- Contributed by听
- CSV Action Desk Leicester
- People in story:听
- JOHN DEREK BAILEY
- Location of story:听
- LORDS CRICKET GROUND TO KIRKHAM
- Background to story:听
- Royal Air Force
- Article ID:听
- A4476440
- Contributed on:听
- 18 July 2005
Chapter IX Tiger Force.
On the 6 . July we went to 1654 Conversion Unit at Wigsley, were not wanted there and were sent to 1660 Conversion Unit at Swinderby. It was necessary to do a conversion course becaused Johnnie had done his first tour on Halifaxes and needed to convert to Lancasters. We also picked up a Flight Engineer who was actually a newly trained pilot, who had also done a flight engineers course, there now being a surplus of pilots.
He happened to be a lad I knew from my ATC days. We were now part of "Tiger Force" which was 5 Group renamed and we were to fly the Lancasters out to Okinawa to join in the attack on Japan. The Lancasters would shortly be replaced by the new Lincoln bombers which were bigger, more powerful and had a longer range.
We commenced our training, for my part I had to familiarise myself with 'Loran' which was a long range Gee for use in the Pacific. I did say earlier in the story that I would tell you about my 'rash'. At Swinderby I had a recurrence and immediately reported sick. The Doc took a look at me and said "Oh! We know what that is, it is oxygen mask dermatitis, when you sweat your skin is allergic to rubber. We will make you a fabric mask. Problem solved. The new mask was not needed, however, because the war ended and with it my flying career.
VJ Day was a wild affair, In the "Halfway House" pub at Swinderby my brand
new officer's cap was filled with beer when I left it on a stool,
In a final salute to the mighty Lancaster, Swinderby had an open day to celebrate the end of the war and the Chief Flying Instructor made four passes at low level in front of the Control Tower, the first on four engines, the second on three, the third on two and finally the fourth on one engine. What an aeroplane! What a pilot!
'This story was submitted to the People's War site by Rod Aldwinckle of the CSV Action Desk on behalf of John Derek Bailey and has been added to the site with his / permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions
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