Parry, Hugh Lawrence (IWM interview)

British officer served as pilot with 601 Sqdn, RAF in Malta, 1942; served with 41 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1943; evaded capture in France, 1943-1944; POW in France and Germany, 1944

REEL 1 Background in GB and South Africa, 1915-1939: family; education; employment in copper mining industry in Northern Rhodesia; decision to return to GB and enlist in armed services, 9/1939; voyage to GB. Enlistment and flying training with RAF in GB, 1939-1940: method of enlisting in RAF in London; start of pilot training; effects of strong wind on De Havilland Tiger Moth at 10 Elementary Flying Training School at RAF Yatesbury; wish to be fighter pilot; story of friend's loss in Supermarine Spitfire in sea off Cromer, 1/1942. REEL 2 Continues: Recollections of operations as pilot with 601 Sqdn, RAF in Malta, 3/1942-7/1942: background to posting to Malta, 3/1942; reasons for unpopularity of Malta postings; voyage to Malta aboard USS Wasp; flight from USS Wasp to Malta including encounter with Italian aircraft; landing at Ta Kali airfield; loss of commanding officer; characters of Wing Commander 'Jumbo' Gracie and Air Officer Commanding Sir Hugh Pugh-Lloyd; German and Italian Air Force tactics. REEL 3 Continues: problems obtaining supplies; Sir Hugh Pugh-Lloyd's speech to squadron; German Air Force strafing attack on airfield; character of air controller Group Captain Woodhall; use of Supermarine Spitfire Vcs; refuelling problems; quality of German opposition; treatment of Axis pilots by Maltese civilians; character of air tactics employed over islands; flying routine; health problems; squadron losses. REEL 4 Continues: aircraft reinforcements; German use of Dornier Flying Boat carrying Red Cross to pick up downed pilots; case of pilot who swam ashore; ration situation for servicemen; hospitality of local marquis; Maltese attitude towards Italians; relations between British forces and Maltese; how he came to leave Malta, 4/7/1942; living conditions in Gibraltar on route to GB, 7/1942. Aspects of operations as pilot with 41 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1943: equipping with Supermarine Spitfire XIIs; squadron movements; attempts to claim thousandth aircraft shot down over metropolitan area. REEL 5 Continues: escort duties for US Air Force attacks on Abbeville and Beauvais, 24/9/1943; role leading wing; his shooting down and bailing out, 24/9/1943; attempt by German pilot to shoot him in the air. Aspects of period evading capture in France, 1943-1944: landing in wood near Beauvais; narrow escape from searching Germans; taking shelter near crashed aircraft; problems of moving at night; seeking help from French civilian; amusing story of drinking calvados; obtaining civilian clothing from French civilian; encounter with French farmer; aid from French farmer in crossing River Seine at Vernon. REEL 6 Continues: making contact with French Resistance; joining up with evading US Air Force personnel; bout of dysentery; his medical treatment and recuperation; transfer to Paris; conditions in hiding in Paris. Recollections of capture and imprisonment in France, 1944: arrival of Gestapo, 14/2/1944; removal to Gestapo interrogation centre; encounter with 'Odette' Hallowes; treatment by Gestapo; removal to Fresnes Prison. REEL 7 Continues: processing on arrival at Fresnes Prison; character of Gestapo interrogation including mock executions; interrogation at Dulag Luft; solitary confinement at Fresnes Prison; German attitude towards downed fighter pilots.