WW2 NCO Aircrew
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WW2 NCO Aircrew
Gentlemen I need some help
Having recently watched the Dambuster’s for the ‘nth’ time it suddenly occurred to me that the Dambuster’s film and others of the same ilk often focus on the Officers Mess at a pivotal point in the film. This point is indeed emphasised when an old manor house or similar was taken over for an officer’s mess as was true in with 617 Sqdn, although not portrayed in the film.
Now my question for former WW2 NCO Aircrew is; how did they feel about living in the SGT’s Mess when Officer Aircrew of the same Sqdn lived together in relatively palatial surroundings away from the camp.
Having recently watched the Dambuster’s for the ‘nth’ time it suddenly occurred to me that the Dambuster’s film and others of the same ilk often focus on the Officers Mess at a pivotal point in the film. This point is indeed emphasised when an old manor house or similar was taken over for an officer’s mess as was true in with 617 Sqdn, although not portrayed in the film.
Now my question for former WW2 NCO Aircrew is; how did they feel about living in the SGT’s Mess when Officer Aircrew of the same Sqdn lived together in relatively palatial surroundings away from the camp.
I've read most books re WWII Bomber Command aircrew and it seems to me that a large proportion of NCOs lived in Nissen or concrete huts rather than a purpose-built 'brick' mess. Considering the amount of non-commisioned aircrew on a squadron, possibly seven per aircraft in some instances, there probably wouldn't have been much available space in the permanent accommodation.
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Overcrowding in the Sgts' Mess didn't end with VE day.
When I arrived at Honington in '71 both the Sgt's and Officer's Mess had re-activated overspill accomodation. These were Seco huts - built with a sort of breeze block.
The reason was we had a lot of SNCOs. There was 204 Sqdn with their Shacks - lotsa NCO aircrew. The Bucc squadrons were building up so Buccaneer ground school was bulging and we were the RN holding unit and shore base for 809 RNAS, so a load of Navy PO's and CPO's I was in one such hut for 6 months before moving into the Mess proper.
As for more "palatial", well the commisioned crew members of 204 spent more time in our mess with their NCO crew members than they did in their mess. - maybe the beer was better!
When I arrived at Honington in '71 both the Sgt's and Officer's Mess had re-activated overspill accomodation. These were Seco huts - built with a sort of breeze block.
The reason was we had a lot of SNCOs. There was 204 Sqdn with their Shacks - lotsa NCO aircrew. The Bucc squadrons were building up so Buccaneer ground school was bulging and we were the RN holding unit and shore base for 809 RNAS, so a load of Navy PO's and CPO's I was in one such hut for 6 months before moving into the Mess proper.
As for more "palatial", well the commisioned crew members of 204 spent more time in our mess with their NCO crew members than they did in their mess. - maybe the beer was better!
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IIRC SNCO's in 617 Sqdn were suitably situated in the Golf Hotel at Woodhall Spa. Almost within spitting distance of the Petwood where the officers were in rather grander accommodation.
But having just read Bishop's 'Bomber Boys' there is no doubt that SNCO's were 'housed' in Nissen huts and dirty ablution blocks. Manky beds were the norm at most stations. The book cites one of the worst as Tuddenham where Stirlings operated from and the guys went to bed in their clothes and used overcoats as blankets in a poor attempt to keep warm, due to the lack of coke for one miserable stove in the middle of the hut. Wickenby was another and there were many more!.
Must have been tough when you came back from ops.
But having just read Bishop's 'Bomber Boys' there is no doubt that SNCO's were 'housed' in Nissen huts and dirty ablution blocks. Manky beds were the norm at most stations. The book cites one of the worst as Tuddenham where Stirlings operated from and the guys went to bed in their clothes and used overcoats as blankets in a poor attempt to keep warm, due to the lack of coke for one miserable stove in the middle of the hut. Wickenby was another and there were many more!.
Must have been tough when you came back from ops.
Dont forget that many WW2 Stations were 'built for the duration'. There were no palatial blocks for Officers, they all had the same type of accomodation on that type of station.
Where pre-war brick buildings existed on stations ,they were utilised to the full. As Jack Currie states in Mosquito Victory,(Wyton I think and an Officer) he and his Navigator were housed in a bedroom, where he envisaged 'a Flight Lieutenant of the 1930's kissed his youngest child goodnight' .
It was war..materials, furniture, heating fuel and the like were in short supply.
Where pre-war brick buildings existed on stations ,they were utilised to the full. As Jack Currie states in Mosquito Victory,(Wyton I think and an Officer) he and his Navigator were housed in a bedroom, where he envisaged 'a Flight Lieutenant of the 1930's kissed his youngest child goodnight' .
It was war..materials, furniture, heating fuel and the like were in short supply.
Last edited by rolling20; 21st Apr 2009 at 10:18.
