DeptName
Documents

IDNO
2094

OtherNumber
93/5/1

ItemName
Private Papers of E C James

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
Detailed RNAS Pilot's Flying Log Book (S 1516, 85pp) recording with sketches his service with the Royal Navy and then the RAF, February - November 1918, as a balloonist, including: training in kite balloons at RNAS Roehampton, February - May 1918; active service in his balloon with the sloop HMS CELANDINE in convoy to Bizerta and then with the Kite Balloon Section, Gibraltar, May - November 1918, patrolling the Straits of Gibraltar and escorting convoys against German submarines, July - November 1918. Also included is an album of 24 photographs of his service in Gibraltar, including HMS ROCKSAND; Submarine J1; HMS CELANDINE and himself in uniform.

MakerName
James

Forenames
E C

Honours
RAF

Style
2nd Lieutenant

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
Technology

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
2891

OtherNumber
94/43/1

ItemName
Private Papers of R G Middleton

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
Ts memoir (22pp), written in 1994, describing his early life as a Labour MP's son and qualification as a solicitor (1913 - 1939), his appointment as a Paymaster Sub Lieutenant RNVR (August 1939) and service in the destroyer HMS MALCOLM (August 1939 - October 1940) in Home waters and the North Sea, including the Dunkirk evacuation, and then on North Atlantic convoy escort; his service ashore in the naval base at Londonderry (November 1940 - July 1941), as a ciphering officer in the battleship HMS PRINCE OF WALES for the 'Atlantic Charter' meeting (August 1941) and as secretary, in the destroyer HMS BRIGHTON, to the senior officer of a flotilla of destroyers attached to the 1st Minelaying Squadron based on Lochalsh, NW Scotland (September 1941 - October 1942); his qualification as a radar officer (winter 1942 - 1943) and appointment, in the rank of Lieutenant (Sp) RNVR, as the radar officer in the battleship HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH (August 1943 - January 1945) which served in the Eastern Fleet based on Trincomalee; on the staff of the Commodore (Destroyers) and, briefly, the Vice Admiral commanding Eastern Fleet (early 1945); and as the senior officer of the radar school in the shore establishment HMS COLLINGWOOD (June 1945 - May 1946). The memoir includes interesting references to the status of RNVR officers and of the different specialist branches in the eyes of regular RN officers for whom the author had, in general, a low regard.

MakerName
Middleton

Forenames
R G

Honours
DSC RNVR

Style
Lieutenant Commander

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
Technology

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
2953

OtherNumber
94/48/6

ItemName
Private Papers of Bernard Lovell

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
Substantial collection of papers relating mainly to the development of airborne radar systems for the RAF (ASV, AIF/AISF, H2S) during the Second World War at the Telecommunications Research Establishment at Great Malvern and other locations, including numerous technical papers, working notebooks kept by Lovell, a diary of activities and discussions at TRE between 1943 - 1945, a scrapbook compiled during and after the war illustrating the development and use of ASV and H2S radar, and post-war correspondence concerning many aspects of wartime radar development (including German evaluations of the cavity magnetron), the RAF bomber offensive in Europe, RAF radar reunions and commemorative events, and the writing of Lovell's book `Echoes Of War'.

MakerName
Lovell

Forenames
Bernard

Honours
OBE FRS

Style
Sir

RelatedIWMItems
See full catalogue; also recorded interview in Dept of Sound Records

RelatedTextFile
BLovell.doc

Weighting
500

SubThemeTag
Technology

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
4461

OtherNumber
95/32/1

ItemName
Private Papers of J G Trump

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
Photocopy of a diary (circa 400pp ts) kept during February 1944 - April 1945 by the Director of the British Branch of the American MIT Radiation Laboratory (BBRL), containing a detailed record of his contacts and discussions with British radar scientists (notably Robert Watson-Watt, A P Rowe, Bernard Lovell and other scientists at the Telecommunications Research Establishment, or TRE, at Great Malvern) and US Air Force commanders with regard to the development and use of a wide variety of radar systems, including `Oboe', `Loran', `Gee', H2X, MEW and SCR-584, the implementation of radar in the run-up to and during the Normandy landings in June 1944 and its subsequent use in the French, Italian and German theatres of war, also interesting comments on the V-1 and V-2 weapons and the methods of defence against them, other German `secret weapons', and Trump's interviews with German radar scientists in April 1945.

MakerName
Trump

Forenames
J G

Style
Dr

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
Technology

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
5649

OtherNumber
96/32/1

ItemName
Private Papers of E H Putley

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
Ts account (42pp) written ca 1995 mainly concerning his work on the development of ground radar technology with the TRE (Telecommunications Research Establishment) at Great Malvern from August 1942 to 1946, describing the radar jamming practices of aircraft, his criticisms of the relatively ineffective V-2, the working relationship between the RAF, industry, and the scientific staff of the TRE, and his memories of the incident on 11 February 1942 in which the German battlecruisers SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU sailed through the English Channel while jamming British radar, together with his brief experiences as a 15-year old evacuee September 1939 - July 1940 at Woodley, Berkshire, his views on contemporary attitudes toward `ragged and insanitary' London evacuees, and a critique of air raid shelter construction.

MakerName
Putley

Forenames
E H

Style
Dr

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
Technology

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
7623

OtherNumber
98/23/1

ItemName
Private Papers of S Roberts

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
Informative ts memoir (47pp, written May 1994 - March 1996) recording his service as an NCO with the Royal Artillery, the RAOC and the REME, August 1940 - August 1946, including: working in a reserved occupation as a telephone engineer but being too young to avoid military service, August 1940 - February 1941, when he was called up; training with the 11th AA Driver Training Regiment RA in Kinmel Park, Rhyl, Wales, February - March 1941; regraded and training as a radar mechanic at the North West Polytechnic in Kentish Town, London, March - June 1941; service with a holding unit in Ranby, July - December 1941, and manning a GL radar set with 485th HAA Battery RA in Sheffield, December 1941 - January 1942; attending Radio Mechanic Courses at 28th Technical Training Group, Southampton University College, January - May 1942, and at Cheltenham and Gopsal Hall, June - September 1942, having transferred to the RAOC; service, having transferred to the REME, as a radio mechanic with H25 HAA gunsite at Thurstaston, Wirral, October - November 1942, and 4th HAA Battery RA, Dover, November 1942 - January 1943; attending an Armament Artificers (Radio) course at the Royal Military College of Science in Bury, March - August 1943; active service at base workshops in Kippings Cross near Tunbridge Wells, August - October 1943; and the REME Workshops of the 86th HAA (HAC) Regiment RA in the UK and Normandy, October 1943 - September 1944, and 100th Army Radar Battery RA in Normandy, North West Europe, and Germany, September 1944 - August 1946, when he was demobilised; and commenting on army life; his duties; being refused a commission; the Blitz on London; his distaste for the army's pettiness; his off-duty entertainment; fraternisation with Germans, the Black Market; radar equipment; and a visit by Field Marshal Lord Montgomery (p.18).

MakerName
Roberts

Forenames
S

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
Technology

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
8612

OtherNumber
99/23/1

ItemName
Private Papers of Geoffrey Dhenin

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
Photocopy of a ts MD thesis (103pp) on 'Radiation hazards in aviation' (University of Cambridge, 1956) including his account of the first flight of an aircraft (the Canberra) through an atomic cloud which was carried out near Woomera in Australia on 15 October 1953 with the author, then the Deputy Principal Medical Officer (Flying) at HQ Bomber Command RAF, as pilot and captain on the flight. Inserted in the thesis are photographs of the atomic cloud, the aircraft before the flight, the aircraft undergoing decontamination after the flight, and the crew wearing pressure breathing oxygen masks and waistcoats.

