Metz, France

1958 – Historical Record – National Archives of Canada


VOLUME 2 OF THE HISTORICAL RECORD
OF NUMBER 6 TACTICAL AIR CONTROL CENTER
RCAF, METZ, MOSELLE, FRANCE
from 1 Jun to 30 Nov 1958

DEFINITIONS OF ABBREVIATIONS

Salesman

Code Word Call-sign of 6 TACC

Yellowjack (YJ)

Code Word Call-sign of 61 AC&W Squadron

Live Scramble

Armed aircraft flown off to identify an unknown aircraft

ADIZ

Air Defence Identification Zone

ADOC

Air Defence Operations Centre

IDF

Interceptor Day Fighter

AWX

All Weather Fighter

Zulu

Alert aircraft on readiness

Jamming

Interference with radio/radar operation by man-made means

ACC

Air Control Centre

1er CATAC

First Corps Aerienne Tactique - First Tactical Air Force (French)

Section

Two or more aircraft flying in tight formation

CRC

Control and Reporting Centre

COC

Combat Operations Centre

CAP

Continuous Air Patrol

Track

Aircraft flight path as it appears on the plotting board in radar operations room.

IFF

Electronic equipment for Identification Friend or Foe

NARRATIVE REPORT
Period from 2359Z 31 May 58 to 30 Nov 58

1 Jun 58

1445Z – Live scramble of Strongbox Sierra out of Zweibrucken on track Y09 in ADIZ near Fulda. According to American radar, track Y09, their 578 is a C-130. However this does not correlate with YJ and SB "S" is pressing –on after this track which has now penetrated the Iron Curtain.

1508Z – Track Y09 (578) has turned and is now west of the Curtain, SB "S" has a sighting on an F-86, no nationality; this aircraft is pulling away, however SB "S" is chasing but unable to close for identification.

1550Z – After cross-checking, it is found that track Y09 (578) is a 3 (F) Wing aircraft on a low level ADIZ penetration mission, executed at the request of ADOC, for a radar system efficiency check.

2 Jun 58

0917Z – ADOC requesting that CF-100 over Brussels be withdrawn as no military aircraft are to be flown over.

2217Z – For exercise "Full Play" IDF Zulus cancelled and all IDF squadrons to participate fully in the coming exercise.

3 Jun 58

0555Z – Air Raid Warning Yellow from ADOC, this is the beginning of Exercise Full Play, all aircraft will be used on Air Defence Role.

2305Z – The totals of Air Defence Missions carried out as required for this day are:

CF-100s – 53 sorties

F-86s – 28 sorties

4 Jun 58

0807Z – As expected Jamming is occurring, YJ is reporting jamming on channel I, music type.

0930Z – SOS in FF5055, this is SG "B" with a compressor stall going into Wann.

1000Z – SG "B" landed safely

1555z – A summary of the day’s activities reads as follows:

   

Average time airborne Hr/Min

Strike Missions

136

1.16

Fighter Sweeps

64

1.17

Armed Recce

46

1.18

Aerodrome Defence

86

1.08

5 Jun 58

0200Z – Weather conditions extremely bad, fog reported at all bases.

0730Z – To this time missions accomplished are:

 

AWX

IDF

Air Defence

24

20

Drumfire

98

28

1600Z – Total sorties IDF at this time 381.

1753Z – From ADOC Exercise Full Play is completed. Appendix "A" is a 6 TACC report covering this exercise.

6 to 12 Jun 58

Operations as usual

13 Jun 58

1904Z – We will work with ADOC in Trier as of now, this organization having left Kinsbach Germany and returned to their former HQ.

14 Jun 58

1020Z – USAF ACC "Passport" is requesting that our alert aircraft be diverted to Chaumont to investigate an unknown aircraft.

1030Z – This diversion cancelled as the French Air Force has obtained an identification, one Russian Airline TU 104 which had circled Chaumont Airbase for several minutes.

