Middlemiss, William (Oral history)

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Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
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Sound: © 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 NCO served as wireless operator/air gunner with 235 Sqdn, No 16 Group, Coastal Command, RAF in GB, 9/1940-10/1940; served with 272 Sqdn, No 15 Group, Coastal Command RAF in GB, 11/1940-4/1941; served with 407 (RCAF) Sqdn, No 16 Group, Coastal Command, RAF in GB, 5/1941-12/1941; served with 279 Sqdn, No 16 Group, Coastal Command, RAF in GB, 1943-1944; served as instructor with No 1510 Blind Approach Beacon System Flight and Transport Command, RAF, 1944-1950; served with Air Support Flight, Transport Command, RAF in Egypt, 1951-1952

Content description

REEL 1 Background in Edinburgh, GB, 1915-1940: family; education; employment. Aspects of enlistment and training as wireless operator/air gunner with Royal Air Force in GB, 1939-1940: background to volunteering as aircrew, 10/1939; pattern of training. Aspects of operations as wireless operator/air gunner with 235 Sqdn, No 16 Group, Coastal Command, RAF in GB, 9/1940-10/1940: operating in Bristol Blenheim; character of operations over Low Countries; composition of his crew; character of RAF Thorney Island; question of flying under the influence of alcohol. Aspect of operations as wireless operator/air gunner with 272 Sqdn, No 15 Group, Coastal Command, RAF in GB, 11/1940-4/1941: move to RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland; attitude to anti-submarine patrols; conditions at RAF Aldergrove; prior recollection of German Air Force attacks on RAF Thorney Island. REEL 2 Continues: Aspects of operations as wireless operator/air gunner with 407 (RCAF) Sqdn, No 16 Group, Coastal Command, RAF in GB, 5/1941-12/1941: joining squadron, 5/1941; character of squadron; opinion of Lockheed Hudson; operating from RAF North Coates; use of radar to detect convoys; effectiveness of balloon defence of convoys; armament on board Lockheed Hudson; wounding off Den Helder, Netherlands, 28/12/1941; hospitalisation for wounds. Aspects of operations as wireless operator/air gunner with 279 Sqdn, No 16 Group, Coastal Command, RAF in GB, 1943-1944: air-sea rescue work in North Sea including dropping airborne lifeboats. REEL 3 Continues: attempts to intercept German V1 Flying Bombs in English Channel, 1944. Aspects of period as instructor with No 1510 Blind Approach Beacon System Flight and Transport Command, RAF, 1944-1950: posting to RAF Squire's Gate; how Blind Approach Beacon System worked; discontent among Royal Air Force NCOs at loss of rank at end of war, 1945. Aspects of period with Air Support Flight, Transport Command in Egypt, 1951-1952: supporting 1st Parachute Bde; theft from camp; relations with civilians.

Object Details

Category: Sound
Related period: 1990 to the present day (production), Second World War (content), Second World War (association), 1945-1989 (association)
Creator: IWM (Production company)
Wood, Conrad (Recorder)
Middlemiss, William (Interviewee/Speaker)
Production date: 1991-07-22
Dimensions: whole: Duration 90, Number Of Items 3
Catalogue number: 12153

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Middlemiss, William (Oral history)

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