Looking for info: WWII camera films available ?

[peter monasso]

Hi all One quite often sees in ORBs and similar documents that when a RAF/RCAF/RAAF pilot was engaged in air combat when they destroyed or damaged an enemy aircraft the pilot would then write a report of the incident. When shooting on enemy a/c the cine camera was used if working. This means that when a Pilot opened fire on the enemy aircraft the camera started at the same time and would record the shooting. Some of these films are on YouTube.
F/Lt Bob Earle was involved two times in such incidents damaging two Fw 190s on 14 + 24 Dec. 1944. He joined 412 Sqdn RCAF and both reports are in The National Archives in London UK ref. AIR 50/143/34. Is there anyone who can advise us how and where to obtain such films ? Bob (Robert Nevill) Earle himself was shot down and killed one week later on 31st Dec. 1944 and has been buried at Cleve/ Germany. He died at the age of 24 leaving his wife. His daughter was born four month after his death in April 1945.

Peter Monasso
Dutch Air War 1940-1945 Historian
The Netherlands
info@crashmuseum.nl
www.crashmuseum.nl

[Chris Goss]

If they still exist (and remember there must have been hundreds and thousands of miles of such films), they could be in the IWM or possibly private hands. Almost all, including camera gun stills, were destroyed

[peter monasso]

Thank you Chris it's worth trying with the IWM.
Regards,
Peter Monasso

[edwest2]

This site may be of use.

https://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/