15 to 30 Jun 58

Operations as usual.

Appendix "B" is a recapitulation of all sorties accomplished for the month of June. Details on types of sorties by IDF or AWX are given with the name of the exercise.

1 Jul 58

1505Z – Rampart, the French ACC or 1er CATAC, reports one of their F-84F overdue by 20 minutes. They are scrambling their Zulu section from Dijon for control by Yellow Jack.

1517Z – The French F-84F has landed safely at St Dizier and Yellow Jack is returning the French Zulus to Dijon.

2 to 9 Jul 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

10 Jul 58

0708Z – Argus Exercise is on. Refer to 1 Air Div Operations Order 5/58 – 2/83 04 Jul 58 Unclassified.

0930Z – Iron Curtain penetration by 4 F-86s MK6 Cartridge "A" intercepted by the Americans in JF 2515. All information passed to Air Division.

11 Jul 58

1142Z – One RCAF T33 intercepted by the Americans in JE3530 for an ADIZ penetration.

12 – 16 Jul 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

17 Jul 58

Stopgap Alpha Section, 2 F-86s on a low-level cross-country, number 2 crashes in JD 4040.

18 Jul 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

19 Jul 58

1020Z – At the request of Dora, a USAF CRC, Canadian fighters will CAP the Franfurt Nurenberg Lansthul line but will not penetrated the ADIZ.

1055Z – At Dora’s request a live scramble is initiated from Soellingen for handover and CAP parallel to tracks of Russian aircraft airborne on the east side of the Iron Curtain. AOC informed of this development.

20 to 23 Jul 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

24 Jul 58

Exercise Synthex Guest to take place today from 0800 hours to 1600 hours. Refer 1 Air Div Operations Order 14/58 10 Jul 58.

25 Jul 58

Attached as Appendix "C" is a full report on the above noted exercise.

26 to 30 Jul 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

31 Jul 58

Appendix "D" missions accomplished by squadrons and by type for the month of July.

1 Aug to 5 Aug 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

6 Aug 58

A conference of 6 TACC Sector Commander and IDF Squadron Commanders was held at 1 (F) Wing this day. The minutes of the conference are attached as Appendix "E".

7 Aug 58

Argus Exercise. Bad weather reduced our participation to three aircraft sorties only.

8 to 12 Aug 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

13 Aug 58

1459Z – Zulu aircraft scrambled live on track 524 headed west from behind the Iron Curtain.

1530Z – Track 524 identified as one B-66 USAF.

14 Aug 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

15 Aug 58

0809Z – SOS in Marville area, a USAF section with faulty IFF equipment.

0909Z – SOS in vicinity of Etain, USAF aircraft landing at Etain.

0930Z – SOS in Bitburg area, faulty IFF.

0956Z – Track in the ADIZ, Zulu live scramble airborne 59.

1019Z – Zulu identified the track in the ADIZ as 2 USAF F-84Fs.

1440Z – SOS in FE5020, this is already under control of Moselle Control centre.

16 Aug 58

SOS in HF2005, no assist needed by USAF, they have fighters on it.

1441Z – Zulu scrambled

1458Z – Zulu ident of track, 2 USAF F100.

17 to 19 Aug 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

20 Aug 58

A conference was held at 1 Air Division HQ this day, under discussion were 6 TACC and operation. The agenda and minutes of this conference are attached as Appendix "F".

21 to 28 Aug 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

29 Aug 58

1400Z – Report received from 4 (F) Wing that "Jailer" 31 crashed 300’ off the field perimeter at Soellingen.

30 Aug 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

31 Aug 58

Appendix "G" is a summary of missions accomplished during the month of August.

1 to 3 Sep 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

4 Sep 58

Examination flying requirements for the quarter, and the accomplishments to date indicate the need for an increase in pace if all the requirements are to be met. Appendix "H" is a detailed analysis of the above statement.

