644 Squadron

Abbreviations

A/C

DZ

G

N/F

Op

RSR

RTB

RV

SAS

SOE

U/S

X

XC

Aircraft

Drop Zone

Group

Night Flying

Operation

Return Same Route

Returned to Base

Rendezvous

Special Air Service

Special Operations Executive

Unserviceable
Cross
Cross Country

Month and year: September 1944

17th September 1944

Place: Tarrant Rushton

AM to PM - The following crews took part in operation "Market". S/L Norman, S/L Rymills, P/O Hobbs, W/C Pope, F/O Bretherton, W/O Wells, F/L Nickel, P/O Shapley, S/L Egerton, F/O Archibald, F/O Blake, P/O Woodward, F/O Rampling, F/O Richards, P/O Herman, F/O Fisher, P/O McConville, W/O Barr, W/O Bailey - F/O Blake returned after tow rope broke. P/O Woodward took off as spare but could not catch the stream at Manston & returned.

PM - A/C for "lift 2" were marshalled at 1800 hrs.

Night - (F/O Blake who returned early went on S.A.S., the only one for Squadron.)

OPERATION 'MARKET' FIRST LIFT.

This operation a complete success. All A/C (with exception of P/O Blake and Hamilcar which was dropped at Chilbolton aerodrome [Note: This is an error, Blake towed a Horsa as recorded below]) reached D.Z. & dropped glider successfully. All A/C R.T.B. without loss or damage. Route was as briefed i.e. - Base. Hatfield - (Pos B. - 5208N 0136E) (C. 5143 0341) (D. 5138N 0405E) (E.T.RV. 5138 0518) DZ X. Arnhem Area. RSR. A/C flew in formation at 2500' and returned to base 7000 ft. Weather was good after the join up which necessitated flying in this low stratus. The first Horsas caught up with the last Hamilcars over the sea and the last two legs were flown in together as a bunch.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.9U.K. LL 331. Crew: W/C Pope V.A. (Capt), F/O Arthey J.H. (Nav), F/S Marshall J.W. (A/B), F/S McCann B. (W/Op), Sgt Oswald C.A. (R.A./G), Sgt Lineham W. (F/E). Time Up: 10.20. Time Down: 15.55. Horsa.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.9U.G. LL 403. Crew: F/O Baird R.B. (Capt), F/S McGeachin W.Q. (Aus.409730) (Nav), F/O Ward R.D. (A/B), F/O Goggin J.A. (W/Op), F/S McManus J. (R.A./G), Sgt Mescall J.M. (F/E). Time Up: 10.30. Time Down: 15.55. Horsa.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.9U.Y. Crew: F/O Bretherton B.J. (NZ.392010) (Capt), F/L Eaton H.J. (Nav), F/S Rickard L.H. (A/B), P/O Organ R.K. (W/Op), F/S Abbott G.C. (R.A./G), F/O Dyson F.S. (F/E). Time Up: 10.30. Time Down: 15.55.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.9U.P. W/O Wells S.T. (Capt), F/O Miller J.A. (Can.J.22506) (Nav), W/O Grey F.C. (Aus.422502) (A/B), F/S Brown R.H. (Can R.195967) (W/Op), Sgt Corman J. (R.A./G), F/S Weaver J.R. (F/E). Time Up: 10.20. Time Down: 16.00. Horsa.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.9U.U. LL 440. Crew: F/L Nickel W.H. (Can.J.12774) (Capt), F/O Langton E. (Nav), F/S Gough R. (A/B), F/S Sutherland J. (W/Op), Sgt Ebbels D. (R.A./G), Sgt Parker W.L. (F/E). Time Up: 10.25. Time Down: 15.50. Horsa.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.9U.F. LL 402. Crew: F/O Blake V.J. (Can.J.25281) (Capt), F/O Darling F.R. (Can.J.21752) (Nav), F/S Gillies E.A. (Can.R.177280) (A/B), F/O Deacon W.S. (Can.J.24860) (W/Op), F/S Smith J.E. (Can.R.178518) (R.A./G), Sgt Harris H.J. (F/E). Time Up: 10.30. Time Down: 11.50. Horsa.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.9U.J. LL 338. Crew: P/O Shapley E.D. (Capt), W/O Minchinton N. (Aus.410612) (Nav), W/O Tregoning B. (A/B), F/S Needham K.B. (W/Op), F/S Podd S.F.N. (R.A./G), Sgt Turnbull W.T. (F/E). Time Up: 10.30. Time Down: 15.50. Horsa.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.9U.X. LL 301. Crew: S/L Egerton A.G. (Capt), P/O Hayward D.A. (Can.J.25037) (Nav), F/S Cooper G.N. (A/B), F/S Butcher W.J. (W/Op), F/S Jones C. (R.A./G), Sgt Bish C.C. (F/E). Time Up: 10.50. Time Down: 15.55. Hamilcar.