Beswick, Peter (Oral history)

Sound: © IWM (34137))

1369720363
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123492119
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
1845928309
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.

Description

Object description

British NCO served as navigator with 36 Sqdn, No 18 Group, Coastal Command, RAF in GB, 1944-1945; served with 55 Sqdn, RAF and Communications Flight, RAF in Greece, 1945-1946; served with 113 Sqdn, Transport Command, RAF in GB, 1946-1948; served with 47 Sqdn, Transport Command, RAF during Berlin Airlift, Germany, 1948-1949

Content description

REEL 1 Background in GB, 1923-1941: family; education. Aspects of enlistment and training with RAF in GB and Canada, 1941-1943 reasons for enlistment as aircrew in RAF; induction into RAF at No 1 Air Crew Reception Centre, Lords Cricket Ground, St John's Wood, London, GB; pattern of early training; selection for navigator training; opinion of navigation course; pattern of wireless operator/navigation training; move to Canada; pattern of training in Canada; return to GB; awaiting posting in No 7 Personnel Reception Centre, RAF at RAF Harrogate, GB; training with RAF Coastal Command at RAF Silloth, GB. Recollections of period as navigator with 36 Sqdn, No 18 Group, Coastal Command, RAF in GB, 1944-1945: posting to RAF Benbecula, Outer Hebrides; opinion of Vickers Wellington; duties and duration of escort flights. REEL 2 Continues: conditions on board Vickers Wellington; conditions at RAF Benbecula; operating over North Atlantic; description of blue line; reaction to end of war in Europe and posting to Egypt, 5/1945. Aspects of period as navigator with 55 Sqdn, RAF and Communications Flight, RAF in Greece, 1945-1946: initial posting to 55 Sqdn, RAF and it's disbandment; duties with Communications Flight; decision to sign on for three years service with RAF; application to join Transport Command, RAF. Aspects of period as navigator with 113 Sqdn, Transport Command, RAF in GB, 1946-1948: conversion to Handley Page Halifax; method of snatching General Aircraft Hamilcar Glider from ground with tow line. Recollections of period as navigator with 47 Sqdn, Transport Command, RAF during Berlin Airlift, Germany, 1948-1949: posting to squadron; character of Handley Page HP.67 Hastings; character of RAF Schleswig; start of operations on airlift, 11/1948. REEL 3 Continues: taking Beam Approach Beacon (BAB) unit out to RAF Gutersloh; description of navigating in air corridors; importance of timings in air corridor; use of Gee navigational system; approach to RAF Gatow and use of Tegel Airfield; loads carried including coal; time spent on ground and fuel carried; flying clothing worn; number of daily flights made and night flights; degree of threat from Soviets; example of rota worked. REEL 4 Continues: flying from RAF Gatow; initial impressions of Berlin; degree of awareness of significance of airlift; question of isolation of crews; airlift instructor work at RAF Dishforth; attitude towards service with RAF and Berlin Airlift.

Object Details

Category: Sound
Related period: 1990 to the present day (production)
Creator: IWM (Production Company)
McDonough, Richard (Recorder)
Beswick, Peter (Interviewee/Speaker)
Production date: 2015-03-20
Dimensions: whole: Duration 120, Number Of Items 4
Catalogue number: 34137

Object associations

Associated people and organisations

Beswick, Peter
Royal Air Force, Sqdn, 36
Royal Air Force, Sqdn, 47
Royal Air Force, Command, Transport
Associated subjects

Aircraft, British: Vickers Wellington
Aircraft, British: Handley Page HP.67 Hastings

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Object Details

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Associated subjects

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