Daily Diary

No. 33 Service Flying Training School,
Carberry, Manitoba

March 1944

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 1292

CARBERRY 1944

• 1st MARCH – Snowy conditions restricted the hours fit for flying to a possible twelve.
  A very successful Station Dance was held in the Drill Hall. Approximately 400 couples danced to the music of two bands in the Drill Hall, which had been effectively decorated for the occasion.
  Partners were provided from BRANDON, NEEPAWA, CAMP SHILO and CARBERRY.
  Running buffets were provided in the Airmen’s, Sergeants’ and Officers’ Messes.
  The dance was attended by Group Captain and Mrs. J.S.T. FALL. All personnel behaved in an exemplary manner, and there were no incidents of any kind.
• 2nd MARCH – Continued adverse weather restricted hours fit for flying to twelve.
  An exhibition snooker match was played between Officers and Airmen.
• 3rd MARCH – The maximum number of hours were fit for flying.
  The Station Badminton Club met in the Station Drill Hall.
• 4th MARCH – Weather conditions restricted the hours fit for flying to ten.
  A lightning snooker tournament was held in the Airmen’s Lounge.
• 5th MARCH – Aircraft serviceability 85.8%.
  The Station was visited by Flight Lieutenant C. PULESTON (A&SD), R.A.F. Liaison from A.F.H.Q.
  Good attendances were reported at the various Church Services.
  The evening gathering at the “Fireside Hour” was representative of most of the Sections of the Stations.
• 6th MARCH – Adverse weather still persisted, only six hours being fit for flying.
  An ice-hockey match was played on the main Station outdoor rink between Maintenance Wing
  “B” and the Officers’ Mess. Result;- M.W. “B” – 4; Officers – 3.
  A recorded session of popular jazz tunes was held in the Airmen’s Lounge.
• 7th MARCH – No flying possible owing to continued adverse weather conditions.
  The Weekly Fellowship Meeting was conducted by the Padre.
  Two Sections played off their Station Bowling League games.
  F/L. E.V. FRYE (Tech) reported on posting from No. 35 S.F.T.S.

IMAGE 1293

CARBERRY, 1944

• 8th MARCH – Improved weather resulted in the maximum number of hours being fit for flying.
  A concert of recorded classical music by the Station Music Club was given in the G.I.S. Block this evening.
  A Dance was held at R.l., PETREL, for R.l. personnel only, and was greatly enjoyed by the Assembled company.
• 9th MARCH – Two category “D” accidents occurred today:-
  (i) A/C.8468, piloted by a pupil, swung after landing and ran into rolled snow on the runway.
  (ii) A/C.J.S.20l, piloted by a pupil, nosed over after wheels stuck in snow whilst taxying.
  A “Wings” Parade was held this afternoon, the Commanding Officer presenting wings to 49 graduates of No. 92 Course. A graduation dinner was given for the successful graduates and their friends. The guest of honour was Group Captain J.S.T. FALL, DSC., AFC.
• 10th MARCH – Today was the effective graduation date of No. 92 Course. The original course intake was 71.
  The disposition was:-
  Graduates:To
  • No. 1 G.R.S. 7
  • No. 32 O.T.U. 5
  • No. 1 “Y” Depot 3
  • No. 2 F.I.S. 3
  • No. 31 P.D. 31
  • TOTAL:- 49
  • Six graduates were commissioned. The disposition of those failing to graduate was:-
  • Course transfers 9
  • Training discontinued 12
  • Deceased 1
• 11th MARCH – Adverse weather restricted the hours fit for flying to one.
  F/O. M.J. CREIGHTON (GD) – No. 55047 – proceeded on posting to No. 31 B. & G.S.
  The Sergeants’ Mess held a very successful dance. G/C. & Mrs. J.S.T. FALL attended.
• 12th MARCH – Aircraft serviceability:- 78.9%.
  A category “D” accident occurred today, A/C. No. JS.213, piloted by an instructor, struck unidentified object whilst low flying.
  32 O.R’s proceeded on posting to No. 31 P.D., MONCTON, on completion of tour of duty in this Command.

