Sid (an RAF wireless operator) and Jim (a pilot) met while serving together in 46 Squadron during the Berlin Airlift. They recall the devastation of postwar Berlin, waving at Russian pilots from their aircraft, and their daily routines during the airlift. They flew two trips per day, including both night flying and day flying to carry flour, coal, newsprint and medical supplies, as well as airlifting children and the elderly out of Berlin. There were few social opportunities for RAF pilots, as their flying schedules precluded heavy drinking at aircrew pubs or clubs. After a few months, the work became rather tedious, but the humour of American pilots provided entertainment and light relief. Sid and Jim reflect upon flying in treacherous weather conditions, explaining that flights were rarely cancelled yet relatively few accidents occurred. They both saw the airlift as an opportunity to fly, rather than a humanitarian feat. Sid and Jim’s interview highlights the routine and eventual monotony of operations during the Berlin Airlift. Their enduring friendship is testament to the lasting bonds forged between servicemen.

Stuart Holmes joined the RAF as soon as he was 17 ½ years old in 1949 and was soon sent to Southern Rhodesia for pilot training, travelling there in some style aboard RMV Stirling Castle. After 18 months he returned to the UK as a sergeant pilot and converted to Sunderland flying boats. In 1951 he was posted to Singapore, which was a permanent RAF base from which detachments of three or four Sunderlands were forward-based in Japan to support operations in Korea. He completed two detachments over Korea and was commissioned during his time there. He describes in some detail the operations he flew: patrolled the coast to spot any Chinese or Russian ships interfering; prevent the Chinese from inserting agents by sea; bombing designated patches of jungle before ethe army moved in; gathering accurate weather information for allied forces as the Chinese had stopped weather reporting. He highlights the challenges and excitement of learning to fly Sunderlands, including weapon training and adapting to different flying conditions.

Air Vice Marshal Larry Lamb served with the RAF for 38 years, he took part in World War II and the Berlin airlift. Larry explains that his interest started when his Aunt bought him a book about the RAF. Larry went on to volunteer to join the RAF in 1941. Larry talks about training, explaining that candidates had to fly a Tiger Moth aircraft in under 12 hours of instruction to proceed. He passed this stage of training, with it only taking 8 hours of instruction. Training continued in Canada and Larry impressed so much that he was eventually put up for commission (made an officer) and was chosen to become a flight instructor. Larry continued as a flight instructor for the rest of the war. After the war, Larry joined Transport Command and went to Germany to fly in the Berlin airlift as a second pilot. During his time as a second pilot, he gained some much needed experience with that type of aircraft. This experience led to him joining No. 47 squadron as a captain, where he continued his work during the airlift. On his first flight in the airlift, he recalls the ‘shambolic’ state of Berlin, describing it as a very sobering experience. He describes that a standard day consisted of two trips, each lasting about two and a half hours there and back. The cargo transported into Berlin was mostly coal, sometimes tobacco. Larry mentions that contact with the Germans was discouraged at the time. Later in life Larry became Vice President of the British Airlift association and in 2008 showed his Royal Highness around the allied museum. Larry also went on to referee top flight international rugby!