Sun.Mar26/44 - More solo circuits and bumps, my flying is improving, slow but sure. (this country looks quite nice from the air)
Mon.Mar27/44 - This country is just what the picture post cards are like back home; very pretty inm the spring now. From what I hear they're even boating on the Avon now.
Tue.Mar28/44 - Flying scrubbed - a so called domestic night when everyone had to stay on the station and clean up, we all had to dig up the gardens and such.
Wed.Mar29/44 - We did our first bombing exercise today, flew at 14,000 feet and of 8 bombs we only had an error of 55 yards, 67 converted to 20,000 feet, which is pretty good for beginners.
Thu.Mar30/44 - First Xcountry today, up for four and half hours at 10,000 feet, boy was it ever cold -12 deg.C, guess we just can't take it, Pete (A.G.) nearly froze.
Fri.Mar31/44 - Flying scrubbed, just loafed away the whole day, ah me, spring has really come to England, wish we could get off the station someday to enjoy it.
Sat.Apr01/44 - April Fools Day and a full day of cross country for us, had to do a 8B.A. appch. On coming in today, the first I've really had to do. Lots of people in town tonight.
Sun.Apr02/44 - Another six hour cross country flight, they sure do wear a guy out. Everyone is ready for bed after one and that's where I'm heading in a few minutes.
Mon.Apr03/44 - Flying has again been scrubbed, all we do is loaf around, try to dodge the CO and work. Seem to get away with it O.K. too.
Tue.Apr04/44 - Flying scrubbed. This station is getting worse every day. We had a CO's inspection today and I am afraind that few of the Canadians enjoyed it. R.A.F. boos!
Wed.Apr05/44 - All we do is try to dodge work, today they had us doing some digging, great outfit this R.A.F., worse than the R.C.A.F. even.
Thu.Apr06/44 - We finally flew, had a try at a bombing exercise, it was darn hard too, did'nt have a great deal of success with it either.
Fri.Apr07/44 - Everyone got off early and went into good old town of Strattford for a general piss-up (drunk) I'm still in barracks and planning on going to be soon.
Sat.Apr08/44 - Went to a dance in town, had a few pints before I went, it seems to be the only way to enjoy yourself at any of the dances around here.
Sun.Apr09/44 - Another cross country, ended up somewhere over N. Ireland, these trips last five or six hours.
Mon.Apr10/44 - Saw "Taming of the Shrew" in the theater tonight. I hope to se more of the plays in the next month or so. They are very good, the theater is very nice too.
Tue.Apr11/44 - Had to make a forced landing at another drom, got back ok. Davey Eland a hut-mate had to bail out with his crew over Wales, Engine failure was the cause.
Wed.Apr12/44 - Over to Wellesborne our main drome for a grope trainer. Saw "As you like it" at the Shakespearian Theatre, it was good too. We should get a forty-eight soon.
Thu.Apr13/44 - Wellesborne again, another grope. We should go on our forty-eight tomorrow, up to B'ham and have a darn good drunk, we hope. Hope we have some good weather for it too.
Fri.Apr14/44 - Here we are in B'ham, It's now three in the morning, time to hit the hay, we've had a real swell night, lots of drinking and some dances. Really going through some dough too!
Sat.Apr15/44 - Another day, nearly whole day of drunken glory, gee but it was fun. Once again it's two in the morning, we're drinking beer and eating sandwiches. Gee it's a great life.
Sun.Apr16/44 - Well I visited Uncle Len, have to go back to the old grind today, we've had a good time here. Came to 8 pounds, about $38 CAN which ain't exactly hay. It cost the four of us about the same.
Mon.Apr17/44 - Started in on our night flying tonight, lots of fun, not too hard either. I received three parcels from Sue today. She's a good cook, the cookies sure disappeared fast once they were started.
Tue.Apr18/44 - Another night, should solo tomorrow, one thing about night flying, we usually have bacon and eggs for dinner at midnight. We also get a chocolate bar every night.
Wed.Apr19/44 - Flying scrubbed and we were hoping to miss the C.O.'s parade tomorrow morning, oh well such is our luck, I guess we'll have to walk around and get soaking. Did some fighter affiliation this afternoon, good fun.
