Coe, George (Oral history)

British NCO served as wireless operator with 200 Sqdn, Coastal Command, RAF in West Africa, 1942-1943; served as instructor at RAF Squire's Gate in GB, 1943-1944; officer served with 519 Sqdn, Coastal Command, RAF in North Atlantic, 1944-1945; civilian radio officer with British Overseas Aircraft Corporation in GB, 1946-1948; civilian with Skyways Ltd in Germany during the Berlin Airlift, 1948-1949

REEL 1 Background in West Ham, London, GB, 1920-1939: family; education; employment; anticipation of Second World War. Aspects of enlistment and training as wireless operator with RAF in GB, 1940-1941: background to enlistment, 1940; training at Radio Training School, Blackpool, 8/1940-10/1940; examinations and results; move to RAF Compton Bassett; wireless operator training; adjusting to service life; discipline; posting to RAF Waterbeach; attending Air Gunnery School, Porthcawl; training on ASV at RAF Prestwick; description of ASV equipment. REEL 2 Continues: operational training at RAF Thornaby; character of Lockheed Hudson; wireless equipment; provision of pigeon. Aspects of operations as wireless operator with 200 Sqdn, RAF in West Africa, 1942-1943: cancellation of posting to Iceland; Vichy French presence in West Africa; incident of squadron pilot being awarded Victoria Cross; nature of airstrip in 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 Squire's Gate in 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, RAF in GB, 1944-1945: role and operational area of squadron; taking meteorological readings; aircraft used; demobilisation, 1946; incident when he pulled trailing aeriel into Boeing B17 Flying Fortress; volunteering for attachment to British Overseas Aircraft Corporation. Aspects of period as radio officer with British Overseas Aircraft Corporation in GB, 1946-1948: flying in Avro Yorks; introduction of sleeping service; role as radio officer. Recollections of period as radio officer with Skyways Ltd during Berlin Airlift, 1948-1949: background to joining company, 1948; start of Berlin Airlift. REEL 4 Continues flight to RAF Wunstorf; initial accommodation in RAF officer's 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 BABS system; incident with petrol in Avro Lancaster. REEL 5 Continues: provision of leave during airlift; working over Christmas holidays, 12/1948; relations with RAF personnel; number of flights flown during airlift; continuation of airlift after Russians lifted blockade; awareness of importance of airlift; lack of time spent in Berlin; relations with Germans. Aspects of period as air traffic controller in GB from 1950: initial employment on leaving Skyways; pattern of career as air traffic controller; work dealing with unusual flights; retirement, 1980; period with Royal Auxiliary Air Force.