Interview with David John Browne

British schoolchild in Ramsgate and Stafford, GB, 1939-1944; officer served as pilot with 656 Sqdn, RAF in Federation of Malaya, 1952-1955; served as pilot with 1903 Independent Air Observation Post Flight, RAF, 1st Commonwealth Div in South Korea, 1953-1954; civilian worked for British Aircraft Corporation in Tripoli, Libya, 1969

REEL 1 Background in Ramsgate, GB, 1925-1939: family; education. Recollections of period as schoolchild in Ramsgate and Stafford in GB, 1939-1944: sight of Dunkirk Evacuation, 6/1940; anticipations of German invasion, summer 1940; German Air Force Junkers Ju 87 Stuka dive-bomber attack on Ramsgate, 1940; reaction to being evacuated to Stafford, 1942; experiences as evacuee in Stafford. Aspects of period of training as pilot with Fleet Air Arm in United States of America, 1944-1945: character of flying training at Bunker Hill; reasons for demobilisation, 1945; enlistment in British Army, 1946. Aspects of training as air observation pilot with Royal Artillery in GB, 1951-1952: move to training unit; character of air observation post work. Recollections of operations as pilot with 656 Sqdn, RAF in Federation of Malaya, 1952-1955: supply dropping and other roles; preference for flying from Benta and Taiping; use of flares on reconnaissance work; techniques for spotting Malayan National Liberation Army insurgent camps in clearings; methods used by Malayan National Liberation Army insurgents to gain intelligence. REEL 2 Continues: question of arming aircraft; emergency dead stick landing in Bentong area; Royal Air Force bombing raid in Butterworth area during second tour, 1954-1955; use of HMS Belfast to shell Kedah Peak, 1954; use of Auster AOP.6 for supply drops; problems with hung-up parachutes in jungle; jettisoning packages from Auster AOP.6; living conditions. Recollections of operations as pilot with 1903 Independent Air Observation Post Flight, RAF, 1st Commonwealth Div in South Korea, 1953-1954: basing of unit at Headquarters, 28th Commonwealth Bde; spotting role for artillery; type of target found; experience of ground fire; hit on ammunition supply vehicles; casualties amongst pilots; opinion of service in South Korea. REEL 3 Continues: living conditions. Aspects of period as civilian employee for British Aircraft Corporation in Tripoli, Libya, 1969: duties with Surface to Air Missile School; reaction to Libyan Revolution, 1/9/1969; question of rapid takeover by insurgents; reaction to mob gathering outside hotel.