Tibby, Maurice Arthur (Oral history)

British naval airman trained with Fleet Air Arm at HMS St Vincent, Gosport in GB, 4/1943-7/1943; trained as pilot at No 12 Elementary Flying Training School, RCAF Goderich and No 14 Service Flying Training School, Aylmer, Canada, 1943-1944; midshipman served as pilot with No 1Naval Air Fighter School at HMS Heron, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, GB, 1944; officer served as pilot with 800 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm in Northern Ireland and aboard HMS Emperor, 21st Aircraft Carrier Sqdn, East Indies Fleet in Indian Ocean, 1/1945-8/1945; served as ferry pilot with No 2 Ferry Pool, Fleet Air at HMS Nuthatch, Royal Naval Air Station Anthorn and No 4 Ferry Pool, HMS Blackcap, Royal Naval Air Station Stretton, GB, 1947-1948; student on Flying Instructors' Course with Central Flying School, RAF Little Rissington, GB, 1949; served as staff instructor with Central Flying School, RAF at RAF Little Rissington, GB, 1949-1950; served as pilot with 813 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm at HMS Daedalus, Royal Naval Air Station Lee-on-Solent, GB and aboard HMS Indomitable and HMS Indefatigable in GB coastal waters, 1950-1952; served as flying instructor with Fleet Air Arm at HMS Landrail, Royal Naval Air Station Machrihanish, GB, 1952; served as flying instructor with 781 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm at HMS Daedalus, Royal Naval Air Station Lee-on-Solent, GB, 1952-1954; served as pilot with 803 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm in Malta and aboard HMS Albion in Mediterranean and GB coastal waters, 1954-1955; served as officer aboard HMS Fleetwood in GB coastal waters, 1955-1956; served as pilot with 800 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm in GB and aboard HMS Albion in Mediterranean and during landings at Suez, Egypt, 1956-1957; commanded Dartmouth Air Training Sqdn at HMS Goldcrest, Royal Naval Air Station, Brawdy, GB, 1957-1958; served as staff officer with Flag Officer Training at HMS Heron, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, GB, 1958-1960; student on Commanding Officer Designates Course at HMS Fulmar, Royal Naval Air Station Lossiemouth in GB, 1960; commanded HMS Malcolm, Arctic Division of Fisheries Protection Squadron in GB coastal waters and Arctic during First Cod War, 1960-1962; served as Commander Air at HMS Heron, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, GB, 1962-1964; student on a staff course at Combined Staff College, Latimer, GB, 1964-1965; served as staff officer with Directorate of Naval Warfare at Ministry of Defence in London, GB, 1965-1968; served as staff officer with Headquarters, Commander Allied Forces Baltic Approaches, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Headquarters in Kiel, Germany, 1968-1970; served as President of Naval Air Crew Advisory Board at Seafield Park, GB, 1971-1974; served as staff officer with Headquarters, Central Treaty Organisation (CENTO) in Ankara, Turkey, 1974-1976; served as officer with Admiralty Interview Board at Gosport, GB, 1976-1977

REEL 1 Background in Bedford and Luton, GB, 1924-1943: family; education; early interest in aviation; volunteering for RAF. Aspects of enlistment and training as naval airman with Fleet Air Arm at HMS St Vincent, Gosport, GB, 4/1943-7/1943: volunteering for Royal Navy, 4/1943; method of entering Fleet Air Arm; character, origins and keenness of cadets; accommodation and messing arrangements; character of instructors including Chief Petty Officer Wilmott; taking control of squad; importance of period as introduction to naval life. Recollections of period of flying training at No 12 Elementary Flying Training School, RCAF Goderich, Canada, 1943-1944: voyage aboard HMT Queen Mary from GB to New York, US; in transit at RCAF Moncton; start of flying training; ground instruction; instruction period prior to soloing; soloing. REEL 2 Continues: learning basic controls of aircraft; spinning; opinion of De Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth as trainer; circuits and bumps; skills needed to fly aircraft and reasons for course failure; reasons for carrying out aerobatics; pattern of training after soloing; navigation exercises; navigating and flying in winter conditions; forced landing training; reasons for not turning back on engine failure; air awareness; basic instruments in De Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth. Recollections of period of flying training at No 14 Service Flying Training School, RCAF Aylmer, Canada, 1944: introduction to North American Harvard; presence of artificial horizon instrument in North American Harvard. REEL 3 Continues: familiarisation flight in North American Harvard; spinning in North American Harvard as opposed to De Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth; instrument flying and importance of believing them; reasons for students failing service flying course; formation flying; question of skills needed to become fighter pilot and allocation to different flying duties; preference for becoming a fighter pilot; ranks during flying training. Recollections of period as pilot with No 1 Naval Air Fighter School, HMS Heron, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in GB, 1944: commissioning as midshipman on return to GB, 7/1944; appointment to No 1 Naval Air Fighter School; realisation that appointment would be to Far East; pattern of fighter course including strike formation; air-to-ground firing; air-to-air firing. REEL 4 Continues: practising aerial combat; bombing practise; story illustrating how some pilots