Not a great deal of any sort of psychological stress.
It was mainly just being beaten.
And it could be Mr. Nasty and Mr. Nice,
in terms of the questioning.
But then if you didn't answer, then you're gettin'.
And it felt like it was being hit by,
it was like a piece of wood.
Something the sort of size, shape and weight
of a cricket paddle or something like that.
But it hurt, yeah.
If I didn't answer they would beat me.
Squadron Leader Bob Ankerson was forced to eject from his Tornado GR 1 when on a mission over Basra during Operation GRANBY in January 1991. Bob was one of seven RAF servicemen to be captured and held as a prisoner of war in Baghdad. They were finally released in March, days after the end of the war.
Baghdad , Iraq
I spent most of my time in captivity in solitary confinement.
Sqdn. Ldr. Bob AnkersonThe Red Cross put themselves in great danger, with only a badge for protection.
Sqdn. Ldr. Bob AnkersonI heard people screaming and wondered if I was next.
Sqdn. Ldr. Bob AnkersonI told my wife I was alive, well and free.
Sqdn. Ldr. Bob AnkersonI can't quite remember what it felt like to be released.
Bob AnkersonEvery night we could hear the bombing
Sqdn. Ldr. Bob Ankerson
