Place. | Date. | Time. | Summary of Events. | References to Appendices. |
MARHAM. | 1/1/40. | 0830. | Misty. Poor visibility getting worse. Flat calm. Weather unfit for flying. |
Training. |
The Link Trainer and A.M.L. Bombing Teacher was in use today. |
Visits. |
1400. | Squadron Leader GLENCROSS went to MILDENHALL to see the A.O.C. |
MARHAM | 2/1/40. | 0830. | Hard Frost. |
Ferrying. |
0930. | P/O. MORRIS and F/S. POWELL took off to take two aircraft to MESSRS VICKERS, BROOKLANDS for armouring of port hand petrol tanks. |
Operations. |
1045. | S/L. Du BOULAY in F/O. LASLETT's aircraft and F/S. BOORE took off for sweep in accordance with Operation Instructions 20 and 21 - One machine failed to start as did also the spare aircraft due to cold. One of these aircraft split an oil tank. |
App. 1. Opt. Inst. No. 20 |
S/L. Du BOULAY took Sgt. MARTIN's place in F/O. LASLETT's aircraft. | App. 2. |
Training. | Opt. Inst. No. 21 |
1120. | W/C. MILLS took off for low flying practice. | App. 5 Form 541 |
1130. | F/O. CLARKE took off for W/T practice. |
1335 | F/O. SHEERAN took off for photography exercise. |
Operations. |
1400. | The two aircraft returned from the sweep. |
Training. |
1405. | F/L. PRINGLE, F/O. WOOD and F/O. DONALDSON took off for practice bombing with 4 - 500 lb sand filled bombs at BERNERS HEATH, Release test also section drill. |
From 1045 hrs 2/1/1940 to 1400 hrs 2/1/1940. | Up | Down | Remarks |
Wellington IA. N.2990. Wellington IA N.2902. |
S/L. Du BOULAY F/O. LASLETT Sgt. POTTER Sgt. McKENZIE A.C. STOW A.C. WARD. F/S. BOORE Sgt. MOORES Sgt. ROBERTS A.C. WAITE LAC. SMITH LAC. MEAD |
Sweep in accordance with Operation Instructions 20 and 21. |
1045. 1045. |
1400. 1400. |
Owing to very cold weather aircraft were difficult to start. An oil tank was split and another overheated through waiting for the others to start. Thus only two finally took off. Nothing was to be observed during the sweep. | App. 1&2. |
MARHAM. | 3/1/40. | 0830. | Fine - Heavy Frost. Wind Easterly. |
Operations | App. 2 |
1030. | F/L. PRINGLE, F/O. DONALDSON and F/O. WOOD took off for Special Sweep over the North Sea in accordance with Optn. Instruction No. 21. | Optn. Instr. No. 21 |
Training. | App. 4 Form 541. |
1100. | Regional Control Lecture. |
Ferrying. |
1230. | F/O. LASLETT, F/O. SHEERAN and F/S. BOORE took off to ferry aircraft to WEYBRIDGE for armouring petrol tanks. |
F/O. SHEERAN returned due to poor visibility. |
Operations. |
1245. | The three aircraft returned from sweep. |
Training. |
1440. | W/C. MILLS took off for turret practice locally. |
Ferrying. |
1500. | F/S. POWELL returned from MESSRS VICKERS WEYBRIDGE. |
From 1030 hrs 3/1/1940 to 1245 hrs 3/1/1940. | Up | Down | Remarks |
Wellington IA. N.2987. Wellington IA. N.2989. Wellington IA. N. |
F/O. PRINGLE P/O. EVANS Sgt. BRYANT A.C. McKEE Cpl. PILGRIM LAC. REES F/O. DONALDSON P/O. GERRY Sgt. STOWE LAC. LAWSON A.C. KEMSLEY A.C. ROBERTSON F/O. WOOD F/O. STATHAM Sgt. PALMER LAC. STONE A.C. MOIR LAC. HOUGHTON |
Special Sweep in accordance with Optn. Instn. No. 21 |
1030. 1030. |
1245. 1245. |
This is the first Special Sweep according to Optn. No. 21 we have arranged. Nothing was to be observed during the sweep. |
App. 2. |
MARHAM | 4/1/40. | 0830. | Fine. Cloudless. Easterly wind. |
Training. |
1125. | S/L. Du BOULAY took off for local photography. |
1130. | P/O. MORRIS returned from WEYBRIDGE. |
