Grostenquin, France

1 Jun 57

No flying - Sunday routine.

2 Jun 57

Le Bourget Flypast held, 2 Wing supply 8 CF-100s and 16 Sabres. Weather good, flypast successful.

The Eagles played host to 1 Wing in a regular scheduled game this afternoon and after a tight 8 innings the Eagles came through to win 11 runs to 5.

3 Jun 57

Weather fair – CO had a phone call from Air Div and was informed that A/M Curtis, former CAS and Mr. Williams representative from AVRO would visit the station in the afternoon. CO attended luncheon at Air Div HQ with aforementioned personnel. 430 Squadron on stand down. Other squadrons on fairly limited flying program due to E&E course starting tonight. One Camberra from Alhorn did touch landing today to drop off passenger for E&E Course. It looks like a rainy night for the boys in the woods.

4 Jun 57

Weather cloudy but remaining quite warm. CO played host to more visitors this morning. Archbishop Roy of Quebec City Head Chaplain for the three Services arrived at 2 (F) Wing via service aircraft from Paris. Short briefing by CO. Luncheon and then conference with chaplains from all over Air Division. Everything quiet with most of the activity centered on the E&E Exercise. Rain showers all around the area.

5 Jun 57

CO’s parade this morning – CO not too pleased with results. Cloudy skies persisted throughout most of the day. S/L Allatt, F/O Ogilvie and F/O Murray arrived on the Station. F/O Ogilvie will be going to 423 Squadron, the others to 421. 421 Squadron started Zulu. T-33 went to Langar with S/L Boland before parade started. Madcap 40 (F/O MacKinnon) went into Rhein Main on Zulu mission, when he failed to get engine unstalled from compressor stall. He remained overnight.

6 Jun 57

G/C Syme arrived this morning to see the CO. Priest from Grostenquin talked with CO in the afternoon re the forthcoming celebrations in the Village. Weather fair in morning, cleared off well in afternoon. T-33 088 with F/O Stout as captain landed at Kitzingen Air Base in Germany after becoming disorientated and low on fuel. Madcap 25 (F/L Greff) landed at 4 (F) Wing with engine power decreasing.

Another live show was held in the Station Theatre sponsored by the Entertainment Committee and played to a capacity crowd of over 400 people. The show, although an hour and a half long, was well received by the audience.

Skies overcast, scattered rain showers. Dakota flew to Kitzingen with repair crew and brought F/O Stout back.

8 Jun 57

Rev. Leng arrived Saturday.

This Saturday, being Air Force Day, a Fastball Game was held in the afternoon with 3 Wing as the guests. The game went for five innings with 2 Wing ahead when the game was called on account of rain. That evening an Air Force Day dance was held in the Rec. Centre at $1.00 per person. The band was from Zweibrucken and a floor show was presented at intermission. Corsages were given to all ladies and a crowd of over 350 couples were in attendance.

The Baseball Eagles played a regular scheduled game at 3 Wing and were badly upset by the Maple Leafs, losing 11 to 7, primarily attributed to poor hitting and 6 errors which allowed 3 un-earned runs over for the Maple Leafs.

Sunday routine. G/C Newson attended festivities at Grostenquin, gave a short address in French. Celebrations hampered somewhat by scattered rain showers. Rev. RF Sneyd, Rt. Rev. Beattie arrived. Had dinner with CO.

11 Jun 57

Overcast and raining all day. Flying very slow. CO left early this morning for a conference at Trier, returned approximately 1630 hours. Church group – Rev. Sneyd, Leng and Beattie taken on tour of station by W/C Currie. Normal Zulu flying. 430 sent aircraft to Creil on Exercise Tuesday Scrimmage.

12 Jun 57

421 had another unfortunate accident today, F/O VanOene had a mid-air collision while on a practice Zulu intercept. VanOene bailed out successfully and suffered only a cut forehead, the pilot from 4 Wing was killed. Last day of Zulu.

The station Tennis Club had its first meeting of the season to lay out plans for the coming season’s activities.

13 Jun 57

Weather clear and hot. 60 students from the St. Avold high school visited the station today for a tour of the Met section. Seemed very interested in everything. Zulu all over with for another week. No special flying incidents.

Another $500.00 Bingo was held in the Rec. Centre with many valuable cash and merchandize prizes being won and the $500 Jackpot going to Mrs. White.

14 Jun 57

Very quiet today. Weather nice – lots of flying. Aircraft left on various trips to bases for weekend, four F-86s to Aalborg. The C-45 went to Rome on an instrument training trip.

The ME section held a section dance in the Rec. Centre this evening to pay tribute to F/O Vanziffle, the VMEO, who is on repatriation to Canada after completing his overseas tour.

15 Jun 57

The Eaglettes, the Station Ladies Fastball Team, travelled to 1 Wing to play an exhibition game there and beat the Royalettes 9-3. No flying.

16 Jun 57

The Eaglettes were guests at Air Division to play an exhibition Fastball game against the Div Dax. Our girls came out on top with a 10-8 victory. The Eagles, of the Baseball world, travelled to 4 Wing to play a regular scheduled game against the Raiders. The game was tied up all the way to the bottom of the ninth when the Raiders brought in 2 runs in the top of the 10^th. The Eagles could not even it up and so lost 2 to 1.

17 Jun 57

Very hot and humid, flying going full force. Restricted flying in until 1000 hours. Madcap 23 (F/L Hoar) had a compressor stall and headed for Toul but engine unstalled OK and he headed back and landed at the station. Weather good after 1000 hours but very warm.

The regular monthly meeting of the Recreation Council was held in the Conference room at Wing Headquarters to conduct business for the months of Jun and Jul.

18 Jun 57

Weather extremely hot and humid again today. Routine. 430 on Tuesday Scrimmage, two French Mysteres landed here from Creil. One went unserviceable and had to stay overnight. We had no fuel for either one, they to fly to Frescaty for it. Tuesday Scrimmage cancelled in the afternoon.

