Foster, Robert William (Oral history)

British officer served as pilot with 605 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1940-1941 including Battle of Britain; served with 54 Sqdn, RAF in GB and Australia, 1942-1944

REEL 1 Background in Battersea, London, 1920-1939: family; joining Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 1/1939. Aspects of flying training with RAF in GB, 1939-1940: call up, 1/9/1939; flying Hawker Hurricane; character of instructions about aerial combat at RAF Sutton Bridge. Recollections of operations as NCO with 605 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1940-1941: posting to squadron at RAF Drem, 7/1940; squadron personnel; move to RAF Croydon, 6/9/1940; character of first day in action, 9/1940; shooting down of Messerschmitt Me 109 over Limpsfield, 7/10/1940; forced landing at Gatwick, 10/1940; sharing in destruction of Heinkel He III south of Redhill, 10/1940; morale during Battle of Britain; opinion of German pilots; move to RAF Martlesham Heath, 2/1941; bombing of RAF Martlesham Heath, 3/1941. REEL 2 Continues: move to RAF Tern Hill and reforming of squadron; introduction of Hawker Hurricane Mark II; posting to 55 Operational Training Unit at RAF Usworth, 9/1941. Recollections of operations as pilot with 54 Sqdn, RAF in GB and Australia, 1942-1944: posting to squadron at RAF Castletown, 4/1942; opinion of Supermarine Spitfire; background to squadron posting to Australia; voyage aboard MV Stirling Castle; arrival in Melbourne and move to Sydney; move to Darwin, 1/1943; character of RAAF Darwin; organisation of squadron and proposed role; shooting down of Mitsubishi Ki-46 'Dinah'; Japanese bombing tactics; comparison between Supermarine Spitfire Vc and Mitsubishi Zero; degree of warning of Japanese air raids; successes against Japanese bombers; attitude towards Japanese; living conditions at RAAF Darwin; attitude of Australians towards RAF personnel.