2
25
731
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1881/36447/SChristianAL29160v10063.2.jpg
c492fc1ab99d8129b71e16121012d37e
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Christian, Arnold Louis
A L Christian
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-06-26
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
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Christian, AL
Description
An account of the resource
93 items. The collection concerns Wing Commander <span>Arnold Louis</span> <span>Christian </span>(1906 - 1941, 29160 Royal Air Force) and contains his log book, documents and photographs. He flew operation as a pilot with 105 Squadron and was killed 8 May 1941.<br /><br />The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Steven Christian and catalogued by Barry Hunter.<br /><br />Additional information on <span>Arnold Louis</span> <span>Christian</span> is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/204958/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Transcribed document
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Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[royal crest]
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
The Queen and I offer you our heartfelt sympathy in your great sorrow.
We prey that your country’s gratitude for a life so nobly given in its service may bring you some measure of consolation.
George R.I.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter to Arnold Christian's Wife
Description
An account of the resource
The letter expresses sorrow at the loss of her husband.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
King George VI
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Civilian
Royal Air Force
Language
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eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Format
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One printed sheet
Identifier
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SChristianAL29160v10063
Rights
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
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Steve Baldwin
George VI, King of Great Britain (1895-1952)
killed in action
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/2149/36424/PStandivanAG17020025.2.jpg
1ff2a1f1d3419a86c757736b4c466104
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/2149/36424/PStandivanAG17020026.2.jpg
966568846fea907cf05fc1ef9c428e43
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Standivan, Arthur George. Album two
Description
An account of the resource
44 items. An album of photographs taken during and after the liberation of Europe including the liberation of Belsen.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-06-29
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
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Standivan, AG
Transcribed document
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Transcription
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“Kramerthe.”
[photograph]
The Beast of Belsen
(Hanged)
[photograph]
[page break]
‘Belsen Beast’ Trials First
Montgomery’s H.Q., Germany, Saturday.
THE beast of Belsen – Joseph Kramer – and the women torturers from the guards of the notorious concentration camp will be the first war criminals to be tried, according to official reports at Field-Marshal Montgomery’s H.Q.
The trials, however, may not take place for a month, but all those arrested at Belsen or through Belsen will be charged.
They are understood to number between 50 and 60.
The charges are now being drawn up. It is understood that separate charges will be made against each person.
[italics] The trial is expected to take place in Celle because of the convenience of calling witnesses from the camp, only 20 miles away. [/italics]
Kramer is believed to be still in custody in Celle, although officially he is only “still in custody somewhere in the 21st Army Group area” – B.U.P.
[photograph]
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Belsen Beast trials
Description
An account of the resource
Three photographs, the first page has two photographs of a line of male guards, walking on a path around a space watched by a crowd of British servicemen, building in the background. Captioned 'Kramer The Beast of Belsen' added later (Hanged)'.
Second page, one photograph of three female guards walking round the same space again watched by a crowd of British servicemen, also a newspaper cutting discussing the forthcoming trials of the Belsen guards.
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Germany
Germany--Bergen (Celle)--Belsen
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Wehrmacht
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Text
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Three b/w photographs and one newspaper cutting on two album pages
Identifier
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PStandivanAG17020025, PStandivanAG17020026
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1945
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1945
Contributor
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Peter Bradbury
Steve Baldwin
Holocaust
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1908/36272/MPerryWRP1317696-170719-02.2.pdf
806863a334fab1ae33212066c519e900
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Perry, Pete
W R P Perry
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-07-19
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Perry, WRP
Description
An account of the resource
Sixty-nine items and an album sub collection with twenty-four pages of photographs.
The collection concerns Flight Lieutenant WR Pete Perry DFC (1923 - 2006, 1317696, 146323 Royal Air Force) and contains his log books, photographs, correspondence, memoirs and documents. He flew operations as a pilot with 106 Squadron.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Helen Verity and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[post mark]
[inserted] The saga of “106 Sqdn – Happy days - & others.”
[obscured words]
move tomorrow to RAF Metheringham ( [missing words]
of Lincolnshire.
We had joined the Squadro[missing letter]
[inserted][circled] 22 [/circled][/inserted]
[inserted] 11th 2005 [/inserted]
[inserted][underlined] 106 METHERINGHAM [/underlined][/inserted]
[inserted] 3A. [/inserted]
[page break]
[inserted] Mar 11th 2005 [inserted]
[crest]
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
With the Compliments of the Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans
This Veteran’s Badge is presented to you in recognition of your service during the Second World War.
You may wish to wear it on suitable occasions when dressed in civilian attire.
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, WHITEHALL SW1A 2HB
[page break]
[inserted][underlined] Written Year 2000 [/underlined] By Pete Perry DFC [/inserted]
[underlined] 106 Squadron -- Happy days - & others! [/underlined]
[underlined] Dateline – 9th November 1943, RAF Syerston, Notts [/underlined].
Stand down today so final preparations are made for our move tomorrow to RAF Metheringham (RAF where?) in the wilds of Lincolnshire.
We had joined the Squadron in June. My crew Les Blood, F/E, John Boaden, Nav, Dick Toogood, B/A, Doug Cunnison, Wop/AG, Eddie ‘Taff’ Davies, Mid Upper Gunner & Dennis ‘Shorty’ Groombridge, R/G.
‘Twas not long before we had our ‘own’ aircraft. Firstly ZN-T ‘Admiral’ Dumbo (the flying elephant & it was!) then a brand new ZN-Z ‘Admiral Shyte-Awk’. Why the ‘Admiral’ prefix? At that time 106 was still the 5 Group designated ship attack Squadron & we had two Fleet Air Arm Observer Lieutenants attached to us. Every time we bombed a Port they came along to identify what German Naval ships were there. (Bloody RAF don’t know their bows from their sterns.)
By now (November) we were two-thirds through our first tour. We’d visited a variety of targets – the Ruhr (hotly defended); three trips to Italy (where the weather en route was more hazardous than the defences!) & a variety of selected targets throughout Germany.
We were attacked by a Ju 88 over Nuremburg which ‘Shorty’ shot down & by a Me210 over Kassel which was damaged by ‘Shorty’ & ‘Taff’.
We’d had our moments, of course, but our Lancaster flew as well on three as on four engines (bit slower though) & on one occasion coped well on two (bit lower as well as slower still!).
But now it was “so long” peace-time Station Syerston. Adieu Nottingham – ‘Airborne Nag’, ‘Barley Mow’ & all. No more the enterprising restaurant where first class steak or enormous Dover Sole was regularly available – when the authorities weren’t closing it down which was quite often!
Leaving there one night with Les Blood & heading for the bus station I realised that he was no longer beside me. (Full
[page break]
(2)
black-out still in force & his night vision not of the best). I said “Bloody where are you?” Whereupon a No. 8 torch shone on me & an old ladies voice said “Young man, I can see by your uniform that you are doing a good job but do you have to use such language?” I tried to explain but we had a bus to catch!
Farewell escarpment to the River Trent that saved ‘Ginger’ Crowe’s life when he lost his port outer engine on take-off. He disappeared over the edge, gathered speed & by first class flying & airmanship he brought his fully laden Lancaster around to make a perfect three engined landing.
Said escarpment did its life saving act for a F/O Scott, 61 Sqdn who, returning from ops, stalled on the approach, slid down the slope & finished up on the Trent, nose gently embedded in the far bank! The crew climbed out, barely got their feet wet & were entertained by the farmer & his wife whilst waiting for the ‘gharry’ from Syerston to collect them!
But enough memories. It’s party time tonight in the Mess ‘cos we’re only flying to Metheringham tomorrow afternoon.
[underlined] Dateline November 10th, RAF Syerston. 1030hrs. [/underlined]
My slumber is disturbed by my batman who insists on telling me that I’m required in the briefing room as I’m on ops. I invite him to go away as there aren’t any ops today – we’re going to Metheringham. He is very persistant [sic] & finally convinces me that there may be some truth in his message.
He was right. Higher authority required us to attack the Mont Cenis tunnel at Modane & render it useless for supplies to the German troops in N Italy.
Sooooo – instead of a gentle hop to our new home it’s a full load, full moon, gin clear. We cross France at 7000ft, find the valley, ignore the puny flak (which rapidly ceased under the weight of bombs) & make our way home. Piece of cake.
[page break]
(3)
[underlined] Dateline November 11th RAF Syerston. Early pm. [/underlined]
We really [underlined] are [/underlined] moving. My faithful ZN-Z fully laden – this time with bodies (air & ground crew plus a couple of hitch-hikers), suitcases, kitbags, bicycles & various impedimentia stashed in the fuselage. Chocks away - & so are we.
Two friends of mine, Johnny Forsyth & Colin Storer were to formate on me & we proposed to announce our arrival with a gentle ‘beat-up’. Metheringham R/T callsign was ‘Coffee-stall’ so we intended also to broadcast a rendering (literally!) of the ‘Java Jive’. The new Station Commander was not amused - & said so!
Directions were given by Flying Control to reach our dispersal & we warily made our way around the perimiter [sic] track taking great care not to go off the edge. Liquid mud awaited anyone who put a wheel off the tarmac!
Then to our billets – Nissen huts, coke stoves, no hot water – but plenty of mud.
Unpack, clean up then to the Mess for dinner – a quarter of a mile away. It was raining when we walked up & still raining when we returned. [underlined] And [/underlined] the coke stove had gone out!
Ce la guerre.
Next day the Squadron & Station started ‘working up’. We did an hours local flying, checking new landmarks, noting our proximity to Coningsby, Woodhall Spa, Bardney & Waddington.
Whilst 106 Sqdn had moved as a whole the Administrative Staff were from other Stations & it would take a little while for the varying disciplines to ‘gel’ & become a cohesive unit.
Our new Station Commander decided to inspect the airfield, the ground crew Flight Offices & the aircraft. Remember that the aircraft ‘names’ were prefixed “Admiral” & all Senior Officers had
[page break]
(4)
‘scrambled egg’ on the peaks of their caps. My ‘Admiral Shyte-Awk’ was no exception. The ‘Groupie’ as a Senior Officer took umbrage at the crest & ordered my ground to remove it. As soon as he had moved on my Sgt i/c rang me for help. I reminded him that he should obey his last order - & then ordered him to leave it on. (A P/O countermanded a GC!!). I hastened to my Squadron CO & what he later said to the Station Commander I don’t know – but my crest stayed intact.
Flying continued: ammunition, bombs & fuel stocked up & then we were ready to go on November 18th. I was told that I was not flying that night but a brand new Lancaster was at Waddington awaiting collection. I could ‘take a day off’ & collect same. Taking Les & Doug we duly arrived at ‘Waddo’ & it then being lunchtime arranged to pick the aircraft up in the afternoon.
I had barely started my meal when I was called to the phone & my Flight Commander informed me that the aircraft was now required for ops that night & that I was to fly it. I protested that if I was on ops I wanted my own ‘Z’. To no avail. I could do the NFT (night flying test) on the way back & be quick about it!
The new aircraft proved a success – we bombed Berlin from 25000ft (the higher the fewer) & came back at 27500ft.
‘Miff’ (P/O Mifflin – his F/E Norman Jackson later won the VC) who had taken ‘Z’ that night had the pilot’s side window blown out. He said that it was a bit chilly!
A ‘flu epidemic hit the Station & the Squadron was forced to operate with ‘scratch’ crews. Whenever possible crew replacements were made with members of comparable experience. Whilst I was laid low, F/O Jack Hoboken, a Dutch pilot, needed two gunners so in his rear turret was the Squadron Gunnery Leader & ‘Taff’ Davies in the mid-upper. Unfortunately they were shot down near Munich & all killed. In view of the experience of the two gunners I am
[page break]
(5)
convinced that it was flak that got them & not fighters.
Squadron efficiency quickly returned to normal – first class. The weather didn’t! The airfield was still being completed. Going in to the briefing room one rare sunny afternoon the window was open. We were amazes (& shaken) when three Irish workmen looked through the window & commented on “them pretty red ribbons on that map”.!! They led straight to Berlin! We were not sorry when Command ‘scrubbed’ the op later in the day.
Conditions improved. We got hot water so could shave & shower in comfort. We learned how to manage the coke stove.
Forays were made to Martin & Metheringham where the good folk were coming to terms with the influx of bodies & the ‘roar of mighty Merlins’.
The next two months passed quickly & we finished our tour.
Next item on the agenda – a tour as an instructor. Where?
Some of my crew went to OTU’s (Operational Training Units) at Bruntingthorpe & Silverstone. Les & I were posted to – Syerston, by now the home of 5LFS (5 Group Lancaster Finishing School). Needless to say we were delighted to continue to fly Lancasters & to return to Syerston & ‘ops on Notts’!
We weren’t finished with 106 & Metheringham though. A year later I put together my second tour crew. Les Blood, Doug Cunnison & ‘Shorty’ Groombridge said that they’d come back along with ‘Dixie’ Dean (Nav), Pete Lynch (B/A) & ‘Sandy’ Sanford (MU). All second tour & all commissioned. What a team!
We returned to Metheringham at the end of March ’45 & what a transformation. No mud, a lot of activities & we would not be needing the coke stove much longer!
We only managed three ops on our second tour (including our one & only daylight) when VE was upon us.
[page break]
([underlined] 6 [/underlined])
I applied for a posting to Transport Command to fly Avro Yorks – to be refused on the grounds that my crew were earmarked for ‘Tiger Force’ the code name for the twelve Squadrons who would go to the Far East & bomb Japan!
Training started for the new venture – formation flying, new navigation aids, Radio Range flying, fighter affiliation exercises. Then on leave in early August when the news of the ‘A’ bomb came through & by the time we got back to base ‘Tiger Force’ had been cancelled – to everyones relief.
My CO said that he had resubmitted my application for Transport Command & in early October it came through.
Meantime we did some trips to Italy bringing troops home on the ‘Python’ scheme. ‘Cooks Tours’ were arranged in order to let all personnel see the damage caused by the bombing. We flew at 3000ft around the Ruhr – Cologne, Essen, Bochum, Wuppertal, Gelsenkirchen, Dusseldorf etc & the devastation was appalling.
Time then to say “Farewell” to 106, RAF Metheringham & Martin, this time tinged with sadness & a host of memories of which, as time goes by, the good & happy ones push the less pleasant to the dim confines at the back of the mind.
Thank you 106, it’s been a pleasure to serve with you.
And so to Yorks. But that’s another story.
W R P Perry, DFC.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
106 Squadron - happy days and others
Pete Perry's memoir
Description
An account of the resource
Writes of his time on 106 Squadron at RAF Syerston. Mentions operation to the Ruhr and Italy and that they were two thirds of their way through tour. Writes of his last operation at Syerston and squadron's move to RAF Metheringham. Describes his new station and activities. Mentions finishing first tour and after tour as instructor going back to 106 for a final three operations before training for Tiger Force and then transferring to transport command.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
W R P Perry
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1943-11-09
1943-11-10
1943-11-11
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Nottinghamshire
England--Lincolnshire
France
France--Modane
Germany
Italy
Germany--Nuremberg
Germany--Berlin
Germany--Ruhr (Region)
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Royal Air Force. Transport Command
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Memoir
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Eight page printed document
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
MPerryWRP1317696-170719-02
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Steve Baldwin
106 Squadron
5 Group
aircrew
Cook’s tour
Lancaster
Lancaster Finishing School
pilot
RAF Metheringham
RAF Syerston
RAF Waddington
Tiger force
training
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1908/36250/SPerryWRP1317696v60011.2.pdf
69a5157ce2cca7c1114dc6b69a4a2b27
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1908/36250/SPerryWRP1317696v60001.1.jpg
ec720f97c988c3eac524aae97347bbbd
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Perry, Pete
W R P Perry
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-07-19
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Perry, WRP
Description
An account of the resource
Sixty-nine items and an album sub collection with twenty-four pages of photographs.
The collection concerns Flight Lieutenant WR Pete Perry DFC (1923 - 2006, 1317696, 146323 Royal Air Force) and contains his log books, photographs, correspondence, memoirs and documents. He flew operations as a pilot with 106 Squadron.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Helen Verity and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[book cover]
[page break]
SHORT HISTORY
--of—
106 SQUADRON
[page break]
[underlined] SHORT HISTORY OF NO. 106 SQUADRON [/underlined]
No. 106 Squadron was formed at Andover in September 1917 and equipped with R.E.8 aircraft, its duties were those of an Army Co-operation Unit. After eight months at Andover, it was moved to Fermoy in Northern Ireland, where it was when the Armistice was signed, and where it remained until its disbandment in October, 1919 – it had by then been re-equipped with Bristol Fighters. Early records of the Squadron are meagre but there is nothing to suggest that the Squadron was ever in the front line and it does not appear to have any claim to distinction.
In June, 1938, the Squadron was reformed at Abingdon and was under the Command of S/Ldr. W.C. Sheen. The original aircraft were Hinds, but Fairey Battles were later introduced and in September, 1938 the Squadron moved to Thornaby where it stayed until after the outbreak of war. By this time the Fairey Battles had been had been superseded by the Handley Page ‘Hampden’ and thus equipped the Squadron, after a short stay at Cottesmore, was moved to Finning in October, 1939.
No. 106 Squadron was not immediately employed as a front line Squadron – it was not employed as such for over a year – but became an advanced training Unit and crew pool for Operational Squadrons of No. 5 Group. Its duties consisted of normal flying training, intensive night flying and an occasional North Sea sweep. Later, its curriculum was extended to include conversion of second pilots to Captains, moving target (Motor Boat) bombing and sundry other training commitments of a miscellaneous character. Owing to the constantly changing personnel – between 90 and 100 aircrew passed through the Squadron every week, making it little more than a clearing house – it was impossible to adopt any consistent policy as the large flow of aircrew for Operational Squadrons belonged to us on paper only.
It was under these circumstances and against an historical background very far from inspiring, that No. 106 Squadron, then under the command of S/Ldr. R.D. Stubbs, DFC., was converted into a semi-operational unit and carried out its first sorties on 9th Sept. 1940. Three aircraft were sent ‘Gardening’ and the event was such as to arouse quite extrardinary [sic] enthusiasm and practically the whole camp – from Station Commander downwards, were present at the take-off. The primary object of this new policy was to provide No. 5 Group Squadrons with fully trained crews who had operational experience. Later, the posting of these experienced crews ceased and the Squadron was gradually built up to full strength with a view to itself being made fully operational. Throughout the winter of 1940-41 under the Command of first W/Cdr. W.J.H. Lindley and then W/Cdr. J.P. Polglaise, mining sorties were carried out regularly – with varying degrees of success and without incidents of special interest.
On 25th, Feb. 1941, the Squadron moved to Coningsby and now almost at full strength, took its place alongside the other 5 Group Squadrons – admittedly the Cinderella in such gallant company and rather jealous of their ‘kudos’ but determined to make its way to the front. It was not long before this had been achieved.
The first bombing raid was made on the 1st. March, 1941 – the target was Cologne. The first event of outstanding importance was on the night of 4 – 5th. April, 1941, when three aircraft made a fifty feet attack on the notorious German Warships which had recently arrived in Brest. In the face of fierce opposition, at least one 1900 lb. bomb scored a near miss on the Gneisenau. The Squadron won its first awards on this attack – Pilot Officer R. Waring winning the D.F.C. and Sergeant R. Purnell with the D.F.M. The price paid for such success as was achieved at the loss of the Squadron Commander, W/Cdr. J.P. Polglaise, who was one of the low-level attackers.
[page break]
Early in May, 1941, the Squadron was taken over by W/Cdr. R.S. Allen, DFC. and a little later was converted into a three flight Squadron. This enabled raids to be carried out with increased strength and throughout the summer we achieved, comparatively, a high standard of success with light losses. The targets on those summer nights were not very varied – they were chiefly in the Ruhr – but attacks were very frequent and on several occasions 20 aircraft were put into the air. Some excellent take-off times were achieved, too, the best being the despatch of fifteen aircraft in 9 minutes.
On 24th. July, 1941, after several weeks of intensive training, formation of six aircraft led a daylight raid on the warships at Brest. The crews claimed to have straddled the Gneisenau despite fierce and accurate opposition – the formation remained unbroken and, although every aircraft was damaged, all returned safely. For this magnificent work, W/Cdr. Allen was awarded the D.S.O. and awards were made to three other members of the crews. Later, the same formation (even the escorting fighter Squadrons admitted that it was good) made a daylight attack on Gosnay in occupied France.
With the coming of the longer nights the targets could be varied and the enemy naval ports received frequent attention, as well as Berlin. The art of sea-mining was not neglected and amongst other operations of that type the most note worthy was the mining of Oslo by 14 aircraft, which were temporarily based at Wick. Several successful ‘sneaker’ raids were made, – these were great favourites amongst the more adventurous spirits – and other attacks which readily come to mind are those on the Huls Rubber Factory in December, 1941, and the smashing of the Renault Factory at Billencourt in March, 1942.
In March 1942, the time came for the Hampden, rapidly becoming obsolete, to be replaced with the latest type of Bomber and the Squadron was re-armed with the A.V. Roe ‘Manchester’ as a transition stage to the final re-equipment with the four engine Lancaster. With the change over from Hampdens, accomplished very creditably in ten days without a single accident, there came a change in Command, the new Squadron Commander being W/Cdr. G.P. Gibson, DFC., who had already completed tour of operations on bombers and one on night fighters.
The Manchesters were operated continuously throughout March, April and May, and despite the aircraft’s many shortcomings, no small measure of success was achieved. Lubeck and Warnemunde were amongst the targets attacked and aircraft were despatched on all four nights of the ‘blitz’ on Rostock. In addition to bombing, the Squadron’s mining activity was considerable – over 200 mines were laid which is a total greater by far than that laid by the Hampdens in 18 months.
The Squadron was in the process of converting to Lancasters at the time of the first ‘thousand raid’ and, in fact, the first sorties with these aircraft were made against Cologne on 30th. May, 1942. 11 of the 16 aircraft despatched on that occasion were Lancasters – none were lost – which was no mean feat considering that the pilots had only an hours experience of them. A few weeks later 17 Lancasters and 2 Manchesters dropped 54 tons of bombs on Bremen, establishing a new record for one nights work.
The size, scope and success of our bombing grew rapidly. Most readily there comes to mind the daylight attack on Danzig in July, 1942, which was followed by several mining sorties in that area and a bombing attack (using the 550 lb. C.S. bomb) on the Graf Zeppelin in Gdynia. On 31st. July, 1942 we set up a new record – 21 of our aircraft dropped 62 tons of bombs on Dusseldorf – the greatest weight ever dropped by a single Squadron. On this raid, too, we carried the first 8,000 lb. bomb.
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During the fine nights of August and September, 1942, the intensity of our bombing continued unabated. We achieved still more excellent results, both in bombing and mining – specially in the latter when many mines were accurately laid in the Baltic, often under appalling weather conditions. Sometimes we were the only Squadron to operate on these missions and our reward was the frequently expressed appreciation of the Admiralty.
Photography was coming into its own just now and in the number and quality of our pictures we were not lagging – holding a high place in Bomber Command and on two consecutive nights in September we took more photographs than any other Bomber Command Squadron.
At the end of September 1942, we severed, temporarily at least, our connection with Coningsby and were transferred to Syerston. We arrived there with a good reputation and we were not long in living up to it. October, 1942, was a month of spectacular success for No. 5 Group and 106 Squadron was well to the fore. On 17th. October, 1942, ten aircraft took part in a daylight raid on Le Creusot and on 22nd. October, 1942, 12 aircraft bombed Genoa, which was our first incursion of Italian territory. Two days later, we went to Italy again, this time in daylight when 11 aircraft bombed Milan. Not a single aircraft was lost on these three raids.
November, and December, 1942, were notable for the frequency of our attacks on Italian Targets – attacks which were usually highly successful and which produced an abundance of superb photographs. Germany was not forgotten, however, and in mid-January, 1943, two heavy raids on successive nights were made on Berlin. Mr. Richard Dimbleby the B.B.C. War Correspondent, flew on one of these and his story was subsequently broadcast to the World.
