80 Years ago from the Archives - February 1945
The Station Commander at R.A.F. Harrowbeer for the start of February was Wing Commander R. I. G. MacDougall. He handed over the Command of the Station to Wing Commander A. C. Stewart on the 11th February 1945 who signed the Station Operation Record Book for the month of February.
Visitors to R.A.F. Harrowbeer included :-
Flight Lieutenant Blair - Air Ministry
Flight Lieutenant Quane - Signals, Headquarters No.10 Group
Air Commodore A. V. Harvey CBE. - Air Officer Commanding No.10 Group
Squadron Leader Longrigg - No.10 Group Intelligence Officer
Group Captain Bolland - R.A.F. Station Pembroke Dock
Group Captain G. Hamlyn AFC. - S.A.S.O. No.10 Group
Squadron Leader Marks - Chief Signals Officer No.10 Group
Air Commodore A. B. R. Russell DFC, AFC. - Air Officer Commanding No.70 Group
Flying Officer McLaughlin - W.A.A.F. Physical Fitness Inspector
Mr. Martin Roberts - Lecturer
Flight Lieutenant Archibald - Sector Intelligence Officer
Wing Commander Jewell - ( Tech. Eng. ) Headquarters Fighter Command
Wing Commander Haywood - S.A.S.O. No.10 Group
Squadron Leader Cudden - Physical Instructor No.10 Group
Air Commodore Bowen - National Savings
Warrant Officer Chambers - No.70 Group Signals Officer
Weather
1st February Bad weather with high winds reaching gale force. Low level cloud down to fifty feet in the afternoon.
2nd February High winds in the morning. The weather deteriorated during the afternoon resulting in low cloud over the hills and poor visibility.
32rd February Fair with good visibility
4th February Poor weather at first, improving towards mid-day then deteriorating in the early afternoon with bad visibility and drizzle which then turned to heavy rain.
5th February Poor with 10/10ths cloud covering the Aerodrome.
6th February Low cloud covering the entire Aerodrome with hill fog and visibility approximately two hundred yards.
7th and 8th February High winds, rain and low cloud with bad visibility lasting several days.
9th February Low cloud over the high ground with patches of bad visibility. In the afternoon the wind increased to gale force.
10th February Strong gusting winds. Mid-afternoon brought heavy snow storms with bad visibility.
11th and 12th February High winds to gale force standards with bad visibility.
12th February Misty in the morning becoming fair to fine.
No other weather conditions are mentioned in the Station O.R.B. for the month of February.
From the Station O.R.B.
1st February At 2000 hours there was an E.N.S.A. Show in the Station Theatre - " Twelfth Night ".
2nd February Six Defiant aircraft of No.691 A.A.C. ( Army Air Co-operation ) Squadron landed from R.A.F. Roborough. Plymouth. A ' TR9 ' radio transmitter was fitted in Flying Control for use with the No.691 A.A.C. Squadron aircraft. The transmitter was set to be manned and worked on No.70 Group R/T frequency 4780 kl/s.
3rd February Flight Lieutenant Blair from the Air Ministry arrived at 1400 hours to give a lecture to all ranks on " Japan and the Far East ". The lecture was repeated at 1600 hours to all Officers in the Officer's Mess.
5th February A Blenheim MKIV aircraft from R.A.F. Station Digby arrived and was re-crystallised to Harrowbeer's Flying Control - Treleaver - World Guard. No.10 Group Guard I was to carry out calibration tests with G.C.I. Stations Sopley and Treleaver.
7th February Flight Lieutenant Quane from Signals I. Headquarters No.10 Group made a visit to R.A.F. Harrowbeer. The reason for his visit was regarding the question of re-siting the V.H.F. Homer Station on Roborough Down. This matter was discussed with the Senior Flying Control Officer. The W.A.A.F. - N.A.A.F.I. was re-opened on the W.A.A.F. Site, this will be of great benefit to the W.A.A.F. personnel as their Site is almost two miles from the main Communal Site N.A.A.F.I.
8th February A film " The Battle of Britain " was shown to the air crew personnel.
9th February At 1510 hours the Air Officer Commanding No.10 Group - Air Commodore A. V. Harvey CBE. landed at R.A.F. Harrowbeer in an Airspeed Oxford aircraft. He was unable to reach R.A.F. Portreath owing to the poor weather conditions, so he continued his journey by road. Information has been received from the Station Commander - Wing Commander R. I. G. MacDougall is to be posted to R.A.F. Andover.
