Extracts from 2 Wing Historical Reports Pertaining to Rabat, French Morocco
30 Sep 53
F/L J Harrison and F/L R Osborne returned from TD in Rabat Salle and Casablanca in French Morocco. During their visit they were present at a conference of French, American and Canadian Air Force officers who discussed air firing schedules for their respective countries squadrons.
6 Jan 54
F/L J Harrison, Tech/AE and Adjutant to CTechO, reported off leave and will be leaving soon for Rabat Sale, Africa to act as Detachment Commander of the RCAF Squadrons who will be reporting on air firing practice.
7 Jan 54
F/L J Harrison proceeded on TD to Air Division to discuss plans for his trip to Rabat Sale, French Morocco, North Africa, where he will be RCAF Detachment Commander of the Air Firing Exercises.
5 Feb 54
Bristol aircraft due in for Rabat but at present no sign of it.
11 Feb 54
A North Star of 426 Squadron landed in heavy fog after 0002 hours on 11 Feb with personnel returning from the French Air Base in Rabat. They were enroute to 3 (F) Wing but due to bad weather were diverted here.
16 Feb 54
416 (F) Squadron personnel going on detachment to Rabat received their "shots" today.9 Mar 54
All squadrons actively engaged in flying operations. However, they may in all probability slacken up their flying due to the Operation "Weapons Fire" in Rabat. First squadron to leave for operation is 421.10 Mar 54
Only aircraft on check or test were flown as all being held in readiness and being checked prior to take off for Operations at Rabat on 18 Mar.
18 Mar 54
Groundvrew of 421 Squadron being detached to Rabat on Operation "Weapons Fire" left by Bristol aircraft today. Weather permitting the first party should be in Rabat, Morocco on or about 2000 hours this date. North Star aircraft for the balance of the groundcrew late in arriving and may retard the operation. Weather reports were at variance and probable rain storms imminent. Therefore, Sabre pilots and aircraft will not be leaving until more favourable weather.19 Mar 54
Balance of pilots, 12, from 421 Squadron departed by Sabre for Rabat to participate in Operation "Weapons Fire". North Star arrived in from Canada and will be loading remaining groundcrew and equipment of 421 Squadron to Rabat.22 Mar 54
F/L Harrison reported in on TD from Rabat Sale, Morocco, where he is a permanent member of the RCAF Detachment who are supervising the Air Division Squadrons on Operation "Weapons Fire". He later departed by North Star for London. All members of 421 Squadron who were delegated to go on this operation are now located on duty in Morocco.
23 Mar 54
Aircraft of 416 Squadron being readied for combined move to Rabat on Operation "Weapons Fire".
25 Mar 54
Reports on Operation "Weapons Fire" in Rabat at which 421 Squadron are participating are favourable. 416 (F) Squadron busily engaged in readying their aircraft for move to Rabat on 31 Mar.
29 Mar 54
Bristol departed for Rabat with 416 Armament equipment. Ten 416 Squadron personnel left for Rabat by Bristol.
31 Mar 54
North Star departed with 416 advance personnel and extra pilots. Four 430 Squadron pilots included. Take off of 416 Squadron delayed by failure of 421 Squadron to arrive back.
2 Apr 54
Majority of 421 Squadron returned from Rabat. 416 Squadron Sabres held up going to Rabat due to weather.
3 Apr 54
416 Squadron still at Itres awaiting good weather.
4 Apr 54
421 Squadron aircraft arrived from Itres this morning.
14 Apr 54
416 (F) Squadron due back from Rabat today. 430 (F) Squadron due to depart for Rabat. North Star departed GT for Rabat at 1100 hours, arrived at approximately 1600 hours.
15 Apr 54
430 aircraft left for Rabat. Made stops near Marseilles and at Oran-Algeire. Arrived at Rabat Sale at 1500 hours.
18 Apr 54
Bristol left GT for Rabat with remaining 430 quadron pilots, arriving at 2030 hours.
20 Apr 54
430 Squadron broke the standing record for high average for one day at Rabat.
6 May 54
430 Squadron returning from Rabat.
21 Jul 54
Personnel of 421 Squadron preparing for Operation "Weapons Fire" at Rabat.
26 Jul 54
North Star 712 arrived in to transport 421 Squadron ground crew to Rabat Sale on Exercise "Weapons Fire" but due to inclement weather they will be delayed 24 hours. All things being favourable the move will commence on 27 Jul and aircraft leaving on 28 Jul.