In January 1943, a new Pathfinder technique (Wanganui and Parrametta) was introduced and the Squadron assisted in these experiments – usually five aircraft were supplied for attacks on Essen or Duisburg. The entire attacking force normally numbered no more than about 25 aircraft, and owing to the limited numbers the raids were exceedingly dangerous and unpleasant. The losses incurred were not light but these experiments led to the sudden smashing assault on 5th. March, 1943, on Essen – an attack which may well be regarded as a forerunner of the scores of concentrated assaults which were to follow on the Ruhr and elsewhere.
Unusually fine weather enabled operations to be carried out with great frequency and the Squadron roamed far and wide over France, Germany and Italy. Many successes came our way. After having been second in January, we headed the No. 5 Group ladder in February and were second again in March. On a raid against Milan we obtained six aiming point photographs – a new Bomber Command Record which earned a congratulatory message from the A.O.C.
In March, 1943, came a change of Command. W/Cdr. G.P. Gibson D.S.O. D.F.C., (he had won the DSO. And Bar for his brilliant work on the Squadron) was posted to form a new Squadron which subsequently achieved fame by its ‘Dam Busting’ raid. Be it noted that apart from W/Cdr. Gibson 25% of the pilots who reached the target were ex-106 Squadron.
The new Commanding Officer was W/Cdr. J.H. Searby DFC, who had joined the Squadron as ‘B’ Flight Commander in October, 1942. Under his Command the Squadron continued to hold its high place amongst Bomber Command’s best Squadrons Nuremburg, Munich and Berlin, in March, Stettin, Spezia and the Skoda works in April were, perhaps, the most notable efforts.
At the beginning of May, 1943, W/Cdr. Searby left us to take Command of a Pathfinder Squadron – he was shortly afterwards promoted Group Captain and was later to win the D.S.O. His successor was W/Cdr. R.E. Baxter.
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Encouraged by the overwhelming success of the bombing of Essen, the avowed intention of Bomber Command was the destruction of the industrial Ruhr, and in May, the battle was joined in earnest. For three months the Ruhr was bombed ceaselessly and remorsely – enormous areas were devastated in each raid. Sometimes whole towns such as Wuppertal and Remscherd, were virtually eliminated in a single night. The Squadron was well to the fore in this series of grim, determined attacks which were met with fierce and desperate opposition. Many fine crews were lost but we may well be proud of our part in a battle which finally resulted in complete victory.
At the end of July, 1943, Bomber Command started – and won – the Battle of Hamburg. In four attacks, startling in their ferocity and concentration – a vast tonnage of bombs was unloaded on a vital target. In less than a week Hamburg had been reduced to a smouldering ruin. In these attacks we sent 58 aircraft and dropped 240 tons of bombs.
As a welcome variation of the almost nightly run to the Ruhr, a favoured few made a trip to North Africa by way of the R.D.F. factories at Friedrichshaven the first of the shuttle service raids. Later still, three crews made low-level attacks on an Italian power station.
Raids on a miscellany of targets followed, outstanding amongst them being the attack on the R.D.F. and experimental at Peenamunde. The Squadron did extremely well on this raid – nine aircraft made the attack, two landing point photographs were taken, a fighter was shot down and not an aircraft was lost.
September and October saw heavy bombing of Nuremburg, Munich Kassel and Leipzig. Hanover had several attacks as did Berlin – a preliminary round maybe? During this late summer and early Autumn period, the Squadron operated steadily and consistently. It had one bad spell and owing to repeated losses it was reduced to only seven aircraft but there were several fine performances, both by the Squadron as a whole and by individual crews.
In November, 1943, after a years happy and successful residence at Syerston the Squadron moved to Metheringham, then a satellite of RAF. Coningsby and later embraced by the newly formed No. 54 Base. The camp was a new one – indeed, it was very far from complete. Apart from personal difficulties the obstacles to efficient operating were very real, not the least of which were the widely dispersed sites. Lack of transport, unpleasantly cold and wet weather, and a very large number of influenza victims. Despite these handicaps the Squadron rose to the occasion magnificently – on four of our first six raids we despatched more aircraft and dropped more tons of bombs than any other Squadron in No. 5. Group.
Coincidental of our arrival at Metheringham, Bomber Command opened its night offensive against Berlin. It was an assault which resolved itself into a grim unrelenting battle against cunning and bitter defences and, not infrequently appalling weather. The Squadron was in the thick of the fray from the first raid on 17/18th. November, 1943 and during the next three months took part in 15 attacks on the Reich Capital. Including an attack in late March, 1944, we despatched 233 aircraft and dropped over 900 tons of bombs – it may be claimed with confidence that our contribution to the Battle of Berlin was not exceeded by any other Squadron in Bomber Command.
There were, of course, other targets bombed during the 1943/1944 Winter. Leipzig, Magdeburg and Stettin are examples but even these targets were interwoven with campaign against Berlin, employed as they were to confuse the enemy defences. With the virtual elimination of Berlin, achieved in February, other targets were chosen – Schweinfurt, Augsburg and Stuttgart to name only three.
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In March 1944, a most important development in Pathfinder technique was evolved and the Squadron assisted in the experiments which finally led to the ‘Spot-fire’ target marking. The Commanding Officer of the famous No. 617 sqdn was employing a technique of marking an objective from the very low-level and then instructing the bombing force to bomb the target in relation to its position to the spot fire. The objective chosen for the experiments were small but important factories in France – Claremount, Ferrand Rubber Factories, the explosives factory at Angouleme, the munitions factories at Bergerac. Six experienced Squadron crews would precede the 617 Sqdn. aircraft, locate the target and illuminate it with flares, in the light of which W/Cdr. Cheshire, in a Mosquito would drop the markers. There invariably followed a highly accurate bombardment (with 12,00 lb bombs), our own aircraft adding to the general destruction with loads of incendiaries. Very soon this technique was universally employed and without doubt was largely responsible for the countless successful attacks on targets, large and small, in the following months.
At this time the Squadron was once more on the crest of a wave of success. For the first quarter of 1944, we were leading every other 5 Group Squadron by a handsome margin. Our accident rate was the lowest, our operational losses were proportionately less than those of any other Squadron. Our training hours were the highest by far, and for three consecutive months we won the 5 Group Bombing competition.
In March, 1944, W/Cdr. R.E. Baxter, recently awarded the D.F.C., was posted and W/Cdr. E.K. Piercey assumed command.
With the advent of Spring, the sole topic of war conversation was ‘Invasion’. Although it did not take place until June, the Squadron was busily employed in paving the way with attacks on lines of communications, military camps and munition factories in France – although German cities were not entirely neglected, two outstanding attacks in those on Munich and Schweinfurt in April.
Considerable success was achieved and we assisted in the destruction of many vitally important targets. Anti-aircraft opposition was generally less intense than that experience in Germany and the majority of targets were accordingly bombed from a comparatively low level – between 4,000 and 10,000ft. Usually careful routeing enabled us to avoid the fighter packs – but not always. On two or three occasions the Squadron suffered heavy and bitter losses – five aircraft were lost on 26th. April, 1944, a few nights later another four failed to return. A total of 12 was lost in less than a fortnight.
Sea mining was not neglected and the Squadron effected a remarkable performance on 9/10th. April, 1944, when three aircraft, in face of intense flack, laid mines from 150 ft. in the Konigberger See-Kanel. It may be remarked that my Lords of the Admiralty, as on previous occasions, were so delighted by the success of the operation and so impressed by the gallantry of the crews, that they were constrained to send their congratulations in terms so effusive as to bear no relation to their traditional unemotional silence.
Towards the end of May our targets included Coastal Gun Batteries in France – targets obviously so important and urgent that the weather incredibly adverse was repeatedly defied. On the last night of May, for example, 12 aircraft took off to bomb the Maisy Gun Battery in a thunderstorm of unusual violence.
Returning at dawn on 6th June, 1944, having bombed the Coastal Gun Battery at St. Pierre Du Mont our crews saw some of the vast armada of ships heading for the Normandy Coast. “D.Day” had arrived and it heralded a period of intensive work by the Squadron – that same night 16 aircraft were making a low level attack on the bridges at Caen. Broadly, the Squadron was employed during the ensuing weeks on two missions – firstly, tactically and strategic bombing in accordance with military requirements, secondly in the assaults upon the Flying Bomb Dumps.
5.
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By day and night, the Squadron operated consistently. It is impossible to record the many targets which we bombed with repeated success – they were targets of priority which mostly had a bearing of military operations. At first, they were confined to Railway Yards – Orleans, Poitiers, Nantes, Nevers and Vitry le Francois, are a few which come readily to mind. Occasionally we were called into assist the Ground Forces, notable occasions being the obliteration of Aunay-sur-Odon and whatever enemy Panzer divisions which were sheltering there, and the tremendous bombing on Caen on 18th. July. Special mention must be made of the daylight bombing of St. Syr Air Park when all 20 crews taking part obtained aiming point pictures.
Soon after the invasion, the enemy launched against London and the Southern Counties, his much heralded ‘Secret Weapon’ campaign – his missile becoming known, officially as the Flying Bomb. A.D.G.B. and the A.A. defences shot down enormous numbers whilst Bomber Command sought out the launching sites, and deluged them with incredible quantity of bombs. No. 106 Squadron was seen in action against these sites and dumps and took part in four night and nine daylight attacks upon them. Sometimes, especially at night, large fighter forces were deployed to protect the objectives and against the St. Leu De’Esseraunt dump, the Squadron lost two aircraft on 4th. July and two nights later lost another five. In all other cases, however, the attacks were completed without loss.
August 1944 was a month of high endeavour and was a splendid climax to our great efforts of the past few months. In the first half of the month we operated on no fewer than eight days and five nights, our targets ranging from Flying Bomb Dumps to German industrial centres, from enemy troop concentrations to submarine pens, from airfields to marshalling yards. The month ended with notable mining sorties and two devastating attacks on Konigsburg. The last of which saw the loss of the Station Commander, G/Capt. W.N. McKechnie, G.C. who was taking a new crew on their first operational flight. During this month of consistent achievement, the Squadron despatched 291 aircraft and dropped 1199 tons of bombs – no other Squadron in 5 Group has despatched so many aircraft or dropped such a tonnage of bombs in any single month of the War.
On this triumphant note, the Squadron entered its fifth year of Operational flying.
At the end of August, 1944, W/Cdr. M.M.J. Stevens assumed Command of the Squadron, he was the Squadron’s tenth wartime Commanding Officer.
The return of the longer nights saw the Squadron turning away from the Military targets to the Strategical targets of pre-invasion days. The month saw more incendiary raids on major German cities such as Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Muchen Gladbach to name a few.
On 13th September, 1944, the Squadron received a great compliment, it was allotted the task of training all the new crews of No. 5 Group’s Pathfinder Squadrons. This meant that only a nucleus of six permanent crews were kept, the rest, after a period of intensive training and operating were passed on to 83 and 97 Squadrons, and it was expected that this would cause a drop in the Squadron’s operational effort.
The month of October, 1944 saw the Squadron back in its old stride, despite its commitments as a nursery for P.F.F. Its targets were again getting deep into Germany, and again all strategical targets. Only two military targets were attacked, one was the breaching of the Sea Wall at Westkappelle on the island of Walcheren.
6.
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Mining was not neglected this month, the Squadron dropping a total of 100 mines in three nights.
November, 1944, saw the attacks against the Dortmund Ems Canal and Millteland Canal increasing. The Squadron taking part in raids on them at various points, on the first of these one aircraft, JB.663 completed its 100th sortie.
On November, 23. 1944, the Squadron created a New Record; on the raid against Munich it had 23 aircraft airborne, all of which successfully completed their missions and returned to Base, the aircraft being landed on F.I.D.O. due to bad visibility.
In the next month, December, 1944, the Squadron was busy attacking the German Navy, both with mines and bombs. On December, 13th 1944, 106 Squadron with the rest of 54 Base (617, 83 and 97) took part in a strike against the Emden at Horten. On December, 16th. 1944, 15 aircraft of the Squadron were the only aircraft in command of operations, they dropped 70 mines in the entrances to the Ports of Danzig and Gydnia.
A heavy but successful year ended with the bombing of enemy troop concentrations at Houffalaize when the German Ardennesoffensive was at its height
The Squadron could look back with pride over its achievements of 1944. In addition to its fine operational record and its new job of P.F.F. training, it had also held the 5 Group Trophy for the least number of avoidable accidents for nine months out of the year. The first day of 1945 saw two attacks on the German inland water system the Dortmund Ems Canal and the Mittland Canal, one by day and one by night , both of which were highly successful. The canals being completely breached at both places. The end of the month saw the start of the final battle for German oil, with two attacks, one to Leuna nr Leipzig and the other to Brux in Czechoslovakia.
Again in Feb. 1945, the Dortmund Ems Canal was heavily attacked and the Germans having been given just enough time to get the damage cleared away and the breeches mended. The month included more mining, and attacks against oil targets, and the Squadron also participated in the historic attack on Dresden.
On Feb. 8th. 1945, it was allotted another new role, being given the task of making a ‘spoof’ attack at New Brandenburg, while the rest of five Group was making an attack at Politz, about 70 miles away. The Squadron provided its own controller, marker leader, marking force, flare force and main force. The ‘spoof’ was a great success – helping to divert the enemy night fighters from the main attack – and was considered a good nights outing by everyone taking part.
The immediate award of the D.F.C. was announced this month to Sqdn. Commander, W/Cdr. M.M.J. Stevens.
March 1945, produced another new innovation for Bomber Command, the thousand bomber daylight attacks on Essen and Dortmund. In both of these 106 Squadron played its part. These were essential military attacks, and greatly assisted the coming allied offensive, for the crossing of the Rhine.
The rest of the month was taken up with increasingly heavy attacks against the German Oil supplies – mostly in the Leipzig area.
On 15th. March 1945, W/Cdr. L.G. Levis assumed Command of the Squadron W/Cd. M.M. Stevens, D.F.C. being posted to the Command of R.A.F. Station, Coningsby.
7.
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The month of April, 1945, commenced with a daylight attack on enemy concentrations at Nordhausen. This was quickly followed by more attacks on enemy oil installations, on one of which the Squadron Commander W/Cdr. Levis had to do a forced landing at Wing, after being well and truly ‘shot up’
The Squadron’s last sortie of the War was against small oil refinery at Tonsburg near Oslo, on 25th April, 1945.
With the coming of May, 1945, the Squadron was standing by to help with operation ‘Exodus’ – and on May, 9th. 1945, when peace was at last a reality, 15 aircraft of the Squadron were at Rheine airfield, near the Dortmund Ems Canal, helping to evacuate released P.O.W.
No. of Nights operated . . 496. Number of days operated . . . . . . 46
Total . . . . 542.
Total number of sorties . . 5834 Total bombs & mines dropped . . . 17,781 tons
Losses. . . 187 Aircraft.
Enemy aircraft destroyed. 20. Probably destroyed . . . . . 3
Damaged . . . . . 29
Decorations awarded to members of the Squadron . . V.C. 1,
DSO. 4,
Bar to D.S.O 1,
DFC. 144,
Bar to DFC. 9,
AFC. 1,
DFM. 95,
Bar to DFM. 5.
Conspicuous Gall M.1.
B.E.M. (Mil. Div.) 1.
Total . . . . . . . . . . . 262.
No attempt has been made in this short history to analyze the work the Squadron has been called upon to perform or to place such work in the vast frame work of Bomber Command’s activities. The foregoing pages strive merely to chronicle, simply, briefly and objectively the operational activities of No. 106. Squadron from its inception to May 9th. 1945 – the end of hostilities in Europe.
8.
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[underlined] SQUADRON COMMANDERS [/underlined]
February, 1918 – Major E.A.B. Rice
November, 1918 – Captain R. Duncan
September, 1938 – S/Ldr. W.C. Sheen
October, 1939 – W/Cdr G.R. Montgomerie
June, 1940 – S/Ldr. R.D. Stubbs, DFC
November, 1940 – W/Cdr. W.J.H. Lindlay
April, 1941 – W/Cdr. J.P. Polglaise
May, 1941 – W/Cdr. R.S. Allen, DFC
March, 1942 – G.P. Gibson, VC. DSO. DFC.
March, 1943 – W/Cdr. J.H. Searby, DFC
May, 1943 – W/Cdr. R.E. Baxter, DFC
March, 1944 – W/Cdr. E.K. Pearcy, DFC
August, 1944 – W/Cdr. M.M.J. Stevens, DFC
April, 1945 – W/Cdr. L.G. Levis.
[underlined] AIRCRAFT FLOWN BY NO. 106 SQUADRON [/underlined]
May, 1918 to January 1919 – R.E.8.
Jan. 1919 to Oct. 1919 – Bristol Fighters
June 1938 to July 1938 – Fairey Hind.
July 1938 to May 1939 – Fairey Battle.
May 1939 to May 1942 – Hampden
May 1942 to July 1942 – Manchester
July 1942 – Lancaster.
[underlined] LOCATIONS [/underlined]
30.9.17 – Andover
21.5.18 – Ayr
30.5.18 – Fermoy
1.6.38 – Abingdon
1.9.38 – Thornaby
26.9.38 – Grantham
14.10.38 – Thornaby
2.9.39 – Cottesmore
6.10.39 – Finningley
8.2.41 – Coningsby
10.9.42 – Syerston
12.11.43 – Metheringham.
9.
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[book cover]
[inserted][circled] 26 [/circled][/inserted]
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
History of 106 Squadron
Description
An account of the resource
A short history of 106 Squadron. Covers formation in world war one. Reformed in 1938 with Hinds and Battles. Equipped with Hampden at beginning of the war. Initially a advanced training unit. Became operational in September 1940. Describes early bombing operations and mentions commanding officers. Re-equipped with Manchester in March 1942 and the Lancaster in May. Continues with descriptions of operations through 1942 and 1943. Gibson handed over as commanding officer in March 1943. Mentions new pathfinder techniques being developed. Continues with description of operations 1943 move to Metheringham, operation in 1944, invasion, covers commanding officers throughout, operating as pathfinders. Concludes with description of events and operations in 1945. Gives data on operations, lists squadron commanders, aircraft, and locations.
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1917
1918
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Nottinghamshire
England--Lincolnshire
England--Yorkshire
Germany
Germany--Cologne
France
France--Brest
France--Gosnay
Norway
Norway--Oslo
Germany--Berlin
Germany--Lübeck
Germany--Rostock
Poland
Poland--Gdynia
Germany--Bremen
Poland--Gdańsk
Germany--Düsseldorf
Germany--Essen
Germany--Duisburg
Germany--Hamburg
Germany--Friedrichshafen
Germany--Peenemünde
Germany--Nuremberg
Germany--Munich
Germany--Kassel
Germany--Leipzig
Germany--Berlin
Germany--Magdeburg
Poland--Szczecin
Germany--Schweinfurt
Germany--Augsburg
Germany--Stuttgart
France--Clermont-Ferrand
France--Normandy
France--Orléans
France--Poitiers
France--Nantes
France--Nevers
France--Vitry-le-François
France--Caen
Germany--Karlsruhe
Germany--Mönchengladbach
Netherlands
Netherlands--Walcheren
Germany--Dortmund-Ems Canal
Germany--Mittelland Canal
Czech Republic
Germany--Neubrandenburg
Germany--Nordhausen (Thuringia)
England--Oxfordshire
England--Rutland
England--Yorkshire
Germany--Ruhr (Region)
Czech Republic--Most
Coverage
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Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Language
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eng
Type
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Text
Format
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Nine page typewritten document
Identifier
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SPerryWRP1317696v60011, SPerryWRP1317696v60001
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Steve Baldwin
106 Squadron
5 Group
617 Squadron
Battle
bombing of Cologne (30/31 May 1942)
Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Service Order
FIDO
Gibson, Guy Penrose (1918-1944)
Hampden
Lancaster
Manchester
mine laying
Mosquito
Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944)
Operation Exodus (1945)
Operational Training Unit
Pathfinders
RAF Abingdon
RAF Coningsby
RAF Cottesmore
RAF Finningley
RAF Metheringham
RAF Syerston
Tallboy
target indicator
training
V-weapon
-
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https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1908/36249/SPerryWRP1317696v60005-0002.1.jpg
40c214c3a6e8a86b9ddd6c41517b1111
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Perry, Pete
W R P Perry
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-07-19
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Perry, WRP
Description
An account of the resource
Sixty-nine items and an album sub collection with twenty-four pages of photographs.
The collection concerns Flight Lieutenant WR Pete Perry DFC (1923 - 2006, 1317696, 146323 Royal Air Force) and contains his log books, photographs, correspondence, memoirs and documents. He flew operations as a pilot with 106 Squadron.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Helen Verity and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
HISTORY OF RAF SYERSTON
[picture]
[underlined] HISTORY OF RAF SYERSTON [/underlined]
The Royal Air Force station at Syerston was opened in December 1940, and the first occupants were two Polish heavy bomber squadrons, Nos. 304 and 305, equipped with Vickers Wellington medium bombers.
Their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (now Queen Mother) visited the station in January 1941, and during that year the two Polish squadrons were joined by a Royal Canadian Air Force squadron, No 408, equipped with Handley Page Hampden medium bombers. The three squadrons carried out many bombing attacks on German targets including shipping during this time.
In 1942, No 408 RCAF Squadron moved to the satellite airfield at Balderton (Newark) and from there made repeated attacks on German Battle cruisers. 1942 saw the arrival of Nos. 106 and 61 Squadrons RAF equipped with Avro Lancaster heavy bombers, targets included Genoa, Milan and Turin attacked during daylight.
Early 1943 brought attacks from the station on the Krupps munitions works at Essen and on Berlin. In June the first shuttle bombing raid by Bomber Command took place when Lancasters bombed Friedrichshaven and landed in North Africa, and Syerston was concerned in most of the major raids including Hamburg and the Peenemunde Air Research and Development Station where the notorious German VI flying bomb and V2 rockets were being developed. 1943, however, saw a temporary cessation of operations from the station, and the establishment of No 5 Lancaster Finishing School, while in 1944 the Headquarters of No 56 Base of Bomber Command was established.
[page break]
In 1945 the station again became a Lancaster bombing station with the arrival of No 49 Squadron, and the last bombing operations from the station took place in April when Berchtesgarten was attacked.
The station was then transferred to Transport Command until 1948 when No 22 Flying Training School took over to train pilots for the Royal Navy, and remained until 1957 when No 2 Flying Training School took over to train RAF student pilots in Piston Provost aircraft.
In 1958 the change to Jet Provosts began, and by early 1960 Syerston had the distinction of being the first station in the world to train pupils on jet training aircraft.
The gradual addition of the more powerful MK IV Jet Provost permitted a wider range of exercises to be carried out, and in January 1963 “Wings” were presented to the first course ever to complete training to this stage solely on jet aircraft.
At a special meeting of the Borough of Newark on Trent in 1964 a resolution was passed to bestow the Freedom of Entry into the Borough to the Royal Air Force station of Syerston, with the right privilege and distinction of marching on ceremonial occasions with bayonets fixed, drums beating, bands playing and colours flying. A parade was duly held to mark the occasion.
The station continued to train pilots until 1970 when it was closed and left on a care and maintenance basis.
In 1975 part of the station was re-opened when the Air Cadets Central Gliding School moved from RAF Spitalgate to Syerston. The school operates conventional gliders and motor gliders and on occasions gliders are aero towed by Chipmunk aircraft. The purpose of ACCGS is to train and standardise the weekend volunteer instructors who man the 28 air cadet gliding schools. Courses are also provided for air cadet students and for Combined Cadet Force Officers who are trained to operate Open Primary Grasshopper gliders at their own squadron sites.
– 2 –
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
History of RAF Syerston
Description
An account of the resource
History of the station from December 1940 including resident squadrons and aircraft , royal visit and other points of interest after the war up to the current day.