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.9U.Z. LL 350. Crew: F/O Archibald W.W. (Capt), F/O Thorogood L.E. (2nd Pilot), F/S Shea A.J. (Nav), F/S Howes C.O. (A/B), F/S Chidley F.W. (W/Op), F/S Brown R.G. (Can.R.208646) (R.A./G), Sgt Orford J.T. (F/E). Time Up: 10.45. Time Down: 15.45. Hamilcar.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.9U.N. LL 321. Crew: S/L Norman A.G. DFC (Capt), F/O Callan C.M. (Nav), F/S Taylor W.H. (A/B), F/S Crawley H.G. (W/Op), F/S Grant J.P. DFM (R.A./G), F/L Crump J.A. DFC (F/E). Time Up: 10.45. Time Down: 15.45. Hamilcar.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.9U.Q. LL 352. Crew: P/O Woodward S.O. (Capt), P/O Cleaver K. (Nav), F/S Fennell D. (A/B), F/S Sumner E.A. (W/Op), Sgt Alexander E.A. (R.A./G), F/S Hays L. (F/E). Time Up: 12.05. Time Down: 14.35. Horsa.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.2P.R. LL 340. Crew: F/L Hobbs R.A. (Capt), P/O Pettifer R.E. (Nav), F/O Hathaway R.J. (A/B), F/O Gawne W.T. (W/Op), F/O Miller D.W. DFC (R.A./G), Sgt Minns L.J. (F/E). Time Up: 10.20. Time Down: 15.50. Horsa.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.2P.M. LL 405. Crew: W/O Oliver V.R. (Capt), F/O Butterill G.C. (Can.J.24205) (Nav), P/O Inachin B.O. (A/B), F/S Martin G.N. (W/Op), Sgt Taylor C.R. (Can.R.196238) (R.A./G), Sgt Quiney K. (F/E). Time Up: 10.35. Time Down: 16.05. Horsa.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.2P.C. LL 654. Crew: W/O Bailey J.C. (Capt), F/S Brooks W. (Nav), Sgt Gregory W.R. (A/B), Sgt Tomlinson J.W. (W/Op), Sgt Gent R. (R.A./G), Sgt Miles A.N. (F/E). Time Up: 10.35. Time Down: 15.55. Horsa.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.2P.G. LL 219. Crew: F/O Fisher J.R. (Capt), P/O Davies J.C.W. (Nav), F/O McDowell J.J. (Can.J.26690) (A/B), W/O Trood T.J. (Aus.418484) (W/Op), P/O Hawkins J.S. (R.A./G), Sgt Bullock R.W. (F/E), Mr Thornton (War Correspondent). Time Up: 10.50. Time Down: 16.05. Hamilcar.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.2P.K. LL 275. Crew: W/O Barr H.W. (Can.R.155145) (Capt), W/O Howlett W.D. (Can.R.87064) (Nav), F/S Healy T.C. (Can.R.172018) (A/B), F/S Greenstock J.B. (W/Op), F/S Sanders J.T. (Can.R.196205) (R.A./G), Sgt Bennett R.W. (F/E). Time Up: 10.30. Time Down: 15.40. Horsa.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.2P.L. LL 305. Crew: P/O McConville H. (Aus.422630) (Capt), F/O Locke D.R. (Nav), F/S Munro A.S. (A/B), F/S Bruce K.R. (Aus.422400) (W/Op), Sgt Harris A.H. (R.A./G), Sgt Smith R.H. (F/E). Time Up: 10.47. Time Down: 15.45. Hamilcar.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.2P.S. LL 399. Crew: F/O Richards N.O. (Capt), F/L Williams W.R. (Nav), F/O Alves W. (A/B), F/S Walker A. (W/Op), F/S Macdonald D. (R.A./G), Sgt Roberts W.T. (F/E). Time Up: 10.30. Time Down: 15.05. Hamilcar.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.2P.L. LL 351. Crew: F/O Rampling E.F. (Capt), P/O Giblin A.G. (Aus.408365) (Nav), F/L McQuaker R.G. (A/B), F/S Dunn N.H. (W/Op), F/S Bainbridge W. (R.A./G), P/O Young J.P. (F/E). Time Up: 10.25. Time Down: 15.55. Horsa.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.2P.F. LL 345. Crew: S/L Rymills F.E. DFC DFM (Capt), F/L Garrity P.H. (Nav), W/O Harrison W. (A/B), F/L Sutcliffe R.L. (W/Op), F/L Cooper J.P. (R.A./G), F/S Cardall C. (F/E). Time Up: 10.35. Time Down: 16.10. Horsa.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.2P.N. LL 218. Crew: P/O Herman J.A. (Capt), W/O Mills W.L. (Nav), Sgt Duncan R.L. (A/B), P/O Marrison C.C. (W/Op), F/S Walsh J.P. (R.A./G), F/S Waterfall P.L. (F/E). Time Up: 10.50. Time Down: 17.27. Hamilcar.

