Description
Object description
British officer served as navigator with 61 Sqdn and 97 Sqdn, No 5 Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB, 1944-1945; commanded 84 Sqdn, RAF in Aden, 1962-1964
Content description
REEL 1 Background in High Barnet, GB, 1924- 1942: family; father's interest in flying; first flight with Alan Cobham Flying Circus; evacuation on outbreak of war. Aspects of enlistment and training as navigator with RAF in GB and Canada, 1943: background to joining Royal Air Force; selection as navigator; posting to Canada; arrival in Canada; navigational training in Avro Anson; taking astro-predictions; pattern of training; return to GB, 12/1943; reasons for missing Operational Training Unit phase of training; commissioning; attending heavy conversion course; joining experienced crew; navigational aids available. Aspects of operations as navigator with 61 Sqdn, No 5 Group, RAF in GB, 1944: raid on German submarine pens at Bordeaux, France; first operations to Germany; selection for Pathfinder operations.
REEL 2 Continues: navigational aids available; use of Fishpond and corkscrew manoeuvre; use of parachutes; plotting route and establishing position; marking target; loss of master bomber Wing Commander Guy Gibson, 9/1944; wind finding. Aspects of operations as navigator with 97 Sqdn, No 5 Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB, 1944-1945: joining squadron; method of navigating aircraft; background of bomb aimer; composition of crew; role of master bomber in controlling main force; character of Air Vice-Marshal Donald Bennett; incident of aircraft being damaged by anti-aircraft fire during operation; sight of aircraft exploding after being hit by predicted German anti-aircraft fire; bomb load.
REEL 3 Continues: duration of operations; question of accuracy of bombing; uniform worn and escape equipment carried; smoking on board aircraft; pilot's low-level flying of aircraft over station where his wife was based; facilities for urinating on flight; basic characteristics of Avro Lancaster; reaction to end of Second World War in Europe, 8/5/1945; pressure on aircrews; use of mascot and aircrew suspicions; recreational activities. Aspects of various postings with Royal Air Force in GB, reasons for return to Royal Air Force, 1949-1962; obtaining permanent commission; period as navigational instructor. Recollections of operations commanding 84 Sqdn, RAF in Aden, Aden Protectorate, 1962-1964: opinion and flying characteristics of Blackburn Beverley; taking command of squadron 1962.
REEL 4 Continues: posting to Aden, 1962; situation in Aden, 1962; short landing capacity of Blackburn Beverley; construction of airstrip at Thumeir in the Radfan; supply dropping to troops on ground in Radfan; dummy parachute drops; ground fire hit on aircraft carrying his wife; political situation in Aden; deployment to Kenya during army mutiny, 1/1964. Various postings with Royal Air Force in GB and Cyprus, 1966-1970: reformation of 30 Sqdn, 1968; period as station commander in Cyprus.