The Station Water Polo team held its first practice and meeting to prepare for the summer activities with other teams in the area.

19 Jun 57

Inspection of Officers Summer uniform this morning. CO unable to do the inspection owing to an extremely painful swelling of his foot, caused apparently by applying brake while flying the C-47 yesterday morning. Remainder of the day uneventful. Heat wave continues. Lectures this morning. 430 and 423 went on Zulu today. Weather good in afternoon but hot. Two Danish F-84s came in from Florennes Belgium

The Eagles played host to Phalsbourg AF Base baseball tam in an exhibition tilt and won the contest by an 11 to 3 score.

20 Jun 57

3 Wing had an unfortunate accident today with the OC of the CF-100 Squadron 3 Wing (440 Squadron) crashed near Saarguemines killing both himself and his navigator. WC Handley and F/L Benjamin from 2 Wing are detailed for the investigation. Weather fair. 423 Squadron sent 2 CF-100s to Hahn on Exercise Round Robin. Thundershowers hit us during the afternoon. 430 had one practice scramble turned into a "live" but nothing in particular happened.

Another $500 Bingo was held in the Rec. Centre with a capacity crowd of over 900 persons in attendance to try their luck. The new Jackpot did not go but over $1100.00 in cash and merchandise prizes were given away.

21 Jun 57

Weather looked a bit gloomy today with intermittent showers coming through. Cleared off fairly well by noon. Madcap 30 (F/O Rose) had his throttle jammed, could not reduce power below 80%. He came in for a perfect landing, flaming out by shutting off his master switch. 421 Squadron flew two aircraft to Bierset on Exercise Round Robin.

22 Jun 57

Normal Zulu weekend.

23 Jun 57

24 Jun 57

Routine. G/C Newson returned to work today after being in bed for two days with a swollen foot. Weather bad 800 broken ½ mile with a low pressure area moving in. Flying washed out all day. Two F-86s came in from 4 (F) Wing.

25 Jun 57

A/C Annis, VCAs/CTel – AFHQ, arrived this afternoon. Inspected 601 installations at Lescourt and Zimmering. In the evening he was a guest of G/C Newson at the CO’s house. 430 had a live scramble on Zulu and helped escort a Russian IL 14 to Switzerland. Weather fair first part of morning but improved rapidly. 430 and 423 still on Zulu.

26 Jun 57

A/C Annis inspected the troops on parade this morning and presented two campaign ribbons to LAC GF Young. In the afternoon he toured Wintersburg RR site and after a briefing by the CO at 1615 and dinner in the Mess, he left by service aircraft for Paris accompanied by the CO. CO’s parade in morning. Weather good except for low visibility in haze. Normal flying took place with 421 doing a lot of drogue towing.

The Eagles and a team from the Station Golf Club were guests at Phalsbourg for an afternoon of competition in both activities. The two clubs lost out by narrow margins in both activities.

27 Jun 57

Promotion and PC list out today. F/L Pudsey was promoted to S/L; F/O Gaudin promoted to F/L; also F/O Fraser. Weather warm and sunny. F/O Leavitt had hydraulic trouble and had to land without a nose wheel. Everything successful. Weather excellent. 421 doing drogue work, 430 and 421 on normal training exercises. Sandal 22 (F/O Caws) of 430 flamed out 20 miles from station at 48,000 feet, but got a successful relight on emergency at 29,000 feet.

The High School Graduation Exercises were held in the Astra Theatre followed by a dance in the Rec. Hall for the grads and their parents.

28 Jun 57

Sunny and warm again today. CO heard four charge cases this morning and held conference with COpsO and Squadron Commanders this afternoon. Merry party in the mess this evening for CO, S/L Fulford, S/L Sansovey, F/L Beal and F/O Rose. All squadrons on normal flying, no weekend trips planned.

A dance was held in the Rec. Centre to celebrate the 4^th birthday of 423 Squadron as an all-weather squadron. Music was furnished by Tommy Dallimore and his Radio Luxembourg orchestra.

29 Jun 57

Sunday routine. Cocktail party in honour of G/C and Mrs Newson held in the Officers’ Mess in the evening. S/L Rousell presented a painting from the Mess to the departing CO. Weather extremely hot.

30 Jun 57

Temperature 88.6º skies clear. Cocktail party Cpls. Club from 1500 to 1700 hours in honour of G/C and Mrs Newson.

1 Jul 57

Very hot again today. Reception for local church dignitaries in the Officers’ Mess from 1600-1800 hours in celebration of Canada Day. Sunday routine. No flying. Variety dances, prizes and corsages for the ladies together with gay decorations in a patriotic colour scheme added to the festivities of a well attended dance held in the Rec. Centre to celebrate Canada Day.

2 Jul 57

G/C Searle, the new CO, arrived by air today. He was met by W/C Currie in the CO’s absence. Weather hot. Our runway is badly buckled with heat, closed to jets, open to conventional. Lectures all morning. Hundreds of eager children, under the supervision of Miss Sally Davis commenced the first phase of the summer "Sink or Swim" programme.

3 Jul 57

Practice for handing over parade today. Mr. Radford and Mr. Pelton arrived to do tape recordings on the work of 2 (F) Wing for the CBC. Interviewed G/C Newson in the afternoon, visited the other parts of the station including Zulu at other times during the day. W/C Mooney and S/L Barratt from AFHQ visited the base. Weather very hot. Runway opened at 1145 hours local. Zulu started today.

In an exhibition game the 2 Wing Eagles won 11-2 over the baseball team from Phalsbourg. The Eagles played on their home field.

4 Jul 57

Mr. Radford and Pelton did interviews with F/O Simpson (430 Squadron) and Sgt. Belanger (PX) this morning and left for Air Div at noon. Weather extremely hot and no sign of a let up. Water scarce. Conservation measures in progress. Normal flying with 421 and 423 still on Zulu.

A record crowd won some $1800.00 worth of merchandise and cash prizes in the last "everything must go" bingo of the summer months. In an invitation Squash Tournament played at 1 Wing the same evening the Team from 2 Wing swept the board for a clear cut victory.

