Revell, Stanley John (Oral history)

British aircraftman served as rigger with Special Operations Maintenance Party, RAF at Gibraltar and aboard HMS Eagle and HMS Furious in Mediterranean, 2/1942-8/1942; served with No 3207 Servicing Commando, RAF in GB and English Channel, 4/1943-6/1944; served with No 420 Repair and Salvage Unit, RAF in North West Europe, 8/1944-5/1945

REEL 1 Background in Sawbridgeworth, GB, 1921-1941: family; education; employment; reasons for enlistment in Royal Air Force, 1941; German Air Force bombing in Sawbridgeworth area. Aspects of enlistment and training with RAF in GB, 1941-1942: call-up for RAF service, 5/1941; pattern of training as flight mechanic, then fitter; posting to 604 Sqdn, RAF at RAF Middle Wallop, 1942. Recollections of period as aircraftman with Special Operations Maintenance Party, RAF in Gibraltar and aboard HMS Eagle and HMS Furious in Mediterranean, 2/1942-8/1942: journey to Liverpool via RAF Kirkham; voyage aboard MV Cape Hawke from GB to Gibraltar carrying Supermarine Spitfire Mk V aircraft, 2/1942; arrival in Gibraltar, 21/2/1942; organisation of Spanish workforce in Gibraltar; opening crates containing Supermarine Spitfire Mk V aircraft; loading of Supermarine Spitfire Mk V aircraft aboard HMS Eagle at Gibraltar, 23/2/1942-25/2/1942; getting used to naval routine aboard HMS Eagle; ground crew work on Supermarine Spitfire Mk V; aborting of voyage to Malta, 27/2/1942 and move to Gibraltar, 28/2/1942; fitting of long range tanks to Supermarine Spitfire Mk V. REEL 2 Continues: fuel transfer problems and repair of long range fuel tanks; flying off Supermarine Spitfires Mk V aircraft from HMS Eagle, 7/3/1942; what he later learnt of Operation Spotter from Stan Grant; return to Gibraltar to prepare further Supermarine Spitfires Mk V aircraft for flight to Malta; unloading of crates; security measures taken to avoid spying on aircraft; further despatches of Supermarine Spitfires Mk V aircraft to Malta; method of setting flaps on Supermarine Spitfire Mk V for aircraft carrier take offs; his return voyage aboard HMT Narkhunda from Gibraltar to GB, 7/1942; embarking aboard HMS Furious at Gourock, GB, 8/1942; character of HMS Furious; work aboard HMS Furious; problems of lack of fresh water aboard HMS Furious; participation in Operation Pedestal, 8/1942; sight of sinking of HMS Eagle, 11/8/1942; return of HMS Furious to Gibraltar; loss of Supermarine Spitfire into sea, 17/8/1942; return to GB, 26/8/1942. Recollections of period as rigger with No 3207 Servicing Commando, RAF in GB and English Channel, 4/1943-6/1944: joining unit at RAF Tangmere, 1/4/1943; role of servicing commandos. REEL 3 Continues: organisation of unit; amphibious training at Inveraray; move into tented camp; organisation of unit; nature of mobile exercises; amphibious exercise at Tenby; origin of unit members nicknames; arrangement for leave and investigation by Military Police in London; memories of Flight Lieutenant George 'Screwball' Beurling; Christmas at RAF Manston, 25/12/1943; character of Rolls-Royce Sabre Engine fitted in Hawker Typhoon; how kitchen duty spoilt his Christmas dinner at RAF Manston, 25/12/1943; news of D-Day, 6/6/1944; lecture from Air Marshal Harry Broadhurst in concentration area near Portsmouth; embarking for Normandy, France; torpedoing of his landing craft in English Channel, 6/6/1944; rescue of some of landing craft occupants by motor torpedo boat, 6/6/1944. REEL 4 Continues: his rescue by United States Coastguard boat; return to RAF Calshot, 7/6/1944; anxiety to get back to his unit. Recollections of period as rigger with No 420 Repair and Salvage Unit, RAF in North West Europe, 8/1944-5/1945: role of unit supporting Nos 132 and 135 Wings, RAF; his joining unit in Normandy, France, 8/1944; composition of the salvage team; salvage work with unit; German Air Force attack on airfield at Bergen-op-Zoom, Netherlands, 1/1/1945; attempt to pick up crashed Supermarine Spitfire in field near Arnhem, Netherlands; VE Day in Enschede, Netherlands, 8/5/1945; relations between Dutch civilians and British troops, 1944-1945; relations with French family in Lille, France, 1944; fraternisation with civilians at Grimbergen, Belgium; prior recollection of loss of HMS Eagle in Mediterranean, 11/8/1942. REEL 5 Continues: Reads extracts from diary he kept during voyage aboard MV Cape Hawke from GB to Gibraltar,2/1942.