DeptName
Documents
IDNO
1594
OtherNumber
87/43/1
ItemName
Private Papers of B E Turberville
ObjectType
Private Papers
ShortSummary
Two ms diaries of his National Service as an Air Frame Mechanic in the RAF, November 1955 - November 1957, with brief entries giving details of his duties, recreational activities, food and travel while training at RAF Cardington and RAF Padgate, November 1955 - February 1956, trade training at RAF Kirkham, February-June 1956, then service at RAF Wildenrath, Germany, June-November 1956, December 1956 - February 1957 and May-July 1957, RAF Middle Wallop, November-December 1956, RAF Buckeburg, Germany, March-May and July-October 1957, and finally RAF Washington Hall, Chorley, October-November 1957; together with his call up and demobilisation documents, leave passes and pay accounts, German tickets and authorisation between zones, movement orders for 1912 Independent Light Liaison Flight, RAF June-July 1956, and orders for Exercise Baltic Breeze, August 1956.
MakerName
Turberville
Forenames
B E
Weighting
1
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
WebStatus
published
UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31
URLEncodedDeptName
Documents
Access
Unrestricted
DeptName
Documents
IDNO
507
OtherNumber
88/2/1
ItemName
Private Papers of E M Kup
ObjectType
Private Papers
ShortSummary
Well-written ms memoir (99pp) of her service in the WAAF (September 1939 - December 1945) with the ultimate rank of Section Officer, covering her enrolment and training at RAF Yeadon, Yorkshire (October - November 1939), duties as an MT Driver and RDF Plotter at RAF Debden, Essex (November 1939 - August 1941), her attendance on a commissioning course at RAF Loughborough, Leicestershire (August - October 1941) and subsequent postings as a Watchkeeper and Intelligence Officer to RAF Pocklington, Yorkshire (October 1941 - November 1943), HQ 92 Group, Training Command at Winslow, Cheshire (November 1943 - February 1944), HQ Pathfinder Force (PFF, Bomber Command) at RAF Bourn, Cambridgeshire (February/March 1944 - May 1945), Gransden Lodge, Cambridgeshire (May - August 1945) and on administrative duties at Warboys, Huntingdonshire until her demobilisation, with excellent details of her work, particularly ops room procedure, station life and WAAF routine, useful references to contact with RAF and USAAF personnel, Canadian and Australian aircrew, morale, air raids, the Battle of Britain and service funerals as well as a touching description of her brief engagement to Pilot Officer D H Wissler (killed in action, November 1940).
MakerName
Kup
AlternativeName
Nee Heap
Forenames
E M
Style
Mrs
RelatedIWMItems
See also the diary of Pilot Officer D H Wissler and the letters of Flight Lieutenant A J Hodgkinson and her interview with the Sound Archive (13927/3).
RelatedImageFile
KupEM_000507_2.jpg
Weighting
500
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
WebStatus
published
UncatTransferDate
12/09/2006 05:50:12
URLEncodedDeptName
Documents
Access
Unrestricted
IndexPlace
Yeadon, West Riding, Yorkshire, England, UK
Debden, Essex, England, UK
Loughborough, Leicestershire, England, UK
Pocklington, East Riding, Yorkshire, England, UK
Bourn, Cambridgeshire, England, UK
Wimslow, Cheshire, England, UK
Gransden Lodge, Cambridgeshire, England, UK
Warboys, Huntingdonshire, England, UK
IndexEvent
Blitz, United Kingdom, Second World War
Battle of Britain 1940, United Kingdom, Second World War
PDF
KupEM_000507_2.pdf
DigitalAsset
Y
DeptName
Documents
IDNO
583
OtherNumber
88/15/1
ItemName
Private Papers of S Faulkner
ObjectType
Private Papers
ShortSummary
Ts memoir (102pp) written in 1988 but based on a contemporary diary of his service as an armourer (guns) in the RAF, August 1940 - November 1945, describing training in England, August 1940 - May 1941, then voyage to Egypt in HMT MONARCH OF BERMUDA and service with No. 108 Squadron, August 1941 - December 1942, servicing the guns on Wellington and Liberator bombers, during the North African campaign, then with No. 39 Squadron in North Africa, February 1943 - February 1944, Sardinia, February - July 1944, and in Italy, July - November 1944, followed by a posting to No. 231 MU in Norfolk, November 1944 - November 1945.
MakerName
Faulkner
Forenames
S
Weighting
1
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
WebStatus
published
UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31
URLEncodedDeptName
Documents
Access
Unrestricted
DeptName
Documents
IDNO
1725
OtherNumber
92/6/2
ItemName
Private Papers of D S Stafford
ObjectType
Private Papers
ShortSummary
Substantial collection relating to his service in the RAF as a radar mechanic, with the ultimate rank of Leading Aircraftman, in Burma and India, 1944 - 1946, comprising: 106 ms letters (approx. 400pp) to his mother, September 1944 - September 1946, mainly of interest for his observations on service conditions, local life and politics in India during that period whilst serving with No 176 Squadron, mainly at RAF Baigachi, notably his witnessing of civil unrest in Calcutta during the `August killings' of 1946; ts commentary (16pp) on the letters giving additional details of his training as an RAF radar mechanic in Britain, his involvement with the Rangoon landings in May 1945 as part of a mobile radar unit, and the acute discontent in many RAF units in India in early 1946 over service conditions; 2 volumes of diaries (approx. 250pp), January 1944 - December 1945, recording mainly off-duty activities; contemporary ms account (60pp) of his transport to India in 1944 via Suez and Aden, illustrated with various ephemera; notebook (36pp) of sketches of scenery and flora in India and Burma and an account of a visit to the Himalayas; 2 books of 1946 newspaper cuttings relating mainly to political developments in India and Anglo-Indian relations; album (22pp) of photographs taken in various parts of India in 1944 - 1945; and other low-level papers.
MakerName
Stafford
Forenames
D S
Weighting
1
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
WebStatus
published
UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31
URLEncodedDeptName
Documents
Access
Unrestricted
DeptName
Documents
IDNO
1947
OtherNumber
92/22/1
ItemName
Private Papers of K M Cove
ObjectType
Private Papers
ShortSummary
Informative ts memoir (33pp), written in March 1992, of her service, September 1942 - March 1946, as a Flight Mechanic and Fitter with the WAAF rising to Sergeant, including: her background and voluntary enlistment, August 1942; basic training at 1st WAAF Depot, Bridgnorth, September 1942, and 3rd WAAF Depot, Morecambe; technical training, 6 S of TT, RAF Hednesford, October 1942 - March 1943, and service as a Flight Mechanic at 28 OTU, RAF Wymeswold, March - April 1943; training, 1 S of TT, RAF Halton, April - August 1943, and service as a Fitter with 18 (P)AFU, RAF Church Lawford, August 1943 - June 1944 (hospitalised at RAF Cosford, November - December 1943) and 6 (P)AFU, RAF Little Rissington, June 1944 - March 1945; training, 1 S of EVT, RAF Cosford, March 1945, and service as an Instructor on EVT, 6 (P)AFU, March - December 1945, and 6 SFTS, December 1945 - January 1946, at RAF Little Rissington, and 23rd Group, RAF Catterick, January - March 1946; her marriage, February 1946, and her demobilization from 105 PDC, RAF Grantham, March 1946; and mentioning her reactions to the RAF, her duties, the conditions in and insularity of RAF Stations, and the effect of her service on her later life. Also included are four photographs of her in WAAF uniform.
