, the reason being that they were running a dance and some “expert” had persuaded them to have the Sergeants’ Mess floor varnished. Needless to say, owing to the cold, the varnish remained tacky, despite valiant examples of “adaption, adoption and improvement”. All sorts of temporary heaters were used

IMAGE 105

Carberry.

• 26.9.42. (cont’d) and finally just before the zero hour the last trace of stickiness disappeared, ditto the qualms of the anxious hosts. The dance was a great success, the station orchestra dispensing its usual excellent music, despite the loss of the majority of its members in recent drafts home.
• 27.9.42. Dawned just a little warmer. The station seemed very quiet, sundry Senior NCOs appearing much more lamblike than usual.
  In the afternoon a good crowd watched a football match between Messrs. Westons of Winnipeg and a Station XI. The latter were all out to avenge previous defeats and ran out the winners by the decisive margin of six goals to nil.
  The presence of numerous huge coaches announced the arrival of the Winnipeg Glee Club Concert Party, and a bumper attendance at the Station Theatre revealed the extent of the curiosity of camp personnel into a Glee Concert Party. While several of the turns were good, the general style was below the standard set by recent shows which have visited the camp. A little more rehearsal and some judicious “cutting” were all that was necessary. As it was, the innate good manners of the ordinary airman were revealed once more and hearty clapping ended the performance.
• 28.9.42. This was the first day of official winter, at least according to the DRO, which laid down that “blue” was the official uniform from henceforth. Actually very few Spartans had persisted in wearing suits KD for at least a week before the order came into force.

IMAGE 106

Carberry.

• 28.9.42. The temperature rose steeply throughout the day until 90 degrees in the sun was registered at 1600 hrs.
  A full flying programme was performed.
  In the evening a challenge bowls match took place between the Accounts and the Equipment Sections, the latter having proved easy winners in a cricket match held earlier in the month. The Accounts Section won the series by a margin of 311 points.
  A rugger trial also took place before dark and once more it was realised that many service personnel had managed to cram their sports equipment into their baggage. The colours of several famous clubs were seen, probably for the first time in this part of Canada, and very soon the old cries of “Feet! Feet!”,”Take him low”, and the like were echoing in the chrystalline air. None of the players admitted feeling the strain, although several limped back to the mess.
  Examinations for Coarse 60 ended today.
• 29.8.42. Now that “blues” have been resumed, the weather shows signs of becoming summery once more. Ideal flying conditions prevailed all day and a full programme was carried out.
  At the COs conference a number of general points were discussed and the Works and Buildings representative caused much laughter. The CO requested an estimate of the time necessary for the repainting of much of the camp. After spending some time with pencil and paper, F/O Whittaker solemnly announced that with his

IMAGE 107

Carberry.

• 29.9.42. (cont’d) present supply of painters the job should take exactly 2 years and 4 months! A satisfactory system using voluntary labour was worked out.
  S/Ldr. Wellstead, new CO of No. 12 SFTS, arrived at noon by air from Brandon. He had piloted himself, and his two passengers were the SEO and F/Lt. Sanderson, his SAO. They stayed for lunch and after a short tour of the Station took off for Brandon at 14.15 hrs. – their Cessna Crane looking quite tiny against the long, rangy Ansons.
  It was zero hour for the Station magazine “Gen”, and it was well past midnight before the last copies came off the presses.
• 30.9.42. Native Manitobans smiled at the sight of RAF personnel mopping their brows in the fierce heat. The Indian Summer had arrived with a vengeance and many airmen wished they could return to khaki drill. The Pay Parade was well attended as usual, while sales of “Gen” showed an upwards trend.
  In the evening, despite the heat, the officers teams played football. Several players announced that the combination of recent frosts had rendered the ground very hard indeed.
  Summary
  September has been a very quiet month devoid of incident save for the Hailstorm and the resultant damage to aircraft.
  The many new arrivals appear to be settling in well, and the happy atmosphere in the camp is well maintained.

IMAGE 108

Carberry.

• 30.9.42
  STRENGTH-PERSONNEL.

	Officers	Other Ranks	Civilians
RAF	83	932	–
RCAF	9	103	–
CDC	1	2	–
RCACS	1	4	–
Civilians	–	–	24
Trainees
RAF	2	186	–
RAAF	–	33	–

• STRENGTH-AIRCRAFT.

	Servicable	Unservicable
Ansons	45	36

• (C.H. Brill)
  Group Captain, Commanding,
  No. 33 SFTS., RAF., Carberry, Manitoba.