The
weather was fairly good in the morning but closed in rapidly so that
no flying at all was carried out. In the morning all available pilots
attended the Protestant Church Service with only a handful of airmen,
the remainder standing by their aircraft in the event of operations.
W/C Willan **,
Deputy Principal Chaplain (Protestant) of RCAF Overseas Headquarters
read the lesson and preached a sermon in a humorous and interesting
style that impressed our lads. (**
W.G. Willan of BC, Canada ??)
A good
part of the afternoon was taken up in the discussion of the general
flying policy including operational tactics to be adopted by our
Squadron. The squadron Commander S/L R.G. Crosby occupied the rostrum
during the major part of the discussion. The general policy is
supported by a precis, a copy of which is attached as appendix 14. Low
level bombing is going to be implemented by this Squadron especially
on our present job of rail cutting. Two sections of two will be
utilized, each taking either the same set of tracks to cut in
different places or different sets. The sections are to dive at about
45 degrees and going down to a lower altitude, pulling up at
approximately 300 feet and releasing their bombs at approximately 500
feet as apposed to the usual 1000 - 1500 feet. To permit the sections
to pull out at a lower altitude, 11 sec. delayed action bombs are to
be utilized. In this manner a greater degree of accuracy is
anticipated, also it is less hazardous flying in flights
of and promotes accelerated maneuverability especially when
going through cloud. By using separate flights of fours with its
increased advantages and decreased hazards in weather, more sorties
can be carried out. On the long range operations, two fighter escorts
will be carried.
Late in
the afternoon F/l's J.A. Cote and C.A. Lambert returned by air from
England where they spent their leave. One more aircraft was received
making our total 16.
Tiger
Squadron