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https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/639/8909/AShepherdFH150525.1.mp3
031fe9ea01628bf8d20dbf0d41146e6a
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Shepherd, Frederick Harold
F H Shepherd
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IBCC Digital Archive
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Shepherd, FH
Description
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An oral history interview with Frederick Harold Shepherd (b. 1921, 152660 Royal Air Force). He flew operations as a bomb aimer with 2018 and 15 Squadrons.
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2015-05-25
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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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Transcription
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This interview is being conducted for the International Bomber Command Centre the interviewer is Claire Bennett the interviewee is Mr. Frederick Shepherd, the interview is taking place at Mr. Shepherd’s home near Kings Lynn on 25th May 2015.
CB: Good Morning Frederick
AS: Good Morning
CB: Perhaps you could start by saying your date and place of birth please
FS: The date of my birth was 8th March 1921 and I was born at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Manchester
CB: Do you remember very much of your early life
FS: That’s either very detailed or very shallow, I was, put it this way, I was the first child of my mother and father, and my next brother, Douglas, was born in 1926, and my second brother, Ronald was born in 1934, at the moment all my family have departed this world so I am the only one left in the Shepherd family.
CB: And your early life until you joined the air
FS: I was schooled in Manchester and on leaving school I joined the company of South American Shipping Association and stayed with them until I went to the Air Force when I was twenty years of age.
CB: What made you join the Air Force
FS: Er, basic inclination was to fly and in that connection I applied to join the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm but I was assured that entry into the Fleet Air Arm was via the Royal Marines, and no one would give me any indication of the gap period between joining and possibly being transferred to the Naval Airforce so I immediately applied to join the Royal Airforce.
CB: And this would have been 1941 something like that
FS: 1941 yes
CB: So where was your first posting to
FS: Ah, I need to qualify that a little bit, I was accepted by the Royal Air Force, er, took physical and mental examinations at Cardington, er, was sent home on deferred entry and I went to Manchester and Salford University for extra schooling on mathematics, geometry, Royal Air Force Law and the Morse Code technique, and that covered the period of time ‘twixt me being accepted and actually being invited to join in London at my, at um er, for the entrance into the Royal Air Force proper.
CB: How long would that have taken about
FS: Twelve months, the training took twelve months
CB: Right, and then
FS: I went into London for initial training, and then to Newquay for what they called ITW that was the initial training wing, before being selected to go into flying which I did immediately I left Newquay I went into basic flying at place called Clyffe Pypard which is in Wiltshire. I’m curious by the by are we being recorded now?
CB: Yes we are
FS: That happened to be the initial training school for flying happened to be a private training school and one or two of the previous employers at the school were still there until young ex flyers that’s not Bomber Command but Fighter Command came to do the training and they were young men of nineteen, twenty, twenty one, and the next part I would not like recorded its purely of interest but not I don’t think it is for the record, I mean these sorry
CB: Would you like me to pause it
FS: Yes, just for your [pause]. So I was taken under the wing metaphorically of a young man who was nineteen/twenty years of age who obviously shown how good he was a flyer and then been sent on to this training base and I found him excellent as a flyer but virtually useless as a trainer because he had no tolerance of my ineptitude for flying [slight laugh] at all and he got all these various flying techniques slow rolls, shuffles, turns and all the rest of them and I was just clinging to the side of the aircraft hoping I wouldn’t fall out [laughs].
CB: What aircraft were you in
FS: Tiger Moths [laughs]
CB: Tiger Moths I see
FS: You’d sit there next to him doing slow rolls and you’d catch everything that was coming out the cigarette ends and everything else that was in there would hit you in the face you know and you weren’t supposed to hold the sides of the aircraft you were supposed to have your hand on the joystick and I didn’t, that’s all part of the fun [laughs], er um, from then what happened next, er yes, I had um, I was taken off all training because playing rugby I had a scratch on my right eye across the pupil and there was a danger that I might not be able to fly at all, so I was admitted to the hospital at Swindon and I was there for a while and finally I was released unconditionally the repair had been affected as far as my eyes but meanwhile I was taken off the training for weeks on end and I wondered whether I was going to go back again but I did, but of course I lost all the people I was with they were well on their way to Canada, shall we go on now?