MakerName
Cove
AlternativeName
nee Jennings
Forenames
K M
Style
Mrs
RelatedImageFile
CoveKM_001947_4.jpg
Weighting
500
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
WebStatus
published
UncatTransferDate
12/09/2006 05:50:12
URLEncodedDeptName
Documents
Access
Unrestricted
IndexPlace
Bridgnorth, Shropshire, England, UK
Morecambe, Lancashire, England, UK
Hednesford, Staffordshire, England, UK
Wymeswold, Leicestershire, England, UK
Halton, Lancashire, England, UK
Church Lawford, Warwickshire, England, UK
Cosford, Warwickshire, England, UK
Little Rissington, Gloucestershire, England, UK
Catterick, North Riding, Yorkshire, England, UK
Grantham, Lincolnshire, England, UK
IndexEvent
Home Front, UK, Second World War
PDF
CoveKM_001947_4.pdf
DigitalAsset
Y
DeptName
Documents
IDNO
2442
OtherNumber
Con Shelf & 93/30/1
ItemName
Private Papers of J D M Pearson GC
ObjectType
Private Papers
ShortSummary
125 ms letters written while serving with the WAAF, 1941 - 1946 to her mother in Cornwall giving good descriptions of her duties as an officer stationed at RAF Detling (July 1940), RAF West Drayton (August 1940), RAF Uxbridge (December 1940), in the recruitment section of the Air Ministry located at Victory House, Kingsway, London (February - June 1941), RAF Torquay (August 1941), RAF Snaith (September 1942), RAF Hixon (April 1943), RAF Oakington (February 1944), and RAF Henlow (February 1945), together with comments on the award of the George Cross to her in 1940, some letters from friends in the services, newspaper cuttings, a few official papers relating to her service in the WAAF, and a small collection of papers relating to her friend, Lieutenant J F M Floyd, RA, who served in Ireland and the Home Guard during the Second World War.
MakerName
Pearson GC
Forenames
J D M
Style
Miss
RelatedIWMItems
See full catalogue.
RelatedTextFile
JDMPearson.doc
Weighting
500
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
WebStatus
published
UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31
URLEncodedDeptName
Documents
Access
Unrestricted
DigitalAsset
Y
DeptName
Documents
IDNO
4782
OtherNumber
86/25/1
ItemName
Private Papers of Felicity Hill
ObjectType
Private Papers
ShortSummary
Detailed ts memoirs (187pp) of her service career in the WAAF/WRAF, 1939 - 1969, covering her enlistment and subsequent employment at RAF Farnborough (1939 - 1940), her attendance on the first WAAF NCO course (June 1940) and later on a course at the WAAF OTS at Bulstrode Park, Buckingham (December 1940); her postings to RAF Wyton, Norfolk, and the Inspectorate of Recruiting (1941), where she interviewed Sarah Churchill; to the WAAF Directorate (1942 - 1943); to RAF Kirkwell, Orkneys (1943) and RAF Turnhouse, Edinburgh (1943 - 1944); to No 16 Maintenance Unit at Stafford (Spring - Summer 1944); the Polish Section, Directorate of Allied Air Forces Liaison (1944 - 1945) during which time she was sent to France to recruit Polish DPs; a WAAF OTS at Stratford-upon-Avon to be Chief Instructor (1945); to HQ No 44 Group (1945 - 1946); HQ No 85 and No 2 Groups BAFO Germany (1946 - 1947); HQ Flying Training Command, Shinfield Park, Reading (1947 - 1949), after her demobilisation and re-enlistment (Summer 1947); HQ Far East Air Force, Singapore; WRAF Directorate at the Air Ministry (1951 - 1954); HQ Home Command, Maidenhead (1954 - 1956); Inspectorate General at RAF Uxbridge, Middlesex (1956 - 1958), during which period she visits Kenya to discuss potential posting of the WAAF there; RAF Hawkinge, Folkestone (1958 - 1959); RAF Spitalgate, Grantham (1959 - 1961); serves as Deputy Director of the WRAF (1961 - 1964) and then as Inspector WRAF attached to the Inspectorate General at RAF Uxbridge during which period she visits the Far East (1964 - 1966); then her appointment as Director WRAF (1966 - 1969) including details of her creation as Dame, her attendance at the Investiture of the Prince of Wales and other official visits. She gives useful descriptions of administrative procedure, recruitment and training, and life in the WAAF in general as well as interesting observations on the setting up of a Polish WAAF.
MakerName
Hill
Forenames
Felicity
Honours
OBE
Style
Air Commodore Dame
RelatedIWMItems
See full catalogue
Weighting
1
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
WebStatus
published
UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31
URLEncodedDeptName
Documents
Access
Unrestricted
DeptName
Documents
IDNO
8516
OtherNumber
99/44/1
ItemName
Private Papers of D M T Colles
ObjectType
Private Papers
ShortSummary
452 ms letters, telegrams and cards from an artist to her family, written from August 1939 - July 1940 while an English teacher and art student in Surrey and between July 1940 and March 1945 during her service with the WAAF, with the ultimate rank of Flight Officer, covering her enrolment and training at the WAAF depot at West Drayton and RAF Leighton Buzzard, her specialist training in photographic interpretation while billeted in Stanmore and postings to photographic reconnaissance units at RAF Medmenham, Buckinghamshire, ca March 1941 - January 1942, Heliopolis, Egypt (No 2 PRU and the Middle East Interpretation Unit), April 1942 - September 1944, and near Naples, Italy (HQ 336 Wing PR RAF CMF), September 1944 - March 1945, with useful references to preparations for war in Sussex, her art, life as a WAAF, her troopship voyage to Egypt via Durban, South Africa in 1942, conditions for WAAF in Heliopolis and Cairo, April 1942 - September 1944, particularly their social lives and other activities off duty, the frequency of hospitalisation for infectious diseases, conditions for WAAF in Italy, September 1944 - March 1945, and graphic descriptions of sightseeing and sketching expeditions in Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Cyprus and Italy, 1942 - 1945; also a number of associated papers and photographs.
MakerName
Colles
Forenames
D M T
Style
Miss
RelatedIWMItems
See full catalogue, DPH DOC 628 and the papers of her brother W M Colles (99/44/1)
Weighting
1
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
WebStatus
published
UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31
URLEncodedDeptName
Documents
Access
Unrestricted
DeptName
Documents
IDNO
11996
OtherNumber
PP/MCR/73
ItemName
Private Papers of S Burdett
ObjectType
Private Papers
ShortSummary
Microfilm copy of an illustrated ts account (154pp) covering his service as a RFC air mechanic in the United Kingdom during the First World War, describing his training at Farnborough, Halifax and Reading and subsequent posting to No 11 (Training) Squadron RFC at Spittlegate near Grantham and then Scampton near Lincoln, the ‘mutiny’ of No 153 Squadron RFC at North Weald, his transfer to No 143 Squadron RFC at Detling where he was in charge of a mobile workshop, and with No 39 Squadron RFC/RAF at Biggin Hill; and his recall to active service in August 1939, describing the completion of his training at RAF Henlow before being posted to No 13 Maintenance Unit and then to No 54 Maintenance Unit in Cambridge for salvage duties, the problems encountered by the salvaging force and their solutions, his award of the British Empire Medal, and the completion of his service in Nassau in the Bahamas.
MakerName
Burdett
Forenames
S
RelatedIWMItems
See full catalogue
Weighting
1
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
WebStatus
published
UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31
URLEncodedDeptName
Documents
Access
Unrestricted
DeptName
Sound
IDNO
8659
ProductionDate
20/Nov/1984
ObjectType
IWM interview
IndexPeople
Hughes, Joan Lily Amelia xxx
IndexPlaces
GB, England
IndexUnits
GB.O & Air Transport Auxiliary
GB.F & Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
GB.O & West London Aero Club
GB.O & Civil Air Guard
ShortSummary
British civilian pilot and instructor served with Air Transport Auxiliary in GB, 1940-1945; served with Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in GB, 1946-1954
FullSummary
REEL 1 Recollections of flying experience in GB, pre-1939: learning to fly at 15; obtaining flying license at 17; lack of flying restrictions; attitude towards flying; training as Instructor for Civil Air Guard, 1938; working as flight instructor for Civil Air Guard. Recollections of joining Air Transport Auxiliary in GB, 1939: restrictions on employing female pilots; public attitude towards female pilots; flight test at Bristol; publicity surrounding female pilots. Recollections of period with Air Transport Auxiliary in GB, 1940-1945: uniform and introduction of trousers for women; attitude of men towards female pilots; pay; early restrictions on female Air Transport Auxiliary pilots.
