Description
Object description
British aircraftsman and NCO trained as wireless operator/air gunner with RAF in GB, 1942-1944; NCO served as wireless operator with 75 (NZ) Sqdn, No 3 Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB, 10/1944-3/1945
Content description
REEL 1 Background in London, GB, 1924-1939: family; education; awareness of political situation in Europe; Aspects of period as evacuee in Hands Cross in GB, 1939-1940: evacuation with school, 1939; location of evacuees; reasons for return to London, 1940. Aspects of period as civilian in London, GB, 1940-1942: starting employment; membership of 7th County of London (Hammersmith) Bn Home Guard; guard duties in London; employment; nature of German Air Force attacks, 1940-1941; membership of Air Training Corps and activities. Recollections of enlistment and training as wireless operator/air gunner with RAF in GB, 1942-1944: background to volunteering as RAF aircrew, 1942; RAF selections boards; allocation to wireless operator training; call up to No 1 Aircrew Reception Centre, St John's Wood, London, 4/1943; attending No 19 Initial Training Wing, RAF at RAF Bridgnorth; pattern of training; treatment of recruits.
REEL 2 Continues: move to No 2 Radio School, RAF at RAF Yatesbury for wireless operator training; pattern of training including Morse Code; nature of instruction in air; attitude to training in the air; tuning wireless set in air; air gunnery training at RAF Dingwall; air firing using drogue; attitude to guns used; duration of air gunnery course; move to Northern Ireland for advanced wireless operator course; crewing up at No 26 Operation Training Unit, RAF; state of training aircraft and working up of crew; firing off colours of the day; opinion of Vickers Wellington; use of Short Stirling for four engine bomber training; attitude towards different ranks amongst crew.
REEL 3 Continues: Recollections of operations as wireless operator with 75 (NZ) Sqdn, No 3 Group, Bomber Command, RAF in GB, 10/1944-3/1945: joining squadron at RAF Mepal, 10/1944; character of airfield; reaction to first daylight operation to attack Walcheren, Netherlands, 10/1944; adjustment to flying operations; briefings prior to operations; work of wireless operator during operations; pre-flight meal; preparations for flight; clothing worn and escape boots; reasons for radio silence; sharing space with navigator; crew communications; night and daytime anti-aircraft fire; bombing run; fighter escorts; threats from fighters and anti-aircraft fire; debriefing; number of operations flown.
REEL 4 Continues: reaction to unpopular targets; attitude of aircrew to bombing; landing in fog; opinion of work of ground crews; pattern of service after leaving squadron, 3/1945 including period with air/sea rescue unit at Plymouth; question of taking short term commission; attitude towards having served with Bomber Command during Second World War.