Place

Date

Time

Summary of Events

A month of unbroken good weather enabled personnel of the Squadron to concentrate on flying activities. Two operations were undertaken during the first week of November but from the 8th to the 21st. a further period of highly concentrated and specialised training was undertaken, with the object of finding the best lead crews for formation attack, and polishing up the squadron formation flying generally. Lead crews were given intensive training in practice bombing, on local ranges, and towards the end of the period full Wing Formation Attack was rehearsed, in collaboration with 99 Squadron.

The period form the 21st to the 25th November was spent on maintenance overhaul of aircraft, necessitated by the preceding period of very concentrated flying. Three further operational flights were made during the last week of the month.

Digri

2/3/11/44

1818 hrs 2/11/44 to 0745? Hrs 3/11/44

4 a/c were detailed for a Night Bombing attach on Vinn Aerodrome, with Vinn Shipyard as the Secondary Target. All four a/c refuelled at Chittagong, using this as a forward base. Weather was good with no cloud, and slight ground haze. Thre a/c located the primary target, and bursts were observed in the runway area, some bombs falling near a small aircraft which was presumably destroyed. The fourth a/c could not pinpoint the aerodrome, and attacked the shipyard, causing a medium sized red fire at the eastern end, visible 50 miles away on the return journey. Very slight and ineffective H.A.A. and small arms fire was encountered over Vinn.

4/11/44

0635 -
1625 hrs.

6 a/c were detailed for a Day Bombing Attack on In???ein Railway Workshops in company with Liberators of 355 and 356 Squadrons, Taungup?? Dumpts being the secondary target. An escort of 19 P.38's of the U.S.A.A.F. and 8? R.A.F. P.47's was provided. One a/c failed to take off owing to engine trouble, but the remaining five reached and identified the target in good weather, obtaining a good distribution of bursts on the workshop buildings. Moderate, accurate H.A.A. fire was experienced, one a/c sustaining minor damage. 6 - 10 Japanese Army 01's and Hamps attacked our formation over the target, after bombing, obtaining strikes on one of our a/c. F/Lt. L. A. Lawrance in a/c 'D' shot down an 'Oscar' which burst into flames, after diving into the ground. A second 'Oscar' was claimed as damaged by a/c 'C'. All our aircraft returned safely.

8/11/44

1606 -
1640 hrs

W/O Palmer and crew in a/c 'H' and W/O Tindall and crew in a/c 'F' practiced formation flying.

9/11/44

0900 -
1400 hrs.

S/Ldr. Beadon and crew in a/c 'N??', F/L Grqune?? And crew in a/c 'B', F/O Colson and crew in a/c 'E?', W/O Hadaway and crew in a/c 'C', F/O Brodie and crew in a/c 'D', F/L N. M. Williams in a/c 'C?', S/L O'Connor and crew in a/c 'V', W/O Cameron and crew in a/c 'S', and W/O McPhee and crew in a/c 'R' practiced formation flying, with range-bombing at Digri and Jessore.

10/11/44

0900 -
1430 hrs

S/Ldr. Beadon and crew in a/c 'H', F/L R. Williams and crew in a/c 'B', W/O Tindall and crew in a/c 'F', F/O Fraser and crew in a/c 'R', F/L N. Williams and crew in a/c 'O', F/S Brooks and crew in a/c 'S', F/O Clarke and crew in a/c 'C', Sgt Millen and crew in a/c 'D', and W/O Palmer and crew in a/c 'E', practiced formation flying and bombing at Dirgri & Jessore ranges.

11/11/44

0800 -
1330 hrs.

S/Ldr. Beadon and crew in a/c 'H', F/L Grouse and crew in a/c 'F?', W/Cdr. Sindall and drew in a/c 'F', F/O Clarke and crew in a/c 'H', F/O Colson and crew in a/c 'E', F/L N. Williams and crew in a/c 'O', W/O McPhee and crew in a/c 'Q', F/O Fraser and crew in a/c 'P', F/O Brooks and crew in a/c 'R', F/S Masengarb? And crew in a/c 'S', practiced fromation flying, some crews also dropping practice bombs on the range at Digri.

11/11/44

1015 -
1230 hrs.

F/O Gilbert in a/c 'U?', practiced circuits and landings.

12/11/44

0800 -
1243 hrs.

W/Cdr. Sindall and crew in a/c 'B', S/Ldr. Beadon and crew in a/c 'H', F/L Grouse and crew in a/c 'C?', W/O Palmer and crew in a/c 'E', Sgt. Miller and crew in a/c 'D', F/L N. Williams and crew in a/c 'U', S/Ldr. O'Connor and crew in a/c 'O', F/O Fraser and crew in a/c 'P', and W/O Cameron and crew in a/c 'S', did formation practice bombing on Digri Range.

13/11/44

0900 -
1200 hrs.