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1940-12
1941-01
1942
1943
1945
1958
1963
1975
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Nottinghamshire
Italy
Italy--Genoa
Italy--Milan
Germany
Germany--Essen
Germany--Berlin
Germany--Friedrichshafen
Germany--Hamburg
Germany--Peenemünde
Germany--Berchtesgaden
Germany--Ruhr (Region)
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Royal Air Force. Transport Command
Royal Air Force. Training Command
Royal Canadian Air Force
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Format
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Two page typewritten document
Identifier
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SPerryWRP1317696v60005
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Steve Baldwin
106 Squadron
304 Squadron
305 Squadron
408 Squadron
49 Squadron
61 Squadron
Hampden
Lancaster
Lancaster Finishing School
RAF Syerston
training
V-1
V-2
V-weapon
Wellington
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1908/36248/SPerryWRP1317696v50004.2.pdf
f8a909e3b23bde42556437df9994a979
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Perry, Pete
W R P Perry
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-07-19
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Perry, WRP
Description
An account of the resource
Sixty-nine items and an album sub collection with twenty-four pages of photographs.
The collection concerns Flight Lieutenant WR Pete Perry DFC (1923 - 2006, 1317696, 146323 Royal Air Force) and contains his log books, photographs, correspondence, memoirs and documents. He flew operations as a pilot with 106 Squadron.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Helen Verity and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[ACA crest] THEAIRCREW ASSOCIATION [crest]
Blackpool and District Branch
A few RAF songs remembered (& modified!) by Pete Perry.
[underlined] Flying Flying Fortress’s. [/underlined] (Tune – John Browns’ Body.)
We were flying Flying Fortress’s at forty thousand feet,
Flying Flying Frotress’s at forty thousand feet,
Flying Flying Fortress’s at forty thousand feet
But we’ve only got a teeny weeny bomb!
Chorus:- Glory glory shall we drop it,
Glory glory shall we drop it,
Glory glory shall we drop it
Shall we drop our teeny weeny bomb?
We don’t do navigation we just follow the guy in front,
We don’t do navigation we just follow the guy in front,
We don’t do navigation we just follow the guy in front
And drop our teeny weeny bomb!
Chorus:- Glory glory - - - -
We’ve tons of ammunition we’ve got lots of big point fives,
We’ve tons of ammunition we’ve got lots of big point fives,
We’ve tons of ammunition we’ve got lots of big point fives
But we’ve only got a teeny weeny bomb!
Chorus:- Glory glory - - - -
We’ve bags of armour plating we’ve got flaksuits by the score,
We’ve bags of armour plating we’ve got flaksuits by the score,
We’ve bags of armour plating we’ve got flaksuits by the score
But we’ve only got a teeny weeny bomb!
Chorus:- Glory glory - - - -
We’ve lots of fighter escort we’ve got Spits and Mustangs too,
We’ve lots of fighter escort we’ve got Spits and Mustangs too,
We’ve lots of fighter escort we’ve got Spits and Mustangs too
But we’ve only got a teeny weeny bomb!
Chorus:- Glory glory - - - -
We were flying Flying Fortress’s at forty thousand feet,
Flying Flying Fortress’s at forty thousand feet,
We’ve loads of ammunition and a teeny weeny bomb
And we’ve dropped the thing so flaming high we don’t know where it’s gone!
Chorus:- Let’s all join the Army Air Corps,
Let’s all join the Army Air Corps,
Let’s all join the Army Air Corps
And drop our teeny weeny bomb!
1
[page break]
[underlined] the Navigators’ Lament. [/underlined] (Tune:- John Browns’ Body.)
We were flying flaming Wimpys’ at five hundred flaming feet,
Through the flaming hail, flaming snow and flaming sleet.
The compass needle swung right round from South to flaming North,
And we made our flaming landfall in the Firth of flaming Forth!
Oh! To be a navigator,
Oh! To be a navigator,
Oh! To be a navigator
And make your flaming landfall in the Firth of flaming Forth!
The Bomb-aimers Ballad. (Tune:- From Greenlands icy mountains.)
We are the Royal Air Force, no blinking good are we,
We’d rather Booze in Nottingham than fight for liberty,
And every second Friday when for our pay we fight –
‘Per Ardua Ad Astra’ – bless you Jack I’m alright!
We’ve devastated Hamburg, we’ve blasted down the Rhur. [sic]
We’ve dropped our bombs on Berlin but Adolph wasn’t there-
And if we’re not unlucky we’ll give the blighters worse-
But if we catch a packet we’ll get a blooming great hearse!
Then in that heavenly op’s room St Peter will inquire
“Did you cause an explosion or start a blooming great fire?”
And then we’ll dream of booze-ups and days of long gone by
And curse those stupid blighters who taught us how to fly!
[underlined] Shaibah Blues. [/underlined]
Sure a little bit of mutti fell from out the sky one day,
And it landed in the ocean oh so very far away.
And when the Air Force saw it sure it looked so bleak and bare,
They said “That’s what we’re looking for – we’ll build an airfield there”.
So they sent out river gun-boats, armoured cars and SHQ,
And then their finest squadrons into that maksheen blue.
So peechi I’ll be going to a land that’s far remote
Until that day you’ll hear me say
“Roll on that maksheen boat”
I’ve got those Shaibah Blues, Shaibah Blues.
I’m fed up and I’m mucked up and I’m blue.
2
[page break]
[underlined] No ‘flak’ at all. [/underlined]
In the year Anno Domini one nine four one
Operations decided there’s a job to be done.
It might have been Dusseldorf, Bremen or Hamm,
The laddies of 5 Group did not give a damn.
[underlined] Chorus:- [/underlined] There was no ‘flak’ at all,
No ‘flak’ at all.
Hundreds of searchlights
But no ‘flak’ at all.
There once was a pilot set out to bomb Kiel,
The aircrew as usual had not had a meal.
From the back of the aircraft there came a loud cry
“There’s a blooming great searchlight that’s right in my eye!
[underlined] Chorus:- [/underlined]
From out of the darkness some tracer did shoot
The rear gunner shouted “I’m hit in the boot”.
He blazed off his guns and called Jerry rude names
And we all saw the M.E. go down in bright flames.
[underlined] Chorus:- [/underlined]
They flew o’er the target and there down below
The town was lit up by a dull reddish glow.
The bomb aimer then to the pilot did shout
“The bomb doors are open, they’d better look out!”
[underlined] Chorus:- [/underlined]
They glided right in at the dead of the night,
The target appeared in the graticule sight.
The bombs were released and went whistling down
The gunners reported they’d burst in the town.
[underlined] Chorus:- [/underlined]
Now the natives of Kiel they took quite a poor view
And showed that their ‘flak’ guns were more than a few.
They fired off their armament, heavy and light,
‘till the heavens resembled ‘Brock’s benefit night’!
[underlined] Chorus;- [/underlined]
At last they - -
3
[page break]
[underlined] The Airmans’ Lament. [/underlined]
There’s a home for batchy airmen
Way out in the sunny Sudan.
Where everyone is barmy
Including the blooming ‘old man’.
There’s bags and bags of bullshine
Saluting on the square
And when we’re not saluting
We’re up in the blooming air.
Oh we’re leaving Khartoum by the light of the moon,
We’re flying by night and by day.
We’ve just passed Khasfreet and we’ve nothing to eat
For we’ve thrown all our rations away.
So shine, shine Somersetshire, the Skipper looks on her with pride.
He’d have a blue fit if he saw any spit on the side of the Somersetshire.
This is my story, this is my song.
I’ve been in this Air Force too blooming long.
So rollout the Nelson, the Rodney, Renown.
You can’t sink the Hood ‘cause the blighters gone down!
Hold your noise, hear them say
We’ll do all the SPs who come down our way.
[page break]
At last they were out in the moonlight once more,
The course for old Lincoln was 274.
At ten thousand feet over Heligoland
They were shot up to hell and yet thought life was grand.
[underlined] Chorus:- [/underlined]
Now the moral of this is, don’t you go on ops.
It’s a dead loss to pilots, F/E’s, navs and wops.
And if in this war you’ve decided to fight
Keep your feet on the deck and sleep tight every night!
Chorus:-
4
[page break]
[underlined] No ‘flak’ at all. [/underlined]
In the year Anno Domini one nine four one
Operations decided there’s a job to be done.
It might have been Dusseldorf, Bremen or Hamm,
The laddies of 5 Group did not give a damn.
[underlined] Chorus:- [/underlined] There was no ‘flak’ at all,
No ‘flak’ at all.
Hundreds of searchlights
But no ‘flak’ at all.
There once was a pilot set out to bomb Kiel,
The aircrew as usual had not had a meal.
From the back of the aircraft there came a loud cry
“There’s a blooming great searchlight that’s right in my eye!
[underlined] Chorus:- [/underlined]
From out of the darkness some tracer did shoot
The rear gunner shouted “I’m hit in the boot”.
He blazed off his guns and called Jerry rude names
And we all saw the M.E. go down in bright flames.
[underlined] Chorus:- [/underlined]
They flew o’er the target and there down below
The town was lit up by a dull reddish glow.
The bomb aimer then to the pilot did shout
“The bomb doors are open, they’d better look out!”
[underlined] Chorus:- [/underlined]
They glided right in at the dead of the night,
The target appeared in the graticule sight.
The bombs were released and went whistling down
The gunners reported they’d burst in the town.
[underlined] Chorus:- [/underlined]
Now the natives of Kiel they took quite a poor view
And showed that their ‘flak’ guns were more than a few.
They fired off their armament, heavy and light,
‘till the heavens resembled ‘Brock’s benefit night’!
[underlined] Chorus;- [/underlined]
At last they - -
5
[page break]
[underlined] Three Old Ladies [/underlined] (Tune- What can the matter be?)
Chorus:-
Oh dear! what a calamity,
Three old ladies locked in a lavatory.
They were there from Monday to Saturday,
Nobody knew they were there.
The first ladys’ name was Elizabeth Humphrey,
She went in there just to make herself comfy,
But when she had done she could not get her bum free,
And nobody knew she was there!
[underlined] Chorus; [/underlined]
The second old dear was Penelope Porter,
She was the Bishop of Chichesters daughter,
She went in there to get rid of some water
And nobody knew she was there.
[underlined] Chorus: [/underlined]-
The third ladys’ name was Miss Harriet Bender,
She went in there to adjust a suspender,
But it got caught up in her feminine gender,
And nobody knew she was there!
[underlined] Chorus: [/underlined]-
Pete Perry
(Please return to Blackpool Branch.)
6
[page break]
[underlined] The Wingco’s OBE. [/underlined] (Tune:- Lili Marlene.)
Belting down the runway throttles open wide,
‘Second Dickie’s’ fast asleep – he’s just come for the ride.
We soon leave the flarepath far behind,
It’s dark up here but we don’t mind,
We’re pressing on regardless for the Wingco’s OBE.
Flying on a course that takes us out to sea,
Gunners do their checks just to see they’re firing free.
The navigator takes a fix,
The wireless op records his ‘dits’.
We’re pressing on regardless for the Wingco’s OBE.
Now we’re on the target, got it in the ‘sight’ –
A little to the left – a little to the right.
The searchlights they come mighty near,
It’s hot up here but we don’t care,
We’re pressing on regardless for the Wingco’s OBE.
Back in to de-briefing, what a blooming night –
“Did you find the target – get it in the sight?”.
The chairborn brigade begin to bind,
It’s damned unfair but we don’t mind.
We’re pressing on regardless for the Wingco’s OBE.
7
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
RAF songs
Description
An account of the resource
On Blackpool and District Branch of Aircrew Association paper. A few RAF songs remembered (& modified!) by Peter Perry.
The flying Fortress, the navigators lament, the bomb-aimers ballad. Shaibah blues, No flak at all, the airman lament, three old ladies, the winco's OBE.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
WRP Perry
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Lancashire
England--Blackpool
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Civilian
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
United States Army Air Force
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Seven page typewritten document
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SPerryWRP1317696v50004
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Steve Baldwin
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
aircrew
anti-aircraft fire
arts and crafts
B-17
bomb aimer
bombing
entertainment
navigator
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1908/36247/SPerryWRP1317696v50003.2.pdf
298ec7bcec33b098b054e21c378f1df8
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Perry, Pete
W R P Perry
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-07-19
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Perry, WRP
Description
An account of the resource
Sixty-nine items and an album sub collection with twenty-four pages of photographs.
The collection concerns Flight Lieutenant WR Pete Perry DFC (1923 - 2006, 1317696, 146323 Royal Air Force) and contains his log books, photographs, correspondence, memoirs and documents. He flew operations as a pilot with 106 Squadron.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Helen Verity and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
“OUR OUTHOUSE”.
OH PLEASE DON’T BURN OUR OUTHOUSE DOWN
MOTHER HAS PROMISED TO PAY.
FATHERS’ AWAY ON THE OCEAN WAVE
SISTERS’ IN EVERYONES WAY.
BROTHER DEAR IS FEELING QUEER
AND TIMES ARE VERY HARD
SO PLEASE DON’T BURN OUR OUTHOUSE DOWN
OR WE’LL ALL HAVE TO SLEEP IN THE YARD.
“THE FOGGY, FOGGY DEW”
WHEN I WAS A YOUNG MAN I LIVED ALL ALONE
& I PLIED THE WEAVERS TRADE.
THE ONLY ONLY THING I EVER DID WRONG
WAS TO WOO A FAIR YOUNG MAID.
I WOOED HER IN THE SUMMER TIME, PART OF THE WINTER TOO
AND THE ONLY ONLY THING I EVER DID WRONG
WAS TO SAVE HER FROM THE FOGGY FOGGY DEW.
ONE NIGHT AS I LAY FAST ASLEEP SHE CAME TO MY BEDSIDE
SHE LAYED [sic] HER HEAD UPON MY CHEST & THEN SHE SOFTLY CRIED.
SHE WEPT, SHE SIGHED, SHE DAMN NEAR DIED
SHE SAID “WHAT SHALL I DO?”
SO I TOOK HER IN TO BED & I COVERED UP HER HEAD
JUST TO SAVE HER FROM THE FOGGY FOGGY DEW.
A BACHELOR STILL AM I & I LIVE WITH MY SON
& WE PLY THE WEAVERS TRADE
AND EVERY TIME THAT I LOOK IN TO MY LADDIES EYES
I’M MINDED OF THE SUMMER TIME, PART OF THE WINTER TOO
AND OF THE MANY MANY TIMES THAT I HELD HER IN MY ARMS
JUST TO SAVE HER FROM THE FOGGY FOGGY DEW
[page break]
“THE BOMB AIMERS LAMENT”
WE ARE THE ROYAL AIR FORCE
NO BLOOMIN’ GOOD ARE WE.
WE’D RATHER DRINK IN NOTTINGHAM
THAT FIGHT FOR LIBERTY
AND EVERY SECOND FRIDAY
WHEN FOR OUR PAY WE FIGHT
PER ARDUA AD ASTRA
BLESS YOU JACK I’M ALRIGHT.
WE’VE DEVASTED [sic] HAMBURG
WE’VE BLASTED DOWN THE RHUR [sic]
WE’VE DROPPED OUR BOMBS ON BERLIN
BUT ADOLF WASN’T THERE
AND IF WE’RE NOT UNLUCKY
WE’LL GIVE THE BLIGHTER WORSE
BUT IF WE CATCH A PACKET
WE’LL GET A BLOOMIN GREAT HEARSE.
THEN IN THAT HEAVENLY OPS ROOM
SAINT PETER WILL INQUIRE
“DID YOU CAUSE AN EXPLOSION
OR START A BLOOMIN GREAT FIRE?”
AND THEN WE’LL DREAM OF BOOZE-UPS
AND DAYS OF LONG GONE BY.
AND CUSS THOSE STUPID BLIGHTERS
WHO TAUGHT US HOW TO FLY.
[page break]
“THREE OLD LADIES” TUNE – SO LONG AT THE FAIR.
CHORUS. OH DEAR WHAT A CALAMITY
THREE OLD LADIES LOCKED IN THE LAVATORY
THEY WERE THERE FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY
AND NOBODY KNEW THEY WERE THERE.
THE FIRST LADY’S NAME WAS PENELOPE PORTER
SHE WAS THE BISHOP OF CHICHESTERS DAUGHTER
SHE WENT IN THERE TO GET RID OF SOME WATER
AND NOBODY KNEW SHE WAS THERE.
CHORUS.
THE SECOND ONES NAME WAS ELIZABETH HUMPHREY
SHE WENT IN THERE JUST TO MAKE HERSELF COMFY
BUT WHEN SHE HAD DONE SHE COULD NOT GET HER BUM FREE
AND NOBODY KNEW SHE WAS THERE.
CHORUS.
THE THIRD LADIES NAME WAS MISS ABIGAIL BENDER
SHE WENT IN THERE TO ADJUST HER SUSPENDER
BUT IT GOT CAUGHT UP IN HER FEMININE GENDER
AND NOBODY KNEW SHE WAS THERE.
CHORUS.
[page break]
“TEENY-WEENY BOMB” TUNE – JOHN BROWNS BODY.
WE WERE FLYING FLYING FORTRESSES AT FORTY THOUSAND FEET.
WE WERE FLYING FLYING FORTRESSES AT FORTY THOUSAND FEET.
WE WERE FLYING FLYING FORTRESSES AT FORTY THOUSAND FEET.
BUT WE’VE ONLY GOT A TEENY-WEENY BOMB!
CHORUS:- GLORY, GLORY SHALL WE DROP IT?
GLORY, GLORY SHALL WE DROP IT?
GLORY, GLORY SHALL WE DROP IT?
SHALL WE DROP OUR TEENY-WEENY BOMB?
WE DON’T DO NAVIGATION WE JUST FOLLOW THE GUY IN FRONT.
WE DON’T DO NAVIGATION WE JUST FOLLOW THE GUY IN FRONT.
WE DON’T DO NAVIGATION WE JUST FOLLOW THE GUY IN FRONT.
AND WE’VE ONLY GOT A TEENY-WEENY BOMB!
CHORUS.
WE’VE TONS OF ARMOUR PLATED WE’VE GOT FLAK SUITS BY THE SCORE.
WE’VE TONS OF ARMOUR PLATED WE’VE GOT FLAK SUITS BY THE SCORE.
WE’VE TONS OF ARMOUR PLATED WE’VE GOT FLAK SUITS BY THE SCORE.
COS WE’VE ONLY GOT A TEENY-WEENY BOMB!
CHORUS.
WE’VE GOT LOTS OF FIGHTER ESCORT WE’VE GOT SPITS & MUSTANGS TOO.
WE’VE GOT LOTS OF FIGHTER ESCORT WE’VE GOT SPITS & MUSTANGS TOO.
WE’VE GOT LOTS OF FIGHTER ESCORT WE’VE GOT SPITS & MUSTANGS TOO.
STILL WE’VE ONLY GOT A TEENY-WEENY BOMB.
CHORUS.
WE’VE LOADS OF AMMUNITION & WE BRISTLE WITH POINT FIVES
WE’VE LOADS OF AMMUNITION & WE BRISTLE WITH POINT FIVES
WE’VE LOADS OF AMMUNITION & WE BRISTLE WITH POINT FIVES
COS WE’VE ONLY GOT A TEENY-WEENY BOMB!
CHORUS.
WE WERE FLYING FLYING FORTRESSES AT FORTY THOUSAND FEET
WE WERE FLYING FLYING FORTRESSES AT FORTY THOUSAND FEET
WE’VE LOADS OF AMMUNITION & A TEENY-WEENY BOMB
AND WE’VE DROPPED THE THING SO FLAMING HIGH WE DON’T KNOW WHERE IT’S GONE!
[page break]
“THE WINGCO’S OBE” TUNE LILI MARLENE.
BELTING DOWN THE RUNWAY THROTTLES OPEN WIDE
SECOND DICKY’S FAST ASLEEP – HE’S JUST COME FOR THE RIDE.
WE SOON LEAVE THE FLARE-PATH FAR BEHIND
ITS’ DARK UP HERE BUT WE DON’T MIND
WE’RE PRESSING ON REGARDLESS FOR THE WINGCOS OBE.
FLYING O’ER THE COASTLINE FAR OUT TO SEA
SKIPPER DOES HIS CHECKS JUST TO SEE SHE’S FLYING FREE.
THE NAVIGATOR TAKES A FIX
THE WIRELESS OP RECORDS HIS DITS
WE’RE PRESSING ON REGARDLESS FOR THE WINGCOS OBE
FLYING ON A COURSE THAT BRINGS TIN FIGHTERS NEAR
MID-UPPER GUNNER SAYS ”SKIP THERES’ SOMETHING HERE”
THE REAR GUNNER DOESN’T SEE A THING
THE TRACER WHIPS ABOVE THE WING
BUT WE’RE PRESSING ON REGARDLESS FOR THE WINGCOS OBE.
NOW WE’RE ON THE TARGET GOT IT IN THE SIGHT
A LITTLE TO THE LEFT, A LITTLE TO THE RIGHT
THE SEARCHLIGHTS THEY COME MIGHTY NEAR
THE FLAKS QUITE THICK BUT WE DON’T CARE
WE’RE PRESSING ON REGARDLESS FOR THE WINGCOS OBE.
BACK IN TO DE-BRIEFING WHAT A BLOOMIN’ NIGHT
“DID YOU SEE THE TARGET – ARE YOU SURE IT WAS IN SIGHT?”
THE CHAIRBORN BRIGADE BEGIN TO BIND
ITS DAMNED UNFAIR BUT WE DON’T MIND
WE’RE PRESSING ON REGARDLESS FOR THE WINGCOS OBE.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Songs
Description
An account of the resource
Words for a number of songs including our outhouse, the foggy, foggy dew, the bomb aimers lament, three old ladies, teeny-weeny bomb, the wingco's OBE.
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Civilian
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Five page handwritten document
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SPerryWRP1317696v50003
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Steve Baldwin
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
aircrew
B-17
bomb aimer
bombing
entertainment
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1908/36246/SPerryWRP1317696v50002.1.jpg
1b5e1aa54f806a25309dd46814f69023
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Perry, Pete
W R P Perry
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-07-19
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Perry, WRP
Description
An account of the resource
Sixty-nine items and an album sub collection with twenty-four pages of photographs.
The collection concerns Flight Lieutenant WR Pete Perry DFC (1923 - 2006, 1317696, 146323 Royal Air Force) and contains his log books, photographs, correspondence, memoirs and documents. He flew operations as a pilot with 106 Squadron.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Helen Verity and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
In the year Ano Domini one nine four one
Operations decided there’s a job to be done,
It might have been Dusseldorf, Bremen or Hamm,
But the laddies of 5 Group did not give a damn.
[underlined] CHORUS [/underlined]
There was no ‘FLAK’ at all,
No ‘FLAK’ at all,
Plenty of searchlights,
But no ‘FLAK’ at all.
There once was a pilot set out to bomb Keil,
The aircrew as usual had not had a meal,
From the back of the ‘Lancy’ there came a faint cry
There’s a so-and-so searchlight right in my eye.
[underlined] CHORUS [/underlined].
They flew over Hamburg and what did they see,
A battery of searchlights about ninety-three.
The pilot said “Blimey, my course is quite clear”
And took violent action to cover his rear.
[underlined] CHORUS [/underlined]
From out of the darkness a tracer did shoot,
The rear gunner shouted “I’m hit in the boot”.
He blazed off his guns and called Jerry rude names
and we all saw the M.E. go down in bright flames.
[underlined] CHORUS [/underlined].
They flew o’er the target and there down below,
The town was lit up by a dull reddish glow,
And then the Bomb Aimer to the Pilot did shout
“The bomb doors are open, they’d better look out.”
[underlined] CHORUS [/underlined].
They glided right in at the dead of the night,
The target appeared in the graticule sight,
The bombs were released and when [sic] whistling down
The gunners reported they’d bust in the town.
