The Polish squadrons were usually manned by only Polish airmen, with occasional British airmen attached. [214] During World War II 156 aircrew taken prisoner of war successfully escaped from German prisoner of war camps in Western Europe, and 1,975 airmen evaded capture, being hidden by local resistance groups after being shot down in Western Europe. [100] A list referred to as a "battle order" would be posted on noticeboards at the airfield detailing all aircraft assigned to the night's attack and each member of crew for the particular aircraft. I enjoy the technical challenge that an advanced aircraft like Typhoon brings. [63] In 1935 Simpson was posted overseas for three years as the Engineering Officer at the RAF Depot, India. 35 Squadron RAF,[201] although elsewhere his total is given as 99. These included Nos 346 and 347 Squadrons. Average and median lengths of service, separately for: a) RAF officers b) RAF aeronautical engineers 2. [31], Air gunner – The role was to defend the bomber using the aircraft's machine guns. “I’ve just arrived as a Station Commander at RAF Brize Norton. The average age is stated to have been 21. [211] In the very last months of the war, aircrew who had been shot down were sometimes unfortunate enough to land safely by parachute, only to be mobbed and beaten to death by enraged German civilians. ), In total 364,514 operational sorties were flown and 8,325 aircraft lost in action. [64] The Wellington-equipped squadrons were operational from the day Britain declared war on Germany initially dropping propaganda leaflets but then usually in night time bombing attacks or mine-laying (sea mines) in known enemy shipping or U-boat transit routes or even in enemy harbours. [205][206][207], Aircrew adopted a fatalistic attitude, and it was "not the done thing" to discuss losses of friends or roommates, although they would half-jokingly ask each other "can I have your bicycle if you get the chop" or "can I have your eggs and bacon at breakfast if you don't get back tomorrow?" The RAF officer selection process and what is involved. "Flight engineer" chosen specifically for mechanical aptitude. can also be e-mailed. [20][21], During mid-wartime many crews trained using "tired" Vickers Wellington bombers,[22] at OTUs and then had to convert,[23] learning to fly the four-engined Stirling, Halifax or Lancasters which they would fly after joining their squadrons. Engineering in the RAF has a number of Officer roles that could be for you. I joined the RAF in 2008 from an Engineering Bursary. [171], During some attacks markers could be obliterated by the bombing, causing the "Master Bomber" to call a halt on bombing while the markers were re-set and confirmed acceptable before bombing could restart. [86], One "rear gunner" of a Vickers Wellington killed flying operationally with No. I'm close to completing 6th form with good A levels in physics and maths. [32], Wireless operator/air gunner – The role was to send and receive wireless signals during the flight, assisting the observer with triangulation "fixes" to aid navigation when necessary and if attacked to use the defensive machine gun armament of the bomber to fight off enemy aircraft. Promotion through the ranks was considerably quicker in Commonwealth Air Forces and advancement to commissioned rank was more likely for aircrew of the Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force no matter what their aircrew trade particularly towards the end of the war. All ranks were eligible for the award of a Victoria Cross if warranted. These men graduated training schools to earning a single-winged aircrew flying badge over a wreath containing the letters S on his tunic, above his left breast pocket denoting his trade specialisation as "signaller". [citation needed], In the middle years of the war it became more usual to train airmen specifically as "wireless operators" and no longer add air gunnery training to their instruction. As a medical officer you will help provide care to those that need it most in a … Typically when flying operationally the following aircraft were crewed as below: Fairey Battle single-engined light bomber – most often used in daylight operations in a ground support role and crewed by three airmen, a pilot, an observer and a wireless operator/air gunner. Engineering Officer salaries at Royal Air Force can range from £46,157 - £77,808. [165] A particular danger was being "coned" (illuminated by multiple search lights) and blinded, to become the target of concentrated anti-aircraft fire. Each flight was commanded by a squadron leader who was usually a pilot but later in the war could be a navigator. [10], The next phase of training was usually in Britain at one of the Operational Training Units (OTU). [18][19], In the first half of the war completion of training at an OTU would mean each crew transferring to an operational