REEL 2 Continues: pay; attitude towards flying accidents; destinations; navigation; relaxation of restrictions on types of aircraft women could fly; training at Central Flying School; attitude towards training; duties as ferry pilot; weather conditions; air raids; duties as flying instructor; attitude of male trainees towards female instructors; types of aircraft flown.
REEL 3 Continues: memories and opinion of Pauline Gower; story of landing Hurricane with undercarriage raised; discipline. Recollections of employment post-war: formation of West London Aero Club by Air Transport Auxiliary members; instructing for West London Aero Club; disbanding of Air Transport Auxiliary, 3/1945; secondment to Ferry Air Group, 3/1945; leaving Air Transport Auxiliary, 5/1945. Aspects of period with Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in GB, 1946-1954 joining Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve; taking RAF 'Wings' course; disbanding of Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 1954.
ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Air Transport Auxiliary
Duration
90
NumberOfParts
3
OtherFormats
None
MakerName
Hughes, Joan Lily Amelia
ProductionCompany
IWM
MakerGender
Female
Language
English
RelatedSoundFile
Hughes-airwarfare.mp3
Weighting
750
900
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
WebStatus
Published
UncatTransferDate
02 February 2007
URLEncodedDeptName
Sound
Access
IWM copyright
Nationality
British
DigitalAsset
Y
DeptName
Sound
IDNO
9285
ProductionDate
1986
ObjectType
IWM interview
IndexObjects
aircraft, British: Hawker Hurricane
aircraft, British: Supermarine Spitfire
aircraft, US: Bell P39 Airacobra
IndexPeople
Gore, Margaret xxx
Wyndham, Margaret xxx
IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Hatfield, Herts
GB, England & Hamble, Hants
IndexUnits
GB.O & Air Transport Auxiliary
GB.O & Romford Flying Club
GB.O & Civil Air Guard
GB.O & Ferry Pool, Hamble
GB.O & Ferry Pool, Hatfield
ShortSummary
British civilian pilot served with Air Transport Auxiliary at Hatfield and Hamble ferry pools in GB, 1940-1945
FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in GB, 1913-1939: family; education; eployment at British Reinforced Concrete; impact of Amy Johnson's flights, 1930s; joining National Women's Air Reserve; learning to fly at Romford Flying Club; first solo flight; gaining instructor's qualification, 8/1939; instructing for Civil Air Guard; outbreak of Second World War; employment at Wormwood Scrubs, 1939. Recollections of period with Air Transport Auxiliary at Hatfield ferry pool, 1940-1941: joining Air Transport Auxiliary, 6/1940 and flight test; uniform; training to fly Airspeed Oxford and Miles Master aircraft; expansion of Air Transport Auxiliary; lack of female facilities at aerodromes; pay; media interest in women pilots; first flight in Hawker Hurricane aircraft.
REEL 2 Continues: daily routine; morale 1941/1942; flying duties. Recollections of period with Air Transport Auxiliary at Hamble Ferry pool, GB, 1941-1945: formation of Hamble ferry pool; role of Hamble; opinion of Spitfire aircraft; types of aircraft flown; occasion when her plane nearly caught up in balloon barrage during air raid; increase in activity and duties; weather conditions; selecting appropriate aircraft for pilots; psychological pressure of work as Commanding Officer.
REEL 3 Continues: women only nature of Hamble; duties running the ferry pool; daily routine; opinion of De Havilland Mosquito aircraft; training to fly Handley Page Halifax; women flight engineers; opinion of flying Avro Lancaster; ships assembling in Solent for D-Day, 6/1944; coping with air raids c1942/1943; V1 attacks; popular types of aircraft; opinion of Air Cobra aircraft; physical inability to fly Tomahawk aircraft.
REEL 4 Continues: training; information on aircraft available at HQ; attitude towards flying; social life; accommodation; food rations. Aspects of post war employment: instructing at White Waltham; training to become an Osteopath; attitude towards period with Air Transport Auxiliary; VE-Day, 5/1945; reflections on wartime experience.
ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Air Transport Auxiliary
Duration
120
NumberOfParts
4
OtherFormats
Full : 47pp
MakerName
Gore, Margaret
ProductionCompany
IWM
MakerGender
Female
Language
English
RelatedSoundFile
009285S01.mp3
Gore-airwarfare.mp3
Weighting
750
900
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
WebStatus
Published
UncatTransferDate
02 February 2007
URLEncodedDeptName
Sound
Access
IWM copyright
Nationality
British
DigitalAsset
Y
DeptName
Sound
IDNO
10035
ProductionDate
23/Jul/1987
ObjectType
IWM interview
IndexObjects
aircraft, British: Supermarine Spitfire
IndexPeople
Gollan, Pamela Mary D'Auvergne xxx
Duncan, Pamela Mary D'Auvergne xxx
IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Hatfield, Herts
GB, England & White Waltham, Berks
GB, England & Hamble, Hants
GB, England & Cosford, Warwickshire
GB, England & Luton
GB, England & Ratcliffe
FR
FR & Lyon
DE
DE & Belsen
IndexUnits
GB.O & Air Transport Auxiliary
GB.O & Ferry Pool, Hatfield
GB.O & Ferry Pool, White Waltham
GB.O & Ferry Pool, Hamble
GB.O & Ferry Pool, Cosford
GB.O & Ferry Pool, Luton
GB.O & Ferry Pool, Ratcliffe
GB.O & Flight Training School, White Waltham
GB.O & Aerodrome, Brooklands, Weybridge, Surrey
GB.O & Entertainments National Service Association
DE.O & concentration camp, Bergen-Belsen
IndexConcepts
Medical services
Holocaust
ShortSummary
British civilian pilot served with Air Transport Auxiliary in GB, 1941-1945; civilian work for ENSA in North West Europe, 1945
FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in GB,1917-1939: family; eduction; learning to fly at Brooklands; gaining private license; attitude towards flying; public attitude towards women pilots; voluntary work of middle classes. Aspects of period as civilian in GB, 1939-1941: outbreak of Second World War, 9/1939; desire to join the Women's Royal Naval Service; work for Air Raids Precaution; attitude towards war and joining services; ARP duties; history of Air Transport Auxiliary. Aspects of joining Air Transport Auxiliary in GB, 1941: applying to join Air Transport Auxiliary; story of getting lost during flight, Brooklands pre-war.
REEL 2 Continues: story of first cross-country flight, pre-war; lack of flying experience; flight test. Recollections of period as pilot with Air Transport Auxiliary in GB, 1941-1945: daily routine; types of aircraft flown; conversion courses at White Waltham; opinion of Supermarine Spitfire; various postings.
REEL 3 Continues: account of accident as passenger in taxi plane, 3/1942 including flight, inability of pilot to control the plane and crash, escaping from plane, explosion of plane and suffering burns; attitude towards injuries; attitude towards treatment by staff at aerodrome; reaction to learning of deaths of pilot and best friend; medical treatment; refusing to use bed pan; recovery and returning home.
REEL 4 Continues: attitude towards returning to flying; Air Transport Auxiliary medical; test flight; attitude towards returning to flying; long term impact of accident; fate of men that rescued her; injuries; long term medical problems; opinion of Cosford ferry pool; contrast between male and female pilots; American attitude towards women pilots; food rations; attitude towards uninjured men who bribed pilot to fly them home in place of injured, 6/1944.