5 Jul 57

Heat wave continues. CO spent afternoon cleaning out his office preparatory to turning over to G/C Searle. Station stood down at 1600 hours due to extreme heat. 94º in afternoon. Runway closed at 1500Z for maintenance.

The girls fastball team played a game here with their counterparts from 3 wing. The Eaglettes won 14-4.

6 – 7 Jul 57

G/C Newson gave a cocktail party in the Officers’ Mess at 1530 hours on Sunday for all members of the mess. Water is becoming very scarce and the emergency measures that went into effect Thursday are still in force. Zulu weekend – 421.

The 3 Wing men’s baseball team trimmed the Eagles 18-14 here in an exhibition match. However, the girls evened the score for the weekend by defeating the lassies from Ramstein Air Base 4-3 at Ramstein.

8 Jul 57

Handing over parade held at 1330 today. Weather was luckily a little cooler than previously and the parade went off without incident. G/C Newson left the station at 1515 hours, G/C Searle took over the reins at the same time. Normal flying today. Flypast of 4 CF-100s and 8 F-86s for handing over parade for new CO. Radar calibration for French put off for 24 hours.

9 Jul 57

Cooler again today. 430 took over Zulu from 421 in order that 421 could have time to prepare their aircraft for Sardinia. 421 did two trips for French Radar Calibration.

2 Wing placed second in the Air Div track and field meet held at 3 Wing the 9^th & 10^th Jul, with a total of 32 points. On the 10^th the men’s baseball team dropped a game to Etain 10-6. Also on this date the summer playground programme was opened under the supervision of F/Os J Deering, P Handley and B Watchorn. The girl’s fastball team won 23-2 in a game played at Air Div on 11 Jul.

10 Jul 57

Weather cooler today with the odd shower. Four F-86s of 421 Squadron with S/L Bourgue leading went down to Decimomannu on a liaison visit. Madcap 36 F/O Goullet at 1240Z reported he had a fire in his left wing. Crash facilities alerted but fire appeared to go out and he landed without incident. Madcap 15 F/L Hoar leader of Kilo section reported aileron trouble at 1330Z with aircraft attempting to roll intermittently. He landed safely after a straight in approach. 421 did two trips today for French Radar Calibration.

11 Jul 57

430 on Exercise Argus with 8 Interceptors with jugs. First scramble 0845Z. 421 on French Radar Calibration in morning and afternoon. Restricted flying in until about 1015 local. 430 did a second 8 aircraft scramble on Argus in the afternoon.

12 Jul 57

Weather fair. Squadrons on normal flying. A few showers in the afternoon. One CF-100 S/L Biddell went off the end of the runway during a very heavy shower. Only damage to aircraft was to camera mount, classed as an incident. One T-33 went to Denmark.

13 – 14 Jul 57

Non-Zulu weekend. No flying. The men’s fastball team played a triple header over the weekend with the Yanks from Landstuhl winning the first two games 3-2 and 2-1 but dropping the third 5-0. All games were played at 2 Wing. On the 14^th the baseball team playing at 1 Wing chalked up another victory, 3-2.

15 Jul 57

Weather fair. In the morning an aircraft from 422 Squadron at 4 (F) Wing piloted by F/O Kunitsky flamed out, got a relight on emergency but could only get 60% power. His wingman set him up for a forced landing here which was successfully carried out. 430 on another French Radar Calibration.

A/C Gilchrist visited this unit and spent considerable time with the CO. A luncheon was laid on with cocktails at 1215 lunch at 1240. A/C Gilchrist intended to fly jet while here.

16 Jul 57

Briefing and luncheon re exercise Terrier Trek. A/C Clements and French General Ferreboeuf head of Gendarmerie in attendance. First official news of pay raise received today. Weather very low first part of morning, but improved rapidly. 430 Squadron on Exercise Tuesday Scrimmage with FAF. Only 2 French Mysteres landed here. The exercise was repeated in the afternoon. 430 Squadron also did 3 Radar Calibration runs for the French. 421 getting ready to go to Sardinia tomorrow for air firing.

17 Jul 57

W/C Sorrenson of RCAF London visited 2 Wing. Mayor of St. Avold did not show up as scheduled. 421 Squadron left for Sardinia. 18 aircraft took off for Sardinia. One CF-100 preceded them as a weather check aircraft. 430 Squadron had lectures first part of morning and went on Zulu at noon. 423 went on Zulu in the evening.

18 Jul 57

Routine day. Abbie Garneau of Laval University, Montreal, toured station with CO. Left for Air Div before lunch. Weather fair. One F-86 and one T-33 took off for Renfrew on "Tartan Task", one T-33 flew down to Decimomannu with a generator for a unserviceable C-47 there.

19 Jul 57

F/O Outram of PRO branch AFHQ visited 2 Wing and was given a tour of the Station by CO/PA. Left on A/C Clement’s aircraft for UK. CO flew to UK mid-afternoon (was on leave at own expense). Weather fairly good. Both squadrons here on Zulu.

2 Wing hosted a return engagement with the Squash Club from 1 Wing and gained top honours. A social get together afterwards added zest to a successful evening.

20 Jul 57

Zulu weekend flying. One four plane section of Sabres got diverted into Soellingen on Saturday evening and had to remain there until Sunday morning.

21 Jul 57

Zulu flying.

The baseball team playing for the first time on the new diamond won their game with 4 wing 3-2.

22 Jul 57

G/C Cowan of Langar visited with CO here enroute to Metz. (CO had just returned via T-33 from UK). CO off to Sardinia late afternoon. Showers all day. 3 (F) Wing had an F-86 land at Essey (3,600’) outside Nancy low on fuel. Our C-45 picked up the pilot and flew him back to 3 Wing.

23 Jul 57

G/C Cowan left Grostenquin. G/C Searle returned in afternoon from Sardinia. Still more rain. Flying washed out for first part of morning as our GCA is still off for annual maintenance. Two Dutch F-84Fs came in on "Round Robin" from Eindhoven.

