Description
Object description
British NCO served as bomb aimer with 460 (RAAF) Sqdn, No 1 Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB, 5/1944; evaded capture in France, 5/1944-7/1944
Content description
REEL 1 Aspects of operations as bomb aimer with 460 (RAAF) Sqdn, No 1 Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB, 5/1944: posting to squadron at RAF Binbrook after training; bombing raid on Mailly-le-Camp, France, 3/5/1944; shooting down of aircraft by German night fighter; bailing out of aircraft; parachute descent. Recollections of evading capture in France, 5/1944-7/1944: smoking cigarette after landing; decision to evade capture; contents of escape kit; instructions given to aircrew on evading capture; trek along canal; encounter with French civilians; attempt to secure help from French gendarme.
REEL 2 Continues: attempt to prove identity to gendarme; change of attitude of gendarme towards Williams on discovery of his parachute; refuge with civilians; move from lock keepers cottage to village; move to second village by bicycle; attempt to communicate his safety in France to parents; refuge in flour mill; narrow escape from German soldier visiting flour mill; encounter with fellow crewman Air Gunner Brian Morgan and his story of escaping from aircraft.
REEL 3 Continues: joining French Resistance group in forest; second attempt to communicate his safety to parents; work of group; hearing news of D-Day landings, 6/6/1944; presence of escaped Soviet prisoner of war with group and his story; move to second resistance camp; bathing in stream; Soviet former prisoner of war's accident whilst repairing pistol; narrow escape from German officers on bicycles; narrow escape of resistance leaders from Germans, 13/7/1944.
REEL 4 Continues: disposing of dead German soldiers; capture of German soldier and his treatment; question of potential of being captured by Germans; dealing with collaborators; character of resistance group; standard of living in France; receiving letter from his navigator, 7/1944; cross country trek to visit navigator; aid from French civilians during trek; return to French farmer's house.
REEL 5 Continues: departure of Brian Morgan; sight of retreating German troops, 27/7/1944-29/7/1944; arrival of American troops in village, 29/7/1944; casualties amongst American troops from retreating German tanks. Aspects of return from France to GB, 7/1944-8/1944: enlisting aid from British liaison officers; character of journey to Paris; hospitality of United States Army in Paris; return flight to GB; interrogation on return to GB.
REEL 6 Continues: how his parents received first news of his safety; how he managed to obtain sick leave; fate of members of resistance group; post-war contact with French civilians who aided him.