RAF & American pilots against the V-1
 

June.

http://www.grubstreet.co.uk/diver!_diver!_diver!.htm



Usual disclaimer,
Ed

Re: RAF & American pilots against the V-1
 

Ed,

What about the Canadians, Poles, Czechs, and whom ever else I am missing?

Maybe Brian Cull can answer this question because if these nationalities aren't covered, then what the hell?

Stephen

Re: RAF & American pilots against the V-1
 

ehm Stephen, correct me if I am wrong, but all the nationalities you mentioned did fight in an organisation, known as RAF, or am I wrong here?
so the title of the book does cover those pilots as well me thinks :)

Re: RAF & American pilots against the V-1
 

Griffon,

I don't know because I haven't seen the book yet but the sub-title turns me right off.

Why not a little more general so as to encompas them all; like "the Allies who battled the V-1", instead?

Makes more sense, eh?

Stephen

Re: RAF & American pilots against the V-1
 

I'd just like to add that this is an excellent book - as well researched as Cull's other books. I've been reading snippets at a friends house whilst awaiting my copy. As to the title - unfortunately, that seems to be Grub Street's fault rather than Cull's.

as the blurb states:

EDIT - I should point out that the copy that I have been reading is a preview one - the book is published in June.

Re: RAF & American pilots against the V-1
 

another excellent book related to this topic:
" AIR-LAUNCHED DOODLEBUGS: Hitler's V 1 Missiles and 111/Kampfgeschwader 3 and 53" by Peter Smith

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/184...931922-8047924

Re: RAF & American pilots against the V-1
 

Polish Air Force was not part of the RAF, just only subordinated operationally for the time of war. I am not sure about other nationalities, but I think most if not all of them formed foreign manned RAF Squadrons. It is a difference.

Re: RAF & American pilots against the V-1
 

It was a mixed bag - some other nationalities had both their own air forces, whilst some members served within RAF squadrons. I could certainly name a number from most of the commonwealth countries.

And as you say, for those who had their own air forces, I don't know of any that acted independently of the RAF in Europe.

Re: RAF & American pilots against the V-1
 

I am not sure if I was understood. I mean that the Polish government signed an agreement in which Britons recognised PAF as a separate air force. To the contrary, I believe Czechoslovak and French Squadrons had no such agreement and were foreign manned RAF Squadrons. American and colonial RAF squadrons were yet another matter.

Re: RAF & American pilots against the V-1
 

Yes, I know that there were three agreements between the British and Polish governments:

June 1940 - first agreement creating 2 Polish bomber squadrons and a training centre
August 1940 - transfer of sovereignty of Polish airmen to the Polish government (thus they could wear Polish insignia etc)
August 1944 - transfer of units to Polish command

However, what I am saying is that in every sense they came under RAF control for missions, deployment, equipment, traing etc. And the RCAF, RAAF, SAAF, RNZAF and IAF were also recognised as seperate entities under RAF operational control.

And the Free French Squadrons were under the same restraints, even though they were offically under the control of De Gualle, even though a lot of French pilots flew with RAF squadrons

Re: RAF & American pilots against the V-1
 

And I mean the status of PAF was different than the one of eg. CzAF or FFAF. By the way, I am not sure if colonial Squadrons took part in anti-diver campaign.

Re: RAF & American pilots against the V-1
 

Amongst those pilots who shot down 5 or more V1s, were members of 418 RCAF, 486 RNZAF, and 456 RAAF squadrons.

And I'm not sure what you mean by "status". If you mean political, then no, because both the the Czech and French governments in exile were recognised as de facto heads of their armed forces, and in return they both acknowledged that the RAF had operational control of those pilots and squadrons. The same for Poland.

As for the commonwealth nations - apart from the Indian Air Force, they had even greater control over their forces, but still negotiated their activities within the stategic and tactical demands of the relevant RAF commands and theatres.

Re: RAF & American pilots against the V-1
 

Then the title should be Australian, British, Canadian, New Zealand, Polish and US Air Forces. A bit lenghty. ;)
Concerning politics, status of Poland was different. Poland never ceased fire and legal government evacuated. Czechoslovakia as a recognised country ceased to exist in 1939 and the legal governments were at Protectorate and in Slovakia. Legal French government was at Vichy, hence all the fuss with Darlan back in 1942.
I cannot tell anything about status of Belgium, Netherlands or Norway.

Re: RAF & American pilots against the V-1
 

The Czech, Dutch, Norwegian and French governments in exile were formally recognised by London and the Allies from 1940. The Danes did not have a government in exile.

Czechs lead by Edvard Beneš (the ex-President) , fled in 1938 and tried to get formal recognition of his government after the Germans took over. This was finally accorded in accorded in July 1940.

Holland's Queen Wilhelmina kept the gov-in-exile going after the splits between those who wanted to return and collaborate and those who wanted to resist. Formal recognition of her actions were ratified by the Dutch government in 1946.

In October 1940 a Belgian government-in-exile was formally established in London. The Prime Minister was Hubert Pierlo.

Norwegian gov in exile was established on 5th May 1940.

As to the title of the book - yes it would be a mouthful, and Grub Strret seem to prefer a pretty picture instead http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: RAF & American pilots against the V-1
 

I can only speak for 89 Squadron, which had guys from just about every Commonwealth/Allied nationality on the planet onboard.

Re: RAF & American pilots against the V-1
 

Richard (I hope I remember your name correctly), I am not awared of any Poles on 89 Squadron but I will be happy to read of any. Does your Dad have any remembrances of them?


Amrit
Those governments were recognised but with no legal basis on international law. Hence discussions if airmen of those countries should fly over enemy territory and what will happen with them after their capture. I believe this was discussed in lenght in Airmen in Exile book.

Re: RAF & American pilots against the V-1
 

Hi guys

I wasn't aware of this discussion until Franek directed me to it. Thanks for the interest!

Firstly, the book does include ALL allied pilots, not just those who served with the RAF - and individual pilot's nationalties, where known, is noted beside their respective names in the tables etc.

The choice of cover illustration and wording was NOT mine (although the title is) - I was made aware only AFTER the dustjackets had been printed!

However, I hope this will not detract from the content which sets out to record all known Diver kills by fighter pilots of all nations, plus a few by bomber aircrew. I am currently listing all these kills chronologically as an appendix for easy reference, in addition to tables included in the narrative.

May I take this opportunity to thank all those generous TOCH members who have kindly contributed to this work, which has taken me a year longer to produce than anticipated. I am hoping to be able to obtain a few copies at a reduced price to be made available to anyone not already promised a copy! Please excuse the blatant advertising!!

Cheers
Brian