Interview with Ian Grant

British officer served as pilot with 547 Sqdn, Nos 19 and 18 Groups, Coastal Command, RAF in GB, 1944-1945; civilian pilot with Scottish Airlines during Berlin Airlift, Germany, 2/1949-3/1949

REEL 1 Background in GB, 1923-1941: family; education; declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939. Aspects of enlistment and training with Royal Air Force in GB, Canada and Nassau, Bahamas, 1941-1943: decision to volunteer for Royal Air Force, 1941; pattern of training with Empire Air Training Scheme in Canada; move to No 111 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit, RAF at Nassau, Bahamas for further training; presence and opinion of Duke of Windsor at Nassau, Bahamas; return journey to GB; description of Empire Air Training Scheme training establishments in Canada; relations with Canadians and Americans; training facilities at No 111 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit, RAF at Nassau, Bahamas. Aspects of operations as pilot with 547 Sqdn, Nos 19 and 18 Groups, Coastal Command, RAF in GB, 1944-1945: description of Consolidated Liberator aircraft and crew; posting to squadron at RAF St Eval; conditions in aircraft; role protecting English Channel from German Navy submarines during preparations for D-Day. REEL 2 Continues: posting to RAF Leuchars; patrolling Norway, Arctic Convoys and Bornholm Island in Baltic Sea; story of escorting surrendered German Navy submarines into as loch in Scotland, 5/1945; post-war duties flying between GB and India including story of flying former Malay rubber planters back to GB, 1945. Aspects of period as civilian pilot with British Overseas Aircraft Corporation and Scottish Airlines in GB, 1946-1949: conditions at London Airport; routes flown; joining Scottish Airlines; difficulties for private aviation firms under Labour Government. Recollections of period as civilian pilot with Scottish Airlines during Berlin Airlift, Germany, 2/1949-3/1949: conversion of Consolidated Liberator for carrying diesel fuel; use of North West air corridor; organisation of flights; work of American Ground Control Approach; flying over Soviet Air Force airfield early in morning; impressions of RAF Schleswigland. REEL 3 Continues: visiting Hamburg; relations with German people; attitude of Berliners towards Berlin Airlift; involvement of Freddie Laker with Berlin Airlift; description of Tegel Airfield, Berlin; organisation of Berlin Airlift; memories of Hughie Green; working hours; facilities at RAF Schleswigland; daily routine; attitude towards period working on Berlin Airlift; question of importance of British Airlift; formation of British Berlin Airlift Association.