Women of the cold war
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ORAC (#1),
Some twenty years before these events, there was a body of civilian ladies who were giving sterling service in our defence in the Cold War. I refer, of course, to the R.Aux.A.F. Fighter Control Units which served up to its disbandment in 1957 (?)
It was my privilege to serve as Adjutant of one of these (3608 F.C.U. RAF Thornaby) as Adjutant from 1951 to 1954. We recruited and trained local girls as part-time WRAF Radar Operators and Fighter Plotters to operate the old manual system plus a small number of others in various ancillary trades. My HQ, an old Coastal Command Operations block, was ideal for conversion into a simulated Control Room set-up: our "Radar Operators" worked in cubicles apart with radar screens on which the technicians could produce life-like "blips" ad lib.
As in "real life", each "operator" was connected throuh headsets to her "plotter" in the Control Room, so our establishment of 70 was formed into 35 "teams" - the pairs often formed frienships for life. After basic training in our "simulator", about half would be bussed out every Sunday morning, to go down our own "hole" at Seaton Snook (Co.Durham), returning in the afternoon. There they would work with the regulars in Sector Control, often controlling the Vampires of 608 (North Riding) Squadron, R.Aux.A.F. with whom they shared the airfield and who allowed me to fly with them time to time. I recall one memorable occasion when I flew as wingman to F/O Mike Beavis (their Training Officer), better known now as Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Beavis (Retd).
Additionally, we had a handful of trainee Fighter Control Officers, all ex-war and not one without a DFC or a DFM, except my excellent Auxiliary Wg Cdr CO - he was an AG with the DSO (you don't see many of those). These, of course, learned by "sitting next to Nellie" - the regular FCs.
The system was perfect, if the balloon went up, all our shop and office girls, check-outs and hairdressers etc. would be called straight in. They were already in the Service, medically inspected, fully kitted, going to a place which they knew well, to do a job for which they'd been trained with people they were familiar with already. Many of the "extras" actresses in postwar "Battle of Britain" type films are ex-WR(Aux)AF, look for the "A" under the bird on the shoulder.
All gone now, of course.
Danny.
Some twenty years before these events, there was a body of civilian ladies who were giving sterling service in our defence in the Cold War. I refer, of course, to the R.Aux.A.F. Fighter Control Units which served up to its disbandment in 1957 (?)
It was my privilege to serve as Adjutant of one of these (3608 F.C.U. RAF Thornaby) as Adjutant from 1951 to 1954. We recruited and trained local girls as part-time WRAF Radar Operators and Fighter Plotters to operate the old manual system plus a small number of others in various ancillary trades. My HQ, an old Coastal Command Operations block, was ideal for conversion into a simulated Control Room set-up: our "Radar Operators" worked in cubicles apart with radar screens on which the technicians could produce life-like "blips" ad lib.
As in "real life", each "operator" was connected throuh headsets to her "plotter" in the Control Room, so our establishment of 70 was formed into 35 "teams" - the pairs often formed frienships for life. After basic training in our "simulator", about half would be bussed out every Sunday morning, to go down our own "hole" at Seaton Snook (Co.Durham), returning in the afternoon. There they would work with the regulars in Sector Control, often controlling the Vampires of 608 (North Riding) Squadron, R.Aux.A.F. with whom they shared the airfield and who allowed me to fly with them time to time. I recall one memorable occasion when I flew as wingman to F/O Mike Beavis (their Training Officer), better known now as Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Beavis (Retd).
Additionally, we had a handful of trainee Fighter Control Officers, all ex-war and not one without a DFC or a DFM, except my excellent Auxiliary Wg Cdr CO - he was an AG with the DSO (you don't see many of those). These, of course, learned by "sitting next to Nellie" - the regular FCs.
The system was perfect, if the balloon went up, all our shop and office girls, check-outs and hairdressers etc. would be called straight in. They were already in the Service, medically inspected, fully kitted, going to a place which they knew well, to do a job for which they'd been trained with people they were familiar with already. Many of the "extras" actresses in postwar "Battle of Britain" type films are ex-WR(Aux)AF, look for the "A" under the bird on the shoulder.
All gone now, of course.
Danny.
Avoid imitations
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Fascinating Danny, I had never heard of this setup before. Apart from learning about these girls, I'd love to know the story of the AG with a DSO - as you say not many of those!
