Lapage, Michael (Oral history)

British officer trained as pilot with Fleet Air Arm in GB and Canada, 1942-1944; served with 807 Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm aboard HMS Hunter in Mediterranean, 1944; served with 800 Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm in GB and aboard HMS Emperor in Mediterranean and Far East, 1944-1945

REEL 1 Background in Shaftsbury and Warminster, GB, 1923-1941: family; education; reasons for enlistment in Fleet Air Arm, 1941; membership of Combined Cadet Force and Home Guard. Recollections of training as naval airman with Fleet Air Arm in GB, 1942: attending training course whilst still at school; induction into Fleet Air Arm at HMS Dadaelus, 9/1942; accommodation; adjusting to naval life; instructors; move to HMS St Vincent; quality of rations; pattern of training; selection for pilot training; examination; effect of reputation of Fleet Air Arm on parents outlook. Recollections of flying training with Fleet Air Arm at RAF Sealand, 1942-1943: accommodation at RAF Sealand; characteristics of De Havilland Tiger Moth; technique for getting out of spin. REEL 2 Continues: clothing worn; pattern of training; recreational activities; reaction to soloing. Recollections of flying training with Fleet Air Arm at Kingston, Canada, 1943: voyage to Canada aboard Louis Pasteur, 4/1943; journey to Kingston; characteristics of North American Harvard; cockpit checks on landing; use of Link Trainer; pattern of training; friend's landing accident; instructors; prior recollection of starting engine in De Havilland Tiger Moth; formation flying; emergency landings; noise of North American Harvard; reasons for failure rate on course; use of navigational computer; cross country flights; commissioning on return to GB; length of course; return to GB on Queen Elizabeth. Aspects of flying training with Fleet Air Arm in GB, 1943-1944: accommodation at RAF Arrol, 10/1943; learning cockpit on Miles Master. REEL 3 Continues: opinion of Miles Master; opting to become fighter pilot; accommodation at fighter training establishment; performing assisted dummy deck landings; character of Supermarine Seafire; high altitude flights; air gunnery training; armament of Supermarine Seafire; introduction of Franks Flying suit; hook arrangement; deck landing training on HMS Argus; problems landing Supermarine Seafire on aircraft carriers, 3/1944; fleet support duties at Royal Naval Air Station, Twatt in Orkneys. REEL 4 Continues: flying Fairey Swordfish and Blackburn Skua; supporting fleet gunnery exercises. Recollections of operations as pilot with 807 Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm in Northern Ireland and aboard HMS Hunter in Mediterranean, 1944: posting to squadron at Long Kesh, 4/1944; pattern of training in Northern Ireland; reception at squadron under George Baldwin; embarking aboard HMS Hunter, 5/1944; character of aircraft carrier HMS Hunter; question of Royal Navy's lack of recognition of role of carrier; restrictions on alcohol; lack of mixing with other ranks; ashore in Gibraltar; problems during landing on airfield at Gibraltar; move to Oran and Malta; briefing for invasion of southern France, 8/1944; under attack from small vessel. REEL 5 Continues: reaction to loss of crew members; flight to Corsica to pick up aircraft including time ashore; relations with US Navy personnel; role during Operation Dragoon; photo reconnaissance over Marseilles; personal morale after near miss on landing; reaction to commanding officer's decision to take him off Supermarine Seafires. Recollections of operations as pilot with 800 Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm in GB and aboard HMS Emperor in Mediterranean and Far East, 1944-1945: joining squadron at Alexandria; character of Grumman Hellcat in comparison with Supermarine Seafire; operating in Aegean, 10/1944-11/1944. REEL 6 Continues: anti-aircaft fire; sending airmail letters home; censoring mail; rations; presence of Dutch pilots in squadron; squadron formations flown in Mediterranean; clothing worn in air and on ship; return to GB, 11/1944; use of assisted take off from carrier; living conditions on board carrier; relations amongst officers; supercooled air problems; bad journey from Scotland to Dorset on leave, winter 1944-1945; activities on leave; voyage to Ceylon, 3/1945. REEL 7 Continues: recreational activities in Ceylon; problems with leeches during jungle survival course; night flying exercises; pattern of operations until VJ Day; encounter with Japanese Zero fighter; question of operating in Far East; move to Singapore after Japanese surrender, 8/1945; reaction to end of Second World War; hospitalisation on board hospital ship, 9/1945; recreational activities during voyage to GB; wardroom activities. Aspects of return to civilian life in GB, 1946: demobilisation. REEL 8 Continues: attitude to returning to civilian life; effects on health of service with Fleet Air Arm; lack of psychological effects of service; story of hearing of disposal of HMS Emperor's aircraft.