Wright, Leslie (Oral history)

British NCO served as wireless operator/air gunner with 13 Operational Training Unit, RAF in GB, 1942; served with Air Sea Rescue Flight on Malta, 1943; officer served as navigator with Royal Indian Air Force in India, 1943-1946

REEL 1 Background in Bournemouth, GB, 1921-1939: family; education; memories of childhood; civilian work including details of pay; joining of Royal Air Force; signs of approaching war; opinion of armed forces at start of war; watching air activity; reason for wanting to be a pilot; outbreak of war; reaction to start of war. Aspects of period with Royal Air Force in GB, 1939-1942: attestation at Cardington; drilling in Morecambe; reason for posting away from Morecambe; gun post duties at RAF St Eval; story of air raid including details of guard duties; wounding from explosion; damage from air raid; sentry duty following air raid; date of air raid; casualties; escape of aircraft; posting to Blackpool for wireless training; accommodation; location of wireless school; learning of morse code; continuation of wireless training at RAF Yatesbury; story of being shown a new top secret wireless; memories of Squadron Leader Gill and story of charge received; punishment received; teleprinter operation duties at RAF Colerne; grenade training and nickname gained from it; airborne and wireless training at RAF Yatesbury; stories of training tests taken while at gunnery school in Pembury. REEL 2 Continues: learning to shoot in air including aircraft recognition; gun and ammunition used; ranks held and promotion to Sergeant Wireless Operator/Air Gunners; weapons training with 13 Operational Training Unit at RAF Bicester; option of theatre of war to fight in and decision to go to North Africa; voyage to North Africa aboard the Caenarvon Castle; journey to Cairo; wait for posting; length of training; assembly and make-up of crew; story of first crash; story of an incompetent operation; names of crewmembers; story of first flight; wireless training; first Bristol Blenheim flown and opinion of it; description of position taken in Bristol Blenheim; clothing worn during flights; conditions inside plane; summary of training at RAF Bicester; problems with bombing missions; physical training; morale; attendance at night school before joining RAF; brother's service as RAF Fitter; reactions of parents to his joining RAF; father's service in First World War; positions taken by siblings in RAF; collection of Mk 4 Bristol Blenheims from Abu Kurr and flight to Malta; problems with aircraft and role in Malta; reactions to aircraft modifications. Aspects of period as wireless operator/air gunner with Air Sea Rescue Flight on Malta, 3/1943-8/1943: arrival in Malta; duties; victory in North Africa and preparations for invasion of Sicily; joining of air-sea rescue unit; aircraft in unit; opinion of reason for not never being attacked. REEL 3 Continues: three types of shift and leisure activities; story of the rescue of a German aircrew including method of searching for craft; accidental near landing on Lampedusa and decision to land there; landing and surrender of Italian troops; request of Italian Commandant to pass on news of surrender; decision to fly to Tunisia; starting of Fairey Swordfish and air raids; landing following cutting out of engine; contact made with Americans and passing on of news of surrender; journey to American base; arrival of British tank troops; arrival of RAF officers and account given of events; reason for applying for posting away from Malta; collection of Mk 5 Bristol Blenheims from LG224 and flight to Burma; reading of report on air-sea rescue mission and explanation of term Gremlin; reason for missing Malta and ending up at Lampedusa; make-up of crew in Fairey Swordfish; flight to Malta and modifications made to Mk4 Bristol Blenheims used for journey; initial duties in Malta; joining of air-sea rescue unit; aircraft in unit and destruction of Supermarine Walrus; method of working with boats; opinion of reason for mix of aircraft in unit; dinghies carried on rescue missions; aircraft he flew in; details of searches; units based in Malta; length of time in Malta; conditions and air raids during posting; rations; work of Maltese chef; changes following lifting of siege. REEL 4 Continues: state of Valletta; relationship with civilians; activities waiting for call-out; duties flying officers between RAF Hal Far and El Adem; time of air raids and air-sea rescue missions; description of stuka raids during hospitalisation; marking of hospital; target of air raids; accommodation; story of visit to Valletta; clothing worn on flights; success of invasion of Italy and reason for applying for posting away from Malta; collection of Mk 5 Bristol Blenheims from LG224 and flight to India. Aspects of period as radio navigator with Royal Indian Air Force in India, 8/1943-12/1945: arrival in Karachi and news of change to role; story of only ferry mission; course taken in Peshawar; description and opinion of aircraft; position taken in plane; attachment to Indian Royal Air Force and duties; involvement with Royal Navy training; stories of crashes during career including wounds received in one and report on that flight; memories of Arnold Thistlethwaite and description of getting caught in searchlights. REEL 5 Continues: court of inquiry following crash he was wounded in; posting with post and dispatch flight; story of fifth crash; emergency drills; reading of report on fifth crash; final flight; flight to GB including time in Lydda; VE Day; mail; wait for demobilisation; reaction to atomic bombs; contraction of scabies while on leave; break-up of family following war; prayer during flights; religion in life; demobilisation leave; return to civilian work; demobilisation; reason for not staying in RAF; enlistment and time in RAF Reserve; disbandment of Voluntary Reserve; aircraft in reserve; details of pay and petrol coupons; adjusting to civilian life and enjoyment to time as officer; service numbers; comradeship. REEL 6 Continues: relationship between officers and other ranks.