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Heritage Canada has provided, on line, jpg images of the daily reports (RCAF Form R.65) fromthe training schools of the BCATP.Volunteers of the CATPM are downloading these images, converting them to text using anoptical character reader, proof reading them and providing a searchable PDF to those interested.The internet link, the image number and the translation follows in date order.Typographical errors in the original images have NOT been corrected.

Should the reader have any questions about the content, please follow the LINK and IMAGEnumber provided and sort it out for yourself.

No. 5 Air Observers School, Winnipeg.

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HISTORY OF FORMATION

No. 5 Air Observer School, Royal Canadian Air Force, located at Stevenson Field, Winnipeg,Manitoba, was the fifth Observer School to be opened under the British Commonwealth AirTraining plan and the first Observer School in operation within No. 2 Training Command. Thepolicy of the school is to train 126 Air Observers in a Navigation and Reconnaissance course. The course lasts 12 weeks and the school has an intake of 42 pupils every four weeks.

ESTABLISHMENT

The establishment of the School called for 13 Officers, consisting of the Chief SupervisoryOfficer, one Administrative Officer, and eleven instructors; 9 N.C.O.'s and 2 Aircraftmen. Theaircraft establishment of the School provides for 24 Avro Anson bombers.

January 6, 1941 0800 Hrs No. 5 Air Observer School officially opened with Flight Lieutenant H.G.Malcolmson as Chief Supervisory Officer, Flying Officer W. Marginson as Administrative Officerand Flying Officer R.H. Wilson, Pilot Officers G.G. Milne and G.K. Wynn as instructors. Also onthe strength of the Station at the opening were 7 N.C.O.'s, 2 Aircraftmen and Mr. J. J, Labelle,meteorological instructor. The Aircraft establishment on the opening day consisted of 7 AvroAnson bombers.

0900 Hrs Forty-two R.A.F. aircrew trainees received first lectures.

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Jan. 6, 1941 1630 Hrs Group Captain D.W.F. Bonham-Carter visited station and addressedtrainees.

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Jan. 7 1630 Hrs Two airman (Clerks) reported on posting from No. 2 Manning Depot,Brandon, Manitoba.

Jan. 8 0900 Hrs: Flying Officer V. Berg reported for duty as instructor on posting from No. 1Air Navigation School, Rivers, Man.

Jan. 9 1630 Two Airmen (Photographers) reported on posting from R.C.A.F. station, Ottawa.

Jan. 10 0900 Lieutenant F.E. Lundy (R.C.A.M.C) reported for duty as Medical Officer onposting from R.C.A.F. recruiting Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

W. Marginson F/O. for (Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R.C.A.F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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Jan. 11, 1941 1100 Hrs Squadron Leader Lea of Ottawa and Flying Officer E. Hammett,Auxiliary Officer, visited station at 1100 hours, making weekly inspection of Airmen's Recreationroom. 1430 Hrs Crash Wagon called by No. 8 Repair Depot and proceeded to scene ofaccident to Cessna Aircraft at Grosse Isle, Manitoba, in which one Officer and two civilians werekilled. M.O. Lieutenant F.E. Lundy proceeded by air.

January 12 Nil.

January 13 Under instructions from Wing Commander Critchley 7 pilots were tested by FlightLieutenant H.G. Malcolmson in the absence of a qualified instructor.

January 14 Flying Operations cancelled due to weather conditions.

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Jan. 15, 1941 1500 Hrs First pay parade of School. Flying Operations cancelled due to weatherconditions.

Jan. 16 0815 Hrs Flying operations commenced, 5 aircraft taking part and flying within a radiusof 140 miles East and West and 150 miles North and South of Winnipeg.Three pilots were tested by Flight Lieutenant Malcolmson.

Jan. 17 Flying operations carried out with five aircraft. 1200 Hrs Sir. W. Citrine, Air Commodore A.B. Shearer, Group Captain Grant, WingCommander Dickson and Mayor John Queen paid a brief visit.

1140 Avro Anson W-1656 flown by A.R. Snyder with three Observer trainees and Pilot OfficerG.K. Wynn, Navigator Instructor, landed with undercarriage almost fully retracted due to failureof mechanism. No injuries were sustained.

Jan. 18 Three aircraft took part in military cooperation exercises.


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Jan. 19 Flying Operations.

Jan. 20 0815 Hrs Two cases of German Measles reported. Eight contacts quarantined. 1700 Skating rink in operation. Ten pair of skates and boots donated by No. 2 TrainingCommand. R.A.F. airman find skating not as easy as it looks.

Jan. 21 Flying Operations. 0815 Hrs One more case of German measles reported. 1800 Hrs Flying Officer V.A. Margetts reported for duty as instructor on postingfrom No. 1 Air Navigation School, Rivers, Manitoba.

Jan. 22 0815 Another case of German measles reported.

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Jan. 22 (Cont’d) Flying Operations.


Jan. 24 1000 Hrs. One airman (STD. G.D.) reported on posting from R.C.A.F. Stn. Dartmouth. 1200 Hrs Squadron Leader J.E. Jellison reported on posting from No. 120 (BR)Squadron. Patricia Bay, B.C. to understudy duties of Chief Supervisory Officer, to besubsequently posted to No. 6 Air Observer School, Edmonton, on its opening.Flying Operations.

Jan. 25, Nil

Jan. 26 R.A.F. trainees taking a great interest in skating.

W. Marginson F/O. for (Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R.C.A.F.,

Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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Jan.27, 1942 One trainee admitted hospital with frozen feet.

Jan. 28 Flying Operations carried out with 10 aircraft.


Jan. 30 All Cases of German measles cleared up.Squadron Leader Jellison was checked out and qualified as 1st pilot on Avro Anson aircraft byFlight Lieutenant H.G. Malcolmson

Jan. 31 Wing Commander Wilson of Patricia Bay, B.C. paid a short visit to Station.

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Jan. 31, 1941 Total flying hours for month was 531.35 hours. Of this total 213.45 hours wasspent in instruction of trainees.Strength of station 9 Officers 18 Airmen 42 Trainees. Aircraft establishment 11 serviceable one unserviceable.


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1-2-41 Strength of Station:) Officers 9, Airmen 18, Trainees 84, Civilians 1 Aircraft: 12 Avro Anson

2-2-41 1000 Five Officers, instructors, reported on posting from No. 1 Air Navigation School,Rivers, Man. 0920 42 Trainees reported on posting from No. 1 Manning Depot, Toronto. Theseairmen all washed out pilots from E.F.T.S. and S.F.T.S. It is believed that these airmen weresent as an experiment in order to learn if they will make good air observers

3-2-41 0800 One officer, instructor, reported from No. 1 Air Navigation School, Rivers, Man. 0930 Three Medical Orderlies reported for duty on posting from No.l Manning Depot,Toronto.

4-2-41 1830 Two Trainees reported on posting from No. 2 Initial Training School, Regina,Sask. 1830 One airman, (M.M.M.T.), reported on posting from No. 2 Manning Depot,Brandon, Man. Air exercises carried out.

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5-2-41 0815 Air exercises cancelled due to weather conditions.Pilot Officer G.G. Milne (C.2676) married at Christ Church, Winnipeg, to Miss Marion Haywardof Regina, Sask.

6-2-41 Nil

7-2-41 Five Avro Anson took part in War Savings Drive, leaving Station at 1155 hours, information and returning at approximately 1300 hours. This formation flight considered quitegood a only two pilots had ever flown formation before. Visibility very poor from ground due toheavy smoke over city.

8-2-41 Nil

9-2-41 Flying exercises carried out with 11 aircraft Sunday morning.

10-2-41 S/L J.A. Laxdal paid visit to Station. Flying exercises carried out.

11-2-41 F.O. Hammett, Mr. McKenzie and Mr. Hall, Y.M.C.A. representatives visited Stationand inspected Airmen's Recreation room, etc. Flying exercises carried out.

Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R.C.A.F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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12-2-41 Nil

13-2-41 Nil

14-2-41 Pay Parade. A.O.C., Group Captain D.W.K. Bonham-Carter and other Staff Officersof No. 2 Training Command visited Station at 1715 hours. Officers of No. 5 A.O.S. held a smallcocktail party for some of the officers of No. 2 Training Command. This was considered annon-official opening.

15-2-41 Nil.

16-2-41 Nil.

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17-2-41 0915 One airman. Sergeant clerk reported on temporary posting to this Station. 1900 One airman photographer reported from No. 2 I.T.S., Regina.

18-2-41 18 Airman given complimentary tickets to Mikado. Air Exercises carried out.Temperature 30 below zero A.M. & P.M.

19-2-41 F.O. Iredale visited Station from No. 1 A.N.S. Rivers.

20-2-41 1020 F.O. Berg and P.O. Hutchinson loaned on Temporary Duty to #33 S.F.T.S.,Carberry, Man. reporting back to No. 5 A.O.S., Winnipeg, Man. March 14th for further postingto No. 4 A.O.S. Prince Albert. Departed by rail 1020 hours - above date via C.P.R.

21-2-41 Air Exercises carried out.

22-2-41 Avro Anson machines Nos. 6077 - 6081 - 6186 - 6074 - 6068 - 6091 - 6184 arrived atNo. 5 A.O.S. between 1710 and 1730 hours from No. 3 A.O.S., Regina. Officers accompaniedthese ships as well as Aircrew (trainees) and pilots. Obtained quarters for the night and all butship 6091 left for Regina Sunday morning February 23rd at 0930 hours. Party consisted of sixOfficers, fifteen Aircrew and seven pilots and two crews.


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23-2-41 Ship 6091 left No. 5 A.O.S. returning to No. 3 A.O.S., Regina.

24-2-41 Party was given by Officers of No. 5 A.O.S. to a number of Jewish business men inorder to thank these men for their contributions toward furnishing the Officers' mess.

25-2-41 Air Exercises carried out. 1630 Air Vice Marshal E.W. Stedman O.B.E., Group Captain R.J. Grant, WingCommander N.C. Pleasance and Wing Commander R.P. Cauthley visited No. 5 A.O.S. todiscuss aircraft maintenance problems. Air Vice Marshal Stedman apparently surprised that nocomplaints were made by the operating Company.

26-2-41 Nil

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27-2-41 Flying Exercises carried out.

28-2-41 Officers were challenged to a hockey game by the Canadian airmen. Game was playedat 1900 hours. The Officers took a severe beating from the Airmen by the score of 12 to 2. TheOfficers were assisted in their efforts by N.C.O.'s of the permanent staff. The game at times gotquite rough.Strength of Station: 13 Officers, 21 Airmen 86 Trainees 1 Civilian. Aircraft: 12 Avro Anson Aircraft serviceable.Flying Time for month. 996 hours 50 minutes. 915 hours and 35 minutes spent in instruction oftrainees.


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Feb.1/41 Strength - Personnel

STAFF - Officers, 9 Airmen, 18 TRAINEES - Airmen, 42

Feb. 3/41 Course No. 17 commenced with 42 Trainees

Feb.28/41 STRENGTH - AIRCRAFT Serviceable - 12 Avro Anson Unserviceable - NIL

STRENGTH - PERSONNEL

STAFF - Officers - 12

Airmen - 21

TRAINEES - Airmen - 86


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February 1 1941 Strength of this Station as of this date: Officers 9

Airmen Supervisory Staff 18

Trainees 42

Civilian 1

Total 70

February 28 1941 Strength of this Station as of this date: Officers 13

Airmen Supervisory Staff 21

Trainees 86

Civilian 1

Total 121

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March 1, 1941 Strength of Station as of this date: Staff. 13 R.C.A.F. Officers, 21 R.C.A.F.Airmen and 1 Civilian. Trainees: 47 R.A.F. Airmen and 39 R.C.A.F. Airmen. Total Strength ofUnit: 121. The W.A.O.S. Ltd. completed installation of Radio receivers for range reception in 12Avro Anson aircraft. Blackboards have been installed in two additional classrooms. Wirelesstable has been made up and installed in classroom in annex of No. 2 Hangar. Winterization hasbeen completed on several aircraft and one now in the process of being completed. FlightLieutenant H.G. Malcolmson, Chief Supervisory Officer, notified of his promotion to SquadronLeader. Twelve Avron Anson aircraft in service. Trainees, especially English lads, takingadvantage of ice rink. Health of Station is good. Courses 15 and 17 are working hard.

March 2 One additional aircraft has been winterized making a total of eight now winterized.nd

One more aircraft has had gun turret removed. This is the eight machine from which the gunturret has been removed.

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March 2, 1941 One Avron Anson on photography exercise flown by Pilot A. Snyder,accompanied by Flying Officer R.H. Wilson, Pilot Officer J.M. Morton and two airmen from thephotography section. This exercise, carried out in the vicinity of Winnipeg, lasted for a period oftwo hours.

Squadron Leader J.E. Jellison was a visitor at this School, arriving from No. 3 Air ObserverSchool, Regina, Sask., prior to his taking command at No. 6 Air Observer School, Prince Albert,Saskatchewan.

March 3 Flying Officer W. Hawkins and Flying Officer Shiers were visitors at this Station. Boththese officers appointed as instructors at No. 6 Air Observer School. 0900 Hrs. Eighteen R.A.F. Aircrew arrived for training from Halifax where theydisembarked on February 28th, leaving at l600 hours the same day for Winnipeg. 1330 Hrs R.A.F. Aircrew taken to No. 7 Equipment Depot for issue of clothing, etc.,the uniforms as worn by them on arrival at this School being very shabby and in poor condition. 1800 Hrs Twenty one R.C.A.F. aircrew arrived for training from No. 2 I.T.S., Regina. These trainees coupled with 18 R.A.F. trainees assigned Course No. 19. All airmen, on arrival,seemed very much impressed with set-up of Station.


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March 4, 1941 Squadron Leader J.E. Jellison and Flying Officer V.L. Berg proceeded by air toNo. 6 E.F.T.S. Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, to sit at Court of Enquiry. This Court of Enquirylooking into accident to Tiger Moth #4043. Group Captain Mercer was a visitor on this Station.Officers and N.C.O.'s of this Station defeated the Airmen of No. 8 Repair Depot by a score of 8to 2 in a friendly hockey game which was enjoyed by all concerned.

March 5 Normal routine. Air Exercises carried out. Weather cold and clear.

March 6 Flying Exercises carried out. Pilot Officer Low was a visitor on Station. This Officerengaged in educational work. Trainees taking advantage of the rink, a large number of the boysskating after supper.

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March 7, 1941 0830 Hrs. Squadron Leader Malcolmson proceeded by air to Portage la Prairiefor the purpose of taking over buildings from Contractors at No. 14 E.F.T.S. Flying OfficerWhite of Works and Buildings Dept., No. 2 Training Command accompanied Squadron LeaderMalcolmson on this trip. Two trainees of Course No. 17 failed monthly examinations. Onediscontinued training and one posted to Course No. 19.Group Captain Mercer was a visitor to this School. Two more Avro Anson aircraft, 9686 and9700, received at this Unit from McDonald Aircraft, Winnipeg. One aircraft, 1662, returned toMcDonald Aircraft for winterization. Three aircraft now equipped with generators and a starthas now been made on linking up cables for installation of transmitters.

March 8 lying Officer Berg returned to No. 5 A.O.S. from Prince Albert, and later in the day leftagain for Prince Albert, having been posted to No. 6 Air Observer School in that City. FlyingOfficer Shiers left this Station for No. 5 A.O.S. at Prince Albert. Weather clear with moderatetemperature prevailing.


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March 9,1941 Air Exercises carried out both morning and afternoon with five machines takingpart in each exercise.The health of the Station continues excellent.

March 10 Squadron Leader Jellison and Pilot Officer Lucas were visitors at this Station priorto going to Prince Albert and No. 5 A.O.S.Flying Officer Hawkins left for No. 5 A.O.S., having been posted to that Unit.Wastage - - One airman who failed in Course No. 17 posted to No. 2 Manning Depot, Brandon,leaving Winnipeg for Brandon by C.P.R. Train No. 3. This is the first failure.First night exercises carried out since School opened. Five Avro Ansons took part in thisexercise, leaving Station at 2000 hours and returning at 2300 hours.Weather overcast with scattered snow flurries.

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March 11, 1941 Station running normal.Night exercises carried out with "A" Flight taking part. Five aircraft took part with the firstexercise commencing at 1830 hours and the second at 2230 hours. Weather conditions good.

March 12 Pilot Officer Hutchinson, on loan to the R.A.F. at #33 S.F.T.S., Carberry forinstructional work, returned to this School

March 13 Pilot Officer Hutchinson posted from this Unit to No. 5 A.O.S., as Instructor.Night air exercises carried out, five machines taking part in first trip and ten in second.Weather conditions favourable, full moon and bright Northern Lights. Fifteen machines nowassigned to this Station, eleven being serviceable for night flying.All trainees working hard and very keen. Health on Station good.

March 14 Pay Parade held at 1240 hours.Wing Commander Godwin and Flying Officer Leitch were visitors for short time on Station.


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March 14, 1941 Flying Officer H.C. Anderson of No. 2 Training Command was a visitor onStation. This Officer, posted from Air Force Headquarters, Ottawa, as P.L.O. came out to getinside knowledge of Air Observer Schools. Flying Officer Anderson much impressed by set-uphere. Squadron Leader Malcolmson and Mr. V. Straith of Winnipeg Air Observer School flew toRivers, taking off at 0840 hours and arriving at Rivers at 1110 hours. The purpose of the visitwas to work out arrangements regarding night flying and elimination of collisions. Left Rivers at1320 hours, arriving back at No. 5 A.O.S. at 1450 hours.Fire aircraft took part in night air exercise on three hour trip. Weather fair and cold.

March 15 No flying exercises carried out. Severe storm developed during evening, windvelocity reaching 50 m.p.h. with temperature dropping from 28 above during the day to zeroaround 1900 hours. Several of our Trainees braved the inclement weather to take part in St.Patrick's dance sponsored by the R.C.A.F. and held at the Winnipeg Auditorium.

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March 15, 1941 Badminton Court erected in Work shop building. Officers, in their spare time,taking advantage of this fascinating game.

March 16 Temperature at 0700 hours - 12 below zero, ground drift and strong northerly wind.Night air exercises carried out, first flight taking off at 1915 hours and second flight at2330 hours. Exercises reduced in time slightly because of the cold weather.Machines serviceable - 14. Unserviceable - 1.

March 17 Weather clear and cold. Temperature 17 below at 0600 hours. Wind velocity 11.m.p.h. Sections 3 and 4, "B" Flight carried out night exercises, nine aircraft taking part. WingCommander Chalk, P.M.O. and Pilot Officer Low paid a visit to this Station. L.A.C. Dobbin,K.C.M. accompanied Croup Captain Bonham-Garter, and acted as Navigator on trip to PrinceAlbert in connection with opening of No. 6 Air Observer School.

March 18 Normal routine. Night air exercises cancelled due to weather conditions. FlyingOfficer V.A. Margetts promoted to Flight Lieutenant.


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March 19, 1941 All ships grounded for the day. Course No. 15 have air exercises completed.Weather mild. Temperature 20 above with snow flurries and south wind.

flight Lieutenant M. Baskerville, Flying Officer F. Tully and Flying Officer C. Leany of RecruitingCentre, Winnipeg, visited School to obtain information which would assist their duties inrecruiting aircrew. This visit was very beneficial for these officers. Work has commenced inraising the office partitions to the ceiling, thus eliminating much necessary noise in the G.I.S.Building.

March 20 0845 Hrs Map reading exercise carried out this morning, nine machines taking part inthe exercise.

March 21 Station running normal. Night air exercise washed out due to inclement weather.

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March 22 Two and a half inches of snow fell during the night with the temperature 29 abovezero. "A" Flight, consisting of R.A.F. Aircrew who were the first trainees at this School, heldtheir graduation dinner and dance at the Royal Alexander Hotel. The affair started off with a stagdinner, held at 1830 hours to which all Officers and N.C.O.'s, members of the Operating Companyand Pilots were invited, with Group Captain D.W.F. Bonham-Carter as guest of honor. Followingdinner, trainees graduating and guests took in the supper dance with their wives and lady friends. This affair was enjoyed by all present and was highly successful. F.O. Anderson and Mr. Ward ofthe Publications Section, Ottawa, were visitors on ths Station. Mr. Ward's visit was of an informalnature to look over the Station set-up.

March 23 Normal routine. Night air exercise. First flight left 1900 hours but second flightcancelled due to ground fog.

March 24 "A" Flight, R.A.F. Trainees who graduate this week, spent most of the day on theirdrill test.


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March 24, 1941 Mr. M. Smith of the C.B.C. news room, Winnipeg, was a visitor at this Station,spending some four hours gathering material for news broadcast, subject to approval by PressLiason Officer of No. 2 Training Command.

March 25, 1941 Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson admitted to St. Boniface Hospital for tonsiloperation. Flight Lieutenant V.A. Margetts assumes temporary command of this School, effectiveMarch 25th."A" Flight, graduating class consisting of 42 R.A.F. Aircrew who arrived at this Station onJanuary 6th from England, had their group photograph taken. They all appeared happy in viewof the fact that their examinations were all over and everyone has passed. L.A.C. Wagstaff had thehighest average, obtaining 1593 marks for an average of 88.05% per subject. Group Captain K.G.

Nairn, Director of Accounts, Ottawa, was a visitor on this Station while passing throughWinnipeg on way to Pacific Coast.

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March 25, 1941 Squadron Leader C.F. Newcombe a visitor on this Station while passingthrough Winnipeg on way to No. 11 S.F.T.S., Yorkton, Sask. Air Exercises carried out morningand afternoon. Night flight carried out at 1815 hours, nine aircraft conducting search for TigerMoth #4146 flown by L.A.C. F.F. Duff of No. 14 E.F.T.S., Portage la Prairie. This ship missingsince 0930 hours. The ten Ansons machines in air approximately 3 hours, returning at 2130hours. Section 4 of "B" Flight took part in the search, but no trace of the missing ship was found.

March 26 0520 Hrs Two aircraft took off to continue search for Tiger Moth plane which is stillmissing. Flying Officers R.H. Wilson and G.K. Wynn and "A" Flight Trainees took part in thesearch. 0930 Hrs Nine aircraft joined the search. All returned at 1130 hours with theexception of one which landed at Kenora and was grounded there due to weather conditions. Flying Officer G. Ross was in this ship. 2320 Hrs Word received that missing ship had been located in vicinity of MossLake. Afternoon and evening flights cancelled due to weather. 1635 Hrs. Very pleasing ceremony took place when Mr. Starratt, President ofWinnipeg Air Observer School Ltd., made a presentation of a wrist watch to L.A.C. Wagstaff forobtaining the highest marks in the Observer’s class just graduated.


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March 26 (Continued) All Officers and Trainees as well as representatives of the Winnipeg AirObserver School Ltd., attended this ceremony and Flight Lieutenant V.A. Margetts, Acting CO.,was introduced to Mr. Starratt. After presentation three hearty cheers were given for the winnerand the parade dismissed.

March 27, 1941 0845 Hrs Flying Officer Ross, pilot and two student Observers left Kenora andreturned to No. 5 Air Observer School, after being grounded at Kenora overnight while searchingfor the missing Tiger Moth 1445 Hrs Pilot of missing plane landed at this Station's hospital where he is resting. He appears none the worse after his experience. 1915 Hrs Five aircraft took part in night air exercise, returning at 2215 hours. Weather favorable. Squadron Leader Malcolmson expected to be discharged from Hospitaltomorrow after Tonsil operation. His condition is favorable.

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March 28, 1941 No flying took place this date. L.A.C. Duff, student pilot who had beenmissing, and was found in the vicinity of the Lake of the Woods, was discharged from StationHospital and left by plane for #14 S.F.T.S., Portage la Prairie.Squadron Leader H.C. Malcolmson, Chief Supervisory Officer of this School, discharged from St.Boniface Hospital today and granted sick leave.Flying Officer Bastien of Command Headquarters visited School and inspected Officer’s andAirmen's kitchens and Airmen's quarters.

March 29 Normal routine, no flying carried out.

March 30 1025 Hrs Forty two R.A.F. Trainees of Course #15 left, by R.C.A.F. Bus, for No. 3Bombing and Gunnery School, Macdonald, Manitoba. This was the first class to come to thisSchool and on leaving the boys expressed their appreciation and thanks for the good time theyhad had during their stay. All worked hard and passed their examinations.


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March 31, 1941 Section 6 with tee aircraft carried out afternoon air exercise.Sections 3 and 4 with four aircraft carried out night exercise. 0900 Hrs Twenty two aircrew from No. 1 I.T.S., Toronto and No. 1 Manning Depot,Toronto arrived at this School. All were R.C.A.F. trainees with the exception of one R.A.F.Airman. 1820 Hrs. Twenty two aircrew arrived here, eleven from No. 2 I.T.S., Regina and 11from No. 2 Manning Depot, Brandon. The 44 Airmen, grouped together, make up Course No.21, commencing March 31, 1941. Wing Commander Reid visited this School and discussedmatters affecting Security Guards and Station problems.Aircraft Strength as of this date: 13 Avro Anson Aircraft Serviceable, 3 Avro Anson AircraftUnserviceable.Strength of Station as of this date: Staff: 12 R.C.A.F. Officers, 22 R.C.A.F. Airmen and1 Civilian (Meteorological Instructor). Trainees: 102 R.C.A.F. Airmen and 24 R.A.F. Airmen.Total Strength of the Unit: 160 and 1 Civilian (Meteorological Instructor.) Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R.C.A.F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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April 1, 1941 PERSONNEL STRENGTH Staff

Officers R.C.A.F. 12

Airmen R.C.A.F. 22

Service Personnel Other than R.C.A.F. - Nil.

Civilian (Met.) Instructor 1

Trainees

Airmen R.C.A.F. 102

Airmen R.A.F. 24

Total 160 and 1 civilian.

AIRCRAFT STRENGTH

Serviceable Avro Ansons 16

Unserviceable Avro Ansons Nil.

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April 1, 1941 Normal routine. Flying exercise during morning washed out on account ofweather conditions. Section No. 6, with ten Ansons taking part, carried out air exercise inafternoon. No night flying.

April 2 No flying today owing to bad weather.

April 3 Ten aircraft of Section 5 "C" Flight carried out air exercise in morning. Ten aircraft ofSection 6 "C" Flight took part in afternoon air exercise.

April 4 Eleven aircraft with Section 3 of "B" Flight took part in air exercise.Eleven aircraft with Section 4 of "B" Flight carried out air exercise.Flight Lieutenant Birchall and Flying Officer Fowler were visitors at this Station.

Anson No. 6233, Pilot H Compton and two trainees all uninjured when undercarriage of planeretracted after landing with wheels fully down. The accident occurred at 1705 hours and thecause has not yet been determined.


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April 5 1000 Hrs. Three trainees posted back to No. 2 Manning Depot, Brandon, after failingin their examinations. No flying today. Weather dull, temperature 34° above zero. Link trainerarrived but has yet to be installed.

April 6 Normal routine. Day air exercises for Sections 3 and 4 with ten aircraft taking part.

April 7 Air exercises in morning started but after being in the air approximately one hour and tenminutes the planes were forced to return due to weather conditions. Light rain and heavy mistprevailed most of the day. Temperature 40° above zero.

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April 8 Air exercises cancelled due to bad weather. Flying Officer D.M. Lunan was a visitor atthis School, observing the method of cooperation between Civilian Company and R.C.A.F. Flying Officer Lunan is being posted to No. 7 Air Observer School as an Administrative Officer.

April 9 Weather clearing slightly.Sections 5 and 6 in ten aircraft took off this morning. Afternoon exercise carried out with elevenmachines taking part.

April 10 0900 Hrs. Flying Officer D.M. Lunan from No. 4 Air Observer School, RCAF,London, Ontario, reported for observation of Station methods, prior to being posted to No. 7 AirObserver School, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.Section 2 of "A" Flight with 10 aircraft carried out air exercise this morning. Air Exercise No. 2carried out in afternoon by Section 1 of "A" Flight.


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April 10/41 (Cont'd) Flight Lieutenant A.G. Goulding, D.F.C. M.C. was a visitor on thisStation. One airman from Course No. 19 ceased training.

April 11/41 Good Friday. Holiday for all ranks except skeleton staff.

April 12/41 0800 Hrs. All available aircraft took off on air exercises to catch up on flyingdelayed by bad weather. 1010 Hrs. One airman (C.I.T.) posted to No. 2 Manning Depot, Brandon. 1330 Hrs. All available aircraft took off on air exercise.

April 13/41 Air exercises carried out. Normal routine.

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April 14/41 0830 Air exercises carried out.

1330 Air exercises carried out.

1400 Flying Officer S.H. Pallett (C1861) reported for duty on posting from No. 1 Air Observer School, Malton, Ontario.

1815 Flying Officer F.G. Cooke, Navigation Instructor and one airman wireless instructor departed for No. 7 Air Observer School, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, on temporary duty subsequent to their posting to that School on opening date, April 28, 1941.

April 15/41 0900 Hrs. Pilot Officers H.C. Nixon (C3863). and H.M.S. Ferguson (C3680)reported for duty as Navigation Instructors on posting from No. 1 Air Navigation School, Rivers,Manitoba.

0900 Hrs. Final examinations for Course No. 19 commence.

1400 Hrs. Flight Lieutenant Vennette (Chaplain) visited School. 1415 Hrs. Group Captain W. Baker of No. 7 Equipment Depot visited School.

April 16/41 Normal routine. Air Exercises took place both morning and afternoon.


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April 17/41 Normal routine.

April 18/41 0930 One N.C.O. Reported from No. 2 Training Command to install new fire siren.

1500 Fire siren installed and tested.

1500 Board of Officers, composed of Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson, Flying Officer A.W. Davidson (C2563) (W & B) and Flying Officer J.M. Jamison (C1907) assembled to take over the steam heating plant for Hangars No. 1 and No. 2 and the Ground Instruction School building.

1700 Final examinations for Course No. 17 held.

1900 Graduation banquet and dance held at Royal Alexandra Hotel by Course No. 17

April 19/41 Normal routine.

IMAGE 495

April 20 One N.C.O. (S.P.) proceeded to No. 2 "A" Manning Depot, Penhold, Alberta, ontemporary duty subsequent to posting there on April 28 .th

April 21 Photo exercise with five machines taking part carried out for "B" Flight. "C" Flightcarried out usual navigational exercises.Squadron Leader Blane of No. 2 Training Command and Flight Lieutenant McDonald (RAF)visited this Station for routine observations. Flight Lieutenant McDonald is to be appointedC.S.Q. at No. 7 Air Observer School. Weather clear with moderate temperature.

April 22 "B" Flight, graduates of Course 17, carried out drill test. No flying due to weatherconditions.

April 23 Air Exercises carried out in morning and afternoon.Construction has started on Airmen’s Recreation building and Civilian Barracks. Claydon andCompany have been awarded contract for these buildings.


IMAGE 496

April 24/41 Graduating “B” Flight on a forty eight hour pass, prior to their posting from thisStation. Station grounds and vicinity being cleaned up in preparation for forthcoming visit of hisExcellency, the Governor General, the Earl of Athlone. Air Exercises carried out day and night.

April 25 The outstanding event to take place on this Station since the Schools’ opening was theofficial visit today of His Excellency The Governor General, the Earl of Athlone.1540 Hrs., His Excellency, accompanied by Air Commodore Shearer, Group Captain D.W.F.Bonham Carter, and Group Captain Grant arrived on this Station. Squadron Leader H.G.Malcolmson was introduced to the Governor General by Air Commodore Shearer, after whichHis Excellency proceeded to inspect the Graduating flight.A pleasing feature was the presentation, by His Excellency, of the Starratt Memorial Trophy, anavigational watch, to LAC Sharp, G.W. (RAF) who obtained 1605 marks out of a possible 1800.

IMAGE 497

April 25/41 (Cont'd) His Excellency took quite an interest in presenting the trophy andseemed pleased to hear that the home town of LAC Sharp was Dover, England. After thepresentation the Governor General and his party looked over the hangars and also paid a visit tothe Wireless Class who were studying at the time. The smart appearance of the graduating class

was very favourably commented upon. Among the civilian visitors present at this gatheringwere Mr. W.A. Straith, Operational Manager of the Winnipeg Air Observer School, Mr. H.S.Scarth, Vice-President and Director of the W.A.O.S., Mr. W.L. Clayton, Director and Mr. W.Benidickson, Treasurer.His Excellency and party spent approximately fifteen minutes on the Station, after which theyproceeded to Trans Canada Airlines for inspection of their properties.No flying carried out.Squadron Leader Birchall was a visitor at the Station.Weather moderately warm and clear. One airman from Course No. 17 failed and is to be posted toNo. 2 Manning Depot, Brandon. One airman was set back from Course 17 to Course 19. Thebalance of the class, forty in number, graduated. Graduating class turned in their equipmenttoday. The members of this class appear very happy and anxious to proceed to the Bombing andGunnery School at Fingal to complete their training.


IMAGE 498

April 26 1800 Hrs Forty aircrew, graduates of Course 17, left by C.N.R. for No. 4 Bombingand Gunnery School, Fingal, Ontario to complete their training. A large number of friends wereat the Depot to see them off. Pay parade was held in the morning for the graduating class.

April 27 Air Exercise carried out afternoon and evening. Summer-like weather prevailingtoday.

April 28 Air Exercises in afternoon and evening. 1900 41 R.A.F. Aircrew arrived on Station from No. 2 Manning Depot and assigned to Course No. 23. These trainees, arriving in Canada early in April, were moved directly from Halifax to No. 2 Manning Depot, Brandon. 42 trainees were scheduled for posting, but one was detained in the hospital at Brandon. He will report later. These boys speak well of the treatment they received whilst at Manning Depot and were anxious to commence their training as Observers.

IMAGE 499

April 29/41 Nine machines took part in low flying exercise this afternoon. During the past two weeks the airmen of this Station have been partaking in physical training at 0620 hours daily except Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 2045 Hrs. A very interesting lecture was given to the Officers of this Station on "Radio Range" by W.A. Straith of the Winnipeg Air Observer School. Night air exercises cancelled.

April 30/41 Eleven machines took part in afternoon air exercise.

Pay parade held at 1700 hours for airmenConstruction now well underway on new recreation room and Barracks for civilian employees.


IMAGE 500

PERSONNEL STRENGTH

Staff


Airmen R.C.A.F. 20

Service Personnel Other than R.C.A.F. Civilian (Met.) Instructor 1

Trainees

Airmen R.C.A.F. 62

Airmen R.A.F. 60

Total 156 and 1 Civilian

AIRCRAFT STRENGTH


Unserviceable Avro Ansons 1

Total 16


IMAGE 501

May 1, 1941

PERSONNEL STRENGTH

Staff


Airmen R.C.A.F. 20

Service Personnel Other than R.C.A.F. NilCivilian (Met.) Instructor 1

Trainees

Airmen R.C.A.F. 62

Airmen R.A.F. 60

Total 156 and 1 Civilian

AIRCRAFT STRENGTH


Unserviceable Avro Ansons 1

Total 16

Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out. Normal routine.

Weather becoming very warm and sultry.

IMAGE 502

May 2 Normal Routine. No flying on this date.nd

1400 Avro Anson W2217 received from McDonald Aircraft making total machines now 17. May 3 Nine Avro Ansons took off on morning air exercise. rd

1000 Squadron Leader Birchall visitor on this Station. 1300 Afternoon air exercise carried out.

May 4 0900 Avro Anson W.1637 carried the following to No. 19 E.F.T.S., Virden, Manitoba.th

Mr. L.H. Apedaile, Financial Advisor, Civil Schools, Office of Deputy Minister for Air. Mr. J.R. Morgan, Civil Manager No. 19 E.F.T.S., Virden, Man., Mr. C.W. Nicol of No. 14 E.F.T.S., Portage la Prairie, Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson, C.S.O. No., 5 A.O.S., Mr. W.A. Straith, Operations Manager of No. 5 Air

Observer School and Mr. Benedickson, Treasurer of No. 5 A.O.S. 1330 Nine aircraft took off on air exercise. 2039 Nine aircraft took off on air exercise.


IMAGE 503

May 4/41 Weather clear and warm with temperature around 85 degrees. Week end flying atStevenson Airport attracting large crowds of civilians. Traffic is becoming congested in thevicinity of Trans Canada Airlines. This is expected to continue during the summer months.

May 5 0900 Hrs Flight Lieutenant P. Knowles, A.F.C., R.A.F. was a visitor on Station. ThisOfficer on his way to No. 12 S.F.T.S., Brandon, from Kingston. He was very much interested inthe set up of our School and was happy to meet some of the R.A.F. trainees recently arrived fromEngland who are in course 23. 1330 Hrs Afternoon air exercise carried out. 1800 Avro Anson 2166 received from McDonald Bros., making a total of 18 aircraft, 15serviceable and 3 unserviceable. 2000 Hrs Large number of officers and airmen attended a public gathering at WinnipegAuditorium to hear Air Marshall W.A. Bishop, V.C. who was speaking under the auspices of theCanadian Club.

IMAGE 504

May 5/41 2015 Nine aircraft took off on night air exercise but aircraft returned in two hours dueto severe rain storm coming up. Weather very warm and sultry.

May 6 0830 Nine aircraft took off on air exercise. 1330 Nine aircraft took off on air exercise. Weather cool with showers.

May 7 No flying carried out either morning, afternoon or evening owing to adverseweather conditions: rain and snow, with temperature of 36° above zero with high winds.

May 8 Weather clearing with cold North wind. Temperature 34º at 0700 hours. Nine aircraft taking off on morning exercise, Eleven aircraft in afternoon exercise. Normal routine.


IMAGE 505

May 9 Station routine normal. Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out.

Weather moderating and becoming somewhat milder. Mr. Armorer of Ottawa was a visitorat this Station during late afternoon. No night flying exercises carried out.

May 10 Nine aircraft took off on morning exercises and eleven in afternoon. No night flying.

May 11 Flight Lieutenant V.A. Margetts, one N.C.O. and forty six airmen attended mass churchparade held in Assiniboine Park, service commencing at 0930 hours. This was the first churchparade airmen of this Station have attended. Bishop Wells was the Chaplain presiding and allbranches of the Service were in attendance. Weather was all that could be desired. Several unitsfrom No. 2 Training Command as well as the R.C.A.F. band attended this Church parade.Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out.

IMAGE 506

May 12/41 Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out. 1330 Hrs A party consisting of ten Salvation Army Officers visited the Station at1330 hours and were guided around the Station by the Station Adjutant. These Officers werevery interested in the B.C.A.T.P. and hoped that at some future date other Officers of theSalvation Army might be permitted to see the School.

May 13,41 Afternoon and night air exercises carried out. Weather very warm and clear. A smallparty of American citizens from Pembina, N.D. were on a sight-seeing tour of Winnipeg, andcircled the Station in the late afternoon. Party consisted of Chief Customs Officer W. Hansenand wife of Pembina, N.D., Mr. Blackorly, Principal of Pembina High School and three othergentlemen. The party was impressed by the general set up of the Station and thoroughly enjoyedtheir tour of the School.A party of young boys, members of the Model Aircraft Society, Winnipeg, in charge of Mr. FredFerguson, Secretary to Mayor Queen, toured the Station for an hour this evening. Flying OfficerWilson, an instructor at this School, gave the boys a short talk. This visit was enjoyed by allconcerned.


IMAGE 507

May 13/41 First game of baseball on this Station was played last night, Squadron LeaderMalcolmson and Officers taking part. The horse shoe pitch has been erected and the airmen aretaking every advantage of this outdoor game. A volley ball court is also in the making and thiswill be in operation within a few days.Three gardeners are working on the Station, cutting grass etc, and arranging for landscaping to bedone. This will create a very favorable appearance when complete with flower beds and lawns.

May 14 Normal routine.

Afternoon air exercise carried out. Night exercise cancelled due to inclement weather.

May 15 Two airmen failed in Course 21 and were posted to Composite School, leaving by theC.N.R., this date.

IMAGE 508

May 15/41 Afternoon and night air exercises carried out, nine aircraft taking part in eachexercise. Mr. Ryan, Minister of Defence for Alaska accompanied by his pilot landed at StevensonField. Their plane, a large Amphibian Drummond, was housed in No. 2 Hangar on this Station. Squadron Leader MacFarlane, Chaplain of No. 2 Training Command, was a visitor on thisStation, conferring with Squadron Leader Malcolmson on religious matters. One airman withscarlet fever taken to the hospital and four contacts isolated in the guard house. These are the firstscarlet fever cases since the School opened. One N.C.O. and one aircraftsman posted to No. 5Bombing and Gunnery School, Dafoe, Saskatchewan.

May 16/41 No flying carried out this date.Course 19 held their Graduation Banquet at the Fort Garry Hotel. This took the form of a dinnerand dance. Guests of the evening were Air Commodore and Mrs. Shearer. This event wasenjoyed by all present.

May 17/41 Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out. Three of four scarlet fever contacts in Guard House, caught Scarlet Fever and taken to IsolationHospital. No further suspects reported.


IMAGE 509

May 17/41 1245 Hrs Station Ambulance and Crash Wagon answered fire alarm at No. 8 RepairDepot where a fire in the hangar caused damage to three Tiger Moth aircraft. No assistance wasrequired from this Unit.

May 18 Normal routine. Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out. Weather extremelywarm, temperature 86° above zero.Flight Lieutenant V.A. Margetts posted to Dauphin today to take over Chief Instructor's post atNo. 10 S.F.T.S. F.O. Ross appointed acting Chief Instructor, filling the position vacated by Flt.Lt. Margetts.Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out. Heavy rain in afternoon. Airmen issued withsummer uniforms.A start has been made at laying out flower beds on Station. This should greatly enhance theappearance of the grounds.

IMAGE 510

May 20/41 Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out. 1130 Hrs Avro Anson No. 9700 had forced landing near Wawanesa, Manitoba. The landing was due to an air lock in the gas system. The pilot, P.W. Eberle, and two aircrew were uninjured. After being serviced, the aircraft was returned to Winnipeg. 1230 Signal sounded for crash of Fairey Battle aircraft while attempting take-off. The crashwagon and ambulance from this Station answered the call. The plane, belonging to No. 8 Repair Depot, was piloted by a Sergeant who was uninjured. Pilot Officers' Nixon and Ferguson promoted to be Flying Officers.

May 21/41 Five Avro Anson aircraft arrived at this Station from No. 1 Air Navigation School,Rivers on regular night navigation exercise. These planes were navigated by Sergeant Observerswho were former trainees at this School and who were in the first class to graduate from thisUnit.Two New Zealand and one R.C.A.F. aircrew posted to this Station from No. 2 Manning DepotBrandon, for continuance of air observer training.


IMAGE 511

Flight Lieutenant Emery of No. 2 Training Command was a visitor at this Station. Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out.All ranks, other than those engaged on flying exercises, attended a parade in which the BudStarratt Memorial Trophy was presented to LAC Hersey, R.A.F., for obtaining the highestaverage in the graduating class. Mr. W.A. Straith, Operations Manager of the W.A.O.S., madethe presentation.Pay parade was held immediately after the presentation for all members of Class 19, thegraduating class. Immediately after pay parade the class departed on a forty eight hour pass. Fiveaircraft took off for Rivers, returning to No. 1 Air Navigation School. These were the planeswhich had landed at this School the previous evening.

May 23 Squadron Leader Birchall a visitor at this School. Normal routine.

IMAGE 512

May 24/41 No flying carried out this date. Otherwise normal routine.

May 25/41 0830 Hrs. Ten aircraft took off for flight to Regina. All machines returned safely

from this trip between 1630 and 1730 hours.1000 Hrs. Trainees of Course 19 left No. 5 A.O.S, this morning for No. 3 Bombing and GunnerySchool, Macdonald, Manitoba., via RCAF bus. The weather today is very hot.

May 26 0900 Hrs. Forty-two trainees arrived from No. 1 Manning Depot and six trainees fromNo. 3 I.T.S., Victoriaville, Quebec, to commence training as Course 25. One R.A.A.F. and twoR.A.F, in the group, the rest being R.C.A.F.Morning and afternoon exercises carried out. Weather is very cold.

May 27 Morning air exercises carried out, but afternoon exercise cancelled because of inclementweather. Two airmen from Course 25 at this School posted to No. 7 A.O.S., Portage la Prairie torelieve crowding here.Mr. Press, a navigation instructor with the Winnipeg Air Cadets, was a visitor at this School


IMAGE 513

May 28/41 Morning air exercise carried out, but afternoon and evening cancelled due to weather.

May 29 Afternoon and early evening air exercises carried out.Flight Lieutenant Fowler and Flying Officer Leitch of No. 2 Training Command were visitors atthis School.

May 30 No flying this date. Routine normal.

May 31 Flying cancelled due to bad weather. Normal routine.

IMAGE 514

May 31 PERSONNEL STRENGTH

STAFF


Airmen R.C.A.F. 18

Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. Nil

Civilian (Met. Instructor) 1

TRAINEES

Airmen R.C.A.F. 84 Airmen R.A.F. 45

Airmen R.N.Z.A.F. 2

Airmen R.A.A.F. 1

Total Strength 163 and 1 Civilian

AIRCRAFT STRENGTH

Serviceable Avro Anson 20

Unserviceable Avro Anson Nil.


IMAGE 515

June 1. 1941 PERSONNEL STRENGTH Staff Officers R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 14 Airmen R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 20 Service Personnel Other than R.C.A.F.- NIL Civilian (Met.) Instructor - - - - - - - - - - - -1 Trainees Airmen R.C.A.F.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 84 Airmen R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 44 Airmen R.A.A.F.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 Airmen R.N.Z.A.F.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2

Total R.C.A.F. Strength - 162 Total Civilian Strength - 1

AIRCRAFT STRENGTHServiceable - - - - Avro Anson - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 18Unserviceable - - Avro Anson - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2

IMAGE 516

June 1, 1941 0830 Eleven aircraft took part in morning air exercise. 1330 Ten aircraft took part in afternoon air exercise.Two aircraft received at this Station from Macdonald Aircraft; this now brings aircraft strength to20 Avro Ansons. The numbers of these two aircraft are W2283 and W/2200.

Station routine normal, weather clearing after heavy rains for the past twodays.

June 2 0900 No flying exercise carried out.nd

1330 Eight ships took off for afternoon air exercise. 2030 Night flying cancelled owing to poor weather.The weather during the past five days has been very bad with heavy rains and poor visibility. Theroads leading to the Station are in a deplorable condition; it will be a relief when these roads arepaved. This worn is either a Provincial or Municipal Project, the Municipality concerned is St.James, Manitoba.Nothing of special interest to report for this day.

June 3 0830 Morning exercise carried out.rd

1330 Afternoon exercise carried out. 1830 Night Air exercise carried out. 1930 One Officer, four N.C.O.’s and forty-three airmen took part in a Victory Loanparade held in Winnipeg. There were approximately 320 R.C.A.F. personnel on this parade


IMAGE 517

June 3 (Continued) accompanied by the R.C.A.F. Band of No. 2 Training Command; and fromrd

remarks trade by spectators witnessing this parade, the airmen certainly created a favourableimpression. All branches of the Service were represented, and several decorated floats headedthe parade. Eight bands, brass and pipe, provided the marches.

June 4th 1000 Morning air exercise carried out, eleven aircraft taking part. 1400 Afternoon air exercise carried out, fourteen aircraft taking part. 2145 Ten aircraft took off for night exercise and flew over the city for approximately25 minutes, taking part in Winnipeg's first Black-Out. Afterwards they proceeded on theirregular night air exercise returning at 0130 hours, June 5th. It is reported that this Black-Out was highly successful, crowds of spectators lined thestreets and everything was carried out in an orderly manner. This Black-Out was held inconjunction with the Victory Loan Campaign. Squadron Leader Laxdal of No. 2 Air Observer School, Edmonton, was a visitor on thisStation. He proceeded East in connection with the Observer School which will shortly be openedat St. Johns, Quebec.

IMAGE 518

June 5 , 41 No air exercises carried out either in morning or afternoon due to adverse weatherth

conditions. Weather cleared in late afternoon.

2100 Night air exercise carried out. First Officers' Mess dinner held at this Station since School opened. AllOfficers attended as well as Mr. W.A. Straith, Mr. H. Setton and Mr. Benedickson; thesegentlemen being members of the Civilian Company and honorary members of the Mess. Station routine normal. Unable to carry out morning air exercise due to lowceiling and poor visibility. Weather has been unfavourable for past week, retarding air worksomewhat. 1330 Eleven aircraft took off at this time on flight to Regina. Chief InstructorFlying Officer G. Ross, accompanied this flight. 1930 Machines left Regina arriving No. 5 A.O.S. between 2230 and 2330 hours. Thistrip constitutes afternoon and night air exercise.

June 7 Weather clearing; North wind, temperature 50°.th

1400 Afternoon air exercise carried out with nine aircraft taking part. 1400 Photographic reconnaissance flight with five aircraft taking part. 2100 Night air exercise carried out. First case of Diptheria reported on this station; patient is No. R71725 LACMittell, E.E. He was immediately taken to King George Isolation Hospital and five


IMAGE 519

June 7 (Cont’d) contacts were placed under quarantine. No further cases reported. These sixth

airmen are in Course 21, which is scheduled to graduate from this School on June 23rd, 1941.

June 8 Weather clearing and becoming milder.th

1400 Afternoon air exercise carried out. Routine normal.

June 9 0830 Morning air exercise carried out. th

1330 Afternoon air exercise carried out. One more case of diptheria developed on this Station: No. R76185 LAC Morton,E.F. who was taken to King George Isolation Hospital. Five contacts were quarantined. Thismakes two cases of diptheria on this Station in hospital and ten contacts under quarantine. The first graduates of this School, course No. 15, all R.A.F. airmen who arrived onthis Station January 5th, 1941, passed through Winnipeg on their way East. A large number offriends were on hand at the C.N.R. Station to bid them bon voyage, as well as several Officersfrom this Station. Group Captain D.W.F. Bonham-Carter, Squadron

IMAGE 520

June 9 (Cont’d) Leader G. Goulding and Wing Commander Taunton and their wives were alsoth

on hand to see the boys off. This particular class made a large number of friends during their stayin Winnipeg. All the boys were in high spirits at the thought of going overseas and proud oftheir insignias, the Flying “O”, which were awarded them at No. 3 Bombing & Gunnery School,Macdonald, Manitoba. Gifts of cigarettes, magazines, chocolate, etc., were distributed to eachSergeant Observer. These graduates had nothing but praise to offer to No. 5 Air ObserverSchool during their twelve week stay.

June 10 0830 Nine aircraft took off on morning air exercise.th

1330 Eight aircraft took off on afternoon air exercise. Squadron Leader E.A. McGowan of Rivers, Man., and Squadron Leader Blaineof No. 2 Training Command were visitors on this Station.Lockheed 7647 arrived late this afternoon from Patricia Bay, B.C., Western Air Command. Passengers on this ship were Wing Commander Briese, Squadron Leader Lee and FlightLieutenant Gray; they stayed over night in Winnipeg, Lockheed 764 being housed in No. 2Hangar.Light rain falling.

June 11 0830 Nine aircraft took off in morning exercise.th

Avro-Anson No. W6486, flown by Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson,accompanied by Mr. W.A. Straith, Operational Manager of Winnipeg Air Observer School, Ltd.and two

IMAGE 521

June 11 (Cont’d) student Navigators left this School for Prince Albert and Yorkton, arrivingth

Prince Albert approximately 1300 hours, leaving that point at 1345 hours for Yorkton for openingof the Service Flying Training School there. Party arrived back at Winnipeg at approximately2000 hours. 1200 Wing Commander Briese, Squadron Leader Lee and Flight LieutenantGray had lunch with Officers on this Station, prior to taking off for Patricia Bay, B.C., theseOfficers having arrived previous afternoon in Lockheed No. 7647 from Western Air Command.These Officers were on the Station for observation, making inspection of the School, andconferring with the Chief Instructor, Flying Officer Ross, on matters of training and the policy ofinstruction. 1330 Ten aircraft took off on afternoon air exercise. On this flight, Aircraft#6240, carrying Pilot Weese, Flying Officer S.H. Pallett and Navigators LAC Manson and LACMcCarthy, were forced to land at Portage la Prairie after nearly completing the air exercise. Thislanding was carried out at 1730 hours and was necessary due to slight engine trouble togetherwith poor weather conditions. Weather - - Dull, heavy rain.

IMAGE 522

June 12th/41 Weather clearing somewhat, wind North East, temperature 56° above. 0830 Eight aircraft took off on morning air exercise. 1015 Pilot Weese, Flying Officer S.H. Pallett and two Navigators took off in

aircraft #6240 at Portage la Prairie, arriving this Station at 1100 hours. 1400 Afternoon air exercise carried out with six aircraft taking part. 1630 This Station was favoured by the visit of the Right Honorable MalcolmMcDonald, British High Commissioner, accompanied by his Secretary, Mr. Shuckbough, arrivingvia Trans-Canada Airways from the East. The party was met by Air Commodore A.B. Shearer,Air Officer Commanding No. 2 Training Command; His Honor, The Lieutenant Governor; andFlying Officer McClellan, P.A. to the Air Officer Commanding. Party immediately proceededfrom T.C.A. to No. 5 A.O.S. where the visitors were met by Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmsonand conducted through the Station, visiting the classrooms, airmen's quarters, PhotographicSection, and hangars, after which they proceeded to the Officers Mess where tea was served. The Right Honorable Malcolm McDonald was introduced to Officers as well as representatives ofthe Winnipeg Air Observer School Ltd., and it was apparent that he was very greatly impressedwith what he saw, for he commented very favourably on the Station organization. 1815 This visiting party left the Station for the City.

Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School,R.C.A.F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 523

June 13 No flying carried out this date. Routine normal. Weather clearing and becomingth

warmer. Flying Officer F.J. Hobson, a Navigation Instructor at this school, was married atPortage la Prairie, Man., today by the Rev. S.W. Abernethy, to Miss Gwendolyn MacDonald ofPortage la Prairie. Flying Officer Hobson was granted a short leave to spend his honeymoon atKenora, Ontario.

June 14 0830 Morning air exercise carried out.th

1330 Afternoon air exercise carried out. Routine normal, weather very warm.Gardeners employed by the Company are busy landscaping the grounds of the Station, grass seedhas been planted around the G.I.S. Building and has begun to show; in another two weeks thegrounds of this Station will present a very favourable appearance.The graduating class, Course 21, are on a 48 hours pass.

June 15 0830 Morning air exercise carried out.th

1330 Afternoon air exercise carried out.Station routine normal.

IMAGE 524

June 16 1330 Regular air exercise carried out.th

1400 & 1530 Photographic reconnaissance flights, four aircraft taking part. 2100 Night air exercise carried out. Weather warm and sultry.

Flight Lieutenant Beveridge of No. 2 Training Command was a visitor on this Station; staying for lunch.

June 17 1330 Regular air exercise carried out. th

1400 & 1500 Photographic reconnaissance flights, four aircraft taking part. Weather very hot and sultry, temperature 85°. Severe electric storm with high winds tookplace at approximately 1545 hours, heavy rain as well as some hail fell. All aircraft on afternoon flight landed between 1600 and 1615 hours. This is the first electrical storm this season. Graduating class, Course 21, held their drill tests this morning, taking about two hours.Flying Officer Hobson, who was married at Portage la Prairie on June 13th, reported for duty thismorning.

June 18 1330 Eleven aircraft took off for regular air exercise. Weather clear and warm.th

1800 A softball game, No. 5 A.O.S. and No. 2 Training Command teams competing,was

Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R.C.A.F.,

Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 525

June 18 (Cont’d) played at the Old Stadium, opposite Hudson Bay House, Main Street. Theth

score was 9-5 in favour of No. 2 Training Command. The game was thoroughly enjoyed by thosetaking part as well as by the large number of spectators who witnessed it.Flight Lieutenant Imes of No. 1 Air Navigation School, Rivers, Man., was a visitor on this Stationtoday. 2100 Nine aircraft took off on night exercise, returning 0030 hours, June 19 .th

June 19 Weather very warm and sultry. th

1330 Afternoon air exercise carried out. 1430 Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson; Mr. W.A. Straith, Mr. D. Ormond and Mr.M.E. Ashton of Winnipeg Air Observer School Ltd., left in Avro Anson #6558 to attend theofficial opening of No. 19 E.F.T.S. at Virden, Man., the opening taking place in the afternoon. This party returned by air in the evening arriving #5 A.O.S. at approximately 2115 hours. Theabove School was officially opened by His Honor The Lieutenant Governor, R.F. McWilliams. Air Commodore A.B. Shearer was also present on this occasion. 2100 Ten aircraft took part in night air exercise. All machines returned at 2350hours.

IMAGE 526

June 20 Weather very warm. No flying carried out this date.th

Course No. 21 held their graduation dinner and dance at the Marlborough Hotel, commencing at1900 hours. At the head table were Squadron Leader & Mrs. H.G. Malcolmson, Mr. W.A.

Straith, Operational Manager, and Mr. W. Benidickson, Treasurer. Mr. Straith presented toR75176 LAC Peak, G.C. the Starratt Memorial Trophy, which consisted of a LonginesNavigation wrist watch. This airman had an average of 85.4% in his subjects. Course #21 is on a 48-hour pass commencing 1200 hours this date to 1200 hours Sunday, June21st. Most of the airmen of this class are spending this time with relatives and friends inWinnipeg, prior to going to #5 Bombing & Gunnery School at Dafoe, Saskatchewan, June 22nd. No. 5 A.O.S. airmen played football against airmen of No. 8 Repair Depot, score was 9-0favour of No. 8 Repair Depot.

June 21 0830 Morning air exercise carried out. st

1330 Afternoon air exercise carried out. Station routine normal.One new Avro Anson received this date from Macdonald Brothers Aircraft; three Ansons struckoff the aircraft strength of this Station and ferried to No. 4 Training Command. These changesnow reduce our aircraft strength to 18 Avro Ansons.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 527

June 22 0830 Morning air exercise carried out.nd

1330 Afternoon air exercise carried out. Station routine normal; weather clear andvery warm. 2230 Class No. 21, consisting of 40 R.C.A.F. and 1 R.A.F. trainees, was entrained forNo. 5 Bombing & Gunnery School, Dafoe, Saskatchewan. A large number of relatives and friendswere on hand at the CPR Station to see this class off. The boys were happy to be on their way toanother School for further training and all are anxiously awaiting their insignia, the Flying "O",to be pinned on their tunics.

June 23 0800 Eight aircraft took off for flight to Regina, returning at approximately 1700 hours,rd

this flight being a regular air exercise. 1200 Flying Officer J.F. Hobson left on four days leave prior to posting to No. 9A.O.S., St. Johns, Quebec, reporting 30-6-41. Flying Officer M. Tully, reported this date from No. 1 Air Navigation School,Rivers, Man., this Officer being an Instructor, taking the place of Flying Officer Hobson. Lieutenant Colonel R.G. Graham of No. 1 Training Centra, M.D. #10, Tuxedo,was

IMAGE 528

June 23 (Cont’d) a visitor on this station, partaking of lunch in the Officers' Mess. Lieutenantrd

Colonel Graham was an Observer in the First Great War, being attached to a balloon squadron. 0900 Forty-three RAF trainees, assigned to Course No. 27, arrived CNR, fourteen

being posted from No. 1 Manning Depot and twenty-nine from No. 33 A.N.S. Hamilton, Ont.This class arrived at Halifax from England three weeks ago and seems very anxious to commencetraining. 1400 & 1430 Four aircraft took part in Photographic Reconnaissance flights. 1830 A team composed of No. 5 A.O.S. and No. 8 Repair Depot airmen played theUnited Weston football team and were beaten after a hard struggle.

June 24 Weather very hot.th

1330 & 1403 Four aircraft took part in Photographic Reconnaissance flights. 2115 Nine aircraft took off on night air exercise. Routine normal.

June 25 Temperature very warm - - 90°.th

1330 Afternoon air exercise carried out, ten aircraft taking part. 2100 Night air exercise carried out, eleven aircraft taking part. 830 A cricket match was played at Assiniboine Park, consisting of teams picked fromA and B flights RAF aircrew of this School. The game was greatly enjoyed by these airmen.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 529

June 25 (Cont’d) A civilian barber has been granted permission to cut the hair of airmen, on theth

Station; he is allowed to give this service Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings.

June 26 Temperature 93° at noon.th

1330 Afternoon air exercise carried out, eleven aircraft taking part. 2100 Night air exercise carried out, ten aircraft taking part. Station routine normal.

June 27th 1330 Afternoon air exercise carried out -- nine aircraft taking part. 2100 Night air exercise carried out - - eight aircraft taking part.Fair weather still continuing, with high temperatures prevailing. Mr. Apedale of Ottawa was avisitor on this Station in the late afternoon.Class No. 25 proceeded on a 48-hour pass and were paid in cash prior to leaving the Station. Commencing immediately it is the intention to pay all R.C.A.F. personnel on the Station by cashinstead of by cheque as was the previous method. New quarters and recreation buildings are now completed excepting the installation ofsewers. These buildings should be ready for occupation within ten days.

IMAGE 530

June 28 Routine normal, no flying carried out.th

June 29 One Officer, two N.C.O’s and forty-seven airmen attended church parade along withth

other R.A.F. Units at Grace Church. Airmen fell in on parade grounds at 0730 hours forinspection and moved to No. 2 Training Command Headquarters. The parade moved off fromNo. 2 T.C. at approximately 0900 hours. Service commenced at 0930 hours. There wereapproximately 500 airmen accompanied by the R.C.A.F. Band. The service concluded at 1015hours and the parade returned to No. 2 T.C. H.Q. to be dismissed; each Unit returning bytransport to its respective Station. Air Commodore A.B. Shearer took the salute in front of thePost Office, Portage Avenue, on return route. Sunday afternoon was very active on this Station; nearly 350 Veterans, Canadian andAmerican, were visitors of this Station. The International War Veterans Alliance are holding their6th Annual Convention in Winnipeg, this convention started June 25th and will conclude June30th. The Veterans arrived at this Station at 1600 hours and an address of welcome was tenderedto the visitors by the Chief Supervisory Officer, Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson; and by Mr.W.A. Straith, Operational Manager of the Winnipeg Air Observer School. The visitors were splitup in groups and an Officer and airmen accompanied each group through the hangars, airmen’sMess, quarters and classrooms. All concerned appeared to be very interested in the organization,and were particularly interested in the Avro Anson machines which were lined up on the tarmacand presented quite an Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R.C.A.F., Winnipeg,Manitoba. IMAGE 531

June 29 (Cont’d) appearance. The tour lasted almost one hour.th

There was no flying on this date, the Pilots having their first 48-hour pass since the Station opened.

June 30 Routine normal.th

0830 Twelve aircraft took off on morning air exercise; all returned at noon with theexception of one, aircraft #6424 which landed at No. 3 Bombing & Gunnery School, Macdonald,Manitoba, due to inclement weather. This aircraft took off from that Station in the afternoon andarrived this School approximately 1750 hours.No afternoon air exercise carried out due to bad weather---heavy rains, poor visibility. 1245 Pay parade for Supervisory Staff, Course Nos. 23 & 27, was held.

/over

IMAGE 532

June 30 , 1941 PERSONNEL STRENGTHth

Staff Officer R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 14

Airmen R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 20 Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - Nil Civilian (Met.) Instructor - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1

Trainees Airmen R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 44 Airmen R.A.F. - - - - - - -- - - - -- - - - - -- - - - - - - 86 Airmen R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 Airmen R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - -- - - 2

Total Air Force Strength - - - - - - - - 167 Total Civilian Strength - - - - - - - - - 1

Aircraft Strength

Serviceable - - - - - - - Ansons - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 14

Unserviceable - - - - - Ansons - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2

Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R.C.A.F. Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 539

July 1 1941 PERSONNEL STRENGTHst


Airmen R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 20 Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - Nil Civilian (Met.) Instructor - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 Trainees Airmen R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 44 Airmen R.A.F. - - - - - - -- - - - -- - - - - -- - - - - - - 86 Airmen R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 Airmen R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - -- - - 2


Dominion Day. Station routine normal. 0830 Fourteen aircraft took off from this Station on a navigation exercise to Regina. Weatherclear with moderate temperature. 1730 Fourteen aircraft returned from Regina after a successful trip.

July 2 Station routine normal. Weather clear and warm.nd

0830 Eleven aircraft took off on morning exercise. 1330 Eleven aircraft took off am afternoon air exercise.

IMAGE 540

July 2 1330 The Directors of the Winnipeg Air Observer School Ltd. partook of lunch in thend

Officer’s Mess, after which a Directors' Meeting was held in the Administrative Building. Directorsattending were.- Mr. M. Ashton, Mr. W. Starratt, Mr. R. Brown. Mr. N.T. Clayton and Mr. D.S.Ormond. 1815 Cricket match played between this School and St. Georges’ Cricket team. Result of the game was a 42 - 30 win for St. Georges. The match was played at Assiniboine Parkand the team from this School was composed of R.A.F. trainees.

July 3 0830 Eleven aircraft took part in morning air exercise. rd

1330 Eleven aircraft took part in afternoon air exercise. 1830 The second Mess Dinner was held at this School, all Officers being present. Guestsincluded Mr. W.A. Straith, Mr. D.S. Ormond and Civilian Pilot B. Marshall. Station operationsrunning 100%.

July 4 Routine normal.th

0830 Eleven aircraft took off on morning air exercise. 1400 Eleven aircraft took off an afternoon air exercise. Four trainees of Course No. 25 failed their mid-term examinations and will be posted to Composite School, Trenton, Ontario.

July 5 Station routine normal.th

No air exercises carried out this date

. Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R.C.A.F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 541

July 6 0830 Eleven aircraft took off on morning air exercise.th

0830 Two aircraft took off an photographic reconnaissance exercise. 1330 Twelve aircraft took off an afternoon air exercise. Weather clear and warm.

July 7 0830 Morning air exercise carried out. th

1330 Afternoon air exercise carried out. 1830 Four trainees left this Station for Composite Training School, Trenton, Ontario via C.N.R. These trainees failed a course of instruction in Course No. 25. Wing Commander A.G.H. McLean (R.A.F.) and Flight Lieutenant C.L. Weldon (R.A.F.) of Ottawa were visitors on the Station this afternoon, conferring with Squadron Leader Malcolmson. Weather very warm and clear.

July 8 0830 Morning air exercise carried out. th

1330 Afternoon air exercise serried out. 1015 Report received at this Station requesting ambulance and Doctor to attend crash of

Tiger Moth plane of No. 3 Wireless School at Nelsons Farm near Lilyfield, Manitoba.

IMAGE 542

July 8 (Cont’d) Ambulance and Doctor with Orderly left at 1017 hours arriving scene of crashth

1045 hours. Flight Lieutenant F.E. Lundy, Station Medical Officer, found the pilot, Flying OfficerCook, dead and trainee LAC Elmo Orr suffering from concussion and lacerations of face, head andleg. This airman given first aid and rushed to General Hospital. The Corner was notifiedimmediately and a guard placed over the aircraft. Possible cause of accident - - stall on turn.

July 9 Station routine normal.th

0830 Morning air exercises carried out. 1330 Afternoon air exercises carried out. Squadron Leader Malcolmson accompanied by Flying Officer Ross and a mechanic flewto Rivers, Manitoba, leaving this Station at 1430 hours, returning at 1830 hours. This flight wasmade in connection with training.1000 One Airman (Disciplinarian) posted to No. 2 manning Depot, Brandon, Manitoba.1830 One Airman (Disciplinarian) posted to this School from No. 2 Manning Depot, Brandon, Man.

July 10 0830 Usual morning air exercise carried out. th

1330 Afternoon air exercise carried out. Quarterly Audit Board (Second Quarter) sittingtoday. Members were: President - F.O. Marginson, Members, F.O. Wilson and F.O. McCrearyof No. 2 Training Command. This Board audited the Officers and N.C.O.'s Mess accounts. 1600 Prime Minister W.L. Mackenzie King and party arrived on this Station, makinginspection of hangar and G.I.S. Buildings. Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson, Flying Officer W.Marginson, Mr. W.A. Straith and Mr. D.S. Ormond met the party and were introduced to thePrime Minister by Air Commodore A.B. Shearer. The Prime Minister appeared to be greatlyinterested in the wireless room and the Photographic Section. Amongst the party noticeable wereGroup Captain D.W.F. Bonham-Carter, Wing Commander H.N. Stewart, Captain L.O. Mutch,M.P. and Mr. Ralph Maybank, M.P. (Photographs of Prime Minister's visit are shown inAppendices (not attached)(Ed)

S.H. Pallett F/O For Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R.C.A.F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 543

July 11 1330 Thirteen aircraft took off on afternoon air exercise. One aircraft made a forcedth

landing near Neelin, Manitoba, due to airlock in gas feed line.

2115 Ten aircraft took part in night air exercise. Flight Lieutenant MacDonald of No. 2Training Command and Squadron Leader Pollard of No. 8 Repair Depot were visitors on thisStation.

July 12 Station routine normal. No flying carried out this date.th

The Winnipeg Air Observer School Ltd. held their first annual picnic at Chaplin Beach, Lac duBonnet, Manitoba. Officers and airmen of Supervisory Staff of this Unit were invited. Transportation was provided by the School leaving the North End Car Barns, Main St., Winnipegat approximately 1300 hours.

July 13 0930 Four aircraft took off on photo exercise. 1330 Afternoon air exercise carried out.Station routine normal. Weather clear and warm

July 14 0830 Morning air exercise carried out. 1250 Pay parade held with F.O. Scott of No. 2 Training Command as Paymaster.

1330 Twelve aircraft took off on afternoon air exercise.

IMAGE 544

July 15 Four aircraft took off on morning and afternoon photo exercises. 2100 Ten aircraft took part in night air exercise.One airman failed course and posted to Composite School, Trenton, Ontario. This airman was thefirst R.A.F. trainee to fail the Air Observer course at this School.

July 16 0830 Four aircraft took off on photo exercise.Construction commenced on addition to classroom, adjoining Administration building. Work wasalso commenced on a now barrack block south of Officer's Quarters.St. George's Club defeated a picked team of Airmen from this School in a cricket match atAssiniboine Park by the score of 70-50.

July 17 Course No. 23 completed their training at this School today. L.A.C. Dimond, S.S.,R.A.F., of course No. 23 presented with the Bud Starratt Memorial Trophy, a navigational wristwatch, for obtaining the highest marks in the graduating class, 1572 out of 1800, or approximately87%. L.A.C. Dimond is an ex-London policeman and comes from Dartford, Kent, England. Theparade was formed in a hollow square in No. 2 Hangar and the presentation was made by the No.2 Training Command Air Officer Commanding, Air Commodore A.B. Shearer. Immediately afterthe parade the graduates of course 23 proceeded on a 48 hour pass, prior to departing to No. 3Bombing and Gunnery School, Macdonald. (Photographs of presentation and clippings attachedshows trophy.)(not attached Ed.) Four aircraft took off on photo flight both morning andafternoon. 2100 Ten aircraft took off on night air exercise.

July 18 0830 Morning air exercise carried out. 1330 Afternoon air exercise carried out.Wing Commander S.G. Chalk, P.M.O. of No. 2 Training Command, visited this Station to makeinspection of medical inspection room in new building.

S.H. Pallett F/O

For Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R.C.A.F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 545

July 19 Station routine normal. No air exercises carried out in morning or afternoon. 1045 Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson, C.S.O., Flying Officer G. Ross, C.I., FlyingOfficer J.M. Morton aid Flying Officer H.M.S. Ferguson flew to Rivers, Man. in connection withcertain data required for Navigation course. 1800 Plane carrying Officers of this Station who flow to Rivers this morning returned.

July 20 No flying carried out today. 2130 Thirty four graduates of Course No. 23 left C.P.R. Station for No. 3 Bombing andGunnery School, Macdonald, Man. Another graduate airman was confined to Hospital and is toproceed to Macdonald later.

