Originally Posted by
Banana Boy
At risk of going slightly off piste...
What was the RAF policy regarding aircrew sidearms during WW2? The movies would certainly indicate that German aircrew flying over England carried a Luger. I have not seen any sign that our crews carried a personal weapon.
Anybody know different?
BB
Not at all, aircrew arming post-war was ordered but no policy for use,
AFAIK, was ever issued. V-force was not issued in the 60s though we still had range practice. When we tooled up in the Far East it was with a selection of S&W and Colt .38s.
Best advice was as a signalling device or to deter nasties in the jungle - 5 rounds didn't go far. In the 70s, in Cyprus we were armed for self-protection on base.
Later, on Nimrods, I was told they were to guard the aircraft if we diverted. I suggested 4xSMG would have been better, but it was never taken up.