Blair, Ian (Oral history)

British armourer/air gunner served with 101 Sqdn RAF in GB, 1935-1937; served with 144 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1937-1938; served with 113 Sqdn, RAF in Egypt and Libya, 1938-1940; subject of official photograph used in 'Careless Talk Costs Lives' poster, 1940; served with No 4 Service Flying Training School, Iraq, 1941-1941; served flying Spitfire with 501 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1942; served flying Spitfire V and IX with 602 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1943-1944; served as armament officer in GB, 1944-1948; served as equipment officer in GB, Egypt, Singapore, Malta, 1948-1973

REEL 1 Recollections of background in Glasgow, 1918-1934: official name as 'John Blair'; social circumstances; father's interest in wireless and prior service in Royal Engineers; education; interest in aviation including visits to father's territorial unit 602 (Auxiliary) Sqdn, RAF, Renfrew, meeting famous aviators and first flight with Alan Cobham; Boy Scouts activities; taking RAF entrance examination for aircraft apprentices and passing for new RAF Boy Entrant scheme, 7/1934; family reactions. Period at West Drayton, 8/1934-9/1934: medical; relationship with NCO; assessment tests; attestation for training as boy armourer; ambition to fly; kitting out and uniform; puttees. REEL 2 Continues: introduction to uniform. Recollections of conditions of service, lifestyle and daily routine during training as boy armourer at Air Armament School, Eastchurch, 9/1934-9/1935: light railway journey across isle of Sheppey; reception; prior marking of kit with service number; nature and layout of station; hut accommodation and beds; cleaning huts and preparations for kit inspection; relationship with instructors; corporal boy and leading boy ranks; morning routine and PT; food rations; lectures in Lewis and Vickers machine guns, signal flares, pistols, bombsights, theory of bombing, propeller machine gun synchronisation gear and bomb components. REEL 3 Continues: lectures in bomb components; workshop training including tool kit, exercises making spanner and hole puncher and learning to solder; drill; weapons training on firing range; assisting instructors practicing for shooting competition on firing range; superior ammunition used by marksmen in shooting competitions; awareness of Browning machine gun; loading smoke bombs on aircraft for practice bombing flights; arming Bristol Bulldog and checking synchronisation and harmonisation of guns; sporting activities; education classes; awareness of history of RAF; pay. REEL 4 canteen; relationship with boys and instructors; lecture on VD; relationship with officers; visit to HMS Hood; assessment and term reports; parade on station inspection by senior officer; increase in practical work during 2nd term; assisting in preparation of dummy bombs for prototype dive-bomber; passing out parade. Recollections of period as boy armourer with 101 Sqdn, RAF, Bicestor, 9/1935-9/1936: insignia of boy entrants; reception; accommodations wit senior personnel in armourers' hut; nature of armoury; pay; nature of work tasks under supervision. REEL 5 Aspects of period at Eastchurch, 9/1934-9/1935: case of boy killed in firing range accident; view of air gunner falling out of Wapiti; practical tests in workshop. Recollections of period as boy armourer with 101 Sqdn, RAF, Bicester, 9/1935-9/1936: nature of Overstrand and Sidestrand; nature of station; use of camera obscura and Hills mirror to train bomb aimers flying above; duties on bombing range; interest in flying; attending armament practice camp at Leuchars including loading bombs on aircraft, view of Fairey Gordons launched by catapult by Fleet Air Arms and nature of training; qualification and pay as aircraftman 2nd class and question of training as air gunner. Period training as air gunner at No 1 Air Gunnery School, North Cotes, 9/1936-10/1936: firing Lewis gun from Hawker Hart at ground and sea targets; opinion of Wapiti and Wallace; camera gun training during practice attacks by fighters; effects of high altitudes. REEL 6 Continues: method of clearing Lewis gun stoppages; question of subsequent introduction of Vickers gas operated gun