AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Info LogoAdd to or correct this story with a few clicks.
WAAF and WRAF

The Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) was formed in 1939, growing to approximately 180,000 by 1943, serving duties vital to the war effort in meteorology, transport, telephony and telegraphy, codes and ciphers, Intelligence, Security and Operation Rooms. In 1949 it was reformed as Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF).
WAAF Crest
WAAF Edith Kup: Plotter and Intelligence Officer

This is a recorded interview made by the Imperial War Museum with WAAF Edith Kup. It is particularly moving in its description of her as a Plotter listening to her fiancé, the very young Dennis Wissler, in action as a fighter pilot and hearing his voice as he was being shot down. Her worst fears were realized when she learned shortly afterwards he had been killed.

Edith was a British aircraftwoman who served at RAF Debden 1939-1941. She was later an Intelligence officer with 405 Squadron, RAF and with Headquarters, 92 Group, RAF in 1941-1945. 

Summary of Interview


The interview gives her background in 1918-1939 including her family and education; declaration of Second World War, 9/1939. Aspects of enlistment and training with Women's Auxiliary Air Force in GB, 1939: enlistment in Women's Auxiliary Air Force, 9/1939; training at RAF Yeadon; relations between WAAFs. Recollections of period as officer at RAF Debden, GB, 11/1939-1941: journey to station and first impressions; training as Motor Transport driver; attitude of male personnel towards WAAFs; social life; training to be a radar plotter; plotting duties; duties at time of Dunkirk, 6/1940; memories of pilots, Harold Bird-Wilson and Peter Townsend; increase of work during Battle of Britain; listening to voices of pilots during combat; air raid on RAF Debden. 

Belief that GB would win Battle of Britain; memories of fiancé Dennis Wissler; death of fiancé in action 11/1940; other WAAFs who lost fiancés; bombing of house; discipline; reaction of WAAFs to bombing raids; attitude towards pilot charged with Lack of Moral Fibre; returning to Motor Transport duties. Aspects of officers training at Loughborough, GB, autumn 1941. Recollections of period to Sqdn 405, RAF at RAF Poklington, GB, 10/1941: operations duties; condition of crews on return from ops; story of pilot who fired gun at his CO. 

Pilot who fired at commanding officer; flying with air crews against the rules; attempts of air crew to make her air sick; WAAFs that went on ops against the rules; contrast between fighter and bomber pilots; position as 'Queen of Navigators'. Aspects of period as intelligence officer with Headquarters 92 Group, RAF in GB, 1943-1944: posting to RAF Bourne, near Cambridge: story of visiting a medium who gave her details of Dennis' death; duties debriefing Mosquito Oboe air crew; memories of D-Day, 6/1944; behaviour of US airmen in Cambridge; opinion of US airmen; reprimanding two US airmen who behaved badly in mess; memories of VE day, 5/1945.

Acknowledgements: Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and Captain François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Andrew Mielnik: Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Polish graves: https://niebieskaeskadra.pl/, PoW Museum Żagań, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
Click any image to enlarge it
Click to add your info via ticket on Helpdesk •Click to let us know via ticket on Helpdesk• Click to explore the entire site

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered
Last Modified: 18 October 2014, 19:56

If you would like to comment on this page, please do so via our Helpdesk. Use the Submit a Ticket option to send your comments. After review, our Editors will publish your comment below with your first name, but not your email address.