Vial, Alan (417912, Flying Officer, DFC, RAAF, b.1923)

Autobiographical memoir, "Through the Eyes of a Trained Observer", by 417912 Flying Officer Allan J Vial DFC. The memoir details Vial's personal experiences as a member of the Path Finder Force in Bomber Command during the Second World War. The manuscript contains a number of excerpts from the diary Vial kept whilst completing a tour of operations as a navigator on Lancaster bombers with 35 Squadron RAF based at Graveley. Vial describes his background, technical training, service, RAAF customs and post-war life. The manuscript includes sketches painted by Vial and pages from his diary as well as aerial photographs, an official RAAF envelope, battledress, cards, certificates, letters, maps, menus, newspaper clippings, operational records, passes, photographs, postcards, programmes and tickets. Hardback copy.