squadron and beginning their operational tour. 1 S of TT) is the Royal Air Force's aircraft engineering school, based at RAF Halton from 1919 to 1993, as the Home of the Aircraft Apprentice scheme. [129] Many believed wheel pissing brought luck before the appropriate time they climbed aboard and took their positions ready for take off. Gradcracker Limited, October House, Long Street, Easingwold, York, YO61 3HX, UCL Mechanical Engineers Researchers' Society, opportunities from Bouygues UK, one of the country’s leading construction companies, UCL Chemical Engineering Researchers’ Society, Scholarship opportunities with the Institute of Physics worth £26,000. This is a three-day process, and includes tests for aptitude, initiative, medical, and fitness. [19][191] The extension of airmen's tours was extremely unpopular with the aircrews and after a number of operations to targets which had been classified as "softer" actually cost unexpectedly high casualties, the original tour length was reinstated. 8 Group RAF, Pathfinder Force from a cadre of highly experienced squadron and flight commanders supported by several highly experienced pilots, navigators and bomb aimers. The original trade of observer began to be phased out although those airmen who had qualified in that role early in the war continued to wear their Observer flying badge with great pride. [31] The aircraft was tremendously strong and could withstand heavy battle damage and still return home, it was affectionately known as the "Wimpey" by its crews. A free inside look at company reviews and salaries posted anonymously by employees. [109][120][121], As the time approached crews collected their parachutes and Mae West life preservers from the Parachute Section,[122] and "suited up" in the "crew room" or locker room climbing into their flying suits ensuring that everything was comfortable ready for a flight which could be ten or twelve hours long,[123] memoirs mention that lucky charms were checked and double checked, some men were quieter while others were noisy and putting a brave face on to cover their uncertainty. 428 Squadron RCAF on 30 April 1945 apparently aged 16. If the aircraft was operated by a Polish or French manned squadron the observer was often the senior ranking crew member aboard and was captain (function not rank) of the crew. Bomber Command aircrews suffered a high casualty rate: of a total of 125,000 aircrew, 57,205 were killed (a 46 percent death rate), a further 8,403 were wounded in action and 9,838 became prisoners of war. These officers lead teams of skilled technical personnel while also managing significant material and budgetary resources. You'll need a minimum of: 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths, and a science for some roles; 2 A levels or equivalent ; If your application is accepted, you'll be invited to talk to someone at your local armed forces careers office about what you want to do. Occasionally a second pilot might be aboard. An insight into the role of an Communications Electronics Engineer Officer in the RAF. The concept was for the highly experienced elite Pathfinder Force aircrews to fly a little ahead of the main force and drop marker flares known as "target indicators" directly on to the target as an aiming point for the less experienced crews following them. [57][58][59], Avro Lancaster four-engined heavy bomber used normally in night operations and usually crewed by seven airmen, a pilot, a flight engineer, a navigator, a bomb aimer, a wireless operator/air gunner, a mid-upper gunner and a rear gunner. [16][17] Instructors were usually experienced aircrew being "rested" after completing an operational tour and were tasked to lead the airmen for 5 or 6 weeks on night flying, navigation, bombing, cross country, all-weather and air gunnery/fighter affiliation practice operations in the types of aircraft they were likely to fly operationally. 166 Squadron RAF when he was killed on 27–28 May 1944, was a Belgian from Antwerp a former member of the French Foreign Legion. They received no treatment, even though enough had been learned following World War I. The flight engineer was usually a sergeant; promotion was very slow indeed. [141] Once airborne every airman had to hope that his oxygen mask and supply functioned properly when it was switched on at 5,000 feet and did not suffer from icing in the frigid temperatures at high altitude; their electrically heated flying suits, boots and gloves were completely necessary to avoid frostbite throughout the year. The Pathfinder crews in turn released their target indicators on different marker flares laid for them by their leader, who flew minutes ahead in a de Havilland Mosquito light bomber to identify the precise target buildings at very low level. This is my fourth tour and I have worked on a range of different aircraft, including Tornados at RAF Marham and Merlin helicopters at RAF Benson. 