RAF Memoirs of SE Asia
358 Squadron

Introduction

by William A. Pugh

In 1942 I volunteered for Air Crew duties in the R.A.F. and hoped to be accepted for Pilot Training, especially as I had been a member of the Air Training Cadets (ATC) in Liverpool from the time I was 3.5 years old. At school I had learned so much about Cazada - my Father talked a lot about emigrating to Canada but never could because of the existing world-wide depression. I wanted to see Canada for myself and hoped that if accepted for Pilot Training I would be sent to Canada for same.

Unfortunately for me the R.A.F. had so many young men wanting to be Pilots that the least physical thing found wrong was used to reject your application. They said I had astigmatism and could only accept me as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (WOF/AG) so I never reached Canada during World War II.

However, I did eventually succeed in being accepted as a 'Landed Emigrant' and disembarked from the "Empress of Australia" in Montreal on June 16, 1953. My dream was taking shape and therein lies another story!

On the 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF WORLD WAR II TERMINATING with Japan's SURRENDER on August 15, 1945, the surviving members of F/O H. V. Smith's B-24 "LIBERATOR" crew of No. 358 Squadron have 'volunteered' to put their memories on paper covering their escapades in S. E. Asia during the summer of 1945.

The attached account is that of ex. R.A.F WOP/AG, F/Sgt. WILLIAM A. 'Bill' PUGH

RAF Memoirs of SE Asia: 358 Squadron Special Ops and P.O.W

More RAF 358 Squadron

Escape from Siam RAF 358 Squadron, Burma 1945

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© Copyright 2001 by William A. Pugh.
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