and Browning gun; deflection shooting; method of adjusting for wind and direction on bomb aiming; assessment. Period as AC2/amourer/air gunner with 101 Sqdn, RAF, Bicester, 10/1936-2/1937: flying crew role and practice in bomb aiming; reactions to abdication of Edward VIII; test flight in civilian prototype of Bristol Blenheim, 12/1936; making tea in armoury; awareness of expansion of RAF and formation of 48 Sqdn, RAF from C Flight, 101 Sqdn, RAF. Recollections of period with 144 Sqdn, RAF at Hemswell, 2/1937-5/1938: nature of station; hut accommodation; relationship with NCOs; equipment with Hawker Audax and Avro Anson. REEL 7 Continues: background to developing interest in motorcycles and recreational rides around local area; dances; role of duty armourer and use of signal rockets; fire picket and guard duty; practice bombs; passing trade test to qualify at aircraftman 1st class. 2/1937; pay; relationship with pilots; warning of imminent overseas posting; indenting for armoury stores for newly formed 113 Sqdn, RAF; re-equipment with Blenheims and story of collecting new Blenheim, 12/1937; low level practice bombing over airfield. REEL 8 Continues: nature of Blenheim including use of Vector bomb sight, question of Browning gun, pilot landing techniques, manual bomb release and bomb racks; question of reinforcements to RAF in Middle East; posting to 113 Sqdn, RAF; issue of overseas kit. Voyage aboard Lancashire to Port Said, Egypt, 5/1938: send off; role as mess orderly; conditions; recreations; route. Recollections of period with 113 Sqdn, RAF at Heliopolis, Cairo, 5/1938-9/1940: arrival; station layout. REEL 9 Continues: barrack accommodation; hospitalisation with diarrhoea; composition of 'B' Flight and posting as air gunner to Flight Sergeant Tommy Knott; opinion of Hawker Hind; use of tail drift sight; climate and uniform; food rations and canteen; station layout; servicing aircraft as armourer; bomb aiming instruction role; recreations including open air cinemas and visits to Cairo and tourist sites; filling practice bombs; desert flying conditions; bombing range practice and results. REEL 10 Continues: detachment on army cooperation exercise with 'B' Flight to Dekalia, 6/1938; detachment to conduct photographic air survey of Western Desert with 'B' Flight based at Mersa Matruh, 7/1938-9/1939, including use of camera aiming sight, army ground markers, results of survey, acting as refuelling station, visit by King Farukh to Lido Hotel, arming aircraft on stand to during Munich crisis, 9/1938 and temporary reinforcement by 211 and 216 Sqdns, RAF; return to Heliopolis; gunnery practice and case of failure of gun synchronisation mechanism; acting as duty armourer; bombing range duties; effects of promotion to leading aircraftman and corporal, 3/1939; night flying exercises and flare path duty. REEL 11 Continues: Christmas celebrations, 25/12/1938 and 25/12/1939; inspecting makeshift desert airstrip and fuel dumps; desert searches; story of interview with Air Commodore Raymond Collishaw prior to promotion to sergeant; detachment on photographic air survey of Western Desert with 'B' Flight based at Mersa Matruh; re-equipment with Blenhiem; issue of instructions for cancelled flight back to GB to collect Blenheim, 1/9/1939; practice flights in Blenheim I and IV; temporary deployment of Blenheim I to Aden and exchange with Blenheim IV, 4/1940; nature of Blenheim I and role as navigator/bomb aimer; routine training. REEL 12 Recollections of period based at desert airstrip at Maaten Baguish, 6/1940-11/1940: deployment on aoutbreak of war with Italy, 12/6/1940; bombing up and refuelling aircraft; layout of airstrip; loading Vickers magazines; promotion to acting sergeant; account of low level raid on El Adem airfield, Tobruk, Libya, 6/1940, including briefing, question of flying with regular crews and flying as air gunner with Flight Sergeant Tommy Knott, preparations, question of opposition from Italian fighters, flying kit, use of 100 round magazine for Vickers gas-operated machine gun, personal morale, nature of Bristol turret, take off, looking for Italian fighters, crossing Italian border, strafing and bombing attack on airfield, attacks by Italian fighters, flight back, question of effect