[underlined] CHORUS [/underlined].
Now the natives of Keil took quite a poor view
And showed that their ‘flak’ guns were more than a few,
They fired off their armament heavy and light
Till the heaven resembled ‘Brock’s Bonfire Night”
[underlined] CHORUS [/underlined].
At last they were out in the moonlight once more,
The course of old Lincoln was 274.
At ten thousand feet over Heligoland
They were shot up to hell and yes thought life was grand.
[underlined] CHORUS [/underlined].
On E.T.A. they were over the drink,
The Pilot to Nav. Soon created a stink,
“Oh. get us a ‘Fix’ to the Wop he did yell,
If you don’t hurry up we’ll all end up in hell.
[underlined] CHORUS [/underlined].
The fix was obtained and Q.D.M.’s three,
They came in to land and full of great glee,
They shot awful lines to Intelligence blokes
Who treated the aircrew to free tea and smokes.
[underlined] CHORUS [/underlined].
Now the moral of this is, don’t you go on Ops.
It’s a dead loss to Pilots, Gunners, F/E’s and Wops.
And if in this war you’ve decided to fight.
Deep your feet on the ‘deck’ and sleep tight every night.
CHORUS.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
RAF song - there was no flak at all
Description
An account of the resource
Eleven verse song and chorus
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One page typewritten document
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SPerryWRP1317696v50002
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Steve Baldwin
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
5 Group
anti-aircraft fire
bombing
entertainment
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1908/36245/SPerryWRP1317696v50001.1.pdf
5af7c041db68e437d6f6b2e16ac529e0
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Perry, Pete
W R P Perry
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-07-19
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Perry, WRP
Description
An account of the resource
Sixty-nine items and an album sub collection with twenty-four pages of photographs.
The collection concerns Flight Lieutenant WR Pete Perry DFC (1923 - 2006, 1317696, 146323 Royal Air Force) and contains his log books, photographs, correspondence, memoirs and documents. He flew operations as a pilot with 106 Squadron.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Helen Verity and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[ACA crest] THEAIRCREW ASSOCIATION [crest]
Blackpool and District Branch
A few RAF songs remembered (& modified!) by Pete Perry.
[underlined] Flying Flying Fortress’s. [/underlined] (Tune – John Browns’ Body.)
We were flying Flying Fortress’s at forty thousand feet,
Flying Flying Frotress’s at forty thousand feet,
Flying Flying Fortress’s at forty thousand feet
but we’ve only got a teeny weeny bomb!
Chorus:- Glory glory shall we drop it,
Glory glory shall we drop it,
Glory glory shall we drop it
Shall we drop our teeny weeny bomb?
We don’t do navigation we just follow the guy in front,
We don’t do navigation we just follow the guy in front,
We don’t do navigation we just follow the guy in front
And drop our teeny weeny bomb!
Chorus:- Glory glory - - - -
We’ve tons of ammunition we’ve got lots of big point fives,
We’ve tons of ammunition we’ve got lots of big point fives,
We’ve tons of ammunition we’ve got lots of big point fives
But we’ve only got a teeny weeny bomb!
Chorus:- Glory glory - - - -
We’ve bags of armour plating we’ve got flaksuits by the score,
We’ve bags of armour plating we’ve got flaksuits by the score,
We’ve bags of armour plating we’ve got flaksuits by the score
But we’ve only got a teeny weeny bomb!
Chorus:- Glory glory - - - -
We’ve lots of fighter escort we’ve got Spits and Mustangs too,
We’ve lots of fighter escort we’ve got Spits and Mustangs too,
We’ve lots of fighter escort we’ve got Spits and Mustangs too
But we’ve only got a teeny weeny bomb!
Chorus:- Glory glory - - - -
We were flying Flying Fortress’s at forty thousand feet,
Flying Flying Fortress’s at forty thousand feet,
We’ve loads of ammunition and a teeny weeny bomb
And we’ve dropped the thing so flaming high we don’t know where it’s gone!
Chorus:- Let’s all join the Army Air Corps,
Let’s all join the Army Air Corps,
Let’s all join the Army Air Corps
And drop our teeny weeny bomb!
1
[page break]
[underlined] The Navigators’ Lament. [/underlined] (Tune:- John Browns’ Body.)
We were flying flaming Wimpys’ at five hundred flaming feet,
Through the flaming hail, flaming snow and flaming sleet.
The compass needle swung right round from South to flaming North,
And we made our flaming landfall in the Firth of flaming Forth!
Oh! To be a navigator,
Oh! To be a navigator,
Oh! To be a navigator
And make your flaming landfall in the Firth of flaming Forth!
[underlined] The Bomb-aimers Ballad. [/underlined] (Tune:- From Greenlands icy mountains.)
We are the Royal Air Force, no blinking good are we,
We’d rather Booze in Nottingham than fight for liberty,
And every second Friday when for our pay we fight –
‘Per Ardua Ad Astra’ – bless you Jack I’m alright!
We’ve devastated Hamburg, we’ve blasted down the Rhur. [sic]
We’ve dropped our bombs on Berlin but Adolph wasn’t there-
And if we’re not unlucky we’ll give the blighters worse-
But if we catch a packet we’ll get a blooming great hearse!
Then in that heavenly op’s room St Peter will inquire
“Did you cause an explosion or start a blooming great fire?”
And then we’ll dream of booze-ups and days of long gone by
And curse those stupid blighters who taught us how to fly!
[underlined] Shaibah Blues. [/underlined]
Sure a little bit of mutti fell from out the sky one day,
And it landed in the ocean oh so very far away.
And when the Air Force saw it sure it looked so bleak and bare,
They said “That’s what we’re looking for – we’ll build an airfield there”.
So they sent out river gun-boats, armoured cars and SHQ,
And then their finest squadrons into that maksheen blue.
So peechi I’ll be going to a land that’s far remote
Until that day you’ll hear me say
“Roll on that maksheen boat”
I’ve got those Shaibah Blues, Shaibah Blues.
I’m fed up and I’m mucked up and I’m blue.
2
[page break]
[underlined] No ‘flak’ at all. [/underlined]
In the year Anno Domini one nine four one
Operations decided there’s a job to be done.
It might have been Dusseldorf, Bremen or Hamm,
The laddies of 5 Group did not give a damn.
[underlined] Chorus:- [/underlined] There was no ‘flak’ at all,
No ‘flak’ at all.
Hundreds of searchlights
But no ‘flak’ at all.
There once was a pilot set out to bomb Kiel,
The aircrew as usual had not had a meal.
From the back of the aircraft there came a loud cry
“There’s a blooming great searchlight that’s right in my eye!
[underlined] Chorus: [/underlined]-
From out of the darkness some tracer did shoot
The rear gunner shouted “I’m hit in the boot”.
He blazed off his guns and called Jerry rude names
And we all saw the M.E. go down in bright flames.
[underlined] Chorus: [/underlined]-
They flew o’er the target and there down below
The town was lit up by a dull reddish glow.
The bombaimer then to the pilot did shout
“The bomb doors are open, they’d better look out!”
[underlined] Chorus: [/underlined]-
They glided right in at the dead of the night,
The target appeared in the graticule sight.
The bombs were released and went whistling down
The gunners reported they’d burst in the town.
[underlined] Chorus: [/underlined]-
Now the natives of Kiel they took quite a poor view
And showed that their ‘flak’ guns were more than a few.
They fired off their armament, heavy and light,
‘till the heavens resembled ‘Brock’s benefit night’!
[underlined] Chorus; [/underlined]-
At last they - -
3
[page break]
At last they were out in the moonlight once more,
The course for old Lincoln was 274.
At ten thousand feet over Heligoland
They were shot up to hell and yet thought life was grand.
[underlined] Chorus: [/underlined]-
Now the moral of this is, don’t you go on ops.
It’s a dead loss to pilots, F/E’s, navs and wops.
And if in this war you’ve decided to fight
Keep your feet on the deck and sleep tight every night!
Chorus:-
[underlined] The Airmans’ Lament. [/underlined]
There’s a home for batchy airmen
Way out in the sunny Sudan.
Where everyone is barmy
Including the blooming ‘old man’.
There’s bags and bags of bullshine
Saluting on the square
And when we’re not saluting
We’re up in the blooming air.
Oh we’re leaving Khartoum by the light of the moon,
We’re flying by night and by day.
We’ve just passed Khasfreet and we’ve nothing to eat
For we’ve thrown all our rations away.
So shine, shine Somersetshire, the Skipper looks on her with pride.
He’d have a blue fit if he saw any spit on the side of the Somersetshire.
This is my story, this is my song.
I’ve been in this Air Force too blooming long.
So rollout the Nelson, the Rodney, Renown.
You can’t sink the Hood ‘cause the blighters gone down!
Hold your noise, hear them say
We’ll do all the SPs who come down our way.
4
[page break]
[underlined] The Wingco’s OBE. [/underlined] (Tune:- Lili Marlene.)
Belting down the runway throttles open wide,
‘Second Dickie’s’ fast asleep – he’s just come for the ride.
We soon leave the flarepath far behind,
It’s dark up here but we don’t mind,
We’re pressing on regardless for the Wingco’s OBE.
Flying on a course that takes us out to sea,
Gunners do their checks just to see they’re firing free.
The navigator takes a fix,
The wireless op records his ‘dits’.
We’re pressing on regardless for the Wingco’s OBE.
Now we’re on the target, got it in the ‘sight’ –
A little to the left – a little to the right.
The searchlights they come mighty near,
It’s hot up here but we don’t care,
We’re pressing on regardless for the Wingco’s OBE.
Back in to de-briefing, what a blooming night –
“Did you find the target – get it in the sight?”.
The chairborn brigade begin to bind,
It’s damned unfair but we don’t mind.
We’re pressing on regardless for the Wingco’s OBE.
5
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
RAF songs
Description
An account of the resource
On Blackpool and District Branch of Aircrew Association paper. A few RAF songs remembered (& modified!) by Peter Perry.
The flying Fortress, the navigators lament, the bomb-aimers ballad. Shaibah blues, No flak at all, the airman lament, the winco's OBE.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
WRP Perry
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Lancashire
England--Blackpool
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
United States Army Air Force
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Four page typewritten document
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SPerryWRP1317696v50001
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Steve Baldwin
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
aircrew
anti-aircraft fire
arts and crafts
B-17
bomb aimer
entertainment
navigator
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1794/35959/MWilsonRC1389401-170113-57.2.pdf
97d381fefd4b0e0c9eef294a5b93b31e
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Wilson, Reginald Charles
R C Wilson
Description
An account of the resource
166 items. The collection concerns Reginald Charles Wilson (b. 1923, 1389401 Royal Air Force) and contains his wartime log, photographs, documents and correspondence. He few operations as a navigator with 102 Squadron. He was shot down on 20 January 1944 and became a prisoner of war.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Janet Hughes and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-01-13
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Wilson, RC
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
The Four Survivors
After the bombing run, at a height of 6000 metres, the aircraft was shot up by an ace
night fighter Leopold Fellerer.
The aircraft caught fire near Oberspree and the navigator and bomb-aimer baled out. After about 15 minutes they landed separately in woodland on the outskirts of Hirschgarten, were captured the next day, and taken to police stations.
Shortly after catching fire, the aircraft went into a spiral dive over Oberspree and above the Kollnische Heide. Somewhere below 2500 metres the fuel in the aircraft exploded. The pilot and rear gunner were ‘blown’ out of the aircraft. Recovering from a semi-conscious state, they opened their parachutes only a 100 metres or so from the ground! They landed in the woodland and were captured the next day. The pilot was taken to Oberspree police station and the rear gunner to a searchlight/flak battery near Oberspree Strasse.
The Four who died
After the explosion, the tail and other bits of the aircraft fell into the Kollnische Heide and the rest of the plane ‘levelled out’ and finally crashed in woodland 4000 metres away, next to Hirschgarten Railway Station,
There were three bodies (second pilot, flight engineer, and mid-upper gunner) in the wreckage. The body of the wireless operator was found 200 metres away.
Initially the wireless operator was buried in Fuerstenwalde New Cemetery and the others in Doberitz Elsgrund Cemetery. After the War, the bodies were removed to the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Charlottenburg.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
The Four Survivors
Description
An account of the resource
Reg's account of the end of his Halifax.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Reg Wilson
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Germany
Germany--Berlin
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Memoir
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One printed sheet
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
MWilsonRC1389401-170113-57
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Steve Baldwin
air gunner
aircrew
anti-aircraft fire
bale out
final resting place
flight engineer
pilot
shot down
wireless operator
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1895/35879/SGillK1438901v30099.1.jpg
241861024880bc12a4aa524b03566d71
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Gill, Kenneth
K Gill
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-07-09
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Gill, K
Description
An account of the resource
One hundred and sixty-four items plus another one hundred and fifteen in two sub-ciollections. The collection concerns Flying Officer Kenneth Gill DFC (1922 - 1945, 1438901, 155097 Royal Air Force) and contains his log book, documents, photographs and family and other correspondence. <br />He flew operations as a navigator with 9 Squadron before starting a second tour with 617 Squadron. He was killed 21 March 1945 having completed 45 operations.<br /><br />The collection also contains two albums. <br /><a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/show/2114">Kenneth Gill. Album One</a><br /><a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/show/2117">Kenneth Gill. Album Two</a><br /><br />Additional information on Kenneth Gill is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/108654/">IBCC Losses Database.</a><br /><br />The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Derek Gill and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[Buckingham Palace letterhead]
Many kind friends overseas sent me gifts of food at the time of my wedding.
I want to distribute it as best I can, and to share my good fortune with others.
I therefore ask you to accept this parcel with my very best wishes.
[underlined] Elizabeth [/underlined]
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Princess Elizabeth
Description
An account of the resource
Noted that kind friends had sent gifts of food at the time of her wedding. Asks recipient to accept distributed gift parcel.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
HRH Princess Elizabeth
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--London
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Civilian
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One page handwritten letter
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SGillK1438901v30099
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Steve Baldwin
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1947
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1947
Elizabeth II, Queen of Great Britain (1926 - 2022)
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1883/35849/MPickF1685075-170626-020001.1.jpg
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https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1883/35849/MPickF1685075-170626-020002.1.jpg
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https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1883/35849/MPickF1685075-170626-020003.1.jpg
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https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1883/35849/MPickF1685075-170626-020004.1.jpg
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Pick, Erick
Frederick Pick
F Pick
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-06-26
Rights
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Pick, F
Description
An account of the resource
21 items. The collection concerns Frederick Pick (1685075 Royal Air Force) and contains his log book, documents and photographs. He flew operations as a wireless operator with 57 and 227 Squadrons.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Gillian M Christian and catalogued by Trevor Hardcastle.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[underlined] APPENDIX ‘F’ [/underlined]
[underlined] HELMUT BUNJE’S REPORT ON THE HEILBRONN RAID (IN GERMAN) [/underlined]
Angriff auf Heibronn
In der Nacht vom 4./5.12.1944
Der Startbefehl war reichlich spat gekommen.
Wir rollten noch über den Platz als plötzlich, ziemlich genau in Startrichtung, das englische Angriffszeichen am Nachthimmel flimmerte! Es war garnicht weit entfernt, nur vierzig Kilometer – wie sich zeigen sollte.
Ab also und drauflos mit allem, was unsere Ju 88 G6 drinhatte!
Die Navigation war dismal einfach: Wir brauchten den Feuerzauber nu rein wenig links zu lassen, dann mußte das Einschleusen in den Anflug der Tommies delingen, die von Norden herankamen.
Kaum 10 Minuten später standen wir mit Kurs 290° in 2300 Metern Höhe querab vom “Objekt”.
Es galt Heilbronn.
Der Luftraum war ungewöhnlich erhellt. Rings um die deutlich erkennbare Stadt, in der schon erste Brände mit hellgrauen Rauchfahnen lagen, waren in kreisrunder Anordnung große Leuchten gesetzt. Sie schienen unbeweglich an weissen Rauchschnüren zo hängen: Ein gewaltiger Kronleuchter.
Die Sicht war hervorragend dank dieser neuartigen Illumination.
Ganz wie erwartet kreuzte plötzlich eine Kette von fünf Bombern unseren Kurs, von rechts commend. Sie flogen etwa 400 Meter höher, leicht ins Ziel drückend, hell von vorn und unten angestrahlt.
Uberraschend war ihr exakter Verband mit etwa 100 Metern Seitenabstand und der zebragestreifte Lancaster.
Zuerst diese also – dann die linke daneben – danach die mittlere – und so weiter . . . . das war der einfache, wenn auch ehrgeizige Plan.
Nur leider: Vorerst hingen wir noch gut tausend Meter hinter ihnen – und die Burschen waren doch tatsächlich genau so schnell wie wir! Der Abstand zu den mit Höchstgeschvindigkeit auf unsere Höhe drückenden Bombern blieb für eine qualend lange Zeit constant.
Ers als sich deutlich erkennbar die Bombenschächte öffneten, kamen wire in wenig näher. Wir selbst nun auch in angedrückdem Schnellflug, vor uns die von Bombenserien überschüttete, sprengpunktflimmernde Stadt, etwas höher die hellbeschienene Lancaster.
Eigentlich war die Schußententfernung immer noch viel zu groß – geschätzte 600 Meter – aber es m u ß t e jetzt sein: Wenigstens dieser eine Bomber sollte doch seine Last nicht mehr ins Ziel bringen können!
In ihrer letzten Anflugphase flog unsere Lancaster natürlich genauen Kurs – ich konnte also präzise zielen.
Erster Fruerstoß! Er geht tief. –
Der korrigierte zweite scheint Treffer gebracht zu haben. – Jetzt, nach der länger gehaltenen dritten Schußserie – mit äußerster Genauigkeit auf den Flächentank gezielt – zündet dort der Treibstoff. Sie brennt!
In diesem Augenblick fallen die ersten Bomben aus ihren Schächten, paarweise.
Die Lancaster dreht nach links ab, offenbar nicht in Panik, eher vorsichtig – vielleicht will der Captain seiner Besatzung das Aussteigen ermöglichen? – dann aber dreht sie wie in langsam gesteuerter Rolle weiter, fast in Rükkenlage zum Abschwung.
Ich schwenke jetzt nach links um endlich den nächsten, dort noch vermuteten Nachbarn zu erwischen.
Der aber hat seine Verbandsposition verlassen!
Einige Bomberfliegen erheblich weiter links und tiefer, weit oben zieht zu unserem Erstaunen eine alte Short Stirling ihre Bahn. –
Während der Konzentration auf den Rechtsaußen hatte im Hinterkopf noch der Traum von der Fünferserie geglüht – er zerplatzt jäh.
Etwas verwirrt gucke ich unserer brennenden Lancaster nach die auf Gegenkurs steil abwärtsgeht. Mit hoher Fahrt schlägt sie – offensichtlich ungesteuert – dicht nordwestlich der Stadt in unbebautes Gelände. –
Gratulationen schwirren in der Ei-V. Fred notiert: Aufschlag 19.34 Uhr.
Diese verlorenen Sekunden hätten leicht schlecht ausgehen können.
“Zwei Halifax von hinten – beschießen uns!” schreit Willi, der Bordschütze.
Gerissene Linkskurve – die Leuchtschnüre aus den Bugständen der Bomber ziehen vorbei. Rückkurvend sehe ich die beiden westwärts in die Nachtschwärze verschwinden.
Wir sind nun querab vom hellen Brand, als mehrere Bomber unseren Kurs von links nach rechts kreuzen.
Denen nach! Nur ganz schwach noch von hinten beleuchtet gehen sie ins Dunkel. Wir dagegen kommen jetzt von ihnen gesehen aus dem Licht!
Mir bleiben nur die Auspufflammen als Ziel, die in Abvehrbewgungen schwanken. Ich schieße ohne Erfolg.
Ab und zu blitzt MG-Feuer aus seinem Heckstand – dann ist er verschwunden. Wir versuchen mit gestörten meßgeräten die Verfolgung.
Plötzlich blitzt es ganz dicht neben uns – rappelt in der Maschine, knallt über meinem kopf – Bergmann, rechts von mir, schreit auf – Kopfstreifschuß – ich höre ihn direct – nicht in der Ei-V, die auf einmal stumm ist. Benzingestank! –
Steilkurve! Die Ruder gehorchen noch, auch die Motoren klingen unverändert. Aber alle Elektrik ist ausgefallen. Ein Tank läuft offensichtlich aus – nun, er brennt wenigstens nicht! –
Mit Schondrehzahl ging es damals heimwärts nach Schwäbisch Hall, durch die große Rauchwolke von Heilbronn, deren Brandgeruch bis in unsere Atemmasken drang. Bei der Landung zeigte sich, daß ein Reifen platt war. Trotzdem brach das Fahrwerk nciht. Aber unsere Ju war total durchsiebt. – Sie ist nie mehr geflogen.
[page break]
[underlined] HELMUT BUNJE’S REPORT ON THE HEILBRONN RAID [/underlined]
(Attack on Heilbronn, night of 4/5.12.44)
The order to scramble had come rather late. We were still taxiing, when suddenly, in the direction of the runway, the English marker flares lit up. They were not far away either, only about 40 km – as was shown later.
Therefore we took off with all the speed we could squeeze out of our Ju 88 G6.
Navigation was this time simple. We only had to leave the pyrotechnics to our left, and then it should be easy to infiltrate the squadrons of Tommies who were coming from the north.
Hardly ten minutes later we were on course 290 at about 2300 m at right angles to the ‘object’.
They were making for Heilbrunn.
The airspace was unusually illimunated [sic]. Right around the city, which was now clearly visible and in which already the first fires gave off billows of smoke, was a ring of marker flares. They seemed to be suspended from white strings of smoke like a gigantic chandelier.
Vision was very good thanks to this illumination.
Just as expected suddenly a group of five bombers crossed our path, coming from our right. They flew about 400 m higher than we, racing towards the drop zone, well illuminated from below. Their formation was surprising because of its exactness. They kept about 100 m apart and bore zebra-type camouflage. Turning very tightly, I chased after the Lancaster furthest on the right.
First that one, then the next to it, then the one in the middle, etc. that was a simple but very ambitious plan.
Only right then we were still 1000 m behind them. – and on top of everything else they were flying as fast as we were. The distance between us and the bombers tearing along at break-neck speed remained constant for a long, torturous time.
Only when the clearly visible bomb bays opened could we get a little nearer. We were now a little above the well-lit Lancaster, with the impact explosions visible below.
Really the shooting distance was still too great – about 600 m – but it was now or never: at least this one bomber had to be downed. Fortunately this Lancaster held its course exactly and I could aim precisely.
[page break]
– 2 –
The first salvo went too low. The corrected second salvo seemed to have scored a few hits. Then after a longer third salvo, aimed very carefully at the wing tank, the fuel catches and the bomber begins to burn.
At that moment the bombs fall in pairs from the bomb bays. The Lancaster turned to the left, obviously not in panic, but rather carefully – perhaps the captain wanted to gives [sic] his crew a chance to bail out? But then it turned slowly further, almost onto its back and dived. I now turn left in order to get onto the next one that I supposed to be still there. But that one had broken formation. Several bombers were now flying further to the left and lower, and far above to our surprise we saw an old Short Stirling beating along.
While still concentrating on the one we shot down, the ambitious plan had still been in my subconsciousness, but getting all five was now no longer possible.
I was staring after our burning Lancaster which was now racing downwards in opposite direction. And then, obviously pilotless, it impacted in a field to the northwest of the city.
Congratulations come over the Ei.V (radio). Impact is noted at 19.34 hours.
These lost seconds could easily have been disastrous. “Two Halifax behind – firing at us!” screamed Willi, the gunner. Sharp turn to left, as the tracer of the bomber passed us. Turning back I saw both bombers disappear westwards into the black night.
