Metz, France

1958 – Historical Record – National Archives of Canada


VOLUME III OF THE HISTORICAL RECORD
OF NUMBER 6 TACTICAL CONTROL CENTER
RCAF, METZ, MOSELLE, FRANCE
Period from 1 Dec 58 to 31 May 59.

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

LIST OF CALL SIGNS

SALESMAN

6 TACC

 

RCAF Station Metz

YELLOW JACK

61 AC&W Squadron

 

RCAF Station Metz

STUDENT

Base Call Sign

 

Marville France

CATFISH

1 (F) Wing Call Sign

 

Marville France

HORSESHOE

445 AW Squadron

Red, Orange, Green, Brown, Blue, Black

Marville France

CARTRIDGE

439 IDF Squadron

Wolf, Pup, Poach, Hound, Dog, Chow

Marville France

CHECKERBOARD

441 IDF Squadron

Grille, Hood, Lamp, Trunk, Tube, Wheel

Marville France

HORSEMAN

Base Call Sign

 

Grostenquin France

CASHBOX

2 (F) Wing Call Sign

 

Grostenquin France

HANDCUFF

423 AW Squadron

Swan, Snipe, Kite, Hawk, Goose, Duck

Grostenquin France

MADCAP

421 IDF Squadron

Spruce, Pine, Palm, Oak, Elm, Birch

Grostenquin France

SANDAL

430 IDF Squadron

Fig, Grape, Lime, Peach, Pear, Plum

Grostenquin France

STRONGBOX

Base Call Sign

 

Zweibrucken Germany

STONEWALL

3 (F) Wing Call Sign

 

Zweibrucken Germany

RHUBARB

440 AW Squadron

Skunk, Mouse, Mole, Mink, Coon, Bat

Zweibrucken Germany

HORNET

434 IDF Squadron

Trout, Shark, Pike, Clam, Crab, Bass

Zweibrucken Germany

STOPGAP

427 IDF Squadron

Count, Duke, King, Prince, Peer, Queen

Zweibrucken Germany

YARDARM

Base Call Sign

 

Soellingen Germany

CARTOON

4 (F) Wing Call Sign

 

Soellingen Germany

CHOPSTICK

419 AW Squadron

Stag, Moose, Elk, Doe, Buck, Bear

Soellingen Germany

JACKET

422 IDF Squadron

Lance, Spear, Sword, Knife, Blade, Axe

Soellingen Germany

JAILER

444 IDF Squadron

Beer, Coke, Gin, Rum, Rye, Scotch

Soellingen Germany

NARRATIVE REPORT
Period from 1 Dec 58 to 31 May 59

1 Dec 58

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

2 Dec 58

1023Z – At the request of Logroll, Strong Box "S" is scrambled on track 40 an unknown, strength 2, speed 450K at 34000’

1052Z – Track 40 has faded prior to intercept in the Chaumont area. Strong Box "S" is reverting to practice scramble.

1059Z – Passport request that Strong Box "S" be diverted live on track 53 which will be cross told by Logroll.

1112Z – Strong Box "S" reverted to practice scramble after track 53 faded in JC.

1525Z – Passport requesting a live scramble on track 43, strength 1, speed 350K alt 32000.

1540Z – Track 43 intercepted in HF0005 at 1538Z by Strong Box "S" scrambled live from 2 min. The intercepted aircraft are 2 USAF F-86Ds.

1654Z – 2 (F) Wing is closed with a fatal crash at the end of runway 33.

3 Dec 58

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

4 Dec 58

1930Z – Argus Day. Tracks originating in England were cancelled earlier because of WX and now the rest of Argus is cancelled for the same reason by Passport.

5 Dec 58

1545Z – 1 CF-100 HS211 on a cross-country under surveillance from YJ, has strayed inside the Swiss border for 8 to 10 miles. A report will be submitted to Air Division.

6 to 7 Dec 58

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

8 to 9 Dec 58

No operations weather conditions are very poor throughout the area.

10 Dec 58

0900Z – Orders received from COC to implement SHAPE operational readiness test. The requirement for 1 Air Division is 142 Sabres and 52 CF-100.

1245Z – End of test, 146 Sabres and 52 CF-100’s were made available.

1457Z – Exercise Step Out took place and Norwegian aircraft coming from Toul landed at Grostenquin.

11 Dec 58

0843Z – SOS in FE1010 identified as one T33 under control of Moselle MCAC and landing safely back to base at Etain.