5 to 8 Sep 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

9 Sep 58

A Sabre landing at Marville without radio ran off the edge of the runway breaking lights and spreading glass on the tarmac. This caused cancellation of night flying at this base.

10 Sep 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

11 Sep 58

Argus-Day. Co-operation with USAF and 1er CATAC is improving.

1559Z – Argus-night scrambling of CF-100s was excellent.

12 to 15 Sep 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

16 Sep 58

1927Z – Track in ADIZ headed east has crossed the Iron Curtain, however, broadcasting in the blind by YJ identified the track as Catfish 01, one T-33 on X-country, and an "Immediate Vector 270" brought this aircraft back into the West Zone of Germany. Subsequent conversation with the pilot revealed that this border violation had been caused by trouble with radio compass and VHF radio.

17 Sep 58

In Appendix "J" are the minutes of a conference held at 4 (F) Wing between 6 TACC Sector Commander and the IDF Squadron Commanders.

18 Sep 58

1600Z – First visit of the new AOC A/V/M LE Wray and his C Staff O A/C PA Gilchrist. A briefing was given by the Sector Commander W/C CC Underhill in the Intelligence Room of 6 TACC. Appendix "I" is a photograph taken during the briefing.

18 Sep 58

One Dutch pilot bailed out over Fribourg Switzerland; this unit liaising between USAF who first reported this, and UDEM, 2 ATAF Germany, for final info to Volker where the aircraft was based. (Pilot is safe).

19 to 24 Sep 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

25 Sep 58

1013Z – Zulu reverting to practice scramble after identifying track 010 as 2 USAF F-100s.

1455Z – 1 (F) Wing Tower advises that Horseshoe "M" 2, 1 CF-100, with less than 900 lbs. of fuel is not in contact.

1456z – USAF Rescue is scrambling a helicopter and, a BAF CF-100 is searching the area.

1511Z – Frescaty Tower and French Gendarmerie advised, will in turn advise Salesman if any information becomes available.

1520Z – USAF Rescue advised this unit of the bailout of HS "M" 2 at Roussy 12 NM North of Thionville, the helicopter is picking up both aircrew to return them to Marville.

26 to 29 Sep 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

30 Sep 58

Appendix "K" is a quarterly report of missions accomplished for Jul, Aug and Sep.

1 Oct 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

2 Oct 58

0800Z to 1600Z – Argus-Day Exercise.

2300Z – Argus-Night Exercise

3 Oct 58

1638z – USAF requesting live scramble of CF-100s on track 31.

1648Z – Student "A" scrambled

1700Z – Student "O" scrambled

1708Z – Track 31 faded before intercept.

1726Z – Aircraft recalled to base, track 31 remaining unidentified.

4 to 9 Oct 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

10 Oct 58

1055Z – Scramble of helicopter #309 for a possible bail-out reported by 3 (F) Wing. All Wings checking their aircraft.

1243Z – Report received from French of a crash in Thionville area.

1247Z – Frescaty confirms the crash of a French F-84F on the road between Metz and Thionville. The pilot bailed out successfully, nobody injured by debris.

11 to 13 Oct 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

14 Oct 58

1327Z – Luxembourg tower called to say that an ejection seat had been found in the Luxembourg area. Could this be RCAF property.

1400Z – After cross-checking reference numbers the above mentioned seat appears to belong to a CF-100 from 445 Squadron which crashed on 25th Sep 58.

15 Oct 58

1203Z – One SOS in HF 4015 reported by Rampart, this aircraft is under control of Hann and landing there.

1225Z – 4 F-86s, the emergency, landed safely at Hann.

16 Oct 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

17 Oct 58

Exercise Sunbeam. Refer 1 Air Division Ops Order 25/58 dated 26 Sep 58.

18 Oct 58

0243Z – Exercise Sunbeam

19 Oct 58

0100Z – End of Exercise Sunbeam. See Appendix "L" for summary of all sorties.