We [deleted] are [/deleted] were now at right angles to the burning city when several bombers crossed our path from left to right. After them! Only faintly illuminated from behind they disaapeared [sic] into the dark. However, we were now quite visible to them. I could only use the exhaust flames as guide. The bombers have taken evasive action. I fired without success. Now and then I saw the [deleted] sparking guns [/deleted] rear guns firing, but then they were gone. I tried the pursuit with our ‘radar’ but to no avail. Suddenly there was a flash close to the cockpit – then some rattling noise in the plane, a sharp report above my head – Bergman to my right screaming – head injury – I heard him without the intercom which seemed to be out of order now – stench of petrol.
[page break]
– 3 –
Power dive to the left. The rudder still working, and the engines sounded normal. But all electric gear [deleted] is [/deleted] was shot. One of the tanks seemed to be emptying – at least it was not burning.
With low revs we cruised home towards Schwabish-Hall, through the huge billows of smoke coming from Heilbronn. The stench of burning entered even our oxygen masks. After landing we saw that one of the tyres had been punctured, but the undercarriage had held. Our Ju 88 was like a sieve – it never flew again.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Description
An account of the resource
Records his sortie against the bomber force attacking Heilbron on the night of 4/5 December 1944. Eric Pick flew on that operation. The graphic account of the raid describes his succesful attack on a Lancaster, his failed attacks on others and in turn being badly damaged by defensive fire from the bomber force.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Helmut Bunde
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-12-04
1944-12-05
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Germany
Germany--Heilbronn
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Wehrmacht. Luftwaffe
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Royal Air Force
Language
A language of the resource
deu
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Four duplicated pages
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
MPickF1685075-170626-020001, MPickF1685075-170626-020002, MPickF1685075-170626-020003, MPickF1685075-170626-020004
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Title
A name given to the resource
German night fighter pilots report
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Steve Baldwin
Halifax
Ju 88
Lancaster
Stirling
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1560/35628/MWestonF126909-161113-01.2.pdf
ce6f4163a11fed7db978c417a92e54d9
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Weston, Fred
F Weston
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-11-13
Rights
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Weston, F
Description
An account of the resource
20 items. The collection concerns Fred Weston DFC (1916 - 2012, 126909 Royal Air Force) and contains documents and photographs. He flew operations as an air gunner with 101 and 620 Squadrons.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Catherine Millington and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
Obituary: Ex Flight Lieutenant Fred Weston DFC
A TROPHY-WINNING marksman, Fred Weston, who has died aged 95, joined the RAF at the outbreak of the War, became a Rear Gunner in Bomber Command and was awarded a DFC.
After the War, he went into Forestry, ending his career as District Forest Officer for Hambleton, and Deer Patrol Advisor for the North of England.
Born in Runcorn, Cheshire, Mr Weston was the eldest of the four sons of William and Ivy Weston.
He got a place at Wade Deacon Grammar School in Widnes where he was a hard-working pupil and excelled at rugby union, continuing to play in later life.
Leaving school, he joined the accounts department of the Mersey Power Company in Runcorn.
He took up shooting and competed at Bisley, winning a number of trophies including a BSA Shooting Trophy, and, in 1938, the Bromley-Davenport Silver Challenge Cup.
On joining Bomber Command at the outbreak of war, and completing a gunnery course, he became a Rear Gunner, initially flying in Whitleys and Blenheims.
In May 1941 he was posted to 101 Squadron, which sustained the heaviest losses in Bomber Command. With 101 he flew in Wellingtons until May 1942, and for the rest of his service in Stirlings.
On July 28, 1942, he had to bale out at low altitude after a mid-air collision with a Wellington as they left Cambridgeshire en route to Hamburg. His violent landing in a tree at Cherry Hinton, near Cambridge, caused a back problem from which he suffered for the rest of his life, but that night the remainder of the squadron suffered devastating losses.
From June 1943 he was a Gunnery Leader with 620 Squadron in dangerous missions against heavily-defended targets, including the German battleships, Scharnhorst and Gneisenau.
In the many crash landings he experienced, he broke his nose at least twice and had his front teeth knocked out.
In June 1943, he received the DFC from George VI in recognition of the tenacity, courage and devotion to duty.
Mr Weston’s last operational flights were during Operation Market Garden at Arnhem in September 1944, and special duties with Transport Group 38 on secret SOE (Secret Operations Executive) missions, dropping supplies to the Resistance Movement and dropping and recovering agents.
He found relief from the stresses of those missions by playing rugby for the RAF and driving fast cars, a Bugatti, Lamborghini, Maserati and Alfa Romeo among them.
When the war ended, he went to Bangor University, played rugby for the university and gained a BSc in Forestry in 1948.
After a year as a Forestry Officer, he moved to Northern Ireland as a Field Officer and eventually as Chief Forest Officer. While there, he met and married Dorothy Barclay.
In 1952 he returned to the Forestry Commission in England as District Forest Officer in South Hampshire, based at Winchester, and in 1964 he moved to Helmsley as District Forest Officer for the vast Hambleton area and Deer Patrol Advisor for the North of England. At one time, he had the overall charge of seven beats and 128 men.
When he was 60, having spent 10 years at the Helmsley Office and two at Pickering, he retired, able now to spend more time fishing and shooting.
Mr Weston knew his own mind, and spoke it – particularly when he considered an injustice was being done. And fiercely independent, he would not be rushed into making a decision. It took two years to persuade him, at the age of 93, to have an Aid Call button.
An out-of-doors man, he did not feel the cold, and thought no-one else did either.
He loved music, particularly Gregorian chants, tango and jazz. He appreciated a good joke, even against himself, particularly if it was in service language and if he had a glass of whisky or a gin and tonic in his hand.
His tough exterior disguised a compassionate nature, testament to which was the very many charities he supported.
His most prized possession was his well-thumbed copy of the New Testament which went with him on every operation.
Mr Weston’s three younger brothers pre-deceased him, and Mrs Weston died 8 years ago. The couple had no children, but he is survived by his cousin, Mrs Sylvia White, his God-Daughter Catherine Millington and his nephews and nieces.
A service for friends and family to celebrate his life was held at 2.45pm at the Chapel at Lister House, Ripon, on Wednesday, May 2.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Obituary - Flight Lieutenant Fred Weston DFC
Description
An account of the resource
A obituary for Fred describing his life before, during and after his wartime service.
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Runcorn
England--Hambleton (North Yorkshire)
England--Widnes
England--Bisley (Surrey)
England--Cambridge
Germany--Hamburg
Netherlands--Arnhem
Wales--Bangor
Northern Ireland
England--Winchester
England--Helmsley
England--Pickering
England--Ripon
Germany
Netherlands
Great Britain
Great Britain
England--Cambridgeshire
England--Cheshire
England--Hampshire
England--Surrey
England--Yorkshire
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Civilian
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Personal research
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Two printed sheets
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
MWestonF126909-161113-01
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Sue Smith
Steve Baldwin
101 Squadron
620 Squadron
air gunner
aircrew
bale out
Blenheim
Distinguished Flying Cross
George VI, King of Great Britain (1895-1952)
Gneisenau
mid-air collision
Resistance
Scharnhorst
Special Operations Executive
Stirling
Wellington
Whitley
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/253/35489/SFellowesD[Ser -DoB]v100013.jpg
7a179f14c01543c9250d31cbc3541678
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Fellowes, David
David Fellowes
Dave Fellowes
D Fellowes
Description
An account of the resource
Eight items. Two oral history interviews with Flight Sergeant David "Dave" Fellowes (Royal Air Force), documents and a photograph. He flew operations as a rear gunner with 460 Squadron.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by David Fellowes and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2014-11-25
2015-04-06
2016-08-08
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Fellowes, D
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[photograph]
Operation Manna
1st May T. off 14.40 2.50
2nd May T. off 12.00 2.45
4th May T off 10.00 2.40
Rotterdam – Tesbregge.
Food: Dried egg. Dried Milk.
Potatoes. Biscuits. Butter.
Bacon. Corned beef. Sugar.
Chocolate. Spam. Flour. Salt
Pepper. Fats.
R.A.F flew 3,200 missions
droped [sic] 7,000 tons of Food.
by.
Squdrens [sic] of 1, 3, & 8 Group.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Operation Manna
Description
An account of the resource
A photograph of a Lancaster mid-upper turret and a summary of food drops undertaken by that aircraft. Also a list of the type of food dropped and a total number of missions flown and tonnage of food dropped.
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Netherlands
Netherlands--Rotterdam
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Photograph
Text. Personal research
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One printed sheet
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SFellowesD[Ser#-DoB]v100013
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Steve Baldwin
1 Group
3 Group
8 Group
Lancaster
Operation Manna (29 Apr – 8 May 1945)
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/253/35486/SFellowesD[Ser -DoB]v100005-0001.jpg
5ce51eab9145c2950dffb516600d7ee8
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/253/35486/SFellowesD[Ser -DoB]v100005-0002.jpg
cca4c4b9860c93fd26089523147b7274
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/253/35486/SFellowesD[Ser -DoB]v100005-0003.jpg
e8afb7c90764c4a8451092b5cd379577
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Fellowes, David
David Fellowes
Dave Fellowes
D Fellowes
Description
An account of the resource
Eight items. Two oral history interviews with Flight Sergeant David "Dave" Fellowes (Royal Air Force), documents and a photograph. He flew operations as a rear gunner with 460 Squadron.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by David Fellowes and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2014-11-25
2015-04-06
2016-08-08
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Fellowes, D
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[underlined] OPERATION MANNA [/underlined] [inserted] by David Fellowes [/inserted]
[underlined] 29th April – 8th May 1945, [/inderlined]
The advance of the 1st Polish Armoured Division liberated the eastern parts of the Netherlands, resulting in a very large area in the west still in the hands of the German army. Earlier the Reichskommissar, an Austrian, Arthur Seyss-Inquart imposed an embargo on food supplies for western urban areas. Food stocks in the thickly populated west had already been reduced by German order, leaving insufficient food to help the people through the winter of 44/45. A shortage of coal and other fuels aggrevated [sic] the situation.
In mid January 1945 Queen Wilhelmina sent identical notes to King George VI, President Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, saying in effect ‘That if a major catastrophe was to be avoided drastic action had to be taken before and not after the liberation of the rest of the country’. An Allied invasion of western occupied Holland was considered too costly so representatives of the Dutch resistance were allowed to cross the lines and contact the Allies. Following negotiations the Germans would be willing to negotiate and on April 14th Prince Bernhard travelled to Reims to discuss the Allied answer with General Eisenhower. Churchill was opposed to negotiations with the Germans. South African Prime Minister Field Marshal Smuts mediation allowed direct negotiations with the Germans. Ten days later the Governments of the USA, USSR and the UK allowed Eisenhower to contact Seyss-Inquart the German Governor of Occupied Holland. The same day April 24th the Dutch people were advised by radio that food drops were about to begin. The Germans were forced to co-operate, that to assure themselves of POW status was to obey completely, any acts of sabotage would be considered a war crime and treated as war criminals. The Germans were not impressed and angry as all arrangements had been made without prior consultation and were suspicious of Anglo-US action, but broadcast to the Dutch people on the 25th April that the German military commander agreed to General Eisenhower’s plan to supply food to Occupied Holland, but not by the means suggested. Eisenhower ordered the food drops to start on the 27th April whatever the German reaction. On the day previous the German Governor Seyss-Inquart agreed the fastest way to save the Ducth was to send food supplies by air.
The weather on the 27th April prevented the Lancaster bombers from taking off. On the 28th April in the school building in Achteveld German and Allied representatives, including Air-Commodore Andrew Geddes the Air Commodore Operations and Plans of the 2nd Tactical Air Force met to establish as many ‘drop zones’ as possible and overcome any German objections. General Sir Francis De Guingand, Montgomery’s Chief of Staff headed the meeting and advised the Germans the object of the meeting was to come to an
[page break]
agreement as to how the Allies could best help the Dutch as they, the Germans, were unable to do so. Reichrichter Dr. Ernst Schwebel headed the four man German delegation and said his terms of reference did not include making any detailed arrangements for feeding the Dutch, but to make arrangements for the Reichskommisar Seyss-Inquart to meet General Eisenhower or his representative at an agreed place on Monday 30th April. General De Guingand went through is [sic] proposals to the German delegates, Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands a ‘Linch Pin’ in the complex organisation of the distribution of food to points inside occupied territory advised General De Guingand who then concluded that the next meeting would be held at 13.00 hours on April 30th 1945 and that Lt. Gen Bedell Smith would lead the delegation.
The next day at 08.00 hours 29th April hundreds of Dutch people in hiding listened to the ‘Voice of Freedom’ Radio Resurgent Netherlands with a special announcement that aircraft would come to drop coloured flares the other aeroplanes would drop the food, at 12.10 hours another special announcement reported the first aircraft carrying food for occupied Holland had left Britain. OPERATION MANNA had begun.
That day 29th April the RAF took an enormous risk, no agreement had been signed, as the Lancaster bombers approached occupied Holland at very low height 150-1000 feet they would have been easy prey for the many ACK-ACK guns the enemy could still use. If the Germans opened fire and killed hundreds of RAF crews they would have been in their right to do so. The RAF Commanders, the pilots and their crews knew it, the German reaction would be legitimate. However, the start of this life-saving operation was a success and 239 Lancasters dropped 556 tons of food.
The following day 30th April at the school in Achterveld General Bedell Smith met Seyss-Inquart, Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands and Air Commodore Geddes participated in the negotiations and following discussions of sub-committees in various class-rooms the two delegations finally reached an agreement. At the same time 482 Lancasters dropped 1005 tons of food again with the knowledge that the agreement had not been signed. The next day 1st May Air-Commodore Geddes and Group Captain Hill with copies of the agreement in English and German met German delegates in the village of Nude. Following the signing of four copies in each language and two marked maps showing the drop zones each side returned to their own lines at 19.00. Air Commodore Geddes advised that the agreement had been satisfactorily signed. Thus the operation which had already started on the 29th April could officially begin on May 2nd. However, on that day the 1st of May the RAF dropped 1096 tons with 488 Lancasters. The 8th Bomber Group of the USAAF with B17’s using the code name Chowhound dropped 776 tons with 392 aircraft. The operation continued by the RAF until the 8th May and
[page break]
the 8th Air Force on the 7th May. The number of flights made by the RAF was 3154 dropping 7030 tons, the 8th Air Force made 2189 flights dropping 4156 short tons.
Operation Manna was carried out by RAF Bomber Commands No.1, No.3 and No.8 Groups using Lancasters and Mosquitos. This highly successful operation perpetuated by Bomber Command gave life and hope to millions of starving Dutch people held in the German Occupied area of West Holland.
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Operation Manna
Description
An account of the resource
Details of events leading to Operation Manna.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
David Fellowes
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
France
Netherlands
France--Reims
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
United States Army Air Force
Language
A language of the resource
eng
nld
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Personal research
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Three typewritten sheets
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SFellowesD[Ser#-DoB]v100005-0001, SFellowesD[Ser#-DoB]v100005-0002, SFellowesD[Ser#-DoB]v100005-0003
Contributor
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Steve Baldwin
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1945
1 Group
3 Group
8 Group
anti-aircraft fire
B-17
Churchill, Winston (1874-1965)
George VI, King of Great Britain (1895-1952)
Lancaster
Mosquito
Operation Manna (29 Apr – 8 May 1945)
Second Tactical Air Force
-
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https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/253/35485/SFellowesD[Ser -DoB]v100004-0002.jpg
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c6bfc9ca5ea5de7b6de16d8c24373e54
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Fellowes, David
David Fellowes
Dave Fellowes
D Fellowes
Description
An account of the resource
Eight items. Two oral history interviews with Flight Sergeant David "Dave" Fellowes (Royal Air Force), documents and a photograph. He flew operations as a rear gunner with 460 Squadron.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by David Fellowes and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2014-11-25
2015-04-06
2016-08-08
Rights
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
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Fellowes, D
Transcribed document
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THE MANNA ASSOCIATION
[sketch]
VOEDSEL UIT DE HEMEL
[underlined] THE FOUNDING OF THE MANNA ASSOCIATION [/underlined]
by E.D. Leaviss
[underlined] PROLOGUE [/underlined]
As a Lancaster Air Gunner I flew with 460 R.A.A.F. Squadron Bomber Command from 1944 to 1945 during which time it was based at Binbrook, Lincolnshire, and took part in many widely differing ‘ops’ over Europe.
None was more outstanding than a series of low level food dropping missions over Holland from April 29th to May 8th of 1945, which were aptly code-named “Operation Manna”.
However, whilst the Netherlands were, at that time, well aware of the near starvation conditions forced upon them by their German invaders, causing the deaths of over 1,000 poor souls every day, it took almost 40 years for most people in the U.K., even aircrews who participated in the operation, to learn the actual extent of Dutch suffering and degradation.
[underlined] THE START OF A DREAM [/underlined]
The full facts may never have come to light, but . . . .
Nearly 36 years later, in 1981, having completed a long list of outstanding household tasks during a period of enforced ‘holiday’ through redundancy, the rapidly shortening winter days allowed reading of every word in my ex-service journals immediately on their arrival. The activities of 460 (RAAF) Squadron Association to which I belonged were, naturally, centred rather a long way away. Never having spotted any entry in the “reunions” columns to which I could relate, I fell to wondering whether I had participated in anything unique during those fateful war years.
Who knows why memory recalled the unexpected? Maybe it was the overnight conversion of Lancaster bombers and crews from delivering bombs from as high as possible to the dropping of food as low as practicable to an obviously appreciative Dutch populace. In a flash of inspiration the R.A.F. christened these plans “Operation Manna” – surely this was indeed unique?
1
[page break]
In order to test this theory, I put adverts in several Aircrew Magazines calling for ex-aircrew wishing to exchange their impressions of those life-saving missions. Due to varying publication dates it was early in 1982 before it became apparent that sufficient interest did indeed exist for a modest reunion to become a reality. Almost the first contact came from Hans Onderwater, a Head School Teacher, Air Historian and Author of several books, who was living in Barendrecht, near Rotterdam, and who avidly scanned ex-service Association Journals of all Air Forces. Hans always states that his Mother would not have lived to present him to the world without the timely arrival of foodstuffs via “Operation Manna”.
By coincidence Phil Irving of York, ex-Air Gunner of 218 Squadron had just submitted an article on this very subject to “The Turret”, the Air Gunners’ Magazine. Seeing my advertisement he telephoned to generously offer his services in the organisation of a possible reunion.
This trio of “Founding Fathers”, myself, Hans Onderwater and Phil Irving went into action just 12 months after the original idea and, at the behest of Hans Onderwater, immediately agreed that the venue must be Holland. The backing of some 35 participants and their wives was eagerly obtained in spite of the lack of an itinerary of any firm costs.
Phil and I journeyed to Holland to find that Hans had already secured the willing services of Colonel A.P. de Jong who, as Head of the Royal Netherlands Air Force Information Services, was able to provide invaluable assistance. This was greatly enhanced by the fact that, as a boy of 17, Col. De Jong had kept a diary of the bleak winter leading up to the “Food Droppings” as they were known over there.
Thus, by the end of a long, wet and windy night in February 1983 the skeleton of an itinerary had been agreed and the first reunion of “Operation Manna” was a reality for the 38th Anniversary in April/May 1983.
However, that is not quite the end of the story for after the reunion our overwhelmed party returned by North Sea Ferry reflecting upon a series of most memorable events. These ranged from Official Receptions by Burgomeesters to meetings in the streets with people anxious to tell us that they too had watched the precious food being dropped for them with tears in their eyes. Tears which flooded afresh as they embraced us in loving gratitude.
For the actual aircrew members the extent of the welcome brought the realisation that starvation conditions were much worse than they could ever have imagined. They regretted it had taken almost 40 years to appreciate this and felt that it could not – it would not end there. So before leaving the ship the Party had decided to form their own Association to hold together all the people who had shared these glorious and emotional experiences.
2
[page break]
Thus, from my first tentative thought stemmed
THE MANNA ASSOCIATION
[underlined] EPILOGUE [/underlined]
With the approval of the Netherlands Ministry of Defence the Foundation of 40 Years Food and Freedom was formed in preparation for a National Celebration. This Foundation was chaired by Col. Arie de Jong with Hans Onderwater as its Secretary and took two years to arrange the event which took place in April 1985, the 40th Anniversary of Operation Manna. The Foundation selected members from each squadron that participated in OPERATION MANNA including R.A.A.F., R.NZ.A.F., R.C.A.F, and a Polish Squadron. Members of the U.S.A.F. B.17. Bomber Units were also invited.
In November 1985 during a visit to Lincoln by the Dutch Foundation the Association was consolidated by the members from 1983 and those visiting Holland earlier that year. The object being to maintain and develop the friendships formed during that memorable week and therefore by definition became a “Closed Association”.
During this memorable visit our Association was honoured by the architect of “Operation Manna” Air Commodore Andrew J.W. Geddes, C.B.E., D.S.O. Legion of Merit U.S.A. R.A.F. (Retd) consenting to be our President.
This was soon followed by an even greater accolade – Hon. Air Marshal R.A.F., H.R.H. The Prince of the Netherlands G.C.B., G.C.V.O., G.B.E. agreed to share this position, thus becoming Co-President together with the Air commodore of the Manna Association.
Consideration was given to the possibility of making membership available to others who were involved in the operation including Ground-crew, Air-crew and Army units. This idea was abandoned due to the vast number of people involved and the overwhelming workload that would be generated. The age of those concerned was also an important factor.
As an Association we meet annually in “Bomber-Country” when a weekend is devoted to usual reunion activities, in which our Friends from Holland and overseas regularly attend.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
The Founding of the Manna Association
Description
An account of the resource
An article written by ED Leaviss about the formation of the association.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
The Manna Association
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1945
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Netherlands
Netherlands--Barendrecht
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Royal Australian Air Force
Royal New Zealand Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
United States Army Air Force
Polskie Siły Powietrzne
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Memoir
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Three typewritten sheets
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Steve Baldwin
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SFellowesD[Ser%20-DoB]v100004-0001, SFellowesD[Ser%20-DoB]v100004-0002, SFellowesD[Ser%20-DoB]v100004-0003
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
218 Squadron
460 Squadron
B-17
Lancaster
Operation Manna (29 Apr – 8 May 1945)
RAF Binbrook
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1898/35389/PPenswickJ17050002.2.jpg
2839182cf5461eb72a03c1d6be86d827
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Penswick, Jack
J Penswick
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-07-09
Rights
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Penswick, J
Description
An account of the resource
19 items. The collection concerns Jack Penswick (1497486 Royal Air Force) and contains his log book and photographs. He flew operations as an air gunner with 61 and 617 Squadron.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by John Penswick and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[inserted] 10.15 ‘I AM A PARACHUTE DESIGNER’
Talk by Leslie L. Irvin [/inserted]
c/o Irving Air Chute of Great Britain Ltd.
Icknield Way
Letchworth, Herts
[drawing]
CATERPILLAR CLUB
July 27, 1943.
Sgt. J. Penswick,
Sgts. Mess,
R.A.F. SYERSTON.
Nr. Newark. . . . . Notts.
Dear Sgt. Penswick,
Many thanks for your letter of July 20th, and I am sorry that I have not had an opportunity of replying earlier.
I am indeed glad that our chutes were the means of saving the lives of Sgts. Pearce, Woodvine, Robson, Everett, and yourself, and have much pleasure in welcoming you as members of the Caterpillar Club. I should however, be grateful if you would let me know where you landed, and if you would confirm that Sgt. R. Everett is not already a member of the Club, as we have one Sgt. R. Everett already, having baled out in March of last year.
I have ordered membership cards and Caterpillar Pins for you all, and will send them on to you as soon as they are received. However, as I regret that this will not be possible for about a month, owing to supply difficulties, will you please be good enough to let me know if any of you are moved in the meantime.
Thanking you in anticipation, and
P.T.O.
[page break]
wishing all five of you the best of Luck,
I remain,
Yours sincerely,
Leslie Irvin
Leslie L. Irvin.
