Wing Commander J. Butterworth remains the Station Commander for R.A.F. Station Harrowbeer and signed the Operation Record Book for March 1944.
Visitors to R.A.F. Harrowbeer included :-
Wing Commander Milroy-Hayes - No.19 Group
Squadron Leader Grant ( R.C.A.F. ) - R.A.F. Exeter
Squadron Leader Boggs - R.A.F. Exeter
Air Commodore Bowen - War Savings Committee
Wing Commander Ross - Senior Medical Officer for Headquarters No.10 Group
Weather :-
1st March 8/10th cloud with some rain today.
2nd March Fair weather with good visibility.
3rd March Fine during the morning clouding over in the afternoon.
4th March It was snowing on the airfield first thing this morning but fortunately improved as the day progressed.
5th March Fine with good visibility.
6th March Again fine with good visibility.
7th March A fine start to the day, clear and bright.
9th March A beautiful day but with haze for most of the morning.
12th March Fine with good visibility.
13th March 5/10ths cloud throughout the area and visibility was fair.
14th March 10/10ths low cloud, visibility was very poor resulting in no flying from the Aerodrome.
15th March A fair day with reasonable visibility.
19th March A fine, bright sunny day.
21st March Overcast with a north west wind.
22nd March Again overcast with low cloud making flying very difficult.
23rd March A misty start to the day which hardly cleared all day.
24th March A fine, bright, mild day with a haze down in the valley.
25th March The fine weather is continuing but with a fairly heavy mist as high as two thousand feet.
26th March The fine weather is still with us but again with some mist in the morning and turning remarkably hot later in the day.
27th March The weather remains very good with no appreciable changes.
28th March Apart from an early morning mist over Dartmoor today is another fine and bright day on the Aerodrome.
29th March Today starts very hazy, clearing later in the day bringing occasional fine spells.
30th March A cold start to the day with an east north east wind turning cloudless and sunny as the day progresses.
31st March The fine weather continues at R.A.F. Harrowbeer.
2nd March A visit by Wing Commander Milroy-Hayes of No.19 Group.
5th March A new system of numbering the runways by just two figures of the QDM was brought into force.
10th March No.2883 AA Squadron arrived at R.A.F. Harrowbeer. No.131 Squadron arrived from R.A.F. Colerne.
11th March No.340 ( Free French ) Squadron arrived from R.A.F. Perranporth. No.131 Squadron left for R.A.F. Colerne.
12th March No.340 ( Free French ) Squadron left for R.A.F. Perranporth.
13th March Discussion groups were formed in all Sections and Units throughout the Station. Subjects were prepared by the Station Education Officer and the groups met once a week. The discussions are on post war topics.
18th March No.6263 Servicing Echelon arrived with an advance party only.
19th March The main party of No.6263 Servicing Echelon arrived followed by No.263 Squadron. A Defence Exercise was held on the Station today. There was a visit by Squadron Leader Grant ( R.C.A.F. ) of R.A.F. Exeter.
20th March Sixteen Typhoon aircraft of the Thorney Island Wing arrived at R.A.F. Harrowbeer to take part in operations. Operations warned Flying Control of the return over this area of Flying Fortress aircraft returning from operations, the would probably be short of fuel. We made contact with one of them and it landed O.K. at 1722 hours. The crew thought they were in Northern Ireland.
24th March No.131 Squadron arrived here from R.A.F. Colerne.
25th March A visit by Squadron Leader Boggs of R.A.F. Exeter. There was the formation at R.A.F. Harrowbeer today of No.1007 Servicing Wing Headquarters at this Station.
26th March A Station Engineering Officer ( a Flight Lieutenant ) was posted from Station Headquarters to fill the Squadron Leader vacancy on the establishment of this new Servicing Wing.
27th March At a sports meeting it was decided to amalgamate all sports, each with a representative to sit on a committee. This was in future to be known as the " R.A.F. Station Headquarters Social and Sports Club " of which all personnel on this Station are automatically members. This decision was received with much enthusiasm. There was a visit today by Air Commodore Bowen of the ' War Savings Committee '.
28th March Seven Mustang aircraft of No.2 TAF arrived at R.A.F. Harrowbeer for co=operation duties with the Royal Navy. Later in the day the seven Mustang aircraft of No.2 Squadron returned to their base ( R.A.F. Gatwick ).
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Appendix ' A '
Defence Exercise 19th March 1944
The exercise was designed to practice bringing the ' Station Defence Scheme ' into operation and to test the defences, especially the strong-point ' Spooner's Feature ' and Dispersals against a determined attack by enemy airborne troops, represented by five platoons of the Home Guard.