of hits on Blenheim, inadequate speed of Blenheim I and effect on speed of subsequently fitted small bomb container and debriefing. REEL 13 Continues: account of low level raid on El Adem airfield, Tobruk, Libya, 6/1940, including value of training in reactions on opening fire on Italian fighters; story of night attack as bomb aimer/observer with Squadron Leader Barney Kielly on El Adem airfield including problems with navigation lights, Italian anti-aircraft fire, dropping bombs and flight back; story of discovery of Italian submarine depot ship during reconnaissance over Gulf of Bomba, debriefing by Air Commodore Raymond Collishaw and subsequent successful Swordfish attack to disrupt planned Italian human torpedo attack on Alexandria harbour; rescue of trapped U Boat crew; background to relationship with and death of Flight Sergeant Tommy Knott; account of daylight raid on Derna, 4/9/1940, including reads citation on award of DFM. REEL 14 Continues; account of daylight raid with Pilot Officer Reynolds on Derna, 4/9/1940, including bombing from 15,000 feet, attack by Italian fighter, death of pilot, diving, taking over controls, flying out to sea to evade Italian fighter, moving pilot out of seat, flight back to base, wireless contacts with base, lack of flying experience, question of bailing out, difficulties on landing and reception; recommendation for flying training; story of being subject of official photograph used in 'Careless talk costs lives' poster; painting based on incident, 4/9/1940; opinion of Pilot Officer Reynolds; prior flight with Flight Lieutenant Bowes-Lyons, 1938; tent accommodation and food rations; fly problem. REEL 15 Continues: story of coming under heavy Italian AA fire during night raid as Bomb Aimer with Squadron Leader Barney Kielly on El Adem airfield; story of clash with inexperienced officer. Recollections of attending 30 Elementary Flying Training School, Eastleigh, Nairobi, Kenya, 11/1940-1/1941: flight in civilian flying boat and train journey to Nairobi; accommodation; presence of South African Air Force; recruitment of air crew from British community; effects of ground altitude; ground instruction; dual instruction flight in Tiger Moth; circuits and landings; first solo flight; side-slipping; stall and spinning; story of spinning Cessna 175, ca 1970; opinion of Tiger Moth; aerobatics and steep turns. REEL 16 end of Tiger moth course; blind instrument flying; use of Link trainer. Recollections of period at No 4 Service Flying Training School, RAF, Habbaniya, Iraq, 1/1941-6/1941: journey by train and paddles steamer to Cairo; journey by Nairn Transport to Habbaniya; reversion to corporal; station history; layout and facilities; hut accommodation; food rations; initial intermediate flying training course; assignment for training on multi-engined aircraft; daily routine; ground training; instruction in flying Oxford including flying on one engine, first solo and use of throttle. REEL 17 Continues: instruction in flying Oxford; ground instruction; opinion of flying instructor; passing intermediate course and award of flying badge, 4/1941; Situation on overthrow of Iraqi government by pro-German Rashid Ali; ultimatum to stop all flying following advance of Iraqi Army to surround base; preparing Oxford and Audax training aircraft for operational use; rejection of ultimatum and air strikes launched on Iraqi Army; loss of Wimpey; taking over armament and maintenance of Gladiators after frequent stoppage problems; bombing attack by Heinkel 111; use of outdated 4.5" howitzers and success in holding back Iraqi Army; landing by British airborne troops at Fallujah; successful attacks by Gladiators on retreating Iraqi Army; arrival of relief column; casualties; resumption of flying training; food rations; subsequent advance of relief column to Baghdad; flight in Oxford to Abu Sueir; dispute with MPs over medals during prior flight in Valencia on routine flight to Egypt, 11/4/1941. REEL 18 Period attached to 71 Operational Training Unit, RAF, Ismaili, 6/1941-8/1941: reaction to flight in Blenheim; flights in Harvard. Period at 23 Service Flying Training School, RAF, Heany, Southern Rhodesia, 8/1941-9/1941: prior journey and reception from civilians at Johannesburg, South