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427 Squadron Wartime Log - November 1942


SUMMARY Of EVENTS

NUMERICAL STRENGTH OF UNIT AS AT 1ST OF NOVEMBER 1942.
NIL

7/11/42


427 Squadron is formed on a nucleous of 10 crews from 419 Squadron, three crews being posted and seven crews attached, and with the assistance of 419 Squadron ground personnel which will be replaced when 427 personnel arrive. The Squadron took over 18 aircraft, 16 of which were serviceable, a fine achievement of the part of F/O Scott the Engineer Officer and his Staff. On the first evening, 427 Squadron undertook its first air activity, in the nature of a Bulls Eye Exercise. Three crews took part and the exercise was carried out successfully. Our thanks are due to W/Cmdr Fleming, OC 419, Squadron and his officers for their assistance in staff work.

The following Officers arrived on posting.

  • S/L Williams, Flight Commander
  • F/O W.J. Rogers, Adjutant
  • P/O Durocher, Gunnery Leader
  • P/O Bennett
  • P/O Kent
  • P/O. Charlesworth

8/11/42

W/Cmdr Burnside, the Officer Commanding 427 Squadron arrived at Middleton St George and came to Croft with the Station Commander, G/Cpt. McKechnie, where he was introduced to the Squadron personnel that had already arrived. Difficulties are being experienced as the Squadron has no parachutes, navigation gear, flying clothes or any stationery and forms. The Station are cooperating to the best of their ability but do not hold enough equipment to supply the Squadron to any extent. Three crews were detailed for a night cross country flight but only two took off. Difficulties arising at the last moment with regard to signal equipment prevented the third aircraft from taking off. The two aircraft completed the exercise successfully.

The following Officers arrived on posting.

  • P/O S. Hensby
  • P/O G.A. Martin
  • P/O D. Mortimer
  • P/O Bennett
  • P/O C.M. Taylor
  • P/O R.J. Hayhurst

9/11/42

The CO had a meeting of the Officers in the morning and. expressed his desire for a good Squadron spirit and team work and stated that sports must be encouraged. The Command training instructions were discussed and programmes drawn up to make the Squadron fully operational at an early date.

10/11/42

Air Vice Marshal Brook, R.C.A.F. made a social visit to acquaint himself with the aerodrome. He inspected part of the Station. Flying training in the nature of circuits and. bumps was carried out.

11/11/42

S/L Porte of 4 Group accompanied by the Group Medical Officer visited the camp and enquired about difficulties being experienced. He promised to, try to expedite the delivery of transport .etc. ln the afternoon S/Ldr Sinclair R.C.A.F., from Records arrived and informed us that he would make the Squadron up to full strength at an early date. He informed us that if we had any personnel difficulties to contact him and he would try to eradicate them.

12/11/42

Air Training continued in the nature of circuits and bumps. The adjutant. visited Station HQ and Middleton St. George and obtained a small supply of forms and stationery. S.H.Q. did not hold Squadron requisites and 419 and 420 Squadrons only had meagre supplies.

13/11/42

Circuits and Bumps continued. The Canadian Y.M.C.A. representative arrived and promised to equip the crew room with a billiard table, table tennis set etc. In the afternoon W/Cmdr Hutchins and W/Cmdr Durham R.C.A.F. visited the Squadron. W/Cmdr Hutchins S .A.O. of 4 Group informed us that he would look into the difficulties being experienced and try to obtain transport at the earliest possible moment. Forty 419 Squadron personnel moved to Middleton St. George.

The following Officer arrived on posting.

  • P/O L.D. Izzard

14/11/42

C.O. went to Leeming with G/Capt McKechnie to a conference of Station Commanders and Squadron Commanders presided over by the A.O.C. G/Cpt. McCall R.C.A.F. visited the Station.

15/11/42

W/Cmdr Pleasance DFC & Bar gave a lecture to air crews on "Night Fighters," The lecture was greatly appreciated and very instructive. Night flying was undertaken for the first time by the Squadron. Sgt Southwood has the misfortune to have an engine cut on his third take-off. The aircraft "0" for orange became airborne and then hit some trees and finally crashed in a field approximately half a mile from the drome. The crew of three luckily escaped without injury but the aircraft was a complete write off. The crash wagon and ambulance were on the scene in a very short while and are to be congratulated on their prompt actions.

16/11/42

Circuits and Bumps were continued. Night flying was cancelled on account of ground haze. Two Halifax's belonging to 419 Squadron landed. One had to remain owing to a burst tyre.

17/11/42

Circuits and bumps were continued but had to be curtailed owing to a ground haze forming whilst two aircraft were still airborne. After doing an extra circuit each, they lamed without mishap. G/Cpt. Brooks, S.A.S.0. 4 Group visited the Squadron and informed us that we had to be ready by the 1st of December for operations. Ground personnel were arriving in increasing numbers.

20/11/42

A misty day but some air ·to sea tiring practice was carried out. F/Lt Walters, P. Staff 4 Group phoned about the state of our ground personnel and informed us that we would very quickly be made up to establishment strength.

19/11/42

A few personnel, ground staff, arrived. Circuits and Bumps were continued. Night flying was cancelled on account of weather.

The following Officers arrived on posting.

  • P/O C.M. Parsons
  • P/O A.J.B. Thompson
  • F/Lt. J.N. Hagan, Medical Officer

20/11/42

Three crews went on a day Cross Country of approximately 3 hours duration. Air to Sea firing was also carried out.

21/11/42

Circuits and Bumps and three details for air to sea practice.

22/11/42

Only local flying carried out. Five pilots, W/Cdr. Burnside, S/Ldr Williams, P/ O Bennett and Sgts Williams and Schmitt went with 419 Squadron as 2nd Pilot to Stuttgart, leaving from Middleton St George. S/Ldr Williams flew with P/O Brent of 419 Squadron and encountered heavy flak and on the return had to belly land. S/Ldr Williams suffering from shrapnel wounds in the arms and legs.

23/11/42

Air to sea firing carried out. The pilots returned from Middleton St George, less S/Ldr. Williams who bad entered hospital, and appeared to have thoroughly enjoyed their first operational trip over Germany.

24/11/42

Air to sea firing continued. G/Cpt. Slemon, S.A.S.O. visited the Squadron.

The following Officer arrived on posting.

  • P/O N.W. Morrison

25/11/42

No flying due to bad weather conditions. "A" and "B" flights are now getting things running smoothly although difficulties are being experienced through the shortage of transport and tools

26/11/42

All the flying again cancelled due to weather. P/O G. Crampton, R.C.A.F Press representative visited the Squadron and enquired on the progress being made and about the comfort of the men.

27/11/42

No flying. Major Bebbon of 4 Group gave a lecture to all aircrew on "Flak". The lecture was greatly appreciated.

28/11/42

Air to sea, local, and circuits and bumps carried out. Four crews did night circuits and bumps for an hour each.

29/11/42

Six crews did night flying test on their aircraft for a Bulls Eye Exercise, but it was scrubbed.

30/11/42

Two Officers and four Sergeants (Aircrew) visited 13 Group H.Q. and were shown how they were plotted at the Filter Room and also visited the Group Operations Room. This visit was extremely instructional and it is hoped to arrange visits for all aircrew as it is thought that a knowledge of the intricate and accurate manner in which they are plotted will add to their confidence while flying over the North Sea.

Honours and Awards - Nil

Commissions- Nil

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