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Reaching back into my memory, the CO at RAF Bawdsey in 1974 when I did my FC training was Wg Cdr E R Lacey DSO OBE - who was proud of the fact that he was not only an Air Gunner, but still getting flying pay.
Is it the same person Danny?
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/LaceyER.htm
https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightP...20-%202497.PDF
90 Sqn operations logs/summary of events for the period can be found a5 the link below. Unfortunately the images won’t display properly on my iPad. Intrigued to see that, during the period in question, the Sqn was operating the Flying Fortress Mk1 on daylight bomber raids over Germany. Didn’t know the RAF did that.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.go...e/r/r/D8455347
Is it the same person Danny?
http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/LaceyER.htm
https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightP...20-%202497.PDF
90 Sqn operations logs/summary of events for the period can be found a5 the link below. Unfortunately the images won’t display properly on my iPad. Intrigued to see that, during the period in question, the Sqn was operating the Flying Fortress Mk1 on daylight bomber raids over Germany. Didn’t know the RAF did that.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.go...e/r/r/D8455347
Last edited by ORAC; 26th Apr 2018 at 08:06. Reason: sp
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TTN,
Years ago I was able to trace David Brown, DSO on Google, but cannot find him now. I learned that he'd done two operational tours as an AG, one in the UK (Ludford Magna , I think), and one in N.Africa. He was heavily involved in contra - intelligence radio work and was a Squadron Gunnery Leader, but what exactly he got his 'gong' for I do not know.
Of course the iron rule was - and still is - 'Never ask, never tell'. So I could never ask him.
Danny.
Years ago I was able to trace David Brown, DSO on Google, but cannot find him now. I learned that he'd done two operational tours as an AG, one in the UK (Ludford Magna , I think), and one in N.Africa. He was heavily involved in contra - intelligence radio work and was a Squadron Gunnery Leader, but what exactly he got his 'gong' for I do not know.
Of course the iron rule was - and still is - 'Never ask, never tell'. So I could never ask him.
Danny.
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The callout siren for Gutersloh's MQs at Harsewinkel was actually the town's Fire station siren. The locals were remarkably tolerant in view of the fact that the damned thing was often going off at all hours of the night.
The deployment kit was always either being packed, unpacked or actually in use. Some happy days, but it did all get a bit extreme at times and I'm very glad I'll never have to wear an AR5 respirator or charcoal suit again.
The deployment kit was always either being packed, unpacked or actually in use. Some happy days, but it did all get a bit extreme at times and I'm very glad I'll never have to wear an AR5 respirator or charcoal suit again.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aircrew-O...MAAOSwUwFZ7OBm
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/nbc-suit-...wAAOSwRChalpDi
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Thanks Danny. I've never seen an AG with a DSO but we had a wing commander at Catterick who wore the ribbon of the MM. He had won it as a corporal in the Royal Marines at Anzio, remustered to RAF Regiment after the war and was subsequently commissioned. He had a face like a burglar and must have been a handy bloke to have beside you at Anzio!
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Danny. Three full operational tours - that’s worth a DSO on its own on bombers.....
Wing Commander David Brown D.S.O., Air Gunner, 75 (NZ), 70, OTU 21 and 101 Squadrons (RAF)
RAF Log Book (Brown DSO)
Wing Commander David Brown D.S.O., Air Gunner, 75 (NZ), 70, OTU 21 and 101 Squadrons (RAF)
David enjoyed a distinguished career in the RAF, rising to the rank of Wing Commander. For his service during the War, David was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) - an award second only to the Victoria Cross. His citation is found below in the footnote.
The site photo album features excerpts from David’s two flying log books and photographs from his own wartime album.
FOOTNOTE
Citation for Flt Lt D. BROWN, R.A.F.V.R. No 101 Sqn. 1945
Flt Lt Brown has completed his third tour of operational duty as squadron gunnery leader. His targets have included objectives both in Germany, and the Middle East. On one occasion he destroyed two Italian aircraft during one operational sortie. His courage, determination and efficiency have in no small measure contributed to the success of the squadron.
Wing Commander David Brown D.S.O., Air Gunner, 75 (NZ), 70, OTU 21 and 101 Squadrons (RAF)
RAF Log Book (Brown DSO)
Wing Commander David Brown D.S.O., Air Gunner, 75 (NZ), 70, OTU 21 and 101 Squadrons (RAF)
David enjoyed a distinguished career in the RAF, rising to the rank of Wing Commander. For his service during the War, David was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) - an award second only to the Victoria Cross. His citation is found below in the footnote.
