Place

Date

Time

Summary of Events

This month saw the completion of the aircrew training program in connection with conversion of Squadron to Liberator aircraft. The last crews returned from their armament training course at Amarda Road by the middle of October and during the month, training lectures were given by the flight Commanders, Squadron Intelligence Officer and other specialised affimmers? squadron personnel

Two long weather reconnaissances extending to the Tenhaserim? Coast were flown early in the month, and from 6th October to 13th October the Squadron participated in a prolonged search for survivors of a missing Liberator A/C in the Bay of Bengal but, although the dinghy was sighted several times, the occupants were unfortunately, not picked up.

The second half of the month saw the continuation of the final training programs and on the 30th, an Exercise "GLAXO" was carried out - to simulate as near as possible actual operational conditions. This included bombing at Jessor and Amard Road Ranges - simulation bombing of Madras Main Railway Station, and interception by R.A.F. and U.S.A.A.F. fighters.

On the last day of the month a weather reconnaissance was rendered particularly abortive by engine trouble - the a/c getting safely back to base with no further trouble.

Digri

1.10.44

0615 -
2005

S/Ldr. Beadon and crew in a/c "G", carried out a weather reconnaissance to Phemparie?? Island, and on to Bentinck? Island, over the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Inner? Sea. The route was flown at 500' - 4000', and a visual reconnaissance of Bentinck? Island was made at 200'. No other a/c, or shipping, was sighted. The weather was bad, with dense cloud down to 200' - 300', and heavy rain. Visibility was never more than half a mile. (See Appendix No. 6).

5.10.44

0755 -
1815

F/Lt. N. Williams and crew, in a/c 'v', carried out a weather reconnaissance over the Bay of Bengal, to Preparis? Island, and then on to position 14° 30' N, 97° 00' E. The route was flown at 8000', and there were no sightings of aircraft or shipping. The weather was good, with 2 - 6/10ths. Scattered cumulus, base 2 - 3000', top 5 - 6000'. There was a local storm? over Preparis Island. Visibility was good. (See Appendix No. 10).

6-7.10.44

1608 -
0215

F/O Clarke and crew in a/c 'Q', and F/O Shaw and crew in a/c 'V', were detailed for an Air/Sea Rescue Search for survivors of a missing Liberator (A/C "W" of 159 Squadron), which forced landed in the sea 50 - 60 miles S.E. of Chenera?? Island. At 1940 hrs, position 18° 27' N. 92° 51' E. a/c 'V' sighted a bright light on the sea, flashing "S.O.S." The light was circled until 22.31 hrs. when it extinguished. A/c remained in the area for a further hour. The weather was good.

7.10.44

1041 -
2105

W/O Cameron and crew in a/c 'Q' and F/O Shaw and crew in a/c 'V', were detailed for an Air Sea Rescue Search commenced the previous day, but returned to base without having sighted the dinghy carrying survivors. The weather continued good.

7-8.10.44

1830 -
0610

F/O Fraser and crew in a/c 'R' continued the Air Sea Rescue Search commenced on 6th October, but returned to base without having sighted the dinghy. The weather was good.

8.1.44

0806 -
2100

F/O Lanteke?? And crew in a/c 'V' continued the Air Sea Rescue Search. The weather was changeable, occasional rain squalls reducing visibility to 1 mile. Nothing was seen of the dinghy.

9.10.44 -
10.10.44

0555 -
0120

F/O Brodie? and crew in a/c 'F', F/Lt. Mazengard?? and crew in a/c 'R', W/O Tindall and crew in a/c 'G', and Sgt. Brooks and crew in a/c 'V' continued the Air Sea Rescue Search. At 16.07 hours, position 18° 25' N 93° 05' E. a/c 'V' sighted the dinghy, greyish in colour, containing 3 men. Unfortunately the dinghy was lost again after 3 - 4 minutes. A/C 'G' may also have seen the dinghy at 16.22 hours, but could not maintain contact. The weather was good.

9.10.44

1530 -
1630

4 Crews returned from Armament Training at Amarda Road.

10-11.10.44

0533 -
0215

F/O Shaw and crew in a/c 'Q', F/O Frazer and crew in a/c 'R', and Sgt. Milier and crew in a/c 'F' continued the Air-Sea Rescue Search in generally good weather, but over the sea reduced visibility. No sign of the dinghy was seen.

