Browse Items (228 total)

  • Tags: fear

PBellC2501.jpg
Colin Bell spent eighteen months as a newly qualified pilot instructing trainees in America. He completed 50 operations as a pilot on Mosquitos on the Light Night Striking Force.
Colin talks of his entry interview into the RAF, his time at an…

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SMaceHA1295485v30023-0001.jpg
A poem by AG Boyd describing a bombing operation.

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SBondS-ColesAv10004.MP3
Aubrey speaks of his brother who was a wireless operator, special operations, out in India. He talks about his own early operations to Lens and then to Stuttgart as a second dickie. He watched petrified as he counted twenty two aircraft lost in…

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BWalshawFWalshawFv1.pdf
Frank Walshaw's memoir, covering his training and several crashes in which he was involved.

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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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BJonesEMJonesEMv1.pdf
Diary describing his bombing and minelaying operations, covering the period 20/10/1941-01/06/1942.

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PZoltySP2201.jpg
Peter was born in Erdington, Birmingham. He joined the RAF and was trained at the Empire Air Training School in Canada. He re-mustered as a navigator and was with 49 Squadron for a short time. Peter then joined 106 Squadron and did a tour of 34…

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EBrownDASmithM[Date]-020001.jpg
Thanks for letter. Reports that he has not flown on operations, but went to Norfolk to collect a squadron Lancaster. Asks after Draper and enquirers whether 'father [is] still in control of the Langofrd N.F.S.'

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SGillK1438901v30057-0001.jpg
Thanks her for recent letter. Writes that he was now doing daylight operations during which he felt safe as they were well protected. Catches up with family news and gossip. Hopes he might manage to get home. Mentions he was out celebrating but did…

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S78Sqn19361201v30026.pdf
William's memoirs give background on his inspiration for writing it, and is themed "Luck". He writes of joining RAF, initial tests and selection as a wireless operator/air gunner, followed by 18 months deferred service. He describes training at RAF…

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BHookingsEWHookingsEWv2.pdf
Eric describes operations as Lancaster pilot, along with a detailed description of his last sortie, to attack Dortmund-Ems canal on 6 November 1944. His aircraft was attacked by FW 190, was driven off and set on fire by another fighter attack. He…

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BYeomanHTYeomanHTv1-01.pdf
Written in 1994, the document begins with a dedication, a poem and then a series of stories which together form the memoirs of Harold Yeoman, an officer who served in Bomber Command during the war, initially as a pilot on Wellingtons and then as an…

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SYeomanHT104405v10025.jpg
Three verses poem about fear, despair and resolution.

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SYeomanHT104405v10011.jpg
Sub titled (a prayer before action). Four verse poem about flying and death close at hand and how beautiful was life.

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SYeomanHT104405v10002.jpg
Two verse poem about bombing.

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MPotterPL1878961-150914-06.pdf
Flying log book excerpts from P L Potter’s log book, covering the period from 3 May 1944 to 17 December 1944. Detailing his flying training and operations flown. He was stationed at RAF Hixon and RAF Wickenby. Aircraft flown in were Wellington and…

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BPotterPLPotterPLv80001.jpg
This describes one operation dropping mines in Kiel Canal. It mentions an attack at low level, anti-aircraft fire and the luck of not being hit. Concludes by telling of flying to cover crew who had failed to get back to station in time and refusing…

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MWagnerHW1604744-170719-21.jpg
Reflections by Henry Wagner of the short time he was trying to evade capture having baled out of his fatally damaged aircraft.

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MMillsGA1445361-201003-07.jpg
Five verse song or poem about Bomber Command operations

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AMaxwellMI190904.mp3
Margaret was almost 12 years old and living in Romford, Essex at the outbreak of World War Two. She remembers the announcement being made by Neville Chamberlain on the radio on 3 September 1939. Margaret recalls being issued with a gas mask, and how…

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SDryhurstHG1332214v10018.pdf
This is an account of 142 Squadron crew operation to Kassel, written by rear gunner Bob Henderson. The plane was attacked by a night fighter and the crew had to bale out. It continues with an account of Bob evading and capture, before being reunited…

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BMitchellJEFMitchellJEFv2.pdf
Account of John Mitchell's career in the Royal Air Force from Oct 1934 until November 1957. He writes of his early ambitions to fly, and joining the RAF as a wireless operator, and describes his training and early postings to RAF Worthy Down on…

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MChandlerCH1608265-151002-010001.jpg
Highlights two items about operation to Dusseldorf. Firstly the effect of 'G' and secondly the effect of adrenalin. Describes impressions on Dusseldorf trip. Goes on to describe reasons for his apprehension all during his first tour. Goes on to…

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BMealingMillsSChandlerCHv1.pdf
Letter encloses a transcript of telephone interview and ask Mr Chandler to check for accuracy and asks specific questions about window, operation briefings, bird strike, being coned on Karlsruhe operation, overcoming fear and did he feel operations…

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PCranswickAP1806.jpg
A framed biography of Alec Cranswick's wartime service. It includes a tribute by AVM Bennett.

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