Thu.Apr20/44 - Well I soloed night flying here. We sure had a gruesome C.O.'s inspection today, they are nothing but a waste of good flying time, that's what I say anyway. We should graduate in four weeks.
Fri.Apr21/44 - More night flying. Wish we could get into town for another one of Shakespears plays, but no luck.
Sat.Apr22/44 - Well we got the night off, went to the show in town and then got roaring drunk, went to a dance after, gosh it was fun. I'm afraid it'll give us a hangover though.
Sun.Apr23/44 - Went to Wellesbourne for a group training exercise. Boy there's lots of B.S. on that station, it's our parent drome. We also have to work tonight, ah well such is life.
Mon.Apr24/44 - Well we still get our eggs after night flying, that's the only thing I like about it, we sleep in the morning but have to go to ground school in the afternoon.
Tue.Apr25/44 - Did a bombing exercise today, it'll be a great day when we can drop those bombs somewhere they'll be appreciated. Did solo fighter affiliation also, with a Hurricane.
Wed.Apr26/44 - it certainly is beginning to look nice around here, this certainly is a nice part of England. I'm going to go boating as soon as I get the chance.
Thu.Apr27/44 - well we did another Xcountry exercise, only one more and we're finished, hope we get a little leave soon. We have to do a bulls-eye exercise yet.
Fri.Apr28/44 - Well we did our bulls-eye, it was fun dodging searchlights. They didn't get us in them either. Carried out some good evasive action, had the boys scared.
Sat.Apr29/44 - Well we all went into town, had a real good time, went to the dance, 'fraid we had a bit too much beer.
Sun.Apr30/44 - This is the life, we stay in bed all morning, then get up at noon if we want to get upp at all.In the afternoon we just loaf around out in the sun.
Mon.May01/44 - Another day of loafing around, boy what a life, I'd just as soon be on leave but we can't do anything about that.
Tue.May02/44 I'm starting to get a sun burn, this easy life sure is swell but I'm afraid my letter writing has sort of had it lately, guess I'm just lazy.
Wed.May03/44 - Have to go for an interview with the chief instructor at Wellesbourne something about a commission I think.
Thu.May04/44 - Saw the C.I. he asked me quite a few questions. I think I got a pretty good recommendation from the flight commander.
Fri.May05/44 - Had to see the C.O. today, seems a pretty nice chap. I have to go to see some big-wig at another station on Tuesday.
Sat.May06/44 - well another easy day, all we do is loaf around, go into town at night, have a few pints and go to dance or such.
Sun.May07/44 - We're doing O.K. just as long as we don't get nagged for any parades or anything. The country side is looking really lovely, wish I had some film.
Mon.May08/44 - Am spending tonight at Oxford. It's a fair place, too bloody many Yanks around here for me, I have to go down to Abbingdon in the morning.
Tue.May09/44 - Well I saw the big-wig about the commission. I'm afraid I told him what I thought of the outfit and he didn't like it - goodbye commission.
Wed.May10/44 - My letter writing is still behind, I'm getting lazier every day too, they won't give us any leave either.
Thu.May11/44 - The boys are all buzzing around, take the day off, we went to a dance tonight as well. Someone swiped Pierre's and my bikes, we had to walk back.
Fri.May12/44 - Went punting on the Avon and it's really nice too, all I need is Sue and I'd be the happiest guy going, guess I'll bide my time though.
Sat.May13/44 - The country side is looking really lovely, lot of flying being done but none by yours truly, we've been having a real good time, trying to get a sun tan.
Sun.May14/44 - Well it looks like we're finally getting posted, up to Dalton, near "Youks" in Yorkshire, we get a weeks leave first, then to Dalton for a commando course.
Mon.May15/44 We've been all morning trying to get clearance and have just finished the afternoon at Wellesbourne, trying to get cleared, we have to go back tomorrow.
Tue.May16/44 - I've never seen so much red tape as there is at Wellesbourne here. What a job to try and get cleared, we did and we're off to London tomorrow, all of us except Floyd.
Wed.May17/44 - Well here we are in London. It's hard to get a roomand we ended up some place full of old people, anyway it'll do, it's right close to the centre of town.
