Doe, Robert Francis Thomas (Oral history)

British officer served with 234 and 238 Sqdns, RAF in GB, 1939-1940 including Battle of Britain, 1940

REEL 1 Recollections of operations as pilot with 234 and 238 Sqdns, RAF in GB, 1939-1940 including Battle of Britain, 1940: background to obtaining short service commission in RAF, 1/1939; attitude towards Germans; aircraft types flown on posting to 234 Sqdn, RAF, 11/1939; reaction to arrival of Supermarine Spitfire; characteristics of Supermarine Spitfire; personal tactics devised to attack German aircraft; reaction to fall of France; degree of training received; first experience of aerial combat including shooting down two German Messerschmitt Me110 aircraft; problems of spotting aircraft in sky; fatigue during battle; personal tactics employed and damage to aircraft; character of aerial combat; shooting down Junkers Ju 88, 7/10/1940. REEL 2 Continues: story of attempt to claim for equipment; reaction to squadron losses during battle; attitude towards aerial fighting; rations during battle; activities at dispersal; reasons for leaving parachute in aircraft; reaction to scrambling; ground crew mounting machine gun on railway sleeper; instructions for interception; method of attacking German aircraft; direction from ground controller; pilot's language during combat and communications with WAAFs; pride of ground crew in pilots; story illustrating public attitude towards pilots; visit to public house; effect of growing confidence as pilot; character of squadron; lessons learnt from participation in Battle of Britain; posting of inexperienced pilots to squadron; belief in ultimate victory during battle; sight of German aircraft bombing London; attitude to shooting down German aircraft; incident of leaving crippled German aircraft and not killing pilot. REEL 3 Continues: posting to fly Hawker Hurricanes with 238 Sqdn, RAF; his shooting down in cloud; bailing out over Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour; state on landing; treatment for wounds; nature of wounds; incident of his personal items being sold off after a delayed flight; attitude to becoming ace; visit to mess and discipline; presence of wife in operations room on night he crashed; reaction to visiting crash site after shooting down of Junkers Ju 88, 7/10/1940; maturing as fighter pilot; attitude to awards and participating in Battle of Britain; attacks on formation of Messerschmitt Me 110, 4/9/1940; harmonization of his guns and ammunition carried; flying Supermarine Spitfire; reaction to being shot down; drinking alcohol during battle; his mother's lack of understanding of his air force career. REEL 4 Continues: new pilots reaction to first operation; fatigue during battle; wish to be contacted.