Roles and trades
Entries are listed alphabetically. The first line (in bold) is the term used to describe the subject, which is also a hyperlink to every item in the IBCC Digital Archive described with that tag. The second line (in italics) contains alternative forms, such as spelling variants, abbreviations or colloquialisms. Each entry is supplemented with a definition, background information, applicability, and links to related concepts.
Indentations are used to denote a parent/child structure, in which the main entry is a broad category followed by sub-categories. This allows for users to either narrow or expand the focus of their searches.
aircrew
Personnel who operate an aircraft while in flight.
Used for: bomber boys, lads, the few
Personnel who operate an aircraft while in flight. In Bomber Command in 1939 their trades included pilot, observer, and wireless operator/ air gunner. Ground personnel sometimes flew as air gunners. By the end of the war, all Bomber Command aircrew were officers or non-commissioned officers and their trades were more specific. They included pilot, navigator, bomb aimer, flight engineer, wireless operator and air gunner. All aircrew were volunteers.
pilot
Used for: P, skipper, skip
A Bomber Command pilot was responsible for flying the aircraft and to reach the target. Even if other crew members were more senior in rank it was the pilot who was the captain of the aircraft. He was responsible for the safety of his crew and expected to maintain crew discipline and morale. Prior to March 1942 some bombers had two pilots; one experienced and one inexperienced. Subsequently only one pilot was required.
navigator
Used for: Nav, N
The navigator was responsible for guiding the pilot exactly to the target at the precise time scheduled. Routes were plotted on a map, while navigation charts and logs were used for calculations. Initially, he mainly relied on dead reckoning aided by analog computer. In some aircraft types, the navigator position included an astrodome to allow the use of a sextant for celestial navigation. Later in the war, radar (H2S) and navigation aids (Gee and Oboe) were introduced.
bomb aimer
Used for: B, BA, bombardier, air bomber
The bomb aimer was responsible for dropping the bombs on the target. Before March 1942 bomb aiming was part of the role of an Observer but subsequently it became a specialist crew position. The bomb aimer, lying prone in the nose of the aircraft, ensured the bombs were fused and all necessary data loaded into the bomb-sight. On the bombing run he took control of the aircraft by calling course corrections to the pilot until releasing the bombs.
flight engineer
Used for: FHGng, FE
With the advent of four-engined bombers from 1941 the role of the Flight Engineer was introduced and they were trained at RAF St Athan. The Flight Engineer sat next to the pilot and was responsible for the mechanical, hydraulic, electrical and fuel systems. He assisted the pilot during take off with engine controls and also had basic flying skills to be able to take over in emergencies. Flight Engineers often acted as the main link with the ground crew.
wireless operator
Used for: Radio operator, W/OP, WOP
The role of the Wireless Operator was to maintain communication links in order to receive and send wireless signals. Such signals from base included recall messages or wind corrections to aid the navigator. The Wireless Operator would also obtain ‘fixes’ to help the navigator and send ‘mayday’ messages if required. Wireless Operators were trained in Morse code and also had to memorise numerous Q codes which were three letter shorthand messages.
wireless operator / air gunner
Used for: WOP/AG, W/AG
Until March 1942 the roles of the Wireless Operator and Air Gunner was combined such that one crew member fulfilled both functions. As the Wireless Operator he had to maintain communication links using Morse code and to aid navigation by obtaining location ‘fixes’. When under fighter attack he would defend the bomber by using machine guns. After spring 1942 the two roles became separated and wireless operators no longer received gunnery training.
air gunner
Used for: mid-upper gunner, rear gunner, mid-under gunner, A/G, R/G, MU/G.
The role of the air gunner was to defend the aircraft from fighter attacks using .303 machine guns. Most bomber aircraft carried two air gunners located in hydraulically operated gun turrets; one in the tail turret and one in the mid-upper turret. Air gunners had to keep a vigilant search for long hours in darkness and, during a fighter attack, worked with the pilot to co-ordinate the defensive ‘corkscrew’ manoeuvre.
observer
Used for: O, Obs, flying arsehole, feathered arsehole
Until March 1942 the responsibility of the Observer was a ‘catch-all’ role of navigator and bomb aimer. In some aircraft it also included being the wireless operator and air gunner. As the navigator the observer would direct the pilot to the target, transferring to the bomb aimer’s position to drop the bombs and then revert to being the navigator for the return journey. From spring 1942 the Observer role was split into specialist roles for the larger four-engined bombers.
ground personnel
Supporting personnel on the ground as opposed to aircrew, who operate an aircraft while in flight.