couldn't handle operational flying; character of Grumman Wildcat Mk VI; question of different approaches of British and American naval aircraft design; requirement for deck landings; contrast between signals used by American and British batsman; description of batsman signals; use of three point landings; deck landing training aboard HMS Trouncer; taking off from aircraft carrier; character of Grumman Wildcat Mk VI's undercarriage. Aspects of period as pilot with 800 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm at HMS Gadwall, Royal Naval Air Station Sydenham, Northern Ireland, 1/1945-2/1945: appointment to squadron; working up; character of Grumman Hellcat FB Mk II. REEL 5 Continues: role of squadron. Recollections of operations as pilot with 800 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm aboard HMS Emperor, 21st Aircraft Carrier Sqdn, East Indies Fleet in Indian Ocean, 3/1945-8/1945: embarkation on board aircraft carrier; working up from Ceylon and aboard carrier; demarcation between ship's company and squadron personnel; allocation of ratings to specific aircraft and later introduction of pilots' mate system during 1950s; details of working up on board aircraft carrier; accommodation at HMS Bherunda, Royal Naval Air Station Colombo Racecourse, Ceylon; description of types of operations carried out in Indian Ocean; use of leave camps between operations; difficulty of identifying jungle targets and defences. REEL 6 Continues: conditions aboard aircraft carrier; flying equipment and survival kit; degree of awareness of Japanese treatment of captured aircrew; nature of Japanese opposition faced; question of accuracy of Japanese anti-aircraft fire; reasons for not engaging in close air support operations; hearing news of atomic bombs being dropped on Japan and reaction to end of Second World War, 8/1945; move to Singapore, Malaya to attend Japanese surrender, 15/8/1945; situation in Singapore, Malaya; return to GB and demobilisation, 1946. Aspects of period as pilot with No 2 Ferry Pool, Fleet Air Arm at HMS Nuthatch, Royal Naval Air Station Anthorn and No 4 Ferry Pool, Fleet Air Arm, HMS Blackcap, Royal Naval Air Station Stretton in GB, 1947-1948: background to accepting short service commission in Fleet Air Arm, 1947; attitude to becoming a ferry pilot. REEL 7 Continues: nature of rules about flying different aircraft; contrast between flying single and twined engined aircraft; flying De Havilland DH.98 Mosquito; opinion of Hawker Sea Fury, De Havilland DH.103 Sea Hornet, Fairey Firefly and Blackburn Firebrand; contrast in technique between flying British and American aircraft; ferry flight duties. Recollections of period on Flying Instructors Course at Central Flying School, RAF Little Rissington, GB, 1949: background selection to become an instructor; training as instructor; method of presentation used by instructors; stages of flying instruction training; night flying. REEL 8 Continues: flying different types of aircraft; degree of instruction prior to flying Supermarine Spitfire; contrast between flying piston-engined and jet powered aircraft; flying Avro Lancaster; physical strength needed to fly large aircraft; staff examination to become instructor. Aspects of period as staff instructor with Central Flying School, RAF Little Rissington, GB, 1949-1950: flying De Havilland DH.115 Sea Vampire T.22; question of using side by side instructional aircraft; pattern of instructor training. Recollections of period as pilot with 813 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm at HMS Daedalus, Royal Naval Air Station, Lee-on-Solent in GB and aboard HMS Indomitable and HMS Indefatigable in GB coastal waters, 1950-1952: background to joining squadron; characteristics of Blackburn Firebrand; opinion of squadron commanders in immediate post-war period. REEL 9 Continues: dropping torpedo from Blackburn Firebrand; operating from aircraft carriers; character of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) exercises; opinion of Blackburn Firebrand; incident of forced landing in Blackburn Firebrand into Moray Firth; survival training in water tank; reasons for his forced landing; experienced character of squadron. Aspects of period as instructor with Fleet Air Arm at HMS Landrail, Royal Naval Air Station Machrihanish, GB, 1952: scheme to refresh New Zealand pilots; pattern of instruction; method of rectifying bad habits; reasons for scheme not being successful. Aspects of period as flying instructor with 781 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm at HMS Daedalus, Royal Naval Air Station Lee-on-Solent, GB, 1952-1954: instructional duties; question of requalifying inexperienced pilots; ceremonial duties during Coronation, 6/1953. REEL 10 Continues: Recollections of period as pilot with 803 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm in Malta and aboard HMS Albion in Mediterranean and GB coastal waters, 1954-1955: joining squadron in Malta; landing jet aircraft on angled deck; use of mirror landing sight; character of Hawker Sea Hawk; participation in North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) exercises; incident of crashing off aircraft carrier's deck in Hawker Sea Hawk in North Sea; investigation into crash and injuries; use of catapults on aircraft carriers; disbandment of squadron. Aspects of period as officer aboard HMS Fleetwood in GB coastal waters, 1955-1956: requirement to do sea training to obtain watch certificate. REEL 11 Continues: nature of sea service; relations with ship's company; transferable skills from aviation background. Aspects of period as pilot with 800 