John grew up during World War Two and found it an exciting time. His hometown was bombed, and he witnessed the build-up for D-Day. His brother was killed near the end of the war while working in bomb disposal. When it was time for National Service after the war he joined the RAF and was posted to Wunstorf airfield in Germany. He felt sorry for the Germans when he saw the devastation caused by Allied bombing, which he saw to be worse than that caused by German attacks on Britain. At the airfield he became a lorry driver, helped load the planes and assisted in guarding the airfield.  He enjoyed the work and saw a variety of aircraft, both RAF and civilian, including Yorks, Tudors, Dakotas and Liberators. He found the variety of aircraft interesting but each one presented different loading issues, such as different heights and cargo bay size. As time went on the Airlift became more organised, with less paperwork slowing down the flights. German labourers were used to work on the transports and whilst talking to them many of them said they had served on the Russian front, never on the Western front, against the British or Americans! As part of his ration he received 100 cigarettes a week, and, as a non-smoker, he could trade these on the black market for goods or German marks. His time spent in Germany helped him feel less hostile towards Germans and now he is proud to have been part of the Airlift.

Tony Pickering, born in 1920, vividly recounts how his passion for aviation was ignited at the age of 16 when a Royal Air Force plane made an emergency landing near his home in Leicestershire. This pivotal moment inspired him to join the RAF Volunteer Reserve in 1938, where he began flying Tiger Moths before advancing to Hurricanes and Spitfires. Tony served with 501 Squadron during the Battle of Britain, flying Hurricanes to intercept German bombers. On one mission, his aircraft was critically damaged by enemy fire, forcing him to parachute out over Surrey. Undeterred, he quickly returned to action, playing a vital role in Britain’s defence against Nazi air attacks. Later in the war, he flew escort missions for bombers over France and transitioned to flying Spitfires, which he continued to pilot for the rest of the conflict. Beyond combat, Tony took on roles as a test pilot, instructor, and gunnery trainer, contributing to the RAF’s operational strength and the training of future pilots. His interview provides a vivid account of the diverse roles undertaken by RAF pilots during the war, offering an enduring testament to the courage, adaptability, and dedication of those who defended Britain’s skies.

John Cumming shares a wonderful account of his time serving with the RAF in the Korean War from January 1951 to September 1952. Born in Glasgow, John welcomed the freedom offered by conscription and completed his training as a movement officer. Upon receiving his subsequent overseas posting to Iwakuni, the Australian Air Force Base in Japan, he admits he had never heard of the place, nor even Korea! At just 20 years old, John describes his initial work in Iwakuni, which mostly involved aircraft loading and movement. Soon enough, however, John undertook a role which transpired to be the defining work of his time in the Korean War: casualty evacuation. He shares some interactions he had with the plethora of injured troops, often a range of nationalities, that he helped to evacuate from Pusan. He also gives his impression of the American, Australian, and Canadian troops, including Australian female nurses, that he worked alongside. John also dives into tales of some close calls aboard Hastings and Dakotas, as well as stories of days spent partying in Korea, and meeting William Speakman-Pitt, VC. John concludes his account by sharing some insightful comments regarding the popular memory of the Korean War as the ‘forgotten war’, and contends with the repercussions of humanity’s disposition for conflict. John’s story reflects his determination and courageousness as he partook in casualty evacuation of the Korean War: a task far beyond what was expected of him when the RAF sent him to Japan.