Angus, Geoffrey (Oral history)

Australian officer served as pilot with 453 (RAAF) Sqdn, RAF in Malaya, 1941-1942; served with No 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit, Royal Australian Air Force in Australia, 1942-1943; served with Fighter Training School, RAAF Mildura, Australia, 1943; served with 82 and 77 Sqdns, Royal Australian Air Force in Australia and New Guinea, 1943-1945

REEL 1 Recollections of operations as pilot with 453 RAAF) Sqdn, RAF in Malaya, 1941-1942: pattern of training prior to posting to squadron in Malaya; voyage from Australia to Malaya; arrival in Malaya; initial impressions of Brewster Buffalo; training with Brewster Buffalo; degree of knowledge of Imperial Japanese Air Force aircraft and pilots; living conditions; squadron morale prior to war; first Japanese raid on Singapore; patrols on coast; move to Ipoh; patrolling over airfield; move to RAF Butterworth; engaging Japanese fighters over RAF Butterworth; crash landing damaged aircraft in paddy field. REEL 2 Continues: Japanese attacks on his downed aircraft; evacuation to hospital; evacuation to Ceylon then Australia, 1/1942; tactics; opinion of Japanese pilots. Aspects of period as pilot with No 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit, Royal Australian Air Force in Australia, 1942-1943: conversion of Brewster Buffalo to photo-reconnaissance role in Australia; operating Republic P-43 Lancer; period as instructor with Fighter Operational Training Unit at RAAF Mildura prior to posting. Aspects of period as Fighter Training School at RAAF Mildura, 1943: character of unit; unit casualties. Aspects of operations as pilot with 82 and 77 Sqdns, Royal Australian Air Force in Australia and New Guinea, 1943-1944: duties at RAAF Bankstown. REEL 3 Continues: move to New Guinea with 82 Sqdn, Royal Australian Air Force; morale of squadron; move to 77 Sqdn, Royal Australian Air Force; character of Morotai; return to Australia, 6/1945; opinion of Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk's armament; characteristics of Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk; skills need by fighter pilots. Aspects of period with 453 Sqdn RAF in Malaya, 1941-1942: memories of Tim Vigors; Fifth Column activity; flying in tropical conditions; question of boredom in squadron prior to Japanese invasion.