24 Jul 57

CO’s parade rained out. Raining steadily with low ceilings and poor visibility. Flying scrubbed all morning. Zulu over with at noon.

25 Jul 57

Weather fair. 430 Squadron on Radar Calibration for French in morning and afternoon with one Sabre. 430 on Exercise Track Toil. They got one 8 plane scramble.

26 Jul 57

One flight of 430 on stand down today so not too much activity. 430 on Exercise Razzia with 8 Sabres in afternoon. This is a first CATAC exercise and our Sabres will be defensive forces. 430 got one 8 plane scramble on Razzia. One T-33 went to Denmark.

27 Jul 57

Non-Zulu weekend, no flying except 421 in Sardinia.

28 Jul 57

Non-Zulu weekend. Nil flying by all squadrons.

Flying washed out in am due to weather. Rain all day. Handcuff 72 (F/O Carroll) of 423 Squadron declared an emergency around 0830Z when he lost his canopy. He landed safely afterwards. Flying was washed out last part of morning. Some flying in afternoon by CF-100s and T-33s.

The first tennis inter-club tournament, scheduled to run for four days, commenced today. However, due to current difficulties with the "Moselle Sunshine" no final standings have been determined to date.

30 Jul 57

Miss Keho and Mr. Alexander of the National Film Board arrived to get movies of flying. Bad weather interfered with plans. Will return tomorrow. Visibility 1½ miles so flying washed out at first for Sabres and T-33s, but improved later on. Two RAF Canberras from Gutersloh came in on Exercise Round Robin. One stayed overnight due to an unserviceability.

31 Jul 57

CO took parade the morning to practice for coming AOC’s inspection. Weather has finally cleared up – 430 starts Zulu. National Film Board completed shooting required film.

1 Aug 57

Routine. Weather clear. Both squadrons on Zulu. A few air tests were flown.

2 Aug 57

Temperature in the high 80s again. CO left at 1530 for long weekend in UK. Friday weather CAVU. One T-33 went to the UK on weekend training trip.

The squash club were guest of the club at 1 Wing. After an evening of play in which 2 Wing were victorious, the club enjoyed light refreshments with their hosts. Mr. Meiklejohn conducted a successful drama clinic on the first and second. 11 people participated.

3 Aug 57

Zulu flying.

4 Aug 57

Zulu flying.

5 Aug 57

Zulu flying, stand down for rest of station.

6 Aug 57

Routine. Zulu flying. Upper air conditions were cirrus up to 35,000 so CF-100s brought on state in morning, released again in afternoon.

7 Aug 57

AOC arrived, toured station and inspected Wing parade. At end of his visit he was presented with a folder of photographs taken during his visit. The baseball team won a rescheduled game a 4 Wing 9-5. Zulu. Fogged in this morning until 0830 hours. Flying closed down from 1300 to 1400 for the AOC’s parade. 421 arrived back from Sardinia.

8 Aug 57

Miss Lapreniere, a reporter for a group of French Canadian newspapers visited the station today. After a talk with the CO she interviewed several FC personnel and had lunch with CO in the mess. 421 and half of 430 on stand down. Weather fair. Nothing unusual happened. 423 cancelled night flying when thunderstorm activity began increasing.

9 Aug 57

CO left for England to pick up his family and bring them to the station. Weather fairly good except for intermittent thunderstorms going through. Teletype circuits knocked out by last night’s storm. 421 stood down.

10 – 11 Aug 57

Routine. Non-Zulu weekend. All Squadrons – Nil flying. 2 Wings Baseball club playing on their home diamond won two games from 1 Wing over the weekend winning on Saturday 7-2. The game Sunday was taken by default.

12 Aug 57

CO and family arrived Luxembourg 1400 via Sabena Air Line. Weather good. 421 back on flying but half of 430 stood down. 423 Squadron’s aircraft grounded all day because of hydraulic fluid decontamination. Semi-emergency at 1530Z when an unidentified mayday squawk was picked up by Yellowjack 12 miles south of GT. We were unable to contact the one aircraft we had airborne at the time so we were concerned. But at 1555Z we established contact with our aircraft and Yellowjack then suspected it was a unserviceable IFF set.

The Pony League playing for the first time on the new diamond won against Chambley Air Base.

13 Aug 57

421 scheduled for Exercise Tuesday Scrimmage but cancelled by Yellowjack. Weather very good. 430 still on half stand down. 423s aircraft mostly grounded, their pilots are doing a lot flying now in T-33s.

14 Aug 57

Air Div dependents swim meet at 2 Wing this evening. CO to present awards. Golf tournament at Luxembourg at 1400. GCA on scheduled maintenance all morning. Zulu started today with 421 and 423 on. Two F-84Fs came in from Florennes, Belgium.

A big day. The Station golf tournament played at Luxembourg was won by Sgt. Hillman with a score of 85, runners up were Sgt. Illingsworth 90 and Sgt. Fife 95, Major Falkner won the low net with 63. Of the inter-wing youth swim meet held at 2 Wing our teenagers swept the meet with 48 points. Following closely was 4 Wing 47, 1 Wing 44, 3 Wing 38½, Air Div 15½.

15 Aug 57

Weather only fair in morning with flying restricted for a while because of low clouds and rain. Good in afternoon.

The inter-section swim meet held was won by W/HQ with a total of 37 points. 423 Squadron participants were runners up with 30 points and 430 Squadron held down third place scoring 15 points. The Diving competition was won by F/C Smith of W/HQ in competition with LAC Brau of 423, 165.3 to 164.7. Previous years’ records were broken in several of the events. The Girls fastball team playing at Air Div were rained out before completion of the required number of innings to constitute a game.

16 Aug 57

Routine. Rain showers and low clouds the first part of morning. Limited flying carried out by all squadrons.

17 Aug 57

Routine. Zulu flying.

18 Aug 57

Routine. Zulu flying.

