A conversation with Oliver Wells

A conversation with Oliver Wells

Transcript of oral history interview. He starts with a brief service history, 7 Squadron Oakington, Stirling and later Lancaster. He was shot down on his seventh operation, was captured after 4 months and became a prisoner of war. He begins with a description of being shot down by a night fighter at the end of August 1943 while a Lancaster pilot on 7 Squadron. He details his bale out and provides a very detailed account of his evading capture for the next four months, including being moved by Comet organisation, until his capture and incarceration by Gestapo in Lille. He continues with an account of his time in Stalag Luft III and walking to Lückenwalde, near Berlin,at the end of the war. He mentioned that his crew all survived. He talks about his post war career in the RAF. He recalls his time on 7 Squadron and recounts being attacked by Ju 88.He also describes his training at Cambridge and Cranwell. He mentioned he did one or two operations as second pilot on Stirling, and was asked to compare Stirling to Lancaster. He also comments on Lancaster vs Halifax. He recounts some episodes while on operations. He remained in the air force post war.

2009-01-21

2010-06-04

Eight page printed document

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