' Stand To ' was ordered at 0520 hours by tannoy and telephones, and in approximately thirty five minutes all Flights were in position with their weapons.
The Station Commander arrived at the Battle Headquarters shortly after ' Stand To ' and immediately took steps by use of the tannoy to have all black-outs attended to, as lights were clearly visible from the Battle Headquarters.
The Defence Force during ' Stand To ' consisted of five Flights :- Station Headquarters personnel - Lion, Tiger, Leopard, Puma and Panther. A.F.V. defending ' Spooner's Feature ' and four Flights organised from Squadron Echelons, were defending Dispersals assisted by a local C.M.P. detachment. Grounded aircraft were protected by the Squadrons themselves.
At 0715 hours a skeleton manning was ordered. All others were allowed to proceed to carry out normal duties.
Action Stations were ordered at 1000 hours using the tannoy and telephones, and all positions were manned in approximately twenty minutes.
The Station Adjutant and Lieutenant Lewelly of the Home Guard took over duties at the Battle Headquarters.
Sequence of Events
1025 hours Two platoons of Home Guard arrived to re-enforce the Station Defence Force, Strength = two Officers and thirty two other ranks and are given the task of defending ' Spooner's Feature ' from attack from the south west.
1035 hours Two A.F.V.'s ordered to proceed down Green Lane and take up positions under cover.
1048 hours Home Guard positions manned overlooking the valley and approaches from the direction of Roborough.
1055 hours The Officer in Charge of the A.F.V.'s reported that the enemy had been sighted down Green Lane, strength about thirty at a distance of about three hundred yards. Fire was opened up on them by Puma Flight and the A.F.V 's and this enemy force was considered wiped out.
1100 hours The enemy was reported by the Home Guard platoon as being immediately in front, about twenty riflemen and mortar were immediately engaged.
1105 hours Thirty four R.A.F. personnel were to reinforce the Home Guard platoon - twenty in defence and fourteen to be held in reserve.
1110 hours The enemy started attacking the Home Guard to the left of flank, the position was completely in hand. One enemy platoon was reported to be moving up to a position ready for an attack in front of Lion Flight, the enemy platoon were caught crossing an open field and lost two sections. The remainder withdrew until re-enforced when they attacked forcing Lion Flight back to a position in Green Lane.
1125 hours The enemy are reported to be approaching in large numbers from the Green Lane direction. Defences were strengthened from the reserves. Two A.F.V.'s took up position under cover to assist in repelling any action.
1135 hours The C.M.P. detachment reported that the enemy were in the same direction about three hundred yards away. They waited until good targets were presented, then opened fire inflicting heavy casualties to the enemy.
1140 hours The enemy attacked from several directions having got fairly close using cover. Heavy fire is brought down on them and enemy casualties are noted to be heavy.
1147 hours A full platoon of the enemy were seen approaching towards Down Park House, a strongly defended area. A trap was set for them by the R.A.F. Regiment Flight, heavy casualties were inflicted and the enemy were forced to withdraw.
1200 hours A report was received from the A.F.V.'s that they had been ambushed. The A.F.V.'s were in Green Lane to assist in shooting up the enemy. They got split up and one at a time became trapped. The enemy had blocked the Lane at a very narrow point and managed to keep the A.F.V.'s blocked in, cutting off any means of escape.
1210 hours The enemy are reported to be re-forming for an attack on ' Spooner's Feature '. All positions are being re-enforced from mobile reserves.
1230 hours The enemy attacked from two sides, but were heavily engaged when they were about one hundred and fifty yards from the main defence positions. The attack then began to peter out and the umpires gave their verdict of the defence.
The defence are starting to take things easy thinking that the battle was over and allowed one N.C.O. and ten men still in action to penetrate to within about fifty yards of the Battle Headquarters. Realising the position they were in a dog-fight ensued and in a last ditch attempt scattered grenades left and right, this party ran in front of the position held by the remainder of the mobile reserves and were wiped out.
General Remarks and Lessons Learnt
The exercise was carried out with enthusiasm by the Station and the Home Guard, Although the main feature is nearly two miles away the time taken for complete manning could be reduced by practice.
Flight Commanders need to ensure that the best position for L.M.G.'s is chosen. Although in some instances they were set up within a few feet of excellent sites they were allowed to remain with fields of view that were restricted. Better concealment of personnel is required, in some instances there were a few that were over exposing themselves unduly moving about in the open ( possibly due to over-enthusiasm ).
Message writing and R/T signals were very good and clear keeping the Battle Headquarters well informed of matters.