19 Aug 57

Cpl. Doucette of Ground Handling was killed last Friday night in a traffic accident. Funeral will be on Tuesday 20 Aug. Weather fairly good. 430 doing some drogue work in the afternoon, the other two squadrons are on Zulu. 430 lost a drogue in the afternoon.

The 2 Wing Pony League playing at Nancy added another win to their impressive total.

20 Aug 57

Funeral today for Cpl Doucette. G/C Burgess, CJS(L) and Capt Dickenson RCN – Military advisor to Canadian NATO Delegation arrived 1000 and made a short tour of station and left at 1330. Weather good. No exercises today.

21 Aug 57

Routine. Weather cloudy with some rain. COs parade first thing in the morning. Only Zulu flying because weather only fair.

The Station Baseball team playing a home game with 3 Wing won 6-1.

22 Aug 57

Sunny at last. Routine. 430 sent two aircraft to Oldenburg on Round Robin. Sandal 39 (F/O Closs) of 430 Squadron had his low fuel pressure light come on with surging engine just after dropping the flat. He switched to emergency and landed safely. Madcap 39 (F/L Orser) of 421 landed and had his nose wheel collapse on the runway. Pilot not hurt.

23 Aug 57

Routine. A beautiful day. Madcap 32 (F/O Hamilton) of 421 Squadron flamed out but got a relight and landed without incident.

24 – 25 Aug 57

Inter-wing baseball play offs held on Saturday and Sunday. Intermittently rainy weather hampered the games but apart from a few short stoppages, all games were played according to plan. Air Div won the tournament. After presentation of the trophy by G/C Searle, a social evening in the Little Theatre provided a fitting climax to the first tournament of this type to be played in 1 Air Div. Non-Zulu weekend. All Squadrons – Nil flying.

26 Aug 57

Cloudy and raining all day. Nothing spectacular happened. Flying washed out initially. One T-33 went to Sardinia.

27 Aug 57

Mr. Earle Winchel, reporter for Kitchener Waterloo Record visited station and interviewed people from his area. S/L Poirier, new Command Chaplain (RC) visited the station and talked with CO. Weather good the first part of the day but washed out in the afternoon for bad weather. One T-33 returned from Sardinia despite bad weather.

28 Aug 57

CO very pleased with parade – no parade next week. Mid-air collision this afternoon between F/O JS Myers and F/O Mosser both of 430 Squadron. F/O Myers was killed, F/O Mosser parachuted to safety. Zulu started at noon.

29 Aug 57

Routine. Restricted flying in effect initially until 1030 local. Madcap 31 (F/O Button) had a compressor stall at 35,000 feet over base but unstalled successfully and came in on emergency fuel.

30 Aug 57

Weather sunny. Salk Polio Vaccination begun. Quiet today with 430 on funeral parade. 421 took over Zulu for the day.

31 Aug 57

Labour Day weekend. Very quiet except for some bad automobile accidents. Zulu.

1 Sep 57

Zulu.

2 Sep 57

Zulu – holiday.

3 Sep 57

CO and CAdO left for CO’s conference at Berchtesgaden. W/C Banville takes over as acting CO. Weather poor initially, flying washed out for Sabres for first two hours. Four pilots went to Renfrew to bring back 4 GAF Sabre Vs.

4 Sep 57

No parade this morning. Aircraft taking delegates to COs conference made a short stop to pick up personnel from Air Div then departed for Munich. 421 brought in the four GAF Mark V Sabres which will be waiting for further instructions. Weather good.

The first game of the Station Baseball finals was played at 3 Wing. 2 Wing won 3-2.

5 Sep 57

The first live show on the fall and winter season was held in the Theatre. Weather only fair. Restricted flying in. 421 on Argus with 8 aircraft, 423 on Argus with 4 aircraft. Argus delayed until 1030 local with bad weather up north. 421 got in 16 sorties and 423 4 sorties. Our C-45 with four pilots going to Renfrew to ferry back GAF Sabres went unserviceable and returned to base. Trip cancelled until Monday.

6 Sep 57

More rain this afternoon. Everything very quiet. Restricted flying first part of the day. Half of 430 stood down. One T-33 went to Vaerlose.

7 – 8 Sep 57

Sunday routine. Non Zulu weekend, no flying. On Sunday a CF-100 accidentally discharged seven rockets while an airman was doing a DI. No one hurt or any property damaged. The second game in the Baseball finals was played on 7 Sep at 2 (F) Wing. We won 11-4. The girls All Star Fastball Inter-Wing Tournament commenced with all Wings and Air Div represented. On 8 Sep 2 Wing won the third game in Baseball 11-1 to take the Air Div championship three straight. The 2 Wings girls won the Fastball Tournament. The 2 Wing men’s Fastball Tournament played at 1 Wing, 2 Wing place third.

9 Sep 57

Restricted flying in force first part of morning.

10 Sep 57

The Judo club held their first meeting of the year to organize the winter’s activities. 421 scheduled to go on Tuesday Scrimmage with four aircraft but this exercise was cancelled by the French during the morning. Weather very good all day.

11 Sep 57

The Badminton Club held their first meeting to elect a new slate of Officers and make plans for the coming season. The 2 Wing team placed third in the Air Div. Golf tournament played at Luxembourg. Weather only fair, GCA shut down for weekly maintenance. Flying washed out all day except for one Zulu practice scramble. 421 and 423 on Zulu.

12 Sep 57

Restricted flying. Strong cross-wind but flying not affected too much. Zulu got a live scramble at about 1245Z for two Dutch F-84Fs which were squawking emergency in the Laarbruch area. They landed safely however shortly after we got our section airborne.

13 Sep 57

Weather forecast to be good but did not hold up as expected so restricted flying was put into effect. Strong crosswind. Madcap 17 (F/L Greff) went off the side of the runway, no damage. F/O Whelan piloting a C-47 went off the runway into the mud while taking off. No damage. X-ray 3 (F/L Nordman) went off the end of the runway while it was raining. Some damage was caused as he dropped his tanks and retracted his gear while still rolling.

