Interview with Vivian Robert Snell

British officer served as pilot with 103 Sqdn, Advanced Air Striking Force, RAF in France, 5/1940-6/1940; served with 501 Sqdn, No 11 Group, Fighter Command, RAF GB, 9/1940-12/1940 including Battle of Britain, 9/1940-10/1940; served with 85 Sqdn, No 12 Group, Fighter Command, RAF in GB, 1941-1942

REEL 1 Background in Swansea, GB, 1918-1938: family; education. Aspects of enlistment and training with Royal Air Force in GB, 1938-1939: enlistment in Royal Air Force, 10/1938; flying training on De Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth at No 11 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School, RAF at RAF Yatesbury; training No 6 Flying Training School, RAF at RAF Little Rissington; posting to 88 Sqdn, RAF at RAF Boscombe Down. Recollections of operations as officer with 103 Sqdn, Advanced Air Striking Force in France, 5/1940-6/1940: background to joining squadron at Rheims, 5/1940; opinion of Fairey Battle; memories of fellow pilot Flying Officer Fred Snell; nature of attacks on River Meuse, Belgium, 5/1940; return to GB and training as fighter pilot, 6/1940. Recollections of operations as pilot with 501 Sqdn, No 11 Group, Fighter Command, RAF in GB, 9/1940-12/1940 including Battle of Britain, 9/1940-10/1940: situation on joining unit at RAF Kenley, 26/9/1940; memories of Sergeant James Lacey and Pilot Officer Irving Smith. REEL 2 Continues: tactics employed; attitude towards German Air Force; provision for shot down pilots in English Channel; problems with height limit of Hawker Hurricane; reasons for spinning; discovery of problem with grease at altitude; destruction of German Air Force Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter aircraft, 10/1940; sight of collision between two Hawker Hurricanes; shooting down of second German Air Force Messerschmitt Bf 109 and his bailing out near Cranbrook, 25/10/1940; effects of altitude without oxygen mask; relationship with commanding officer Squadron Leader Henry Hogan; reasons why he didn't attack German Air Force bomber aircraft; German Air Force attack on RAF Kenley; posting to 308 (Polish) Sqdn, No 11 Group, RAF, 11/12/1940. Recollections of operations as pilot with 85 Sqdn, No 12 Group, Fighter Command, RAF in GB, 1941-1942: problems of night fighting with Hawker Hurricane; arrival of Douglas Havoc fitted with AI (Airborne Interception) radar; problems of landing Douglas Havoc. REEL 3 Continues: description of the 'Snell landing'; memories of Squadron Leader Peter Townsend; incident when he was nearly shot down by fellow pilot Flying Officer Nigel Bunting. Aspects of service with Royal Air Force, 1942-1945: posting to RAF Defford to assess radar; opinion of Hawker Tempest Mk V; engine failures at RAF Defford; duties at Headquarters, Fighter Command at RAF Bentley Priory attitude to having served with Fighter Command during Second World War.