Description
Object description
2 ms diaries (81pp plus 12pp of pencil notes and 2 sketches, and 69pp in original 'Message Book' folder) covering the period 31 July 1944 - 19 February 1945, describing in good detail his experiences as RAF Petrol Supply Officer for 21 Army Group and the RAF Second Tactical Air Force, organising allocations of fuel and producing reports and supply plans, mentioning the continual problem of contaminated or abandoned jerricans, the logistical problems as the allies worked to clear the channel ports mentioning the GUERNSEY QUEEN which temporarily blocked Boulogne Harbour after hitting a mine, and the introduction of 150 grade fuel in early 1945, giving his observations on the general progress of the war including specifically the Battle of the Falaise Gap, the liberation of Paris, Operation Market Garden and the V2 attacks against the port of Antwerp (October 1944), describing air crashes that he witnessed, visiting the Mulberry Harbour (includes 2 sketches of the Mulberry harbour and "System of Providing Firm Quay-side"), detailing the devastation as he travelled through France to Belgium particularly noting Caen, Villers-Bocage, Le Havre, Dieppe, Arras and Orchies, the reaction of the local population and retelling some of their experiences of the German occupation, and recounting in detail a talk given by Field Marshal Montgomery in October 1944. Together with "Stores landing programme – Sword Sector, D+1 to D+7" issued to No 1 RAF Beach Squadron (ts, 4pp), "Stores landing programme – Juno Sector, D+1 to D+7" issued to No 2 RAF Beach Squadron (ts, 27pp), "Stores landing programme – Gold Sector, D+1 to D+7" issued to No 4 RAF Beach Squadron (ts, 20pp), ms notes and tables relating to Operation Overlord titled " 2nd Tactical Air Force and 85 Group requirements of Aviation Fuels and Oils, Period D+42 – D+90" and notes on the "phased build-up" (16pp), 2 ms letters from John Wickham with a 2 page report on the "Theory of Bulk Supply", official papers (4pp) relating to his release including a letter from Air Chief Marshal Sir Sholto Douglas asking him to stay in the service for another 6 months, his reply that he needs to return to his employment, and his release from the reserve, a copy of his Mention in Despatches and entry in the London Gazette (January 1946), a postcard copy of a caricature drawn by a colleague when Thompson was Equipment Officer at RAF Benbecula, and an unidentified photograph.
Content description
2 ms diaries (81pp plus 12pp of pencil notes and 2 sketches, and 69pp in original 'Message Book' folder) covering the period 31 July 1944 - 19 February 1945, describing in good detail his experiences as RAF Petrol Supply Officer for 21 Army Group and the RAF Second Tactical Air Force, organising allocations of fuel and producing reports and supply plans, mentioning the continual problem of contaminated or abandoned jerricans, the logistical problems as the allies worked to clear the channel ports mentioning the GUERNSEY QUEEN which temporarily blocked Boulogne Harbour after hitting a mine, and the introduction of 150 grade fuel in early 1945, giving his observations on the general progress of the war including specifically the Battle of the Falaise Gap, the liberation of Paris, Operation Market Garden and the V2 attacks against the port of Antwerp (October 1944), describing air crashes that he witnessed, visiting the Mulberry Harbour (includes 2 sketches of the Mulberry harbour and "System of Providing Firm Quay-side"), detailing the devastation as he travelled through France to Belgium particularly noting Caen, Villers-Bocage, Le Havre, Dieppe, Arras and Orchies, the reaction of the local population and retelling some of their experiences of the German occupation, and recounting in detail a talk given by Field Marshal Montgomery in October 1944. Together with "Stores landing programme – Sword Sector, D+1 to D+7" issued to No 1 RAF Beach Squadron (ts, 4pp), "Stores landing programme – Juno Sector, D+1 to D+7" issued to No 2 RAF Beach Squadron (ts, 27pp), "Stores landing programme – Gold Sector, D+1 to D+7" issued to No 4 RAF Beach Squadron (ts, 20pp), ms notes and tables relating to Operation Overlord titled " 2nd Tactical Air Force and 85 Group requirements of Aviation Fuels and Oils, Period D+42 – D+90" and notes on the "phased build-up" (16pp), 2 ms letters from John Wickham with a 2 page report on the "Theory of Bulk Supply", official papers (4pp) relating to his release including a letter from Air Chief Marshal Sir Sholto Douglas asking him to stay in the service for another 6 months, his reply that he needs to return to his employment, and his release from the reserve, a copy of his Mention in Despatches and entry in the London Gazette (January 1946), a postcard copy of a caricature drawn by a colleague when Thompson was Equipment Officer at RAF Benbecula, and an unidentified photograph.
History note
Cataloguer MLA