The WW2 Diary of Lancaster Pilot Bruce Johnston

DIARY NOTES

Location
1653 Heavy Conversion Unit at Chedburgh, near Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk

Gen - General information, background

Bob - Livingstone, Johnston’s bomb aimer

U/S - Unserviceable, or unusable – in this case, sick

Fowler - Squadron Leader at 1653 Heavy Conversion Unit, Chedburgh

48 - Two day leave (48 hours)

Barb - Johnston’s girlfriend in Ontario

Dean - Johnston’s brother, stationed near Cambridge, north of London

MacLaren - Canadian pilot and friend who trained with Johnston, and was later posted to 90 Squadron at Tuddenham

CGI - Chief Ground Instructor

Stirlings - Stirling bombers. The RAF’s first four engine bomber, the Stirling was hampered by its relatively narrow wingspan, which gave it limited speed and climbing ability. First introduced for night bombing, it was soon replaced by more advanced bombers, and was relegated to less hazardous duties such as carrying troops, towing gliders and laying mines.

218 Squadron - RAF bomber squadron based at Chedburgh

Real McCoy - Real thing or genuine article - in this case, the best unit to join

PFF - Pathfinder Force – Group that preceded the main bomber stream to mark the target with incendiary bombs and flares

May 3, 1944 (Wednesday)

Got the definite gen that Bob is to be back Friday but will be U/S for two days so S/L Fowler has promised us a 48 over the weekend.

In the meantime, he doesn’t know what to do with us, so this morning we planted potatoes and had this afternoon off.

Wrote Barb a 21 page letter and enclosed two pictures of myself. Also wrote Dean and enclosed Mom’s latest letter. MacLaren came back tonight.

Talking to the CGI today for a while and he recommends that we stay on Stirlings – says 218 Squadron is the real McCoy. Special specials! Something like PFF.

Bruce Johnston

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