Interview with George Coe

British NCO served as wireless operator with 200 Sqdn, Coastal Command, RAF in West Africa, 1942-1943; served as instructor at RAF Squires Gate in GB, 1943-1944; officer served with 519 Sqdn, No 18 Group, Coastal Command, RAF in GB, 1944-1945; civilian radio officer with British Overseas Aircraft Corporation in GB, 1946-1948 and with Skyways Ltd in Germany during the Berlin Airlift, 6/1948-5/1949

REEL 1 Background in West Ham, GB, 1920-1939: family; education; employment; anticipation of Second World War. Aspects of enlistment and training as wireless operator with Royal Air Force in GB, 1940-1941: background to enlistment, 1940; training at No 10 (Signals) Recruit Centre, Blackpool, 8/1940-10/1940; examinations and results; move to No 3 Radio School, RAF at RAF Compton Bassett; wireless operator training; adjusting to service life; discipline; posting to RAF Waterbeach; attending No 7 Air Gunnery School, RAF at RAF Stormy Down, Porthcawl; training on Air-to-Surface Vessel (ASV) radar at RAF Prestwick; description of Air-to-Surface Vessel (ASV). REEL 2 Continues: operational training at RAF Thornaby; characteristics of Lockheed Hudson; wireless equipment; provision of pigeon. Aspects of operations as wireless operator with 200 Sqdn, Coastal Command, RAF in West Africa, 1942-1943: cancellation of posting to Iceland; Vichy French presence in West Africa; incident of squadron pilot Flying Officer Lloyd Trigg being posthumously being awarded Victoria Cross for sinking U-468 off Dakar, French West Africa, 11/8/1943; nature of airstrip at Yundumn, Gambia; rostering of operations; limited recreational activities; tour of duty in West Africa; return voyage to GB; state of aircrew health in West Africa. Aspects of period as instructor at RAF Squires Gate, GB, 1943-1944: posting as instructor; duties as instructor; accommodation in hotel. REEL 3 Continues: character of radio equipment used. Aspects of operations as wireless operator with 519 Sqdn, No 18 Group, Coastal Command, RAF at RAF Wick in GB, 1944-1945: meteorological role and operational area of squadron; taking meteorological readings; aircraft used; demobilisation, 1946; incident when he pulled trailing aerial into Boeing Fortress; volunteering for attachment to British Overseas Aircraft Corporation. Aspects of period as radio officer with British Overseas Aircraft Corporation in GB, 1946-1948: background to volunteering for attachment to British Overseas Aircraft Corporation; flying in Avro York aircraft; introduction of sleeping service; role as radio officer. Recollections of period as radio officer with Skyways Ltd during Berlin Airlift in Germany, 6/1948-5/1949: background to joining company, 1948; start of Berlin Airlift, 6/1948. REEL 4 Continues flight to RAF Wunstorf; initial accommodation in Royal Air Force officers' mess at RAF Wunstorf; change in accommodation; shift pattern worked; cargoes carried to Berlin; duration of flights to Berlin; pre-flight procedures; taking off; use of beams in air corridor; approach to RAF Gatow; landing at RAF Gatow; overshooting runway; turn round at RAF Gatow; return flight to RAF Wunstorf; use of Beam Approach Beacon System (BABS) system; incident with petrol in Avro Lancastrian. REEL 5 Continues: provision of leave during Berlin Airlift; working over Christmas holidays, 12/1948; relations with Royal Air Force personnel; number of flights flown during Berlin Airlift; continuation of Berlin Airlift after Soviets lifted blockade; awareness of importance of Berlin Airlift; degree of time spent in Berlin; relations with German civilians. Aspects of period as air traffic controller in GB from 1950: initial employment on leaving Skyways Ltd; pattern of career as air traffic controller; work dealing with unusual flights; retirement, 1980; period with Royal Auxiliary Air Force.