Oliver went for selection to Cardington and joined the RAF in 1941 as an observer (navigator and bomb aimer). He was called up to the Aircrew Receiving Centre at Lord’s Cricket Ground and sent to Aberystwyth. He was posted to the Elementary…
First article attributed to Manchester Guardian, 18 October 1945, covers trial of five members of crew of U852 who were involved in firing on the survivors of a Greek ship Peleus. The second (non attributed) states that three officers were sentenced…
Half length portrait of Oliver Gomersal in tunic with observer brevet and peaked cap standing by a door with hands in pockets. In the background a three story house. On the reverse 'Flight Leut Oliver Gomersal, Navigator/Bomb aimer, spring 1945'.
Ten shirtless airmen in shorts sitting in three rows on stone steps in an open doorway of a stone building. Behind an African man standing. On the reverse 'Taken at Bender Kassem (now known as Bossaso [sic]) on the northern shore of Africa and the…
Service history of U852 depth-charged by Royal Air Force aircraft of 8 and 621 Squadron, driven ashore and scuttled south east of Socotra. History of Heinz-Wilhelm Ech, the captain, and records vessels sunk by the submarine.
Account starts with crew names including Flight Sergeant Oliver Gomersal as navigator. Continues with front gunner seeing a wake which after following spotted a submarine. Detailed account of attack with depth charges and front gun and subsequent…
Observer's and air gunner's flying log book for Flight Lieutenant Oliver Gomersal from 17 September 1943 to 7 November 1944. He trained as a navigator in Great Britain and in South Africa and was stationed in East Africa and Yemen with 621 Squadron.…
Extracts from log book from 12 July 1943 to 20 October 1943 covering Coastal Command training at 6(C) operational training unit Silloth, Cumberland and 303 Ferry Training Unit Talbenny, South Wales and trip from United Kingdom to Mogadishu via…
Account of search while on 621 Squadron, RAF East Africa in Wellington JA 259 for survivors of SS Tarifa sunk in mid ocean 13 March 1944. Found a boat and raft, fixed position and dropped water cans. Stayed with boat throughout the afternoon and…
Life history of Oliver Gomersal. Includes training in South Africa as observer/navigator, training on Wellington and operations with Coastal Command, journey to East Africa with antisubmarine and search operations in the Indian Ocean. On return to…