Thu.May18/44 - Well Pete and Pierre are off to a good start, they got good and plastered last night and are well on their way now. London certainly is crowded.
Fri.May19/44 - I'm becoming an expert at eating with chopsticks, been to a Chinese restaurant lately. All the boys except Andy are doing pretty good as far as drinking goes.
Sat.May20/44 - Went to the dog races, there certainly are a crowd of people who go to them and bets can be made as low as two bob, I won about eight bob.
Sun.May21/44 - Am on my way to Liverpool, plan to spend a few days there a couple of days of real rest would do me some good, besides I enjoy the gold clubs.
Mon.May22/44 - What a lovely bed I've got! Will go to the dance at the Towers, dance hall, hope to enjoy myself but this is once I'm going good and sober.
Tue.May23/44 - Gee it's great to be walking around in civies, just wish I had a film to have my picture taken. Watched some Yanks play softball, first game I've seen played over here.
Wed.May24/44 - Well here I am in York. It's a pretty nice city. Met Jack at the dance, also met Hal Grimble, first time I've seen him in a year and a half, boy what a surprise. I am sleeping at Jacks tonight.
Thu.May25/44 - Well here we are at Dalton, all of us except Pierre, he must be enjoying himself on leave. We all sleep in nissen huts, it's a all Canadian station and seems pretty fair, I'm glad I got my bike though.
Fri.May26/44 - We were issued denim trousers and jackets and great big boots. Started in on drill right away. There are Canadian Army chaps in charge of us. Still no sign of Pierre, hope he comes in soon.
Sat.May27/44 - Classes in camoflage, field cooking, sten gun firing, it's a real good course. Pierre came in today, seems he was enjoying himself so much that he didn't want to come back, hope he gets away with it.
Sun.May28/44 - The day of rest for some, but just as much work as ever for us. I ran into Kirby, he's here on the course too., hope we stay together for a while. We expect a posting pretty soon.
Mon.May29/44 - I received eight letters today from Sue, full of lots of love and stuff, now I've got to get down and answered them. We wish I could get a parcel from home.
Tue.May30/44 - We've just finished a fifteen mile chase, took seven hours, we couldn't go on roads and there were armoured cars and trucks trailing all over the place after us. Boy am I tired.
Wed.May31/44 - We're getting posted tomorrow. Up to 1666 Conversion Unit at Wombledon. It's in a very isolated spot but we aren't there more than four or five weeks, I hope.
Thu.Jun01/44 - Arrived at the Con unit. It's stuck away up in the hills of Yorks. We even had to get out of the bus & walk up hills because it couldn't make the grade.
Fri.Jun02/44 - Day off. We do ten days Ground school nine days of it on Halifax III's, one day on Hali II's with inline engines, we fly II's here but III's on a squadron.
Sat.Jun03/44 - We are in a great big Nissen hut. The food is good compare with some stations I've been on. It certainly is a dispersed station, only eight crews in our course.
Sun.Jun04/44 - This ground school is pretty good, we go to a lot of classes with flight engineers, we get a F/E from the course ahead but I don't know when.
Mon.Jun05/44 - There's a pub about a mile or so away so we go there once in a while for a few pints. The countryside is real nice up here, wish I had some films.
Tue.Jun06/44 - Well the second front started last night and this morning, places have been flying overall day & night, but we still go on with our ground course.
June 6th, 1944 ... D-DAY! combined allied invasion of Europe begins
Wed.Jun07/44 - Well the second front seems to be going O.K. I just wish we were in on it, but the war won't end that soon, about all we do now is listen to news broadcasts.
Thu.Jun08/44 - Second front or no second front, we still have a C.O.'s hut inspection. A kite pranged last night, everyone in it were killed. Practically all prangs are due to the human element at these stations. Little structural failure.
Fri.Jun09/44 - Was in a poker game today, lost a few quid but it was fun.
Sat.Jun10/44 - Well the ring & flowers should arrive for Sue today. I certainly hope everything went according to plan and we are engaged - won 12 quid at poker.
Sun.Jun11/44 - We wrote our ground school exams yesterday, hope they come off O.K. Also got a big parcel from the folks yesterday and one from Sue, boy they sure are appreciated.