Interview with Cyril Stanley Bamberger

British aircraftman served as photographer and trained as pilot with 610 (County of Chester) Sqdn, Auxiliary Air Force in GB, 1936-1939; aircraftman and NCO trained as pilot with No 8 Elementary Flying Training School, RAF at Woodley Aerodrome, No 9 Service Flying Training School, RAF at RAF Hullavington and No 7 Operational Training Unit, RAF at RAF Hawarden in GB, 10/1939-8/1940; NCO served as pilot with 610 and 41 Sqdns, No 11 Group, Fighter Command, RAF during Battle of Britain, 8/1940-11/1940; served with 261 and 185 Sqdns, RAF, RAF Mediterranean on Malta, 11/1940-6/1941; NCO and officer served as instructor with Central Gunnery School, RAF at RAF Sutton Bridge, GB, 7/1941-2/1943; officer served with 93 Sqdn, No 324 Wing, Desert Air Force, RAF in North Africa, Malta and Sicily, Italy, 5/1943-8/1943; served with 243 Sqdn, No 324 Wing, Desert Air Force in Italy, 9/1943-12/1943; served with 243 Sqdn, No 322 Wing, Air Defences East Mediterranean, RAF in Italy, French Syria and Corsica, 1/1944-7/1944; served as instructor with No 7 Flying Instructors School, RAF Upavon and No 20 Advanced Flying Unit, RAF at RAF Kidlington in GB, 8/1944-3/1945; served with Central Gunnery School, RAF at RAF Sutton Bridge, GB, 4/1944-11/1945; commanded 610 Sqdn, Royal Auxiliary Air Force in GB, 1947-1951; served as intelligence officer with DDI 3 at Air Ministry, London, GB, 1952-1953; trained as pilot with Royal Air Force in GB, 1954-1955; served as helicopter pilot with Khormaksar Station Flight, RAF in Aden Protectorate, 1955-1957

REEL 1 Background in Hyde and Port Sunlight, GB, 1919-1936: family; education; early interest in aviation. Recollections of period as photographer with 610 (County of Chester) Sqdn, Auxiliary Air Force in GB, 1936-1938: enlistment as photographer at RAF Hooton Park; reasons for choosing photography; issue of uniform; character of Hawker Hart; duties as photographer; technique for taking pinpoint photographs; reasons for taking line overlap photographs; organisation of squadron; degree of training; degree of wastage amongst personnel and morale; organisation and strength of Photographic Section; character of officers and ground crew; activities at annual camps. REEL 2 Continues: civilian employers' attitude to territorial forces; pay for auxiliary duties. Recollections of period of flying training as aircraftman with 610 (County of Chester) Sqdn, Auxiliary Air Force in GB, 1938-1939: change in squadron status from bomber to fighter, 1938; selection for pilot training, 1938; reaction to soloing as pilot; sequence of flying instruction in Avro Tutor; importance of horizon; technique for turning aircraft; taking off and landing in Avro Tutor; opinion of Avro Tutor; instructors; method of spinning propeller driven aircraft and recovery; introduction to aerobatics in Avro Tutor; performing loop; stall turns; physical demands of flying Avro Tutor. REEL 3 Continues: practising for emergency landings; dealing with prospect of engine failure; importance of wind direction; attitude to sideslipping; navigation in biplanes; use of maps; ease of navigation on The Wirral; problems with low cloud; attitude to prospect of war; mobilisation date of squadron, 26/8/1939; flying clothing and communication; lack of parachute training; use of F24 Camera for photographic work; photographic work; reaction to mobilisation on holiday in France, 26/8/1939; atmosphere in squadron on mobilisation; attitude of NCO to his flying training. Recollections of flying training as aircraftman at No 8 Elementary Flying Training School, RAF at Woodley Aerodrome, GB, 10/1939-4/1940: allocation of batmen; memories of first instructor. REEL 4 Continues: attitude of commanding officer to trainee pilots; character of Miles Magister; punishment for unauthorised flying; learning Morse Code; engineering instruction; importance of meteorology; learning basic aerodynamics; reasons for length of stay at school. Aspects of flying training as aircraftman and NCO with RAF at No 9 Service Flying Training School, RAF at RAF Hullavington, GB, 4/1940-7/1940: flying Hawker Hart; powered approaches; opinion of Hawker Hart; effects of flying faster aircraft; low-level flying; instrument flying; importance of trusting instruments; problems of night flying; cross-country flying at night. REEL 5 Continues: triangular flight using instruments; importance of formation flying; reaction to promotion to sergeant, 8/6/1940; question of social background within Royal Air Force; elements of formation flying practiced; question of failure on courses; dive-bombing in Hawker Audax; limited social life amongst trainee pilots during training; discipline for NCOs. REEL 6 Continues: Aspects of period as flying training as NCO with Royal Air Force at No 7 Operational Training Unit, RAF at RAF Hawarden, GB, 8/1940: posting to unit; converting to Supermarine Spitfire including taking off, retracting undercarriage, approach and landing; initial impressions of Supermarine Spitfire; explanation of term 'pitch'; taking off and landing in Supermarine Spitfire in comparison to Hawker Hart; formation flying; lack of tactical training; opinion of Fairey Battle; opinion of flying skills on leaving unit. Recollections of operations as pilot with 610 and 41 Sqdns, No 11 Group, Fighter