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Terence-Crowley-

A veteran interview with

Terence Crowley

Terry Crowley gives a great account of his time as an RAF Engine Fitter on the Berlin Airlift.

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About Terence Crowley

Terence Crowley was an aircraft engine fitter during the Berlin Airlift. He was stationed at RAF Uetersen near Hamburg.

Upon joining the RAF in 1946, Terence was sent to north Yorkshire and commenced his role working on Vickers Wellington twin engine bombers. After gaining valuable experience, familiarising himself with the aircraft and completing training with high marks, he was posted to several difference locations throughout England.

This range of postings took him to RAF bases from the west midlands to Bedfordshire and ultimately to Norfolk where he began work overhauling Lancaster bombers. Speaking with great humour Terence recalls how, having never flown before, he was unexpectedly required to became part of a crew for a test flight of a Lancaster bomber which he himself had been responsible for fitting the engines in.

Shortly afterwards, he was dispatched to Germany, working on a variety of planes from communication aircraft to any aircraft needing attention during the Berlin Airlift. He recollects many fond memories of his time in Germany, including mixing with fellow workers from Germany and America, ballroom dancing and delivering newspapers to Berlin.

In addition to his role as engine fitter, Terence was given added responsibilities including tanker driver and VIP fitter, looking after both dignitaries and their planes. He talks knowledgably about the daily wider operations of the RAF and reflects on the deep sadness of discovering a colleague had been lost at sea.

Terence felt relief when the air lift was over but commends the efforts of all involved in a project he remarks as being “well worth doing”.

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Reviewed by:
Carolyn Foster

Transcripts:
Please note that transcripts and closed captions in the video player are automatically generated by Vimeo.

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Home | Veterans | Terence Crowley

A veteran interview with

Terence Crowley

Terence-Crowley-

Terry Crowley gives a great account of his time as an RAF Engine Fitter on the Berlin Airlift.

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Cite this interview:

MLA Style:
Crowley, Terence. A Veteran Interview with Terence Crowley. Interview by Unknown. Legasee, 26 Mar. 2013 https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/terry-crowley/. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
APA Style:
Crowley, T. (2013, March 26). A Veteran Interview with Terence Crowley [Interview by Unknown]. Legasee. Retrieved July 15, 2025, from https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/terry-crowley/
Chicago Style:
Crowley, Terence. 2013. A Veteran Interview with Terence Crowley. Interview by Unknown. Legasee, March 26. Accessed July 15, 2025. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/terry-crowley/
Harvard Style:
Crowley, T. (2013). A Veteran Interview with Terence Crowley. [Interviewed by Unknown]. Legasee, 26 March. Available at https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/terry-crowley/ (Accessed: 15 July 2025)
Vancouver Style:
Crowley, T. A Veteran Interview with Terence Crowley [Internet]. Interview by Unknown. Legasee; 2013 Mar 26 [cited 2025 Jul 15]. Available from: https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/terry-crowley/
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