18th September 1944

Place: Tarrant Rushton

AM to PM - All A/C off O.K. on "Market 11". Following crews took part: W/C Pope, F/O Baird, F/O Bretherton, P/O Shapley, S/L Egerton, S/L Norman, P/O Woodward, S/L Rymills, F/O Rampling, F/O Richards, F/L Tomkins, F/O Fisher, P/O McConville, W/O Ussell, W/O Bailey - W/C Pope's Hamilcar had to be released over sea as port engine went U/S. P/O Shapley returned early with same trouble but glider landed safely on land.

PM - F/O Archibald and F/L Nickel air test a/c G & J. Marshalling for 'Market 111' took place in the evening.

Night - Six Ham. 10 Horsas. 3 S.A.S. cancelled (weather).

OPERATION 'MARKET' SECOND LIFT

This operation met more resistance over enemy territory. All a/c returned safely. 2 Gliders were lost. - Route as on 'Market 1' as briefed.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.2P.E. LL 410. Crew: F/L Tomkins B.L. (Capt), Sgt Higgitt W.E. (Nav), F/O Ward N.W. (A/B), F/S Gover G. (W/Op), F/S Wright G.W. (Can.R.187293) (R.A./G), Sgt Crane H.R. (F/E). Time Up: 11.30. Time Down: 17.00. Horsa.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.2P.N. LL 405. Crew: F/O Rampling E.F. (Capt), P/O Giblin A.G. (Aus.408365) (Nav), F/L McQuaker R.H. (A/B), F/S Dunn N.H. (W/Op), F/S Bainbridge W. (R.A./G), P/O Young J.P. (F/E). Time Up: 11.30. Time Down: 16.45. Hamilcar.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.2P.C. LL 310. Crew: F/O Fisher J.R. (Capt), P/O Davies J.C.W. (Nav), F/O McDowell J.J. (Can.J.26690) (A/B), W/O Trood T.J. (Aus.418484) (W/Op), P/O Hawkins J.S. (R.A./G), Sgt Bullock R.W. (F/E). Time Up: 11.40. Time Down: 17.10. Horsa. The rope was snapped by flak 4 miles from D.Z. which the glider reached safely.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.2P.J. Crew: P/O McConville H. (Aus.422630) (Capt), F/O Locke D.R. (Nav), F/S Munro A.S. (A/B), F/S Bruce K.R. (Aus.422400) (W/Op), Sgt Harris A.H. (R.A./G), Sgt Smith R.H. (F/E). Time Up: 11.35. Time Down: 17.00. Horsa.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.9U.T. LL 312. Crew: F/O Bretherton B.J. (NZ.392010) (Capt), F/S Sinclair L.H. (NZ.42818) (2nd Pilot), F/L Eaton H.J. (Nav), F/S Rickard L.H. (A/B), P/O Organ R.K. (W/Op), F/S Abbott G.C. (R.A./G), F/O Dyson F.S. (F/E). Time Up: 11.25. Time Down: 16.50. Hamilcar.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.9U.F. LL 402. Crew: P/O Shapley E.D. (Capt), W/O Minchinton N. (Aus.410612) (Nav), W/O Tregoning B. (A/B), F/S Needham K.B. (W/Op), F/S Podd S.W.F. (R.A./G), Sgt Turnbull W.T. (F/E). Time Up: 11.25. Time Down: 12.25. Hamilcar. P/O Shapley's port outer engine failed. A gradual descent made & the glider pulled off to land safely at Chilbolton aerodrome. The glider unloaded & the contents were returned to base. This load (Lorry & 17 pounder gun) went on the next days lift "Market 3" - P/O Shapley returned to base on 3 engines.