The improved weather conditions in March were most welcome and on the operational side this proved to be a busy month. Towards the end of the month spring made its debut and, with the rapidly vanishing mud, our camp site resumed its former attractive appearance.
During the month of March “T” Stores continued to function smoothly. Supplies of items demanded on all sections have seen readily obtainable from 31 A.S.P. Detachment, South. During this period, however, there were fairly heavy demands for Regulators, Voltage (Ref. 105U/807) . These items have been in very light supply but limited supplies have been received on A.O.G. demands. Towards the latter end of March, Major v.d. Linde, Equipment Staff Officer, 3 Wing, S.A.A.F., proceeded on leave and Capt. Masters assumed duty there during his absence. With the exception of Anti Flak Helmets, which are very popular, aircrews have not exhibited any desire to draw Anti-Flak Suits of which Pilots type, Observers and Gunners type are held. Supplies of American type bombs and components, which have superseded the English type, continue to be drawn from No. 121 M.U., 31 Park, and stocks on the Bomb Dump maintained at the level set by 3 Wing. The Petrol Dump of approximately 10,000 gallons Aviation Fuel in 44 gallon drums remains practically unchanged as the practice of refuelling the Petrol Bowsers at 311 B.P.S.S. has been continued. In the last week of March, instructions were received from 3 Wing to segregate and return to 121 M.U., 31 Park, all petrol drums with “100 Octane” marked in thick white paint - this was done.
The transfer from Trailer to Nissen Hut facilitated the workings of “Q” Stores. It has saved the damaging of stock which was unavoidable in the curtailed space of a Trailer, some difficulty was experienced in obtaining certain articles - i.e. Heaters, Gum Boots, Leather Jerkins, Gloves, Socks and Jerseys. Incorrect matching of Battle Dress largely due to there being more than one manufacturer. Difficulties were largely overcome by the good spirit of the boys and their ingenuity in making themselves comfortable during an unpleasant cold and wet period. During a period fresh meat was limited and tinned meats were issued in lieu - M.&.V. and V. Meats. The lack of fresh vegetables is keenly felt by the personnel although the cooks surpass themselves in preparing the meals although the necessary commodities are limited. Every assistance was given by 31 A.S.P. and D.I.D. and a friendly spirit continues to prevail.
The aircraft on strength to this Squadron remained at 18. The following data is compiled on operational flying only. "Practice Bombing" and "Circuits and Bumps" flying hours have not been included.
50 hrs. Insp.
January 3
February 0
March
During the greater period under review, heavy snow, frost necessitated the daily cleaning down of aircraft.
Receipt Insp. Sorties Flying
2 62 189.'
Nil. 11k 29?
3 252 7'
under review, heavy snow.
Aircraft serviceability and performance were high as the following daily average shews:
Serviceable Unserviceable.
January lb 1
February 1/ 1
torch 16 2
Maintenance of Aircraft, Equipment, Plant etc. remained normal. Aircraft spares required for servicing, on the whole, were supplied satisfactorily. During the three months’ operations only one aircraft was lost due to enemy action. The morale of the ground personnel was high in spite of the severe cold and, at times, the necessary overtime that had to be worked. Beneficial results were noted in personnel of the Squadron after leave trips to Rome and Florence. Their food position too appears to be excellent, for throughout this period, not a single complaint was lodged.
The following report of the Armament Section embraces the months of January, February and March. During the month of January only 7 raids were carried out making a total of 62 sorties, during which 201,000 lbs. Weight of bombs were dropped. Conditions were extremely bad during this month, and bombs had to be handled in snow, mud and rain, and a long distance had to be covered between the Bomb Dump and the aircraft. Slightly better weather increased the number of sorties flown in February to 114, during which a total weight of bombs dropped amounted to 393,540 lbs. Mud and snow still had to be contended with, and the vehicles carrying bombs to and from the aircraft were frequently bogged. Co-operation of the M.T. Section and the Aerodrome Engineers enabled the work to continue successfully. A vast improvement in weather conditions in March enabled the Squadron to fly 252 sorties, dropping a load of bombs amounting to 983,330 lbs. During this month leave parties, three hospital cases, three men on courses, and one posting depleted the establishment to an extent that a slight re-organisation had to take place to enable the work to continue successfully. The morale of the Armourers is high, although the majority of the men have seen two years continuous active service, and are feeling the need of Union leave. The figures below show the results of three months work.
Month
January
February
March
Sorties Bombs dropped Weight
62
11k
$
203!
201.000 lbs
393.000 •
a
000 lbs.
