Browse Items (738 total)

  • Tags: Pathfinders

AHubermanA160329.mp3
Alfred Huberman volunteered for the RAF when he was 18 and trained as an air gunner. He describes the training and emphasises how physically hard it was. He flew 31 operations in Lancasters, from RAF Elsham Wolds. These included operations over the…

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BBarffAColingEFv1.pdf
Time in the RAF including selection as an observer, enrolment at Lord's Cricket Ground, navigational dead reckoning and meteorology training in Eastbourne and Paignton. Time spent on navigational sorties in Grahamstown, South Africa in Ansons and…

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ABrownE160314.mp3
Eric left school at 14 and worked, initially, in a bakery and then moved to accountancy. Aged 17 he volunteered for aircrew and trained as a flight engineer. He became a Pathfinder and carried out operations to Hamburg, Karlsruhe, and Dortmund,…

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ABullockWEJ151030.mp3
William Bullock was born in Marshfield in Gloucestershire in September 1916 and joined the Royal Air Force as an apprentice in 1932. He was posted to Egypt for training - after serving in the Middle East he joined Bomber Command as an engineer. After…

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AHolmesGH161016.mp3
George was born in Mansfield and was bought up by his grandparents until he was seven when he moved back to his parents in Leicester, where his father ran a coffee shop. He was a semi-professional musician playing violin, trumpet and mandolin. He…

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AInkpenH160712.mp3
Harry Inkpen joined Bomber Command in November 1944 and flew 33 operations on Mosquitos as a pilot on 162 Squadron. Harry tells of how, in his view, his squadron suffered more losses due to bad weather conditions than encounters with the enemy. He…

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PPattersonGE1502.jpg
Ernie Patterson DFM was born in Middleton St George in Darlington and left school at the age of 14, to become an apprentice joiner. He joined the Royal Air Force at the age of 19 in 1941 but, whilst he was waiting to be called up, he was helping to…

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ALeatherdaleF151018.mp3
Frank was an aircraft spotter for the Local Defence Volunteers and volunteered to join the Royal Air Force as a pilot. He went to Calgary in Canada on the Empire Air Training Scheme, where he few Tiger Moths at the Elementary Training School. He…

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MHayhurstJM2073102-170725-11.pdf
A booklet with information about the progress of the war. This edition covers RAF Bomber Command activities.

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MNealeETH1395951-150731-0850001.jpg
Notes written by Arthur Harris to Hamish Mahaddie about Bomber Command. Included is a signed photograph of Arthur T Harris.

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EHarrisATMahaddieH[Date]-010001.jpg
Introductory letter from Sir Arthur Harris for Hamish Mahaddie, in support of Mahaddie's post-war lecture tour of Australia and New Zealand. Harris greets Bomber Command veterans and describes the significance of their contribution to the war.…

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MLeeAJP1320246-180714-02.pdf
Arthur John Pugh Lee's memoir of the Battle of Berlin, of being shot down and becoming a prisoner of war. He discusses his role in the de-Nazification trial of Robert Stauch, the Burgomaster of Katzenelnbogen.

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BSpencerAHGSpencerAHGv1.pdf
Memoir of the life of Arthur Spencer. It includes details of childhood and growing up, tells of him joining the Royal Air Force and his training in the United States as a pilot and then navigator. This was followed by training in England and a…

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MDoranWR177745-170423-04.pdf
Notice and agenda of annual general meeting and a financial report of the association.

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BBaldwinERBaldwinERv2.pdf
Recounts events that happen during his service career. Includes detailed account of first operation to Walcheren Island in daylight. Continues with account of engaging German fighters from mid upper turret on operation to Essen. Follows account of…

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EBaldwinER-GummersallTBaldwinER-GummersallTv1.pdf
Memoirs of Eric Baldwin and Tom Gummersall of 467 Squadron RAAF RAF Waddington. Eric Baldwin recounts several of his experiences as a mid upper gunner including flying in the wrong direction due to compass problems, parts falling off his aircraft on…

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PBartonER1701.jpg
Flying Officer Eric Barton flew operations with Bomber Command. Eric talks about the various aircraft he flew in, and recalls an incident at Banff in Scotland where, following a night exercise, his tyre blew out on landing. He gives an account of an…

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SRogersK1579511v10032.jpg
The invention of radar and electronic navigational devices.

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MDobleRG3030256-151117-01.jpg
One page containing two articles, one about a navigator and a bomb aimer who were charged with Lack of Moral Fibre, and the second is about a punishment camp where the writer was sent after cycling with a WAAF on his crossbar.

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PPattersonGE1901.jpg
Before joining the Royal Air Force on 4 February 1942, Ernie worked as an apprentice joiner. On being called up he went to RAF Blackpool for training, which included Morse code. Following training at different places he then attended the advanced…

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BBaileyJDBaileyJDv1.pdf
Bill Bailey's wartime memoirs detailing enlistment, training in UK and Canada and details of each of 31 operations in Bomber Command. After completion of his tour he was transferred to RAF Lossiemouth to train Free French aircrew, after which he was…

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BDodwellSLDodwellPv1.pdf
Including photographs, notes, cartoons and newspaper cutting details of Stan's early life and gaining his pilot's licence aged 18. He married and was commissioned into the Royal Air Force and transferred to Canada to train as a flying instructor at…

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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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BLanningWPalmerRAMv1.pdf
The story of an attack by Pathfinders of 35,105,109 and 582 Squadrons 23 December 1944. Tribute to Robert Palmer and 30 comrades who died with him. It contains; history of Battle of the Bulge; description of Oboe system; list of aircraft and crews…

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SSmithRW425992v10003-0002 copy.pdf
Covers his operational tour and bombing operations.

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