Daily Diary

No. 33 Service Flying Training School,
Carberry, Manitoba

March 1943

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.

• 1st March 1943 – 00.01 – STRENGTH.
  1. PERSONNEL.

	Officers	Other Ranks	Civilians
RAF	86	893	–
RCAF	4	106	–
RAAF	–	1	–
RNZAF	3	1	–
CDC	1	2	–
RCASC	1	3	–
CPC	–	3
Civilians	2	–	17
Trainees
RAF	3	221	–
RCAF	–	1	–
RNZAF	1	–	–

• 2. AIRCRAFT.

		Number
Anson II		109
	Serviceable	64
	Unserviceable	38
	Unavailable	7

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CARBERRY

• 1st March./43 – More sub-Zero temperature had bad affect on serviceability.
  F/O. H.F. BATH left for No. 31 P.D., MONCTON on posting.
  The finals of the Station Bowling league were held at Carberry Bowladrome, both teams being Senior N.C.O’s. A new league of twenty-four teams starts this week.
  The following new Instructors arrived on posting from No. 2 F.I.S., VULCAN. – Pilot Officers C.H. RIDGEWAY (1303992), W. DOUGHTY (1451656), E.W. CRISP (1322751), and J.F. LEE (658092). F/O. C.R. BURMAN (C8274) – L.T.I. – arrived on posting from No. 12 SFTS., BRANDON.
  Not counting living-out personnel and pupils, the March beer ration for this Station’s Canteens works cut at nine bottles per person, as against thirty bottles for March, 1942. So great a drop was not anticipated. The March allowance was announced in the middle of February, by which time the March quota was over-ordered. The prospect for the Ground Staff is, to say the least, unpleasing, since civilians outside the Camp are entitled to purchase 55 ounces of liquor a month and 24 bottles of beer a week. Knowing that, and yet not being able to have a glass of beer a day within the Camp, is a rationing problem the airmen are unable to comprehend.
  Maximum possible flying time – 24 hours.
• 2nd March – Twenty-two degrees below. Flying stopped early to give Maintenance Wing a chance to deal with the sudden increase in unserviceability caused by the cold.
  In order that newly-arrived airmen should receive immediate encouragement to improve their education, it was agreed at the C.O’s Conference today that in future the Education Officer should sign all airmen’s arrival reports.
  Short educational films were shown in the Hospital and the Large Canteen.
  The new RCAF order “No smoking in the Recreation Hall” took effect tonight, when the cinema film was fortunately JACK BENNY in “Charlie’s Aunt”. Being used to smoking in all cinemas in GREAT BRITAIN RAF personnel found it hard to accustom themselves to the No-smoking regulations of Canadian cinemas, by contrast with which RAF Station Cinemas have hitherto been more enjoyable and like those back home’. All cinema-goers here regret that the pleasurable company of “My Lady Nicotine” is no longer permitted.
  Maximum possible flying time – 16 hours.
• 3rd March – No. 1 C.N.C., RIVERS, played the Station Ice-hockey team on the Carberry rink and won 9-4. It was an exciting game with four private “feuds” as an added attraction. The local barber was referee, assisted by P/O. CONNOLLY of RIVERS.
  F/S. DUNHAM and about 14 members of his Small Bore Rifle Club practised shooting on the indoor range.

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CARBERRY.

• 3rd March (Cont) – “In the opinion of this House bachelors should not be “taxed”, was the motion before the Debating Society. It was defeated 5-3.
  Snow fell during the evening and night flying was cancelled.
• 4th March – 1600 – Graduates of No. 68 Course received their wings at a ceremonial parade in the Drill Shed from the Commanding Officer, Group Captain T.B. BRUCE, M.C. Officer Commanding the Parade was S/L. H.M. ROBERTSON, DFC, and Parade Adjutant was Flight Lieutenant A.B. WALTON. The three Flights were commanded by F/L. J.H.C. LEWIS, F/L. R.J. MANSFIELD, and F/O. I.R.A. McCALLUM respectively. The Chief Instructor, F/Lt. A.R. POVEY, also attended. Civilian friends of the graduates were present and later were entertained to tea in the Recreation Hall and the Officers’ Mess. In the evening the graduates gathered for the customary but somewhat rationed celebration in the Wet Canteen. The intake and disposition of the Course are as follow:- Intake; 64. Graduated; 54. Transfers to other Courses, 2. Discontinuances; 8. Four Officers were among the graduates. Eighteen airmen graduates were commissioned. Disposition:- Three to No. 3 F.I.S., ARNPRIOR; nine to No. 2 F.I.S., VULCAN; Thirteen to No. 31 G.R.S., CHARLOTTETOWN; twenty-nine to No. 31 P.D., MONCTON. The Course averaged 141 hours per pupil.
  Carberry No. 4 ATC Cadets were lectured on aircraft recognition and operational flying by LAC. KENYON and F/L. G.W. Salter, and received drill instruction from F/O. F.J.L. MORGAN.
  F/Lt. D. WHITTAKER (W&B) left for No. 2 T.C. on temporary duty for two days.
• 5th March – During previous week 56.5% of aircraft were available for flying training. Senior Course (Now No. 70) is 23 days behind on 150 hours syllabus.
  The Commanding Officer, G/C. T.B. BRUCE, MC., the C.I., Wing Commander B.G.D. NATHAN, and the Station Admin. Officer, S/Ldr. E.J. STANLEY left for No. 2 T.C. on temporary duty, returning Sunday.
  Eighteen members of the small-bore Rifle Club in the Dominion Marksmen Competition have won bronze, silver and gold awards during the last four months.
• 6th March – The Rip-Chords Concert Party gave performances on Friday and Saturday at the “Playhouse” Theatre, Winnipeg. This was the Sixth variety show given by the Station Concert Party for the entertainment of the people of Winnipeg. It was, as usual, well received.