MEL.
[photograph]
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Caterpillar Club letter to Jack Penswick
Description
An account of the resource
A letter accompanying a Caterpillar Club badge awarded to Jack.
This item was sent to the IBCC Digital Archive already in digital form. No better quality copies are available.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Leslie Irvin
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1943-07-27
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Physical object
Physical object. Decoration
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One double sided typewritten sheet and one metal badge in a presentation box
Identifier
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PPenswickJ17050002
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1943-07-27
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Nottinghamshire
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Contributor
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Steve Baldwin
aircrew
bale out
Caterpillar Club
RAF Syerston
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1898/35383/PPenswickJ17030002.1.jpg
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Penswick, Jack
J Penswick
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-07-09
Rights
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Penswick, J
Description
An account of the resource
19 items. The collection concerns Jack Penswick (1497486 Royal Air Force) and contains his log book and photographs. He flew operations as an air gunner with 61 and 617 Squadron.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by John Penswick and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[photograph]
T Hurdiss, R L Salter, [signature], J Grifton
T Bell, E Willsher, [signature]
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Willsher Crew
Description
An account of the resource
Seven airmen arranged in two rows. Each individual has signed the photograph.
Additional information about this item has been kindly provided by the donor.
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One b/w photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PPenswickJ17030002
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Steve Baldwin
air gunner
aircrew
bomb aimer
flight engineer
navigator
pilot
wireless operator
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1878/34977/MSoltysiakB781032-170622-210001.2.jpg
d27f482a58425fb61e36bff927f51ef3
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1878/34977/MSoltysiakB781032-170622-210002.2.jpg
349fb6c58745f1f4c484ab5768064cdf
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Soltysiak, Bronislaw
B Soltysiak
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-06-22
Rights
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
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Soltysiak, B
Description
An account of the resource
230 items. The collection concerns Sergeant Bronislaw Soltysiak (1916 - 1987, 781032 Royal Air Force) and contains his log book documents, brevet, button and photographs. He flew operations as a pilot with 305 Squadron.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Malcom Soltysiak and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[underlined] DARKY PROCEDURE [/underlined].
(a) The Aircraft calls “HELLO DARKY” (3 times) – “Brasenose R. Roger calling.” (3 times) – Are you receiving me” (twice).
(b) (i) The Station hearing the call replies “Hello Brasenose R. Roger” (twice). “This is Bridgnorth” (twice) – “standing by” (twice).
(b) (ii) If the Station hearing the call is an Occult, M/F Beacon, Site or R.O.C. Post the reply would be e.g., “Hello Brasenose R. Roger” (twice). “My Position is 180° 4 miles from Faringdon” (twice) “standing by” (twice).
The Aircraft replies without call signs “O.K. switching off – off” (twice).
(c) (i) If the aircraft wants approximate position only, it replies “Hello Bridgnorth” (twice) “Brasenose R. Roger answering” (twice) – “O.K. switching off – off” (twice).
(c) (ii) If aircraft requires another assistance, it replies “Hello Bridgnorth (twice) – Brasenose R. Roger answering” (twice) – “what is cloud base?” (twice) “Lights please” (twice) or any other details as required.
(d) If Aircraft is in urgent need of assistance it calls “Hello Darky” (3 times) – “Brasenose R. Roger calling (3 times) – “Mayday” (3 times).
The Ground Station answers as in (b) above, but gives Aircraft absolute priority and also ascertains nature of trouble if possible.
[underlined] N.B. [/underlined] The Station answering a Darky call must answer with name of Station or position and not R/T call sign.
[underlined] METHOD of Calling an Aircraft whose Call-Sign is unknown [/underlined]:
“Hello Neemo” (3 times) – “Darky calling” (3 times) and “are you receiving me” (Twice)
Having established communication and obtained the correct call-sign of the Aircraft, the Ground Station is then to reveal its identity or position.
[page break]
[underlined] R/T/ PROCEDURE [/underlined] continued.
[underlined] Word or Phrase contd. [/underlined]
Break .. .. .. .. .. “I hereby indicate the separation of the text from other portions of the message.” To be used only when there is no clear distinction between the text and other portions of the message.
[underlined] Transmitting and Answering [/underlined]
The following general rules govern the transmission of radio telephone R/T messages when two-way working is employed:-
(a) When both stations are in good communication all parts of the transmission are made once through.”
[underlined] REPITIONS [/underlined]
(a) When words are missing or are doubtful, repetitions will be requested by the receiving station before recipting [sic] for the message. The procedure phrases “Say again” and “I say again” used alone or in conjunction with “all before” and all after” “___ to ___” and “work after” will be used for this purpose.
(b) In giving repititions [sic] the transmitting station will always repeat the words uded [sic] in the request to identify the portions.
[underlined] CORRECTION OF MESSAGES [/underlined]
(a) Correction during transmission. When an error has been made by a transmitting operator, the procedure word “correction” will be spoken, the last group or phrase sent correctly will be repeated and the correct version then transmitted.
Example:-
(Hullo) [sic] Able Baker – this is – Peter Three Vector One Zero One – correction – Vector One Zero Zero – etc.
[underlined] ACKNOWLEDMENT OF MESSAGES [/underlined]
“Wilco” shall be used in response to the procedure word “Acknowledge” in the text of voice messages, or may be used to acknowledge receipt and capability to comply with an order received even though instruction to acknowledge were not included. As the meaning of “Roger” is included in that of “Wilco” the two words are never used together.
[underlined] SIGNAL STRENGTH – READABILITY [/underlined]
(a) A station is understood to have readability of good unless otherwise notified. Except when making original contact, strength of signals and readability will not be exchanged unless one station cannot clearly hear another station.
(b) The response to “How do you hear me” will be a short concise report of actual receiption [sic], such as “weak but readable,” “Strong but distorted” etc.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Darky procedures
Description
An account of the resource
Details procedures for aircraft requesting information on position or any other assistance or urgent information. Continues with some general R/T (radio) procedures.
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Service material
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Two page typewritten document
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
MSoltysiakB781032-170622-21
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Steve Baldwin
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1894/34896/NColeFIG170709-010001.1.jpg
93f06d9c93737e387b5a2d3c73c639f6
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1894/34896/NColeFIG170709-010002.1.jpg
86c1491cc4ca10ce9917c70a4556409a
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Cole, Ivor
Frederick Ivor Geoffrey Cole
F I G Cole
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-07-09
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Cole, FIG
Description
An account of the resource
42 items.
The collection concerns Sergeant Frederick Ivor Geoffrey "Ivor" Cole (1817994 Royal Air Force) his log book, documents and photographs, and a photograph album of his post war service in Singapore. He flew operations as a wireless operator with 103 Squadron.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Frederick Cole and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
ASFORDBY AIRMAN MISSING
[photograph]
THE month of August last year brought Mr. and Mrs. Linden Heath, 40 Asfordby Hill, a cablegram from their younger son, Frank (Chink) to say that he had won his commission in the R.A.F.
The same month of this year has again brought news, but unfortunately of a sadder nature, a telegram from the Air Ministry announcing that he is missing from air operations over France.
Mr. and Mrs. Heath later received a letter in which they were informed there was a chance their son was still alive.
“Chink,” who is 20, volunteered for the R.A.F. at 17, but he was not called until a year later.
He did essential training as a navigator, then he was asked to re-muster as a pilot. Again “Chink” trained. But those in authority changed their minds once more and it was as a navigator that he spent the seven months prior to his commission in Canada.
An Old Grammarian and an ex-member of the Melton Squad[missing letters]n of the A..T.C. [sic] “Chink” was [missing letters]h the Leicester firm of ac[missing letters]ntants Messrs. Baker Bros., [missing letters]ord & Co., before joining the [missing word and letter]orce.
[page break]
Partial adverts.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Asfordby Airman Missing
Description
An account of the resource
A newspaper cutting with a photograph and report on Frank Heath, who is missing. On the reverse are adverts.
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Melton Mowbray
England--Leicestershire
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One double sided newspaper cutting
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
NColeFIG170709-010001, NColeFIG170709-010002
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Steve Baldwin
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
aircrew
missing in action
navigator
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1888/34836/PLutwycheCE1704.1.jpg
fac56d3c076bc52d807812c703c3646c
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lutwyche, C E
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-07-03
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lutwyche, CE
Description
An account of the resource
31 items. The collection concerns Warrant Officer Charles Eade Lutwyche (1910 - 1942, 561197 Royal Air Force) and contains photographs and documents. He flew operations as a navigator with 114 Squadron until he was killed 24 July 1942. <br /><br />The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by David Lutwyche and catalogued by Barry Hunter.<br /><br /><span data-contrast="none" xml:lang="EN-GB" lang="EN-GB" class="TextRun SCXW129935705 BCX0"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW129935705 BCX0">Additional information on<span> Charles Eade Lutwyche</span></span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW129935705 BCX0"><span> </span>is available via the</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW129935705 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}"> </span><a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/114386/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[photograph]
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
RAF Halton Apprentices Rugby Team
Description
An account of the resource
16 members of a rugby team. Underneath each man is named. Bill is second from the right in the second row. Information supplied with the collection states '1929-30 RAF Halton Rugby'.
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One b/w photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PLutwycheCE1705
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Buckinghamshire
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Steve Baldwin
RAF Halton
sport
training
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1943/34754/MGuyanS1551813-170923-01.1.jpg
b363e5bd2cf5f48335fa375bb1f0198e
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Guyan, Samuel
S Guyan
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-09-23
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Guyan, S
Description
An account of the resource
40 items. The collection concerns Warrant Officer Samuel Guyan DFC (Royal Air Force) and contains his log book, audio memoir and photographs. He flew operations as an air gunner with 90 and 115 Squadrons.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Andrew Guyan and catalogued by Trevor Hardcastle.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[inserted] W/O GUYAN
MY LAST OP. 2nd TOUR. [/inserted]
[underlined] BATTLE ORDER NO. 115 SQUADRON. 17th MARCH 1945. [/underlined]
[underlined] (a) [two indecipherable words] (b) Captain/Pilot. (c) Navigator. (d) Air Bomber. (e) WOP/Air. (f) MU/AG. (g) R/G. (h) F/Eng. [/underlined]
[underlined] "A" FLIGHT [/underlined]
(a) PA.181 A. [symbol] (b) F/O. ROSSER (c) F/S TODD (d) SGT. GILDEA (e) SGT. WALKER (f) SGT. FLETCHER (g) SGT. MORRISON (h) SGT. BEAMAN
(a) PB.789 B. [symbol] (b) F/O. MC GLEW (c) F/O. ANNETTS (d) F/O. BERRY (e) SGT. ARMSTEAD (f) SGT.MITCHELL (g) SGT. HODGSON (h) SGT. CONSTAB[missing letters]
(a) [missing letter]X.559 D. [symbol] (b) F/S. LUMMIS (c) F/S. COLE (d) SGT. ROGERS (e) SGT. WOLSTENHOLME (f) SGT. DUJARDIN (g) SGT. WHITEMAN (h) SGT. PERMAN
(a) HK.766 F. [symbol] (b) W/O. GIBBINS (c) F/S. BARNARD (d) F/O. STRELCHUK (e) SGT. MAYNE (f) SGT. MURPHY (g) SGT. LESTER (h) SGT. MACEFIE[missing letters]
(a) PD.524 G. [symbol] (b) F/O. KERRINS (c) SGT. OLIVER (d) F/S. BARRATT (e) W/O. BARNSHAW (f) SGT. CLARKE (g) SGT. CLAPTON (h) SGT. GREEN
(a) NG.236 J. [symbol] (b) F/L. SNYDER (c) F/O. LOGUE (d) SGT. KEHOE (e) W/O. WALKER (f) F/S. KEATE (g) W/O. GUYAN (h) SGT. HAMMOND
(b) F/S. RYMER – 2nd Pilot
(a) NG.188 K. (b) F/O. HALLAM (c) F/O. GREEN (d) F/O. CARSWELL (e) F/S. MALLEN (f) SGT. CLIPSHAM (g) SGT. WERNHAM (h) SGT. TUCKER
[underlined] “B” FLIGHT [/underlined]
(a) BD.333 V. (b) W/O. CAMERON (c) F/S. HIGGINS (d) SGT. SCOTT (e) W/O. SOMERVILLE (f) SGT. GRAHAM (g) SGT. DAVISON (h) SGT. BOYD
F/S. SHARCOTT – 2nd Pilot
(a) ME. 834 M. (b) F/L. STEPHENS (c) F/O. GALE (d) F/O. SMALL (e) F/O. DEERY (f) SGT. SHUTE (g) SGT. BENNETT (h) F/S. PINK
(a) HK.696 P. (b) F/O. HOOPER (c) SGT. HOUGH (d) F/L. WILLIAMS (e) SGT. FLINT (f) SGT. OSBORNE (g) SGT. GLOVER (h) F/S. [indecipherable name]
(a) HK.659 Q. (b) F/O. STONE (c) F/S. ANDERSON (d) F/O. COX (e) F/S. ABBOTT (f) F/S. KNAPP (g) F/S. HERRIOTT (h) SGT. WHEAT[missing letters]
(a) PB.767 T. (b) F/O. CANTRELL (c) F/S. CORRIGAN (d) F/S. DAVIES (e) SGT. QUINN (f) SGT. BRADLEY (g) SGT. [indecipherable name] (h) F/S. CRAIG
(a) ME.531 X. (b) F/L. BRIGGS (c) F/S. BEARDWELL (d) F/O. CHADWICK (e) F/S. TURNHAM (f) SGT. BYERS (g) SGT. THOMPSON (h) SGT. GLASS
(a) [[deleted number] (b) P/O. SIMPSON – 2nd Pilot
(a) HK.796 Y. (b) F/O. KNAPP (c) F/S. DENISON (d) F/S. EDGINTON (e) F/S. VINES (f) SGT. WHITLEY (g) SGT. TREAGIS (h) SGT. SPENC[missing letters]
[underlined] “C” FLIGHT [/underlined]
(a) HK.565 ILB [symbol] (b) F/S. JONES (c) F/S. EVANS (d) F/S. EVANS (e) SGT. MOOREY (f) SGT. RICHARDSON (g) W/O. MOORE (h) SGT. HODGSO[missing letter]
(a) [missing letter]D. 370 ILC [symbol] (b) F/L. NOBLE (c) P/O. BLACK (d) F/S. HALL (e) P/O. THOMPSON (f) W/O. PRENDERGAST (g) SGT. WALKER (h) SGT. [indecipherable name]
(b) F/O. BRADFORD – 2nd pilot
(a) NG.205 ILD [symbol] (b) F/L. DURHAM (c) P/O. NAYLOR (d) SGT. ADAMS (e) F/S. KILGOUR (f) SGT. RIDDLE (g) SGT. BARLOW (h) SGT. BROWN
(a) PB.798 ILG [symbol] (b) F/L. [indecipherable name] (c) F/O. NUNN (d) F/O. VAUGHAN (e) F/S. BROADFOOT (f) SGT. HEWITT (g) W/O. PISANI (h) SGT. GARLAN[missing letters]
(a) PB.756 ILH (b) F/L. HILL (c) F/S. HURRELL (d) F/S. WHITEHEAD (e) F/S. OAKDEN (f) SGT. SMITH (g) SGT. WALKER (h) SGT. [indecipherable name]
(a) LM.734 ILJ (b) F/O. BETTLE (c) F/S. [indecipherable name] (d) F/S. MACDONALD (e) SGT. JUDGE (f) SGT. MILBY (g) SGT. GALLEY (h) SGT. [indecipherable name]
(a) NG.168 ILK (b) W/O. HERNAN (c) SGT. POLLOCK (d) F/S. FELLOWS (e) F/O. LEONARD (f) SGT. MITCHELL (g) SGT. BEVAN (h) F/S. MILNER
SPARES HK.555 (KO)E.
[underlined] WINDOW CREW AND CLEAN BRIEFING ROOM [/underlined] F/O. DICK F/S. COPLAND F/O. WILSON F/S. BERWICK SGT. RICKARD
[underlined] DEFENCE GUNNER [/underlined] SGT. WHITTLE SGT. GORING
[underlined] TRAINING [/underlined] TO BE DETAILED FOR F/S. KITSON AND CREW.
[underlined] LEADER TO OPERATE [/underlined] N I L
[signature]
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
115 Squadron Battle Order
Description
An account of the resource
Samual Guyan's last operation of his second tour, Lancaster NG236 to Huls.
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1945-03-17
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Germany
Great Britain
England--Cambridgeshire
Germany--Krefeld
Germany--Ruhr (Region)
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One duplicated sheet
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
MGuyanS1551813-170923-01
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Great Britain. Royal Air Force
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1945-03-17
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Steve Baldwin
Sue Smith
115 Squadron
aircrew
bombing
Lancaster
RAF Witchford
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/837/34466/MGoldbyJL139407-200810-010001.2.jpg
1f90bc3207454831173da0626fd721ce
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/837/34466/MGoldbyJL139407-200810-010002.2.jpg
f6497ed28316b91d38539f6e53f6fdc2
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Goldby, John Louis
J L Goldby
Description
An account of the resource
An oral history interview with John Goldby (1922 - 2020, 1387511, 139407 Royal Air Force). He was shot down and became a prisoner of war in December 1944.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by John Goldby and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-10-25
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Goldby, JL
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
1st card dated 12/1/45 was written from Dulag luft – where John was transferred after leaving hospital – he had sustained a broken ankle when baling out in December 1944.
The second card was written on 16/1/45 at Transit camp Wetzlar (part of the Dulag luft complex)
Cards arrived in UK late April 1945.
Kriegsgefangenenpost
[ink stamp] GEPRÜFT 22 [/ink stamp] Postkarte [ink stamp] Mit Luftpost Par Avion [/ink stamp][postmark]
An
MR. E.L. GOLDBY
Gebührenfrei!
Absender:
Vor- und Zuname:
JOHN LOUIS GOLDBY
[deleted] Gefengenennummer:
Lager-Bezeichnung:
M. -Stammlager Luft 3 [/deleted]
Deutschland (Germany)
[censor stamp]
Empfangsort: SIDCUP, KENT
Straße: 18 HADLOW ROAD
Land : ENGLAND
Landesteil (Provinz usw)
[page break]
Kriegsgefangenenpost
Postkarte
[ink stamp] GEPRÜFT 1 [/ink stamp] [censor stamp]
MRS E L GOLDBY
Empfangsort: 18 HADLOW RD SIDCUP
town
Land : ENGLAND
country
Landesteil KENT
(Provinz usw)
[missing word]
[underlined] Gebührenfrei! [/underlined]
[page break]
Kriegsgefangenenlager
Datum: 12-1-45
Sorry to give you all this worry. I have been in Hospital with a bad ankle but am now quite O.K. Will write again when I get to a permanent camp and then you can write to me.
My fondest love to all at home including George and I hope you are all well. Don’t worry about me, I shall keep in constant touch with you.
God bless you all, your loving son John
[page break]
Dulag-Luft Germany
Date 16-1-45
(No. of Camp only; as may be directed by the Commandant of the Camp.)
I have been taken prisoner of war in Germany. I am in good health – [deleted] slightly wounded [/deleted] (cancel accordingly).
We will be transported from here to another Camp within the next few days. Please don’t write until I give new address.
Kindest regards
Christian Name and Surname: JOHN GOLDBY
Rank: F/LT
Detachment: RAF
(No further details. – Clear legible writing.)
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Description
An account of the resource
Two postcards written by John to his parents. He explains he has been in hospital with a broken ankle.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
John Goldby
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1945-01-12
1945-01-16
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Civilian
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Two handwritten postcards
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
MGoldbyJL139407-200810-010001, MGoldbyJL139407-200810-010002
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1945-01-12
1945-01-16
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Germany
Germany--Barth
Contributor
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Babs Nichols
Steve Baldwin
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Postcards from John Goldby to his parents
bale out
Dulag Luft
prisoner of war
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1876/34462/MTerryD938465-170619-03.1.pdf
6fc063765ca365689bedadd97b82374d
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1876/34462/MTerryD938465-170619-07.2.pdf
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Terry, Dennis
D Terry
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IBCC Digital Archive
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2017-06-19
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
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Terry, D
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17 items. The collection concerns Corporal Dennis Terry (938465 Royal Air Force) and contains documents and photographs. He served as a fitter with 166 Squadron and worked on Lancaster ME746 AS-R2 (Roger Squared).
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Rob Terry and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
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GOOD SHOW ROGER SQUARED
[photograph]
By John Karl Forrest and John Wayne Musselman
[page break]
[underlined] Dedication [/underlined]
This story is dedicated to the memory and legacy of the crew, led by Flying Officer H.J. Musselman RCAF, DFC, that flew 30 missions in Lancaster Bomber ME-746 AS-R2 (aka Roger Squared).
[photograph]
Roger Squared crew all smiles after another op done and back on terra firma.
Front Row: P/O J.M. Donnelly RCAF (MUG), W/O H.H. Park RCAF (NAV), SGT G. Reid RAF (BA) Back Row: F/S R. Williamson RAF (W/Op), F/O H.J. Musselman RCAF, DFC (PLT), F/S K. Forrest RCAF (RG), SGT J.R. Cogbill RAF, DFM (FE)
[page break]
[underlined] Good Show Roger Squared [/underlined]
Air Chief Marshal A.T. “Butch” Harris sat hunched at his desk studying the latest reports. Aircraft availability and in particular the crews to man them, was at a critical point. Now, early in the new year of 1945 the focus of the air war had changed. The Allies were on full offensive. Missions to attack and bomb the industrialized cities, oil refineries and transportation hubs in the Nazi homeland had tripled in the last year. They were hitting the enemy hard, but the toll being taken by the appalling winter weather conditions, daylight raids, flak and fighters had been terrible. The casualty rate often rose above sixty percent and finding men and machines to replace those lost was a challenge. The grandfather clock in the corner struck the half hour; 11:30 p.m. At this moment at least 300 of his bombers were over enemy territory carrying out their missions. There was a knock at his door.
“Enter.”
A uniformed clerk stepped into the room and approached.
“Yes Cpl. Baker, what is it?”
Baker extended a manila folder. “Recommendations for Honours and Awards Sir. I know you like to read them before turning in for the night.” He glanced toward the clock.
“Soon I hope sir.”
Harris smiled, “Yes, yes Baker.”
“I know sir but . . . .”
“Dismissed!” growled Harris.
“Sir!” Baker exited.
Harris returned to reading the report, then hesitated, made a notation, closed the folder and set it aside.
Baker was correct. Grounded by his rank and position, his most tangible contact with the missions he ordered and the men and machines he commanded was found in the reports recommending them for medals.
[page break]
The accounts of their accomplishments, their resourcefulness and courage were reported tersely on official forms prepared by proud commanding officers.
He knew that hidden in the names and numbers in those reports there were personal tales of remarkable bravery, incredible skill and split second decision making by young men in the heat of battle. He opened the folder Baker had delivered and, as was his routine, scanned the initial information.
The recommendation was from Wing Commander Vivian, 166 Squadron and supported by Group Captain Mackay, RAF Kirmington, Air Commodore Swain, No. 13 Base Commander and Air Vice Marshal E.A.B. Rice, No. 1 Group Commander.
That Squadron had an excellent reputation. They had a skilled and dedicated Ground Crew and a good mix of new and experienced Air Crew. The 166th prided itself on putting up the required number for every flight and completing its missions. It lived up to the “Bulldog” displayed on its crest and the single word “Tenacity” in its motto.
This recommendation was significant; a Distinguished Flying Cross for a Lancaster pilot (Acting Flying Officer) Harold John Musselman (RCAF).
He noted Musselman had logged almost 125 hours on operations. He turned to the appended crew list. Lancaster Bomber ME-746 AS-R2 (Roger Squared), piloted by Musselman, included crew members; Flight Engineer Sgt. J.R. Cogbill, Navigator W/O H.H. Park (RCAF), Air Bomber F/S G. Reid, Wireless Operator F/S R. Williamson, Mid Upper Gunner P/O J.M. Donnelly (RCAF), and Rear Gunner F/S K. Forrest (RCAF).