MARHAM | 5/1/40. | 0730. | Fine - Cloudless. Easterly wind. |
Operations. |
Stand by of nine aircraft for coastal duties and sweep. | App. 1 & 2 |
1025. | S/L. GLENCROSS, F/O. WELLS, F/L. NEWMAN, P/O. BARBER, F/S. GROVES & F/S. POWELL took off for sweep. | Optn. Instr. 20&21 |
1040. | S/L. Du BOULAY, F/O. LASLETT and F/S. BOORE took off for sweep cooperating with three aircraft of No. 38 Sqn. | App. 5 Form 541 |
1120. | F/S. GROVES returned with failure of main boost startboard engine. |
1200. | F/O. WELLS returned with under turret failure. |
Ferrying |
1335. | F/O. GIBBES, F/O. STATHAM and F/O. FANSHAWE took off for WEYBRIDGE for armour plating. |
Operations. |
1530. | All aircraft returned. Nothing having been observed except wreckage from sunk ship. Other ships standing by. |
From 1025 hrs 5/1/1940 to 1525 hrs 5/1/1940. | Up | Down | Remarks |
Wellington IA. N.2876. Wellington IA. N.2977. Wellington IA. N.2948. Wellington IA. N.2900. Wellington IA. N.2949. Wellington IA. N.2950. |
S/L. GLENCROSS F/O. SCOTT Sgt. LAMBERT Sgt. SMITH LAC. LEINS LAC. HODGSON F/O. WELLS P/O. MORRIS Sgt. TEMPLETON A.C. PURDOM LAC. BLADON A.C. PRESTON F/L. NEWMAN P/O. WICKENKAMP Sgt. HARDY A.C. PEEL LAC. SMITH Sgt. MacDONALD P/O. BARBER P/O. RANKIN Sgt. JUBY Sgt. PEARCE LAC. WESTCOTT Sgt. MURPHY F/S. GROVES Sgt. NICOL Sgt. MOORE A.C. MOSS LAC. ARMSTRONG Cpl. SAUNDERS F/S. POWELL Sgt. NEWBERRY Sgt. FOX A.C. WALSH LAC. KIRKBY LAC. SOWERBY |
Sweep in accordance with Optn. Instn. Nos. 20 and 21. |
1025. 1025. 1025. 1025. 1025. 1025. |
1525. 1150. 1525. 1525. 1115. 1525. |
Different sweeps were carried out by flight formations of six aircraft. Nothing was to be observed. F/S. GROVES, and F/O. WELLS returned early due to mechanical failure. |
From 1040 hrs 5/1/1940 to 1545 hrs 5/1/1940. | Up | Down | Remarks |
Wellington IA. N.2899. Wellington IA. N.2990. Wellington IA. N.2988. |
S/L. Du BOULAY F/O. SHEERAN Sgt. KIRKHAM LAC. MILLER A.C. WAITE LAC. FALLOWS F/O. LASLETT Sgt. MARTIN Sgt. McKENZIE Sgt. POTTER A.C. STOW A.C. WARD F/S. BOORE Sgt. MOORES Sgt. ROBERTS LAC. MEAD LAC. SMITH |
Sweep in accordance with Optn. Instrn. No's 20 and 21. |
1040. 1040. 1040. |
1545. 1545. 1545. |
These three aircraft cooperated with three aircraft of 38 Squadron to form six flight formation of six for a sweep. Nothing was to be observed. |
MARHAM | 6/1/40. | 0830. | Heavy white frost. Foggy. |
No flying in view of weather. Link Trainer was in use morning and afternoon. |
A.M.L. Trainer and Bomb Crew Trainer also in use. |
MARHAM | 7/1/40. | 0830. | Warmer. Thawing. Some rain. Southerly wind. |
Training. |
Similar programme to that of yesterday carried out. |
MARHAM | 8/1/40. | Wet. Foggy - Wind light and variable. |
Stand by six aircraft. S/L. Du BOULAY and P/O. BARBER's sections. |
F/S. SIMPSON went to MILDENHALL today for enquiry into low flying accident. |
0830. | Stand down till 11.00. |
1130. | F/L. NEWMAN attended conference at MILDENHALL to discuss dropping propaganda pamphlets over GERMANY, with member of WHITLEY crew experienced in this work. |
1200. | Stand down for the day. |
1420. | Lecture by Lt. Commdr. PHILLIEMORE on Ship Recognition. |
MARHAM | 9/1/40. | 0830. | Overcast. Northerly wind. |
Training. |
1035. | W/C. MILLS in P/O. BARBER's aircraft, F/S. GROVES and F/S. POWELL took off for a low attack on the aerodrome. |
Ferrying. |
1055. | F/O. LASLETT, F/O. SHEERAN and F/S. BOORE took off for WEYBRIDGE for armouring of petrol tanks. |