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CARBERRY

• 6th March (Cont.) – F/Lt. T.P. HARNETT – G.D. (41347) left on posting to No. 31 G.R.S.
• 7th March – Normal religious services and flying training routine.
• 8th March – 1800 – While practising single-engine landing at PETREL Relief Landing Ground, a pupil pilot GB. 967976 LAC. ENGLISH, J.K., landed with the undercarriage of Anson II 8454 retracted. The pupil was uninjured and the damage was Category “C3”.
  – 2000 – During the cinema show a draw was made for three airmen to broadcast to
  England on 10th March. The lucky three were 932404 LAC. LINDSELL, J.L., 985261 LAC. HARDING, R., and 1613347 LAC. HOPKINS, L.J.
  This was another of the monthly broadcasts arranged by the Canadian Legion.
  Maximum possible flying time – 24 hours.
• 9th March – Flying training, was in abeyance today while a reorganization of Squadrons and a change of hangars and flight offices were carried out.
  1030 At the C.O’s Conference, the desirability of having a number of “Standard Aircrew Deferred” personnel posted to the Unit for duty while waiting to be absorbed into training was considered.
  – 2000 – A short medical film was included in the Cinema programme.
  – 1730 F/L. G.J. WRIGHT (86684) G.D. arrived on posting from No. 33 EFTS., CARON, Sask.
• 10th March – Good weather and normal training programme.
  Special efforts made to clean up the Camp today in view of the D.I.G’s visit tomorrow. Prayers for a light snow-fall were not answered. It is generally found to be extremely difficult to make spick-and-span a temporary wooden camp which has weathered two-and-a-half years of blizzards and dust storms.
  Maximum possible flying hours – 24.
  – 2000 – About fifty persons attended a gramaphone recital in the Recreation Hall.
  Brahm’s Symphony No. 4 in E Minor was the “piece de resistance”.
• 11th March – 0930 – The Deputy Inspector-General, Air Vice-Marshal A.A.L. Cuffe; the
  A.O.C. No. 2 T.C. Air Commodore T.A. LAWRENCE; Wing Commander B.M. ARONSON, Command Equipment Officer; F/L. A.E.
  McKIBBON (P.A. to the D.I.G.); F/L. C. ESHELMAN; and F/O. J.R. ALEXANDER (P.S.O. to the A.O.C.); arrived to inspect the Station.
  The greater part, of the morning was spent in a rapid inspection of the Station. The visiting party lunched in the Officers’ Mess and immediately afterwards inspected a parade of men in the Drill Shed. This was followed by a Conference in the Commanding Officer’s Office. The party left by air about 1615 hours.