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.9U.W. LL 277. Crew: F/O Baird R.B. (Capt), F/S McGeachin W.Q. (Aus.409730) (Nav), F/O Ward R.D. (A/B), F/O Goggin J.A. (W/Op), F/S McManus J. (R.A./G), Sgt Mescall J.M. (F/E). Time Up: 11.35. Time Down: 16.55. Horsa.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.9U.H. LL 329. Crew: W/O Ussell L.E.J. (Capt), F/S Keedy D.J. (Nav), F/S Fidler H.J. (A/B), F/S Graham F.J. (W/Op), F/S Thomas G.E. (R.A./G), Sgt Deffen R.J. (F/E). Time Up: 11.35. Time Down: 17.00. Horsa.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.9U.O. Crew: W/C Pope V.A. (Capt), F/O Flack I.G. (2nd Pilot), F/O Arthey J.H. (Nav), F/S Marshall J.W. (A/B), F/S McCann B. (W/Op), Sgt Oswald C.A. (R.A./G), Sgt Lineham W. (F/E). Time Up: 11.20. Time Down: 15.55. Hamilcar. W/C Pope's port inner engine (over sea) failed and a gradual descent was made towards an air sea rescue launch. The Hamilcar pulled off and 8/10 personnel were seen to be picked up from the glider. W/C Pope RTB on 3 engines safely.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.9U.L. LL 342. Crew: P/O Woodward S.O. (Capt), P/O Cleaver K. (Nav), F/S Fennell D. (A/B), F/S Sumner E.A. (W/Op), Sgt Alexander E.A. (R.A./G), F/S Hays L. (F/E). Time Up: 11.25. Time Down: 16.50. Hamilcar.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.9U.U. LL 440. Crew: S/L Norman A.G. DFC (Capt), F/S Ashworth A.S. (2nd Pilot), F/O Callan C.M. (Nav), F/S Taylor W.H. (A/B), F/S Crawley H.G. (W/Op), F/S Grant J.P. DFM (R.A./G), F/L Crump J.A. DFC (F/E). Time Up: 11.40. Time Down: 17.05. Horsa.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.9U.Q. LL 352. Crew: S/L Egerton A.G. (Capt), P/O Hayward D.A. (Can.J.25037) (Nav), F/S Cooper G.N. (A/B), F/S Butcher W.J. (W/Op), F/S Jones C. (R.A./G), Sgt Bish C.C. (F/E), Sgt Howell R.D. (2nd A/G). Time Up: 11.35. Time Down: 17.20. Horsa.

19th September 1944

Place: Tarrant Rushton

AM - The Hamilcar lift has been postponed but the load of the Hamilcar that forced-landed yesterday is going with the Horsa lift (F/O Blake pilot). 4 air tests this morning, P/O Shapley, F/O Flack, F/S Sinclair & Sgt Ashworth.

PM - "Market 111" took off O.K. F/O Blake returned having broke his rope in cloud over Ghent. F/L Tomkins had his rope shot through by flak just before the D.Z. F/O Fisher experienced the same thing. P/O McConville's glider had its tail shot off and the rope broke as it dived for the ground. S/L Rymills turret damaged by .300 bullet. W/O Wells a/c badly damaged mainplane by Bofors flak. Generally resistance was stronger and the weather very bad for towing over the sea.

PM - While 'Market 111' took place F/L Nickel retrieved Hamilcar that had forced-landed at Chilbolton the previous day.

Night - 4 S.A.S. & 12 S.O.E. owing to a warm front over D.Z. area the S.O.E. were cancelled at 2000 hrs. P/O Herman and P/O Shapley on S.A.S. returned to Aerodrome before fog formed neither had any reception owing to weather. F/O Bretherton and W/O Oliver were diverted to Harwell and landed safely.

OPERATION 'MARKET' THIRD LIFT.

