Daily Diary

No. 33 Service Flying Training School,
Carberry, Manitoba

May 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.

IMAGE 1207

Carberry.

• 1st May, 1943
  STRENGTH – PERSONNEL AND AIRCRAFT.
  “A” 

	Officers	Other Ranks	Civilians
RAF	85	909	–
RCAF	5	67	–
RNZAF	3	–	–
CDC	1	2	–
RCASC	1	3	–
CPC	–	3
Civilians	2	–	68
Trainees
RAF	1	202	–
RCAF	–	1	–
RNZAF	–	–	–

“B” AIRCRAFT.

		Number
Anson II		110
	Serviceable	75
	Unserviceable	30
	Unavailable	5

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CARBERRY. 1943

• 1st May – The Fourth Victory loan at the Unit now stands at $2,900.00.There appears to be no doubt that the quota of $6,000.00 will be achieved if not passed. Course No.74 were on ground examinations for three days, and thus fell slightly behind in training, but the remaining courses maintained good progress. Aircraft serviceability was 65.8%; Flying times advanced Training Squadron 802.55 hours – Intermediate Training Squadron 1,035.8 hours.
• 2nd May – 50 Airmen and one Officer arrived to form Course No.80. Ten from 34 EFTS, Assiniboia, and 40 from 35 EFTS, Neepawa. F/O HORSLEY. R. (DFC) was the officer pupil from Neepawa. Eight Airmen due to attend the course are detained at Neepawa owing to sickness.
• 3rd May – The eight airmen detained at Neepawa, arrived at this unit today, and were attached to Course No.80, which commenced training today. Weather conditions improved considerably over the previous two days and good progress was made in training. The Inter Hut Football League commenced today and also an airmen’s- Snooker Tournament.
• 4th May – Wing Commdr. G.B. NATHAN, Chief Instructor, left on C.F.S. Course at Trenton, Ont: The Fourth Victory Loan now stands at $3,700.00. A current Affairs Discussion Group has been started, and also Self Improvement Classes, both of which are making excellent progress. A free YMCA film was shown at the Station Hospital, and the Semi Final of the Station Bowling League was held. The small Bore Rifle Club is open tonight to living-out personnel and their wives.
• 5th May – Flight Lieut. K.P. JONES, posted to 31 GRS, Charlottetown. Victory Loan to day reached $7,050.00. Whilst starting an aircraft today the Port Oleo Leg collapsed. There were no injuries. Pupil had carried out the necessary check before the ground staff started the Port Engine. An Athletic Club was formed this evening. The Commanding Officer’s Parade was held this morning.
• 6th May – Squadron Leader D.R. JACKSON, AFHQ, Squadron Leader W.K. CORKHILL, No.2, T.C., Squadron Leader R.F. MAGGS (Accts) and Flight Lieut. W.A. PITHIE (Accts) arrived on temporary duty. Weather today was unsettled, and training was restricted.
• 7th May – Weather improved today, and good progress was made in training. Aircraft serviceability 70.1%. The week has been very favourable for training, in spite of unsettled weather.
• 8th May – Victory Loan today reached 13,2500,00. Weather today was good, and progress maintained.
• 9th May – A combined Commanding Officer’s and Church Parade was held this morning. Weekly flying times advanced Training Squadron 1,158.35 hours. Intermediate Training Squadron 662,55 hours. Flying Officer D.E. PROUDLOVE posted to No.31, P.D., Moncton.

