Sgt. J.Hannah VC…

I think I’ve seen firearms mentioned in a memoir or two, and maybe even in the Operations Record Book for one of the Far East RAF Liberator squadrons. I just assumed firearms were issued to some, if not all, aircrew on Liberator squadrons, where the Japanese were seen as particularly unkind to those captured. Sidearms do show up in photos of aircrew, although not everyone in the crew seems to wear one. However, once aboard the Lib for an op, an airman may have added the belt and sidearm (and with other clip-on items on the belt, too), or kept it close at hand.

Here is a photo of the crew of BZ906 A for Algy, on 159 Sqn, prior to an op in late Nov or early Dec 1943, at Digri, W. Bengal, India. Note that W/O C.A. Morgan (1st Wireless Op) — standing on the far left — wears a sidearm.

Another image shows an aircrew (top row) at Digri in front of BZ840 E for Eagle prior to an op — also from 159 Sqn in late Nov or early Dec 1943. Although not a sharp image, there appears to be a sidearm on the left hip of the third man from the left in the top row — F/Sgt A. Forson (2nd Wireless Op). The officer standing 2nd from left — F/Lt F.E. Ashworth (Rear Gunner) — seems to have a holstered sidearm on his left abdomen, not hanging off of the hip. Others, not all, have belts sagging to their left, possibly weighted down by sidearms.

In front of 159 Sqn’s EV867 B for ‘BATTLIN’ B*TCH.’ in 1944 at Digri, F/Lt Johnny Watson, RCAF appears to have his left hand atop his sidearm.

One last photo — four men in front of 159 Sqn’s BZ983 A for Algy in 1944 at Digri. Two of the four are wearing heavy clip-on belts, with sidearms on the left hips.

Bob Stanford Tuck had a German pistol in his flying boot. He mentions it during an incident in ‘Fly for your life’…..
mmitch.

hi, Peter,
did your mother know you went out dressed like that…:angel: in the clip he was standing in front of a Hampden doing a interview!
hard to believe J.Hannah got TB in the second half of 1941, then discharged on a full disability pension in Dec.1942 from seeing him in that news clip, sadly dying in June 1947…

regards,
jack…

Not terribly obvious here, but I am wearing my revolver as I am about to go on duty as guard commander.

When we first went out to the Canal Zone in 1952 we were told we had to fly with a revolver for self defence, for some reason the locals didn’t like us. So we dutifully collected our armament from the armoury, but when we went to stores for holsters, were informed they had none in stock. Ever tried carrying a service revolver and 12 rounds loose in your pocket? When times were difficult I had the habit of loading the thing and sleeping with it under my pillow. Not really recommended when you have a belly full of beer.

hi, Andy,
thanks, but this is ordinary uniform not flying gear, if I’ve got it right try www.britishpathe.com/video/the youngest vc of the war ( that might take you to british pathe website then you have to put the youngest vc of the war in the search). Like I said never seen anything like this pictured before…

regards,
jack…

In 1940 squadrons from RAF Waddington and RAF Digby are known to have engaged each other in a series of inter-squadron rivalry incidents, which culminated in the “Battle of the Snakepit” at the Saracen’s Head Hotel near Lincoln’s Stonebow that supposedly included the discharge of RAF issue side-arms.

Local folklore suggests that if you know where to look on the Stonebow, you can still see the bullet marks!

A surprising number of RAF pilots, Bomber and Fighter Command, flew with a side-arm at that time. Even during the Battle of Britain, and over the UK, evidence has been found that pilots flew with them.

Additionally, when Sgt McAdam of 41 Sqn was shot down and trapped in his burning Spitfire during the summer of 1940 he wrote :’…I considered pulling out my pistol and ending it all.’