Metz, France

Operations

Sabre flying for the month was:

Maintenance

The aircraft serviceability and AOG (aircraft on ground) situation was:

Accidents

There were six flying accidents during the month, four of which occurred at 1 (F) Wing and two during test by 30 AMB at Speke, England. Three of the crashes were A category with one fatality. The other three were C category crashes.

Langar was chosen as the terminal base for North Star runs. Eastbound movements were 223 personnel and Westbound 89 personnel including dependents.

Planned units, to be started in January, were:

1. 1 Air Division HQ 152 living units, 6 classrooms
2. 1 (F) Wing Marville 419 living units, 16 classrooms
3. 2 (F) Wing Grostenquin 443 living units 17 classrooms

The installation of VHF/FM in the service police vehicles complete the telecommunications program at 3 (F) Wing. 4 (F) Wing permanent telecommunications installation was begun.

Negotiations were completed with French officials in Paris for the uniform licensing of private motor vehicles in France. AF plates were to be substituted for the existing TT Plates.

JANUARY 1954

Personnel

The Air Division strength in January was:

Visitors

Visitors in January were:

W/C Forrester
G/C Cameron (AFHQ)
G/C Diamond (AFHQ)
G/C Weston
G/C McDonald

Exercise "Snowball", a Ground Controlled Intercept exercise continued during the month with variations of tactics and procedures being employed. Severe limitations of the French and American radars still prevent a satisfactory exercise. Bomber penetrations are simulated by four or more F86 flying pre-determined tracks as targets for interception missions.

Negotiations to provide the use of FAF facilities at Rabat Sale, Morocco for 1 Air Division air firing practice were concluded. The advance party, consisting of eight personnel arrived at Rabat 21 January. 434 Sqn, Zweibrucken left for Rabat 24 June.

Target flying hours were set at 370 hours per squadron, or 1110 hours per wing per month. The wings failed to meet the commitment due mainly to bad weather and serviceability difficulties caused by the bad weather.

Sabre flying hours were as follows:

Maintenance

Average serviceability for the month was as follows:

Accidents

Eight crashes occurred during January; four at 1 (F) Wing, two at 3 (F) Wing and one each at 30 AMB and 2 (F) Wing. No personal injuries were sustained as a result.

Two of the sixty-one Sabre IV aircraft on loan from the RAF to equip 4 (F) Wing have been returned to the RAF. Twenty-six are at Speke, England, undergoing modification.

Progress was at a minimum during January due to winter weather. The first building at Air Division HQ was forecast to be completed in February and the remainder in April. Construction at Marville was suspended during January but was forecast to recommence February 15.

Movements

Personnel movements during January were:

Eastbound 197 (including dependents)
Westbound 132 (including dependents)

A sixty foot receiver antenna mast was erected at 2 (F) Wing. Mirador systems are under construction at 3 and 4 (F) Wings. Conversion from eight to twenty-four channel VHF airborne equipment has been requested for Expeditor aircraft.

As a result of the repatriation program and the distribution of airmen’s posting within the Division, the tradesmen distribution became uneven. As a result, two hundred and ninety inter-wing transfers were effected.

FEBRUARY 1954

Personnel

The strength of Air Division was as follows:

Visitors

Visitors to 1 Air Division were:

The Rt. Hon. Louis St. Laurent, who visited the Wings.
G/C Cotton (AMC)
W/C Harris (SHAPE)

Exercise "Snowball" was modified to exercise "Wide Awake". To increase the effective radar capability for close control it was decided to use a minimum of eight Sabres in close control to act as "target", that is as a simulated bomber raid, and a similar number of Sabres to act as interceptors. During several tests of exercise "Snowball" it was proven that the existing radar could not detect, satisfactorily flights of less than four Sabres. By increasing the number, both of targets and interceptors, it was hoped to extend the range and altitude performance of close control, thus exploiting the Sabre to advantage.

24 Sabres from 2 (F) Wing and 12 from 3 and 4 (F) Wings were deployed to Cambrai/Epinoy airfield 28 Feb to participate in exercise "Magnaflux" in March. 12^th AF provided C119 aircraft for the airlift of personnel and equipment. 30 AMB also participated with Bristol aircraft.

The first flight simulator, produced in the UK, was received at 1 (F) Wing. The simulator is designed to improve pilot instrument flight capability in the Sabre.

Bad weather curtailed flying activity. Flying hours were:

427 Squadron was at Rabat Sale during this period.

The aircraft maintenance for the Division was as follows:

Crashes

Nine flying accidents, without injury to personnel, occurred as follows:

(a) 1 (F) Wing - one A category crash was the result of the pilot landing short of the runway.

(b) 2 (F) Wing – fire in the forward fuselage resulted in heat damage to the forward fuselage and holes in the air duct. One wing tank was lost in a five G pull out.