It is suggested that in future training, the Battle Flights will attack the positions which they themselves would normally hold, thus giving them the ;lay-out and chances to study lines of approach from the enemy point of view.
Dated 2ndApril 1944 Signed . . . Colley . . . . L.D.A. Harrowbeer.
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Appendix ' B ' Appendix to Form 540
Sports, Physical and Recreational Activities R.A.F. Harrowbeer
This month has seen a great step forward in the consolidation of all activities under the above heading. Representatives for specific sports, entertainment, cultural and social activity have been combined into one ' Social and Sports Committee '.
Badminton is now played regularly every Tuesday and Thursday evening. These have become ' Club Nights ' and an average of twenty players use the courts for three to four hours on each of these nights.
Another activity which has grown very popular is the weekly concert of gramophone records. Here the attendance has nearly doubled within the month. To increase the social atmosphere, by arrangement with the N.A.A.F.I. tea and caked are served during the interval. The room that is used for the concerts holds about thirty five people comfortably. By day it is the office shared by the Station Chaplain and the Physical Fitness Officer. It is known as the ' Club Room ' and is earmarked in the evening for such cultural and social activities as the music circle, discussion groups and teams visiting the gymnasium for table tennis, badminton, etc.
An experiment is being held on the W.A.A.F. Site which is about one and a half miles from the Communal Site. The distance often makes the W.A.A.F.'s reluctant to attend entertainment on the Communal Site, especially in bad weather. Special social evenings are now being arranged on alternate Fridays in the W.A.A.F. N.A.A.F.I. and will include gramophone concerts, readings, sing-songs, etc.
The Station Theatre is now completed and it is hoped soon to come into the E.N.S.A. " Red " circuit. Up until now the N.A.A.F.I. was used for E.N.S.A. concerts, plays, shows, etc. which denied the airmen it's proper use two or three times a week.
Owing to postings, section football has been greatly disturbed, but some good games have been played during the month. No.276 Air Sea Rescue Squadron were beaten twice by R.A.F. Sharpitor - a reversal of previous results. The Station team has been stiffened by the advent of a R.A.F. Regiment Squadron. Prior to this a very scrappy Station XI were beaten at Plymouth by Plymouth United 5 - 1 after a great game. Later a game between R.A.F. Roborough / Mount Wise ( one of the strongest teams in the combination league ) resulted in a draw.
Table Tennis matches have been played with the N.F.S. Yelverton, resulting in a loss and a win. These matches have been very successful from a social point of view. The home match was held in the gymnasium under excellent conditions and spectators were present.
Boxing is showing great interest. We are fortunate in having an R.A.F. representative fighter on the Station who has recently fought at both Uxbridge against South East Command and at Aldershot for the R.A.F. A boxing meeting at this Station is being arranged for April 6th 1944.
Unsigned
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Station Sick Quarters - Form 540
1st March Strength of Station including Units at R.A.F. Bolt Head and Units attached for medical administration :- R.A.F. = 1089 W.A.A.F. = 395 Army = 1220 ATS = 18
3rd March Wing Commander Ross, the Senior Medical Officer of Headquarters No.10 Group visited R.A.F. Harrowbeer on a routine inspection of R.A.F. Harrowbeer and R.A.F. Bolt Head. During the inspection all ledgers and registers, dangerous drugs, etc. were checked.
3rd March Number of patients admitted to the Station Sick Quarters and Hospital for week-ending today :- R.A.F. = 11 W.A.A.F. = 6 Army = 1
4th March Four bodies were located from a Wellington aircraft that had apparently crashed on 1/3/1944. The four airmen died from multiple injuries and burns.
6th March Wing Commander Ross, the Senior Medical Officer for Headquarters No.10 Group returned to Group Headquarters after inspection of R.A.F. Harrowbeer and R.A.F. Bolt Head.
10th March Number of patients admitted to the Station Sick Quarters and Hospital for week-ending today :- R.A.F. = 4 W.A.A.F. = 9 Army = 0
19th March Number of patients admitted to the Station Sick Quarters and Hospital for week-ending today :- R.A.F. = 8 W.A.A.F. = 5 Army = 1
20th March The ' Casualty Clearing Organisation ' of the Medical Section was reviewed and adjusted to meet with prospective abundant casualties for disposal and also to improve existing arrangements on this Station. Further liaison between U.S. Army 115 Station Hospital regarding receiving and dispatching of air-crew casualties of the U.S.A.A.F. at R.A.F. Harrowbeer when occasions arise.
24th March Number of patients admitted to the Station Sick Quarters and Hospital for week-ending today := R.A.F. = 12 W.A.A.F. = 3 Army = 2
30th March An LACW Nursing Orderly injured her back when she came off o horse - she was admitted to Mount Gould Orthopaedic Hospital, Plymouth.