No doubt graduates from the Lancaster Finishing School at Hemswell. He noted this was their 21st sortie as a crew, then leaned back into his chair and began to read Vivian’s remarks:
“This Canadian Officer was detailed to attack Schloven – Buer as captain of aircraft on the evening of the 29th December, 1944. On the way out . . . .”
As he continued to read the room around him disappeared and he joined Musselman in
[page break]
the cockpit of Roger Squared.
Avro Lancaster ME-746 AS-R2 sat trembling on the hard stand, parked at right angles to the runway, her mighty Merlin engines idling, waiting to be unleashed.
[italics] “Flight, how are we looking?” [/italics]
Flight Engineer, JR Cogbill turned in his “second dicky” seat, tapped a couple of the gauges on his right, checked others above and behind and gave his pilot thumbs up.
[italics] “Great Skipper all four running well. Mag. readings steady on each. Corporal Terry and his crew were up all last night and spent most of today getting the airframe in to top shape. I dropped by on my way to briefing and he was just finishing painting the bomb symbol for her 84th mission on the fuselage. [/italics]
[italics] “Cog, you know R2 is his prize possession and he just loans her to us for missions. You heard him when we did the walk around. He pointed out some of the recent repairs and practically ordered me to keep the flak hole count down tonight. He is determined to see his darling become a Century Lanc.” [/italics]
A MK I Lanc with almost 100 missions noted Harris. A unique and lucky aircraft. Or would this mission end their streak?
Pilot Musselman checked his watch. 15:30. The mission had been scheduled for 15:00 but a light rain and a heavy overcast had delayed take off. They had been idling too long.
“ R2 to tower. Ready for take off.”
[italics] “Roger R2 standby. You’re up next.” [/italics]
[italics] “There goes Nicklin in A2 Sir.” [/italics]
[italics] “You are cleared for take-off R2” [/italics]
[italics] “Pilot to crew. Ok lads buckle in, we’re off on “lucky” number 21.” [/italics]
[italics] “Flaps at 30 degrees Flight?” [/italics]
[italics] “30 degrees Sir.” [/italics]
Harris felt again the adrenaline rush of take-off and the nervous tension the crew would be experiencing. Having no idea of what lay ahead; they were, for the next 6 hours, trusting
[page break]
their lives to a man, a machine and the grace of God.
Musselman advanced the throttles, taxied into position on the runway and began to open them up. Roger Squared responded and the roar of the Rolls-Royce engines became deafening. The fuselage began to vibrate as she sped down the runway.
“I’ve got rudder control; take the throttles Cog.”
Musselman now grasped the control column with both hands waiting for the tail to come
up and as take off speed was reached he pulled back on the column and R2 shed the shackles of earth’s gravity and began the climb to join the formation.
[italics] “Gear – up and locked Skip.” [/italics]
[italics] “Pilot to gunners. It’s crowded up here tonight lads. Set Course Time is just a few minutes away but keep a sharp look out and sing out if you spot any of our friends getting too close. [/italics]
Harris noted grimly Musselman’s concern. Far too many aircraft had been lost to collisions while “milling” on overcast nights waiting for their Set Course Time, when the stream would form up and head for the target.
[italics] “Pilot to navigator, cruising at 15,000 ?” [/italics]
[italics] “Yes Sir.” [/italics]
[italics] “Harry do you trust the “Met” report? They predicted this slop, but do you think the call for clearing weather over Schloven-Buer will hold?” [/italics]
Navigator Harry Park seated at his port side chart table curtained off from the cockpit checked his briefing notes.
[italics] “I think so Sir. We should expect heavy cloud cover until we reach Schloven with some clearing on the return trip. Good news is, this lot is supposed to move on before we return to base.” [/italics]
[italics] “Roger that and let’s hope so Parky.” [/italics]
He scanned ahead and then side to side. What he could see of the formation looked tight.
He could even see intermittent flashes of blue exhaust flame from nearby aircraft and the stream was moving well. They were about half way across the Channel when he got the request he was expecting.
[page break]
[italics] “Mid Upper to Pilot; permission to test guns Sir?” [/italics]
“Permission granted J.M. You and the kid can light ‘em up.” [/italics]
[italics] “Roger that Skipper.” [/italics]
[italics] “You too Bombs?” [/italics]
[italics] “Aye sir.” [/italics]
There was a slight pause and then the sound of six Brownings firing short bursts dominated the engine noise and the airframe shook in response to their recoil. Then the pair of .303s in the nose turret opened up below his feet.
[italics] “You sound ready Bombs.” [/italics]
[italics] “Aye Sir.” [/italics]
[italics] “Test complete Sir, rear turret ready and able.” [/italics]
[italics] “Mid-upper, same here Skipper.” [/italics]
[italics] “Roger that, and let’s hope you don’t need them.” [/italics]
[italics] “Well Cog we are in the groove, let’s sit back and enjoy the ride” [/italics]
Musselman heard the sudden change in the sound of the engines and his aircraft shuddered. From experience he knew what it was, but he waited for confirmation.
[italics] “We’ve got a problem Skip. The starboard inner has packed up. The gauges say she should be running but am looking at her and she is not. I’ll try a restart.” [/italics]
[italics] “Navigator.” [/italics]
[italics] “Sir” [/italics]
[italics] “Parky, what’s our position?” [/italics]
[italics] “Sir, target is about forty five minutes away.” [/italics]
[page break]
[italics] “ Roger that.” [/italics]
[italics] “No luck with the restart Sir. Number 3 is done.” [/italics]
[italics] “Right Flight; feather and will see if we can maintain altitude and stay with the stream.” [/italics]
[italics] “ That’ll be a tough go Sir, with the load we are carrying. We caught one of those new “Abnormal” packages; 14,000 pounds of HE and incendiaries.” [/italics]
[italics] “Well we’re over Germany, so let’s give it a go and see what happens.” [/italics]
Harris knew that with the Starboard Inner gone power would be lost to some of the main services and hydraulic pumps, despite this he noted the calm in Musselman’s voice.
[italics] “Pilot to crew. We’ve lost an engine boys. I’m going to drop to the rear of the formation but we will try to stay with the group. Gunners keep your eyes open, particularly you in the tail “kid”. If the fighters are up they’ll be looking for stragglers.” [/italics]
[italics] “More trouble Sir Number 1 is overheating badly and quickly. I recommend we shut her down. We’re going to have to finish this on two.” [/italics]
[italics] “No choice?” [/italics]
[italics] “Not right now. I can try a restart later.” [/italics]
[italics] “Lucky number 21 eh, let’s hope some of that luck starts showing up soon. Shut her down
Flight.” [/italics]
Loss of power from the port outer engine would affect the alternator for special radio, rear turret hydraulic pump. It’s decision time thought Harris.
[italics] “Well that seals it. Cog. We can’t make altitude or even keep up. I don’t fancy scrubbing the mission and flying her home as a lame duck with a full bomb load.” [/italics]
[italics] “Pilot to Navigator. Parky we are going to have to abort Schloven. Can you find an alternate?” [/italics]
[italics] “They gave us three at briefing. Give me a minute Skipper.” [/italics]
R2 took this new development calmly but her air speed continued to fall and she began to drop out of formation.
[italics] “Skipper, Duisburg is about 15 minutes away. It’s a large rail junction, noting predicted and accurate flak, fighters not likely. If we can maintain this air speed we should be able [/italics]
[page break]
[italics] to bomb and then intersect our stream on the way home.” “What’s the heading Harry?” [/italics]
[italics] “Our Gee is not functioning Sir, so we are on dead reckoning. West north west will do for now.” [/italics]
[italics] “Pilot to crew, another change in plans boys. We’re flying on two now. I’ve chosen an alternative target, Duisburg. This will be a tough one. Expect the usual flak but as a single at low altitude we will have the advantage of surprise. Fighters not likely. Harry thinks we can reconnect with our flight after the attack and ride their coat tails home. We are about 10 minutes away. God bless us.” [/italics]
Tough decision, bravely taken admired Harris.
[italics] “Bomb aimer to pilot, I’m in position Sir. All my instruments are functioning.” [/italics]
[italics] “Roger that Bombs. Conditions are clearing, I can see the rail junction from here. I’ll make for it, then you can take your best shot. We’ll be at 9,000 over the target.” [/italics]
[italics] “Aye Sir.” [/italics]
[italics] “Well Flight this will be a shaky do. But their defenses should be pre-set for 12 to 15 and we can sneak under them for much of the run. They shouldn’t be expecting us from this direction; so the plan is to get in and out before they know what hit them. Once we bomb I am going to turn hard to port and make for home before climbing. Can you keep those two running?” [/italics]
[italics] “No signs of trouble Skip. I‘ll nurse them.” [/italics]
[italics] “Let’s take her down to 9 and lay her in.” [/italics]
[italics] “Here come the lights Flight.” [/italics]
Great silver swords began to appear probing the sky around them. Searchlights seeking to expose their prey. Muzzle flashes on the ground announced the anti aircraft guns were opening up and hundreds of deadly cotton puffs began to appear in the night sky.
[italics] “So far so good Skip. None of those new big blue radar lights and the cones are focused well above us.” [/italics]
R2 seemed to crawl through the sky and almost stall over the target. The bursting pods of flak were creeping closer. Then a flurry of sharp sound, metal striking metal, announced
[page break]
that one had found them.
[italics] “Sounded like a belly hit Sir.” [/italics]
R2 shrugged, barely shuddered and carried on. Another burst and then another dose of shrapnel hit the starboard side, but the controls remained steady.
[italics] “She’s all yours Bombs.” [/italics]
[italics] “Roger Sir, I can see the target; Navigator activate the master switch, pilot open bomb bay doors. Setting my selector to salvo.” [/italics]
[italics] “A little to the right . . . steady . . . right again . . . left . . . steady. Bombs gone! Get us out of
here Skip.” [/italics]
He smiled as R2 responded to his touch on the controls and broke to port and away from danger.
[italics] “Way to go girl.” [/italics]
The anti-aircraft fire was now zeroing in and more shells were exploding near them, but he was now lengthening the range. Then two more bursts bracketed them from above.
[italics] “Pilot to gunners. You two OK?” [/italics]
[italics] “I’m alright, but that was a close one Skip. No Mid Upper damage but I think the rudder and tail fins took some hits.” [/italics]
[italics] “Kid what’s the story back there?” [/italics]
[italics] “No turret damage here Sir, but we have a lot of new holes in the fins. They have ceased fire. Way to go Bombs! I don’t know what you hit, but there is one hell of a fire burning back there.” [/italics]
Harris took a deep breath and sighed. Well done son. They were out of it, but can you get them back home?
[italics] “Good stuff. Well stay awake you two. Mid, keep an eye on 10 o’clock high and sing out if you see our boys coming up. Karl any fighters should be off chasing the group looking to pick off stragglers. We should be well below them but you never know. Sharp eyes Kid!” [/italics]
[italics] “Sparks, see if you can pick up any chatter.” [/italics]
[page break]
[italics] “Seems like we picked up a few new holes. How’s she handling Sir.” [/italics]
[italics] “She seems steady Cog. The hits don’t seem to affecting her trim. But we need to gain some speed and altitude. About the new holes, I can’t wait to get Cpl. Terry’s count. Let’s try a re-start on number 1 and let’s see if she can help us out.” [/italics]
[italics] “Righto Sir.” [/italics]
[italics] He saw the port outer fire up, eased the throttle to half speed, felt R2 respond and began to climb gently seeking the safety of the stream and the pathway back to base.” [/italics]
[italics] “WOp to Captain, I’m picking up some chatter sir. Sounds like our lads.” [/italics]
[italics] “Sparks, I think I’m going to maintain radio silence until we’re closer to rejoining. I don’t want any fighters hearing there is a straggler out here and come looking.” [/italics]
[italics] “Mid Upper to Pilot. I think I see them sir. 11 O’clock high.” [/italics]
[italics] “I think you’re right. Let’s see if we can catch them Flight. We can at least hang on to their coat-tails and follow them home.” [/italics]
He advanced the port outer to full throttle.
[italics] “Number 1 is overheating again Skipper. You had better shut her down for good. The other two are beginning to heat up too. I recommend throttling back.” [/italics]
[italics] “Right Flight, I think our girl’s had about enough. Let’s put her down as soon as we can. Manston is the divert base and given the problems we may have with the hydraulics and the weather, they have the width and length we need for a rough landing.” [/italics]
[italics] “Captain to crew. We’re approaching the channel lads and it doesn’t look like we’ll need the dinghy, but R2 is a hurting girl. We are back on two engines, some of the hydraulics are out and we may have some damage to the undercarriage. I am going to put her down as soon as I can. We will be landing at Manston and it will be a little dodgy. We are about 10 minutes away. Start securing your stations.” [/italics]
[italics] “Sparks, see if you can raise the tower at Manston. Ronnie, identify us, tell them to light it up and let them know we are coming in on two.” [/italics]
[italics] “Roger that Skip.” [/italics]
[page break]
[italics] “Well Flight, at least the “Met” report was right about visibility, but the runway will still be wet.” [/italics]
He had landed at Manston before but not under these circumstances. The runway was dead ahead.
[italics] “Gear down and locked Skipper. No warning lights.” [/italics]
He put R2 in the groove and rode it in. Touchdown was a little heavy and the tires squawked as they met the wet tarmac. The brakes were very soft but they held and he eased back and let his aircraft run out. Roger Squared sat idling on the runway, for a moment the interior was quiet and then.
[italics] “Well done Skipper.” “You too Flight.” [/italics]
[italics] “Captain to crew, well done lads, everyone ok back there?” [/italics]
[italics] “Way to go Skipper! Great job Cap! Thanks Skip! We made it boys!” [/italics]
Harris added his silent praise to the appreciative responses pouring in from the crew. Then the sound of the grandfather clock striking midnight brought him back to the present.
A remarkable mission against all odds, by a courageous crew. He picked up his pen and then paused. Another tale of split second decision making, incredible skill and courageous leadership by a remarkable pilot.
He signed, confirming the Distinguished Flying Cross for Musselman.
[italics] “Thanks for taking me along lads.” [/italics]
He closed the folder and as he placed it in his out box he added a final invocation.
[italics] “Good show Roger Squared!” [/italics]
[page break]
[underlined] Tribute to a Century Lancaster [/underlined]
Lancaster Bomber ME-746 AS-R2 (aka Roger Squared) was one very special aircraft. It completed a total of 126 operations (117 Combat, 6 Manna and 3 Exodus). It was one of only 35 of the 7,377 Lancasters built to attain that distinction.
Roger Squared was well and carefully maintained by a dedicated ground crew under the leadership of Corporal Dennis Terry and flown with skill and determination by a number of pilots and air crew including, as noted in the story, Flying Officer H.J. Musselman RCAF, DFC.
In a highly unusual ceremony Bomber Command awarded the aircraft itself, the Distinguished Service Order. In the picture below the maintenance crew and flight crew assembled on the tarmac for a special ceremony following R2’s 100th mission. Note the large wooden medal (created by Corporal Terry) being held between himself and Flying Officer Musselman. A stirring reminder of that record can be seen in the ten rows of ten bombs painted on fuselage below the pilot’s window.
[photograph]
[page break]
(COPY)
[underlined] NO. 166 SQUADRON [/underlined]
[underlined] LANCASTER AIRCRAFT ME.746 – R2 [/underlined]
This aircraft has now completed 100 sorties against the enemy in a wide variety of attacks, ranging from targets in enemy occupied territory to the deepest penetrations made into Germany itself.
Throughout these sorties this aircraft has carried many gallant and courageous crews through the fiercest opposition which the enemy has been able to offer, and has never failed to bring them safely home.
The magnificent record established by ‘R2’ has only been made possible by the devotion to duty of the ground crews. Called upon to service their charge at all hours of the day and night, they have set a standard of serviceability which it will be difficult to equal. The successful completion of 100 sorties by the aircraft bears striking testimony to their skill.
In recognition of the fine achievement of this aircraft, and as a tribute from the aircrew of the Squadron to the ground crew whose efforts have met with such remarkable success, the aircraft is awarded the Distinguished Service Order.
11.3.45.
R.L. Vivian
Wing Commander, Commanding
[underlined] 166 Squadron, R.A.F. [/underlined]
Distinguished Service Order presented to ME-746 AS-R2 by Wing Commander Vivian, 166 Squadron
[page break]
[underlined] Transcript of DSO Letter [/underlined]
(COPY)
[underlined] NO. 166 SQUADRON [/underlined]
[underlined] LANCASTER AIRCRAFT ME.746 – R2 [/underlined]
This aircraft has now completed 100 sorties against the enemy in a wide variety of attacks, ranging from targets in enemy occupied territory to the deepest penetrations made into Germany itself.
Throughout these sorties this aircraft has carried many gallant and courageous crews through the fiercest opposition which the enemy has been able to offer, and has never failed to bring them safely home.
The magnificent record established by ‘R2’ has only been made possible by the devotion to duty of the ground crews. Called upon to service their charge at all hours of the day and night, they have set a standard of serviceability which it will be difficult to equal. The successful completion of 100 sorties by the aircraft bears striking testimony to their skill.
In recognition of the fine achievement of this aircraft, and as a tribute from the aircrew of the Squadron to the ground crew whose efforts have met with such remarkable success, the aircraft is awarded the Distinguished Service Order.
11.3.45.
R.L. Vivian
Wing Commander, Commanding
[underlined] 166 Squadron, R.A.F. [/underlined]
[page break]
[underlined] GLOSSARY [/underlined]
BA – Bomb Aimer – seated when operating the front gun turret, but positioned in a laying position when directing the pilot on to the aiming point prior to releasing bomb load.
CONED – when radar controlled master searchlight (often a bluish beam) locked onto an aircraft and other searchlights would also swing onto the aircraft, thus coning it – then flak would be concentrated into the cone.
DFC – Distinguished Flying Cross – medal presented to officers (commissioned and warrant) for conspicuous bravery (immediate) or sustained excellence on active service in operations against the enemy.
EXODUS – flights by Lancaster’s to fly liberated POWs back from captivity.
FE – Flight Engineer – seated opposite the pilot on right side of cockpit on folding seat.
GEE – a receiver for a navigation system of synchronized pulses transmitted from the UK – aircraft calculated their position from the phase shift between pulses. The range of GEE was 300-400 miles.
MANNA – flights to provide relief to starving Dutch civilian population with numerous food supply drops. 2,835 Lancaster flights were made.
Mk I – Mark I AVRO Lancaster crewed by seven and fitted with four Rolls-Royce Merlin engines capable of 1,280 hp each, maximum speed of 287mph, maximum ceiling of 22,000 ft, range with a 14,000 lb bomb load 1,000 mi and armament consisting of three powered gun turrets- 2 x .303 in nose, 2 x .303 mid-upper and 4 x .303 in the tail.
MUG – Mid-Upper Gunner – seated in the mid upper turret, which was also in the unheated section of the fuselage.
NAV – Navigator – seated at a table facing to port of the aircraft and directly behind the pilot and flight engineer.
PLT – Pilot – seated on the left hand side of the cockpit. There was no co-pilot.
RG – Rear Gunner – “Tail End Charlie” seated in the rear turret this was in the unheated section of the fuselage and was also the most isolated position. Most rear gunner’s once in their turrets did not see another member of the crew until the aircraft returned to base.
SECOND DICKIE – all new pilots were required to fly a familiarization flight with a veteran crew in order to expose them to operational hazards and the German defences. Since there was no co-pilot there was a fold down seat on the right side of the cockpit which was used by the Flight Engineer and on occasion the “Second Dickie” pilot.
SHAKY DO – a particularly hair raising operation or situation.
W/Op – Wireless Operator – often nick-named “Sparks” for the insignia worn denoting their position, they were seated facing forward and directly beside the navigator.
[page break]
TOTALS
LANCASTERS BUILT 7,377
LANCASTER SORTIES FLOWN 156,192
LANCASTERS LOST ON OPERATIONS 3,431
LANCASTERS LOST IN ACCIDENTS 246
[photograph]
TOTAL BOMBER COMMAND AIRCREW KILLED IN WORLD WAR II
55,573
LEST WE FORGET!
[page break]
Good Show
Roger Squared
[photograph]
by
JOHN KARL FORREST and JOHN WAYNE MUSSELMAN
[page break]
[underlined] Dedication [/underlined
This story is dedicated to the memory and legacy of the crew, led by Flying Officer H.J.
Musselman RCAF, DFC, that flew 30 missions in Lancaster Bomber ME-746 AS-R2
(aka Roger Squared).
[photograph]
Roger Squared crew all smiles after another op done and back on terra firma.
Front Row: P/O J.M. Donnelly RCAF (MUG), W/O H.H. Park RCAF (NAV), SGT G.
Reid RAF (BA) Back Row: F/S R. Williamson RAF (W/Op), F/O H.J. Musselman
RCAF, DFC (PLT), F/S K. Forrest RCAF (RG), SGT J.R. Cogbill RAF, DFM (FE)
[page break]
[underlined] Good Show Roger Squared[/underlined]
Air Chief Marshal A.T. “Butch” Harris sat hunched at his desk studying the latest reports. Aircraft availability and in particular the crews to man them, was at a critical point. Now, early in the new year of 1945 the focus of the air war had changed. The Allies were on full offensive. Missions to attack and bomb the industrialized cities, oil refineries and transportation hubs in the Nazi homeland had tripled in the last year. They were hitting the enemy hard, but the toll being taken by the appalling winter weather conditions, daylight raids, flak and fighters had been terrible. The casualty rate often rose above sixty percent and finding men and machines to replace those lost was a challenge. The grandfather clock in the corner struck the half hour; 11:30 p.m. At this moment at least 300 of his bombers were over enemy territory carrying out their missions. There was a knock at his door.
“Enter.”
A uniformed clerk stepped into the room and approached.
“Yes Cpl. Baker, what is it?”
Baker extended a manila folder. “Recommendations for Honours and Awards Sir. I know you like to read them before turning in for the night.” He glanced toward the clock.
“Soon I hope sir.”
Harris smiled, “Yes, yes Baker.”
“I know sir but . . . .”
“Dismissed!” growled Harris.
“Sir!” Baker exited.
Harris returned to reading the report, then hesitated, made a notation, closed the folder
and set it aside.
Baker was correct. Grounded by his rank and position, his most tangible contact with the missions he ordered and the men and machines he commanded was found in the reports recommending them for medals.
The accounts of their accomplishments, their resourcefulness and courage were reported tersely on official forms prepared by proud commanding officers.
[page break]
He knew that hidden in the names and numbers in those reports there were personal tales of remarkable bravery, incredible skill and split second decision making by young men in the heat of battle. He opened the folder Baker had delivered and, as was his routine, scanned the initial information.
The recommendation was from Wing Commander Vivian, 166 Squadron and supported by Group Captain Mackay, RAF Kirmington, Air Commodore Swain, No. 13 Base Commander and Air Vice Marshal E.A.B. Rice, No. 1 Group Commander.
That Squadron had an excellent reputation. They had a skilled and dedicated Ground Crew and a good mix of new and experienced Air Crew. The 166th prided itself on putting up the required number for every flight and completing its missions. It lived up to the “Bulldog” displayed on its crest and the single word “Tenacity” in its motto.
This recommendation was significant; a Distinguished Flying Cross for a Lancaster pilot (Acting Flying Officer) Harold John Musselman (RCAF).
He noted Musselman had logged almost 125 hours on operations. He turned to the appended crew list. Lancaster Bomber ME-746 AS-R2 (Roger Squared), piloted by Musselman, included crew members; Flight Engineer Sgt. J.R. Cogbill, Navigator W/O H.H. Park (RCAF), Air Bomber F/S G. Reid, Wireless Operator F/S R. Williamson, Mid Upper Gunner P/O J.M. Donnelly (RCAF), and Rear Gunner F/S K. Forrest (RCAF).