IMAGE 1294

CARBERRY, 1944

• 13th MARCH – The maximum number of hours were fit for flying.
  S/L. C.W. WESTCOTT (Tech.E.) proceeded on posting to No. 31 P.D.
  F/L. H.M. WHIMSTER (W. & B.) – No. C5861 – reported on posting from No. 11 S.F.T.S.
  A recorded session of popular jazz, tunes was held in the Airmen’s Lounge.
• 14th MARCH – The Station was visited by the RAF Central Trade Test Board, who examined airmen candidates for remustering and reclassification.
  The Station Badminton Club met in the Drill Hall.
• 15th MARCH – The maximum number of hours were fit for flying.
  P/O. I.G. McCOMBIE (GD) – No. 154505 – reported on posting from No. 1 F.I.S.
  A recorded concert of classical music was given by the station Music Club; the concert was well attended.
• 16th MARCH – Adverse weather restricted the hours fit for flying to eleven.
  The Station Basketball League met in the Drill Hall.
  An exhibition snooker match was played in the Airmen’s Lounge – Corporals v. Airmen.
• 17th MARCH – The maximum number of hours were fit for flying.
  A category “D” accident occurred, involving aircraft No. 11196, pupil landed with a/c retracted.
• l8th MARCH – The maximum number of hours were fit for flying.
  F/L. D. WHITTAKER (W. & B.) – No. C.10548 – proceeded on posting to No. 3 B. & G.S.
  P/O. J. CALVER (G.D.) – No. 171566 – reported on posting from No. 36 S.F.T.S.
  A lightning snooker tournament was held in the Airmen’s Lounge.
• 19th MARCH – Aircraft serviceability 67.79%.
  Adverse weather restricted the hours fit for flying to six.
  The usual Fireside Devotional Hour was held in the Airmen’s Lounge.

IMAGE 1295

CARBERRY, 1944

• 20th MARCH – A category “A” accident occurred at approximately 1245 hours today, six miles south-east of PRATT. A/c. 8459, piloted by the instructor, 1804343 Sgt. MCNEIL, R.W., and containing AUS.8776 LAC. ROGERS, H.F. and AUS. 56595, LAC MASON, J.K., pupil pilots, crashed whilst on low flying exercise. The occupants received multiple injuries, medical aid was immediately despatched from the Station hospital, the casualties being conveyed later to Deer Lodge Hospital.
  An inter-section ice-hockey match was played between S.H.Q. and the Officers’ Mess.
• 21st MARCH – The maximum number of hours were fit for flying.
  A meeting of the Station Fellowship was held in the Padre’s Office,
• 22nd MARCH – The Badminton Club met in the Drill Hall. Personnel at R.I., PETREL, held a very successful dance, which was limited to PETREL personnel partners were provided from the surrounding district.
  The guests of honour were Group Captain and Mrs. J.S.T. FALL.
• 23rd MARCH – Hours fit for flying were restricted to 19.
  The Officers met the airmen in an exhibition snooker match played in the Airmen’s Lounge.
• 24th MARCH – The maximum number of hours were fit for flying.
  An “Open Night” was held at the Carberry indoor skating rink for personnel of the Station.
• 25th MARCH – A lightning snooker tournament was held in the Airmen’s lounge.
  A very successful dance was held in the Officers’ Mess; the function was attended by many out-of-town guests, and was acclaimed as one of the most enjoyable dances held on this Unit.
• 26th MARCH – Aircraft serviceability was 81.3%.
  F/O. R.G. MORGAN (GD) – No. 152476 – reported on posting from No. 39 S.F.T.S.
  The “Fireside Hour” met in the Airmen’s .Lounge.
• 27th MARCH – Hours fit for flying were restricted to 10.
  F/O. F.W. STONE (GD) – No. 151040; P/O. J.F. BROOKE (GD) – No. 155144; F/O. A.D. ROBERTSON (GD) – No. 151039 reported on posting from No. 39 S.F.T.S.
  P/O. H.L. STANSFIELD (GD) – No. 154136, and P/O. P. NEEDHAM (GD) – No. 154109 reported on posting from No. 31 A.N.S.
  A recorded session of popular jazz tunes was held in the Airmen’s Lounge.
• 28th MARCH – The maximum number of hours were fit for flying.
  The Station Badminton Club met in the Drill Hall.
  League games were played by the Station Bowling League.

IMAGE 1296

CARBERRY, 1944

• 29th MARCH – An Inter-Station League Ice-hockey game was played between Maintenance Wing and Officers’ Mess.
  The Station Music Club met in the Pupils’ Lounge, where a concert of recorded classical music was enjoyed by an appreciative audience.
• 30th MARCH – The maximum number of hours were fit for flying.
  The Station was inspected by A.V-M. T.A. LAWRENCE, Air Officer Commanding No. 2 Training Command, who was accompanied by staff officers.
• 3lst MARCH – Adverse weather restricted hours fit for flying to 9.
  F/L. A.M. COOK (GD), No. 129575, and F/O. J. PAGE (GD), No. 152045, proceeded on posting to No. 31 A.N.S.
  TOTAL FLYING HOURS FOR MONTH OF MARCH, 1944:- 6860.25 hours.
  STRENGTH:
  (a) AIRCRAFT:

		Number
Anson II		118
	– Servicable	89
	– Unservicable	28
	– Not Available	1

• (b) PERSONNEL:

	Officers	Other Ranks	Civilians
RAF	128	853	–
RCAF	5	61	–
RNZAF	–	–	–
RAAF	–	–	–
RCADC (CDC)	1	2	–
RCASC	1	2	–
CPC	–	3
Civilians	3	–	64
Trainees
RAF	5	285	–
RCAF	–	–	–
RNZAF	–	3	–
RAAF	–	9	–

• (J.S.T.) Fall) G/C.,
  O.C. No. 33 S.F.T.S.