Training. |
1445. | F/L. SIMPSON took off for night flying test. |
1530. | Lecture by S/L. WILLIAMS on Targets, Coking ovens & c. |
Ground staff are doing overtime, having to provide guards for aircraft and for Station Headquarters as well as their usual duties. |
MARHAM | 10/1/40. | 0830. | Fine - cloudless. Wind North Easterly. |
Training. |
1040. | F/S. GROVES with W/C. MILLS and F/S. POWELL took off for formation practice. |
1130. | S/L. Du BOULAY and F/O. FANSHAWE took off for MESSRS VICKERS, WEYBRIDGE for armouring. |
1415. | Cinema Film and lecture by Sgt. ROMAN from MILDENHALL for Air Gunners and Pilots. |
Personnel. |
1500. | P/O. CHESTER-MASTER, P/O. GRAINGER and P/O. BULL, commissioned air gunners arrived - posted to Squadron for gunnery duties. |
1630. | S/L. Du BOULAY, F/O. LASLETT and F/S. BOORE return with three aircraft from WEYBRIDGE having armouring completed. |
MARHAM | 11/1/40. | 0715. | Fine. Warm. Sun. Frost. Easterly wind. |
"A" Flight standing by, six aircraft to attack enemy ships reported to be intending to attack a convoy. |
Training. |
1130. | S/L. Du BOULAY and F/O. SHEERAN took off four I.C.W. test. |
Visits. |
The A. O. C. interviewed F/L. NEWMAN and L.A.C. SMITH with regard to forced landing at MARTLESHAM. |
Ferrying. |
1130. | F/O. LASLETT and F/O. DONALDSON took off for WEYBRIDGE. |
1400. | Stand down. |
1410. | F/O. WELLS took off for compass and loop swing. |
MARHAM | 12/1/40. | 0830. | Fine - Wind Northeast. |
1000. | S/L. GLENCROSS, F/O. SCOTT and Sgt. NEWBERRY took off for WEYBRIDGE. |
Training. |
1050. | F/O. WELLS took off for compass swing. |
1120. | P/O. BARBER with W/C. MILLS, F/S. GROVES and F/S. POWELL took off for bombing at BERNERS HEATH - Target Battleship. |
1240. | P/O. GERRY with P/O. CHESTER MASTER and F/O. WOOD took off for bombing at BERNERS HEATH and firing air to ground. |
1330. | P/O. MORRIS took off for bombing BERNERS HEATH, Target Battleship and Air to Ground firing. |
1425. | The same two machines took off as at 12.40 for BERNERS HEATH. |
1520. | F/O. DONALDSON and F/O. STATHAM returned from WEYBRIDGE. |
1530. | F/L. NEWMAN took off for Bombing and firing at BERNERS HEATH. |
Message that one aircraft is required for pamphlet dropping over GERMANY i.e. Nickels. |
Training. |
1735. | F/O. WOOD took off for night flying, circuits and landings. |
1740. | F/S. GROVES took off for night flying circuits and landings. |
1825. | F/O. DONALDSON took off for the same programme. |
1825. | A local searchlight company provided a searchlight as nearly vertical as possible to assist taking off and landing. |
MARHAM | 13/1/40. | Operations. | App. 6 |
0010. | F/S. POWELL with P/O. WICKENKAMP took off for Nickel raid over HAMBURG according to Opn. Instrn. No. 22. | Opn. Instr. No. 22. |
0700. | The raiding aircraft returned having completed its mission and having had an uneventful journey. |
0830. | Magnificent day. Cloudless. North East wind. |
1015. | F/O. DONALDSON took off for Regional Control conference at MILDENHALL. | App. 7 From 541. |
Training. |
1115. | F/O. BARBER with P/O. BULL took off for photography. |
1125. | F/O. WOOD with F/O. CLARKE took off for photography. |
An invitation for an Officer to skate with a party at SANDRINGHAM, with the Royal Family. P/O. MORRIS went and had the greatest day in his life. |
MARHAM | 14/1/40. | 0715. | Fog coming down across aerodrome. Wind light and variable. |