CB: Yes yes please
FS: From then we were all posted, all prepared for despatch to Canada because they had set up this empire [?] air training scheme which was part in Canada and the other part in Port Elizabeth in South Africa where all this training for all all aspects of flying all duties were going to be covered and we were sent up to a waiting station in Manchester a placed called Heaton Park where the maximum holding of manpower was for two odd thousand and it built up to ten thousand and we had individuals who actually were finding homes to stay in in proximity to Heaton Park this was all because of the big problems in the Atlantic we were going to be sent off by the Queen Elizabeth first boat and because of the submarines and so forth they were diverted they were slowing everything down for obvious reasons and it came to a point there was a terrific overflow from Manchester and they sent a company of us down to the south coast just to deposit us for a while we had only been there for four days and the Germans had obviously been advised and they sent across a fleet and we had a lot of casualties because they caught one flight coming back from training exercise and we had suspected that when we heard the roar of these aircraft that they were English aircraft when in actual fact they were German aircraft who were attacking us and from there that we had only been there for three days and that night or following morning at about two o’clock in the morning we all paraded we went right along the full length of the promenade on both sides of the promenade to the railway station onto a train and we didn’t get off the train until we got off at Harrogate, and from then on we were there for a short period of time despatched to Scotland and for one night only and then onto the Elizabeth the following day and away to Canada.
CB: How long did it take to get to Canada
FS: Four and a half days.
CB: What were the conditions like on board
FS: What with twenty thousand, we ate twice a day and we heard about when we were going to eat and whatever when we got on the boat by having these tickets and mine said two o’clock in the afternoon and two o’clock in the morning and from two o’clock until six o’clock afternoon and evening I was on special guard duty for the whole trip and we were allotted that sort of guard duty from two until six two until six.
CB: And what did that involve
FS: Parading all round the ship like in the daytime, not so much from two am in the morning until six am in the morning round the decks and that was the job its not everybody who had that sort of assignment but when I got on board I was given that ticket which advised me that I was one of twenty one in the bridal suite and that I had these duties from two until six two until six [laughs].
CB: Were you on your own in this bridal suite
FS: No [emphasis] twenty one I was one of twenty one in the bridal suite.
CB: In the bridal suite
FS: Oh yes, seven three tier bunks.
CB: Oh I see
FS: Great fun [laughs].
CB: So you got to Canada docked at Canada
FS: No no we went into New York, we went into New York and then a train travel [?] the likes of which I had never experienced before on the train for about three days off to Canada and we ate and slept we slept on the luggage racks which you could pull down for luggage but we had to sleep on them we couldn’t sleep at all we went up to Canada a place called Moncton which was the assembly point at the beginning of our trip to Canada we went to several stations in Canada for different aspects of training of course.
CB: So from Moncton you went to
FS: Er, one two three four different stations and then the last station was a place called Ancienne Lorette which was outside Quebec City and from there the majority of them were six of us were commissioned out of the thirty six on the flight six of us all went to Prince Andrews Island for this GR training and the rest of them either went straight away into operations in the Far East, as one or two of my friends and colleagues did and the rest of us went to Prince Edward Island for six weeks and then came home and that was it, we were there for about fifteen months all told.
CB: And you were being trained on
FS: All aspects
CB: And you settled for and you ended up where
FS: I had nothing to do with it you were directed I came back here one of the after that they differentiated with you between your badges I got an observer badge fully qualified afterwards that changed to either air gunner or BA which is bomb aimer or N for navigator they split it.
CB: Just to go back to Canada a minute what was the accommodation and the food like from what you had been used to in the UK
FS: No comparison vastly superior because they had no restrictions there in actual fact and that meant either in the camp or going out into the town for dinner I mean the prices were very realistic and the food was superb because it was free choice so when we went into Quebec City itself in actual fact you could dine for silly prices and you had fantastic meals and that’s what it was.
CB: What aircraft did you learn on
FS: Mainly Ansons, mainly Ansons and we had one or two gunnery [?] trips on Beaufighters which I haven’t mentioned before Ansons and Beaufighter
CB: What did you feel about your time in Canada was it happy memories
FS: Oh it was superb long time we had we worked eight days and then had a day off that was the standard eight days and one day off until we arrived in Prince Edward Island surprise surprise there was a weekend we finished work and we had Friday and Sunday off we used to go oyster fishing off Prince Edward Island [laughs].
