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Sparks in the air - Jack Smith's wartime story
Wartime recollections of John (known to his friends as Jack) George Smith from Pinchbeck. He tells of life before the war, how he went on to volunteer for the RAF in August 1940 and describes his training as a wireless operator. The document includes…
Record of John Beisley's 30 operations
Summary of bombing operations with 433 Squadron from 11 August 1944 to 26 March 1945, Flew as flight engineer on Halifax and then converted to Lancaster December / January 44/45.
Biography of Reg Miles
A detailed Biography of Reg's service and post service life.
Keith Ganney's After Lunch Speech
A speech given by Keith, during which he recalls his 30 operations and his time training at Scarborough, Brough and Canada. Initially a pilot he was reassigned as a bomb aimer. He was posted to RAF East Kirkby and details some of his operations.
Letter and transcript of telephone interview
First page is a letter enclosing a transcript of telephone interview, requesting that it be checked for accuracy by the interviewee and asking further questions. Transcript describes Chick Chandler joining the RAF, being selected as flight engineer,…
Bomber Command
A brief description of Bomber Command starting with Air Marshal Harris commanding, types of aircraft used, 1000 Bomber attack on Cologne and losses, the Pathfinder Force, losses, hazards to returning crews and casualties.
Aircraft Recovered by No 9 Party, 54 MU
A list of 29 aircraft recovered during 1944-45 by No 9 Party, 54 Maintenance Unit.
Bomber Command Operations from East Anglia 42-45
A brief description of bombing activity during the war., starting with the ineffectual early operations to 1000+ bomber operations. He lists some of the operations then details some of the hazards for returning aircraft. After the war, Stan took a…
Alan Edgar's Operations
A list of 34 operations undertaken by Alan Edgar.
Transcript of interview with Allan Edgar
The memoirs were recorded in 1980 at a reunion at Sudbrooke. He starts by describing crewing up at RAF Silverstone. His first operation was a second 'dickie' (an observer) to Konisberg. On his third trip his bomb aimer opened his chute on the ground…
162 Squadron Light Night Striking Force Battle Orders
162 Squadron crew lists and record of operations from 19 December 1944 to 17 April 1945, and John Bolton's memoir.
Flying Officer Douglas Petty Memoirs
Brief memoirs recorded by Doug Petty during his RAF service, covering the period from June 1943 to April 1947.
Damaged Halifax Wing
Starboard, rear inboard section of Halifax wing damage during an operation over Germany. On the reverse 'Original photo Julich 16 Nov 1944 Landed Woodbridge Pocklington'
Eric Horsham Flight Engineer
Recollection of Eric Horsham from his early years in Plumstead, training at Lords, RAF Torquay, RAF St Athans, RAF Marston Moor then 102 Squadron at RAF Pocklington. Included is a photograph of the damage sustained to the Halifax's wing. He details…
Eric Horsham - Memories
Eric Horsham's recollection from his early years in Plumstead, training at Lords, Torquay, St Athans, Marston Moor then 102 Squadron at RAF Pocklngton. Included are two photographs, one of his crew in front of a Halifax and another of the damage…
Six chapters of wartime memories
A record of personal experiences of the war, provided by Jim Allen, with the final two chapters being written by Joe Dudley.
Interview with Eric Wilkin
Erik Wilkin worked on the railways before he joined the RAF. Initially, he wanted to be a pilot but, as there was a significant wait for training, he trained as an air gunner and was posted to 115 Squadron. On one occasion his aircraft made an…
Interview with Ernest James White
James White worked as a wages clerk for the Co-op before volunteering for the Air Force. He had intended to join the navy but, when he saw some recruits being shouted at, he turned around and crossed the corridor to join the RAF. He had always had an…
Interview with John Foster Thorp
John Thorp was born and raised in Manchester where he attended North Manchester Grammar School. Aged 17 he joined the Home Guard and when he was 18 he volunteered for the RAF with thoughts of becoming a pilot. While waiting at RAF Heaton Park to…
Interview with Eric Horsham
Eric Horsham was born in East London in 1923 and, after leaving school aged 14 he was a messenger at the Royal Ordnance factory before working for the railways. In 1937 he joined the Air Training Corps and learned about aircraft maintenance. On his…
Interview with Rex Statham
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…
Interview with Charles Mears
Charles left school with no formal qualifications and was undertaking further education when the Second World War commenced. Being too young to enlist, he joined the Air Defence Cadet Corps, eventually joining when he was aged 18. He was detached to…
Interview with Cecil Harry Chandler
Cecil ‘Chick’ Chandler trained as a flight engineer and was posted to 622 Squadron at RAF Mildenhall. On his first flight the undercarriage failed. He was horrified to find that it was different to the model he had been trained on and he had to have…
Interview with Bert Hammond. One
Bert Hammond was born and brought up in Norwich and was working as a grocer’s assistant, as well as being an air cadet, at the start of the war. He recalls bombing attacks on Norwich and a lone aircraft machine gunning female workers leaving the…
Interview with Kenneth Trent
Ken grew up in London and joined the Royal Air Force, as a pilot, on his 18th birthday. After exams and interview at RAF Uxbridge, he went to Number 9 Receiving Wing in RAF Torquay and an Initial Training Wing in Stratford-upon-Avon. He then trained…