One section of "B" Flight standing by at one hour's notice from 0730 for Coastal Duties. |
F/O. DONALDSON leading as F/L. PRINGLE is sick. |
1040. | Stand down message from Operations. |
1130. | Lecture on Nickels by C. O. |
No flying today in view of weather and stand by. |
Crews stood off for the afternoon. Number of personnel sick just now. |
MARHAM | 15/1/40. | 0830. | Fog. Heavy frost. |
No flying today in view of weather. |
Station and Squadron Commanders conference at MILDENHALL, attended by W/Cdr. MILLS this afternoon. |
MARHAM | 16/1/40. | 0830. | Fine. Northerly wind. Very slippery in view of frozen rain. Light fall of snow. |
Training. |
1015. | "B" Flight. S/L. Du BOULAY with W/C. MILLS, F/O. LASLETT, F/S. BOORE, F/L. PRINGLE, F/O. DONALDSON and F/O. WOOD took off for affiliation with fighters at WITTERING. |
1200. | About midday an inch or so of snow fell. |
1230. | Gale warning - North Easterly. Frozen powdered snow was blown about in drifts. |
MARHAM | 17/1/40. | 0715. | Cloudless overhead, clouds on horizon. Wind Northerly. Clears as sun rises. Thick mantle of snow over everything. |
All "B" Flight led by S/L. Du BOULAY are standing by for Coastal duties. |
Message that enemy ships may attack one of our convoys. |
1230. | Stand down. |
MARHAM | 18/1/40. | 0830. | Fine. Thick snow has fallen. Wind S.E. |
Training. |
The Wash range comes into use today for us. |
1210. | W/C. MILLS with P/O. BARBER's section - F/S. GROVES and F/S. POWELL took of for air firing over the WASH at drogues towed by BATTLES and also by WELLINGTONS. |
1325. | S/L. Du BOULAY's sections - F/O. LASLETT and F/S. BOORE took off for air firing over the WASH. |
1515. | F/L. PRINGLE's sections - F/O. WOOD and F/O. DONALDSON took off for air firing over the WASH. |
MARHAM | 19/1/40. | 0830. | Sun. Thin cloud. Wind S.E. |
Training. |
1000. | F/L. PRINGLE, F/O. DONALDSON and F/S. POWELL took off for cooperation with Fighters at WITTERING. This was not carried out owing to snow showers. |
Dispersal of Aircraft. |
1000. | Signal received to put minimum of 50% of the aircraft into the hangers in view of severe weather, which was acted upon. |
MARHAM | 20/1/40. | 0645. | Fine. Wind North Easterly. |
Operations |
1100. | W/C. MILLS and P/O. BARBER's section - F/S. GROVES and F/S. POWELL took off for sweep in accordance with Opn. Instr. 20 and 21. |
App. 1 + 2 |
Training. | Opn Inst No 20+21 |
1200. | F/O. WOOD, took P/O. CHESTER-MASTER to WARMWELL for gunnery course. |
1205. | S/L. Du BOULAY took off for R/T test. |
1435. | W/C. MILLS section returned from raid. |
1450. | F/L. PRINGLE took off for T.R.9.F range test and W/T test. |
MARHAM | 21/1/40. | 0830. | Snow falling heavily. Wind North Easterly. |
Weather unfit for flying. BERNERS HEATH cancelled. |
W/C. SCROGGS arrived in the afternoon to enquire into the matter of aircraft catching fire when starting the engines. |
Orders and Instructions. | App. - Form B68 |
Form B58 was recalled and returned to S.H.Q. and Form B68 was received. | also recalled later. |
MARHAM | 22/1/40. | 0830. | Blue sky overhead. Overcast on horizon. Wind Northerly. |
1115. | F/S. BOORE returned from WEYBRIDGE. |
1515. | P/O. RANKIN returned from WEYBRIDGE. |
Training. |
The Link Trainer was in use today. |
BERNERS HEATH range and searchlight cooperation has had to be cancelled in view of weather. |