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CARBERRY

• 11th March (Cont) – P/O. J.D. MAULT (ex 1450655) G.D., arrived on posting from No. 2
  F.I.S.
  Rifle club match between No. 2 Manning Depot, BRANDON; No. 12 S.F.T.S., BRANDON and this Unit was held, resulting in the following scores:-
  No. 12 – 2494; No. 33 – 2481; No. 2 – 2478.
  Maximum possible flying hours – 24.
• 12th March – 1600 – The following Instructors left on posting to No. 31 P.D. – F/O. R. REAVILL (122816), F/O. R.W. LEGGETT (122820), F/O. D.J. BACON (132592), P/O. N.W. THOMAS and F/O. J.J. BRAY (4842l).
  F/O. D.K. PROUDLOVE (111106) G.D., arrived on posting from No. 2 F.I.S., VULCAN.
  Normal training routine.
  Maximum possible flying hours – 24.
• 13th March – Weekly Progress Report, as at 2359 Friday, shows two senior courses,
  Nos. 70 and 72, to be 29.10 and 14.34 pupils hours behind schedule respectively.
  The week’s aircraft serviceability was 31.5%.
  F/L. A.B. WALTON (A&SD) proceeded to No. 2 TC to collect secret and
  confidential publications. W/C. M.W. MOORE, C.T.C. left for No. 38
  SFTS. for Court-martial duties, and returned 0900 on 20th March.
  2350 The following Audit Officers arrived from AFHQ:- F/O. Q. Coleman
  (C6195), P/O. A.A. HALL (C14927) and P/O. J.B. CURRIER (C13495).
  Maximum possible flying hours – 24.
• 14th March – Weather colder, and only eight hours fit for flying.
  – 1315 – While carrying out dual circuits and landings a pupil pilot, 1375061 LAC. MITCHELL, R.G., in Anson 25/11331 had just landed and was taxying when both starboard and port oleo legs collapsed. Damage was Category “C.7”. The instructor and pupil were uninjured.
• 15th March – F/L. S.C. McLEOD (C3851) (T.F.) arrived from No. 2 TC to inspect L.T. personnel.
  P/O. W.T. HOWELL-JONES (136026) EQ., left on posting to No. 34 SFTS.
  F/O. E. CANTRELL (81549) Accts., arrived on posting from No. 39 SFTS.

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CARBERRY

• 15th March (Cont.) – Snow blizzards today; number of hours fit for flying – Nil.
• 16th March – 1230 – Mr. H.V. TUCKER, Meteorologist, arrived on Temporary duty from No. 41 SFTS., WEYBURN, and left for No. 1 CNS., RIVERS, on the 19th. after inspecting the Met. services on this Station.
  – 1650 – F/O. G.P.H. MILLER (C4469) L.T., arrived on posting from No. 10 SFTS.
  – 2340 – F/O. C. BASS (88927) A&SD., left on posting to No. 34 SFTS.
  No flying, blizzard continues.
  Maximum possible flying hours – Nil.
  – 17th March – 1800 – F/L. W.A. McCALLUM (C3652), Command Fire Prevention Officer,
  arrived on temporary duty from No. 2 M.D., BRANDON, and left on 19th.
  A. P.S.I, meeting was held today, at which a report of satisfactory financial position of the Concert Party after its Winnipeg performances was heard
  and approved. Possibilities of an early commencement of the Soccer season, and the probable difficulties of obtaining sports equipment, were discussed.
  Bad weather continues, consequently there was no flying.
• 18th March – 1530 – F/L. G.F. EMERTON-COURT (76401) A&SD, left on posting to No. 31 P.D., MONCTON.
  The pupils were kept indoors for extra lectures, organized games and P.T.
  Aerodrome u/s – No flying.
• 19th March – 0900 – P/O. J.P. McCREA (C20804) Signals, from No. 2 TC reported for temporary duty and left later in the day.
  Aerodrome u/s – No flying.
• 20th March – Blizzard conditions and a u/s aerodrome, which have made flying impossible since 14th March, have passed and every endeavour is now being made to remove heaped snow from the aerodrome and recommence
  flying in the near future. All courses have dropped behind schedule. During the week aircraft serviceability averaged 61%.
• 21st March – 1500 – S/L. H.M. ROBERTSON DFC (G.D.), F/L. A.R. POVEY (G.D.), Chief
  Ground Instructor, and F/O. I.R.A. McCALLUM (G.D. – Nav. B) proceeded on temporary duty to No. 2 TC to attend a navigation conference. Returned 0030 hours 23rd March.
  – 1630 – S/L. E.J. STANLEY, Senior Administrative Officer, left for a two-day conference at No. 2 TC and returned on the 24th.

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CARBERRY.

