Large, Bob (Oral history)

British officer served as pilot with 161 (Special Duties) Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1943-1945

REEL 1 Recollections of operations as pilot with 161 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1943-1945: background to posting to squadron; reasons for wanting to join squadron; secrecy surrouding operations at RAF Tempsford; training of agents by pilots at Station 61; details of how agents trained; question of efficiency; impressions of agents; amusing encounter with female agent; memories of agent codenamed 'Berger'; importance of moon for operations; description of how to use moon; operational procedure; degree of contact with agents during flight. REEL 2 Continues: reaction of Violette Szabo during turbulent flight home; degree of knowledge about agents; opinion of agent's courage; degree of concern about fate of agents as had job to do; age range of RAF pilots; squadron atmosphere; opinion that most agents took job seriously; attracted by romance and adventure of secret operations; flying in fog; reaction to reaching target and seeing light signals. REEL 3 Continues: opinion of agent's courage and modesty; opinion of Violette Szabo; piloting aircraft during Special Operations Executive film 'Now it can be Told'; radio transmission on approaching England; excitement of agents on reaching England; socialising with agents during training at Station 61.