31st March Number of patients admitted to the Station Sick Quarters and Hospital for week-ending today :- R.A.F. = W.A.A,F. = Army = No numbers are given for this date.
The Station Sick Quarters Form 540 for the month of March was signed by:-
Squadron Leader F. Constable S.M.O.
No.2 Squadron :-
28th March Seven Mustang aircraft of No.2 T.A.F. arrived at R.A.F. Harrowbeer for co-operation duties with the Navy. The seven Mustang aircraft returned later in the day to their own base - ( R.A.F. Gatwick ).
No.131 ( County of Kent ) Squadron :-
23rd March No.131 ( County of Kent ) Squadron at present is based at R.A.F. Colerne. Today there was no flying by the Squadron as they were preoccupied with the preparation for tomorrows move to R.A.F. Harrowbeer.
24th March At 0945 hours the Squadron took off to fly to R.A.F. Harrowbeer in their Spitfire IX aircraft for a ten day attachment. Their duties will be to carry out shipping patrols off Start Point to cover a large scale amphibious exercise taking place in the Slapton Sands area. An ' overflow ' of pilots for whom there were no available aircraft and a daily maintenance party from No.3088 Echelon proceeded by road and rail to R.A.F. Harrowbeer.
25th March The only operational flying today was a shipping patrol of two Spitfire IX aircraft from 1515 hours until 1625 hours.
26th March A convoy escort patrol was carried out by two Spitfire IX aircraft in the Bolt Head area between 1030 hours and 1130 hours.
27th March There was no operational flying during the day. However eight pilots from ' A ' Flight carried out formation flying and cine camera gun exercises, and four pilots from ' B ' Flight carried out height climbs to thirty thousand feet over base.
28th March ' A ' Flight sent four Spitfire IX aircraft on a formation flight up to thirty thousand feet, while two other Spitfire IX aircraft from ' B ' Flight went up to try and intercept them. Ten other Spitfire IX aircraft flying in two formations - one of six aircraft and one of four aircraft carried out formation cine camera gun exercises.
29th March At 1120 hours two pilots from ' A ' Flight were scrambled and ordered up to twenty eight thousand feet over Cherbourg to intercept three enemy aircraft which were plotted there. The trip was quite uneventful and as the section arrived in sight of Cherbourg the section were re-called to R.A.F. Harrowbeer where they landed at 1210 hours.
30th March The whole of today's flying consisted of patrols off Start Point from 1544 hours until 1915 hours covering the amphibious exercise at Slapton Sands.
31st March The patrols being kept up continually over the usual patrol line south east of Start Point. Nine sections of two Spitfire IX aircraft were on this duty, the first patrol being airborne at 0715 hours and the last patrol landing back at base at 2000 hours. In addition to these patrols, eight Spitfire IX aircraft took part in No.10 Group Rodeo No.107 between 1645 hours and 1800 hours which was led by Squadron Leader J. O'Meara. The Squadron were to act as withdrawal cover for four Typhoon aircraft who had been carrying out a Ranger operation, No.131 Squadron flew at sea level to the Sept Isles and then they climbed to fourteen thousand feet ad patrolled east to west three times before returning to base. The operation was entirely uneventful, not even the Typhoon aircraft were sighted although they could be heard over the R/T as they returned. The Squadron learned today that they were to remain at R.A.F. Harrowbeer instead of being there for only ten days detachment.
The Squadron O.R.B. for the month of March was signed by :-
Squadron Leader J. O'Meara.
No.263 Squadron :-
2nd March Four Typhoon aircraft based at R.A.F. Beaulieu took part in Rodeo No.85 from R.A.F. Harrowbeer. At 1400 hours the four Typhoon aircraft took off to sweep Mont St. Michel, Rennes, Gael, Cap De Erquy, West of Guernsey and then back to their base at R.A.F. Beaulieu. The operation was executed exactly as planned in the classical manner for such an operation. It was remarkably uneventful, no flak, no enemy aircraft and no shipping encountered. This was Squadron Leader Gonay's first operation with No.263 Squadron. All aircraft landed back at base at 1600 hours.
18th March The Squadron at present is stationed at R.A.F. Warmwell. Dorset, but have been posted to R.A.F. Harrowbeer, so the Squadron is busy packing for the move tomorrow.
19th March No.263 Squadron move by air, road and rail to R.A.F. Harrowbeer. Sixteen Typhoon aircraft ( out of eighteen on charge ) flew to R.A.F. Harrowbeer in four boxes of four aircraft plus the Squadron hack ( the Hurricane aircraft ).
