Alan Wood - WW2 Fighter pilot

Alan Wood: World War Two Fighter Pilot

Alan Wood, 90, is a regular at Chorlton Good Neighbours but not many are aware of what a remarkable WW2 record that Alan has. Alan was at Manchester University in 1939 and whilst there joined the University Air Squadron. He was called up in July 1942 and went into training for the RAF. During this period he flew Mosquitos and Spitfires but when he was assigned to the Coastal command  Banff Strike wing in Scotland he flew beaufighters and mosquitos



It was during this time that he was shot down in the North Sea and spent four days adrift in a one-man dinghy until being spotted quite by chance by and Air Sea rescue member whilst they were out looking for someone else

                 

Alan Wood - WW2 Fighter pilotBanff strike wing main role was to attack German shipping off Norway and in the Fjords. Alan didn't talk at all about his war experiences to his wife Joan until 50 years later and with great sadness of the many young airmen who died. In one raid 23 planes went out and only 3 returned

This video starts with Joan Wood talking about her husband Alan and his experiences in WW2 when he was a young fighter pilot. There is then an excerpt from an RAF film about Banff Strike Wing where Alan was based

Mosquito aircraft in at low level attacking two  armed merchantmen In Norwegian Fjord with cannon and rocket fire, 4th April 1945

History Group meets Thurs Feb 7th at 1.30pm

Chorlton History Group's next meeting:  

Chorlton’s World War 2 Veterans          Thurs Feb 7^th 2013 1.30pm 

At Chorlton Good Neighbours, Wilbraham St Ninian’s Church , Egerton Rd South, Chorlton

£1.50 charge for tea & biscuits  - All welcome

A tribute to some of Chorlton Good Neighbours members who served in World War Two:

• Bob Cowan, for whom we mounted a successful campaign for an Arctic Convoy medal to be awarded to veterans such as himself and also John Mackay of Chorlton who is also a veteran of the Arctic Convoys


• Alan Wood, fighter pilot, who was once shot down over the North Sea and was adrift in a one-man dinghy for 4 days


• Mickie Mitchell, who drove army petrol tankers round during the Manchester blitz

The session, led by Bernard Leach, will include film footage of the Arctic Convoys, an interview with Bob Cowan and a presentation to Bob to mark his being awarded the recently announced Arctic Convoy Survivors medal. We have also invited the Russian Ambassador to present the medal of Ushakov which the Russian Federation have awarded to Arctic Convoy veterans. We hope that Bob, John, Alan and Mickie will all be at the presentation to contribute and answer questions


               AB Seaman Bob Cowan 1941


                        HMS Mashona, 1942


Alan Wood, fighter pilot 1941

For further information ring Chorlton Good Neighbours on 881 2925
or email BTLeach@gmail.com