The Untold Story of Black RAF Pilots in WW2
Channel: The Damcasters - The Aviation History Podcast
Date: 2023-12-14

Historian John Concagh joins us to look at the experience of Black volunteers in the RAF in the Second World War. This episode delves into the experiences of Black West African and Caribbean volunteers in the RAF during WWII. John explains their hardships, victories, and post-war influence in their home countries' fight for independence. 

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00:00 Introduction and Overview
00:09 The Black Experience in World War II
00:34 Interview with John Kanca
02:26 The Complexity of History
05:08 The Role of Race in World War II
05:57 The Impact of Empire and Independence Movements
10:54 The Start of the War in the Caribbean
15:10 The Struggle for Recognition and Service
19:33 The Challenges of Joining the RAF
25:24 The Experience of West Indian and West African Personnel
39:26 The Pima Air and Space Museum Feature
43:03 The Incident with Thompson: A Lesson in Underestimation
43:57 The Impact of Mistakes: A Reflection on Responsibility
44:19 The Intriguing Story of Jellico Scone: A RAF Hero
45:34 The Misadventures of RAF Pilots: Buzzing Houses and Playing Loud Music
46:00 The Misrepresentation of Black RAF in Photographs
46:34 The RAF: A Melting Pot of Nationalities
47:28 The Story of Cross: From Winning Races to Influencing Policies
47:45 The Influence of Louis Constantine: A Star in Multiple Arenas
49:20 The Tragic Tale of Peter Thomas: A Nigerian Prince Turned Spitfire Pilot
50:13 The Misconceptions and Stereotypes Faced by West Indian Airmen
51:20 The Discrimination Against West Indian Airmen: The Case of Owen Sylvester
55:50 The Experience of Black RAF Crews Shot Down
01:01:30 The Post-War Impact of West Indian and West African Airmen
01:01:45 The Legacy of the West Indian Airmen: From RAF Service to Independence Movements