July 21 Aircraft airborne for air exercise to Regina and return. Weather today is very hot.Flight Lieutenant Macdonald, Photography Officer from Air Force Headquarters, Ottawa, was avisitor on this Station. Group Captain R.J. Grant of No. 2 Training Command was also a visitor,taking lunch in the Officer's Mess.Twenty two trainees of the new course No. 29 arrived on Station. These airmen were reportinghere after two weeks leave from Regina's No. 2 Initial Training School.

July 22 Air Exercises carried out.New trainees medically examined by the Medical Officer and assigned to class rooms. Trainees innew course appear to be up to the standard and seem to be favorably impressed with the set-up ofthe Station.

IMAGE 546

July 23 Ten aircraft in air exercises, morning and afternoon. Officers and N.C.0.’s met in volleyball game.

July 24 0830 Photo exercises carried out.Thirteen aircraft on afternoon air exercise.Flight Lieutenant C.G. Beveridge was a visitor at this Station.Squadron Leader H.C. Wilton, R.N.Z.A.F. Liasion Officer visited this Station and will remain herea few days study set-up at this School.Second group of trainees arrived from No. 2 Initial Training School, Regina. These airmen are threedays late in beginning their course.

July 25 0830 Aircraft airborne in morning air exercise. 1330 Aircraft took off on afternoon air exercise.Squadron Leader A.G. Goulding was a visitor on this Station.

July 26 No flying carried out this date. Routine normal.

July 27 0830 Air exercises carried out. 1330 Afternoon air exercise carried out.

July 28 Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson, C.S.O. of this School, proceeded on 14 days leave.Flying Officer S.H. Pallett assumed temporary command effective 26/7/41.


IMAGE 547

July 29 Station routine normal. 0830 Aircraft took of an air exercise No. 20 to Regina. 1730 Aircraft returned from air exercise No. 21, Regina to Winnipeg.

July 30 Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out. Routine normal. 1300 Pay parade held.

July 31 Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out.

PERSONNEL STRENGTH

Staff Officers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - 13 Airmen - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - 20 Service Personnel Other Than - - - R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - Nil Civilian (Meteorology.) Instructor - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 Trainees Airmen - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - 82 Airmen - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - 51 Airmen - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - 3 Airmen - - - - - - - - - - -- - -- - - - - R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - 1

Total Air Force Strength 170 and 1 Civilian. Total Civilian Strength - - - - - - - - - 1

IMAGE 548

July 31 AIRCRAFT STRENGTH

Avro Anson Serviceable 15 Avro Anson Unserviceable 1

Total Aircraft Strength 16


IMAGE 559

August 1/41 PERSONNEL STRENGTH

Staff Officers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - 13 Airmen - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - 21 Service Personnel Other Than - - - R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - Nil Civilian (Meteorology.) Instructor - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 Trainees Airmen - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - 81 Airmen - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - 50 Airmen - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - 1 Airmen - - - - - - - - - - -- - -- - - - - R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - 3

Total Air Force Strength 169 Total Civilian Strength 1

August 1/41 Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out. 1530 Severe rain storm accompanied with some hail struck Winnipeg and vicinity.This was one of the worst rain storms ever experienced, doing thousands of dollars worth ofdamage through flooding of basements. Eleven of our aircraft on afternoon flight caught in thisstorm, five landing at Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, and returning later in the evening. The stormlasted about one hour and fifteen minutes. No accidents occurred and all aircraft returned safely.

/over

IMAGE 560

August 2 No flying carried out this date. Station routine normal.

August 3 No flying carried out on this date. Weather very warm. 1950 His Majesty The Duke of Kent with party arrived at Stevenson Airport. The partywas met at the airport by the Lieutenant Governor, Air Commodore Shearer and General OfficerCommanding, M.D. No.10, later proceeding to Government House. Several hundred spectatorswere present on the line of route.

August 4 1000 His Royal Highness, Air Commodore, The Duke of Kent, and party, leftStevenson Airport for the West.Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out.Lieutenant Colonel E.A. Pridham and Mr. P.ff Gyles, Adjutant, Corp of Commissionaires, werevisitors, making informal inspection of Commissionaires on this Station.

August 5 Station routine normal.Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out. Weather very hot with strong south wind.

August 6 Routine normal, morning and afternoon air exercises carried out.A Board of Officers compsed of Squadron Leader F.E. Baker (C776), President; members, FlyingOfficer S.H. Pallett, Flight Lieutenant F.E. Lundy, Flying Officer H.M. Whimster; and twoexecutives of Winnipeg Air Observer School Ltd., assembled at this Station for purpose of handingover buildings, and other Crown property to Civilian Operating Company. The Board made athorough inspection of all buildings to be turned over. 1830 Three Nursing Orderlies were posted to this Station reporting from No. 2Manning Depot, Brandon, travelling via CPR.

August 7 Night air exercises carried out this date. 1830 Mess dinner was held, all Officers present.

August 8 Afternoon and night air exercises carried out. Flying Officer R.H. Wilson was granted a48-hour pass prior to posting to No. 10 A.O.S., Chatham, N.B. This Officer will report to theabove School on August 14 .th

/over Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R.C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 561

August 8 (Cont’d) 1700 Group Captain K. Nairn, Squadron Leader R. McCann, Squadron Leader G.Matheson and Flying Officer Spears visited this Station. 1725 Group Captain Nairn and Flying Officer Spears travelled via T.C.A. to

Edmonton.

August 9 No air exercises carried out this date.

August 10 Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out. Station routine normal.

August 11 Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson returned to duty after fourteen days annual leave.Air exercises carried out. Weather cool.

August 12 No flying during morning. Afternoon and night exercises carried out. All aircraftreturned safely.All Station personnel eagerly awaiting the visit of His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, on Friday,August 15th. Grounds are being cleaned up and put into shape. It is expected that His RoyalHighness will make the presentation of the Bud Starratt Memorial Trophy which consists of aNavigational Wrist Watch, donated by Mr. W. Starratt, to the trainee with the highest marks in allsubjects.

August 13 Station routine normal, air exercises carried out afternoon and night.Preparations are being made for the visit of His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, this Stationsupplying 25 R.A.F. trainees to take part in Guard of Honor. 101 airmen will form this guard,receiving their drill at No. 3 Wireless School, 1830 to 1930 hours, for three nights prior to theRoyal Visit. It is understood that His Royal Highness will present the trophy to No. R78817 LACCampbell, E.K., of Ingersoll, Ontario, this trainee /over

IMAGE 562

August 13 (Cont’d) winning the prize. It might be mentioned that six traineed tied for this prize,and on a vote being cast, Campbell was the winner. Campbell was Manager of a Grocery Store incivilian life. This is the first time in the history of this School that six trainees have tied for firstplace.

August 14 Afternoon air exercise as well as evening air exercise carried out.

August 15 1635 The Station was honored this date by the visit of His Royal Highness The Duke ofKent and party. His Royal Highness arrived by plane at approximately 1635 hours and was met bySquadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson. His Royal Highness was introduced to Mr. W.A, Straith,Operational Manager, who in turn introduced His Royal Highness to Executive Officers of theWinnipeg Air Observer School Ltd. After this introduction Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmsonintroduced the Administrative Officer, Flying Officer W. Marginson, who asked His Royal Highnessif he would consent to present the Starratt Memorial Trophy to LAC Campbell, the honor student. His Royal Highness consented and made the presentation. After this ceremony His Royal Highnessmade an inspection of the trainees and then was introduced by Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmsonto each Officer and civilian pilot. Among the guests noticeable were the Lieutenant Governor, Mr.R.F. McWilliams, Mayor John Queen, Mr. R.H. Starratt and Wing Commander Hendricks. After

the departure of His Royal Highness and party, tea was served to the Officers' wives and invitedguests in the Officers' Mess, the pilots and co-pilots of His Royal Highness party joining at thisgathering. The weather was all that could be desired and the Station looked at its best. The paradeand presentation were held on the tarmac between No. 1 and No. 2 Hangars.Night air exercise carried out.

August 16 Station routine normal, no flying carried out this date.

August 17 No flying this date. 2130 Thirty-seven trainees, Course No. 25, departed from this Station for the CPRDepot. 2230 Trainees in Course No. 25 left for No. 3 Bombing & Gunnery School,Macdonald, Manitoba.

August 18 Forty-two trainees, Course No. 31, arrived; 16 from No. 1 "M" Depot, Toronto; 5from Victoriaville, P.Q., and 21 from Composite Training School, Trenton, Ont. These traineesappear to be of the intelligent type, their deportment favourable, and from /over

Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R.C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 567

August 18 (Cont’d) observations made it is considered they are up to standard. Morning and afternoon air exercisescarried out.

August 19 Photographic exercise carried out. 1830 Pilot Officer R.G. Morgan (J5124), reported to this Station from No. 1 A.N.S.,Rivers, Manitoba. This Officer replacing Flying Officer R.H. Wilson who was posted to No. 10A.O.S., Chatham, 14-8-41.

August 20 1245 Trainees of Course No. 31 were paid today the sum of $10.00 each, this being inthe form of an advance to carry them over until regular pay parade which will be held Thursday,August 28th. These trainees were given only $5.00 each before leaving Toronto, which amountwas insufficient to meet their requirements.South wing of new barrack block (Airmens’) now occupied by some 20 airmen, RCAF Staff. Present quarters are inadequate and in view of the fact that establishment will be increased bySeptember 1st, 1941, it is necessary new quarters be occupied. 1830 Five General Duties airmen arrived, on pasting from No. 2 Manning Depot, Brandon.

August 21 Air exercises carried out during morning. Afternoon Air exercise carried out, havingbeen set back until 1430 hours due to cold front coming in with possibility of clearing. All aircraftreturned safely at 1810 hours.

August 22 0800 Air exercise carried out, Winnipeg to Regina and return. Thirteen machines tookpart; weather clear and cool, temperature 78° above. One additional aircraft, No. W.2177, receivedfrom No. 8 Repair Depot, now making a total of 17 aircraft on this Station. Officers of No. 5A.O.S. entertained the civilian pilots to a smoker and social gathering, commencing at 2030 hours. Some 20 pilots attended and it was apparently enjoyed by all present.

IMAGE 568

August 23/41 No flying carried out this date. Pilots having their day off.Hospital now moved from former quarters in the N.C.O.’s building to the new quarters in theAirmen's barrack block. New Medical quarters will consist of Medical Officer's Office, onemedical Treatment Room, one room occupied as Crash Ward and an Orderly Room. The spacevacated by the Hospital will be used by the N.C.O.'s as a Mess. 1030 Hrs Squadron Leader Malcolmson, Flying Officer Ross and Flying OfficerWynn took off for Macdonald, Manitoba by air to look over the bombing set-up at that School. 1515 Hrs. Squadron Leader Malcolmson, Flying Officer Ross and Flying OfficerWynn returned from Macdonald, Manitoba.

August 24 Morning air exercise carried out and afternoon air exercise partly carried out.Machines called back after one hour in air due to weather conditions, poor visibility and rain.

August 25 Station routine normal. Flying Officer G. Ross (C2957) and Flying Officer G.G. Milne (C2676) appointed Acting FlightLieutenants, effective 15-8-41 whilst employed as Chief Instructor and Assistant Chief Instructor onthis Station. Both these Officers are Navigation Instructors.Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out.Wing Commander Lister and Squadron Leader Birchall were visitors on this Station, conferringwith Chief Supervisory Officer and Chief Instructor regarding bombing course which will beincluded in the training of Air Observers, effective September 1st, 1941.

August 26 Air Exercises No. 20, Winnipeg to Regina; and Exercise No. 21 Regina to Winnipegcarried out this date with 13 aircraft taking part.Mr. and Mrs. Channing of Flin Flon were visitors on the Station during the afternoon. Mr.Channing is Vice-President and General Manager of Hudsons Bay Mining and Smelter Co., at FlinFlon.

Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R.C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 569

August 27 Station routine normal.

August 28 Morning air exercise carried out, weather closing in, rain and mist with low ceiling. Afternoon air exercise cancelled due to poor visibility. 1245 Pay parade held for all ranks. Mobile staff from No. 2 Training Command Headquarters has arrived to commencefinger-printing. This commenced at 1400 hours and should be completed within two days. There is atotal of 170 all ranks, to be fingerprinted. R101387 LAC Leakey, A.W. and R95360 LAC Patterson, E.J., failed their mid-termexaminations and now are awaiting posting to Composite Training School, Trenton, Ont., to appearbefore the Re-Selection Board there. These airmen will be posted to the above School immediatelyupon the lifting of the posting ban to points outside Manitoba. Group Captain K.G. Nairn, Squadron Leader R. McCann, and Flight LieutenantSpeers were visitors on this Sation, these Officers partaking lunch with Squadron Leader H.G.Malcolmson.

August 29 Pilot Officer T.E. Wright of Recruiting Centre visited this Station today for personalobservation and information regarding the organization of No. 5 Air Observer School. Pilot OfficerWright was shown over the Station, and he showed great interest in the School. It is the intentionto have other Officers from the Recruiting Centre make periodical visits to this School.No flying during morning, weather having turned out unfavourable. Afternoon exercises carried out;thirteen aircraft taking part.

August 30 No flying today.Seven washed-out pilots arrived from Trenton, Ontario, leaving thirteen students yet to report.Course No. 32, consisting of 20 trainees and under revised syllabus, will include bombing. Thiscourse has been extended from 12 to 14 weeks and is the first of

IMAGE 570

August 30 (Cont’d) the new schedule.

August 31 Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out.Thirteen R.A.F. students reported, completing the class No. 32 which commences study onSeptember 1st.Acting Flight Lieutenant G. Ross proceeded on fourteen days annual leave. Acting Flight LieutenantG.G. Milne will take over the duties as Chief Instructor during the absence of Flight LieutenantRoss.

PERSONNEL STRENGTH


Airmen R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 31 Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - Nil Civilian (Met.) Instructor - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 Trainees

Airmen R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 88 Airmen R.A.F. - - - - - - -- - - - -- - - - - -- - - - - - - 46 Airmen R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - -- - - 1


AIRCRAFT STRENGTH

Type Serviceable Unserviceable

Avro-Anson 15 2

Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 575

September 1 PERSONNEL STRENGTH


Airmen R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 31 Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - Nil Civilian (Met.) Instructor - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 Trainees Airmen R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 88 Airmen R.A.F. - - - - - - -- - - - -- - - - - -- - - - - - - 66 Airmen R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - -- - - 1 Total Air Force Strength 199 Total Civilian Strength 1

Flying Officer S.H. Pallett, Instructor, returned after spending his vacation at Victoria Beach,Manitoba.Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out.New class-room additions recently built to accommodate increased classes now being occupied byTrainees.

IMAGE 576

September 2 0830 Hrs Morning air exercise carried out. Afternoon air exercise carried out.

1330 Hrs Group Captain Grant of No. 2 Training Command visited this Station inthe late afternoon. Aircraft No. 6661 delivered to No. 5 A.O.S. from McDonald Bros Aircraft Co. Total of aircraft on the Station now eighteen.September 3 Weather cool, heavy rains and poor visibility. Morning and afternoon air exercisescancelled due to poor weather and low ceiling. Pilot Officer G.F. McAuley (No. C5008) reported tothis Station as Instructor from No. 1 Air Navigation School, Rivers, Manitoba.

September 4 No flying carried out this date due to weather conditions. One airman armourerreported to this Station for duty, posted from Air Armament School, Mountain View, Ontario. 1900 Hrs Mess Dinner held at this Station.

September 5 No flying in morning due to weather, heavy rain and mist. C.O.'s Parade cancelled dueto inclement weather. 0900 Hrs Clothing parade held at No. 7 Equipment Depot. Forty six airmenproceeding to that Station for clothing issue. 1000 Hrs Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson, C.S.O., Flight Lieutenant F.E. Lundyand Flying Officer G.K. Wynn proceeded by air to Edmonton Alberta in aircraft No. 6661. This tripwas made for the purpose of exchanging ideas with other Air Observer Schools in regard to trainingof Observers.Afternoon air exercise cancelled due to poor visibility. 2115 Hrs Several aircraft took off on night air exercise but had to return due to poorweather.


IMAGE 577

September 6 Weather clearing with temperature around 52 degrees.Two photo exercises carried out in morning with four aircraft taking part in each. 1330 Hrs. Afternoon air exercise carried out as well as photo exercise.

September 7 0830 Hrs Morning air exercise carried out. 1330 Hrs Afternoon air exercise carried out.Aircraft No. 6665 received from McDonald Bros Aircraft Co. Station Now has total of 19 aircraft.Weather dull and very cool. 1845 Hrs. Squadron Leader Malcomson, Flight Lieutenant Lundy and Flying Officerarrived back from No. 2 Air Observer School, Edmonton, Alberta in Anson Aircraft No. 6661.

September 8 Weather dull and visibility fair. Slight drizzle of rain. In spite of inclement airexercises carried out. 1200 Hrs. Nine aircraft with four Officers, nine civilian pilots and twenty traineesarrived from No. 3 A.O.S., Regina, this trip being a regular exercise. Machines refuelled here andlunch provided for personnel. 1430 Hrs. Aircraft from No. 3 A.O.S. departed from this School for Regina.

Class No. 27, which graduates this week, having drill test. This class consists of 45 R.A.F.Trainees, 1 R.N.Z.A.F. and 6 R.C.A.F, trainees.

IMAGE 578

Sept. 9 Station routine normal. Weather dull with slight drizzle. 1330 Flying exercise took place with nine aircraft.Night air exercise carried out with ten aircraft taking part.

Sept. 10 Weather clear and warm.Squadron Leader Foster (Equip.) of Headquarters, Ottawa and Flight Lieutenant McKinnon (Equip.)No. 2 Training Command were visitors on this Station having lunch with Officers. Mr. Wop May,Civilian Operating Manager of No. 2 A.O.S., Edmonton, a visitor on this Station.Regular air exercises carried out this date, afternoon and evening flying.According to a Press report, Sgt. Van Allen, A.N., Observer and a former student of thisSchool was drowned Sept. 9, 1941 due to accident to a twin engine flying boat in NorthAtlantic.

Sept. 11 0830 Morning air exercise carried out. Routine normal.Evening air exercise carried out. Weather clear and warm.Squadron Leader Malcolmson departed for Vancouver at 0730 hours, on temporary duty to RCAFStation, Patricia Bay, B.C. Squadron Leader Malcolmson ferrying on Anson Aircraft along withseven other Aircraft to Patricia Bay, the flight being in charge of Flt. Lt. Dyson of CommunicationFlight.

Sept. 12 0830 Photography exercise carried out. 1330 Afternoon air exercise carried out. 1400 Graduation parade for Class 27, seventh class to graduate from No. 5 Air ObserverSchool held this afternoon,L.A.C. Dowdeswell, R.E. of Copthorne, Sussex, Eng. presented with Starratt Memorial Trophv anavigational wrist watch. Guests at this presentation were Mr. H.S. Scarth, Director of theW.A.O.S., Mrs. Bud Starratt and Mr. Buchanan, Chief Pilot at this School. L.A.C. Dowdeswell is20½ years of age and was an insurance clerk in civil life.


IMAGE 579

September 12 (Cont’d) Three Ceased Training cases posted to Composite Training School,Trenton. Two of the Ceased Training airman were in Course 29 and were held at this Station forone week due to an outbreak of Polio, which cancelled postings indefinitely. The third airman wasin Course No. 27.Graduates of Course No. 27 are now on forty eight hour pass, reporting back to this School at 1400hours Sunday Sept. 14 and leaving Sunday night for No. 7 Bombing and Gunnery School, Paulson,

Manitoba.

Sept. 13 No flying exercises carried out. Station routine normal.

Sept.14 No flying in morning. 1330 Afternoon air exercises carried out. 0930 Forty eight trainees, Flying Officer Pallett and one N.C.O. attended Church parade atGrace United Church. The service was conducted by Squadron Leader H. McFarlane, ProtestantChaplain for No. 2 Training Command. Party detailed for this parade fell in on parade ground at0740 hours and left for No. 2 Training Command at 0800 hours. Church parade was undercommand of Wing Commander Hicks and the R.C.A.F. band was in attendance. Flight LieutenantV.A. Margetts of No. 10 S.F.T.S., Dauphin, and former Chief Instructor at this Station, a visitorhere today. 2100 Fifty trainees in charge of Sgt. Miller left C.N.R. Station on way to No. 7 B. & G.School, Paulson, Manitoba.

IMAGE 580

Sept. 15 Flight Lieutenant G. Ross, Chief Instructor, returned to duty after annual leave. TwentyR.A.F. trainees arrived C.N.R. this morning from No. 1 Manning Depot, Toronto. These traineescomprise Course No. 33 commencing September 15, 1941.

Sept. 16 Weather cloudy and dull.Morning air exercise set back from 0830 hours to 0930 hours due to poor visibility.

Sept. 17 Regular air exercises carried out.Thirty tradesmen, R.C.A.F., arrived l800 hours via C.P.R. from No. 2 Manning Depot, Brandon fortemporary posting to this Station. This now brings the strength of the Station up over the twohundred mark. This posting made necessary to relieve the overflow at Manning Depots.

Sept. 18 Morning exercise consisted of photography, afternoon and night flights regular airexercises. Station routine normal.

Sept. 19 Station routine normal.Squadron Leader Malcolmson returned to city after an absence of one week, ferrying machine toPatricia. Bay, B.C. delay caused by inclement weather.

Sept. 20 Station routine normal. No flying carried out this date.Sgt. Observer Elwood W. McFall of Ottawa and a former student at this School reported missingwhilst flying in Bomber over Atlantic. This is the second fatality amongst trainees who havegraduated as Air Observers from this School.

Sept. 21 Routine normal. No flying due to inclement weather.

Sept. 22 Flight Lieutenant G.B. Randall, (C2700) (ARM) reported this Station from No. 2 B. & G.School, Mossbank, Sask. This Officer will be Armament Instructor.


IMAGE 581

Sept. 23 Regular air exercises carried out.Air Vice Marshal L.S. Breadner, D.S.C., Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall H. Edwards, Mr.L. De Carteret, Deputy Minister of National Defence for Air, Air Commodore A,B, Shearer, WingCommander T.C. Mcfarlane, Wing Commander G. Hicks and Flight Lieutenant McLellan arrived onthis Station at approximately 1030 hours on tour of inspection. The party made an inspection ofthe G.I.S. Bldg., Airmen's Messing Quarters and No. 2 Hangar. Party was met on arrival bySquadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson, C.S.O., Flying Officer W. Marginson, Adjutant, Mr. D.S.Ormond and Mr. W. Buchanan, Chief Pilot of the School.

Sept. 24 No flying carried out on this date due to bad weather, heavy rains and poor visibility. Fourtrainees failed their mid-tern examinations and are being posted to Composite Training School atTrenton. These trainees were in course 31, which commenced August 18, 1941 and they wouldhave graduated November 9, 1941. All are R.C.A.F.

Sept. 25 Station routine normal. 1040 Phonogram received that Stranrear 920 reported overdue at Sioux Lookout. Thismachine departed from Remilk, Ontario at 1410 hours, September 24. E.T.A. at Sioux Lookout1810 Hours same date. Request made that this School arrange search using Sioux Lookout as abase. Immediate arrangements were made for search using Avro Anson piloted by Mr. W.Buchanan with F.O. H.C. Nixon and two trainees as Navigators and Observers. This party wasready to proceed at 1215 Hours when further word received that the Stranrear and crew had beencontacted by radio east of Sioux Lookout. Search therefore cancelled. Regular air exercises carriedout this date.Group Captian A.L. Johnson of R.C.A.F. Headquarters, Ottawa was a visitor at this Station.

IMAGE 582

Sept. 26, 1941 Station routine normal. Photo exercises carried out. Weather clearing, somewhat.

Sept. 27 Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out, also photo exercise. Routine normal.

Sept. 28 Morning and afternoon air exercises conducted. Weather moderating, clear and fairlywarm.

Sept. 29 Routine normal. 1245 Hrs Pay Parade held.Morning and afternoon flying carried out.Flying Officer S.H. Pallett, C1861 and Pilot Officer G.F. McAuley promoted. Flying Officer Pallettto be Flight Lieutenant effective Sept. 15 and Pilot Officer McAuley (C5008) to be Flying Officer

effective August 30.

Sept. 30 Flight Lieutenant F.E. Lundy, Station M.O., posted on Temporary Duty from this Stationto No. 8 Repair Depot effective Sept. 29.Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out. Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 583

Sept. 30, 1941 PERSONNEL STRENGTH


Airmen R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 31 Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - Nil Civilian (Met.) Instructor - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 Trainees Airmen R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 103 Airmen R.A.F. - - - - - - -- - - - -- - - - - -- - - - - - - 41 Airmen R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - 1 Total Air Force Strength - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 222 Total Civilian Strength 1 AIRCRAFT STRENGTH


Avro-Anson 19 1


IMAGE 584

1-10-41 PERSONNEL STRENGTH


Airmen R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 31 Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - Nil Civilian (Met.) Instructor - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 Trainees Airmen R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 103 Airmen R.A.F. - - - - - - -- - - - -- - - - - -- - - - - - - 41 Airmen R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - 1 Total Air Force Strength - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 219 Total Civilian Strength 1

1-10-41 No morning air exercises carried out due to poor visibility and low clouds. Afternoon airexercises carried out, ten aircraft taking part. No night flying. Weather moderating.Sgt. Ladd, Senior Armament Instructor, reported this Station from No. 10 S.F.T.S., Dauphin.Aircraft 6878 received this Station from MacDonald Aircraft, Winnipeg, making total of 20 aircraft.

October 2 Station routine normal.nd

Mess dinner held at 1900 hours, invited guests attending being Mr. W.A.


IMAGE 585

October 2 (Cont’d) Straith and Mr. W. Buchanan of the Winnipeg Air Observer School Ltd.nd

Night flying carried out, machines taking off at 2030 hours returning at 2345 hours.Class 29 are in the process of writing examinations, this class graduates on October 11th, leaving thisStation October 12th for No. 3 Bombing & Gunnery School, MacDonald, Man.

Oct. 3 Commanding Officer's Parade and Inspection held at 0815 hours.rd

Photographic exercise carried out 0830 hours, afternoon air exercises took place, aircraft leaving at1330 hours.Flying Officer Boardman, Equipment Officer of No. 2 Training Command was a guest at lunch thisdate.Weather fair and moderating.

Oct. 4 Station routine normal. Exercises carried out morning and afternoon.th

Aircraft No. 6815 received this date from MacDonald Aircraft, making total of 21 now on Station.

Oct. 5 Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson, Flight Lieutenant Ross, Flight Lieutenant Milne,th

Flying Officer Ferguson and Flying Officer McAulay proceeded by air to No. 7 Bombing & GunnerySchool, Paulson, Manitoba, departing at 1340 returning 1805 hours. The purpose of this flight wasto take Flight Lieutenant Ross, the Chief Instructor of this School, to Paulson for a three-day course

in Bombing & Gunnery. The other Instructors proceeded on this trip for observation of theorganization of No. 7 B. & G. School. Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson piloted the aircraft onthis trip.

Oct. 6 No flying carried out this morning or afternoon due to set weather and poor visibility.th

Course No. 29, graduating this week, are going through their drill tests.

Oct. 7 Weather cold with strong north wind, weather clearing somewhat. Afternoon and night, airth

exercises carried out, nine aircraft taking part in the afternoon flight.Flight Lieutenant F.E, Lundy, Medical Officer of this Station, was struck off strength on posting toNo. 8 Repair Depot, effective and reporting 7-10-41.Squadron Leader Gillson and Squadron Leader Blaine were visitors on this Station today.


IMAGE 586

Oct. 8 A twin-engined Douglas B.18, a medium bomber arrived at Stevenson Airport atth

approximately 1145 hours on an 8,000 mile trip to Alaska. Part in ship included: Col. E.W. Hill,Air Inspector of U.S. Amy; Col. B.M. Giles, U.S.A. Army; Capt. M.A. Libby, Staff Officer,Washington; Major W.H. Lawton, Flight Surgeon; and two N.CO.'s. The party on arrival was metby Group Captain D.W.F. Bonham-Carter, S.A.S.O.; and Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson,C.S.O. of No. 5 Air Observer School, Col. Giles, Col. Hill and Major Lawton were entertained atlunch at the Manitoba Club and Capt. Libby partook lunch with the Officers of No. 5 A.O.S. Thetwo N.C.O.'s were entertained by N.C.O.’s. of No. 5 A.O.S. This machine departed for Edmonton atapproximately 1445 hours.Regular air exercises carried out, morning afternoon and night.Mr. Apedaile of Ottawa, and Mr. Ashton of the Winnipeg Air Observer School Ltd. visited thisSchool in late afternoon.Weather still remains cloudy with showers.

Oct. 9 Morning and afternoon and night exercises carried out.th

Flight Lieutenant G. Ross, Chief Instructor, returned from Paulson by air where he has beenattending a three-day course in Bombing & Gunnery at No. 7 B.& G. School. Weather moderating.

Oct. 10 Commanding Officer's Inspection carried out at 0815 hours.th

Graduation parade, Class 29, held at 1000 hours on Parade Ground. Presentation of the Bud StarrattMemorial Trophy, a navigational wrist watch, was made to LAC Harris, A.A.C., of London,England. This trainee was a chartered accountant in civilian life, and at the time of the Naziinvasion of Norway was working in Norway for Price Waterhouse Co. He escaped through France,Russia, and to England. LAC Harris has been recommended for a commission.Three trainees, having failed course 29, are being sent to Composite Training School, Trenton,Ontario, for remustering to another trade. Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out as well as

night flying.


IMAGE 587

Oct. 11 Routine normal.th

October 12 Regular air exercises carried out. Weather warm with temperature around 65º.th

Thirty-six trainees departed for No. 3 Bombing & Gunnery School, Macdonald, Man., at 2230 viaC.P.R.Thirteen trainees arrived here at 1800 hours from Edmonton, Alberta, in addition to thirteen traineesfrom Trenton, Ontario. Total is 26, which will comprise Course No. 35, commencing October 13th.

Oct. 13 Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out.th

All personnel partook of an excellent Thanksgiving dinner, at noon, the usual turkey and trimmingsbeing served. This dinner was greatly enjoyed by the Airmen.Flying Officer G.W. Lindsey, Station Medical Officer, arrived this Station on posting fromRecruiting Centre, Saskatoon, Sask., effective 11-10-41. Officer personnel strength now 15.

Oct. 14 Station routine normal.th

Class 31A were paid at 1630 hours because they have been detailed for a navigational exercise toRegina, Sask., at the time when the regular pay parade is held.Interception air exercise carried out both morning and afternoon.The bombing range, located at Ridgely, Man., is now well under way; it is expected to commencebombing exercises around October 17th. This range is located N.E. of Stonewall, betweenStonewall and Selkirk, Manitoba, approximate distance from this Station being 32 miles by road.Flying Officer J.M. Morton departed for No. 10 Air Observer School, Chatham, N.B., on posting.

Oct. 15 Air exercise, Winnipeg to Regina and return was carried out, nine aircraft takingth

part. Pay parade held at 1245 hours.Flight Lieutenant J.L. Cork, Acting P.M.O, was a visitor on this Station today.Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson, Flight Lieutenant G. Ross, Flight Lieutenant Randall, Mr. W.A.Straith, and Mr. W. Buchanan flew to the bombing range at Ridgely for the purpose of doingpractice bombing prior to the commencement of bombing operations. It is understood bombs weredropped from a height of 6000 feet with fairly good results.


IMAGE 588

Oct. 15 (Cont’d) It is now expected the Range will be in use October 17th. Bombs were releasedth

by Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson and Flight Lieutenant Randall.

Oct. 16 Mr, W.M. Neal, Vice-President, Western Lines C P R, was a visitor on this Station today;th

also Mr. Ashton of Wings Ltd. Mr. Neal conferred with the officials of the Winnipeg Air ObserverSchool Ltd., and with Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson on matters of policy.Air exercises carried out morning, afternoon and night.

Oct. 17 Flight Lieutenant Emery of Headquarters, Ottawa, was a visitor on this Station. Squadronth

Leader H.G. Malcolmson accompanied by Flight Lieutenant Emery flew to No. 3 Bombing &Gunnery School, Macdonald, Manitoba, returning at 1700 hours. On the return trip WingCommander R.H. Little of No. 3 Bombing & Gunnery School accompanied the above Officers. LAC Sproule, of Course 19, later washed out as an Air Observer and remustered to Air Gunner hasbeen reported in Press this date as missing overseas.The civilian pilots were sent on a short bombing exercise this date.

Oct. 18 he only flying operations carried out today were flights made by pilots, who wereth

practising bombing. Nothing further to report this date.

Oct. 19 Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out.th

Bombing range completed, equipment in place and range crew consisting of four General Dutiesairmen has been billetted out as from 16-10-41. Four senior Armament Instructors are nowattached to this School, two as Instructors and one analyzing charts.

Oct. 20 No morning flying carried out due to weather conditions. Afternoon air exercises carriedth

out.Flying Officer Mahood, navigation instructor, reported this Station from No. 10 Air ObserverSchool, Chatham, N.B., taking the place of Flying Officer J.M. Morton posted to No. 10 A.O.S.,Chatham, N.B.


IMAGE 589

Oct.21st Routine normal. Weather clear and mild.Nine aircraft took off at 0830 hours on exercise to Regina, bombing exercises carried out this date.

Oct. 22 Morning and afternoon regular air exercises carried out.nd

Course No. 32, all pupils, carry out B3 Exercise in Bombing, each pupil making six attacks on thetarget.Court of Inquiry held at 1400 hours investigating the desertion of LAC Krim, M.D., reported absent

since September 29th, 1941. This trainee was a U.S.A. citizen, and his home was New York City,N.Y. The Board consisted of Flight Lieutenant G.G. Milne, Flying Officer G. McAulay, and FlyingOfficer Marginson. The Court hearing was completed at 1615 hours.

Oct. 23 Air Vice-Marshal Croill, Inspector General, accompanied by Air Officer Commanding A.P.rd

Shearer, Group Captain D.W. Bonham-Carter, and Flight Lieutenant G.P. Dymond visited thisStation at 1410 hours. The official party were met by Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson, ChiefSupervisory Officer; Flying Officer W. Marginson, Station Adjutant; Mr. D.S. Ormond and Mr.W.A. Straith of the Winnipeg Air Observer School Ltd. An official inspection was made of theStation, hangars, aircraft, quarters, etc., after which the party partook of tea in the Officers' Mess. The party left the Station at 1645 hours. Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out as well asbombing exercises.Weather clear and cool.

October 24 Regular air and bombing exercises carried out.th

The Canadian National Railway kindly donated a dismantled box-car for the Station skating rink. The car was delivered this date and placed in position alongside the rink; it will be heated and usedas a dressing room. It is more than likely that skating and hockey games will be played extensivelythis coming winter by Officers and Airmen.

Oct. 25 Bombing exercise carried out this date for Course 32, morning and afternoon. Completeth

course in bombing has been run off daily since bombing operations commenced. No navigationexercises carried out this date, civilian pilots taking the day off from duty.

October 26 Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out. Station routine normal.th


IMAGE 590

Oct.27th Morning and afternoon navigation exercises carried out in addition to bombingexercise.Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson proceeded on temporary duty to No. 3 Communication andFerry Flight, R.C.A.F., St. Hubert Airport, Montreal, P.Q., leaving this morning at 0830 hoursferrying a Harvard aircraft. Flight Lieutenant G.G. Milne assumed temporary command of No. 5A.O.S., effective 27-10-41. Course No. 31, now writing their final examinations, will graduateNovember 8th.Weather cold with strong north wind. Sixteen trainees from No. 1 Manning Depot, Toronto, and tentrainees from Composite Training School, Trenton, Ontario, arrived this Station 1000 hours forCourse No. 36.

Oct. 28 Twelve aircraft on regular navigation exercise and four aircraft on bombing exercise thisth

morning.Routine normal. Weather clear and moderating.

One additional aircraft, No. 6884 received this Station from Macdonald Aircraft. Total now 22aircraft on Station.

October 29 No flying carried out due to heavy snowfall and thick fog. Approximately four inchesth

of snow fell and temperature mild with low ceiling.

October 30 Regular flying exercises carried, out this date. LAC Miller, L.W. of Course No. 35,th

posted to Composite Training School, Trenton; this trainee having failed his mid-term examinations,posting effective this date, reporting November 1st, 1941.Mr. W.R. Devenish, General Manager Western Lines C.N.R. and Mr. A.B. Roseavear K.C. LegalRepresentative, C.N.R., were visitors on this Station on the invitation of Flying


IMAGE 591

Oct. 30 (Cont’d) Officer W. Marginson and Mr. D.S. Ormond. Both these visitors showed keenth

interest in the operation of the Station.

Oct. 31 . Routine normal. Officer Commanding's Inspection carried out at 1030 hours. Pay paradest

held at 1245 hours.The graduating class, Course No. 31, held a Banquet and Dance at the Royal Alexandra Hotelcommencing at 1930 hours, which was well patronized. Trainees of course No. 31 on 48-hour pass.

Oct. 31st. PERSONNEL STRENGTH


Airmen R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 20 Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - Nil Civilian (Met.) Instructor - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 Tradesmen Awaiting Posting, RCAF 15

Trainees Airmen R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 95 Airmen R.A.F. - - - - - - -- - - - -- - - - - -- - - - - - - 57 Airmen R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - 1 Airmen R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 Total Air Force Strength - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 205 Total Civilian Strength 2

AIRCRAFT STRENGTH


Avro-Anson 19 4


IMAGE 592

November 1 PERSONNEL STRENGTH


Airmen R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 20 Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - Nil Civilian (Met.) Instructor - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 Trainees Airmen R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 95 Airmen R.A.F. - - - - - - -- - - - -- - - - - -- - - - - - - 57 Airmen R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - 1 Airmen R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 Total 188 Airmen and 2 Civilians. AIRCRAFT STRENGTH


Avro-Anson 19 4

Station routine normal. No air exercises carried out. Weather clear and warm.Flying Officer F.V. Keats (NAV) reported for duty, prior to being posted to the Air NavigationSchool, RCAF, Rivers, Man.

IMAGE 593

November 1 (Cont’d) Flying Officer Keats was formerly Service Police airman on this Station, andwas recommended for a commission as Navigation Instructor,Flying Officer Lindsey, Medical Officer of the Station, married today at Oshawa, Ontario.

November 2 0830 Morning air exercises carried out.Afternoon air exercises cancelled due to inclement weather.

November 3 No air exercises conducted this date due to poor weather.Mess dinner held this evening, invited guests being Mr. P. ff Gyles, President of the War Time Pilotsand Observers Association, and Dr. A.W. Hogg, executive member of the Association as well as Mr. W.A. Straith of the W.A.O.S.Flying Officer and Mrs. Lindsey returned to Winnipeg from Oshawa.

November 4 No bombing exercises carried out this date. 0830 Twelve aircraft on navigation flight in morning. 1330 Twelve aircraft on afternoon exercise. Squadron Leader Erickson ofHeadquarters, Ottawa was a visitor on Station, conferring with. Flight Lieutenant G.B. Randall,Station Armament Officer. 1930 A meeting of Civilian Pilots and R.C.A.F. Instructors held in No. 2 Hangar, with32 pilots and 12 Instructors attending as well as Mr. W.A, Straith, Operational Manager, W.A.O.S.This meeting was held for the purpose of obtaining greater co-operation between pilots and trainees. Meeting adjourned at 2120 hours.

November 5 Regular air exercises carried out this date. 1800 Three General Duties airmen reported in from No. 2 Manning Depot, Brandon.Flying Officer H.M.S. Ferguson proceeded on a forty eight hour pass prior to posting toNo. 5 I.T.S., RCAF, Belleville, 0nt.

IMAGE 594

November 6 No morning flying carried out due to poor visibility. Afternoon air exercise carriedout, 12 aircraft taking part.Mr. J.B. McGeachy of the B.B.C. and former Free Press correspondent, and Flying Officer H.C.Anderson, Press Liason Officer of No. 2 Training Command were visitors on this Station.Night flying exercises carried out.

November 7 No flying this morning. 1330 Afternoon flight carried out. Evening exercise carried out.Class 31 graduated with LAC Ramsay, L.H., being the honored student. LAC Ramsay waspresented with a Navigational wrist watch (Bud Starratt Memorial Trophy). Presentation was madeby the Station Adjutant, Flying Officer W. Marginson. LAC Ramsay obtained approximately 81%on his final examinations. Class 31 had 36 trainees, 28 of whom passed with the remaining 8 heldover for a two weeks special course. Following this special course the remaining trainees will beposted to a Bombing and Gunnery School. Anson Aircraft No. 6954 received from McDonaldAircraft Ltd. This makes a total of 24 aircraft now on Station.

November 8 Flying Officer F.V. Keats (NAV) posted to No. 1 Air Navigation School, RCAF,Rivers, Man. effective and reporting November 8th.

November 9 Squadron Leader Malcolmson commanded the R.C.A.F. Church parade this morning. The parade consisting of 500 airmen, formed up at Mulvey School and to the accompaniment of theRCAF Band marched to the First Presbyterian Church, corner of St. James Place and PortageAvenue. The service was conducted by the Rev. Francis B. Allen and assisted by Sqn. Ldr.

McFarlane, Command Protestant Chaplain.

IMAGE 595

November 9 (Cont’d) Officers from this Station attending the Church parade were: Sqn. Ldr.Malcolmson, O.C. of parade, Flying Officer Marginson, Adjutant, Flight Lieutenants G.G. Milne,G.B. Randall and G. Ross. Other Officers attending the parade included Flying Officer Thompson,No. 8 Repair Depot and Flying Officer Manning from No. 7 Equipment Depot. 2145 Twenty eight students in class 31 departed from the C.N.R. Station for No. 7Bombing and Gunnery School, Paulson, Manitoba. Eight trainees of this Course held over for furthertwo weeks study.

November 10 Pilot Officer Gauthier (C6908) and Pilot Officer Stewart (C6931) reported thisStation today on posting from No. 1 A.N.S., Rivers. Both these Officers are NavigationInstructors. Regular morning and afternoon air exercises carried out.Anson Aircraft No. 6955 received this date from McDonald Bros. Aircraft. This makes a total of 25aircraft on the Station.

November 11 Ten aircraft off on morning air exercise. Five aircraft returned shortly afterward andthe other five landed at Portage la Prairie due to poor visibility. These aircraft remainedat Portage la Prairie overnight.Twelve trainees arrived at this Station to begin Course No. 37. These trainees reported in afterhaving two weeks leave from the Composite Training School, Trenton. Fourteen more trainees arestill to report for this Course.

November 12 Weather clear and fine. 0827 Five aircraft grounded overnight at Portage la Prairie left to return to No. 5A.O.S. Regular air exercises carried out.All trainees for Course No. 37 now have reported and ready to begin course.One airman, ceased training, given ten days leave and posted to Composite Training School,Trenton, Ont.Night air exercise carried out with ten aircraft taking part.

IMAGE 596

November 13 Regular air exercises carried out this date.Station Senior Disciplinarian left to attend N. C. O.'s Administrative course at Trenton, Ontario.Wing Commander Lister, Wing Commander Nelson and Flight Lieutenant Herring of No. 2 TrainingCommand were visitors on Station today conferring with Squadron Leader Malcomson and FlightLieutenant Randall with regard to the bombing set-up. Night exercises carried out with ten aircrafttaking part.

November 14 1245 Pay Parade held.Corporal Disciplinarian posted to this School from No. 10 S.F.T.S., Dauphin, Manitoba. This

N.C.O. will replace a Sergeant Disciplinarian who has been posted to No. 4 I.T.S., Edmonton, Alta. 1800 Three G.D. airmen arrived on this Station on posting from No. 2 ManningDepot, Brandon, Man.

November 15 Station routine nominal.The Officers of this Station entertained 12 members of the Wartime Pilots and Observers Associationand their wives. Mr. P. ff Gyles attended and presented, on loan, a propeller and gong for the mess. The gong was made from part of a Clergy engine, used in the last war.

November 16 Air exercises cancelled due to poor flying weather. Routine normal.

IMAGE 597

November 17 0830 Thirteen aircraft took off on air exercise, but had to return after one hour'sflying due to poor visibility and low ceiling. No flying carried out for balance of day.

November 18 Flying washed out due to poor weather.No. 5 A.O.S. defeated No. 8 Repair Depot in basketball game played at General Wolfe School by a23 - 21 score.

November 19 No flying carried out due to poor weather.Two armourer airmen reported from RCAF Station Mountain View, Ont.The Jewish Congress, today, donated six chesterfield chairs for the N.C.O.'s and Airmen's Messes.

November 20 Weather fair, light snow falling. 0830 Thirteen aircraft took off on air exercise No. 1.One airman photographer reported to this Station from No. 3 B. & G. School, Macdonald. Dr. Malcolmson, of Edmonton Alta. and father of Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson was a visitoron this Station.

November 21 Two aircraft took off at 0830 hours on bombing exercise but had to return due topoor weather. Twelve aircraft took off on regular navigation exercise but also had to return onaccount of poor visibility and low ceiling.Disciplinarian Sergeant posted from this Station to No. 4 I.T.S., Edmonton, Alta.

November 22 Temperature two degrees below zero. Clear and cold.Eleven aircraft took off on regular air exercise and four aircraft on bombing exercise. Seven traineesheld over from Course No. 31 for further instruction have completed their course and are now onforty eight hour pass prior to posting. This group of trainees were named 32S.

IMAGE 598

November 23 Regular morning and afternoon air exercises as well as bombing exercise carried out.Squadron Leader M.K. Parlee, Educational Officer from Headquarters was a visitor on this Stationconferring with Squadron Leader Malcolmson and Flight Lieutenant Ross on matters of policy. Weather clear, temperature 14 degrees above.

November 24 Morning, afternoon and night exercises carried out, including bombing exercises.Weather moderating and becoming milder. Twenty five trainees for Course No. 38 reported on thisStation after having had seven days leave from Composite Training School, Trenton, Ontario.Seven trainees held over from Course No. 31 left this Station for No. 5 B. & G. School, Dafoe,Sask, travelling over C.P.R. lines.

November 25 Station routine normal. Regular air exercises carried out.Flight Lieutenant Ashford, Padre (United Church) recently posted to No. 8 Repair Depot was avisitor at this Station. Flight Lieutenant Ashford will take care of religious matters for No. 7Equipment Depot, No. 8 Repair Depot and No. 5 Air Observer School.

November 26 Routine normal, nothing of special interest to report.

November 27 Two trainees failed course and posted to K.T.S., Trenton. Both of these traineesgiven leave prior to reporting to Trenton. One airman held back one class for further training.Regular air exercises carried out this date. One armourer airman reported from Mountain ViewOntario.

IMAGE 599

November 28 1245 Pay parade held, strength of parade being 235. Afternoon and evening airexercises carried out. 1930 Class 32 held a Stag Banquet at the Fort Carry Hotel, Winnipeg. Officerattending the banquet were: Squadron Leader Malcolmson, Flying Officer Marginson and FlyingOfficer McAulay. Twenty two members of the class attended and after the usual dinner, speeches,intermingled with stories and music were the main feature. This class consists mainly of Englishboys. Flight Lieutenant G.C. Milne left today for No. 7 I.T.S. Saskatoon, where he has been posted.This Officer was very popular and his departure was regretted by all.

November 29 Routine normal.

November 30 Regular flying exercises carried out. Station routine normal.

November 1 PERSONNEL STRENGTH

Staff: Officers R.C.A.F. 15

Airmen R.C.A.F. 42 Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. Nil Civilian (Met.) Instructor 2 Tradesmen awaiting posting 17

Trainees Airmen RCAF 104 Airmen RAF 62 Airmen RNZAF 3

Airmen RAAF 2 Total 245 Airmen and 2 Civilians.

IMAGE 600

November 30 AIRCRAFT STRENGTH: Type Serviceable Unserviceable Avro-Anson 19 7

(H.G. Malcolmson) Squadron Leader, Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 610

1-12-41. PERSONNEL STRENGTH

Staff Officers, R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 15

Airmen - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 42 Service Personnel other than R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - Nil Civilian (Met.) Instructor - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2

Trainees Airmen R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 104 Airmen R.A.F. - - - - - - -- - - - -- - - - - -- - - - - - - 62 Airmen R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - 2 Airmen R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3

Tradesmen Awaiting Training - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 17 Total Air Force Strength - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 245 Total Civilian Strength 2

Dec. 1 Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out. Weather mild, 43º above, visibility

excellent.

Dec. 2 Acting Flight Sergeant Charko, Z.R., “B” Group Photographer, was posted to No. 6 AirObserver School, Prince Albert. Twelve aircraft on morning exercise.

IMAGE 611

Dec. 3 Station routine normal; flying exercises, both navigation and bombing, were carried out.

Dec. 4 Weather very mild with temperature at 40° above.One airman from Course No. 32 was posted to Composite Training School, Trenton, having failedhis course of instruction.Monthly Mess Dinner held at 1830 hours, in Officers' Mess.

Dec. 5 Graduation Parade held at 1100 hours for Class No. 32. This class consists of 21 traineesth

and will leave for No. 7 Bombing & Gunnery School, Paulson, Manitoba, Sunday December 7th. The honor student was LAC Dowling, A.J. who received the Navigation Wrist Watch, known as the"Bud Starratt Memorial Trophy", in memory of the late Bud Starratt, son of Mr. R. Starratt. Thiswatch was presented to the above named student by Mr. N.T. Clayton, Director of the Winnipeg AirObserver School Ltd. Accompanying Mr. Clayton on this occasion were Squadron Leader H.G.Malcolmson and Mr. W.A. Straith, Chief Supervisory Officer and Civilian Company Managerrespectively.Regular flying exercises carried out this date. One AC Photographer posted to this School from No.12 S.F.FT.S., Brandon, Man. Weather clear and becoming colder.

Dec. 6 Mr. Ralph Michaelis, British Journalist of the British Ministry of Information, London, Engl,was a visitor on this Station. He was accompanied by Press Liasion. Officer, Flying Officer H.Anderson of No. 2 Training Command, Winnipeg, Man. M'r. Michaelis has been commissioned bythe Ministry of Information to write articles on the B.C.A.T.P.; he was therefore afforded everyopportunity to study the organization of this Station and to make any interview he wished with thepersonnel.Pilot Officer S.J. Grigg, a General List Navigation Instructor, was taken on strength on posting fromNo. 1 Air Navigation School, Rivers, Man. This Officer replaced Flight Lieutenant G.G. Milne,who was posted to No. 7 Initial Training School, Saskatoon, Sask.

Dec. 7 No flying this date owing to light blizzard, snow and poor visibility.Eighteen trainees from No. 4 I.T.S., Edmonton, arrived Sunday evening as well as eight traineesfrom Composite Training School, Trenton, Ont. These 26 trainees will comprise Course No. 39.


IMAGE 612

Dec. 8 Temperature 8º below zero, weather clear and cold. Squadron Leader Blaine was visitor onthis Station this day.Ten aircraft on morning exercise and four aircraft on bombing exercise. Flight Lieutenant Ashford,Protestant Padre, of No. 8 Repair Depot, was a visitor on the Station, conferring with SquadronLeader H.G. Malcolmson and Flying Officer Marginson on the matter of combining the personnel ofNo. 5 Air Oserver School, No. 8 Repair Depot and No. 7 Equipment Depot, for a Church Service tobe held at this School on Sunday, December 21st.

Dec. 9 Station routine normal. Flying carried out morning and afternoon.

Dec. 10 Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out. Temperature 2° below zero at 1200 hoursnoon. Flying Officer G.F. McAulay (Nav. Instructor) was admitted to No. 8 Repair Depot SickQuarters, suffering with slight cold.Night air exercises carried out, the aircraft departing at approx. 1930 hours and returning at 2230hours.

Dec. 11 Regular air exercises carried out, including night flying. Three trainees failed Course No. 36 and one trainee failed Course No.33. These four airmen are given 12 days leave prior to postingto Composite Training School, Trenton, Ont., leaving this Station December 12th. In addition to theabove leave period, they were also given the 5 day's Christmas leave.Squadron Leader Dunn and Flight Lieutenant F.D. Guild, of recruiting Centre, Winnipeg, werevisitors on this Station. After partaking of lunch in the Officers' Mess, Squadron Leader H.G.Malcolmson, conducted the visitors over the Station.


IMAGE 613

Dec. 12 Class No. 33, R.A.F. trainees, held graduation dinner at 1900 hours in the MarlboroughHotel. Among those present were Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson, Flying Officer W.Marginson, Flight Lieutenant G. Ross and Flying Officer C. Gauthier. Some 23 airmen of this classattended.Regular flying exercises carried out.

Dec. 13 Regular air exercises carried out morning and afternoon. Flight Lieutenant G.G. Milne ofNo. 7 I.T.S., Saskatoon, Sask., was a visitor on this Station, having accompanied the remains of thelate Flying Officer G. Monkhouse, Equipment Officer at No. 7 I.T.S., Saskatoon.Regular mid-month Pay Parade held at 1100 hours for all R.C.A.F. personnel.

Dec. 14 Navigational and bombing exercises carried out morning and afternoon. Weather clear andmild. Routine normal.

Dec. 15 Station routine normal. Flight Sergeant Jessiman, Station Disciplinarian, returns for dutyafter attending the Senior N.C.O.'s Course at Trenton, Ontario. Flying Exercises carried out.Mr. A. Ratson, Civilian Caterer of this School, provided all Christmas decorations for the Officers',N.C.O.'s and Airmen's Messes, and for the Recreation Room.

Dec. 16 Regular flying exercises carried out.Flying Officer W. Marginson, Station Adjutant, was a Pallbearer for the funeral of the late FlyingOfficer G.W. Monkhouse, formerly of No. 2 Technical Detachment, and who was recently posted toNo. 7 I.T.S., Saskatoon.Trainees at this Station now enjoying the skating rink to full advantage.Flying Officer J.G. Smart (C8689) (Admin.), reported to this Station from Officers’ AdministrativeCourse No. 25, at Trenton, Ontario.

Dec. 17 Station routine normal. Weather clear, temperature 29° above. Total Officers on thisstation now 15. (Continued)


IMAGE 614

Dec. 17 (Cont’d) The following Directors of Winnipeg A.O.S., were visitors on this Station and hadlunch in the Officers' Mess:- Mr. W. Ashton, Mr. D.S. Ormond, Mr. R. Brown, Mr. N.T. Clayton,Mr. Starratt and Mr. H.S. Scarth.Commencing this date, and continuing throughout the week with the exception of Sunday andC.O.’s Inspection on Friday, route marches will be carried out by two Officers detailed and alltrainees and Service personnel who are not on duty. This route march is to take in 30 minutes eachmorning.One AC Armourer (Bombs) reported this Station from Air Armament School, Mountain View,Ontario.

Dec. 18 Photographic exercises carried out this date in morning; Navigation exercises carried out inafternoon and night.Air Commodore K. Nairn of H.Q. Ottawa and Wing Commander R. McCann of No. 2 TrainingCommand were visitors on this Station in late afternoon, conferring with Squadron Leader H.G.Malcolmson.One airman of Class 33, which graduates Dec. 19th, failed his course and was posted to CompositeTraining School, Trenton, Ontario, on completion of his five days Christmas leave.Squadron Leader Blaine of No. 2 Training Command visited this Station, conferring with FlightLieutenant G. Ross, the Chief Instructor.

Dec. 19 No flying exercises carried out this morning, regular Navigation exercise completed inafternoon. Night flying cancelled.

Class 33, R.A.F. trainees, attended graduation parade at 1000 hours, LAC Andrews, S.V., being thehonored student to receive the Bud Starratt Memorial Trophy, a Navigation Wrist Watch. Thepresentation was made by Group Captain D.W. Bonham-Carter, who afterwards addressed thegraduates briefly. This pleasing ceremony took place in No. 1 Hangar (Cont’d) Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 615

Dec. 19 (Cont’d) and among those present were Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson, FlightLieutenant G. Ross, Flying Officer W. Marginson, Flight Lieutenant Ashford, Mr. W.A. Straith andMr. D.S. Ormond. Eighteen trainees graduated out of a class of 20, the entire class being R.A.F.At 1100 hours Pay Parade was held for Class 33, after which they left the Station, having been givenleave until Reveille, Dec. 27th..Hon. Flight Lieutenant Ashford, Padre at No. 8 Repair Depot, Joined the Officers of this Station atlunch. Padre Ashford serves this Station as well as No. 8 Repair Depot.

Dec. 20 Navigational air exercises carried out in morning. Pilot Officer H.S. Schellenberg, Nav.Instructor, reported this Station from Rivers, Manitoba.A Board of Officers, composed of the following, Squadron Leader Malcolmson, President; Members- Flying Officer Neville of No. 8 Repair Depot; Flying Officer Swanton, W&B Officer #8 RepairDepot; Flying Officer G. Lindsey, Station Medical Officer; Mr. W.E. Ashton and Mr. D.S. Ormondof Winnipeg Air Observer School Ltd. met at 1000 hours for the purpose of taking over certaincompleted buildings and handing same to the Winnipeg Air Observer School.Pay Parade usually held at end of each month will be held at 1345 hours this date, covering periodDecember 15 - 31st.

Dec. 21 No flying carried out this date. Church Parade held on this station at 1000 hours in No. 1Hangar, some 400 airmen ana 24 Officers attending in addition to the R.C.A.F. Band from No. 2Training Command. The officiating Padre was Hon. Flight Lieutenant Ashford of No. 8 RepairDepot. There were 160 airmen from No. 8 Repair Depot attending, with Group Captain Adams,C.O. No. 8 Repair Depot, Squadron Leader Pollard and other Officers. Group Captain Adams readthe Lesson, and Hon. Flight Lieutenant Ashford preached the sermon. The Service lasted one hour. Course No. 40, trainees from Belleville and Trenton, are reporting this date after their Christmasleave. There is a total of 26 airmen in this course. Weather cloudy and mild with moderatetemperature.


IMAGE 616

Dec. 22 Routine normal.nd

Dec. 23 No flying due to poor visibility. All classes of this School ceased training at 1630 hours,rd

trainees being allowed five days Xmas leave. There are some 80 trainees who will reside on theStation from Dec. 23 to 29th, the balance proceeding to outside points, East and West. Fourtrainees of Course No. 37, failed their course and are to be posted to Composite Trailing School,Trenton, reporting January 4th, 1942.

Dec. 24 Station routine normal. School closed at 1630 hours and trainees given their five daysth

Xmas leave. Airmen on this leave are going as far as Vancouver and Toronto, others staying in thecity will be looked after by citizens of Winnipeg.Many invitations inviting airmen to the homes of Winnipeg citizens were received - - more thancould be filled.

Dec. 25 Routine normal.th

At 1200 hours all personnel, Officers, N.C.O’s and Airmen who were staying on the Station satdown to a very excellent Christmas Dinner. Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson acting as host,together with several other Officers, as is the custom in all Services, waited table. The menuconsisted of everything from soup to nuts, the dinner being put on by the School Caterers, Messrs.H. & A. Ratson. After dinner several speeches and stories were told, and then a sing-song whichwas enjoyed by all. All personnel were supplied with two bottles of beer.Only personnel required to remain on Station are Orderly Officer, Duty N.C.O. and Duty Watch.


IMAGE 617

Dec. 26 Nothing to report. All quiet on the Station.

Dec. 27 Nil. Nothing to report.

Dec. 28 Nil. Nothing to Report.

Dec. 29 Regular air exercises carried out morning afternoon and night. Weather clear, temperature15° above.All trainees reported back from Xmas leave.

Dec. 30 Air Exercises not started until 1100 hours owing to poor visibility. Six aircraft took offmorning and afternoon on Bombing practice. Eight and twelve aircraft afternoon and eveningrespectively on navigation flights.

Dec. 31 Air exercises in photography, bombing and navigation carried out morning and afternoon.

No night flying.Training suspended from After Duty today until 2359 hours, January 1st, 1942.Squadron Leader A. G. Goulding of No. 2 Training Command, was luncheon guest at Officers'Mess.Officers of this Station, their wives and friends enjoyed a successful New Year’s Eve Party in theOfficers' Mess, 25 couples attending. A buffet supper was served and Pilots from Winnipeg AirObserver School Ltd, were visitors.

(Continued)


IMAGE 618

Dec. 31 PERSONNEL STRENGTH

Staff Officers, R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 17

Airmen - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 41 Service Personnel other than R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - Nil Civilian (Met.) Instructor - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 Trainees Airmen R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 137 Airmen R.A.F. - - - - - - -- - - - -- - - - - -- - - - - - - 26 Airmen R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - 2 Airmen R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3

Tradesmen Awaiting Training - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 12 Total Air Force Strength - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 238 Total Civilian Strength 2 AIRCRAFT STRENGTH


Avro-Anson 20 6


IMAGE 623

January 1st PERSONNEL STRENGTH

Staff Officers - R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 17

Airmen - R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 42 Service Personnel other than R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - Nil Civilian (Met.) Instructor - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2

Tradesmen awaiting posting - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 12 Trainees Airmen R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 137 Airmen R.A.F. - - - - - - -- - - - -- - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - 26 Airmen R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - 2 Airmen R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 Totals: 238 Air Force personnel and 2 civilians. Routine normal, no flying exercises.The following Officers from this Station attended reception at Government Hours: Squadron LeaderH.G. Malcolmson, Flight Lieutenant G. Ross, Flying Officer W. Marginson and Flying Officer G.K.Wynn. Other Officers attending receptions at Officers’ Messes of No. 2 Training Command, No. 8Repair Depot and No. 3 Wireless School included the remainder of the Officer strength of thisStation.


IMAGE 624

January 2 Four airmen, ceased training cases, posted to K.T.S., Trenton, effective 13-1-42. Onend

airman (A.E.M.) posted to No. 8 Repair Depot, Winnipeg, Manitoba..

January 3 1030 LAC Stollery of Class 34 was presented with a navigational wrist watch, “Therd

Bud Starratt Memorial Trophy” by Mr. D.S. Ormond of the W.A.O.S. This trophy presented tothe airman chosen by his classmates as the leading man in their class. Normal flying routine.

January 4 Flying operations carried out in morning but cancelled in afternoon due to low ceilingand poor visibility. 1055 Course No. 41, 26 trainees from No. 6 I.T.S., Toronto, arrived via C.N.R. 2145 Twenty trainees in Course No. 34 left from this Station for No. 7 B. & G. School,

Paulson, Man.

January 5 Mr. D.N. McMullen (Met. Asst) arrived, replacing Mr. J.J. Labelle posted to No. 3S.F.T.S., Calgary, December 31st. Weather today very cold.

January 6 Today is first anniversary of the opening of this School. Course 15, composed of 42R.A.F. trainees arrived in Winnipeg on Sunday January 5th, 1941. Attached is a clipping from theWinnipeg Tribune of January 5th, 1942 which reprints a letter from a member of Class 15, now onactive service overseas. (Not attached)(ED)During the year there have been no serious mishaps or flying accidents. Twelve courses havegraduated, averaging 34 successes in each class. The failures averaged 7% and 7 classes are now inthe process of training. Very Cold today.

January 7 Weather moderating slightly. Flying exercises normal.One airman, Bombing Instructor, T.O.S. from A.A. School, Mountain View, Ontario.

January 8 Regular air exercises carried out, including night flying. Temperature 15° below.


IMAGE 625

January 9 Station routine normal. Monthly clothing parade held at 0900 hours and 1330 hours atNo. 7 Equipment Depot. Flying exercises, including Bombing exercises, carried out. Temperature at 0730 hours was 26°below zero.Three C.P.R. officials, Messrs. Cook, Kearns and Osborne, were visitors, conferring with Mr. Mutchon Building Maintenance.The Social Club of W.A.O.S. Ltd. held a supper and dance in Marlborough Hotel, employees andguests totaled 250. G. McConachie of C.P.R. was guest of honor. Officers and their wives andfriends of No. 5 A.O.S. attended.

January 10 Bombing and Navigation exercises carried out.

January 11 Bombing and Navigation exercises carried out morning, afternoon with additionalNavigation exercises at night.

January 12 One airman S.O.S. on posting to No. 1 A.N.S., Rivera as a Nursing Orderly. Twoairman, ceased training, posted to K.T.S., Trenton.

Mr. Peter Troupe, Manager of No. 9 A.O.S,, St. Johns, P.Q. was a visitor on this Station. Also Mr.J.L. Apedaile of Headquarters, Ottawa.Navigation exercises carried out morning, afternoon and evening. Bombing exercises cancelled dueto weather conditions.Pilot Officer A.C. Gauthier, instructor on this Station, promoted to rank of Flying Officer effective11-10-41.

January 13 One airman, Nursing Orderly, taken on strength, replacing airman Nursing Orderlyposted. This airman reporting from No. 1 A.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba.


IMAGE 626

January 13 (Cont’d) F/Lt. H.J. Amery, a visitor from Headquarters, Ottawa and Group CaptainD.W.F. Bonham-Carter along with Sq./Ldr. Blaine from No. 2 Training Command conferred withSquadron Leader Malcolmson.Morning bombing exercises carried out. No flying in afternoon due to weather conditions. Fullnavigation exercises at night.N.C.O.'s defeated the Officers in hockey game by score of 3 to 2.

January 14 Mr. Wm. Straith was the guest of honor at a supper held in the Pilot's Mess. Inappreciation of his association, as operations manager of the W.A.O.S., with the staff and pilots, Mr.D.S. Ormond, who presided, presented Mr, Straith with a brown leather club bag, a zipper portfolioto match and a pair of cuff links. The Officers of No. 5 A.O.S, attended the dinner and on theirbehalf Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson presented Mr. Straith with a Desk Clock with TelephoneIndex in appreciation of his friendly co-operation during the past year.Mr. Straith will leave shortly to fill an important post in Edmonton. In expressing thanks for theabove tokens, he recalled many interesting incidents.Other guests who addressed the gathering included Air Commodore A.B. Shearer, A.O.C. No. 2T.C., Group Captain G.R. Howsam, C.O. No, 11 S.F.T.S., Mr. M.E. Ashton, General Manager ofWings Ltd, Mr. R.W. Starratt, President and General Manager of Starratt Airways Ltd., Mr. RoyBrown, President of Wings Ltd., and departmental managers of W.A.O.S, Ltd. Prior to and afterdinner there were receptions in the Officers Mess. G/C Howsam was also luncheon guest at OfficersMess.Air Exercises included Bombing in the morning, bombing and navigation in afternoon. No nightflying. Weather quite mild.

January 15 Class 35 held graduation dinner at Marlborough Hotel, 19 graduates attending alongwith guests of honor, Squadron Leader Malcolmson, Flight Lieutenant Ross, Flying OfficerMarginson, Flying Officer Gauthier and Pilot Officer Morgan.Bombing exercises morning and afternoon. Navigation exercises washed out due to icing after firstflight. Chief Supervisory Officer,

No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba. IMAGE 627

16-1-42 Mr. W.A. Straith, Operations Manager of Winnipeg Air Observer School Ltd., for the pastyear, left this Station to take up his new position at Edmonton, Alberta.R109051 LAC Brown, A.G., of Codette, Sask., was the honor student of Class 35, receiving the"Bud" Starratt Memorial Trophy and wrist watch. The presentation was held in the classroom andwas made by Flight Lieutenant G. Ross, Chief Instructor. Those present included Squadron LeaderH.G. Malcolmson, Flying Officer Smart and Mr. D.S. Ormond. Nineteen trainees graduated out of aclass entry of twenty-six.Photographic exercises carried out in morning, Navigation in morning, afternoon and evening, andbombing in morning and afternoon.

17-1-42 Navigation and bombing exercises carried out morning and afternoon; no nightflying.

18-1-42 Navigation and bombing exercises carried out morning and afternoon; no nightflying. Weather exceptionally mild for January, bright sun and thaw.Twenty-three trainees, aircrew, arrived via C.P.R. at 2000 hours from RAF Personnel Depot,Moncton, N.B., and three from No. 6 Initial Training School, Belleville, Ontario. These twenty-sixairmen will make up Course No. 42.Nineteen graduates from Course No. 35 left via C.N.R. at 2145 hours, posted to No. 7 Bombing &Gunnery School, Paulson, Man.Flying Officer W.M. Tully was struck off strength this date, on posting to No. 1 Air NavigationSchool, Rivers, Manitoba.

19-1-42 One aircraft made precautionary landing at Rivers, Man., due to engine trouble at 2100hours. Pilot G. Burns, Navigators Fowler and Witt, and Flying Officer Mahood composed thecrew. Otherwise flying operations normal. (Cont'd)


IMAGE 628

19-1-42 (Cont’d) Weather continuing exceptionally mild with thaw. Pilot Officers L.C. Shannon andJ. Doig, Navigation Instructors, reported for duty from No. 1 Air Navigation School, RCAF, Rivers,Manitoba.Pilot Officer D.K. Leach reported from Air Armament School, Mountain View, Ont., as BombingInstructor. (Supernumerary).

20-1-42 Aircraft which landed at Rivers, 19-1-42, returned at 1200 hours; a cracked cylinder was

the cause of engine trouble.Bombing exercises morning and afternoon. Navigation afternoon and evening.

21-1-42 Bombing exercises morning and afternoon. Navigation afternoon and evening. Weathermild, thaw.No. 5 A.O.S. defeated No. 8 Repair Depot by 5 goals to 4 in a hockey match played at No. 8 RepairDepot. Flying Officer G.W. Lindsey proceeded on leave via Ferry Flight, to Victoria.,B.C.

22-1-42 Pilot Officer R. G. Morgan, J.5124, Navigation Instructor, struck off strength on postingto No. 2 A.N.S., Pennfield Ridge, N.B.Bombing exercises carried out morning and afternoon; navigation afternoon andevening. Mild weather continues, thaw.

23-1-42 Flying Officer W. Marginson (C2306), Administrative Officer, posted to No. 7 InitialTraining School, Saskatoon, Sask. Replaced by Flying Officer J.G. Smart (C8689) as Adjutant ofNo. 5 A.O.S.Judge Adams on was a visitor on Station today.Bombing exercises morning and afternoon. Navigation and Photography exercises carried out inafternoon. Flying Officer W. Marginson promoted to Flight Lieutenant.

24-1-42 Group Captain Kelly Barnes, RAF, of British Air Ministry, accompanied by Group CaptainD.W.F. Bonham-Carter of No. 2 Training Command Headquarters and Wing Commander R.A.Cameron of Ottawa, conferred with the Commanding Officer and Chief Instructor regardingoverseas operations. (Cont’d)


IMAGE 629

24-1-42 (Cont’d) Navigation exercises morning and afternoon. Bombing all day.Graduation banquet for Class 36 held in Marlborough Hotel, attended by Commanding Officer andInstructors.

25-1-42 Air exercises suspended due to icing conditions.

26-1-42 Flying Officer G.W. Lindsey, Medical Officer, promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant,effective 1-10-41.Afternoon navigation exercises only today, due to icing conditions. Mild frost.

27-1-42 One N.C.O. Disciplinarian posted to No. 7 I.T.S., Saskatoon, Sask. Officers, N.C.O.'s andrepresentatives of Winnipeg Air Observer School Ltd., met in the Officers' Mess to honor FlightLieutenant W. Marginson, Adjutant for the past year on this Station. On behalf of those present,Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson presented Flt. Lt. Marginson with a Parker combination clock,pen and pencil desk set.Squadron Leader E.C.M. Sheffield of No. 2 T.C., was a visitor of Station, inspecting ArmamentSection and Bombing Range.All air exercises cancelled due to icing and poor visibility. Mild Frost.

28-1-42 Squadron Leader C.C.M. Hilditch, R.A.A.F. Liasion Mission, was a visitor on Stationconferring with Australian personnel.All air exercises cancelled due to icing and poor visibility.

