Interview with John Edgar Dixon

British aircraftman and NCO trained as wireless operator/air gunner with Royal Air Force in GB, 1/1941-6/1943; NCO and officer served as wireless operator/air gunner with 59 Sqdn, No 15 Group, Coastal Command, RAF in GB, 7/1943-12/1945; officer served with 59 Sqdn, Transport Command, RAF in GB and India, 1/1946-6/1946; served as adjutant with Far East Flying Boat Wing in Federation of Malaya and off Korean Peninsula, 1952-1953; served as staff officer with Air Ministry at RAF West Ruislip, GB, 1953-1957; served as station intelligence officer at RAF Geilenkirchen, West Germany, 1957-1959; served as station intelligence officer at RAF Wyton, GB, 1959-1962; served with Recruit Training School, RAF Bridgnorth, GB, 1962; served as intelligence officer with Headquarters, Bomber Command, RAF at RAF High Wycombe, GB, 1963-1965; served as cryptographic officer with Headquarters, Middle East Land Forces in Aden, Federation of South Arabia, 1965-1967; served as cryptographic officer with RAF Stanbridge, GB, 1967-1968; served as intelligence officer with Headquarters, Air Support Command, RAF at RAF Upavon, GB, 1968-1969; commanded Station Services at RAF Cosford, GB, 1969-1973; commanded RAF Chicksands in GB, 1973-1975; commanded RAF Upavon in GB, 1975-1977

REEL 1 Background in Cardiff, GB, 1922-1939: family; education; employment; awareness of political situation in Europe during 1930s. Aspects of period as civilian in Cardiff, GB, 9/1939-12/1940: reaction to declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939; impressions of German Air Force bombing of London, 1940; evacuation from family home after German Air Force bombing; German Air Force raids on Cardiff; membership of 21st Glamorganshire (Cardiff) Bn Home Guard including training, opinion of First World War veterans, question of effectiveness and importance of experience on later service with Royal Air Force. Recollections of enlistment and training as wireless operator/air gunner with Royal Air Force in GB, 1/1941-6/1943: background to volunteering for aircrew; attending aircrew selection board in Oxford; reasons for not being selected for pilot training; period of deferred service over Christmas period, 12/1940; impressions of Royal Air Force; accommodation in Blackpool, 1/1941-3/1941; initial training at Blackpool; morale amongst volunteer aircrew; move to RAF Tangmere; initial duties with 219 Sqdn, RAF at RAF Tangmere; work with flare path party. REEL 2 Continues: accommodation at Goodwood Racecourse; discovery of tail fin of German Air Force bomb at RAF Tangmere; sleeping through German Air Force raid; flight in Bristol Beaufighter; success of 219 Sqdn, RAF against German bombers; lack of boredom; character of RAF Tangmere; posting to and Morse Code training with No 10 (Signals) Reception Centre, RAF at Blackpool; gas training; accommodation in boarding house in Blackpool; remustering of course failures; final examination; atmosphere in wartime Blackpool; posting to No 2 Radio School, RAF at RAF Yatesbury; introduction to codes; familiarisation with wireless sets; insignia issued to wireless operators; reaction to posting to No 53 Operational Training Unit, RAF at RAF Llandow; duties fitting wireless equipment in Supermarine Spitfires. REEL 3 Continues: frustration about conditions at No 53 Operational Training Unit, RAF; station commander's method of kerbing low-level flying; work on satellite airfield at RAF Rhoose; accommodation in Nissen Hut; return to No 2 Signals School, RAF at RAF Yatesbury; wireless training in air; contrast between air and ground training; degree of concentration needed during air exercises; organisation of air exercises in De Havilland DH.89 Dominie; use of direction finding loop; nature of course; posting to No 1 Air Gunners School, RAF at RAF Pembrey; ground instruction on machine guns; reasons for stoppages; nature of air-to-air gunnery; organisation of air-to-air gunnery practise with drogues; opinion of air gunnery training; receiving air gunners brevet and promotion to sergeant. REEL 4 Continues: reaction to posting to No 3 Radio School, Science Museum, South Kensington, London; reasons for selection for radar training; degree of knowledge of radar; security surrounding course; move to RAF Prestwick to complete radar training; characteristics of Blackburn Botha; character of radar training; factors effecting radar; difficulty of using early ASV Mk II Radar; radar exercises; set up of radar aerials on Blackburn Botha; reasons for later reintroduction of ASV Mk II Radar on operational squadrons; limitations of radar course; degree of understanding of problems with Blackburn Botha; posting to No 1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit, RAF at RAF Silloth, 12/1942; crewing up with American and Canadian personnel at RAF Silloth; character of RAF Silloth and initial impressions on arrival; training on American radar equipment; problems with weather conditions at RAF Silloth. REEL 5 Continues: low-level bombing exercises; character of Lockheed Hudson; location of crew in Lockheed Hudson; problems with Lockheed Hudson; pattern of training with unit; exercises to bomb on periscopes; move