(c) 3 (F) Wing – five flying accidents occurred during the month. An Expeditor ran out of fuel on a cross country at San Remo. One Sabre struck a snow bank when landing and damaged the nose wheel and air intake duct. Another Sabre lost an ammunition door in flight, as a result of a flameout in flight, a Sabre forced landed at Geneva, damaging the nose wheel and fuselage. While taxiing, another Sabre sheared an engine oil pump drive, requiring an engine replacement.

(d) 4 (F) Wing – lost an ammunition door in flight resulting in very little damage.

Fourteen Sabre V’s comprising the first delivery from Canada, arrived at 4 (F) Wing. It is planned to equip each squadron with 16 Sabres V’s initially in order of 4, 2, 3, 1 (F) Wings. Sabre II’s being replaced are being allotted to MTO Mutual Aid disposal.

An armament conference was held at this HQ with representative from AFHQ, AMC, CJS (L), and the Air Division Units. Standardization and the solution of Wing problems were discussed.

The recreation building was accepted. It was decided as a temporary measure to use one half of the officers’ quarters as office space until the additional office building is completed.

The hangar line heating system failed to provide sufficient heat during the cold season. Ponts et Chausses were given the task of improving this.

The 1954 construction program for a ground instruction school and three dispersal buildings were put out to tender. Construction was expected to commence in March.

Construction of two prototype revetment concealment sites commenced 15 Feb. The selected type will be constructed at 3 & 4 wings.

Eastbound movements were 104, including dependents.
Westbound movements were 94, including dependents.

Provisional microwave sitings were started at 1 Air Division HQ. Negotiations were being made with the French Liaison Mission for the approval of these sites.

Anti-aircraft gun employments have been installed at 4 (F) Wing and are being sited at 3 (F) Wing. Pending the arrival of full time LAA personnel, the wings trained groups of personnel as an interim LAA force.

The first female dental assistants to serve with the Canadian Army Dental Corps in Europe arrived to commence duties within Air Division.

Inter-service basketball and Volleyball was arranged between Air Division Units and the Canadian Army at Soest.

MARCH 1954

Personnel

The Air Division strength in March was:

Visitors

Visitors in March were:

Mr. Wilgress
G/C Cornblatt (AAFCE)
G/C Swetman (AAFCE)
A/C Ripley (AAFCE)
W/C Forbell (ATAG)
A/C Widdows (RAF Eastern Sector)

To ensure that a high standard of efficiency is maintained by alert sections on the wings a standard exercise was devised by this HQ, to be known as "Weekend Duel". This exercise provides practice for alert sections in scrambles and interceptions during wing stand-down periods. A section from one of the wings is scrambled as an "enemy intruder force", and sections from the other wings are scrambled as interceptors. Participating in this exercise are the radar units of the 12^th AF and 1’er CATAC.

The Air Division participated in exercise "Magnaflux" from 1 to 5 Mar inclusive. The purpose of the exercise was to test the defence of the UK against aerial penetration. Twenty four aircraft from 2 (F) Wing and twelve each from 3 and 4 (F) Wings were deployed to Cambrai/Epinoy to act as "enemy intruders". The deployment to and from Cambrai was carried out by airlift provided by 12^th AF, USAF, augmented by Bristol aircraft of 1 Air Division.

The Squadron tour on air firing at Rabat Sale, was extended from two to three weeks. 3 (F) Wing completed their turn and 2 (F) Wing commenced with 421 Squadron.

Flying times for Sabres were:

Note: Flying time for 2 (F) Wing does not include 421 Squadron at Rabat

Low flying hours for 4 (F) Wing are accounted for by withdrawal of Sabre IV and conversion to Sabre V aircraft.

The AOG daily rate of aircraft grounded through lack of spare parts improved considerably over that of the previous month. Serviceability was:

Number 5 FFTU completed Sabre V conversion training and commenced training at 2 (F) Wing. 3 (F) Wing was scheduled next.

Nine flying accidents occurred within the Air Division during the month; two occurred at 1 (F) Wing, one at 3 (F) Wing and six at 4 (F) Wing. Damage of minor category was due to the 1 and 3 (F) Wing accidents, two resulted in write offs when their pilots were forced to bail out in bad weather, one was seriously damaged on landing and two were successfully landed. One Sabre V was written off, killing the pilot when engine failure occurred on the final leg of a GCA run.

All remaining aircraft of the 60 Sabre IV’s which initially equipped 4 (F) Wing were flown to Speke to be returned to the RAF. Sabre V aircraft started arriving at the Wing.

Curbs were laid on the streets and clean up of the construction area started.

The runway, taxiway and apron paving was completed. Paving of dispersals was 75% completed. Station roads were 30% completed. The main water and sewage lines were installed. The contract for water pumping and sewage plant was out to tender.

Preparation for laying the final surface to station roads was commenced. Ponts et Chausses started repairs to the heating system which was damaged as a result of the cold weather in January and February.

Eastbound movements were 544 including dependents
Westbound movements were 117 including dependents

Microwave frequencies were assigned and provisional relay sites selected. The local broadcast transmitter at 2 (F) Wing was installed. At 3 (F) Wing a PA system was installed in all dispersal huts. At 4 (F) Wing the operations interphone was completed, HF and VHF were installed and the Gonio and Mirador systems 90% completed.