The ten Horsa Halifax combinations and the one Hamilcar Halifax combination met very bad weather over the Channel and stiff resistance from light and heavy flak on the last run in. Despite this all a/c returned safely. 3 gliders failed to reach the D.Z. One rope broke in cloud and the other was snapped by flak. The third had its tail shot off. Any exceptional occurrences are appended opposite the crew concerned. The Southern route was taken as briefed.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.9U.Y. LL 328. Crew: F/O Blake V.J. (Can.J.25281) (Capt), F/O Darling F.R. (Can.J.21752) (Nav), F/S Gillies E.A. (Can.R.177280) (A/B), F/O Deacon W.S. (Can.J.24860) (W/Op), F/S Smith J.E. (Can.R.178518) (R.A./G), Sgt Harris H.J. (F/E). Time Up: 12.15. Time Down: 15.30. Hamilcar. This combination as others met bad weather en-route. They crossed the Channel O.K. but the rope broke in bad visibility and the Hamilcar landed safely near Ghent. F/O Blake R.T.B. safely.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.9U.P. LL 357. Crew: W/O Wells S.T. (Capt), F/L Miller J.A. (Can.J.22506) (Nav), W/O Grey F.C. (Aus.422502) (A/B), F/S Brown R.H. (W/Op), Sgt Corman J. (Can.R.195967) (R.A./G), F/S Weaver J.R. (F/E). Time Up: 12.10. Time Down: 17.40. Horsa. This pilot despite two bad flak holes (caused by Bofors flak) in the port mainplane reached the D.Z. and returned safely to base.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.9U.X. LL 301. Crew: P/O Woodward S.O. (Capt), P/O Cleaver K. (Nav), F/S Fennell D. (A/B), F/S Sumner E.A. (W/Op), Sgt Alexander E.A. (R.A./G), F/S Hays L. (F/E). Time Up: 12.10. Time Down: 17.35. Horsa.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.9U.M. LL 217. Crew: S/L Norman A.F. DFC (Capt), F/O Callan C.M. (Nav), F/S Taylor W.H. (A/B), F/S Crawley H.G. (W/Op), F/S Grant J.P. DFM (R.A./G), F/L Crump J.A. DFC (F/E). Time Up: 12.15. Time Down: 17.35. Horsa.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.2P.A. LL 305. Crew: P/O McConville H. (Aus.422630) (Capt), F/O Locke D.R. (Nav), F/S Munro A.S. (A/B), F/S Bruce K.R. (Aus.422400) (W/Op), Sgt Harris A.H. (R.A./G), Sgt Smith R.H. (F/E). Time Up: 12.10. Time Down: 17.15. Horsa. This combination reached the Group R.V. but the glider was hit by heavy flak in the tail and dived to the ground. P/O McConville dived his a/c with the glider to try & hold its nose up but the rope broke & glider went straight in. P/O McConville returned to base safely.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.2P.C. LL 310. Crew: F/O Richards N.O. (Capt), F/L Williams W.R. (Nav), F/O Alves W. (A/B), F/S Walker A. (W/Op), F/S Macdonald D. (R.A./G), Sgt Roberts W.T. (F/E). Time Up: 12.15. Time Down: 17.30. Horsa.

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.2P.P. LL 344. Crew: F/L Tomkins B.L. (Capt), Sgt Higgitt W.E. (Nav), F/O Ward N.W. (A/B), F/S Gover G. (W/Op), F/S Wright G.W. (Can.R.187293) (R.A./G), Sgt Crane H.N. (F/E). Time Up: 12.10. Time Down: 16.55. Horsa. F/L Tomkins rope was snapped by flak north of the G.Rendezvous. Glider made a safe landing on "No Mans land".

Aircraft Type & Number: Halifax V.2P.F. LL 345. Crew: S/L Rymills F.E. DFC DFM (Capt), F/L Jones K.W. (2nd Pilot), F/L Garrity P.H. (Nav), P/O Herman J.A. (A/B), F/L Sutcliffe R.L. (W/Op), F/L Cooper J.P. (R.A./G), F/S Cardall C. (F/E). Time Up: 12.10. Time Down: 17.35. Rear turret hit by small arms fire but personnel unharmed. S/L Rymills took excellent photographs of D.Z.

20th September 1944

Place: Tarrant Rushton

AM - F/O Bretherton and W/O Oliver returned from Harwell.