14 Sep 57

Counter Punch Pre-Alert Stage II ordered today. Operations Room immediately put on 24 hours status with an Operations Officer always available. All flying training ceased and aircraft being brought to the highest state of readiness possible. 109 Comm Flight and 137 Trans Flight ordered to amalgamate at 2 (F) Wing on 15 Sep for deployment and eventual redeployment to Nancy Essey, and S/L Olson of 137 Flight was appointed Unit OC of the transports flights. 137 Trans Flight arrived today, one day ahead of deadline with three Bristols and one C-45.

15 Sep 57

Battle of Britain parade held today. Change over to blue uniforms effective 15 Sep. Phase 2 of Operation Counter-Punch started on Sunday. All aircraft and crew states increased drastically. 423 AW Squadron, when not on Zulu, had 13 aircraft and crews on 3 hours. release. During their night time Zulu period their state was now 2 on 10 minutes., 4 on 1 hour, and 7 on 3 hours. 430 Squadron, which is not on Zulu, had 16 on 3 hour release. 421 Squadron, while on Zulu, were meeting a status of 4 on 10 minutes., 4 on 1 hour, and 10 on 3 hours. When released from Zulu they were going to 18 on 3 hours. Total Wing commitment: 47 aircraft. Late in the afternoon (1520Z) all transport aircraft here were brought to a two hour state of readiness. Then at 1845Z, three Bristols and seven Dakotas were ordered to be pre-positioned at 3 Wing by 2000Z to move 434 IDF Squadron from there to Damblain, France, on a deployment move the next morning. The aircraft all moved out although the deadline of 2000Z was not quite met due to the short notice given. Security is being tightened up everywhere, and sidearms and rifles have been issued to all personnel.

16 Sep 57

Weather cloudy with showers and windy. Went into phase III at 1520 hours. Aircraft states remain the same. Air Division relaxed the War Plan in regard to no flying training by permitting one flight per aircraft per day. But before any aircraft could be flown, Pre-Alert Stage III was ordered to be implemented by Secret message effective 1250Z. So the no-flying ban was put back on the aircraft. From all accounts, the transport move of 434 on deployment went off very well and the transports arrived back here in the afternoon. At 1824Z two Bristols and five Dakotas were ordered to 1 Wing on Exercise Weaponfire in conjunction with Counterpunch. They were to preposition at 1 Wing during the afternoon of 16 Sept for take off the next morning to move 441 Squadron down to Sardinia and bring 422 back. The weather at Marville was two hundred overcast one and one half in light rain, light drizzle and fog so they decided to give it a try first thing in the morning, which they did.

17 Sep 57

A meeting to form the station basketball team (men) was held this date. CO went to Metz at 1130 hours. Two members of the CFS team reported in 1400 hours. Everything fairly quiet today. Air Div allowed the Zulu Sabres to do a couple of practice missions. The COpsO briefed all the Sabre pilots on Counterpunch covering all aspects as far as security would allow and the special regulations in effect for the exercise. In the afternoon, Yellowjack asked for and got two sections of Sabres for a special cross country exercise. The first section had two aircraft abort. The frag order came through as being the first operational mission for us on Counterpunch. At 1930Z the transport squadrons were ordered to deploy to Nancy Essey at first light tomorrow with all available crews and aircraft and to operate from there until further advised.

18 Sep 57

Still on phase III. CO is to live on the station. G/C Hawtry and S/L MacDonald made their visit. The transports all got away to their deployment base at Nancy Essey. At 0515Z a signal came in saying that the 12^th AF Atomic Strike Units would be executing their mission during the period 172400Z. This completely threw us off as we were still on Pre-Alert Stage III. This was followed by another signal giving much the same info but using code names which had been cancelled some time before. We queried this by signal and got the correct names but were still pretty much in the dark about what was going on. At 1633Z another signal came in regarding the 12^th AF Strike Forces. They seem to be at war already, we are still on Pre-Alert Stage III. By 1030Z the weather had gone down to ½ mile in fog to the south, and the other Wings were no better. The forecast for tonight and tomorrow morning is for fog over almost all of Continental Europe, so it looks as if flying would get off to a slow start if and when it commences. A signal at approximately 1130Z warned us to guard SHAPE frequency every hour.

19 Sep 57

S/L Buzza reported in on TD. Aerodrome badly fogged in. At 0120Z (approximately) a call came through on the Ops line for the Ops Officer. The voice said "Salmon Pink effective 0020Z".The Ops Officers challenged with 0135Z GH and was given the right answer (Z2). He then said he didn’t know what the term meant. The voice at the other end who said he was the Senior Air Ops Controller said the information was in the books and to look it up. About five minutes later a signal came in announcing General Alert and R Hour effective at 0020Z. The CF-100 had been put on an advanced state just before the phone call. Four Sabres from 430 were put on 10 minutes at 0439Z for aerodrome defence. CF-100 will be released at 0539Z. Signal A0960 received at 0422Z giving measures not to be carried out. CF-100 released to 16 aircraft on 3 hours at 0539Z. First F-86s off at 0730Z. In a matter of minutes 40 F-86s were airborne on the first wave. Squadrons continued to self scramble all morning, 430 had one section of four F-86 scrambled on aerodrome defence. One section of two T-33s were also scrambled on aerodrome defence. Air Div cut us off after about 140 missions. At 1415Z 421 were finished and 430 had their last 10 going up. Air Div said we were way ahead of the other Wings so that was the reason. Pilots complained like mad since this was supposed to be maximum effort. Air Div then wanted us to hold the last four until 1½ hours before last light. So the daylight Sabre missions ended up with 150 Sabre sorties, 16 of these being Aerodrome defence and 134 on Air to Air Offensive Missions. The T-33s flew eight missions on aerodrome defence but submitted no misreps, so no estimate of their effectiveness can be made. The Sabre pilots claimed 121 aircraft destroyed against 13 losses. Details of the claims in the Opsum reports. Only about four out of 134 aircraft on offensive missions actually reached their target. Some of the F-86s were attacking outbound aircraft while others were descending below 21,000 feet when investigated. All in all, though, a very successful and enjoyable day for the Sabre pilots. The AW boys really started out slow with only two aircraft going up on aerodrome defence. Later on around 0915Z, six CF-100s went off, by frag order, on assigned targets for 2 Wing. Since they did not get in any flying last night and haven’t flown much since last Friday, they are really keen to go all out. Two more CF-100s were scrambled on aerodrome defence, then the CFs were put on one hour by command due to fog risk.