Training was commenced at the wing in preparation for an escape and evasion exercise planned for the spring of 1955. This exercise will also involve the First Canadian Infantry.

APRIL 1954

Personnel

Strength of the Air Division was:

Visitors

Visitors in April were:

W/C Trepannier (AFHQ)
Mr. Tucker (DOT)
W/C Whiting (SHAPE)
Mr. McCarthy (deputy Ministers Office)
General Bilbeault (1er CATAC)
A/C Mallard (AFHQ)
Lt. General Simonds
G/C Walmsley

Air Division HQ Staff and representatives of 2, 3, and 4 (F) Wings participated during the period 9 – 12 Apr, in a 4 ATAF Command Post exercise known as Counterthrust II. The exercise was designed to practice emergency operational procedures in administration, communications and logistics. The setting of the exercise was so designed, however, that by the introduction of theoretical problems the Air Division’s operational potentially could be assessed.

For the first time since the Air Division arrived in Europe a level of 30 hours flying per UE aircraft was attained.

Sabre flying hours were:

Twenty-four pilots of 2 (F) Wing were converted to Sabre V aircraft and were sent to Canada to assist in ferrying Sabre V’s to Grostenquin.

Six flying accidents occurred within the Division during April as follows:

1. 1 (F) Wing

One A category crash, and one D category crash when an aircraft hit a tree on the landing approach.

2. 2 (F) Wing

One C category crash and one D category as the result of a mid air collision.

3. 3 (F) Wing

One accident provisionally categorized as B

4. 4 (F) Wing

Langar serviceability of Bristol aircraft was 66%.

The AOG rate and average serviceability (percentage) were:

Aircraft Supply

4 (F) Wing received its initial complement of Sabre V’s.

2 (F) Wing received eight Sabre V’s and withdrawal of the II’s was started.

Air Division communications flight received its second Dakota.

The combined mess, OR quarters, NCO’s quarters were accepted and unaccompanied personnel were assigned quarters at the end of the month.

Construction was started on thirty buildings. Runway drainage was 90% complete, aprons and hard standings 90%, camp roads 80% (lacking final surface), building water and sewage connections 30% and ditching and surface drainage 60% complete.

The final road surfacing was started.

182 personnel and 160 tons of freight were moved eastward and 282 personnel and 53 tons of freight were moved westward.

The prototype installation of the 24 channel ARC 3 transceiver was started at VICOM on the 1 (F) Wing expeditor.

MAY 1954

Personnel

The strength of the Air Division was:

Visitors

Visitors in May were:

CAS
Dr. Solandt (MRC)
Brig. Morrison
A/C Corbett
A/C Long (AFHQ)
A/C Johen (AFHQ)
Brig. Wansborough (Dental)
Brig. Price (SHAPE)
G/C Crichton (Biggee SHAPE)
W/C Mussels (Transport Command)
S/L Lee (AFHQ)

2 and 3 (F) Wings completed air firing exercises at Rabat Sale and 4 (F) Wing commenced their tour.

Exercise Random ensured the delivery of fifty-six Sabre V’s from Canada. Both 2 and 4 (F) Wings were re-equipped with V’s and 3 (F) Wing received twelve V’s. Air Division Sabre times were:

137 Flight flew a total of 249.35 hours in Bristols and 33.35 hours in the Expeditor.

Nine flying accidents and incidents occurred during May:

(a) 1 (F) Wing

One overshoot on landing, requiring repair at the contractor, one engine fire was caused by stop locking action. One aircraft crashed in the sea and was not recovered.

(b) 2 (F) Wing

After a flameout one aircraft was destroyed on landing off the field. A B category crash occurred to a II being delivered to the contractor. This aircraft overshot the runway.

(c) 3 (F) Wing

One accident at North Luffenham resulted in sheared undercarriage, being a "C" category crash. One Sabre striking a bird produced "E" category damage to the Sabre and "A" category to the bird.

(d) 4 (F) Wing

One drop tank was lost in turbulent flying conditions.

(e) 314 TSU

Tire blowouts produced two "E"

AOG (average daily rate of aircraft on the ground through lack of spare parts) and serviceability percent were:

Return of Sabre IV to RAF

A total of 44 aircraft has been returned by the end of the month.

Air Division had received a total of eleven T33s. These were allotted to the IRF at 3 (F) Wing.

At 3 (F) Wing a mobile oxygen plant has been procured. This unit will fill 400 bottles in 100 hours operation.

To date 22 Sabre II’s have been delivered to Air Work.

Eastbound movements were 139 personnel and dependents.
Westbound there were 132.

Work was started on an additional officer building.

Runways and taxiways were completed, fifty-six buildings were under way.

Winter damage to the heating system was repaired, grading and seeding were almost complete.

Work was started on the Ground Instruction School.

3 dispersal buildings were started. 19 revetment concealments were started.

(G Inglis) F/L
for AOC, 1 Air Division HQ, RCAF