29-1-42 Navigation exercises carried out in afternoon only. Icing conditions and poorvisibility. /Over


IMAGE 630

30-1-42 Navigation exercises, morning, afternoon and evening. No Bombing. Temperature: zero to10 above.

31-1-42 One Sgt. Armourer posted to No. 5 Bombing A Gunnery School, Dafoe, Sask. FlyingOfficer G.K. Wynn promoted to Acting Flight Lieutenant, effective 15-1-42.

PERSONNEL STRENGTH Staff Air Force Civilian Officers, R.C.A.F. 17 - - Airmen, R.C.A.F. 40 - - Service other than R.C.A.F. Nil - - Civilian (Met.) Instructors. - - - -

Trainees Airmen R.C.A.F. 121 Airman R.A.F. 75 Airmen R.A.A.F. 1 Airmen R.N.Z.A.F. 2

TOTALS:- 256 2

AIRCRAFT STRENGTH Type of Aircraft Serviceable Unserviceable

Avro-Anson 25 6

(G. Ross) A/Flight Lieutenant, Officer Commanding, No. 5 Air Observer School, RCAF, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 633

Feb. 1 . PERSONNEL STRENGTHst

1942 Staff Air Force Civilian Officers, R.C.A.F. 17 - - Airmen, R.C.A.F. 40 - - Service other than R.C.A.F. Nil - - Civilian (Met.) Instructors. - - 2

Trainees Airmen R.C.A.F. 121 Airman R.A.F. 75 Airmen R.A.A.F. 1 Airmen R.N.Z.A.F. 2

TOTALS 256 2


Avro-Anson 25 6

Feb. 1 . Navigation and bombing exercises carried out morning and afternoon. A/Flight Lieutenantst

G. Ross (C2957) assumes temporary command in absence of the Chief Supervisory Officer,Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson who is proceeding on leave.A/Flight Lieutenant G.K. Wynn (C2742) assumes the duties of the Chief Instructor; theappointment of Flight Lieutenant G. Ross.

IMAGE 634

Feb. 2 Group Captain Pope (R.A.F.) accompanied by Group Captain D.W. Bonham-Carter,nd

visited Station. Thirty Ministers, members of the Winnipeg Ministerial Assn., inspected Station; tour

was under direction of A/Flight Lieutenant G.K. Wynn. recently promoted from rank of FlyingOfficer.Navigation and bombing exercises carried out morning and afternoon.

Feb. 3 One Sergeant Armourer (Bombs) taken on strength from No. 5 Bombing & Gunneryrd

School. Short navigation exercises only in progress; no bombing carried out.

Feb. 4 Two ceased training airmen posted to Composite Training School. Trenton. Ont., havingth

failed course No. 40.All flying cancelled, due to low visibility.

Feb. 5 One Motor Transport driver posted to No. 12 S.F.T.S., Brandon, Man., replaced by airmanth

from No. 3 Wireless School, Tuxedo, Man.One Armourer posted to Air Armament School, Mountain View, Ont. Navigation exercise inafternoon, no bombing.

Feb. 6 Class 37 held Graduation Banquet in Marlborough Hotel, Winnipeg. Officer Commanding,th

Adjutant, and Instructors were guests. Flying exercises carried out morning and afternoon.

Feb. 7 Flying exercises carried out morning and afternoon.th

Feb. 8 Flying exercises carried out morning and afternoon.th

Feb. 9 Flying cancelled all day due to low ceiling and poor visibility. One Corporal Armourerth

posted to No. 12 S.F.T.S., Brandon, Man. Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson resumes commandon return from leave; Flight Lieutenant G. Ross resumes position of Chief Instructor.

Feb. 10 Evening navigation only this date, weather poor; Temp, from 10° to 20° above. Oneth

armourer taken on strength from No. 12 S.F.T.S., Brandon.


IMAGE 635

Feb. 11 Assistant Principal Chaplain, Squadron Leader W.E. Cockram, and Squadron Leaderth

Hugh McFarlane, visited this Station. Afternoon and evening navigation exercises carried out. NoBonding.One Sergeant General Duties taken on strength from No. 1 Bombing & Gunnery School, J arvis,Ont.One Sergeant Equipment Assistant reported on Temporary Duty from Headquarters, Ottawa, Ont.

Feb. 12 One Aircraftman Armourer reported for duty from Air Armament School, Mountainth

View, Ont.Afternoon and evening navigation exercises carried out; no bombing. Guests at Officers' Mess

Dinner included Mr. W.C. May, General Superintendent of Air Observer Schools; Mr. M.E. Ashton,General manager of Wings, Ltd.; and Mr. Roy Brown, President of Wings, Ltd.

Feb. 13 No. 1375321 LAC Hayes, H.C., RAF Airman, was the honor student of Class No. 37.th

Mr. Wilfred R. May, General Superintendent of Air Observer Schools presented LAC Hayes withthe A.W. Starratt Memorial Trophy and wrist watch, in the presence of the Chief SupervisoryOfficer, Chief Instructor and graduates of Class No. 37.Flying exercises cancelled due to poor visibility.

Feb. 14 Navigation and bombing exercises carried out in afternoon only.th

Feb. 15 Graduates of Class No. 37 posted as follows:- six to each of No. 8 Bombing & Gunneryth

School, Lethbridge and No. 5 Bombing & Gunnery School, Dafoe; five to each of No. 2 Bombing& Gunnery School, Mossbank and No. 7 Bombing & Gunnery School, Paulson; total of twenty-two.New class No. 44 arrived, 10 from No. 5 I.T.S., Belleville, 15 from No. 31

IMAGE 636

Feb. 15 (Cont’d) Personnel Depot, RAF, Moncton. One trainee due from No. 5 I.T.S. Belleville,Ont., is A.W.L.Navigation air exercises carried out morning and afternoon; no bombing due to low ceiling.

Feb. 16 Navigation air exercises carried out morning and night; bombing all day. Afternoonth

navigation exercises cancelled due to intense cold and difficulty in getting engines started. Temperature 10 to 20 below, with strong wind.

Feb. 17 Bombing & Photographic air exercises carried out in morning; navigation only inth

afternoon. Trainee from No. 5 I.T.S., A.W.L. February 15th, reported at 1000 hours.

Feb. 18 Bombing carried out all day; photography in morning; navigation afternoon andth

night.

Feb. 19 Bombing all day; Photography in morning; Navigation afternoon and night.th

Feb. 20 Air Exercises: Bombing all day; Photography in morning; Navigation afternoonth

and night. Class No. 36 held Graduation Banquet in Marlborough Hotel. Guests were ChiefSupervisory Officer, Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson; Chief Instructor, Flight Lieutenant G.Ross; and class instructors.

Feb. 21 Air Exercises: Bombing all day; Navigation morning and afternoon.st

Flight Lieutenant Jan Gallner, Graduate of Class No. 1, of No. 1 Air Observer School, Malton, anative of Czecho-Slovakia, and at present touring all Air Observer Schools with respect to AirOperations of Bomber Command, was a visitor on this Station, accompanied by Squadron LeaderJ.D. Blane. Flight Lieutenant Jan Gallner gave a very interesting talk to 50% of observers on actualoperational experiences.

Feb. 22 Air exercises: Bombing all day; Navigation morning and afternoon.nd

Feb. 23 Navigation exercises morning and afternoon; Bombing all day. rd

Two trainees of Course 41 posted to K.T.S. Trenton, having failed mid-tern examinations.


IMAGE 637

Feb. 24 Air Exercises: Navigation morning, afternoon and night; Bombing all day.th

Feb. 25 Air Exercises: Photography and Bombing in morning. Navigation in afternoon, butth

Bombing washed out due to visibility. Evening navigation started but cancelled due to icingconditions and low ceiling.Rev. Dr. A. Peel, of London, Eng., Chairman of Committee for Rehabilitation of Bombed Areas,was a visitor accompanied by Dr. Howse of Westminster United church, Winnipeg, Man.Avro-Anson #6487 nosed over in snowbank at approximately 2030 hours, near T.C.A. tarmac. Pilot and two student navigators unhurt, but nose of aircraft and one airscrew were damaged.

Feb. 26 Air Exercises: Navigation afternoon and night; Bombing all day.th

Feb. 27 Wing Commander Walker and Flight Lieutenant Herring, Armament Officers from No. 2th

Training Command, visited Armament Section of this station today.One Corporal Service Police posted to K.T.S., Trenton for Physical TrainingCourse. Air Exercises: Photography in morning; Navigation in afternoon; Bombing all day

Feb. 28 Air Exercises; Navigation morning and afternoon; Bombing all day.th

/ over

IMAGE 638

Feb. 28 . PERSONNEL STRENGTHth

Staff Air Force Civilian R.C.A.F. (W.D.) Officers, R.C.A.F. 17 - - - - Airmen, R.C.A.F. 42 - - - - Service other than R.C.A.F. - - - - - - Civilian (Met.) Instructors. - - 2 - -

Trainees Airmen R.C.A.F. 111 - - - - Airman R.A.F. 68 - - - -

Airmen R.A.A.F. - - - - - - Airmen R.N.Z.A.F. 1 - - - -

TOTALS 239 2 Nil


Avro-Anson 24 8


IMAGE 639

March 1 , 1942 PERSONNEL STRENGTH Airmen or st

Officers Other Ranks Civilians STAFF R.C.A.F. 17 42

STAFF Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. Nil

STAFF Civilians Meteorologists 2

TOTAL STAFF: Officers 17 Airmen 42 Civilians 2

TRAINEES Airmen R.C.A.F. 111 Airmen R.A.F. 68 Airmen R.N.Z.A.F. 1 TOTAL TRAINEES 180

March 1 , 1942 Air Exercises: Navigation in morning and afternoon. Bombing all day.st

Trainees reported for Course 45, eight from No. 1 I.T.S., ten from No. 6 I.T.S.Graduating Course 38 posted to No. 7 B. & G. School, Paulson, Man. Twenty-two airmenwere successful. One M.T. Driver reported from No. 3 Wireless School on temporary duty onabsence of regular driver on leave.

IMAGE 640

March 2 Pilot Officer A.L. Jewett, Navigation Instructor, reported from No. 1 A.N.S., Rivers,nd

Man. One trainee for Course 45 reported from No. 6 I.T.S. Total reported now 19. Small fire atNorthwest Airlines test stand near this Unit occasioned alarm on this Station.Air Exercises: Navigation morning and afternoon. Bombing all day.

March 3 Air Exercises: Photographic and bombing in the morning only followed by washoutrd

due to icing and low visibility.

March 4 Air Exercises; Navigation morning and afternoon and night. Bombing morning only,washed out in afternoon.

March 5 Air Exercises: Photography morning. Navigation afternoon and night. Bombing all day.1930 Hrs. Aircraft No, 7/6246, Pilot R.G. Pigeon, advanced from parking position on to the taxiestrip as aircraft 12/6206, Pilot Black, was passing down for take off. Damage was done to thecowling of starboard engine of 7/6246, and port wing tip of 12/6206 was torn off 6 or 7 feet.

March 6 Air Exercises: Night navigation only, Bombing and photography washed out due to badweather. Graduating class 39 held banquet in Marlborough Hotel. C.S.O. Squadron Leader H.G.Malcolmson, other Officers and N.C.O. Instructors were guests.A/Flight Lieutenant G.K. Wynn, Navigation Instructor was posted to K.T.S., Trenton, effective7-3-42.Flying Officer D.E. Mahood, Navigation Instructor, is posted to No. 7 I.T.S., Saskatoon effective8-3-42.Flying Officer J.W. Dolphin reported from No. 2 A.N.S., Penfield Ridge, posting effective 26-2-42.

March 7 Air Exercises: Navigation and Bombing morning and afternoon. Victory Loansubscriptions by R.C.A.F. personnel only on this Station totalled $750.00.

March 8 Air Exercises: Navigation morning and afternoon. No bombing.S/Ldr, H.G. Malcolmson proceeded on temporary duty to No. 7 I.T.S. Saskatoon to be member ofCourt of Inquiry into flying accident. Fl. Lt. G. Ross assumes temporary command. Flying OfficerH.C. Nixon to be Chief Instructor.


IMAGE 641

March 9, 1942 Air Exercises: Navigation, morning and afternoon, night. Bombing all day. AvroAnson 14/9669, Pilot A.L. Doucette with Service navigators crashed into telegraph pole and settledon C.P.R. tracks at North west end of runway in overshot landing at 1715 hours. Wings and engineswere badly damaged but personnel were uninjured.

March 10 Air Exercises: photography in morning. Navigation afternoon and night. Bombing allday. Investigating committee set up by W.A.O.S. into cause of accident to aircraft 14/9699. Flt. Lt.Ross, Mr. D.-S. Ormdon, General Manager and Mr. W. Buchanan, Operations Manager, WinnipegAir Observer School Limited.

March 11 light Lieutenant Graham and Flying Officer Wilde visited from Winnipeg RecruitingCentre seeking information for use in selecting aircrew.Air Exercises: Bombing and photography in morning, Navigation in afternoon and night. Nightnavigation exercise was washed out.Mess dinner was held in Officer Mess. Moving pictures were presented by Mr. Cardinal and illusorytricks by an associate.

March 12 Mr. D.S. Ormond, Manager of the W.A.O.S. presented R116432 LAC Grant, J.D. withthe Bud Starratt Memorial Trophy and a wrist watch. This Winnipeg student gained highest marksin Class 39. Presentation was made in prescence of C.S.O., S/Ldr. H.G. Malcomson, ClassInstructor, Flying Officer McAulay and classmates.Squadron Leader Malcolmson returned from Saskatoon to resume command. Other officersresumed normal duties. Air Exercises: Navigation morning, afternoon and night. Bombing all day.

IMAGE 642

13-3-42 Air Exercises: Navigation and bombing, morning and afternoon. No night exercises.Investigating committee on accident to aircraft 9669 found pilot guilty of negligence. He wasdischarged from W.A.O.S. 14-3-41 Air exercises: Navigation morning and afternoon. No bombing. Target being repaired.

15-3-41 No flying due to bad weather. Twenty six trainees in course 46 reported from No. 2Manning Depot, Brandon. Twenty four graduates of course 39 posted to No. 7 B. & G. School,Paulson, Man.

16-3-42 No flying due to heavy snow. Regular M.T. driver returned from fourteen days leave anddriver on temporary duty returned to No. 3 Wireless School. One LAC Photographer posted to No.3 B & G. School, Macdonald. Replaced by one Corporal photographer from No. 5 A.O.S. OneSergeant appointed Flight Sergeant and three Corporals appointed Sergeant under provisions ofA.F.A.O. A.44/2, effective March 1st, 1942.

17-3-42 Wing Commander C.R.D. Coath, RAF, visited this Station for consultation with C.S.O. andC.I. in connection with advisability of sending ceased training pilots and observers to CeasedTraining School, Trenton.Air Exercises: morning, afternoon and night navigation. No bombing. Morning exercise delayedtake off one hour due to weather conditions.

18-3-42 Flight Lieutenant H.F. Lea and Flight Lieutenant F.A.E. Bastien of No. 2 TrainingCommand visited Station in connection with providing more storage space in Airmen's Mess.Air Exercises: photography in morning, navigation in afternoon and night. Bombing all day.

19-3-42 Air Exercises: No flying in morning due to weather conditions. Navigation and bombing inthe afternoon. Night navigation washed out after one hour due to weather conditions.

20-3-42 Air Exercises: Navigation and bombing, morning and afternoon. No night exercises.Class 40 held Graduation Banquet in the Marlborough Hotel, C.S.O, and Instructors attended.

21-3-42 Flight Lieutenant W. Marginson, Adjutant at this Station during 1941 visited during leavefrom No. 7 I.T.S., Saskatoon. Air Commodore K.G. Nairn, Air Member for Accounts and Finance,accompanied by Squadron Leader J. Bland and Wing Commander W.R. McCann visited this Stationon tour of inspection.


IMAGE 643

March 21 (Cont’d) Air Exercises: Bombing and Navigation, morning and afternoon.

March 22 No air exercises scheduled today.

March 23 Air Exercises: Bombing and Navigation morning and afternoon. Night exercises washedout.

March 24 Flying Officer R.T. Biggar of No. 4 Recruiting Centre, Saskatoon visited this Stationseeking information with regard to Air Observer Course.Wing Commander S. Gillson and Fl. Lt. L.O. Cooper of Headquarters, Ottawa, Inspection Flightarrived on Station to report on and give instruction to Instructors of Navigation. Air Exercises:Bombing afternoon only. Navigation exercise afternoon and night.Mr. G. Dowd and Mr. Skinner, executive officers of Canadian Legion War Services, accompaniedby Fl. Lt. Hamett visited in connection with Airmen's Canteen.

March 25 Seven Avro-Ansons from No. 7 A.O.S., Portage la Prairie forced to land here due toweather conditions. Flying Officer E.B. Wright and Pilot Officer R. Knight, Instructors and twentystudents navigators were issued bus warrant for transportation back to Portage la Prairie. Pilots willleave with aircraft when weather permits. All air exercises cancelled on this Station due to heavyrain.

March 26 Hon. Flight Lieutenant L.G.J.S. St. Jacques appointed part time Chaplain (R.C.) to thisStation and No. 8 Repair Depot., effective February 21st, 1942, to be taken on strength at No. 8Repair Depot pending his gazettement. No flying due to snow and sleet.

IMAGE 644

March 27 L.A.C. Bruce, D.M. was honor student of Class 40. Presentation of wrist watch andBud Starrett trophy and wrist watch was made by Wing Commander A.S. Gillson in presence of

C.S.O. and Officers of this Station. No flying due to snow.Wing Commander Gillson returned to No. 1 A.N.S., Rivers, Man, and Flight Lieutenant L.O.Cooper returned to Air Force Headquarters, Ottawa after completing Navigation InstructionInspection itinerary. Flying Officer H.C. Nixon, Flying Officer J.G. Smart and Pilot Officer H.S.Schellenberg were elected President, Secretary and Bar Officer respectively of Officers' Mess.

March 28 No flying due to snow. Forty trainees attended Walker Theatre Concert given gratis by"Ripchords" of No. 33 S.F.T.S. Carberry.

March 29 Twenty two successful graduates of Class 40 left for No. 7 B. & G. School Paulson.Fourteen of new class 47 arrived from Composite Training School, Trenton, Ontario. Twenty six inall are expected.Air Exercises: Navigation morning and afternoon. Bombing all day.

March 30 Air Exercises: Navigation morning, afternoon and night. Bombing all day.Eleven additional trainees arrived from Composite Training School, Trenton, to completeCourse No. 47.One airman (G.D.) left for No. 6 Repair Depot, Trenton, posted on compassionate grounds. Weather CA.V.U. Full schedule of exercises, night and day completed.

March 31 One Service Police airman discharged as L.A.C., his services being no longer required byR.C.A.F. Granted clothing allowance and rehabilitation grant.Weather fine and clear. Photo and Navigation exercises afternoon and evening. Bombing carriedout.


IMAGE 645

March 31st PERSONNEL STRENGTH Officers Airmen or O.R. Civilian STAFF: R.C.A.F. 17 40 Service Personnel other than R.C.A.F. - Nil Civilians Meteorologist 2 TOTAL STAFF 17 40 2

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. 77 R.A.F. 76

R.N.Z.A.F. 27

TOTAL TRAINEES 180

AIRCRAFT STRENGTH Type Serviceable Unserviceable

Avro-Anson 25 6


IMAGE 646

April 1 . 1942. PERSONNEL STRENGTH AS AT MARCH 31 , 1942.st st

Officers Airmen Civilians STAFF RCAF, 17 40 Service Personnel Other Than RCAF Nil Nil Nil Civilians:- Meteorologists 2 TOTAL STAFF: 17 40 2

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. 77 R.A.F. 76 R.N.Z.A.F. 27 TOTAL TRAINEES: 180

April 1 Air Exercises:- Photography in morning, navigation in afternoon and night. Bombing allst

day.One Corporal Wireless Electrical Mechanic reported on temporary duty from No. 1 Air NavigationSchool, Rivers, Manitoba.

April 2 Air Exercises:- Photography in morning, Navigation afternoon and night, also secondnd

night exercise carried out, taking off shortly before midnight. Bombing all day.Course 41 held Graduation Banquet at Fort Garry hotel, the C.S.O. and Instructors were guests.

IMAGE 647

April 2 (Cont’d) Ferry Flight Kittyhawk Aircraft crashed off N.S. Runway, no one was hurt.nd

April 3 (Good Friday) Statutory holiday observed except for skeleton staff.rd

No Air Exercises.

April 4 Air Exercises:- Navigation morning and afternoon, bombing all day. Officers' Mess heldth

party for wives and guests at $2.00 per couple inclusive of refreshments. About 20 couplesattended this successful function which was also made the occasion of farewell to Flying Officer H.L.Hamersley, posted to No. 34 E.F.T.S., Assiniboia, Sask., and wedding congratulations to PilotOfficer S.J. Grigg, who was presented with a suitable gift.

April 5 Easter Sunday Church Parade was held in the rather frigid atmosphere of No. 1 Hangar.th

About 500 Officers and Airmen from No. 8 Repair Depot and No. 5 A.O.S. attended. FlightLieutenant W. Ashford, Padre, conducted the service, Group Captain A. Adams, CommandingOfficer No. 8 Repair Depot, read the Lesson. No. 2 Training Command Band, under BandmasterC. South provided music. Parade fell in at 0930 hours on No. 5 AOS Tarmac.Air Exercises:- Navigation, morning and afternoon. Bombing all day.

April 6 Air Exercises:- Navigation morning and afternoon; Bombing all day.th

Flying Officer J.M. Maclachlan, Navigation Instructor, reported from No. 7 I.T.S., Saskatoon, Sask.,and Flying Officer T.M. Brown, Navigation Instructor, reported from No. 1 I.T.S., Toronto, Ont.

April 7 Flying Officer H.C. Nixon, Navigation Instructor on this Station, is appointed Actingth

Flight Lieutenant effective 1-4-42, whilst so employed.Air Exercises:- Photographic flights in morning; Navigation afternoon and night; Bombing all day.

April 8 Officers' Mess Dinner held at 1830 hours. Guests included Group Captain Godwin ofth

No. 3 Wireless School, Wing Commander Taunton and Wing Commander Patterson of No. 2Training Command. Entertainment was provided in character sketches by Mr. Middleton andmoving pictures by a representative of Eastman Kodak Co.Air Exercises:- Photography in morning; Navigation afternoon and night; Bombing allday.

IMAGE 648

April 9 Air Exercises:- Navigation afternoon and night; No Bombing.th

April 10 Air Exercises:- Navigation afternoon and night; no Bombing.th

April 11 Air Exercises:- Bombing all day; Navigation afternoon only.th

April 12 Air Exercises:- Navigation morning and afternoon, Bombing all day.th

Twenty-five graduates from Course 41 posted to No. 7 B & G School, Paulson, Man.One unsuccessful trainee posted to Composite Training School, Trenton, Ont.Twenty-six trainees arrived to make up Course No. 48 as fellows:- 13 from No. 7I.T.S., Toronto; 4 from No. 4 I.T.S., Edmonton; 5 from No. 7 I.T.S., Saskatoon; 4 from No.2 I.T.S., Regina.Aircraft No. 6615 piloted by Stevenson, proceeded with two trainee navigators of Class 43 at

approximately 1910 hours in search of an "Eagle" aircraft, piloted by a civilian, Dr. George, andreported 3 hours overdue. After flying 80 to 100 miles East, aircraft was located in air on returntrip, near Vivian, 40 miles east of Winnipeg. It is presumed overdue aircraft had grounded to refuel.

April 13 Air Exercises:- Navigation morning and afternoon. Bombing all day. Pilot Officer W.A.th

Ironside reported from No. 1 "M" Depot, Toronto, to complete amended establishment and to takecharge of Photographic Section.

April 14 Air Exercises:- Navigation afternoon and night: Bombing all day.th

April 15 Air Exercises:- Photographic in morning; Navigation afternoon and night; Bombing allth

day.

April 16 Air exercises:- No morning flight; Navigation afternoon and night.th

IMAGE 649

April 17 Air exercises;-- Navigation Morning and afternoon.th

Class 42 held Graduation at Marlborough Hotel; C.S.O. and Instructors were guests. Pilot OfficerA.L. Jewett left for No. 31 A.N.S. Port Albert, Ont., on Temporary Duty.

April 18 No Flying.th

Group Captain J.M. Murray, Accountant; Wing Commander C. Gray, and Accounting Officersfrom No. 2 Training Command were visitors on this Station.

April 19 Air Exercises:- Navigation morning and afternoon; Bombing cancelled due to poorth

visibility. Navigation exercises were only partially completed. April 20 Acting Flight Lieutenant Gwyer reported from No. 1 A.N.S., Rivers, to succeed Flightth

Lieutenant G. Ross as Chief Instructor.Air Exercises.- Navigation afternoon only, Bombing all day. Group Captain T.A. Lawrence was avisitor on this Station.

April 21 Two Standard General Duties reported from No. 2 E.F.T.S., Fort William. Oneth

Meteorologist Aircraftman reported from No. 7 S.F.T.S., McLeod, Alt.Air Exercises:- Photographic, Navigation and Bombing exercises carried out. Temperature quitewarm with south wind.

April 22 Air Exercises:- Photographic, Navigation and Bombing exercises carried out. Nightth

Navigation flight cancelled due to poor visibility through dust; visibility one mile at 4000 feet.One Standard General Duties reported from No. 32 S.F.T.S., Moose Jaw, Sask.

April 23 Air Exercises:- Navigation exercises carried out.th

R56692 Flight Sergeant Jessiman, W.J., Disciplinarian on this Station, is appointed Acting W.O.II,effective 1-4-42.

April 24 LAC J. Bluck (GB 1222109) of Class 42 was presented with the "Bud" Starratt Trophyth

and Wrist Watch, being voted honor student on account of high marks and popularity. SquadronLeader H.G. Malcolmson made the presentation in presence of Mr. D.S. Ormond, General Managerof Winnipeg Air Observer School Limited, Instructors, and Classmates.Navigation air exercises were carried out but Bombing exercises were cancelled due to low ceilingand poor visibility.

IMAGE 650

April 25 The following seven trainees were transferred from Course 42; two to Course 43, threeth

to Course 45, one to Court 46, one to Course 48.Air Exercises:- Bombing in morning but cancelled in the afternoon due to poor visibility.A farewell party in honor of Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson, Chief Supervisory Officer for thepast fifteen months, who will leave next week to take No. 3 Armament Officers' Course at MountainView, Ont., and for Acting Flight Lieutenant G. Ross who is posted to No. 1 A.N.S., Rivers, leavingthis Station tomorrow morning. The wives of these two Officers were also honored guests.Acting Flight Lieutenant G. Ross reverts to his temporary rank of Flying Officer on posting andrelinquishes the position of Chief Instructor.

April 26 Acting Flight Lieutenant W.K. Gwyer assumes position of Chief Instructor in successionth

to Acting Flight Lieutenant G. Ross.Flying Officer J.M. Maclachlan returned from temporary duty at No. 2 S.F.T.S., Fort William.Twenty-one trainees, graduated from Course 42, left this Station on posting to No. 7 B & G School,Paulson, Man.Twenty-five Australian and one New Zealand Trainees arrived from No. 5 "M" Depot, Lachine P.Q.and No. 1 “M” Depot, Toronto, Ont., to make up Course No. 49.Air Exercises:- Navigation carried out at 2500 feet due to heavy clouds and low ceiling.

April 27 Two Service Policeman (Acting Corporals Unpaid) reported from K.T.S., Trenton.th

Three trainees of Course 45 were posted to K.T.S., Trenton, one ceased training at own request,two on account of sickness. Strength of Course 45 is new 23.Air Exercises:- Navigation and Bombing exercises carried out; night exercise cancelled due to lowceiling and rain. (Cont’d)

IMAGE 651

April 27 (Cont’d) Flying Officer G. Ross, who left this station yesterday for No. 1 A.N.S., Rivers,th

was forced down due to weather and will return to Rivers with three other crew members, as soonas weather conditions permit.

April 28 Air Exercises:- No flying due to steady rain.th

Group Captain Bonham-Carter was a visitor on this Station.Under the auspices of the Management of the Winnipeg Air Observer School Limited a farewellsupper was held in the Pilots' Mess in honor of Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson, who leaves on

Thursday for Mountain View, Ont. Officers, Senior N.C.O.'s, Civilian Department Managers, andPilots witnessed the presentation of a large doormat rubber cheque for "one dollar" to SquadronLeader Malcolmson for services rendered to the Company as Pilot at one dollar per year. Mr.Stewart Ormond, Manager of the W.A.O.S. Ltd; presided. Squadron Leader A.G. Gaulding of No. 2Training Command, Mr. Roy Brown, Test Pilot for MacDonald's Aircraft Ltd; and Flying Officer G.Ross attended. Reception and social part of the programme was held in the Officers' Mess.

April 29 One bombing aircraft was forced down at Portage. Afternoon and night flights wereth

completed. Flying Officer G. Ross returned to Rivers, having made forced landing here lastMonday.April 30 Air Exercises:- Photographic and Navigation exercises carried out morning andth

afternoon respectively. Night flight cancelled due to unfavourable weather. Squadron Leader H.G.Malcolmson left on temporary duty to take No. 3 Armament Course at Air Armament School,Mountain View, Ontario.

/Cont'd

IMAGE 652

April 30th, 1942. PERSONNEL STRENGTH AS AT APRIL 30 , 1942.th

Officers Airmen Civilians STAFF R.C.A.F. 19 45 Service Personnel Other Than RCAF Nil Nil Nil Civilians:- Meteorologists 2 TOTAL STAFF: 19 45 2

TRAINEES RCAF 72 RAF 56 RNZAF 27 RAAF 25

TOTAL TRAINEES: 180

AIRCRAFT STRENGTH

Serviceable Unserviceable Avro-Anson 22 4

(G.B. Randall) Flight Lieutenant, Officer Commanding, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F.,

Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 653

May 1st, 1942. PERSONNEL STRENGTH AS AT MAY 1st, 1942.

Officers Airmen Civilians STAFF R.C.A.F. 19 45 Service Personnel Other Than RCAF Nil Nil Civilians:- Meteorologists 2 TOTAL STAFF: 19 45 2

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. 72 R.A.F. 56 R.N.Z.A.F. 27 R.A.A.F. 25

TOTAL TRAINEES: 180

AIRCRAFT STRENGTH



IMAGE 654

May 1 , 1942 Course No. 43 held Graduation Banquet at the Marlborough Hotel. Class Instructorsst

were guests.All flying was cancelled due to bad weather.Flight Lieutenant G.B. Randall assuaed temporary command of this Station vice Squadron LeaderH.G. Malcolmson, posted on Temporary Duty to Armament School, Mountain View, Ontario.

May 2 , 1942 Afternoon navigation flight carried out under very low ceiling and bumpy airnd

conditions.

May 3 , 1942 All air exercises cancelled due to bad weather. rd

May 4th, 1942 Bombing and navigation exercises carried out. Weather much improved.

May 5 , 1942 Air exercises carried out. Visibility unlimited. Two planes grounded due to sickth

pilots. Three trainees flew as third navigators.

May 6 , 1942 Flight Lieutenant V.L. Berg reported from No. 2 Armament Course to take overth

temporary command until return of Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmaon. Flight Lieutenant G.B.Randall ceased to act as Officer Commanding. Flying exercises carried out during the day.

May 7 , 1942 Flying exercises carried out as scheduled, including photo flight. Weather clear.th

May 8 1942 R.A.F. Liaison Officer, Flight Lieutenant J.C. Carruthers, visited this Station and wasth

present at the presentation by Flight Lieutenant V.L. Berg, Temporary Commanding Officer, of the"Bud" Starratt Trophy and Wrist Watch. The Honor Student of Course No. 43 being GB1344916LAC Stiff, H.W.Wing Commander C.H.F. Walker, of No. 2 Training Command, conferred with the ArmamentSection on this Station. Photo and navigation air exercises carried out.Weather clear with cool north wind.


IMAGE 655

May 9 , 1942. Pilot Officer Barton, R.A.A.F, Liaison Officer, visited to confer on matters relativeth

to Australian personnel. Bombing and navigation air exercises carried out.One aircraft landed at MacDonald, due to engine failure. This aircraft, Anson AXl8l was piloted byCampbell. Another plane, pilotted by D. Marshall was sent to MacDonald to bring back crew,which included pilot, Flying Officer A.C. Gauthier and two trainees. Replacement engine is beingsent to make AXl8l serviceable.

May 10 , 1942 Class No. 50 arrived from Lachine, Quebec. 27 Australians from No. 5th

“M” Depot.Graduates of Course No. 43 proceeded to No. 7 Bombing and Gunnery School, Paulson, Manitoba. 24 (R.A.F. 23 R.C.A.F. 1) Bombing and navigation exercises carried out.Aircraft 6558, piloted by Nuckels returned after 40 minutes in the air, due to engine trouble.Pilot Officer returned from Temporary Duty at No. 31 A.N.S., Port Albert and leave.

May 11 , 1942 Photo, bombing and navigation exercises carried out.th

Wire received posting W.O.2 Jessiman, W.J., Disciplinarian on this Station for the past sixteenmonths, to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, for overseas service. Pilot Officer A.G. Stewart is promoted toTemporary Flying Officer, effective 22-2-42.

May 12 , 1942 Flying exercises carried out as scheduled. Cold north east wind.th

May 13 , 1942 Flying exercises carried out. One aircraft on night flight returned after 1.40 due toth

engine trouble.


IMAGE 656

May 13 , 1942 Monthly mess dinner was held in Officers' Mess at 1830 hours. Following gueststh

were present: Flight Lieutenant Putnam, of No. 2 T.C, Mr. P. Dickens, O.B.E., Vice-President ofC.P.R. Airways, Mr. S. Ormond and Mr. Buchanan of the W.O.A.S. Limited, and Mr. Ashton,General Superintendent, Central District, C.P. Airlines.

May 14 , 1942 Navigation flying exercises carried out.th

May 15 , 1942 W.O.2 Jessiman, W.J. left for "Y" Depot, Halifax, having been posted forth

overseas duty. Four ceased training observers of Course No. 47 posted, 3 to K.T.S. Trenton,Ontario, 1 to No. 4 "M" Depot, Quebec City.Course No. 44 held Graduation Banquet in the St. Charles Hotel. Class Instructors were present andfor the first time since Class 31 graduated, Ladies were invited as guests. W.O.2 Jessiman, W.J.attended.Navigation air exercises were carried out in morning, weather becoming unsatisfactory later.

May 16 , 1942 Navigation and bombing exercises carried out.th

May 17 , 1942 Navigation flights carried out morning and afternoon, also a special photographicth

flight at the request of No. 2 T.C. in the afternoon.

May 18 , 1942 One LAC Armourer left for No. 10 R.D., Calgary, Alberta and one LAC Clerkth

arrived from No. 2 B & G., Mossbank, Saskatchewan. Flying Officer McWhirter, P.T. & D. Officerfrom No. 2 T.C. was a visitor to confer with Flight Lieutenant V.L. Berg on Inspection Drill.All flying exercises were cancelled due to rain.

May 19 , 1942 Squadron Leader J.W.D. McKnight of No. 2 T.C. and Flight Lieutenant H.J. Emeryth

of H.Q., Ottawa, were visitors today, conferring with heads of W.A.O.S. Limited.Fingerprint unit of No. 2 T.C. reported on Temporary Duty and completed work on this Station.One AC1 Armourer (Bombs} reported on posting from No. 7 B. & G., Paulson, Man.Navigation, day and night and photo flights carried out, weather clear and warmer.One Civilian Meteorologist, Grade 3, reported and taken on strength.


IMAGE 657

May 20 , 1942 Flying exercises carried out morning and afternoon.th

May 21 , 1942 Flying exercises carried out. Fine, warm, with 4/10 clouds.st

May 22 , 1942 Three Trainees from Course No. 47 and one from Course No. 48, having failednd

final examinations, left for K.T.S., Trenton, Ontario. One Trainee LAC Thompson, W.J., havingbeen in hospital since October 1941 was granted 52 days sick leave till July 12, 1942.GB1336878 LAC Fox, C.G. was Honor Student of Class 44 to receive the "Bud" Starratt Trophyand wrist watch. Flight Lieutenant V.L. Berg, Temporary C.S.O. made the presentation,photographs were taken of class and ceremony and sent to P.L.O. Flight Lieutenant H.C. Anderson,No. 2 T.C for newspaper publicity in interest of recruiting air crew, observers in particular.Navigation exercises carried out.

May 23 , 1942 Bombing and navigation air exercises carried out.rd

One R.CA.F. Trainee and one R.CA.F. Sergeant Pilot on leave without pay had discharge papersprepared ready to appear before Joint Canadian-American Selection Board for transfer to the UnitedStates Armed Forces, at 0700 hours Sunday morning. The Trainee was rejected, the Sergeant Pilotwas accepted.

May 24 , 1942 No air exercises scheduled for today.th

Ten Staff Pilots reported from No. 36 S.F.T.S., Penhold, Alta, all Sergeants, to be attached to thisUnit and employed by the W.A.O.S. Limited. Owing to lack of immediate accommodation these menwere billeted over night at expense of W.A.O.S. Limited. Two Anson aircraft 6098 and 6598, PilotsSnyder and Siegel, with engineer Gratias and four trainee navigators from Course No. 46 proceededeast 1110 hours in search of Hampden Aircraft reported lost between North Bay and Winnipeg. These two machines were


IMAGE 658

May 24 , 1942 to search east of Winnipeg as far as Armstrong. They landed there at 1355 hoursth

and returned to Winnipeg at 2030 hours. Search to be continued with 6 Aircraft Monday morning.Eighteen Trainees for Course No. 51 arrived from No. 3 "M" Depot, Edmonton, Alberta. Eightothers were transferred from other classes.Twenty-Six graduates of Course No. 44 left, for No. 7 B. & G. School, Paulson, Manitoba. Two ofthis course are transferred to Course No. 45.

May 25 , 1942 One Flight Sergeant Disciplinarian reported as replacement for W.O.2 Jessiman,th

W.J., recently posted overseas.It was necessary to bring ten Sergeant Pilots from Marlborough Hotel to this Station owing to delayoccasioned in securing information necessary, from No. 36 S.F.T.S., to post six best to No. 31O.T.U., Debert, N.S., remainder to No. 1 A.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba.

May 26 , 1942 Afternoon and night navigation flights were carried out. Six of ten Sergeant Pilotsth

reported here Sunday chosen and entrained for Dorval, R.A.F. Ferry Command and posted to No.31 O.T.U., Debert, N.S. Remaining four left 1000 hours for No. 1 A.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba.

May 27 , 1942 All flying cancelled due to thunder storms in the west.th

May 28 , 1942 At 1000 hours Station Parade organized for the visit of Deputy Inspector General,th

Air Commodore A.E. Godfrey, M.C., A.F.C., V.D., accompanied by his aide, Squadron Leader F.Aldridge, Group Captain D.W.F. Bonham-Carter, S.A.S.O., No. 2 T.C., Squadron Leader J.D.Blane, 2 T.C. Navigation Training Officer. After inspecting the parade, the D.I.G. gave aninformal address to the Trainees on the importance of the observer and the B.C.A.T.P. andexpressed confidence in the superiority of the training and machines and personnel at the disposal ofthe Allied cause. He complimented the Commanding Officer and the Staff on the way the Stationwas run and the neatness on parade of the Trainees, especially the Australian flight.After lunching in the Officers' Mess, the Inspection Party spent the afternoon looking over hangarsand barracks, etc., and left the Station at 1730 hours to return to No. 2 T.C.Flying exercises carried out as scheduled, except that course was changed because of imminent front.


IMAGE 659

May 29 , 1942 Flying exercises carried out as scheduled.th

This Station was honored with a visit of Honourable Frank Langstone, New Zealand HighCommissioner, accompanied by Wing Commander T.W. White, Chief New Zealand Liaison Officerand Flying Officer E.W.A. Drake, R.N.Z.A.F. New Zealand Trainees on this Station wereaddressed by and conferred with these visitors.One Corporal W.O.G. reported from C.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba, to replace Sergeant W.O.G. to besent to C.N.S., on Temporary Duty for training. This Sergeant was posted by D.A.P.S. to Dafoeand D.A.P.S. also posted his replacement from Bella Bella. The matter is being straightened out withD.A.P.S. and C.N.S.

May 30 , 1942 Flight Sergeant F.G. Owens, Clerk Administrative, in charge of Orderly Room onth

this Station since it opened in January 1941 left on posting to No. 4 S.F.T.S., Saskatoon,Saskatchewan.

May. 31 , 1942 No flying scheduled.st


( Continued Over)

IMAGE 660

May 31st, 1942.

PERSONNEL STRENGTH AS AT MAY 31st, 1942. Officers Airmen Civilians

STAFF R.C.A.F. 20 47 Service Personnel Other Than RCAF Nil Nil Civilians: Meteorologists 2 TOTAL STAFF: 20 47 2


TOTAL TRAINEES: 169

AIRCRAFT STRENGTH


(V.L. Berg) Flight Lieutenant, Officer Commanding, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 661

JUNE 1, 1942 PERSONNEL STRENGTH Officers Airmen Civilians

STAFF R.C.A.F. 20 47 Nil Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. Nil Nil Nil Civilian Meteorologists 2

TOTAL STAFF .................................................. 20 47 2

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. 55 R.A.F. 18

R.N.Z.A.F. 44 R.A.A.F. 52 TOTAL TRAINEES ....................................... 169

JUNE 1, 1942 Photographic, Navigation and Night Exercises carried out. Two Armourers werepromoted from LAC to Corporal (Acting - Paid). One Corporal, Clerk Stenographer reported fromNo.12 S.F.T.S., Brandon, Manitoba. One Corporal Armourer promoted to Sergeant (Acting - Paid).

JUNE 2, 1942 Photo., Navigation and night exercises carried out. Heavy rain and some hail inafternoon. Four Sergeant Pilots reported from C.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba. These will have option ofbeing granted leave without pay and taken on staff of the civilian company, or becoming R.CA.F.Staff Pilots on this Station at service rates of pay. Flying Officer Maclachlan was elected to carry onthe duties of Mess Secretary for quarter starting July 1, 1942.

JUNE 3, 1942 Afternoon and night air exercises carried out. One Corporal Armourer reportedfrom Mountain View. One Sergeant W.O.G. left for No.5 B. & G. School, Dafoe, Saskatchewan.


IMAGE 662

JUNE 4, 1942 Navigation exercises carried out.Flight Lieutenant J. Gellner, a native of Czechoslovakia, and graduate of Class 1, AirObserver School, Malton, Ontario, was a visitor. He addressed the trainees on actual operationalexperiences, prior to leaving by air for C.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba, to which Station he had beenposted.

JUNE 5, 1942 All trainees with the exception of course on air exercises formed up in an opensquare on the parade ground to witness the presentation of the "Bud" Starratt Trophy wrist watch tothe honor graduate of course No.45, R127976, LAC Wheeler, V.C. The address and presentationwas made by Croup Captain T.A. Lawrence of No.2 Training Command who was accompanied bySquadron Leader A.G. Goulding, M.C., D.F.C. The manager of the Winnipeg Air Observer SchoolLimited was present.Navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Clear sunny day.

JUNE 6, 1942 Navigation exercises carried out as schedules. Sunny and warm.

JUNE 7, 1942 course No.52 reported from No.2 "M" Depot, Brandon, Manitoba, composed of 26Australians. Course No.45 departed for No.7 B. & G. School, Paulson, Manitoba, composed of 21R.CA.F. graduates.Six Sergeant Pilots off Course No.48, No.3 S.F.T.S., Calgary, Alberta, arrived and werebilleted at the Marlborough Hotel at the expense of the Winnipeg Air Observer School Limited.No flying today. Sunny and warm.

JUNE 8, 1942 Photo., navigation and night exercises carried out in cloudless warm weather.

JUNE 9, 1942 Squadron Leader McFarlane, Command Signals Officer, conferred with temporaryC.S.O. and Civilian Manager on duties of W.O.A.G. to be on strength of this Unit for 12 weekcourses of practical training in Anson aircraft.Total subscriptions to Canadian Red Cross on this Station amounted to $123.50, including actualcash collected $107.50 and $l6.00 due October 1st.Two trainees off Course No.48 were posted to K.T.S., Trenton, Ontario, off leave.The Corporal Clerk Stenographer recently posted here from No.12 S.F.T.S., Brandon, Manitoba,left to take Court Reporters' Course at K.T.S., Trenton, Ontario.Night flight called back due to thich haze and smoke making visibility almost nil.Morning and afternoon flights completed.


IMAGE 663

JUNE 10, 1942 One W.O.G. Sergeant reported as replacement from Bella Bella, B.C., andproceeded on Temporary Duty to No. l C.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba. Four Sergeants, W.O.A.G.,reported from No.7 B. & G. School, Mossbank, Sask., for 12 weekspractical air experience. Two Sergeants, W.O.A.G., reported from No.7 B. & G. School, Paulson,Manitoba. Flight Lieutenant F.J. Brand of Air Force Headquarters reported on Temporary Dutyfrom No.l C.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba, to gain experience on Air Observer School training program.Will depart June 13.Day and night navigation exercises carried out. Two Sergeants, W.O.A.G., reported from No.7 B. &G. School, Paulson, Manitoba, for 12 weeks course of practical air experience. Flight LieutenantV.L. Berg, Temporary C.O., proceeded on Temporary Duty to No.l C.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba, as amember of Court of Inquiry re aircraft crash.

JUNE 11, 1942 Navigation air exercises carried out.Flight Lieutenant G.B. Randall assumes Temporary Command during absence of Flight LieutenantV.L. Berg, on Temporary Duty at Rivers, Manitoba effective 10-6-42.

JUNE 12, 1942 Navigation air exercises carried out.

JUNE 13, 1942 Party was held in Officers' Mess in honor of Flying Officer J.G. Smart, Adjutant onthis Station since December 16, 1942, now posted to England, No.l P.R.C, Bournemouth,and Flying Officer T.M. Brown, recently married. Navigation air exercises carried out.

JUNE 14, 1942 Flying Officer J.G. Smart, posted overseas and reporting “Y” Depot, Halifax, N.S.,eff. date 30-6-42 left this Station for Brandon, Manitoba, where he will be married prior toproceeding on 14 days embarkation leave. Afternoon flight carried out as scheduled. Night flight not carried out. Flight Lieutenant V.L. Berg returned from Temporary Duty at No.l C.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba.


IMAGE 664

JUNE 15, 1942 Flight Lieutenant G.B. Randall ceases to be in Temporary Command of No.5A.O.S. upon return from Temporary Duty of the Commanding Officer, Flight Lieutenant V.L. Berg.Routine flying exercises carried out during morning, afternoon and night.

JUNE 16, 1942 Morning flight carried out at 0900 hours. Four navigators transferred to otherships as third navigators, due to 2 pilots being absent. Afternoon flight cancelled due to rain. Evening flight cancelled at 2200 hours after weather flight by D. Marshall and Met, report by D.McMullen (Ceiling at Winnipeg - 900').

JUNE 17, 1942 Afternoon flight not carried out as scheduled due to unfavourable weather.Evening flight carried out as scheduled.

JUNE 18, 1942 Morning flight carried out as scheduled. Afternoon flight cancelled as weatherconditions unfavourable. Night flight carried out.

JUNE 19, 1942 Morning flying operations carried out. Afternoon flight carried out. Night flightnot scheduled.

JUNE 20, 1942 Morning flying exercises carried out. No flights afternoon or night,--weatherovercast.

JUNE 21, 1942 Flying operations for morning, afternoon and night cancelled due to low ceiling andrain. Flight Lieutenant V.L. Berg relinquishes command on posting No.5 A.O.S., Prince Albert,Seek., effective 21-6-42.

JUNE 22, 1942 Morning flight not carried out due to low ceiling. Afternoon and night flightscancelled due to weather conditions. Flight Lieutenant G.B. Randall assumes Temporary Commandon posting of Flight Lieutenant Berg. Pilot Officer T. Smart reported from No.7 I.T.S., Saskatoon,Sask., on posting to No. 5 A.O.S. effective 21-6-42.

JUNE 23, 1942 Morning flight cancelled due to rain and cloudy weather. Afternoon and eveningflights carried out as scheduled.

JUNE 24, 1942 Air Vice Marshall S.J. Goble, Australian Liaison Officer visited this Unit today. Flying operations in morning, afternoon and night carried out as scheduled.


IMAGE 665

JUNE 25, 1942 Pilot Officer A.H. Murton reported this date on posting from No.9 S.F.T.S.,Summerside, P.E.I (Course No.49) as Staff Pilot. Morning, afternoon and night flights carried out asscheduled.

JUNE 26, 1942 Morning, afternoon and night flights cancelled due to bad weather.

JUNE 27, 1942 Two civilian student pilots from Winnipeg Flying Club were instantly killed todayat approximately 0930 hours, when their planes collided in the air on approaching the field for alanding.Morning flight carried out as scheduled. Afternoon flight cancelled due to bad weather. No nightflying scheduled.

JUNE 28, 1942 Afternoon and night flying exercises carried out. Morning flight not scheduled.

JUNE 29, 1942 Morning flight cancelled due to rain. Afternoon flight carried out as scheduled.Night flight left the ground as scheduled (six aircraft) out were forced to return to the fieldimmediately due to low ceiling and poor visibility.

JUNE 30, 1942 Pilot Officer A.J. Norton (J1196l)(SR)(GL), Navigation Instructor, reported thisdate on posting from No.l C.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba. Flying Officer D.K. Leach (C7137), ArmamentInstructor, departed at 1800 hours on posting to No. l Air Observer School, Malton, Ontario,effective June 30, reporting July 2. Morning flight cancelled due to heavy smoke haze. Afternoon flying exercises not carriedout owing to adverse weather, but night flight carried out as scheduled.


IMAGE 666

JUNE 30, 1942 PERSONNEL STRENGTH OFFICERS AIRMEN CIVILIANS

STAFF R.C.A.F. 21 76 Nil Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. Nil Nil Nil Civilian Meteorologists Nil Nil 2 TOTAL STAFF .................................................. 21 76 2

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. 38 R.A.F. 11 R.N.Z.A.F. 52 R.A.A.F. 78 TOTAL TRAINEES ....................................... 179

AIRCRAFT STRENGTH SERVICEABLE UNSERVICEABLE TOTAL Avro-Anson 33 1 34


IMAGE 667

JULY 1, 1942 PERSONNEL STRENGTH OFFICERS AIRMEN CIVILIANS

STAFF R.C.A.F. 21 76 Nil Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. Nil Nil Nil Civilian Meteorologists Nil Nil 2 TOTAL STAFF 21 76 2

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. 38 R.A.F. 11 R.N.Z.A.F. 52 R.A.A.F. 78 TOTAL TRAINEES 179

AIRCRAFT STRENGTH Serviceable Unserviceable Total Avro-Anson 33 1 34

July 1, 1942 Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson resumed command of No.5 A.O.S. on his returnfrom temporary duty at Air Armament School, R.C.A.F. Station, Mountain View, Ontario. Morning and afternoon flying exercises completed as scheduled. Night flying cancelled due to lowceiling and poor visibility.

July 2, 1942 Avro Anson Aircraft No.6215 failed to return from night navigation exercises. Lastradio signal from aircraft received at 2310 hours, position seven miles east of Morris, Man.,proceeding Kenora, Ontario, on compass course 060°. Civilian Pilot A.L. Compton and two

Australian airman, LAC Everist and LAC Jarvis were crew. Search attempted at 0600 hours,forced to return due to low ceiling and visibility nil. Fifteen aircraft resumed search at 1335 hours,results nil. Flight Lieutenant G.B. Randall proceeded to No.l C.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba at 1230 hours. Allnavigation flights cancelled due to search for missing aircraft.

July 3, 1942 Twenty-six aircraft from No.5 A.O.S. took off at 0600 hours to resume search formissing Anson 6215. At approximately 1300 hours, seventeen aircraft No. 7 A.O.S. joined in


IMAGE 668

July 3, 1942 (continued) the search, making a total of forty three aircraft, covering a territory ofsome 30,000 square miles. The crashed aircraft was discovered near Marchand, Manitoba at1645 hours. A ground party was en route by Motor Transport at 1845 hours, including SquadronLeader Malcolmson, the Medical Officer, Pilot Officer Ironside (Photographic Officer), Mr.Ormond and Mr. Buchanan of the civilian operating company. Scheduled flying operationscancelled for the day, result of intensive search for missing aircraft. Wing Commander W.R.Murray, Chief Navigation Officer from A.F.H.Q. paid visit here last evening.

July 4, 1942 Ground party returned from scene of Anson aircraft No.6215 crash, reporting pilotand both trainees instantly killed. Air Navigation exercises carried out as scheduled.

July 5, 1942 All flying operations carried out as scheduled. Pilot Officer A.H. Murton departedat 1840 hours on posting to No.6 Air Armament School, Mountain View, Ontario, eff. 7-7-42.Twenty-six Air Navigators, course No.54, reported from K.T.S., Trenton, today.

July 6, 1942 Flight Lieutenant E.W.C. Sharpe reported on temporary duty from No.2 TrainingCommand, as Investigating Officer covering crash of Anson 6215. All air exercises carried out asscheduled. Weather clear and warm.

July 7, 1942 Flying Officer A.G. Stewart departed at 2230 hours on posting to No.3 B.& G.School, Macdonald. Military funeral services were held for the two trainees killed in aircraft crashon July 1st. Service for LAC Jarvis was at Ste. Anne's Roman catholic church at 1000 hours, withburial in Assiniboine Memorial Park Cemetery. Service for LAC Everist at Thompson FuneralChapel with interment in Brookland Cemetery. All Air Navigation exercises carried out asscheduled. Weather clear and warm.

July 8, 1942 Flying Officer Hobson, Command Trade Test Officer, reported on temporary duty atNo.5 A.O.S. today. All air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear andmild.

July 9, 1942 Flying Officer W.M. Winram, No.2 T.C. Signals Officer, reported on temporaryduty. Morning, afternoon and night exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and warm.

July 10, 1942 Morning, afternoon and night flying exercises carried out as scheduled. Weathermild with clear sunshine all day.

July 11, 1942 During the day air navigation exercises carried out. Weather clear and warm. Evening cloudy, developing into electric storm with strong wind late in evening and continuedthrough most of the night.

July 12, 1942 Morning flight not scheduled. Afternoon and night flights carried out. Weatherclear and mild.

July 13, 1942 All air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and mild withbright sunshine all day. Might clear and cool.

July 14 1942 Squadron Leader Emory, A.F.H.Q. Personnel Liaison Officer, visited No.5 A.O.S.today. AirNavigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and mild until noon.Afternoon cloudy, cool and overcast. Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 669

July 15, 1942 Morning flying exercises carried out. One afternoon and two night flights carriedout as scheduled. Weather fair and very warm.

July 16, 1942 Air navigation exercises not scheduled, for morning. Afternoon flight carried out. No night flying scheduled. Weather clean and warm during day, becoming overcast atapproximately 1745 hours, with severe electrical storm developing during night.

July 17, 1942 Pilot Officer T.D. Grafton reported from No.l C.N.S., Rivers, on posting asnavigation instructor. All Air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear anddecidedly warm.

July 18, 1942 All flying exercises cancelled due to heavy fog, low clouds and spasmodic rains.

July 19, 1942 Morning flight not scheduled. Afternoon and night air navigation exercises carriedout as planned. Weather clear and mild. Twenty-six air navigator trainees, course No.55,reported from K.T.S., Trenton.

July 20, 1942 Air Navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather overcast during earlymorning, but cleared at approximately 0845 hours, sunshine and mild for remainder of the day.

July 21, 1942 Morning, afternoon and night air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled.Weather clear and mild.

July 22, 1942 No morning air exercises scheduled. One air navigation exercise carried out inafternoon. Two air exercises carried out at night. Weather clear and warm.

July 23, 1942 All air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and decidedlywarm.

July 24, 1942 Morning and afternoon air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Oneflying exercise carried out in evening. Two late night flights cancelled due to low ceiling andpoor visibility.

July 25, 1942 Flight Lieutenant W.J. Hawkins, Visiting Flight, reported on temporary duty fromNo.l C.N.S., Rivers at 1400 hours, Friday, 24-7-42. Morning and afternoon air navigationexercises carried out as scheduled. Night flight washed out due to adverse weather conditions.

July 26, 1942 No morning exercises scheduled. One air navigation flight carried out inafternoon, and two at night as scheduled. Weather clear and cool. Wing Commander Gillsonreported at 1900 hours on temporary duty from No.l C.N.S., Rivers.

July 27, 1942 All air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and warm.

July 28, 1942 Morning, afternoon and night air navigation flights carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and decidedly warm during day becoming cool during evening and through thenight.


IMAGE 670

July 29,1942 Pilot Officer E.S. Guiton and Pilot Officer R.A. Payne reported at 0900 hours onposting from No.l A.N.S. Rivers, Manitoba as Navigation instructors.All air exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear with strong sunshine and very warmduring the day. Severe rain storm struck at 2130 hours and continued through the night.

July 30,1942 Morning and afternoon air exercises carried out as scheduled. Night air navigationexercises cancelled due to adverse weather. Pilot Officers Lovell and Robinson, R.A.F. graduatesof original class on Course No.15 at No.5 A.O.S. are visitors here this week. They have bothbeen on operational duties over Germany, and last year were on Wellingtons in Egypt.

July 31,1942 Ceremonial Wings Parade carried out at 1030 hours for Course No.47 GraduationClass. Fifteen successful graduates awarded Air Navigators' Badges. This marks the first courseof trainees to complete training and receive their wings at No.5 A.O.S. under the new syllabus.

Wings presentation was made by Air Commodore T.A. Lawrence of No.2 Training CommandHeadquarters. No.3 Wireless School band was in attendance.

July 31,1942 Personnel Strength: Officers Airmen Civilians Staff R.C.A.F. 22 72 Nil Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. Nil Nil Nil Civilian Meteorologists Nil Nil 2 Total Staff 22 72 2

Trainees R.C.A.F. 33 R.A.F. 62 R.N.Z.A.F. 48 R.A.A.F. 76 Total Trainees 219

Aircraft Strength Serviceable Unserviceable Total Avro-Anson 31 5 36.


IMAGE 671

August 1 STRENGTH - PERSONNEL Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F. 22 72 Nil Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. Nil Nil Nil Civilian (Meteorologists) Nil Nil 2 Total Staff 22 72 2


AIRCRAFT Serviceable 31

Unserviceable 5

August 1 Wing Commander A.W.B. Barrett, A.F.H.Q. Navigation Division and FlightLieutenant Putnam, No.2 Training Command, paid a visit to No.5 A.O.S. today. Morning and afternoon air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Night flight cancelled due to heavy rainstorm.

August 2 All air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather bright with clearsunshine all day. Night clear and cool. Twenty-six trainees, Air navigators' Course No. 56 reported on posting from No.2 "M" Depot, Brandon, Manitoba, at 1745 hours today.


IMAGE 672

August 3 Air Vice Marshall S.J. Gobles, Australian Air Liaison Officer from A.F.H.Q. visitedNo.5 A.O.S. at 1100 hours. He interviewed all Australian personnel and expressed completesatisfaction with conditions here. Squadron Leader H.T.I. Lee, Auxiliary Officer, A.F.H.Q., and Flight Lieutenant Hammett of No.2Training Command, Auxiliary Officer, reported on temporary duty at 1130 hours. Daily routine air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and cool.

August 4 All air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and warm. Seventeen Wireless Operator Air Gunners from Course No.34 reported on posting from No.5B.&.G. School, Dafoe, Saskatchewan.

August 5 Morning air navigation exercises cancelled due to adverse weather. Afternoon andnight exercises carried out as scheduled.Anson Aircraft No.6314 from afternoon flight was forced down near Sperling, Manitoba, atapproximately 1600 hours. Aircraft undamaged, and was brought home by Mr. Stevenson, FlightCommander, who landed at airport at 2140 hours.

August 6 Wing Commander Sifton, Command P.M.O., paid a visit today at 1440 hours.Morning, afternoon and night air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather hazyduring morning, afternoon clear and warm.

August 7 No morning flying exercises scheduled. Afternoon air navigation exercises carried outas planned. Night air exercises not scheduled. Heavy electric storm with torrents of rain at 1600hours, lasting for approximately one hour, after which weather cleared. Night clear and warm.

August 8 No air navigation exercises scheduled today.

August 9 Morning flight cancelled due to adverse weather. Afternoon flight carried out as

scheduled. Night flight cancelled. Thick clouds and heavy rain.

August 10 Flight Lieutenant W.K. Gwyer assumes temporary command of No.5 A.O.S. duringsemi-annual leave of Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson, C.S.O., effective 0800 hours. All airnavigation exercises carried out as scheduled.

August 11 All air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and warm.

August 12 Low hanging clouds, fog and rain prevented morning air navigation exercises.Weather cleared up by noon and afternoon and night flying exercises carried out as scheduled.

August 13 morning and afternoon air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. No nightflights scheduled. Weather clear and warm up to 1450 hours at which time heavy rain and hailstorm struck. Rain ceased at approximately 1530 hours. Night clear and cool.

August 15 Ceremonial Wings Parade carried out at 1530 hours for twenty-one successfulgraduates from Course No.48, presentations being made by Wing Commander J.D. Blaine, No.2Training Command. LAC Frost, R.J. who headed the class with ### marks of 85½% waspresented the Starrett Trophy. The seven leading airman in the class were appointed PilotOfficers, effective 14-8-42. Morning and afternoon air navigation exercises carried out. Nightflying exercises cancelled due to heavy rain and poor visibility.


IMAGE 673

August 15 All air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and warm.

August 16 Morning and afternoon air navigation exercises carried out. Night flight cancelleddue to adverse weather. Twenty-five Air Navigator trainees. Course No.57, reported from No.2“M” Depot. Brandon, Man. at 1745 hours.

August 17 All flying exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and hot during day,becoming quite cool at night.

August 18 All air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather mild with heavy smokehaze, causing poor visibility.

August 19 Morning, afternoon and night air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled.Weather clear and warm.

August 20 Flight Lieutenant Fowler, Command Headquarters Photographer paid a visit at 1130hours. Morning, afternoon and night air exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear anddecidedly hot.

August 21 Air Commodore T. Lawrence, Wing Commander R. Golding, Wing Commander J.D.Blain visited No.5 A.O.S. at 1250 hours. Morning and afternoon air navigation exercises carriedout as scheduled. Night flights cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. Weather mostly fairand mild up to 1840 hours at which time it became cloudy with rain.

August 22 All air navigation exercises cancelled due to maintenance and adverse weather.Decidedly cold, rain, and low hanging clouds.

August 23 Air Navigation exercises, morning and afternoon, carried out as scheduled. Nightflights cancelled due to maintenance. Weather dear and quite cool.

August 24 Pilot Officer W.A. Ironside, Station Photographer, posted to A.F.H.Q, effective24-8-42. Pilot Officer J.O. Griffiths, Photo., reported at 0900 hours on posting from No.5 "M"Depot, Lachine, Quebec, effective 24-8-42. Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson, C.S.O., resumescommand of No.5 A.O.S. on return from semi-annual leave. All air navigation exercises carried outas scheduled. Weather dear and cool.

August 25 All air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear with strongsunshine.

Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.IMAGE 674

August 26 Flight Lieutenant J.D. Fitzsimmons, Station Administrative Officer, proceeded onTemporary Duty to A.F.H.Q. Flight Lieutenant G.B. Randall returned from leave. Night flightscancelled due to adverse weather conditions. Air navigation exercises throughout the day werecarried out as scheduled.

August 27 Flying Officer L.G. Hennessy reported on Temporary Duty from No.2 TrainingCommand, to replace the Station Administrative Officer. Pilot Officer H.E. Hunter reported onposting from No.l C.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba, as a Navigation Instructor.Morning flights cancelled due to heavy ground mist. Afternoon clear and warm. Afternoon andnight air navigation flights carried out as scheduled.

August 28 Three Anson Aircraft, registration numbers 6006, 6082 and 6380 carrying out airnavigation exercises from No.l C.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba, landed at this School at 1130 hours,G.M.T., due to adverse weather conditions. Crew were accommodated at this Unit and at No.8Repair Depot.Morning air navigation exercises were carried out as scheduled. Afternoon and night exercisescancelled due to adverse weather, a very low ceiling, heavy rain and electrical storm lastingthroughout the afternoon and early evening.Observer Wings were presented to Class 49 by Group Captain R.G. Grant of No.2 TrainingCommand Headquarters. The ceremony took place in No.l Hangar. The class was comprised oftwenty-six Air Navigators, made up as follows: 22 Australians, 2 New Zealanders, 1 Canadian, and

1 RAF. The Starrett prize was presented to the class senior, Sergeant Crombie, R.A.A.F. Class49 S.O.S. eff.29-8-42, departing after duty this date.

August 29 Twenty-three Air Bombers, Course No.58, reported from No.7 B.&.G. School,Paulson, Manitoba at 0730 hours.Afternoon navigation flights carried out as per schedule. No morning or night flights scheduled. Morning clear, becoming cloudy in the afternoon with rain in the evening. Ansons 6006, 6082 and6880 from Rivers, Manitoba departed for that school at 1445 hours. Central Time.

August 30 Twenty-six Air Navigators, Course No.58, reported from No.2 “M” Depot, Brandon,Manitoba, at 1745 hours.Weather was cloudy with occasional showers throughout the day, clearing in the late evening.Morning and afternoon flights were cancelled due to weather conditions. Night navigationexercises were carried out as scheduled.

August 31 Flying Officer J.W. Dolphin returned from leave today. Eight graduates of CourseNo.49 appointed to commissions effective 26-8-42. Wing Commander E.A. McGowan reportedfor three days Temporary Duty from No.l C.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba, to study operation of an AirObserver School.Morning photographic and navigation flights carried out as scheduled. Afternoon and nightnavigation flights carried out as scheduled. Weather clear in morning, cloudy in afternoon.


IMAGE 675

August 31 STRENGTH - PERSONNEL Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F. 24 78 Nil Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. Nil 5 Nil Civilian (Meteorologists) Nil Nil 2 Total Staff 24 83 2


AIRCRAFT

Serviceable 30 Unserviceable 6

(H.G. MALCOLMSON) Squadron Leader, Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 676

1-9-42 S T R E N G T H PERSONNEL Officers Airmen Civilians Staff R.C.A.F. 24 78 Nil Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. Nil 5 Nil Civilian (Meteorologists) Nil Nil 2 Total Staff 24 83 2

Trainees R.C.A.F. 16 R.A.F. 139 R.N.Z.A.F. 38 R.A.A.F. 52

AIRCRAFT Serviceable 30 Unserviceable 6

Pilot Officer G.E. Manser reported at 0830 hours, on posting from No.l Central NavigationSchool, Rivers, Manitoba.Morning navigation flight carried out as scheduled. Afternoon flights were cancelled due toweather conditions. Night navigation flights completed.

2-9-42 Wing Commander White and Wing Commander Wells, New Zealand Personnel LiaisonOfficers, paid a visit at 1640 hours.All navigation flights completed as scheduled. Weather clear and cool.Flying Officer H.M.S. Ferguson, Navigation Instructor, reported at 0900 hours on posting fromNo.5 Initial Training School, Belleville, Ontario.

3-9-42 Flying Officer C.R. Douglas, Navigation Instructor, reported at 0900 hours on posting

from No.2 Initial Training School, Regina, Saskatchewan.Pilot Officer M.S. Cooke departed at 1840 hours on posting to No.5 Manning: Depot, LachineQuebec.


IMAGE 677

3-9-42 (Continued) Morning, afternoon and night navigation exercises carried out as scheduled.Weather clear and cool.

4-9-42 All navigation air exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather fair and cool.

5-9-42 Navigation flights carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and warm.

6-9-42 Air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear withbright sunshine.

7-9-42 Morning, afternoon and night navigation air exercises carried out as scheduled. Weatherclear and very warm.

8-9-42 All air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Flying Officer J.B. Brownlee, No.2Training Command N.P.F. Officer reported at 1400 hours on temporary duty. Weather clear andvery warm.

9-9-42 Pilot Officer L.V. Tyndale and K.R. Thompson, Navigation Instructors, reported at 0900hours on posting from No.l Central Navigation School, Rivers, Manitoba.Alarm sounded at 1400 hours. Fleet Fort Aircraft No.3630 crashed and burst into flames onsoutheast corner of Stevenson Field, killing sergeant pilot and trainee from No.3 Wireless School.Morning, afternoon and night air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather fair andwarm.

10-9-42 Flying Officer M.M. Smith, Air Observer, reported on temporary duty from Air ForceHeadquarters at 0900 hours.All flying operations carried out as scheduled. Weather fair and warm.

11-9-42 Two Air Navigation courses, Nos. 50 and 51 received their wings at a ceremonial wingspresentation parade at 1500 hours, 44 Air Navigators graduating. The Honourable R.F.McWilliams, Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, presented the wing badges. Group Captain D.W.F.Bonham-Carter, S.A.S.O. at No.2 Training Command Headquarters, presented the StarrattMemorial Navigation Watches to the two highest scoring graduates, the honor going to two NewZealand airmen. No.2 Training Command Band was in attendance.Morning and night air navigation exercises were carried out as scheduled. No flying scheduled forafternoon. Weather fair and mild.

12-9-42 Course No.59, 23 Air Bombers, reported on posting from No.7 Bombing and GunnerySchool, Paulson, Manitoba at 0900 hours.All air exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and warm.


IMAGE 678

13-9-42 Course No.59, 26 Air Navigators, reported on posting from Composite Training School,R.C.A.F. Station, Trenton, Ontario at 0945 hours.All navigation flying exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and warm.

14-9-42 Flying Officer C.R. Douglas, Navigation Instructor, reported at 2000 hours off fourteendays leave.Air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and cool up to approximately 1945hours when a sharp electrical storm broke with a heavy downpour of rain, weather clearing atapproximately 2230 hours.

15-9-42 Morning and afternoon air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Night flyingcancelled due to heavy rain storm.

16-9-42 Wing Commander B.N. Harrop (C413)(G.L.) reported at 0900 hours on posting fromNo.2 Training Command Headquarters, to take over the duties of Chief Supervisory Officer fromSquadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson, effective this date.All air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather cloudy up to 1120 hours; remainderof day dear and cool.

17-9-42 Flight Lieutenant G.T. Johnson (C4812), Armament Officer, reported at 1330 hours onposting from No.7 Bombing and Gunnery School, Paulson, Manitoba, to replace Flight LieutenantG.B. Randall who is to be posted to Air Force Headquarters. All flying exercises carried out asscheduled. Weather clear and warm.

18-9-42 Squadron Leader Parlee, Air Force Headquarters Examination Officer, reported ontemporary duty at 0930 hours.Air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather dear and cool.

19-9-42 Pilot Officer S.J. Grigg, Navigation Instructor, departed on posting to Western AirCommand Headquarters, Victoria, British Columbia.Air navigation day and night exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and warm withbright sunshine.


IMAGE 679

20-9-42 Morning and afternoon air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Night flightswashed out due to adverse weather.

21-9-42 Morning air navigation exercises cancelled due to rain and fog. Afternoon and night flyingcarried out as scheduled, weather clearing at 1040 hours and remaining fair and very cool all day.

22-9-42 Pilot Officer A.G. Edwards, Navigation Instructor, reported at 0900 hours on postingfrom No. l Central Navigation School, Rivers, Manitoba.All air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and cool.

23-9-42 Morning and afternoon air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Night flightsattempted but were recalled due to adverse weather, high wind velocity extremely cold and iceforming on wings.

24-9-42 All flying exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear with strong sunshine andcomparatively warm.

