September 1945

R.A.F SPILSBY
1.9.45
WEATHER.  Mainly fair, but some cloudy periods.
NON OPERATIONAL FLYING.   The 7 aircraft who proceeded to Italy on 28.8.45 returned to base approximately 17.00 hrs.

2.9.45
WEATHER.  Mainly fair; becoming fine late at night.
NON-OPERATIONAL FLYING.   Nil.

3.9.45.
WEATHER.  Fine at first, becoming fair, then cloudy.
NON-OPERATIONAL FLYING.   Nil.

4.9.45
WEATHER.  Cloudy all day; periods of rail early morning and afternoon.
NON-OPERATIONAL FLYING.   Nil.

5.9.45
WEATHER. Cloudy; short period of drizzle around noon.
NON OPERATIONAL FLYING.   6 aircraft took off and proceeded to Italy to carry out Operation “Dodge” the conveying of British Service personnel to the United Kingdom. One aircraft carried out a Ruhr Tour.

6.9.45
WEATHER. Cloudy; becoming fair then fine late at night.
NON-OPERATIONAL FLYING. 6 aircraft carried out Formation Flying. 2 aircraft took off and completed a Ruhr Tour. 9 aircraft carried out a Bullesye Exercises.

8.9.45
WEATHER. Mainly cloudy; fair periods early morning and late at night.
NON OPERATIONAL FLYING.   Nil.

9.9.45
WEATHER. Cloudy; few fair periods.
NON OPERATIONAL FLYING.  3 aircraft, captained by W/Cdr. C.H.Baigent, F/L. J.A. McDonald and S/Ldr. D. McKenna, took off operational “spaam” calling at Tibbenham for Customs Clearance. This operation provided a good opportunity for service personnel to view the accuracy of the work of allied aircrew over the Reich Capital.

10.9.45
WEATHER.  Fine at first with fog early morning, becoming cloudy.
NON OPERATIONAL FLYING.   2 aircraft carried our Ruhr tours. Local flying was practised. The three aircraft, which took off for Berlin on operation “Spasm” returned safely to base. All personnel concerned expressed their satisfaction on a highly successful trip.

11.9.45
WEATHER.  Cloudy with periods of rain and drizzle; rather warm..
NON-OPERATIONAL FLYING.   Nil.

12.9.45.
WEATHER.  Cloudy; some fair periods; warm.
NON-OPERATIONAL FLYING.   2 aircraft carried out Ruhr Tours. 6 aircraft practised formation flying. W/Cdr. C.D Baigent successfully completed first trials in the Lincoln MarK II aircraft, which have been allocted to the squadron.

13.9.45.
WEATHER – Cloudy with rain early morning and late afternoon, becoming fair then fine late at night.
NON-OPERATIONAL FLYING. Local flying was carried out. 

14.9.45
WEATHER.  Fine at first becoming fair then cloudy; rain evening and early night, becoming fair.
NON-OPERATIONAL FLYING.   Air to sea firing was practiced and local flying carried out.

15.9.45
WEATHER. Fair then fine at first cloudy; rain late at night.
NON OPERATIONAL FLYING. W/Cdr. C.H Baigent carried out a height climb in the Lincoln aircraft.

16.9.45
WEATHER. Cloudy with rain most of the morning; remaining cloudy after cessation of rain around noon; rather warm.
NON-OPERATIONAL FLYING. Nil.

17.9.45
WEATHER. Mainly cloudy but some fair periods during the morning; rather warm.
NON OPERATIONAL FLYING. 2 aircraft carried out Radar Cross Countries and Formation Flying was practiced.

18.9.45
WEATHER.  Fair at first with fog early morning, becoming cloudy, then fail afternoon and evening; rather warm.
NON OPERATIONAL FLYING.   Local flying was carried out.

19.9.45
WEATHER.  Cloudy with short periods of slight rain late at night; warm.
NON-OPERATIONAL FLYING.   15 aircraft took off and proceeded to Italy to carry out operation “Dodge”, the conveying of British Service Personnel to the United Kingdom.

20.9.45.
WEATHER.  Cloudy with rain and drizzle morning and afternoon, becoming fair in the evening and fine late at night.
NON-OPERATIONAL FLYING.   Nil.

21.9.45
WEATHER.  Fine at first becoming fail then cloudy.
NON-OPERATIONAL FLYING.   13 aircraft of the 15 which took off for Italy on the 19.9.45 returned to base at approximately 17.00 hours, F/O J.A. Sutherland and F/L A.R. Warner had to remain in Italy as their aircraft were unserviceable.

22.9.45
WEATHER. Cloudy and light rain early morning; becoming fair in the afternoon and fine late at night.
NON OPERATIONAL FLYING.   Local flying was carried out.

23.9.45
WEATHER. Fine morning becoming fair then cloudy with rain afternoon, evening and night.
NON-OPERATIONAL FLYING. Cdr. C.H Baigentand F/Lt J>A> McDonald flew two Lincoln aircraft to Southampton as escort to S.S. Andes. A salute was given by the two aircraft to the New Zealand personnel aboard the steamship as she left the deck on her long voyage to New Zealand.

24.9.45
WEATHER. Cloudy with rain at first, remaining cloudy with frequent heavy showers; strong gusty winds.
NON OPERATIONAL FLYING.   Nil.

25.9.45
WEATHER. Cloudy and showery most of the day.
NON OPERATIONAL FLYING.  Air tests were made and local flying carried out.

26.9.45
WEATHER.  Mailnly cloudy; period of drizzle early afternoon; fair at night.
NON OPERATIONAL FLYING.   Local flying was carried out.

27.9.45
WEATHER.  Fair at first, becoming cloudy, some rain late morning and early night, becoming fair then fine late at night.
NON-OPERATIONAL FLYING.   F/O J.A. Sutherland and F/L A.R Warner returned to base safely from Italy.
POSTINGS. W/Cdr.C.H. Baigent, Squadron Commander and 25 R.N.Z.A.F. Officers and 59 R.N.Z.A.F. N.E.O’s proceeded to R.A.F Station, Wigaley on posting, pending repatriation.

28.9.45.
WEATHER.  Fine at first becoming fair then cloudy; short period of drizzle early morning; cloudy afternoon; fair evening, fine night.
NON-OPERATIONAL FLYING.   Aire tests were made and 2 aircraft proceeded to R.A.F. Gravely and returned.
POSTINGS. 29 R.N.Z.A.F. Officers and 54 R.N.Z.A.F. N.E.O’s proceeded to R.A.F Station, Wigaley on posting, pending repatriation. The remaining R.N.Z.A.F. personnel on the squadron, 9 officers and 24 N.C.O’s volunteered to remain with the squadron for further service with the Rotal Airforce.

29.9.45
WEATHER.  Fair with fog at first; remaining fair or fine most of the day.
NON-OPERATIONAL FLYING.  Local flying was carried out.

30.9.45
WEATHER. Fine at first; becoming cloudy; few short fair periods.
NON OPERATIONAL FLYING.   Nil.
P.O.R’s – Officers  – R.A.F. 46 -49 R.A.A.F. Nil     R.C.A.F. Nil.
R.N.Z.A.F. 55 -57
Airmen – R.A.F. 55 -57    R.A.A.F. Nil     R.C.A.F. Nil.
R.N.Z.A.F. 48 -51

Continue these records – October 1945