PM - F/L Nickel is dropping some experimental containers on the rope dropping area. F/S Christian completed local C & landings. F/O Rampling started converting F/O Turnbull who did 2 solo circuits. F/O Flack and F/S Sinclair flew locally on Gee Homings. W/O Wells air tested one aircraft.

Night - All ops cancelled because of fog but F/L Hobbs completed F/L Jones' night conversion to solo.

21st September 1944

Place: Tarrant Rushton

AM - Local Hamilcar lifts by F/O Flack and F/S Sinclair.

PM - Air tests were completed by F/O Archibald and W/O Bailey. W/O Bailey tested his rear turret at Stairt Flats. S/L Norman took Sgt Ashworth on initial conversion. F/S Christian completed X country.

PM - 4 S.A.S. for the Squadron in daylight (for the first time). F/O Baird, F/L Nickel, F/O Fisher, W/O Ussell. F/L Hobbs screened F/L Jones on L & H Hamilcar lifts. F/S Christian came as passenger and then 2nd pilot.

Night - 3 S.A.S. & 11 S.O.E. tonight. S.A.S. F/O Richards, F/O Bretherton, P/O Shapley. S.O.E. P/O McConville, F/L Jones, W/O Oliver, W/O Barr, F/L Tomkins, W/O Bailey, F/S Sinclair, S/L Norman, F/O Flack, F/O Archibald, P/O Woodward. A/C just returned before fog clamped on the aerodrome.

22nd September 1944

Place: Tarrant Rushton

AM - W/O Pope and F/O Robertson attended investiture at Netheravon where General Koenig presented W/C Pope with Croix de Guerre & palms, and F/O Robertson Croix de Guerre.

AM - The fog from last night still persists and no flying is taking place this morning.

PM - Weather clearing F/O Turnbull is on local conversion. F/S Christian dropped containers on Rope Dropping area. F/L Tomkins and F/O Richards - air tests.

Night - Sgt Ashworth on S.A.S. (first trip). Screened by F/L Nickel, F/O Archibald, W/O Ussell, F/L Hobbs, F/O Baird, F/O Flack, F/S Sinclair, P/O Shapley, W/O Barr, W/O Bailey all on S.O.E. Weather was bad in route but cleared round the D.Z.s and results were good all round.

23rd September 1944

Place: Tarrant Rushton

AM - F/O Turnbull on X country and container dropping. F/O Bretherton air test. F/O Woodward retrieving Hamilcar from Netheravon.

PM - F/O Richards on experimental container drop of 24 containers and fuel consumption test of 3 hours with full load. 5 S.O.E. 5 S.A.S.

Night - S.O.E. F/O Fisher, P/O McConville, W/C Pope, S/L Norman, P/O Woodward. S.A.S. W/O Oliver, F/L Tomkins, W/O Ussell, F/L Nickel, P/O Shapley. All ops were cancelled with the exception of W/C Pope. Reason - weather over DZ.s and Base.

24th September 1944

Place: Tarrant Rushton

AM - F/S Ashworth, P/O O'Dea, F/O Turnbull all on low X countries. F/O Flack and F/S Sinclair on local [Q & H?]. P/O Baird and P/O Shapley on air tests.

PM - 2 S.A.S. and 4 S.O.E. for Squadron tonight: after some cancellations (F/L Hobbs and P/O Shapley S.A.S.) S/L Norman, F/L Nickel, P/O Woodward, W/O Oliver S.O.E.

Night - F/S Ashworth and P/O O'Dea completed C & L and X countries at night. F/S Christian converted to N/F and did a X country.

25th September 1944

Place: Tarrant Rushton

AM - F/O Turnbull completed X country and container drop. F/O Flack practices beam [Q & H?]. Only 1 op tonight (finally) F/O Bretherton on S.O.E.

Night - Tugs were marshalled for lift 'Market IV' by night while the crews actually on the lift slept: It was carried out smoothly and successfully in 3 hours 40 mins. 12 on R.26 and 10 on G1. The 3 inexperienced crews taxied a/c down while the 2 experienced crews marshalled.

26th September 1944

Place: Tarrant Rushton

Marked IV, postponed 24 hours. P/O O'Dea ferried a/c to Netheravon. P/O Shipley picked them up and returned to Base. W/C Pope flew to N'Avon. 2 S.A.S. 2 S.O.E. S/L Norman, F/O Flack S.A.S. F/S Sinclair, F/S Christian S.O.E. F/S Ashworth on night X.C. and container drop on local D.Z.