20th March Settling in at R.A.F. Harrowbeer where conditions of every sort have remarkably improved since the Squadron were here a year ago.
21st March The Typhoon aircraft were brought to bomber available state ready for an operation for shipping found in the Morlaix Estuary and Goulet De Brest, but the weather was unsuitable for a shipping strike. The Squadron carried out an evening reconnaissance. Four Squadron Typhoon aircraft were airborne at 1755 hours from R.A.F. Harrowbeer on a shipping reconnaissance of Cherborg Harbour. The formation climbed from zero feet up to three thousand feet and flew fro west to east over the outer moles of the Harbour. They surprised the flak positions by coming out of the sun, when the flak opened up it was late and inaccurate. There were no ships found in the Harbour which was thoroughly inspected. The four aircraft landed safely back at base at 1900 hours.
24th March Rodeo No.103 was laid on today in which four Typhoon aircraft took part. They took off at 1129 hours to sweep Kerlin Bastard, Vannes and Morlaix. The operation was carried out at zero feet apart from when they crossed in and out over the French Coast when they climbed to ten thousand feet. No enemy aircraft were seen on Morlaix Airfield or in the air. The operation was quite uneventful and all aircraft returned to base landing at 1314 hours.
25th March A Squadron Balbo took place this evening.
26th March Four Typhoon aircraft took off early in the morning on Rodeo No.104. The object of the operation was to try and catch any enemy aircraft that might be flying in the Mont St. Michel - Rennes - Gael - Ploubian areas. The operation was deemed uneventful apart from one of our aircraft that developed slight engine trouble and had to be escorted back home from the Rennes area.
31st March At 1645 hours in the evening Rodeo No.109 was carried out to Kerlin Bastard, Vannes and Plouha which was mainly uneventful. A JU52 enemy aircraft was seen landing at Vannes, but was too far away for us to attack. Two pilots fired at some soldiers and a barge near Auray and Hennebont respectively. Another pilot hit a tree near Loudeac while flying at zero feet, his throttle jammed at +5 boost. The formation managed to keep together, but on landing at R.A.F. Harrowbeer at 1806 hours the pilot that had hit a tree cut all his switches too early and had to make a wheels up landing. The pilot was alright but his Typhoon aircraft finished up as category B. In the evening at 1904 hours a last light operation - Rodeo No.108 was laid on. The purpose of this operation was to try and catch a JU52 enemy aircraft in the Vannes and Kerlin Bastard areas. The formation flew too and fro off the Bay of Biscay. Our four Squadron Typhoon aircraft then flew into the Ile De Groix area from seaward at zero feet and patrolled there from 2003 hours until 2014 hours. The weather was 10/10ths cloud and poor visibility, being as it was dusk it became exceptionally dark. Our leader decided to lead the formation back home flying at five thousand feet and crossing the French Coast in the Lorient area. Unfortunately our leader was caught in some flak and was not seen again. The rest of the formation flew back to R.A.F. Harrowbeer landing at 2119 hours. There is evidence from R/F sources that our leader straggled back after them crossing out near Morlaix and then turned back to the coast where the plot failed, and then there was some evidence of a Beaufighter aircraft that had found a light and a ' blip ' from the sea north of Morlaix which might have been him. A search was laid on the next morning, but nothing was found. The pilot of this aircraft was Flight Lieutenant Racine R.C.A.F. and he is posted as missing. He came to the Squadron in October 1943 and took command of ' B ' Flight in February 1944. We very much hope to hear that he is safe.
General :- Total operational flying hours for March = 82 hours 15 minutes.
Total non-operational flying hours for March = 173 hours 55 minutes.
The Squadron O.R.B. for the month of March was signed by :-
Squadron Leader H. A. C. Gonay.
No.263 Squadron Information from other sources :-
The Archivist - Michael Hayes
31st March Flight Lieutenant Gerald Geoffrey Racine, Service No. J5800 was hit by flak whilst leading Rodeo No.108 in the Lorient area. His aircraft was so severely damaged that Flight Lieutenant G. G. Racine baled out from his aircraft and landed in a field approximately three kilometers north of Plouezoch, France. After spending the night in a field he sought refuge in a local farmhouse, the occupants managed to help him evade the Germans and make his way back to England where he arrived in early April 1944.
No.266 ( Rhodesia ) Squadron :-
1st March No operational flying today, only practice flying which included - air to sea firing and cine camera gun tests.
