Strachan, William Arthur Watkin (Oral history)

Jamaican NCO served as wireless operator with 99 Sqdn, No 3 Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB, 1941-1942; officer served as pilot with 156 Sqdn, No 8 (Pathfinder Force), Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB, 1941-1945; served as liaison officer with RAF in GB, 1945

REEL 1 Recollections of background in Kingston, Jamaica, 1921-1939: family origins in relation to social structure; education; lack of mixing between races during education; reaction to outbreak of Second World War, 9/1939; factors forming his political attitudes; question of racial discrimination; memories of Caribbean revolt, 1937-1938; attitude towards GB on outbreak of Second World War, 9/1939; attitude in Jamaica towards other Caribbean islands. REEL 2 Continues: Aspects of enlistment and training with RAF in GB, 1940-1941: problems leaving Jamaica to enlist in RAF in GB; voyage from Jamaica to GB; attempt to join RAF at Adastral House in London; start of initial training with No 4 Elementary Training School; first encounter with racism. Recollections of operations as wireless operator with 99 Sqdn, No 3 Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB, 1941-1942: opinion of Vickers Wellington; question of accuracy of early raids. REEL 3 Continues: character of wireless set; height at which operations conducted; German anti-aircraft opposition; high morale in squadron; privileges of aircrew; problems Germans had getting their fighters up to attack RAF bombers; German fighter technique of mingling with returning bombers; technique of manoeuvring to avoid fighter attacks; sight of Russian bombers over Berlin, autumn, 1941; his physical and psychological condition after first tour; opening up of RAF Alconbury, spring 1942; reasons why bombing of the Ruhr in Germany was particularly dangerous; coning of his aircraft with searchlights; decision to go in for pilot training. REEL 4 Continues: Story of crash in De Havilland Tiger Moth and recuperation for injuries at Palace Hotel, Torquay including German air raid. Aspects of operations as pilot with 156 Sqdn, No 8 (Pathfinder Force) Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB, 1944-1945: period as signal officer prior to pilot training; opinion of Air Vice Marshal Don Bennett; wounding during attack by Junkers Ju 88; reaction to stories of appearance of German jet aircraft; question of anti-Americanism in GB during Second World War; arrival of large numbers of West Indians in RAF, 1943. REEL 5 Continues: Aspects of period as liaison officer with RAF in GB, 1945: work of Una Marson in creation of West Indian liaison officers to prevent spread of racial disturbances, 1945; his mission to keep racial peace at RAF Henlow; how work as liaison officer launched him onto his legal career. Question of lack of impact of bombing civilians on RAF aircrew.