207 Squadron RAF was aged 46 when he was killed in action on 23 March 1944 flying an Avro Lancaster;[89] he was a veteran pilot who had served in World War I and had half of a hand shot off. Dear Royal Air Force, I am writing to request Defence statistics (air) for the following: 1. [187] Crews assigned a regular aircraft would often paint images on the nose of their aircraft signifying completed operations; these were usually in the form a bomb symbol, but at least one Australian crew painted a beer mug for every op. [226], Commonwealth aircrew received additional medals as the Canadian government awarded their personnel the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal 1939–47 with a silver maple leaf clasp for service overseas, the Australian government awarded their personnel the Australia Service Medal 1939–45, the New Zealand government awarded their personnel the New Zealand War Service Medal 1939–45, the South Africans, South Rhodesians and Newfoundlanders all received their own service medals also. By ensuring the provision of Merlin Helicopter assets to meet a demanding programme I could see the operational effect my work had. Would I be able to first train to be an engineering technician and after my required service become an engineering officer? [129] The crew would urinate on the tail wheel prior to each mission. Share Embed. [129] During the war, the allied aircrews developed the superstition of "wheel pissing." [200] Squadron Leader Daniel Everett DFC and 2 Bars, is reported to have flown more than 120 operations before being killed in action on 8 March 1945 flying with No. [216] A recent specialised study of airmen "evaders" shot down over Western Europe states that a post-war summary prepared by British Military Intelligence (MI9) recorded that 695 officers and 1,270 enlisted men had evaded capture; however, the study identified and listed 2,198 airmen. [149][150] The bomb aimer manning the nose gun turret, the mid-upper gunner and the rear gunner would all be straining their eyes into the night sky hoping to see a night fighter approaching before it was able to open fire, or to see another bomber in time to take avoiding action before a collision occurred. [75][76], One of RAF Bomber Command's oldest casualties in action was Flight Sergeant Kadir Nagalingam, a 48-year-old from Sri Lanka, who was killed on the night 14–15 October 1944 while serving as a wireless operator aboard an Avro Lancaster of No. Two incidents of individual escaped prisoners of war disappearing completely are recorded, Warrant Officer George Grimson, RAF[221] and Warrant Officer Roland Townsend-Coles, RAF. The crews were men from the United Kingdom, other Commonwealth countries, and occupied Europe, especially Poland, France, Czechoslovakia and Norway, as well as other foreign volunteers. Only if a member of aircrew escaped from a Luftwaffe prisoner of war camp was he at risk of falling into the hands of the German Polizei (police forces were subordinated to the SS). [151] The Ruhr Valley was about 35 minutes flying time from the Dutch coast and here the first bombers in the stream would be met with intense anti-aircraft fire and extremely efficient searchlights working closely together. During the initial operational service of four-engined bombers second pilots were carried until sufficient flight engineers had been trained.[44]. During the expansion of RAF Bomber Command from the summer of 1943 many squadrons consisted of two flights, each having 8– 12 aircraft, after the new squadron formed around an existing "B" or "C" Flight transferred from an operational squadron. In the absence of a service record, or perhaps to supplement one, Operations Record Books (ORBs) can prove very revealing. [36], Handley Page Hampden twin-engined medium bomber – used normally in night operations and usually crewed by three or four airmen, a pilot, a second pilot or observer, a wireless operator/air gunner and an air gunner. I shot this RAF recruitment ad,one of a series of 4, for Director John Greaves through the production company Grosvenor. RAF Engineer Officer - Posting locations. For several months Mrs Hanson has fulfilled one of the most important jobs at RAF … [192] What are the best experiences you’ve had in the RAF? 1 Group RAF, was the highest-ranking officer of RAF Bomber Command to be taken prisoner in World War II while flying operationally; he was flying as second pilot aboard an Avro Lancaster of No. Average and median lengths of service, separately for: a) RAF officers b) RAF aeronautical engineers. Watch more of our videos. 166 Squadron RAF attacking a target at Duisburg in Germany. With such a role comes a tremendous amount of responsibility and therefore the selection process is designed to get the best people for the job. 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