CB: What were your other recreations apart from oyster fishing
FS: Gymnasium and squash that was about it and walking of course did a tremendous walking lovely particularly from Quebec one amusing incident we a bunch of us went into Quebec to the cinema and when we came out at the end of the show there had been a five foot fall of snow which meant we couldn’t even get out of the entrance of the theatre there so we ultimately got out and one of us went into the the hotel there which I have got a photograpgh of and booked a room and twelve of us occupied the room for the night then we got back to camp the following day the camp was about fourteen miles so I mean it was either snow shoes or horse drawn sleds took us back the following day but that was one of the amusing incidents.
CB: So happy times in Canada
FS: Oh absolutely in the main yes great fun and then coincidence I suppose we came back on the Elizabeth again
CB: Same sort of routines
FS: Yes not quite as cramped [laughs]
CB: How did you feel going across the Atlantic I mean were you frightened you were going to be torpedoed
FS: I don’t think it entered any of our minds at all we changed course getting slightly technical we changed course every seven minutes on that boat which you could realise in actual fact if you were up on the bridge because you could see this in the water purely as a safeguard and we diverted as well south and then turned back again up into New York.
CB: You were you part of a convoy
FS: Oh no, oh no nothing could keep up with that boat that’s why it was superior to the submarines they ain’t got that speed so we got away with it just changing course every seven minutes which is standard procedure and it can be set up by equipment in those days so every day of courseyou can see it so later on in the day you can see where you are crossing because you had left a stream there purely to indicate you changing course and that was entirely automatic until we got into New York and we were only there for a short time but there again talk about hospitality when we got off the boat we were given a little bunch of cards with names and addresses on and [?] please give us a telephone call and it would be an automatic invite to their houses if they were in proximity to where you were and we used to go out while we were there until everything was ready or the onto the train and up into Canada but that was a very nice experience went to big shows called Sons of Fun at the gardens there and they made fun of us course but it was all lighthearted stuff yes but we were one of the early contingents obviously across there into the states and they made a fuss of us while we were there which we accommodated very well and they did it in Canada in Canada the same arrangement the first Christmas we were there two of us David and I went to stay at a family they called them Driscolls and they lived in Montreal they had three children and we were invited there to stay there as long as we want over Christmas they took us up in the mountains up to the top and had Christmas dinner up in the Laurentian Mountains as part of there hospitality suite it was really good.
CB: Wonderful
FS: Oh yes it was no it was and they were also wonderful they used to send parcels to my family in Manchester the Driscoll’s Mr and Mrs Driscoll used to send parcels to my family in Manchester and saying jumping ahead a lot now on our way back from South America when we landed in Washington on VJ Day imagine what that was like and then we flew on to Montreal and when in Montreal I phoned the Driscolls you’ll never guess within ten minutes they said you’re not staying at the Windsor Hotel they picked me up and took me home I had to have five [unclear] with them of course and that was an indication of the hospitality I phoned them and within minutes they were there with the car and I renewed acquaintance with them after several years in Montreal.
CB: How wonderful
FS: More about that later
CB: So you arrived back in Liverpool
FS: Um, no we arrived back in Scotland.
CB: And then what was the next stage of your
FS: Down to down to Harrogate and then on to – down to Harrogate posting to Dumfries where I did an extensive course of specialised bombing for Pathfinders not that was any indication that we were going to [unclear] but that was specialised in training in Dumfries with a Polish pilot by the by very good we used to do specialised bomb dropping as required in these aircraft which I suppose was a Wellington and then down to, er um, down to pick up my crew, yes that’s where I met Mcfarlane and the rest of my crew before we went into mess halls.
CB: And where did you do your crewing up
FS: At um – Chipping Warden near Banbury.
CB: Right
FS: Yes because then in actual fact we were [unclear] break of through Wellington so before that in actual fact we crewed up at this place called Chipping Warden that was Banbury that was a sub station for Banbury we did our crewing up and then went to Chipping Warden and then started flying on Wellingtons purely training didn’t do any operational flying from there I tell a lie we did one operational flight that was on VJ night we flew over France dropping thousands of leaflets.