S/Ldr. Beadon and crew in a/c 'H', F/L Grouse and crew in a/c 'b', F/L r. Williams and crew in a/c 'D', F/O Braham and crew in a/c 'F', W/O Palmer and crew in a/c 'E', F/O Clarke and crew in a/c 'G', F/L Shaw and crew in a/c 'R', F/O Coulin and crew in a/c 'T?', F/S Masengarth and crew in a/c 'U', and W/O McPhee and crew in a/c 'Q', practiced formation bombing on the ranges at Digri and Salbani.

14/11/44

0900 -
1245 hrs.

W/O Tindall and crew in a/c 'C', F/O Brodie and crew in a/c 'D', F/O Graham and crew in a/c 'E', F/L N. Williams and crew in a/c 'P', W/O Cameron and crew in a/c 'S', and S/Ldr. O'Connor and crew in a/c 'O', flew a cross-country in formation t Ranchi, Amarda Road, and Salbani, with practice bombing on Salbani Range.

14/11/44

0935 -
1215 hrs.

W/Cdr. Sindall in a/c 'E', Sgt. Miller in a/c 'D' and W/O Madaway in a/c 'G?', flew in formation Base, - Charra - Ranchi - Amarda Road - Base, with practice bombing en route.

15/11/44

0900? -
1322 hrs.

S/Ldr. O'Connor and crew in a/c 'O', F/L Shaw in a/c 'T', F/S Masengarb and crew in a/c 'S', F/O Frazer and crew in a/c 'P', and W/O McPhee and crew in a/c 'Q' practiced formation flying and range bombing.

16/11/44

0900 -
1240 hrs.

S/Ldr. O'Connor and crew in a/c 'P', F/L N. Williams and crew in a/c 'Q', W/O Cameron and crew in a/c 'S', F/O Coulin and crew in a/c 'T' and F/L R. Williams and crew in a/c 'D' flew from Base to Charra - Amarda Road - Salbani and back to base, with practice bombing at Amarda Road and Salbani Ranges, and formation changes.

16/11/44

2105 -
1240 hrs.

W/O Cameron, F/O Coulin and W/O McPhee practiced night take-offs and landings, using a/c 'U'.

17/11/44

0855 -
1222 hrs.

F/O Brodie and crew in a/c 'D', F/L Grouse and crew in a/c 'B', F/L Shaw and crew in a/c 'V', F/S Masengarb and crew in a/c 'Q', F/O Frazer and crew in a/c 'P', F/S Brooks and crew in a/c 'T', practiced formation bombing and cross-country formation flying.

17/11/44

2035 -
2110 hrs.

W/O Clarke in a/c 'G', practiced night circuits andlandings.

18/11/44

0930 -
1300 hrs.

W/Cdr. Sindall and crew in a/c 'A', S/Ldr. Beadon and crew in a/c 'H', F/L R. Williams and crew in a/c 'C?', F/O Brodie and crew in a/c 'F', F/L Brouse and crew in a/c 'B', F/L N. Williams and crew in a/c 'U', F/L shaw and crew in a/c 'R', F/O Coulin and crew in a/c 'T', and W/O McPhee and crew in a/c 'P' flew to Charra - Cuttack - and Amarda Road on formation bombing practice.

19/11/44

0910 -
1355 hrs.

W/Cdr. Sindall and crew in a/c 'A', S/Ldr. Beadon and crew in a/c 'H', F/L R. Williams and crew in a/c 'G?', F/O Brodie and crew in a/c 'F?', S/Ldr. O'Connor and crew in a/c 'P', F/O Coulin and crew in a/c 'T', F/S Mazengarb and crew in a/c 'O' and W/O Cameron and crew in a/c 'S' practiced Wing Formation, with 99 Squadron, with Range Bombing at Digri and Amarda Road.

20/11/44

0910 -
1340 hrs.

W/O Tindall and crew in a/c 'F', S/Ldr. Beadon and crew in a/c 'H', F/L N. Williams and crew in a/c 'S', S/Ldr. O'Connor and crew in a/c 'O', F/L Shaw and crew in a/c 'R', W/O McPhee and crew in a/c 'Q', F/O Frazer and crew in a/c 'P', and Sgt. Brooks and crew in a/c 'T', practiced Wing Formation Flight, as on the 19th December.

21/11/44

0910 -
1350 hrs.

S/Ldr. Beadon and crew in a/c 'H', F/O Clarke and crew in a/c 'C', W/O Palmer and crew in a/c 'B', sgt Miller and crew in a/c 'F', F/L Williams and crew in a/c 'U', F/O Coulin and crew in a/c 'T', F/L Shaw and crew in a/c 'R', F/S Mazengarb and crew in a/c 'O', F/S Brooks and crew in a/c 'P' and W/O Cameron and crew in a/c 'Q', joined in Wing Formation practice, as on previous two days.

F/L Grouse and crew in a/c 'B' were engaged in practice bombing and Air/Sea Firing.

26/11/44

0816 -
1719 hrs.