Africa; nature of station; advanced flying training course on Oxford; story of problems on cross-country exercise; photographic observation training; 'blind' instrument approaches to landing; assessment; visits to Bulawayo; question of operational posting to Middle East; train journey to Capetown. Voyage aboard Christiaan Huygens to GB, 10/1941-11/1941: food; route via Halifax, Nova Scotia; Hotchkiss machine guns; period in dry dock at New Brunswick; visits ashore at Brunswick; US and British naval escort in convoy across Atlantic; hopes of landing at Clyde; reception on arrival in Liverpool. REEL 19 Period at No 3 Pilot Reception Centre, RAF, Bournemouth, 12/1941-1/1942: leave; royal investiture on award of DFM; question of selection of operational aircraft. Recollections of period with 53 Operational Training Unit, RAF, Llandow, prior move of unit; reception from Wing Commander I R A Jones; question over confusion over single-seater posting and decision to remain; dual instruction and solo flight on Master III; check flight in dual control Spitfire; impressions of first solo in Spitfire; training exercises including formation flying, aerobatics and steep turns; question of missing intermediary single-seater training. Period flying Spitfire with 501 Sqdn, RAF, Ibsley, 3/1942-4/1942: initial non-operational training flights; story of success in firing at air drogue target and achieving operational status; story of dogfight as No 2 to Wing Commander Ian Gleed while flying sweep over Abbeville area, France, 17/4/1942. .REEL 20 Continues: story of dogfight as No 2 to Wing Commander Ian Glead while flying sweep over Abbeville area, France, 17/4/1942; acting as escort to bomber raid; story of forced landing after being hit by German anti-aircraft fire during sweep over Abbeville, 25/4/1942; subsequent visit to crash site, 1994; injuries and hospitalisation with concussion and reduced medical category. Attending navigation course at RAF Cranage, 6/1942-7/1942. Period on flying control duties at RAF Angle, Pembroke Dock, 8/1942-2/1943: duties; story of lost US aircraft; flights in Magister. Period at 61 Operational Training Unit, Rednall, 2/1943-3/1943: reclassification as fit for active service; flying Spitfire II; initial psychological effects of smell of aircraft engine. Recollections of period flying Spitfire V and IX with A Flight, 602 Sqdn, RAF at various temporary bases in GB, 3/1943-5/1944: reception at Perrin Porth airfield; comparison of Spitfire II and V; convoy protection patrols; move to Lasham airfield, 4/1943; tent accommodation; army cooperation role as part of 2nd Tactical Air Force; low level training flights and 'finger four' formation; relationship with pilots including Lieutenant Pierre Clostermann; low level training flights; convoy protection patrols; daily routine; move to Fairlop airfield, 4/1943; German anti-aircraft fire during close support missions to bombing raids over France, 5/1943-6/1943; effects of clipping wings on Spitfire V; move to Bognor Regis airfield, 5/1943; nature of makeshift airfields; move to Kings North airfield, 7/1943; acting as close escort to bombing raids and fighter sweeps over France, 7/1943; opinion and stories illustrating poor navigation of US pilots of Ninth US Air Force. REEL 22 Continues: stories illustrating poor navigation of US pilots of Ninth US Air Force; nature of high and close escort roles; move to New Church airfield, 8/1943; question of casualties; move to Detling airfield, 10/1943; escort role and story of covering withdrawal of Mosquitos from Le Hague raid; move to Skebray airfield, Orkneys, 1/1944; training exercises; story of shooting down long distance reconnaissance ME 109 in Spitfire VII and subsequent forced landing, 20/2/1944; question of version of incident by Lieutenant Pierre Clostermann in book 'Big Show'; congratulations from admiral. REEL 23 Continues: opinion of Lieutenant Pierre Clostermann; move to Llanbedr, 3/1944; problems in conversion to dive bombing role; training in close ground support role; move to Delting, 3/1944; close escort role; dive bombing raids on V1 sites in Pas de Calais area, 4/1944; increased levels of German AA fire; move to RAF Ford, 4/1944; reactions to end of tour, 5/1944. Period