[alanscheckenbach]

Bulldog,

I'm not sure that all Air Forces did this.

I can say positively that, at least, 315 squadron of the Polish Air Force allowed pilots to smoke on long missions.

In late '44 and early '45, when 315 escorted squadrons of the Dallachy strike wing (Beaus and Mosquitoes) to Norway, the pilots were issued with 10 Woodbines and a packet or two of sandwiches.

Tootling along at 50 feet and 180 knots, to stay with the Beaus, things were pretty boring and a fag was a welcome break for the pilot. I spcualte that they were allowed to smoke and eat on the transit to and from the target because no enemy were expected until the target was quite close, where things occasionally got frantic for a little while and then went quiet again on the way home.

I'm not sure if the Beau pilots & navs from RAAF 455 were issued with fags as well.

I don't think that fags were issued on long escort missions into Germany though.

Cheers

Alan