MakerName
Dhenin

Forenames
Geoffrey

Honours
KBE AFC GM

Style
Air Marshal Sir

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
Technology

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
8593

OtherNumber
99/69/2

ItemName
Private Papers of J K Shepheard

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
Papers relating to his career in the Royal Engineers, 1928 - 1972, including service records and documents collated as a staff officer with the 4th Indian Division in North Africa and Italy (September 1942 - February 1944) including histories of the Division and notes on the surrender of Generals von Arnim and von Kramer (May 1943); as Commanding Officer of the 6th Armoured Assault Regiment RE in North West Europe (1944 - 1945) including notes on operations at Boulogne and Calais (September 1944); as Colonel, General Staff to Lieutenant General Sir Harold Briggs in Malaya during the Emergency (1950 - 1951); as an official observer from the Defence Research Policy Staff at nuclear tests carried out in Nevada, USA (April 1955) including a letter containing an eye witness account of a nuclear explosion and reports, memoranda and articles on atomic warfare; as a delegate on the Imperial Defence College tour of southern Africa and Gibraltar (1957); also histories of 82 Assault Squadron RE and 26 Armoured Engineer Squadron and other papers relating to the Royal Engineers, notes on NATO forces in Europe, lectures on nuclear warfare by Lord Zuckerman and General Sir Michael West and miscellaneous correspondence including letters from Field Marshal Lord Harding and Lieutenant General Sir Francis Tuker.

MakerName
Shepheard

Forenames
J K

Honours
CB DSO OBE

Style
Major General

RelatedIWMItems
See also full catalogue and DCAR (DPB/DPH)

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
Technology

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
10559

OtherNumber
01/22/1

ItemName
Private Papers of H R P Collett

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
Photocopy of a ts account (146pp) of his experiences with No 49 Balloon Section, 21st Balloon Company RFC (later RAF) in Egypt and Palestine (July 1917 – November 1918) with details on his observation duties, principally to spot for artillery batteries, living conditions and daily routine, his experiences of ballooning at night and of parachuting to safety when his balloon was shot down in May 1918.

MakerName
Collett

Forenames
H R P

Style
Lieutenant

RelatedIWMItems
See full catalogue

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
Technology

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
1

ProductionDate
26/Feb/1973

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexObjects
aircraft, British: FE8
aircraft, British: SE5
aircraft, British: De Havilland DH5

IndexPeople
Berry, William S xxx

IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Purley, London
GB, England & Croydon, Surrey <Mithcam Road Barracks>
GB, England & North Downs
GB, England & Gosport, Hants <RFC Station>
GB, England & Beaulieu, Hants <RFC Station>
GB, England & Farnborough, Wilts <RFC Station>
GB, Ireland
GB, Ireland & Curragh, Kildare <Rath Camp>
FR
BE
BE & Hondschoute <Airfield>

IndexUnits
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Sqdn 41
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Station, Farnborough
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Recruits Depot, Farnborough
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Station, Gosport
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Station, Beaulieu
GB.A & Camp, Rath, Ireland
GB.A & City of London Volunteer Corps
GB.A & Surrey Regt, East, Bn 1/4
GB.A & Barracks, Mitcham Road, Croydon
GB.F & Sqdn 41
GB.O & Church, Salvation Army
GB.O & Church, Church Army
US.O & American Trading Company

ShortSummary
British stores clerk served in City of London Volunteer Corps in GB, 1914-1915; served with Royal Flying Corps in GB, 1915; served with 41 Sqdn, Royal Flying Corps on Western Front, 1916-1918

FullSummary
REEL 1 Recollections of period as civilian stores clerk living in Purley, London, 1914-1915: work with Export Department of American Trading Company; reasons for not volunteering on outbreak of war, 4/8/1914; reasons for volunteering, 1916; prior failed attempt to join 1/4th Bn, East Surrey Regt at Mitcham Road Barracks, Croydon, 1914; training with City of London Volunteer Corps, 1915, including camps, night exercises and trench digging on North Downs. Aspects of recruitment as cook into Royal Flying Corps, 30/10/1915: reasons; cancellation of initial offer of recruitment as wireless operator. Recollections of training at Recruits Depot, Farnborough Royal Flying Corps Station, c11/1915-12/1915: reception; story of untidy soldier on parade.
REEL 2 Continues: story of untidy soldier on parade and sharing punishment for laughing at him; conditions of service; drill; question of calibre of recruits; canteens run by Salvation Army and Church Army. Aspects of period training at Rath Camp, Curragh, Ireland, 1915: wet conditions; cooking duties. Aspects of period as stores clerk at Beaulieu Royal Flying Corps Station, 1916: duties issuing and organising stores; shortage of petrol for vehicles.
REEL 3 Continues: problem with monitoring issuing coal supply for scattered billets; view of non fatal flying accident immediately prior to first flight in aircraft. Aspects of period as NCO with 41 Sqdn, Royal Flying Corps at Gosport Royal Flying Corps Station, 7/1916-10/1916: reorganising stores; ordering spare parts for FE8; new recruits; adaptions to lorries in preparation for embarkation to France, 10/1916; unit vehicles. Recollections of period with 41 Sqdn, Royal Flying Corps and RAF in France and Belgium, 10/1916-1/1919: role supplying replacement parts for damaged FE8s; relaxation of accounting rules on active service; daily reports as to condition of every FE8; question of FE8s written off.
REEL 4 Continues: question of frequency of FE8s written off; state of landing field at Hondschoute; re-equipment of squadron with DH5 aircraft; re-organisation of stores on re-equipment with new aircraft; problems with SE5 engine; changes to bombs and ammunition stored; German objections to use of Pomeroy incendiary ammunition.

ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1914-1919: Royal Flying Corps, 1912-1918
Air Operations, 1914-1919: Aerial Warfare, 1914-1918

Duration
60

NumberOfParts
4

OtherFormats
Full : 21pp

MakerName
Berry, William Stanley

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedIWMItems
photograph Q93260

RelatedSoundFile
000001S01.mp3
Berry-airwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
Technology

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
11 January 2007

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

Theme
Royal Flying Corps and RAF 1912-1918

CoLStatus
Published

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
24

ProductionDate
20/Jan/1973

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexPeople
James, Archibald W H xxx
Kennedy, Albert
Moore-Brabazon, J T C
Charteris, John
Jillings, David
Johnson (Brigadier)
Harvey-Kelly
Trenchard, Hugh M
Hamel, Gustav
Dowding, Hugh C T
Sykes, Frederick
Lorraine, Robert
Callaghan, J C
Ball, Albert
McCudden, James T B
Bishop, William A

IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB & Norwich, Norfolk <RFC Staion>
GB & Yatesbury, Wilts <RFC Staion>
GB & Upavon, Wilts <Central Flying School>
GB & Nethervon, Wilts <Flying Training School>
FR
FR & Merville, Nord <RFC Station>
FR & Bertangles, ??? <RFC Station>
FR & Cambrai sector, Nord
FR & Somme area, Nord <Albert/Bapaume Road>
FR & Fienvillers, ???,<RFC Advance Headquarters>
FR & Arras area, Pas-de-Calais
FR & Festubert sector, Pas-de-Calais
FR & Hesdigneul, Pas-de-Calais <RFC Station>
FR & Montreuil, Pas-de-Calais <General Headquarters>
BE
BE & Abele, West Flanders <RFC Station>
BE & Ypres area, West Flanders <Sanctuary Wood>
BE & Ypres area, West Flanders
BE & Messines sector, West Flanders
BE & Lys sector, West Flanders

IndexUnits
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Sqdn, 16
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Sqdn, 2
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Sqdn, 5
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Sqdn, 6
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Station, Norwich
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Station, Yatesbury
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Station, Merville, France
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Station, Abele, Belgium
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Headquarters, Advanced Flying, Fienvillers, France
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Central Flying School, Upavon
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Flying Training School, Netheravon
GB.A & Inspectorate General of Training
GB.A & Headquarters, General, Montreuil, France
GB.A & Corps 10
GB.A & Hussars 3
GB.A & Lancers 16
GB.N & Royal Naval Air Service

ShortSummary
British officer served with 3rd Hussars on Western Front, 1914-1915; served as observer with 16 Sqdn, Royal Flying Corps on Western Front, 1915; qualified as pilot and served with 5 Sqdn, Royal Flying Corps on Western Front, 1916; served with 2 Sqdn, Royal Flying Corps on Western Front, 1916; served on various postings with Royal Flying Corps in GB, 1916-1917; commanded 6 Sqdn, Royal Flying Corps on Western Front, 1917-1918; served as staff officer representing RAF on Inspectorate General of Training at General Headquarters at Montreuil, France, 1918