25-9-42 Twenty-one air navigators of graduating Course 52 were awarded wing badges at aceremonial wings presentation parade at 1500 hours. Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson, formerChief Supervisory Officer, presented the wings. Wing Commander B.N. Harrop, ChiefSupervisory Officer of No.5 Air Observer School presented the Starratt Memorial Trophy to theleading class member, AUS414732 Sergeant Shanahan, K.J. No.3 Wireless School Band was inattendance.All air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather mostly cloudy and cold.

26-9-42 Air Bombers from Course No.60, 6 from No.2 Bombing and Gunnery School, Mossbank,Saskatchewan, 7 from No.7 Bombing and Gunnery School, Paulson, Manitoba, and 8 from No.8Bombing and Gunnery School, Lethbridge, Alberta, reported; effective data of their posting26-9-42.All air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and cold.

27-9-42 Course No.60, 26 Air Navigators reported at 0950 hours on posting from. CompositeTraining School, R.C.A.F. Station, Trenton, Ontario, effective date 26-9-42.All air navigation exercises for day and night carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and cool.

28-9-42 Air navigation exercises all carried out as scheduled. Weather partly cloudy and cold.


IMAGE 680

29-9-42 Air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear with warm sunshine,

night clear with bright moon.

30-9-42 Flight Lieutenant G.B. Randall, Armament Officer, departed on posting to No.8 Bombingand Gunnery School, Lethbridge, Alberta, effective this date.Air Navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear, with bright sunshine.

S T R E N G T H PERSONNEL Officers Airmen Civilians STAFF R.C.A.F. 30 109 Nil Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. Nil 5 Nil Civilian Meteorologists Nil Nil 2

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. 63 R.A.F. 171 R.N.Z.A.F. 23 R.A.A.F. 2 5 AIRCRAFT Serviceable 31 Unserviceable 8

(J.D. Fitzsimons) Flight Lieutenant, for Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., WINNIPEG, Manitoba.

IMAGE 681

Oct 1 S T R E N G T H - PERSONNEL st

Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F. 30 109 Nil Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. Nil 5 Nil Civilian (Meteorologists) Nil Nil 2 Total Staff 30 114 2

Trainees R.C.A.F. 63 R.A.F. 171

R.N.Z.A.F. 23 R.A.A.F. 2 5 Total Trainees 2 262


Flight Lieutenant G.H. Warren, Educational Officer No. 2 Training Command reported at 0900 hrs.this date. Air Navigation Exercises all carried out as scheduled - Weather clear with strong sunshineand very warm.

Oct 2 All Air navigation Exercises carried o t as scheduled - Weather clear, strong sunshine andnd

mild.

Oct 3 Air Navigation Exercises carried out as scheduled - Weather clear, Bright sunshine andrd

mild.


IMAGE 682

Oct. 4 Flying Exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and warm.th

Oct .5 Pilot Officer G.S. Halter, Flying Officer Forbes, Administrative Officers reported at 0900th

hrs. - Pilot Officer Halter on posting from No. 5 “M” Depot, Lachine, Quebec, and Flying OfficerForbes from No. 2 Training Command, effective this date. Pilot Officer G.A. Brand, NavigationInstructor on posting from No. 1 Central Navigation School, Rivers, Manitoba. effective this date.Air Navigation Exercises carried out as scheduled - Weather clear and warm.

Oct. 6 All Air Navigation Exercises carried out as scheduled - Weather clear and warm.th

Oct. 7 Air navigation Exercises carried out as scheduled - Weather clear and mild.th

Oct. 8 Air Navigation Exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and warm.th

Oct. 9 Pilot Officer T. Pickering and Pilot Officer B. Fox, Navigation Instructors reported atth

1430 hrs. on posting from No. 1 Central Navigation School, Rivers, Manitoba.Ceremonial Wings Parade was carried out at 1500 hrs, for 21 Air Navigator's Course No. 53 and 23Air Bomber's Course, No. 53 graduating. Group Captain N.C. Pleasance Command Headquarterspresented the Wing Badges and the Starratt Memorial Trophy going to Class leader, SergeantHenderson, H.W. This was the first class made up exclusively of New Zealand Trainees to

graduate under the revised training Syllabus, as Air Navigators. Also Air Bombers Class 58 was the first to graduate and receive Wing Badges at No. 5 Air Observer School. Air Commodore T.A.Lawrence took the salute during the march past. No. 2 Training Command Band was in attendance.Air navigation Exercises were carried out as scheduled - Weather clear aid mild.

Oct. 10 22 Air Bombers, Course No. 61 reported at 0800 hrs., on posting from No. 7 Bombingth

and Gunnery School, Paulson, Manitoba. All flying exercises carried out as scheduled - Weatherclear and warm with strong sunshine.

Oct. 11 26 Australians Course No. 65 reported at 1820 hrs. on posting from No. 3 "Y" Depot,th

Edmonton, Alberta, All flying exercises carried out as scheduled - Weather clear and warm.

Oct. 12 Pilot Officer J.D. Forbes Navigation Instructor reported at 0900 hrs. on posting from No.th

1 Central Navigation School, Rivers, Manitoba.All Air Navigation Exercises carried out as scheduled - Weather clear and warm.

Oct. 13 Morning, afternoon and night Air Exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clearth

and mild with strong sunshine.Group Captain Bonham-Carter, Senior Air Staff Officer No. 2 Training Command, visited thisSchool today.

Oct. 14 All Air Navigation Exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and mild. th

Oct. 15 Morning, afternoon and night Air Navigation Exercises carried out as scheduled.th

Weather clear and warm.


IMAGE 683

Oct. 16 Flight Lieutenant W.A. McCallum, No. 2 Training Command, Fire Prevention Officerth

reported at 1045 hrs. on Temporary Duty.Squadron Leader H.G. Malcolmson, former Chief Supervisory Officer this School struck offstrength on posting to No. 2 Training Command, effective and reporting 16-10-42.All Air Navigation Exercises carried out as scheduled - Weather clear and warm.

Oct. 17 Flight Lieutenant G.E. Bryce and Flying Officer G.L. Hobson, Command Trade Testth

Officers reported on Temporary Duty at 0900 hrs. Air Navigation Exercises a1l carried out asscheduled. Weather clear.

Oct. 18 Air Navigation Exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and warm.th

Oct. 19 Pilot Officer G.D.B. Poff, (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) reported a 1030 hrs. onth

posting from No. 7 Air Observer School, Portage La Prairie, Manitoba.All Air Navigation Exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and warm with strongsunshine.

Oct. 20 Pilot Officer A.P. Wedding, Navigation Instructor, reported at 1100 hrs. on posting fromth

No. 1 Central Navigation School, Rivers, Manitoba. Flight Lieutenant C.W. Turner, SignalsExamination Officer, No. 2 Training Command reported at 0945 hrs. on Temporary Duty.Morning and afternoon Air Navigation Exercises carried out as scheduled - Night flights cancelleddue to adverse weather with heavy overcast and strong winds, which developed into rain and sleet.Pilot Officer K. W. Holtby, Navigation Instructor reported at l530 hrs. on posting from No. 1Central Navigation School, Rivers, Manitoba.

Oct. 21 Flight Lieutenant Warren and Flying Officer A.F. Kerr, Command Educational Officersst

reported on Temporary Duty at 1145 hrs. this date.Morning Air Navigation Exercises only partly completed, due to adverse weather. AfternoonFlights washed out, also night flights. Weather overcast with high wind velocity and cold.

Oct. 22 Morning Air Navigation Exercises not carried out due to adverse weather. Afternoonnd

flights carried out. Night flights washed out due to adverse weather which developed low hangingclouds, high winds and cold.


IMAGE 684

Oct. 23 Ceremonial Wings parade was carried out at 1500 hrs. for 20 Navigator's Course No. 54and 22 Air Bomber's Course No. 59. graduating. Wing Commander B.N. Harrop, ChiefSupervisory Officer presented the Wing Badges to Navigation graduates, and the Starratt Trophy toHonour Graduate, Sergeant Stevens, D.J. Mr. Stewart Ormond, Civilian Manager, Winnipeg AirObserver School presented Wing Badges to Air Bomber Graduates, and also presented a goldIdentification Bracelet suitably engraved and bearing coat of arms as Winnipeg Air ObserverSchool Trophy to honour Air Bomber Student. This Trophy went to Sergeant Lyons, R.A. No. 2Training Command Band was in attendance.Squadron Leader J.I,. Dyte, Disciplinarian Officer from Air Force Headquarters Ottawa, and FlyingOfficer D. McWherten fron No. 2 Training Command reported on Temporary Duty at 1345 hrs.Morning Air Navigation Exercises carried out as scheduled. Afternoon and night flights washedout due to adverse weather, which continued cloudy with strong winds and cold.

Oct. 24 Morning and afternoon flights carried out in good order. No night flights scheduled.th

Weather c1ear and cold.Wing Commander Ball, No. 2 Training Command paid a visit to this school at 1450 hrs. today.Weather clear with bright sunshine and cool.

Oct. 25 26 Air Navigator's Course No. 62 reported from Trenton, Ontario at 0930 hrs. 22 Airth

Bomber’s Course No. 62 from No. 8 Bombing & Gunnery School, Lethbridge, Alberta, reported at0800 hrs. this date. Morning and afternoon Air Navigation Exercises carried out as scheduled. Night flying cancelled due to adverse Weather.

Oct. 26 Air Vice-Marshall Gobles, Australian Air Liaison Officer paid a visit at 1445 hrs. today.th

Morning and afternoon Air Navigation Exercises carried out as scheduled. Night flights washedout duet to adverse weather - Heavy overcast, snow flurries.

Oct. 27 All Air navigation Exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather overcast with light snowth

flurries and cool.

Oct. 28 Flying Officer W.G. Bailey, Accounts Officer, No. 7 Equipment Depot, reported onth

Temporary Duty at 0925 hrs, this date.Air Navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather partly overcast and cool.

Oct. 29 Flying Officer T.M. Brown, Navigation Instructor departed at 1700 hrs, on posting toth

No. 10 Service Flying Training School, Dauphin, Manitoba. Wing Commander Ball, SignalsOfficer No. 2 Training Command paid a visit here at 1130 hrs. All Air Navigation Exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and warm.

Oct. 30 Morning Air Navigation Exercise carried out as scheduled - Afternoon Flights washedth

out due to adverse weather, also night flights cancelled. Weather clear with bright sunshine up to1400 hrs, at which time heavy overcast descended.


IMAGE 685

Oct. 30 Morning and afternoon Air Navigation Exercises carried out as scheduled. No nightth

Flights planned. Weather mild, partly cloudy with snow flurries.

S T R E N G T H - PERSONNEL Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F. 34 109 Nil Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 4 6 Nil Civilian (Meteorologists) Nil Nil 3 Total Staff 38 115 3

Trainees R.C.A.F. 80

R.A.F. 140 R.N.Z.A.F. 4 R.A.A.F. 32 Total Trainees 256

AIRCRAFT Serviceable 33 Unserviceable 5 Total 38

(J.D. Fitzsimmons) for Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., WINNIPEG, Manitoba.

IMAGE 686

1 November S T R E N G T H - PERSONNEL Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F. 34 109 Nil Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 4 6 Nil Civilian (Meteorologists) Nil Nil 3 Total Staff 38 115 3




IMAGE 687

1 November All Air Navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather partly cloudy - cool.

2 November Pilot Officer R. Lyon, Air Observer from Air Force Headquarters reported at 1630hours, on temporary duty. Air Navigation exercises carried out as scheduled Weather overcastand cool.

3 November Air Navigation flights carried out as scheduled - Weather overcast - cold with snowflurries.

4 November Avro Anson -I- No. 6098 crashed on forced landing at Warroad, Minnesota 0015hours, this date due to faulty Navigation and radio Communication after petrol supply exhausted. Plane operated by Civilian Pilot J.L, Dougans with one Navigator one Air Bomber and one WirelessAir Gunner Trainees, Pilot and crew only slightly injured.Morning Air Navigation exercises carried out. Afternoon and night flights cancelled due toadverse weather - Snow storms-low ceiling etc.

5 November Morning and afternoon Air Navigation exercises washed out due to adverse weather- Night flights completed as scheduled - Weather cloudy with snow flurries and low ceiling untilnoon, when skys cleared and temperatures moderated.

6 November Group Captain White, New Zealand Air Liaison Officer from Air Force Headquarterspaid a visit at 1345 hours, this date.A Wings parade was carried out at 1500 hours, for 22 graduating Air Navigators Course No. 55and 20 Air Bombers Course No. 60. Wing Commander B.N. Harrop, Chief Supervisory Officer,No. 5 Air Observer School, presented the Wing Badges to both classes and the Starratt Trophy tohonour student, Navigator Sgt. Bower, D. Also the Winnipeg Air Observer School Bracelet tohonour student Air Bomber Sgt. Love, V.C.All Air Navigation flights carried out as scheduled. Weather partly cloudy, light snow-fall, andmild.

7 November Morning and afternoon air navigation exercises carried out. Night flights notscheduled. Weather clear and mild with strong sunshine.

8 November 26 Air Navigators Course No. 63 reported at 1745 hours, on posting from No. 3 "M"Depot, Edmonton, Alberta. Course No. 63, Air Bombers 7 reported at 0745 hours from No. 7Bombing & Gunnery School, Paulson, Manitoba, and 7 from No. 5 Bombing & Gunnery School,Dafoe, Saskatchewan, at 0730 hours. All Air Navigation exercises carried out. Weather partlyovercast and wild. Flight Lieutenant H.C. Nixon, Navigation Instructor departed on posting toNo, 7 Initial Training School, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

9 November Flight Lieutenant W. Putnam, Navigation Officer No. 2 Training Command visitedhere today, from 1100 to 1500 hours. Air Navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather partly cloudy and mild.


IMAGE 688

10 November Morning and afternoon Air Navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Nightflights cancelled due to nil ceiling, cloudy with snow flurries. Wing Commander A.G. Kerr andFlight Lieutenant R.T. Boyes Air Force Headquarters visited this Unit at 1445 hours in connectionwith Air Training. Flying Officer J.B. Toft reported at 0900 hours on posting from No. 8 RepairDepot, Winnipeg, Manitoba, as accountant Officer for this Unit.

11 November Morning and afternoon flights carried out as scheduled. Early night flight cancelleddue to snow storm - Late night flight completed. Weather - mild.

12 November Pilot Officer G.S. Halter, Administrative Officer, departed on posting to attendAdministration Course at Trenton, Ontario, effective 12-11-42. All Air Navigation exercises carriedout as scheduled. Weather clear and mild.

13 November Air Navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and mild.

14 November Air Navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear, strong sunshineand very mild.

15 November Morning, afternoon and night Air Navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather overcast, but still very mild.

16 November Pilot Officer H.W. DeRoche (Administrative) Officer reported at 0900 hours, onposting from Technical Training School, St. Thomas, Ontario. All Air Navigation exercises carriedout as scheduled. Weather clear and mild.

17 November Pilot Officer T. Smart, and Pilot Officer A.L. Jewett departed on embarkation leaveprior to reporting to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 30-11-42 for posting to R.A.F.Overseas.All Air Navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and cool with bright sunshine.Pilot Officer F.J. Barker, Navigation Instructor reported at 1415 hours, on posting from No. 1Central Navigation School, Rivers, Manitoba.

18 November All flying exercises, day and night, carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and mildwith bright sunshine.


IMAGE 689

19 November Wing Commander Gillson and Flight Lieutenant W.J. Hawkins, visiting flight(Navigation) from No. 1 Central Navigation School, Rivers, Manitoba., reported on temporary dutyat 1800 hours.All Air Navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear andcool.

20 November Air Commodore A. de T. Nevill, C.B.E. Deputy Chief N.Z.A.F. and Group CaptainT.W. White, E.D. Chief Air Liaison Officer N.Z. Air Mission visited this Unit at 1400 hours.Wings Parade was carried out at 1500 hours, for 22 Air Navigators Course No. 56, and 23 AirBombers, Course No. 61, presentation of Wing Badges being made by Wing Commander B.N.Harrop, Chief Supervisory Officer, of this Unit.All Air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and cool with bright sunshine.

21 November Air Navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear, cool, and brightsunshine.

22 November 26 Air Navigators - Course No. 64 reported at 1745 hours on posting from No. 2Initial Training School, Regina, Sask., and 23 Air Bombers, Course No. 64 reported, - 4 on postingfrom No. 5 Bombing & Gunnery School, Dafoe, Sask., and 19 from No. 7 Bombing & GunnerySchool, Paulson, Man., All air exercises carried out as scheduled.Weather clear and warm.

23 November Pilot Officer J. Doig and Pilot Officer L.C. Shannon (Navigator "B") departed onposting to "Y" Depot, Halifax, N.S., for posting to R.C.A.F. Overseas. All Air Navigation exercisescarried out as scheduled. Weather partly cloudy and very mild.

24 November Air Navigation exercises washed out due to heavy rain, low hanging clouds, and nilvisibility.

25 November Air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather dear and cold withbright sunshine.

26 November Air Navigation exercises all carried out as scheduled.Weather dear and cold with bright sunshine.

27 November Squadron Leader A.G. Morkill R.A.F. Liaison Officer, No. 2 Training Commandpaid a visit to this Unit at 1100 hours today.Air Navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clear and moderately cold with brightsunshine.

28 November Air Navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather clearand cold.


IMAGE 690

29 November Morning and night air navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. AfternoonFlights called home after being in the air for 50 minutes, due to snowstorm and ice forming onwings.

30 November Squadron Leader C.C.M. Hilditch Australian Air Liaison Officer, visited here at1120 hours, this date. All Air Navigation exercises carried out as scheduled.Weather clear and cold with sunshine all day.

STRENGTH - PERSONNEL Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F. 31 108 Nil Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 2 6 Nil Civilians (Meteorologists) Nil Nil 3

Total Staff 33 114 3




IMAGE 691

1 Dec/42

Officers Airmen Civilians STRENGTH PERSONNEL Staff R.C.A.F. 31 108 - - Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 2 6 - - Civilians (Meteorologists) - - - - 3

TOTALS 33 114 3

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. 87 R.A.F. 98 R.A.A.F. 48 R.N.Z.A.F. 13

TOTAL 246

1 Dec/42. Honorary Flight Lieutenant B. Stibbards, Protestant Chaplain, reported on postingfrom No. 2 Training Command effective this date. All Air Navigation exercises carried out asscheduled. Weather clear and decidedly cold.


IMAGE 692

2 December All air Navigation exercises carried out as scheduled - - Weather clear and moderatelycold.

3 December Air Navigation exercises carried out as scheduled. Weather overcast with light snowflurries, but very mild.

4 December Flight Lieutenant A.T. Livingstone, No. 2 Training Command Engineering Officerreported on temporary duty at 0900 hours this date. A Wings Parade was held at 1500 hours for 19 graduating Air Navigators Course No.57 5 December and 15 Air Bombers Course No. 62. The wings presentation was made by GroupCaptain A.O, Adams, Commanding Officer of No. 8 Repair Depot. The awards were presented byWing Commander B.N. Harrop, C.S.O. of this School. The Starratt Trophy went to HonourStudent Sergeant P.N. Rolfe, while the Winnipeg Air Observer School Bracelet was presented toSergeant W. King.The morning navigation flight was cancelled due to inclement weather; the afternoon flight wasmade and flying was again cancelled in the evening. The weather was squally with snow flurries.

5 December Navigation flights were carried out on schedule, the weather being fair and relativelymild.

6 December All Navigation flights scheduled were carried out. The weather was fair and cold.

7 December The day navigation flights were carried out as scheduled, but the night flights werecancelled due to weather which was dull and relatively cold.

8 December Group Captain Bonham-Carter and Wing Commander Blane from No. 2 TrainingCommand paid a visit to this station. The weather was dull with snow flurries, which necessitatedthe morning navigation flights being washed out.

9 December Navigation flights except late night flight carried out as per schedule. The weatherwas cold accompanied by light snow.

10 December Flying Officer Baby reported from No. 33 S.F.T.S., Carberry. All scheduled flightscarried out; weather very cold.


IMAGE 693

11 December All flights cancelled; weather cold with snow flurries and low overcast.

12 December Weather clear and becoming colder. All scheduled flights carried out.

13 December Weather very cold with snow squalls. First morning navigation flight and late nightnavigation flight carried out. Second day-flight and first night-flight washed out.Pilots from No. 7 Air Observer School, Portage la Prairie, were forced down here, and taken to theC.P.R. Station by our Station Wagon for their return.

14 December Flight Lieutenant C.W. Turner, Signals Officer from No. 2 Command, visited thestation.The first morning navigation flight was completed as scheduled; the afternoon flight was recalledafter being out two hours; first night-flight was cancelled, and the second night flight was carriedout.The weather is milder, with an overcast coming down during the afternoon.

15 December Wing Commander A.G. Goulding, accompanied by Flight Lieutenant J. White,visited the Officers Mess at 1230 hours.Both daytime navigation flights were carried out as scheduled, the early night flight was recalledbecause of bad weather conditions, the late night flight was cancelled. The weather was cold withan overcast coming in at night.

16 December Weather was mild with slight snowfall. All scheduled navigational flights werecancelled due to weather conditions.

17 December Weather was cold with snow. All navigational flights were cancelled due weather conditions.


IMAGE 694

18 December Weather was cold. Both the morning and afternoon flights were carried out as werethe two night navigational flights.

19 December Weather was extremely cold. Morning and afternoon flights flew as scheduled, butthe two night flights were cancelled.

20 December The extreme cold was maintained.Both the scheduled daytime flights were carried out; the early and late night flights were cancelled.

21 December Weather was moderating, resulting in poor visibility. All scheduled navigationalflights were cancelled.There was a short meeting of the Officers in the Officers' Mess at 1630 hours.

22 December Nothing to report.

23 December Two night flights carried out; weather unsuitable during the day.

24 Flight Lieutenant Little of Air Force Headquarters visited the Station this date in connectionPostal Service.

25 December Nil. Routine carried out with skeleton staff.

26 December Air Navigator and Bomber classes in progress. No flying.

27 December Two day and three night flights carried out.

28 December Mr. Allison, civilian Meteorologist, reported and taken on strength this date. Flyingcarried out.

29 December Snow flurries with fairly strong wind, weather continuing cold. Morning flights notcarried out due to unfavourable weather; afternoon and night flights completed.

30 December Weather rather cold with sky overcast. The afternoon training flights were, carriedout. The morning and evening flights being washed out due to weather conditions. Pilot Officer

K.B. Meyers P.T. & D. reported for duty today.


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31 December Weather fair and cold. The morning training flights were carried out, flying beingwashed out in the afternoon and evening, being prior to the New Year. Pilot Officer H.R. Roberts(NAV) reported this date on posting from No. 1 C.N.S. Rivers.

STRENGTHPERSONNEL STAFF Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F. 35 134 - - Service Personnel other than R.C.A.F. 2 4 - - Civilian Meteorologists - - - - 4 Works & Buildings personnel - - - - 7 TOTAL 37 138 11




IMAGE 696

1 January, 1943

STRENGTH - PERSONNEL Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F. 35 134 ----

Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 2 4 ---- Civilians (Meteorologists) ---- ---- 4

TOTAL 37 138 4 TRAINEES R.C.A.F. 152 R.A.F. 30 R.N.Z.A.F. 9 R.A.A.F. 39 TOTAL 230 AIRCRAFT Serviceable - 34 Unserviceable - 10 1 January Weather cold, sky overcast. Flying nil.

2 January Very cold with fog conditions in the morning. Flying nil.

3 January Fair and cold. Scheduled training flights were carried out in the morning, afternoonand night.

4 January Fair and somewhat milder with south wind. Scheduled training flights were carriedout, morning afternoon and night.

5 January Weather extremely cold - Scheduled training flights carried out morning, afternoon andnight.

6 January Temperature 22º below zero practically all day - however it was fine & clear withscheduled flights being carried out A.M. - P.M. & night.

7 January Temp. 15 below - fine & clear all scheduled flights carried out morning, afternoon &night. F/O J.M. Calnik reported from #2 M.D. Brandon, on Temporary Duty.


IMAGE 697

8 January Weather moderating visibility - poor - No flights carried out.

9 January S/L A.E. Henderson (Adm) arrived on T.D. from #2 I.T.S. Regina this A.M. No flyingcarried out due to unfavorable weather conditions.

10 January Four flights carried out this date.

11 January Strong north west wind, rather cold. All training flights were carried out asscheduled.

12 January Blustery and rather cold. The regular training flights were carried out as scheduled.

13 January Strong winds fairly mild with a tendency to blizzard conditions. The morning trainingflights were attempted, one machine was forced down south of Marquette, Man., while the othersreturned to base after a short time out, due to weather conditions. Flying was washed out during theafternoon and night due to unsatisfactory weather conditions.

14 January Snow flurries with variable winds clearing somewhat in the afternoon. Flying waswashed out in the morning due to weather. The scheduled afternoon and one night training flightswere carried out, the second night flight being washed out due to weather conditions.

15 January Snow flurries accompanied variable winds - visibility poor - No flights carried out.

16 January Cold becoming very cold as the day progressed. Morning training flights washed out,afternoon training flight attempted but called back due to weather, the night flights were washedout.

17 January Weather quite cold. Morning and afternoon flights carried out, routes shortened dueto severe cold. One night training flight carried out other cancelled due to weather. Anson Aircraft#12 crashed on landing north of south north runway. Two of crew slightly injured.

18 January Weather extremely cold, the flights were shortened due to the extreme cold, and themorning and afternoon training flights were carried out. The night flights were cancelled due toweather conditions.

19 January All training flights were washed out both day and night due to the extreme cold.

20 January Weather extremely cold, all training flights, day and night were washed out due tosevere weather conditions.

21 January Somewhat milder with snow flurries in the morning becoming brighter in the afternoon.Flying was washed out in the morning and at night, due to weather. The scheduled training flightswere made in the afternoon.

22 January Cold north winds, flying was washed out in afternoon and night due to weather and thewings parade which was held in the afternoon. The morning training flights were carried out. Awings parade was held at 15:30 hours for 23 graduating students from Course 65 A.B. and 22 inCourse 60 A.N. Wing Commander Harrop made the presentations. The Starrat Trophy was wonby Sgt. J.W. Gage of the A.N. course and the bracelet went to Sgt. H.W. Davies of the AirBombers.

23 January Weather very cold with light north wind and snow flurries, reaching blizzardproportions in the evening. Flying was washed out due to condition of runways and icingconditions.

24 January Blizzard conditions in early morning, and snow flurries throughout the day withextreme cold. Roads and runways were blacked with snow and flying was washed out.


IMAGE 698

25 January Rather cold and bright in forenoon with south wind moderating slightly, switching tonorth winds and colder with snow flurries. Flying was washed out in the morning, the afternoonflight was attempted but abandoned due to weather, flying was washed out for the remainder of theday and night.

26 January South wind, very cold in the morning moderating somewhat in the afternoon, windchanging to north with snow flurries in evening. Scheduled morning and afternoon training flightswere made, the night flights were washed out due to weather conditions. The C.S.O. proceededon T.D. to Portage la Prairie at 2100 hrs., F/L Gwyer acting C.S.O. in his absence.

27 January Sky overcast, mild with snow flurries in the afternoon, strong winds and blizzardconditions towards night. All flying was washed out due to snow and icing conditions.

28 January Snow flurries with poor visibility in the morning clearing somewhat in the afternoon.Flying was washed out in the morning due to poor visibility and in the afternoon due to fear of icingconditions. The night flights were carried out with a slight alteration in the second flight scheduledue to weather conditions. C.S.O. returned from T.D. Portage la Prairie on the 14:40 train, and isconfined to his quarters due to illness.

29 January Sky overcast with moderate temperature in the morning snow flurries with wind in theafternoon and evening. The scheduled morning training flights was partially carried out, flying waswashed out in the afternoon and night due to weather.

30 January Snow with stormy conditions and moderate temperatures in the morning approachingblizzard proportions in the late afternoon. All flying washed out due to weather.

31 January Clear with moderate temperatures becoming colder in the afternoon and evening. Allscheduled training flights were carried out both day and night.


IMAGE 699

31 January STRENGTH

PERSONNEL Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F. 37 136 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 2 5 ---- Civilians - Meteorologists ---- ---- 4 Auxiliary Officer ---- ---- 1

Total Staff 39 141 5 TRAINEES R.C.A.F. 164 R.A.F. 24 R.A.A.F. 34 R.N.Z.A.F. 34 Total Trainees 256 AIRCRAFT Serviceable 33

Unserviceable 7 Total Aircraft 40

(W.K. Gwyer) Flight Lieutenant, Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 700

1 February 1943.

STRENGTH PERSONNEL Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F. 37 136 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 2 5 ---- Civilians - Meteorologists ---- ---- 4

Auxiliary Officer ---- ---- 1

Total Staff 39 141 5 TRAINEES R.C.A.F. 164 R.A.F. 24 R.A.A.F. 34 R.N.Z.A.F. 34 Total Trainees 256 AIRCRAFT Serviceable 33

Unserviceable 7 Total Aircraft 40

1 February Fair with moderate temperatures. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.

2 February Fair with moderate temperatures. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.

3 February Moderate temperatures with sky overcast in the morning with strong winds in theafternoon reaching blizzard proportions at night. All day and night flights were washed out.

4 February Cold North wind with sky overcast in the morning, clearing around noon. Themorning training flight was washed out due to weather. The afternoon and first schedule nightflights were carried out. The second scheduled night flights were washed out due to weather. Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 701

5 February Snow storm with high winds all day. Flying was washed out due to weather duringthe day. The first night flight was carried out. A Wings Parade was held at 1530 hours fortwenty-six (26) graduating Aircrew Navigators, Course No. 61. The presentations were made byGroup Captain Bonham-Carter of No. 2 Training Command. The Starrat Trophy was won bySergeant H.N.T. Kite.

6 February Extremely cold North wind in the morning. The morning and afternoon trainingflights were carried out; there were no night flights.

7 February Clear with moderate temperatures and alight North wind. The morning, afternoon andnight training flights were carried out, the night routes being altered due to bad weather in theWest.

8 February Sky overcast, Northeast winds rather damp atmosphere. The morning flight was

cancelled due to weather; the afternoon training flight was carried out. Both night flights werecancelled due to weather conditions.

9 February Sky overcast, moderate temperatures with snow flurries, lower temperatures withblizzard conditions in the evening. Major General The Honorable Sir Wm. Glasgow, K.C.B.,C.M.C., D.S.O., High Commissioner for Australia, accompanied by his Assistant Secretary G.S.Bridgland and the Air Officer Commanding No. 2 Training Command, Air Commodore T.A.Lawrence, paid a visit to the Station today. Flying cancelled due to poor visibility, wind and snow.

10 February Cold with strong North winds. All flights were carried out as scheduled.

11 February Cold with sky overcast, clearing in this area in the afternoon. The scheduledmorning flight was carried out. Flying was cancelled in the afternoon and night due to weather.

12 February Cold, with snow and relatively high winds. Flying was washed out during the day;the scheduled night training flights were carried out. A Wings Parade was held for Thirty (30)graduating students of Course No. 66 Air Bombers. Wing Commander B.N. Harrop made thepresentations. The Winnipeg Air Observer School bracelet was awarded to Sergeant H.W. Lehti.

13 February Extremely cold in the morning, moderating as the day progressed. All training flightswere carried out as scheduled.

14 February Extremely cold in the morning, moderating slightly as the day progressed. Themorning and afternoon flights were carried out. Flying was cancelled over night, due to weatherconditions.

15 February Very cold in the morning, moderating with bright sun in the afternoon. All trainingflights were carried out as scheduled.


IMAGE 702

16 February Mild with sky overcast in the morning, clearing around noon. All training flights werecarried out as scheduled, except the second flight which was cancelled due to fog and icingconditions.

17 February Moderate temperatures with sky overcast in the morning, clearing in the afternoon.Lieutenant Colonel H.S. Bailey, Command Dental Officer, paid a visit to the Station in theafternoon. The morning flight was cancelled due to low ceiling; the afternoon flight was carriedout as scheduled. The course of the first night flight was altered due to low ceiling to the West; the

second night flight was cancelled.

18 February Fair and mild. All flights were carried out as scheduled, except the second nightflight which was cancelled due to fog conditions.

19 February All training flights were carried out with only slight changes in routing. Weather fairand mild. A Wings Parade for twenty-three (23) graduating Aircrew Navigators Course #62 andtwenty-seven (27) Air Bombers, Course No. 67, w«s held in the afternoon. The awards werepresented by Wing Commander B.N. Harrop. The Starrat Trophy was won by Sergeant Faiers,A.E. of the Aircrew Navigators and the bracelet by Sergeant Forcese, A.R. of the Air Bombers.

20 February Fair and mild; all training flights were carried out as scheduled.

21 February Fair and mild. All training flights were carried out as scheduled. One ship forceddown at Rivers, Manitoba, and had to have a cylinder replaced, to be ready at noon, 22 February

22 February Fair and mild in the morning; sky overcast and cooler in the afternoon. All trainingflights were carried out as scheduled, except the second night flight which was cancelled due tolow ceiling and icing conditions.

23 February Mild with sky overcast, becoming colder. Snow flurries in the afternoon andextremely cold in the evening. The first scheduled morning flight was carried out with an alterationof route due to weather. The second morning flight was recalled due to icing conditions. Thescheduled afternoon flight was cancelled. The scheduled night flight was carried out with coursealtered due to low ceiling.


IMAGE 703

24 February Extremely cold North West wind in the morning moderating in the afternoon. Thescheduled morning and afternoon flights were carried out. Two night flights were carried out, thesecond flight being altered slightly, due to bad weather in the West.

25 February Heavy snowfall overnight, milder and blustery in the morning, continuing throughoutthe day. Flying was cancelled during the day due to bad weather. The one scheduled night flightwas carried out.

26 February Blustery with sky overcast in morning, clearing and thawing in the afternoon. Alltraining flights were carried out as scheduled.

27 February Mild with sky overcast in early morning, developing into snowstorm before noon.The morning training flight was attempted, but the aircraft were called back due to snow. Flyingwas cancelled for the remainder of the day and night, due to weather.

28 February Cold with strong North winds. The training flights scheduled for the morning,afternoon and second part of the night, were cancelled due to weather. The first night flight wascarried out as scheduled.

(B.N. Harrop) Wing Commander, Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., Winnipeg, - Manitoba.

IMAGE 704

1 March, 1943. PERSONNELSTRENGTH Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F. 46 138 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 4 18 ---- Civilians - Meteorologists ---- ---- 4 Auxiliary Officer ---- ---- 1

TOTAL 50 156 5 TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - 172 R.A.F. - - - - - 27 R.A.A.F. - - - - 9 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - 34 TOTAL 242 AIRCRAFT Serviceable - - - 40

Unserviceable - - 2 TOTAL 42

IMAGE 704

1 March PERSONNEL 1943

STRENGTH Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F. 46 138 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 4 18 ---- Civilians - Meteorologists ---- ---- 4 Auxiliary Officer ---- ---- 1

Total 50 156 5 TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - 172 R.A.F. - - - - - - 27 R.A.A.F. - - - - 9 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - 34 TOTAL 242 AIRCRAFT Serviceable - - - - - - 40

Unserviceable - - - - 2 TOTAL 42

1 March, 1943 Extremely cold with sky overcast. One morning flight was carried out, the otherbeing cancelled due to difficulty in starting aircraft. The afternoon flight was carried out atscheduled, the night flight was cancelled due to severe cold.

2 March, 1943 Clear and cold. All flights were carried out as scheduled except the second nightflight which was cancelled on account of approaching warm front with snow and low cloud.


IMAGE 705

3 March, 1943 Mild with sky overcast in the morning, clearing around noon with sky againovercast in late afternoon, snow in the evening. The first morning flight was cancelled due toweather, the second being rerouted was carried out. The scheduled flight for the afternoon wascarried out. Flying was washed out at night due to snow and storms.

4 March, 1943 Heavy snowstorm last night with blizzard conditions in the morning. Flying wascancelled during the day due to weather conditions. The scheduled night training flights werecarried out. Squadron Leader R. Macfarlene S.S.O. and Pilot Officer H.F. Hall, Auxiliary Officerfrom No. 2 Training Command visited the station.

5 March, 1943 Fair and very cold in the morning, warming up as the day progressed. A Wings

Parade was held for sixteen (16) graduating students from No. 65 Navigation Class. Thepresentations were made by the Chief Instructor Flight Lieutenant W.K. Gwyer. The StarratTrophy was awarded to Sergeant K.E. Williams. One of the morning flights was postponed untilthe afternoon due to low temperatures. The afternoon flight was carried out as scheduled but thenight flight was cancelled due to low temperatures.

6 March, 1943 Fair and extremely cold, moderating in the afternoon. The second morning flightwas washed out due to low temperatures. The afternoon flight was carried out as scheduled. Therewere no night flights.

7 March, 1943 Fair with cold Worth wind. The morning flight was cancelled due to cold. Theafternoon and first night flights were carried out. The second night flight was cancelled due toweather.

8 March, 1943 Fair and cold in the morning, moderating slightly as the day progressed. Alltraining flights, carried out as scheduled.

9 March, 1943 Fair and milder. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.

10 March, 1943 Fair and relatively mild. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.

11 March, 1943 Fair and relatively mild. All flights were carried out as scheduled except thesecond morning flight which was cancelled due to lack of serviceable aircraft.

12 March, 1943 Fair and mild. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.

13 March, 1943 Cold raw North winds. All training flights carried out as scheduled with theexception of the second morning flight which was delayed duo to first flight changing ships.

14 March, 1943 Cold raw North winds. The morning training flight was washed out in theafternoon and night due to weather.

15 March, 1943 Cold North wind in early morning, bad blizzard throughout the day. All trainingflights were cancelled due to storms.

16 March, 1943 Continued blizzard day and night. All flights cancelled.

17 March, 1943 Continued blizzard, all roads blocked. All flying cancelled due to heavysnowstorms and unserviceable runways.


IMAGE 706

18 March, 1943 The morning, training flights were cancelled due to unserviceability of therunways. The afternoon and evening flights were carried out; the second night flight was cancelleddue to poor condition of taxi strip. Weather moderating sky overcast.

19 March, 1943 Relatively mild with sky overcast in the morning, clearing. The early morningflight was cancelled due to poor visibility, the remaining morning and afternoon flights were carriedout. Flying was cancelled in the evening due to poor visibility, A Wings Parade was held in theafternoon for twenty-two (22) graduating Airmen in Class 64 Aircrew Navigators and twenty (20)graduating Air Bombers in Class 69 Air Bombers. The presentations were made by Group CaptainA.J. Ashton of No. 2 Training Command. The Starrat Trophy was awarded to Sergeant L. Woycikof Course 64 Aircrew Navigators, the bracelet being won by Sergeant T.W. Kidd of Course 59 AirBombers.

20 March, 1943 Fair with moderate temperatures. All training flights carried out as scheduled.

21 March, 1943 Fair with chill strong South winds. All training flights were carried out asscheduled.

22 March, 1943 Fair with chilly South winds. The morning, afternoon and early evening trainingnights were carried out as scheduled. The second night flight was cancelled due to fog conditions.

23 March, 1943 Fair and mild, thawing as the day progressed. All training flights were carriedout as scheduled.

24 March, 1943 Fair and mild. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.

25 March, 1943 Mild with sky overcast in morning, clearing and becoming real warm as the dayprogressed. Group Captain White, the New Zealand Liason Officer visited the station today, tointerview New Zealand personnel. All training flights, were carried out as scheduled.

26 March, 1943 Fair with cold winds. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.

27 March, 1943 Fair and rather cold. All flights were carried out as scheduled.

28 March, 1943 Sky overcast with chill winds and snow flurries. All training flights werecancelled due to weather.

29 March, 1943 Dull with moderating temperatures. The morning and afternoon flights werecancelled due to low lying clouds. Night flights carried out as scheduled.

K.S. Picairn S/L for Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 707

30 March, 1943 The sky was overcast with gusty winds and moderate temperatures. All trainingflights were cancelled due to weather conditions.

31 March, 1943 Alternating clear and cloudy conditions, cool with strong winds. The morning andone afternoon training flights were cancelled due to weather. The night flights were carried out asscheduled.

PERSONNEL STRENGTH Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F. 43 105 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 8 14 ---- Civilians - Meteorologists ---- ---- 4 Auxiliary Officer ---- ---- 1

Total 51 119 5 TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - 154 R.A.F. - - - - - - 66 R.A.A.F. - - - - NIL R.N.Z.A.F. - - - 47 TOTAL 267 AIRCRAFT Serviceable - - - - - - 38

Unserviceable - - - - 5 TOTAL 43

K.S. Picairn S/L for Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 708

1 April/43 PERSONNEL STRENGTH Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 105 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 8 14 ---- Civilians - Meteorologists . . . . . . . . . .. ---- ---- 4

Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1 51 119 5

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - 154 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - -66 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - NIL R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - 47 TOTAL- - 267 AIRCRAFT Serviceable - - - - - - 38

Unserviceable - - - - 5 TOTAL - - - - - - - 43


IMAGE 709

1 April/43 S.L. K.S. Pitcairn is in Temporary Command due to the absence of the C.S.O., W.C.B.N. Harrop who is confined in the hospital.Sky partly overcast with chill winds. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.

2 April/43 Fair with chill winds, all training flights were carried out as scheduled.A Wings Parade was held in the afternoon for 24 graduating Air Navigators Co. No. 65 and 19graduating Air Bombers Course No. 70. The presentations were made by the Hon. R.F.McWilliams K.G., the Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Manitoba.The Starrat Trophy was awarded to Sgt. R.D. Taylor of Course 65 A.N. while the bracelet waswon by Sgt. G.K. Jamieson of Course 70 A.B.'sThere was a wastage of four students in the navigators class with no wastage in the AirBombers.Of the 24 graduating in the Air Navigators Class, two were posted to No. 1 C.N.S. Rivers, Man.,the remaining 22 were posted to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax.The disposition of the nineteen graduating Air Bombers was as follows:2 Sgts. posted to 7 B&G, Paulson.1 Sgt. posted to R.C.A.F. Stn. Mountainview.7 Sgts. posted to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax.9 Sgts. posted to No.31 Personnel Depot, Moncton.

3 April/45 The weather was fair with cool winds.All training flights were carried out as scheduled.

4 April/43 The weather continued fair with cool winds.All training flights were carried out as scheduled.

5 April Fair and mild.All training flights were carried out as scheduled. Course 75 A.N. consisting of an intake of 26students and Course 75 A.B. consisting of an intake of 20 students and 1 transfer commencedtraining this morning.

6 April/43 The weather continued fair and mild.All training flights were carried out with only slight alterations in their schedules.A Commanding Officer's Parade and Inspection were carried out at 0800 hrs.


IMAGE 710

7 April/43 Fair and warm. All training flights were carried out as scheduled. WO 1 L. Byers of No. 2 T.C. visited the station in connection with matters pertaining to theequipment section.

8 April/43 The weather continued fair and warm. W.C. B.N. Harrop resumed command onreturning from a period of illness. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.

9 April/43 Fair and relatively mild. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.

10 April/43 The weather continued fair and mild. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.

11 April/43 Fair and relatively mild with strong winds. The regular training flights were carried outas scheduled.

12 April/43 Cold winds with sky overcast. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.

13 April/43 The weather was fair with cold northerly winds. All training flights were carried out asscheduled.The regular Commanding Officer's Parade and Inspection was carried out at 0800 hrs. A movingpicture - Feature Picture "In Name Only," with additional shorts, was held in the airmen's mess at1900 hours.F.O. A.W. Munroe from No. 2 T.C, visited the station in connection with P.T. and Drilltraining.


IMAGE 711

14 April/43 The weather continued fair with cold north winds. All training flights were carried out

as scheduled.A barrack room Inspection was carried out this morning at 1000 hours.

15 April/43 Sky overcast with cool south east winds, clearing and warmer around noon, rain inlate afternoon, and evening.The day training flights were carried out as scheduled, the night flights were cancelled due toweather conditions.S.L. H. McFarlane Command Chaplain of No. 2 T.C. paid a short visit to the station in theafternoon.

16 April/43 Fair and warm.A Wings Parade was held in the afternoon for 14 graduating students of Course 66 A.N. and 22graduating students of Course 71 A.B. The awards and presentations were made by W.C. B.N.Harrop.The Starrat Trophy was awarded to Sgt. J.N. Clark of the Air Navigators and the bracelet was wonby Sgt. Edgar Scott of the Air Bombers.Out of a total of 27 students in Course 66 A.N., there were 4 failures and 9 transfers and 14graduates.There wars no failures in the Air Bombers Class, one student being transferred to Course No. 72.The disposition of the graduates of Course 66 A.N. was as follows, two Sgts. posted to No. 1C.N.S. Rivers and 12 Sgts. posted to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax.The disposition of the 22 graduates from course 71 A.B. was as follows:-2 Sgts. posted to No. 7 B.&G., Paulson. 3 Sgts. posted to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax. 17 Sgts. posted to No. 31 Pers. Depot, Moncton.

17 April/43 Weather fair with chill northerly winds. All training flights were carried out asscheduled.

18 April/43 Fair with chill northerly winds. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.

19 April/43 Weather fair with relatively strong winds, becoming warmer. All training flights werecarried out as scheduled.Air Navigators Course 74 consisting of an intake of 26 and one student transfer together with AirBombers Course 74 consisting of an intake of 21 students and one transfer commenced trainingtoday.


IMAGE 712

19 April/43 F.L. G.G. Milne of No. 2 T.C. visited the station with regard to navigation training.

20 April/43 Weather fair with chill winds, moderating as the day progressed. All training flights

were carried out as scheduled.The regular Commanding Officer's Parade and Inspection was carried out at 0800 hr. F.L. G.G.Milne of No. 2 T.C. visited the station in connection with the navigation training schedule.

21 April/43 Weather mild with sky overcast and rain in the evening. All training flights werecarried out as scheduled.

22 April/43 Weather fair and warm. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.

23 April/43 Weather fair and warm. Good Friday, Sunday routine, except all training flights werecancelled.

24 April/43 The sky was overcast in the morning with strong winds but cleared before noon. Alltraining flights were cancelled due to dust storms.

25 April/43 Fair and warm with strong winds. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.

26 April/43 Warm with sky overcast in the morning, showers in the afternoon. All training flightswere cancelled due to weather conditions.A kit inspection for the graduating classes was held in the morning.


IMAGE 713

27 April/43 Sky overcast, cool with showers in the afternoon.The Commanding Officer's Parade and Inspection was hold at 0800 hrs.The morning and afternoon training flights were cancelled due to weather. The night flights werecarried out as scheduled.The following members of parliament: Hon. J.A. Guy, Tasmainia; the Honorables Alex Wilson,L.G. Lowry and W.P. Endean from New Zealand; the Honorables David Watkins, A.J. MacDonald,S.J. Armstrong. A.O. Badman and B.H. Carser from Australia visited the station for the purpose ofinterviewing Anzac Trainees and Instructors and inspecting their training and living conditions.A movie was held in the Airmen's Mess tonight at 1900 hrs.The Feature Picture was "Panama Patrol."

28 April/43 Weather, fair and warm. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.W.C. C.O. Hutton from A.F.H.Q. and F.L. E. Turner of No. 2 T.C. visited the station in connectionwith the signals training.

29 April/43 Cool with sky overcast. The morning and afternoon flights were cancelled due tounsuitable weather and the visit of the Inspector General.The night training flights were carried out as scheduled.The Inspector General, Air Vice Marshal A.A.L. Cuff, accompanied by W.C. Price, and W.C.

Arnason A.F.H.Q., and his personal aide F.O. Carson also of A.F.H.Q. made an inspection of thestation and all personnel.

30 April/43 Weather fair and warm with variable winds. All training flights were carried out asscheduled.A Wings Parade was held in the afternoon for 17 graduating airmen of course 67 A.N. and 20graduating airmen of Course 72 A.B. The presentation and awards were made by W.C. B.N.Harrop.The Starrat Trophy was awarded to Sgt. D.R. Jones of Course 67 A.N. and the W.A.O.S. braceletwas won by Sgt. C.C. Willis of the Air Bombers.There were no failures in Course 72 A.B. however one student was held over on medical grounds.There wore 6 failures in Course 67 A.N. and 9 students retained for further training in later classes.


IMAGE 714

30 April/43 The disposition of the graduates of Course 67 A.N. was as follows: 3 Sgts. Posted to No. 1 C.N.S., Rivers. 14 Sgts. posted to No. 1 “Y” Depot, Halifax. The disposition of the graduates of Course 72 A.B. was as follows: 2 Sgts. posted to No. 1 B.&G. Jarvis, Ontario. 3 Sgts. posted to R.C.A.F. Stn., Mountainview. 13 Sgts. posted to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax. 2 Sgts. posted to No. 31 Pers. Depot, Moncton.


IMAGE 715

30 April/43 PERSONNEL STRENGTH Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 144 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 9 20 ---- Civilians - Meteorologists . . . . . . . . . .. ---- ---- 6 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

60 156 7 TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - 171 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - 37 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - 5 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - 46 TOTAL- - 259 AIRCRAFT Avro-Anson One Menasco Moth Serviceable 41 Serviceable 1 Unserviceable 1 Unserviceable Nil

Total Serviceable. . . . . . . . .42 Total Unserviceable . . . . . . . 1 Total aircraft . . . . . . . . . . . .. 43

(B.N. Harrop) Wing Commander, Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 716

1 May/43 PERSONNEL STRENGTH Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 144 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 9 20 ---- Civilians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . ---- ---- 6 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL 60 156 7 TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 171 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 37 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - 46 TOTAL- - - - - - - - - - - 259 AIRCRAFT Avro-Anson One Menasco Moth

Serviceable 41 Serviceable 1 Unserviceable 1 Unserviceable Nil



IMAGE 717

1 May/43 Fair and Mild. The first training flights were carried out as scheduled, the second flightwas called back due to encountering icing conditions. There were no night flights scheduled.

2 May/43 Weather warm with sky overcast in morning. There was a fairly heavy rain during thenight, and intermittent showers in the morning clearing in the late afternoon.The day training flights were cancelled due to low ceilings. The night training flights were carriedout as scheduled.

3 May/43 Weather clear and warm. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.The air was very rough for those flying in the afternoon flights.Air Navigators Courses 75A and 75B with total intake of 52 students together with Air BombersCourses 75A and 75B with total intake of 34 students, commenced training this morning.F.L. Thomas and Rennie of the visiting Armament Flight from Mountainview, arrived on the Stationto spend a few days in connection with the armament training schedule.

4 May/43 Weather fair and warm. The two afternoon flights were called back due to encounteringrain and low cloud. The night training flights were washed out due to low cloud and poor visibility. F.L. G. Ross and P.O. T.M. McMullen reported to Ferry Command for the purpose of acting asnavigator and wireless operator in ferrying a Canso to Rockcliffe.

5 May/43 Rain with sky overcast. The morning flight was attempted but called back due toadverse weather, the remaining day and night training flights were cancelled due to the weather.The visiting armament flight completed it's assignment on this station and left for Portage La Prairiethis afternoon.A Commanding Officer's Inspection of Barrack blocks was made at 1000 hrs.A practical drill course for all officers of this school consisting of Squad, Flight and a portion ofCeremonial Drill, commenced this morning at 0830 hrs.It is the intention to continue these drill periods from 0830 to 0900 hrs on Mondays, Wednesdaysand Fridays of each week until such time as all officers qualify in Squadron drill. Chief Supervisory Officer,

No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 718

6 May/43 The weather was cold with a blizzard throughout the day. All training flights werewashed out due to weather conditions.F.L. G.F. McAulay proceeded on T.D. to No. 31 A.N.S., R.A.F., Port Albert, Ontario, at 1830 Hrs.for training in operation of the Astrograph.

7 May/43 Fair and cold in the morning, becoming warmer. The morning flight took off,encountered low cloud, rain and poor visibility and returned to base without completing theexercise.The remaining day and night flights were cancelled due to weather.P.O. T.M. McMullen reported back from T.D. with Ferry Command on his return from Rockcliffe.Officers refresher drill was carried out from 0830 hrs. to 0900 hrs.

8 May/43 Saturday somewhat overcast but warm and suitable for flying. The morning andafternoon exercises were carried out as scheduled. There were no night flight scheduled.Two flights of airmen with their Commanders were furnished by this station to take part in aVictory Loan Parade assembling at The City Auditorium at 1100 hrs.

9 May/43 Changeable weather with intermittent cloud, sun and showers with snow in the evening.All training flights were cancelled due to weather.

10May/43 Cool with snow flurries in the morning, clearing and warmer in the afternoon.The weather was unfit for flying during the day and consequently no training flights wereattempted. The evening flights were successfully carried out.F.L. G. Ross reported back from T.D. with Ferry Command on returning after a ferry flight toRockcliffe.A movie "Tom Brown's School Days" was held in the Airmen's mess at 1900 hrs. Officers refresher drill was carried out from 0680 hrs. so 0900 hrs.


IMAGE 719

11 May/43 Fair with chill winds which continued throughout the day. All training flights weresuccessfully carried out.F. L. H.M.S. Ferguson proceeded on Temporary Duty to Ferry Command for the purpose of actingas a navigator on a Ferry Flight to Rockcliffe.S.L. W.E. Blench formerly Staff Officer at Air ministry accompanied by F.L. C.W. Turner from No.2 Training Command visited the station in connection with signals training and operation of the

signal section generally.The quarterly award of the Minister's Pennant, based on training and personnel efficiency reports,for the period 1st Jan. to 31st Mar./43 has been made to No. 5 A.O.S.

12 May/43 Bright and sunny but with continued chill winds, intermittent cloud in the afternoon.All training flights were carried out as scheduled.The regular monthly meeting of the Officers Mess was held at 1630 hrs.The Commanding Officer's Barrack Block Inspection was carried out at 1000 hrs.Officers refresher drill was carried out from 0830 to 0900 hrs.

13 May/43 Weather clear and warm. All training exercises were successfully carried out.W.C. J.D. Price navigation officer, paid an inspection visit to the navigation training section today.A kit inspection was held for personnel of the graduating classes Course 68 A.N. and Course73 A.B.

14 May/43 Clear and warm. The day training flights were carried out as scheduled.Both night flights took off as scheduled but a number of aircraft returned after being out about anhour, due to encountering unfavourable weather conditions.W.C. H.R. Dowie, of No. 7 Equipment Depot, paid a short call in the afternoon, in connection withEquipment matters.A Wings Parade was held in the afternoon for 23 graduating students of Course 68 A.N. and 20graduating students of Course 73 Air Bombers.The Wings Parade was taken as an opportunity for the presentation of the Minister's EfficiencyPennant which was awarded to this station for the period 1st Jan. to 31st Mar. 1943.G. C. A.J. Ashton from No. 2 T.C. presented the pennant and made the awards.No. Training Command Band was in attendance and the parade and presentation were veryimpressive.


IMAGE 720

14 May/43 The Bud Starrat Trophy was awarded to Sgt. A.L. Berry of the Navigators, while Sgt.Hodgkinson of the Air Bombers won the Company award of a bracelet.A tea was held in the airmans Mess for the graduating classes and their friends.A tea was also held in the Officer's Mess for Officers wives who attended the parade.The results of the above Courses were as follows: Course 68A.N. 23 graduates; 3 failures, 6transfers and 3 held pending the decision of the Reselection Board: Course 73A.N. 20 graduates;nil failures and 1 transferred to a later course.The disposition of the graduates was as follows: Course 68 A.N. 1 Sgt. posted to No. 1 C.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba. 22 Sgts. posted to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax.

Course 73 A.B. 2 Sgts. posted to No. 1 B.&G. School, Jarvis, Ontario. 1 Sgt. posted to R.C.A.F. Station, Mountainview. 8 Sgts. posted to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax. 9 Sgts. posted to No. 31 Personnel Depot, Moncton.Officers refresher drill was carried out from 0830 hrs to 0900 hrs.

15 May/43 Sky overcast with intermittent showers, clearing somewhat in the afternoon. Alltraining flights ware cancelled due to weather conditions.

16 May/43 Fair and warm with showers in the evening. All training exercises were successfullycarried out.

17 May/43 Fair and warm with intermittent cloud. All training exercises were successfully carriedout.Course 76 A.N. Consisting of an intake of 52 airmen and 1 transfer together with Course 76A.B.consisting of an intake of 33 and 2 transfers commenced training this morning.


IMAGE 721

17 May/43 A/F.L. G.F. McAulay returned from T.D. at 31 A.N.S., R.A.F.. Port Albert. Ontario.Officers refresher drill was carried out from 0830 to 0900 hrs.

18 May/43 Fair with occasional clouds and somewhat cooler. All training flights were carried outas scheduled. F.O. H.F. Hall, and S.O. E.M. Raynor from No. 2 T.C. visited the Station in connection withAuxiliary Services and Messing respectively.A Commanding Officers Parade and Inspection was carried out at 0800 hrs.

19 May/43 The weather continued fair becoming quite warm in the afternoon. All trainingexercises were successfully completed.A Commanding Officers Barrack Block Inspection was carried out at 1000 hrs. Officers refresherdrill was carried out from 0830 hrs to 0900 hrs.

20 May/43 Fair and warm, excellent flying weather. All training flights were carried out asscheduled.

21 May/43 Fair and warm. All training exercises were successfully completed.The regular officers refresher drill was carried out from 0830 to 0900 hrs.

22 May/43 Fair and warm becoming extremely warm in the afternoon. All training exercises weresuccessfully completed.

23 May/43 Rain throughout the day. All training flights were cancelled.

24 May/43 Sky overcast with intermittent showers throughout the day. All training flights werecancelled due to weather conditions. Summer Dress was made optional from May 24th to May31st. A kit inspection for Course 74 Air Bombers was held. The officers drill was cancelled due torain.

25 May/43 Cool with sky overcast and showers throughout the day and night. All training flightswere cancelled due to the weather.The Commanding Officers Parade and Inspection was cancelled due to rain.


IMAGE 722

25 May/43 A feature picture "Last of the Mohicans" was shown in the Airmen's Mess for theentertainment of Station Personnel.F.L. N.M. Fowler, Command Photographic Officer visited the photographic section.

26 May/43 Cool with sky overcast and continued showers. All training flights were cancelled dueto weather.F.O. W.G. Graham, Command Cypher Officer and F.L. W. McCallum Command Fire PreventionOfficer, visited the Station with regard to their respective sections.A Commanding Officers Barrack Block Inspection was carried out at 1100 hrs. The Officers drillwas cancelled due to rain.

27 May/43 The weather cleared in the early morning and was fine throughout the day. All trainingexercises were successfully completed.F.L. H.M.C. Ferguson reported back from Temporary Duty with Ferry Command this morning.

28 May/43 Fair with shifting winds in the forenoon with showers in the late afternoon and evening.The day training exercises were successfully completed.All night training flights were cancelled due to the weather.A Wings Parade was held for 22 graduating students of Air Bombers Course No. 74 A.B. Theawards and presentations were made by W.C. B.N. Harrop. The W.A.O.S. gold bracelet waspresented to Sgt. R.G. Pollock. 11 Members of the graduating class received commissions. Therewere no failures.The officers refresher drill was at 0830 hrs., was resumed with the return of fair weather.

29 May/43 The disposition of the graduates was as follows:

3 Sgts. posted to No. 1 B. & G. School, Jarvis. 2 Sgts. posted to R.C.A.F. Station, Mountainview. 15 Sgts. posted to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax. 2 Sgts. posted to No. 31 Personnel Depot, Moncton.Weather fair and rather cool in the morning, warming up around noon. All training flights werecarried out as scheduled.


IMAGE 723

30 May/43 Fair and relatively warm becoming cloudy in the late afternoon and evening. Allscheduled training flights were carried out with only slight alterations. A Commend Church Paradefor all protestant personnel from all R.C.A.F. Units in greater Winnipeg was held in the afternoon atNo. 8 Repair Depot.All available protestant personnel from this Station were in attendance.

31 May/43 Rain throughout the night and continuing all day and most of the next night. Alltraining flights were cancelled due to weather. The officers refresher drill was cancelled due to rain.Courses 77A and 77B Air Navigators consisting of a total intake of 52 airmen commenced trainingthis morning.F.O. H. Lines equipment officer from A.F.H.Q. arrived this morning to make a check of the majorequipment held on this Station.


IMAGE 724


TOTAL 64 169 7 TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 251 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 58

R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - 74 TOTAL- - - - - - - - - - - 383 AIRCRAFT Avro-Anson One Menasco Moth Serviceable 41 Serviceable 1 Unserviceable 1 Unserviceable Nil


Total number of hours flown during the month - 3230 hours.

(B.N. Harrop) W.C. Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 725


TOTAL 64 169 7 TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 251 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 58 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - 74 TOTAL- - - - - - - - - - - 383 Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 726

1 June/43 Weather fair and cool, with sky overcast in late afternoon and evening.The morning training flights were cancelled due to weather conditions; the afternoon and nightflights were successfully carried out.The regular Commanding Officer's Parade and Inspection was cancelled due to the wet condition ofthe parade grounds.F/O H. Lines of A.F.H.Q. returned to Ottawa after Inspection of Major Equipment on this Station.

2 June/43 Cool with sky overcast in the morning, intermittent clouds in the afternoon, and skyheavily overcast in evening. All training flights were cancelled due to weather conditions.The Commanding Officers Barrack Block Inspection was carried out at 08.30 hrs.

3 June/43 Cold rain during the night and continuing throughout the day. All training flights werecancelled due to bad weather.Messrs. L.G. Bishop, George Young and Miss Barbara Chipman of the Winnipeg Free Press,visited the Station for the purpose of gleaning material for a short write up on the Station.F/L J. Eisen, Command Jewish Chaplain, visited the Station in the afternoon for the purpose ofinterviewing Jewish personnel and looking after their spiritual welfare.

4 June/43 Continued cool with rain, very sloppy under foot, clearing in the afternoon. Themorning training flights were cancelled due to weather conditions; the afternoon and night trainingflights were carried out as scheduled.The Officers Refresher Drill period was cancelled due to weather conditions.F/L W.A.B. Pithie, Command Accountant Officer, and Air Commodore A.R. Collis from Air ForceHeadquarters, visited the Station this afternoon.

5 June/43 The weather was fair and relatively cool. All training flights were carried out asscheduled.

6 June/43 The weather was cool with sky overcast. All training flights were successfully carriedout.

7 June/43 Fair and warmer. All training exercises were carried out as scheduled.A kit inspection for the graduating class No. 75 A & B Air Bombers was held at 13.30 hrs.The regular Officers Refresher Drill was carried out at 08.30 hrs.


IMAGE 727

7 June/43 A Division League soft ball game between No. 5 A.O.S. and No. 7 Equipment Depotwas held at No. 5 A.O.S. at 16.30 hrs. A large crowd, including service and civilian personnellwere in attendance. It was a real bang up game, our team defeating their opponents by a score of 16to 6.No. 5 A.O.S. soccer team paid a visit to No. 3 Wireless School in the evening and after a tough

struggle managed to defeat the Wireless team by a score of 4 to 1. Our boys were entertained andgiven a luncheon by the Wireless School at the conclusion of the game.

8 June/43 Sky overcast in the morning with intermittent cloud in the afternoon and thundershowers at night. The morning training flights were carried out with courses altered due to weatherconditions; the afternoon and night flights were cancelled due to weather conditions.There was a Commanding Officer's Parade and Inspection at 10.00 hrs.W/C J.E. Sharpe (Command/P.M.O.) visited the Station in the late afternoon for the purpose ofmaking an inspection of the medical section.A movie for the entertainment of Station personnel was held in the Airmen's mess at 19.00 hrs.

9 June/43 Sky overcast with showers in the morning clearing around noon. The morning trainingflights were cancelled due to weather conditions. The afternoon and night training flights werecarried out as scheduled.The regular Officers Refresher Drill period was cancelled due to rain. There was a CommandingOfficers Barrack Block Inspection at 10.00 hrs.

10 June/43 Fair and warm throughout the day. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.

11 June/43 Heavy rain through the night and early morning, sky overcast clearing around noon.The Officers Refresher Drill period was cancelled due to rain.The first morning training flight was altered due to low cloud, the remaining day and night rainingflights were carried out as scheduled.A Wings Parade for 33 graduating students of Air Bombers Course No. 75 was held in theafternoon.


IMAGE 728

11 June/43 W/C B.N. Harrop presented the awards. The W.A.O.S. bracelet was won by Sgt.L.W.J. Good.The disposition of the graduates of Course 75 AB was as follows: 5 Sgts. posted to No. 1 B&G, Jarvis, Ontario. 2 Sgts. posted to R.C.A.F. Station, Mountainview. 23 Sgts. posted to No. 1 “Y” Depot, Halifax. 5 Sgts. posted to No. 31 Personnel Depot, Moncton.One Student was transferred to Course 76 due to time lost through illness.Mr. N. Zhidaynov, Russian Press Representative accompanied by F/L H.C. Anderson of No. 2 T.C.made a tour of the Station in the Afternoon.An exhibition soccer game was played between No. 5 A.O.S. and the Winnipeg Scottish team atthis Station at 19.00 hrs. Our team defeated the Scottish by a score of 6 to 1.Our soft ball team proceeded to Osborne Barracks to play the Army team, but the game wasdefaulted due to lack of sufficient players on the army team.

12 June/43 Cool with sky overcast. There were no training flights scheduled.Practically all members of the Officers Mess and their wives, gathered in the Officers Mess where apleasant evening of dancing and visiting was enjoyed by all.

13 June/43 Cool with sky overcast. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.

14 June/43 Heavy rain in early morning with intermittent heavy showers throughout the day. Alltraining flights were cancelled due to unsuitable weather. The officers Refresher Drill period was cancelled due to rain.Course 78 Air navigators consisting of an intake of 52 students commended training this morning.

15 June/43 Sky heavily overcast with showers, clearing. The morning training flights werecancelled due to weather; excellent flying weather prevailed in the afternoon and evening, and alltraining flights were successfully carried out. The Commanding Officers Parade and Inspection wascancelled due to rain.

16 June/43 Weather fair and warm. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.The regular Officers Refresher Drill period was carried out at 08.30 hrs.A Commanding Officer's Barrack Block Inspection was made at 10.00 hrs.


IMAGE 729

17 June/43 Sky heavily overcast with showers in the morning, clearing somewhat around noon.The scheduled morning training flights were carried out in the afternoon, as the weather was unfitfor flying in the morning; the scheduled afternoon training flights were cancelled. The night flightswere carried out as scheduled.

18 June/43 Heavy thunder showers during the night, with intermittent showers and sunshinethroughout the day. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.The Officers Refresher Drill period was carried out at 08.30 hrs.

19 June/43 With the intention of meeting and interviewing all New Zealand personnel, bothtrainees and staff members on strength, the Hon. Frederick Jones, Minister for Defence (NewZealand) visited this Unit.Accompanying the Hon. Fredrick Jones were Mr. R.M. Firth, Acting High Commissioner for NewZealand in Canada, Group Captain T.W. White, Chief Liaison Officer, New Zealand Air Mission,Mr. F.W. Sherwood, Private Secretary to the Hon. Fredrick Jones, and Flying Officer R.B.Somerville, Staff Officer.Fair and warm throughout the day. There were no training flights scheduled.

20 June/43 Heavy thunder showers in the early morning with unsettled weather, clearing aroundnoon. The morning and afternoon flights were cancelled due to weather. The night training flights

were carried out as scheduled.

21 June/43 Fair and warm throughout the day. All training flights were carried out as scheduled. Akit inspection for the graduating class 76Air Bombers was held at 09.00 hrs.The regular Officers Refresher Drill was carried out at 08.30 hrs.

22 June/43 Sky overcast with humid conditions in the morning, clearing and quite warm in theafternoon. The regular Commanding Officers Parade and Inspection was held at 08.00 hrs. Themorning and afternoon flights were successfully carried out. The night flights were Cancelled dueto an adverse met report which was borne out by violent thunder showers during the night.


IMAGE 730

22 June/43 A movie show was held at 19.00 hrs. for the entertainment of Service personnel. In thenewly formed Station Intersection League Course No. 73 Navigators played Course No. 74Navigators and won by a score of 10 to 8.

23 June/43 Heavy thunder showers through the night, weather rather unsettled in the forenoonclearing and very warm in the afternoon. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.The Commanding Officer’s Barrack Block Inspection was carried out at 10.00 hrs.The Station rugby team coached by two experienced players from Australia, P/O's Diversi and Readplayed an all New Zealand teams from No. 3 Wireless School to a tie score after 60 minutes ofplay.The Station softball team suffered a defeat at the hands of No. 7 Equipment Depot team at No. 7Equipment Depot after a tough fight. The score was 4 to 3 and was the first loss for our team this season.

24 June/43 Weather fair and warm. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.An Intersection League softball game between Course 75 B and 77 A Navigators resulted in a onesided score in favour of 77 A.

25 June/43 Warm and humid threatening rain in the forenoon with heavy rain in the afternoon. A Wings Parade for 26 graduating students of Course 76 Air Bombers and 23 graduating studentsof Course 69 Air Navigators was held at 14.30 hrs. W/C B.N. Harrop made the presentations.The Bud Starrat Memorial Trophy was presented to Sgt. Wm. G. Ramsay of Course 69 AN whilethe W.A.O.S. Bracelet was awarded to Sgt. Alex Russell McIntyre of Course 76AB.Eleven graduates of Course 76 AB were granted Commissions while seventeen were grantedCommissions in Course 69 AN.The Disposition of Class 76 AB was as follows: 3 Sgts. posted to No. 1 B. & G. Jarvis. 1 Sgt. posted to R.C.A.F. Station Mountainview. 20 Sgts. posted to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax.

2 Sgts. posted to No. 31 Personnel Depot, Moncton.There were 7 trainees held over for further instruction due to hospitalization, and two failed andwere remustered to Air Gunner.The Disposition of Course 69 AN was as follows: 2 Sgts. posted to No. 1 C.N.S. Rivers. 21 Sgts. posted to No. 1 “Y” Depot, Halifax.


IMAGE 731

25 June/43 (Cont’d) One trainee held over for further instruction due to hospitalization, 3 failed thecourse of instruction.The afternoon training flights were recalled due to rain and low cloud. All other training flightswere carried out as scheduled.

26 June/43 Fair and warm, good weather for flying but there were no training flights scheduled.

27 June/43 Fair and very warm most of the day, with showers and quite cold in the late evening.All training flights ware carried out as scheduled.

28 June/43 Weather continued quite cool with sky partially overcast.Course 79 Air Navigators comprising 52 Airman commenced training this morning. All trainingflights were carried out as scheduled.

29 June/43 Weather fair and cool. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.The regular Commanding Officers Parade and Inspection was carried out at 08.00 hrs.

30 June/43 The weather was fair and cool during the day.The morning and afternoon training flights were carried out as scheduled. The night flights werecancelled due to low cloud.The Commanding Officers Barrack Block Inspection was carried out at 10.00 hrs.


IMAGE 732

STATISTICS 30 June, 1943. 1. PERSONNEL

Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 150 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 7 21 Civilians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . ---- ---- 6 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL 67 171 7 TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 222 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 79 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 84 TOTAL 387 2. AIRCRAFT Avro-Anson One Menasco Moth Serviceable 44 Serviceable 1 Unserviceable 3 Unserviceable Nil

Total Serviceable 45 Total Unserviceable 3 TOTAL AIRCRAFT 48

3. FLYING TIME Total flying time June, 1943, 4487 hrs. 40 minutes.


IMAGE 733

30 June/43 PERSONNEL STRENGTH Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 150 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 7 21 ---- Civilians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . ---- ---- 6 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL 67 171 7

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 222 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 79 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - 84 TOTAL- - - - - - - - - - - 387 Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 734

1 July/43 Cool with sky heavily overcast looking very much like rain. The morning training flightswere carried but as scheduled, the afternoon and night flights were cancelled due to a holiday in theafternoon.

