Place

Date

Time

Summary of events

Ratmalana

2

0730

"M" FL939, Sgt. Burns (Captain) and Crew; air tested at 07.30. This aircraft has hd two fuel cells changed and had not flown for nine weeks.

0645

"M" took off for Agra to have two defective turbo super-chargers repaired. After 30 minutes flying No. 2 engine failed almost completely for some minutes. The Capt. decided to return, though engine functioning normally. Circled Ratmalana until 1200 hrs. to reduce fuel load for landing.

1330

"K" FL911 P/O J. Campbell (Captain) returned from Ondal via Bangalore, with 2 pairs self-sealing overload tanks. (See entry 21-4-43). P/O Campbell stated that the Americans at Ondal were extremely helpful and hospitable.

3

0800

"M" Sgt. Burns (Captain) left for Agra. Later received signal stating that "M" force-landed at Bangalore "two engines cut out, fitting new fuel pump". "M" left Bangalore on May 5th arrived Agra 14.50 5/5/43.

6

1030

Visit of A.O.C. Air Vice Marshal A. Lees. Discussed broadly future plans. Inspected fitting of over-load tanks; the flow-meter, and camouflage of "H".

7

W/Cdr. Edwards (222 Group) inspected self-sealing over-load tank installation, about which he stated he had not been informed until three days ago.

7

1415

General briefing of crews for the intended operations; Station C. O., Group Intelligence Office; Group Photographic Officer; being present. In response to suggestions made at briefing that V.G.O. guns should be fitted in rear hatch in place of .5, of which mountings are not available, Group Armament Officer was requested to pay an immediate visit. The requirement was put to him at 16.45 hrs. in company with his assistant; O.C.'B' flight; Sqdn. Gunnery Officer; Sqdn. Armoury N.C.O.

9

1525

"B" FK239 Captain - F/Sgt. Hill and Crew Left for Sigiriya.

1600

"H" FL945 Captain - W/Cdr. Butler Left for Sigiriya

At Sigiriya "B" went u/s with a cut tyre. Every effort was made to get a replacement up from Ratmalana.

1700

F/O Wallace took off in "N?" FL936 but missed Sigiriya in failing lingt, and landed back at Ratmalana at 20.21 - the first Liberator night landing at Ratmalana. But the weather in any case would have made a take-off at Sigiriya impossible.

Prior to leaving for Sigiriya, the C.O. interviewed Sgt. Burns and Crew, on return from Agra. "M" Fl939 returned. By flying this a/c to Agra, it has become fully serviceable at least 14 days sooner than if the u/s parts had been removed and sent separately.

10

"V" FL536 Captain F/O Wallace, and Crew left for Sigiriya.

11

0115

"H" Captain - W/Cdr Butler, "B" F/Sgt. Hill (captain) left Sigiriya.
"V" u/s -"George" u/s.

11

1640

"H" and "B" landed at Ratmalana, having completed petrol consumption tests and photographic runs at 25,000 feet. In vicinity of Ratmalana, A/c "H" requested Fighter Affiliation by W/T; which was laid on by 30 Squadron (Hurricanes) within 10 minutes.

12

Results of yesterday's petrol consuption tests disappointing. "B" 2575 nautical miles, "H" 2610 nautical miles - absolute maximum.

14.30

W/Cdr Butler to 222 Group to confer with G/Capt. Cumming.

17

"V" FL936 Capt. - F/O Wallace, returned from Sigiriya.

19

C.O. visited R.A.F. Station, Yavuniya.

20

C.O. returned from Yavuniya

23

0630

"W" FL929 - Capt. Sgt. Burns; Navig. F/O Baleen? Took off.

1730

"W" landed.

1530

"B" FK239 Capt. F/Sgt. Hill; Navig. Sgt. Woodcock, left for Sigiriya.

1540

"H" FL945 Capt. F.Sgt. Ross; Navig. P/O Strackan, left for Sigiriya.

1820

"V" FL936 Capt. W/Cdr. Butler; Navig. F/Sgt. Hamann??, left for Sigiriya.

24

0240

"V" Capt. W/Cdr. Butler; Navig. F/Sgt. Hamann??, left Sigiriya

0815

"V" landed Ratmalana. Engine (No. 4) failure.

0310

"B" Capt. F/Sgt. Hill; Navig. Sgt. Woodcock, left Sigiriya - Ops.

1800

"B" landed Ratmalana.

C.O. visited A.O.C. at Group H.Q. and discussed fully the present situation.

26

1730

"V" FL936 Capt. W/Cdr. Butler and crew took off for Sigiriya.

1800

"B" FK239 Capt. Sgt. Burns & crew took off for Sigiriya.

27

1545

"V" Capt. W/Cdr. Butler; Navig. P/O Hamann??, left Sigiriya. Ops. target - Lhok Ba???? Hirwan???
Landed Ratmalana

0300

1600

"H" Capt. F/Sgt. Ross; Navig. P/O Strachan, left Sigiriya. Ops. Target - Sabang Harbour and Aerodrome.
Landed Ratmalana.

0335
1505

"B" Capt. Sgt. Burns; Navig. F/O Baleem, left Sigiriya. Ops.
Landed Ratmalana

28

1540

"V" FL936 Capt. W/O Hall & crew took off for Sigiriya.

1600

"H" FL945 Capt. S/L Paisey & crew took off for Sigiriya.

29

0230
1705

"V" Capt. W/O Hall; Navig. R/O J. Segar, left Sigiriya. Ops.
Landed Ratmalana.

30

0300

1740

"H" Capt. S/L Paisey & crew, Navig. F/Sgt. Follis, left Sigiriya. Ops.
Krosengrajha?? Kostaradjh??
Landed Ratmalana.

1510

"K" Fl911 Capt. F/O Campbell, Navig. W/O Winter, took off for Sigiriya.

31

0325
1425

"K" Capt. R/O Campbell, Navig. W/O Winter, left Sigiriya. Ops.
Landed Ratmalana.