REEL 5 Continues: fate of friends in France; desire to get to France to help friends; resigning from Air Transport Auxiliary. Recollections of period with ENSA in France and Germany, 1945: joining ENSA; duties looking after performers; memories of Marlene Dietrich; organising billets for performers in Lyon; devastation of Europe by allied bombing; European attitude towards Americans; opinion of performers.
REEL 6 Continues: crossing the River Rhine; reaction of German civilians to British; question of Allied treatment of Germans; visiting to Belsen concentration camp; speaking to camp inmates; physical condition of inmates; mass graves; condition of inmates; behaviour of inmates.
REEL 7 Continues: flying former concentration camp inmates to Brussels; pay.
ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Air Transport Auxiliary
Duration
200
NumberOfParts
7
OtherFormats
None
MakerName
Gollan, Pamela Mary D'Auvergne
ProductionCompany
IWM
MakerGender
Female
Language
English
RelatedSoundFile
010035S01.mp3
Gollan-airwarfare.mp3
Weighting
750
900
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
WebStatus
Published
UncatTransferDate
06 February 2007
URLEncodedDeptName
Sound
Access
Educational use only
Nationality
British
DigitalAsset
Y
DeptName
Sound
IDNO
10667
ProductionDate
4/Apr/1989
ObjectType
IWM interview
IndexObjects
aircraft, British: Supermarine Spitfire Mark I
aircraft, British: Hawker Fury
IndexPeople
Devitt, Peter Kenneth xxx
Wingate, Orde
IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Frome, Somerset
GB, England & Farnborough, Hants
IndexUnits
GB.F & Royal Auxiliary Air Force
GB.F & Royal Auxiliary Air Force, Sqdn 600
GB.F & Royal Auxiliary Air Force, Sqdn 615
GB.F & Sqdn 152
GB.F & Group 221
GB.F & Wing 267
GB.F & Wing 189
GB.F & RAF Tangmere
GB.F & RAF Acklington
GB.F & RAF Frome
GB.F & RAF Warmwell
ShortSummary
British officer served as pilot with 600 Sqdn, Royal Auxiliary Air Force in GB, 1932-1939; served as sector controller at RAF Tangmere in GB, 9/1939-2/1940; commanded 152 Sqdn in GB, 2/1940-12/1940 including Battle of Britain; served as staff officer with 267 Wing, 221 Group, RAF in Burma, 1942; commanded 189 Wing, 221 Group, RAF in Burma, 1944; commanded 615 Sqdn, Royal Auxiliary Air Force in GB, 1948-1950
FullSummary
REEL 1 Aspects of period as pilot with 600 (City of London) Sqdn, Royal Auxiliary Air Force in GB, 1932-1939: background to learning to fly in Kenya, 1929 and joining Royal Auxiliary Air Force, 1931; pride in membership of Royal Auxiliary Air Force; types of aircraft flown prior to Second World War; weekly routine. Aspects of period as sector controller at RAF Tangmere in GB, 9/1939-2/1940: reaction to outbreak of Second World War, 3/9/1940; memories of Battle of Barking Creek, 6/9/1939; work of sector controller. Recollections of operations as commanding officer of 152 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 2/1940-12/1940 including Battle of Britain: posting to command squadron at RAF Acklington; opinion of Supermarine Spitfire Mark I and Hawker Fury; damage to his Supermarine Spitfire and forced landing near RAF Frome, 25/9/1940; role of commanding officer of squadron in action.
REEL 2 Continues: German Air Force tactic of circling; relative performance of Supermarine Spitfire Mark I and Messerschmitt Me 109; opinion of German pilots; his method of training inexperienced pilots; handling of tired pilots at RAF Warmwell; personal morale during battle; threat of invasion; opinion of Winston Churchill; Polish and French pilots in his squadron; degree of warning of German attacks; RAF tactics and deployment; efficacy of Supermarine Spitfire armament; story of intercepting German bombers who jettisoned their bombs on a store containing his furniture at Sevenoaks; rivalry between Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane pilots; his preference for Supermarine Spitfire. Recollections of operations as staff officer with 267 Wing, 221 Group, RAF in Burma, 2/1942-5/1942: background to posting; flight from GB to Burma via Cairo, Egypt; evacuation from Rangoon.
REEL 3 Continues: quotes from General Bill Slim's book about evacuation of Rangoon; joining Burwing. Aspects of commanding 189 Wing 221 Group, RAF at Imphal, India, 1944: involvement in Chindit operations; loss of Orde Wingate; opinion of Orde Wingate. Aspects of period as commander of 615 (County of Surrey) Sqdn, Royal Auxiliary Air Force at RAF Biggin Hill, 1948-1950: background to taking command and subsequent meetings with Winston Churchill; leading fly past before George VI at Farnborough, 1950.
ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Battle of Britain, 1940
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Far East, 1941-1945
Duration
75
NumberOfParts
3
OtherFormats
None
MakerName
Devitt, Peter Kenneth
ProductionCompany
IWM
MakerGender
Male
Language
English
RelatedSoundFile
Devitt-airwarfare.mp3
Weighting
750
900
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
WebStatus
Published
UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006
URLEncodedDeptName
Sound
Access
IWM copyright
Nationality
British
DigitalAsset
Y
DeptName
Sound
IDNO
10788
ProductionDate
2/Aug/1989
ObjectType
IWM interview
IndexObjects
aircraft, British: Supermarine Spitfire Mk 1
aircraft, British: Supermarine Spitfire Mk II
IndexPeople
Maclean, Charles Hector xxx
Hamilton, Duke of
Hess, Rudolf
IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, Scotland
GB, Scotland & Abbotsinch
GB, Scotland & Drem
GB, Scotland & Forth Bridge
IndexUnits
GB.F & Royal Auxiliary Air Force
GB.F & Sqdn 602
GB.F & RAF Ayr
GB.F & RAF Drem
IndexConcepts
Medical Services
ShortSummary
British officer served as pilot with 602 Sqdn, Royal Auxiliary Air Force in GB, 1935-1940 including Battle of Britain, 1940; served as fighter controller at RAF Ayr, GB, 1941 including monitoring flight of Rudolf Hess to GB, 11/5/1941
FullSummary
REEL 1 Aspects of period as pilot with 602 (City of Glasgow) Sqdn, Royal Auxiliary Air Force in GB, 1935-1939: reasons for joining Royal Auxiliary Air Force; impressions of commanding officer the Duke of Hamilton; service with Royal Auxiliary Air Force; proportion and contribution of auxiliaries to RAF; arrival of squadron Supermarine Spitfires; first flight in Supermarine Spitfire from Abbotsinch, 3/1939; question of degree of knowledge of German Air Force; reaction to declaration of Second World War, 9/1939; states of operational readiness. Recollections of operations as pilot with 602 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1939- 1940 including Battle of Britain: move to RAF Drem, 10/1939; improvised blackout at Drem; interception of German Air Force raid over Forth Bridge, 16/10/1939.
REEL 2 Continues: focusing of Supermarine Spitfires Mk I guns and subsequent modification; attitude towards Germans; move to Westhampnett, 13/8/1940; interception of German Air Force Junkers Ju 87 raid on Ford, 16/8/1940; delivery of new Supermarine Spitfires Mk II, 18/8/1940; wounding in right leg during head on attack on German bomber formation; technique for landing with wheels up; hospitalisation and amputation of leg. Aspects of period as fighter controller at RAF Ayr, GB, 1941: work of fighter controller; monitoring Rudolf Hess's flight, 11/5/1941.
REEL 3 Continues: waking up Duke of Hamilton to meet Rudolf Hess; opinion of German intelligence.
ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Battle of Britain, 1940
Air Defence of Great Britain, 1939-1945
Duration
75
NumberOfParts
3
OtherFormats
None
MakerName
Maclean, Charles Hector
ProductionCompany
IWM
MakerGender
Male
Language
English
RelatedIWMItems
Photographs x2 (1938 & 1945) in file
RelatedSoundFile
010788S01.mp3
010788S02.mp3
Maclean-airwarfare.mp3
Weighting
750
900
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
WebStatus
Published
UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006
URLEncodedDeptName
Sound
Access
IWM copyright
Nationality
British
DigitalAsset
Y
DeptName
Sound
IDNO
10871
ProductionDate
21/Aug/1989
ObjectType
IWM interview
IndexPeople
Horstmann, Rosemary Elizabeth xxx
IndexPlaces
GB, England
EG
EG & Cairo
IT
IT & Conversano
IndexUnits
GB.F & Women's Auxiliary Air Force
GB.F & Service, Y
GB.F & RAF Hawkinge
GB.O & Bletchley Park, Hut 3
GB.F & Wing, 276
GB.O & Ministry, Air, AI 4
US.O & Government, Pentagon
ShortSummary
British aircraftwoman served as plotter with Women's Auxiliary Air Force at RAF Filton, GB, 3/1940- 6/1940; served with Y Service at RAF Hawkinge during Battle of Britain, 8/1940-10/1940; officer served with AI 4 at Air Ministry in London, GB with 276 Wing in Cairo, Egypt and in Italy, 1940-1944; served with Hut 3 Bletchley Park, GB, 6/1944-5/1945 and with the Pentagon in Washington DC, US, 6/1945-8/1945
FullSummary
REEL 1 Aspects of period as plotter with Women's Auxiliary Air Force in GB, 3/1940-6/1940: reasons for enlistment in Women's Auxiliary Air Force; posting to RAF Filton; work as plotter. Recollections of period as aircraftwomen with Women's Auxiliary Air Force attached toY Service during Battle of Britain, 1940: volunteering for Y Service, 6/1940; posting to RAF Hawkinge, 8/1940-10/1940; nature of work with Y Service; hearing combat sounds over radio; removal of WAAFs from RAF Hawkinge; feelings on progress of the battle; listening to German Air Force pilots' radios; working conditions and supervision of work; move to West Kingsdown, 10/1940. Recollections of period as officer with AI 4 at the Air Ministry in London, GB, with 276 Wing, Cairo, Egypt and Italy, 1940-1944: monitoring German Air Force bomber morse code signals in London.
REEL 2 Continues: specialisation in monitoring movements of German Air Force Transport aircraft; transfer to 276 Wing in Cairo, Egypt, 1942; monitoring German movement of fuel by glider from Italy to North Africa; nature of combined operations role; role of Ultra information; panic in Alexandria during Axis advance into Egypt, 7/1942; move of AI 4 to Conversano, Italy, 1/1944-6/1944; degree of knowledge of individual German units. Aspects of period with Hut 3, Bletchley Park, 6/1944- 5/1945: role clarifying intelligence using card index; watch system; work of duty advisers and distribution of information; degree of knowledge of German Air Force; Allied fears of German Air Force jet aircraft; dealing with information about V weapons sites. Aspects of period as officer with Pentagon in Washington DC, US, 5/1945-8/1945: role organising card index of Japanese intelligence.
ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Battle of Britain, 1940
Duration
60
NumberOfParts
2
OtherFormats
Full : 25pp
MakerName
Horstmann, Rosemary Elizabeth
ProductionCompany
IWM
MakerGender
Female
Language
English
RelatedIWMItems
photo in Autobiography (in Printed Books)
See also IWM interview with husband, Guy W H Waters on SR 10870
RelatedSoundFile
Horstmann-airwarfare.mp3
Weighting
750
900
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
WebStatus
Published
UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006
URLEncodedDeptName
Sound
Access
Educational use only
Nationality
British
DigitalAsset
Y
DeptName
Sound
IDNO
13629
ProductionDate
9/Dec/1993
ObjectType
IWM interview
IndexPeople
Hosier, Charles George Clacy xxx
IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Newport, Isle of Wight
GB, England & Hayling Island, Hants
GB, England & Portmouth, Hants
GB, England & St Boniface Down, Isle of Wight
GB, England & Ventor, Isle of Wight
EG
EG & Cairo
EG & El Alamein
LY
LY & Tobruk
IndexUnits
GB.A & Royal Artillery, Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regt 57
GB.A & Royal Artillery, Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regt 69
AU.A & Div 9
GB.N & Abdiel
ShortSummary
British gunner served with 57th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regt, Royal Artillery in GB, 1939-1941; NCO served with 69th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regt, Royal Artillery in North Africa, 1941-1943
FullSummary
REEL 1 Background on Isle of Wight, 1919-1939: family; education; reasons for joining Territorial Army. Recollections of period with 57th Heavy Anti-Aircraft, Royal Artillery in GB, 1939-1941: background to joining unit; guns operated by unit; role with radar section; stationing on Hayling Island; his voluntary work pulling down dangerous walls during Portsmouth Blitz, 1940; German Air Force attacks on Newport; public morale; influence of Winston Churchill's speeches; technique of box barrage used against German aircraft; reasons for move to St Boniface Down near Ventor. Recollections of operations as NCO with 69th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regt, Royal Artillery in North Africa, 1941-1942: background to posting to unit, 3/1941; character of route march on arrival Cairo; relations with Egyptian civilians; contrast between Italian and German POWs in Egypt; move to Tobruk aboard HMS Abdeil; disembarking in Tobruk harbour; character of tea; move to J Site.
REEL 2 Continues: terrain on Tobruk perimeter; anti-aircraft defence of Tobruk; attacks from German aircraft and long-range artillery; premature in barrel of his gun; living conditions on gun site at Tobruk; discovery of Royal Navy rations; supplementing water ration and bathing; attitude towards water; lifting of siege of Tobruk, 12/1941; effect of departure of 9th Australian Div and replacement by Polish Bde; relations between Australians and British troops; attitude of Polish troops towards Germans; dockers stealing of food at Tobruk; avoiding capture during fall of Tobruk, 6/1942; attitude to Lady Astor's censure of British troops using Egyptian brothels; impact on 8th Army's morale of Montgomery's arrival; role of anti-aircraft defence at El Alamein; nature of El Alamein barrage; sight of Axis POWs after El Alamein.
REEL 3 Continues: route westwards, 11/1942-1/1943; effect on guns of rain storm, 11/1942; story of arrival of beer during siege of Tobruk, 1941. Question of effect of rates of pay in Territorial Army, 1939. Aspects of operations with 69th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regt, Royal Artillery in Tobruk, 1941-1942: infestation of fleas; presence of wild cats; nature of sandstorms; attitude to service in desert; issue of beer on retreat from Tobruk, 6/1942. Story of propaganda photographs taken of Bechuana and Basuto servicemen in Syria.