FullSummary
REEL 1 Preliminary statement. Aspects of period as officer with 3rd Hussars in Ypres area, Belgium, 1914-1915: conditions of service and consequent trench foot; tour of duty in Sanctuary Wood including story of receiving slight wound whilst sniping, ignored warnings of German mining activity and subsequent explosion of mine under 16th Lancers; dispute with Colonel Alfred Kennedy over James acquisition of dogs for local hunting; volunteering to join Royal Flying Corps as observer. Recollections of period as observer mainly in BE2 Cs with C Flight, 16 Sqnd, Royal Flying Corps based near Merville, France, 1915: story of accidentally cutting out engine illustrating Layton's stammer.
REEL 2 Continues: background to formation of unit; estaminet; story of hitting French farmer ploughing airfield; artillery observation role; use of Sterling spark radio and reports of spark triggering explosion destroying aircraft; use of flechettes; photographic reconnaissance and development of photographs by J T C Moore-Brabazon; guardsmen NCO's instructors including David Jillings; story of first combat with German aircraft illustrating low effective range of rifle; story of contact with Zeppelin.
REEL 3 Continues: story of contact with Zeppelin; judging scale of German evacuation of Belgian civilian population; accident with wireless aerial; casualties in night bombing mission; question of effectiveness and accuracy of bombing; close escape from anti-aircraft shell burst during long reconnaissance in B2 A over Cambrai illustrating internal strength of aircraft.
REEL 4 Continues: opinion of Trenchard; story of discussion on leave with railway expert Brigadier Johnson of irrelevance of aerial reconnaissance of German railway movements and reactions of Colonel John Charteris and Trenchard to such opinions; opinion of newly appointed CO Major Hugh Dowding and question of his rapid removal; opinion of Brigadier Frederick Sykes; German anti-aircraft batteries; story of receiving very slight wound from anti-aircraft shell.
REEL 5 Continues: story of receiving very slight wound from anti-aircraft shell; view of first German gas attack at Ypres; unreliability of engines; confusion over advanced troops' recognition signal during reconnaissance during Battle of Festubert, 1915; casualty rates in 16 Sqdn and amongst Old Etonians; story of observer killed by falling out on landing and question of wearing belts; casualty rate with 6 Sqdn, Royal Flying Corps in Ypres area, 1917; stories illustrating severity of infantry casualties, 1916-1917.
REEL 6 Continues: question of prior knowledge of Royal Flying Corps; minimal training as observer; initial fatal consequences of spinning; instinctive nature of flying, 1914-1915; photographic reconnaissance methods; visual reconnaissance methods; rarity of contacts with German aircraft; Trenchard's rejection of request to go home for pilot training; relative role of pilots and observers; Merville airfield.
REEL 7 Continues: Recollections of period learning to fly with Royal Flying Corps at Norwich, 1915: flying Maurice Farman Longhorn and Henry Farmans; instructor Harvey-Kelly; story of seeing possible spy light signal to Zeppelin during night flight; natural ability as pilot; Norwich airfield; dual flying training; first solo flight; award of flying certificate; question of adequacy of training.
REEL 8 Continues: Recollections of period as pilot flying Vickers pusher and BE2 Cs with 5 Sqdn, Royal Flying Corps based at Abele, Belgium, 11/1915-4/1916: opinion of Flight Commander Robert Lorraine; offensive patrols; ruse to avoid using inferior model engines; effect of humidity on engine performance; Lewis gun mountings; advantages of offensive patrols; story of shooting down German biplane later found to have been prototype as result of meeting senior German Air Force officers, 1936; personal morale.
REEL 9 Continues: story of observer losing nerve after having part of propeller blade shot off by German long range reconnaissance aircraft; replacement of Vickers with BE2 Cs; story of spinning out of control, recovery through inherent stability of BE2 C and subsequent flight to recover nerve; Abele airfield; billets with Belgian civilians; opinion of Robert Lorraine.
REEL 10 Continues: story illustrating Lorraine's theatrical character; question of superiority of Fokker and other German aircraft to British aircraft; question of existence of concept of 'aces'. Recollections of period as flight commander flying BE2 Cs with 2 Sqdn, Royal Flying Corps at Hesdigneul, France, 4/1916-11/1916: question of value of wing and brigade structure; sqdn role; emergence of Fokker with interrupter gear; story of abortive mission to intercept Zeppelins returning to their base including example of climbing rate of Fokker and question of personal morale of German pilots; increasing difficulty in locating German artillery positions.
REEL 11 Continues: increasing difficulty in locating German artillery positions; flying Bristol Scout and problems in reloading Lewis gun on top plane; story of flight over German troop concentrations to illustrate their inability to hit accurately allow for aircraft speed in ground to air shooting; second hand account of Lieutenant J C Callaghan being shot down in his FE2 B by Fokkers in Arras area, 26/4/1916; briefing by Trenchard as to possible role in charge of special BE2 C bombing squadron to cut Albert/Bapaume road during imminent Somme offensive at Advance Flying Headquarters, Royal Flying Corps, Fienvillers, 6/1916.
REEL 12 Continues: insistence of necessity of escorts and consequent return to unit following briefing by Trenchard as to possible role in charge of special BE2 C bombing squadron to cut Albert/Bapaume road during imminent Somme offensive at Advance Flying Headquarters, Royal Flying Corps, Fienvillers, 6/1916; Royal Flying Corps organisation and question of role of flights, squadrons, brigades and wings; story illustrating acceptance of high casualties; question of introduction of formation flying to counter Fokker menace and emergence of dogfights, 1/1916; flight formation flying; effects of emergence of British air superiority, 6/1916.
REEL 13 Continues: method of concentrating artillery fire on to German batteries; special concentration wireless signals; increasing role of pilot in artillery observation work; story of clash with German two seater aircraft; use of Sterling Spark radio, ground signals and clock code in artillery observation; question of visibility of shells; increasing role of pilot in artillery observation work; difficulties in observing for 12" railway guns; question of failure of Royal Naval Air Service to provide escort during artillery observation mission and opinion of Royal Naval Air Service squadrons, 1917.
REEL 14 Continues: question of failure of Royal Naval Air Service to provide escort during artillery observation mission and opinion of Royal Naval Air Service squadrons, 1917; temporary posting to command mounted wireless communication unit intended to accompany cavalry during advance during Somme offensive, 7/1916; question of value of cavalry units illustrated by German offensive, 3/1918. Recollections of period on various postings with Royal Flying Corps in GB, 11/1916-6/1917: posting as flying instructor at Central Flying School, Upavon; story of picking up aircraft landed by pupil and subsequent forced landing in thick fog; question of establishment of Royal Flying Corps identity and morale; question of preference for active service postings; opinion of Empire recruits as pilots.
REEL 15 Continues: posting to command independent flight used to train Canadian artillery in air co-operation techniques based at Flying Training School, Netheravon; question of refusal to issue parachutes to air crew; question of forming squadrons of aces; opinion of Major James McCudden, Captain Albert Ball and Major William Bishop; posting as commanding officer to form new squadron at Yatesbury; opinion of officers. Recollections of period as commanding officer of 6 Sqdn, Royal Flying Corps based at Abele, 6/1917-11/1917: development of airfield; role supporting X Corps in Ypres area; success of mining operations during Battle of Messines, 6/1917.
REEL 16 Continues: expansion of unit and role supporting X Corps; contact patrols; opinion of RE8; story illustrating danger to aircraft from shells in flight; effects of ground mist on efficiency of artillery observation; question of German air activity; digging slit trenches as air raid precautions and subsequent German bombing raid; casualties during Third Battle of Ypres, 1917; move to Bertangles. Period based at Bertangles, 11/1917-3/1918: reduction of unit to normal size; role training officers of all arms in all aspects of air co-operation work; mock combats using camera guns; writing pamphlet, 'Army and Air Co-operation'.
REEL 17 Continues: Recollections of posting during German offensive as staff officer at Headquarters, Royal Flying Corps at Fienvillers, 3/1918: hearing initial bombardment; role and methods employed in locating possible airfields during retreat. Recollections of posting as staff officer representing RAF on Inspectorate General of Training at General Headquarters at Montreuil, 4/1918: role advising on training schemes; story of successful bombing mission on Lys Salient during German offensive, 4/1918; question of adequacy of training and importance of battle experience for new pilots.

ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1914-1919: Aerial Warfare, 1914-1918
Air Operations, 1914-1919: Royal Flying Corps, 1912-1918

Duration
255

NumberOfParts
17

OtherFormats
Full : 95pp

MakerName
James, Archibald William Henry

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedIWMItems
Photograph (1914) in file
Photograph of painting (1918) in file

RelatedSoundFile
000024S01.mp3
James-airwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
Technology
Combat

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
25 June 2007

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
Educational use only

Nationality
British

Theme
Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force 1912-1918

CoLStatus
Published

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
87

ProductionDate
25/Jan/1973

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexObjects
aircraft, British: FE8
aircraft, British: Vickers Fighter
aircraft, British: BE2c
aircraft, French: Nieuport Scout
aircraft, British: Maurice Farman Longhorn
aircraft, British: Maurice Farman Shorthorn
aircraft, French: Henri Farman
aircraft, British: De Havilland DH2
aircraft, British: De Havilland DH5
aircraft, British: SE5
aircraft, British: Avro 504
aircraft, British: Bristol Bullet
aircraft, German Fokker Monoplane DRI

IndexPeople
Powell, F J xxx
Powell, Frederick J xxx
Bell, Gordon
O'Gorman, Mervyn
Lorraine, Robert
Shaw, George B
Trenchard, Hugh
Higgins, F A
Douglas, Sholto

IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Tern Hill, Salop <RFC Station>
GB, England & Farnborough, Wilts <RFC Station>
GB, England & York, Yorks, <RFC Station>
GB, England & Cambridge, Cambs <RFC Station>
GB, England & Netheravon , Wilts <RFC Station>
FR
FR & Lillevillas, Picardy <RFC Station>
FR & Douai sector, Nord
BE
BE & Ypres area, West Flanders
BE & Abeele, West Flanders <RFC Station>

IndexUnits
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Sqdn, 5
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Sqdn, 40
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Sqdn, 41
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Sqdn, Training, 43
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Station, Tern Hill
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Station, Farnborough
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Station, York
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Station, Cambridge
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Station, Netheravon
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Station, Abeele, Belgium
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Station, Lillevillas, France
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps & Group, Northern
GB.N & Royal Naval Air Service

IndexConcepts
POW

ShortSummary
British officer served as pilot with 5 and 40 Sqdns, Royal Flying Corps on Western Front, 1915-1917; served as chief fighting instructor with Northern Groups, Royal Flying Corps in GB, 1917; commanded 43 Training Sqdn, Royal Flying Corps in GB, 1917; commanded 41 Sqdn, Royal Flying Corps on Western Front, 1917-1918; shot down and captured, 2/2/1918

FullSummary
REEL 1 Service with territorial units in Lancashire, 8/1913-11/1914. Transfer as observer to Royal Flying Corps, 11/1914: reasons; weight requirement. Recollections of period training with Royal Flying Corps at Farnborough, 11/1914-3/1915: background to volunteering for training as pilot; unorthodox method of learning Morse code; dual flying training and first solo flight in Maurice Farman Longhorn;; comparison of Maurice Farman Longhorn and Shorthorn; recollections of Gordon Bell and his role in developing Royal Flying Corps slang; contact with Colonel Mervyn O'Gorman; billets; passing 'ticket'.
REEL 2 Recollections of period of training at Netheravon, 3/1915-4/1915: crash landing in Henri Farman; ruse to pass rigging examination; flying characteristics of Vickers Fighter with Monosoupape engine; Lieutenant Robert Lorraine's introduction of pilot's gun on Vickers Fighter; comparison of Vickers Fighter and BE2 C; comparison of pusher and tractor aircraft. Recollections of period as officer with B Flight, 5 Sqdn at Abeele, Belgium, 4/1915-4/1916: Vickers Fighters; length of patrols; method of evading German anti aircraft fire; role of Scout pilot in squadron; flying DH2.
REEL 3 Continues: story of shooting down German Aviatik and 'two-tail' aircraft in Ypres area; aerial combat tactics against Aviatiks; reason for selection of prototype Vickers FE8 in preference to DH2; story of being shot down by Aviatik illustrating inadequacy of FE8 gun mounting and landing near artillery battery in Ypres area; subsequent modifications to gun mounting to allow it to fire upwards; story of Trenchard arranging briefing between O'Gorman and Powell and consequent modifications made to ailerons to reduce excessive lateral control and gun mountings.
REEL 4 Continues: story of abortive attempt to lead patrol over lines of Nieuport Scouts of Royal Naval Air Service; relationship with Royal Naval Air Service; pilots reactions to modification ordered by Lorraine without consultation on individual aircraft; squadron joke to highlight Lorraine's affected behaviour; accommodation; ruses to ensure no other pilot flew his aircraft. Period at Cambridge, 4/1916-5/1916: desire for active service posting; crash landing during attempt to loop from ground in Bristol Bullet; story of securing posting back to Western Front despite injured ankle.
REEL 5 Continues: Recollections of period as officer with 40 Sqdn at Lillevillas, France, 5/1916-2/1917: bomber escort duties and effects of superior altitude ceiling of Fokker Monoplane; story of shooting down Fokker Monoplane; opinion of formation flying and illustrative story; method of linking up with bomber units prior to crossing lines; increasing numbers of German aircraft, 1916; stories illustrating disadvantages of prevailing westerly wind; Major Lorraine's role in forming squadron theatre; story of visit from George Bernard Shaw.
REEL 6 Continues: story of visit from George Bernard Shaw; role of alcohol in maintaining unit morale; use of rum to counter cold when flying at altitude; effects of constant patrolling on personal morale; visits to estaminet and brothels; relationship with French owner of chateau billet; stories illustrating relationship with German pilots. Aspects of period as chief fighting instructor with Northern Group, Royal Flying Corps based at York, 2/1917-4/1917: personal DH2; role; opinion of method of fighting training and proposals for special fighting instruction squadrons. Aspects of period commanding 43 Training Sqdn at Tern Hill, 4/1917-8/1917: role of sqdn in ensuring adequate supply of pilots for active service.
REEL 7 Continues: refusal to convert Avro 504s from Gnome to Monosoupape engines without special conversion kit and subsequent amusing exchange with group headquarters; pilot training methods; opinion of Avro 504 as training aircraft and disadvantage of balanced rudder controls; question of formation flying training; story of dealing with malingering US volunteer pilot; desire for active service. Recollections of period commanding 41 Sqdn, Royal Flying Corps based at Lillevillas, France, 8/1917-2/1918: flying characteristics of DH5 and failure of attempts to loop; re-equipment with SE5.
REEL 8 Continues: role as squadron commander; creating roller skating rink to aid unit morale; opinion of General F A Higgins; role writing to relatives of dead or missing pilots; casualties and consequent problem of inexperienced pilots; account of leading offensive patrol in Douai sector, 2/2/1918, including prior briefing, being wounded and engine disabled during dogfight, forced landing on German airfield, reception and initial interrogation as POW at Douai.

ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1914-1919: Aerial Warfare, 1914-1918
Air Operations, 1914-1919: Royal Flying Corps, 1912-1919

Duration
120

NumberOfParts
8

OtherFormats
Full : 38pp

MakerName
Powell, Frederick J

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedIWMItems
Photograph Q85021

RelatedSoundFile
000087S01.mp3
Powell-airwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
Technology

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
11 January 2007

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

Theme
Royal Flying Corps and RAF 1912-1918

CoLStatus
Published

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
311

ProductionDate
13/Oct/1972

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexPeople
Verry, Frederick W xxx

IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & London <Wormwood Scrubs RNAS Staion>
GB, England & London <Hurlingham Polo Club Grounds>
GB, England & London <Crystal Palace RN Base>
GB, England & Cranwell, Lincs
GB, England & Reading, Berks
GB, England & Toller, Dorset <RNAS Station>
GB, England & Laira, Devon <RNAS Station>
GB, England & Bude, Cornwall <RNAS Station>
GB, England & Mullion, Cornwall <RNAS Station>

IndexUnits
GB.N & Royal Naval Air Service
GB.N & Royal Naval Air Service & Station, Wormwood Scrubs
GB.N & Royal Naval Air Service & Station, Cranwell
GB.N & Royal Naval Air Service & Station, Toller
GB.N & Royal Naval Air Service & Station, Bude, Devon
GB.N & Royal Naval Air Service & Station, Laira
GB.N & Royal Naval Air Service & Station, Mullion, Cornwall
GB.N & Royal Naval Air Service & Station, Wormwood Scrubs
GB.N & Royal Naval Air Service & Balloon, Violet
GB.N & Royal Naval Air Service & Airship, Z14
GB.N & Base, Crystal Palace, London