11.10.44

0310 -
2150

F/Lt. Grouse?? and crew in a/c 'V", F/O Downie and crew in a/c 'F', F/O Lanteke and crew in a/c 'E??' and W/O McPhee?? in a/c 'Q' continued the Air-Sea Rescue Search without result. There were rain storms and heavy showers?? to the W. of the search area, but in the area itself the weather was ????y. Visibility was 2 miles, improving during the day.

12.10.44

04443 -
2229

F/Lt. N. Williams and crew in a/c 'W?', F/O Colson and crew in a/c 'F' and F/S Malengard?? and crew in a/c 'Q' continued the Air-Sea Rescue Search. The weather was good in the area of the search, but a "front" with heavy cloud, thunderstorms and rain was encountered commenced at the Burma Coast extending along the 20th parallel curving S. at the 91st meridian. The dinghy was not sighted.

13.10.44

0432 - 1824

S/Ldr Beadon and crew in a/c 'H?', Sgt. Brooks and crew in a/c 'Q' continued the Air-Sea Rescue Search in moderately good weather, occasional rainstorms reducing visibility. Visual reconnaissances were made of Foul? Island, Oyster Island and the beaches of Chemaba?? Island, without result. A/c 'H' was struck by a small calibre bullet fired from an unknown position near the southern tip of Cheaira?? Island. The ball turret was damaged but there were no injuries to personnel.

13.10.44

1545

The fifth and final crew (F/O Graham's crew) in a/c returned from Armament Course at Amarda Road.

30.10.44

0558 -
1908

F/Lt. Grouse and crew in a/c 'A', F/O Downie and crew in a/c 'F', sgt. Miller and crew in a/c 'H'. F/O Clarke and crew in a/c 'C', F/O Fraser and crew in a/c 'P', and F/Lt. Shaw and crew in a/c 'Q' carried out an exercise "GLAXO" arranged as part of the training programme by the A.O.C. 231 Group. The route was Base - Krishagar - Jessore - Amarda Road - Madras - Base. Practice bombs were carried for bombing attacks at Jessore and Amarda Road ranges, but flood conditions prevented bombing at the former. Interruptions by R.A.F. and U.S.A.A.F Fighters were made at three stages of the route and the attacks were well pressed home. Simulation bombing of Madras Main Railway Station was also carried out A/c 'H' due to excessive petrol consumption dropped out of formation and landed at St. Thomas' Mount, returning to base the following day.

POSTINGS TO - OFFICERS

CAN.J6157 F/Lt. K. D. COX GD(Nav.B)

F/Lt. Staff Nav (P) post 215 Sqdn, w.e.f. 16/10/44. From 215 Sqdn Supny.

116558 F/O H.E.W. HART Tech(ee)

P/O Eng (Elect) vacancy 215 Sqdn. with effect from 1/10/44, from 322 M.U.

185029 P/O G.A. MUNTON? GD(AB)

215 Sqdn, on commissioning, with effect from 24/10/44.

185030 P/O H.W. WOOD GD(AB)

215 Sqdn, on commissioning, with effect from 30/10/44.

185079 P/O G. GRIFFIN GD(WOP/AIR)

215 Sqdn, on commissioning, with effect from 30/10/44.

POSTINGS FROM - OFFICERS

134552 F/O J. COHEN GD(NAV)

Posted from 215 Sqdn. to 230 Group Comm. Flight with effect from 18/10/44.

PROMOTIONS - OFFICERS

162030 P/O L.A. HUSSELL GD(P)

Promoted to F/O with effect from 4.6.44.

NZ4040519 P/O A.R. READ GD(P)

Promoted to F/O with effect from 18/7/44.

169483 P/O J.A.B.CAMPBELL GD(NAVE.B)

Promoted to F/O with effect from 5/1/44.

173056 P/O J.A.H. DALTON GD(W.Op/AIR)

Promoted to F/O with effect from 30/6/44.

53246 P/O D.F. NEVILLE GD(P)

Promoted to F/O with effect from 23/1/44.

54010 P/O H. JONES Tech(a)

Promoted to F/O with effect from 20/7/44.

129122 F/O H.A. SHAW GD(P)

Promoted to F/L with effect from 14/7/44.

CAN.J13395 F/O A.H. HARRIS GD(S?)

Promoted to F/L with effect from 17/8/44.