The Day at Duxford - a short film!

Roger Allen & Lionel Bloomfield were our volunteer film makers for the Duxford trip.  Roger has edited a short film of the day's activities for us.

The link is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rfW44o-mTk&feature=youtu.be

Thank you from veterans of the British Berlin Airlift Association

At the end of the day we were all asked to comment about what we learnt from the day, both the students and veterans.  Here is a selection of comments:

What is the importance of a heritage project such as this one?

"It is undoubtedly vital that these bits of modern history are carefully shared and recorded for the future." (Alec Chambers, veteran)

 "To carry on this piece of history when we've long gone." (Anon. veteran) 

"The personal, human and 'small' stories that are so 'big' and significant." (Anon. volunteer)

"A hugely valuable archive for future years.  History is too often about huge events written from the point of view of the politicians and military leaders.  This project is to hear the testimony of the ordinary man, told as he wants to tell it." (Anon. volunteer)

"To pass on history from eye witnesses to the next generations is important as we need to remember and use this information for the future." (Anon. student) 

We also received a lovely thank you note via email from the BBAA veterans we met at Duxford:

Association Email News

Keeping members informed

Web site & Media
British Berlin Airlift Association
www.bbaa-airlift.org.uk

Date 14-03-2013

Bungay School Student Presentation

Regards.

Colin.

 Wednesday 13th March, our association were asked to assist students from Bungay School, who are working on a group project about the Berlin Airlift.  The event was held at Duxford Aviation Museum, and hosted by Legasee.

Legasee, as some of you, having taken part in video interviews will know, are a charity, dedicated to recording on video, the history of as many service personnel as possible.  These videos will be posted on their web site, and made available to the public.

We had a full day, starting at 10.30 am and finishing at 15.30 pm.  The students rotated in groups, at tables, to talk to as many veterans as possible.  after lunch, a talk was given by Joyce Murdoch, Learning & Access Manager at Duxford Museum, about the cold war period, and before finishing, we had a tour of the aircraft used by the RAF on the airlift, with veterans talking to the students about various aspect of operating the aircraft.

The students had obviously studied the subject well before the event, and had many questions to ask, so I think the finished project should do them credit.

In preparation for meeting the veterans of the British Berlin Airlift Association (BBAA) at Duxford Museum, we learnt about how to do oral history interviews with Juliana at Legasee.  We talked about different interview styles and questions. There are open-ended questions, factual questions and reflective questions.  We then picked themes to ask the veterans. These included recruitment, training, favourite memories, dangerous moments and long term effect on the veterans of being in the airlift.

On the day of meeting the veterans we made notes during and after our interviews:

Selected photos of the Duxford trip:

Hello from all the people involved!

So, on 13th of March we arrive at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. To start off with we were introduced to the veterans and given a brie tour through a small part of the museum displaying planes used in the irlift. We were then shown to a resources room where we able to talk to the veterans for a morning session.

Each veteran detailed a range of suprisingly different stories and experiences. Ranging from fun and laughs around the airbases to dangerous missions evading Russian interference. Veteran, Geoffrey Smith, remembered how he was drafted, they managed to build an airfield in just three months. Each person had a different opinion of their time there but all said that their experience was one of the best of their lives.  (From Sam Wernham)

Duxford trip: Berlin Airlifters interviews:

To start off the day we arrived at the museum and introduced ourselves to the veterans.  We had a brief introduction from Juliana and our tour and we were off, interviewing two veterans at a time.  Each veteran described in detail various stories and experiences ranging from jokes and laughs to escape their boring down times and petrifying experienes as part of their job.  For example, one of them saw the aftermath of a car crash which had been caused by the Russians.  They almost came into contact with the Russians! 

Then we had a small amount of free time to walk around the museum, looking at the planes, going in them and being interviewed next to them.  Me and Joe Hunt were asked about the opportunity and experience.  Legasee were very patient and positive with our interview even though our interviewing skills were quite limited, we are learning still!  The staff, the veterans and the students stopped for a quick lunch and then went on to view a very interesting presentation about the Cold War.  Some of us even got to try on G.I.s uniform and Vietcong outfit. (From Laura Howe)