10th February A Walrus aircraft of No.275 Air Sea Rescue Squadron was scrambled at1258 hours and later re-called to base where it landed at 1410 hours. An aircraft which had given out a " Mayday " call eventually landed safely at R.A.F. Exeter.
11th February Wing Commander R. I. G. MacDouall handed over Command of the Station to Wing Commander A. C. Stewart DFC.
12th February A recreational library was opened at R.A.F. Harrowbeer. A film " Battle of Russia " was shown to air crew personnel.
14th February A reference and textbook library opened on the Station. E.N.S.A. gave a variety show in the Station Theatre. No.275 Air Sea Rescue Squadron was taken off readiness duties and a farewell dance was held for them in the Officer's Mess.
15th February Five Spitfire aircraft detached to R.A.F. Bolt Head from No.275 A.S.R. Squadron landed at R.A.F. Harrowbeer for disposal on the disbandment of the Squadron.
16th February The film " Desert Victory " was shown to air crew personnel.
19th February At 1600 hours the Lecture / Discussion Group were given a lecture on " Democracy " by Mr. Martin Roberts.
20th February The remainder of No.691 A.A.C. Squadron arrived from R.A.F. Roborough, Plymouth. Squadron Leader Marks - Chief Signals Officer No.10 Group visited R.A.F. Harrowbeer to review No.135 Force signals equipment.
21st February No.691 A.A.C. Squadron have now moved from R.A.F. Roborough, Plymouth to R.A.F. Harrowbeer. The Squadron Commanding Officer is Squadron Leader Stansell and he has a compliment of one hundred and thirty nine personnel and twenty three various aircraft. The Air Officer Commanding No.70 Group - Air Commodore A. B. R. Russell DFC, AFC, visited the Station to inspect No.691 A.A.C. Squadron.
22nd February 135 Force left R.A.F. Harrowbeer to carry out an exercise. Flight Lieutenant Archibald - Sector Intelligence Officer made a visit to the Station. Flying Officer McLaughlin - Command W.A.A.F. Physical Fitness Inspector visited the Station.
23rd February The Cookhouse on the W.A.A.F. Site was opened for breakfasts and suppers. 135 Force returned from their exercise. Wing Commander Jewell - ( Tech. Eng. ) visited the Station on behalf of Headquarters Fighter Command.
25th February The Station Commander A. C. Stewart DFC. visited the Dawlish Warren Gunnery Range. Due to the dangerous layout of the targets, he gave instructions for the range to be closed for one week.
26th February At 1600 hours the Lecture / Discussion Group were given a lecture on " Parliament " by Mr. Martin Roberts.
27th February There was a Station Commander's Conference held at 1200 hours. All Officers in charge of Sections attended. It was decided to change the working hours of the Station to 0830 hours until 1700 hours with effect from Monday 5th March 1945. In the afternoon Flying Officer Smith - Station Armament Officer proceeded to Dawlish Warren Gunnery Range to re-site the target markers hut, etc. At 2000 hours an " others ranks " dance was held in the N.A.A.F.I. which was a great success.
28th February Instructions have been received to transfer No.1026 Servicing Echelon to Skaebrae ( Orkneys ). An ambulance and a fire tender were sent out to a reported crashed ' Tiger Moth ' aircraft near Princetown. A search was conducted but finally called off, when confirmation was received that the report was an error on the part of the R.O.C. ( Royal Observer Corps ). There was a presentation in the Station Theatre by the ' Plymouth Society ' of a play by Emlyn Williams called ' The Corn is Green '.
The Station O.R.B. for the month of February was signed by :-
Wing Commander A. C. Stewart.
From the Squadron O.R.B.'S
No.275 Air Sea Rescue Squadron :-
1st February The bad weather of the latter part of January was with the Squadron again at the start of the month, resulting in no flying from either R.A.F. Harrowbeer or R.A.F. Bolt Head.
2nd February The only flying carried out due to inclement weather was a weather test in a Walrus aircraft.
3rd February The weather improved slightly today which allowed the Walrus aircraft to carry out a sector and photo reconnaissance exercise from 1040 hours until 1145 hours. Twenty oblique photographs were taken with a K20 camera. A similar operation was flown between 1145 hours and 12.45 hours. From 1420 hours until 1505 hours Walrus aircraft, Serial No.5663 was airborne for a sector reconnaissance and local flying exercise.