CB: Would you like to explain the crewing up
FS: Yes certainly we would assemble there was no assembly you just went into a huge hangar and you just wondered around I suppose so that was in the main the captain of the aircraft and in my case that was Squadron Leader McFarlane and he had met one person of the crew at the railway station at Littleport and on the railway station before they got there the two of them had decided that Captain McFarlane would have this other fella and then we got into this hangar and we wondered around and picked up and are you crewed up would you like to join us and we gathered up the crew the two gunners, and then wireless operator the bomb aimers as was then the navigator and the captain and that’s how we formed up and from there we went on to Wellingtons and then Stirlings and then on to Lancasters.
CB: So you first OTU operational training unit
FS: That was at Chipping Warden yes
CB: And your first training your did you know your first training was it leaflets
FS: First training or first flight the first operational flight
CB: Yes
FS: Was on VJ night and on landing night when we dropped thousands leaflets over France
CB: Right
FS: Then from then onwards we went on to Methwold and then Mildenhall ah I am telling lies we went to – Chedburgh that was on to Stirlings no we did no that’s right we went onto Stirlings but before we did any operational flights on Stirlings we transferred to Lancasters so went to Lancaster Finishing School LFS which was at a place called Feltwell just down the road from here.
CB: What date would this have been
FS: I’ll have to check with my
CB: Roughly
FS: Forty end Forty Three beginning Forty Four as near as makes no difference.
CB: So you went from flying on Wellingtons
FS: Yes only the one trip
CB: Only one trip on Wellingtons
FS: Then we went on flying Stirlings but we never did operational flying then we went on to Lancaster Finishing School at Feltwell and then on to operations at Methwold.
CB: What did you make of flying in the Stirling
FS: We didn’t but we had no choice I mean as far as we were concerned when we went training on Stirlings that was the aircraft we were going to fly in operations it so happened coincidentally happily that the Lancaster was coming in and replacing the Stirlings and whateverother aircraft we got and that was going to be the aircraft in this part of the country as opposed to Halifaxes in the Lincolnshire area which was a different group as you realise here we were 3 Group Lincolnshire were that’s what 4 Group glorious place.
CB: So we are now on to now in Lancasters
FS: Right operational flying the usual now what details would you like then I would have to refer to my flying log book.
CB: Certainly lets know some of the targets you went to.
FS: Shall I get my book
CB: Yes that’s fine, Frederick if we could talk about your start the start of your Bomber Command experiences in the Lancaster, so could you tell us about well your first operation.
FS: Yes now lets just have a look and be precise that’s Lancaster Finishing School 208 Squadron Methwold operation was destination was Boulogne can’t imagine what that was about um daylight visit to Boulogne doesn’t mention anything about bombing at all, um then there was a four and a half flight to Dusseldorf that was a straightforward bombing exercise now that would be the one [unclear] Calais [unclear] Duisburg bomb target so it must have been that trip to Dusseldorf when we came back the following morning that we noticed several technical people were busy standing underneath our aircraft gazing up underneath the right the starboard wing of which there was a hole between the second and third petrol tanks [laughs].
CB: And that had been caused by
FS: That had been caused by a bomb being dropped from one of our aircraft above which had gone straight away through between the two tanks without exploding which it should have done on impact.
CB: Incredible
FS: Absolutely absolutely incredible and then we did several trips and – that’s [unclear] that transfer date [pause] ah there we are yes the transfer date to Mildenhall see how many trips we did there, Stuttgart Essen Volks[?]