1145Z – SG "A" scrambled at 1123Z for Lone Ranger 139 and completing the intercept at this time in DE5005 identifying a Valian at 35000 ft.

12 Dec 58

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

13 Dec 58

From 1450Z to 1639Z conflicting information have been coming in from various sources regarding a Canadian C-119, however the final situation is that this aircraft #22128 has crash-landed 40 miles SW of Modena in Italy while enroute from Athens to Pisa. Seven persons were aboard, all got out with only three of them being injured.

14 to 15 Dec 58

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

16 Dec 58

0950Z – Tuesday Scrimmage cancelled due to WX at Camsea.

1035Z – SG "S" intercepted a USAFE F-100 squawking 4 in a left hand triangular pattern. Radio trouble.

1403Z – Live scramble of Strong Box "R" at the request of Passport on track 032N, YJ has not contact with this track resulting in Strong Box "R" being out of position and reverting to practice.

1815Z – 3 (F) Wing has a failure of commercial electrical power.

2050Z – This failure is due to the grounding of a 20000 volt line.

17 Dec 58

0009Z – 3 (F) Wing is operating only on diesel power and everything is in order.

18 to 20 Dec 58

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

21 Dec 58

1930Z – Information is received from 2 (F) Wing of the disappearance of Dakota 975 enroute 2 (F) Wing to Pisa.

2125Z – Information received from Passport that Italian rescue parties have reached the scene of a crash in the Cotieliada Mountain area.

2135Z – Again from Passport, the number "975" has been read on the crashed aircraft.

22 to 28 Dec 58

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

29 Dec 58

0730Z – Weather conditions at Marville dictates diversion of their aircraft to other Wings with Salesman co-ordinating.

1757Z – Madcap 23 is over Grostenquin with complete instrument failure and MC 21 is scrambled to join up and guide 23 through the descent.

1811Z – Madcap 23 landed safely.

30 Dec 58

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

31 Dec 58

Appendix "A" shows the sorties accomplished during the quarter ending this day.

1 Jan 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

2 Jan 59

Chopstick "A" airborne on a Sky Saga is diverted on an SOS in the Chaumont area, however the SOS is under control and Chopstick "A" reverts to Sky Saga.

3 to 6 Jan 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

7 Jan 59

Seven emergencies during this day all of them USAFE, and in all of them some form of assistance was given by this unit. All aircraft landed safely. A meeting was held at 6 TACC to discuss the present mode of operation. Minutes of this conference are attached as Appendix "B".

8 Jan 59

Argus Exercise postponed; severe icing on alert aircraft. Runways unserviceable for the morning otherwise operations as usual.

9 Jan 59

Operations as usual after cancellation of Argus Exercise.

10 to 11 Jan 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

12 Jan 59

1620Z – A TU-104 Prague to Paris apparently strayed from its course and was seen in the area of Chaumont; this according to Passport who wishes this unit to cross-check with Rampart if any track information is available.

1845Z – From Paris Flight Service via Rampart the TU-104 when establishing contact with Paris was on its correct route.

13 Jan 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

14 Jan 59

Weather conditions, ice and freezing rain, are curtailing operations

15 Jan 59

The same as on the 14th applies to day.

16 Jan 59

Limited operations. The weather is remaining marginal.

20 Jan 59

1015Z – Glons in Belgium, reports one CF-100 landing at Bruston.

1228Z – The CF-100 is HS89. He landed at Bruston short of fuel; he has since refuelled and returned to 1 (F) Wing.

1400Z – Salesman is asked by Passport to run a survey to establish the position of all RCAF low flying aircraft. A MIG Type aircraft was reported at 200 ft. over Bitburg by three witnesses, two airmen and a colonel, these witnesses are positive in stating that the aircraft was bearing red stars.

21 Jan 59

1027Z – One T-33 "Mayday" in the vicinity of Dijon will land at Dijon.

1045Z – T-33 is down safely.

A conference was held at 3 (F) Wing between the Sector Commander and the IDF Squadron Commander, the minutes of this meeting are attached as Appendix "C".

22 Jan 59

As a result of the recent IDF conference, the Zulus states are not to be exchanged inter wings.

23 to 25 Jan 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

26 Jan 59

1637Z – Power failure. Salesman and Yellow Jack out of commission, however, all concerned advised.

27 Jan 59

The new syllabus for IDF has arrived and planning is going forth.

The wings are not programming their night flying adequately, this results in an overloading of Yellow Jack’s capabilities of control and of flight following.