MARHAM | 23/1/40. | 0645. | Bright. Misty. N. Westerly wind. |
Operations. |
1220. | F/L. PRINGLE's section - F/O. F/O. WOOD and F/O. DONALDSON took off for sweep in accordance with Form B.68. | App. - Fm. B68 not available. App. 9 Form 541 |
1440. | F/L. PRINGLE's section return from sweep. | App. 6 Form 541 |
MARHAM | 24/1/40. | 0830. | Overcast. Vis. 1000 yards. Wind Southerly. Snowing later; |
Training. |
The Link Trainer has been in use every day since the 21st. |
MARHAM | 25/1/40. | 0830. | Fine. Little cloud. Wind Southerly. |
Training. |
1020. | F/L. NEWMAN, F/O. SCOTT and P/O. MORRIS took off for Fighter Cooperation at WITTERING. |
Visits. |
1115. | Air Commodore BOTTOMLEY arrived in D. H. DRAGON. |
Training. |
1150. | Sgt. MOORES took off for WITTERING and return to practice W/T, T.R.9.F, Navigation and Homing on D/F. |
1155. | W/C. MILLS took off for Blind flying. |
1200. | Air Commodore BOTTOMLEY left. |
Nickel raid by one aircraft. |
S/L. Du BOULAY, was cancelled in view of weather forecast. |
MARHAM | 26/1/40. | 0830. | Overcast. Wind Easterly. |
We did not stand by today although the third day from the last stand by. |
Training. |
1000. | S/L. GLENCROSS, F/O. SCOTT and F/O. WELLS took off for cooperation with fighters at WITTERING. |
1135. | S/L. Du BOULAY with F/O. GIBBES and Sgt. MOORES took off for section drill. |
Visits. |
The A.O.C. arrived for lunch. |
1135. | Training. |
1445. | W/C. MILLS took off for local flying practice. |
MARHAM | 27/1/40. | 0830. | Overcast snowing. Wind N. Easterly. A great deal of snow has fallen during the night. |
S/L. GLENNCROSS section is weather bound at WITTERING. |
Training |
The Link Trainer has been in use today and the two previous days. The A.M.L. Bombing Teacher is in use every day. |
Flying personnel and sections not required stood off for the afternoon. |
Weather not fit for flying. |
Attachments. |
P/O. WHITE attached here from 214 Squadron for training. |
MARHAM | 28/1/40. | 0830. | Overcast. Wind Easterly. |
Training. |
1015. | W/C. MILLS with P/O. BARBER took off for weather test. |
1155. | F/L. NEWMAN took off with P/O. WHITE for local flying practice. |
1330. | F/L. PRINGLE's section - F/O. GIBBES and F/O. DONALDSON took off for air firing at WASH Range. |
1450. | F/L. NEWMAN took off for air test. |
MARHAM | 29/1/40. | 0645. | Overcast. |
Station is practically cut off by snow. |
"A" Flight - Captains - S/L. GLENCROSS, F/O. WELLS, P/O. SCOTT, P/O. BARBER, F/S. GROVES, F/S. POWELL standing by in accordance with Form B68. |
0715. | S/L. GLENCROSS took off to test aerodrome. Test satisfactory. |
1430. | F/L. PRINGLE took off for air test, Astro dome test and under turret practice. |
1500 | Message to stand down. |
MARHAM | 30/1/40. | 0645. | Overcast. Wind Easterly. |
0645. | S/L. GLENCROSS section and F/L. PRINGLE's section standing by in accordance with Form B.68. |
0745. | S/L. GLENCROSS took off to test aerodrome. Test satisfactory. |
BERNERS HEATH Range cancelled today in view of stand by and weather. |
1430. | Stand down. |
Accommodation. |
A room in a new barrack block was taken over today, easing the accommodation situation. Airman have even been sleeping in drying rooms. |
MARHAM | 31/1/40. | 0830. | Foggy. Other side of aerodrome just visible. Getting thicker. Wind Easterly. |
BERNERS HEATH again cancelled in view of weather. |
Link Trainer and A.M.L. Teacher is use today and sections busy about their duties. |