War Diary: 2 Wing Glider Pilot Regiment

Month and year: July 1944

During the No. 2 Wing Glider Pilots Regiment July 1944 war diary, the unit continued post-D-Day operations with training and maintenance courses divided into two forces: PLACE FORCE (crews standing by for operations) and MURRAY FORCE (D Day veterans). On 4 July, two Hamilcars carried Spitfire wings to Strip B.2 near CREPON in NORMANDY, returning on 6 July. On 8 July, Lieutenant-General F.A.M. Browning addressed the pilots, informing them they were now strategic troops. Throughout July, E Squadron crews proceeded to RAF Hampstead Norris for flying training and WATCHETT Camp in SOMERSET for recreational training, while maintenance courses continued at all stations with flying limited to one Flight per glider per week.

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1235

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WO 171/1235 2 Wing Glider Pilot Regiment

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Page 1 of 3

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
	GENERAL.	The Glider Pilot Regiment is now comprised of two forces:- Crews
		standing by for operations are commanded by LtCol J.W. Place & known as
		PLACE FORCE, the remaining crews, mostly those who took part in D Day
		operations; are commanded by Lt.Col I Murray & known as MURRAY FORCE.
		Administration is still carried out as before by Wings.
DOWN AMPNEY	1	Courses on the maintenance of the HORSA in operation.
	2
TARRANT RUSHTON	3
	4	Two Hamilcars, piloted by Lt B.H. HALSALL MC & S/Sgt Shaw of 'C' carried Spitfire wings to Strip B.2 near CREPON in NORMANDY.
	5
	6	The two Hamilcars returned

DOWN AMPNEY	7	Visit of B.O.A.C. A demonstration BALBO (mass take-off and landing) of
		16 Horsas took place,

Page 2 of 3

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
FAIRFORD	8	Glider pilots addressed by Lieut-Gen F.A.M. Browning C.B, D.S.O.,
		Commander Airborne Troops, on the general war situation. He informed us
		that we were now strategic troops

DOWN AMPNEY	9	22 crews of 'E' Sqn. proceeded to RAF Station, Hampstead Norris, (Operational
		Refresher Training Unit) for flying training. Another party proceeded to
		'E' Sqn tented camp at COLESBOURNE. CHELTENHAM for recreational and
		military training.
	10 11
TARRANT RUSHTON	12	Major A.J. Dale D.F.C. ,O.C. 'C' Sqn & a RAF Wing Commander recorded
		their impressions of D Day to a B.B.C. Recording Unit. It is intended
		to broadcast this later on.
	13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
	21	Change in Organisation	Appendix 'A'

Page 3 of 3

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
DOWN AMPNEY	23	25 crews of 'E' Sqn (MURRAY force) proceeded to WATCHETT Camp, SOMERSET,
		for recreational & military training. 'E' Sqn crews at Hampstead Norris
		returned to DOWN AMPNEY Maintenance Courses finished. All pilots have
		been tested

BROADWELL	23	25 crews of 'F' Sqn ( MURRAY force) proceeded to WATCHETT camp.
TARRANT RUSHTON	24 25	A successful, mass take-off of 4 WACO's, 7 HORSAS & 3 HAMILCARS took place
	26	Organisation.	Appendix 'B'
BROADWELL	27 28	Maintenance courses started
	29	Organisation	Appendiz 'C'
	30
	31	Organisation	Appendix 'D' and 'E'
		Flying has continued throughout the month at all stations, though it
		is limited to one Flight for each glider per week PLACE FORCE has the
		monopoly of flying; on operational stations.