4th February The weather was not very pleasant for most of the day, but during a bright spell around noon Walrus aircraft Serial No.9571 carried out a sector reconnaissance.
5th February At 1455 hours Walrus aircraft, Serial No.2282 was airborne to make a weather test and carry out local homings. There was 10/10ths cloud at eight hundred feet over the aerodrome reaching up to two thousand feet. Visibility was approximately one to two miles. Local homings were made with ' by hand ' - one was carried out above the cloud and one below the cloud. The Walrus returned back to base landing at 1505 hours.
6th February Low cloud covered the aerodrome and visibility was down to around two hundred yards resulting in making flying impossible.
7th and 8th February Two more days of no flying activity due to weather conditions.
9th February Flying today consisted of a weather test from 1000 hours and a Spitfire aircraft being collected from R,A.F. Harrowbeer at 1500 hours to be flown to R.A.F. Bolt Head. for operations.
10th February At 1050 hours Walrus aircraft Serial No.2306 was airborne to carry out an aircraft test and navigation exercise. The wind was strong and upon landing at 1200 hours a heavy gust of wind caught the Walrus aircraft just as it was about to touch-down making it a " weather cock " quickly, thereby tipping the aircraft at an angle which slightly damaged the port float. The Walrus aircraft was soon repaired and made serviceable. Walrus aircraft, Serial No.2282 was scrambled at 1255 hours to a position east of Torquay where an unidentified aircraft returning from the continent was transmitting " Maydays ". When the Walrus aircraft arrived at the position they were informed that the aircraft which had one of it's engine unserviceable, had landed safely. Walrus aircraft, Serial No.2282 returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer landing at 1420 hours.
11th and 12th February No flying on either of these days owing to high gale force winds and bad visibility.
13th February Practice homing exercises carried out in Walrus aircraft, Serial No.5663 between 1130 hours and 1205 hours, but the R/T was found to be u/s. Between 1630 hours and 1740 hours further practice homings were carried out with Walrus aircraft, Serial No.2282. Walrus aircraft Serial No.5663 was repaired and serviceable by 1610 hours.
14th February Air tests were carried out with Walrus aircraft, Serial No.1758 and Walrus aircraft, Serial No.2306. To complete the days flying Spitfire aircraft, Serial No.846 was flown from R.A.F. Bolt Head to R.A.F. Harrowbeer. No.275 ( A.S.R. ) Squadron have now been taken off readiness.
15th February Five No.275 ( A.S.R. ) Squadron Spitfire aircraft on detachment at R.A.F. Bolt Head were flown to R.A.F. Harrowbeer for disposal. No.275 Air Sea Rescue Squadron has been disbanded.
General Flying times February 1st to February 14th 1945
Operational Non Operational
Spitfire VB . . . . . . 3.45 hours
Walrus I 1.25 hours 12.25 hours
Total = 1.25 hours 16.10 hours
The Squadron O.R.B. for the month of February was signed by :-
Squadron Leader E. W. Seabourne Commanding No.275 ( A.S.R. ) Squadron
No.275 Air Sea Rescue Squadron Disbanded
On the 5th February 1945 the Squadron received the unwelcome news that the Squadron which was formed in October 1941 was to be disbanded.
Readiness ceased at 1700 hours on the 14th February 1945 under the command of Squadron Leader E. W. Seabourne DFC. We have been a very happy Squadron, the air and ground crews working well together. The news was received with great regret. It is realized that now England is well on the way to victory over the enemy in Europe, that France and Belgium have been cleared of the enemy with the exception of a few pockets of resistance the Germans can no longer send their fighters and bombers against these shores the work for which the Squadron was formed has been brought to a successful conclusion.
The under-mentioned ids a summary of the work accomplished by the Squadron from the time of it's formation. This does not include the numerous sorties where bodies were found but not picked up, or wreckage and oil patches found and thoroughly examined, there being no survivors.
Survivors picked up by Walrus aircraft 58
Survivors found by the Squadron and picked up by launches, etc. 62
Picked up by Walrus aircraft and died on board 1
Bodies found in wreckage 32
Wreckage searched but no survivors found 54
A letter of gratitude and admiration was received by the Squadron from Air Marshal Sir Roderick Hill KGB, MC , AFC.