ContextDescription
Military Operations, 1939-1945: North Africa, 1940-1943
Duration
75
NumberOfParts
3
OtherFormats
None
MakerName
Hosier, Charles George Clacy
ProductionCompany
IWM
MakerGender
Male
Language
English
RelatedSoundFile
Hosier-airwarfare.mp3
Weighting
750
900
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
WebStatus
Published
UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006
URLEncodedDeptName
Sound
Access
IWM copyright
Nationality
British
DigitalAsset
Y
DeptName
Sound
IDNO
14609
ProductionDate
Sep/1994
ObjectType
IWM interview
IndexPeople
Bray, Flora xxx
Wallace, Flora xxx
Barnard, Flora xxx
Harris, Arthur
IndexPlaces
GB, England
IndexUnits
GB.F & Women's Auxiliary Air Force
GB.F & Women's Auxiliary Air Force & Instrument Repair Group
GB.F & RAF Insworth
GB.F & RAF Melksham
GB.F & RAF North Luffenham
GB.F & RAF Brize Norton
IndexConcepts
Sexual relations
Race
Medical services
ShortSummary
British NCO served with Women's Auxiliary Air Force in Instrument and Repair Group, RAF in GB, 1941-1945
FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in GB, 1911-1941: family; education; death of father due to gassing during First World War; attitude of mother towards role of women; difficult relationship with husband and impact of war on their relationship. Aspects of enlistment and training with Women's Auxiliary Air Force, 1941: reasons for enlistment in Women's Auxiliary Air Force, 15/7/1941; recruitment procedure; assignment to Instrument and Repairing Group 2; further reasons for joining Women's Auxiliary Air Force; training at RAF Innsworth; accommodation; types of female personnel at RAF Innsworth; uniform.
REEL 2 Continues: lack of social life; uniform; appeal of Women's Auxiliary Air Force; glamour surrounding RAF pilots especially during Battle of Britain; care of her son by grandparents. Recollections of period with Women's Auxiliary Air Force in Instrument and Repair Group, RAF at RAF Melksham, GB, 1941-1942: accommodation; training in instrument repair; training by men; attitude towards work; relations between sexes; attitude of WAAFs towards flying duties, 'Blood Chits'; spending leave with her son; wages and pay parade; kit inspections.
REEL 3 Continues: inability of some WAAFs to settle in; provision of sanitary towels; medical and welfare facilities. Recollections of periodwith Women's Auxiliary Air Force in Instrument and Repair Group, RAF at RAF Brize Norton, 1942-1944: accommodation and living conditions; inspecting and testing aircraft; issue of overalls and later battledress to WAAFs; attiude of men at RAF Brize Norton towards WAAFs; issue of tool box; first flight and duties during flights; responsibilities as corporal; arrival of and attitude towards Glider Pilot Regiment; description of gliders and problems.
REEL 4 Continues: involvement with design to improve glider 'Angle Dangle'; attitude towards flying conditions of glider pilots; accidents on site; first flight in glider; glider pilots lack of experience and consequences; attitude of RAF towards glider pilots; administration training at Wilmslow; social life; relations between WAAFs and RAF personnel; attitude towards public image of women in forces.
REEL 5 Continues: impact of her service in the WAAF on family life; estrangement from husband; spending leave periods with son; contact with US airmen; racial tensions among US airmen; attitude of RAF towards US airmen and contact with WAAFs; witnessing first ever ejector seat. Recollections of period with Women's Auxiliary Air Force in Instrument and Repair Group, RAF at RAF North Luffenham, 1944: reasons for transfer; attitude of pilots towards D-Day; increase in activity prior to D-Day; description of base.
REEL 6 Continues: learning of date for D-Day from Americans; visit to RAF Brize Norton by Bomber Harris; attitude towards Arnhem. Aspects of period as NCO with Women's Auxiliary Air Force in Instrument and Repair Group, RAF at RAF Brize Norton, 1944-1945: sense of anti-climax after D-Day; arrival and humiliation of the RAF Regt; lack of work; memories of VE Day and going absent without leave to visit son; takeover of RAF Brize Norton by USAF. Aspects of demobilisation, 20/9/1945: demobilisation; lack of incentives to stay in Women's Auxiliary Air Force; attitude towards end of her service with Women's Auxiliary Air Force.
REEL 7 Continues: desire to continue serving in WAAF. Recollections of life post 1945: employment; second marriage in 1951; disappointed expectations after leaving WAAF; impact of service in WAAF on her personality; question of effects of war on Women's liberation; question of appreciation of women's contribution in services; joining WAAF association.
ContextDescription
Air Operations: Women's Auxiliary Air Force
Duration
195
NumberOfParts
7
OtherFormats
None
MakerName
Bray, Flora
ProductionCompany
IWM
MakerGender
Female
Language
English
RelatedIWMItems
Photo 1941 in file
RelatedSoundFile
Bray-airwarfare.mp3
Weighting
750
900
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
WebStatus
Published
UncatTransferDate
12 February 2007
URLEncodedDeptName
Sound
Access
IWM copyright
Nationality
British
DigitalAsset
Y
DeptName
Sound
IDNO
21055
ProductionDate
26/Feb/2001
ObjectType
IWM interview
IndexPeople
Shea, Rosemary S xxx
Smart Rosemary S xxx
IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Dagenham
GB, England & Warrington
GB, England & Coventry
GB, England & Nuneaton
GB, England & Southminster, Essex
IndexUnits
GB.A & Auxiliary Territorial Service
ShortSummary
British radar operator with Auxiliary Territorial Service with anti-aircraft batteries in Coventry and Nuneaton and telephone operator at Southminster battery, 1944-1945
FullSummary
REEL 1 Aspects of family and educational background. Recollections of life in Dagenham: reaction to outbreak of war; watching Battle of Britain aircraft; bombing of area; story of narrow escape from unexploded bomb; morale; listening to radio. Recollections of period with Auxiliary Territorial Service: joining ATS; basic training, Warrington; radar training, Oswestry; operating radar; routine; work in mixed AA battery, Coventry; battery personnel; relations between men and women in battery; move to AA battery at Nuneaton; death of colleague; move to Southminster, Essex; narrow escape from V2 explosion; V2 which hit Dagenham area; attitude towards work in AA batteries.
ContextDescription
Civilian Life and War Work, 1939-1945
Military Operations, 1939-1945
Duration
25
NumberOfParts
1
OtherFormats
None
MakerName
Shea, Rosemary Sylvia
ProductionCompany
IWM
MakerGender
Female
Language
English
RelatedSoundFile
Shea-airwarfare.mp3
Weighting
750
900
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
WebStatus
Published
UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006
URLEncodedDeptName
Sound
Access
IWM copyright
Nationality
British
DigitalAsset
Y
DeptName
Sound
IDNO
21561
ProductionDate
30/Jul/2001
ObjectType
IWM interview
IndexObjects
aircraft, British: De Havilland Mosquito
aircraft, British: Hawker Typhoon
hangar, British: Merton
low loader, British: Queen Mary
engine, British: Napier
IndexPeople
Hayes, John xxx
IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Bethnal Green, London
GB, England & Stratford, London
GB, England & Dagenham, Essex
GB, England & Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
GB, England & Hatfield, Herts
FR
FR & Normandy
BE
BE & Deurne
DE
DE & River Rhine
DE & Emmerich
DE & Berlin
KE
KE & Nairobi
KE & Kilimanjaro
KE & Ujyi
IndexUnits
GB.F & Sqdn 151
GB.F & Repair and Salvage Unit 413
GB.F & RAF Marham
GB.F & RAF Henesford
GB.F & RAF Colerne
GB.F & RAF Halton
GB.F & RAF Gatow
GB.F & RAF Thorney Island
GB.F & RAF Fairwood Common
GB.F & School of Technical Training 5
GB.F & Airfield B7
GB.F & Airfield B70
GB.F & Wing 123
KE.O & Police Reserve, Kenyan
ShortSummary
British aircraftman served with 151 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1943; served with 413 Repair and Salvage Unit in North West Europe, 1944-1945
FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in Bethnal Green, Stratford and Dagenham, 1924-1939: family background; education; employment. Recollections of period as civilian living in Stratford, 1940-1942: employment with ship repairers in London Docks; evacuation of family; work repairing bombed damaged houses; use of canteens in communal shelters; sheltering in recently completed underground tunnel; story of destruction of family home; female neighbour's attitude towards Germans; technique of taking cover during German Air Force raids on docks; attitude towards Germans; story of sight of Jewish refugee children in London. Enlistment and training with RAF, 1942- 1943: background to call-up to RAF, 9/1942; opinion of basic training at Great Yarmouth; posting to RAF Marham; technical training at 5 School of Technical Training at RAF Henesford.
