Browse Items (861 total)

  • Tags: Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944)

AMcBeanLW161022.mp3
Lachie joined the Royal Australian Air Force at 18. He went to the Initial Training School at Bradfield Park and the drill instructor made a lasting impression on him. He was selected as a pilot and Lachie proceeded to the Elementary Flying Training…

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AMcDonaldD151013.mp3
Because of his dislike of the army, Don enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). He went to Somers Initial Flying Training School and became a pilot. At Elementary Flying Training School at Western Junction, Don flew Tiger Moths although he…

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PSmithJ1601.jpg
When the war began, Jean was working in the Ministry of Aircraft Production. She joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force in 1942 and did two months’ training at Innsworth camp. Jean was posted to 27 Operational Training Unit at RAF Lichfield, as…

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PTinningH1601.jpg
Herbert joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and was posted, initially, to a communication flight as a fitter. He managed to transfer to aircrew and describes the enlistment process. He went to Somers, then Cootamundra for navigator training…

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PGoodwinWJ1701.jpg
Wal Goodwin grew up near Melbourne and was conscripted in the Australian Army but was discharged due to his father’s reserved occupation of farming. He later volunteered for the Australian Air Force and received his initial training of meteorology,…

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ABrooksR151029.mp3
Rita’s late husband was Flight Lieutenant Edward Brooks DFC, DFM. He was in the Home Guard before enlisting with the Royal Air Force in February 1941, and sometime later went to RAF Uxbridge. Following training at Blackpool, the recruits were…

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BMannAMannAv3.pdf
He reminisces about pre-war and early war days as a schoolboy in Lewisham, recalling events at the beginning of the war. Includes photographs of aircraft and naval ships. He continues with history of events through the war's early years including:…

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MOrmerodA[Ser#-DoB]-151001-01.pdf
Daily record from 1 January 1944 to 6 June 1944 relating operations with comments on target, numbers of aircraft, bomb tonnages and losses. From 14 January to 6 June there are 30 ticked and numbered operations. Alice Omerod later married Douglas…

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ABellJR150727.mp3
John was a bomb aimer and after completing a tour in Bomber Command, he and his crew volunteered to join 617 Squadron. They were interviewed by Wing Commander Cheshire, who they found to be very compassionate, easy to talk to and who didn't give…

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AStopesRoeM150601.mp3
Mary (daughter of Sir Barnes Wallis) discusses her father’s design work and remembers both skipping stones on a river during holidays with her father and catapulting marbles over a washtub in their garden. She goes on to discuss the Eder Möhne and…

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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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PFilliputtiA16010053.jpg
In the sky, parachutes are floating down from aircraft and landing in the distance. Tanks from either side are engaged in battle. Black and white striped landing craft are disgorging their troops onto the beach. Many of the landing craft are engulfed…

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SCookeJRA1336866v10006.jpg
A brief biography of Charlie written by his niece, Anne. Charlie was an air gunner on Bob's crew.

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ALashamB150716.mp3
Bob Lasham began an electrical engineering apprenticeship with British Thomson-Houston before volunteering for the RAF in 1941, aged 20. He trained at RAF Babbacombe and RAF Wilmslow before completing his pilot training in Clewiston, Florida. On…

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PPackhamG1610.jpg
Geoff’s father had been in the Royal Flying Corps and Geoff joined the Royal Air Force at RAF Cardington. He was posted to various stations before going to Halifax in Canada to train as a pilot on Tiger Moths and then Oxfords. On his return, Geoff…

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AStathamR160627.mp3
Rex Statham was born in Luton. His father died in a motorbike accident when he was very young. Although Rex had been very keen to join the Navy, he volunteered for the RAF as a flight mechanic. When he realised that many trained mechanics were being…

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MLongNJ1581956-190516-01.pdf
Message from Arthur Harris to all Bomber Command Personnel.

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NHamiltonCB180416-01.jpg
Two newspaper cuttings, the first from the Ayr Advertiser has a photograph of Charles, the second has a brief biography and mentions his family in the Forces.

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MRidingRH1525125-210923-22.jpg
A message read out to the troops on the eve of D-Day.

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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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EGreyWHGrayDA[Date]-01.pdf
A letter to Don referring to their operation over Friedrichshafen. It includes a copy of the navigator's log and a newspaper article.

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SSmithRW425992v10002-0002 copy.pdf
Covers his training.

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

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SSmithRW425992v20002-0001.jpg
Calculations, observations and a chart used for an operation to Chalons-sur-Marne Railway Yards.

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SSmithRW425992v20005-0001.jpg
Calculations, observations and chart for an operation to Foret de Rocheau [Forêt de Lucheux].

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