The IBCC Digital Archive consists of more than 43,000 documents about those who were caught up in bombing war in Europe 1939-1945. Our ethos is to promote recognition, remembrance, and reconciliation. Archival content includes interviews with eyewitnesses, personal papers and memorabilia that have for the most part not been seen in the public domain before.


Who

Explore collections

The Archive has more than 2,500 collections, normally named after the person that is their subject.

What

Browse tags

Discover the Archive by browsing over 1,200 different subject matters and topics.

Where

Navigate places

Find Archive items about 4,300 inhabited places and geographic features worldwide. Best enjoyed on a desktop screen.

Navigate aerial photographs

See more than 1,200 aerial photographs plotted on a map and access them directly. Best enjoyed on a desktop screen.

When

Explore timelines

See how events unfolded day-by-day or discover all items about a specific date. 




Advanced search

Use queries and filters, cross-search for keywords and tags across multiple fields.

See also the help page.

See all unidentified items

Some ‘mystery items’ have evaded identification. Can you help us?


Do you need support? Please see the help page.

Recently Added Items

Group of 18 RAF Warrant Officers and SNCOs with Wing Commander

PClarkeFW1908.jpg

Group of 18 RAF Warrant Officers and SNCOs, and Wing Commander wearing pilot brevet, all in No1 uniform outside a Sergeants' Mess.

Group of 21 pilots

PClarkeFW1907.jpg

Group of 21 aircrew, commissioned and non-commissioned, all wearing pilot brevet, with a Hurricane on each side. Hangar doors behind. Douglas Bader is…

Norman Lester's wedding photograph

PClarkeFW1905.jpg

Wedding photograph with groom in RAF uniform with corporal chevrons. On reverse, handwritten note 'Norman and Violet Lester, Edgefield, Norfolk,…

F W Clarke's wedding photograph

PClarkeFW1903.jpg

F W Clarke wedding photograph. On reverse, handwritten note 'March 21st 1942' and, in capitals, FW Clarke, W H Clarke.

Five airmen in front of a tent

PClarkeFW1901.jpg

Five airmen, one with Sergeant chevrons, in front of a tent. Label on top right of picture 'Instrument Section'. On reverse, handwritten note - 'My…

Training Airman

PHillGJ1802.jpg

An airman in uniform, who is in training.

Letter from 97 Squadron

EOC97SqnRAFHillH440511.jpg

Letter from the 97 Squadron confirming that Sergeant George John Hill failed to return from operations on the 10 May 1944 from an operation in Lille,…

Letter from the British Red Cross and the Order of St John

EAmpthillMHill[Mo]440802.jpg

A letter from the British Red Cross and the Order of St John regarding the death of her son as a report of their death had been received in Geneva…

Telegram about death of George John Hill.

EAirMinHillH440510.jpg

A priority telegram from the Air Ministry telling that his son has been killed in action.