2nd March Five Squadron Typhoon aircraft flew to R.A.F. Beaulieu where they took part in a sweep to Vernuil - Dreux - Bretigny Airfields. It was the original intention to use only four aircraft on the sweep but at the last minute they were told to take all five aircraft. The formation took off and flew at zero feet towards France. Just before reaching land they climbed to eight thousand feet crossing the French Coast at Cabourg. The formation then dived down and continued at zero feet flying in wide line abreast. At Ramoillet one of our pilots while trying to avoid another aircraft struck a tree which severely damaged the aircraft's wing and radiator cowling. The Typhoon's temperature immediately rose which resulted in the formation turning for home, but the damaged aircraft could only fly at 230 A.S.I. Before the formation were about to re-cross the French Coast they attempted to climb to reach cloud cover but the damaged aircraft was unable to do this, so the formation had no option but to go back down to zero feet. While still over the mainland of France and approximately fifteen milers from the coast a second pilot reported that he had also hit a tree and doubted if he would be able to make it back to base. The formation then flew on to Cabourg where they made a split with two aircraft flying to the left and the other three aircraft ( which included the two damaged ones ) flew to the right which resulted in the formation becoming separated. Almost immediately a pilot from one of the damaged aircraft said that " he must get out " he got a fix and called for the Air Sea Rescue boys to be sent out. The area was orbited and a transmission for a fix was given but there was no sign of a stricken pilot or his aircraft. This happened four or five miles to the west of Havre, meanwhile the Typhoon with the ' high temperature ' made straight for base. The orbiting aircraft continued for about eight minutes before setting a course for home. After about six minutes one of the pilots heard ' May Day ' calls being given in a sing song voice, this was also heard by the two pilots who had flown to the left of Cabourg. It was evident that the stricken pilot had managed to keep flying for quite a long time after his original message. The Air Sea Rescue was called upon but nothing was found. The pilot is now posted as missing. The three undamaged Typhoons landed at R.A.F. Friston before returning to R.A.F. Harrowbeer. Two Typhoon aircraft were scrambled at 1805 hours and vectored independently to the south of Plymouth about twenty milers out. The enemy aircraft had turned back by this time so the section were re-called to base landing at 1830 hours.
No.266 ( Rhodesia ) Squadron information from other sources :-
The Archivist - Michael Hayes
2nd March The pilot posted as missing in action was Flight Lieutenant Terence William Healy, Service No.100609, aged twenty three years old.
His body was recovered and he was laid to rest in the ' Bayeux War Cemetery, France '. Grave Reference :- XXVIII H 24.
May he rest in peace.
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3rd March Two scrambles and practice flying carried out today. One of the scrambles was at 1230 hours. Two Typhoon aircraft were vectored south and intercepted a Sunderland Flying Boat which was reported as a bogey.
4th March It was snowing early on in the day but improved later. At 1435 hours, two Typhoon aircraft were airborne and vectored east and west twenty miles south of Start Point in anticipation of enemy aircraft, but nothing happened. The two aircraft landed back at R.A.F. Harrowbeer at 1555 hours. There was a scramble at 1550 hours of two Squadron aircraft which proved to be uneventful. As soon as the Typhoon's were airborne they were both ordered to pancake, landing at 1610 hours. At 1750 hours two Typhoon aircraft were scrambled and vectored south east. They flew as far as Bolt Head before being ordered to return to base and pancake, their landing time was 1805 hours.
5th March One Typhoon aircraft was scrambled at 1335 hours and vectored south to twenty miles out to sea where he saw an aircraft four to five miles away. The pilot chased this aircraft flying flat out and eventually caught up with it four to five miles inland and identified it as a Mustang aircraft. The Typhoon aircraft was then vectored south again and saw an aircraft twelve miles ahead but could not catch up with it. This Typhoon then returned to R.A.F. Harrowbeer landing at 1415 hours. There were two more scrambles later in the day, both proving uneventful. Three pilots are being posted to O.T.U. which seems to leave us very short of operational pilots.
6th March We hear that twelve Typhoon aircraft and a servicing party are to move at first light to R.A.F. Bolt Head tomorrow.
7th March At first light, eight Typhoon aircraft flew to R.A.F. Bolt Head with seven more to follow later as they become serviceable. A road party of fifty five arrived at R.A.F. Bolt Head and started to get dug in. All available pilots are at R.A.F. Bolt Head ( seventeen in total ). The Squadron is here in a defensive role whole various large transports and landing craft pass on their way to an exercise taking place on Slapton Sands, Devon. If the Germans react we will be scrambled to deal with them, here's hoping. At 0925 hours two Typhoon aircraft were scrambled from stand by at R.A.F. Bolt Head. They were vectored south close to Hope Cove and then over to Kingswear. They were ordered to investigate something in the water, but could only find a flock of seagulls. The section were then ordered to pancake, landing at 1000 hours. The seagulls had been picked up by a G.C.I. Station and they thought it might be an ' R ' boat. ( German enemy torpedo / gun boat ).