Command, RAF during Battle of Britain, 8/1940-10/1940: posting to 610 Sqdn at RAF Biggin Hill; first solo flight for airfield defence; patrolling in formation; attack on Messerschmitt Bf 109 near Dover. REEL 7 Continues: initial impressions of Messerschmitt Bf 109 and first combat experience; nature of aerial combat during Battle of Britain; question of squadron reforming after combat; use of mirrors in cockpit; Supermarine Spitfire's armament and sights; reasons for casualties in Battle of Britain; benefit of having accumulated flying hours; lack of combat experience; limitations of Supermarine Spitfire during combat; incident of spinning in Supermarine Spitfire; pilot activities during combat; question of being alone after combat; comparison between Supermarine Spitfire and Messerschmitt Bf 109; problems of judging range; incident of engaging German Air Force Messerschmitt Bf 110. REEL 8 Continues: nature of aircraft combat claims system operated; interest of ground crew in combat; fatigue during battle; debriefing by intelligence officer; waiting for scramble; question of fatigue flying aircraft; number of scrambles per day; duration of flights during battle; uniform and flying equipment worn; tactic of using of 'Tail-End Charlie'; British and German formations; use of oxygen; pre-flight preparations; relations with ground crew; role of ground crew; degree of personalisation of aircraft; allocation of aircraft; repair of damaged aircraft; amusing story of squadron crest. REEL 9 Continues: communication in flight; problems when Polish pilots jammed airwaves with chatter; radio discipline; need to spot German Air Force formations quickly; method of initiating attacks; operating from RAF Hawkinge as forward air base; story of escorting Avro Anson over English Channel and attack by German Air Force Messerschmitt Bf 109s; obtaining height from RAF Hawkinge; awaiting scramble in dispersal area; pilot actions on hearing scramble; weather during battle; degree of social life; relations between officers and NCOs; question of lack of briefings for NCOs. REEL 10 Continues: Aspects of voyage aboard HMS Argus from GB to Mediterranean,11/1940: background to overseas posting and brief conversion to Hawker Hurricane; character of aircraft carrier; accommodation on board; reasons for becoming spare pilot; question of reasons for loss of aircraft during flight to Malta from HMS Argus. Aspects of voyage aboard HMS Hotspur from Gibraltar to Malta, 11/1940 including Italian Air Force attacks on convoy. Recollections of operations as pilot with 261 Sqdn, RAF, Royal Air Force Mediterranean on Malta, 11/1940-5/1941: basing at RAF Ta Kali; character of air war prior to his arrival; atmosphere on island; opinion of fellow pilots; disadvantages of operating from Malta against German Air Force attacks; degree of knowledge of situation in Malta; character of airfield; German Air Force fighter aircraft attack on airfield; accommodation. REEL 11 Continues: airfield defence at RAF Ta Kali; lack of Italian Air Force activity, 11/1940-12/1940; recreational activities; flying kit worn by fighter pilot; familiarisation with Hawker Hurricane; operating from RAF Ta Kali; aerial activity on arrival of German Air Force, 1/1941; role protecting aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious, 1/1941; attacking German Air Force Junkers Ju 87 Stuka dive-bombers; distance to which German Air Force Junkers Ju 87 Stukas would be chased out to sea; tactics employed by German Air Force Messerschmitt Bf 109 pilots; results of frustration at being attacked by German Air Force Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter aircraft; story illustrating nature of fighter pilots. REEL 12 Continues: nature of air combat over Malta; operating at night using searchlights; problems landing at night; degree of ground control; reasons why sergeant pilots didn't receive a full view of the picture; number of patrols flown in a day; duration of patrols; fellow pilots' attack on German floatplane; incident when downed pilot was located in sea; gaining height over island; problems of fighter operations on Malta. Aspects of operations as pilot with 185 Sqdn, RAF, Royal Air Force Mediterranean on Malta, 5/1941- 6/1941: posting to unit at RAF Hal Far; impressions of Squadron Leader Peter 'Boy' Mould; reaction to loss of Sergeant Ernest Wynne during air combat, 15/5/1941; interview with Wing Commander Patrick 'Bull' Halahan which led to his leaving Malta by air. REEL 13 Continues: reasons for unserviceability of aircraft; maintaining aircraft; question of being shot at by anti-aircraft fire; items that would fall into cockpit when aircraft was inverted; effects of German Air Force strafing attack on airfield at RAF Ta Kali; reasons for being sent back to GB by air; reaction to casualties amongst pilots; fluid nature of squadrons; attitude to leaving Malta on Short Sunderland Flying Boat; question of need to get back to operational squadron. Recollections of period as instructor with Central Gunnery School, RAF at RAF Sutton Bridge, GB, 7/1941-2/1943: background to posting; duties as instructor; impressions of American pupils; problems American pupils had with weather in Northern Ireland; imparting knowledge to pupils; reaction to commissioning. REEL 14 Continues: training air gunners; transfer