Broadhurst, Harry (Oral history)

British officer served as pilot with 11 Sqdn RAF on North West Frontier, India, 1928-1931; served as pilot with 41 Sqdn, RAF at RAF Northolt, GB, 1931-1934; served with 19 Sqdn, RAF at RAF Duxford, GB, 1934-1936

REEL 1 Aspects of enlistment and training as pilot with Royal Air Force in GB, 1926-1928: military tradition in family; reason for transferring from Royal Artillery to Royal Air Force, 1926; motorcycle accident; story of aircraft crash in fog and subsequent injuries, 1926; reason for wanting to join Royal Air Force; types of aircraft flown. Aspects of operations as pilot with 11 Sqdn RAF on North West Frontier, India, 1928-1931: reason for preference to become fighter pilot; nature of operations; bombing of villages; casualties; types of bombs used; tactical use of air power; damage and casualties caused to aircraft by rifle fire; development of bombing and navigational skills. Aspects of period as pilot with 41 Sqdn RAF at RAF Northolt, GB, 1931-1934: flying Bristol Bulldog; attitude to prospect of training as flying boat pilot and feigning claustrophobia in order to fly fighter, 1934. Recollections of period as pilot with 19 Sqdn, RAF at RAF Duxford, GB, 1934-1936: description of airfield; role of Meteorological Flight; opinion of Gloster Gauntlet and Gloster Gladiator; role in development of .303 Browning Machine Gun; radio communications; air-to-air firing training; success in competitions to hit moving drogue targets; training pilots in air-to-air firing in Egypt. REEL 2 Continues: description of De Wilde Incendiary Bullet used in .303 Browning Machine Gun; amusing story of failing to hit drogue during demonstration; training and method of firing; question of natural ability as fighter pilot; different tactics employed to firing guns; visibility in cockpit; attitude to wearing goggles; fear of fire in cockpit; comparison of open and closed cockpit; amusing story of mock attack on bomber; comparison of skills required by bomber and fighter pilots; participation in aerobatic display; tying aircraft together during displays; importance of aerobatics for developing flying skills and value of air displays. REEL 3 Continues: further details of aerobatics; story of nearly crashing while performing roll; further details of Meteorological Flight; competitions; altitude limited by engine capacity; comparison of British and German aircraft; use of oxygen and physical effects of high altitude flying; problem of blackouts; regular medical examinations; opinion of modern aerobatics; story of fatal accident during competition at RAF Duxford; attitude to personal morale; opinion of wartime Bomber Command crews. REEL 4 Continues: air display during Royal Review for King George V at RAF Duxford, 1935; description of air drill; opinion of Prince of Wales; attitude of other services towards Royal Air Force; comradeship and lifestyle at RAF Duxford; role of station commander; sporting activities with Cambridge University; further comments on period with flying boats; attitude to luck.