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Lancasters on the move
View of Lancaster at holding point with runway caravan behind, Squadron code LS is 15 Squadron. In the foreground the port wing of another Lancaster. Submitted with caption 'Lancasters on the Move'.
Additional information about this item was…
Additional information about this item was…
Letter from Commonwealth War Graves Commission to George Thomson
Answers George's letter to them requesting information about the grave of a New Zealand airmen. Gives location of Flying Officer Norman Overend 422090 RNZAF in Durnbach war cemetery, Germany. Gives information for travelling to cemetery.
A Canadian experience
Recounts a family visit to Canada. Comments on host, visit to 442 Squadron and Canadian casualties and fellow prisoners of war. Goes on to recount other activities during visit. Finally mentions attending reunion of the Mildenhall Register.
Brief history of George Thomson's RAF career
Brief details covering, volunteering, reporting to aircrew reception centre, training, operations, shot down, prisoner of war
Incident over Mannheim
Short account of shooting down of 15 Squadron Lancaster NF958 (LS-M) by Ofw Ludwig Schmitt in Messerschmitt 110G-2. Two crew killed and the other prisoner of war. List crew including George Thomson (navigator). Includes painting of the incident.
Record for Lancaster 'LS-M' NF958
For NF958, Details operations flown with pilot and date. Failed to return from operation on 12 September 1944. Also records for NF987, NG168, and NG338 (not complete).
Record of Flight Sergeant Robert Kendal and Pilot Officer William Kendall
For Robert Kendall Records promotions, posting to 15 Squadron and sorties flown with F/S Overend, notes shot down and prisoner of war. Similar for William Kendall DFC with different crew on 15 Squadron. Completed tour of 31 operations.
My Bomber Command experience - George Thomson
George recalls his training over 18 months, including crewing up. He goes on to recall his first operation and mentions others involved, and describes being shot down on on 12 September 1944. George then describes evading and his time as a prisoner…
Facts are chiels ye canna ding
Notes that Bomber Command suffered heavier losses that Fighter Command in Battle of Britain. In addition one third of Bomber Command losses occurred in 1944 when 15 Squadron lost 42 aircraft, two hundred and forty-six aircrew died and eighteen became…
Lancaster print
Colour print of side view of Lancaster B Mk 1, NF958, 'LS-0M'. 15 Squadron RAF Mildenhall. Includes squadron badge and battle honours as well as squadron history.
Letter from Wing Commander Watkins to George Thomson's father
Explains that two parcels referred to in previous letter had been returned to Mr Thomson.
Letter from Wing Commander Watkins to George Thomson's father
Mentions that George failed to return from an operational flight. Explains he was navigator and the aircraft was probably forced down. It could be two to three months before any further information could be obtained through the Red Cross. Asked to be…
Envelope addressed to Wing Commander Watkins
Addressed to 15 Squadron Mildenhall - marked return to sender on Air Ministry instructions.
George Thomson personnel record
Gives personal details, enlistment, some career details and postings.
Letter from George Thomson's father to Wing Commander W D G Watkins
To officer commanding 16 [sic] Squadron notifying him that he had received a postcard from his son sent from Dulag Luft. In addition, that he had been contacted by the Red Cross with instructions and address for posting for letters and parcels as…
Letter to George Thomson's father from RAF Mildenhall
Learned that his son was prisoner of war and explaining that the station had a POW fund for sending comforts to prisoners from squadrons at Mildenhall. Ask for George's prisoner number and camp address.
Telegram to George Thomson's father
Informs him that his son Sgt George Thomson was missing as a result of air operations on night 12/13 September 1944,
Royal visit
The King wearing uniform of marshal of the RAF, Queen and Princess front and centre of a large group of airmen.
Two photographs of Royal visit
Two versions of the same photograph, the bottom one is annotated with names. Both images show the Queen and Princess in the middle front of a group of airmen wearing battledress. Bottom one identifies some airmen: (F/E) D J Haynes, Jock White (WOp),…
Two photographs of Royal visit
Top - the King standing (centre) addressing airmen, The Queen and Princess stand to his left. Behind them are senior officers. Bottom photograph is the same but annotates with arrows: Gp Capt R H Young DSO, DFC, (Station Commander RAF Mildenhall);…
Air and ground crew
Seven aircrew and two ground personnel standing and squatting in front of a Lancaster. Text indicates pilot Flight Lieutenant Wesble Perry DFC RAAF, Pilot Officer G Schmerberg, navigator, Flight Sergeant Park, WOp, Pilot Officer R Conway RAAF, bomb…
Bill Parke and Geoff Stokes
Flying officer William Parke (left) and his friend pilot Flying Officer Geoff Stokes standing in front of Lancaster 'LM238, LS-T' at RSF Mildenhall during 1944. Both completed tours and were awarded Distinguished Flying Cross.
Wing Commander William Watkins DSO, DFC & Bar
Officer commanding 15 Squadron. Gives details of being shot down while operating as master bomber with Flight Lieutenant Frederick Saunders. Was the only survivor of crew and was prisoner of war. Includes half length b/w photograph of Watkins wearing…
Bomber Command loss
Gives details of loss of George Thomson's Lancaster. Notes operation details, location of loss and cause. Notes shot down by night fighter piloted by Oberfeldwbel Heinrich Schmidt (2NG6). List crew with status: pilot Norman Overend and mid upper…
Operation details - loss of aircraft
Form with operation data: date, squadron, type of aircraft, cause, other data, location of fix, target, bomb load. Lists crew members and notes Overend N R and Beverton H G both killed the others all safe as prisoners of war.