12th March The whole Squadron has moved back to R.A.F. Harrowbeer this afternoon only to hear that we are to go up to R.A.F. Acklington for a gunnery course for about ten days and shall the move to R.A.F. Thorney Island to an airfield in No.20 Wing.
13th March The Typhoon aircraft were supposedly to go to R.A.F. Acklington, but just before take off it was cancelled. This news was followed by a large noisy party in the Mess.
14th March The Squadron Typhoon aircraft could not take off for R.A.F. Acklington today on account of the bad weather conditions. The day was spent on packing equipment, etc. for the move.
15th March Fifteen Typhoon aircraft took off in two Flights and flew to R.A.F. Acklington via Mutton Cranwich.
The Squadron O.R.B. for the month of March was signed by :-
Squadron Leader J. Holmes DFC.
No.276 Air Sea Rescue Squadron ' B ' Flight :-
1st March Standing patrols were carried out by a section of Spitfire aircraft from ' B ' Flight.
2nd March Standing patrols carried out by a section of Spitfire aircraft from ' B ' Flight.
3rd March Standing patrols carried out by a section of Spitfire aircraft from ' B ' Flight.
4th March No operational flying from any of the Flights.
5th March No operational flying from any of the Flights.
6th March No operational flying from any of the Flights.
7th March No operational flying from any of the Flights.
8th March No operational flying from any of the Flights.
9th March No operational flying from any of the Flights.
10th March No operational flying from any of the Flights.
11th March No operational flying from any of the Flights.
12th March No operational flying from any of the Flights.
13th March Two sections of Spitfire aircraft were airborne this morning from R.A.F. Harrowbeer at 0735 hours to search for a Liberator aircraft in the sea between Alderney, Guernsey and Jersey mainland. Various vectors were given but nothing was sighted during the search. Two more sections were airborne at 1050 hours to continue this search but nothing was sighted in the area covered. At 1500 hours, two more sections were ordered off and a large orbit was made between Casquets and Guernsey. Then a zig-zag course was steered for Start Point diverging at fifteen degrees each side of the track home was searched without success. This is the first time that four aircraft have been employed on a search and considerably improves the searching, although long range fuel tanks fitted would allow a much more thorough search to be made.
14th March No operational flying, only practice flying today.
15th March A section of two Spitfire aircraft were airborne at 1525 hours to locate a practice dinghy dropped by a previous Spitfire aircraft. The section were vectored direct to the position and while one of the Spitfires orbited the dinghy the other went off to locate an Air Sea Rescue Launch which was directed to the search position and picked up the dinghy.
16th March A section of Spitfire aircraft were ordered off from R.A.F. Harrowbeer at 0730 hours this morning to search a position - Bolt Head, one hundred and thirty degrees, forty miles for the crew of a Halifax aircraft. Soon after take of number two's R/T became U/S and when about thirty miles out the section leader missing him turned to look for him. Number two had sighted a dinghy in the sea with six occupants in it and was coming to attract his leaders attention. Meanwhile a Beaufighter aircraft also on the search announced that he was circling wreckage in the original position. The section of Spitfire aircraft returned for about five miles and on an estimated position - Bolt Head, one hundred and thirty degrees, twenty five miles, located the dinghy with the six occupants. A dinghy and supplies were dropped and operations were asked to send out a Walrus aircraft. The dinghy was then marked with a smoke float and when a Beaufighter, two Spitfires and the Walrus arrived our section headed off for R.A.F. Harrowbeer. The Walrus had been ordered off at 0800 hours to pick up the six survivors in a position - forty five miles south east of base. On reaching the centre of the search, the dinghy was sighted and the Walrus landed and picked up the survivors. Three attempts were then made to take off, but owing to the long oily swell and nine occupants in the Walrus aircraft it was impossible, so the Walrus started to taxy back on a northerly course. After almost an hour an Air Sea Rescue Launch was sighted and the survivors were transferred to the launch which later landed them safely at Salcombe. The Walrus was then able to take off ( owing to the reduced weight ) and flew back to base where it landed at 1040 hours. The crew of the Halifax aircraft belonged to No.466 Squadron and was returning from a night raid. The Squadron Commander and Adjutant visited No.10 Group Headquarters to discuss a move and the re-equipment of the Squadron.
17th March No operational flying from any of the Flights today.
18th March No.276 ( A.S.R. ) Squadron Spitfire aircraft from R.A.F. Harrowbeer carried out patrols to the south of Bolt Head.
