Boyle, Peter (Oral history)

British private served with 10th Bn, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt in GB, 1940; served with 70th (Young Soldiers) Bn, N&D Regt in GB, 1940-1942; served Glider Pilot Regt based in GB, 1943-1945. Landed as 2nd pilot on Horsa glider carrying D Coy 2nd Bn, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Pegasus Bridge, Normandy, France, 6/6/1944. Landed as pilot in Arnhem area, 18/9/1944-20/9/1944. POW in Germany, 1944-1945

REEL 1 Recollections of background in Radcliffe on Trent, 1923-1940: social circumstances; education; recreations; work as clerk, 1939-1940; outbreak of war, 3/9/1939; background to enlistment underage into army and father's reaction, 7/1940. Recollections of period with 10th Bn, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt in Nottingham, 1940: prior kitting out at Derby Road Drill Hall, 7/1940; issue of palliasse and church hall billets; drill; PT; discovery of underage status during operation for appendicitis, 9/1940; sick leave. REEL 2 Continues: official army age; reorganisation of unit as young soldiers battalion. Recollections of period with 70th (Young Soldiers) Bn, N&D Regt at Bullwell Hall and RAF Binbrook, Mamby and Elsham Wolds airfields, 1940-1942: relationship with ORs; promotion to lance corporal; relationship with NCOs and officers; move to Binbrook, 11/1940; weapons training including rifle and Lewis gun; anti-aircraft guard duty; bayonet training; conditions of service; erecting barbed wire coastal defences; move to Mamby; background to volunteering for various units; duties in company offices; attending wireless course at West Norwood Technical College, London; rejoining unit; background to volunteering and acceptance for glider pilot training; journey to Tilshead. REEL 3 Recollections of training at Glider Pilot Regt Depot, Tilshead Camp, 8/1942-9/1942: reception and re-kitting out; preparations for kit inspection; Morse code; navigation; PT; question of men returned to unit; relationship with NCO trainees. Period flying Tiger Moths at No 29 Elementary Flying Training School at RAF, Clyffe Pypard and Alton Barnes airfield, 9/1942-1/1943: reception; initial air experience flight, 17/9/1942. REEL 4 Continues: review of progress of dual control flying training; practicing gliding approach and landing; first solo flight, 13/10/1942; method of side-slipping, steep turns and restarting engine in flight; enjoyment of flying; opinion of Tiger Moth and Miles Magister; cross country flights and air navigation; assessment as pilot. Recollections of period at Glider Training School at Stoke Orchard and North Leach airfield, 3/1943-6/1943: first flight in Hotspur glider, 14/3/1943 including take off under tow. REEL 5 Continues: first flight in Hotspur glider, 14/3/1943 including cockpit controls and instruments, take off under tow, cast off, value of prior Tiger Moth gliding experience and landing; first solo flights, low release and cross country flights; close escape on landing; carrying troops; acting as 1st and 2nd pilot; qualification as glider pilot and promotion to sergeant. Recollections of period with B Sqdn, GPR at Fargo Camp, Amesbury, Stony Cross, Brize Norton and Tarrant Rushton, 6/1943-6/1944: cross country flights; discipline; nature of sergeants' mess; status and role of unit; first flight as 2nd pilot in Horsa glider including lack of prior training, load capacity and controls; role of 2nd pilot. REEL 6 Continues: night flights; move to Stony Cross airfield. Minimal flights in winter; infantry training including survival exercise in New Forest; move to Brize Norton, 3/1944; posting as 2nd pilot to Staff Sergeant Geoff Barkway; landing exercises concentrating gliders around barbed wire and tree targets at Netheravon; background to introduction of Halifax as towing aircraft; move to isolation camp at Tarrant Rushton, 6/1944; introduction to Major John Howard; briefing using model and film of Pegasus Bridge sector; planned approach route avoiding invasion fleet; meeting glider troops from D Coy 2nd Bn, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry; extra load of collapsible boat; briefing and preparations. REEL 7 Continues: briefing; issue of pass signed by Montgomery. Recollections of Horsa glider landing at Pegasus Bridge, Normandy, France, 5/6/1944-7/6/1944: final preparations; role of sappers; take off; route and question of formation; release at 5,500ft; use of map; excess landing speed due to overload; near collision and rough landing in target area; role taking PIAT to troops on bridge; getting medical assistance for wounded Staff Sergeant Geoff Barkway; crossing bridge; using Sten gun; confused nature of situation; re-crossing bridge; taking cover; German POWs; question of concussion; beginning of naval bombardment; question of return to coast; arrival of Commandos. REEL 8 Continues: prior arrival of parachutists; return to coast and evacuation by landing craft to GB; lack of awareness of significance of operation. Period at GPR Depot, Fargo Camp, Amesbury and B Sqdn, GPR at Brize Norton, 6/1944-9/1944: re-kitting out; leave; cancellation of various planned operations. Preparations for Arnhem operations at RAF Manston, 9/1944: prior passing as 1st pilot; landing Horsa carrying artillery gun; lack of security following briefing; nature of briefing and assignment to 2nd wave of gliders. Recollections of glider landing and operations in Arnhem area, 18/9/1944-20/9/1944: take off and escorted flight out; landing north west of Arnhem; unloading gun and gun tower; drive to take up gun positions at Oosterbeek; attempts to locate personnel from GPR and confused nature of situation; assisting wounded glider pilot; increasing German small arms fire; isolation by German tank and troops; skirmish and taking shelter in house cellar; story of German tank destroying house and initial treatment on capture by SS troops. REEL 9 Continues: move to Zutfen railway station; conditions during train journey to Linburg, Germany. Period at Stalag XIII A, Linburg, ca 9/1944-11/1944: reception and interrogation; tent accommodation; food; train journey via Cologne to Muhlberg on Elber. Period at Stalag IV B, Muhlberg on Elbe, ca 11/1944-4/1945: reception; hut accommodation; daily routine; 'market' area; question of working parties; restricted issue of Red Cross parcels; roll call; German guards; latrines; question of sports and recreations; medical arrangements; question of escape; news of progress of war and approach of Soviet troops. REEL 10 Continues: news of approach of Soviet troops; decision not to accompany German guards marching to west, ca 4/1945; leaving camp. Period in Germany, ca 4/1945-5/945: moving south; situation; foraging for food; story illustrating lack of assistance from French working party; stories illustrating varying reception from German civilians whilst foraging for food; arrival of Soviet troops and their activities foraging for food; reaching River Elbe; situation; circumstances of rescue by US troops, Period with US troops prior to flight back to GB, 5/1945. Period on various posting in GB, 5/1945-7/1946: kitting out; leave; question of Far East posting and reporting underage enlistment. Demobilisation, 7/1946. REEL 11 Post-war career: question of remaining in army; lack of career advice or retraining; work as salesman and office manager; career in pharmaceutical industry; membership of Glider Pilot Regimental Assoc.