- Contributed by听
- Jenni Waugh
- People in story:听
- Eric Carter
- Location of story:听
- Murmansk, Russia
- Background to story:听
- Royal Air Force
- Article ID:听
- A3868392
- Contributed on:听
- 07 April 2005
I joined the RAF early in 1940 aged 20 as a v/t pilot. By the rear end of 1940 I had passed out as a pilot with above average stamped on my log book. I was posted to 615 squadron, a B[attle] of B[ritain] squadron, but it had lost most of its pilots and was sent to Vally in North Wales to re-stock. I joined them there and was on convoy patrol from Liverpool to S Wales flying Hurricanes. I also flew Defiants over Liverpool.
Just 2 weeks after Russia changed sides and fought with the Allies, Churchill sent 38 pilots and 500 ground staff to Murmansk in Russia I was one of the 38 pilots and now one of 4 or 5 still living. After a very scary journey we arrived in Murmansk and ready to meet the German Air Force which was about 12 miles away. We gave a good account of ourselves and only lost 2 pilots. Our job was to keep Murmansk open. The only way the West could get help to Russia, subsequently 3000 Hurricanes were sent to equip Russia鈥檚 Air Force via Murmansk.
This story was added to the website by Jenni Waugh, 大象传媒 Outreach Officer, on behalf of Mr Carter who accepts the site's terms and conditions.
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