The site photo album features excerpts from David’s two flying log books and photographs from his own wartime album.
FOOTNOTE
Citation for Flt Lt D. BROWN, R.A.F.V.R. No 101 Sqn. 1945
Flt Lt Brown has completed his third tour of operational duty as squadron gunnery leader. His targets have included objectives both in Germany, and the Middle East. On one occasion he destroyed two Italian aircraft during one operational sortie. His courage, determination and efficiency have in no small measure contributed to the success of the squadron.
Avoid imitations
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Go on.... you know you want too
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aircrew-O...MAAOSwUwFZ7OBm
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/nbc-suit-...wAAOSwRChalpDi
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aircrew-O...MAAOSwUwFZ7OBm
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/nbc-suit-...wAAOSwRChalpDi
That one has the drinking bottle mod fitted - ours never did have anything so sophisticated - it had a simple plastic straw arrangement instead. Sometimes when trying to get a drink through it you almost managed to miss poking yourself in the eye.
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ORAC (#32),
Thanks ! A quiet, self-effacing man, I never had a cross word with him all the years I had at Thornaby, and the only time he was angry with me, I richly deserved it.
Middlesbrough has a very large Irish immigrant population from the 19th Century; this was reflected in a high proportion of RC among our troops on parade. If the command : "Fall out the Roman Catholics and Jews" had been strictly obeyed, the poor (C.of E.) padre would've been left talking only to the small handful. which were left.
Accordingly, a sort of unspoken compromise was reached; on the command, only David (representing the Jews), and I , his Adjutant, (representing the RCs) fell out, marched smartly to the rear of the parade and took up position with our backs to it , to signify that we were taking no part in it while the "God-botherer" well, "bothered God," and then fell back in in front on command..
I suppose I shall be held responsible for any damage done to the immortal souls of my co-religionists in exposing them to "the services or prayers of a false religion", but I'll take a chance on that. (David can make his own arrangements with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob).
Danny.
Thanks ! A quiet, self-effacing man, I never had a cross word with him all the years I had at Thornaby, and the only time he was angry with me, I richly deserved it.
Middlesbrough has a very large Irish immigrant population from the 19th Century; this was reflected in a high proportion of RC among our troops on parade. If the command : "Fall out the Roman Catholics and Jews" had been strictly obeyed, the poor (C.of E.) padre would've been left talking only to the small handful. which were left.
Accordingly, a sort of unspoken compromise was reached; on the command, only David (representing the Jews), and I , his Adjutant, (representing the RCs) fell out, marched smartly to the rear of the parade and took up position with our backs to it , to signify that we were taking no part in it while the "God-botherer" well, "bothered God," and then fell back in in front on command..
I suppose I shall be held responsible for any damage done to the immortal souls of my co-religionists in exposing them to "the services or prayers of a false religion", but I'll take a chance on that. (David can make his own arrangements with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob).
Danny.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
I have an AR5, brilliant bit of kit. Last summer Mrs PN moved the BBQ when she didn't ought and a screw on the lid hinge dropped off. As the BBQ was hot i couldn't stand over it to fix the bolt. Donned AR5 and breathed cool clean air. Perfect 
Oops, age, I meant S10, was fortunate enough to never see an AR5 in the flesh.
Oops, age, I meant S10, was fortunate enough to never see an AR5 in the flesh.
Last edited by Pontius Navigator; 28th Apr 2018 at 07:51.
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I hope I never even see one again! Having spent three days taking part in a field trial which involved living, briefing (or attempting to brief) a formation task, flying (and being required to try to sleep) in an AR5 connected to a "Hissing handbag" - No, really I don't want to! The aircrew NBC gear consisted of charcoal underwear suit and socks, which in turn needed full long johns and long sleeved vest under them and aircrew flying gear on top. Great stuff in the hot German summers....
That one has the drinking bottle mod fitted - ours never did have anything so sophisticated - it had a simple plastic straw arrangement instead. Sometimes when trying to get a drink through it you almost managed to miss poking yourself in the eye.
That one has the drinking bottle mod fitted - ours never did have anything so sophisticated - it had a simple plastic straw arrangement instead. Sometimes when trying to get a drink through it you almost managed to miss poking yourself in the eye.