• 22nd March – A local trade test board assembled in the Maintenance Wing to examine for reclassification sixty-one fitters IIA and E, F.M.As, F.M.Es, Inst. Reps., carpenters and a tailor.
  Maximum possible flying hours – 24, but condition of aerodrome was such that only A.T.S. (advanced Courses 70 and 72) were able to fly.
• 23rd March – 1415 – The C.O. addressed all married airmen whose wives and families are in Canada in the Recreation Hall, concerning the advisability of “insuring themselves against adverse financial circumstances”. He also spoke on the benefits of the C.O’s Fund.
  All living-out Cpls. and ACs were addressed by the P.A.M.C. and given the opportunity of purchasing one meal a day in the Airmen’s Mess on a monthly basis. Without exception, the airmen declined to avail themselves of the proposed system.
  F/O. K.R. STOKER (GD) was taken by ambulance to No. 2 M.D., BRANDON, for specialist’s examination and returned the same day.
  – 1900 – F/L. P.M. BOULTON (40286) visited the Unit from AFHQ to address flying personnel on G.R. Courses. He left on 25th March by air for No. 12 SFTS.
  385 hours flown today. Hours fit for flying – 11. The rest of the 24 hours the aerodrome was u/s through slush.
  S/L. S.A. BROOKS (77796) Tech. “E”, proceeded on temporary duty to No. 2 TC and returned the same day.
  W/C. E.G.D. NATHAN (37360) GD, proceeded to No. 10 SFTS by air for G.C.M. duty and returned the next day.
• 24th March – 2030 – An Airmen’s Dance in the Recreation Hall was well attended. Lady partners came from Carberry and Brandon.
  The thaw continues; number of hours fit for flying – 6. Number of hours flown – 316.
• 25th March – 1400 – A Messing Committee Meeting was held in the Airmen’s Mess. There were no complaints about the food, and the meeting became a general discussion on kitchen organization, with many interesting points being raised.
  – 1600 – P/O. D. McLELLAN (ex 1562374) GD., reported on posting from No. 2 F.I.S.

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Carberry.

• 25th March (Cont.) – Rifle Club match v. No. 2 Manning Depot. BRANDON, in which the latter scored 1993 out of a possible 2000, and No. 33 scored 1986.
  Hours fit for flying – 6. Hours flown – 303.40.
• 26th March – Three Command audit Officers, who have been here since 13th March, left today.
  – 1330 – A pupil pilot, whilst trying to take up his position in formation, misjudged his distance and hit the leading aircraft, damaging the inside wing of each machine. Both aircraft immediately made satisfactory landings. Damage was “C.7” and “C.5” respectively. The log book of the pupil concerned was endorsed for “inexperience” and “error of judgement”.
  Hours fit for flying – 24.
• 27th March – Weather deteriorating. Cloudy with occasional light snow. Night flying cancelled. During the week flying training was further hindered by the unserviceability of the aerodrome, due to the previous week’s blizzards.
  Aircraft serviceability figures naturally improved; 79% of the total being fit for flying training. Permission has been received to pass out the senior course, No. 70, on 120 hours schedule.
  2350 P/O. M.B.W. LOTHIAN (ex 1392311) GD., arrived on posting from No. 31 OTU for Staff Pilot duties.
  Number of hours fit for flying – 11.
• 28th March – Seventy-five u/t Air Bombers arrived from MONCTON today, having recently come from the United Kingdom. They are to be ‘usefully employed’ until such time as they can be taken into a B. & G. School. Their arrival gives great joy to all sections that having been crying out for extra help.
  The “Curvettes” Concert Party came from Winnipeg, and entertained in the Recreation Hall. It was an all-female party, and their efforts were much appreciated by the nearly all-male audience.
  There was no flying today, the aerodrome being u/s. Pupils and instructors went to the morning Church Service.
• 29th March – Weather was fair again. The temperature was above freezing point, and there was something like “spring” in the air. Number of hours fit for flying – 8.
• 30th March – On the “Notices” page of D.R.O.s today appeared the following item – “Found – One Upper set False teeth. Owner apply to Guardroom”.
  F/L. G.W. SALTER (41325) GD left on posting to No. 31 P.D., MONCTON.
  Today 521 hours were flown, this being only five short of the record.

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CARBERRY.

• 31st March – S/L. J.W. ROBERTS (C1734), Accts., arrived from No. 2 T.C. on temporary duty and proceeded the same day to No. 10 SFTS., DAUPHIN.
  The Station Magazine “GEN” was on sale at Pay Parades and Canteens today.
• 31st March – Total aircraft hours for MARCH, 1943. – 6,000.17 hours.
  AIRCRAFT STRENGTH:

		Number
Anson II		107
	– Servicable	51
	– Unserviceable	50
	– Not Available	6

• PERSONNEL STRENGTH:

	Officers	Other Ranks	Civilians
RAF	85	848	–
RCAF	4	77	–
RNZAF	3	–	–
CDC	1	2	–
RCASC	1	3	–
CPC	–	3
Civilians	2	–	68
Trainees
RAF	–	214	–
RCAF	–	2	–

• (T.B. BRUCE) Group Captain,
  Commanding No. 33 S.F.T.S.,
  R.A.F., CARBERRY, Manitoba.