2 July/43 Heavy thunder showers in the early morning, clearing around noon. The morningtraining flights ware cancelled due to weather. The afternoon training flights ware carried out asscheduled.

3 July/43 Weather bright and sunny. Flights were cancelled as the classes were ahead in flying timeand behind in ground time.A/C Carnegie and G/C Fogarty R.A.F. Air Liaison Officers visited the station in the afternoon inconnection with training schedules.

4 July/43 Extremely hot and close. All training flights were cancelled as the students were aheadin flying time.

5 July/43 Weather fair and very warm. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.Air Vice Marshal S.J. Goble, Australian Air Liaison Officer, visited the station in connection withthe welfare and progress of Australian Staff, and trainee personnel.S/L K.S. Pitcairn assumed temporary command of the Station in the absence of W/C B.N. Harrop,who is on annual leave.

6 July/43 Weather fair and extremely warm. Excellent Flying weather and all training flights werecarried out as scheduled. The Commanding Officer's Parade and Inspection was carried out at 08:00 hours. A moving picture for the entertainment of all service personnel was held in the Airmen's Mess at19:00 hours.

7 July/43 Weather clear and extremely warm. Excellent flying weather and all training flights werecarried out as scheduled. A Commanding Officer's Barrack Block Inspection was made at l0:00 hours.

Chief Supervisory Officer,


IMAGE 735

8 July/43 Weather fair but extremely warm. The morning training flights were carried out asscheduled. Due to bad weather in the northwest the route of the afternoon flights was changed. Thenight training flights were carried out as scheduled.

9 July/43 Fair but extremely warm weather. The day training flights were carried out.The night exercises were cancelled due to thunder storms.The Wings Parade was held at 15:30 hours for twenty four graduating students of Course 70 AirNavigators. The awards and presentations were made by S/L K.S. Pitcairn. The Bud StarratMemorial Trophy was awarded to Sgt. W.M. McNeill. Thirteen graduates were grantedcommissions. The disposition of Course 70 AN was as follows: Total Intake - 26 Adjusted Intakes - 29 No. of Graduates - 24 Wastage - 5 .The disposition of the 24 graduates was as follows: 2 Sgts. posted to No. 5 Manning Depot, Lachine. 2 Sgts. posted to No. 1 C.N.S.. Rivers. 12 Sgts. posted to No. 1 “Y” Depot, Halifax. 7 Sgts. posted to No. 31 Personnel Depot, Moncton. 1 Sgt. graduate retained on the Station on account of Medical reasons.

The disposition of the wastage of 5 students was as follows: Four students were retained on theStation in later courses (1 to Co. 71, 1 to 73, and 2 to 74) for further instruction due to time lost onaccount of Medical reasons. One student was discharged as being medically unfit.

10 July/43 The weather was fair and warm. No training flights were scheduled.


IMAGE 736

11 July/43 The weather was suitable for flying with limited ceiling. The morning training flight wascarried out; the afternoon flight was cancelled due to weather. The night training flights werecarried out as scheduled.

12 July/43 Two flights were carried out in the morning, and only one in the afternoon. Both flightswere cancelled at night.F/L W.M. Knight (Armament Officer) reported on Station this date to take over duties ofArmament Officer vice F/L G.T. Johnson, who is posted to A.F.H.Q. eff. 17 July, 1943.

Fifty-four student airmen course 80 Air Navigators and thirty-eight student airmen of course 80 AirBombers commenced training this morning.

13 July/43 Weather suitable and all flights carried out both day and night.A Commanding Officer's Parade and Inspection was carried out at 10:00 hours.

14 July/43 All flights took off on schedule. Visibility suitable morning, afternoon and night.The Commanding Officer's Barrack Block Inspection was carried out at l0:00 hours.

15 July/43 All flights carried out as scheduled.

16 July/43 F/O Rowan arrived today on posting from No. 17 S.F.T.S., Souris.The weather was suitable for flying, but there were no training flights scheduled.

17 July/43 Weather fine and suitable for flying, but there were no training flights scheduled.

18 July/43 Weather suitable for flying. All flights were carried out as scheduled except the lastnight exercise which was cancelled due to conditions being unfit for Astro.S/L E.A. Smith and F/O G.S. Halter from No. 2 T.C. accompanied by F/L R.A. Butts from No. 1C.N.S., Rivers, visited the Station for the purpose of conducting an investigation into a bombingfatality.

19 July/43 Weather suitable for flying. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.W/C B.N. Harrop resumed command on his return from annual furlough relieving S/L K.S. Pitcairnwho had been in temporary command during his absence.S/L E.A. Smith and F/O G.S. Halter from No. 2 T.C. accompanied by F/L R.A. Butts of No. 1C.N.S. Rivers, visited the station for the purpose of completing an investigation into a bombingfatality.


IMAGE 737

20 July/43 The weather continued fair and warm. All exercises were carried out as scheduled inboth the day and night training flights.The regular Commanding Officer's Parade and Inspection was held at 08:00 hours.W/C A.W.B. Barrett, Chief navigator from A.F.H.Q. is visiting the Station in connection withnavigation training and navigation problems in general.S/L A.R. Cumming A.P.M., No. 2 T.C. accompanied by a corporal of the R.C.M.P. visited theStation to conduct an investigation into a bombing fatality.

21 July/43 Cool with sky overcast in the morning, clearing and warmer in the afternoon. Themorning training flights ware cancelled due to low cloud. The afternoon and night flights werecarried out as scheduled.

W/C A.W.B. Barrett completed his tour of inspection and left the Station in the afternoon.

22 July/43 Cool breeze with sky somewhat overcast clearing and warmer as the day progressed.All training flights ware carried out as scheduled.The Station soccer team defeated the Winnipeg Scottish team in a game at Osborne Stadium thisevening by a score of 4 to 2.F/O Burns, No. 2 I'.C. trade test officer and staff are visiting this School for the purpose of tradetesting airmen from the various sections.

23 July/43 Weather fair and very warm. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.Moving of the staff and classes to the new school site commenced this morning, and it is anticipatedthat the moving will take a few days.A Wings presentation parade for 22 graduating students of Course 71 Air Navigators and 6graduating students of Course 78 Air Bombers was held at 15:30 hours. W/C Harrop made thepresentations.The Bud Starrat trophy was awarded to Sgt. Charles Stevenson of Course 71 AN; the W.A.O.S.bracelet was presented to Sgt. David Noble.


IMAGE 738

23 July/43 The disposition of Course 71 AN was as follows: Total Intake - 26 Adjusted Intake - 30 No. of Graduates - 22 Wastage - 6 The disposition of the 22 graduates was as follows: Ten graduates were granted Commissions 20 graduates were posted to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax. 1 graduate was posted to No. 31 P.D., Moncton. 1 graduate was retained on the station for Medical reasons. The disposition of the wastage of 8 students was as follows: 3 C.T. posted No. 2 M.D., Brandon. 2 C.T. posted No. 1 M.D., Toronto. 1 C.T. awaiting posting instructions. 2 transferred to Course No. 73

The disposition of Course 78 Air bombers was as follows: Intake - Nil Adjusted Intake - 7 No. of graduates - 6 Wastage - 1 The disposition of the 6 graduates was as follows:

3 graduates were granted commissions. 1 graduate was posted to R.C.A.F. Station, Mountainview. 4 graduates were posted to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax. 1 graduate was posted to No. 31 Personnel Depot, Moncton. The wastage is accounted for as follows: 1 student was retained on the Station for further instruction in Course No. 80.

24 July/43 Weather clear and warm. There were no training flights scheduled for to-day.The No. 5 A.O.S. baseball team played No. 8 Repair Depot team at Osborne Stadium in theevening and won by a score of 16 to 2.


IMAGE 739

25 July/43 Weather fair and warm. The morning and afternoon flights were carried out asscheduled. The night training flight was cancelled due to weather.The moving of the various class instructors with their classes from the old to the new site continuedas scheduled.

26 July/43 Thunder showers in the early morning, clearing around 09:00 hours. All training flightswere carried out as scheduled.Courses 81 Air Navigators and 81 Air Bombers consisting of 52 and 38 airmen respectivelycommenced training this morning.

27 July/43 The weather continued fair but somewhat cooler. All training flights were successfullycarried out as scheduled.W/C B.N. Harrop, C.S.O. proceeded on temporary duty to No. 10 S.F.T.S. Dauphin at 16:30 hrs,for the purpose of attending a court martial, S/L K.S. Pitcairn will assume temporary command ofthe Station in his absence.The regular commanding Officer's Parade and inspection was cancelled due to the fact that nearlyall of the airmen have been transferred to the new site, where there is no parade ground available asyet.

28 July/43 The weather continued fair, becoming extremely warm in the afternoon. All trainingflights were carried out as scheduled.F/L Wm. Whiteford from No. 2 T.C. Accounts is visiting the Station for the purpose of making anaudit of the Station Accounts.No. 5 A.O.S. Soccer team defeated the Winnipeg Scottish Soccer Team at Osborne Stadium by ascore of 7 to 0.

29 July/43 The weather continued fair and warm. All training flights were successfully carried outwith the exception of the second night flight, which was cancelled due to thunderstorms.F/L Wm. Whiteford from No. 2 T.C. returned to Headquarters in the late afternoon after

completing an audit of the Station accounts.


IMAGE 740

30 July/43 The weather continues fair and warm. All training flights were carried out as scheduled.W/C B.N. Harrop resumed command of the Station on his return from temporary duty at No. 10S.F.T.S. Dauphin, at 1000 hours relieving S/L K.S. Pitcairn who was acting C.S.O. during hisabsence.The headquarters offices, including the C.S.O., S.A.O., S.W.O. offices and Orderly Room weretransferred to the new site at 11:00 hours.The weather continued fair and warm.There were no training flights scheduled for to-day.


IMAGE 741

31 July/43 STATISTICS 1. PERSONNEL Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 155 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 4 29 Civilians: Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 4 Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 2 Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL: 69 184 8 TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 279 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 128 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 51 TOTAL: 441 2. AIRCRAFT

Avro-Anson One Menasco Moth Serviceable 54 Serviceable 1 Unserviceable 21 Unserviceable Nil

Total Serviceable 55 Total Unserviceable 21 TOTAL AIRCRAFT 76

3. FLYING TIME Total Flying Hours for the month of July, 1943 - 5132 hours 25 minutes.


IMAGE 742

31 July/43 PERSONNEL Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 155 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 4 29 ---- Civilians: Meteorologists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 4 Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 2 Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL: 69 184 8 TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 279 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 128 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 51 TOTAL: 441 Chief Supervisory Officer,


IMAGE 743

1 Aug./43 Sky overcast with intermittent thundershowers around noon.The morning and night training flights were carried out as scheduled. The afternoon flights werecancelled due to unsuitable weather.

2 Aug./43 The weather was fair and relatively cool, suitable for flying. All training flights werecarried out as scheduled.

3 Aug./43 The weather continues fair and relatively cool. All training f lights were carried out asscheduled.G/C H.H. Atkinson of No. 2 T.C. paid a short visit to the Station in the morning.The Accountant Officer and staff moved their offices from the old to the new site in theforenoon.

4 Aug./43 The weather continues fair and cool. All training flights ware carried out as scheduled.

5 Aug./43 The weather continued fair and cool. The early morning training flights ran into rain inthe western region, however all the training flights were carried out as scheduled.Evening met reports showed thunderstorm activity all over the western region as a consequence allnight flights were cancelled.

6 Aug./43 Heavy thunder showers in the morning, clearing around 08:00 hours.All training flights were carried out as scheduled except the second night flight which wascancelled due to weather.A Wings Presentation Parade for 24 graduating students of Course 72 Air Navigators was held atl0:30 hours. The presentations and awards were made by W/C B.N. Harrop. The Bud StarratTrophy was awarded Sgt. Arthur Williams.Nine members of the class were granted commissions.Four students were transferred to later classes for further instruction due to time lost on account ofmedical reasons.There were no failures. Intake of Class 72 A.N. was 26. The adjusted Intake was 28. Wastage 4.


IMAGE 744

6 Aug./43 The disposition of the Graduates of Course 72 A.N. was as follows: 2 Pilot Officers posted to No. 6 "M" Depot, Laching, Que. 6 Pilot Officers posted to No. 31 P.D. Moncton, N.B.

14 Sgts. posted to No. 31 P.D. Moncton, N.B. 1 Sgt. posted to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax. 1 Pilot Officer posted to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax.

7 Aug./43 Cool with sky overcast. There were no training flights scheduled for today.

8 Aug./43 There was a heavy thunder shower in the early morning, clearing around 08:00 hours,and fair and warm throughout the day.The morning training flights were cancelled due to rain and thunder storms. The remaining flightswere carried out as scheduled.

9 Aug./43 The weather continued fine with relatively strong winds. All training flights were carriedout as scheduled.Courses 82 Air Navigators and 82 Air Bombers comprised of 53 and 38 airmen respectivelycommended training this morning.

10 Aug./43 The weather continues fair and relatively cool. The first night training flights werecancelled due to thunderstorms, the remaining flights were carried out as scheduled.

11 Aug./43 Thunder showers during the night, clearing in early morning and fine weatherthroughout the day.

12 Aug./43 The weather is fair and very warm. All flights carried out as scheduled.


IMAGE 745

13 Aug./43 The weather continued fair with high wind in the morning but the sky is overcast thisafternoon. All flights carried out as scheduled.

14 Aug./43 The weather continues fair and warm.The Stations Annual Picnic and sports day was held in the afternoon, followed by a dance in theAirmen's mess in the evening. The whole affair was very successful.The shield presented to the winning class in the sports events by the Canadian Legion, was won byclass 79 B Navigators.W/C B.N. Harrop presented the shield.

15 Aug./43 Windy and cloudy. First two night flights washed out, others carried out during theday according to schedule.

16 Aug./43 Fine and clear. All flights to schedule.

F/L Haywood assumed duties as Senior Administrative Officer vide F/O Forbes posted No. 7I.T.S., Saskatoon.

17 Aug./43 Fine all day. All flights to schedule.First flight made to U.S.A. Territory in North Dakota. (12/14 Aircraft)First occasion that crew of 5 was carried at night time following new arrangement with W.A.O.S.Visit paid by New Zealand Air Mission, Ottawa, at 10:00 hours G/C T.W. White and G/C J.Seabrook who interviewed New Zealand personnel available.

18 Aug./43 Fine and clear. All flights to schedule.Soccer Football - No. 5 A.O.S. versus Army Team.

19 Aug./43 Fine all day. All flights to schedule.Visit by S/L V.C. McAuley DFC and Bar, J4761 Navigator repatriated from Overseas - withoutstanding Operational Record. Informal talks with Instructors and trainees. Lectures to traineesduring two days sojourn.Graduation class Course 73 Navigators, Course 80 Air Bombers have banquet at MarlboroughHotel.


IMAGE 746

19 Aug./43 Flying accident Avro Anson I 6505 Civilian Pilot F.W. Rollins uninjured collided atStevenson Airport, Winnipeg 16:55 hours August 19, on approach to landing with Fleet Fort ofNo. 3 Wireless School-Pilot WO1 G.C. Hughes killed. Trainee pupil uninjured.

20 Aug./43 Fine and suitable. All flights to schedule.Visit paid by Air Vice Marshall E.S. Goodwin CBE, AFC Director of Training R.A.F.accompanied by S/L Milne and W/C Langford who made tour of Station.At 15:00 hours W/C B.N. Harrop presented Wings in No. 3 Hangar in the presence of 5 Flightsand a large gathering of friends to 25 Navigators Course 73 and 39 Air Bombers Course 80. Commissions granted.The Bud Starrat Trophy was presented to R110802 Cpl. Ferguson E.H., and Gold IdentificationBracelet presented by W.A.O.S. to R157882 LAC Hughes, A.O. Intake of classes 26 Navigators 38 Air Bombers. Adjusted intake 31 " 39 " " Wastage 6 " _ " " Disposition of the the classes was as follows: 2 P/O to No. 1 C.N.S., Rivers. 17 P/O to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax.

4 Sgt to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax. 2 Sgt. to 31 P.D., Moncton, N.B.

21 Aug./43 Clear, a little showery. No flying.

22 Aug./43 Suitable weather. All flights to schedule.New intake of Navigators and Bombers reported in - Course 83 A & B Navigators and 83 A.B.comprised of 52 and 33 Respectively.

23 Aug./43 Suitable weather except at night. All flights carried out to schedule except 3rd flightat 0130 hours at night.


IMAGE 747

24 Aug./43 Weather O.K. during day - Unsuitable at night owing to Ground fog. All flightscarried out except 3rd flight at night 01:30 hours.

25 Aug./43 W/C B.N. Harrop left for Ottawa to attend conference of C.S.O.'s.F/O K.B. Myers left for temporary duty at No. 19 S.F.T.S., Virden, to lend assistance P.T. & D.and will remain away one month.

25 Aug./43 Fine all day - Low clouds and showers at night.All days flight according to schedule but the three night flights were washed out. Anson 6572 made forced landing near St. Anne on account of engine trouble.S/L K.S. Pitcairn posted No. 3 Training Command, H.Q. reporting No. 45 Atlantic TransportGroup H.Q., Dorval, Quebec, thus relinquishing position as Chief Instructor.Investigation by F/L Haywood into alleged low flying by aircraft belonging to No. 5 A.O.S. onAugust 19, undertaken and report submitted.S/L G.G. Milne reported from No. 2 T.C. on temporary duty pending posting and assumedposition as Chief Instructor.

26 Aug./43 Low ceiling and cloudy all day. All flights made according to schedule except thirdnight flight at 01:30 hours.

27 Aug./43 Weather good. All flights made according to schedule except third night flight at01:30 hours cancelled owing to thunderstorm.

28 Aug./43 Weather good. No flying scheduled.

29 Aug./43 Ground fog which cleared by 09:00 hours.All flying carried out according to schedule.

30 Aug./43 Good weather all day.All flights to schedule except third night flight at 01:30 hours washed out by Fog.

31 Aug./43 Bad Weather all day. Low clouds and thunderstorms - No flying.


IMAGE 748

31 Aug./43 STATISTICS 1. PERSONNEL Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 173 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 5 26 ---- Civilians: Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 6 Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 3 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL: 73 199 10 TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 326 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 181 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 65 TOTAL: 585 2. AIRCRAFT Avro-Anson One Menasco Moth Serviceable 56 Serviceable 1 Unserviceable 20 Unserviceable Nil

Total Serviceable 57 Total Unserviceable 20 77

3. FLYING TIME Total Flying Hours for the month of August, 1943 - 6053 hours 55 minutes.

Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F.,

Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 756

31 Aug./43 PERSONNEL Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 173 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 5 26 ---- Civilians: Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 6 Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 3 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL: 73 199 10 TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 326 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 181 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 65 TOTAL: 585


IMAGE 757

1 Sept./43 Weather O.K. All flying carried out to schedule.W/C Sharpe P.M.O. from No. 2 T.C. inspected the Station at 1430 hours.Semi-final Football (Soccer) Match took place at Osborne Stadium, No. 5 A.O.S. vs UnitedWeston - Lost 4-3.Two flying accidents reported as follows:1. Anson Aircraft 6572 Pilot McCambley, F.R. (Sgt Pilot on leave without pay) made forcedlanding due to engine trouble at 1500 hours, 6 miles North of Stevenson Airport - no damage orinjuries. Later took off, after repairs had been effected.2. Anson Aircraft R3390 Pilot Paris, L.B. (Civilian) whilst landing, the tire blew and causedaircraft to skid sideways, pilot being unable to control. Airframe damaged seriously, no injuries topilot or crew.The accident occurred at Stevenson Airport at 1650 hours.

2 Sept./43 Weather bad - Raining and low clouds. Morning flights washed out, but flights duringthe remainder of the day were carried out to schedule.

3 Sept./43 Fine - all flights made according to schedule except one aircraft on the 1st night flightcould not take off, owing to absentee W.A.G.At 1415 hours S/L Milne presented Wings in No. 2 Hangar in the presence of 8 Flights and aLarger gathering of friends than on previous occasions, to 18 Navigators Course 74 and 37 AirBombers, Course 81.Commissions granted 16 Navigators and 27 Air Bombers.The Bud Starrat Trophy was presented by Mr. Ormond to R191043 Sgt. Bergman, E.H. and theGold Identification Bracelet presented by the W.A.O.S. to NZ428249 Sgt. Miller, A.M.Intake of Classes Course 74 - 26 Course 81-38Adjusted Intake 28 NILWastage 10 1Graduation 18 37Disposition of the classes: -Course 74 - 1 P/O to 6 "M" Depot, Lachine, P.Q. 1 P/O to 1 C.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba. 16 P/O to 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, N.S.


IMAGE 758

3 Sept./43 Disposition of the classes: -

Course 81 - 1 P/O to 1 B. & G. School, Jarvis, Ontario. 2 P/O to R.C.A.F. Station, Mountain View, Ontario 22 P/O to 1 “Y” Depot, Halifax, N.S. 2 P/O to 31 Personnel Depot, Moncton, N.B. 1 Sgt. to 1 B. & G. School, Jarvis, Ontario. 1 Sgt. to 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, N.S. 4 Sgt. to 31 Personnel Depot, Moncton, N.B.

4 Sept./43 Weather fine - no flying.

5 Sept./43 Weather fine.No flying in the morning on account of No. 2 T.C. composite Church Parade.Afternoon and night flying carried out according to schedule except the third night flight.

Command Composite Church Parade called for the afternoon at C.N.R. Depot, necessitatingStation parade at 1200 hours - approximately 60 Officers and 400 other ranks provided. Paradedismissed at about 1715 hours.The final of the Trainee Softball inter-flight championship took place - 79A emerged as victor withtwo out of three wins - final score 3rd game 13-4.

6 Sept./43 Bad weather.Flying cancelled except for one flight at 1330 hours.Visit paid by S/L S.C. Parker who spoke to the Trainees on General Conditions Overseas.

7 Sept./43 Bad weather. Flying washed out.W/C Harrop returns to duty.Visits to the Station and inspection made by Air Vice Marshall Leckie, S/L Wood, W/C GibsonVC, DSO and bar. DFC and bar accompanied by G/C Ashton, F/L Walker and F/L Walls visitedthe Station and addressed the Officers and men on operational work.W/C H.J. Hilary-Taylor R.A.A.F. Liaison Officer paid a visit and interviewed R.A.A.F. personnel.


IMAGE 759

8 Sept./43 Weather good. All flying carried out according to Schedule.

9 Sept./43 Low ceiling during morning weather fine later.No morning flight - all afternoon and night flying carried out to Schedule except 3rd night flight at0130 hours.A Rugby football match between No. 5 A.O.S. and 33 S.F.T.S., Carberry took place resulting in awin 11 - 0.The graduation class of Navigators had their banquet at the Marlborough Hotel.

10 Sept./43 Good weather - all flying carried out according to schedule. Details of two forcedlandings were as follows:-1. Anson Aircraft 32/6067 Pilot Sgt. Murphy made forced landing owing to engine trouble atNeepawa 0235 hours and took off on the 11th again at 1545 hours.2. Anson Aircraft 68/6404 Pilot Mr. Olsen made forced landing at Rivers owing to engine troubleat 2325 hours but was able to take off again at 0020 hours.

11 Sept./43 Good weather.All flying carried out according to schedule - no night flying.Informal dance held in Officers Mess at New Site (house warmer) - very successful party. SwitchBoard in operation at new site and telephone system connected up.Anson aircraft 69/9907 Pilot P/O McPhee made forced landing at Rivers 0330 hours owing toengine trouble but later took off at 1015 hours.

12 Sept./43 Good weather. All flying carried out according to schedule.

13 Sept./43 Visit paid to A.O.C. A.V.M. Lawrence on request at No. 2 T.C., H.Q. by W/CHarrop. Weather clear all day. Flying according to schedule.Baseball (Hardball) played No. 3 Wireless School away - result draw 4 all.

14 Sept./43 Favourable weather all day. At night low clouds and weather unsuitable. Day flyingaccording to schedule - night flying washed out. Soft-ball team played Standard Aero Engine atWesley Park - won 4-2.


IMAGE 760

15 Sept./43 Low ceiling all day - all flying carried out according to schedule except first nightflight at 2100 hours.Air Bombers graduating Course 82 had their banquet and dance at the Marlborough Hotel at 1930hours - W/C Harrop was invited among others to be present.Four airmen selected from this Station to play in Soccer Football team at Brandon for Winnipeg.

16 Sept./43 Low clouds but clear - all flying carried out according to schedule.Baseball (soft-ball) team played Standard Aero Engines at 1730 hours at home - won 8 - 7.

17 Sept./43 High winds and gusty - all flying carried out according to schedule.At 1500 hours W/C Harrop presented wings in No. 2 Hangar in the presence of 5 Flights and alarge gathering of friends.The W.D. Trumpet band from No. 8 R.D. gave a display and led the march past. 47 NavigatorsCourse 75 and 38 Air Bombers Course 82. Commissions granted 27 Navigators and 16 AirBombers.The Bud Starrat Trophy was won by R164407 Sgt. Jackson, R.R. and the Gold IdentificationBracelet presented by the W.A.O.S. to NZ427523 Sgt. Long, A.D.Intake of Classes Course 75 - 52 Course 82 - 38Adjusting Intake 54 39Wastage 7 1Graduation 47 38Disposition of the classes:- Course 75 - 2 P/O to No. 1 C.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba. 5 P/O to No. 31 Personnel Depot, Moncton, N.B. 20 P/O to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, N.S. 11 Sgt. to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, N.S. 9 Sgt. to No. 31 Personnel Depot. Moncton, N.B.



IMAGE 761

17 Sept./43 Disposition of the classes: - Class 82 - 2 P/O to No. 1 B.& G. School, Jarvis, Ontario. 9 P/O to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, N.S. 5 P/O to No. 31 Personnel Depot, Moncton, N.B. 11 Sgts. to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, N.S. 11 Sgts. to No. 31 Personnel Depot, Halifax, N.S. Station football - Local R.A.F. vs Local R.N.Z.A.F. at Rugby - Score 3 - 26.

18 Sept./43 Weather fair - no flying scheduled.

19 Sept./43 Low clouds but fine.First flight at 0740 hours washed out - ground fog later at night - last flight at 0100 hours washedout.

20 Sept./43 Overcast all day. Low clouds at night.First flight at night washed out, all other flights according to schedule.

21 Sept./43 Weather good all day but low clouds with iceing conditions at night - day-time flyingaccording to schedule, no night flying.No. 5 A.O.S. played Standard Aero Engines at Softball in Sherburn Park for the Winnipeg WarIndustries Championship - won 12-3.

22 Sept./43 Weather poor during the morning but clearing up later - no flying during the morningbut afternoon and night flights were according to schedule.A Rugger match took place between R.A.F. and R.N.Z.A.F. - Score 3 - 6.

23 Sept./43 Weather good - all flying according to schedule.

24 Sept./43 Weather clear all flying according to schedule.

25 Sept./43 Weather clear - flying during morning and afternoon according to schedule.

26 Sept./43 Weather fine and good - all flying according to schedule.

27 Sept./43 Weather fine and clear - all flying according to schedule.

28 Sept./43 Weather fine - all flying carried out in accordance with schedule.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 762

29 Sept./43 Weather fine and al1 flying according to schedule.

Weather excellent - all flying according to schedule.No. 5 A.O.S. played Airports at Softball at Wesley Park, losing 9-1 thus putting No. 5 A.O.S. outof the Series.


IMAGE 763

30 Sept./43 STATISTICS 1. PERSONNEL Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 180 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 6 26 ---- Civilians: Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- ---- Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- ---- Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- ----

TOTAL: 79 208

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 302 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 255 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 44 TOTAL: 605 2. AIRCRAFT Avro-Anson One Menasco Moth Serviceable 59 Serviceable Moth 1 Unserviceable 16 Unserviceable Nil

Total Serviceable 60 Total Unserviceable 16 76

3. FLYING TIME

Total Flying Hours for the month of September, 1943 - 6009 hours 20 minutes.

(B.N. Harrop) Wing Commander. Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 770

1 Oct./43 Fine and clear. All Flying carried out according to schedule.Wings parade - at 1500 hours. W/C Harrop presented wings in No. 2 Hangar in the presence of alarge gathering of relatives and friends. Course 76:- Navigators 32, Course 83:-Air Bombers 31. Commission granted Navigators - 16, Air Bombers - 24.The Bud Starrat Trophy was won by NZ4211014 Sgt. Forbes, W.H. and the runner up received agold identification bracelet, NZ4211034 Sgt. Stevens, W.G.The Gold identification bracelet presented to the leading Air Bomber was won by R167787 Sgt.Gilfillan, H.R.

Intake of classes 76 - 52 83 - 33 Adjusted Intake 55 --- Wastage 23 2 Graduation 32 31

Disposition of Classes:-

Course 76: - 16 P/O "Y" Depot, Halifax. 15 Sgts. "Y" Depot, Halifax, 1 Sgt. 1 Sgt. 31 P.D. Moncton, N.B.

Course 83: - 2 P/O No. 1 B. & G. School, Jarvis, Ont. 2 P/O R.C.A.F., Mountainview, Ont. 17 P/O "Y" Depot, Halifax, N.S. 3 P/O 31 P.D., Moncton, N.B. 3 Sgts. "Y" Depot, Halifax, N.S. 4 Sgts. 31 P.D., Moncton, N.B.Disposition of Wastage:- Course76: - 8 transferred to Course No. 78 Wastage 23 1 transferred to Course No. 77 1 " " " " 84 1 " " " " 79 1 " " " " 80 1 " " " " 82



IMAGE 771

1 Oct./43 Disposition of Wastage,- 4 Ct'd and posted to No. 3 R.D., Vancouver. 5 " " " " No. 2 M. Depot, Brandon. 1 Discharged from R.C.A.F TOTAL 23

Course 83.- 1 Retained this Unit pending instruction from No. 2T.C. Wastage - 2 1 Transferred to Course No. 84. TOTAL 2

2 Oct./43 Fine all day, no flying scheduled.Soccer football - No. 5 A.O.S. vs No. 7 A.O.S. at Osborne Stadium 1845 hours - lost 3-2.

3 Oct./43 Fine and clear, all flying according to schedule.R.C. personnel attend Command Composite Church parade for attendance at R.C. Cathedral androute march through city.

4 Oct./43 Weather fine, all flying according to schedule.

5 Oct./43 Fine and clear, all flying according to schedule. Rugby match played against No. 3W.S., Lost 6-29.

6 Oct./43 Excellent weather all day but unsuitable for flying at night. All day flying according toschedule but night flying washed out.

7 Oct./43 Ground fog in the early morning caused delay of 1½ hours in commencement of flyingbut all was carried out as laid down in schedule.

8 Oct./43 Smoke obscuring vision but all flights nevertheless carried out according to schedule.

9 Oct./43 Cloudy and weather during morning unsuitable for flying, although cloudy duringafternoon all flights made according to schedule.

10 Oct./43 Weather good, all flights according to schedule but first flight at night route shortenedowing to high winds.

11 Oct./43 Weather O.K. during day but heavy smoke at night in consequence of which the lasttwo night flights had to be washed out.

12 Oct./43 Weather O.K. but cold front with light drizzle later in day.Flying carried out according to schedule during day; at night time low clouds and poor visibility

caused flying to be washed out.


IMAGE 772

13 Oct./43 Weather poor, continuous low cloud and icing risks caused abandonment of flying allday. A banquet was held at the Marlboro Hotel by Course 77A Navigators whilst a similar banquetand dance at the St. Charles Hotel was held by Course 77 B Navigators.

14 Oct./43 Low clouds with icing elements present caused abandonment of flying during themorning; the weather cleared later and all afternoon flights were carried out except the third whenconditions became poor on account of low ceiling. Improving conditions enabled night flying tobe carried out according to schedule.A lecture on Investigation of Accidents was given by W/C Pollard of A.F.H.Q. to delegates fromNo. 2 T.C. assembled at No. 5 A.O.S. at 1400 hours; G/C Blain attended from No. 2 T.C.

15 Oct./43 Fine and clear with slight fog at sunrise, all flying carried out according to schedule. Acutting from the Free Press relating to the graduating classes is attached. (Not attached)(ED)Wings Parade at 1345 hours, W/C Harrop presented wings in No. 2 Hangar in the presence ofrelatives and friends - Course 77 - Navigators 48. Course 84 - Air Bombers 42. Commissionsgranted Navigators 41 - Air Bombers 18.The Bud Starrat Trophy was won by R151468 Sgt. MacDonnel, J.B. and the runner up received agold identification bracelet - R181645 Sgt. Hans, G.R.The gold identification bracelet presented to the leading Air Bomber by W.A.O.S. was won byGB1622801 Sgt. Porter, K.S.

Intake of classes 77 - 52 84 - 40 Adjusted Intake 53 42 Wastage 5 1 Graduation 48 41

Disposition of the classes: - Course No. 77:- 2 P/O No. 32 O.T.U., Patricia Bay, B.C. 3 P/O No. 1 C.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba. 36 P/O No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, N.S. 7 Sgt. No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, N.S.


IMAGE 773

15 Oct/43 Disposition of Classes:- (Cont'd) Course 84:- 1 P/O No. 1 B.& G. Jarvis, Ont. 2 P/O R.C.A.F., Mountainview, Ont. 5 P/O No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, N.S. 10 P/O No. 31 P.D., Moncton, N.B. 2 Sgts. No. 1 B. & G. Jarvis, Ont. 6 Sgts. No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, N.S. 16 Sgts. No. 31 P.D., Monoton, N.B.

Disposition of Wastage:- Course 77: - 3 Ct'd and posted to No. 1 "M" Depot, Toronto, Ont. Wastage - 5 1 Transferred to Course No. 79. 1 Remustered Air Bomber and posted to No. 2 "M"Depot, Brandon, Man. TOTAL 5

Course 84:- 1 Retained this unit pending posting instructions from No. 2 T.C. Wastage - 1 TOTAL 1

16 Oct./43 Fine and clear, all flying according to schedule.A cutting relating to the forthcoming Victory Loan opening, appearing in the Free Press isattached. (not attached)(ED)

17 Oct./43 Weather clear, ground fog late at night which would prevent range seeing bombs fall.All flying according to schedule except third night flight.

18 Oct./43 Weather fair, all flights carried out except second morning flight which was cancelledon account of haze and poor visibility.Victory Loan quota of $60,000 exceeded opening day.S/L Milne reported for duty from No. 2 T.C. as C.I. taking over duties from S/L Pitcairn.

19 Oct./43 Weather satisfactory, all flights carried out according to schedule except third at nightwhich was washed out on account of smoke from prairie fires around bombing range whichcreated a danger to fire fighters.

20 Oct./43 Low clouds and rain but flying carried out according to schedule in the morning. Therest of the flights in the afternoon and at night had to be washed out owing to bad weather overwhole area.

21 Oct./43 Overcast at 4000 feet but all flying carried out according to schedule.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 774

22 Oct./43 In spite of fog around Winnipeg in the morning all flying took place according toschedule.

23 Oct./43 Weather good, flying according to schedule.

24 Oct./43 Airport and region fogbound, clouds in east preventing heat dispersal.No flights took off during the morning but afternoon flying was carried out. Night flying washedout owing to unsuitable conditions - fog.

25 Oct./43 Low clouds. Flying carried out according to schedule except third flight in afternoonwhen ceiling was too low for Photo exercises and the third flight at night was washed out also.G/C Taunton, W/C Ritchie and F/L Walker visited the station from No. 2 T.C. and later conductedgraduating students (Architecture) from the University over the station.

26 Oct./43 Low clouds prevented flying in the morning.Clearing up later permitted flying according to schedule during the rest of the day.

27 Oct./43 Weather clear - all flying according to schedule.

28 Oct./43 Owing to fog in neighborhood, although clear at Winnipeg, morning flying wascancelled. Flying afternoon and at night according to schedule except third night flight which hadto be washed out on account of fog.S/L Park of A.F.H.Q. delivered an address to all Officers in the Mess at 1330 hours.

29 Oct./43 Clear and fine - all flying according to schedule.Wings parade at 1530 hours. G/C Blain accompanied by W/C Harrop presented wings in No. 2Hangar. No. 2 T.C. band provided musical entertainment.A crowd including relatives and friends of several hundred was present. Course 78 - Navigators 48 Course 85 - Air Bombers 35.Commissions granted Navigators - 27 and Air Bombers - 27 plus one officer alreadycommissioned.The Bud Starrat Trophy was presented by Mr. Ormond, Manager of W.A.O.S. to R186596 Sgt.Wolvertion, R.S. and the runner up received a gold identification bracelet - GB1171111 Sgt.Dodd, J.M.The gold identification bracelet presented to the leading Air Bomber by W.A.O.S. was won byR186789 Sgt. Cable, W.B.


IMAGE 775

29 Oct./43 Intake of classes 78 - 52 85 - 36 (Cont’d) Ad j u s t e d i n t a k e 61 ---- Wastage 13 1 Graduation 48 35

Disposition of the classes:-

Course 78: - 2 P/O 1 C.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba . 3 P/O 5 M.D., Lachine, P.Q. 15 P/O 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, N.S. 7 P/O 31 P.D., Moncton, N.B. 6 Sgts. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, N.S. 14 Sgts. 31 P.D., Moncton, N.B. l Sgt. Retained at unit for medical reasons.

Course 85: - 3 P/O 1 B. & G. School, Jarvis, Ont. 2 P/O R.C.A.F., Mountainview, Ont. 1 P/O " " 21 P/O 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, N.S. 1 P/O 31 P.D., Moncton, N.B. 7 Sgts. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax,. N.S.

Disposition of Wastage: - 4 Transferred to course No. 79. Course 78: - 3 Transferred to course No. 80 Wastage - 13 3 Ct'd and posted to No. 1 “M” Depot, Toronto, Ont.

1 Ct'd and posted to No. 3 R.D., Vancouver, B.C. 1 Ct'd and posted to No. 1 R.C., Trenton, Ont. TOTAL 1 Discharged from R.C.A.F. 13

Course 85: - 1 Retained this Unit pending posting instructions from D.A.P.S. Wastage - 1 TOTAL 1

In connection with the Victory Loan campaign the Station was thrown open to the public at 1330hours as an open invitation through the Press and Radio, was issued to pay the Station a visit.It is estimated that about 2000 took advantage although at the time the weather was cold, nopublic transport available, and the roads and buildings incomplete.Guides were provided and parties were formed of about 25 each who were conducted to suitablepoints of interest by an officer, who explained the displays.


IMAGE 776

29 Oct./43 (Cont’d) Trainees were placed in charge of the various exhibits and theirdemonstrations were greatly appreciated by the public, who seemed to be amazed at theknowledge displayed after such short tuition and at the instruments themselves.R.A.F. trainees were providing a continuous display of the Commando course; this actually beingtheir normal P.T. period.Refreshments were provided by the W.A.O.S.A cutting from the Tribune covering the afternoon is attached. ( not attached)(ED) A number of Associations and Clubs of Winnipeg were sent special invitations to be present, butonly a few were able to accept on account of Friday being unsuitable to the majority.

30 Oct./43 Weather clear and fine, - all flying according to schedule.

31 Oct./43 Low clouds and rain all day - all flying had to be washed out.


IMAGE 777

31 Oct./43 STATISTICS 1. PERSONNEL Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 170 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 7 47 ---- Civilians: Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 5 Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 3 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL: 80 217 9

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 222 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 303 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 19 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6 TOTAL: 550 2. AIRCRAFT Avro-Anson One Serviceable 60 Total Serviceable 60

Unserviceable 15 Total Unserviceable 15

TOTAL 75

3. FLYING TIME Total Flying Hours for the month of October, 1943, 6191 hours


IMAGE 785

1 Nov./43 STATISTICS 1. PERSONNEL Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 170 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 7 47 ---- Civilians: Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 5 Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 3 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL: 80 217 9

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 222 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 303 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 19 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6 TOTAL: 550 2. AIRCRAFT Avro-Anson One Serviceable 60 Unserviceable 15

Total Serviceable 60 Total Unserviceable 15

TOTAL 75

3. FLYING TIME Total Flying Hours for the month of October, 1943, 6191 hours


IMAGE 786

1st Nov/43 Completely overcast with snowing at intervals. All flying cancelled.Medical and Dental sections move over into quarters at the New Site.The Commando Obstacle Course having been completed is now in operation.The Administration Staff of the W.A.O.S. commenced operations from the New Site.

2nd Nov/43 Overcast with light snow. Morning flights carried out according to schedule.Later in the day visibility was reduced. Low clouds and fog made weather unsuitable resulting incancellation of flying for remainder of the day.

3rd Nov/43 Weather o.k. in morning and flying according to schedule took place.Later weather became unsuitable owing to low ceiling and flying was cancelled.

4th Nov/43 Low ceiling and fog still prevailed so flying was not possible. An attempt was madeto carry out night flying but all aircraft were recalled soon after taking off.A press cutting referring to the progress of the Victory Loan subscriptions at the unit is attached.(Not attached)(ED). W/C R. Macfarlane (C1125), Command Signals Officer, paid a visit to the station.

5th Nov/43 Weather conditions poor first thing, the first flight was cancelled in the morning butthe two subsequent flights were carried out according to schedule. Low ceilings and icingconditions in clouds prevent all night flying.

6th Nov/43 Conditions Improved. Flying performed according to schedule in the morning. Later owing to low ceiling and overcast flying was cancelled for the remainder of the day.A squadron totalling 150 all ranks with full complement of Officers was provided for the VictoryLoan Parade in Winnipeg at 12:30 hrs.An official opening of the Officers' Mess took place when about 60 honoured guests with theirladies attended; the party assembled totalled 250 - 300. The Air Officer Commanding, AirVice-Marshal and Mrs. T.A. Lawrence attended. The party was highly successful and dancinguntil the early hours took place. No. 2 Training Command orchestra provided the music.

IMAGE 787

6th Nov/43 The Victory Loan campaign was concluded and already awarded to the station wasthe penant.Final figures: R.C.A.F. Cash 74 Subscribers $11,750

Pay deduction 553 " 70,950 627 $ 82,700 Civilians Cash 79 Subscribers $19,600 Pay deduction 586 " 65,800 665 $ 85,400 Total 1292 $168,100

The removal took place of the flying operation staff to the New Site this day, thus completing finalremoval of the unit and W.A.O.S. from the Old Site.

7th Nov)43 Unsuitable weather caused cancellation of all flying.

8th Nov/43 Overcast to start with and all morning flying was washed out. Afternoon andevening flying carried out to schedule.

9th Nov/43 Ceiling too low to bomb so exercises changed for morning flights. Weather deteriatedlater with result flying was washed out for the remainder of the day.

10th Nov/43 Fair conditions and all flights carried out according to schedule except third nightflight when weather became unsuitable.A football match between two teams of Officers took place on the Recreation field. As soccerwas played this resulted in a tremendous amount of fun and amusement both to the players andspectators.

11th Nov/43 Weather continued bad until the evening when conditions improved making itpossible for the first two flights to take place, the remaining two night flights were cancelled onaccount of conditions again becoming unsuitable.A squadron of 6 Officers and 150 other ranks was provided for the Combined Services MemorialService and parade at the Auditorium at 11:00 hrs. F/L G. Ross (C2957) was in charge of theparade.

12th Nov/43 Weather improved and all flying was carried out according to schedule.Wings Parade took place at 15:30 hrs. W/C B.N. Harrop (C413) presented the Wings at a paradein No.3 hangar. The usual crowd of relatives and friends were present. Courses graduating wereNavigators Course 79 of 48 and Air Bombers Course 86 of 44. Commissions granted Navigators -33 and Air Bombers - 27

IMAGE 788

12 Nov/43 (Cont’d) The Bud Starrat Trophy was won by and presented to GB1682844 Sgt.th

Read, J.J. and the runner up was R172945 Sgt. Lehto, W.P. who was presented with a goldidentification bracelet presented by the W.A.O.S. The leading Air Bomber who also received agold identification bracelet was R185727 Sgt, Kapaniuk, E.A. Intake of Classes Course 79 - 52 Course 86 - 45 Adjusted Intake 58 45

Wastage 10 1 Graduation 48 44Disposition of the Wastage:- Ceased training to #2 M.D. 3 Retained pending “ ” to #1 M.D. 3 instructions from Retained pending instructions A.F.H.Q. 1 from A.F.H.Q. 1 Trans, to Co. 84 1 Trans, to Co. 82 2 10

Disposition of the Graduates: - Course 79 5 P/O to No. 32 O.T.U., Patricia Bay 1 Sgt. to No. 32 O.T.U., Patricia Bay 3 P/O to No. 1 C.N.S., Rivers 22 P/O to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax 5 Sgt. to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax 3 P/O to No. 31 PD, Moncton 9 Sgt. to No. 31 PD, Moncton Course 86 2 P/O to No. 1 B.G.S., Jarvis 1 P/O to R.C.A.F. Stn., Mountain View 1 Sgt. to " " " " 19 P/O to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax 11 Sgt. to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax 5 P/O to No. 31 PD, Moncton 5 Sgt. to No. 31 PD, Moncton

IMAGE 789

13th Nov/43 Weather fair and flying during the morning was carried out according to schedule. During the afternoon it became overcast and only the third flight at 13:35 hrs. could be completed. No night flying was scheduled.

14th Nov/43 Some snow and low clouds but the first two flights took off and were completed toschedule. The third flight was recalled and could not complete their bombing exercise. Snowcancelled afternoon flying. Night flying however was carried out to schedule.

15th Nov/43 A cutting relating to P/O R. Milne (J26322) of No. 5 A.O.S. selected to playgoalkeeper for the R.C.A.F. Fliers against H.M.C.S. Chippawa in the opening Service scheduledhockey match at Osborne Stadium is attached. (Not attached)(ED).Low clouds. The fourth morning flight had to be cancelled. Afternoon flying according toschedule. Ceilings again lower at night resulting in cancellation of last two flights. Station Standing Orders revised to cover the New Site reissued this day.

16th Nov/43 Overcast. All flights according to schedule.

Fire occurred in No. 1 Hangar at 0815 hrs. Rubbish in garbage can outside Photographic sectionbecame ignited. This was extinguished by the application of Pyrene.

17th Nov/43 Fog at first clearing later. All flying carried out according to schedule.

18th Nov/43 Weather good. All flying according to schedule. A fire broke out in the Officers'Quarters just after 1500 hrs, caused by heating of floor wax, which was knocked over in theBatman's quarters and became ignited. Outbreak got under control by the station and St. Jamesfire brigades. Cutting from Free Press attached. (Not attached)(ED)

19th Nov/43 Fine and clear. All flying according to schedule, however two aircraft forced downat Rivers owing to engine trouble and after stopping overnight for repairs, took off next morning. Operation Order 2 T.C. No. 4 was carried out in conjunction with No. 1 C.N.S. and No. 7 A.O.S.,the object being to bomb the target located near Poplar Point, Man., which was supposed to be anenemy supply base. Fifteen aircraft complete with Pilot, Navigator, Air Bomber and W.O.A.G.took off in three minute intervals from this unit commencing at 1958 hours. All the aircraftsuccessfully completed their mission and returned to this base. Strong head winds wereencountered on the approach to the target which affected the final ETA's over the target, but evenwith this condition all aircraft bombed the target during the allotted period of time. The bombingresults were considered to be very good.

20th Nov/43 Low clouds. The first and third flights were made during the morning only. Afternoon flights carried out according to schedule.G/C White, N.Z. Liaison Officer visited the station at 1000 hrs. when all N.Z. personnel wereparaded before him.

IMAGE 790

21 Nov/43 Low ceiling and conditions bad. All flying cancelled during the morning butconditions improved later enabling afternoon and evening flights to be carried out to schedule.

22nd Nov/43 Court of Inquiry was assembled by order of No. 2 Training Command at No. 5A.O.S. for the purpose of inquiring into and reporting upon fire in the Officers' Quarters on 18thNov/43 and to determine as far as possible the responsibility of any persons involved with evidenceto be taken on Oath. Owing to poor weather all flying was cancelled, however, the third flight in the afternoon at 1345hrs. took off for local flying in pin-point exercises.

23rd Nov/43 Low clouds and poor visibility prevented all flying except the third flight in theafternoon at 1345 hrs.

24th Nov/43 Flying was carried out to schedule during the day but a freezing drizzle causedcancellation of all night flying.Poor visibility caused forced landing of aircraft Anson No. 9633 in a field near Teulon, Man, butlater it took off and returned. No damage occurred.

25th Nov/43 Drizzle and snow cancelled morning flying but the afternoon and evening flightswere made according to schedule.

26th Nov/43 Flying took place on the morning but very low ceilings and changing conditionscaused cancellation of flying for the remainder of the day and night.The Wings Parade took place at 1530 hrs. W/C B.N. Harrop (C413) presented the Wings, theparade being held in No. 3 Hangar before the usual crowd of relatives and friends.Courses graduating were Course 80 - Navigators 43, Course 87 - Air Bombers 40.Commissions granted - Navigators - 30 Air Bombers - 28The Bud Starrat Trophy was won by and presented to GB1603386 Sgt. Wray, N.W. and therunner up R191931 Sgt. Hunt, K.E. was presented with a gold identification bracelet presented bythe W.A.O.S. The leading Air Bomber who also received a gold identification bracelet wasR184131 Sgt. Colquhoun, J. Intake of classes - Course No. 80 - 52 Course No. 87 - 41 Adjusted Intake 56 41 Wastage 13 1 Graduation 43 40

IMAGE 791

26th Nov/43 Disposition of the Wastage:- Ceased Training to No. 2 "M" Depot 3 Retained pending in- " " " No. 1 "M" Depot 1 structions from AFHQ 1 Trans. to Co. 81 3 Trans. to Co. 82 3 Trans. to Co. 84 1 Trans. to Co. 89 2

Disposition of the Graduates:- Course No. 80 2 P/O to No. 1 C.N.S., Rivers 2 P/O to No. 5 "M" Depot for duty with No. 45 AtlanticTransport Group, Dorval 23 P/O to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, N.S. 8 Sgts. to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, N.S. 3 P/O to No. 31 P.D. Depot, Moncton, N.B. 5 Sgts. to No. 31 P.D. Moncton, N.B. Course No. 87 2 P/O to No. 1 B.G.S., Jarvis 1 Sgt. to No. 1BGS, Jarvis 3 P/O to RCAF Stn., Mountain View 21 P/O to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax 8 Sgts. to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax 2 P/O to No. 31 P.D, Moncton 3 Sgts. to No. 31 P.D, Moncton

27th Nov/43 Conditions poor, low clouds, all flying cancelled.

28th Nov/43 Weather improved during morning but afternoon and night flying was cancelledalthough morning flights took place according to schedule prior to snow and conditions worsening.

29th Nov/43 Clear and fine. All flying according to schedule. Grippe laid many personnel low. Casualties commencing towards the end of the previous week. On account of this sickness pilotscould not be provided for the aircraft.

30th Nov/43 Cloudy and overcast with snow flurries. Flying carried out to schedule in themorning, afternoon and evening flying cancelled with the exception of the third afternoon flight at1345 hrs. Allister Fraser, Vice-President of the C.N.R. with two other officials of the company paid a visit tothe station and was shown around.

IMAGE 792

30th Nov/43 G/C F.R.G. McCall (C2665) brought Captain Moir and WO1 Reymecke, P.A. ofthe South African Air Force who were touring Canada to gain information on maintenance, etc.Arrived to tour the station and to remain for a period of a day or two.The visiting Navigation Flight arrived on 23rd Nov/43 and to remain a few days making theirinspection W/C A.H.S. Gillson, O.B.E., (C1537) in charge.

(B.N. Harrop) Wing Commander, Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R.C.A.F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 797

30 Nov./43 STATISTICS 1. PERSONNEL Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 184 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 10 50 ---- Civilians: Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 5 Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 3 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL 80 234 9

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 246 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 299 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 42 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 8

TOTAL 595 2. AIRCRAFT Avro-Anson One Serviceable 47 Unserviceable 28


TOTAL 75

3. FLYING TIME Total Flying Hours for the month of November, 1943 - 5363 hours & 45minutes.


IMAGE 798

1 Dec/43 PERSONNEL Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 184 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 10 50 ---- Civilians: Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 5 Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 3 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL 80 234 9

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 246 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 299

R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 42 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 8 TOTAL 595 . Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 799

1 Dec/43 Cloudy and overcast with snow flurries. Morning flying cancelled, afternoon flyingcarried out but second flight at 1330 was not possible owing to lack of pilots, the result of the fluepidemic.The first two flights at night took off but the last two were cancelled on account of weather,threatening fog.

2 Dec/43 All flying according to schedule. Weather poor at first but improving later.

3 Dec/43 Cloudy and light snow later. Day flying according to schedule.First two flights at night took off but the last two were cancelled on account of the weatherdeteriating. Anson Aircraft 6572 belonging to the second night flight which started taking off at 2000 hoursmade a forced landing owing to engine trouble at Rivers at 2215, after repairs this aircraft leftRivers again at 1440 hours the following day.Anson Aircraft 4356 belonging to the same flight landed at Carberry at 0015 hours to report acrash that had been observed, taking off the next day at 0920 hours to return.

4 Dec/43 Weather O.K., third flight in the morning cancelled on account of shortage of pilotsbrought about by illness.The visiting flight departed.

5 Dec/43 Low clouds prevented morning flying, the second scheduled flight took off only in theafternoon. The weather cleared later enabling the two last flights to take place according toschedule.

6 Dec/43 A visit was paid to the Station by G/C Burnett commanding 31 A.N.S., Mount Hope,prior to his repatriation to England to report to the Air Ministry.Although weather not good all flying was carried according to schedule.A cutting from the Winnipeg Tribune relating to this Units' collection and contribution to theSalvation Army is attached. (Not attached)(ED)

7 Dec/43 Low Clouds but all flying carried out during the day according to schedule. Owing todangers of iceing, flying was cancelled for night schedule.

8 Dec/43 Owing to low ceiling and unsuitable conditions all flying was cancelled for the day.

9 Dec/43 Snow flurries with cold frost but all flying was carried out as scheduled during thedaytime. Heavy snow and low ceiling cancelled night flying.


IMAGE 800

10 Dec/43 Fine and cold, all flying carried out to schedule.The Wings Parade took place at 1500 hours in #3 Hangar before the usual assemblies of friendsand relatives. W/C B.N. Harrop presented the Wings.Courses graduating were Course 81 Navigators with 48 graduates and Course 88 Air Bomberswith 41 graduates.Commissions granted: Navigators 28; Air Bombers 24.The Bud Starratt Trophy was won by and presented to Sgt. McDonald, B.P., R205405 and therunner up was Sgt. Rees, L.M., GB1200934, who was presented with a gold identification braceletby the W.A.O.S. The leading Air Bomber who also received a gold identification bracelet was Sgt.Huttlestone,G.H. GB1324939.

Intake of classes - Course No. 81 - 52 Course No. 88 - 42 Adjusted Intake 55 42 Wastage 7 1 Graduation 48 41

Disposition of the Wastage: 83 AB Transferred to Course No. 89 - 1 81 N Transferred to Course No. 84 - 2 Transferred to Course No. 82 - 3 Posted to No. 2 M.D. - 1 Posted to No. 1 M.D. - 1

Disposition of the Graduates:Course No. 81 2 P/O to No. 1 C.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba 4 P/O to No. 32 O.T.U., Patricia Bay, B.C. 13 P/O to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Lachine, P.Q. 9 P/O to No. 31 P.D., Moncton, N.B. 4 Sgts. to No. 32 O.T.U., Patricia Bay, B.C. 2 Sgts. to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Lachine, P.Q. 14 Sgts. to No. 31 P.D., Moncton, N.B. Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 801

10 Dec/43 Disposition of the Graduates: Course No. 88 2 P/O to No. 1 B. & G. School, Jarvis, Ontario. 4 P/O to R.C.A.F. Station, Mountainview, Ont. 14 P/O to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Lachine, P.Q. 4 P/O to No. 31 P.D., Moncton, N.B. 11 Sgts. to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Lachine, P.Q. 6 Sgts. to No. 31 P.D., Moncton, N.B.

A cutting relating to this graduating class from the Winnipeg Tribune is attached. (Notattached)(ED)

11 Dec/43 Fine at first but later low clouds caused cancellation of flying following the 1st flight at1315 hours.

12 Dec/43 Fine - all flying carried out to schedule.

13 Dec/43 Clear and fine but flying had to be discontinued at the 3rd flight at 1345 hours owingto lack of aircraft available .

14 Dec/43 Morning flying was cancelled owing to fog, but flying was according to schedule theremainder of the day.

15 Dec/43 Weather good, the second flight at 0815 hours had to be cancelled owing to lack ofaircraft and this applied to the second flight at 1330 hours otherwise all flying was to schedule.

16 Dec/43 Perfect weather, all flying according to schedule.

17 Dec/43 Perfect weather, all flying according to schedule.

18 Dec/43 Weather windy but all flying was made to schedule.A Christmas party with dance was successfully sponsored by the Sergeants Mess.

19 Dec/43 Strong winds but all flying took place to schedule.

20 Dec/43 Snow - the first two flights took off in the morning but had to be recalled - also thefirst two flights at night were recalled but disquieting reports of pending weather proved false.

21 Dec/43 Fair weather with low clouds but all flying was carried out to schedule. S/L HiddichAustralian Liaison Officer visited the Station.Aircraft #6436 made forced landing with engine trouble at Portage la Prairie at about 1430 hours;after remaining overnight aircraft was able to take off and return.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 802

22 Dec/43 A.V.M. Lawrence visited the Station at 0900 hours - gave a short address andChristmas message to a mixed parade of Service and Civilian Staff.Good weather until night time - cold prevented work on aircraft at night and owing to lack ofaircraft last two flights were cancelled.

23 Dec/43 The Wings Parade took place at 1430 hours in #3 Hangar before the usual assembliesof friends and relatives. W/C B.N. Harrop presented the Wings.Courses graduating were Course 82 Navigators with 46 graduates, and Course 89 Air Bomberswith 42 graduates.Commissions granted: Navigators 18: Air Bombers 31.The Bud Starratt Trophy was won by and presented to Sgt. Herbert Armstrong, GB1566953 andthe runner up was Sgt. D.W.B. Carr, GB1682200, who was presented with a gold identificationbracelet by the W.A.O.S. The leading Air Bomber who also received a gold identification braceletwas Sgt. A.K. Gee, R177847.

Intake of classes Course No. 82 - 52 Course No. 89 - 42 Adjusted Intake 61 43 Wastage 15 1Graduation 46 42

Disposition of the Wastage: Course No. 82 Navigators

Transferred to Course 84 - 2Transferred to Course 85 - 3Transferred to Course 83 - 2 Posted to No. 2 M.D. - 4C.T. & Remustered G.D. - 1Posted to No. 31 P.D. - 1Posted to No. 1 M.D. - 1 C.T. & Remustered to A.G. - 1

Disposition of the Wastage: Course No. 89 Air Bombers

Transferred to Course 90-1


IMAGE 803

23 Dec/43 Disposition of the Graduates:

Course No. 82 6 P/O to No. 31 A.N.S., Port Albert, Ont. 2 P/O to No. 5 M.D., Lachine, P.Q. 1 P/O to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Lachine, P.Q. 9 P/O to No. 31 P.D., Moncton, N.B. 3 Sgts. to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Lachine, P.Q. 25 Sgts. to No. 31 P.D., Moncton, N.B.

Course No. 89 3 P/O to R.C.A.F. Station, Mountain View, Ont. 4 P/O to No. 31 P.D., Moncton, N.B. 24 P/O to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Lachine, P.Q. 6 Sgts. to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Lachine, P.Q. 5 Sgts. to No. 31 P.D., Moncton, N.B.

Good flying conditions and flying to schedule took place.A cutting from the Winnipeg Free Press relating to these classes is attached. (Not attached).

24 Dec/43 Classes ceased at 1500 hours - all airmen not on duty allowed blanket pass until 0730hours 27th December, 1943.No flying W.A.O.S., staff on Christmas Leave.

25 Dec/43 Officers entertained Sergeants in Officers Mess.Officers and their wives along with Sergeants served Christmas dinner to the airmen; the airmen'swives and children had been invited by the caterer and an outstanding time was had.A large number of calls from private homes for airmen for Christmas dinner were received butmany went unfilled.No flying. Very Mild..

26 Dec/43 No flying. Station extremely quiet.Temperature dropped to zero with high wind from north.

27 Dec/43 Flying resumed after W.A.O.S. Christmas Leave. Weather colder.All flying to schedule, except last night flight which was cancelled owing to low clouds.


IMAGE 804

28 Dec/43 Weather good - all flying to schedule except the third afternoon flight which wascancelled owing to lack of aircraft.A cutting from the Free Press attached gives news of No. 5 A.O.S. bowling team. (Not attached).

29 Dec/43 Flying during the day time was carried out to schedule. Fog prevented flying at night.

30 Dec/43 Danger of fog caused cancellation of morning and night flying but afternoon flyingwas according to schedule.

31 Dec/43 Morning flying was cancelled owing to danger of fog and no flying was scheduledlater owing to holiday arrangements of W.A.O.S. Civilian Staff.


IMAGE 805

31 Dec/43 STATISTICS 1. PERSONNEL Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 231 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 8 37 ---- Civilians: Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 5 Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 3 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL 86 268 9

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 224 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 275 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 37 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 29 TOTAL 565 2. AIRCRAFT Avro-Anson One Serviceable 59 Unserviceable 16


TOTAL 75

3. FLYING TIME Total Flying Time for the month of December, 1943 - 6674 hours & 50 minutes.

(C.G. Milne) Squadron Leader, Chief Supervisory Officer,


IMAGE 814

1 Jan/44 No flying was carried out due to New Years Leave.

2 Jan/44 No flying was carried out due to New Years Leave.

3 Jan/44 All flights cancelled due to weather conditions.

4 Jan/44 Day and night flying carried out according to schedule.Portion of Officers Quarters repaired after damaged by fire last November, reopened foroccupation.

5 Jan/44 Day and night flying carried out according to schedule.A hockey game was played in the evening against No. 15 A.I.D. - result: No. 5 A.O.S. - 12, No. 15 A.I.D. - 0.

6 Jan/44 Day and night flying carried out according to schedule.

7 Jan/44 Day and night flying carried out according to schedule.

8 Jan/44 Day and night flying carried out according to schedule.S/L Maclure, K.C. from A.F.H.Q. arrived on the station, and lectured the instructors on Rad R andother navigational aids. These lectures were both informative and interesting.

9 Jan/44 Flying carried out during day according to schedule, washed out at night due to adverseweather conditions.

10 Jan/44 Morning flight recalled due to low ceiling. All other flying cancelled due to badweather. The P.M.O. visited and made an inspection of the Station and was favourably impressed.

11 Jan/44 All flying carried out according to schedule.



IMAGE 815


14 Jan/44 All day flying carried out according to schedule; night flying cancelled due to bad

weather.The Wings Parade took place at 1430 hours in #3 Hangar before the usual assemblies of friendsand relatives. Mr. W.J. Buchanan, D.F.C., presented the Wings. Course 83 Navigators except for 2 R.A.F. WERE Canadian and Course 90 Air Bomberscomprised of 23 R.A.F., 4 R.A.A.F., 1 R.N.Z.A.F. and 22 R.C.A.F.. Among the R.A.F. menwere two Argentine graduates (GB1395399 Jones, E.J. and GB1803846 A.H. Graham) and in theR.A.A.F. was one Chinese Graduate (AUS434055 T. Tung Yep). No. of graduates in Course 83Navigators - 46. No. of graduated in Course 90 Air Bombers - 49.Commissions granted - Navigators 34; Air Bombers 29.The Bud Starrat Trophy was won by and presented to Sgt. Clifford John McDowell, R177990,and the runner-up was Sgt. W.R. Harrison R203036, who was presented with a gold identificationbracelet by the W.A.O.S. The leading Air Bomber who also received a gold IdentificationBracelet was Sgt. A. Tacey, GB1622708.

Intake of classes - Course No. 83 - 52 Course No. 90 - 61 Adjusted Intake 54 52Wastage 8 3Graduation 46 49

Disposition of the Wastage: Course 83 Navigators Transferred to Course 84 - 1 Transferred to Course 85 2 Posted to No. 2 "M" Depot 4 Posted to No. 16 S.F.T.S. 1

Course 90 Air Bombers Posted to No. 31 P.D. 2 Posted to No. 2 "M" Depot 1

Disposition of the Graduates: Course 83 Navigators 3 P/O to No. 1 C.N.S., Rivers 3 P/O to No. 32 O.T.U., Patricia Bay 1 P/O to No. 45 Atlantic Transport Group, Dorval 27 P/O to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Lachine 10 Sgts to No. 3 A.G.T.S., Three River, PQ. 2 Sgts to No. 31 P.D., Moncton.


IMAGE 816

14 Jan/44 Disposition of the Graduates: Course 90 Air Bombers

3 P/O to R.C.A.F. Station, Mountainview 17 P/O to No. 2 A.G.T.S., Quebec 1 P/O to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Lachine 8 P/O to No. 31 P.D., Moncton 1 Sgt to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Lachine 15 Sgts to No. 31 P.D., Moncton, N.B. 4 Sgts to No. 3 A.G.T.S., Three Rivers, PQ

15 Jan/44 All morning flying was carried out according to schedule. Afternoon and night flightswere washed out due to lack of heat in the hangars.

16 Jan/44 Morning flight carried out. Afternoon and evening flight washed out due to badweather.

17 Jan/44 Morning flight was cancelled. Afternoon flight was carried out according to schedule.First evening flight carried out, second flight recalled due to bad weather.P.T. Section moved from G.I.S. to new quarters in the Drill Hall.

18 Jan/44 All flying washed out due to bad weather.

19 Jan/44 All flying carried out. Padre and Mr. Haye moved from G.I.S. to new quarters in DrillHall.

20 Jan/44 Day and night flying washed out due to bad weather.

21 Jan/44 All flights were carried out, day and night, according to schedule.

22 Jan/44 All flights were carried out according to schedule.

23 Jan/44 All flights were carried out according to schedule.


IMAGE 817

24 Jan/44 All flying except second night detail was carried out. Bad weather washed out lastflight. Trade improvement class continued, with 12 students. Lecture by F/O Nosworthy onElementary Navigation.

25 Jan/44 All day flying carried out according to schedule, night flight washed out due to badweather.

26 Jan/44 Flying was cancelled in afternoon and evening due to bad weather. Morning flightcarried out. Captain Desnewbrais and Lt. Cmdr. Nolan, two naval officers visited station to Inspect

D/F Station.Educational Officer took up new quarters in Drill Hall.Hockey game was held between No. 3 W.S. and No. 5 A.O.S. Scores were No. 5 A.O.S. - 7,No. 3 W.S. - 4.

27 Jan/44 Morning and Evening flights cancelled due to bad weather, afternoon flight carried out.P/O Burgess Trade Test Officer from No. 2 T.C. examined 5 W.O.G.s sitting for "A" group test.

28 Jan/44 All flying, both day and night was washed out due to bad weather.Wings presentation parade was held in No. 3 Hangar at 1430 hours, before a number of friendsand relatives of the graduates. W/C B.N. Harrop, presented the Wings. Courses graduating - 84 Navigators with 49 graduates, 91 Air Bombers with 43 graduates. Commissions granted - Navigators - 17 Air Bombers - 34The Bud Starrat Trophy was won by Sgt. John Joseph Reynolds, GB1607324, and the runner-upfor the gold Identification Bracelet was Sgt. William Young, GB1654667, presented by theW.A.O.S. The leading Air Bomber who also received a gold identification bracelet was Sgt. A.Tacey, GB1622708.

Intake of Classes - Course No. 84 - 62 Course No. 91 - 49Adjusted Intake 60 --Wastage 11 1Graduation 49 48

Disposition of the Wastage: Course 84 Navigators

Transferred to course 86 -2 Transferred to Course 87 3


IMAGE 818

28 Jan/44 Disposition of the Wastage: Course 84 Navigators

Transferred to Course 88 - 2 Posted No. 2 "M" Depot 1 Posted No. 16 S.F.T.S. 1 Posted No. 5 "M" Depot 1 Awaiting Reselection Board 1

Course 91 Air Bombers

Posted No. 16 S.F.T.S. 1

Disposition of the Graduates: Course 84 Navigators 1 P/O to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Lachine 16 P/O to No. 31 P.D., Moncton 2 Sgts to No. 3 A.G.T.S., Three Rivers, PQ. 1 Sgt to No. 1 "Y" Depot, Lachine 29 Sgts to No. 31 P.D., Moncton

Course 91 Air Bombers 5 P/O to R.C.A.F. Station, Mountainview 3 P/O to No. 31 P.D., Moncton 26 P/O to No. 2 A.G.T.S., Quebec 7 Sgts to No. 31 P.D., Moncton 7 Sgts to No. 5 A.G.T.S., Three Rivers

29 Jan/44 All flights were carried out according to schedule.Station visited by F/O Bailey, C.G.M. This Officer graduated with course 59 as an Air Bomberfrom No. 5 A.O.S. He was commissioned, trained at O.T.U. and served on operations with aSterling Squadron. On one mission when pilot of his aircraft was killed F/O Bailey took overcontrols and brought machine and crew safely home. His crew preferred to stay with him inmachine for landing than to bail out. A successful landing was made and when crew left aircraftthey found that F/O Bailey had flown them home safely in an aircraft which, they discovered, hadhad the tail unit completely shot away.


IMAGE 819

30 Jan/44 All flights carried out according to Schedule.

31 Jan/44 All flights carried out according to Schedule.


IMAGE 820

31 Jan/44 STATISTICS

1. PERSONNEL Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 222 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 4 30 ---- Civilians: Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 5 Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 3 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL 85 252 9

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 286 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 281 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 64 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 29 TOTAL 660 2. AIRCRAFT Avro-Anson One Serviceable 66 Total Serviceable 66 Unserviceable 9 Total Unserviceable 9

75

3. FLYING TIME Total Flying Time for the month of January, 1944 - 6630 hours and 35 minutes.

(B.N. Harrop) Wing Commander, Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F.,

Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 821

1 Feb./44 All flying carried out both day and night according to schedule. Normal training routinecarried out.

2 Feb./44 All flying carried out according to schedule with the exception of second period ofnight flying.Drill Hall was opened to be used for P.T. organized games, and recreation.

3 Feb./44 All flying carried out according to schedule except second flight in the evening. NewDrill Hall used all day for P.T. classes, conditions for P.T. reported as being very good.

4 Feb./44 All flying was cancelled due to bad weather during day and night.

5 Feb./44 All flying was carried out except first morning flights which were cancelled due to badweather. S/L G.G. Milne, C.I. at No. 5 A.O.S. left this station for No. 3 A.N.S., R.C.A.F.,Estevan, Sask. as officer in charge of the advanced party.

6 Feb./44 All Flying both day and night was carried out. Station basketball team played Portageat Portage - result - Portage R.C.A.F. 34, No. 5 A.O.S. 19.

7 Feb./44 All flying both day and night was carried out according to schedule.

8 Feb./44 Morning and afternoon flights were cancelled due to bad weather, but evening andnight flights were carried out according to schedule.First marriage on the Station was officiated by Padre, for LAC Anderson (nav) and Betty Beckett(Civilian employee No. 5 A.O.S.)

9 Feb./44 Second period of night flying was cancelled due to bad weather, all other flying wascarried out according to schedule.Hockey game against No. 8 R.D. at Amphitheater Rink, result - No. 5 A.O.S. 4 No. 8 R.D. 5.

