Description
Object description
British NCO served as pilot with 9 Sqdn No 3 Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB, 1941-1942; officer served as pilot with 15 Sqdn, No 3 Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB, 5/1942-11/1942; served as instructor with No 19 Operational Training Unit at RAF Kinloss, GB, 11/1942-11/1944; served as pilot with 162 Sqdn, No 8 (Pathfinder Force) Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB, 12/1944-5/1945; civilian member of British Athletics Team during Olympic Games in London, GB, 1948
Content description
REEL 1 Background in London, GB, 1917-1939: family; education; employment with London and Lancashire Insurance Coy; awareness of political situation in Europe. Aspects of enlistment and training with RAF in GB, 1940-1941: call-up to RAF, 1940; initial question of heart condition; learning to fly in Miles Master; opinion of Vickers Wellington. Aspects of operations as pilot with 9 Sqdn, No 3 Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB, 1941-1942: joining squadron, 8/1941; operations as second pilot and pilot; opinion of Vickers Wellington Mk III; flying in bomber stream; need to avoid searchlights; use of dead reckoning for navigation; opinion of first tour. Aspects of operations as pilot with 15 Sqdn, No 3 Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB, 5/1942-11/1942: opinion of Short Stirling Mk I; handling Short Stirling, Mk I; role of air gunners; attending athletics event; activities prior to and after operations; operations to Italy; clothing worn.
REEL 2 Continues: participation in 1000 Bomber Raid on Cologne, Germany, 30/5/1942; targeting military targets only and avoiding Cologne Cathedral; use of Gee Navigation Aid; icing on aircraft; narrow escape after low-level minelaying operation off Lorient, France; duration of operations and tour; bombing of Rostock and Stettin, Germany; debriefing. Aspects of period as instructor with No 19 Operational Training Unit, RAF at RAF Kinloss, GB, 11/1942-11/1944: duties; opinion of Armstrong Whitworth Whitley; weather conditions; marriage. Recollections of operations as pilot with 162 Sqdn, No 8 (Pathfinder Force) Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB, 12/1944-5/1945: pathfinding role of squadron; character of De Havilland DH.98 Mosquito; allocation of navigator and converting to De Havilland DH.98 Mosquito prior to joining squadron.
REEL 3 Continues: marking flares; use of H2S Radar to pinpoint target; nature of targeting operations and locations; problems landing in fog; participation in nuisance raids; prior recollection of narrow escape from night fighter attack flying Short Stirling with 15 Sqdn, No 3 Group, Bomber Command, RAF; last operation to Kiel, Germany, 25/4/1945; question of continuing service with RAF; attitude towards service with RAF. Recollections of member of British Athletics Team at Olympic Games in London, GB, 1948: running career prior to Second World War; his performance at Olympic Games; travelling to games by bus and train; reasons for failure to qualify; clothing and expenses for games. Story of unofficial operations flown with 15 Sqdn, No 3 Group, Bomber Command, RAF.