12 a/c were detailed for a day-bombing attack, in formation, on the Railway Station and Sidings at Py????ia. The squadron attacked in four vics of three a/c, line astern. Some bombs fell west of the sidings, outside the target area, but many bursts were observed on the tracks and station buildings, causing a heavy and secondary explosion, with much black smoke. The weather was good, and no opposition was encountered.

28/11/44

0727 -
1458 hrs.

9 a/c were detailed for a day attack, bombing in formation, on the Marshalling Yards at Mandalay, with Ywataing Locomotive Sheds, and Station Sidings as the Secondary Target. All a/c attacked the primary target, in three vics of three a/c, line astern. A good concentration of bursts were obtained on the yard in the vicinity of the Station Buildings, and amongst rolling stock, debris from which was seen in the air. Meagre anti-aircraft fir was experienced over the target quickly becoming accurate. One aircraft received slight damage from shrapnel. The weather was good, with excellent target visibility.

30/11/44 to 1/12/44

0824 hrs 30/11/44 to 0815 hrs. 1/12/44

4 a/c were detailed for individual night bombing attacks in Indo-China, in the Manod and Vinh?? areas. All a/c re-fuelled at Jessore on the outward journey, and 3 a/c re-fuelled at Chittagong, on return. 2 a/c attacked the shipyard at Vinh in bright moonlight, obtaining hits on the yards. One a/c attacked the Japanese Camp at Vinh-Yen. Ground detail there was hard to distinguish owing to low cloud and haze, and it was feared that the bombs undershot, west of the camp. The fourth a/c attacked Gialam Airfied through cloud and was unable to pin-point the bomb-bursts. No opposition was encountered and flying conditions to and from the targets were good.

POSTINGS -R.A.F.

F/O J. D. Bingham GD(P)
F/O D. F. Neville GD(P)

Posted from 1673 H.C.U. to 215 Sqdn. (sup'y), for flying duties with effect from 8/9/44

F/O B. D. Harper Tech(s)

Disembarked ex U.K. 26/9/44, and posted to 215 Sqdn. to fill F/O Sigs (G) vacancy w.e.f. 25/10/44.

P/O G. G. Upson Tech(s)

Posted from 215 Sqdn. to H.Q. A.C.S.E.A.

P/O L. A. Russell GD(P)

Posted from 1673 H.C.U. to 215 Sqdn. (sup'y) for flying duties with effect from 2/9/44

S/L A. Webster GD(P)

Posted from 215 Sqdn. Flight Commander post to 99 Sqdn. with effect from 12/9/44

P/O G. W. Wheeler GD(P)

Posted from 215 Sqdn. to F/O Flying post 99 Sqdn. with effect from 12/9/44.

S/L P. R. O'Connor GD(P)

Posted from 99 Sqdn. to Flight Commander post No. 215 Sqdn. with effect from 12/9/44.

P/O D. Golding GD(Nav.B)

Posted to 215 Squadron on first commissioning wef. 17/11/44.

R.C.A.F.

F/O E. F. Gilbert GD(P)

Posted from 1673 H.C.U. to 215 Sqdn. (supn'y) for flying duties.

F/O G. M. Brodie GD(P)

Appointed to acting rank of F/Lt. whilst filling F/Lt. Captain of aircraft vacancy, No. 215 Squadron.

POSTINGS - R.A.A.F.

F/Lt R. E. Grouse GD(P)

Posted from F/Lt. Flying Post 215 Sqdn. to sup'ny strength 215 Sqdn. with effect from 1/11/44

R.N.Z.A.F.

F/O A. R. Read GD(g)
P/O J. L. Ross GD(P)

Posted to B.R.D. Worli with effect from 10/11/44, pending embarkation.

PROMOTIONS - R.A.F.

F/O H. E. Melborne GD(Wop/Air)

Appointed to Acting Rank of F/Lt. whilst filling F/L Gunner (S) Signal Leader post, with effect from 6/9/44.

P/O D. Golding GD(Nav.B)

Appointed to rank of Pilot Officer in R.A.F.V.R. on probation with effect from 31/8/44.

F/O G. B. Williams GD(Nav)

Promoted to rank of F/Lt.(W.S.) with effect from 31/7/44.

R.A.A.F.

P/O A. R. M. Stephens GD(Nav.B)

Appointed to the rank of Pilot Officer on probation with effect from 19/4/44.

F/O E. F. Coulin GD(P)
F/O A. E. Graham GD(P)

Appointed to Acting Rank of F/Lt. whilst filling F/Lt. Captain of aircraft vacancy 215 Sqdn.

POSTINGS - R.A.A.F.

F/O R. S. Andrews GD(s?)

Posted from 1673 H.C.U. to No. 215 Squadron (Supn'y) for flying duties, with effect from 8/9/44.

P/O A. R. M. Stephens GD(Nav.B)

Posted to No. 215 Squadron on appointment to commissioned rank with effect from 8/11/44.

F/L R. D. Williams GD(P)

Posted from supn'y strength of 215 Squadron to F/Lt. Flying Post No. 215 Sqdn. with effect from 1/11/44.