CCF

RAF SECTION

Staff and Instructors: Fit. Lt. I. T. Williams, Fg. Off. R. W. E. Scott; F/Sgt. R. C. Murdoch, Sgts. D. J. Barnes, W. Crichton, S. Grant; Cpls. W. A. Common, I. F. Crawford, A. J. Burns, J. R. Gemmill, J. A. Harrison; J/Cpls. S. R. Carmichael, D. J. Cockburn, A. R. Menzies, C. Murray, R. Myles.
Despite unfavourable weather during training periods and Air Experience visits the training schedule has been maintained and the cadets have been kept very busy - the "juniors" have probably been overworked this term in their preparation for the Proficiency Training Certificate.
The twelve cadets who sat their Proficiency examination in December were all successful. C. S. Common and M. Ferrigan gained passes with distinction, gaining 93% and 86% respectively in the Navigation paper; the highest mark previously gained in this subject was 85% by James Will in December, 1968. In addition to these two Distinctions, passes with Credit were gained by T. M. Gemmill, G. E. Mackay, N. A. Mackay and R. Paterson.
Eight cadets were successful at the Advanced Proficiency Level with five of them gaining passes with Credit - J. G. Brown, G. C. McK. Gallacher, K. R. Matthews, A. R. Menzies and J. Pearson. A. R. Menzies, A. A. MacDonald and K. R. Matthews excelled themselves in the Engines examination:
the latter two equalling the previously highest score of 88% whilst A. R. Menzies set a new "best" with 89%.
The post-advanced cadets have prepared and given short lectures and have also experienced what it is like "on the other side" by sharing in the instruction. The Advanced Navigation classes have continued under Mr Scott's leadership but they have ventured outside during the past two terms on navigational/orienteering exercises with varied and sometimes "supper-less" results.
Gliding Instruction has been offered to the cadets who have attained their sixteenth birthday. Alan Piercy is to be congratulated on gaining his "wings" at a Continuous Gliding Course at Arbroath during the Easter break. He brought particular credit to the School by being our first cadet to commence the Advanced Gliding Training with thirty launches already logged. Application has already been made for a further six cadets to undergo training during the Summer holidays.
The three shooting teams were promoted to higher divisions this year and found the competition keen. The 'A' team totalled 2,019 points in Division C, 'B' team - 1,969 in Division D and our recruits' team 1,922 in Division E. The latter two teams finished 4th and 3rd respectively in their Divisions.
Cdt. G. A. M. Richardson won the Recruits' Cup with 329 points in the Section's Competition consisting of Airmanship, Map Reading, Shooting, Drill and History and Role of the RAF. Cdt. G. F. Weir was second with 311 points and Cdt. M. Nelson third (307 points).

RAF Germany Visit

During the Easter holidays five cadets accompanied by Fit. Lt. Williams attended camp at RAF Wildenrath. The five "fortunates" were Cpl. J. R. Gemmill, J/Cpl. S. R. Carmichael, L/Cdts. M. Ferrigan, R. Paterson and K. C. Walker.
We flew out from Gatwick Airport with sixty-five other cadets from various schools in the UK at lunch-time on Tuesday, 13th April, arriving at Wildenrath Airport a little over an hour later. Thirty-five of the cadets were transported to RAF Bruggen and the remainder, including our party, were accommodated at Wildenrath.
We were told that the purpose of the Camp was "to enable cadets to see for themselves the day to day life of regular personnel in an RAF environment overseas". We did have some outdoor exercises "designed to develop physical fitness and initiative", and we also visited the squadrons based at RAF Wildenrath as well as the various hangars and workshops. However, considerable time was spent on visits and expeditions outside the station.
We visited the War Museum at Overloon which owes its origin and development to the fact that it is located along the route chosen by the Allies for their advance to Germany in 1944-45. It also commemorates the famous Battle of Overloon which took place from 26th September to 16th October, 1944. The number of casualties in this battle was appalling and it was quite sad to see all the equipment used. The size and sheer mass of the tanks and guns was frightening. We all found the visit most interesting. After an early service on Sunday we spent the day on the Rhine visiting Bonn, the capital of the Federal Republic of West Germany and the birthplace of Beethoven, and sailing from Bad Godesberg to Cologne where we saw the magnificent Gothic Cathedral - a sight well worth seeing.
We also had a most interesting afternoon trip to Eindhoven in Holland to see the huge science exhibition called Evoluon (Evolution). This exhibition was recently featured on the TV programme Tomorrow's World.
There was also a map-reading exercise Wilden-rath style. We were transported to the famous Nature Park, Nordeinfel, on the Rhur where we had an escape and evasion exercise and an orienteering competition in most beautiful countryside.
Before we knew what had hit us, the day of departing came too soon. A shopping expedition was arranged to Dusseldorf and then back to QVS via Gatwick "skint" and with the prospect of '0' levels looming ahead of us.
A most enjoyable visit and much appreciated.
Summer Camp will be at RAF Chivenar, North Devon. How will it compare with Germany?