CB: So you are bombing the major cities now
FS: Yes that’s up to about October forty four
CB: Were you involved in any of the Berlin raids
FS: No not one no scheduled for but cancelled what had happened in actual fact, [coughs] pardon me oh sorry lets go back please to Methwold again because that was I had been talking about our first bombing raid when we actually arrived at Methwold as a crew the previous night they had sent out twelve Lancaster aircraft and five came back which is a heavy loss for one station and we became part of the quite pathetic exercise of moving into accommodation which had previously been occupied by friends of ours and you know when anybody is lost they have a special committee set up particularly with officers and these officers were doing all their duty work and we were moving in the following day so it wasn’t a very good start as far as we were concerned but still we obviously we accommodated it but that was a heavy loss they sustained that night and then the this was the first operational operational job we came back and found that incident the following morning in our aircraft yes so going on now what more
CB: So you went from Methwold to
FS: So we went from Methwold to Mildenhall I’ll tell you about why there had been a loss at Mildenhall there was a vacancy for a new squadron commander and they appointed my captain Squadron Leader McFarlane and they agreed which was unusual they agreed for him to take his full crew so we all went so we were all transferred our affections to Mildenhall and then onwards
CB: And this was with 218 Squadron
FS: From 218 to 15
CB: Right [unclear]
FS: And here we are 15 Squadron at Mildenhall and when there was a loss our captain was a squadron leader so when there was a loss of a senior officer the group captain no it wasn’t a wing commander over they appointed our captain McFarlane to take over from him as a wing commander so he lost his crew for obvious reasons and that crew was taken over by a Squadron Leader Percy and at that point I was appointed I was taken out of the crew and appointed as bombing leader for 15 Squadron and I also I became squadron adjutant at the same time reporting again to my previous captain McFarlane so I was taken out of my crew at that time.
CB: What does being adjutant involve at that time
FS: All the clerical work on top of which I was the leader of the bombing section so I was actually the bombing leader which you had to have in every squadron he’s the guy who goes to all the early meetings to take advice for onward transmission to the people of what was going to happen that night so that was so I had those two jobs I had still when I was so I was then whipped out of my crew and another individual appointed to the crew which was then being handled by Squadron Leader Percy who had taken over from McFarlane so I lost my crew because of my other involvements and I stayed in that situation until surprise surprise I was advised that I had been selected to accompany Harris now the reason how they did that they obviously they wanted an aircraft and I will show the aircraft that had been modified afterwards they wanted what was I going to say, how they chose who was going to do what they chose 15 Squadron because it was the oldest squadron in the air force to do these flights for Harris and having chosen the aircraft from 15 Squadron they took out the leaders from each department bombing section navigation section [unclear] section and those leaders all were part of the crew that’s the crew I have got in the photograph next door so from that point onwards I was involved in away to Africa America Canada and everything and left the crew behind.
CB: So your operational life stopped
FS: It stopped
CB: How did you feel about seeing your crew going off and having been given these new duties
FS: Well I was immensely proud because I mean it was quite an assignment we were going to go on we had no idea at that time we’d only got the shadow of what was going on we knew he’d been invited I’m talking about Harris because he’d been in Africa before he came to England he was been in South Africa he’d been invited to various places and the South er the Brazilian Government had invited somebody out there to commemorate the arrival of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force which had gone to Italy and not fired a shot and got back home again and they declared a national holiday [laughs] and coincidentally we were due to be arriving in Rio de Janeiro before they arrived back and that was what that was all about.
CB: There must have been a terrific sense of comradery on you know when you were flying with your crew that you had been with such a long time.
FS: [laughs] of course yes but it had to be severed the initial severance was when I was appointed the bombing leader which immediately took me out because only on rare occasions I had one or two rare occasions when a particular crew would be short of a bomber for one reason or another and I stepped right into their jobs that was quite harrowing to be a foreigner so to speak with a crew because you get used to your crew their attitude their application and even their reaction to situations but to go with another crew I found that quite tough going yes I flew with a Canadian crew on one occasion and they’d had several very rough experiences with I’ll mention one a decapitated bomb aimer came back in the aircraft and there were others now the crew in relation to my crew which were far more disciplined but with respect they hadn’t gone through the sort of operation now that crew with whom I flew on their twenty second operation were very little discipline there at all I think they were very concerned about what had happened on their previous operations they bailed out and they had done lots of other things and I flew with them as the air bomber for them and I found that the disciplines were very sadly lacking which was reflected on the chattering that goes on over the telephone the intercom which was fairly evident but still that is by the by and you ride that situation which I did.
CB: Did you just fly the one operation with them
FS: Yes yes yes just the one
CB: And did your crew your original crew did they survive the war
FS: Yes they did yes yes yes they did, no they did yes in spite of all the losses yes yes
CB: So you are now given these new duties and the next thing you hear is that you are going to be flying with Harris
FS: Right
CB: And when did you first see him when did you first meet him
FS: At the first place before we were going to, let’s get the dates – where I finished up [flicking through pages of flying log] – it all started in July Forty Five.