ShortSummary
British officer served as airship pilot with Royal Naval Air Service based at Mullion Airship Station, GB, 1918

FullSummary
REEL 1 Background to commission into Royal Naval Air Service, 8/1917: reasons; lack of practical flying experience; question of assignment to airships rather than aircraft. Aspects of period of balloon and SS Type Airship training at Wormwood Scrubs and Cranwell, 9/1917-12/1917: situation at Wormwood Scrubs and use of Hurlingham polo ground for balloon ascents; basic training; method of inflating balloons; size of balloons; procedure on take off; equipment carried; number of training flights.
REEL 2 Continues: reactions to first ascent aboard balloon Violet; method of controlling and landing balloon; special courses; first solo flight.
REEL 3 Continues: first solo flight; packing up and transportation of balloon on landing; problem with trail rope across railway line during night flight from Reading; mess life at Crystal Palace, 8/1917; division between aircraft and airship instruction at Cranwell; crew carried in airship car; difference between rigid and non-rigid airships; flying characteristics of airships.
REEL 4 Continues: airship controls; method of taking off in airship; importance of maintaining pressure in gas bag in flying airship; method of landing airship; reaction to first solo airship flight; effects of bad weather on airship control; later difficulties in landing and taking off at Toller mooring station, 1918.
REEL 5 Continues: stories illustrating difficulty in landing at Toller mooring station, 1918; cross country airship flights and navigation; flight in Parseval airship; special courses; bomb load and training.
REEL 6 Continues: Aspects of period as officer flying Coastal, SS Zero and SS Twin Type Airships at Mullion, 1918: operational role of station and Toller, Laira and Bude mooring stations; escort convoy patrols; duties on general sea patrols; use of wireless and semaphore flags to communicate with ships; night escort convoy patrol in English Channel; night landings.
REEL 7 Continues: method of night landing; story of Z14 running into tree during night landing at Laira; story illustrating method of passing escort of ships from one airship to another; experiments in use of hydrophone from airship; question of deterrent value on submarines of airship patrols; flying characteristics of SS Zero, Coastal and SS Twin airships; advantages of airship flying.

ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1914-1919: Royal Naval Air Service, 1914-1918
Naval Operations, 1914-1919: Royal Naval Air Service, 1914-1918

Duration
105

NumberOfParts
7

OtherFormats
Full : 35pp

MakerName
Verry, Frederick W

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedIWMItems
Two 1918 photos in transcript

RelatedSoundFile
000311S01.mp3
Verry-airwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
Technology

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
8177

ProductionDate
2/May/1984

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexObjects
aircraft, British: Avro Lancaster

IndexPeople
Shannon, David J xxx
Gibson, Guy P
Wallis, Barnes
Wallis, Neville Barnes
Hopgood, J V
Martin, H B
Maltby, D J H

IndexPlaces
AU
AU & South Australia
GB, England
GB, England & Scampton, Lincs
DE
DE & Mohne Dam
DE & Eder Dam
EI, English Channel

IndexUnits
GB.F & Sqdn, 617
AU.F
GB.F & RAF Scampton
GB.F & Command, Bomber
GB.F & Group, 5

IndexConcepts
Commonwealth

ShortSummary
Australian officer served as pilot with 617 Sqdn, RAF during Dambusters' Raid on Germany, 16/5/1943-17/5/1943 and during Operation Taxable deception on D-Day, 6/6/1944

FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in South Australia 1922-1940: family; education. Aspects of period as officer with Royal Australian Air Force in Australia, 1940-1941: background to joining Royal Australian Air Force; training; secondment to RAF and journey to GB 1941. Recollections of operations with 617 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1943-1944: background to joining squadron at RAF Scampton; personal and professional opinion of Guy Gibson; other squadron members selected by Guy Gibson; rapid formation of unit; low level flying and simulated 'moonlight' flying; previous low level flying experience; emphasis in training on formation flying, low level and navigation; training routes across GB; parallel 'bouncing bomb' experiments determining height and speed for aircraft training; improvised means for determining accurate height of aircraft; equipping Lancasters with VHF radio; radio codes to restrict traffic on air.
REEL 2 Continues: practising low flying over Lake District; hazards of low flying; formation flying; tight security and not knowing the target; arrival of modified aircraft and bombs; realising need to release bombs early during practise runs off Kent coast; serious attitude towards training; experience of personnel and intent of purpose; elation at news of operation; minor breach of security; unveiling models of dams at briefing; full briefing and target revealed; critical timing of operation; timing of three waves of aircraft; participation in first wave led by Guy Gibson to Mohne Dam; hazards and advantages of flying at low level; Guy Gibson's attack on Mohne Dam.
REEL 3 Continues: Hopgood's attack and subsequent mid-air explosion; Martin's attempt; Maltby's successful attack; secure position of Eder Dam and difficulty seeing it; breaching Eder Dam; difficulties of visibility in attack on Eder Dam; view of Mohne Dam; atmosphere inside aircraft during raid; view of Eder Dam; adequacy of training; debriefing and subsequent party; high losses and value of raid; impression of Barnes Wallis and his distress at crew losses; description of Operation Taxable to simulate spoof landing of invasion force in Calais area, 5/1944-6/6/1944; necessity for precision flying and accurate timing of dropping window.

ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1939-1945: North West Europe, 1944-1945
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Bomber Offensive, 1939-1945

Duration
90

NumberOfParts
3

OtherFormats
Full : 29pp

MakerName
Shannon, David John

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedIWMItems
See also talk on AC 16256; papers in file; Photos

RelatedSoundFile
025271S23.mp3
008177S01.mp3
Shannon-airwarfare.mp3
Shannon8177.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
Technology

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
Australian
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
10981

ProductionDate
9/Nov/1989

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexObjects
aircraft, British: Bristol Blenheim
aircraft, British: De Havilland Mosquito
navigational aid, British: Gee
navigational aid, British: Oboe
bombing aid, British, H2S

IndexPeople
Broom, Ivor Gordon xxx
Pugh Lloyd, Hugh
Bennett, Don

IndexPlaces
GB, England
MT

IndexUnits
GB.F & Sqdn 114
GB.F & Sqdn 107
GB.F & Sqdn 105
GB.F & Sqdn 571
GB.F & Sqdn 128
GB.F & Sqdn 163
GB.F & Operational Training Unit, 13, Bicester
GB.F & RAF Bicester
GB.F & RAF West Raynham
GB.F & RAF Marham
GB.F & Light Night Striking Force
GB.F & Pathfinder Force
GB.F & RAF West Raynham
GB.F & Elementary Flying Training School, 13, White Waltham

IndexConcepts
Combat stress

ShortSummary
British NCO served as pilot with 114 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 7/1941-9/1941; officer served with 105 and 107 Sqdns, RAF in Malta, 9/1941-1/1942; served as instructor with 13 Operational Training Unit, RAF Bicester, 5/1942-5/1943; served as instructor with 1655 Mosquito Training Unit in GB, 5/1943-5/1944; served with 571 and 128 Sqdns, Light Night Striking Force, Pathfinder Force, RAF in GB, 5/1944-1/1945; commanded 163 Sqdn, Light Night Striking Force, Pathfinder Force, RAF in GB, 1/1945-8/1945