20 Oct 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

21 Oct 58

1515Z – Visit of Canada’s High Commissioner to Great Britain, The Honourable Mr. G. Drew and party. Briefing given by Sector Commander, W/C CC Underhill.

22 Oct 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

23 Oct 58

Warning of a Jump Moat operation.

24 Oct 58

1408Z – Jump Moat completed, 15 CF-100 ferried from Canada to 4 (F) Wing Soellingen.

25 to 26 Oct 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

27 Oct 58

0900Z – Start of a special exercise Sentry Post, this is for the benefit of Luxembourg Ground Observer Corps, but at the same time is good training for our aircrew in low-level navigation and ground attack. Refer 1 Air Division Ops Order 15/58 dated 1 May 58.

28 Oct 58

6 TACC is now to pass all information on aircraft movements to COC in Air Division HQ building.

29 Oct 58

Appendix "M" are minutes of a conference held at 1 (F) Wing this day between 6 TACC Sector Commander and AW Squadron Commanders.

30 Oct 58

Appendix "N" summary of sorties for October.

31 Oct 58

1200Z – After spending considerable time and effort to arrange for a section to be available in time to intercept a Lone Ranger overfly, the target showed up 35 minutes early. No intercept. Lone Ranger – refer to 1 Air Division Ops Order 49/58 10 Nov 58

1 to 2 Nov 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

3 Nov 58

0828Z – SOS in FD5540, this is a USAF F-100 under control of YJ, who is taking this aircraft to Brienne for a landing.

0837Z – The above F-100 has landed safely at Brienne.

4 to 5 Nov 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

6 Nov 58

Argus Day

1600Z – UEDEM advises this unit that Argus Night will be 4 hours early and will consist of only 5 aircraft instead of the 20 scheduled.

7 Nov 58

1301Z – Type 80 radar going off the air for modification. No Lone Ranger intercepts will take place due to the MPS-11 limited range.

8 to 9 Nov 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

10 Nov 58

1037Z – SOS in Luxeuil area; French Air Force F-100. Two of our aircraft escorting it to Nancy-Essey.

1045Z – FAF F-100 landed safely at Nancy-Essey.

11 to 12 Nov 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

13 Nov 58

0713Z – Exercise Soft Spot. Refer 1 Air Division Ops Order 4/58 dated 29 Sep 58.

14 Nov 58

Exercise Soft Spot.

15 to 16 Nov 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

17 Nov 58

1148Z – Exercise Soft Spot is in effect at 1 (F) Wing.

1305Z – Emergency in Koblenz area believed to be Checkerboard Juliette Section. Two bail-outs from 2 F-86s. Helicopters scrambled to search for crashes.

1723Z – Both pilots are safe, however one has a broken ankle, and the other a wrenched back.

18 Nov 58

0825Z – Exercise Tuesday Scrimmage with the French Air Force, is cancelled by FAF. Refer 1 Air Div Ops Order 11/58 2/82 dated 1 May 58.

1020Z – USAF are having a penetration and ident exercise in the ADIZ area. YJ instructed to ensure that adequate cross-tell and identification is maintained with USAF CRC’s.

19 to 21 Nov 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

22 Nov 58

1302Z - USAF requests that Zulus airborne at this time, be diverted to investigate an unknown track of strength two, in LC1030.

1318Z – Track in LC1030 identified by Zulu as 2 USAF F-100s.

23 Nov 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

24 Nov 58

0800Z – Turn-around facilities arranged at 3 (F) Wing for 12 RCN aircraft enroute Gibraltar to the UK.

25 to 29 Nov 58

Nil report. Operations as usual.

30 Nov 58

For the last six days operations have been reduced to a minimum, poor weather is prevailing over most of 1 Air Division area. Appendix "O" is the summary of sorties for the month of November. Appendix "P" is a list of Ops Orders used by 6 TACC.

END OF VOLUME II

(CC Underhill) W/C
Sector Commander