CB: Oh so
FS: Yes July Forty Five it started that’s when I met up with Wing Commander Calder a scots ex dambuster and he came down and I started flying with him as a co-navigator and then that was just before the trip started now the actual trip do you want to go on to when the trip started.
CB: Well if we can go back to Calder what would had been your you know your trip tours after the war in July Forty Five what were you doing with Calder.
FS: He was the captain of the aircraft taking Harris around the world.
CB: I see
FS: Yes.
CB: Right so
FS: Calder was ex bomber no ex Dambuster Squadron yes that’s Wing Commander Calder double DSO double DSC no seriously he was only twenty one brilliant.
CB: Yes so he was the pilot
FS: Yes he was the pilot
CB: So you would be the
FS: I flew with two navigators on this
CB: So you were the navigator on this because obviously we weren’t this wasn’t any hostile flying involved.
FS: None at all
CB: It was just
FS: Hardly, hardly
CB: It was just taking Harris around
FS: Yes quite literally and all that went with it.
CB: So what did you make of Bomber Harris
FS: I found him most of all to if I used the term a gentle person obviously a very strict disciplinarian but in actual fact on a personal basis on the occasion when I was talking to him he was much a very relaxed bearing in mind with what he had to contend as I mentioned before it wasn’t an easy life for him at all he had to virtually fight for possession for his own force and he had the big people in government who were contesting him in many instances I could name names but there is no point until he finally bearing in mind as I mentioned before the junior service the first being the navy the second being the army were very much the junior service and he didn’t find he’d get his own way at all in spite of the plans he had laid and the proposal view put before the big people like Portal and others who didn’t entirely agree with him that getting behind the German war machine by tackling in reducing to ruins their equipment factories that were providing the aircraft and all the aircraft parts was what he wanted to get at he didn’t find it easy until apparently he did get his own way and that’s when the war then moved to the German armoured factories which was part of the beginning of the end so to speak so the rest of that in actual fact is devoted to flying we did the whole of Africa and then started off we should have gone we went to a little aerodrome in the South of France for refuelling then we should have gone to Crete but we got to Crete and they said on no condition that you land because we have got a fever that is sweeping through Crete which could be dangerous so we didn’t drop off at Crete at all our next port of call was Egypt and then we went right the way down Africa staying at various places until we got to Cape Town.
CB: What was the purpose of Harris’ travels
FS: There was really no purpose these were just invitations from these people overseas to express their appreciation of what he’d done for Bomber Command and in the longer term what he had done in the country in terms of accelerating the close of the war and I suppose a thank you for the fifty five thousand who died during the war because this came out in all his little addresses that he gave in actual fact he was conscious of that fifty five thousand he dropped it in quite loosely everywhere so that was the trip and we came back only for a short period of time and then went on to the South American trip flying down the west coast of Africa to a place called Bathurst and then flying across from Bathurst to North Brazil and down to Rio de Janeiro and then all the way back calling in at various places British Guyana etcetera etcetera etcetera up over Florida and landing on VJ Day in Washington for the big celebrations which we joined in and at that time met big people like General Arnold and General Eaker with whom he Harris had been negotiating years before for the Americans to come into the European war instead of devoting their care and attention to the Japanese which was arguably their main drive force in actual fact he was one of the individuals we had dispatched to America to talk it over and in fact these two individuals were present when we landed in Washington so it was quite a gathering quite a gathering yes.
CB: Do you know if Harris knew that they were going to drop the atomic bomb in August
FS: Oh yes
CB: He knew so was it timed that he would be in Washington at that
FS: No
CB: No
FS: He didn’t we did our trip across South America Rio de Janeiro Sao Paulo addressed the British community in Sao Paulo this is where the fifty five thousand came up again and purely by coincidence I met a young man there an Englishman who had completed his course at [unclear] university when I went there and he had transferred his affections to the equivalent of our administration organisation and he had joined that in Sao Paulo and as he mentioned he said if you ever thinking about coming over here do get in contact with me and we will see what we could do this was in Sao Paulo South America and we had that closeness in that part of our education of being in the same place at slightly different times we got round to discussion this and he said well wait a minute I was there too when were you there and I realised I had gone there when he’d left in Manchester quite astounding yes quite astounding [laugh] we kept in a bit of correspondence for a while but I had no intention of going to South America in actual fact at that time well by that time I had left [unclear] and was working in Mareham I had met the lady who was going to be my future wife who’d had a little girl whose husband had died and any thoughts of going out of England had gone she came from Kings Lynn in actual fact.
