Watson, Richard Edward (Oral history)

British officer served with 1st Initial Flying Training Wing, Rhodesia, 1940-1941; served and flew operational missions over Germany with Operational Training Unit in GB, 1942; served operating over Burma with 99 Sqdn, RAF based in India, 1942-1943; POW in Burma, 1943-1945

REEL 1 Recollections of background in Chorlton cum Hardy and East Grinstead, 192201938: family background and social circumstances; prep school education; education at Canford School, Wimborne, 1935-1938, including sporting activities and training with OTC; background to recruitment underage into RAF, 1938. Period training as aircraftman at RAF Recruiting Centre, Cosford, 12/1938-1/1939: kitting out; hut accommodation; food rations; drill; PT; tactical exercises; question of weapons training; relationship with recruits and instructors; preparing for kit inspections; value of OTC training. Period as aircraftsman 2nd class at RAF Brize Norton, 1939: reception; guard duties. REEL 2 Period training as AC2 at RAF Cardington, 1939: question of training as potential NCO; parachute training in airship hangar; question aircrew training. Period as AC2 RAF Brize Norton, 1939-1940: guard duty; effects of German bombing attack. Period training as wireless operator at RAF Blackpool, ca 10/1939: learning Morse code; hotel billets; problems with coding signals; volunteering for air crew training. Period at Air Crew Training Receiving Centre, RAF Stratford-on-Avon, 1940: nature of station; contacts with Squadron Leader 'Fruity' Metcalf. Period at Initial Training Wing, RAF Aberystwyth, 1940: nature of training; lectures and background to getting on pilots' course. Voyage aboard Rangitata to Capetown, South Africa, general duties; work as officers' mess orderly. REEL 3 Continues: convoy route. Recollections of period with 1st Initial Flying Training Wing, Duna, Bullaweya, Rhodesia, 1940-1941: prior train journey; opinion of flying instructor and his concentration of aerobatics; opinion of Tiger Moth; first solo flights and enjoyment of flying; cross country flights. Period on Advanced flying training at Heine, 1941-1942: selection as bomber pilot; opinion of Oxford aircraft and risk of stalling; question of underage status for commission and consequent role as assistant flying instructor; value of accurate flying; commission as pilot officer. Voyage to GB, 1/1942: presence of civilian evacuees; route. Initial period in GB, 1942: air raid on arrival at Liverpool, 1/1942; story of German air raid at Bournemouth; advanced flying training at Little Rissington. REEL 4 Recollections of period at Operational Training Unit at Moreton le Marsh and Edghill, 1942: background to formation of crew with Navigator Flying officer Jack Wright, Front Gunner Sergeant Ron Haddon, Rear Gunner Sergeant Malcolm Woods and Wireless Operator Pilot Officer Greg Kirwan and 2nd pilot Sergeant Jim Mansell [sic - probably William Albert James Manser]; opinion of Wellington aircraft; cross country night flights and effect of lightening strike' participation in 1000 bomber raids over Germany including briefing, air test, preparations by ground crew, take off procedure, gaining operational height, final checks during flight out, German anti-aircraft fire and searchlights, approach to target, dropping bombs, question of German night fighters, flight back, debriefing, personal morale, flying kit and question of 'Jonah' amongst crew. REEL 5 Continues: story of Wellington catching fire on take off, emergency evacuation and explosion of bombs; story of problems with Wellington failing to reach operational height and attempt to find alternative target; question of avoiding civilian targets illustrated by briefing prior to raid on Cologne; commission as pilot officer. Recollections of flight in stages out to Diyn, India, 10/1942: story of confusion over recognition signal and consequent AA fire on approach to Gibraltar; view of French fleet at Dakar; instrument problem on take off at Freetown; arrival at Cairo; question of flights in support of EL Alamein offensive; route; trip on submarine. Recollections of period with 99 Sqdn, RAF at Dijn, India, 10/1942-2/1943: problems with runways; lack of permanent buildings; opinion of Flight Commander Lucian Ercolani and Wing Commander J S Black; reception; composition of unit. REEL 6 Continues: nature of raids including absence of Japanese opposition, targets, route, importance of attaining operational height due to Chin Hills. Recollections of crash landing following raid on Mandalay, Burma, 11/2/1943: initial engine problems crossing Chin Hills; failure of engines; landing on dry river bed; destroying aircraft equipment; betrayal by Burmese civilian villagers to Japanese troops; opining fire with pistol prior to surrender. Recollections of initial period as POW in Burma, 2/1943: reactions to captivity; separation from crew in prison cells; attitude of Japanese guards; conditions; interrogation and beatings; move to Mandalay; increased severity of interrogation; train journey to Rangoon; mental and physical state. Recollections of conditions, daily routine and lifestyle in Rangoon Jail POW Camp, 2/1943-5/1945: layout of jail; nature of solitary confinement cell; beatings; loss of eyesight due to malnutrition; torture and reactions; weight loss. REEL 7 Continues: release into main camp from solitary; nature of cell; state of POWs; treatment by Medical Officer Major McLeod using crushed ants to produce formic acid for eyesight; methods of delaying progress, sabotage and foraging activities on working parties including bomb disposal, unloading petrol cans in docks and building air raid shelter; food supplies including foraging, growing vegetables and mango tree; cooking arrangements; question of contact with home and status as missing believed killed; washing; question of escape and news of progress of war; roll call. REEL 8 Continues: British organisation of working parties; prevalent diseases and question of available treatments including beri beri, dysentery, cholera, small pox, typhoid and jungle sores; story of tooth extraction; malnutrition symptoms; fatality rates; US bombing raids; digging slit trenches; evening meal from foraged food; recreations including bridge, conversations, reading, throwing horseshoe and musical activities; question of escape plans and role of escape committee. REEL 9 Continues: communications with base after crash landing, 16/2/1943; relationship with POWs and Japanese guards; story of Japanese soldier beaten to death by his officer for failing to respect POW burial service; random beatings; increased Allied air raids and story of bombs hitting jail and killing Sergeant Jim Mansell; departure of Japanese guards and story of painting messages on roof; attempt by aircraft to breech jail wall; food supply drops; diet warnings; liberation, 11/5/1945; clothes worn. Voyage to Calcutta, India, 5/1945: question of weight loss; reception; medical; civilian hospitality. Flight in Dakota back to GB, 6/1945. Initial period in GB, 6/1945. REEL 10 Initial period in GB, 6/1945: reception from girl friend and family; leave. Period as staff officer with Headquarter, RAF Transport Command, 1945-1948: medicals; role organising staff of RAF stations; flying; question of effects of POW experiences; securing permanent commission; opinions of Lord Tedder; story of resignation to avoid posting to Japan. Post-war career: review of career in motor industry; adaptation to civilian lifestyle; question of physical effects of POW experiences; question of contacts with old comrades from 99 Sqdn, RAF.