as armament officer at RAF Drem, 6/1944-1/1945: prior view of D Day air armada, 5/6/1944; flying practice flights; duties. Period on special armaments course at RAF Henlow, 1/1945-3/1945 and Empire Armament Training School, Mamby, 1/1945-3/1945: nature of course; practice firing and bombing in Wellington and Lancaster; VE Day, 8/5/1945. REEL 24 Continues: lecture from Barnes-Wallis; flight in Lancaster to inspect bomb damage in Ruhr area, Germany; story of crash landing in Wimpey at RAF Turnhouse. Period as station armaments officer at 56 Operational Training Unit, RAF Millfield, 8/1945-3/1946: winter conditions; duties; final inspection and detonation of spare explosives prior to closure of station. Period as staff armament officer at Headquarters, 66 Group, RAF Turnhouse, 5/1944-2/1948: prior trip to set up armament practice camp at Lubeck, Germany, 4/1946; duties including visits to Air Training Corps in Scotland; background to application for short service commission and acceptance as supply officer; loss of flying status. Posting as weapons officer, 1948. Attending equipment officers' course at RAF Digby, 9/1948-12/1948. Problems due to inexperience during period as equipment officer at 101 Reserve Centre, Bishopriggs, Glasgow, 12/1948-12/1949. Attending explosives and fuels course as equipment officer at RAF North Coates, 12/1949-4/1950. REEL 25 Attending explosives and fuels course as equipment officer at RAF North Coates, 12/1949-4/1950: case of lack of care in handling detonators; visit to oil depot; types of oil; qualification as EO. Recollections of period as EO with 243 Maintenance Unit, RAF, Kirk Newton, 5/1950-10/1950: open storage of bombs and incendiary bombs on runways; disposal of bombs; storage and disposal of depth charges and small arms ammunition at Edzel; mid-week church services; visit by Frankie Howard to officers' mess. Recollections of period at 28 Maintenance Unit, RAF, Harper Hill, Buxton, 10/1950-5/1951: nature of main underground storage depot and dispersal sites; poison gas storage; role as site officer; case of predecessor successfully appealing against court martial for theft; belting up ammunition for 20mm cannon; disposal of unserviceable ammunition by burning and dumping in Welsh slate mine; secrecy over 'high ball'; bombs; officers' mess and Christmas celebrations, 25/12/1950. REEL 26 Continues: winter conditions. Recollections of period at 128 Maintenance Unit, RAF, Abu Sultan, Canal Zone, Egypt, 6/1951-1/1954: voyage out; hut accommodation; concrete storehouses and presence on site of army and naval ammunition stores; ineffectiveness of minefield to deter Arabs stealing from ammunition stores illustrated by theft of Bofors ammunition; political situation and nationalisation of Canal Zone; arrival of East African workers; arrival on No 3 Commando, 1952; Coronation parade, 6/1952; guards provided by No 3 Commando and shooting of Arab; story of fire started by Arabs in shed containing parachute flares; use of demolition range for controlled explosion to dispose of bombs; disposal of rocket heads after sinking of barge; question of wearing full mess kit at officers' mess guest night; question of inaccuracy of ammunition manifest; question of preparing correct weapons and ammunition for ultimately cancelled raid; married quarters; restrictions on movements; Christmas celebrations, 25/12/1952. REEL 27 Continues: initial family accommodation in Ismailia and necessity for carrying small arms; emergency evacuation of family to GB; story of Bofors ammunition stolen from stores guarded by RAF Regt; story of Arabs stealing ammunition from store on island; voyage back to GB, 1/1954. Recollections of period at 21 Maintenance Unit, Fold, 3/1954-4/1957: stock control role for ammunition and fuel; use of civilian contractors to hold RAF fuel; role visiting fuel depots; oil supplies and necessity of keeping oil warm in storage; types of fuel; recovery of used fuel for refining; effects of Suez Crisis and arrangements for shipping out fuel; story of problems caused by inadequate government instruction on ship capacities; story of returning barrels to reclaim deposits; visits to underground mines rescue team training centre. Period with E29 Department (Explosives