CB: So how long was this flight with Harris
FS: Oh right –
CB: Right Frederick so you have started with going around Africa and so on in July Forty Five and you actually came back in August Forty Five so do you look on that time as a pleasurable month did you enjoy doing what you did with Harris
FS: Oh fantastic I mean these places I had never visited before I’d never been to Africa before and we I say we just went to these various places in Africa stopping for two or three days and at each place from Cairo to Cayga [?] I mean as far as I was concerned that was fantastic we did all these wonderful things in the Sahara into the jungle at night time you name it we did it of all the places to stay in Nairobi we stayed at the Norfolk Hotel in that location and to things like seeing all the African workers sitting on the steps making things like I’ve got those forks knives and forks actually making them and selling them to us in actual that was a new experience going out on night time safaris going out on night time sing songs in the jungle and all that sort of thing we did going to moth and butterfly museums quite absolutely incredible.
CB: Did Harris join you for any recreations
FS: No, for some but mostly he was at a much higher level than we were and were concerned with our I mean we went to Mombasa we went down we did the big things like going down a gold mine for instance going down a gold mine and you go down a gold mine instead of going straight down there you go about seventy five degrees and six of you go down at a time two two two and you go down at a fantastic speed at about that angle that was the Wanderer Gold Mine and I’ve still got specimens I joke not I’ve got specimens of gold that they gave us at the gold mine fifty sixty years ago I’ve still got them I don’t know what they are worth but these are specimens inside that you see petrite [?] it’s called inside the petrite[?] is pure gold.
CB: Gold that would be worth now these days
FS: Oh bound to I might take it to see that fellow who does gold in Lynn he’d say oh thank you I’ll have this bit its worth a couple of pounds couple of pounds sorry I joke but no it showed I had a fantastic experience in those places we went to a place in Bathurst on the West Coast of Africa from which we flew to South America and we went they took us down to a cellar where the native bunch were all sitting on the floor making filigree and we could buy it and we could buy it for ridiculous prices I mean low low prices and we all bought our specimen as few of but actually to sit there and watch it being made that was a fantastic experience that followed not quite such a fantastic experience when we were landing in Bathurst a place called Halfdie [?] which has taken its name from the fact that they had a plague which wiped out fifty percent of it and thereafter named it Halfdie [?] and the last few hundred yards in we encountered a terrific sandstorm and we couldn’t see a thing out of the aircraft it was kind of landing by instinct and we got out of the aircraft and it was torrenting down and we were absolutely saturated and they persuaded us to strip off and put clothes on and they put all our clothes on to fast heaters so we went in there was a crisp uniform standing up in the corner which you had to break to get it on [laughs] like this crack crack crack it was quite ridiculous and we had a function an important function that night and there was our stuff we had to wear everything shirt vest and pants was rock hard [laughs].
CB: I assume Harris’ stuff wasn’t
FS: No he had six spare uniforms in his luggage that was incredible we had that photo they had just taken all our clothes away and woosh we’ll dry these for you [laughs]
CB: Now after the war if we can just conclude with Harris he didn’t wasn’t treated very well
FS: No no he wasn’t
CB: Nor was Bomber Command for that matter
FS: No no no
CB: Did you have sympathy with Harris at this time about how he was treated
FS: Oh yes I think we all did I yes I suppose even then the realisation of what sort of if I can put the wording in the battering he had to get his own way and the fact and even the fact that it was proven beyond any doubt that what that the plans he had put forward and etcetera which had met so much opposition at one time and then finally he got his own way and got the power behind his throne that he wanted to do what he wanted to do with Germany in spite of [unclear] and all that I suppose we all had a tremendous amount of sympathy and a tremendous amount of respect for his dogmatic approach in actual fact to get not his own way for words sake for getting his own way for the benefit which would be derived in him getting permission to do what he wanted to do and the result was the war came to an end so I suppose at that time we thought a great deal of him.