No doubt graduates from the Lancaster Finishing School at Hemswell. He noted this was their 21st sortie as a crew, then leaned back into his chair and began to read Vivian’s remarks:
“This Canadian Officer was detailed to attack Schloven-Buer as captain of aircraft on the evening of the 29th December, 1944. On the way out . . . .”
As he continued to read the room around him disappeared and he joined Musselman in the cockpit of Roger Squared.
Avro Lancaster ME-746 AS-R2 sat trembling on the hard stand, parked at right angles to the runway, her mighty Merlin engines idling, waiting to be unleashed.
[italics] “Flight, how are we looking?” [/italics]
Flight Engineer, JR Cogbill turned in his “second dicky” seat, tapped a couple of the
[page break]
gauges on his right, checked others above and behind and gave his pilot thumbs up.
[italics] “Great Skipper all four running well. Mag. readings steady on each. Corporal Terry and his crew were up all last night and spent most of today getting the airframe in to top shape. I dropped by on my way to briefing and he was just finishing painting the bomb symbol for her 84th mission on the fuselage. [/italics]
[italics] “Cog, you know R2 is his prize possession and he just loans her to us for missions. You heard him when we did the walk around. He pointed out some of the recent repairs and practically ordered me to keep the flak hole count down tonight. He is determined to see his darling become a Century Lanc.” [/italics]
A MK I Lanc with almost 100 missions noted Harris. A unique and lucky aircraft. Or would this mission end their streak?
Pilot Musselman checked his watch. 15:30. The mission had been scheduled for 15:00 but a light rain and a heavy overcast had delayed take off. They had been idling too long.
[italics] “ R2 to tower. Ready for take off.” [/italics]
[italics] 1“Roger R2 standby. You’re up next.” [/italics]
[italics] “There goes Nicklin in A2 Sir.” [/italics]
[italics] “You are cleared for take-off R2” [/italics]
[italics] “Pilot to crew. Ok lads buckle in, we’re off on “lucky” number 21.” [/italics]
[italics] “Flaps at 30 degrees Flight?” [/italics]
[italics] “30 degrees Sir.” [/italics]
Harris felt again the adrenaline rush of take-off and the nervous tension the crew would be experiencing. Having no idea of what lay ahead; they were, for the next 6 hours, trusting their lives to a man, a machine and the grace of God.
Musselman advanced the throttles, taxied into position on the runway and began to open them up. Roger Squared responded and the roar of the Rolls-Royce engines became deafening. The fuselage began to vibrate as she sped down the runway.
[italics] “I’ve got rudder control; take the throttles Cog.” [/italics]
Musselman now grasped the control column with both hands waiting for the tail to come up and as take off speed was reached he pulled back on the column and R2 shed the shackles of earth’s gravity and began the climb to join the formation.
[italics] “Gear – up and locked Skip.” [/italics]
[page break]
[italics] “Pilot to gunners. It’s crowded up here tonight lads. Set Course Time is just a few minutes away but keep a sharp look out and sing out if you spot any of our friends getting too close. [/italics]
Harris noted grimly Musselman’s concern. Far too many aircraft had been lost to collisions while “milling” on overcast nights waiting for their Set Course Time, when the stream would form up and head for the target.
[italics] “Pilot to navigator, cruising at 15,000?” [/italics]
[italics] “Yes Sir.” [/italics]
[italics] “Harry do you trust the “Met” report? They predicted this slop, but do you think the call for clearing weather over Schloven-Buer will hold?” [/italics]
Navigator Harry Park seated at his port side chart table curtained off from the cockpit checked his briefing notes.
[italics] “I think so Sir. We should expect heavy cloud cover until we reach Schloven with some clearing on the return trip. Good news is, this lot is supposed to move on before we return to base.” [/italics]
[italics] “Roger that and let’s hope so Parky.” [/italics]
He scanned ahead and then side to side. What he could see of the formation looked tight. He could even see intermittent flashes of blue exhaust flame from nearby aircraft and the stream was moving well. They were about half way across the Channel when he got the request he was expecting.
[italics] “Mid Upper to Pilot; permission to test guns Sir?” [/italics]
[italics] “Permission granted J.M. You and the kid can light ‘em up.” [/italics]
[italics] “Roger that Skipper.” [/italics]
[italics] “You too Bombs?” [/italics]
[italics] “Aye sir.” [/italics]
There was a slight pause and then the sound of four fifty caliber machine guns firing short bursts dominated the engine noise and the airframe shook in response to their recoil. Then the Brownings opened up in the nose turret below his feet.
[italics] “You sound ready Bombs.” [/italics]
[italics] “Aye Sir.” [/italics]
[page break]
[italics] “Test complete Sir, rear turret ready and able.” [/italics]
[italics] “Mid-upper, same here Skipper.” [/italics]
[italics] “Roger that, and let’s hope you don’t need them.” [/italics]
[italics] “Well Cog we are in the groove, let’s sit back and enjoy the ride” [/italics]
Musselman heard the sudden change in the sound of the engines and his control column reacted. From experience he knew what it was, but he waited for confirmation.
[italics] “We’ve got a problem Skip. The starboard inner has packed up. I’ll reset and try a restart.” [/italics]
[italics] “Navigator.” [/italics]
[italics] “Sir” [/italics]
[italics] “Parky, what’s our position?” [/italics]
[italics] “ Sir, target is about forty five minutes away.” [/italics]
[italics] “ Roger that.” [/italics]
[italics] “No luck with the restart Skip. Number 2 is done.” [/italics]
[italics] “Right Flight; feather and will see if we can maintain altitude and stay with the stream.” [/italics]
[italics] “ That’ll be a tough go Sir, with the load we are carrying. We caught one of those new abnormal packages; 14,000 pounds of HE and incendiaries.” [/italics]
[italics] “Well we’re over Germany now, so let’s give it a go and see what happens.” [/italics]
Harris knew that with the Starboard Inner gone power would be lost to some of the main services and hydraulic pumps, despite this he noted the calm in Musselman’s voice.
[italics] “Pilot to crew. We’ve lost an engine boys. I’m going to drop to the rear of the formation but we will try to stay with the group. Gunners keep your eyes open, particularly you in the tail “kid”. If the fighters are up they’ll be looking for stragglers.” [/italics]
[italics] “More trouble Sir. Number 3 is overheating badly and quickly. I recommend we shut [/italics]
[page break]
[italics] her down. We’re going to have to finish this on two.” [/italics]
[italics] “No choice?” “Not right now. I can try a restart later.” [/italics]
[italics] “Lucky number 21 eh, let’s hope some of that luck starts showing up soon. Shut her down
Cog.” [/italics]
Loss of power from the port outer engine would affect the alternator for special radio, rear turret hydraulic pump. It’s decision time thought Harris.
[italics] “Well that seals it Cog. We can’t maintain altitude or keep up. I don’t fancy scrubbing the mission and flying her home as a lame duck with a full bomb load.” [/italics]
[italics] “Pilot to Navigator. Parky we are going to have to abort Schloven. Can you find an alternate?” [/italics]
“They gave us three at briefing. Give me a minute Skipper.” [/italics]
R2 took this new development calmly but her air speed continued to fall and she began to drop further out of formation.
[italics] “Skipper, Duisburg is about 15 minutes away. It’s a large rail junction, noting predicted and accurate flak, fighters not likely. If we can maintain this air speed we should be able to bomb and then intersect our stream on the way home.” “What’s the heading Harry?” [/italics]
[italics] “Our Gee is not functioning Sir, so we are on dead reckoning. West north west will do for now.” [/italics]
[italics] “Pilot to crew, another change in plans boys. We’re flying on two now. I’ve chosen an alternative target, Duisburg. This will be a tough one. Expect the usual flak but as a single at low altitude we will have the advantage of surprise. Fighters not likely. Harry thinks we can reconnect with our flight after the attack and ride their coat tails home. We are about 10 minutes away . God bless us.” [/italics]
Tough decision, bravely taken admired Harris.
[italics] “Bomb aimer to pilot, I’m in position Sir. All my instruments are functioning.” [/italics]
[italics] “Roger that Bombs. Conditions are clearing, I can see the rail junction from here. I’ll make for it, then you can take your best shot. We’ll be at 9,000 over the target.” [/italics]
[italics] “Aye Sir.” [/italics]
[italics] “Well Flight this will be a shaky do. But their defenses [sic] should be pre-set for 12 to 15 [/italics]
[page break]
[italics] and we can sneak under them for much of the run. They shouldn’t be expecting us from this direction; so the plan is to get in and out before they know what hit them. Once we bomb I am going to turn hard to port and make for home before climbing. Can you keep those two running?” [/italics]
[italics] “No signs of trouble Skip. I‘ll nurse them.” [/italics]
[italics] “Let’s take her down to 9 and lay her in.” [/italics]
[italics] “Here come the lights Flight.” [/italics]
Great silver swords began to appear probing the sky around them. Searchlights seeking to expose their prey. Muzzle flashes on the ground announced the anti aircraft guns were opening up and hundreds of deadly cotton puffs began to appear in the night sky.
[italics] “So far so good Skip. None of those new big blue radar lights and the cones are focused well above us.” [/italics]
R2 seemed to crawl through the sky and almost stall over the target. The bursting pods of flak were creeping closer. Then a flurry of sharp sound, metal striking metal, announced that one had found them.
[italics] “Sounded like a belly hit Sir.” [/italics]
R2 shrugged, barely shuddered and carried on. Another burst and then another dose of shrapnel hit the starboard side, but the controls remained steady.
[italics] “She’s all yours Bombs.” [/italics]
[italics] “Roger Sir, I can see the target; Navigator activate the master switch, pilot open bomb
bay doors. Setting my selector to salvo.”
[italics] “A little to the right . . . steady . . . right again . . . left . . . steady. Bombs gone! Get us out of here Skip.” [/italics]
He smiled as R2 responded to his touch on the controls and broke to port and away from danger.
[italics] “Way to go girl.” [/italics]
The anti-aircraft fire was now zeroing in and more shells were exploding near them, but he was now lengthening the range. Then two more bursts bracketed them from above.
[italics] “Pilot to gunners. You two OK?” [/italics]
[italics] “I’m alright, but that was a close one Skip. No Mid Upper damage but I think the rudder and tail fins took some hits.” [/italics]
[page break]
[italics] “Kid what’s the story back there?” [/italics]
[italics] “No turret damage here Sir, but we have a lot of new holes in the fins. They have ceased fire. Way to go Bombs! I don’t know what you hit, but there is one hell of a fire burning back there.” [/italics]
Harris took a deep breath and sighed. Well done son. They were out of it, but can you get them back home?
[italics] “Good stuff. Well stay awake you two. Mid, keep an eye on 10 o’clock high and sing out if you see our boys coming up. Karl any fighters should be off chasing the group looking to pick off stragglers. We should be well below them but you never know. Sharp eyes Kid!” [/italics]
[italics] “Sparks, see if you can pick up any chatter.” [/italics]
[italics] “Seems like we picked up a few new holes. How’s she handling Sir.” [/italics]
[italics] “She seems steady Cog. The hits don’t seem to be affecting her trim. But we need to gain some speed and altitude. About the new holes, I can’t wait to get Cpl. Terry’s count and comments. Let’s try a re-start on number 3 and let’s see if she can help us out.” [/italics]
[italics] “Righto Sir.” [/italics]
He saw the port outer fire up, eased the throttle to half speed, felt R2 respond and began to climb gently seeking the safety of the stream and the pathway back to base.” [/italics]
[italics] “W/Op to Captain, I’m picking up some chatter sir. Sounds like our lads.” [/italics]
[italics] “Sparks, I think I’m going to maintain radio silence until we’re closer to rejoining. I don’t want any fighters hearing there is a straggler out here and come looking.” [/italics]
[italics] “Mid Upper to Pilot. I think I see them sir. 11 O’clock high.” [/italics]
[italics] “Let’s see if we can catch them Flight. We can at least hang on to their coat-tails and follow them home.” [/italics]
He advanced the port outer to full throttle.
[italics] “Number 3 is overheating again Skipper. You had better shut her down for good. The other two are beginning to heat up too. I recommend throttling back.” [/italics]
[page break]
[italics] “Right Flight, I think our girl’s had about enough. Let’s put her down as soon as we can. Manston is the divert base and given the problems we may have with the hydraulics and the weather, they have the width and length we need for a rough landing.” [/italics]
[italics] “Captain to crew. We’re approaching the channel lads and it doesn’t look like we’ll need the dinghy, but R2 is a hurting girl. We are back on two engines, some of the hydraulics are out and we may have some damage to the undercarriage. I am going to put her down as soon as I can. We will be landing at Manston and it will be a little dodgy. We are about 10 minutes away. Start securing your stations.” [/italics]
“Sparks, see if you can raise the tower at Manston. Ronnie, identify us, tell them to light it up and let them know we are coming in on two .” [/italics]
[italics] “Roger that Skip.” [/italics]
[italics] “Well Flight, at least the “Met” report was right about visibility, but the runway will still be wet.” [/italics]
He had landed at Manston before but not under these circumstances. The runway was dead ahead.
[italics] “Gear down and locked Skipper. No warning lights.” [/italics]
He put R2 in the groove and rode it in. Touchdown was a little heavy and the tires squawked as they met the wet tarmac. The brakes were very soft but they held and he eased back and let his aircraft run out. Roger Squared sat idling on the runway, for a moment the interior was quiet and then.
[italics] “Well done Skipper.” “You too Flight.” [/italics]
[italics] “Captain to crew, well done lads, everyone ok back there?” [/italics]
[italics] “Way to go Skipper! Great job Cap! Thanks Skip! We made it boys!” [/italics]
Harris added his silent praise to the appreciative responses pouring in from the crew. Then the sound of the grandfather clock striking midnight brought him back to the present.
A remarkable mission against all odds, by a courageous crew. He picked up his pen and then paused. Another tale of split second decision making, incredible skill and courageous leadership by a remarkable pilot.
He signed, confirming the Distinguished Flying Cross for Musselman.
“Thanks for taking me along lads.”
He closed the folder and as he placed it in his out box he added a final invocation.
[page break]
“Good show Roger Squared!”
[page break]
[underlined] Tribute to a Century Lancaster [/underlined]
Lancaster Bomber ME-746 AS-R2 (aka Roger Squared) was one very special aircraft. It completed a total of 126 operations (117 Combat, 6 Manna and 3 Exodus). It was one of only 35 of the 7,377 Lancasters built to attain that distinction.
Roger Squared was well and carefully maintained by a dedicated ground crew under the leadership of Corporal Dennis Terry and flown with skill and determination by a number of pilots and air crew including, as noted in the story, Flying Officer H.J. Musselman RCAF, DFC.
In a highly unusual ceremony Bomber Command awarded the aircraft itself, the Distinguished Service Order. In the picture below the maintenance crew and flight crew assembled on the tarmac for a special ceremony following R2’s 100th mission. Note the large wooden medal (created by Corporal Terry) being held between himself and Flying Officer Musselman. A stirring reminder of that record can be seen in the ten rows of ten bombs painted on fuselage below the pilot’s window.
[photograph]
Dublin Core
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Title
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Good Show Roger Squared
Description
An account of the resource
A story based on the service of Lancaster ME746 AS-R2 (Roger Squared). There is a slightly shorter version included.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
JK Forrest
JW Musselman
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Germany--Gladbeck
Germany--Duisburg
Germany
Great Britain
England--Lincolnshire
Germany--Ruhr (Region)
Coverage
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Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Language
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eng
Type
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Text
Text. Memoir
Text. Personal research
Format
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17 printed sheets
13 printed sheets
Identifier
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MTerryD938465-170619-03, MTerryD938465-170619-07
Rights
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Temporal Coverage
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1944-12-29
1945-03-11
Contributor
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Steve Baldwin
1 Group
166 Squadron
air gunner
aircrew
anti-aircraft fire
bomb aimer
bombing
Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Service Order
flight engineer
Gee
ground crew
ground personnel
Harris, Arthur Travers (1892-1984)
Lancaster
Lancaster Finishing School
navigator
Operation Exodus (1945)
Operation Manna (29 Apr – 8 May 1945)
pilot
RAF Hemswell
RAF Kirmington
RAF Manston
searchlight
training
wireless operator
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1876/34460/BTerryRTerryDv1.2.pdf
22415d2ffca0a181cb311c5aeef1a6db
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1876/34460/BTerryRTerryDv2.1.pdf
dffa103dc89825255e82f41f363b6584
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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Terry, Dennis
D Terry
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Date
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2017-06-19
Rights
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Terry, D
Description
An account of the resource
17 items. The collection concerns Corporal Dennis Terry (938465 Royal Air Force) and contains documents and photographs. He served as a fitter with 166 Squadron and worked on Lancaster ME746 AS-R2 (Roger Squared).
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Rob Terry and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
Transcribed document
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Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
Dennis Terry.
Managed to join the RAF in 1939 after multiple attempts due to his protected trade as a tool maker. Initial training was undertaken at Hendnesford camp near to the site of the current raceway and on completion attained Airframe Fitter status (fix everything relating to the airframe except engines, munitions and instruments).
His first posting was in 1940 to 10sqdn RAF Leeming where he worked on Whitley bombers. He often recalled how the airfield was 'beaten up' by spitfire's from nearby RAF Catterick with some flying so low between the hangars. While at 10 sqdn in 1941, he was sent along with other tradesmen and a replacement tail section by road to repair a stranded Whitley bomber and return it to serviceable flight. Dennis recalls "On arrival at RAF Waddington we were issued with "Temporary Meal Permit" for the airmen's mess to use once the job was complete. While waiting for the aircrew to fly us back to RAF Leeming I decided to have a look around the hangars, I looked into one hangar via a side door and noticed a yellow marked four engine bomber with a large "P" roundel on it, I was then approached by an armed guard who promptly told me to leave as this hangar was "Out of Bounds". I realised later when the Lancaster entered RAF service that this aircraft was in fact the Lancaster bomber protype."
[pass] [meal permit]
Dennis visited RAF Waddington in 2008 and returned the meal permit some 67 years late. The pass is now currated in the base museum.
In 1942 he was posted to Canada to the SFTS at RCAF Swift Current servicing Harvards and Oxfords.
On returning from Canada in 1944 he was then posted to 166sqdn RAF Kirmington as fitter 2A status and made NCO, responsible for the complete airframe servicing of 'C' Flight.
Lancaster 'V' for Victor
Lancaster 'U' for Uncle
Lancaster 'R' for Roger
'R' for Roger was replaced after he arrived with 'R2' Roger Squared.
As far as Dennis was concerned Lancaster ME746-R2 was his aircraft and he made sure that is [sic] was kept in top condition.
In early 1945 R2 received the DSO after completing 100 operation and Dennis can be seen holding the DSO with F/O Musselman DFC representing both the flight and ground crew's effort to achieve such a milestone.
[page break]
[photograph]
The effort of the ground crews did not go un-noticed with a letter from Wing Commander Vivian of 166 sqdn congratulating them all on such an achievement (shown far right).
[underlined] No. 166 SQUADRON [/underlined]
[underlined] LANCASTER AIRCRAFT ME.746 – R2 [/underlined]
This aircraft has now completed 100 sorties against the enemy, in a wide variety of attacks, ranging from targets in enemy occupied territory to the deepest penetrations made into Germany itself.
Throughout their sorties this aircraft has carried many gallant and courageous crews through the fiercest opposition which the enemy has been able to offer, and has never failed to bring them safely home.
The magnificent record established by 'R2' has only been made possible by the devotion to duty of the ground crews. Called upon to service their charge at all hours of the day and night, they have set a standard of serviceability which it will be difficult to equal. The successful completion of 100 sorties by the aircraft bears striking testimony to their skill.
In recognition of the fine achievement of [missing letters]he fine achievement of this aircraft , and as a tribute from the aircrew of the Squadron to the ground crew whose efforts have met with such remarkable success, the aircraft is awarded the Distinguished Service Order.
11.3.45.
[indecipherable words]
[missing letters]ing Commander, Commanding
166 Squadron. R.A.F.
[page break]
At some time during 1945-6, R2 was sent to Boscombe Down for flight evaluation after it had completed 100 ops and the aircraft received a glowing service report with no faults being found.
After this R2 was one of 166sqdn's 'show off' aircraft and everything was kept in top condition.
In total R2 completed 124 ops and everyone was hand painted by Dennis, R2 was eventually scrapped in 1946
[photograph]
R2 shown at the completion of operations with P/O Todd – Dennis is 2nd left.
Dennis was asked to stay on in the RAF with improved rank and move to RAF Binbrook, but he chose to leave after fulfilling his duty.
After leaving he received a Commendation from Bomber Command for Good Service which is signed by N.J Bottomly Vice Chief of Staff, he did not believe that many of these were issued to ground staff.
[page break]
[R.A.F. crest]
Headquarters. Bomber Command
Corporal D. G. Terry.
Your name has been brought to my notice
I am authorised to signify, by the award to you of this Certificate, my appreciation of the good service which you have rendered.
I have given instructions that a note of your devotion to duty shall be made in your Record of Service.
NJ Bottomly. Air Marshal.
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief
Date 2 April 1946
Dennis passed away peacefully on 6th September 2011 aged 92 years.
He was always passionate about the work that was undertaken by ground crews during WW2 and was always very proud of his achievements.
[page break]
Dennis Terry.
Airframe fitter 2A status status (fix everything relating to the airframe except engines, munitions and instruments)
First posting was in 1940 to 10sqdn RAF Leeming where he worked on Whitleys.
Incidently, while at 10 sqdn he and a team of fitters were taken to RAF Waddington to repair a battle damaged Whitley, where he found one of the first prototype Lancaster’s in one of the hangers [sic], all he can remember is that it had a letter ‘P’ in yellow on the side before he was asked to leave the hangar.
In 1942 he was posted to Canada to the SFTS servicing Harvards and Oxfords.
On returning from Canada in 1944 he was then posted to 166sqdn RAF Kirmington and made NCO, responsible for the complete airframe servicing of 'C' Flight.
'V' for Victor
'U' for Uncle
'R' for Roger
'R' for Roger was replaced shortly after he arrived with 'R2' Roger Squared.
As far as he was concerned R2 was his aircraft and he made sure that is [sic] was kept in top condition. At some time during 1945-6, R2 was sent down to Boscome Down for flight evaluation after it had completed 100 ops and the aircraft received a glowing service report with no faults being found.
After this R2 was one of 166sqdn's show off aircraft and everything was kept in top condition.
In total R2 completed 124 ops and everyone was hand painted by Dennis, R2 was eventually scrapped in 1947.
Dennis was asked to stay on in the RAF with improved rank and move to RAF Binbrook, but he chose to leave.
After leaving he received a Commendation from Bomber Command for Service and Devotion to Duty which is signed by N.J Bottomly Vice Chief of Staff, he does not believe that many of these were issued to ground staff.
I hope that this information is of use and that you will be able to use the photgraphs [sic] I have sent previously on your web site as it would mean a great deal to him.
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Title
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Dennis Terry Biography
Description
An account of the resource
A brief biography of Dennis featuring photographs described in the collection. It covers his training and service as a fitter in the UK and Canada. He maintained a Lancaster that completed 124 ops and the aircraft was, unusually, awarded a DSO.
A second document contains the text only of the biography.
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
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Text
Text. Personal research
Format
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Five printed sheets
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
BTerryRTerryDv1, BTerryRTerryDv2
Rights
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Lincolnshire
England--Staffordshire
England--Wiltshire
England--Yorkshire
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Sue Smith
Steve Baldwin
10 Squadron
166 Squadron
Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Service Order
fitter airframe
ground crew
ground personnel
hangar
Harvard
Lancaster
nose art
Oxford
RAF Binbrook
RAF Boscombe Down
RAF Hednesford
RAF Kirmington
RAF Leeming
RAF Waddington
Spitfire
Whitley