Browse Items (233 total)

  • Tags: searchlight

BSpencerJSpencerFDv1.pdf
A biography of Freddie Spencer. Details his training and operations with 106 Squadron and 630 Squadron.

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BFreemanWFreemanWv1.pdf
A detailed account of Bill's time in the RAF, starting with drill at Lords, training at RAF Bridlington and RAF Bridgnorth then RAF Stormy Down. He passed the course and, on return from leave, reported to RAF Hixon for crewing up. He describes…

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AGuyanS[Date]-01.mp3
'Jock' Guyan comments on his operations. The recording includes audio clips from a documentary including excerpts of Arthur Harris, engine noises and interviews.

Samuel Guyan flew an operational tour with 90 Squadron and a second tour with 115…

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MSoltysiakB781032-170622-35.jpg
Instruction for using searchlights to help aircraft home to either a night fighter sector or other selected airfield.

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PMercierCG2101.jpg
Cyril Mercier was born in Jersey in 1925. He joined the Home Guard in 1940 and the RAF in 1943. After initial training, and training on gunnery at RAF Bridgnorth he joined 14 Operational training Unit at RAF Abingdon, where he crewed up. He trained…

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AEllisS-U211116.mp3
Sidney and Una both experienced the effects of the war in Sheffield as children. When Dunkirk survivors arrived at the nearby Reception Centre, Sidney collected many souvenirs such as cap badges. His aunt also took two soldiers in to her home while…

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BBrindKJBrindKJv1.pdf
Ken Brind's autobiography detailing his tour of operations.

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MTerryD938465-170619-03.pdf
A story based on the service of Lancaster ME746 AS-R2 (Roger Squared). There is a slightly shorter version included.

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SKingEJ182986v10034.jpg
Four items, Edward's description of the operation, comments that their D.R. compass went U/S over their base, lots of searchlights but not so much anti-aircraft fire. Edwards nav plot, the expected H2S plot over Essen. Newspaper cuttings describing…

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SKingEJ182986v10050.jpg
Three items, Edward's description of the operation against the marshalling yards, he describes the events, flak and conditions over the target. Edwards navigation plot, a newspaper clipping describes the allied air activity including against Louvain.

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EWakefieldHEWakefiledWE-[Mo]430924.pdf
Writes about operations to Hanover and Mannheim. Describes fires after attacks, poor German defences and German fighter attacks. Offers some sympathy to Germans on the ground and describes a fighter attacking them. Describes their first trip to…

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BDavyHDavyHv1.pdf
Herbert's service life in an autobiography. It includes training in London, RAF Bridlington, RAF Morpeth and RAF Wymeswold. Later training as a crew was at RAF Castle Donington, RAF Lindholme and RAF Hemswell and provides detailed descriptions of his…

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BScottEWScottEWv1.pdf
The memoir contains details of Eric’s wartime career between 1939-1946. It covers his initial training, elementary flying training and his journey to the US for further training. During this time, he sustained an injury which curtailed his pilot…

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S78Sqn19361201v30026.pdf
William's memoirs give background on his inspiration for writing it, and is themed "Luck". He writes of joining RAF, initial tests and selection as a wireless operator/air gunner, followed by 18 months deferred service. He describes training at RAF…

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P78Sqn17020001.jpg
Target photograph showing light glare and tracer. Captioned '3059 HLM 24/25.3.44//NT 8", 218 degrees 22.36, BERLIN RD, S, 5x4 5x30, 30 SECS, F/L DAVIES, U78'. On the reverse 'Easier than our first raid on Berlin, Coned by searchlights. Only few small…

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BPayneGPayneGv1.pdf
Geoff Payne's autobiography divided into five chapters.

Chapter 1. Under Training. Covers the period between being assessed in Birmingham Geoff before setting off to London in August 1942 for training at Lords. Initial training was at RAF…

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BCotterJDPCotterJDPv1.pdf
Describes training and crewing up at operational training unit on Wellingtons. There is a diary entry describing operational baptism. It continues with coverage of training at heavy conversion unit and his eventual posting to 158 Squadron. He…

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PFOMetheringhamAF19040030.jpg
Top - ground level photograph showing anti-aircraft tracer and searchlights with buildings silhouetted at the bottom. Submitted with description 'Night-time photograph of what appears to be searchlight and anti-aircraft artillery activity. Date and…

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BCleggPVGibsonAv1.pdf
Target Mailly-le-Camp attacked by Lancasters. Covers weather forecast, plan of attack, total number of sorties, narrative of attack, day reconnaissance, enemy defences air and ground, enemy aircraft destroyed, casualties, target details, route,…

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BBrookMBrookMv1.pdf
The account opens with some details of 625 Squadron and an introduction, with reasons for writing. He recalls the beginning of the war when still at school and experiences before joining up. He describes activities with Air Training Corps and being…

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BYeomanHTYeomanHTv1-01.pdf
Written in 1994, the document begins with a dedication, a poem and then a series of stories which together form the memoirs of Harold Yeoman, an officer who served in Bomber Command during the war, initially as a pilot on Wellingtons and then as an…

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MPotterPL1878961-150914-07.pdf
The document describes various operations undertaken during 1944.

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BPotterPLPotterPLv1.pdf
Describes childhood in great detail and work after the war started. Continues with account of training after being called up.

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BPotterPLPotterPLv40003.jpg
He recounts his experiences when taking part in operations to various targets. He also talks about ground crew and the roles they performed.

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BPageTJPageTJv2.pdf
This is an extract from the author's autobiography, covering his service in the RAF. It tells of his early life and volunteering to join the RAF in January 1940. It details his career from initial training and mustering as an aircraft mechanic…

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