Riding, Ronald Holford (Oral history)

British officer served as navigator with 500 Sqdn, No 16 Group, Coastal Command, RAF in North Africa, 1943; served with 52 Sqdn, No 325 Wing, RAF in North Africa, 1943-1944; served with 69 Sqdn, No 34 (Reconnaissance) Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force, RAF in GB, 1944; evaded capture in France, 6/1944-8/1944

REEL 1 Aspects of enlistment and training with Royal Air Force in GB and Canada, 1941-1942: background to enlistment in Royal Air Force, 1941; pattern of training in GB; reception in Canada; remustering as observer after pilot training; observers duties; pattern of training in Canada. Aspects of operations as navigator with 500 Sqdn, No 16 Group, Coastal Command, RAF in North Africa, 1943: flight in Lockheed Hudson from GB to North Africa; flying in Lockheed Hudson; use of rocket projectiles. Aspects of operations as navigator with 52 Sqdn, No 325 Wing, RAF in North Africa, 1943-1944: flying in Martin Baltimore; low-level reconnaissance role; armament of Martin Baltimore; role during landings on Sicily and at Salerno, Italy, 7/1943-9/1943; sight of Italian Fleet surrendering at Malta, 9/1943; narrow escape from anti-aircraft fire over harbour at Bastia, Corsica, 10/1943. REEL 2 Continues: Aspects of operations as navigator with 69 Sqdn, No 34 (Reconnaissance) Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force, RAF in GB, 1944: posting to squadron; reaction to night reconnaissance role using Vickers Wellington; nature of operations; shooting down of aircraft during reconnaissance of bridges over River Seine, France, 6/6/1944; bailing out of aircraft. Recollections of period evading capture in France, 6/1944-8/1944: orientation on landing; aid from French family; nature of interrogation by French Resistance; presence of German prisoners of war with French Resistance unit; demonstration on Bastille Day at Pont L'Eveque, 14/7/1944; behaviour of members of resistance group; escape from German attack on unit, 16/7/1944-17/7/1944; his status with French Resistance; his evasion tactics. REEL 3 Continues: aid from French civilians; encounter with advancing Canadian Army troops, 8/1944; processing by Allied forces; attitude of French civilians to occupying German forces; contacts he maintained with French people who helped him; relations with resistance group; membership of Caterpillar Club.