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Home from Sweden
Reporting on the events of Tommy's 43rd and final operation. Describing his escape and commenting on the people of Sweden's view of the ongoing hostilities.
Danish Underground Planned His Escape
Reporting on the help provided to Tommy and pilot, Stan Slater, by the Danish underground movement during their evasion. Mentions Tommy witnessing the liberation of Danish people from a prison house.
Home from Sweden
Reporting on Tommy's safe return from his 43rd and final operation in which his aircraft was shot down and his evasion with Squadron Leader Slater. Mentions the Swedish people's view of ongoing hostilities. The report also says that Tommy's brother,…
Gratitude and appreciation
A booklet containing various documents including a certificate expressing thanks to Frederick Chr. Oscar Korvel for the help provided to evading combatants. Personal accounts of the events following the crash of a mine-laying Lancaster including the…
Aftermath
Recounts events following the crash of a Lancaster in Denmark, treatment of the two dead crew members and evasion of the survivors. Includes a photograph of Tommy at his wedding and a poem.
Allied air crew
Programme of events to remember the crew of Lancaster ME449. Includes images of the crew: pilot, Squadron Leader Stan Slater; flight engineer, Sergeant Ken Foster; navigator, Flying Officer Stoney Mitchell; bomb aimer, Pilot Officer Merv Bertie;…
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…
Evasion
Writing to Tommy's son Nigel, Stan references writings made by Borge Rassmussen about the evasion of five of crew members.
Danish resistance
Writting to Stan Slater, Borge explains he had been a member of the Danish resistance and is researching escaped airmen.He describes how, following the crash of Stan's aircraft, the bodies of Harvey James Portor and Donald Morris were taken to the…
Letter from Stan and Anne
Writing to Phyllis about the incident in which his crew was shot down from which he escaped with Tommy and enclosing a photograph. Mentions his time at Waltham and losing contact with Tommy and meeting again after the war ended.
Newspaper cutting - Planes snatched doomed airmen from the sea
Relates story of Two crews rescued. The first when a Lancaster crew saw lights in sea and signalling air sea rescue who recovered seven exhausted airmen. The second a Lancaster crew ditched a badly shot up bomber were rescued by a fishing vessel…
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…
Account of being shot down and prisoner of war
Shot down 12/9/44. Captured after 8 days. List camps Dulag Luft, Stalag Luft 7 and Stalag IIIIA. Liberated by the Russians.
Tommy's service
Tommy's great grand daughter describes his period of service. Includes the incidence when pilot Stan Slater's Lancaster was set on fire and he tried to dive to put the fire out but was unsuccessful. Tommy bailed out by parachute and was taken in by…
A Canadian experience
Recounts a family visit to Canada. Comments on host, visit to 442 Squadron and Canadian casualties and fellow prisoners of war. Goes on to recount other activities during visit. Finally mentions attending reunion of the Mildenhall Register.
Brief history of George Thomson's RAF career
Brief details covering, volunteering, reporting to aircrew reception centre, training, operations, shot down, prisoner of war
Incident over Mannheim
Short account of shooting down of 15 Squadron Lancaster NF958 (LS-M) by Ofw Ludwig Schmitt in Messerschmitt 110G-2. Two crew killed and the other prisoner of war. List crew including George Thomson (navigator). Includes painting of the incident.
Route from where shot down to prisoner of war camp and evacuation on long march
Sketch map of Germany and Poland showing route from capture at Rastatt via Dulag Luft to Stalag Luft 7 and the long march to Luckenwalde.
Sergeant Norman Overend and his crew
At bottom a b/w photograph of seven airmen wearing tunics with brevet. Caption names crew '(standing left t o right) Sgt I Spagatner (AG), A/F/O Norman Overend (pilot), Sgt Harry Beverton (A/G), (sitting left to right) F/S Jonnie Jones (B/A), F/S Bob…
Record of Flight Sergeant Robert Kendal and Pilot Officer William Kendall
For Robert Kendall Records promotions, posting to 15 Squadron and sorties flown with F/S Overend, notes shot down and prisoner of war. Similar for William Kendall DFC with different crew on 15 Squadron. Completed tour of 31 operations.
My Bomber Command experience - George Thomson
George recalls his training over 18 months, including crewing up. He goes on to recall his first operation and mentions others involved, and describes being shot down on on 12 September 1944. George then describes evading and his time as a prisoner…
Shot down and escape - George Thomson
The first chapter, 'Shot Down', gives a detailed description of being on the flight out to Fankfurt and being shot down on their 20th operation. He goes on to describe his and other crews baling out. The second chapter, entitled 'Escape', describes…
Caught napping
Describes being shot down on his twentieth operation, He was navigator and lists remainder of crew. Describes crew bailing out, and details adventures while evading with the flight engineer for several days. Goes on to describe being found by German…
Wing Commander William Watkins DSO, DFC & Bar
Officer commanding 15 Squadron. Gives details of being shot down while operating as master bomber with Flight Lieutenant Frederick Saunders. Was the only survivor of crew and was prisoner of war. Includes half length b/w photograph of Watkins wearing…
Bomber Command loss
Gives details of loss of George Thomson's Lancaster. Notes operation details, location of loss and cause. Notes shot down by night fighter piloted by Oberfeldwbel Heinrich Schmidt (2NG6). List crew with status: pilot Norman Overend and mid upper…