Description
Object description
British aircraftsman trained as wireless operator with RAF in GB, 1941- 1943; NCO served as wireless operator with 97 Sqdn, 8 Group, Pathfinders Force, RAF in GB, 1943-1944; officer served as instructor at Operational Training Unit at RAF Silverstone and Bomber Command Instructors School at RAF Finningly in GB, 1944-1946
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Brighton, GB, 1922-1940: father's military experience; lack of anticipation of Second World War; membership of Scout movement; reasons for learning Morse Code; reasons for volunteering for RAF, 1940; wartime conditions in Brighton, 1939-1941. Recollections of enlistment and training as wireless operator with RAF in GB, 1941-1943: call up to RAF Padgate, 9/1941; move to Blackpool; issue of kit; rifle drill with wooden cut outs; initial wireless operator training; organisation of squad and relations with drill corporal; daily routine; physical training in London; move to 2 Radio School, RAF at RAF Yatesbury; instruction in Morse Code.
REEL 2 Continues: receiving and transmission of Morse Code; accommodation at RAF Yatesbury; technical training in London; air gunnery course at RAF Mona; interview reads from log book; aircraft types flown in at 2 Radio School, Yatesbury; local purchase of eggs; promotion to sergeant; move to operational training unit at RAF Cottesmore; crewing up and origins of crew.
REEL 3 Continues: pre-war occupation of Australian crew member; pattern of operational training with crew; addition of crew members on conversion to Avro Lancaster at RAF Wigsley; posting to Pathfinder Navigational Training Unit at RAF Upwood. Recollections of operations as wireless operator with 97 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1943-1944: posting to squadron, 9/1943; substitution of pilot after his contracting of chicken pox; first operation to Stuggart, 7/10/1943; pre-operational tests; quantities of fuel needed; briefings; signal sending; pilot checking of crew; incident when flight engineer lost consciousness; pre-flight rations.
REEL 4 Continues: scanning frequencies for foreign language transmissions; use of codebook; contact with other aircraft; normal altitude for operations; threat from night fighters; relative dangers to Pathfinder and Main Force aircrafts; manoeuvres to counter night fighter attacks including 'corkscrew' movement; night fighter attack on aircraft during return from Berlin, 24/12/1943; emergency landing after night fighter attack, 24/12/1943; encounter with two night fighters, 7/1944; anti-aircraft fire damage to aircraft; evasion training; crew's refusal to carry war correspondent; squadron casualties over Normandy, 6/1944; briefing not to jettison bombs over English Channel, 5/6/1944.
REEL 5 Continues: bombing of St Pierre du Mont on D- Day, 6/6/1944; pattern of operations after D-Day; end of tour, 8/1944; RAF decision to rate French targets at 60% of an operation; memories of Air Vice Marshal Don Bennett; interview with Air Vice Marshal Don Bennett over commissioning. Aspects of period as instructor with Operational Training Unit, RAF Silverstone and Bomber Command Instructors School at RAF Finningley in GB, 1944-1946: postings prior to joining school; character of wireless net; procedures for approach and landings; arrangements for emergency landings; character of trainee aircrew; VE day celebrations; question of staying on in RAF; game of 'Hare and Hounds' in Doncaster.
REEL 6 Continues: return to civilian life, 1946. Reflections on service with RAF, 1941-1946: membership of Aircrew Association; fate of his mid upper gunner; loss of his navigator; how Australian rear gunner was shot down and survived; advantages of service with RAF; aircraft losses on 'Black Thursday' during raid on Berlin, 17/12/1943; attending lunch at Buckingham Palace to mark 60th Anniversary of end of war, 2005; attending memorial service in Lincoln Cathedral.