10 Feb./44 First flights in morning cancelled due to bad weather, all other flying carried outaccording to schedule.


IMAGE 822

10 Feb./44 The Wings Parade took place at 1530 hours in the Drill Hall before the usualassembly of friends and relatives, Mr. W.J. Buchanan, D.F.C., presented the Wings.Courses graduating were 85 Navigators with 45 graduates and 92 Air Bombers with 47 Graduates.Commissions granted were - Navigators 20 and Air Bombers 28.The Bud Starrat Trophy was won by Sgt. M.R. Pyne, R20240. Runner up for Gold IdentificationBracelet was Sgt. M.G.F. Ventris, GB1804396, and leading Air Bomber who also received GoldIdentification Bracelet was Sgt. R.E. Thompson, R163341. Intake of Classes Course 85 Nav - 52 Course 92 A.B. - 50 Adjusted Intake 57 50 Wastage 12 3 Graduation 45 47

Disposition of the Wastage - Course 85 Navigators Transferred to Course 86 1 Transferred to Course 87 4 Transferred to Course 88 2 Posted No. 31 P.D., Moncton 1 Posted No. 16 S.F.T.S. 1 Posted No. 3 W.S. 1 Posted No. 7 B. &. G. S. 1 Posted No. 8 R.D. 1

Course 92 Air Bombers Transferred to Course 93 1 Transferred to Course 94 1 Posted RCAF Station, Mountain View 1 Disposition of the Graduates - Course 85 Navigators 1 P/O to No. 1 C.N.S., Rivers 7 P/O to No. 32 O.T.U., Patricia Bay 7 P/O to No. 1 A.G.T.S., Maitland, N.S. 6 P/O to No. 31 P.D., Moncton 3 Sgt. to No. 32 O.T.U., Patricia Bay 4 Sgt to No. 4 A.G.T.S., Valley Field 18 Sgt to No. 31 P.D., Moncton Course 92 Air Bombers 6 P/O to R.C.A.F. Station, Mountain View 22 P/O to No. 1 A.G.T.S., Maitland 2 P/O to No. 31 P.D., Moncton 16 Sgt. to No. 4 A.G.T.S., Valley Field 1 Sgt. to No. 31 P.D., Moncton.


IMAGE 823

11 Feb./44 Morning flight cancelled due to bad weather, all flights otherwise were carried outaccording to schedule.Hockey game at Selkirk against Portage R.C.A.F., result No. 5 A.O.S. 9, Portage 8.

12 Feb./44 All flying day and night was carried out according to schedule. Normal station routinecarried out.

13 Feb./44 Morning and afternoon flights were carried out according to schedule: evening and

night flights washed out due to bad weather. Course 95 Navigators arrived from No. 1 I.T.S. and 6 I.T.S., Toronto, 7 I.T.S., Saskatoon, 10S.F.T.S., Dauphin: Course 95A.B. from 7 B. &. G, Paulson, 31 B. &. G., Picton, to start coursehere.

14 Feb./44 All flying other than 2nd period in the evening, which was washed out due to badweather, was carried out according to schedule.

15 Feb./44 Morning flight was washed out due to bad weather, all other flying carried outaccording to schedule.28 Signals Officers under training at No. 3 Wireless School, Winnipeg, visited the station for aconducted tour and explanation of the complete station signals organization.

16 Feb./44 Morning and afternoon flights carried out according to schedule; evening and nightflights washed out due to bad weather.

17 Feb./44 All flying was carried out according to schedule. Hockey game at Portage - result -No. 5 A.O.S. 9, Portage R.C.A.F. 9.

18 Feb./44 Morning and afternoon flights carried out according to schedule; night flightswashed out due to the weather.G/C Scott and W/C Price paid an official visit and made a tour of inspection of the Station,attended 1345 Nav. Briefing.F/L H.S. Collie and FL/O Jean Taylor paid a visit to the Station. P/O McFadden made a trip as anavigator on a Canso 1 Aircraft from this station to Vancouver.


IMAGE 824

19 Feb./44 All flying carried out according to schedule.The new drill hall was officially opened by W/C Harrop and the General Manager Mr. Ormond.A large dance was held for civilian staff and air force Personnel, No. 2 T.C. Dance Orchestraprovided music for some 1200 dancers. Refreshments were served by the civilian company. Dancing took place from 2000 hours till 0100 hours with several novelty dances and competitions. About 1200 people had a wonderful evening.

20 Feb./44 All flying was carried out according to schedule.

21 Feb./44 All flying was carried out according to schedule.

22 Feb./44 Morning flying was washed out, afternoon flying carried out, night flight cancelled.Recreation hall opened for film shows, first film being "Destination Tokyo" 410 airman and friendsattended.

Station basketball team vs No. 8 R.D. , result - No. 5 A.O.S. 45 No. 8 R.D. 41.

23 Feb./44 Morning flight was cancelled; flying in the afternoon was carried out; all night flyingcarried out according to schedule.Hockey game at Amphitheatre against No. 15 A.I.D. result - No. 5 A.O.S. 12 No. 15 A.I.D.4.

24 Feb./44 All flying carried out according to schedule.First Variety show was held in Recreation Hall, sponsored by Winnipeg Electric Company andcalled "Showboat", and a good evenings entertainment was enjoyed by some 400 people.The graduating course were given the Harvard Step Test; 45 took the test, 43 passed completelyone man did 80% of test, and one failed.The Wings parade took place at 1530 hours in Drill Hall before the usual friends and relatives, theWings were presented by D.A. Best, the Reeve of St. James.Courses graduating were 86 Navigators with 46 graduates and 93 Air Bombers with 46 graduates.Commissions granted were - Navigators 18 and Air Bombers 22.The Bud Starrat Trophy was won by Sgt. A.W. Tarry, GB1805737. Runner up for GoldIdentification Bracelet was Sgt. B.A. Parker, R182854; and leading AirBomber who also receivedGold Identification Bracelet was F/L J .A. Sykes, RAF43676.

Intake of Classes Course 86 Nav. - 52 Course 93 - 47Adjusted Intake 55 48Wastage 10 2Graduation 45 46


IMAGE 825

24 Feb./44 Disposition of the Wastage - Course 86 Navigators Transferred to Course 87 2 Transferred to Course 90 1 Transferred to Course 91 1 Posted No. 5 "M" Depot 5 Posted No. 2 "M" Depot 1 Course 93 Air Bombers Transferred to Course 94 2

Disposition of the Graduates - Course 86 Navigators 5 P/O No. 2 A.G.T.S., Calgary 13 P/O No. 31 P.D., Moncton 4 Sgt No. 4 A.G.T.S., Valley Field 23 Sgt. No. 31 P.D. Moncton

Course 93 Air Bombers 1 P/O R.C.A.F. Station, Mountain View 9 P/O No. 2 A.G.T.S., Calgary 12 P/O No. 31 P.D., Moncton 3 Sgt. No. 4 A.G.T.S., Valley Field 21 Sgt. No. 31 P.D., Moncton

The A.O.C, No. 2 T.C. visited the Station for the purpose of presenting F/O P.T. Nahass anOperational Wing. F/O Nahass is a navigation instructor at this school and prior to coming herehad completed 37 Operational nights, 20 over Enemy territory in Europe and 17 in Middle East. This was the first Operational Wing to be presented on this station and the first to be presented bythe A.O.C, No. 2 T.C.

25 Feb./44 Morning and afternoon flight carried out according to schedule, evening flight wascancelled. F/L Holtby made a trip from this Station as a navigator on a Canso 1 aircraft fromWinnipeg to Lethbridge


IMAGE 826

26 Feb./44 All flying was carried out according to Schedule.

27 Feb./44 All flying was carried out according to schedule. Film shown in Recreation Hall"Lost Angel" approx. 450 airmen and friends attended. Course 96 Nav. from Edmonton - No. 2I.T.S., No. 12 S.F.T.S. Brandon and No. 33 S.F.T.S., Carberry, and Course 96 A.B. from No. 2B. &. G., Mossbank, No. 5 B. &. G., Dafoe arrived on station to commence course here.28 Feb./44 All flying was carried out according to schedule.Second shoving of film "Lost Angel" in Recreation Hall, with a good attendance of airmen andfriends.Fire in officers quarters at 1400 hours, very little material damage was caused.

29 Feb./44 Morning and afternoon flying was carried out according to schedule.A full muster parade was held in the New Drill Hall at 1500 hours; the parade being taken by theCommanding Officer W/C Harrop. This was the first muster parade to be held in the Drill Hall, andan inspection was carried out. Officers and airman were on parade.This parade was followed immediately by Pay Parade.


IMAGE 827

29 Feb./44 STATISTICS 1. PERSONNEL Staff Officers Airmen Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 224 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 4 14 ---- Civilians: Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 6 Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 3 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- — 1

TOTAL 84 238 10

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 266 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 184 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 63 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 44 TOTAL 557 2. AIRCRAFT Avro-Anson One Serviceable 64

Unserviceable 14


78

3. FLYING TIME Total Flying Time for the month of February, 1944 - 6170 hours and 5 minutes.

(B.N. Harrop) Wing Commander, Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F.,

Winnipeg, Manitoba..

IMAGE 828

1 Mar/44 Morning flight was carried out according to schedule. Afternoon and night flightwashed out due to bad weather.A film was shown at the Recreation Hall called “Let's Face It” about 300 service personnel and

civilian friends were present.

2 Mar/44 All flights were cancelled both day and night due to bad weather.Station basketball team played No. 8 Repair Depot; the final result being No. 5 A.O.S. -52 - No. 8R.D. - 46. Basketball and Floor Hockey Inter Flight league starged in drill hall and was wellsupported- The results were - Basketball, course 87B(16) vs 89B(13) course 91B(19) vs92A(34) Floor Hockey, course 90B(7) vs 94A(2)

3 Mar./44 Morning flights washed out due to bad weather, other flying carried out according toschedule. F/L E.B. Rodmill and F/O Kirk both educational officers from A.F.H.Q. arrived on thestation on a tour of inspection of the British Commonwealth Air Training Scheme.

4 Mar/44 Morning flights carried out according to schedule, no flying scheduled for afternoon orevening.The Winnipeg Air Observer School held an Anniversary ball in the Drill Hall; all staff personnelbeing invited. About 1500 people were present including the Commanding Officer, W/C B.N.Harrop and the General Manager Mr. D.S. Ormond. No. 2 T.C. dance band provided music. Competitions and games were well organized.

5 Mar/44 No flying schedule for morning; all other flying both afternoon and evening cancelleddue to snowstorm.A film was shown at the recreation hall at 2000 hours. Film - “Watch on the Rhine”. About 250airmen and friends attended.

6 Mar/44 All flying both day and night was cancelled due to severe snowstorm.F/O Hall from No. 2 Training Command visited the station to inspect the Auxiliary servicesoperating at No. 5 A.O.S.

IMAGE 829

6 Mar/44 Today the whole of course 87 Navigators from this station reported at the blooddonor's centre in Winnipeg to give blood for the Red Cross. This was an entirely voluntary visitsuggested by a single member of this course and a 100% backing up by the remainder of thenavigators. Course 87 graduates here as navigators on March 10th.A film was shown in the Recreation Hall - "Let's Face It". This film was attended by some 300airmen and friends.F/O B. Hadden, F/O C.W. Hammond, P/O D.H. Swan, F/O Johnson arrived from A.F.H.Q. on atour of the Station.

7 Mar/44 All flying was cancelled due to reduced visibility and high winds caused by snowblizzard. W/C McFarlane, senior Protestant padre from No. 2 T.C. visited station.

8 Mar/44 All flying both day and night was carried out according to schedule.F/O D. Ritchie, Editor-in-Chief of the Station magazine "M.T.B." at Rivers visited the station anddiscussed station activities and magazines with P/O Brown, editor of No. 5 A.O.S. magazine "DriftRecorder".

9 Mar/44 All flying was carried out according to schedule.S/L G.G. Milne, Chief Instructor to No. 5 A.O.S. returned from No. 3 A.N.S. Estevan, where hewas officer in charge of advance party.The Wings parade took place at 1530 hours in Drill Hall before the usual assemblies of friends andrelatives. Music was provided by No. 2 T.C. band. W/C B.N. Harrop presented the Wings.Courses Graduating were 87 Navigators with 55 graduates and 94 Air Bombers with 45graduates. Commissions granted were - Navigators 20, Air Bombers 16.The Bud Starrat Trophy was won by Sgt. Alsop, L.C., GB16058 97; runner up for goldidentification bracelet was Sgt. Rudge, J.G., GB1808756; leading Air Bomber who also receivedgold identification bracelet was Sgt. Warrington, R., GB1521678.

Intake of Classes Co. 87 Navigators - 52 Co. 94 Air Bombers - 47 Adjusted Intake 60 50

Wastage 5 5 Graduation 55 45 Disposition of the Wastage - Course 87 Navigators Transferred to Course 88 1 C.T. posted No. 31 P.D. 3 C.T. posted No. 5 M.D. 1

IMAGE 830

9 Mar/44 Disposition of the Wastage - Course 94 Air Bombers Transferred to course 95 1 Transferred to course 96 1 C.T. posted No. 3 B.& G. School 1 C.T. remustered U/T Nav. posted Co. 97 Nav. 1 C.T. posted R.C.A.F. Station, Mountain View 1 Disposition of the graduates - Course 87 Navigators 1 P/O posted No. 2 A.G.T.S., Calgary 4 P/O posted No. 31 P.D., Moncton 15 P/O posted No. 31 P.D., Moncton 3 Sgt. No. 32 O.T.U., Patricia ' Bay 32 Sgt. No. 31 P.D., Moncton Course 94 Air Bombers 1 P/O posted No. 2 A.G.T.S., Calgary 14 P/O posted No. 31 P.D., Moncton 1 P/O posted No. 1 A.G.T.S., Maitland 1 Sgt. No. 4 A.G.T.S., Valley Field 28 Sgt. No. 31 P.D., Moncton.

10 Mar/44 All morning flying was cancelled due to inclement weather; afternoon and night flyingwas carried out according to schedule.W/C Walmsley and F/O Poff No. 2 T.C. reviewing entire signals organization equipment,personnel, training syllabus and facilities, etc.

11 Mar/44 All flying both day and night was cancelled due to bad weather.More than 100 members of No. 5 A.O.S. participated in a Red Cross Novelty Bonspiel at DeerLodge Curling Club, raising a total of $70.00 for Prisoners of War Fund.

12 Mar/44 Morning and afternoon flying was carried out according to schedule. A film was shown in the Recreation Hall "Flesh and Fantasy" with a good attendance of servicepersonnel and friends and civilian employees.

IMAGE 831

13 Mar/44 All flying was carried out according to schedule both day and night.The film "Flesh and Fantasy" was again shown in Recreation Hall with the usually good attendanceof Civilians and service personnel.

14 Mar/44 All flying was carried out both day and night according to schedule.A hockey game was played on the station rink in the Inter Station Play-offs between the Officersand the Staff- results Staff 13, Officers 3.Later in the evening the Officers basketball team played the pilots result Officers 14, Pilots 25.In the Recreation Hall in the evening the film "Thousands Cheer" was shown, about 400 servicepersonnel and civilians attended.S/L Bivan, A.R., F/L Richardson, G. Accountants No. 2 T.C. visited Station.

15 Mar/44 All flying was carried out according to schedule.No. 5 A.O.S. played hockey against No. 3 Wireless School in the final play-offs of the DepotDivision- result No. 5 A.O.S. 5, No. 3 Wireless 9.The film "Thousands Cheer" was shown again in the Recreation Hall with a good attendance ofService and civilian personnel.In a Curling match, 2 rinks from No. 8 R.D. defeated 2 rinks from No. 5 A.O.S. at the Deer LodgeCurling Club.

16 Mar/44 All flying was carried out according to schedule.This evening an exhibition of basketball whs played between No. 3 Wireless School and No. 5A.O.S.. Score No. 3 W.S. 41, No. 5 A.O.S. 66.The second and last game of the two games play-offs in the Inter Station league between theOfficers and Staff was played this evening - result Staff 5, Officers 4.Trainees also played floor hockey and basketball inter-flight games.A lecture on "Rehabilitation" was given in Recreation Hall by W.G. Rumball.

17 Mar/44 All flying was carried out according to schedule.F/O J.O. Kirk educational officer from A.F.H.Q. visited the station and discussed educationalfacilities afforded at this Station to service personnel, with P/O Cooper, Educational Officer at thisStation.

18 Mar/44 All flying was carried out according to schedule both day and night.Once again a good number of service personnel and civilian friends spent a sporting evening in theDrill Hall playing basketball, badminton and Floor hockey.

IMAGE 832

19 Mar/44 All flying was carried out according to schedule both day and night.A film was shown in the Recreation Hall "Thank your Lucky Stars" with a good attendance ofService personnel and civilians.F/L K.W.N. Holtby and F/L J.E. Peat, Navigation instructors at this Station left for Rivers toundergo training on an advanced Navigation course.

20 Mar/44 All flying was carried out according to schedule both days and night.Course 88A and 88B Navigators were Step tested. 51 men were tested - results show that 31were excellent and 20 good.Four basketball games and two floor hockey games were played in the Drill Hall in the evening. Afilm was shown in Recreation Hall at night "Thank Your Lucky Stars".

21 Mar/44 Morning and afternoon flying was carried out according to schedule, evening flyingand night flights were cancelled due to inclement weather.In the basketball league two games were played in the Drill Hall, Officers vs. N.C.O.s and Pilots vs.Maintenance. Station Hockey team travelled to Selkirk to play Gimli, result No. 5 A.O.S. 5, Gimli6.A film was shown in Recreation Hall to a large number of people.

22 Mar/44 Morning and afternoon flying was carried out according to schedule; first night flightwas washed out due to bad weather, but the second evening flight was carried out according toschedule.Basketball and floor hockey games were played in inter-flight league in the Drill Hall. Again in theRecreation Hall a good number of people enjoyed a film.

23 Mar/44 All day flying was carried out according to schedule; all night flying was washed outdue to approaching bad weather.Air Commodore A.J. Ashton No. 2 T.C. visited the station to present Operational Wings to twoNavigation Instructors - F/L K.W.N. Holtby whose home is in Edmonton, Alta. has completed 34operational trips in the Atlantic European and Mediterranean Theatre of War. On completion ofthis tour he was repatriated to Canada for Instructional duties. - F/O K.F. Neale (D.F.M.) fromRegina, Sask. has completed 33 Operational trips in the European Theatre of War. F/O Neal wasalso repatriated to Canada for Instructional duties.

IMAGE 833

23 Mar/44 The Wings Parade took place at 1530 hours in Drill Hall before the usual gathering offriends and relatives. W/C Harrop presented the Wings.Courses graduating were 88 Navigators with 52 graduates and 96 Air Bombers with 40 graduates.Commissions granted were - Navigators 40, Air Bombers 18The Bud Starrat Trophy was won by Sgt. Parry, J.O., U187384; runner up for gold identificationbracelet Sgt. Dogherty, D.D., R211173; leading Air Bomber who also received gold identificationbracelet Sgt. Matthews, R.D., NZ4212741.

Intake of Classes Co. 88 Navigators - 52 Co. 95 Air Bombers - 47 Adjusted Intake 60 50 Wastage 5 5 Graduation 55 45 Disposition of the Wastage - Course 88 Navigators Transferred to Course 90 1 C.T. posted No. 2 M.D. 1 C.T. posted No. 16 S.F.T.S. 2 C.T. posted No. 5 M.D. 1 C.T. held pending DAPS instructions 1

Course 95 Air Bombers Transferred to course 96 1 Transferred to course 97 2 C.T. posted No. 3 B. & G. School 1 C.T. held pending DAPS instructions- 3

Disposition of the Graduates - Course 88 Navigators 3 P/O posted No. 1 C.N.S., Rivers 16 P/O No. 2 A.G.T.S., Calgary 17 P/O No. 1 A.G.T.S., Maitland, N.S. 1 P/O No. 1 "Y" Depot, Lachine 3 P/O No. 31 P.D., Moncton 9 Sgts. No. 4 A.G.T.S., Valley Field 3 Sgt. No. 31 P.D., Moncton Course 95 Air Bombers 10 P/O No. 1 "Y" Depot, Lachine 8 P/O No. 31 P.D., Moncton 8 Sgts. No. 1 "Y" Depot, Lachine 14 Sgts. No. 31 P.D., Moncton

IMAGE 834

24 Mar/44 All flying both day and night was washed out due to bad weather.F/L H.S. Ferguson, No. 5 A.O.S. Station control Officer left the station on leave prior to postingoverseas.

25 Mar/44 All day flying was carried out as scheduled; no night flights were scheduled for thisday. Open house for service personnel and civilian employees was held in Drill Hall. Badminton,Floor Hockey and Basketball was played in Drill Hall.

26 Mar/44 No flying was scheduled for the morning; afternoon flights were carried out accordingto schedule; evening and night flying was washed out due to bad weather.F/L G. Ross left the station for temporary duty at No. 2 T.C.A film "Ali Baba" was shown to a large gathering of civilians and service personnel in Recreationhall.

27 Mar/44 Morning and afternoon flights were carried out according to schedule; evening flightswashed out. An entertaining evening was had by a good number of civilian service personnel whenthe "Ali Baba" was shown in Recreation Hall.Basketball and Badminton played in Drill Hall during evening on Open night.

28 Mar/44 All flying was washed out during day and night.A movie was shown in Recreation Hall "Sweet Rosie O'Grady", about 300 people civilian andservice attended.S/L Wibberley from A.F.H.Q. and F/L J.E. Horton of No. 2 T.C. both P.T. & D. Officers visitedthe station and inspected P.T. and sports activities.A mess dinner was held to honour W/C B.N. Harrop prior to his retirement from the R.C.A.F.Maintenance played staff in a station hockey league game resulting in a win for staff of 4-3-gamewas played at Olympic Rink.

29 Mar/44 All flying except the second period of night flying was washed out due to badweather.A film was shown in Recreation Hall "Sweet Rosie O’Grady" and a good number of service andcivilian personnel attended.

IMAGE 835

29 Mar/44 F/L Banfield, Squadron Commander at this station travelled to Paulson on TemporaryDuty. Exhibition basketball game between St. Andrews and No. 5 A.O.S. resulted in a win for St.Andrews of 47 - 46.All flying both day and night was carried out according to schedule.An evening of interesting entertainment was enjoyed by a good number of service personnel andcivilian friends on the ocassion of the first amateur night in the Recreation. Hall. S/L Smith of No. 2 T.C.(Armament) visited the station.At the Olympic rink in the second game of the series. Maintenance tied 3-3 with staff.

Morning and afternoon flying washed out due to bad weather; all night flights carried out accordingto schedule.First graduation banquet was held on the station, this was followed by a dance in the RecreationHall.W/C Murray No. 2 T.C. Equipment Officer visited the station.W/C B.N. Harrop C.S.O., No. 5 A.O.S. turned over his command to S/L G.G. Milne and leftWinnipeg on leave prior to retirement from R.C.A.F..No. 5 A.O.S. basketball team flew to Paulson and played a game there result No.5 A.O.S.PaulsonIn the final game of the final play-offs of the station hockey league Staff defeated Maintenance atthe Olympic Rink 3-0.

IMAGE 836

31 Mar/44 STATISTICS

1. PERSONNEL Staff Officers Other Ranks Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 228 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 3 17 ---- Civilians: Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 6 Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 3 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL 86 245 10

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 286 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 178 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 86 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 88 TOTAL 638 2. AIRCRAFT Avro Anson One Serviceable 79 Unserviceable 1 TOTAL 80

3. FLYING TIME Total Flying Time for the month of March, 1944 - 5339 hours and 50 minutes.

(G.G. Milne) Squadron Leader, A/Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F.,

Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 837

1 Apr/44 All day and night flying carried out according to schedule.Open house in Drill Hall in the evening when facilities for Floor Hockey, Badminton, Bowling andBasketball were available.

2 Apr/44 All day and night flying carried out according to schedule.A basketball game was played in the evening and result being No. 5 A.O.S. 80, No. 3 W.S. 53.

3 Apr/44 All day and night flying carried out according to schedule.F/O E.C. Chute from No. 2 T.C. visited the station and armament section.

Inter Flight basketball teams played several games in the Drill Hall in the evening.

4 Apr/44 All day and night flying carried out according to schedule.A basketball game between No. 5 A.O.S. and No. 8 R.D. finished with a result of 27 to 26 in No. 5A.O.S. favour, No. 5 A.O.S. thereby winning City Services Championship.

5 Apr/44 All day and night flying carried out according to schedule.A/V/M T.A. Lawrence, Air Officer Commanding No. 2 T.C. accompanied by W/C Arnson and F/LAlexander also of Command along with Mr. T. Sheard, Air Member for supply visited the stationand inspected the airmans mess and canteen.A/V/M Gobels, Chief Australian Liaison Officer and S/L Hildrich visited the station and spoke to allAustralian personnel.

6 Apr/44 All day and night flying carried out according to schedule.F/O McNeily of No. 2 T.C. visited the station and inspected the clothing stores. In the evening thesergeants of this station entertained the corporals at a smoker in the Sergeants’ Lounge.The Wings Parade took place at 1530 hours in Drill Hall before the usual assemblies of friends andrelatives - S/L Milne presented the awards to the graduating classes.Courses graduating were 89 Navigators with 43 graduates and 96 Air Bombers with 45 graduates.Commissions granted were 22 to Navigators and 24 to Air Bombers.The Bud Starrat trophy was won by AUS437678 Sgt. Jack Auspin Delph, runner up for Gold Identification bracelet was AUS439279 Sgt. Walter Jack Crisp; Leading Air Bomber who alsoreceived Gold Identification bracelet was AUS433540 Sgt. Neville John Ubriheim. Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 838

6 Apr/44 Intake of Classes - Co. No. 89 Nav. 52 Co. No. 96 A.B. 50Adjusted Intake 55 52Wastage 12 7Graduation 43 45

Disposition of the Wastage - Co. No. 89 Navigators Transferred to Co. 90 3Transferred to Co. 91 2Transferred to Co. 92 1Transferred. to Co. 98 1C.T. Posted No. 5 M.D. 1C.T. Posted No. 3 R.D. 2C.T. Posted to useful employment pending DAPS posting instructions 1C.T. Posted to No. 2 M.D. 1

Co. No. 96 Air BombersTransferred to Co. 97 C.T. 4C.T. Posted No. 1 F.E.S. Arnprior 1C.T. Posted No. 2 "M" D. 1 C.T. Posted No. 3 B. & G. S. 1

Disposition of the Graduates - Co. No. 89 Navigators2 P/O No. 1 C.N.S 2 P/O No. 32 O.T.U 2 P/O No. 2 A.G.T.S. 5 P/O No. 1 A.G.T.S. 9 P/O No. 1 “Y” Depot2 P/O No. 31. P.D. 20 Sgts. No. 1 “Y” Depot1 Sgt. No. 31 P.D.

Co. No. 96 Air Bombers 2 P/O R.C.A.F. Station, Mountain View 3 P/O No. 2 A.G.T.S. 12 P/O No. 1 A.G.T.S. 7 P/O No. 31 P.D. 7 Sgt. No. 3 A.G.T.S. 1 Sgt. R.C.A.F. Station, Mountain View 13 Sgt. No. 31 P.D.


IMAGE 839

7 Apr/44 All day and night flights carried out according to schedule.F/L E. Drake, A New Zealand Liaison Officer paid a special visit to the station and interviewedseveral members of the R.N.Z.A.F.

8 Apr/44 All day and night flights carried out according to schedule.The Drill Hall was closed during the evening in order that new markings could be made.Construction and Maintenance crew also in Drill Hall doing periodic check and tightening roofsupports.

9 Apr/44 All day and night flights carried out according to schedule.

Today being Easter Sunday a large church parade was held and the recreation hall was packed byOfficers and men to hear an excellent sermon by W/C McFarlane Command Chaplain; S/L Milne,Acting C.S.O. read the lesson.A film was shown in ths recreation hall in the evening.

10 Apr/44 All day and night flights carried out according to schedule. Badmington and Basketball was played in the Drill Hall during the evening. A film was shown in theRecreation Hall in the evening to approximately 300 airmen.

11 Apr/44 All day and night flights carried out according to schedule.F/L Eastwood and F/L A.H. Walls from No. 2 T.C. visited the Station.Two basketball games were played with following results - Staff 44 vs Maintenance 18 and Officers16 vs Pilots 14.

12 Apr/44 All day and night flights carried out according to schedule.Graduating classes No. 90A and B Navigators were given the Harvard Step Test; very good resultswere obtained and all members of the course passed.A film was shown in Recreation Hall during the evening.

13 Apr/44 All day and night flights carried out according to Schedule.Graduating Air Bombers Course 97 X and Y all successfully passed the Harvard Step Test. A StageShow sponsored by St. Boniface Kiwanis Club "Thumbs Up Review" was produced in theRecreation Hall to an assembly of Service and civilian personnel of some 400.


IMAGE 840

14 Apr/44 All day and night flights carried out according to schedule.Basketball and Badmington facilities were afforded to trainees in the evening, the station basketballteam also turned out for practice.

15 Apr/44 All day and night flights carried out according to schedule.The City Badmington Championship was played in the Drill Hall and No. 8 Repair Depot won allthree major events.

16 Apr/44 All day and night flights carried out according to schedule.Open house for civilian and service personnel was held in Drill Hall when participants enjoyedBasketball bowling and badmington.

17 Apr/44 All day and night flights carried out according to schedule.Officers and Staff played a game of Floor Hockey in the evening, and several games of Basketball

were played.

18 Apr/44 All day and night flight serried out according to schedule.The Drill Hall was open to civilians who played a game of basketball result Pilots 18 Staff 17. Afilm was shown in the Recreation Hall.

19 Apr/44 All day and night flying carried out according to schedule. Open house was held in DrillHall.A film was shown to a good assembly of Airmen and civilians in the Recreation Hall.

20 Apr/44 All day and night flights carried out according to schedule.As the winter season for sports had officially closed a banquet was given in the Mess for theHockey team and basketball team and the inter unit hockey teams.The Wings Parade took place at 1530 hours in Drill Hall before the usual assemblies of friends andrelatives; S/L Milne presented the Wings.Courses Graduating were Co, No. 90 Navigators with 42 Graduates and Co. No. 97 Air Bomberswith 46 graduates.The Bud Starrat trophy was won by P/O Douglas Earl Reid, NZ438839, runner up for GoldIdentification bracelet was Sgt. Robert George Hall, GB1174387; Leading Air Bomber who alsoreceived Gold Identification bracelet was Sgt. Neville Clarence Nette, AUS429062.

Intake of classes Co. No. 90 Navigators 52 Co. No. 97 A.B. 44Adjusted Intake 57 50Wastage 15 4Graduation 42 46


IMAGE 841

20 Apr/44 Disposition of the Wastage - Co. No. 90 Navigators Transferred to Co. 92 1 C.T. posted No. 7 B.G.S. 2 C.T. posted No. 16 S.F.T.S. 3 C.T. posted No. 2 M.D. 2 C.T. posted No. 3 R.D. 3 C.T. hold pending DAPS posting instructions 2 C.T. pending discharge 1 Transferred to Co. No. 93 1

Co. No. 97 Air Bombers Transferred to Co. 96 2 Transferred to Co. 99 1 C.T. held pending DAPS instructions 1

Disposition of the Graduates - Co. No. 90 Navigators 2 P/O No. 1 C.N.S. 8 P/O No. 2 A.G.T.S. 7 P/O No. 1 A.G.T.S. 10 P/O No. 1 "Y" Depot 2 P/O No. 31 P.D. 4 Sgts. No. 4 A.G.T.S. 9 Sgts. No. 1 "Y" Depot

Co. No. 97 Air Bombers 3 P/O R.C.A.F. Station, Mountain View 4 P/O No. 1 "Y" Depot 9 P/O No. 31 P.D. 11 Sgts. No. 1 "Y" Depot 19 Sgts. No. 31 P.D.


IMAGE 842

21 Apr/44 All day and night flights carried out according to schedule.S/L W. Whitefort and P/O R.D. Jones, No. 2 T.C. (accounts) visited the Station. Open house for service and civilian personnel was held in Drill Hall.

22 Apr/44 All day and night flights carried out according to schedule.A large gathering of civilians and service personnel assembled in the Drill Hall in the afternoon andevening to witness the Command Basketball Championships; W.D.’s and airman from No. 8 R.D.,No. 7 B.& G., No. 7 I.T.S., No. 5 A.O.S. and No. 12 S.F.T.S. played in the semi finals and finals.The final results after very hard playing, being - W.D.'s Champions No. 8 R.D., Airman ChampionsNo. 7 I.T.S. These games were followed in the evening by a large dance held in the Drill hall. Many distinguished visitors were present including the Air Officer Commanding A/V/M T.A.Lawrence and Air Commodore A.J. Ashton, both Officers from No. 2 T.C., and W/C C. Russell,No. 7 I.T.S.: also present was a member of the 1st Special Service Division, Major D. Hoskin whofought at Kiska and North Africa and in fighting in Italy in January of 1944 lost a leg, spoke to theassembled guests on the fourthcoming VI Victory Loan drive. The orchestra of No. 2 T.C.furnished dance music and a very enjoyable time was had by all.

23 Apr/44 All flying carried out according to schedule.Personnel from this station took part in a Victory Loan Parade followed by a religious service in theAuditorium.Open house was held in the Drill Hall when sports facilities were afforded to civilian and servicepersonnel.

24 Apr/44 All flying carried out according to schedule both day and night.Basketball and Badmington facilities were afforded to station personnel during the evening.

25 Apr/44 All day and night flights carried out according to schedule.An Ansac Day memorial Service was held for New Zealand and Australian personnel on theStation. The Service was conducted by the Padre F/L Janz, and was followed by an ANZAC dayParade in the City.F/L Janz and Mr. Peter Hay, Special Services Officer flew to Estevan to inspect an organ with aview to buying it for the new chapel.Basket ball results for this evening in station league Officers 30 vs Staff 41, Maintenance 24 vsPilots 42.

26 Apr/44 All day flying carried out but night flights were cancelled.In the Drill Hall this evening a Bowling Tournament took place for civilian personnel. No. 8 R.D.also played Badmington in an unofficial game.A film was shown in the Recreation Hall during the evening.


IMAGE 843

27 Apr/44 All flying carried out according to schedule."The Freedomaires" Concert party under the able direction of Fleurette McCuaig produced anexcellent show in the Recreation Hall for some 350 airmen.Girls Service Basketball Championship was played during the evening when the C.W.A.C.s"JEEPS" defeated No. 8 R.D. in a close game resulting in 22 - 21 for the Army.

28 Apr/44 All day flying was carried out according to schedule, night flights were cancelled.

29 Apr/44 All flying both day and night was washed out due to bad weather.Kay Francis, Hollywood Movie Star, visited the station and spoke to a large parade in the DrillHall. She congratulated the Station on going "over the top" of their objective of $60,000 on thefirst day and presented a pennant to the station for this achievement.

30 Apr/44 First two afternoon flights carried, all other day and night flying was cancelled due tobad weather.From one of the afternoon flights one of our aircraft failed to return. It was learned later that it hadcrashed, further details not available as yet.A film was shown in Recreation Hall in the evening.During the past month the Station Educational Officer P/O Cooper reports that there has been abigger enrolment for correspondence courses afforded to R.C.A.F. personnel than in any othermonth sines the station opened. Also during the month there has been a large station bowlingtournament, when various teams, selected at random, have played on each night of the week. Thefinal results have not been decided up to the tine of writing and the games will continue during the

coating month.


IMAGE 844

30 Apr/44 STATISTICS 1. PERSONNEL Staff Officers Other Ranks Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 225 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 2 21 ---- Civilians: Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 6 Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 3 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL 86 246 10

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 304 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 181 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 76 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 84 645 2. AIRCRAFT Avro Anson One Serviceable 70 Unserviceable 10 TOTAL 80

3. FLYING TIME Total Flying Time for the month of April, 1944 - 7229 hours.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 845

1 May/44 All flying cancelled both days and night.In the evening a basketball game was scheduled between the pilots and officers. Score 15 to 13 infavour of pilots. Basketball, badminton and floor hockey were also played in the drill hall. Filmshown to station personnel in recreation hall.

2 May/44 Flying carried out according to schedule.A basketball game was played between Staff and Maintenance, Staff won by default. Basketball,Badminton and floor hockey were played by civilians and staff after game was over.A film was shown to Air Force personnel and civilians in recreathion hall.The A.O.C., of No. 2 T.C, A/V/M T.A. Lawrence, with officers of No. 2 T.C. held a mess dinner inthe officers mess of this station, loaned to them on this occasion. The guests of honour at thisdinner included Chief of Air Staff and his Staff who were making a tour of the west.There was a breakdown in water supply on the station and smoking was prohibited until the systemcould be repaired.

3 May/44 All flying cancelled, both day and night.Open house was held in the drill hall, Basketball, badminton and floor hockey were played by allin the evening. A film was shown to Air force personnel and civilians in recreation hall.

4 May/44 Flying carried out according to schedule.Open house was again held in the evening in the drill hall. Basketball, badminton and floor hockeywere the most popular games.Wings presentation parade was held in the drill hall at 1530 hours before the usual assemblies offriends and relatives. S/L G.G. Milne presented the Wings. Courses graduating were 91Navigators with 42 graduates and 98 Air Bombers with 37 Graduates. 16 Navigators and 13 AirBombers were granted commissions. The Bud Starrat Trophy was won by P/O Diggins, HaroldR., GB1684800. Runner up for Gold Identification Bracelet was P/O Valentine, Ian W., GB605535. Leading Air Bomber who also received Gold Identification Bracelet was P/ORunmer, Harold, E., GB1685373.

Intake of classes - Navigators - 52 Air Bombers - 45 Adjusted Intake 55 47 Wastage 13 10 Graduation 42 37


IMAGE 846

4 May/44 Disposition of the Wastage - Navigators

Transferred to Co. 92 1

Transferred to Co. 93 2 Transferred to Co. 94 2 Transferred to Co. 95 1 C.T. posted #5 M Depot 4 C.T. posted #15 A.I.D. 1 C.T. posted #16 SFTS 1

Air Bombers Transferred to Co. 99 4 Transferred to Co. 100 3 C.T. posted #14 P.D. 2 C.T. posted No. 3 B. & G. 1

Disposition of the Graduates - Navigators 4 P/O No. 32 O.T.U. 1 Sgt No. 32 O.T.U. 2 P/O No. 2 A.G.T.S 1 P/O No. 2 A.G.T.S. 1 Sgt. No. 3 A.G.T.S 9 P/O No. 31 P.D. 24 Sgts. No. 31 P.D. Air Bombers 1 FS No. 3 A.G.T.S. 1 P/O No. 1 "Y" Depot 3 Sgt. No. 1 "Y" Depot 12 P/O No.31 "P" Depot 20 Sgt. No. 31 "P" Depot

5 May/44 Flying carried out according to schedule. In the evening No. 5 A.O.S. played No. 3Flying Squadron of Wireless School. The score in the basketball game was 35 to 12 for No. 5A.O.S. After the game the Pilots and the Staff N.C.O.s practiced basketball. Badminton andfloor hockey were also available.

6 May/44 Flying carried out according to schedule both day and night.In the evening a station dance was held in the drill hall. There was a good turn out of both AirForce and Civilian personnel.


IMAGE 847

7 May/44 No flying scheduled for morning. All flights in afternoon and night carried outaccording to schedule.Open house was held all day Sunday in the drill hall. Basketball, floor hockey and badminton were

made available.A film was shown to Air Fore personnel and civilians in recreation hall.

8 May/44 Flying carried out according to schedule.Open house was held in the drill hall in the evening. A trainee basketball game was held.Basketball, floor hockey and badminton were also played by personnel.A film was shown to Air Force personnel and civilians in recreation hall.

9 May/44 Morning and afternoon flights carried out according to schedule. Evening and nightflights were washed out.Civilian night at drill hall. Two basket ball games were played. Officers vs Maintenance, score 26 to7 for Officers. Pilots vs Staff, the score was 52 to 19 for pilots.F/L G.A. Brand and F/O W.M. Wood flew as navigators in Canso aircraft of #170 Ferry Commandto Vancouver.

10 May/44 Morning and afternoon flights washed out. Evening and night flights carried outaccording to schedule. In the evening open house was held at the drill hall. Basket ball, floorhockey and badminton were available. A film was shown to Air Force personnel and civilians inrecreation hall.

11 May/44 Flying washed out for whole day and night.In the evening open house was again scheduled for the drill hall. Basketball, floor hockey andbadminton were available.A film was shown to Air Force personnel and civilians in recreation hall.

12 May/44 All flying was carried out according to schedule.Open house was again scheduled for the drill hall. Basket ball, floor hockey and badminton wereavailable.


IMAGE 848

13 May/44 All flying was carried out according to schedule both day and night.Both afternoon and evening the drill hall was again open to everyone. Basketball, badminton andfloor hockey were played.

14 May/44 Morning and afternoon flights carried out according to schedule. Evening and nightflights were washed out. Today on Sunday open house in the afternoon and evening was held in thedrill hall and basketball, floor hockey as well as badminton were available.A film was shown to Air Force personnel and civilians in recreation hall.

15 May/44 Morning and afternoon flights carried out as scheduled. Evening and night flights

cancelled. Semi final basketball championships were held here today. Staff played the officers andthe final score was 25 to 21 in favour of the officers.A film was shown to Air Force personnel and civilians in recreation hall.W/C A.H.S. Gillson, visiting navigation flight arrived on the station to make a complete review of allstation training facilities.

16 May/44 All flying carried out according to schedule.Staff night in the drill hall. There was a badminton exhibition game and a basketball game betweenthe pilots and No. 5 A.O.S. The summer schedule was officially opened for after hours. A game of soft ball was played between the officers and maintenance. Maintenance winning. Agame of soft ball was also played between class 93A and 93B, 93A winning. A game of ruggerwas played between 99A and 97A, class 97A winning.A film was shown to Air Force personnel and civilians in recreation hall.

17 May/44 Flying carried out according to schedule.Open house again held in drill hall. The station baseball team has practice and the Girls softballstation team has practice.A/V/M S.J. Goble, W/C F.A. Arthur and S/L C.B. Walker from A.A.L.O. visited the station andspoke to AUS personnel. G/C Scott, J.C. S.A.S.O. No. 2 T.C. visited the station.A/V/M S.J. Goble whose No. is AUS 2 is Australian Air Liaison Officer.W/C F.A. Arthur was C.O. of Lancaster heavy bomber squadron overseas and S/L C.B. Walkeroperated on coastal command.A film was shown to Air Force personnel and civilians in the recreation hall.

18 May/44 Flying carried out during morning and afternoon flights according to schedule. Evening and night flights cancelled.Basketball and Badminton are played in the drill hall.


IMAGE 849

18 May/44 There were two soft ball games played, one was between the staff and the W.O.G.s, thescore being 15 to 10 in favour of the staff, the other was between 94A and class 94 B, the score was13 to 10 in favour of 94A.A soccer game was played between class 101Y and class 100X, the score was 3 to 1 in favour ofclass 101 Y.Wings parade took place at 1530 hours in drill hall before the usual assemblies of friends. G/C J.S.Scott made the presentation of wings to the graduates, he also presented F/L G. Vivian with anOperational Wing and FS L.E. Hatch with the Canadian Efficiency Medal. Courses graduatingwere 92 Navigators with 33 graduates, 99 Air Bombers with 45 graduates. 17 Navigators and 26Air Bombers were commissioned. The Bud Starrat Trophy was won by P/O Gates, Leonard L.,AUS40808. Runner up for Gold Identification Bracelet P/O Hall, Trevor, H., AUS428222.

Leading Air Bomber who also received Gold Identification Bracelet was P/O Hanneybel, Walter, D. AUS36020.

Intake of Classes - Navigators - 52 Air Borders - 51 Adjusted Intake 55 57

Wastage 22 12 Graduation 33 45

Disposition of the Wastage - 92 Navigators

Transferred to Co. 93 4 Transferred to Co. 94 1 Transferred to Co. 95 3 Transferred to Col 96 2 Transferred to Col 97 1 C.T. posted No. 7 B.G.S. 2 C.T. posted No. 3 B.G.S. 1 C.T. held pend. DAPS ins. 1 C.T. posted No. 1 F.E.S. 2 C.T. posted No. 2 M. Depot 2 C.T. posted No. 5 M. Depot 1 C.T. posted No. 3 R.D. 1 CT. posted No. 2 T.C.


IMAGE 850

18 May/44 Disposition of the Wastage - 99 Air Bombers C.T. awaiting reselection board 4 C.T. posted No. 2 "M" Depot 2 C.T. posted No. 5 M. Depot 1 Transferred to Co. 100 3 Transferred to Co. 10 1 2

Disposition of the Graduates - 92 Navigators 1 P/O No. 1 C.N.S. 3 P/O No. 2 A.G.T.S. 7 P/O No. 1 A.G.T.S. 3 Sgt. No. 3 A.G.T.S. 6 P/O No. 1 "Y" Depot 12 Sgt. No. 1 "Y" Depot

1 Sgt. No. 3 P.D.

99 Air Bombers 3 P/O R.C.A.F. Station, Mountain View 2 P/O No. 5 O.T.U. 3 Sgt. No. 5 O.T.U. 10 P/O No. 1 A.G.T.S. 4 P/O No. 2 A.G.T.S. 3 Sgt. No. 1 "Y" Depot 7 P/O No. 31 P.D. 13 Sgt No. 31 P.D.

19 May/44 Morning and afternoon flights carried out as scheduled. Evening and night flightscancelled. Two Anson aircraft left this, station to help in the search for a Tiger moth which wasreported missing from No. 2 E.F.T.S., Fort William.Open house was held in drill hall. Basketball and badminton were played.

20 May/44 Morning and afternoon flights cancelled. No flights scheduled for evening or night. Afurther six Anson aircraft left the station and flew to No. 2 E.F.T.S. to help in the search forthe lost aircraft from that station.An open house was held at drill hall in the evening with basketball and badminton available.


IMAGE 851

21 May/44 No morning flights scheduled. Afternoon and evening and night flights carried out asscheduled. Open house was held at drill hall in the evening with basketball and badminton available.F/L Locheed arrived on the station to take over command of Signals Section. A film was shown toAir Force personnel and civilians in the recreation hall.

22 May/44 All flying carried out as scheduled both day and night.An exhibition soccer game was held between 100X and Class 100Y. A basketball game wasplayed between the officers and staff the final score being 12 to 15 for the officers.A film was shown to Air Force personnel and civilians in the recreation hall.

23 May/44 Afternoon flights carried out as scheduled. Morning evening and night flightscancelled. Open house at drill hall with outdoor schedule postponed on account of rain. Badminton,basketball and floor hockey were available.S/L B.C. Miller from No. 18 S.F.T.S., S/L R.C Stovel and S/L H.B. Hunter of No. 2 T.C. visited thestation as a board of officers.W/C J.C. Binnie, S.P.S.O. No. 2 T.C. visited the station and carried out an inspection. A film wasshown to Air Force personnel and civilians in the recreation hall.

24 May/44 All flying cancelled both day and night.The officers of this station entertained No. 2 T.C. Officers at a sports evening. Command soft ballteam played No. 5 A.O.S., score 7 to 6 for No. 5 A.O.S. Command also played No. 5 A.O.S. atBadminton and Bowling. No. 5 Station Hard ball team has practice. Basket Ball is also played inevening.A film was shown to Air Force personnel and civilians in the recreation hall.

25 may/44 Morning evening and night flights carried out as scheduled. Afternoon flight washedout. Three members of the Australian Representative of the United Press visited this station andspoke to assembled Australian personnel. They afterwards spoke with most of the boys individually.The members were Mr. B.L. Witington, Mr. P.T. Smith. Mr. A.W. Dawes.Drill hall has open house and basket ball, badminton and floor hockey are available.Word was received that the Tiger Moth lost from No. 2 E.F.T.S., Ft. William has been located in theafternoon by 2 Ansons from this School, ending an intensive 5 day search.


IMAGE 852

26 May/44 All flying carried out according to schedule.In the evening a final basketball game is played between officers and Pilots. Score 19 to 25 forPilots. Pilots station Champions. Floor hockey and badminton were also played.Graduation banquet for course 93A was held in the Sergeants mess followed hy a well organizeddance the recreation hall.

27 May/44 All flying carried out according to schedule both day and night.Open house is held in drill hall. Equipment for basket ball, floor hockey and badminton isavailable.28 May/44 No flying scheduled for morning or afternoon. Evening and night flights carried out asscheduled. Afternoon and evening open house is held in drill hall. Equipment for basketball, floorhockey and badminton is available.A film was shown to Air Force personnel and civilians in the recreation hall.

29 May/44 Flying was carried out as scheduled both day and night.A film was shown to Air Force Personnel and civilians in the recreation hall.

30 May/44 All flying carried out during day, night flights were cancelled.A film was shown in the Recreation Hall for service and civilian personnel.W.O.G.s played the Pilots in the station soft ball league. The game resulted in a victory for theW.O.G.S. 100B won their softball game against 99B in the station softball league.

31 May/44 Day flying carried out according to schedule. Night flying was cancelled.S/L Westerman D.S.O., D.F.C. recently returned from overseas after doing two tours of operationson Path finder Squadrons reported on this station to take up Staff duties.

The civilian company's girls softball team had their first practice. No. 8 R.D. and No. 5 A.O.S.played an inter station softball game on the station sports field, result. No. 8 R.D. 8, No. 5 A.O.S. 4.


IMAGE 856

31 May/44 STATISTICS 1. PERSONNEL Staff Officers Other Ranks Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 228 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 2 25 ---- Civilians: Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 6 Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 3 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL 84 253 10

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 332 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 133 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 94 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 109 TOTAL 668 2. AIRCRAFT Avro Anson One Serviceable 77 Unserviceable 10 TOTAL 87

3. FLYING TIME Total flying hours for the month of May, 1944 - 6446 hours 20 Minutes.

(G.G. Milne) Squadron Leader, Acting/Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A. F.,

Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 857

1 June/44 Afternoon flight washed out on account of thunderstorm activity. All other flightscarried out. Full station parade held at 1600 hours and inspection by Chief Supervisory Officer. S/L Mine attended No. 2 T.C. farewell Mess dinner at Fort Garry Hotel 31st May for A/V/M T.A.Lawrence. On June 1st he attended a conference of all Commanding Officers, at No. 2 T.C. F/L W.M. Tully of A.F.H.Q. visited station on inspection of S.D.R.T. section. Usual sportsconducted in Drill Hall.The Wings Parade took place at 1530 hours 1 June in Drill hall before the usual assemblies of friendsand relatives. S/L C.F. Westerman, DFC, presented the wings. Graduating courses were No. 93Navigators with 40 graduates and 15 commissions; and No. 100 Air Bombers with 55 graduates and16 commissions. The Bud Starrat Trophy was won by R268102 P/O D.H. MacDiarmid, runner upfor Gold Identification Bracelet was NZ4213882 P/O H.P. Clarke. Leading Air Bomber who alsoreceived Gold Identification Bracelet was GB1804530 P/O H.W. Jones.

Intake of Classes - Navigators 52 Air Bombers 50 Adjusted Intake 59 56 Wastage 19 1 Graduation 40 55

Disposition of the Wastage - 93 Navigators Transferred to Co. 94 6 Transferred to Co. 95 2 Transferred to Co. 96 2 Transferred to Co. 97 2 Transferred to Co. 101 1 C.T. posted #2 M. Depot 2 C.T. posted # 7 B. & G. 3 C.T. Posted #3 W.S. 1

100 Air Bombers

Transferred to Co. 102 1

Disposition of the Graduates 93 Navigators 9 P/O posted No. 2 A.G.T.S.

IMAGE 858

1 June/44 Disposition of the Graduates - 93 Navigators 5 P/O posted No. 1 A.G.T.S. 22 Sgt posted No. 3 A.G.T.S. 1 P/O posted No. 1 “Y” Depot 2 Sgt posted No. 1 "Y" Depot 1 Sgt. posted No. 31 P.D. Air Bombers

5 P/O posted No. 1 A.G.T.S. 4 P/O posted No. 2 A.G.T.S. 23 Sgt. posted No. 3 A.G.T.S 2 Sgt posted No. 1 “Y” Depot 7 P/O posted No. 31 P.D. 14 Sgt posted No. 31 P.D.

2 June/44 A.O.C.'s inspection of No. 5 A.O.S. The new A.O.C. of No. 2 T.C., A/C Guthrie andparty arrived at 0930 hours, G/C H.H. Atkinson. G/C J.S. Scott and F/O R. McDonald made up theA.O.C.'s party.Physical Inspection of station carried out during morning. At 1400 hours a wing of four squadronswas formed up for the A.O.C.'s inspection following which a march past was carried out with No. 2T.C. Band leading. A/C Guthrie directed that the personnel be granted the balance of the day offduty following the march past.Rain in afternoon curtailed sports and P.T. to Drill Hall. Plying Carried out in morning, no flyingscheduled in afternoon, night flying washed out due to weather conditions.

3 June/44 Flying washed out all day due to unsatisfactory weather. Regular inside sports carried out.Many courses were on 48 hour passes since previous week's were cancelled due to full protestantChurch parade to all Saints Church.F/L K.F. Neale, F/L P.L.P. Baby and F/O L.J. Rymal proceeded on temporary duty to PersonnelCounsellors Course, Rockcliffe.

4 June/44 Sunday schedule carried out.Protestant and R.C. church services held on camp. No flying due to weather conditions. Moviesshown in Recreation hall.

IMAGE 859

5 June/44 No flying morning or afternoon due to heavy rains; night flying carried out.S/L Jackson reported on station to assume duties of Station Administrative Officer.F/O A.E. Fry - Service Audit - visited station.Movies shown in Recreation Hall.

6 June/44 All flying carried out according to schedule.F/O H.F. Hall, No. 2 T.C. Aux. Services Officer visited station.F/L G.F. McAulay proceeded to Gimli as member of District Court Martial.Officers played Softball against the W.A.G.'s. Movies shown in Recreation hall.News of the Invasion received at this unit with a feeling of relief and consciousness that there is stillmuch work to be done. Padre held a short prayer service in Drill Hall for service and civilianpersonnel, who remained to hear the King's speech at 1400 hours.

7 June/44 All flying carried out as scheduled.

W/C Gillson, Nav. visiting flight returned to this unit for conference with C.S.O. and C.I. Movies Shown in Recreation Hall.Signals section commences frequent posting of invasion bulletins on G.I.S. board, picked up fromnewscasts by short wave.Civilian girls team won at Softball from Westeel girls 18-10. Civilians men's team won at softball fromWesteel men 8-7.

8 June/44 All flying according to schedule.Chief Supervisory Officer's weekly inspection parade of entire station held in Drill hall due to muddyparade square.S/L G.H. Warren, Educ. visited this unit to-day.Canadian Army Hardball team defeated No. 5 A.O.S. 7-4. Station softball team defeated CanadianArmy team 7-4. Canadian Airways Girls defeated W.A.O.S. girls softball 10-6.

9 June/44 All flying carried out. Weather C.A.V.U. all day.

IMAGE 860

10 June/44 All flying carried out in good weather. Ceiling 3000 to 4000 feet.

11 June/44 All flying carried out as per schedule. A sterling bomber with crew visited this unit ontour of instruction to Navigation Instructors.Padre P. Janz instituted a weekly "Intercession Protestant Church Service "to continue until ourforces enter Berlin". First service very well attended by Officers and other ranks.

12 June/44 Weather good. 5000 feet ceiling, in afternoon. Other flights cancelled due to lowceiling. Golf competition between officers and airmen held at two local courses at 1600 hours.Visitors to this unit for inspection of Sterling aircraft included W/C Price, No. 3 W.S.; W/CMalcolmson, No. 7 A.O.S.; G/C Murray, No. 1 C.N.S.; W/C Hawtree, No. 8 R.D.; S/L Hawkins,No. 7 A.O.S., No. 5 A.O.S. defeated No. 3 W.S. in hardball 9-5.

13 June/44 All flights washed out due to rain and low clouds. All outdoor sports cancelled due torain.

14 June/44 All flying carried out in C.A.V.U. weather.U.S. Army and No. 5 A.O.S. hard ball game at No. 5 A.O.S. resulted in a 4 all tie. No. 5 A.O.S. girlssoftball team lost to No. 3 B.G. School at McDonald 7 to 4. No. 5 Station Lacrosse team lost 13-1to No. 3 B.G.S. at McDonald.

15 June/44 All flights carried out.Officers softball team defeated Pilots 23-6The Wings parade took place at 1530 hours 15 June in Drill hall before the usual assemblies of friendsand relatives. S/L G.G. Milne presented the wings. Graduating courses were No. 94 Navigatorswith 43 graduates and 17 commissions: No. 101 Air Bombers with 53 graduates and 21 commissions.The Bud Starrat Trophy was won by R268511 P/O H.W. Bradley, runner up for Gold IdentificationBracelet was R217299 P/O H.D. Cavanagh. Leading Air Bomber who also received Gold

Identification Bracelet was NZ4212733 P/O A. Longstaff.

Intake of Classes - Navigators 52 Air Bombers 52 (2 on refresher training) 62 54

19 1 43 53 Disposition of the Wastage - 94 Navigators Transferred to Co. 95 3 Transferred to Co. 96 2 Transferred to Co. 97 3

IMAGE 861 Disposition of the Wastage 94 Navigators15 June/44 C.T. posted No. 5 B.G. School 1 C.T. posted No. 1 F.E.S. 1 No. 7 B.G.S. - C.T. posted 2 C.T. posted No. 3 W.S. 1 C.T. posted No. 2 M.D. 3 C.T. posted No. 12 S.F.T.S. 1 C.T. posted No. 1 C.N.S. 1 C.T. posted No. 5 "M" Depot 1 101 Air Bombers Transferred to Co. 102 1

Disposition of the Graduates Navigators 8 P/O No. 1 A.G.T.S. 8 P/O No. 2 A.G.T.S. 24 Sgt. No. 3 A.G.T.S. 1 P/O No. 1 "Y" Depot 2 Sgt No. 31 P.D. Air Bombers 3 P/O No. 6 O.T.U., Boundary Bay 5 P/O No. 1 A.G.T.S. 1 P/O No. 2 A.G.T.S. 4 Sgt No. 3 A.G.T.S. 7 P/O No. 1 "Y" Depot 14 Sgt No. 1 "Y" Depot 5 P/O No. 31 P.D. 14 Sgt No. 31 P.D.

16 June/44 All flights washed out except one afternoon flight carried out above overcast.Lecture in Recreation Hall on Use of Intercom by F/L Ibbetts of A.F.H.Q. who presented a motionpicture produced by R.C.A.F. entitled "Over to You".No. 5 A.O.S. girls softball team defeated No. 2 T.C. 22-9.

IMAGE 862

17 June/44 All flights carried out except one morning flight.Outdoor sports and basketball. Floor Hockey, Badminton and Bowling in Drill Hall. Normal functionin Officer's Mess with No. 2 T.C. dance orchestra.

18 June/44 Well attended "Intercession Protestant Church parade in Recreation Hall by No. 2Training Squadron. Numerous outdoor games carried out. Movie in Recreation Hall in evening.Day flights washed out due to low cloud; evening and night flights completed. F/O McFadden and F/O Seed proceeded on Temporary Duty to No. 1 C.N.S., to attend StaffNavigators course.

19 June/44 Sterling aircraft carrying visiting Navigation Flight from U.K. landed at 1600 hours -G/C K.W. Niblett, D.F. and party entertained in Officers' Mess this evening.All flying carried out according to schedule. C.A.V.U. weather.NO. 5 A.O.S. defeated American Army 5-0 hardball at Osborne Stadium. Elimination games playedin playdowns for Field Day softball Tournament.

20 June/44 S/L G.G. Milne, Acting Chief Supervisory Officer and S/L Pitcairn, T. Nav. I. No. 2T.C. flew to A.F.H.Q. in Sterling aircraft on temporary duty. F/L Banfield assumed temporarycommand in absence of S/L Milne.S/L Jackson Station Administrative Officer on temporary duty to Gimli .Only morning flights completed, balance of day and night flights washed out due to heavy thunderstorms.

21 June/44 Heavy rains caused washing out of all flights except one afternoon flight. Low ceiling900' with drizzle.G/C D.H. MacCaul C.A.E.O. or No. 2 T.C. and G/C H.S. Rees C.A.E.O. of No. 1 T.C. visited thisunit, contacting Mr. D.S. Ormond General Manager W.A.O.S.Further playdown games in fortball for tournament.

22 June/44 All flights carried out.Cricket practice - further softball playdowns. No. 5 A.O.S. defeated Canadian Army 6-0, softball.

23 June/44 All flights carried out as scheduled.F/L Peat returned from No. 1 C.N.S. after successfully completing Staff Navigators Course. Lacrosseand soccer practices held.Canadian Army defeated No. 5 A.O.S. hardball 7-1 at Osborne Stadium.

IMAGE 863

24 June/44 Station dance in Drill Hall to aid Girls' Softball team.Officers' Wives Auxiliary displayed completed autograph quilt which was drawn for and won by atrainee in course 96 Navigators. This quilt raised a fund of over $125.00 to provide books for theDeer Lodge Hospital library. All flights as scheduled

All flights as scheduled, except last night flight retailed due to thunderstorms .

25 June/44 No flights scheduled - weather clear.Normal Sunday routine with outdoor sports and Movie in Recreation Hall.Number two squadron attended Intercession Church parade in the Recreation Hall.

26 June/44 Morning and afternoon flights carried out, evening flights washed out due to low ceilingand rain.Movie shown in Recreation Hall during evening.S/L G.G. Milne returned from Temporary duty at A.F.H.Q.F/L McLaren of No. 2 T.C. visited station to complete organization of Aircrew Leadership Plan. F/OZubick, J.I. being appointed Trainee Commandant in charge of this plan with powers of subordinatecommander.

27 June/44 Morning flights washed out due to most terrific rain storm. All other flights washed outdue to low cloud.All sports cancelled due to heavy rain. Basketball, floor hockey and bowling very popular in DrillHall.

28 June/44 All flights carried out except morning flight.Semi annual field day wee cancelled due to condition of field and postponed to 5 July/44.

29 June/44 All flights carried out as scheduled. Air unstable. No. 3 Wireless defeated No. 5 A.O.S.12 - 7.The Wings Parade took place at 1530 hours 29 June/44 in Drill Hall before the usual assemblies offriends and relatives. S/L G.G. Milne presented the wings. Graduating courses were No. 95Navigators with 49 graduates and 19 commissions; and No. 102 Air Bombers with 53 graduates and22 commissions. The Bud Starrat Trophy was won by AUS439826 P/O C.H. McKay, runner upfor Gold Identification Bracelet was R102583 P/O L.J. Freeman. Leading Air Bomber who alsoreceived Gold Identification Bracelet was R197914 P/O C.W. Wood.

IMAGE 864

29 June/44 Intake of classes - Navigators 52 Air Bombers 51 Adjusted Intake 63 53 Wastage 14 NIL Graduation 49 63

Disposition of the Wastage - 95 Navigators Transferred to Course 96 1 Transferred to Course 97 1 Transferred to Course 98 1 Transferred to Course 99 1

Transferred to Course 104 1 C.T. posted No. 3 R.D. 1 C.T. posted No. 2 "M" Depot 4 C.T. posted No. 11 S.F.T.S. 1 C.T. posted R.C.A.F. Station Rockcliffe 1 C.T. posted No. 3 B.G.S. 1 C.T. not yet posted 1 102 Air Bombers Disposition of the graduates - Navigators 3 P/O posted No. 1 A.G.T.S. 14 P/O posted No. 2 A.G.T.S. 26 Sgt. No. 3 A.G.T.S. 1 P/O No. 1 "Y" Depot 2 Sgt. No. 1 "Y" Depot 1 P/O No. 31 P.D. 2 Sgt No. 31 P.D. Air Bombers 4 P/O No. 1 A.G.T.S. 13 P/O No. 2 A.G.T.S. 20 Sgts. No. 3 A.G.T.S. 5 P/O No. 31 P.D. 5 Sgt. No. 31 P.D.

30 June/44 Morning and afternoon flights carried out but night flight cancelled due to low cloud.Commanding Officer's Inspection and route march held at 0730 hours.

IMAGE 865

30 June/44 STATISTICS 1. PERSONNEL Staff Officers Other Ranks Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 254 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 3 32 ---- Civilians:

Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 6 Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 3 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL 91 286 10

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 261 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 90 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 73 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 127 551 2. AIRCRAFT Avro Anson One Serviceable 82 Unserviceable 5 TOTAL 87

3. FLYING TIME Total flying hours for the month of June, 1944 - 6373 hours, 35 minutes.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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1 July/44 S/L G.G. Milne, Acting Chief Supervisory Officer granted a half holiday to those onduty today in honour of Dominion Day.Flying was washed out all day by the Civilian Operating Company to allow their staff a holiday.Weather very fine.W/C Sharpe, A.F.H.Q. visited this unit.

2 July/44 Routine Sunday programme.Protestant and R.C. Church Parades held in Rec. Hall.Flying resumed at Noon, all afternoon and night flights carried out.

3 July/44 All flights carried out, bombing washed out due to unserviceability of target.A/V/M Goble and S/L Walker of Australian Air Mission visited this unit today accompanied by theA.O.C. of No. 2 T.C. A/V/M Guthrie and his P.A. F/O McDonald. The visiting party with ActingChief Supervisory Officer S/L Milne and S. Ad. Officer S/L Jackson had dinner in the airmen's

mess with all Australian personnel.No. 8 R.D. Defeated 5 A.O.S. at hardball - 6-5. No. 5 A.O.S. defeated Navy at Soccer 6-0

4 July/44 All flights carried out as scheduled. S/L Jamieson, Dafoe visited this unit.All outdoor sports called off while track and field being prepared for field day.

5 July/44 No flying due to ground fog on low level route and very low cloud.The Sports day organized by the training squadron was a splendid success. All R.C.A.F.personnel turned out and a fine programme of sports was run off in a very efficient manner. Theairmen's and officer's evening meal was served in a large tent on the sports field and free soft drinkssupplied by Mr. Ratson the caterer, for all. Results were as attached Appendix "A". (NOTattached)(ED).U.S. Army defeated No. 5 A.O.S. 8-5A soccer game at Osborne Stadium between the Victory League all stars and R.C.A.F. all starsresulted in a win for Victory League 3-0.F/L S.T. Malach of A.F.H.Q. and F/L H. Peto of No.2 T.C. both Aircraft Rec. Section made aninspection of No. 5 A.O.S. Aircraft Rec. Section.


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6 July/44 Morning flights washed out due to danger of low cloud and fog. All other flightscompleted. A complete revision of establishment recommendation was submitted to No. 2 T.C.today. F/L A.F. Banfield and F/L L. Lucas of this unit posted overseas on temporary duty to studynavigational training for four months.McDonald aircraft Girls lost a softball game to No. 5 A.O.S. girls 20-12 at No. 5 A.O.S. diamond.

7 July/44 One flight in morning to Rivers target washed out due to low ceiling at Rivers, all otherflights carried out successfully.F/L Wheyen for No. 14 X Depot, Regina made an inspection of No. 5 A.O.S. explosive stocks.Baseball - No. 5 A.O.S. Defeated No. 7 Equipment Depot, 16-4. Lacrosse - No. 8 R.D. Defeated No. 5 A.O.S. - 7-6F/L C. Hearn of No. 2 T.C. gave a lecture to officers and N.C.O.s on Personnel.

8 July/44 Morning and afternoon flights carried out as scheduled; no night flights scheduled.No. 5 A.O.S. defeated U.S. Amy 10-0 at Hardball.F/O H.W. Smith reported on temporary duty to replace F/L R. Lapp Accounts Officer whoproceeded on leave.

9 July/44 Morning and afternoon flights carried out as scheduled; all night flights washed out dueto approach of cold front and thunderstorms.

10 July/44 One morning flight recalled due to weather, other two morning flights completed. No.

5 A.O.S. defeated Canadian Army at hardball on No. 5 A.O.S. diamond - No. 5 A.O.S. 10, Can.Army 4. F/O T.V. Gilbert of No. 2 T.C. visited No. 5 A.O.S. Maintenance Section. Exhibition soccer game No. 5 vs Scottish, score tied 1-1. Girls Softball team vs West Steel score 8-5 for No. 5 A.O.S.

11 July/44 All flights carried out as scheduled, weather clear visibility unlimited. Movie one nightonly "Snow/White" well attended.Baseball game in the evening, No. 5 A.O.S. vs Navy score 9-2 for No. 5 A.O.S.

12 July/44 All flights carried out as scheduled; weather clear visibility unlimited. Graduatingclasses dedication services held in the Recreation Hall. Baseball at No. 3 W.S. vs No. 5 A.O.S.,Score 12-7 for No. 3 W.S.

13 July/44 Morning and afternoon flights carried out as scheduled; night flights grounded due tocold front passing through this region, with heavy thunderstorm.


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14 July/44 Morning flights carried out as per schedule; first two afternoon flights grounded dueto passage of cold front with heavy precipitation and Thunderstorms - weather cleared around1500 hours so that last afternoon and all night flights were carried out as scheduled.Girls softball team vs Canadian airways, score 8-2 for No. 5 A.O.S. The Wings Parade took place at 1530 hours 14 July, 1944 in Drill hall before the usual assembliesof friends and relatives. S/L G.G. Milne presented the Wings. Of special interest was thepresentation of Navigators Wing to F/O Dean and Operational Wing F/O Milward both officerson staff at this Unit. Courses graduating were #96 Navigators with 31 graduates of which 11 werecommissioned; and # 103 Air Bombers with 41 graduates 8 of which were commissioned. TheBud Starrat trophy was won by P/O Roger Fleming GB1569261. Runner up for gold identificationbracelet was P/O William Macadams, R181040. Leading Air Bomber who also received goldidentification bracelet was P/O Charles Samuel George Trill, GB1615897.

Navigators Air BombersIntake of Classes 52 46Adjusted Intake 58 46Wastage 27 5Graduation 31 41

Disposition of the Wastage - NavigatorsTransferred to Co. 101 4 C.T. posted No. 31 P.D. 2

Transferred to. Co. 98 2 C.T. posted No. 3 B.G.S. 3 Transferred to. Co. 97 3 C.T. posted No. 3 R.D. 1Transferred to Co. 102 1 C.T. posted No. 3 W.S. 1Transferred to Co. 100 1 C.T. posted No. 4 R.D. 1Transferred to Co. 99 1 C.T. posted No. 4 W.S. 1C.T. posted No. 2 “M” Depot 2 C.T. held for reselection board 2C.T. posted No. 5 “M” Depot 1 C.T. held for posting Instructions 1

Air BombersTransferred to Co. 104 1Transferred to Co. 105 2Hold pending reselection board 1Hold pending posting instructions


IMAGE 869

14 July/44 Disposition of the Graduates - Navigators 1 P/O No. 5 O.T.U. 2 P/O No. 2 A.G.T.S. 6 Sgts. No. 3 A.G.T.S. 5 P/O No. 1 "Y" Depot 8 Sgts. No. I "Y" Depot 3 P/O No. 31 P.D. 6 Sgts. No. 31 P.D. Air Bombers 1 P/O No. 5 O.T.U. 1 P/O No. 1 A.G.T.S. 1 P/O No. 2 A.G.T.S. 23 Sgts. No. 3 A.G.T.S. 2 P/O No. 1 "Y" Depot 4 Sgts. No. 1 "Y" Depot 3 P/O No. 31 P.D. 6 Sgts. No. 31 P.D.

15 July/44 All flights carried out as scheduled, weather clear, visibility unlimited.

16 July/44 Morning and afternoon flights carried out as scheduled; night flights grounded due toapproach of cold front and thunderstorms.Usual Sunday routine with protestant church parade in the morning.

17 July/44 All flights carried out as scheduled.Mess meeting for this date cancelled and moved ahead to Wednesday July 19.

