Browse Items (56 total)

  • Tags: debriefing

BGambleATGambleATv1.pdf
Part 1. Covers the period from Alan Gamble's years as a schoolboy in Worthing in the late 1930's, up to joining the RAF in 1943, where he trained, before moving to RAF Fairford in 1944. He flew 29 bombing and mine laying sorties over Germany and…

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ALarmerLO151112.mp3
Lawrence Larmer was born in Australia in 1920. On leaving school he went to work on the Beaufort aircraft in the Department of Aircraft Production. He was called up in 1942 and volunteered for the Royal Australian Air Force to avoid the army. His…

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AKnottS151001.mp3
Sidney Knott was from Leigh-on-Sea and recalls the day, with invasion apparently imminent, that signs were put up on the local shops advising people that they had to be ready to move within an hour and to take only one suitcase with them. Sidney’s…

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PRichardsonH2501.jpg
Harry describes his early life and operations on Wellingtons with 149 Squadron and then on Liberators in the Far East with 59 Squadron.

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MBartlettA[Ser#-DoB]-150520-040001.jpg
The writer describes events during a mine laying operation, in a Stirling, to the Gironde River near Bordeaux. He relates how the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire which damaged the tail and an engine, as well as wounding the flight engineer. He…

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AHarrisHST150909.mp3
Harry ‘Sam’ Harris grew up in Scotland and volunteered for the Air Force. He trained as a navigator in South Africa. On the penultimate day of his training he flew over a multitude of lifeboats bearing the survivors of a torpedoed ship. The next day…

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ADarbyC150630.mp3
Charlie Darby joined the Royal Air Force in September 1943 and describes, in great detail, his training as an air gunner/wireless operator on Wellingtons and Ansons at RAF Bridlington, RAF Bridgnorth, RAF Castle Kennedy, RAF Acaster Malbis and RAF…

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APayneAJ150811.mp3
Alan Payne was born in Wendover, Buckinghamshire. He volunteered for aircrew with the Royal Air Force and, after initial training, was sent to South Africa where he trained as an observer. When he returned to the UK, he was allocated the role of bomb…

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WardM (Pesaro).jpg
Mary Ward grew up in Bloxham. She joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force in 1940 and was posted to RAF Driffield, on general duties in the officers’ mess. She describes a German daylight attack on RAF Driffield on the 15 August 1940 and the extensive…

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WardM (Pesaro).jpg
Mary Ward joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force in 1940. She served, briefly, at RAF Driffield but mostly at RAF Linton on Ouse. She trained as a cook before being moved to duties as a map officer, where she prepared maps for briefings and…

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AHookerFJ160525.mp3
Fred Hooker talks about life before being called up for service, including his brother being captured in Hong Kong and becoming a prisoner of the Japanese. Fred joined the Boy Scouts, aged 11, and then the Air Training Corp when it was formed in…

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BBriggsDWNealeWv1.pdf
Tribute to Squadron Leader William G Neal, Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross, Croix de Guerre, 1912-2001. It describes how Don Briggs met and was crewed with Bill Neal’s crew who, having completed one tour, had been selected for…

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MKnoxVD63842-240818-03.pdf
Magazine published for the allied forces and covers Christmas celebrations, an update of hostilities, night bombing, an army advance, naval convoy, Norwegian maned fuel tankers, winter offensive by Russia and news from Britain and the Commonwealth.…

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BDunmoreGDunmoreGv1.pdf
A 25 page account of the preparation for, and carrying out, a maximum effort operation against Duisburg by Lancasters of 83 Squadron at RAF Wyton, part of 8 Group Bomber Command. Account provides detailed description of preparations, briefing and the…

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PMellorG1501.jpg
Gordon Mellor grew up in London and, being interested in aviation, he volunteered for the Air Force and trained as a navigator in Canada. On his return to the UK he and his crew were posted to 103 Squadron at RAF Elsham Wolds and his first operation…

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BCopemanGCopemanGv1.pdf
An operation undertaken to attack Wesseling, near Cologne. The aircraft suffered engine and fuel line damage and ditched in the North Sea. The crew survived the ditching and were rescued by a launch.

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MKeelingGW2217141-151002-01.pdf
A number of stories, recollections and events remembered by George, who was part of the ground crew on the squadron. It includes press coverage and a programme from an amateur dramatics production that George appeared in post-war. There is also a…

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BBatchelderHEBatchelderHEv6.pdf
Harold Batchfelder provides a detailed account of the preparation for a raid on Mannheim, events during the operation and his forced landing at RAF Horsham St Faith due to damage sustained during night fighter attack on the return journey. His crew…

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BBrabinHWBrabinHWv1.pdf
Harry joined the Royal Australian Air Force on 25 June 1942 as a wireless operator/air gunner, receiving his initial training in Australia before going to Canada for trade training. He sailed on the SS Johan Van Barneve to San Francisco and recalls a…

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BWagnerHWWagnerHWv2.pdf
A highly detailed account of the operational briefing to No 51 Squadron for the operation to Essen on 28/29 November 1944. It includes all the specialist officers as well as the Station Commander's brief. It provides details of Henry's crew, Station…

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BWagnerHWWagnerHWv1-01.pdf
Henry's hand written memoirs, Part 1 covering his early life and time at university. It goes on to describe, in detail, his time in the RAF, training in South Africa, conversion to the Halifax and operations on 51 Squadron. It also covers his time…

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BTeaseJTeaseJv10001.jpg
An account of operational flying from June to October 1944

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EMaunsellJ[Recipient][Date]-01.pdf
A letter from John Maunsell detailing his service and experiences with Bomber Command, including the training, his crew and operational duties. He was shot down in June 1944, evaded capture and returned to Britain in September 1944.

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BLazenbyHJLazenbyHJv1.pdf
Harold Jack Lazenby's autobiography.

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ASmithRW190325.mp3
Bob Smith was born in Brisbane, Australia. He recalls moving to the family farm in 1932 and being a member of the Air Cadets during his school years. Upon leaving school, Smith undertook training as a bank clerk. Following the events of Pearl…

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