28 to 31 Jan 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

1 Feb 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

2 Feb 59

0830Z – Previously all the planning and fragging of missions had been done by the night crew; as of today and for the remainder of the month it will be done on a trial basis by the day crew.

0942Z – Hornet Crab 2 bailed out, suspected cause, compressor stall, the aircraft crashed in a field 2 miles south of Hornbach, the pilot picked up by helicopter has only minor injuries.

3 to 4 Feb 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

5 Feb 59

ADOC (4ATAF) called for the various phases of simulated alerts. This lasted from 0820Z to 1002Z and again from 1225Z to 1508Z.

1530Z – Rhubarb Mouse reports a heavy cluster of balloons, 100 ft wide and 300 ft deep carrying some type of equipment.

Passport advised, a NOTAM will be put out.

1640Z – Strong Box "E" live scrambled on balloon search.

1655Z – Strong Box "E" is on the balloons at 26000’ in KD1852.

1700Z – Argus is cancelled by the Chief of Staff due to the hazards created by the balloons.

6 Feb 59

Many more balloon sightings but no identification of ownership to date.

7 Feb 59

2339Z – Two more radar contacts with balloons in EF5050 and KD0550 altitude estimated at 50000 to 58000’.

8 to 10 Feb 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

11 Feb 59

0830Z – Tuesday Scrimmage cancelled because of weather .

1425Z – Hammerhead 90 reports sighting a clear plastic balloon, 10 miles south of Marville.

1635Z – Balloons sighted in the same area, very close to the ground. The French Gendarmes are alerted and a land recovery party is organized from Marville. Balloon and equipment recovered. Identified as meteorological equipment.

12 Feb 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

13 Feb 59

Practically nil flying due to weather.

14 to 21 Feb 59

Nil operations, fog.

22 Feb 59

1257Z – Unknown track originating in KE5550, Passport is unable to identify it and is requesting a live scramble.

1301Z – Strong Box Sierra requested to 2 min.

1307Z – Strong Box Sierra airborne

1315Z – The unknown track is identified by Strong Box Sierra as 2 French F-84s.

23 Feb 59

1715Z – TACC is receiving a call from Moselle Common Area Control regarding the heavy night flying planned at the Wings but not passed as flight plans for clearance by Rhine Control.

Another problem is the requirement for all aircraft crossing into Belgium to be cleared by Brussels.

2015Z – Due to weather most of the night flying has been cancelled eliminating the problems mentioned before, however this situation will have to be clarified as the Wings appear to be unaware of these regulations.

24 Feb 59

1250Z – Cartridge Dog declares an emergency at 44000 due to the loss of his canopy.

1257Z – After descending to 12000’ Cartridge Dog cancels his emergency and is returning to 1 (F) Wing.

25 Feb 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

26 Feb 59

A large high pressure area over Central Europe is causing extensive fog, all Air Division bases are below limits.

27 Feb 59

1206Z – Passport informs this unit that their Stampede Golf 2 enroute Toul –Wheelus has disappeared near Geneva.

1400Z – After a communication search this unit able to inform Passport of (a) one F-100 crashed 20 NM east of Chaumont Airbase and (b) that the pilot after bailing out safely NNW of Geneva was now hospitalized in Lons-Le-Saulnier.

28 Feb to 1 Mar 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

2 Mar 59

Operation Step Out is taking place with 2 Norwegian T-33s arriving at Soellingen.

3 to 4 Mar 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

5 Mar 59

Passport the Advon ACC is now using Mince Pie for call sign.

1910Z – Exercise Argus Night commenced.

2145Z – Exercise Argus Night completed. The results of the evening are 20 fighters airborne, 26 attacks attempted, breaking down into 11 MAs, 15 MIs.

6 Mar 59

0800Z – Argus Day starting.

0855Z – Track 23D believed to be two Canadian F-86s crossed the Iron Curtain at LG0012, this was Argus Raid 103.

1428Z – Two CF-100s of 440 Squadron from 3 (F) Wing intercepted by USAFE Bloodstone Romeo after having penetrated the ADIZ. Border not violated.

11 Mar 59

Two F-86s low on fuel squawking 4 landed safely, one at Soellingen and the other at Grostenquin.

12 Mar 59

Four SOS calls this day were given assistance; all emergencies were terminated without fatalities. Three were Us and one Canadian.

13 Mar 59

0828Z – First SOS for this day; Rhubarb 108 bailed out. A helicopter is scrambled by Mince Pie and is under control of MCAC.

0940Z – Emergency over Laon, Yardarm "T" diverted to investigate but this track faded prior to intercept.