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm in GB and aboard HMS Albion in Mediterranean, 1956: role of senior pilot; bad habits picked up by squadron pilots; commissioning of squadron with new aircraft at HMS Goldcrest, Royal Naval Air Station Brawdy; role of air weapons instructor; organisation of squadron; inspection at end of working up period; improved safety with introduction of jet aircraft onto aircraft carriers; anticipation of potential involvement in conflict in Middle East; embarkation aboard HMS Albion, 9/1956. Recollections of operations as pilot with 800 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm aboard HMS Albion during landings at Suez, Egypt, 11/1956: painting of yellow invasion markings on aircraft; unawareness of potential enemies and allies; pre-dawn briefing. REEL 12 Continues: technique to approach and attack targets; opinion of Egyptian airmen; lack of Egyptian air opposition; method of attacking airfields; incident when his number two flew in front of him during attack; picking out of individual targets; reasons for attacking target only once; change in targets after neutralisation of airfields; identification of targets and ground support operations; problems with communications; role of RAF during operations; cab rank system; Combat Air Patrols (CAPs); American nuisance flights during operation; reaction to Egyptian opposition; plan to take water ashore in Douglas Skyraider aircraft. REEL 13 Continues: call for ceasefire after successful attack on Port Said; opinion of Suez landings; opinion of squadron's performance during operation; character of Egyptian anti-aircraft fire; flying kit worn; air-sea rescue plans; return to GB, 12/1956. Aspects of period commanding Dartmouth Air Training Sqdn at HMS Goldcrest, Royal Naval Air Station Brawdy in GB, 1957-1958: role and history of squadron; types of aircraft operated; squadron personnel; nature of course; fate of squadron after he left. Aspects of period as staff officer with Flag Officer Training at HMS Heron, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, GB, 1958-1960: method of keeping up flying hours; duties in arranging flying training in Fleet Air Arm; effects of introduction of flying simulators; attitude towards staff appointment. Aspects of period as student on Commanding Officer Designates Course at HMS Fulmar, Royal Naval Air Station Lossiemouth, GB, 1960: nature of course; objective of course. REEL 14 Continues: opinion of Hawker Hunter; low level exercises; opinion of Supermarine Scimitar; loss of Commander Desmond Russell in Supermarine Scimitar aboard HMS Victorious. Recollections of period commanding HMS Malcolm, Fisheries Protection Sqdn, Royal Navy in GB coastal waters and Arctic during First Cod War, 1960-1962: background to appointment to command a frigate; amusing story of taking command of the ship for first time, 12/1960; situation off Iceland; description of Fishing Block; month long patrols; reception on being first Royal Naval vessel to enter an Icelandic port, 1/1961; amusing story of trawler captains' radio communications; dealing with arrest of trawler Kingston Amber; invitation to Icelandic gunboat captain to drinks on board and subsequent friendship; relations with Icelanders; rules of engagement; character of seamen on board; weather conditions; eating in bad weather; dangers of poor weather conditions. REEL 15 Continues: Aspects of period as Commander Air at HMS Heron, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, GB, 1962-1964: need to keep hand in with flying; lack of opportunity to fly whilst commanding HMS Malcolm; duties and team; station squadrons; character of De Havilland DH.110 Sea Vixen; attitude towards role. Aspects of period as student on a staff course at Combined Staff College, Latimer, GB, 1964-1965: training in staff reports; introduction to Ministry of Defence. Aspects of period as staff officer with Directorate of Naval Warfare at Ministry of Defence in London, GB, 1965-1968: role of Director of Naval Warfare; responsibilities with Department of Air Operations and Training Division; loss of aircraft carrier building programme; question of leaving Royal Navy at end of appointment. Aspects of period as staff officer with Headquarters, Commander Allied Forces Baltic Approaches, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Headquarters in Kiel, Germany, 1968-1970: mixed nationality command; role of headquarters; relations with German naval officers; responsibilities for air operations; attitude to service; scale of threat from Warsaw Pact. REEL 16 Continues: work on helicopter/motor torpedo co-operation; relations with German military. Aspects of period as President of Naval Air Crew Advisory Board at Seafield Park, GB, 1971-1974: composition of unit; work of Naval Air Crew Advisory Board; story of dealing with experienced pilot operating De Havilland DH.110 Sea Vixen; attitude to appointment. Recollections of period as staff officer with Headquarters, Central Treaty Organisation (CENTO) in Ankara, Turkey, 1974-1976: mixed nationality command; character of command; restriction of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) code books to some member countries; diplomatic status; British trained Pakistani officers; character of Turkish military personnel; relations with American officers; character of Iranian officers; visits to Iran. REEL 17 Continues: Aspects of period as officer with Admiralty Interview Board in Gosport, GB, 1976-1977: appointment to board; his own wartime interview; composition of board; interview stages; character of interviewees; selection process; attitude to service in Royal Navy, 1943-1977.