Videos tagged with RAF

Stan Hope - RAF evader (part 1)

Stan Hope - RAF evader (part 1)

On 8th December 1942 Stan Hope was the navigator/camera operator in an RAF Mosquito on a photo reconnaissance mission to Austria. When the aircraft developed a fault the pilot decided they could not reach Britain and so he and Stan would both have to bail out and the plane would be set to crash. They were over German occupied Belgium, and Stan landed by parachute in the countryside. He had visited its capital Brussels before the war, and even spoke a little French, and so he headed for this city in the hope that he'd find safe refuge there from the occupying German troops. He would then try to reach 'neutral' Spain via occupied France. While in Brussels he enjoyed a surprisingly sociable time over Xmas, thanks to the kindness, hospitality and courage of the Belgian family which hid him. But, as we'll hear in Part 2, the New Year would bring tragic consequences for them and also Stan. For more information on the WW2 escape lines: www.ww2escapelines.co.uk

Working in the RAF in the 1940s (Part 2) - Coming Home

Working in the RAF in the 1940s (Part 2) - Coming Home

In the concluding part of his interview Fred Folkard speaks of the last days of the World War 2 whilst he was working in the Far East in the RAF. He recalls what it was like coming back to London after so many years and being reunited with his family and girlfriend.

Working in the RAF in the 1940s

Working in the RAF in the 1940s

Fred Folkard served in the RAF from 1941 working as an engine-man. He was shipped out straight away to Far East and travelled to many places including Casablanca, Freetown and Bombay, the whole time his family not knowing having no idea where he was. In this interview Fred recounts his experiences during the Second World War and even tells of a near-miss experience where he almost died in a plane crash in China.

Serving in the RAF during World War II

Serving in the RAF during World War II

John Penva talks about his time serving in the RAF as a rear gunner of a Wellington Bomber during the Second World War.

JOINING THE RAF AND FACING THE ENEMY

JOINING THE RAF AND FACING THE ENEMY

Wing Commander Foster was born in year 1920. He saw the clouds of war rising over the Europe, and decided to join the Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve in January 1939. He didn't want to go to the trenches, but while the death in the sky was still possible, it was at least a more glorious way to go. Here he talks about joining up and learning to fly.