Sismore, Edward Barnes (Oral history)

British NCO served as navigator with 110 Sqdn, No 2 Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB and Malta, 1940-1941; served with 105 Sqdn, No 2 Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB, 1942-1943; served with 139 Sqdn, Light Night Striking Force, No 8 (Pathfinder Force) Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB, 1943; served with Headquarters, No 2 Group, 2nd Tactical Air Force, RAF in GB, 9/1943-2/1944; served as Wing Navigation Officer with No 140 Wing, No 2 Group, 2nd Tactical Air Force, RAF in GB, 1944-1945

REEL 1 Aspects of enlistment and training with Royal Air Force in GB, 1939-1940: initial enlistment in Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 8/1939; navigational techniques in early part of the Second World War. Recollections of operations as navigator with 110 Sqdn, No 2 Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB, 1941: flying in Bristol Blenheim; character of squadron; anti-aircraft fire from German anti-aircraft ships; technique for attacking ships; question of dive bombing; formations flown on circus raids; incident in which his Bristol Blenheim hit sea, 5/1941; degree of German fighter opposition on circus operations; targets attacked; purpose of transferring to Malta, 6/1941; flight from GB to Malta via Gibraltar; hospitalisation in Malta. Recollections of operations as navigator with 105 Sqdn, No 2 Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB, 1942-1943: initial impressions of De Havilland DH.98 Mosquito; background to joining squadron at RAF Marham, 11/1942. REEL 2 Continues: character of De Havilland Mosquito; attack on radio station in Berlin, Germany, 30/1/1943; low-level aspects of De Havilland DH.98 Mosquito raids; sight of civilian population in Europe; false German accusation of strafing of civilian population. Aspects of operations as navigator with 139 Sqdn, Light Night Striking Force, No 8 (Pathfinder Force) Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB, 1943: role of Light Night Striking Force; opinion of Air Vice-Marshal Donald Bennett; attitude to work. Aspects of period as officer with Headquarters, No 2 Group, 2nd Tactical Air Force, RAF in GB, 9/1943-2/1944: planning of Operation Jericho, the Amiens Prison Raid, 2/1944; results of raid. Aspects of operations as Wing Navigation Officer with No 140 Wing, No 2 Group, 2nd Tactical Air Force, RAF in GB, 1944-1945: raid on Gestapo Headquarters at Aarhus, Denmark, 31/10/1944; Operation Carthage, the attack on Gestapo Headquarters at Shellhus, Copenhagen, Denmark, 21/3/1945; memories of Danish liaison officer. REEL 3 Continues: raid on Gestapo Headquarters at Odense, Denmark, 17/4/1945; prior recollection of raid with 139 Sqdn, RAF on Zeiss Works, Jena, Germany 5/1943. Recording of attack on Gestapo Headquarters, Shellhus in Copenhagen, 21/3/1945 made by Dane who was nearby.