Soccer No. 5 A.O.S. vs No. 3 W.S. - score 5-0 for No. 5 A.O.S. Baseball No. 5 A.O.S. vs No. 7 E.D. - score 13-5 for No. E I.D. Lacrosse No. 8 R.D. vs No. 5 A.O.S. - score 10-8 for No. 8 R.D.

18 July/44 All flights carried out as scheduled.Sports - softball No. 5 A.O.S. VS No. 3 W.S., score 3-1 for No.5 A.O.S. Rugger - No. 3 W.S. VS No. 5 A.O.S. Score 38-0 for No. 3 W.S. Cricket Sgt. Wag's VS Pick up team score 120-98 for Wag’s.

19 July/44 All flights carried out as scheduled. Weather clear, visibility unlimited.Mess meeting held in the Officers' Mess at 1815 hours.


IMAGE 870

19 July/44 The newly appointed Chief Supervisory Officer, S/L Jacobsen, DFC, was introducedto the Officers in a body and many of those remaining after the meeting had the opportunity ofmeeting him personally, being introduced formally by S/L Milne,

20 July/44 All flights took place as scheduled; weather clear, visibility unlimited. Lacrosse practice held on Sports field. Normal routine carried out.F/L Grimshaw taken on strength as Medical Officer.

21 July/44 All flights carried out as scheduled; weather clear, visibility unlimited.Commanding Officer's parade was held at 7.30 A.M. and after the inspection S/L Jacobsen, DFCtook the salute on the march past. After a short route march, classes resumed the normal dailyroutine. Effective this date S/L G.F. Jacobsen, DFC assumes command of No. 5 A.O.S. Lacrosse game No. 5 A.O.S. VS No. 3 B.G.S. Score 6-3 for No. 5 A.O.S.

22 July/44 All flights carried out as scheduled; normal daily routine carried out. Weather clear,visibility fair.

23 July/44 All flights carried out as scheduled, weather clear, visibility unlimited. Protestant intercession church parade held at 0830 hours in the drill hall.

24 July/44 All flights carried out as per schedule; weather clear, visibility unlimited. Normal dailyroutine. Soccer No. 5 A.O.S. VS Navy No. 5 A.O.S. won by default. Softball Civilian Mens team VS D.I.L. score 13-3 for No. 5 A.O.S. Softball Civilian Girls team VS D.I.L. score 6-5 for No. 5 A.O.S.

25 Jul/44 Normal daily routine, all flights carried out as scheduled. Weather clear, visibilityunlimited. Soccer No. 5 A.O.S. VS No. 18 S.F.T.S.(Gimli) score 3-1 for No. 5 A.O.S. Lacrosse No. 5 A.O.S. VS No. 3 W.S, Score 7-3 for No. 5 A.O.S. Softball No. 5 A.O.S. VS Can Army Score 5-0 for Army. F/L Knight awarded Air Gunners Badge effective June 17, 1944.


IMAGE 871

26 July/44 All flights carried out as scheduled, weather clear, visibility good.A district Court Martial was held at this Unit at 1000 hours in the intelligence library on orders| ofA/V/M K.N. Guthrie C.B.E., A.O.C, No. 2 T.C. Full details as recorded in No. 5 A.O.S.D.R.O.'s No. 176,26 July, 1944. Accused was NZ4215858 Sgt. William Inglis Husband Egerton,No. 5 A.O.S. Winnipeg, Manitoba.

27 July/44 Weather unsettled, morning flights completed as scheduled, afternoon and night flightsgrounded due to approach of a cold front and decidedly low ceiling.The Wings parade took place at 1530 hours 27 July/44 in Drill Hall before the usual assemblies offriends and relatives. S/L G.F. Jacobsen presented the Wings. Graduating courses were No. 97Navigators with 44 graduates and 19 commissions, and 104 Air Bombers with 46 graduates and 17Commissions. The Bud Starrat Trophy was won by P/O Richard Walter Baunton, NZ436822. Runner up for gold identification bracelet was F/L Russell McCarter Colman, C5462. Leading AirBomber who also received gold identification bracelet P/O Thomas Francis Tuckey, GB1627090.

Intake of Classes - Navigators 62 Air Bombers 51 Adjusted Intake 62 52Wastage 18 6Graduation 44 46

Disposition of the Wastage 97 NavigatorsTransferred to Co. 98 1 C.T. posted No. 3 B.G.S. 4Transferred to Co. 99 1 C.T. posted No. 7 B.G.S. 1Transferred to Co. 102 1 C.T. posted No. 2 W.S. 2Transferred to Co. 103 1 C.T. rem. A.B. taken into course No. 5 A.O.S. 1C.T. posted No. 1 F.E.S. 3C.T. held pending resel. board 2C.T. posted No. 9 B.G.S. 1

104 Air BombersTransferred to Co. 105 1Transferred to Co. 106 2 Held pend. reselection board 3

Disposition of the Graduates Navigators 2 P/O No. 1 A.G.T.S . 8 P/O No. 1 “Y” Depot9 P/O No, 2 A.G.T.S. 14 Sgts. No. 1 “Y” Depot11 Sgt. No. 3 A.G.T.S. Air Bombers6 P/O No. 1 A.G.T.S. 22 Sgts. No. 1 “Y” Depot 7 Sgts. No. 31 P.D.7 P/O. No. 2 A.G.T.S. 4 P/O No. 31 P.D.


IMAGE 872

28 July/44 All flights carried out as scheduled, weather unsettled and cloudy in this area althoughmore broken and satisfactory to the west.Commanding Officers parade and inspection was held and the salute on the march past was takenby S/L G.F. Jacobsen, DFC.Softball No. 5 A.O.S. (Girls) VS McDonald, score 22-1 for No. 5 A.O.S.Baseball No. 5 A.O.S. VS No. 8 R.D. Score 15-0 for No. 8 R.D.

29 July/44 All scheduled flights carried out; weather clear, visibility good. Normal dally routinecarried out.Soccer No. 5 A.O.S. VS Winnipeg all stars, score 3-0 for No. 5 A.O.S.

30 July/44 Morning and afternoon flights carried out as scheduled. Weather in Winnipeg areapoor with overcast and low ceiling. Night flights grounded due to precipitation and poor visibilitywith low cloud. Protestant church parade held in Recreation Hall Sunday morning.

31 July/44 All flights grounded due to slow moving front moving in from the west, low ceilingand some precipitations.Usual daily routine carried out.


IMAGE 873

31 July/44 STATISTICS 1. PERSONNEL Staff Officers Other Ranks Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 256 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 5 32 ----

Civilians: Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 6 Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 3 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL 109 268 10

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 269 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 132 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 66 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 90 557 2. AIRCRAFT Avro Anson MK I MK V Menasco Moth Serviceable 78 13 1 Unserviceable 6 34 0 TOTAL 84 47 1

3. FLYING TIME Total flying time for the month of July, 7705 hours, 10 minutes.

(G.F. Jacobsen) Squadron Leader, Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A.F.,

Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 875

1 Aug/44 Usual daily routine. Morning flights recalled due to low ceiling and poor visibility andadverse weather conditions generally. Balance of flights for the day completed under poorweather conditions, but within the margins of safety.Scheduled Lacrosse game defaulted by No. 3 W.S. to No. 5 A.O.S.

2 Aug/44 Usual daily routine adhered to. Morning and afternoon flights completed asscheduled, weather fair visibility fair. Night Flights grounded due to unfavourable weather andlocal precipitation with low ceiling prevailing throughout the region.Soccer No. 5 A.O.S. vs No. 18 SFTS (Gimli) Score 3-1 for No. 5 A.O.S.Softball No. 5 A.O.S (Girls) vs McDonalds Score 8 - 7 for No. 5 A.O.S.Softball station (mens) vs Wastrel (civilian) Score 6-2 for No. 5 A.O.S.

3 Aug/44 All flights carried out as scheduled. Weather fair with good visibility. Normal daily

routine carried out.Sports - Rugger No. 5 A.O.S. vs No. 3 W.S. Score tied 6-6. Baseball No. 5 A.O.S. vs No. 8 R.D. Score tied 6 - 2 for No. 5 A.O.S. Softball No. 5 A.O.S. (Officers) vs U.S. Army Officers Score 8-2 for No. 5 A.O.S. Softball Station (girls) vs Majorettes Score 6-3 for No. 5 A.O.S. After the exhibition of softball game our officers entertained the U.S. army officers in the messand a sociable evening was enjoyed by all present.

4 Aug/44 All flights took place and were completed as scheduled. The weather was only fairwith a light overcast but due to the nature of the exercises involved the flights were able to takeplace satisfactorily.Commanding Officers inspection and parade took place at 0730 hours and the salute on the marchpast was taken by S/L G.F. Jacobsen, (DFC) who congratulated the school on their appearance,neatness and general bearing.8ports - Baseball No. 5 A.O.S. vs U.S. Army. Score 7-0 for No. 5 A.O.S. Rivers target wasnot lit up and as a result bombing could not take place on this date.

5 Aug/44 Normal daily routine. All flights completed as scheduled. Weather good visibilitygood.


IMAGE 876

6 Aug/44 All flights took places as scheduled. Weather clear visibility good.No church parade was held on this date due to the unavoidable absence of F/L Janz the protestantpadre.

7 Aug/44 The morning flights were grounded due to low ceiling and heavy precipitation in theregion and the passing of a front. Afternoon flights proceeded in only fair weather and ran intoseveral light showers but successfully completed the exercises as scheduled. The night flightswere also completed in poor weather but within the margin of safety.Sports - Baseball No. 5 A.O.S. vs Canadian army at Osborne Stadium, score 6-2 for No. 5 A.O.S.

8 Aug/44 All flights carried out as scheduled, weather clear visibility good. Normal daily routineadhered to.

9 Aug/44 Normal daily routine. Morning flights grounded due to low ceiling and poor flyingweather. Afternoon flights proceeded as per schedule in only average weather. Night flightsgrounded due to expected approach of inclement weather and passage of a front whichmaterialized in the early hours of Thursday morning accompanied by a 70 m.p.h. gale.Our baseball team visited No. 7 A.O.S. at Portage and played an exhibition game final score was4-2 for No. 5, afterwards the team were given refreshments in the mess.Soccer game played at Osborne Stadium No. 5 A.O.S. vs Gimli, final score 3-1 for No. 5 A.O.S.

10 Aug/44 All flights proceeded as per schedule, weather clear, visibility good. The Wings parade was held in the Drill hall before the usual assemblies of friends and relatives. S/LG.F. Jacobsen presented the wings and also an Air Gunners Badge to F/L W.M. Knight of thisunit. Courses graduating were No. 96 Air Navigators with 46 graduates and 24 commissions; andNo. 105 Air Bombers with 42 graduates and 9 commissions. The Bud Starrat Trophy was wonby GB1588430 LAC Grimshaw, G., runner up for Gold Identification Bracelet was CANR79897Cpl. Hawkins, G.F.G. Leading Air Bomber who also received gold Identification Bracelet wasAUS437743 LAC Kimberley, J.G.

Intake of classes - Navigators 51 Air Bombers 46 Adjusted Intake 59 49 Wastage 13 7 Graduation 46 42

Disposition of the Wastage - 98 Navigators Tsfd to Co. 99 2 Tsfd to Co. 100 2

Tsfd to Co. 100 1


IMAGE 877

10 Aug/44 Disposition of the Wastage (Cont) 98 Navigators Tsfd to Co. 104 1 Tsfd to Co. 106 1 Posted No. 5 “M” Depot 1 Posted No. 7 B.G.S. 2 Posted No. 4 T.C. 1 Hold Pend Posting inst. 1

A.F.H.Q.

105 Air Bombers Tsfd to Co. 106 3 Tsfd to Co. 107 2 Held Pend DAPS disposal 2

Disposition of the Graduates - 98 Navigators 1 P/O posted No. 3 O.T.U. 1 P/O posted No. 1 A.G.T.S. 6 P/O posted No. 2 A.G.T.S. 6 Sgt. posted No. 3 A.G.T.S.

12 P/O posted No. 1 "Y". Depot 7 Sgt. posted No. 1 "Y" Depot 4 P/O posted No. 31 P.D. 9 Sgt. posted No. 31 P.D.

105 Air Bombers 1 P/O posted No. 1 A.G.T.S. 5 P/O posted No. 2 A.G.T.S. 23 Sgt posted No. 3 A.G.T.S. 2 P/O posted No. 1 "Y" Dpot 7 Sgt posted No. 1"Y" Depot 1 P/O posted No. 31 P.D. 3 Sgt posted No. 31 P.D.


IMAGE 878

11 Aug/44 All scheduled flights carried out and completed. Weather clear, visibility good. Normal dally routine carried out.Sports - Softball(girls) No.5 A.O.S. vs D.I.L.,Final score D.I,L. 5, No. 5 A.O.S. 4.

12 Aug/44 All flying cancelled today to enable all personnel to attend the official station picnicheld on our sports field. A splendid sports and entertainment programme was provided and thepicnic and evening dance well attended by civilian and service people alike.Free ice cream, drinks and oranges provided in tents at the sports field. All service personnelwere permitted to entertain their guests in their respective messes for the evening meal. Sportsevents were covered by Arthur Morrison for the Free Press and his comments on the spirit ofcooperation and close relations of R.C.A.F. and Civilian Personnel on this unit were highlycomplimentary. The large number of children and female guests present indicated the outsideinterest in this unit.In the evening a Lacrosse match was played No. 8 R.D. vs No. 5 A.O.S., the final score being 5 - 2for No. 8 R.D.

13 Aug/44 No flying scheduled Sunday morning; afternoon and evening flights carried out asscheduled. Weather clear, visibility good. Protestant Church parade was held in the morning at0900 hours in the recreation hall.

14 Aug/44 All flights carried out as scheduled in clear weather with visibility unlimited. Thefollowing visiting flight personnel arrived on the station, S/L D.I. Macklen A.F.C., F/L E.V.Detenbeck, F/L C.N. Larkin, F/O S.C. Hugh, F/O F.N. Hopkins all from C.F.S. Trenton, Ontario.S/L D.R. Jackson Station Administrative Officer returned from annual leave and resumed hisduties.

F/L H.C. Nixon, Navigation Instructor was posted to Western Air Command for reposting in thatcommand.Personnel Counselling is being introduced to aid personnel to prepare for rehabilitation. F/L Baby,P.L.P. and F/L Neale, F. who have had the Personnel Counsellors course at Rockcliffe wereposted today to No. 2 T.C. on temporary duty for familiarization at other units in this work.A/C Cockram, R.C.A.F. Senior Protestant Chaplain from A.F.H.Q. visited the unit todayaccompanied by S/L Frayme, No. 2 T.C. Protestant Chaplain. An inspection was made of the newchapel being prepared in the Drill Hall. A/C Cockram also inspected the various canteens andlounges as well as the sports field and commando course.Sports - Baseball No. 5 A.O.S. vs No. 7 E.D. Score 21-5 for No. 5 A.O.S. Soccer No. 5 A.O.S. vs Winnipeg Scottish Score 7 - 2 No. 5 A.O.S. Softball (girls) westeel vs No. 5 A.O.S. score 5-2 for No. 5 A.O.S.

15 Aug/44 All flights carried out as scheduled in fair weather with good visibility. Normal daily routine carried out.


IMAGE 879

15 Aug/44 In the evening No. 8 R.D. played No. 5 A.O.S. a softball game in the Winnipeg areachampionship the final score being 6-4 for No. 8 R.D.

16 Aug/44 All flights carried out as scheduled, weather fair visibility fair with occasionalshowers in the early evening.Navigators badges were granted by No. 2 T.C. to F/O Cragg, P.S.H. and F/L Hyndmaen, E.E.both on staff at this unit (our D.R.O. 194, 16 Aug/44.The scheduled baseball game No. 3 W.S. vs No. 5 A.O.S. was called on account of rain in thesecond inning, the score at that time being 1-0 for No. 5 A.O.S.

17 Aug/44 Normal daily routine carried out. All flights carried out as scheduled. Weatherclear, visibility good.A meeting of the officers mess took place at 1815 hours. F/L Young who has been posted wassucceeded as president by F/L Mahass and F/L Boyd now posted was succeeded by F/L Pickeringas vice president. Baseball game played tonight No. 7 E.D. vs No.5 A.O.S. Score 7-1 for No. 5A.O.S.

18 Aug/44 All training flights carried out as scheduled, weather clear, visibility good.Commanding Officers parade and inspection held at 0800 hours, the inspection being carried outby the C.S.O., S/L G.F. Jacobsen, D.F.C.S/L Bevon, A.R. and F/L Richardson, G. accountant officers from No. 2 T.C. visited this unit. S/LJackson attended District Court Martial at No. 18 S.F.T.S. as president.

19 Aug/44 All flights carried on as per schedule, weather clear visibility good.

A squadron from this unit were detailed to parade in a grand march past at Sargent part at 1300hours, a part of the No. 2 T.C. Track and Field presentation.This unit placed 3rd in the sports meed and our individual stars were LAC Palmer and LAC Grant.This unit also supplied a detachment of men to attend the funeral of F/O Falconer of R.C.A.F.Dauphin Manitoba, a well known Winnipeg boy who lost his life in a crash last week.

19 Aug/44 All scheduled flights carried out in clear weather with good visibility. R.C. Mass was said at 1100 hours in the new chapel.


IMAGE 880

21 Aug/44 All scheduled flights carried out in good weather and unlimited visibility. Normaldaily routine carried out.S/L Lorenzen, F. And F/L Bell, A.L. from A.F.H.Q. visited this unit. F/L Peto, H.B. from No. 2T.C. (armament) also visited this unit today. Sports - Baseball and soccer practice.

22 Aug/44 Normal routine carried out. All flights completed as scheduled in good flyingweather, clear with visibility unlimited.S/L O.W. Crawford. C.R.O. from No. 2 T.C. visited this unit today. F/L D. Gwinn, signalsofficer from No. 2 T.C. also visited this unit today.Sports - Soccer No. 5 A.O.S. (girls) vs Majorette -game called in 6th inning due to rain. Score atthat time 8-3 for No. 5 A.O.S.

23 Aug/44 Normal daily routine. All flying carried out as scheduled. Weather clear, visibilitygood. Sports - No. 5 A.O.S. vs Navy score 7 - 0 for No. 5 A.O.S.

24 Aug/44 All scheduled navigation exercises carried out as scheduled in good weather and fairvisibility. A dedication service for the protestant graduating personnel was held in the Rec. Hall at1100 hours, the service being conducted by F/L McLeod from No. 3 Wireless School. Sports - Baseball No. 5 A.O.S. vs No. 3 W.S., score tied 7-7. Soccer No. 3 W.S. vs No. 5 A.O.S. 6-0 for No. 5 A.O.S. Softball No. 5 A.O.S. (girls) vs Can Airways, score 8 - 4 for No. 5 A.O.S.The Wings parade took place in the Drill hall before the usual assemblies of friends and relatives.S/L G.F. Jacobsen, D.F.C. presented the wings. Courses graduating were No. 99 Air Navigatorswith 40 graduates and 15 commissions; and No. 106 Air Bombers with 43 graduates and 11commissions.Ths Bud Starrat trophy, was won by GB1654969 LAC Lawrence, J.R., runner up for GoldIdentification Bracelet was AUS438527 LAC Stevenson, H.J., leading Air Bomber who alsoreceived Gold Identification Bracelet was GB1623170 LAC Crowther, J.V.

Intake of classes Navigators 49 Air Bombers 51 Adjusted Intake 55 57 Wastage 15 14 Graduation 40 43

Disposition of the Wastage - 99 Navigators Tsfd to Co. 100 2 Tsfd to Co. 101 2 Tsfd to Co. 103 1 Tsfd to Co. 104 1


IMAGE 881

24 Aug/44 Disposition of the Wastage - 99 Navigators (cont) Posted to No. 2 W.S. 1 Posted to No. 5 "M" Depot 2 Posted to No. 3 R.D. 3 Posted to No. 1 "M" Depot 1 Held pend. DAPS posting inst. 2 106 Air Bombers Tsfd to Co. 107 1 Posted No. 31 P.D. 6 Held pend DAIS post. Inst. 4 Posted No. 3 B.G.S. 1 Awaiting reselection board 2

Disposition of the Graduates - 99 Navigators 2 P/O posted No.6 O.T.U. 1 P/O posted No. 1 A.G.T.S. 1 P/O posted No. 2 A.G.T.S. 3 Sgt. posted No. 3 A.G.T.S. 8 P/O posted No. 1 "Y" Depot 15 Sgt posted No. 1 "Y" Depot 3 P/O posted No. 31 P.D. 7 Sgt posted No. 31 P.D. 106 Air Bombers 3 P/O posted No. 5 O.T.U. 2 Sgt. posted No. 5 O.T.U. 1 P/O posted No. 1 A.G.T.S. 5 P/O posted No. 2 A.G.T.S. 18 Sgt. posted No. 3 A.G.T.S.

1 Sgt posted No. 1 “Y” Depot 3 P/O posted No. 31 P.D. 10 Sgt. posted No. 31 P.D.


IMAGE 882

25 Aug/44 Morning and afternoon flights completed as scheduled. The night flights weregrounded due to frontal condition in our immediate vicinity.The trainees paraded at 0800 hours this morning for the Commanding Officer under the traineeAircrew Leadership scheme. All squadron commanders, flight commanders were trainees and theparade was well conducted and executed. The inspection was carried out by the C.S.O.A parade was held by the Headquarters Squadron at 0800 hours and inspected by the SquadronCommander F/L Knight.Sports - Baseball No. 5 A.O.S. vs No. 7 A.O.S., score 6-3 for No.5 A.O.S.

26 Aug/44 The scheduled morning and afternoon flights were grounded due to low ceiling andpossible thunder storms. Normal daily routine carried out.

27 Aug/44 A protestant church parade was held at 0900 hours in the Rec. Hall F/L Janzofficiating. The scheduled night flights were grounded due to expected bad weather.

28 Aug/44 All flights carried out as scheduled, weather clear visibility good.S/L D.R. Jackson proceeded on temporary duty to No. 1 K.T.S., Trenton. Ont for entry intoS.A.O.'s course No. 1. During his absence F/L A.C. West assumes duties of S.A.O. effective thisdate. Sports - Lacrosse No. 5 A.O.S. vs No. 3 B.G.S. score 4-3 for No. 5 A.O.S.

29 Aug/44 Morning and afternoon flights completed as scheduled in only fair flying weather dueto approach of cold front from the west which reached this region around 2000 hours, due to thiscondition night flights were grounded. Softball - No. 5 A.O.S. vs No. 3 W.S. score 9-8 for No. 3 W.S.F/O W.F. Bishop from No. 12 S.F.T.S. and F/L C.P. McLaren No. 2 T.C. visited this unit andconferred on Aircrew Leadership.F/O Stock from No. 12 S.F.T.S. Brandon also visited this unit.

30 Aug/44 All scheduled flights grounded for today due to heavy precipitation over the entireregion accompanied by high winds. Normal daily routine carried out. No outdoor sports due to wet grounds.

31 Aug/44 Continued precipitation and high wings necessitated the grounding of all scheduledflights for this day. Normal dally routine adhered to. No outdoor sports possible due to wet

weather and grounds.


IMAGE 883

31 Aug/44 1. PERSONNEL STATISTICS Staff Officers Other Ranks Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 258 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 6 26 ---- Civilians: Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 6 Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 3 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL 109 284 10

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 289 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 177 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 75 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 82 623 2. AIRCRAFT Avro Anson One Avro Anson Five Serviceable 32 Serviceable 45 Unserviceable 41 Unserviceable 39 TOTAL 73 TOTAL 84

3. FLYING TIME Total flying hours for the month of August, 1944 - 7050 hours, 35 minutes.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 886

1 Sept/44 All flying cancelled due to heavy precipitation and low ceiling throughout the region.A banquet was held by the pilots of this unit and all section heads and senior R.C.A.F. Officerswere invited to attend. A very sociable and enjoyable time was had by all and it was the hope ofthe Chief Supervisory Officer and Mr. Ormond that future functions of this type be encouraged.

2 Sept/44 All scheduled flights cancelled due to continued precipitation and low cloud with poorvisibility. Norma1 daily routine carried out.

3 Sept/44 Continued rain necessitated the cancellation of the scheduled protestant church paradeon this date.The weather finally cleared sufficiently by late evening to permit carrying out of scheduled nightflying exercises in good weather and fair visibility.

4 Sept/44 All flying carried out as scheduled. Weather clear, visibility unlimited. Normal dailyroutine adhered to.Sports, Baseball No. 5 A.O.S. vs American Army, score 2-1 for American Army.

5 Sept/44 All scheduled flights completed in clear weather with unlimited visibility.Notice received that S/L La Compte I du Monceau da Bergendal D.F.C. will visit units in No. 2T.C. where Belgian personnel are in training.Sports - Softball No. 5 A.O.S. vs Canadian Army score 6-0 for No. 5 A.O.S.

6 Sept/44 All flying exercises completed as detailed. Weather clear, visibility good. Slightground fog apparent about 0700 hours which cleared by time of take-off for the first flight.Sports - Baseball No. 5 A.O.S. vs American Army - Score 7-5 for No. 5 A.O.S. Soccer No. 5 A.O.S. vs Souris (17 SFTS) Score 1-1 draw. Cricket No. 5 A.O.S. vs No. 3 W.S.. Score win for No.3 W.S. Softball(Girls) No. 5 A.O.S. vs D.I.L. Score 7-5 for No. 5 A.O.S. Running LAC Palmer (No. 5 AOS) vs Pte. Gibb (Canadian Army) Gibb wins 100 yarddash in 10 3/5 seconds.

Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A.F.,

Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 887

7 Sept/44 All scheduled flights completed as scheduled. Weather clear, visibility good. Considerable smoke at about 200' over the city of Winnipeg which cleared during the morning.Dedication held for graduating courses at 1100 hours.F/O Thomas W.H. a personnel counsellor from No. 2 T.C. visited this unit to interview suchairmen who had requested interviews, this is the first occasion we have had a P.C. Officer acting inthat capacity on this unit.

F/O J.E. Bunting and F/L Griffiths from No. 2 T.C. photography section also visited this station.Sports - Horseshow championships held at No. 5 A.O.S. No. 5 A.O.S. vs No. 8 R.D. Scores 21-20 for No. 4 A.O.S. 21-20 for No. 8 R.D. 21-18 for No. 8 R.D. No. 8 R.D. wins best out of three.

8 Sept/44 All flying carried out as scheduled. The weather was fair with fair visibility. Anarrow band of precipitation passed through the region around 1300 hours but was high enoughnot to interfere with our flying schedule.The Wings Parade for graduating courses 100 Navigators and 107 Air Bombers with 46 and 41graduates respectively was held at 1400 hours 8 Sept/44 in Drill hall. A/C A.J. Ashton presentedthe wings. This graduation was conducted by the trainees acting under the supervision of F/OZubick. All positions normally held by officers were taken by the trainees and a very gratifyingdisplay was put on. F/O R.S. Cragg was presented with his flying badge. 27 Navigators and 17Air Bombers received commissions and the Bud Starrat trophy was won by R275813 LACMacKenzie, R.K.; runner up for Gold Identification Bracelet was NZ2084 P/O Marks, R.W.;Leading Air Bomber who also received Gold Identification Bracelet was NZ4310787 LAC Crosby,H.

Intake of Classes Navigators 51 Air Bombers 43 Adjusted Intake 58 46 Wastage 12 5 Graduation 46 41

Disposition of the Wastage 100 Navigators Transferred to course 101 1 Transferred to course 102 3 Transferred to course 103 2 Transferred to course 105 1 Transferred to course 106 1 Posted 1 AOS for transfer to approp. course 1 Posted No. 2 W.S. 1 Posted No. 7 B.& G. School 1 Held pending DAPS Instruct inns 1


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 888

8 Sept/44 Disposition of the Wastage - Air Bombers 107 Transferred to course 108 1 Held pending Reselection Board 1 Held pending Posting instructions 3

Disposition of the Graduates - Navigators 19 P/O posted No. 2 A.G.T.S. 1 P/O posted No. 1 A.G.T.S. 8 Sgts. posted No. 3 A.G.T.S. 7 P/O posted No. 1 "Y" Depot 10 Sgt. posted No. 1 "Y" Depot 1 P/O posted No. 31 P.D.

Disposition of the Graduates - Air Bombers 1 P/O posted No. 6 O.T.U. 1 Sgt. posted No. 6 O.T.U. 2 P/O posted No. 1A.G.T.S. 4 P/O posted No. 2 A.G.T.S. 6 Sgt. posted No. 3 A.G.T.S. 6 P/O posted No. 1 "Y" Depot 12 Sgt. posted No. 1 "Y" Depot 4 P/O posted No. 31 P.D. 5 Sgt. posted No. 31 P.D.

Sports - Soccer No. 5 A.O.S. vs Paulson Score 3-2 for No. 5 A.O.S. Baseball No. 5 A.O.S. vs American Army Score 3-2 No. 5 A.O.S. No. 5 A.O.S. wins semi-finals and right to meet No. 3 W.S. for command finals.

9 Sept/44 All flights cancelled due to low ceiling and poor visibility with scattered precipitations.Soccer Championship at Osborne Stadium No. 5 A.O.S. vs Carberry score 5-1 for Carberry.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 889

10 Sept/44 Due to inclement weather all scheduled flight for today were cancelled. A lowceiling prevailed throughout the region accompanied by precipitation.Mass was said and confessions heard for R.C. personnel in the drill hall at 1100 hours.

11 Sept/44 All flights carried out as scheduled. The morning flights however, were not verysuccessful due to ground fog and low clouds. Later in the day the visibility improved to someextent.

S/L Milne and F/O Gads returned to this unit today after completing a Radar course at ClintonOnt. Sports - Baseball (command) finals No. 5 A.O.S. vs No. 3 W.S. score 9-8 No. 3 W.S. Basketball W.O.G.S. vs No. 101 Navs. Score 39-38 W.O.G.s Girls Softball No. 5 A.O.S. vs D.I.L. Score 20-7 D.I.L.

12 Sept/44 All aircraft were grounded today, due to low ceiling and ground fog which preventedthe carrying out of scheduled flights. Visibility was poor and a ten tenths overcast conditionpersisted throughout the day.

13 Sept/44 No flying exercises could be carried out this morning due to ground fog and lowceiling. During the afternoon the fog lifted but the ceiling remained too low for all but the low levelexercise which was carried out satisfactorily. The night flying was able to take off and completethe scheduled flights.The Officers mess dinner was held tonight and was one of the most successful of such functions tobe held on this unit. S/L Pitcairn from No. 2 T.C. was our guest for the evening and expressed hisappreciation and fully enjoyed being among his former colleagues once more.Sports - Soccer No. 5 A.O.S. vs Army score 8-0 No. 5 A.O.S. Baseball No. 5 A.O.S. vs No. 3 W.S. score 8-5 for No. 3 W.S.

14 Sept/44 All scheduled flights carried out. The weather was only fair with good visibility buttowards midnight a front was reported approaching this region from the west and was expected toreach this area sometime Friday.

15 Sept/44 All scheduled flights for the day cancelled due to inclement weather and poorvisibility.A commemoration of the Battle of Britain service of short duration was held in conjunction withthe Commanding Officers Parade; the inspection was carried out by S/L G.F. Jacobsen, D.F.C.. F/L Janz, the protestant padre spoke briefly on the significance of the Battle of Britain. F/L LaFreniere offered the prayer for our deliverance at this time.Sports - No. 2 T.C. Lacrosse semi finals No. 5 A.O.S. vs No. 3 B. & G. S. score 10-6 for No. 5A.O.S.

16 Sept/44 All scheduled flights completed as scheduled in good weather and fair visibility. All48 hour passes are held in abeyance to allow us to provide the allotment of men required forCommand Church Parade Sept 17/44.Sports - No. 2 T.C. Final Lacrosse No. 5 A.O.S. vs No. 8 R.D. Score 12-4 for No. 8 R.D.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 890

17 Sept/44 All flights scheduled carried out in fair weather with good visibility.This unit supplied required officers and men for Command Church parade held at OsborneStadium, commemorating the Battle of Britain, our own padre F/L Janz assisting.

18 Sept/44 All flights completed in the morning as scheduled. Afternoon flights grounded dueto the East West runway being unserviceable and the wind velocity being too great to permit takeoff and landings in a cross wind. Night flying grounded due to inclement weather.Sports - Hardball No. 5 A.O.S. vs No. 3 W.S. Score 12-3 for No. 3 W.S. Girls Softball No. 5 A.O.S. vs D.I.L. score 17-5 for D.I.L.

19 Sept/44 All morning and afternoon flights completed in good weather with fair visibility, allnight flights with the exception of the 2100 flight were successfully completed in fair weather andovercast conditions. A congratulatory message was received by the Chief Supervisory Officer fromthe A.O.C. of No. 2 T.C. on the deportment and discipline displayed by this and all units on theChurch Parade of Sunday Sept. 17/44.Sports - Rugger - No. 5 A.O.S. vs No. 3 W.S. score 14-3 for No. 3 W.S.

20 Sept/44 All scheduled flights completed in fair weather with average visibility. Sports -Softball practice.

21 Sept/44 F/L Knight attended District Court Martial at No. 1 C.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba. All flights carried out as scheduled in fair weather with good visibility. A dedication service was held in the morning for the graduating classes of Navigators and AirBombers. Sports - Softball No. 5 A.O.S. vs No. 8 R.D. score 10-0 for No. 5 A.O.S.

22 Sept/44 All scheduled flights completed as scheduled in good weather and fair visibility.The Chief Supervisory Officer's parade was carried out under the Aircrew Leadership Training.The Wings Parade took place at 1400 hours 22 Sept/44 in Drill hall before the usual assemblies offriends and relatives. S/L G.F. Jacobsen presented the Wings. Courses graduating were 101Navigators with 37 graduates and 14 commissions, and 108 Air Bombers with 46 graduates and 11commissions. The Bud Starrat trophy was won by AUS435959 LAC Grauer, W.L., runner upfor Gold Identification Bracelet NZ436799 LAC McKinley, I.F. Leading Air Bomber who alsoreceived Gold Identification Bracelet was GB1589487 LAC , Byram, A.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 891

22 Sept/44 Intake of classes Navigators 54 Air Bombers 45 Adjusted Intake 64 47 Wastage 27 1 Graduation 37 46

Disposition of the Wastage 101 Navigators Transferred to course 102 2 Transferred to course 103 1 Transferred to course 105 3 Transferred to course 106 1 Transferred to course 109 1 Transferred to course 111 1 Posted No. 1 "M" Depot 1 Posted No. 3 B. & G. School 3 Posted No. 3 R.D. 2 Posted No. 9 B. & G. School 3 Posted No. 7 B. & G. School 1 Posted No. 1 F.E.S. 1 Posted No. 31 P.D. 3 Held pend Res. Board. 2 Held pending posting Instructions 2 108 Air Bombers Transferred to course 109 1

Disposition of the graduates 101 Navigators 6 P/O posted No.2 A.G.T.S. 5 Sgt posted No. 3 A.G.T.S. 8 P/O posted No. 1 "Y" Depot 15 Sgt. posted No. 1 "Y" Depot 1 P/O posted No. 31 P.D. 2 Sgt. posted No. 31 P.D. 108 Air bombers 3 P/O posted No.2 A.G.T.S. 19 Sgt. posted No. 3 A.G.T.S. 8 P/O posted No. 31 P.D. 16 Sgt. posted No. 31 P.D.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 892

23 Sept/44 Flights in the afternoon were cancelled due to the unserviceability of the runways. Astation dance was held in the Drill Hall, attendance was good and an enjoyable time was had by all.The Station orchestra provided the music.

24 Sept/44 Evening flights were cancelled due to inclement weather. Sports - Course 110A Nav. vs 110B Nav Basketball - score 33-10 for 110A Nav.

Soccer 106A vs 106B score 106A 1 - 106B 0 . Softball Semi Finals - No. 5 A.O.S. vs Canadian Army, score 2-0 for No. 5 A.O.S.

25 Sept/44 F/O Potten and F/O Clark proceeded to No. 1 C.N.S Rivers Manitoba on posting tothe S.N.I.N. course. All flying was carried out as scheduled in good weather and fair visibility.S/L G.F. Jacobsen D.F.C. and F/L West proceeded to No. 2 T.C. on temporary duty, returning thesame day.

26 Sept/44 All flying was completed as scheduled.

27 Sept/44 All flying was completed as scheduled. Weather was satisfactory. Sports - Basketball - Co. 107A Nav. vs 107B Nav score 50-14 for 107A Softball Semi Finals - No. 5 A.O.S. vs Can. Army at Fort Osborne Score 3-5 forCanadian Army.

28 Sept/44 Flying was completed as scheduled.Sports - Basketball - course 103A Nav vs 103B Nav score 30-28 for 103A Nav. No. 8 R.D. W.D. practice at No. 5 A.O.S.

29 Sept/44 Night flying was cancelled due to inclement weather.W/C Rossie Brown Senior Chaplain of the R.A.F. visited the Station and gave a talk to the airmenin the Recreation hall.Sports - Basketball Co. 109A Nav vs 109B Nav score 21-14 for 109A Nav. 6 man Rugby practice was held - a good turnout was experienced.

30 Sept/44 All flying was cancelled due to inclement weather. 10 tenths overcast andprecipitation prevented the carrying out of scheduled flights.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 893

30 Sept/44 1. PERSONNEL STATISTICS Staff Officers Other Ranks Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 231 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 4 4 ---- Civilians: Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 6 Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 3 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL 106 235 10

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 256 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 92 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 48 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 179 574 2. AIRCRAFT Avro Anson One Avro Anson Five Menasco Moth Serviceable 0 Serviceable 76 Serviceable 1 Unserviceable 47 Unserviceable 11 Unserviceable 0 TOTAL 47 TOTAL 87 TOTAL 1

3. FLYING TIME Total Flying Hours for the month of September, 1944 - 6590 hours, 35 minutes.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 894

1 Oct/44 All flying completed as scheduled. Weather was ideal with good visibility.

2 Oct/44 All flying was completed as per schedule. Weather conditions were good.Sports - Softball - Final game No. 5 A.O.S. vs Canadian Army Score 3 to 1 for No. 5 A.O.S. Basketball W.O.G.'s vs 111 X & Y Air Bombers, score 28 to 10 for W.O.G.'s - Badminton, Floor Hockey.

3 Oct/44 Flying completed aa per schedule. Weather was good and visibility conditions were fair. P/O Finnbogason investigated a fire in a house supposed to be started by the accidental droppingof a flare.Sports - Basketball 108B vs 108A, score 43 to 23 for 108B. Basketball exhibition game No. 5 A.O.S. vs No. 7 A.O.S. - score 43 to 25 for No. 7AO.S.

4 Oct/44 Flying completed as per schedule. Visibility conditions good. Very little cloud wasexperienced in the region.A rehearsal for Wings Parade was held from 1600 hours to 1700 hours. The rehearsal was

conducted by F/O Dumsday under the aircrew training and Leadership program. It was expectedthat various officers of different allied nations would be present for wings parade on Thursday.Sports - Basketball - 103A vs 103B, score 28 to 25 for 103A. Girls Basketball practice washeld.

5. Oct/44 All flying was carried out as scheduled. Weather conditions showed signs ofdeteriorating. Cloud was experienced throughout the region, was not enough to hinder the airexercises.The Wings Parade took place at 1430 hours 5th October, 1944 in the Drill Hall before the usualassemblies of friends and relatives. Colonel J.C. Hodgson presented the Wings. Coursesgraduating, 102 Navigators with 32 graduates and 12 commissions, 109 Air Bombers with 53graduates and 14 commissions. The Bud Starrat trophy was won by NZ439366 LAC Horne, D.,runner up for Gold Identification Bracelet was GB1813846 LAC Marshall, P.H.R., Leading AirBomber who also received gold Identification Bracelet, GB1812567 LAC Russell, D.G. Intake of classes - Navigators 53 Air Bombers 48 Adjusted Intake 60 60 Wastage 28 7 Graduation 32 53


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 895

5 Oct/44 Disposition of the Wastage - 102 Navigators Transferred to Co. 103 1 Transferred to Co. 104 4 Transferred to Co. 105 2 Transferred to Co. 107 1 Posted to No. 31 P.D., Moncton 7 Posted No. 1 T.C. Admin. Unit, Toronto 2 Posted No. 2 T.C. Admin Unit; Winnipeg 2 Posted No. 2 Wireless School, Calgary 2 Posted No. 4 S.F.T.S., Saskatoon 1 Posted No. 3 B.G.S., Macdonald 4 Posted No. 3 R.D., Vancouver 2 Held pending disposal 2 109 Air Bombers Transferred to Co. 110 5 Posted to No. 2 W.S. Calgary 2 Posted No. 2 T.C. Admin Unit Winnipeg 1 Posted No. 3 B. & G. School, Macdonald 1

Disposition of the Graduates - Navigators

1 P/O posted No. 5 O.T.U., Boundary Bay, B.C. 1 P/O posted No. 2 A.G.T.S., Calgary, Alta. 7 Sgts. posted No. 3 A.G.T.S., Three Rivers, P.Q. 3 P/O posted No. 31 P.D., Moncton, N.B. 6 Sgt posted No. 31 P.D., Moncton, N.B. 6 P/O posted No. 1 "Y" Depot, Lachine P.Q. 6 Sgt. posted No. 1 "Y" Depot. Lachine, P.Q. 1 P/O posted No. 3 R.D. Vancouver, B.C. 1 Sgt. posted No. 3 R.D., Vancouver, B.C. Air Bombers 1 P/O posted No. 5 O.T.U., Boundary Bay, B.C. 2 Sgt. posted No. 5 O.T.U., Boundary, Bay, B.C. 4 P/O posted No. 2 A.G.T.S., Calgary, Alta. 20 Sgt. posted No. 3 A.G.T.S. Three Rivers, P.Q. 9 P/O posted No. 31 P.D., Moncton, N.B. 17 Sgt. posted No. 31 P.D., Moncton, N.B.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 896

6 Oct/44 All flying was cancelled due to inclement weather. A 10 tenths overcast wasexperienced throughout the region.Commanding Officer's parade and inspection was held at 0800 hours. The inspection beingcarried out by C.S.O., S/L G.F. Jacobsen, D.F.C. Sports - Basketball.

7 Oct/44 All flying was carried out as per schedule. Cloud was experienced throughout theregion. Visibility conditions were only fair.

8 Oct/44 Flying was cancelled due to inclement weather conditions. 6 tenth stratus cloud in theregion west of Winnipeg.

9 Oct/44 All flying was carried out as scheduled in clear weather conditions and unlimitedvisibility. Morning flights were held over for ½ hour due to possibility of fog forming. Sports - Basketball.

10 Oct/44 Morning and afternoon flying was carried out as per schedule. Night flying waswashed out due to scattered low cloud and precipitation.A sports banquet was held to wind up the sports season for the summer. Presentations weremade to outstanding men.

11 Oct/44 Morning and night flying carried out as per schedule. Afternoon flying was cancelled

due to U.S. runways and cross-winds. Strong winds were experienced and difficulty in landingwas experienced due to cross winds.Sports - basketball practice.

12 Oct/44 All flying was carried out as per schedule. Ideal weather conditions prevailedthroughout the region.

13 Oct/44 Morning flying was cancelled due to fog throughout the region. Afternoon and nightflying was carried out as scheduled. Commanding Officers parade and inspection was carried outat 0800 hours with Chief Instructor, S/L Milne, G.G. carrying out the inspection.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 897

13 Oct/44 Pay parade was held from 1145 to 1245 hours with F/L Lapp the Accounts Officer incharge. No. 5 A.O.S. Softball, No. 5 A.O.S. vs No. 3 W.S., score 7 to 1 for No. 5 A.O.S. First game in2 out of 3 series for No. 2 T.C. Championships.S/L Stacy, Education A.F.H.Q. and S/L G.H. Warren, Education No. 2 T.C. visited this unittoday.

14 Oct/44 All flying was carried out as per schedule.A large group of No. 5 A.O.S. airmen whose homes were in eastern Canada attended anEast-West Rugby Game at Osborne stadium as a cheering section for the Toronto team St.Michaels College and received nice publicity for this unit.

15 Oct/44 All flying carried as per schedule.Intercession Protestant Church Parade held by F/L Janz in Recreation Hall. The show in Recreation Hall in the evening was "Assignment in Brittany".

16 Oct/44 All flights completed as scheduled.S/L Jackson, Senior Administrative Officer returned from No. 1 Senior Administrative OfficersCourse at Trenton.No. 5 A.O.S. airmen were again in evidence at the East-West Rugby game as a cheering sectionfor St. Michaels team of Toronto.No. 5 A.O.S. defeated Navy team at 5 pin bowling.F/L E.B. Lindsay - Pilot; F/O G. Bird, Obs; F/O J.H. Robertson, Flt Engineer, visited this unitfrom A.F.H.Q. speaking to trainees re operational experiences.

17 Oct/44 All flights completed as detailed - cold part to north west and some smoke.No. 5 A.O.S. won their first sports championship today by defeating the No. 3 Wireless SchoolFlying Squadron Softball team in the second and final game of the two out of three series for the

Winnipeg Inter-services Championship. In a number of other sports this season this unit finishedin the finals but were unable to annex a championship.An Officer's Mess Dinner was held at 1830 hours in the Officer's Mess. Lt. Col. Crosby, No. 2T.C. Dental Officer and his Adj. Lt. Allan were guests at this Mess Dinner.

18 Oct/44 Weather CAVU and all flights completed as scheduled.G/C J.S. Scott (SASO) No. 2 T.C. visited this unit to inspect a briefing. He was accompanied byS/L K.S. Pitcairn Nav. 1 No. 2 T.C. Information received today that present graduating course not to be posted out but to be held atthis unit for four weeks further training under a syllabus to be issued. Air Navigator and AirBomber intakes for 23rd October were cancelled at the same time.Station Basketball team held a practice and indications are for a strong team.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 398

19 Oct/44 Climb and glide exercises scrubbed in morning due to scattered cloud; all other flightscompleted as scheduled.Inter-class basketball and floor hockey games carried out.The Wings Parade took place at 1430 hours in the Drill Hall. Brig. R.A. Macfarlane D.S.O.,D.O.C. M.D. 10 presented the wings. Courses graduating, 103 Navigators 35 graduates and 19commissions; 110 Air Bombers with 48 graduates and 16 commissions. The Bud StarratTrophy was won by R275571 LAC Bennett, R.C. Runner up for Gold Identification Bracelet wasR277712 LAC Young, G.E.; leading Air Bomber who also received Gold Identification Braceletwas GB1606983 LAC Lane, W.H. Intake of classes - Navigators 53 Air Bombers 53 Adjusted Intake 58 59 Wastage 23 11 Graduation 35 48

Disposition of the Wastage / 103 Navigators Transferred to Course 107 1 Transferred to Course 108 1 Transferred to Course 112 2 Posted No. 2 Wireless School Calgary 3 Posted No. 1 “M” Depot, Brandon 4 Posted No. 3 B.G.S. Macdonald 9 Posted No. 3 W.S., Winnipeg. 2 Held pending disposal 2 110 Air Bombers Transferred to Course 111 1 Transferred to Course 112 3

Posted No. 31 P.D. Moncton 3 Held pending disposal 4

Disposition of the graduates Navigators 18 P/O RCAF Granted 1 month Special Leave 16 Sgt RCAF Granted 1 month Special Leave 1 P/O (NZ) Posted 1 “Y”Depot, Lachine P.Q.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 899

19 Oct/44 Disposition of the Graduates - Air Bombers 1 P/O(RCAF) - granted 1 month Special leave 6 Sgt (RCAF) - granted 1 month Special leave 15 P/O (RAF) - posted No. 31 P.D., Moncton, N.B. 26 Sgt (RAF) - posted No. 31 P.D., Moncton, N.B.

20 Oct/44 All flights completed as scheduled.Victory Loan subscriptions now 123% of quota for the R.C.A.F. personnel on this unit. ArmamentSection now 200% of their loan quota.

21 Oct/44 All flights completed as scheduled.W/C D.R. Gunn, signal branch A.F.H.Q. visited this unit.Open house held in Drill Hall and winter sports commencing. Badminton and Basketball verypopular. There was a large attendance of No. 5.A.O.S. personal at a hockey match between NewYork Rangers and the R.C.A.F. Bombers at the Amphitheatre Rink. This was the first of a totalgoal two game series and resulted in a 6-4 win for the Rangers. The R.C.A.F. team wasstrengthened by such hockey stars as LAC Neil Colville, Cpl. W. Stanowski, P/O W. Juzda, P/OA. Branigan and LAC P. Langelle.

22 Oct/44 Cold front in vicinity of Dauphin caused change in flights. New detail completed asscheduled.

23 Oct/44 No morning flights scheduled, afternoon flights scrubbed.This unit able to report sales of over $89,000.00 in Victory Bonds on opening day, against a quotaof $73,000.00. A meeting of the members of the Officers Mess was held at 1800 hours in the Mess Anti Room.Graduates of Courses 103 Nav. and 110 A.B. who were to be held here for one month wereposted to new units or on leave and cleared from this unit. A new course of Air Bombers No. 113was posted in. No new course of navigators arrived however. Only eight courses of navigatorsnow on strength instead of the usual ten courses.

24 Oct/44 Morning flights scrubbed. Afternoon and night flights completed. Winds very highat 9000 feet.Second game of hockey between R.C.A.F. Bombers and New York Rangers well attended bypersonnel of this unit. Game resulted in a 3-3 tie giving New York Rangers the series 9-7.F/O Gelber of A.F.H.Q. spoke to large meeting of No. 5 A.O.S. staff in Recreation Hall outliningthe policy to be followed by unit discussion groups.Promotion of S/L G.F. Jacobsen, Chief Supervisory Officer of this unit to rank of Acting WingCommander was announced by No. 2 T.C. F/O T.M. Brown Nav. was also promoted to ActingFlight Lieutenant.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 900

25 Oct/44 All flights completed as scheduled.Part of new cement road from guard house to Portage Avenue opened for vehicles today. No. 1C.N.S. Rivers rugby team was billeted at this unit for their game against the Amy which they won15- 5 to enter the finals of their league against No. 3 Wireless School.

26 Oct/44 All flights completed as scheduled in clear weather except for smoke haze around city.The graduating course of navigators held a banquet and dance at the St. Charles Hotel.W/C Jacobsen entertained section heads and the civilian management at an informal dinner in theOfficers' Mess.The R.C.A.F. boxing show in Civic Auditorium was well attended by personnel of this unit. Cpl.Howett of this unit won his fight and was awarded trophy for best boxer in the show.

27 Oct/44 All flights completed as scheduled.Chief Supervisory Officer's inspection held in Drill Hall. An Officer flight was part of No. 1Squadron.Members of the Civilian Officers Lounge entertained a number of R.C.A.F. Officers in their loungeat an affair to promote sales of Victory Bonds.F/L H.L. Wylie (med.) No. 2 T.C. made an inspection of the M.I.R. at this unit today. A Station fire drill at 1540 hours indicated fire orders are well known and promptly observed byR.C.A.F. personnel.

28 Oct/44 All flights scrubbed.A "Hard Times" party was held in the Officers Mess with a large attendance of members and theirladies in costume.No. 3 Wireless School defeated No. 1 C.N.S. in first game of final rugby series, a large number ofNo. 5 A.O.S. personnel enjoyed the game.

29 Oct/44 All flights completed in excellent weather."The Story of Dr. Wassel" was the motion picture presented in the Recreation Hall tonight.

A party of eight Russian officers accompanied by the A.O.C. visited this unit on an inspection tour. F/O Gads acting as interpreter.

30 Oct/44 All flights scrubbed due to weather usual station routine.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 901

31 Oct/44 All flights scrubbed due to heavy fog. The morning and afternoon 20 minute break periods for trainees, during which tea is served free ofcharge in the airman's canteen, still continues very popular.

STATISTICS

1. PERSONNEL - Staff Officers Other Ranks Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 243 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 4 3 ---- Civilians: Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 7 Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 3 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL 110 246 11

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 229 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 91 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 33 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 208 TOTAL 561 2. AIRCRAFT Avro Anson one Avro Anson Five Menasco Moth Serviceable 0 Serviceable 85 Serviceable 1 Unserviceable 2 Unserviceable 2 Unserviceable 0 TOTAL 2 TOTAL 87 TOTAL 1

3. FLYING TIME Total flying hours for the month of October, 1944 - 7009 hours, 55 minutes.

(G.F. Jacobsen) Wing Commander, Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 A.O.S., RCAF, Winnipeg.

IMAGE 902

1 Nov/44 No flying due bad weather - snow - wind.Ground school very busy due to continued bad weather.Girls basketball team held a practice. Station team lost in basketball to Officer's team 30-28.Badminton gaining popularity in Drill Hall with advent of cooler weather.

2 Nov/44 Weather still bad - no flying.A/V/M Goble, Australian Liaison Officer of Ottawa visited the unit today and talked to allAustralian personnel.The wings parade took place at 1600 hours 2 Nov/44 in Drill Hall before the usual assemblies offriends and relatives. A/V/M. K.M. Guthrie, A.O.C., No. 2 A.C. presented the wings.Courses Graduating were 104 Navigators with 43 graduates and 17 commissions, and 111 AirBombers with 57 graduates and 17 commissions . The Bud Starratt Trophy ana won by NZ2175P/O J.D. Pollard, runner up for Gold Identification Bracelet was NZ4312227 Cpl. N.H. Edgar. Leading Air Bomber who also received Gold Identification Bracelet R88275 Cpl. J.P. Di Persie. Intake of Classes - Navigators 52 Air Bombers 62 Adjusted Intake 57 63 Wastage 14 6 Graduation 43 57

Disposition of the wastage - 104 Navigators 111 Air Bombers Transferred back to Co. 102 1 Transferred to Co. 112 1 Transferred to course 106 1 Transferred to Co. 113 1 Transferred to course 108 1 Posted to No.3 R.D. 1 Transferred to course 112 1 Posted to No. 6 R.D. 1 Posted to 3 R.D. 2 Posted to No. 5 R.C. 1 Posted to 8 R.D. 1 Posted to No. 4 R.C. 1 Posted to No. “M” Depot 1 Posted to No. 3 B.G.S. 2 Posted to No. 3 W.S. 1 Posted to No. 5 R.S. 1 Posted to No. 1 T.C. 1 Posted to No. 2 T.C. 1


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 903

2 Nov/44 Disposition of the Graduates 104 Navigators 111 Air Bombers 1 P/O posted to No. 3 R.D. 5 P/O posted to No. 31 P.D. 1 P/O posted to No. 31 P.D. 10 Sgt posted to No. 31 P.D. 2 Sgt posted to No. 31 P.D. 4 P/O posted No. 3 R.D. 11 P/O posted to No. 2 R.C. 7 Sgt posted to No. 3 R.D. 15 Sgt posted to No. 2 R.C. 1 Sgt posted to No. 2 R.C. 2 P/O posted to No. 4 R.C. 2 P/O posted to No. 1 R.C. 3 Sgt posted to No. 4 R.C. 2 P/O posted to No. 2 R.C. 2 P/O posted to No. 5 R.C. 1 Sgt posted to No. 2 R.C.

4 Sgt posted to No. 5 R.C. 9 Sgt posted to No. 4 R.C. 1 Sgt posted to No. 7 R.C. 1 P/O posted to No. 5 R.C. 1 Sgt posted to No. 8 R.C. 5 Sgt posted to No. 5 R.C.

1 Sgt posted to No. 6 R.C. 3 Sgt posted to No. 7 R.C.

2 P/O posted to No. 8 R.C. 3 Sgt posted to No. 8 R.C.

3 Nov/44 Blizzard and heavy snow of yesterday somewhat abated but still no flying. SpecialWings Parade in Amphitheatre in aid of Victory Loan. Seventy-two airmen received their wingsfrom four presenting officers. W/C Jacobsen D.F.C. No. 5 A.O.S. was in command of the Parade. Some 4000 citizens attended. A massed band of 90 pieces was in attendance as well as theW.D.'s Trumpet and Drum band. A squad of W.D. personnel did a precision drill of 178movements on one commander.

4 Nov/44 Weather still bad, no flying. A dance was held in the Station Drill Hall and was well attended by Station Personnel.

5 Nov/44 No flying - weather bad - snow - wind.Show in Rec. Hall "Show Business" well patronized. . This picture just finished first run atCapital Theatre before showing here..Intercession Church service held by Padre F/L George Phillips in absence of station padre F/L P.Janz, who is in hospital.

6 Nov/44 Still no chance of flying due to foggy, wet weather.F/L D.B. King, D.F.C., D.F.M., Nav “B” recently repatriated reported for duty on this unit today.He also has the Pathfinder Wing and Ops Wing with bar. F/L King is a Winnipeg boy.

The incoming course of Navigators numbered 136 today due to the fact that all Navigators usefullyemployed awaiting training were ordered to start course 6 November/44. This being over twicethe size of a normal intake considerable extra organization was necessary to get this course started.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 904

6 Nov/44 New paved road to Portage Ave. was completely opened today thus shortening our busrun to the street car terminus considerably.

7 Nov/44 Weather not improved and no flying yet.A drill examination was written by all officers and senior N.C.O.'s today. No. 2 T.C. auditors visited the unit today.F/O W. Thomas, Personnel Counselling Branch who serves this unit two days a week reports that yesterday and today were the busiest days to date.A meeting of the station sports committee was held today to plan for all winter activities.

8 Nov/44 Heavy rain and low cloud all night. No flying today. W.A.O.S. Limited officials saythis is the longest period on record without flying. Ten days have elapsed without a flight beingmade. Serious situation is developing with both air bomber and navigator graduating classes beingfar behind in flying. New classes also are behind schedule. Surplus of some 40 flights built upduring the good fall weather is now proving of value.F/L Bell of A.F.H.Q. secretary of the R.C.A.F, Benevolent Fund visited this unit today.The first of the inter-services basketball games scheduled at the Civit Auditorium was playedtonight between No. 5 A.O.S. R.C.A.F. and the U.S. Army team, and resulted in a win for U.S.Army 32-16.

9 Nov/44 Weather improved slightly with a north wind bringing some snow flurries. It waspossible to start checking out aircraft in preparation for flying but before this was completed lowcloud had caused flying to be washed out. Thus the unit went into its elevehtn day without aflight being made.

10 Nov/44 Weather still bad - no flying.Lecture Schedule in ground school now a long way ahead due to no flying. Course 112 AirBombers extended one week due their flying being behind.Inter section sports in drill hall very active this week.

11 Nov/44 Weather too bad for flying.No. 3 W.3. won the inter service rugby play off against No. 1 C.N.S., Rivers at Osborne Stadium.Several courses granted last two hours off lectures today. Lecture schedule has been very heavyfor last two weeks with no flying.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 905

12 Nov/44 No flying - weather still the same.Drill hall open to all personnel today for various sports. Show at the Recreation Hall was GeorgeLawton in "Canterville Ghost".

13 Nov/44 No flying yet. Weather is unchanged and no better weather yet in sight.F/L Hays No. 2 T.C. reported on 14 days temporary duty to study local system of airdromecontrol. Station basketball team held a strenuous practise.

14 Nov/44 Heavy rain during night. Strong north east wind - no flying.F/O Dumsday and F/O Milward returned from three weeks temporary duty with National WarFinance Committee. These officers along with F/O CM. Brown, F/L Lemoine and F/L Mitchellhad done duty as Victory Loan speakers during the recent successful Victory Loan Campaign. This unit had a record subscription of over $96,000.00 against a quota of $73,000.00.F/O Turner and three N.C.O.'s reported on T.D. today to conduct Officers and Senior N.C.O.'sDrill practical drill tests.W/C Jacobsen attended a sports conference at No.2 T.C. today.Officers defeated W.O.G.s 42-32 at basketball. Pilots defeated Maintainance 38-25 at basketball.

15 Nov/44 No change in weather. Flying again washed out all day.W/C E.R. Pounder, S/L W.O. Heslop and F/L R.J. Wright of the Navigation Visiting Flightreported at this unit today for their visit of inspection.Advice received today from No. 2 T.C. that personnel who graduated 20th October/44 and givenfurther leave of indefinite length until advised. No. 5 A.O.S. Station Team defeated No. 3Wireless School at Basketball 42-39.

16 Nov/44 A few 2 hour familiarization flights made during afternoon but all others washed outagain. A few hours sunshine for first time in 17 days.An instructors meeting was held and addressed by W/C Jacobsen D.F.C. with a view to allayingnumerous prevalent rumours regarding reduction in Air Force strength.The wings parade took place at 1400 hours for course 105 Navigators, the wings being presentedby His Worship the Mayor of Winnipeg. 105 Navigators had 38 graduates and 18 commissions. The Bud Starratt Trophy was won by R289253 LAC Trobak, P.C. Runner up for GoldIdentification Bracelet was AUS423684 LAC Ell, A.M. Leading Air Bomber who also received Gold Identification Bracelet was GB1822638 LAC Ross, N.V. Intake of classes Navigators 52 Adjusted Intake 58 Wastage 20 Graduation 38


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 906

16 Nov/44 Disposition of the Wastage 105 Navigators Transferred to course 112 2 Transferred to course 104 1 Posted to No. 3 B.G.S. 15 Posted W.A.C. 1 Posted to No. 2 W.S. 1

Disposition of the graduates 105 Navigators 1 P/O to No. 3 R.D. 5 P/O No. 7 R.C. 2 Sgt to No. 3 R.D. 1 Sgt No. 7 R.C. 1 P/O No. 31 P.D. 3 P/O No. 8 R.C. 1 P/O No. 2R.C. 5 Sgt No. 8 R.C. 2 P/O No. 4 R.C. 1 Sgt retained at unit. 7 Sgt No. 4 R.D. 3 P/O No. 5 R.C. 1 Sgt No. 5 R.C. 2 P/O No. 6 R.C. 2 Sgt No. 6 R.C.

17 Nov/44 All flights washed out. Weather again back in old rut.Instructions received re the transfer of aircrew graduates to Trained Aircrew Reserve. Workstarted on notifying two courses on leave to report to Release Centres for transfer to T.A.Reserve.

18 Nov/44 All flying again washed out due to weather.Visiting navigation flight under command of W/C Pounder completed their visit to this unit today. Several classes on 48 hour passes and one or two others given two hours off in afternoon.Considerable inter class activity in the drill hall in floor hockey, basketball, etc.

19 Nov/44 Two air bomber and one navigation flight carried out during afternoon whenconditions improved sufficiently to allow flying. All other flights cancelled and by night weatherhad turned bad again. Movie in Recreation hall very well attended.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 907

20 Nov/44 All flying washed out.Graduates of course 105 navigators now posted to release centres for transfer to trained AircrewReserve. All these men granted leave until 10th January/44 before reporting. Those commissionedwere granted outfit allowance on authority of A.F.H.Q. cancelling former instructions.

21 Nov/44 Afternoon flights took off but were recalled. No other flights carried out. Lowceiling and precipitation.A special weight lifting room has been prepared in the drill hall in a room much larger thanpreviously used. Special classes are now being held in weight lifting and are well attended.Officers defeated Maintainence 52-31 and W.O.G.s defeated Pilots 39-16 in Basketball.

22 Nov/44 Morning and afternoon flights scrubbed. Night flights took off. Some were recalleddue to bad weather.Several boxing bouts held in nature of tryouts. Eight R.A.F. trainees of graduating flight missingthis evenings flight after being detailed and were awarded 14 days detention each. Five of thesemen were held in detention at this unit and remainder at No. 8 Repair Depot.

22 Nov/44 All flights washed out except one aircraft which managed to drop two bombs onPortage target.Wings parade held at 1400 hours for course 112 Air Bombers, in Drill Hall before the usualassemblies of friends and relatives. W/C G.F. Jacobsen presented the wings. There were 52graduates in this course and 19 received commissions. The Bud Starratt Trophy was won byR2???/65.

Intake of classes Air Bombers 61 Adjusted intake 66 Wastage 14 Graduation 53

Disposition of the wastage - Transferred to course 113 - 9 Transferred to course 114 - 2 Posted to No. 31 P.D. - 3

Disposition of the graduates 12 P/O posted No. 31 P.D. 1 P/O posted No. 6 R.C 23 Sgt posted No. 31 P.D. 1 Sgt posted No. 6 R.C. 1 P/O posted No. 4 R.C. 1 P/O posted No.7 R.C. 5 Sgt posted N o . 4 R . C . 1 Sgt posted No. 7 R.C. 1 P/O posted N o . 5 R . C . 3 P/O posted No. 8 R.C. 1 Sgt posted N o . 5 R . C . 2 Sgt posted No. 8 R.C.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 908

24 Nov/44 Afternoon flights completed and all others washed out due to rain, low cloud andstrong winds at various times.Station hockey team held their first workout and practice at Amphitheatre Rink.22 officers received work from the A.O.C. today that due to their medical categories or their agestheir services were being dispensed with. A group picture of all officers was taken and also agroup picture of those retiring.

25 Nov/44 Morning flights all completed with weather only fair. Afternoon and evening flyingcancelled due to weather.Clearance of 22 officers owing transferred to reserve and general farewells to them a feature oftoday.

26 Nov/44 All morning flights completed while all others were washed out due to weather.Movie in recreation hall was wall attended. A musical evening was sponsored by the Padre F/LJanz in the officers mess and was attended by ninety people - officers, their wives and guests.Outstanding Winnipeg Artists contributed to an excellent program.

27 Nov/44 All flying again washed out due to snow, low ceiling and rain and various times.Word was received by the Chief Supervisory Officer, W/C Jacobsen, D.F.C. of the death on 26Nov/4|4 of Mrs. D.M. Johnston, wife of F/L D.M. Johnston of this unit.A general mess meeting of the officers mess was held in the mess at 1715 hours. The station Bowling League commenced their schedule tonight.

28 Nov/44 Morning flights started but 12 only airborne and almost immediately recalled. Afternoon and night flights recalled.W/C Jacobsen D.F.C. attended an A.O.C.’s conference of No. 2 T.C. today. CommandingOfficers of all No. 2 T.C. Units were in attendance. Padre and five officers attended funeral of Mrs. D.M. Jonnston, wife of F/L D.M. Johnston of thisunit.

29 Nov/44 Morning and evening flights carried out but afternoon flights cancelled due to snowand deteriorating weather.S/L Pitcairn T. Nav 1 of No. 2 T.C. visited this unit this afternoon. Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A.F.,

Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 909

29 Nov/44 Three navigation officer instructors posted to Operational Training unit. Anorganization meeting of No. 5 A.O.S. Curling club was held and a club of 16 rinks is planned forthis season. About 20 of the W.A.O.S. staff are taking part with the R.C.A.F. curling personnel.

30 Nov/44 All flights took off today. This is the first day since 29th October/44 that all flightshave been completed. The weather was excellent and very cold, which, it is hoped, will settleconditions for a while. Mr. W. Jarmaine, chief meteorological has kindly given us the following report regarding theperiod of bad weather recently experienced.

Summary of Weather Winnipeg and Vicinity Oct 30-Nov 22 19441. The bad flying weather prevailing during this period was due primarily to moist surface air,originating for the most part in northern areas. The relative humidity was increased in variousways: (a) Passage over Hudson's Bay (b) Passage over the Great Lakes (c) Passage over Lakes Winnipeg, Manitoba, and the lakes of Northern Ontario. (d) Evaporation from melting snow on the ground. (e) Evaporation from precipitation falling from higher clouds.2. Circulation of air over the region was marked by the absence of surface winds from SW-NWexceeding about 10 mph., and by a fair number of easterly gradients giving "upslope" conditionsover the higher ground westward from Portage la Prairie.3.The number of days on which fog or mist occurred at Winnipeg (visibility 1 mile or less) was 9. The number of days with "ceiling" below 1,000 ft. for at least a part of the day was 23. The number of days on which precipitation occurred - (rain, drizzle, freezing rain or drizzle,sleet, snow and snow pellets) was 19. The total sunshine in the above period was 13.1 hours, of which 8.5 were recorded on October30. Except for a day or so at the beginning, temperatures were all between 20 and 40 degreesFahrenheit.The Wings parade took place at 1400 hrs 30 November in Drill hall. W/C Jacobsen presented thewings. Courses graduating were 106 Navigators with 39 graduates and 14 commissions. The BudStarratt Trophy was won by GB1817312 LAC Rollason, V.T. Runner up for Gold IdentificationBracelet was R278585 LAC Bragg, J.M.Intake of Classes - Navigators 52Adjusted Intake 56Wastage 17Graduation 39


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 910

30 Nov/44 Disposition of the Wastage - 106 Navigators

Transferred to course 108 3 Transferred to course 109 1 Transferred to course 112 1 Posted to No. 31 P.D. Moncton 11 Posted to No. 3 R.D. 1

Disposition of the Graduates 6 P/O posted No. 31 P.D. 22 Sgt posted 31 P.D. 4 P/O posted No. 6 O.T.U. 2 P/O posted No. 5 O.T.U. 2 Sgt posted No. 5 O.T.U. 1 Sgt posted No. 3 R.D. 1 P/O posted No. 5 R.C. 1 P/O posted No. 7 R.C.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 911

30 Nov/44 STATISTICS

1. PERSONNEL - Staff Officers Other Ranks Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 224 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 6 8 ---- Civilians: Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 7 Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 3 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL 110 232 11

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 289 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 73 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 14 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 211 TOTAL 587 2. AIRCRAFT Avro Anson Five Menasco Moth

Serviceable 82 Serviceable 1 Unserviceable 5 Unserviceable 0 TOTAL 87 TOTAL 1

3. FLYING TIME Total flying hours for the month of November, 1944 - 1496 hours and 15 minutes.

(G.F. Jacobsen) Wing Commander, Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School,

Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 912

xxxxxxx1 Dec/44 All flights completed as scheduled. C.A.V.U. morning and afternoon and almostC.A.V.U. at night. A basketball game between Souris (No. 17 S.F.T.S.) and No. 8 Repair Depot was well attended byour airmen. No. 3 Wireless School defeated our station team in Basketball at No. 3 Wireless.A number of photographs were taken today of Australian airmen in training for use in compiling abook in Australia on the training of Australian airmen in Canada.

2 Dec/44 All flights completed as scheduled. Two aircraft scrubbed due to sickness of trainees. A dance for all personnel was held in the Drill Hall with the Station Orchestra in attendance. A boxlunch was served. Approximately 300 attended.F/L Vivian. Navigator, ex operational was permitted to resign and was transferred to the Reserve.

3 Dec/44 Morning and afternoon flights carried out, deteriorating weather and night flightscrubbed. An intercession church service was held in the Recreation Hall by the Protestant padre. The usualR.C. service was held in the station chapel.A movie "A Wing and A Prayer" was shown in the Recreation Hall in the evening.

4 Dec/44 Weather prevented all morning and afternoon flights. Night flight cancelled.Two more of the staff officers were given notice of mandatory retirement today. They were F/OFletcher, Nav "B" and F/O Penn (WOAG).Sgt. Little. N.C.O. in charge of Clothing Stores for the past two years received authoritypermitting him to resign. He will be missed at this unit.

5 Dec/44 Morning and afternoon flights completed in spite of poor weather and a delayedbriefing. Night flight cancelled due to deteriorating conditions.Volunteer Blood Donors from this unit visit the Red Cross Blood Bank almost daily.

6 Dec/44 Morning and afternoon flights completed but all night flights cancelled due to lowceiling and no sign of improvement.Extremely slippery roads and streets resulted from a rain that started in late afternoon.S/L Horton of No. 2 Air Command visited the unit today. He was accompanied by F/L Passmoreof N.W.A.C.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 913

7 Dec/44 Morning and afternoon flights completed but all night flights scrubbed due to no cloud,icing and snow.A concert party entertained airmen in the Recreation Hall to a splendid Variety Concert. Themembers of the party were entertained in the Officers’ Mess following the show.