Provisioning), Ministry of Defence, London, 4/1957-10/1959: administrative role; shortage of engine starting cartridges for Javelin. REEL 28 Continues: reversal of decision to discontinue use of 3" rockets for fighters; question of modification to Canberra wings to let them carry 2" rockets; question of fire extinguisher system in Vulcan; dislike of posting. Recollections of period with 389 Maintenance Unit, Seletar, Singapore, 11/1959-5/1962: voyage out with family; role as stock control officer; relationship with female commanding officer; teleprinter system and speed of delivery of orders from GB; question of absence of necessary spares for Bren guns; unnecessary stores of 20mm cannon and aircraft parts; role in streamlining system of delivery of equipment and stores; overcoming problem in repairing teleprinter; stories illustrating priority system in ordering and use of air lifts; married quarters in Seletar; education of children and Malayan servants; married quarters in camp. REEL 29 Continues: recreations; relationship with Malayan civilians; stories of local leave in Malaya. Recollections of period as officer commanding Technical Supply Flight, RAF Abingdon, 5/1962-9/1962: commanding base officers; role of unit; stories of parachute supply role to RAF and army units from depot at Upper Heyford; defective equipment reports and procedure; nature of formal forward supply system based on average required for parts by units and problems arising; married quarters and family dog. REEL 30 Continues; RAF open day. Recollections of period in charge of Supply, Control and Accounting Flight, Flying Training School, RAF Syerston, 9/1964-1/1967: introduction of computer stock control systems; liaison with engineers over supply; story of dispute over ordering replacement mainframe for Provost; shortage of airframe stress fatigue meters; dispute with officer; discovery of stock of fatigue meters during detachment to Linton on Ouse, NBC course and shortage of equipment. Recollections of period as liaison officer to US Army at Ammunition Dump, Fauld, 1/1967-4/1969: background to posting and extension of service; background to reactivation of explosives storage depots for US use; role ensuring US personnel followed British explosives storage regulations. REEL 31 Continues: role ensuring US personnel followed British explosives storage regulations; US cordite store at Bramshall; use of narrow gauge railways; inexperience of US Personnel; effects of prior wartime explosion of Fauld depot; cases of US personnel smoking in explosives store; insistence on fire fighting and mines rescue parties; dispute with US officer over national flags; story of civilian police investigation into US personnel selling whisky; visit by US general; visits to new depot at Kerwent; married quarters and question of fuel bills; wife's relationship with US wives; stories illustrating US system of costing work; arrangements for visit by US politician; celebration on 4 July; question of relationship between US soldiers and civilians; story of US Vietnam veteran. REEL 32 Continues: relationship with US civilians workers. Period with Supply, Control and Accounting Flight, RAF Leuchars, Malta, 4/1969-7/1971: scuba diving activity and dives on Spitfire wreck; computerisation; stores required for new Nimrod; role of Shackleton monitoring Soviet submarines and consequent shortage of sono buoys. Recollections of period as supply officer with 217 Maintenance Unit, RAF Cardington, 7/1971-7/1973: run down of base; role supplying oxygen cylinders for RAF; use of airship sheds; flight in Europa airship and story of subsequent escape from mooring mast; story of supplying oxygen cylinders for gas operated air arrester barriers to stop over-shooting aircraft; visit to stores hangar, RAF Museum, Hendon; rundown of base; supply of mobile oxygen generic equipment and technicians; relationship with RAF personnel. REEL 33 Continues: preparations and pre-retirement course prior to leaving RAF. Post-service career: work as council administrative officer; question of acclimatisation to civilian lifestyle; membership of Air Crew Assoc and various service associations; question of identification as original in photograph used in wartime propaganda poster.