Failures to Rele-’se
8 2.3JS
5 O.gt
8 SUJHL
F. to R.
During the period under review the Signals Section was handicapped by the shortage of Wireless Mechanics. This was due to the Section strength being one under establishment and two Mechanics being incapacitated as the result of an accident. In spite of this the serviceability of the aircraft did not suffer owing to the staff being extremely hard-working and keen. 4 high standard of aircraft serviceability has been maintained, and only on two occasions in the past eight months has an aircraft been unable to take off due to a wireless failure. A certain amount of trouble was experienced with the SCR 522A Transmitter - Receiver, when the use of V.H.F. was introduced for interplane communication. This trouble was primarily due to the very abort life of certain receiver tubes. Trouble was also experienced with the delicate adjustment of the "Noise Limiter Relay". These difficulties have, however, been overcome and the results now obtained are very satisfactory. A number of failures have taken place with the SCR 274 N 6-9 Megacycle Command Receivers. These failures were caused by a breakdown of the output transformer. Four failures were experienced on the Liaison Receiver B.C. 348 due to the burning out of the rotary transformer. It has been assumed that the cause was overload due to circuit failures. The use of low impedance American headsets and carbon throat microphones are being continued. In accordance with D.A.F. instructions all aircraft are being modified for the use of Air Ministry headsets and Electro-Dynamic Microphones. Five out of the nineteen aircraft are still to be modified. Regular and methodical maintenance is carried out which has been responsible for the high standard of efficiency which has been maintained. It is extremely difficult for ground staff to test equipment and obtain similar conditions to those which exist when an aircraft is airborne. This difficulty has been reduced to a bare minimum due to the whole-hearted co-operation of the aircrews. The Intercommunication within the aircraft has been greatly improved by the impedance matching of the output of the interphone amplifier to that of the headset in use. Generally speaking the position is very satisfactory as regards to spares which is attributed to the excellent co-operation of 31 A.S.P.
Serviceability of M.T. Vehicles reached a record high level this month due partly to the acquisition of twelve new and two re-conditioned Three Tonners, and partly to improved weather which eliminated the terrible working conditions prevailing for the past five months. One cannot speak too highly of the unfailing perseverance and loyal service of the Mechanics throughout the winter months when several inches of mud comprised the only available "Workshop Standing".
Many major repair jobs were carried out in these conditions, including engine changes, gearbox and clutch replacements. Every advantage was taken of the nearby M.T. Salvage Dump for obtaining a large percentage of parts used in our repairs. The Squadron is now up to full Vehicle Strength, with the exception of one 1,000 Gallon Petrol Bowser. M.T. Personnel present a problem at present, as several Drivers and one Mechanic are awaiting Court Martial for alleged theft of petrol, but the Squadron transport requirements are being met. Batteries and Headlamp Bulbs have been in extremely short supply as well as various Dodge items - i.e. points, starters, generators etc. These are now coming forward, but Chevrolet valves are still unobtainable.
The fact that there is a continuous request for more and more additional N.M.C. labour shows that the part they play in the Squadron's War Effort is by no means negligble. On the Bomb Dump, in the Kitchens, in the M.T. Section – in fact nearly all ground staff sections, N.M.C. soldiers are to be found. The general report from the various Heads of Sections is that they are performing their duties in a satisfactory manner. With the advent of warmer weather there appears to be a tendency among many of the N.M.C. to get out of camp more frequently. However, there have been few breaches of discipline, and only isolated instances of drunkenness. The general practice of one day per week "off duty" has been carried out and details are allowed casual passes to Jesi. In the past month opportunity was afforded the N.M.C. to go to the bi-weekly U.D.F.I. Cinema. Soccer is being played regularly and so far matches have been arranged between 30 Squadron, 24 squadron and 3 Wing, S.A.A.F.
A loudspeaker extension is provided in the Mess, so that the N.M.C. have the services of a radio. Approximately nineteen details attend educational classes, and satisfactory progress is being made. An E.P.I.P tent serves the purpose of a classroom and it has all the appearance of a schoolroom. The weekly talk by Wing Information Section is delivered by a N. E. attached G.E.S. and is always well attended and greatly appreciated. In addition, several topical talks have been given. Accommodation consists of 4 2/3 Nissen Huts and 4 -180 lbs. Tents. This is ample and allows a good measure of comfort. Rations are always ample and usually well prepared. No. 93997V. WS/S/Sgt. Groom J.S. was posted to No. 4 Aux. Transit Camp on 10th March, 1945 and was replaced by No. 224360V. WS/S/Sgt. du Plessis M.H. who joined the squadron on 12th March, 1945.
Major W.J.O. Musgrove and Comm. G.N. Dieu have been appointed Flight Commanders of “A” and “B” Flights respectively.
A Squadron Talent Concert was held during March and was a great success. Lieut. Fraser and the Padre (Capt. S.R Skemp) are to be congratulated for their efforts in arranging this fine
show.
