Browse Items · IBCC Digital Archive

Map of Le Havre

A colour-coded street map of Le Havre town and docks. The various areas of the town are labelled and the basins of the docks are named. An inset details the area of Harfleur. The upper right section of the map is missing.

Letter from Joseph Michel to Mrs Bengston

Joseph refers to the loss of the seven airmen on 3 May 1944 at Courboin. Included are photographs of a visit by Joseph to Leicestershire, Clifford Shenton's parents, Graves in Courboin on the day of the funeral and a view over Courboin to the crash…

Tags: crash; final resting place; killed in action

Letter from the police chief of Sens

On 13th December 1945, Gustave Traineau, Chief Brigadier of Police in Sens, recounts how a young English soldier, badly injured in a German operation against the Maquis in spring 1944, was brought to the hospital in Sens. After poor treatment by the…

Christmas card

The writer wishes the recipient Good Health and mentions if he visits Paris his son would be happy to meet him. He has souvenirs from the war and his father.

John Maunsell's false passport

John Maunsell's false passport (number 988675) signed in blue ink in the name of J H Dujardin. The card, printed in French and Dutch, shows a head and shoulders photograph of 'Dujardin' [Maunsell] and a handwritten address in Brussels. The date of…

Tags: evading; Resistance

Message from America to the French people

Front has picture of statue of liberty and text 'To the country that gave us freedom, we will give freedom back'. On the reverse a message to the French people.

617 Crest with signatures

A 617 squadron crest signed by some of the squadron members.

Tags: 617 Squadron

617 Squadron cloth badge

Squadron badge of crest and motto.

Tags: 617 Squadron

617 Squadron crest and signatures

A 617 Squadron crest with signatures of some of the crews that took part. There is a brief explanation of Operation Chastise.

Tags: 617 Squadron; Cheshire, Geoffrey Leonard (1917-1992); Distinguished Flying Cross; Eder Möhne and Sorpe operation (16–17 May 1943); George VI, King of Great Britain (1895-1952); Lancaster; RAF Scampton; Victoria Cross

French fishing permit

Made out for departments Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin, Moselle for John Hopgood

Letter from Grace Hopgood to Madame Guyon

The letter from Grace to Mme Guyot concerns her daughter, Elizabeth. She was due to collect her in the summer but informs Mme Guyot that her older brother will be in France around the first week of June from a business trip to Morocco and could…

Prisoner of war package - suggestions for use

Gives advice on use of all food and drink contained in Red Cross parcels. Repeated in Dutch, German, Croatian, French, Italian, and Polish

Tags: prisoner of war; Red Cross

Stanislaw Sewerin's decorations

Eight medals (seven with ribbons) awarded to Stanislaw Sewerin.
1939 - 1945 Star
Africa Star with clasp 'North Africa 1942 - 43'
France and Germany Star
Defence Medal
War Medal 1939 - 45
Polish Cross of Valour
Croix du Combattant Volontaire…

Identity card of the Fédération Nationale des Combattants Volontaires des Guerres 1914-1918 1939-1945 et des Forces de la Résistance

Stanislaw Sewerin's identity card for the Fédération Nationale des Combattants Volontaires des Guerres 1914-1918 1939-1945 et des Forces de la Résistance. There is a head and shoulders photograph of Sewerin in uniform on the front of the card…

Fiche de démobilisation

French demobilisation certificate for Master Corporal Sewerin indicating that in May 1940 he joined the Polish Army in France in Beirut. He served with the Carpathian Hunters' Brigade in Syria.

Tags: demobilisation

Crise en Allemagne

Le Courrier de l’Air No. 38, 1941

The main article mocks Hitler’s claim that he will follow his intuition to lead the armed forces. It suggests that he dismissed Field Marshal von Brauchitsch, and other military commanders, as a scapegoat…

Tags: Churchill, Winston (1874-1965); propaganda

Il tout commencé avec Google

French language account from Tom Donaghy's son John about discovering what happened to his father from a French website and subsequent visit to France.

Tags: 75 Squadron; aircrew; killed in action; Lancaster; pilot; RAF Mepal; shot down

Birthday card

Hand drawn French birthday card with RAF roundel. Submitted with caption '21st birthday card 15 Jun 44'. Additional information kindly provided by the donor.

Forged identity card

French identity card made out for Emile Dufour with photograph of Richard Wensley and stamps. Submitted with caption 'Richard Wensley's forged identity card as Emile Dufour'. Additional information kindly provided by the donor.

Tags: evading; Resistance