No.691 ( A.A.C. ) Squadron:- ( Army Air Co-operation )
2nd February Six Defiant aircraft of No.691 ( A.A.C. ) Squadron landed from R.A.F. Roborough, Plymouth. A ' TR9 ' radio installation to be fitted in Flying Control for use with No.691 ( A.A.C. ) Squadron. The set is to be manned by No.691 ( A.A.C. ) Squadron and worked on No.70 Group R/T frequency 4780 kl/s.
3rd February ' A ' Flight moved from R.A.F. Roborough, Plymouth to R.A.F. Harrowbeer with six Defiant aircraft, eight pilots and eight air gunners.
9th February The Squadron Commander - Squadron Leader Stansell went from R.A.F. Roborough to visit Captain McCrum ( Chief Staff Officer ) and Communications Staff Officer C. I. re-provision of land lines to detachment R.A.F. Harrowbeer.
20th February The remainder of No.691 ( A.A.C. ) Squadron arrived from R.A.F. Roborough on their move to R.A.F. Harrowbeer under the command of Squadron Leader Stansell.
Strength of Squadron = Officers = 14
S.N.C.O.'s = 31
Other Ranks = 74
W.A.A.F.'s = 20
Aircraft = 10 - Defiant 7 - Hurricane 3 - Barracuda
2 - Oxford 1 - Tiger Moth
21st February The Squadron moved from R.A.F. Roborough, Plymouth to R.A.F. Harrowbeer in accordance with No.70 Group Organisation Memorandum No.24 / 45 dated 16th February 1945. A small flying programme was carried out by ' B ' Flight after it had completed it's move. The Air Officer Commanding No.70 Group - Air Commodore A. B. R. Russell DFC, AFC visited the Station to inspect the Squadron.
22nd February No flying by the Squadron due to bad weather and poor visibility.
23rd February Again no flying due to weather conditions. Warrant Officer Chambers of No.70 Group Signals visited the Squadron. All V.H.F. aircraft are to be re-crystallized to Flying Control frequency.
24th February There was one request on the Squadron for A.A.C. duties from No.10 Squadron. The rest of the day was devoted to training flights.
25th February A small training programme was carried out by the Squadron in the afternoon.
26th February A drogue towing exercise was called for in the afternoon in the ' Breakwater Fort ' area, but had to be abandoned owing to poor weather conditions at the coast.
27th February The Squadron carried out a good day of co-operation flying exercises, they also undertook some trail runs with photographic experiments at Wembury.
28th February A good day of flying activity. Various tows were provided for Breakwater Fort, Wembury and air to air exercises for No.10 Squadron. No.691 A.A.C. Squadron also carried out two cross country flights.
The Squadron O.R.B. for the month of February was signed by :-
Squadron Leader Stansell.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Summary of :-
No.691 ( A.A.C. ) Squadron Movement Order No.1 / 1945
Intention :-
To detach ' A ' Flight of No.691 Squadron from R.A.F. Satellite Roborough to R.A.F. Station Harrowbeer in accordance with No.70 Group Organization Memorandum No.10 of 1945 dated 21st January 1945.
General :-
The detachment will consist of Officers, Warrant Officer, Senior N.C.O.'s, Airmen and Airwomen. All Officers are to report to the Squadron Adjutant to complete the movement book prior to departure and are to report to the Adjutant R.A.F. Station Harrowbeer as soon as possible after arrival.
All personnel are immediately on arrival at R.A.F. Station Harrowbeer to acquaint themselves with Station Standing Orders for the Station.
The Detachment Commander is to ensure that all airmen report to Station Sick Quarters Roborough for F.F.I. Inspection before leaving the Station.
The Senior N.C.O. of the detachment is to arrange to draw the un-expired portion of the days rations for the Airman's Mess before departure from Roborough and on arrival at R.A.F. Harrowbeer is to report to the Station Warrant Officer with a nominal roll of the detachment.
Aircraft :-
Six Defiant aircraft to be detailed by the Unit Engineer Officer.
M.T. ( Motor Transport ) :-
The mechanised Transport detailed below will be taken with the road party.
Tender HF / RT
Van 5 / 10 cwt
Tractor Light
Trailer Petrol 450 gallons
Bicycles
All personnel are to take bicycles. The Detachment Commander is to ensure that all personnel are in possession of a bicycle before movement is commenced.
Nominal Roll :-
Names of detachment personnel.
( A list of the personnel is held in the R.A.F. Harrowbeer Archives and can be viewed on request ).