REEL 2 Continues: Recollections of period as flight mechanical with 151 Sqdn, RAF, 1943: posting to unit at RAF Colerne; opinion conversion course at RAF Halton; return to unit; studying De Havilland Mosquito at Hatfield; effect of repainting aircraft on crew morale; move to RAF Fairwood Common and background to leaving unit. Aspects of period as flight mechanic with 413 Repair and Salvage Unit, RAF in GB, 1943-1944: posting to unit; rescuing crew from crash landed B-17 Flying Fortress; move to RAF Thorney Island; use of Merton Hangar; composition of ground crew. Recollections of operations with 413 Repair and Salvage Unit, RAF in North West Europe, 1944-1945: initial sight of German POWs during Channel crossing; arrival in Normandy beachhead; recovery of Hawker Typhoon from cemetery; opinion of German dug outs; arrangement of British latrine; character of airfield B7; use of Queen Mary low loader; problems with Napier engines.
REEL 3 Continues: story of correspondence he had about airfield B70 at Deurne; narrow escape from V2 attack; German Air Force attack on B70, 1/1/1945; method of constructing mobile baths; opinion of Royal Engineers and Pioneer Corps; role of 123 Wing, RAF at Walcheren, 1/11/1944; story of leave in GB, 2/1945.
REEL 4 Continues: crossing River Rhine at Emmerich; attitude of German civilians to Allied troops; story of German civilians devouring donkey he had accidentally run over, 3/1945; loss of unit member in Germany. Aspects of period with RAF in Berlin during Occupation of Germany, 1945: move to RAF Gatow, Berlin; conditions in Berlin; meeting future wife; official visits to Russian Zone as courier. Recollections of period with Kenya Police Reserve in Kenya from 1952: background to going to Kenya, 1952; his enrolling in Police Reserve; sweeps through servant's quarters in Nairobi; role protecting family on farm; work for airline.
REEL 5 Continues: aircraft accident in Kilimanjaro area; precautions he took during Mau Mau emergency; tribal rivalry in Kenya; opinion of British rule; visit to paternalistic district commissioner at Ujyi who grew reserve food supply for population in case of crop failure.
ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1939-1945: North West Europe, 1944-1945
Duration
135
NumberOfParts
5
OtherFormats
None
MakerName
Hayes, John
ProductionCompany
IWM
MakerGender
Male
Language
English
RelatedSoundFile
Hayes-airwarfare.mp3
Weighting
750
900
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
WebStatus
Published
UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006
URLEncodedDeptName
Sound
Access
IWM copyright
Nationality
British
DigitalAsset
Y
DeptName
Exhibits
IDNO
UNI 5897
ItemName
navy blue service dress jacket, Air Transport Auxiliary
ObjectType
uniform
IndexUnits
GB.O & Air Transport Auxiliary & ATA
GB.F & Air Transport Auxiliary & ATA
FullSummary
The Air Transport Auxiliary originated from the pre-war Civil Air Guard. Formed in 1939, by September of that year, the ATA, under Gerard d'Erlanger its strength numbered 22 men and women. The ATA functioned as an ferry service, moving aircraft from factories to operational airfields. By the early 1940, the ATA's women pilots numbered 26, and throughout the war the women's Ferry Pool at Hamble delivered spitfires from various factories as well as two and four engined aircraft. By September 1941, the ATA pilots were ferrying all types of operational aircraft. By the end of the war they had delivered 309,011 aircraft of more than 200 different types. The wartime strength of the ATA was 1,152 men and 600 women of whom 166 were pilots and flight engineers. The women pilots performed exactly the same duties as the men, and from late 1943, were given the same pay and conditions of service as their male counterparts.
The ATA lost 174 personnel during the war, amongst whom was Amy Johnson CBE. She went missing, presumed killed, when the aircraft she was ferrying crashed in the Thames Estuary on 6th January 1941.
Weighting
1
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
UncatTransferDate
30/06/2006 11:14:35
URLEncodedDeptName
Exhibits
FormatDescription
navy blue single breasted jacket with four patch pockets and a blue cloth belt. On the shoulder straps, the rank lace, in dull yellow. Above the left breast pocket, in dull yellow cloth, the pilot's brevet being a pair of wings with the letters ATA in the centre.
Access
Access by prior appointment
DeptName
Exhibits
IDNO
UNI 7995
ProductionDate
1942
ItemName
officer's service dress cap, Flight Officer, WAAF
ObjectType
headdress
IndexPeople
Ellis-Rowell, B M B C (Flight Officer)
Richardson, B M B C (Mrs)
IndexUnits
GB.F & Womens Auxiliary Air Force & WAAF
FullSummary
The Women's Auxiliary Air Force, established in June 1939, was formed from the nucleus of forty-eight ATS companies attached to the RAF. The WAAF was mobilised on 1 September 1939 and the first regulations relating to uniform were published as Air Ministry Order A550/39. In April 1942 the first conscripts were called up under the National Service Acts. By the end of hostilities the WAAF numbered some 182,000. Airwomen served in 22 officer categories and 75 trades. The successor to the WAAF, the Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF) was placed on a permanent footing as a service of the Crown in 1949. WAAF officer's uniforms were similar in design to RAF officer's uniforms although, obviously, adapted for the female form. Wartime WAAF officer's rank titles differed slightly from those of their RAF counterparts, the rank of Flight Officer being the equivalent of Flight Lieutenant. Flight Officer B M B C Ellis-Rowell WAAF (Mrs B M B C Richardson) was commissioned in 1942 and spent two years as an Equipment Officer and also Barrack Officer at RAF Sealand, later she moved to No.43 Group HQ at Oxford as a Staff Officer. In late 1944 she became Officer in Charge, Engine Spares at RAF Henlow. From Henlow Ellis-Rowell was posted to the 2nd Tactical Air Force based at Bicester, Oxford, where she served as Equipment Liaison Officer until her demobilisation in August 1945.
ProductionCompany
M Berman Limited, London
Bailey and Wetherill Limited, London
Weighting
1
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
UncatTransferDate
30/06/2006 11:14:35
URLEncodedDeptName
Exhibits
FormatDescription
WAAF officer's pattern blue service dress cap in barathea. The crown is made in three sections with a `V' seam to the front with a cloth covered stitched peak. The cap band is black mohair and the chinstrap black patent leather. The badge comprises a gilt albatross above a bullion wire wreath, all surmounted by a King's crown in proper colours. This example bears two tailors' labels, Bailey& Wetherill Ltd, 89 Regent St. W. and M Berman Ltd, 18 Irving St. Leicester Sq. WC2. The first printed on the inside of the cap and the second embroidered on a label inside the headband. The name B.Richardson is written on a label inside the headband.
Access
Access by prior appointment
DeptName
Film
IDNO
IWM 1107-2
ProductionDate
1918
ItemName
WOMEN'S ROYAL AIR FORCE [Main]
IndexEvents
31/3(41)
IndexObjects
operations, British air - routine
operations, British air - maintenance
recreation, British air - sport: cricket
society, British air - sustenance
intelligence, military, British - reconnaissance
equipment, British air - camera: aerial reconnaissance
IndexPlaces
GB, England & Hastings area, Sussex
IndexUnits
GB.F & Women's Royal Air Force
ShortSummary
Everyday life for WRAF members on an RAF coastal station, probably near Hastings, summer 1918.