27 Jul 54
Through bad weather, 421 aircraft were delayed enroute to Rabat on Operation "Weapons Fire". The Captain of the North Star 915 was admitted to hospital and F/O R McBride, Captain of North Star ex North Luffenham is en route to this unit to pilot the ground crew personnel to Rabat. If weather conditions improve the exodus is expected around 0500 hours 28 Jul. They will be attached to the RCAF Detachment at Rabat Sale Moricco, under command of W/C RPT Davidson.
28 Jul 54
Pilots of 421 (F) Squadron departed at 0600 hours for Rabat Sale. They put "full throttle" on as they roared over the sleeping barracks. North Star arrived in from Rabat with RCAF personnel en route back to 3 (F) Wing, a quick turn around and return with 2 (F) Wing groundcrew personnel for Rabat.
29 Jul 54
All of 421 (F) Squadron departed by service aircraft, North Star, for Rabat Sale, Morocco. Pilots have all departed by Sabre as well.3 Aug 54
CO was to proceed to Rabat by air but runway at Istres is closed to jet traffic.
11 Aug 54
Information received from OC Detachment at Rabat Sale, Morocco that 41182 LAC James Alfred Taylor, M&W Tech with 421 (F) Squadron suffered a severe accident. Details of accident are not known but it is rumoured that he lost the sight of his eye in the accident.
12 Aug 54
Personnel of 430 (F) Squadron engaged in making preparation for their move to Rabat on Operation "Weapons Fire".
16 Aug 54
430 (F) Squadron preparing to move off to Rabat.
17 Aug 54
First echelon ground party of 430 Squadron departed by air for Rabat.
19 Aug 54
421 (F) Squadron returned off detached duty at Rabat.
6 Sep 54
North Star aircraft of 426 (T) Squadron departed for Rabat to return personnel of 430 Squadron and take advance party of 416 Squadron.
7 Sep 54
Advance party of 416 (F) Squadron took off for Operation "Weapons Fire" in Rabat. Advance return party of 430 Squadron returned by Bristol aircraft from Rabat. All pilots and aircraft personnel due back within next two days. W/C RTP Davidson, OC RCAF Detachment at Rabat visited the unit, conferred with the CO and later departed by air for the SBAC Show at Farnborough, England.
8 Sep 54
430 (F) Squadron returned from Operation "Weapons Fire" in Rabat where they did an excellent job. 416 (F) Squadron have all departed and are now settling in to do their tour.
9 Sep 54
Nearly all of 430 (F) Squadron have now returned from Rabat, balance due in on 10 Sep. All of 416 (F) Squadron have now departed for Rabat on Operation "Weapons Fire". On their return all squadrons of this Wing will have completed their second tour at Rabat. An aircraft of 416 (F) Squadron in Rabat had an accident with a drogue. Only minor damage to the aircraft and no personnel casualties.
10 Sep 54
416 (F) Squadron in Rabat. Two minor aircraft accidents sustained at Rabat. Pilots F/O J Volfing and F/L DJ Enman uninjured. "D" Category crashes.
11 Sep 54
CO flew to Rabat to ascertain if possible reason for two successive accidents in 416 (F) Squadron.
12 Sep 54
CO returned by Sabre after a brief visit to Rabat. 43043 F/O JHP Volfing, 416 (F) Squadron, was killed as the result of a flying accident when his aircraft stalled on take-off during his participation in Operation "Weapons Fire" at Rabat. Next-of-kin notified through Chief of Police in Copenhagen, Denmark, where they reside. Funeral arrangements being made.
13 Sep 54
Unit engrossed in clearing details involving the return of the body of the late 43043 F/O JHP Volfing, 416 (F) Squadron who was killed on take-off during Operation "Weapons Fire" at Rabat on 12 Sep. Bristol freighter arrived at 2200 hours en route to Rabat with AOG spares and bier, returning 15 or 16 Sep with body of deceased.
14 Sep 54
Bristol freighter departed at 0800 hours for Rabat with S/L J Elvis, AIB/CJS(L) also bier for F/O Volfing's body. Anticipate its return on 15 Sep.
28 Sep 54
Advance party of 416 (F) Squadron reurned at 1714 hours.
29 Sep 54
Personnel and aircraft of 416 (F) Squadron returned off Operation "Weapons Fire" at Rabat. This is the second tour for the squadrons at this unit.
30 Sep 54
Four airctaft and pilots of 416 (F) Squadron still in Rabat awaiting arrival of spare parts.
4 Oct 54
All squadrons, including 416 have now returned from their second session at Rabat and are actively engaged in routine local flying.
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Updated: December 28, 2001