Description
Object description
British aircraftman served as ground gunner with No 4 Air Stores Park, Royal Air Force in Ludes, France, 9/1939-5/1940
Content description
REEL 1 Background in GB, 1919-1939: reasons for joining Royal Air Force, 1919; reasons for discharge from Royal Air Force, 1927; civilian employment, 1927-1939; anticipation of coming war; volunteering for Royal Air Force, 6/1939. Aspects of period as aircraftman with No 4 Air Stores Park, Royal Air Force at RAF St Athan in GB, 8/1939-9/1939: posting to RAF St Athan; formation of No 4 Air Stores Park; composition and organisation of unit; move to France. Recollections of period as aircraftman with No 4 Air Stores Park, Royal Air Force at Ludes, France, 9/1939-5/1940: move to Ludes; construction of gun pits; accommodation.
REEL 2 Continues: arrival of twin mounted machine guns; daily routine and duties moving petrol; opinion of rations; story of looting champagne and subsequent threat of death penalty for looting; drinking in estaminets; relations with French civilians and troops; visit to brothel in Rheims; Christmas celebrations, 25/12/1939; story of being approached by police officer for 'defeatist talk' on leave in GB, 1/1940; coping with cold weather, winter 1939-1940; conditions during Phoney War.
REEL 3 Continues: Recollections of operations as aircraftman with No 4 Air Stores Park, Royal Air Force in France, 5/1940-6/1940: firing at German Air Force reconnaissance aircraft; reaction to hearing of German attack, 10/5/1940; clash with NCO over term 'strategic withdrawal'; evacuation of airfield in vehicle convoy; state of refugees on road; maintaining convoy during withdrawal; overnight stops and rations; nature of German Air Force attacks on vehicle convoy; dispersal of vehicle convoy near Cherbourg; destruction of vehicles and equipment by French troops; march to Cherbourg Docks; destruction of vehicles at Cherbourg Docks; embarkation aboard SS Highland Monarch.
REEL 4 Continues: German aircraft attack on SS Highland Monarch; arrival in Plymouth, GB. Aspects of period as aircraftman with Royal Air Force in GB, 6/1940-7/1940: presence of military police surrounding Plymouth Docks, 6/1940; move to Weston-super-Mare; orders to report to RAF Duxford; civilian reaction to Dunkirk Evacuation; posting to RAF Duxford; prior recollection of presence of dogs at Aludes in France.