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With sympathy
Tommy's wife is advised that her husband failed to return from an operation. It mentions Tommy's previous 18 operational flights with the squadron and describes him as being 'a skilful and efficient wireless operator' and that he was popular on the…
Lancaster ED562
Operations in Lancaster ED562 by 100 and 550 Squadrons to Essen, Spezia, Duisburg, minelaying in the Baltic, Dortmund, Bochum, Dusseldorf, Oberhausen, Cologne, Krefeld, Mulheim, Elberfeld, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Mardyck, Hasselt, Orleans, Aachen,…
The Phantom of the Ruhr Christmas card
Greetings cards showing a Lancaster with undercarriage down and a Royal Air Force pilot's badge. Captioned, 'The Phantom' and '1944 Greetings'. The nose of the Lancaster is decorated with a cloaked skeleton reaching down through clouds. Annotated,…
Tommy Fairclough's flying log book for observers and air gunners. Two
Flying log book for observers and air gunners for Tommy Fairclough from 9 July 1942 to September 1945, detailing his training and operational duties. Tommy flew 43 operations, 33 night time and ten daylight as wireless operator/air gunner in…
Tommy Fairclough's flying log book for navigators, air bombers, air gunners and flight engineers. One
Flying log book for navigators, air bombers, air gunners and flight engineers for Tommy Fairclough from 9 July 1942 to 12 March 1945, detailing his training and operational duties. Tommy flew 43 operations, 33 night time and ten daylight as wireless…
Navigation chart
A map of Great Britain and North West Europe annotated with lines from RAF stations where Tommy was based to operational targets. The targets were Stettin, minelaying in the Baltic, Dortmund, Wuppertal, Essen, Oberhausen, Gelsenkirchen, Bochum,…
Seven aircrew in front a Lancaster
Seven aircrew wearing Mae West standing in line in front of a Lancaster. Aircraft has nose art of a cartoon spiv blowing smoke and moto "We Doodit". Submitted with caption 'Jim Lord & crew'. Additional information kindly provided by the donor.
A conversation with Jim Lord and John Elliot
Gives brief service background of both. John Elliot tells of crewing up at 83 OTU and comments on crew members and going on to 1667 HCU). John Lord comments the the HCU Halifax were not good aircraft and both then relate a very unfortunate experience…
Aérodrome de Saint-Omer-Wizernes
Target photograph shows open countryside with part of airfield at bottom with craters. Some other areas with small pattern of craters. Captioned '522 NKL 20.7.44 //8" 14000 160 2101, [detail cropped off] 1000 4x 500 31 sec F/O Lord G 550'.
Trossy
Shows open countryside with smoke/cloud obscuring most of photograph. Captioned '593 NKL 3.8.44 //8" 12000 240 1417, TROSSY ST MAXIMIN F1 13 X1000 4 X 500 C 29 SEC F/O LORD G 550'.
Le Havre
Target photograph with docks visible bottom left and coastline top left. Further dock centre right with built up area around and above it. Rest of view is obscured by smoke/cloud. Photo damaged at centre top (look like explosions but actually pin…
Le Culot
Target photograph showing airfield with runways in open countryside with bomb explosion smoke. Captioned '702 NKL 15-8-44//8" 16000 162 1202 1/2, LE CULOT, F113x1000 4x500 c32 sec F/O Lord G550'.
Lancaster parked on dispersal
Rear quarter view of a Lancaster parked on dispersal with a single story hut in the background. Submitted with caption 'Lancaster EE139 BQ-B 'Phantom of the Ruhr' 550 sqn'.
Pilot leaning out of cockpit of a Lancaster
A pilot wearing peaked cap leaning out of the cockpit window of a Lancaster with nose art of foxes, beer tankard and a woman, words 'Press on regardless' and seven rows of operation tally symbols. Submitted with caption 'Lancaster ED905 BQ-F 'Press…
Airmen and woman seeing off a Lancaster
A small crowd standing on the side of a runway waving off a Lancaster. Submitted with caption 'Lancaster ED905 BQ-F 'Press on Regardless' 550 sqn Flt Lt Shaw, taking off on its 100th op'. Additional information kindly provided by the donor.
Lancaster with damaged tail
Rear quarter view of a Lancaster 'BQ-Q' with damage to starboard tail fin. Submitted with caption 'Lancaster DV305 BQ-O 550 sqn Waltham after Berlin raid 30-31'. Additional information kindly provided by the donor.
Lancaster on airfield
Rear quarter view of Lancaster "BQ-Q" parked on dispersal with others in the background. Submitted with caption 'Lancaster BQ-Q 550 sqn Waltham 1944 FL Joe Rigby DFC 2'.
Crew on top of Lancaster
Six airmen wearing Mae West sitting around cockpit on top of a Lancaster. Pilot in cockpit looking out of window. Nose art of cartoon figure and words "We Dood It" as well as two rows of operation tally symbols, Submitted with caption 'Ken, Jim, Gus,…
Lancaster and bombs
Front quarter view of a parked Lancaster with bombs on trollies in front. Another aircraft in the distance behind. Submitted with caption 'Lancaster B.III PB707 BQ-L2 550 Sqn Norh Killingholme 1944-45' Additional information kindly provided by the…
This is ridiculous - we should bale out
Mentions that he was in air cadets and then covers training as a wireless operator and eventual posting to 550 Squadron. Recalls events of 12 July 1944 on an operation to Revigny in France when the crew were forced to abandon their aircraft over…
John Ellis's crew in front of Lancaster
Seven airmen wearing Mae West standing in line in front of a Lancaster with 'We Dood it' nose art and two rows of operation tally symbols. Submitted with caption 'Jack, Gus, Pat, Jim, Ken, Bob, Jock 550 sqn Sep 44'. Additional information was kindly…
Lancaster with pilot in cockpit
Front quarter view of the front of a Lancaster with port inner engine running. An airman is visible inside the cockpit and another on the ground looks up at running engine. Submitted with caption 'Flt Lt Jock Shaw 550 Sqn in ED905 BQ-F 'Press on…
Airman leaning out of cockpit window
A pilot leans out of the cockpit of a Lancaster with nose art "The Vulture Strikes" a vulture and many rows of operations tally bomb symbols. Submitted with caption 'Fg Off George Blackler 550 Sqn in PA995 BQ-V after his 37 ops tour 5-6 Mar 45'.…
Pilot in cockpit of Lancaster
A pilot looking out of the cockpit window of a Lancaster. Nose art "Vulture Strikes" and outline of vulture and 8 rows of operations tally symbols. Submitted with caption 'Fg Off George Blackler 550 Sqn in PA995 BQ-V after his 37 ops tour 5-6 Mar…
John Elliot 550 Squadron operations
Lists sorties including operations between June and September 1944. Table with aircraft (often their "We Dood It", target, day/night and time airborne with comments. Lists fate of aircraft and crew members.