AHB A.I.1(k) reports

[Richard T Eger]

From within a thread on 12 O'Clock High!:

Anonymous
AI1K reports
Fri Jul 19 23:26:29 2002
195.92.194.16

Write to the head of the RAF (Air Historical Branch)[I think it is still Sebastian Cox] at Lacon House, Theobalds Road, London, requesting privileged access, and state fully your reasons for your application. You just may get lucky.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Bill Norman
Re: AI1K reports
Sat Jul 20 08:26:33 2002
195.93.34.159

Thanks, Anon. Will do! Intrigued by the phrase 'privileged access'.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Anonymous
Privileged access
Sat Jul 20 18:53:14 2002
195.92.194.19

It means that if they decide to let you in, you are privileged to see their reports. Don't expect to see the full reports, however (unless things have changed), only the summaries. These can be quite informative.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Bill Norman
Re: Privileged access
Sat Jul 20 19:27:15 2002
195.93.32.172

Thanks, Anon. I've dropped them a line.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Steve Coates
Just go to the PRO
Sun Jul 21 11:41:37 2002
213.122.240.191

Bill,

As Nick Beale has said what you're after is at the PRO in AIR 40 togther with other interrogation reports such as those conducted by Fighter Command.

(It is not clear here whether Steve was referring to A.I.1(k) or ADI(K) reports, as in Bill's original inquiry he was not sure whether the report he was looking for was an ADI(K) or A.I.1(k) ["AD1(k) 274/40 (or should it be AI1(k) 274/40 ?)"] report and subsequent discussion seemed to conclude it was an ADI(K) report. Thus, this is what Steve may have been referring to.

Regards,
Richard)

[This message has been edited by Richard T Eger (edited 02 September 2002).]

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

John Vasco
AI1(k) reports
Sun Jul 21 12:46:46 2002
195.92.194.12

Steve,

Has the MOD(AHB) released the contents of all 'K' reports to the PRO?

I went through AIR 40 some years ago, and it was all general stuff, like how they could tell where someone was stationed from the bus ticket found on them when captured, and such like. But no names or 'pack drill'.

I understood that the 'K' reports were embargoed for 75(?) years.

Any enlightenment would be appreciated.


Regards,

John Vasco

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Nick Beale
ADI(K)
Sun Jul 21 18:53:29 2002
212.159.20.186

Yes John, they lifted the embargo early - but some time after I had bought the reports for late 1943 onward on microfilm from the USAFHRA.

Hence, I've hardly looked at the paper versions in the PRO except a couple of times when I'd been unable to read something clearly from the films. I can't be precise about the file references, only that they are in the higher-numbered reached of AIR40, being something of a late addition to the series.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Steve Coates
A.D.I.(K) Reports
Sun Jul 21 20:22:14 2002
62.7.38.26

John,

Exact references are AIR40/2394 - 2426 (9/39 - 2/46). Parked right next to these in AIR40/2427 - 2431 are what are described as Fighter Command POW Interrogations which might be of similar interest although I've never had occasion to look at these. Time to get yourself back to the PRO ! A lot of other interesting material is finding itself into the HW series.