The souvenir path sounds the most interesting. Now, I'll need to ask Spidge about WWI German rifles. P.S. What did you mean by "shady uncle"? I can figure out some things, but this stumps me.
Shady as in dodgy, a bit of a wheeler and dealer...like Walker in Dad's Army - heart of gold but always ready to make a quick profit. The shady uncle served overseas and, when discharged, helped himself to a "pay out" in the form of a rifle etc!
Oh I get; he's somewhere in France and comes across a dead German, and snaps up his rifle for safe keeping.
Something like that...or just finds one on the battlefield or, better yet, wins one in a game of two-up. This refers to the German rifle. The shady aspect would refer to him souveniring a service rifle when he's discharged. Whatever path you want to follow.
I think that they would be too heavy for rabbit shooting, it would be most likly to be something like a .22. Otherwise you would blow the rabbit away! Also, the recoil from a .303 would be too much from young teenager. Also, there were "hunting guns" available, in Britian for many years, the tradition was that a hunting gun had a "hexaganal" barrel.
Both Patrick Bishops, "Bomber Boys" and to a lesser extend, John Nichol and Tony Rennel's "Tail End Charlies" have sections regarding "LMF" and "Shell Shock" which would be good background reading on the subject.
So, I'd just Google "1930's hunting guns" or "1930's .22 rifle" then Morse? P.S. Thanks for the further reading on shell shock and LMF.
Thanks Morse, you can tell my knowledge of guns is vast! I had meant to add, though, that the kick from a .303 would be a bit much but forgot. Good point re Tail-End Charlies as well. I'm looking at it on the shelf now (scored for $12) but have not done more than flick through it so far. It would also be useful, given the time period it covers, for references towards the end of Sugar's crew's career.
.22 Rifle (called a 22) or a shotgun with small pellet shot or "buckshot" Both these did not blow the rabbit or fox to pieces. In the depression years of the late 20's and through the 30's, the 22 was used for a good headshot as you ate the rabbit and sold/used the skin. Bounties were paid on fox skins as well. Simply the use of low calibre weapons was preferred. The other reason was most of this was carried out on properties where there were sheep or cattle and the range of a 22 or shotgun was not great. A 30/30 Winchester or .303 projectile can travel great distances and accidental killing of stock could be avoided. High powered rifles were used more for feral pigs and goats as distance to target was also greater in most cases.
I was never really into "civillian" gunds, so you might get some info from google. As for hunting guns, I have a old copy of "solider of Fortune" and it has in its back covers a advert for a "bear gun" it was a modified armalite M16!
>>> Knowing the techology is an important part of writing "colour" into there is also the factor of thye lingo as used by the RAF at the time. The two books, I recommended have survivors talking about there time and using the lingo, which is a help. But what about the more esoteric stuff, "A Cup a' Char and Wad from a Naffi Wagon" Does anybody here know what "Messerschmitts" were? or who or what was "52" or "365"? Have a guess! or that the RAF does not go to the toilet, instead they go to the ablutions. When you signed for your bedding, you signed for a sheet and a shroud! You never got a "Dear John" it was a "Messpot" etc etc.
I could not really tell, I joined the RAF in 1976 and there were still men who had served in WW2 there. In fact the SASO was Polish who had flown in the B0fB! Also, I have many books written by former members of the wartime RAF, who give anaccount tof their lives and missions.
James, other than talking to veterans, what Morseman suggests is the best way to go. You will have noticed the language of the aircrew in Lambert's Night after Night particularly when he features the recollections of a crew on a particular raid. However, the books written by those who were there, or written for them from their diaries/recorded recollections are probably the most accurate source you can get of ops and life in between ops - other than time travel. I think there are also some recordings of a bomber crew over the length of an op. That would be particularly useful. Off the top of my head, here's some books by Bomber Command types. There are plenty more of course which the guys will hopefully add to: No Moon Tonight - Don Charlwood Voice from the Stars - Tom Scotland - particularly good conversations and examples of the use of H2S. One of the Many - author escapes me Enemy Coast Ahead - Guy Gibson of course Lancaster Target and Mosquito Victory - Jack Currie, I think. No doubt there's a few obvious ones I've forgotten. That's just big bomber stuff as well. Other aspects will add context.
I've read the two Jack Currie books, and I might see if I can go into town and locate the rest of the books at either a bookshop or the public library.
There is also, John Bushby, "Gunner's Moon" it gives an account of his training with the RAuxAF and life in the RAF before the Lancs was in general service, he flew mainly Manchesters before being shot down. Ralph Baker, Strike Hard Strike Sure, a collection of stores from Bomber Command veterans. Forgot to add, Pathfinder, if you want addition information on the radio side of thing, including procedures and equipment, just give me a shout. I have posted this before, but ti s worth posting again, Other Mechanical Systems Tech. [Archive] - Aircraft of World War II - Warbird Forums it will give the pilot's notes for the LANC I, III, X and the Lanc II with Herc engines, plus pilots notes for other war time aircraft and the whole website is full of information. But you do have to register to gain access.
Thanks Morse I know all the electronic devices the British used on the bombers, but could you send a PM telling me how each one worked, and what ones would've been around in Sugar's lifetime?