1005Z – SOS from Jailer Rye 1 & 2, short on fuel, ordered by Salesman Duty Controller to land at 3 (F) Wing.

14 to 15 Mar 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

16 Mar 59

1622Z – Operation "Duel" taking place, 2 FAF F-84Fs intercepted.

1800Z – Coordination with MCAC and Rhine Control is in need of clarification. As 3 (F) Wing aircraft started to taxi out for their night flying, MCAC refused to have anything to do with their flight plans, only the prompt intervention of Salesman Duty Controller ensured that the said flight plans were passed to the agencies concerned.

17 Mar 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

18 Mar 59

0957Z – Exercise "Duel" Yardarm "T" scrambled and intercepting 2 FAF F-84s.

19 to 20 Mar 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

21 Mar 59

Two exercise "Duel" accomplished successfully.

22 Mar 59

Mince Pie advised us of a bailout near Chaumont and requests a scramble to investigate.

0912Z – Chaumont advises us that they have found the wreckage, a T-33 USAF, the pilot dead having caught his parachute in the empanage after bailout.

1340Z – ADOC Senior Controller is requesting us to organize and accept a handover of 2 F-100s to intercept a flight of 6 F-100s coming from the USA.

1616Z – Entry of 1340 accomplished.

23 Mar 59

Major Wright ADOC Senior Controller called to express his thanks and appreciation for the successful intercept of 6 F-100s and their subsequent bringing home by Yellowjack to Hann.

24 to 28 Mar 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

29 Mar 59

Flight planning problems with MCAC and Rhine Control have been resolved.

30 Mar 59

Included as Appendix "D" is a report of sorties accomplished for this quarter.

31 Mar to 1 Apr 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

2 Apr 59

0930Z – Exercise Soft Spot started at this time and the Ops room manning is reduced to three officers and three fighter controls operators, the remainder are sent to shelter.

0946Z – COC advises us that Soft Spot is terminated. Further information on this exercise may be obtained from this unit’s File 6/S55.01.42 2 Apr 59

1021Z – From COC, SHAPE operational readiness test with R/Hour set at 1000Z.

1030Z – First section, Sandal Peach, airborne on readiness test.

1410Z – End of SHAPE operational readiness test. Total sorties actual or simulated accomplished, 161 while maintaining 6 on 5 min.

3 Apr 59

1236Z – SB "R" on CAP under control of Barber a USAFE ADVON CRC after a handover from YJ.

4 Apr 59

0822Z – SB "S" practice scramble for CAP in ADIZ at 45000’ under control of Racecard, also a USAFE ADVON CRC.

5 to 6 Apr 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

7 Apr 59

Three American SOS’s all landed safely after receiving some form of help from YJ.

8 Apr 59

Rampart the French ACC reports chaff in KE. This is correlated with YJ which is carrying the chaff in KE2545, one mile wide and five miles long; Mince Pie advised and they confirm that it is one of their exercises.

9 Apr 59

0833Z – COC called for Bass Bait code word for Military Vigilance. This is the beginning of Exercise Top Weight, 4ATAF yearly exercise.

10 Apr 59

A state of Military Vigilance is maintained.

11 Apr 59

A state of Military Vigilance is maintained.

12 Apr 59

1212Z – From COC, Yellow Swan, or Simple Alert is declared, effective 1212Z.

2955Z – COC announces "Fox Grape" effective 130001, Orange Alert.

13 Apr 59

0156Z – Red Swan, Reinforced Alert received from ADOC to be effective 0200Z.

1047Z – Student "G" on CAP had identified 2 Portuguese F-86 aircraft ADOC C/S Fairfax informed.

1207Z – COC informs that Red Rufus, Scarlet Alert, will effective 1210Z.

1300Z – Grey Swan or General Alert/R Hour effective 1257Z. Further information on Exercise Top Weight will be found in file 6/S55.01.08.

14 Apr 59

Top Weight in progress.

15 Apr 59

1203Z – Mad Cap Birch "2" crashed near Neufonateau, pilot was killed.

16 Apr 59

0815Z – Yardarm Beer diverted to intercept SOS in DC0530. Intercept accomplished in ED4020.

0825Z – SOS DP 3059, Madcap Spruce sent to investigate this track which appears to be doing a right hand triangle.

0840Z – Madcap Spruce, unable to intercept, the aircraft being in or below the clouds.

1257Z – Exercise Top Weight terminated this time.