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Carberry, 1943

• 10th May – Squadron Leader R.L. BENNETT, Squadron Leader W.B, SCARTH, M.C., Squadron Leader J.H. CRAWFORD, & Flight Lieut. LOWRY arrived as members and prosecuting Officer of a District Court Martial to be held at this unit tomorrow 11th May. A Bridge Match was held in the Airmen’s Lounge – Officers v Airmen, with the Officers successful. The weather was extremely bad, and no flying was possible.
• 11th May – D.C.M. was held today. The weather was again poor and training was again restricted.
• 12th May – Commanding Officer’s Parade was held this morning. Squadron Leader W.G. WALKER & Flight Lieut. H. HORTON, arrived on Temporary duty from Ottawa. Weather today was good and considerable progress in training was possible. A shooting match with No. 12, SFTS, took place, and an airmen’s dance was held in the Recreation Hall.
• 13th May – Victory Loan today reached $8,100.00. Weather was good, and training thus benefited considerably. Slight accident to aircraft Port Tyre burst on landing, and starboard oleo collapsed, leaving the aircraft resting on the starboard Mainplane. Pupil was uninjured. (Cat.B). Inter-hut football games were held and the Officer’s Mess played the Senior N.C.O.’s and Security Guard at Softball.
• 14th May – Weather good and training uninterrupted.
• 15th May – Weather again good and progress in training was maintained. The meal ticket system for living out personnel was introduced on this Unit.
• 16th May – Combined Commanding Officer’s and Church Parade held this morning. Training continued uninterrupted in the afternoon. The Hydro Victory Troupe of Winnipeg gave an excellent concert in the Recreation Hall.
• 17th May – Another good day for training. No.965298 Sgt. MUIR, Clerk G.D. commissioned and posted to No.33, A.N.S. HAMILTON. Flying time for the week; Advanced Training Squadron – 1,068.30 hours. Intermediate Training Squadron 878.15 hours. All four courses have maintained or strengthened their position. Aircraft serviceability continues to be favourable, but it is expected to decline because of major inspections, Serviceability 63.4%.
• 18th May – Weather good and training progressed. Cinema matinee was given in the Recreation Hall to personnel engaged on night duties. The Boxing Team are now active again, & fixtures are in the course of arrangement.

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CARBERRY.

• 19th May./43 – Commanding Officer’s Parade was held this morning. Progress in Flying Training was maintained. Flying Officer J. FARRELLY and three other Officers arrived on posting from No. 2, F.I.S., VULCAN. Flight Lieut. FURRIER, Command W.&.B. Officer reported on Temporary Duty. A shooting match with No.12. SFTS and No.2 M.D. BRANDON, was held and also football matches versus A.15 SHILO, at SHILO, and No.2, M.D., BRANDON was held at CARBERRY.
• 20th May – An accident occured at this Unit at Approx: 15.30 hours today. No.1558416 Sgt. SMITH, Instructor, and No.1620260 LAC. TUCKER, Pupil, were both seriously injured and admitted to Station Hospital. The next of kin were informed. The cause of the crash was obscure, and the pilot’s report is not yet available. The Fourth Victory Loan at this unit closed at $23,000.00 as against an original quote of $5,000,00; over 450% of the original estimate. The Station Bowling League and the Athletic Club are both flourishing and the self-improvement classes are well attended. The Rip Cords concert party are also busily engaged with their next production. Pilot Officer H.E. HOWARD, A.&.S.D. was commissioned at this Unit. Free Y.M.C.A. film show was given in the Station Hospital.
• 21st May – Squadron Leader E.W.L. SHARPE, and Flight Lieut. L. DAWSON, A.I.B., arrived from No.2, T.C. to investigate the cause of the accident to Anson aircraft No. II F.P.,999. Good weather throughout the week enabled all courses to gain more time. Aircraft serviceability 61.5% of aircraft available for flying training.
• 22nd May – Weather was good and progress maintained. Sgt. SMITH & LAC. TUCKER injured in crash on May 20th were removed from the seriously ill list, and next of kin informed accordingly.
• 23rd May – Combined Commanding Officer’s and Church Parade was held this morning. Weather was good, and training continued at mid-day. The Trumpet Call Revue from WINNIPEG gave an excellent performance in the recreation hall.
• 24th May – Weather today was poor, and flying training was very much restricted. Flying times for the past week: Advanced Training Squadron 1,464.50 hours. Intermediate Squadron: 1,201.50 hours. The final of the airmen’s Snooker Championship was held in the airmen’s Lounge and Officer’s v Senior NCO’s Bridge Match in the Officer’s Mess. The Y.M.C.A. Travelling Art Exhibition of original etchings etc. is on display all this week in the airmen’s lounge.
• 25th May – The weather today again restricted flying training. First round of the Station Badminton Championship was held. Softball match v No.12, SFTS at BRANDON, and Officers’ v Airmen Snooker match in the airmens’ lounge. Squadron Leader J.W. ROBERTS, Command Accountant visited this unit.
• 26th May – Commanding Officer’s Parade was held this morning. Weather was greatly improved, and good progress made in flying training. Squadron Leader LANGFORD, No.2, T.C. and Flying Officer SPIGELMAN, AFHQ. Visited this unit. The visiting aircraft belonging to Communications Flight, WINNIPEG, Piloted by S/L LANGFORD, landed with the undercarriage retracted.

