V-2 Rocket - S. G. Culliford

Rights Information
Year
1970
Reference
30114
Media type
Audio
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Rights Information
Year
1970
Reference
30114
Media type
Audio
Categories
Interviews (Sound recordings)
Sound recordings
Duration
00:08:57
Credits
RNZ Collection
CULLIFORD, S.G., Speaker/Kaikōrero

Flight Lieutenant S. G. Culliford speaks about a night mission he flew during WWII to pick up parts and plans for the German V-2 rocket from Poland, and fly them back to Italy.

Polish resistance groups had managed to steal the rocket, and had made technical drawings of it. The trip to collect the material took four and half hours each way. They crossed the Adriatic (from Italy) in daylight, in order to return under darkness. Culliford speaks about the flight there, the landing, and the pick up of the material.

All did not go according to plan for the return take-off, as the plane got stuck on the runway. He then recounts the return flight. They had some passengers, along with the plans and rocket parts. Back in Italy, he had to land the plane without brakes on a runway which was under construction.

The interview concludes with Culliford commenting on the bravery, teamwork, and technical expertise of the Poles who obtained the parts and plans.