20 Sep 57

CFs remained on one hour release until they were released to three hours at 0540Z. Telephone instructions received from Victoria Ops: F-86s to continue under Flint condition when weather permits. Fog began to form about 0445Z, fog clearing, first aircraft off at 0642Z. CTechSO advised that all CFs are grounded until further notice, ungrounded at 1000Z. At 0700Z there were 42 F-86s airborne. The F-86s were cut off again after about 138 sorties except for aerodrome defence. The four on aerodrome defence were released on three hours at 1700 hours locals so they were released. At 1715 local YJ through Checkmate ordered them back on five minutes. Since they had been sent to the barracks it took quite awhile to get them back. The Sabres stood on five minutes state the rest of the day with no scrambles. A frag order came through on the CF-100 about 1700Z instructing 4 for air defence, the rest to go on assigned 2 Wing targets at maximum continuous effort. First CF-100 off at 1730Z, W/C Handley. Eleven went off on offensive strike missions, and four on aerodrome defence. Opsum Report cancelled by signal, and a much less detailed report is to be submitted instead. For the day period 421 flew 72 sorties for 92.40 on the exercise, 430 flew 66 sorties for 97.50. The T-33s flew a special recce with 2 aircraft at about 1630Z, and also 4 missions at night. Three CF-100s got diverted in here when their runway become blocked with an aircraft having brake trouble. Air Div requested that all takeoffs, landings, etc., be passed to them although it had been cleared through F/L Ursulak that we did not have to pass this since Yellowjack already had them. So the first day we didn’t pass them, the second day we did. F/L Carew then called around 1700Z and said they only needed T-33 times. But later on in the evening Air Div Ops again requested same. It seems that every time they change shift at Air Div. We get a different policy. At 0100Z Intelligence informed us that seven of our eight assigned targets were destroyed. So all our remaining CF-100 sorties were sent against our one target left. At 0145 Air Div called again and said that 2 Wing had no more targets left, and we were to take the only two 4 Wing had left. So our remaining CF-100s were sent off against them.

21 Sep 57

Fog started moving in about 0315Z, CFs were recalled and remaining sorties cancelled. Last aircraft down at 0350Z and all CFs put on 1 hr. Total sorties for CFs: 37. Hours 62.45. Frag order received for visual recce, 4 F-86s, given to 421. 430 on aerodrome defence with 4. Telephone instructions received for remainder of F-86s. All aircraft will be on offensive fighter sweeps in enemy territory under Yellowjack control. First F-86s off at 0626Z. Mike on aerodrome defence. Both 421 and 430 held one section at 4 after main TO time to provide some separation on the first wave. All aircraft airborne at 0723Z. Total aircraft airborne on the first wave including 4 on aerodrome defence and 4 on Armed Recce, 40 aircraft, 22 from 430 and 18 from 421. Air Div called and asked us to notify them when the sections from Damblain landed. It was something we hadn’t heard of so on questioning Yellowjack we found out Checkmate were sending 8 aircraft in for a fast turn around. Four were to be sent to 430 Squadron and four to Wing Maint. Then about five minutes later at 1435Z, Yellowjack called again and said only four were coming in, so we then changed to two to each. Hornet Victor landed at 1440Z. Off at 1458, 18 minute turn around. Air Div at this time has no idea of our requirements for tonight or for sure tomorrow as usual. We always have to call them dozens of time a day to attempt to find out what is going on or what we might expect. It is not known how we could operate if we waited for orders as they are so long coming through. It would be interesting to see how smoothly we could operate going strictly by their orders. The exercise ended at 2158Z officially.

22 Sep 57

Routine. Exercise over and station stand down. No flying.

23 Sep 57

Station stand down. No flying. Ladies bowling club met to form the new season’s league.

24 Sep 57

Restricted flying in. Fair cross-wind.

25 Sep 57

GCA on weekly maintenance. Flying washed out initially until noon. One T-33 went to Renfrew.

26 Sep 57

Weather forecast bad so flying washed out at 0815 local time.

27 Sep 57

The Octoberfest tour left for Munich. Shots of Salk vaccine given today. Weather good, all squadrons bashing in hours.

28 Sep 57

421 flying on Zulu. 423 doing normal flying. Weather very good.

29 Sep 57

Weather turned bad, limiting 421 and 423. 430 had weekend off.

30 Sep 57

Fog in the morning. 430 doing flag work when weather improved. 421 and 423 carried out normal flying.

1 Oct 57

Fog in the morning did not limit flying. 430 getting ready for Decimomannu so did very little flying. Tuesday Scrimmage cancelled after 421 aircraft airborne. Recreation this month met with considerable competition from the "Exercise", from the painting staff which have been giving us a much needed face lifting and finally, when inter-section activities were considerably hampered with one squadron in Sardinia. However, on this date, the ladies’ bowling league opened with 12 teams entered.

2 Oct 57

The first Bingo of the Fall and Winter season was held with a reasonably large crowd in attendance. Traffic court held by CAdO. Fog in the morning cleared up OK. 430 off to Decimomannu at 1400 hours local.

3 Oct 57

Not much flying all day. 423 on stand down and 421 doing Argus in the morning. Argus cancelled until Friday after first trip.

4 Oct 57

Very good weather. Only 421 flying on Argus. Two Americans diverted in short of fuel.

5 – 6 Oct 57

Non-Zulu weekend.

