Kirk, Arthur Thomas (Oral history)

1658488249
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Use this audio under Non-Commercial licence

Embed this sound recording for online use under the IWM Non-Commercial Licence
By embedding this audio file you agree to the terms and conditions of the IWM Non-Commercial Licence, including your use of the attribution statement specified by IWM. For this item, that is:

© IWM

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.

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Use this audio under Non-Commercial licence

Embed this sound recording for online use under the IWM Non-Commercial Licence
By embedding this audio file you agree to the terms and conditions of the IWM Non-Commercial Licence, including your use of the attribution statement specified by IWM. For this item, that is:

© IWM

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.

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Description

Object description

British apprentice aero-engine fitter at No 1 School of Technical Training, RAF at RAF Halton, GB, 1938-1940; aircraftman served with No 56 Operational Training Unit, RAF at RAF Sutton Bridge, GB, 1940-1941; trained as pilot in GB and Canada, 1941-1943; served as pilot with 125 Sqdn, No 11 Fighter Group, Air Defence of Great Britain, RAF in GB, 1943-1944; served with 140 Sqdn, No 34 Reconnaissance) Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force, RAF in North West Europe, 1944-1945

Content description

REEL 1 Aspects of period as apprentice aero-engine fitter at No 1 School of Technical Training, RAF at RAF Halton, GB, 1938-1940: reasons for joining RAF; pattern of training as aero-engine fitter; reaction to declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939; lack of belief that Germans would invade, 1940. Aspects of period as aircraftman with No 56 Operational Training Unit, RAF at RAF Sutton Bridge, GB, 1940-1941: skills groups within Royal Air Force; incident in which he was threatened with court martial; decision to apply for flying training, 1941. Aspects of flying training in GB and Canada, 1941-1943: pattern of training; relations with Canadians; his decision to become a night fighter pilot; night flying training. Recollections of operations as pilot with 125 Sqdn, No 11 Fighter Group, Air Defence of Great Britain, RAF in GB, 1943-1944: unit postings in GB; comparison between Bristol Beaufighter and De Havilland DH.98 Mosquito. REEL 2 Continues: losing contact with German aircraft, 27/3/1944; organisation of night fighter patrols; further details of losing contact with German Air Force aircraft, 27/3/1944; question of night vision; attitude to vitamins and night vision; background to posting to 140 Sqdn, RAF; character of squadron. Aspects of operations as pilot with 140 Sqdn, No 34 (Reconnaissance) Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force, RAF in North West Europe, 1944-1945: night photographic reconnaissance work; navigational techniques; lack of threat from German action; results achieved; Royal Air Force morale. REEL 3 Continues: question of Lack of Moral Fibre (LMF).

Object Details

Category: Sound
Related period: Interwar (production), Second World War (content), Second World War (association)
Creator: IWM (Production company)
Wood, Conrad (Recorder)
Kirk, Arthur Thomas (Interviewee/Speaker)
Production date: 1989-02-20
Dimensions: whole: Duration 70, Number Of Items 3
Catalogue number: 10621

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Kirk, Arthur Thomas (Oral history)

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