to RAF Thornaby, 3/1943; opinion Bendix No 19 Wireless Set; role of Lockheed Hudson. Recollections of operations as wireless operator/air gunner with 59 Sqdn, No 15 Group, Coastal Command, RAF in GB, 7/1943-12/1945: background to posting to squadron operating Consolidated VLR Liberator GR Mk V from RAF Thorney Island; crewing up at RAF Beaulieu, 4/1943; rejoining squadron at RAF Aldergrove; nature of Liberator Flight, No 1 Coastal Operational Training Unit, RAF at RAF Beaulieu, 4/1943; interior of Consolidated VLR Liberator GR Mk V; role of First Signaller aboard Consolidated VLR Liberator GR Mk V in allocating rota for wireless operator/air gunners in aircraft; pattern of squadron training including turret training; removal of turrets in Consolidated VLR Liberator GR Mk V. REEL 6 Continues: composition of crew; first convoy escort in North Atlantic, 20/7/1943; nature of convoy escort duties; operational system used by Royal Air Force Coastal Command; briefing prior to operation; preparations for flight; loss of sleep during night-time operations; activities on arrival over convoy; return flight; occasions when pilots fell asleep; rations available during flight; amusing story of second pilot using toilet during attack on German Navy submarine; character of Elsan Toilet; facilities to boil water; flying clothing worn; conditions on flight deck and rear of aircraft; wireless operator/air gunner rota; method of rear gunner taking drift for navigator; question of boredom on flights; technique used to scan sea for submarines; professional nature of crews; reasons for crews not locating convoys; use of radar to pick up convoys; degree to which weather affected operations; use of ASV Mk V Radar. REEL 7 Continues: escorting HMT Queen Mary and HMT Queen Elizabeth; operation to find and engage German Air Force Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor aircraft; occasions when radar signals proved not to be submarines; character of radar return signals; move to RAF Ballykelly, 10/1943; operating from other airfields; character of airfield at RAF Ballykelly; accommodation at RAF Ballykelly; obtaining extra fuel; messing facilities; character of Operation Sea Slug in Bay of Biscay; duration of and losses during operations in Bay of Biscay; tactics employed by German submarines in Bay of Biscay, 1943; use of Coastal Command Review; incident when his pilot refused to take off with overweight aircraft; crewing up with Australian pilot Wesley Loney; crew relations; problems of training with rockets. REEL 8 Continues: story of sinking of German submarine U-470 by his crew, 16/10/1943; problems with weather and damage on return flight to RAF Ballykelly, 17/10/1943; success of 59 and 86 Sqdns operations, 16/10/1943- 17/10/1943; reaction of crew to success of sinking submarine U-470; method of attacking submarines; depth charges carried by aircraft; occasions when his aircraft carried early homing torpedo; reception on return to squadron; question of awards being only given to pilots; reaction to being sent to armament practice camp; awareness of success of RAF Coastal Command during 1943; reduced threat of submarines in North Atlantic after 10/1943; operating from RAF St Eval, 11/1943; overnight stay in Gibraltar; landing at RAF Hern in heavy cloud. REEL 9 Continues: first patrol in North Atlantic, 1/1/1944; nature of attack on German submarine U-621 in North Atlantic, 13/1/1944; visit to Headquarters, Coastal Command at Eastbury Park to discuss attack on submarine U-621; post-war meeting with German engineer of submarine U-621; provision of aerial escort for Prime Minister Winston Churchill travelling aboard HMS King George V; awareness of changing nature of Battle of Atlantic; patrolling off Norwegian coast, 5/1944; encounter with German destroyer during attempt to intercept submarine off Norwegian coast, 24/5/1944; quality of intelligence received about German submarine movements; refuelling and location of fuel tanks on Consolidated VLR Liberator GR Mk V; support given for D-Day landings in English Channel, 6/1944; sighting of periscope in English Channel, 6/1944; problems of relocating sightings; return to patrolling off Norway. REEL 10 Continues: effects of changes in German submarine tactics, 1944; attending joint naval anti-submarine course; nature of Royal Navy/Coastal Command co-operation; threat of friendly fire from Royal Navy vessels; escorting troop ships into Cherbourg, France, 21/8/1944; reaction to posting to air-sea rescue squadron, 9/1944; commissioning 4/1944; duration of operational tours in Coastal Command; experience and personal morale during tour; problems of take offs and landings in poor weather; question of over flying Southern Ireland; visits to Southern Ireland; relations with civilians in Northern Ireland. REEL 11 Continues: reaction to posting to operations centre at RAF Ballykelly; role as squadron training officer; last operational flights with squadron, 1945; reaction to visit to surrendered German Navy submarines in Londonderry, Northern Ireland; post-war meeting with survivor of submarine U-470; comradeship between former Coastal Command and German submarine crews; rescue of survivors