to Wing Commander Adolph 'Sailor' Malan's gunnery wing on No 3 Fighter Gunnery Pilot Course; opinion of Wing Commander Adolph 'Sailor' Malan. Aspects of operations as pilot with 93 Sqdn, No 324 Wing, Desert Air Force, RAF in North Africa, Malta and Sicily, Italy, 5/1943-8/1943: skirmishing with German Air Force Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter aircraft; attitude to ground attack; question of lack of confidence with pilots; squadron personnel; return to RAF Hal Far on Malta; operating over Sicily, Italy from Malta; lack of Axis opposition during landings on Sicily, Italy; reaction to shooting down of German Air Force Junkers Ju 87 Stuka dive-bomber over Sicily, Italy; use of emergency landing strips on Sicily, Italy; contrast in attacking German Air Force Junkers Ju 87 Stuka dive bomber and Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter aircraft; question of overshooting German Air Force bomber aircraft; escorting Curtiss Kittyhawks. REEL 15 Continues: Recollections of operations as pilot with 243 Sqdn, Nos 324 Wing, Desert Air Force, RAF in Italy, 9/1943-12/1943: squadron commanders; character of Commonwealth pilots in squadron; need to restore squadron discipline; operating over beachhead at Salerno, Italy, 9/1943; landing on airstrip in beachhead at Salerno, Italy, 9/1943; life on airstrip near front line; use of long range tanks; attack on German fuel convoy whilst air testing Supermarine Spitfire; loss of pilot attacking train; difficulty of identifying targets on the ground; incident of calling off attack on vehicles bearing red crosses; lack of German air activity; move to airfield at Naples, Italy; flight with commanding officer to Rome, Italy; reaction to lack of German opposition; amusing story of telling ground crew not to take acquired mattresses with them; problems of lack of water. REEL 16 Continues: Recollections of operations as pilot with 243 Sqdn, 322 Wing, Air Defences East Mediterranean, RAF in Italy, French Syria and Corsica, 1/1944-7/1944: joining 322 Wing and move to near Foggia on eastern side of Italy; flight from Italy to Syria; reasons for move to French Syria; attitude to posting to French Syria; squadron discipline; raid by military police; two week period in Corsica; memories of Group Captain Petrus 'Dutch' Hugo; re-equipping with Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX; squadron move to Corsica; attitude of fighter pilots to flying over water; character of front line airstrips; location of squadron accommodation; German Air Force bombing of airstrip; role escorting United States Army Air Force bomber aircraft; narrow escapes from anti-aircraft fire and subsequent landings; shooting down German Air Force Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter aircraft. REEL 17 Continues: visit to Rome, Italy; reaction to going back to operational flying; background to leaving squadron and return to GB. Aspects of period as instructor with No 7 Flying Instructors School, RAF at RAF Upavon and No 20 Advanced (Pilots) Flying Unit, RAF at RAF Kidlington, 8/1944-3/1945: incident of trainee pilot hitting tree; attitude to being instructor. Aspects of period as instructor at Central Gunnery School, RAF at RAF Sutton Bridge, GB, 4/1945-11/1945: posting to school; gunnery contest; development of gunnery skills; attitude to leaving RAF, 1945. Aspects of period commanding 610 Sqdn, Royal Auxiliary Air Force in GB, 1947-1951: joining unit; attitude to commanding squadron; learning to flying Gloster Meteor; character of Gloster Meteor; pilot experience; contrast in character of squadron pre and post-Second World War; flying in cloud from RAF Horsham St Faith; personal discipline; question of pilot commitment. REEL 18 Continues: rejoining Royal Air Force, 1951. Recollections of period as intelligence officer with DDI 3 at Air Ministry, London, GB, 1952-1953: role of department; vetting of personnel; intelligence gathering on Chinese and North Korean air forces including Soviet Union's influence in both; sources of intelligence; collation of intelligence material; briefing of Very Important Persons (VIPs); liaison with American intelligence agencies; writing first history of Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force; capabilities of Soviet Air Force pilots attached to Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force; interpretation of signals traffic. Aspects of training as pilot with Royal Air Force in GB, 1954-1955: nature of All Weather Conversion Course, 1954 including flying at night, ethos behind course and opinion of instructors. REEL 19 Continues: learning cockpit drill of English Electric Canberra; problems with decompression leading to end of jet flying career; learning to fly Bristol Sycamore helicopter. Aspects of period as pilot with Khormaksar Station Flight, RAF in Aden Protectorate, 1955-1957: problems using of Bristol Sycamore Helicopter in Aden Protectorate; character of tribesmen and their behaviour; method of carrying supplies in Bristol Sycamore; problems with Bristol Sycamore rotors. Aspects of period as officer with Royal Air Force in GB, 1958-1959: opinion of pace of intelligence work in Coastal Command; incident of British aircraft landing in France; reasons for leaving Royal Air Force, 1959; attitude to having served with Royal Air Force.