19th March No. operational flying from R.A.F. Harrowbeer, only practice flying.
20th March Three Spitfire aircraft were airborne at 1210 hours to search a position fifteen miles west north west of Guernsey for a Wellington or Warwick aircraft lost on the previous night. A search was carried out from east to west and towards the north, but nothing was sighted. The Walrus aircraft from R.A.F. Harrowbeer was scrambled at 1650 hours for reported survivors of a Flying Fortress aircraft returning from a raid. The Flying Fortress however managed to make landfall and so the Walrus aircraft was re-called to base where it landed at 1740 hours. Squadron Spitfire aircraft from R.A.F. Harrowbeer patrolled south of Bolt Head during the day.
21st March A section of Spitfire aircraft were scrambled at 1530 hours to assist returning aircraft from operations. While they were flying at nine thousand feet a Mustang aircraft was sighted but the section were unable to overtake it. The section continued the patrol without further incident and landed back at R.A.F. Harrowbeer at 1645 hours. The Squadron Commanding Officer visited R.A.F. Farnborough today to watch a practice drop from a Warwick aircraft of the new type of ' Airborne Lifeboat ' in Cowes Road. The drop was photographed by official U.S.A. photographers flying in this Units aircraft.
22nd March No operational flying from R.A.F. Harrowbeer.
23rd March Squadron Spitfire aircraft were on patrol to the south of Bolt Head.
24th March No operational flying from R.A.F. Harrowbeer.
26th March A section of Spitfire aircraft were carrying out practice flights when they were ordered to do a patrol ten miles to the south of Bolt Head. The section were then given a vector of one hundred degrees and after a few minutes flying time some wreckage was sighted, but there was no sign of oil or bodies. The section were then relieved by another Squadron, so they returned to base lading at 1700 hours.
27th March No operational flying from R.A.F. Harrowbeer, only practice flying.
28th March No operational flying from R.A.F. Harrowbeer today.
29th March No flying from any of the Flights today.
30th March No operational flying from R.A.F. Harrowbeer.
31st March A Squadron standing patrol was carried out by a section of Spitfire aircraft from R.A.F. Harrowbeer today. There was no other flying to report.
Signaled instructions were received today from Headquarters No.10 Group regarding moving the Squadron Headquarters and Servicing section to R.A.F. Portreath, Cornwall and ' B ' Flight from R.A.F. Harrowbeer to R.A.F. Bolt Head. The move is to take place on the 3rd April 1944.
General :- There was a total of nineteen non-operational flying days at ' B ' Flight ( R.A.F. Harrowbeer ) for the month of March. On five days during the month of March there were Air Sea Rescue searches carried out by ' B ' Flight. The remainder of the month the Squadron spent on patrols, stand by duties at R.A.F. Bolt Head and practice flying which included :- dinghy drops and practice searches, sea landings, cine camera gun exercises, air tests, air to ground firing, experience flights in the Sea Otter aircraft, local flying in the Tiger Moth aircraft for A.T.C. cadets, air to sea firing and aerobatics.
Total flying times for all Flights of No.276 ( A.S.R. ) Squadron.
Total flying for the month of March = 430 hours 40 minutes
Total operational flying for March = Spitfire 68 hours 45 minutes
Walrus 9 hours 55 minutes
Anson 26 hours 05 minutes
Total number of searches for March = 34
Total number of patrols for March = 27
The Squadron O.R.B. for the month of March was signed by :-
Squadron Leader J. M. Littler.
No.340 ( Free French ) Squadron :-
10th March No.340 ( Free French ) Squadron are presently base at R.A.F. Perranporth, Cornwall. Today the Squadron were standing by to take off for R.A.F. Harrowbeer to take part in a five day Army Co-operation exercise. The weather at R.A.F. Perranporth deteriorated so much that the Spitfire IX aircraft departure was postponed until the following day. The majority of the ground crew set off to R.A.F. Harrowbeer by road.
11th March At 0720 hours the Squadron were able to take off and take part in exercise ' Fox ' taking place in Start Bay. U.S. troops were practicing large scale landing exercises on the beaches there. The Squadron were to maintain east to west protective patrols overhead while the exercise was in progress. Seven patrols of four Spitfire IX aircraft in each patrol were carried out during the day, the last one landing back at R.A.F. Harrowbeer at 1710 hours. All the patrols were flown from R.A.F. Harrowbeer and were uneventful.
12th March As the exercise was completely ahead of scheduled times the Squadron returned to R.A.F. Perranporth at first light, landing there at 0810 hours.
The Squadron O.R.B. for the month of March was unsigned.
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