of submarine U-470; rapid rundown of RAF Ballykelly after VE Day, 8/5/1945. Aspects of period as officer with 59 Sqdn, Transport Command, RAF in GB and India, 1/1946-6/1946: volunteering for Transport Command; rejoining squadron at RAF Waterbeach, 1/1946; crew of transport version of Consolidated Liberator; duties; loss of pilot; duration of flights from GB to India; rumours about RAF mutinies in India; reasons for Royal Air Force mutinies in India; incident of dealing with smoke in aircraft during flight from India; disbandment of squadron, 6/1946. Aspects of period as officer with Royal Air Force in GB and Singapore, Federation of Malaya, 1946-1951: requesting demobilisation, 1946. REEL 12 Continues: move to recruiting centre in Cardiff to await demobilisation; applying for short service commission; attending cryptography course at RAF Compton Basset, 1951; posting to signals centre in Singapore, Malaya, 1951. Recollections of period as adjutant with Far East Flying Boat Wing, RAF at RAF Seletar, Singapore, Federation of Malaya and off Korean Peninsula, 1952-1953: posting to wing; operational sorties carried out by wing in Federation of Malaya; operations off Korean Peninsula; characteristics of Short Sunderland Flying Boat; operating under American control from Japan; anti-shipping patrols off Korean Peninsula and coast of Federation of Malayan; character of Firedog Operations in Federation of Malaya; terrain operated over; restrictions on travel in Federation of Malaya. REEL 13 Continues: role as adjutant; flying duties; further characteristics of Short Sunderland Flying Boat; cold weather conditions off Korea; leaving Far East Flying Boat Wing, RAF and return to GB. Aspects of period as staff officer with Air Ministry at RAF West Ruislip, GB, 1953-1957: posting to ministry; chaotic storage of targeting material; scope of targeting material; visit to Cyprus to distribute targeting material for landings at Suez, Egypt, 10/1956; targeting package; destruction of outdated targeting material at Battersea Power Station, London; workload. Aspects of period as station intelligence officer at RAF Geilenkirchen, West Germany, 1957-1959: posting, 1957; duties as station intelligence officer; problems whilst attending winter survival course in West Germany; practical nature of survival course. Aspects of period as station intelligence officer at RAF Wyton, GB, 1959-1962: posting to RAF Wyton. REEL 14 Continues: operational nature of station; Soviet interrogation methods; nature of escape and evasion exercise from RAF Dishforth; effects of participation in escape and evasion exercise; Low Altitude Bombing System (LABS) technique of delievering nuclear weapons; flight in English Electric Canberra; opinion of English Electric Canberra; leaving RAF Wyton, 1962. Aspects of period as officer with Recruit Training School, RAF Bridgnorth in GB, 1962: duties; training flights; state of accommodation. Aspects of period as intelligence officer with Headquarters, Bomber Command, RAF at RAF High Wycombe, GB, 1963-1965: posting to headquarters; duties; sources of intelligence. REEL 15 Continues: location of intelligence section in underground headquarters; composition of intelligence section. Aspects of period as cryptographic officer with Headquarters, Middle East Land Forces in Aden, Federation of South Arabia, 1965-1967: duties as cryptographic officer; nature of postings to Aden; security situation in Aden; incident when grenade was thrown when he was in a cinema queue; death of mess servant at own hand planting bomb at RAF Steamer Point; guard duties at accommodation; employment of service families; shopping and use of rest centre in Mombasa, Kenya; participation in night-time armed patrols; deterioration in morale prior to withdrawal; return to GB. Aspects of period as cryptographic officer at RAF Stanbridge, GB, 1967-1968: reaction to posting; outmoded method of running cryptographic sections in RAF; question of nature of duties. Aspects of period as intelligence officer with Headquarters, Air Support Command at RAF Upavon, GB, 1968-1969: posting to RAF Upavon, 1968. REEL 16 Continues: function of Air Support Command; purchasing private accommodation; types of intelligence dealt with. Aspects of period as commanding station services at RAF Cosford, GB, 1969-1973: duties; taking over new mess; character of RAF Cosford; leaving RAF Cosford, 1973. Aspects of period commanding RAF Chicksands, GB, 1973-1975: dual Royal Air Force/American nature of base; relations with American personnel; need for posting to be an accompanied tour; option of staying on at station until retirement; nature of base as listening post; status of American airfields in GB; leaving base, 1975. Aspects of period commanding RAF Upavon in GB, 1975-1977: role of Royal Air Force station commanders; replacement of No 46 Group with No 38 Group at station; problems of his having home off station. REEL 17 Continues: selection for further active service by Royal Air Force; pre-retirement course at Bristol Old Vic Theatre; attitude to having served with Royal Air Force, 1941-1977; question of limited prospects of short service commissioned and supplementary list officers.