Supporting personnel on the ground as opposed to aircrew, who operate an aircraft while in flight. Ground personnel were the men and women, of all ranks and all non-flying trades. At its largest in 1944, more than 190,000 male and female ground personnel worked to support around 36,000 Bomber Command aircrew. They included men and women from a wide variety of social groups, including exiles from occupied Europe, and volunteers from the British Empire and the Dominions. Ground personnel included those who joined before 1939 as well as volunteers and conscripts who were in for the duration of the war.
Women’s Auxiliary Air Force
Used for: WAAF
The Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) was formed in 1939 and, at its peak in 1943, numbered over 180,000. Initially women were restricted to administration roles but as the war progressed more trades opened up. There were 70 shared trades and 19 WAAF only trades. Some women became fitters and mechanics but these were restricted to training stations. Although some women performed the same role as men they were paid only two-thirds of the male equivalent wage.
medical officer
Used for: MO
Most Bomber Command stations had one medical officer per squadron. They were often civilian doctors commissioned for the war. Medical Officers always prioritised the physical and mental health of aircrew over ground personnel and the collective health and strength of the squadrons and stations over individual needs. Their duties included supervising the removal of aircrew from crash sites, holding daily sick parades and sanitary inspections of station facilities. Medical officers worked closely with and advised operational commanders.
meteorological officer
Used for: Met Officer
Bomber Command attacks were always very weather dependent and forecasting was vital in operational decision making. The civilian Meteorological Office was fully integrated with the RAF and the meteorological branch of the RAF Volunteer Reserve provided meteorological officers. Weather reports from RAF stations were sent to the Meteorological Office Forecasting Centre for incorporation with other sources into overall forecasts. These were provided to Bomber Command Headquarters and passed down to individual Meteorological Officers on stations to give aircrews weather briefings before each operation.
ground crew
Supporting personnel who ensure the airworthiness of an aircraft
Supporting personnel who ensure the airworthiness of an aircraft were known as the ground crew. They comprised flight mechanics, engine fitters and airframe fitters who worked directly on the aircraft on dispersals and in the hangars. They mostly worked in all weathers, out in the open away from the technical buildings. Each aircraft was supposed to be serviced by its own ground crew of six or seven and each flight of eight or ten aircraft was supervised by a flight sergeant. However, with the expansion of Bomber Command, ground crews could be reduced to two. Although some women were trained in some of these roles they were limited to working at training units.
Fitters were the most skilled, and highest paid, group in ground crews working directly on aircraft. Airframe fitters were responsible for the maintenance and repairs to the airframe, control surfaces, landing gear and other related systems of the aircraft. They were also known as ‘riggers’. Airframe fitters were skilled in metalwork, riveting, pneumatics, hydraulics and electrics. Airframe fitters also conducted a daily inspection. Ground crews signed off Form 700 declaring the aircraft serviceable, which was then counter-signed by the pilot.
Fitters were the most skilled, and highest paid, group in ground crews working directly on aircraft. Engine fitters were responsible for the maintenance of and repairs to the engines and engine controls of the aircraft, including fuelling. Daily inspections were conducted including ground running of engines, looking for leaks and checking levels. Ground crews signed off Form 700 declaring the aircraft serviceable, which was then counter-signed by the pilot.
Mechanics were in the second highest tier of ground crew working directly on the aircraft. Flight mechanics were usually classified as either ‘airframe’ or ‘engine’. The former were responsible for the maintenance and repairs to the airframe and related systems and the latter serviced the engines and ran ground running tests looking for leaks and checking levels. Ground crews conducted a daily inspection and signed off Form 700 declaring the aircraft serviceable, which was then counter-signed by the pilot.
Mechanics were in the second highest tier of ground crew working directly on the aircraft. Flight mechanics (airframe) were responsible for the maintenance and repairs to the airframe, control surfaces, landing gear and other related systems of the aircraft. They were also known as ‘riggers’. Airframe mechanics were skilled in metalwork, riveting, pneumatics, hydraulics and electrics. Airframe mechanics also conducted a daily inspection. Ground crews signed off Form 700 declaring the aircraft serviceable, which was then counter-signed by the pilot.
Mechanics were in the second highest tier of ground crew working directly on the aircraft. Flight mechanics (engine) were responsible for the maintenance of and repairs to the engines and engine controls of the aircraft, including fuelling. Daily inspections were conducted including ground running of engines, looking for leaks and checking levels. Ground crews signed off Form 700 declaring the aircraft serviceable, which was then counter-signed by the pilot.