Browse Items (30 total)

  • Tags: 205 Group

K B Wears’ RAF Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book from 2 July 1940 to 12 January 1945, detailing training, operations and instructional duties as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner. He was stationed at RAF Jurby (No. 5 Bombing and Gunnery…

A head and shoulders portrait of Kenneth in khaki uniform shirt with air gunner brevet and sergeant rank.

Notes service with 614 Squadron, part of 205 Group, Mediterranean allied strategic air force on B-24 as flight engineer. Relates his first operation in a Wellington. Changed to 104 Squadron. Gives description of base at Amendola, Italy. Relates…

Map showing Mediterranean Sea and surrounding countries. Provides a history of of the group who provided the only mobile force of heavy bombers in the Mediterranean theatre. Wellington, Halifax and B-24 acted as a tactical force attacking…

Two last pages from a colleague's logbook. His pilot on operations was Captain Lawrie. There is a note to Jim from Ray explaining that the last entries were written by another. The owner of the logbook's name is indecipherable.

William Cross Memoir of a supply drop to Polish fighters. They lost an engine and struggled to maintain height. The pilot had bailed out leaving the rest of the crew to fly the aircraft. They landed successfully in Russian territory and met up with…

A commemorative poster with a map of Southern Europe and North Africa. Around the outside is a list of locations where operations were carried out. There is a paragraph with details of the operations.

A magazine produced in Italy for RAF personnel. It contains messages, stories, quizzes and cartoons.

Operations Record Book of 37 Squadron detailing an operation to the Pardubice Oil Refinery, from Tortorella, Italy on 21/22 July 1944. Twelve Wellingtons took part and there are summaries of each aircraft's activity.

He refers to feeling 'isolated and diminished' when returning to civilian work. He rejoined the Royal Air Force, but the jobs became more menial and supplies and maintenance were poor. He describes the contrast with some of the operations he took…

Discusses in detail an operation to attack the Ploesti oilfields in Romania. At that time he was based in Foggia, Italy. They had an issue with the airframe of the Wellington twisting due to a mismatch in the fuel tanks. On another operation a…

Harry Hacker first came into contact with aeroplanes at the age of 16, whilst working as an apprentice for Rootes Motor Group who were making Wellington aircraft. He was a member of the Home Guard and, after applying to join the RAF, went for basic…

Bill was a wireless operator/air gunner. He joined the Home Guard in 1941 and registered for conscription to the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1943. He reported to Lord’s Cricket Ground and went to an Initial Training Wing at RAF Bridgnorth. Bill then…

After training in South Africa, William Briley flew operations as a navigator with 40 Squadron flying Wellingtons from Foggia, Italy. One of his operations involved dropping a 4,000lb bomb, derailing two trains. He was also involved in mine laying…

Arthur Spencer joined the Royal Air Force after leaving school. He began pilot training in Florida but then re-mustered as a navigator and trained in Pensacola. He completed two tours of operations as a navigator with 97 Squadron at RAF Woodhall Spa…

Bill Bailey was born in Stafford. After finishing school, he went to work for the Post Office Telephones service as a telegram boy. He decided to join the Royal Air Force and began training as a rear gunner at RAF Dalcross. He joined 31 Squadron of…

Geoff Golledge volunteered for the Royal Air Force and trained as a wireless operator/air gunner. For a time he served as ground personnel with 44 Squadron at RAF Waddington, on the flare path. One night he brought 35 aircraft safely in to land. On…

31 Squadron South African Air Force B-24 in flight over snow-capped mountainous terrain. The registration letter K is visible.

Additional information about this item has been kindly provided by the donor.

Eight aircrew arranged in two rows, four crouched for standing. Two have pilot’s wings, others are single winged brevets. One man is holding a pet. In background are two tents.

Back row from left to right: wireless operator Flight Sergeant Geoff…

Bill has his arm around Shorty’s shoulder, who has a single wing brevet, a medal ribbon and Sergeant’s stripes. Both aircrew, in uniform, leaning against metal balustrade at the Grand Hotel, Sorrento bay with breakwater and headland in background.…
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