Selley, Robert Powlesland (Oral history)

British officer served as pilot with 835 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm in GB and aboard HMS Battler in North Atlantic, 3/1943-12/1943; served with 835 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm aboard HMS Nairana in North Atlantic and Arctic, 12/1943-3/1945

REEL 1 Background in Alphington, GB, GB, 1920-1940: family; education; reaction to declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939. Aspects of training as civilian saboteur in GB, 1940-1941: recruitment; training with plastic explosives. Aspects of training as pilot with Fleet Air Arm in GB, 1941-1943: volunteering for Fleet Air Arm, 1941; pattern of basic training; flying training at RAF Netheravon including night flying; attending officer course at Royal Naval College, Greenwich; torpedo and deck landing training; initial appointment to 825 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm at HMS Daedalus, Royal Naval Air Station Lee-on-Solent. Recollections of operations as pilot with 835 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm in GB, Northern Ireland and aboard HMS Battler in North Atlantic, 3/1943-12/1943: appointment to squadron; relations with observer; fraternisation with Women's Auxiliary Air Force personnel at RAF Ballykelly, Northern Ireland, 5/1943; first convoy escort to Gibraltar aboard HMS Battler, 4/1943. REEL 2 Continues: RP-3 Rocket Projectile course at HMS Landrail, Royal Naval Air Station Machrihanish, 5/1943; change in anti-submarine tactics; character of aircraft carrier HMS Argus; amusing story of Christmas celebrations at HMS Gannet, Royal Naval Air Station Eglinton, Northern Ireland, 12/1943. Recollections of operations as pilot with 835 Naval Air Squadron aboard HMS Nairana in North Atlantic and Arctic, 12/1943-3/1945: character of Captain Villiers Surtees of HMS Nairana; loss of engine power in gale during Arctic convoy; operating with Captain Frederic Walker's 2nd Escort Group in North Atlantic, 1/1944-4/1944; operating in Arctic; amusing contact with Soviet Air Force pilot invited to dinner aboard HMS Nairana; problems navigating and operating in conjunction with HMS Vindex; use of his aircraft to scare away German Air Force reconnaissance aircraft; success of Merchant Aircraft Carrier (MAC) supported convoys; use of immersion suits and opinion of chemically warmed gloves and boot inserts. REEL 3 Continues: concern over Captain Villiers Surtees' behaviour during Convoy JW 62; prior warning of German Air Force attacks on Arctic convoys; shooting down of squadron Grumman Wildcat by HMS Bellona, 2/1945; survival of comrades during torpedoing of HMS Cassandra by submarine U-365 in Arctic, 11/12/1944; fatigue during Arctic convoys; story of role as duty officer and loss of three aircraft; abortive attack on German iron ore ships off Norway, 1/1945; period of sick leave on leaving squadron; clash between Captain Villiers Surtees and commanding officer of squadron Lieutenant Commander Val Jones; victory celebrations at HMS Dipper, Royal Naval Air Station Henstridge, 1945.