17 Apr 59

Sunday Routine

18 Apr 59

Sunday Routine

19 to 20 Apr 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

21 Apr 59

1517Z – 2 (F) Wing closed for runway repairs tomorrow PM until dark.

1526Z – Exercise Duel 2 F-84Fs intercepted by ST "N".

22 to 24 Apr 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

25 Apr 59

0816Z – 2 (F) Wing closed with a CF-100 in the crash barrier.

0937Z – 2 (F) Wing serviceable

26 to 27 Apr 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

28 Apr 59

1355Z – One T-33 #21586 returning from Soellingen to Zweibrucken bounced off a mountain top into a radar antenna of the French station of Drachenbraun. The aircraft’s occupants were killed on impact but no casualties were sustained by the French personnel working nearby. The radar antenna belonging to Height Finding equipment was completely demolished.

1624Z – Received a call for practice Ste. Orange from CanairDiv; this will involve only 6 TACC & 1 (F) Wing, the latter to have its aircraft on state according to Drum Fire Annex B para 1 (a).

1747Z – Practice state Scarlet; 2 & 4 (F) Wing remaining open for possible diversions.

1758Z – Practice General Alert

1807Z – Exercise terminated this time.

29 Apr 59

Four SOS calls concluded safely. Two were Americans, one German, one Canadian.

30 Apr 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

Appendix "E" is the monthly number of sorties accomplished.

1 May 59

Two SOS’s both Americans, no assistance needed.

2 May 59

One SOS, Canadian; Strong Box Romeo lead went into a spin, decided to bail out at 1000’ but recovered and proceeded to home base for a safe landing.

3 to 6 May 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

7 May 59

0930Z – Salesman is informed of a May flight, consisting of six Canberras at 43000 to 45000’.

1130Z – After scrambling five Canadian sections and accepting the handover of one American section, six Canberras were intercepted.

8 May 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

9 May 59

2236Z – Mince Pie has a T-33 in trouble in ED area, YJ is seeing this track and HM "C" is scrambled for assistance.

2242Z – Mince Pie reports the T-33 in contact with Evreux Tower. HM "C" will proceed to Evreux in case assistance is needed.

2315Z – Mince Pie reports that the T33 has landed safely, and that HM "C" is no longer needed.

10 to 11 May 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

12 May 59

0507Z – Exercise Soft Spot is called by COC to affect only 6 TACC and 3 (F) Wing.

1118Z – Soft Spot terminated at this time. Results were as follows:

76 IDF sorties, 10 AWX sorties, 6 F-100 sorties.

The last 6 sorties were flown by an American squadron stationed on exchange at 3 (F) Wing.

13 May 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

14 May 59

0909Z – Argus Day, with 24 raids scheduled and composed of:

6 Canberras, 2 B-66, 6 X 4 F-84Fs, 4 X 4 F-86Fs, 2 X 2 Hunter, 4 X 1 Vautour

Resulting in:

3 Canberras seen and 2 intercepted.

2 sections of F-84Fs seen and 1 intercepted

1 B-66 seen

4 sections of F-86 seen and 4 intercepted

2 sections of Hunter seen

4 Vautours outside of AFC.

2230Z – Argus Night commencing in GH5040, there is to be two routes followed each by 12 Canberras, the aircraft to be in trail 2 minutes apart. However due to unsatisfactory rules for lead collision intercepts it was decided that 1 Air Division would not take part in this phase of the exercise.

15 May to 19 May 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

20 May 59

Three SOS’s, two USAFE and one RCAF, all landed safely at their home bases.

A meeting was held at 6 TACC to discuss the mode of operation in use. The minutes of this meeting are contained in Appendix "F".

21 May 59

0820Z – Sandal 61 in distress is intercepted by Bloodstone "N" an American section who will escort it back to 3 (F) Wing.

0843Z – Sandal 61 landed safely.

F/L DA Peters reported in from 440 Squadron, to take over as IO from F/L R Rumble transferred to RCAF Station Winnipeg on instructional duties.

22 May to 24 May 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

25 May 59

Salesman, acting as a go between for 2ATAF, is obtaining from Marseille Air Rescue, information on the crash of a German F-86.

26 May 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

27 May 59

SOS in HE 1005. Horseshoe Blue already in area is diverted and identified the SOS as two USAF F-100s. This is apparently an unserviceable IFF.

28 to 31 May 59

Nil Report. Operations as usual.

Appendix "G" is the monthly amount of sorties accomplished during May.

END OF VOLUME III

(CC Underhill) W/C
Sector Commander