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Interview with Robert Miller
Robert joined the Air Training Corps and enlisted with the Royal Australian Air Force at the age of 18 as a trainee chemist. He went to an Initial Training School at Bradfield Park in Australia. Although he planned on becoming a pilot, an opportunity…
Interview with Bill Moore. Three
Bill Moore grew up in Scotland and volunteered for the Royal Air Force. He completed 36 operations as a navigator with 138 and 161 Squadrons.
Please note: The veracity of this interview has been called into question. We advise that corroborative…
Please note: The veracity of this interview has been called into question. We advise that corroborative…
Interview with Alan Payne
Alan Payne was born in Wendover, Buckinghamshire. He volunteered for aircrew with the Royal Air Force and, after initial training, was sent to South Africa where he trained as an observer. When he returned to the UK, he was allocated the role of bomb…
Interview with Bob Porteous
Flight Sergeant Bob Porteous grew up in Australia and, after spending time in the bush, he joined the Royal Australian Air Force. After training and spending time in the United States, he travelled to Scotland on the Queen Mary. He flew operations as…
Interview with Alan Pugh
Alan was born in Western Victoria in Australia. After two years in the Air Training Corps, he applied to the Royal Australian Air Force, and was selected to go to Somers No. 2 Initial Training School on No. 46 course. Alan chose to be a navigator/air…
Interview with Herbert Tinning
Herbert joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and was posted, initially, to a communication flight as a fitter. He managed to transfer to aircrew and describes the enlistment process. He went to Somers, then Cootamundra for navigator training…
Interview with Rusty Waughman. Two
Russell (Rusty) Waughman was born in Shotley Bridge, County Durham. Due to serious poor health as a child, his education was interrupted. He describes his training with the Empire Training School in Canada. He was posted to 101 Squadron which was a…
Interview with Geoffrey Whittle
Squadron Leader Geoffrey Whittle was born in London. After leaving school, at 14 he became an apprentice printer in the family business. He volunteered for the Royal Air Force on the outbreak of the Second World War and trained as a navigator and…
Interview with Ralph Wild
Ralph was conscripted into the army but wanted to join the air force. He eventually became an instrument repairer and trained at RAF Cranwell. When war started, he volunteered for aircrew but was not transferred for some time. Briefly in 242…
Interview with Peter Woodard
Peter was in the Air Training Corps and joined the Royal Air Force, on deferred service, as a wireless operation/air gunner. He was soon called to the Air Crew Reception Centre at Lord’s cricket ground. He went to the No. 2 Radio School at RAF…
Interview with Frank Tolley
Frank Tolley was born in 1921 in Tipton and left school at 14, to work as a grocery errand boy. He joined the Royal Air Force at 19 as a ground gunner, and was in at the inception of the Royal Air Force Regiment. After 18 months he volunteered to…
Interview with Charles Frederick Green
Charles Frederick Green was born in Peckham, London, in 1921. On leaving school, he began an apprenticeship with a printing company, acting part-time as a police courier, before becoming an Air Raid Precaution warden. He then volunteered for the…
Interview with Mary Ward. Two
Mary Ward joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force in 1940. She served, briefly, at RAF Driffield but mostly at RAF Linton on Ouse. She trained as a cook before being moved to duties as a map officer, where she prepared maps for briefings and…
Lancaster and Fred Phillips' crew
A starboard side view of a Lancaster, PA964, on the ground. There are eight aircrew standing at the nose. On the reverse is a list of the aircrew including Tom Jones and a list of his operations.
Navigation policy of the Royal Air Force
The document is broken down into Definitions, scope, air warfare, air safety, organisation, Ministry of Supply, Commands, Groups, Stations, Squadrons, Basic and operational training, Post Graduate training, Navigation technique -Policy, Equipment -…
Briefing notes
Notes on an operation including petrol, H2S, navigation to 'Laon' and gaggle.
Bomb aimers briefing 16 April 1945 - Pilzen
Indicates two bomb loads. Includes time on target '0400', preselection settings, and false height settings. On the reverse; marking and tactics, bombing details, Window, camera, navigation notes and other details.
Bomb aimers briefing 7 January 1944
Shows two bomb loads for operation, one for seven aircraft the other for nine. Includes area for 'anti fighters' and 'anti flak', time to target, bombing heights and wind data. On the reverse marking tactics and timing including blind H2S marking,…
Weight table for aircraft 20 February 1944
Table with tare, petrol, 'WS' and 'D', 'Spare', 'T.O. AUW' and actual bomb weight for different configuration aircraft.
Weight table for squadron aircraft 18 February 1944
Table with weights for tare, petrol, windfinders, spare bodies, take off all up weight, max bomb weight, window, actual bomb weight and all up weight takeoff for various aircraft configurations.
Weight table for squadron aircraft 19 February 1944
Table with weights for tare, petrol, windfinders, spare bodies, take off all up weight, max bomb weight, window, actual bomb weight and all up weight takeoff for various aircraft configurations. Main has twelve aircraft, H2S three, spare one and…
Bomb aimers notes
Notes include marking, briefing times, H2s set up, weights, bombing heights and target marking plan. Continues with bad weather plan, use of H2S, fighter escort details and aiming instructions.
Bomb aimers briefing 25 September 1944
Shows two bomb loads with distributor and false height settings. Details timings, Window and weights. Struck through and annotated 'Cancelled'. On the reverse timings and marking plan and bombing instructions.
Bomb aimers briefing 23 September 1944 - Handorf
Shows one bomb load for operation. Annotated 'Handorf' in green. Details of bombs carried for twelve aircraft. Includes weights, preselection and false height settings as well as Window, timings and other details. Gives bombing heights and notes that…
Bomb aimers briefing 18 September 1944 - Bremerhaven
Shows two bomb loads, one for four aircraft the other for ten aircraft. In addition a further one load for mining (gardening) for four aircraft. Details weapon settings including distributor and preselection settings. Also details Window, timings…