FullSummary
REEL 1 Aspects of enlistment and training with RAF in GB, 1940-1941: enlistment in RAF, 8/1940; pilot training with 13 Elementary Flying Training School, White Waltham. Recollections of operations as NCO with 114 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 7/1941-9/1941: posting to squadron at RAF West Raynham; daylight operations over northern France; character of daylight raid on Cologne, Germany, 12/8/1941; opinion of Bristol Blenheim; tactics of circus operations over northern France; method of attack and casualty rate of daylight low level shipping; squadron morale; an incident of lack of moral fibre; public attitude towards RAF, 1941. Recollections of operations as pilot with 105 and 107 Sqdns, RAF in Malta, 9/1941-1/1942: flight to Malta; circumstances of joining 105 Sqdn and transfer to 107 Sqdn; character of low level operations from Malta; nightime attack on Sicilian harbour; losses and commissioning; squadron accommodation; use of air channel to return to airfield; rations.
REEL 2 Continues: nature of air operations from Malta; opinion of Sir Hugh Pugh Lloyd's leadership; leaving Malta and return GB via Egypt, 4/1942. Aspects of period as instructor with 13 Operational Training Unit at RAF Bicester, 5/1942-5/1943: developments in navigational aids including Gee; duties as low level bombing instructor. Aspects of period as instructor with 1655 Mosquito Training Unit, RAF in GB, 5/1943-5/1944: posting as instructor; opinion of De Havilland Mosquito. Recollections of operations as pilot with 571, 128 Sqdns and commanding 163 Sqdn, Light Night Striking Force, Pathfinders Force, RAF in GB, 5/1944-5/1945: role of De Havilland Mosquito; use of Oboe and H2S in Pathfinder Force; pattern of service with Light Night Striking Force; attitude within RAF towards Pathfinder Force; opinion of Don Bennett; absence of German night fighters; dealing with anti-aircraft fire; coning by German searchlights over Berlin.
REEL 3 Continues: marking role during mining of Dortmund Ems Canal with 571 Sqdn, RAF, 1944; raid on Kaiserlauten railway tunnel, 1/1/1945; low casualties rates in Light Night Striking Force; question of morality of bombing offensive and its effectiveness; role of British and American bomber forces; incident illustrating Don Bennett involvement in bombing operations; nightime crash landing in De Havilland Mosquito at RAF Marham, 8/1943; second crash landing due to technical problem, 3/1944; question of reliability of memory.

ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Bomber Offensive, 1939-1945

Duration
90

NumberOfParts
3

OtherFormats
Full : 37pp

MakerName
Broom, Ivor Gordon

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedIWMItems
Photograph (1945) in file

RelatedSoundFile
010981S01.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
Technology

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
11623

ProductionDate
1/Nov/1990

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexObjects
aircraft, British: Hawker Hurricane
aircraft, British: Supermarine Spitfire

IndexPeople
Goodson, James Alexander xxx
Harris, Arthur 'Bomber'
Bader, Douglas
Galland, Adolf
Wright, Orville

IndexPlaces
GB, England
DE
DE & to Neubrandenburg

IndexUnits
GB.O & Ship, Athenia
GB.F & Sqdn 43
GB.F & Sqdn 416
GB.F & Sqdn 133
GB.F & Command, Fighter
US.F & Fighter Group 4
DE.O & Concentration Camp, Dachau

IndexConcepts
Holocaust
POW
Concentration camp

ShortSummary
American civilian survived sinking of Athenia in Atlantic, 3/9/1939; trained with Empire Training Scheme in Canada, 1940; officer served as pilot with 43, 416 and 133 Sqdns, RAF in GB, 1940-1942; served with 4th Fighter Group, US Army Air Force in GB, 1942-1944; POW in Germany, 1944-1945

FullSummary
REEL 1 Memories of sinking of Athenia, 3/9/1939. Enlistment and training with RAF in GB and Canada, 1939-1940: enquiries about enlisting in RAF, 1939; opinion of Empire Training Scheme in Canada, 1940; keenness to get into combat. Recollections of operations as pilot with 43, 416 and 133 Sqdns, RAF in GB, 1940-1942 including Battle of Britain: posting to 43 Sqdn at RAF Tangmere, 9/1940; reasons for lack of combat experience; initial experience of combat; vulnerability of 'tail end Charlie'; squadron morale and camaraderie; attitude towards German Air Force; chivalry of German pilots; question of Allied pilots' chivalry towards Germans; question of quality of German pilots and aircraft; contrast between RAF and German Air Force formatting tactics, belief that German wouldn't invade GB.
REEL 2 Continues: opinion of and characteristics of Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire; Canadian character of 416 Sqdn 1942; lack of xenophobia demonstrated to non-British personnel in Fighter Command; fighter sweep duties of 416 Sqdn over Pas de Calais, France 1942; formation of Eagle squadrons by Charles Sweeny; sense of frustration with fighter sweeps over Pas de Calais, 1942. Recollections of operations as pilot with 4th Fighter Group, US Army Air Force in GB, 1942-1944: role escorting bomber raids with Republic P47 Thunderbolts; effect of introduction of North American P51 Mustangs; prior recollection of participating in Dieppe Raid, 8/1942; personnel and leadership of 133 Sqdn; attitude towards bomber escort work; amusing story of grateful US bomber crew; sight of US tail gunner firing at German fighters in doomed bomber; behavior of US bomber crews; importance of raids on Berlin.
REEL 3 Continues: experiences as POW during heavy raid on Berlin, 6/1944; question of morality of bombing and story of Sir Arthur 'Bomber' Harris post war attitude to it; importance of strafing German Air Force on the ground; necessity for low flying on strafing missions; his shooting down during strafing mission to Neubrandenburg, 6/1944. Aspects of period as POW in Germany, 1944-1945: capture after evading for two weeks; treatment by Gestapo in Neubrandenburg, 7/1944; escape from German captivity, spring 1945; contact with German resisters in Munich area, spring 1945; entry into Dachau Concentration Camp with US forces, 1945.
REEL 4 Continues: question of inmates' revenge on guards at Dachau spring 1945; physical and mental condition of inmates. Reflections on flying experiences in US, GB and Germany since 1945: story of flying replacement leg to Douglas Bader when he was a POW; story of Bader's behaviour at post war meeting of German and Allied pilots at Hoffbrauhaus, Munich during 1970s; Adolf Galland's speech about role of pilots; meeting Orville Wright 1945; story of Wright brothers solving torque problem; Wright brothers' practical attitude to aerodynamics; Orville Wright's attitude towards invention of aircraft and lack of vision about its potential; amusing story of Orville Wright travelling aboard a jet airliner; Orville Wright's reaction to sitting in cockpit of jet aircraft.

ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Fighter Operations, 1939-1945
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Battle of Britain, 1940

Duration
120

NumberOfParts
4

OtherFormats
Full : 36pp

MakerName
Goodson, James Alexander

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedIWMItems
Books 'The Last Of The Knights' Harrop Press, Canterbury 1990; 'Tumult In The Clouds' Harrop Press Canterbury 1990

RelatedSoundFile
011623S01.mp3
011623S02.mp3
011623S03.mp3
011623S04.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
Technology

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
Educational use only

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
12820

ProductionDate
30/Ooct/1992

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexObjects
aircraft, British: British Aerospace Sea Harrier
aircraft, French: Mirage Dagger
aircraft, US: Lockheed Hercules

IndexPeople
Ward, Nigel David 'Sharkey'xxx
Black, Jeremy
Woodward, Sandy
Tomba, <Major>
Mortimer, Ian

IndexPlaces
GB, England
FK
FK & Port Stanley

IndexUnits
GB.N & Fleet Air Arm, Sqdn 801
GB.N & Ship, Invincible
GB.N & Ship, Ardent
GB.N & Ship, Coventry
GB.N & Ship, Sir Galahad

ShortSummary
British officer commanded 801 Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm during Falklands War, 1982

FullSummary
REEL 1 Recollections of preparations for operations in Falkland War as commanding officer of 801 Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm, 1982: background to hearing of crisis in Falklands Islands, 2/4/1982; role as commanding officer of unit; reaction to crisis; unit preparations prior to departure for Falkland Islands; lack of combat experience in unit; importance of proving Sea Harrier and pilot skills in action; superstition of two pilots that they would be killed in action; Recollections of operations as commanding officer of 801 Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm during Falklands War, 1982: opinion of Captain Jeremy Black commanding HMS Invincible; inter-unit rivalries; question of use of air radar during conflict; Argentinean avoidance of areas where Blue Fox radar was picked up; importance of Sea Harrier as deterrence; question of problems of staff interference in Sea Harrier operations; question of misuse of Sea Harrier.
REEL 2 Continues: attempt to intercept Argentinean Air Force attack on HMS Ardent; attitude to role of 800 Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm operating from HMS Hermes; attitude to dealing with lack of intelligence from Admiral Sandy Woodward's staff; story of having to intercept potential Argentinean aircraft which turned out to be British; opinion of planning for air attacks on Port Stanley airport, 1/5/1982-5/5/1982; opinion of reasons for loss of British ships; circumstances of loss of HMS Coventry; question of location of Sea Harrier defensive CAP.
REEL 3 Continues: importance of maintenance of defensive air cover for as long as possible; question of Admiral Sandy Woodward's opinion of role of aviators; opinion of Argentinean Air Force competence and failure to engage Sea Harriers; opinion of track record of in air combat exercises prior to conflict; attitude towards shooting down Lockheed Hercules transport aircraft; story of shooting down of Major Tomba, 21/5/1982; story of shooting down of Argentinean Mirage Daggers, 21/5/1982.
REEL 4 Continues: reaction to Steve Thomas being hit by ground fire, 21/5/1982; attack on Mentor, 1/5/1982; shooting down of Lockheed Hercules, sight of Argentinean Air Force attacks on Sir Galahad; shooting down of Ian Mortimer over Port Stanley; impressions of being in Sea Harrier cockpit; opinion of qualities required to be a successful Sea Harrier pilot.

ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1975-2005: Falklands War, 1982
Naval Operations, 1975-2005: Fleet Air Arm
Air Operations, 1975-2005: Fleet Air Arm
Naval Operations, 1975-2005: Falklands War, 1982

Duration
120

NumberOfParts
4

OtherFormats
None

MakerName
Ward, Nigel David 'Sharkey'

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedIWMItems
Photograph in Photographic Archive IWM FKD541. Actuality audio diary recording 12821

RelatedSoundFile
012820S01.mp3
012820S02.mp3
Ward2-airwarfare.mp3
Sharkey-airwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
Technology
Combat

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
16075

ProductionDate
16/Oct/1995

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexObjects
aircraft, British: Vickers Wellington
aircraft, British: De Havilland Mosquito
aircraft, British: Blackburn B2
navigational aid, British: Oboe

IndexPeople
Goodman, Jack Richard xxx
Jones, R V
Machaddie, Hamish
Cheshire, Leonard
Gibson, Guy Penrose
Bennett, Don
Cochrane, Ralph Alexander
Macpherson, Stewart
Platt, George

IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Northampton, Northants
NL
DE
DE & Soest
DE & Brunswick
NL
NL & Rotterdam
FR
FR & Tours
FR & Paris
FR & Mailly le Camp
FR & Normandy
FR & Saumar
FR & Pas de Calais

IndexUnits
GB.F & Sqdn 37
GB.F & Sqdn 99
GB.F & Sqdn 139
GB.F & Sqdn 627
GB.F & Sqdn 617
GB.F & Force, Pathfinder
GB.F & Force, Light Night Striking
GB.F & Command, Bomber
GB.F & RAF Harwell
GB.F & RAF Marham
GB.F & Woodhall Spa
GB.F & Group 8
GB.F & Group 5
FR.O & Marshalling Yards, Juvisy, Paris
FR.O & Marshalling Yards, Saumar
FR.O & Aircraft Factory, Usine Lictard, Tours

ShortSummary
British officer served as pilot with 37 and 99 Sqdns RAF in GB, 1940-1941; served with 15 Operational Training Unit during thousand bomber raids on Germany, 1942; served with 139 and 627 Sqdns, Pathfinder Force, RAF in GB, 1943-1944

FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in Northampton, 1921-1939: family; education; employment. Period of training with RAF in GB, 1939-1940: flying training on Blackburn B2s at Brough, 1939-1940; reasons why he was sent to train with Bomber Command; gaining wings, 5/1940. Recollections of operations as pilot with 37 Sqdn, 1940-1941: bombing Channel ports, summer 1940; flying Vickers Wellington; effect anti-aircraft fire and fighter attacks on Vickers Wellington; difficulty of finding targets in Germany; description of target terms 'Semo' and 'Mopa'; attack on ammunition train at Soest; use of Gee and H2S; end of first tour of operations, 5/1941. Aspects of operations with 99 Sqdn, 1941: posting to unit; allocation of unit's jinx aircraft R-Robert; story of 'The Broughton Bomber'; question of morale in unit and case of low moral fibre he experienced in Second World War; question of his luck as pilot.
REEL 2 Continues: story of operation with 37 Sqdn in which his aircraft was hit by flak during raid on Rotterdam. Recollections of thousand bomber raids on Cologne and Essen, 1942: training aircraft sent to raid; length of tours; Hamish Mahaddie's role headhunting for Pathfinder Force, 1943. Recollections of operations as pilot with 139 Sqdn, 8 Group. Pathfinder Force, 1943: posting to unit RAF Marham, 8/1943; presence of Professor R V Jones; use of Oboe; background to 139 Sqdn forming nucleus of Light Night Striking Force. Recollections of operations as pilot with 627 Sqdn, RAF, 1943- 1944: first operation to Berlin, 11/1943; his role during Battle of Berlin; role attempting to draw off nightfighters from heavy bomber stream; Leonard Cheshire's idea to use De Havilland Mosquitoes for low marking; transfer of squadron to 5 Group at RAF Woodhall Spa; role slowing down German reinforcements to Normandy, 6/1944; raid on Juvisy Marshalling Yards, Paris, 18/4/1944.
REEL 3 Continues: raid on aircraft factory, Usine Lictard at Tours, 1/5/1944; character of raid on tank repair depot at Mailly le Camp, 3/5/1944-4/5/1944; narrow escape on return journey; sight of Avro Lancaster losses during Mailly le Camp; occasion when comrade's aircraft hit balloon cable; his appreciation of voice of WAAF guiding him in to GB from Berlin raid; character of AOCs briefings; character of his last operation on Saumur Marshalling Yards; low level marking of German targets including Brunswick, 22/4/1944; memories of Leonard Cheshire and Guy Gibson.
REEL 4 Continues: memories of Don Bennett and Ralph Cochrane; Don Bennett's reaction to Stewart Macpherson's BBC recording of raid; Ralph Cochrane's reaction to raid which went wrong; second-hand story of George Platt was shot down by V1 in Pas de Calais, whilst marking for 617 Sqdn.

ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Bomber Offensive, 1939-1945

Duration
105

NumberOfParts
4

OtherFormats
None

MakerName
Goodman, Jack Richard

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedSoundFile
016075S01.mp3
016075S02.mp3
016075S03.mp3
016075S04.mp3
Goodman-airwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
Technology

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
25 June 2007

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
17392

ProductionDate
3/May/1997

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexObjects
bombing aid, British: H2S

IndexPeople
Hedgeland, Philip Michael Sweatman xxx
Bennett, Donald
Lovell, Bernard

IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Maidstone, Kent
GB, England & Malvern, Worcs
DE
DE & Hamburg

IndexUnits
GB.O & Corporation, British Broadcasting
GB.O & Local Defence Volunteers, Maidstone
GB.F & Telecommunications Research Establishment, Malvern
GB.F & Command Bomber
GB.F & Sqdn 35
GB.F & Sqdn 7
GB.F & RAF Graveley
GB.F & RAF Whitton

IndexConcepts
Evacuee

ShortSummary
British civilian worked as sound engineer with British Broadcasting Corporation in GB, 1940-1942; officer served with RAF Bomber Command working on development of H2S bombing aid in GB, 1942-1945

FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in Maidstone, Kent, 1922-1939: family and education. Reaction to declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939. Reception of evacuee children in Maidstone, 3/9/1939. Recollections of Battle of Britain over Kent and London Blitz, 1940: sight of aerial dogfights; bomb which hit Maidstone street; sight of air raid over London, 12/1940. Period as BBC sound engineer, GB, 1940-1942. Recollections of period with Bomber Command developing H2S bombing aid, 1942- 1945: training with Telecommunications Research Establishment; joining Bernard Lovell's team working on H2S, 8/1942; taking first H2S to 35 Sqdn, RAF Graveley, 4/11/1942; reception of H2S sets by RAF operators; reasons for crudeness of first presentations of ground features by H2S; measures taken to improve H2S presentations; initial operations of H2S by 35 and & Sqdns during raid on Hamburg, 30/1/1943.
REEL 2 Continues: description of H2S sets; location of scanner equipment in Halifax bomber; ability of RAF navigators to cope with operation of H2S system; German capture of H2S equipment; German development of similar bombing aid; emphasis on Oboe with Bomber Commands operations against Ruhr, 5/1943; targets attacked by 35 Sqdn, summer 1943; effects of fire-storm on Hamburg, 7/1943; problems of using H2S on big targets; question of necessity for area bombing in late 1943; move to RAF Whitton as station radar officer; loss of heavy bombers as 83 Sqdn was transferred to 5 Group, spring 1944; German Air Force intruder efforts against RAF Graveley including use of butterfly bombs; attempt to eliminate polar diagram fades; memories of Don Bennett visits to RAF Graveley and RAF Whitton; question of high regard for Arthur Harris among Bomber Command personnel; return to Telecommunications Research Establishment, Malvern, 1945; work on wave form generator; conversion of US Air Force to need for electronic bombing aids once they encountered European weather; opinion of Bernard Lovell. Period with Maidstone Local Defence Volunteers, 1940.

ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Bomber Offensive, 1939-1945

Duration
60

NumberOfParts
2

OtherFormats
None

MakerName
Hedgeland, Philip Michael Sweatman

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedSoundFile
017392S01.mp3
Hedgeland-airwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
Technology

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Exhibits

IDNO
COM 576

ProductionDate
1943

ItemName
Enciphering Equipment, 4-Rotor Schlussel M (Enigma) Machine, German

ObjectType
misc

IndexUnits
DE.N & Kriegsmarine

FullSummary
The 4-Rotor Enigma machine was introduced into Kriegsmarine service during 1942. It posed considerable problems for Bletchley Park and the Ultra decryption programme, and convoy losses were high. Bletchley began to break the code by the end of 1942, but the U-boat offensive was not blunted until mid-1943
This 4-Rotor Enigma enciphering machine was issued by OKM, Berlin in 1943, and was used in the Kriegsmarine HQ, Oslofjord, until May 1945 and the German surrender.

RelatedIWMItems
Associated logbook inscribed 'Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine, Berlin 1943, Begleitbuch fur den Schlussel M'

SubThemeTag
Technology

UncatTransferDate
30/06/2006 11:14:35

URLEncodedDeptName
Exhibits

Access
On display on HMS Belfast London

DeptName
Exhibits

IDNO
FIR 10585

ItemName
Aden Mk4

ObjectType
cannon

IndexPlaces
Falkland Islands

IndexUnits
GB.F

FullSummary
The Aden 30mm cannon is a British development of the German MG213c, an advanced weapon developed during the Second World War. It employs a rotary feed mechanism and an electrical firing system. The Aden has been fitted to a number of British designed post-war aircraft. This example was removed from the museum's Harrier GR3, which saw action in the Falklands Conflict.

ProductionCompany
Aircraft Equipment International Ltd, Ascot, Surrey

RelatedIWMItems
FIR 10586

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
Technology

UncatTransferDate
30/06/2006 11:14:35

URLEncodedDeptName
Exhibits

FormatDescription
Standard 30mm Aden cannon, serial number 81781.

Access
Access restrictions may apply

DeptName
Exhibits

IDNO
EPH 3002

ItemName
tea cup

ObjectType
relic

IndexPeople
Lufte, M. P. S. (Lieutenant)

IndexPlaces
JP & Hiroshima

IndexUnits
GB.N & RNVR

FullSummary
The cup was picked from the rubble of Hiroshima by Lieutenant M. P. S. Lufte RNVR on a trip ashore.

ProductionCompany
Japmerak

RelatedIWMItems
EPH 3001

RelatedImageFile
EPH_003002.jpg

Weighting
1
900

SubThemeTag
Technology

UncatTransferDate
30/06/2006 11:14:35

URLEncodedDeptName
Exhibits

FormatDescription
a china cup decorated with blue flowers and green leaves. The cup is 7 cms in height with a diameter of 7.5 cms

Access
On display at IWM London

DigitalAsset
Y

IWMImageOwned
Y

DeptName
Exhibits

IDNO
MUN 4851

ItemName
WE 177 Type B (950lb), Training

ObjectType
bomb

IndexUnits
GB.F

FullSummary
The WE 177 bomb was Britain's last air-dropped, free-fall, nuclear weapon, and was withdrawn from use on 31 March 1998, having been in service for some 32 years. The last WE 177 warhead was dismantled in August 1998, and so for the first time in 45 years, the RAF no longer had a nuclear capability. The WE 177 was a versatile weapon, capable of operating in a strategic and tactical role, and the first WE 177 (the thermonuclear Type B) was delivered to RAF Cottesmore in 1966. A single stage version (Type A) was delivered to the Royal Navy in 1972, Over the following years, a remarkable range of RAF aircraft was fitted to carry the weapon, including the Vulcan, Jaguar and Tornado, and in the Naval role, the Sea King, Scimitar, Buccaneer and Sea harrier. The submarine-launched Trident missile system is now Britain's sole nuclear weapon.

ProductionCompany
Hunting Engineering Ltd

RelatedIWMItems
MUN 4852

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
Technology

UncatTransferDate
30/06/2006 11:14:35

URLEncodedDeptName
Exhibits

FormatDescription
This is a fully weighted training example of the WE 177 Type B air-dropped nuclear bomb, and is 133in long, with a fin span of 24.5in.

Access
On display at IWM North

DeptName
Exhibits

IDNO
COM 726

ItemName
Wireless Equipment, Transmitter Receiver Type TR 9, British

ObjectType
radio

IndexPlaces
Great Britain, Middle East, and Far East

IndexUnits
GB.F & Royal Air Force

FullSummary
The Transmitter-Receiver T R 9 consisted of a two-valve radiotelephony transmitter (Type T 1396) and a six-valve receiver contained in one case. It was designed primarily for use in fighter aircraft, such as the Defiant, Hurricane and Spitfire and was intended to provide two-way communication to a range of 35 miles air/ground and 5 miles air-to-air. Frequency coverage was 4300-6000 kc/s and the entire power supply was derived from an HT dry battery and a secondary cell. In single-seat fighters the set was installed behind the pilot's cockpit The pilot was provided with headphones, microphone and a remote control unit which operated the send-receive switch, receiver tuning and volume control. VHF radio, superior in clarity & reception, was progressively introduced from late 1940 onwards into RAF service.The VHF Transceiver used in RAF fighters was the TR 1143 or the American SCR-522-A, which was based on the former. Both were interchangeable.

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
Technology

UncatTransferDate
30/06/2006 11:14:35

URLEncodedDeptName
Exhibits

FormatDescription
Wireless Equipment, Transmitter Receiver Type TR9, British. The radio is made of metal and weighs, excluding its battery, 44lbs. The dimensions are 19.5in. x 13.25in. x 9.5in.

Access
Access by prior appointment

DeptName
Exhibits

IDNO
MUN 4604

ItemName
ALARM (Air-Launched Anti-Radar Missile)

ObjectType
missile

IndexUnits
GB.F

FullSummary
The ALARM (Air-Launched Anti-Radar Missile) is designed to destroy ground-based air defence radars and surface-to-air missile radars, thereby providing support to attack aircraft while penetrating hostile air defences. It does this by homing in on radar transmissions and following them down to their source, and it entered service in 1991, seeing use during the Gulf War, when 121 ALARMs were fired during 52 sorties by Tornado GR1 aircraft. One unique feature is the optional capability to loiter over a target area while continuing to search for targets. It provides attack aircraft with an on-board suppression capability which will enable them to press home attacks against heavily defended targets with a high probability of success. When fired at an enemy source, the enemy can often detect the incoming missile and switch off their equipment, thereby depriving the missile of a target. ALARM will ascend to 40,000 feet from where it will deploy a parachute and descending slowly, using its seeker to search for any radiation source. Once the target has been acquired, the missile released the parachute and falls under gravity to the target. One other advantage with this system is that if the target shuts down before the missile has destroyed it, the missile remembers the location and will hit the target. ALARM also has several direct modes, one allowing the missile to be fired directly at the SAM once the emitter has been located.

ProductionCompany
British Aerospace/Marconi

RelatedIWMItems
MUN 4605, MUN 4604

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
Technology

UncatTransferDate
30/06/2006 11:14:35

URLEncodedDeptName
Exhibits

FormatDescription
This full-size missile is a fully-weighted exhibition round, and is 4.29m x 0.72m x 0.72m.

Access
On display at IWM North