Experiences and Reminisces of Flight Lieutenant William Douglas Tweddle DFC

Experiences and Reminisces of Flight Lieutenant William Douglas Tweddle DFC

Transcript of taped letter to John. Starts with some discussion of books about the Lancaster with technical and operational details. Describes his early days at RAF Bardney on 9 Squadron. Mentions first operation as second pilot to Kiel V-1 storage. Goes on to describe his operations in details to Villeneuve Sr George (Paris). List his crew (and their origin) and how they crewed up as well as discussing non-commissioned or officer status of crew. Mentions number of operations flown (37). Then goes on to describe his training in Southern Rhodesia, Derby, RAF Church Lawford before 1654 conversion unit at RAF Wigsley, of which he gives description. Finally to RAF Syerston for the Lancaster. Goes on with initial flying and other activities at RAF Bardney. Continues with first operation with his crew and discussion of Normandy campaign. Then goes on with next operations to Caen, Revigney, Contrai amongst others. Mentions flying everyday from 30 July to 16 August against French targets before undertaking check rides. Continues with mention of targets on west coats of France. Discusses collaboration with 617 Squadron to sink ships at Brest including covering bombing techniques and losses. Then goes on to discuss ground crew. More discussion of next targets; Gilze Rijen, and attacks on other airfields the La Pallice. Then discusses new technique (wind finding) to determine accurate local winds for bombing. Then goes on leave 16-24 August recommencing operation to Ijmunden E-boat pens. Discusses target photographs and setting up secret trip to Russia before talking in detail about 5 Group commanders leadership style and actions. Covers flight to Russia (with Tallboy on board) and adventures that followed in considerable detail. Continues with operations from Russia and other activities. Follows account of attach on Tirpitz in great detail before returning to Russia for refuelling with 50 gallon drums. and the returning home. Discusses electronic warfare equipment and engagement with Ju 88. Mentions carrying revolver and evasion in Finland and activities at home base. Goes on with attacks with Tallboy on Dortmund Ems canal and mentions other losses followed by operations to Westkapelle and Flushing causing flooding. Covers second attack on Tirpitz from RAF Kinloss describing sortie in detail. Mentions third attack from RAF Lossiemouth which sank her ln 12 November again with some detail of trip and attack including type of bomb used. Follows discussion on German fighter opposition, or lack of, to attack. Mentions later reunion with Norwegian who had photographed the attack as well as stone with brass plaque now part of 9 Squadron memorial at Bardney. Writes of Royal Navy reaction and placing destroyer 200 miles up track north of Shetland in case returning aircraft ran out if fuel and had to ditch. Continues with aftermath of attack then describe further operations to Urft Dam followed by Munich, Gydnia in December. Covers subseqyuent activities and discusses use of Tallboy bombs. Mentions operations to Ijmuiden and bridges beyond he Rhine (Padeborn) in February. Completed 30 trip operational tour but carried on. Mentions Bielefeld with Grand Slam. Gives account of landing problems on diversion to Woodbridge. More on crew and his award of DFC. Supplies anecdote on practice bombing. Followed by account of engine problems during take off and completing operation but returning with bomb on board (Tallboy) and diverting to Waddington on three engines and then to Carnaby after Waddington refused permission to land. Writes of rivalry between 9 and 617 Squadrons and gives detail of personnel and operations. Continued with detail of more operations and incidents, including fighter escort and diversion to Charleroi. Writes of flights to repatriate PoWs. Completes with account of post war activities including preparations for Pacific and Cook's Tours. Ends with list of people mentioned in the transcript.

Fifty-two page printed document

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ATweddleWD770915-Transcript