IMAGE 1211

CARBERRY.

• 26th May./43 – Mechanical defect of Port Undercarriage failed to lower. Football match was
  Continued played v No.12, S.F.T.S. BRANDON, at BRANDON, and the Station Dance was held in the
  Recreation Hall.
• 27th May – AIR VICE MARSHAL D. COLYER, C.B., D.F.C., (D.G.P.S) R.A.F., AIR MINISTRY, LONDON, arrived and inspected this unit. Course No.74 Graduated today, and flying Badges were presented at a Ceremonial Parade by A.V.M., D. COLYER, C.B., D.F.C., who afterwards took tea in the Officers’ Mess with the Officers and their wives. 46 Pupils graduated, with an average of 151 hours per pupil. Disposition:- 17 to No.31, P.D, MONCTON, 6 to No.3, F.I.S., ARNPRIOR, 8 to No.2, F.I.S., PEARCE and 16 to No.31 G.R.S., CHARLOTTETOWN. Softball was played against Camp SHILO at CARBERRY, and a free Y.M.C.A. film was shown in the Station Hospital.
• 28th May – Weather again was good, and progress maintained. No.76 Course were on examinations for three full days and have lost ground, but Course No.78 and 80 were both well ahead on schedule in spite of slightly unsettled weather conditions. The aircraft situation continues to be favourable, and the serviceability was 68.2%.
• 29th May – No .1060392 Flight Sergeant B. FORD appointed to Commission in G.D. Branch. The weather was good, and the progress in flying training was continued. Flying times for the past week:- Advanced Training Squadron: 279.40 hours, Intermediate training Squadron, 806.35 hours.
• 30th May – Combined Commanding Officer’s and Church Parade was held this morning. The weather was unsettled, and training was restricted.
• 31st May – The weather was good, and progress improved. Squadron Leader A.C. HULL, Flight Lieutenant CHALLER, FLIGHT Lieutenant F.D. McKECHNIE, and Flight Lieutenant J.H. YOUNG of Visiting Flight reported this unit. Captain A.B. KAUKINEN, C.D.C., reported on temporary duty from No.2, M.D., BRANDON, vice Captain MARQUIS, – admitted to Station Hospital. Flying Officer F.J.L. MORGAN, P.T. & Drill, returned from Course at TRENTON. Flight Lieutenant. J.E. JACKSON reported on posting from No. 3, F.I.S. ARNPRIOR. “Gen” Magazine issued today.

IMAGE 1212

Carberry. 1943

• 31st May – 2359 – 
  “A” STRENGTH – PERSONNEL AND AIRCRAFT.

	Officers	Other Ranks	Civilians
RAF	101	953	–
RCAF	6	67	–
RNZAF	3	–	–
CDC	2	3	–
RCASC	–	3	–
CPC	–	3
Civilians	–	–	68
Trainees
RAF	1	232	–
RCAF	–	–	–
RNZAF	–	4	–

“B” AIRCRAFT

		Number
Strength		106
	– Servicable	64
	– Unservicable	42
	– Not Available	3

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

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OUR FILE S.1-5-33S (03)
REF. YOUR S.24-5-S (DSD)
DATED 2nd July, 1943.

ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE
Winnipeg, July 15th, 1943.

S E C R E T The Secretary,
Department of National Defence for Air,
Lisgar Building,
Ottawa, Ontario.

Daily Diary – No. 33 S.F.T.S., – May, 1943.
1. Herewith information as requested
in your above referenced letter.
2. The total number of hours flown
at No. 33 S.F.T.S. during the month of May was
7780.10.

B.J. Gorby F/O
(B.J. Gorby) F/O
for A.O.C., No. 2 T.C.

R.C.A.F. G. 22H.-820M-7-42(2450)-H.Q. 885-G-22H