FullSummary
Some of the women work driving or doing maintenance work on RAF cars and lorries. One woman changes the tyre on a staff car, but is unable to get the inner tube detached from the tyre, even with the help of another woman. A male groundcrew member finally has to help. Some of the women play cricket outside their hut. Other women sit outside the cookhouse peeling potatoes; more join in. Inside the cookhouse the women cook and wash up. One woman does preparation work on an aerial camera, which a groundcrew member arrives to collect, also giving her a photograph to identify, which she does using reference books. Women act as waitresses in the officers' mess.
ContextDescription
Summary: see also IWM 1106 and IWM 1107-01. This film appears to be an alternative, or possibly discarded, version of IWM 1106
Series continuity: there is no film held under the numbers IWM 1108, IWM 1113 and IWM 1115 - IWM 1119 inclusive.
Duration
11 mins
Format
P 1/35/A
Colour
B&W
Sound
Silent
NumberOfParts
1
Dimensions
627 ft
ProductionSponsor
[RAF] (?)
ProductionCountry
GB
Language
None
LanguageMainTitles
English
LanguageSubtitles
None
Weighting
500
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
UncatTransferDate
30/06/2006 09:20:43
URLEncodedDeptName
Film
Access
IWM
DeptName
Film
IDNO
RMY 20
ProductionDate
1942
ItemName
BALLOON SITE 568 [Main]
IndexObjects
aircraft, British - balloon: barrage balloon
operations, British military - maintenance: barrage balloon
propaganda, British - practical: recruitment, WAAF
recreation, British military - social
training, British military - specialist: barrage balloon
IndexPlaces
GB, England
IndexUnits
GB.F & Women's Auxiliary Air Force
ShortSummary
Recruiting film for WAAF barrage balloon operators.
FullSummary
Over a shot of WAAFs marching out of a barrage balloon hangar, the refrain "I became a patriot to help to win the day" is heard. Four girls, a London shop assistant, a Scottish housemaid ("I wanted to do something much more worthwhile than being a housemaid"), a secretary and a Welsh barmaid join up as balloon operators. They arrive at camp and receive eleven week's instruction in repair work, knots, wire-splicing and winch operating before manoeuvring balloons, attached to trucks, into a vast echoing hangar. The girls chatter about that evening's dance where they are seen enjoying themselves in their new uniforms. After training they go to a practice war-site where, standing in the snow, they receive a pep talk about the rigours and satisfactions of their job. Finally they are posted to Balloon Site 568 in an industrial town. There, their sing-song in a camp hut is interrupted by an order to raise the balloons, which they do with enthusiasm.
Duration
9 mins
Format
P 1/35/N
Colour
B&W
Sound
comopt
NumberOfParts
1
Dimensions
787 ft
ProductionSponsor
Ministry of Information
ProductionCompany
Strand
ProductionTeam
Moffat, Ivan: director
Shaw, Alexander: producer
Jago, Jo: cameraman
Thomas, Dylan: script
Moffat, Ivan: script
Tasto, Charles R: sound recordist (as Chas Tasto)
ProductionCountry
GB
Language
English
LanguageMainTitles
English
LanguageSubtitles
None
Weighting
500
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
UncatTransferDate
30/06/2006 09:20:43
URLEncodedDeptName
Film
Access
IWM
DeptName
Film
IDNO
RMY 113
ProductionDate
1940
ItemName
SQUADRON 992 [Main]
IndexObjects
aircraft, British - balloon: barrage balloon
aircraft, British - combat: Supermarine Spitfire
aircraft, German - combat: Heinkel He 111
operations, British air - maintenance: barrage balloon
society, British - precautionary
training, British air - specialist: barrage balloon
IndexPlaces
GB, Scotland & Edinburgh, Mloth
GB, Scotland & Firth of Forth <Forth Bridge>
IndexUnits
GB.F & Sqdn, 992
ShortSummary
Documentary dramatisation of life in a barrage balloon squadron which after training is posted north to defend the Forth Bridge against the Luftwaffe.
FullSummary
New recruits receive instruction in the care and handling of balloons, including rigging, splicing, sewing (one recruit comments "I hope my missus don't see this film") and winch control. Recruits learn to manoeuvre the unwieldy objects out of their vast and echoing hangars before flying them. Purpose of the balloons is to prevent enemy planes dive-bombing, so that when German bombers (He 111s) unexpectedly attack the Forth Bridge (subsequent pursuit and shooting down of the enemy by a Spitfire is intercut with the chase and killing of a hare by a poacher's dog) Squadron 992 is immediately ordered north. Mobility of Balloon Command and the resilient good humour of the men are demonstrated on the long journey north through the tranquil but bleak and wintry landscape of rural England and Scotland; past Edinburgh in dawn light. British officers have meanwhile planned positions for the balloons beside the Forth and have politely obtained the permission of Scottish householders for this purpose. Upon arrival men set up and inflate their balloons and by the time evening falls the Forth Bridge stands protected against any possible enemy dive-bombing raid.
ContextDescription
Remarks: film combines humorous portrayal of balloon operators with a statement of confidence of their weapon as a serious form of defence against air attack.
Production: credits indicate Lionel Gamlin (BBC).
Duration
24 mins
Format
P 1/35/A
Colour
B&W
Sound
comopt
NumberOfParts
2
Dimensions
2259 ft
ProductionCompany
GPO Film Unit
ProductionTeam
Watt, Harry: director
Spiro, Julian: assistant director
Jones, Jonah: photography
McNaughton, R Q: film editor
Cavalcanti, Alberto: producer
Leigh, Walter: music
Mathieson, Muir: music conductor
Cameron, Ken: sound recordist
McCullough, W D H: commentary written
ProductionCast
Gamlin, Lionel: commentary spoken
Officers and men of the RAF: actors
ProductionCountry
GB
Language
English
LanguageMainTitles
English
LanguageSubtitles
None
Weighting
500
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
UncatTransferDate
30/06/2006 09:20:43
URLEncodedDeptName
Film
Access
IWM
DeptName
Film
IDNO
UKY 371
ProductionDate
9/1941
ItemName
the PILOT IS SAFE [Main]
IndexObjects
aircraft, British - combat: Westland Lysander
arts, British - music: Arne, Thomas & Rule Britannia
equipment, British air - survival: dinghy
operations, British air - rescue: air-sea
ships, British auxiliary - assistance: Air-Sea Rescue Launch
IndexPeople
Spence, J
IndexPlaces
GB, England & Hawkinge, Kent <aerodrome>
IndexUnits
GB.F
GB.O & Coastguard Service
ShortSummary
Film shows a typical air-sea rescue incident.
FullSummary
Coastguard observers spot a parachute descending seawards and before it has touched the surface the control room has been contacted and a rescue operation is under way. Launches leave harbour as a Lysander takes off. Meanwhile the unlucky pilot climbs into his dinghy and waits. The coastguard observers radio his new position as he begins to drift. The ASR launches break formation as they speed out to search the area then the patrolling Lysander spots the pilot and circles overhead. An ASR launch retrieves the pilot from his dinghy and the soundtrack breaks into "Rule Britannia". That evening the pilot, sitting in his club and listening to the news on the wireless, raises his glass as he hears the words "a successful raid, only two shot down and one is safe".
ContextDescription
Technical: full length is 792 ft. Present print has abrupt start. Film includes shot of Hawkinge Aerodrome, Kent and pilot is presumed to be Flying Officer J Spence of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Duration
7 mins
Format
P 1/35/N
Colour
B&W
Sound
comopt
NumberOfParts
1
Dimensions
674 ft
ProductionCompany
Crown Film Unit
ProductionTeam
Lee, Jack: director
Kelly, GW "Skeets" (Pilot Officer): cameraman
Stone, Sidney: film editor
ProductionCountry
GB
Language
English
LanguageMainTitles
English
LanguageSubtitles
None
Weighting
500
SubThemeTag
GroundSupport
UncatTransferDate
30/06/2006 09:20:43
URLEncodedDeptName
Film
Access
LPU