8 Dec/44 Flying scheduled and completed.An emergency meeting of Officers' Mess was held at 1230 hours today to outline to members theplans for entertainment during the coming holiday season.A corporal's mess/or lounge is being opened in Barrack Block 16 and furniture for same purchasedfrom No. 11 S.F.T.S. and No. 31 S.F.T.S. has arrived on the unit.Chief Supervisory Officer’s weekly inspection was held at 0820 hours in the Drill Hall.

9 Dec/44 Flight all completed today. One crew returned due to failure of heating in aircraft. An accident occurred this morning to one of the Winnipeg Air Observer School employees whilestarting an aircraft. He was struck by a propellor and suffered severe bruises and some brokenbones.

10 Dec/44 No morning flights scheduled. Afternoon flights carried out and part of night flightscancelled due to fog; other night trips shortened.Forty officers arrived at C.P.R. depot and phoned for transportation to this unit saying they wereposted here. They were taken care of although no posting advice had been received. They weremostly A.G.'s and W.O.A.G.’s.

11 Dec/44 All flights completed. Front passing Winnipeg about time of take off and cutvisibility.Seventy-eight N.C.O.'s arrived from No. 3 A.G.T.S. Three Rivers being posted here for usefulemployment. These N.C.O.'s are all graduate A.G.'s or W.O.A.G’sThe open air skating rink is being used by many for hockey and skating. Australian personnel areparticularly keen.

12 Dec/44 All flights completed in very good weather.No. 5 A.O.S. defeated No. 8 R.D. 45-27 in Inter-Services Basketball league.

13 Dec/44 Excellent weather again today and all scheduled flights completed.The No. 5 A.O.S. Curling club got away to an excellent start tonight. Six sheets are rented at theDeer Lodge Curling Club for each Wednesday and Thursday at 1700 hours. Twenty-two rinkshave been formed and more are in process of formation. The first event is a C.S.O. versus D.S.O.draw.

14 Dec/44 All morning and afternoon flights carried out. Night flights cancelled due to low cloudand precipitation.No. 7 A.O.S. defeated No. 5 A.O.S. at this unit 47-33 in Inter Services Basketball.The result of the first purling event was C.S.O. (Chief Supervisory Officer) 68 - (D.S Ormond) 61. Two rinks of ladies took part.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 914

14 Dec/44 The Wings parade took place at 1400 hours, 14 Dec/44 in Drill Hall before the usualassemblies of friends and relatives. A/C B.F. Johnson, Chief Staff Officer. No. 2 Air Command,presented the wings. Courses graduating were 107 Navigators with 52 graduates and 20commissions and 113 Air Bombers with 69 graduates and 21 commissions. The winner of theBud Starratt trophy was R150649 Cpl. Routledge, W.A. Runner up for Gold IdentificationBracelet was R28530 LAC Dean, W.H. Leading Air Bomber who also received GoldIdentification Bracelet was R285253 LAC Brewington, J.H. Intake of classes - Navs. 52 Air Bombers 67 Adjusted intake 55 70 Wastage 14 1 Graduation 41 69

Disposition of the Wastage - 107 Navigators Transferred to course 109 1 Transferred to course 112 1 Transferred to course 114 2 Posted to No. 31 P.D. 3 Posted to No. 5 R.C. 3 Posted to No. 4 R.C. 1 Posted to No. 8 R.C. 1 Posted to No. 2 A.C. 1 Posted to W.A.C. 1 113 Air Bombers Transferred to course 114 1

Disposition of the Graduates - 107 Navigators 5 P/O posted No. 31 P.D. 2 P/O posted No. 6 R.C.

9 Sgt posted No. 31 P.D. 3 Sgt posted No. 6 R.C. 1 P/O posted No. 2R.C. 3 P/O posted No.7 R.C. 1 Sgt posted No. 7 R.C. 3 Sgt posted No. 7 R.C. 1 P/O posted No. 4 R.C. 3 P/O posted No. 8 R.C. 3 Sgt posted No. 4 R.C. 1 Sgt posted No. 8 R.C. 4 P/O posted No. 5 R.C. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 1 Sgt posted No. 5 R.C 1 P/O posted No. 3 R.C.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 915

14 Dec/44 Disposition of the Graduates - 113 Air Bombers 13 P/O posted No. II P.D. 3 P/O posted No. 6 R.C. 34 Sgt posted No. 31 P.D. 2 Sgt posted No. 6 R.C. 1 Sgt posted No. 2 R.C. 1 P/6 posted No. 7 R.C. 1 P/O posted No. 4 R.C. 2 Sgt posted No. 7 R.C. 6 Sgt posted No. 4 R.C. 3 P/O posted No. 8 R.C. 1 Sgt posted No. S R.C. 2 Sgt posted No. 8 R.C.

15 Dec/44 Morning and afternoon flights washed out due to weather. All night flights completedin good weather. High winds from North West and low temperature.No. 5 A.O.S. won the nights draw in the Inter Service Bowling competition.

16 Dec/44 Morning flights completed but afternoon and night flights cancelled.The members of the Sergeants' Mess held a large gathering in their mess in the eveningentertaining, a large number of guests.No. 3 B. & G. defeated No. 5 A.O.S. at hockey by score of 8 - 4.

17 Dec/44 All flights completed today in fairly good weather. Some re-routing due to snowstorms. A musical evening was held in the Officers' Mess and was well attended. Artists from WinnipegMusical Circles produced an excellent program which was followed by coffee and sandwiches.A special Christmas Protestant Church parade was held in the Recreation Hall this morning atwhich Mrs. Olga Irwin, Soprano from Winnipeg, sang. F/L P. Janz, Padre was in charge of theservice and a large number of Officers and airman attended. An R.C. Church parade was held atNo. 8 Repair Depot and was attended by approximately 90 of our personnel. Camp personnel andtheir friends were entertained in the Recreation Hall in the evening by a movie.

The fire alarm sounded at about 2050 hours due to an aircraft engine catching fire. Control of firewas obtained before any great damage done.

18 Dec/44 No. 5 A.O.S. defeated Navy 37-36 in an excellent game of basketball. A generalmeeting of the members of the Officers' Mess. Due to large number of members being absent onduty or otherwise, election of officers was not proceeded with.Increasing theft of articles of service wear and other valuables is causing concern on the unit.S/L Proudfood of No. 7 A.O.S. visited the unit today.

19 Dec/44 Morning and afternoon flights completed but night flights all scrubbed due to badweather. Special leave of 30 days was authorised for 46 officers and 74 N.C.O.'s recently postedhere on, useful employment. Several indicated they would like to stay on at this unit instead oftaking leave others asked if they could come back after New Years and carry on with a job ofwork. All were told they were welcome to stay or return early. Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A.F.,

Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 916

19 Dec/44 Photographs were taken today of Australian airmen with their Christmas parcelsbeside a Christmas tree. These are to be radioed to Australia for use in newspapers at Christmas.Pilots defeated officers 38-24 in basketball. No. 8 R.D. defeated No. 5 A.O.S. 10-5 in hockey.

20 Dec/44 All flights completed in good weather. Temperatures as low as 17° below zero ‘F’.A mess meeting was held of all members of the Officers' Mess at 1245 hours for election ofOfficers for next three months. Those elected were as follows: - P.M.C. - F/LT Pickering;Secretary - F/O E. Shuh; Messing Officer - F/O H. Seed; Bar Officer - F/O H. Beckwith; HousingOfficer - F/O J. McIntyre. The above officers take over their duties on 1st January, 1945.Very cold weather produced excellent ice for curling clubs second event of the season. A goodturnout marked this event. Two games were outstanding for close competition - each tied up onlast end and a stirring finish gave wins, to F/O McFadden's rink over F/L Barkers and Mr. E.Bubb's rink over Mr. W.J. Buchanan's rink. The latter two rinks are from the W.A.O.S. staff.Gimli, No. 18 S.F.T.S. defeated No. 5 A.O.S. 36-35 in an exhibition basketball game at thisstation.

21 Dec/44 Morning and afternoon flights carried out in good weather. Night flights scrubbeddue to snow.Notice for retirement and transfer to reserve for two navigation officers was received fromA.F.H.Q. today. The officers concerned were F/L G. Brand and F/L R. McCutcheon both ofwhom have been on staff this unit for many months and were highly respected for their ability anddeportment.Both basketball course in Drill Hall are being repainted and floor refinished.

22 Dec/44 Morning and afternoon flights completed by night flights scrubbed due to weather.All courses proceeding on Christmas Leave were given the afternoon off to assist in catching trainsetc. The members of the Sergeants Mess entertained the members of the Officers' Mess duringthe afternoon. A large turnout of Sergeants and Officers enjoyed a real get together.A Christmas Tree Party staged in the Recreation Hall for children of station personnel (bothservice and civilians) was a tremendous success. The large hall was crowded and some 200children received gift parcels from the local "Santa". A splendid entertainment and lunchcontributed to the fun.

23 Dec/44 Morning flights completed and further flying not scheduled until 1200 hours 26Dec/44. Very quiet day. Flying ceased at 1200 hours. All classes on duty were allowed theafternoon off duty by the C.S.O.

24 Dec/44 No flying scheduled. Weather turned very cold and windy. Station very quiet due toover half the personnel being on Christmas leave.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 917

25 Dec/44 No flying scheduled. Weather clear but very cold. Local temperature 15° belowzero F.The airmen's Christmas dinner was the main feature on the unit today. Air Vice Marshall Guthrieand Group Captain Scott of No. 2 Air Command attended. A/V/M Guthrie carved turkey for theguests. Forty officers served the dinner to approximately 350 airmen and their families and friends. A feature of the holiday dinners on this unit is the fact that Mr. Ratson, the caterer, insists thatwives and children of all officers and airmen as well as sweethearts and friends attend. Thisgenerous gesture along with the very excellent meal makes for one of the finest of stationfunctions. Officers recently retired from the service were also invited to return for this affair. The sergeants' and officers' messes both Held open house to their friends during the day.

26 Dec/44 No flying scheduled for the morning. Weather good, low being -6°, high for today -12°.F/O Brown, legal officer of No. 2 A.C. reported on the unit today to take a summary of evidencein two cases remanded by the C.S.O. on 23 December. A corporal was today remanded on acharge of theft, summary of evidence to be taken at No. 2 A.C. 27th December/44

27 Dec/44 Weather good, scattered light cloud at 2500 feet, cold with -13° in morning. Aroutine day. Very quiet due to number away on Christmas leave. A movie was shown in theRecreation Hall at night. Drill Hall still out of bounds due to refinishing of basketball courts.

28 Dec/44 All morning and afternoon flights completed and night flights scrubbed due to bad

weather.F/O Cotton of this unit together with a firing party and escort party, attended the funeral of twoR.A.F. airmen who were killed in a crash on 24th December, 1944 near Gimli airport. Thedeceased were qn the strength of No. 18 S.F.T.S.The Wings Parade took place at 1400 hours 28 December/44 in Drill Hall before the usualassemblies of friends and relatives. W/C G.F. Jacobsen, C.S.O., No. 5 A.O.S. presented theWings. Courses graduating were No. 108 Navigators with 37 graduates and 10 commissions and114 Air Bombers with 69 graduates and 21 commissions. The Bud Starratt trophy was won byAUS449019 LAC Trethowan, J.C. Runner up for Gold Identification Bracelet was AUS440567LAC Holland, J.H. Leading Air Bomber who also received Gold Idenitification Bracelet wasCANR159485 LAC Graham, J.J. Intake of classes Navs. 62 Air Bombers 67 Adjusted intake 57 70 Wastage 20 1 Graduation 37 69

Disposition of the wastage - course 108 Navigators Transferred to course l09 4 Posted to No. 8 R.D. 2 Transferred to course 110 3 Posted to No. 31 P.D. 3 Posted to No. 7 R.C. 3 Posted to No. 1 T.C. A.J. 1 Posted to No. 3 B.G.S. 1 Posted to No. 5 R.C. 1 Held at unit pending disposal - 2


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 918

28 Dec/44 Disposition of the Wastage - 114 Air Bombers Posted to No. 19 R.D. Calgary 1

Disposition of the graduates - 108 Navigators 1 P/O posted No. 6 O.T.U. 9 P/O posted No. 7 R.C. 2 Sgt posted No. 6 O.T.U. 19 Sgt posted No. 7 R.C. 4 Sgt posted No. 31 P.D. 2 Sgt posted No. 8 R.C.

Disposition of the graduates - 114 Air Bombers 1 P/O posted No. 1 R.C. 2 Sgt posted No. 7 R.C. 2 P/O posted No. 4 R.C. 1 P/O posted No. 8 R.C. 6 Sgt posted No. 4 R.C. 3 Sgt posted No. 8 R.C. 1 P/O posted No. 5 R.C. 4 P/O posted No. 5 O.T.U. 6 Sgt posted No. 5 R.C. 13 Sgt posted No. 5 O.T.U. 1 P/O posted No. 6 R.C. 11 P/O posted No. 31 P.D. 2 Sgt posted No. 6 R.C. 16 Sgt posted No. 31 P.D.

29 Dec/44 Weather mild with snow flurries and low cloud. Visibility poor in snow. Members of the officers' mess entertained members of the Sergeants' Mess during the afternoon.During the day flying was washed out due to snowflurries and low cloud which was very general,this condition prevailed and night flying was also cancelled.

30 Dec/44 Weather clear, temperature moderate, cold wind. Flying scheduled for this morningwas carried out under clear weather conditions. Temperature moderate with a cold west wind. No flying scheduled for this afternoon and will remain so until Tuesday January 2, 1945, 1300hours. Very quiet morning due to New Years' Leave.

31 Dec/44 Very quiet day. No flying scheduled. Half of personnel away on New Years' leave.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 919

STATISTICS1. PERSONNEL - Staff Officers Other Ranks Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 314 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 6 7 ---- Civilians: Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 7 Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 3 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL 156 321 11

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 204 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 39 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 12 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 67 TOTAL 322 2. AIRCRAFT Avro Anson Five Menasco Moth Serviceable 77 Serviceable 1 Unserviceable 10 Unserviceable 0 TOTAL 87 TOTAL 1

3. FLYING TIME Total flying hours for the month of December, 1944 - 6156 hours and 15 minutes.

(G.F. Jacobsen) Wing Commander, Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, RCAF,

Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 920

1 Jan/45 No flying planned for today. Weather clear and cold.New Years dinner was served on the station to civilians and friends of personnel. A show waspresented by talent from the Beacon Theatre.New Years parties were held in Officers’ Mess, Sergeants' Mess and Civilian Pilots' Mess. Agood attendance in all was reported. Due to New Years' eve being on Sunday, the early eveningwas spent visiting and a gay crowd ushered in the New Year, dancing continued to an early hour inthe morning.

2 Jan/45 No flying scheduled for this morning, the afternoon and evening program was carriedout in clear weather and low temperatures.Station routine very quiet as half of personnel still on leave.

3 Jan/45 Weather clear and very cold. All morning flights left as scheduled, afternoon andevening flights' were carried out.LAC Niohols was sentenced to 21 days detention on a charge of raffling.

4 Jan/45 Weather clear and cold, temperature at 0800 hours - 19° - Flying schedules during theday carried out as planned. Night schedule completed under clear cold weather conditions.Station routine back to normal with personnel all back from New Years' Leave.

5 Jan/45 Morning flights washed. Afternoon and evening flights carried out. Weather clearand extremely cold recorded 29 decrees below zero.The weekly Commanding Officers parade was cancelled due to a second coat of paint beingapplied to Drill Hall floor.

6 Jan/45 Morning flights were washed out. Adverse weather conditions, afternoon and eveningflights completed. Temperature moderating - overcast - poor, visibility in Winnipeg area due tosmoke.Posted and reporting to this unit today are a course of eighteen Air Bombers trainees.

7 Jan/45 Flying was washed out for the morning and afternoon flights due to snow conditions,clearing in the late afternoon and the night flying schedule was carried out. Temperatures rangedfrom a high of 0 degrees F to a midnight low of 24 degrees below F, future outlook clear and verycold. Station very quiet throughout the day.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 921

8 Jan/45 Weather decidedly cold with 26 degrees below F. Morning flights washed out due tovery low temperatures afternoon and evening flights carried out as scheduled.The morale and discipline Visiting Flight consisting of S/L Henderson and F/L Burns. They willspend a few days on this unit.F/L Banfield reported back on the unit after spending 6 months on a tour of navigation trainingunits in Great Britain.

9 Jan/45 Morning flights were completed but afternoon and evening flights were washed due tosnow flurries and low ceilings in outlying areas. Temperatures moderate with a low of -12degrees below F.Visiting flight still working on the unit, W/C Hall from A.F.H.Q. (Accounts) visited the stationtoday.Lack of interest in P.T. was brought to the attention of all section heads by a memorandum fromthe C.I.

10 Jan/45 Weather clear and temperatures rapidly moderating. All flying schedules carried outduring the day. Night flying was washed out due to movement of South-westerly warm front,causing low cloud fog and snow flurries in this area.General station routine carried out during the day.Picture show in the recreation hall had a good attendance, everyone reports a very enjoyablepicture.

11 Jan/45 A stationery warm front extending over a large area gave low ceilings, fog andsnowflurries throughout the day, keeping all aircraft on the ground, night flights were alsoscrubbed.Free entertainment in the recreation hall tonight for personnel on the station.Plans for a mixed Novelty bonspiel sponsored by No. 5 A.O.S. Curling Club, in aid of the RedCross, is underway. It is hoped to arrange this event for February 3, 1945.

12 Jan/45 The Weekly Commanding Officers parade was held this morning in the drill hall.Morning flying scrubbed due to snowflurries and low ceiling. Afternoon flights carried out asscheduled. Night flying scrubbed due to some activity from warm front lying south and west ofhere.S/L Henderson, the Commanding Officer and representative of the station spent four hours todaygoing over the report compiled by the Visiting Morale and discipline flight, a very favourablereport was presented.; however some suggestions for improvement were offered.

13 Jan/45 Flying Schedules washed out in the morning, afternoon flights carried out and evening

schedule scrubbed. Weather was mild, with snowflurries, fog and low cloud making visibility poor. General routine carried out, with just a skeleton staff in the afternoon.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 922

14 Jan/45 Flying schedules for the day and evening were scrubbed due to continued adverseweather conditions. Due to no flying the station experienced a very quiet day. In the evening apicture was shown in the recreation hall (Christmas Holiday).

15 Jan/45 Flying schedules for the day, also the night schedules were washed out, due to weatherconditions, low cloud and poor visibility extending over a large area.The Officers held a Mess dinner with a good attendance, a very enjoyable evening and dinner.A basketball game was another even, taking place between the station team and No. 10 S.F.T.S.,Dauphin. The game ended with No. 5 A.O.S. Winnipeg with a score of 31 to 26.

16 Jan/45 Weather very unsettled, however all morning schedules were carried out. Afternoonand evening flights washed out due to weather becoming poorer.The civilian pilots basketball beam lost a game to the trainees team with a score of 53 to 26.F/O Kerr and F/O Brown, education officers visited the station from Command and A.F.H.Q.returning to command at 1600 hours.

17 Jan/45 Weather continued poor with low cloud, poor visibility in snow and fog as a result, dayand night schedules were washed out.Station routine carried out in comparative quiet due to flying schedules being washed out.

18 Jan/45 All flying scheduled for day and night were washed out due to continued adverseweather conditions.Cpl. Mason was tried by district Court Martial. W/C Dowie acting as president, S/L Cooke andF/L Boughner acting as senior members. W/C Crawford Judge Advocate. Waiting member andofficers under instructions numbered some twenty officers. The Proceedings were completed andassembly dismissed by mid-day.The Wings parade took place for course 109 Navigators at 1400 hours 18 January, 1945 in DrillHall before an unusually large crowd of spectators. W/C G.F. Jacobsen (DFC) presented thewings. The graduates numbered 49 and 13 Commissions were granted. The Bud Starratt trophywas won by C13250 F/O H.V. Long, and the runner up for Gold Identification Bracelet wasR289213 LAC MacKenzie, M.H.Intake of classes 109 Navigators 52Adjusted Intake 59Wastage 10 Graduation 49


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 923

18 Jan/45 Disposition of the Wastage 109 Navigators Transferred to Course 110 1 Posted to No. 31 P.D. 2 Transferred to Course 112 1 Posted to No. 5 R.C. 2 Transferred to Course 114 1 Posted to No. 3 R.D. 1 Posted to No. 7 R.C. 1 Held pending disposal 1

Disposition of the Graduates 109 Navigators 1 P/O posted to No. 5 O.T.U. 2 P/O posted to No. 5 R.C. 3 P/O posted to No. 31 P.D. 5 Sgt posted to No. 5 R.C. 8 Sgt posted to No. 31 P.D. 1 P/O posted to No. 6 R.C. 3 P/O posted to No. 7 R.C. 4 Sgt posted to No. 6 R.C. 6 Sgt posted to No. 7 R.C. 3 P/O posted to No. 8 R.C. 10 Sgt posted to No. 4 R.C. 4 Sgt posted to No. 8 R.C.

19 Jan/45 All day flights cancelled except one short afternoon trip. Night flights all flown.F/L Dale-Jones Chaplain reported on the unit today replacing F/L McLeod who is posted to No.18 S.F.T.S., Gimli. F/L Janz former chaplain here was also on the unit today bidding farewell topersonnel before proceeding overseas.A hockey game between officers and W.O.G.s resulted in a win for the W.O.G.s.The outside skating rink is well patronized during the present mild spell of weather.Navy defeated No. 5 A.O.S. 50-47 in Interservice Basketball.

20 Jan/45 No flights flown due to low ceiling and precipitation.Routine day with two courses on 48 hour pass.Open house at Officers’,Sgts'. Messes and Corporals' Lounge

21 Jan/45 Only afternoon and night flights schedules. These were all completed in goodweather. Protestant and R.C. Church Parades held on the unit. Drill Hall open for Badminton, Bowling,Basketball etc. and well attended.Movie shown in Recreation Hall in evening.

22 Jan/45 All flights flown in C.A.V.U. weather. A visit by the Australian Liaison Officer F/LCharllen was welcomed by all Australian personnel.Course 120 Air Bombers commenced today. This is the last course scheduled for No. 5 A.O.S.There were 47 trainees from No. 5 B. & G. Dafoe, posted to comprise this course.Sentence of the D.C.M. held here 18th January/45 was promulgated to Cpl. Mason today. He isto be reduced to the ranks and serve 90 days detention. The prisoner was removed to Fort Garry

Detention Barracks to serve the balance of the sentence. A gen club meeting was well attended in G.I.S. in the evening.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 924

22 Jan/45 W/C Gladden the new No. 2A.C.T.F. visited the unit with F/L Charlton.Lieut. McIlhagga of the R.C.N. visited here today and gave a splendid address to the local GenClub. Maintainense defeated W.O.G.s 5-4 at Hockey.

23 Jan/45 All flights flown as scheduled in very good weather.Four R.A.F. Trainees were ceased training as navigators in course 112 today due to failure in airwork. These personnel are repatriated to Great Britain without delay under the present policy.The Orderly Room staff today commenced sorting files in preparation for closing of this unit.For some weeks past the unit equipment section have been returning all surplus tables and chairsfrom G.I.S. to No. 7 Equipment Depot to reduce the work necessary on closing of unit.Trainees defeated Officers 53-19 and Pilots defeated W.O.G.'s 25-17 in basketball.

24 Jan/45 Morning flights cancelled due to low cloud over base. Afternoon and night flights allflown. Weather fair in afternoon and improving at night.S/L M. Layton D.S.O. visited this unit today on his way to No. 7 A.O.S. Portage la Prairie, wherehe will take over command of that unit.A visit by members of the aviation committee of the Young Men's section of the Winnipeg, Boardof Trade to the station during the evening was made with permission of the Commanding Officer. The guests were shown around the unit by guides selected from the Navigation Instructors,following which they were entertained in the Officers' Mess. President Copeland expressed avery hearty vote of thanks for the visit on behalf of the Young Men's Section of the WinnipegBoard of Trade.Officers defeated Australians, W.O.G.s defeated Pilots and No. 5 A.O.S. Station Team defeatedGimli at Hockey. Later game played at Selkirk, Manitoba.

25 Jan/45 All flights cancelled due to low cloud and precipitation in area.Word received of a further course of Air Bombers to be trained at this unit. Course 120B,comprising 44 men from No. 5 B.G.S. Dafoe are posted here to arrive on 3rd February/45. Sincethis unit is due to close 31st March and they present Air Bomber course is of 10 weeks durationhere it is apparent some changes will have to be made.No. 7 A.O.S. defeated No. 5 A.O.S. 44-23 basketball.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 925

26 Jan/45 Morning and afternoon flights cancelled due to low ceiling. All flights flown inevening but few bombs dropped due to weather.Some 20 odd boxers from U.S. Army, R.C.A.F. and Royal Canadian Navy are quartered here infinal training for the Inter Services boxing meet being held in Winnipeg Auditorium tonight. Amild flurry of excitement was caused when it was announced that World’s Heavyweight ChampionJoe Louis - now a staff Sergeant in the American Army would visit this unit today. His visit,however, was cancelled due to late train arrival. He refereed three of the boxing bouts on the cardthis evening. WO1 G. Eichel, R.C.A.F. retained his heavyweight Interservice Crown against anAmerican Army Challenger.

27 Jan/45 Area championships in Bowling and Badminton held at this Unit. No. 5 A.O.S. wonmen's bowling - No. 2 A.C. won mixed badminton and No. 3 B.G.S. won both men's and W.D.'sbadminton. These winners will compete later in Command Championships.Morning and afternoon flights all flown in fair weather. Night flights cancelled due to snow.A routine day with a real fine station dance in the Drill Hall in the evening. A large number ofstation personnel and their friends attended.

28 Jan/45 All flights flown today. Routine day.Protestant and R.C. Church parades held on unit. Movie shown at night in Recreation Hall.

29 Jan/45 All flights washed out due to ceiling increased to 10,000 feet later in day.Officers’ Mess Meeting held at 1215 hours to prepare for final function in the Mess to be heldFebruary 24th 1945 in form of a mixed banquet and dance. Preparations also going forward forNo. 5 A.O.S. Red Cross Bonspiel and Mocassin Dance in aid of the Prisoner of War Parcel Fund.

30 Jan/45 Eight morning sorties completed but all others scrubbed during the day due to weather. S/L Milne, Chief Instructor and F/L Knight, Armament Officer visited No. 7 A.O.S. Portage laPrairie on duty today.

31 Jan/45 Some morning flights completed but seven flights scrubbed due to base of cloud beingonly 1500 ft.All afternoon flights completed. Night flights all scrubbed due to fog and icing. Pay parade held during morning.Curling at Deer Lodge Club for 12 rinks which completed the first half of the seasons schedule.


Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 926

STATISTICS1. PERSONNEL - Staff Officers Other Ranks Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 310 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 4 9 ---- Civilians: Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 7 Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 3 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL 125 319 11

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 193 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 66 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 10 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 76 TOTAL 345 2. AIRCRAFT Avro Anson Five Menasco Moth Serviceable 81 Serviceable 1 Unserviceable 6 Unserviceable 0 TOTAL 87 TOTAL 1

3. FLYING TIME Total flying hours for the month of January, 1945 - 4105 hours and 55 minutes.

(G.F. Jacobsen) Wing Commander, Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, RCAF,

Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 927

1 Feb/45 All flights completed today in only fair weather. Ceiling low but improved. Routine day on the unit. R.C.A.F. and Navy hockey game at Amphitheatre drew good crowd.Pilots defeated Officers at hockey 6-3. No. 2 A.C. defaulted a game of basketball to No. 8 R.D. here. Air Gunners defeated W.O.G.s 10-4 in hockey. There continues to be good use made ofthe ice for practice hockey and skating.

2 Feb/45 All flights flown on schedule in good weather. One ship returned with generatortrouble.Hon. David Wilson, G/C White, N.Z. Liaison Officer and New Zealand High Commissioner toCanada visited here today and talked with New Zealand Personnel. Only 14 N.Z. personnel areon strength of this unit at present.

Scheduled hockey games were held between Pilots and W.O.G.s and between No. 5 A.O.S. andNo. 8 R.D. In the basketball area championships of No. 2 A.C, No. 8 R.D. defeated No. 5 A.O.S.5-4.The Wings parade took place at 1400 hours 1st February in Drill Hall before the usual assembliesof friends and relatives. Col. R.G. Graham, O/C No. 38 Reserve Brigade Winnipeg presented theWings.Courses graduating were 110 Navigators with 38 graduates and 14 commissions and 116 AirBombers with 19 graduates and 10 commissions.The Bud Starratt Trophy was won by AUS440260 LAC Perrett, R.P. and the runner up for GoldIdentification Bracelet was AUS440996 LAC Collins, J.R. The leading Air Bomber who alsoreceived a Gold Identification Bracelet was R105191 Sgt. Bray, K.A. Intake of classes - Navigators 40 Air Bombers 26 Adjusted intake 45 26 Wastage 7 7 Graduation 38 19

Disposition of the Wastage - 110 Navigators 116 Air Bombers Transferred to course 112 - 3 Transferred to course 118 - 4 Transferred to course 114 - 2 Transferred to course 119 - 1 Posted to No. 4 R.C . - 2 Posted to No. 3 R.D. - 1 Posted to No. 7 R.C. - 1

Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A.F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.IMAGE 928

2 Feb/45 Disposition of the graduates - 110 Navigators 1 P/O posted No. 1 "Y" Depot 2 Sgt posted No. 4 R.C. 10 P/O posted No. 7 R.C. 1 Sgt posted No. 8 R.C. 21 Sgts. posted No. 7 R.C. 1 P/O posted No. 3 R.C. 1 P/O posted No. 4 R.C. 1 W/C retained on strength 116 Air Bombers 1 P/O Retained unit Temporary Duty 5 Sgt posted No. 6 R.C. 1 P/O Posted No. 4 R.C. 1 P/O posted No. 7 R.C. 1 Sgt posted No. 4 R.C. 2 Sgt posted No. 7 R.C. 4 P/O posted No. 5 R.C. 1 P/O posted No. 8 R.C. 1 Sgt posted No. 6 R.C. 1 P/O retained pending posting 1 P/O posted No. 6 R.C.

3 Feb/45 Flying washed out all day due to snow and overcast conditions.The No. 5 A.O.S. Curling Club held a very successful Bonspiel and Mocassin Dance at the DeerLodge Curling Club raising a total of $341.93 for the Red Cross Prisoner of War Parcel Fund. Fifty-four rinks competed and over 30 rinks received prizes. Some 300 people enjoyed theevening and lunch was donated by Mr. Ratson, the station caterer.Three Instructors posted overseas today.

W.O.G.s hockey team from No. 7 A.O.S. played against W.O.G.s of No. 5 A.O.S. at OlympicRink in Winnipeg resulting in a 3-2 win for No. 5 A.O.S. The visiting team was entertained in theCorporal's lounge following the game and billeted overnight here.

4 Feb/45 No morning flights scheduled. All afternoon and evening flight completed in goodweather.Routine day on the unit. W/C Frayne, Padre of No. 2 Air Command held the Protestant Church inthe Chapel at 1000 hours. An excellent turnout of officers and men in charge of F/L C.R. Douglasattended.A movie was held in the Recreation Hall in the evening.The hockey ice was used for skating by a large number of trainees today due to the excellentweather.

5 Feb/45 Only two morning flights completed. All afternoon and night flights scrubbed due toth

low ceiling and snow.Two more navigation instructors were posted overseas today. Nearing the windup of this unitpersonnel are being posted or retired or transferred to reserve in anticipation of reducedrequirements. Some strain is being felt by the instructional staff.R.C.A.F. Bombers played against Navy at hockey tonight. W/C Jacobsen was guest intervieweron

Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A.F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 929

5 Feb/45 C.K.R.C. following the game.

6 Feb/45 All flights flown in good weather. Ceiling unlimited. Temperature much lower withextremely bitter north wind.Basket-ball game between No. 5 A.O.S. and No. 8 R.D. resulted in a win for No. 5 A.O.S. 48-33.The 57th Annual Bonspiel opened in Winnipeg to-day with an all time record entry of 352 rinks.

7 Feb/45 All flights completed in good weather. A little ice crystal in morning but otherwiseC.A.V.U. No. 2 A.C. requests survey of all G.L. and N.F.L. staff officers to ascertain names ofthose who desire to remain in R.CA.F. or be transferred to reserve. A meeting of all officers withthe C.S.O. is to be held at 1700 hours, on Thursday 8th February, 1945 for this purpose.Two basketball games were played at this unit tonight. No. 7 A.O.S. defeating No. 5 A.O.S. byscore of 46-22 and No. 10 S.F.T.S. Dauphin defeating U.S. Army 42-38. Both of these gameswere in the Winnipeg Area Championship.

8 Feb/45 Morning flights scrubbed due to low ceilings. Afternoon and night flights completed inimproving conditions.Capt. McKidd - Queen's Own Cameron Highlander who was captured at Dieppe and laterrepatriated in a Prisoner of War exchange visited this unit today and spoke to the Gen Clubs. His

address was extremely informative as well as interesting and was well received by trainees.S/L Layton, D.S.O., Chief Supervisory Officer. No. 7 A.O.S. visited the unit today and conferredwith W/C Jacobsen, D.F.C. and S/L Milne.A high wind and some snow caused considerable tie-up on tarmacs and runways. A rotrary plowis used to clear drifts.Three rinks of curlers from No. 5 A.O.S. are representing the school in Winnipeg 57th AnnualBonspiel, which is the largest event of its kind in the world and this year’s entry is the largest todate having an entry of 352 rinks - 1408 curlers.S/L Lyons “T Armament” of No. 2 A.C. visited this unit today.

9 Feb/45 Morning flights cancelled due to low cloud - afternoon flights all completed in C.A.V.U.weather. No night flights scheduled due to pilots farewell party.A wind-up party was held at the Marlborough tonight by the Pilots of this unit. A large number


IMAGE 930

9 Feb/45 of Pilots and friends attended. It is the purpose to have the station farewell party andall section get-togethers this month while the staff is still well intact.The No. 5 A.O.S. five-pin bowling team left for Saskatoon today to compete in the CommandFinals being held there 10th February, 1945.The death of LAC Hepher occurred today. He was an R.A.F. trainee of course 114 Navigators.He was in hospital only a few days. Death was due to a brain abscess.

10 Feb/45 All flights completed in good average weather.No. 5 A.O.S. Bowling team were not successful at the Championship Finals in Saskatoon to-day.W/C G.F. Jacobsen, D.F.C., C.S.O. of this unit visited No. 2 Air Command today on duty.

11 Feb/45 All flights completed in excellent flying weather. One aircraft returned after 2 hoursdue to motor trouble.A normal routine Sunday. Protestant and R.C. Church Parades both well attended. F/L Boone(Prot. Padre) who is serving this unit on temporary duty from No. 7 A.O.S. held the protestantservice. This unit is temporarily without a full time protestant padre since the posting overseas ofF/L Dale Jones.A movie was shown at night in the Recreation Hall.

12 Feb/45 Morning flights completed in good weather. Short flights completed in afternoon butdeadline of 1630 made longer ones impossible. All night flight scrubbed due to weather.The funeral of LAC Hepher RAF Trainee, was held from Thompson's Undertaking Parlors today.The Commanding Officer and Chief Instructor attended. F/O K.R. Cotton, RAF Instructor wasofficer i/c of the funeral party. All classmates attended.No. 8 R.D. Girls team defeated C.W.A.C.'s here in an exhibition game of basketball.Officers defeated W.O.G.'s 3-1 in inter-section hockey.

13 Feb/45 No flying carried out today.All flights cancelled today due to low cloud, snow and freezing rain.W/C Howells, R.A.F. Padre from No. 2 A.C. visited this unit and conferred with all R.A.F.personnel. S/L Heard of No. 1 C.N.S. specialist in navigation instruction visited this unit today anddiscussed his recent trip to United States training centres with the Chief Instructor and Instructors.Trainees defeated W.O.G.s in inter section basketball.

14 Feb/45 Morning flights scrubbed due to low ceiling. Afternoon and night flights completed ingood weather. Cold frong coming in during evening.Plans are under way for the publishing of the final issue of the unit paper the "Drift Recorder". Thisissue is to take the form of an historical number and all sections are busy doing research work toaid in its compilation.


IMAGE 931 14 Feb/45 F/L Hepburn reported on the unit today to assume the duties of Chaplain. He camefrom No. 3 B.G.S. which unit is closing this week.A comprehensive return was completed today for No. 2A.C. giving disposal recommendation ofall N.F.L., G.L. Officers and all G.L. other ranks now on strength. As the unit nears its closingdate certain personnel become surplus and must either be retained in the service and posted orretired.S/L Derry, Officer i/c Aircrew Leadership No. 2 visited the station today.A number of officers and other ranks arrived today from as far west as Calgary to take part in theBasketball Playdowns being held here 15th and 16th February, 1945.All flights completed in improved flying weather. Temperature dropping at night considerably.

15 Feb/45 The final party for the Sergeants Mess was held at the Royal Alexander Hotel tonightin the form of a mixed banquet and dance. A number of officers and their ladies as well asrepresentatives of the W.A.O.S. staff and their ladies were guests.A group of U.S.A. army personnel visited the unit today interviewing civilian personnel who willsoon be surplus to requirements here. Many of these people may obtain employment with theU.S.A. army in or north of Edmonton. No. 5 A.O.S. won their way into the play-offs of the inter-service league by defeating the Navy48-38 in Basketball. No. 5 A.O.S. Hockey team also won a game from Gimli at Selkirk rink. No. 2 A.C. Basketball semi-finals held here with teams from No. 7 A.O.S. - No. 10 S.F.T.S. andCalgary on hand to take part.

16 Feb/45 All flying completed as scheduled today. Very low temperatures but otherwise goodweather. A complete kit inspection of all N.C.O.'s and airmen 'was held today. Personnel living off theunit were required to bring their kit in for inspection.More Basketball play-downs took place at the Civic Auditorium tonight.

17 Feb/45 Over half the training courses on 48 hour pass this weekend. A quiet routine day.No. 5 A.O.S. W.O.G.s travelled to Portage by rail and defeated No. 7 A.O.S. W.O.G.s atHockey by score of 5-4.A fine party was held following the game in the Corporal's lounge.


IMAGE 932

18 Feb/45 Protestant Church parade held by new padre F/L Hepburn in Chapel at 1000 hours.The R.C. Church parade cancelled today due to the absence of F/L LA Freniere who is in Ottawaon duty.The rink was used for skating considerably today and a movie was shown in the Recreation Hall at night.

19 Feb/45 All scheduled flights completed in excellent weather.49 of the Air Gunners on useful employment here were posted to R.C.A.F. Station Mountainviewfor a refresher course. This leaves 30 air gunners here on useful employment. A hockey teamfrom Dauphin arrived by air today.

20 Feb/45 W/C W.R. Franks of A.F.H.Q. visited the unit and conferred with the Medical Section. W/C Franks is the inventor of the Franks Flying suit designed to reduce blackout occurrence. W/C Franks collaborated with the late Dr. Banting in aviation research.Nine of the personnel from this unit donated blood at the Red Cross Clinic today. This clinic hadits record day receiving 201 donations during the morning hours.No. 5 A.O.S. took an eight point lead in the first of two basketball games for right to enter in the finals against the Canadian. Army. W.O.G.s defeated pilots in an inter-section basketball fixture.

21 Feb/45 A new curling draw commenced today and will conclude in March. The sixteen toprinks of the former round will battle it out for the club title. At a boxing show at Portage laPrairie all three of the entrants from this unit won their bouts.

22 Feb/45 Morning and afternoon flights all flown in good weather. No night flights scheduleddue to station farewell party. No. 5 A.O.S. combined Farewell party was held in the WinnipegCivic Auditorium from 2030 hours on. All employees of the W.A.O.S. and all R.C.A.F. Personnelexcept the absolute minimum required for camp duties were given late pass and this resulted in atremendous turnout. Some 2500 people attended. Dancing, Bingo, Cards and Noveltyentertainment resulted in a grand final get-together. The entire cost of the party and refreshmentswas paid for from the station fund.S/L Yeoman R.A.F. Accts. of No. 2 A.C. Made an inspection of this units accounts section.

23 Feb/45 Morning flights not scheduled. Afternoon and night flights completed fair weather,which deteriorated during the evening. Two aircraft returned due to generator trouble.

Basketball semi-finals were played in the inter service league at the Winnipeg Civic Auditoriumtonight with No. 5 A.O.S. team and American Army reaching the final bracket after close, hardfought games. The No. 5 A.O.S. - Canadian Army game going overtime.A group of officers attended a lecture at No. 10 M.D. given by an Army officer recently returnedfrom the Pacific War Theatre.


IMAGE 933

23 Feb/45 S/L Lowe of No. 2 A.C. inspected the clothing stores here today. W/C Frayne No. 2 A.C. Chaplain visited the unit this afternoon.In hockey the Officers defeated the pilots 8-2 and the station team defeated No. 8 R.D. by a scoreof 5-2 to qualify for the R.C.A.F. league finals.

24 Feb/45 No flying completed due low ceiling, snow and overcast.The Farewell Party in the Officers' Mess proved to be one of the best gatherings the mess membershave ever had. Commencing with a banquet in the Civilian Dining Room at which ver 200members and ladies sat down. Each lady was the recipient of a novel favour. Following thebanquet a dance and excellent floor show was enjoyed by those at the banquet as well as a largenumber of guests of members. Among those present were A/V/M K.M. Guthrie, C.B.E., G/C H.H.Atkinson, G/C A.R. Sinclair, S/LW. Cockburn, S/L Cooke, F/L R. McDonald of No. 2 AirCommand, G/C White - New Zealand Liaison Officer, G/C Carpenter and a number of formermembers of the mess who are either stationed at other units or now transferred to the reserve. No. 5 A.O.S. and No. 2 A.C. played an exhibition hockey game at Norwood before a large crowdassembled for the Winter Carnival. The final score was a 4 all tie.

25 Feb/45 Afternoon flights completed but all others cancelled due to low cloud and deterioratingweather.W/C Jacobsen, S/L Milne and five other instructors flew to No. 1 C.N.S. Rivers today to attend ashowing of special Navigation devices in a Lancaster Aircraft which is visiting Canada fromEngland. A very quiet day on the unit. Church parades, both Protestant and Roman Catholic were held inthe Chapel. A movie was shown in the recreation Hall at night.

26 Feb/45 Morning flights scrubbed due to unsuitable weather. Afternoon schedule alsocancelled. Weather very poor until about 1700 hours due to gusty winds and snow particles in airgiving low visibility. Night schedule completed in improved weather except for three crews whichwere scrubbed due to sickness. The C.S.O., C.I. and five instructors who visited No. 1 C.N.S.Rivers yesterday were grounded by weather and were only able to return after 1400 hours today.F/O Forster, Accts. No. 2 A.C. Visited this unit on an inspection today.

27 Feb/45 No morning flights scheduled. All afternoon and evening flights completed in goodweather. The station hockey team tied No. 7 Equipment Depot tonight in the first game of a three

game series for the inter-unit title.


IMAGE 934 27 Feb/45 W.O.G.s eliminated the officers from the basketball semi-finale by a score of 32-16.There was a girls basketball practice today. The basketball floor was loaned to the WinnipegMens team who are seeking a Dominion Title for a practice as they have no home floor at present.

28 Feb/45 Flying cancelled all day due low cloud and snow flurries.Pay parade for all personnel and general muster parade held this morning.The Red Cross Appeal got under way today with a splendid response which indicates a new recordfor this unit.No. 2 A.C. held a boxing show at the Civic Auditorium at which two boxers from this unitperformed. One boxer Cpl. Ferguson won his bout and the other Sgt. Clarke a Jamacan lost hisbout. A very large crowd were well entertained at the event with the No. 2 A.C. Band inAttendance. Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R. C. A.F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

IMAGE 935

28 Feb/45 STATISTICS1. PERSONNEL - Staff Officers Other Ranks Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 275 ---- Service Personnel Other Than R.C.A.F. 3 4 ---- Civilians: Meteorologists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 7 Stenographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 3 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

TOTAL 95 279 11

TRAINEES R.C.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 213 R.A.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 36 R.N.Z.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 9 R.A.F. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 74 TOTAL 332 2. AIRCRAFT

Avro Anson Five Menasco Moth Serviceable 75 Serviceable 1 Unserviceable 12 Unserviceable 0 TOTAL 87 TOTAL 1

3. FLYING TIME Total flying hours for the month of February, 1945 - 6128 hours.

(G.G. Milne) Squadron Leader, A/Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 A.O.S., RCAF, Winnipeg.

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1 Mar/45 Morning flights cancelled and night flights cancelled due to low ceiling and reducedvisibility. Afternoon flights all completed although weather only fair. Scattered A/C and S/C clouds 2600' to3500'.Partial results of the Red Cross Appeal are very encouraging and a new record should be achieved.Trainees defeated pilots in inter-section Basketball playoff 46-14. The championship final will nowbe between the W.O.G.s and trainees.

2 Mar/45 W/C G.F. Jacobsan D.F.C. left on annual leave for Ottawa today. S/L G.G. Milneassumed temporary command in the C.S.O.'s absence.Returns of the Red Cross Appeal todate constitute a new record as they have passed the $1200mark. The highest previous results was $1007. obtained during the 1944 appeal when the stationstrength was 350 greater than today.W.O.G.s defeated Officers at hockey. No. 5 A.O.S. station hockey team defeated No. 7Equipment Depot 7 - 5 to assume leadership in the playoff. A win or a tie will made No. 5 A.O.S.the inter-unit champions.F/O J.O. Griffiths To photo No. 2 A.C. paid a visit here today.

3 Mar/45 Afternoon flights all completed in good weather. No flights scheduled for morning andnight. A number of pilots who are on leave without pay are being recalled to the R.C.A.F. and willreport back on the effective strength of this unit on Monday 5th March.The final of the winners side of the curling draw was played today and Mr. E. Cann's rink defeatedMr. Hatton's rink. Both these rinks were skipped by personnel from W.A.O.S.

4 Mar/45 W/C N.M. Slaughter R.A.F. Padre conducted the Protestant church parade here today.F/L Hepburn, unit padre, held the church service at No. 7 Equipment Depot. An R.C. ChurchParade and holy communion was held in the chapel at 0900 hours. A very quiet day generally.A movie was shown in the Recreation Hall at 2000 hours and the Officers Mess and SergeantsMess held open house. A farewell gathering occurred in the Civilian Lounge to bid adieu to the40 members being recalled to the R.C.A.F. A number of the instructors and staff attended this

function.

5 Mar/45 No flying scheduled for the morning. Both afternoon and night schedules completed inC.A.V.U. weather. Extremely cold this morning. Temperature dropped to 18° below zero.Central examination board of No. 2 Air Command moved out to this unit today due to lack ofsufficient space at No. 2 A.C.


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5 Mar/45 In the losers side of the curling draw, the finalists are rinks skipped by Mr. HarveyMutch and Mr. J. Ross both of the W.A.O.S. staff. In the inter-section hockey league,Maintenance defeated Pilots 6-5 to go into the finals.

6 Mar/45 No morning flights scheduled. All afternoon and nights flights completed in goodweather. One aircraft returned with generator trouble.Several Navigation Instructors reported today on temporary duty to correct examination papershere with the Central Examination Board.Removal of a large number of tables and chairs from the G.I.S. building commenced today. Theseare surplus to requirements since the graduation of many courses without subsequent intakes.W/C L.A. Costello R.C. Padre Of No. 2 Air Command visited this unit today accompanied by W/CJ.C Cahill of A.F.H.Q.In the inter-section Basketball Finals the trainees team defeated the W.O.G.s 48-40 to win the title.

7 Mar/45 No morning flights scheduled. All afternoon and night flights completed in goodweather.The No. 5 A.O.S. station hockey team coached by WO1 Steve Lisoweski, S.W.O. lost to No. 7Equipment Depot in the third game of their final aeries. The teams are now tied with a win and atie each. The date of the final is indefinite pending settlement of a dispute over the third gameresulting from the action of the Amphitheatre management in ordering the teams off the ice at 1800hours sharp with eight minutes left to play in the regulation game. At this time No. 7 EquipmentDepot were leading.S/L Charlton R.A.A.F. Liaison Officer visited the unit today and spoke to all R.A.A.F. personnel.

8 Mar/45 No flights flown today due to fog coming in from south and very low ceiling.The Central Examination Board officers completed correction of Navigation Theory for course114 Navigators and returned to their units from temporary duty here.In the final of the bottom half of the curling draw Mr. Mutch of W.A.O.S. and his rink defeatedMr. J. Ross of W.A.O.S. A new draw was commenced.Seven navigation officers Instructors were today posted overseas, from this unit.

9 Mar/45 W/C Pounder of A.F.H.Q. visited this unit for a few hours today.Red Cross returns from R.C.A.F. personnel total $1329 today. A further effort is being made byuse of motion pictures loaned by Red Cross Headquarters. These will be shown to about 200personnel early next week.F/L G.C Richards of No.2 A.C. visited the accounts section today for a short while. No. 7 Equipment Depot won the Winnipeg Service Hockey Championship by defeating No. 5A.O.S. 5-3. W.O.G.s defeated Pilots 3-2 in hockey on the unit.


IMAGE 938

10 Mar/45 Only afternoon flight scheduled. These were all completed in fair weather.Signals section held their final party in the Recreation Hall with over 200 attending. No. 2 A.C.orchestra furnished music.Considerable damage to windows and telephone in B.B. 16 and windows in General Canteen wasreported to the Orderly Officer. An investigation will have to be made.

11 Mar/45 No morning flights scheduled. Afternoon and night flights completed in excellentweather. Routine day - Church Parades held by both R.C. and Protestant Padres. A movie “HollywoodCanteen” was enjoyed by a fair size audience at night in the Recreation Hall.

12 Mar/45 W/C Jacobsen returned from leave for part of this day. Two men were placed in open arrest pending further investigation in the barrack damages ofSaturday night last.W/C Walton and S/L Lyons armament officers of No. 8 Repair Depot visited this unit today. A number of secret and confidential publications were today returned to No. 2 A.C. due to theiruse in training being completed.

13 Mar/45 No morning flights scheduled. Afternoon flights completed in clear weather.Two repatriated officers F/O C .R. Smith and F/O J. McIntyre returned from No. 1 K.T.S.Toronto where they have completed an Administration course. F/O C.R. Smith was posted thesame day to S.N.I.N. course at Rivers.Two interesting films were shown to certain detailed personnel today in aid of the Red CrossAppeal for funds, about 45 attended.The following officers comprised a board of officers to survey and recommend disposal of nonpublic fund equipment and canteen stocks, President S/L J.B. McAra, of No. 8 Repair Depot,Members F/L A. Matheson, No. 2 A.C and F/O R.N. Weekes of No. 2 A.C. S/L Milne and Mr.W.J. Buchanan of this unit also attended as ex officio members.A meeting of the officers Mess was held at 1215 hours today. This is likely to be the last suchmeeting at this unit. Plans for final mess dinner and final members gathering were made.Basketball floor loaned to Winnipeg Girls team for practice.


IMAGE 939

14 Mar/45 No flying completed today due to low cloud and poor visibility. W/C G.F. Jacobsen D.F.C. returned from annual 1eave today.S/L Cooke formerly No. 2 A.C. and S/L Higgins No. 2 A.C. are taking a brief refresher coursehere in Navigation prior to reporting to O.T.U. at Comox. Mr. D.S. Ormond General Manager ofthe W.A.O.S. is in eastern Canada for the week.Maintenance defeated W.O.G.s 7-2 in a play-off hockey game at the Amphitheatre - Americanarmy defeated No. 5 A.O.S. in first game of Basketball Finals at the Auditorium.

15 Mar/45 The final Mess Dinner was held in the Officers Mess tonight with 72 members andguests in attendance. The flight Commanders of the W.A.O.S. were guests.Red Cross donations now total $1444 with one or two sections still to complete their returns.American Army took the Basketball Inter-Service Title tonight by defeating No. 5 A.O.S. in the second straight game of a three game series.

16 Mar/45 No morning flights scheduled. All afternoon and night flights completed asscheduled in good weather.Routine day on the station. Several overseas posting for Admin. Clerks and P.T. & D. officer werecancelled today. No explanation given and personnel concerned are greatly disappointed.Final Wings parade date has been changed from 28th March to 29th March by orders receivedfrom No. 2 A.C. This final ceremony is to be made a gala affair with general public invited tovisit the station on sightseeing tour.The Wings Parade for course 119 Air Bombers took place today before the usual assemblies offriends and relatives, with W/C G.F. Jacobsen presenting the wings. There were 25 graduates inthis class and 12 received commissions. The leading Air Bomber, R272406 Bailey, S.R. ofClover Bar, Alta. received a Gold Identification Bracelet.

Intake of classes - 29 Air Bombers Adjusted Intake 31 Wastage 6 Graduation 25

Disposition of the Wastage Transferred to course 120 - 5 C.T. (deceased 9 Feb/45) - 1

Disposition of the Graduates 1 P/O No. 2 R.C. 3 Sgt No. 7 R.C. 1 Sgt No. 2 R.C. 2 Sgt No. 5 O.T.U. 3 Sgt No. 4 R.C. 8 P/O No. 1 “Y” Depot 3 P/O No. 7 R.C. 4 Sgt No. 1 “Y” Depot


IMAGE 940

17 Mar/45 No morning flying scheduled. Afternoon and night flights flown in improvingweather.Red Cross subscriptions reached the amount of $1467.25 today. This is a station average of $2.23per person and compares with last years effort very favourable since the average last year was lessthan $1.00 per person.

18 Mar/45 No morning flights scheduled. Afternoon and night flights completed in goodweather. Routine Day - R.C. and Protestant Church Parades held. Movie shown in RecreationHall at night.

19 Mar/45 No morning flights scheduled. All afternoon and night flights completed in C.A.V.U.weather.Air Navigators course 114, the last course at this unit and the largest ever to train here wrote theirElements of Navigation final this morning. There were 142 students wrote the final. The CentralExamination Board commenced marking of final papers for 114 Navigators and 120 Air Bombers.W/C Jacobsen D.F.C. attended a conference at No. 2 A.C. dealing with closing of this unit.A wind-up Sports Banquet and Dance was held on the unit and crests and windbreakers presentedto winning teams in various winter sports. S/L Horten P.T.& D. Officer for No.2 A.C. attendedand Mr. Arthur Morrison representative of the Winnipeg Sports Council also attended and spokebriefly.The W.O.G.s defeated Maintenance in the final hockey play-off game to win the stationchampionship.

20 Mar/45 No morning flying scheduled. All afternoon and night flights completed in goodweather.The last issue of the Drift Recorder the unit magazine was distributed free of charge to allpersonnel, both service and civilian, today. This was paid for out of the station fund account. The issue is a splendid one comprising over one hundred pages and 230 outs. A complete historyof the station is contained and one copy is being sent in with this Daily Diary for record purposes. Course 114 Navigators wrote signals, their last examination today and course 120 Air Bomberswrote their navigation exam. F/L D. Campbell of No. 2 A.C. commenced a summary of evidencetoday in the case of a charge of theft from the mails on this unit.A large number of pilots on leave without pay to the W.A.O.S. have been recalled and are beingposted to Rivers No. 1 C.N.S. and a few overseas, with the majority being transferred to theR.C.A.F. Reserve. Postings of staff are increasing now with the approach of 31st March our dateto cease training on this unit.

21 Mar/45 No morning flights scheduled. All afternoon and night flights completed in C.A.V.U.conditions. Preparation commenced for holding of final wings parade on 29th March. It is

expected a large number of citizens

IMAGE 941

21 Mar/45 from Winnipeg and St. James will attend.

22 Mar/45 No morning flying scheduled. All afternoon and night flights completed in excellentweather. A smoker was held in the Sergeants Mess to which the Officers and other guests wereinvited. A motion picture of the 1944 World's Baseball Series was part of the entertainment. S/L Ward Armament Officer from No. 7 A.O.S, visited here today on duty.A trainee was taken to hospital today suffering from pneumonia. He had been holding out againstsickness and writing final exams this week and had done well but will miss his final Met examFriday 23 March/45. It is hoped to arrange permission for him to write this exam when he is wellas his work and spirit have been commendable.

23 Mar/45 No morning or afternoon flights scheduled but all night flights completed in fairweather, some haze.The last final exam is being written this morning. It is Meteorology for 120 Air Bombers.Two airmen in hospital were allowed to write their final Meteorology Examination in their ward inhospital today. F/L D.V. Hardyman and F/O A.E. Rowbottom of A.F.H.Q. arrived today on aninspection of accounts section.All courses on the unit completed their flying tonight and only casual flights will be flown from thisdate on.

24 Mar/45 No flying - Routine day - several instructors and some staff posted and cleared today.A farewell party was held in Officer's Mess for members only and while the number attending wassmall a good time was had.

25 Mar/45 Very quiet day generally. A full station parade was held and inspected by the C.S.O.Protestant personnel proceeded to church parade in the Recreation Hall and heard W/C Frayne No.2 A.C. chaplain give a splendid message. Roman Catholic personnel attended service in thestation chapel conducted by F/L La Freniere No. 5 A.O.S. CHAPLAIN.A movie was shown in the Recreation Hall at night.

26 Mar/45 Rehearsal parades started today for the final wings parade.F/L Hardyman and F/O Rowbottom Accts., auditors of A.F.H.Q. completed their inspection heretoday. W/C J.A. Hall of A.F.H.Q., Accts. visited here briefly today.Course 120 Air Bombers held their graduation banquets at the Marlborough and St. CharlesHotels respectively. Invitations mailed to about 70 persons for the Wings Parade.

27 Mar/45 A wings parade rehearsal was held in Hangar No. 4 today and this hangar will providean excellent site for same.

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28 Mar/45 Tables from remaining ten classrooms dismantled ready for removal. All chairs fromclassrooms being moved to Hangar 4 for Wings parade guests. Display of Armament, Signals,Photographic work and equipment, Navigation equipment, flying clothing and parachutes was laidout in Hangar No. 3 for inspection by Wings Parade guests. The following types of aircraft arealso being shown in Hangar 3, Bolingbroke, Cessna Crane, Lockheed Ventura, Cornell Trainer,Gypsy Moth and Anson Five. Cat walks were built over the wings of these machines so that thepublic could examine the interiors.

29 Mar/45 Pay parade, graduates clearances and dedication service held in the morning made avery busy morning.The public began arriving for the Wings parade at 1300 hours and by 1400 hours nearly sevenhundred seats were filled. No. 2 A.C. Brass Band were in attendance. The wings were pinned onby the following: W/C G.F. Jacobsen, D.F.C., F/L H. Hay, D.S.O., D.F.C. a graduate of thesecond course of this school, F/O J.C. Bailey, a graduate of the first course of this school, Mr.D.S. Ormond, general manager of the W.A.O.S., Mr. D.M. McLaren, D.S.O., M.C., D.F.C.veteran of the last war with 47 aircraft and 8 balloons to his credit, and Mr. E. Lough representingthe Wartime Pilots association.The courses graduating were 114 Navigators with 137 graduates37 commissions, and 120 AirBombers with 97 graduates and 46 commissions. The awards were presented by Mr. H.A.Greeniaus, Assistant to Vice President, Canadian Pacific Railways. The winners are as follows:The Bud Starratt Memorial Trophy was presented to R267315 Binkley, L.I. of Vancouver, B.C.,R275662 LAC Edwards, T.H. of Chilliwack, B.C. and C7833 F/O Chapman, K.F. of Winnipeg,Manitoba and each received a Longines Wrist watch. The runners up in the Navigation course,R275921 Patrick, J.D.S. of Vancouver, B.C., U199019 Crang, J.C. and R269168 Russell, D.M.were each presented with a gold identification bracelet, donated by the Winnipeg Air ObserverSchool Limited. The leading Air Bombers in the graduating class, AUS438562 Beulke, W.B. ofVictoria, Australia and R267335 Graham, W.J. of Medicine Hat, Alta. were also presented withgold identification bracelets, also donated by Winnipeg Air Observer School Limited.Intake of classes - Navs. 142 Air Bombers 92Adjusted intake 151 97Wastage 14 0Graduation 137 97

Disposition of the Wastage - Air BombersNIL

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29 Mar/45 Disposition of the Wastage - Navigators C.T. posted No. 1 "Y" Depot 3 C.T. posted No. 2 R.C. 1 C.T. posted No. 8 R.C. 4 C.T. retained on unit pending disposal 1 C.T. posted No. 6 R.C. 1 C.T. continuing course at another unit 3 C.T. posted No. 4 S.F.T.S. Sask. 1

Disposition of the Graduates - Navigators 3 P/O No. 1 "Y" Depot 10 Sgt No. 7 R.C. 6 Sgt No. 1 "Y" Depot 7 P/O No. 8 R.C. 3 Sgt No. 2 R.C. 15 Sgt No. 8 R.C. 1 P/O No. 3 R.C. 1 Sgt No. 3 R.C. 5 P/O No. 1 "Y" Depot 7 P/O No. 4 R.C. 9 Sgt No. 1 "Y" Depot 26 Sgt No. 4 R.C. 2 Sgt No. 5 O.T.U. 4 P/O No. 5 R.C. 4 P/O No. 23 S.F.T.S. 16 Sgt No. 5 R.C. 1 Sgt No. 23 S.F.T.S. 3 P/O No. 6 R.C. 1 P/O Retained pending postinginstructions 5 Sgt No. 6 R.C. 2 Sgt Retained pendingposting instructions 6 P/O No. 7 R.C. Air Bombers 1 Sgt No. 1 "Y" Depot 4 Sgt No. 4 R.C. 1 P/O No. 1 "Y" Depot 10 P/O No. 5 R.C. 9 P/O No. 7 R.C. 9 Sgt No. 5 R.C. 18 Sgt No. 7 R.C. 7 P/O No. 6 R.C. 2 Sgt No. 1 R.C. 4 Sgt No. 6 R.C. 2 P/O No. 2 R.C. 3 P/O No. 7 R.C. 1 Sgt No. 3 R.C. 6 Sgt No. 7 R.C. 1 P/O No. 3 R.C. 7 P/O No. 8 R.C. 6 P/O No. 4 R.C. 6 Sgt No. 8 R.C.

Following the wings presentation a march past took place with Mr. D.S. Ormond taking the salute.The March Past was in command of W/C G.F. Jacobsen, D.F.C. Present at the ceremony wereMayor McLean of St. Boniface, Alderman Glasgow representing Mayor Coulter of Winnipeg,Capt. J. Hodgson, Officer Commanding U.S. Army Forces in Manitoba, and G/C H.H. Atkinsonrepresenting the A.O.C. of No. 2 A.C. Following the viewing of exhibits refreshments wereserved in the airman's mass. Over two thousand attended. A copy of the Wings ParadeProgramme is attached. (Not Attached)(ED)

30 Mar/45 Part of Admin. Staff and Orderly Room worked today to get personnel cleared andtraining records completed. Postings not yet in on W.O.G.s on staff and several officers. Ensignflown at half mast today in memory of the late Earl Lloyd George.

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31 Mar/45 Postings received for all W.O.G.s and these airman cleared today. All meals in messesceased with the evening meal today. Future meals will be provided in the General Canteen forthose on the rear party.Furniture and equipment is being removed from G.I.S. and all in all the station is dying gradually.Farewells are the order of the day and it is safe to say there is not one but who feels somewhatdepressed to see a station which has been so happy and so efficient closing down.

STATISTICS

PERSONNEL - Staff Officers Other Ranks Civilians R.C.A.F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 60 ---- Civilians - Meteorologists. . . . . . . . ---- ---- 4 Stenographers . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 3 Auxiliary Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ---- ---- 1

15 60 8

AIRCRAFT Avro Anson Five Menasco Moth Serviceable 42 Serviceable 1 Unserviceable 0 Unserviceable 0

FLYING TIME Total flying hours for the month of March, 1945 - 2480 hours 40 minutes.

(G.G. Milne) Squadron Leader, Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, RCAF, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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1 Apr/45 All messing on the unit having ceased last night meals were served in the GeneralCanteen to the 126 to 156 people still on the unit. Very quiet day. No church services heldtoday.

2 Apr/45 Clean up day for all but the rear party. A number of officers and airmen whosepostings had not been received were anxious to know their destination.No. 2 A.C. personnel staff cooperated splendidly and by late afternoon practically all except therear party had been posted.Air Commodore Johnson, G/C Atkinson and party visited here today and inspected the variousbuildings with a view to their use for No. 2 A.C.

3 Apr/45 All secret and confidential publications returned to No. 2A.C.F/L Jenkinson of No. 8 Repair Depot visited the unit today regarding Victory Loan Canvas. It wasdecided not to canvas the rear party on this unit but to arrange for their canvas on the units towhich they are posted. The final figures far the canvas of graduating trainees of the two courses120 Air Bombers and 114 Navigators; was very good. A total of $8650 was subscribed by 103Canadians. In view of the fact that these men were all being transferred to the reserve this wasconsidered an excellent effort.

4 Apr/45 Arrangements made with Canon Findlay of ,St. James Anglican Church for thepresentation of colors by No. 5 A.O.S. to the church. This ceremony is to take place on Sunday8th April, 1945.

Command Orders appointed a board of officers to recommend destruction of open and protecteddocuments on this unit due to disbandment.

5 Apr/45 Unit strength is now below 50 bodies. Work on clearing classrooms and offices is nowcomplete. Only orderly rooms and administrative offices are now in use.

6 Apr/45 Quiet day. Curtains being removed from Officers Quarters and all rooms closed excepttwo batmens and four for resident officers.

7 Apr/45 The W.A.O.S. limited entertained all officers on this unit and a number from No. 2 A.C.and number of civilian business associates to a cocktail party in the officers mess at 1700 hourstoday. Among the guests were W/C G.F. Jacobsen, D.F.C. former C.S.O. of this units, Mr. Apedale ofOttawa,


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7 Apr/45 G/C Binnie. No. 2 A.C., A/C Johnston of No. 2 A.C., Mr. Roy Brown of McDonaldAircraft, Mr. Al Chesman of Fort Williams and about fifty others. A splendid time was enjoyed byall present.

8 Apr/45 An R.C. Church parade was held on the unit. S/L Milne accompanied by five officersand several airmen made a formal presentation of No. 5 A.O.S. ensign to St. James AnglicanChurch at their morning service today. This is the first time colors hare been presented to thischurch.

9 Apr/45 F/L Prowse in charge of the No. 2 A.C. Disbandment Board reported on the unit todayand is making arrangements for arrival of his board.S/L Jackson S. Ad. Officer was at No. 8 R.D. on a district court martial.

10 Apr/45 Disbandment Board actively commenced operations and the contents three buildingswere taken over today. About two inches of snow fell in early evening making traffic almostimpossible due to visibility. Temperature being barely freezing conditions were very wet.

11 Apr/45 The W.A.O.S. entertained their administration staff to cocktails and lunch in theofficers mess tonight. F/L Holmes of No. 2 A.C. made a survey of G.I.S. building today forremodelling for No. 2 A.C. use.

12 Apr/45 Staff workmen from No. 2C.M.U. started work on alterations in G.I.S.

13 Apr/45 S/L Milne C.S.O. and remaining R.C.A.F. staff on unit moved from G.I.S. building toW.A.O.S. Administration building today due to workmen altering G.I.S.

14 Apr/45 Trainee records staff worked late today and will work Sunday in an effort to get allrecords out by 17th April. Space being somewhat limited in the W.A.O.S. Admin building we areendeavouring to finish work in certain sections as soon as possible.

15 Apr/45 The staff from No. 2 C.M.U. continued work today in G.I.S. Trainee records alsowork full day today and several hours overtime.Milder with strong south winds.

16 Apr/45 A/V/M K.M. Guthrie A.O.C., No. 2 A.C. visited the unit today making an inspectionof alterations being made.Weather cold with high north wind.A meeting of the officers mess was held today and final arrangement made for turning mess over toNo. 2 A.C.


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17 Apr/45 S/L Jackson on T.D. at No. 12 S.F.T.S. as member of District Court Martial. Final Red Cross figure for this unit was $1474.25.A board of officers from No. 2 A.C. commenced taking over of all buildings and equipment fromthe W.A.O.S. today. F/L Hepburn. Padre, was posted to Release Centre, Toronto today forretirement. Officer strength is now down to five.

18 Apr/45 S/L Jackson was on T.D. at No. 8 Repair Depot today as President of a District CourtMartial. A large number of personnel reported on the unit today for duty with the Advance Party of No. 2A.C. Messing for the evening meal for those who arrived was arranged at No. 5 Release Centre.All buildings were handed back to the Air Force today by the Civilian Operating Company. TheBoard of Officers found the entire camp in most excellent condition.

19 Apr/45 First meal served in the airmen’s mess this morning by the Advance Party messingstaff.G/C H.H. Atkinson, S.O.A., No. 2 A.C. visited the station today and made an inspection. He wasaccompanied by F/L Thompson Officer i/c the Advance Party for No. 2 A.C.The C.S.O. and Officers of No. 5 A.O.S. entertained the staff of the Winnipeg Air ObserverSchool Ltd. and the officers of the Disbandment Board and the No. 2 A.C. Advance Party to aninformal gathering in the Officers Mess.

20 Apr/45 Several airmen on our strength posted to No. 2 A.C. with reporting dates to coincidewith completion of their work with No. 5 A.O.S.

21 Apr/45 Very quiet day.

22 Apr/45 No. 2 C.M.U. personnel continued work today on G.I.S. Alterations.

23 Apr/45 Officers' Mess inventory turned over today to No. 2A.C.The A.O.C. and officers of No. 2 A.C. entertained the Chief of Air Staff at a mess dinner in the Officers’ Mess here today.

24 Apr/45 F/O Zubick of this unit was today posted to No. 2 A.C. to assume duties of D.A .P.M. of this site and remaining on duty here until N. 2 A.C. moves out here. Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 Air Observer School, R.C.A.F., Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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25 Apr/45 No. 2 A.C. Woman’s Division Officers and the Officers of the W.R.C.N.’s andC.W.A.C.’s tendered a banquet to Princess Alice in the officers mess here tonight.F/L A.C West of this unit proceeded on Temporary Duty to No. 8 R.D. today as member of aDistrict Court Martial.S/L G.G. Milne relinquished command of No. 5 A.O.S. today on posting to No. 3 A.N.S. as ChiefGround Instructor. S/L D.R. Jackson assumed command of No. 5 A.O.S.

26 Apr/45 An Audit board appointed by No. 2 A.C. consisting of S/L McIntosh of No. 12S.F.TS. and F/L A.C West of No. 5 A.O.S. commenced the audit of Non Public Funds. F/SJacobson, Photographer, who has been on the strength of this unit for over four years was postedto No. 18 S.F.T.S. reporting there 30 Apr/45.

27 Apr/45 A variet of armament equipment is being stored in No. 1 Hangar in preparation for adisplay to be made 7th of May/45 in aid of the 8th Victory Loan. The items include depthcharges, armour piercing bombs, 300 lb bombs, practice bombs, bomb sights and numerous otherarticles.

28 Apr/45 Bright early - Rain in afternoon - snow at night.The W.A.O.S. closed the General Canteen which they have operated since the station opened. Thisbuilding will be refitted as a canteen by No. 2 A.C. immediately.

29 Apr/45 Frost again - Dull most of the day. Very little activity on the unit today.False peace rumors which were announced lest night kept all on the alert today in the hope that thegenuine announcement would be made.

30 Apr/45 Bright but cool - Frost last night.The Establishment of No. 5 A.O.S. officially ceases today. All personnel are posted to other unitsand today writes official finis to what, all agree, has been an outstandingly happy and efficient unit.

(B.R. Jackson) Squadron Leader, Chief Supervisory Officer, No. 5 A.O.S., RCAF, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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