The S. A. Concert Party "The Modernaires" gave a show in Jesi, also paid a special visit to the Squadron and their bright, lively show was very much appreciated.
A highlight of the month the opportunity afforded by a visit of the Mobile Recording Van for 70 Officers and Other Ranks to broadcast to the Union.
Two unfortunate accidents took place in March. The first was a "Runaway" Gun while an aircraft was on the ground when two Wireless Mechanics were injured. No. 99935V A/Cpl. Skinner N.B. spent nine days in hospital but is now back with the squadron. No. P.5429V. A/Sgt. Wilson B. D. is still in hospital and is progressing satisfactorily. A Court of Inquiry was convened and the findings win be promulgated next month.
No. 45245V. A/Sgt. Jamieson J.O. was involved in a motor cycle accident and sustained severe injuries resulting in the amputation of his left leg. "Jimmy" was a very popular member of the squadron and all were very sorry to hear of this accident. He is still in hospital but his condition is satisfactory. A Court of Inquiry was convened and a copy of the findings forms.
The news of Field Marshal Montgomery’s offensive and the progress of other armies on the Western Front, plus other successes, caused our already high morale to jump a further few points.
OPERATIONAL SECTION
The month started off with e few days of duff weather, but on the 3rd, the weather cleared and the Squadron started hitting out.
The first raid was on the Conegliano Marshalling Yards. All three boxes overshot, scoring direct hits on buildings in the vicinity.
On the 4th, dock and shipping facilities were attacked at Malfacone harbour, with fair to good results.
On the 8th, when a coal jetty was attacked at Arsa in the Istrian Peninsula, one aircraft (Pilot : P/O. W.F. Blackford, (RAAF) Co-Pilot No. A.419589 W/O Richardson W.H., Observer : Lieut. D. Smit, WT/AG : 1850403. Sgt. Arthur E.M. (R.A.F.) A/G : 1821494 Sgt. Smith D.S. (R.A.F.) A/G : 284246V. W.0.11. Nel N.H.) received direct hits by H.A.A. The aircraft crashed and four parachutes were seen to open. Subsequently four members of the crew (Lieut. D. Smit,
W/O. W.H. Richardson, W/O. N.H. Nel and Sgt. E. M. Arthur) assisted by Partisan guides, returned safely to Italy.
Other targets of the month were - Factories at Ferrara, attacked on the 7th - Ponto Longo Sugar Refinery on the 9th and 12th Porto Nogara Cellulose Factory on the 18th. The Squadron also visited Yugoslavia - Zalog and Dobova Marshalling Yards being the targets.
Two Ammunition Dumps, one near Carsarsa and the other at Malcontenta were bombed on the 19th and 25th respectively. On both occasion + 90% of bombs fell in the target area causing terrific explosions. At Malcontents smoke rose to a height of 8,000 feet.
On the first of these raids (on the 19th) the squadron passed its 1,000th sortie of Marauders.
The Squadron did its first raid over Austria on the 21st when it attacked the Marshalling Yards at St. Veit, North of Klagenfurt, with excellent results, doing great damage to trucks and lines in the yards. This target was again attacked with conspicuous success on the 23rd, all three boxes of the formation scoring "Bulls".
Between the 26th and the 30th Northern Italy had a spell of bad weather and the squadron was kept on the ground. On the 31st a break in the weather afforded an opportunity to attack another Marshalling Yard at Conegliano.
During the month, the following Marshalling Yards in Northern Italy were attacked twelve times, mostly with good results : Gemona, Casarsa, Gorizia, Conegliano and Pontebba, the latter being on the Austrian Border.
Anti-Flak aircraft accompanied the Squadron on raids against defended targets and proved a great success. These aircraft, going in ahead of the formation to bomb gun positions with 20lbs cluster bombs.
Better results were also obtained by the use of a Windfinding aircraft by the formation leading the Wing.
By dropping 452,200 Pamphlets, containing mostly "Front Post" and "News from the Home Country", assistance was given to the P.W.B. to carry on its psychological war against the enemy. The English translations of these pamphlets form Appendix “Z”
242 Sorties, 722.50 hours were flown during the month and 852,360 lbs. of bombs were dropped. 7976 lbs. of Window were dispensed over enemy territory.
Photographs of the majority of the operations carried out are attached to the back of the Opreps forming Appendices to this Diary.
A compliment to the Squadron's bombing and photography was paid when reproductions appeared in the February number of N.A.T.A.F's "Air Intelligence and Operations Bulletin".
Two aircraft were sent to Naples to be fitted with "Shoran" equipment and it is hoped that this equipment will soon be put to use. Already practice is being carried out.