7 Oct 57

Very little flying due to Evacuation practice in the morning. Dependents from PMQs, trailers and French economy partook in practice evacuation. approximately 25% turned out.

8 Oct 57

Fog in the morning, normal flying after burn-off.

9 Oct 57

Very heavy fog, did not burn off until middle of afternoon.

10 Oct 57

Very heavy fog again today, cleared off at noon.

11 Oct 57

Fog again today, clearing off at noon.

12 Oct 57

Zulu weekend. One T-33 went to Sardinia and back. One to Alhorn and back.

13 Oct 57

Zulu flying only.

Thanksgiving holiday. Only Zulu CF-100 flying.

15 Oct 57

The inter-wing basketball league got underway. Fog first part of morning, but cleared off rapidly. 423 Squadron sent 2 CF-100s to Twente on Exercise Round Robin. One F-86 went to Sardinia.

16 Oct 57

Fog until noon. One T-33 went to Sardinia in afternoon.

17 Oct 57

Another live show was held in the Station theatre. Good weather today. The T-33 and the F-86 returned from Sardinia. The C-45 went to Renfrew with five pilots, to bring back five new F-86s for storage.

18 Oct 57

Weather very good. Half of 421 stood down today.

19 Oct 57

A representative team from the Touch Football league played an exhibition game with the "East" team for Air Div at Air Div. Our chaps won 27 to 0. Non Zulu. 430 returned from Sardinia.

20 Oct 57

The "West" team played a return match (exhibition) and they too went down to defeat 21-0 at the hands of our boys. Non Zulu. Nil all squadrons.

21 Oct 57

Weather good. Half of 421 on stand down, all of 430.

22 Oct 57

Two representatives from Stars and Stripes arrived to do a story on a Cpl. of 423 Squadron. Raining first part of morning.

23 Oct 57

CO’s parade. Cpl. Lord was presented with an honour diploma for a special Electronics course.

24 Oct 57

G/C Diamond of 4 ATAF on TD here. Restricted flying in all day because of low cloud base and poor visibility, much worse than forecast.

25 Oct 57

Weather fairly good. 430 and 423 on Zulu. The summer sports award Dance was held in the Rec. Centre. G/C Searle presented awards to those who had won them. Sgt. Wheeler was presented with a plaque for the Sportsman of the Year, while LAW Beach was presented with the Ladies counterpart.

26 Oct 57

G/C Diamond departed. All Wings and Air Div were represented in an invitational basketball tournament held her in both men’s and ladies’ division. 1 (F) Wing won the tournament in both divisions. Zulu flying only.

27 Oct 57

Sunday routine. Zulu flying only.

28 Oct 57

Flying washed out first part of morning. Later on at 1030 restricted flying came in.

29 Oct 57

CO flew this p.m. Good weather all day.

30 Oct 57

CO flew this afternoon. Dealt with two charge cases. Weather excellent. Two Sabres from 421 went to Klein Brogel on Exercise Round Robin. One F-84F from Florennes came in on a routine visit.

31 Oct 57

Traffic Safety meeting most of day. Fog first part of morning so restricted flying in. Taken off around 0930 local, then put back in at 1250 local because of bad weather at 1 Wing. Weather never reached here until late at night.

1 Nov 57

The Entertainment Committee sponsored a station dance. Restricted flying in initially, full flying washed in at noon. 430 on half stand down. Two T-33s went away for weekend.

2 - 3 Nov 57

The station curling club opened their season at 3 (F) Wing. Non Zulu weekend. Nil flying all squadrons.

4 Nov 57

The men’s and women’s station basketball teams played at Air Div. Weather good but strong crosswind in morning. Weather cleared up at noon. Nil flying. A Red Cross swim course from 4 to 8 Nov inclusive commenced at 1 Wing to qualify prospective instructors.

5 Nov 57

Chambley Air Base played an exhibition game here with the men’s station team. High cross wind gusting to 40 knots but runway dry so flying continued. At 1300 hours restricted flying brought in because of lowering weather and steady rain.

6 Nov 57

Weather good first part of day but restricted flying washed in at noon because of lowering visibility in haze and fog.

7 Nov 57

Another station bingo night. First Traffic Tribunal convened today consisting of CO, CAdO, and CTechO. At 1530 hours CO spoke to assembled AFP personnel at guardhouse. Weather good all day.

8 Nov 57

Weather started out quite poor all over with visibility down to one mile. Exercise Synthex/Guest and Exercise Argus both on. First two sections on Synthex started getting airborne around 0837Z but two aircraft aborted from 430 Squadron because of one aircraft unserviceable and one aircraft from 421 slipped off the taxi strip into the mud so two aircraft from 421 also aborted their first section. Next off at 0807Z were the seven CF-100s as Argus raiders, landing at Volkel. One aircraft slipped off into the mud while taxiing. The Argus Interceptors (four F-86s) were off at 0842Z on runway 15. The eight F-86 Argus raiders had to delay their take-off until 0846Z because they were using Runway 33. The Sabre leader came back after airborne with stiffening controls, accompanied by his wingman. The rest of the Sabres continued on to Gielenkirden. The weather went down to 5/8 mile visibility for a couple of hours but flying on a restricted basis continued. The weather picked up slowly and steadily to a constant 1¼ miles. The Argus aircraft all got back okay. We fell short on Synthex by one sortie due to still another abort. Argus Interceptors flew eight sorties.

9 Nov 57

421 Squadron held a dance in the Rec. Centre. Zulu.

10 Nov 57

2 Wing men and women trimmed 3 Wing in a league basketball game played here. Zulu.

11 Nov 57

CO started one weeks leave, will visit Paris. Very good church parade for Remembrance Day despite overcast weather conditions and occasional drizzle. Zulu flying only. Nil flying all squadrons.

12 Nov 57

At approximately 1600 hours, Dakota 221 from CJS via Trier arrived with G/C Burgess, G/C Martin and others. Weather good all day. The T-33 drogue ship inadvertently dropped the drogue just off the airfields.