Description
Object description
British officer served as pilot with 101 Sqdn, No 1 Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB, 1944-1945
Content description
REEL 1 Recollections of operations as pilot with 101 Sqdn, No 1 Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB, 1944-1945: pre-operational training; comparison between Vickers Wellington and Avro Lancaster; interior of Avro Lancaster; crew comfort; pre-operational flying training and it's value; composition of crew; effects of promotion to pilot officer; training with squadron; first operation as second pilot to Bonn, Germany, 9/1944; carrying of Airborne Cigar radio jamming equipment; selection to squadron; mood of crew prior to first operation; crew roles; use of Window; vulnerability of air gunners to sleep; tour of operations and leave; recreational activities; fatigue and level of fitness; daylight raids; briefings including one for Dresden, Germany, 2/1945; quality of intelligence; use of photographs and sketches; debriefing.
REEL 2 Continues: relations with squadron leader; risk of collisions in night operations; means of avoiding collisions; use of lights and forming up over Reading area; altitudes flown; taking off and course; formations flown during daylight attacks; raid on Berchtesgaden, Germany, 4/1945; range of vision; weather; landing procedure; taking off with fully loaded aircraft; threat of intruders; landing lights; use of Fog Investigation and Dispersal Operation (FIDO) to dispel fog; aircraft navigational techniques; importance of wind; maps; bombing run; tactics for evading fighters; German anti-aircraft fire; bomb load carried; radio communications; relations with ground crew; question of leadership skills; attitude to bombing German cities; reasons for joining Royal Air Force.
REEL 3 Continues: accommodation at RAF Ludford Magna; rations and drink; mess parties; discipline and problem of Lack of Moral Fibre (LMF); development of morale during tour of operations; personal morale; living conditions and recreational activities; role of padre and religion; lack of class and rank distinctions; origins of aircrew; squadron losses and effect on morale; lessons learnt from experience with Bomber Command.