CB: And did you all think you know a great deal of him during the war when he was he had this programme
FS: Yes that was the general the general sentiment yes he didn’t mean admire he wouldn’t expect to meet any opposition at that it was patently obviously what we had to do and one was certainly not send the trained crews to handle the Atlantic war in spite of how vital that was I mean we talking about hundreds of thousands and when you look at the figures of what was going down ‘twixt and ‘tween American and where they were delivering the goods to place like Archangel and Murmansk North of Russia and then there was all those goods coming through Russia into the European war in spite of all that and the tremendous demands which were made upon him by as I say the Navy to send to have some trained forces so they could handle the Atlantic war well of course that wasn’t realistic in anyway there was nothing that we were doing in Germany to identify with anything to do with the Atlantic war that was something quite different admittedly they wanted the aircraft and unless they could have the aircraft and they could have the armaments to be able to drop bombs on submarines which was a bit wild gesture anyway that might have been might have made a contribution towards the more positive influence of all the shipping that was coming across the Atlantic than it did because we wouldn’t I remember the speeches in parliament by Churchill ex hundreds and thousands and thousands of tons of zinc had gone down and then the humanitarian aspect of how many they had lost at sea I don’t suppose any of us could identify that with sending trained Royal Air Force crews into the Navy to do what you know one of the things you were supposed to do to have a fleet of aircraft over the Atlantic dropping bombs on U-boats bearing in mind we had U-boats out there trying to blow the air out of the Germans anyway but that was I suppose that could have taken a different more important role entirely had that shipping gone down a more I mean with these vital elements that were arriving from America in Russia well it was a contributory factor obviously and hundreds of thousand tons going down in the Atlantic meant nothing at all to that building up that war coming down from Russia through Germany etcetera so we had a great deal of respect for him and he was a person who you had a great deal of respect for anyway not because of his position and his number of stripes in actual fact his dogged determination to get his own way for the benefit of not he for the benefit of the war.
CB: Well
FS: Sorry to interrupt but this came out in his speeches that he gave overseas in South America and the particular one we all attended in in Rio to the British contingent he was quite emotional about [unclear] the losses that had been sustained doing what he wanted to do.
CB: Of course Churchill after the war distanced himself from Harris.
FS: Oh yes yes
CB: His strategy and Bomber Command what do you feel about that
FS: We had a very strong feeling extremely strong feelings the war was over then we could say but wait a minute we succeeded but it wasn’t that easy in actual feel there was a tremendous amount of ‘oppo’ of course a lot was caused by the Dresden business that manifested itself too I remember that we haven’t touched on it yet Joy and I were specially invited to the memorial service the unveiling service for the house you’ve got all the details for that
CB: Yes
FS: Because I’ve got all the details just digressing for a moment only because of my association close association for a short period of time I had special dispensation to attend the church we had seats you had to pay for them but we had seats reserved at the church for the unveiling ceremony which was the Queen Mother of course.
CB: Yes
FS: And that was sorry to be digressing just for a moment and when we got the invitation it was a question of where it was so forth how you get there so forth and I said ‘oh there’s no point taking a car there’s thousands going there’ having a contact at The Savoy I phoned my contact and got a reservation in their garage for my car and again realised you come out The Savoy turn right and there’s the church so Joy and I went up there I was in full regalia medals and all chat chat chat[?] and went in there and had breakfast in The Savoy [laughs] there were people coming up and whats going on oh yes we’ve got something special going on down the road and then walked out the front and walked out and there was the church and we had reserved seats that was packed to capacity as of course the Queen Mother was there of course she performed the unveiling ceremony and again there was a terrific uproar in the background on her lefthandside at the back it was subdued but in actual fact it started off being very very rowdy and she continued on with her little citation for the opening and it came very interesting from Joy and I point of view my group captain from Mildenhall was then the chairman of the Bomber Command Association and his duty on that particular day was to escort the Queen Mother round and into the law courts where we were having [unclear] or teas coffee whatever I mean so he took and upside in his wheelchair was Cheshire so we could shake hands with Cheshire that’s purely by the by and we got inside and we wondering how difficult this is you’ve got two hands a cup in one hand a plate in the other one said help yourself and we were in this sort of situation and a voice boomed out it was my group captain ‘Shepherd would you bring your good lady over’ and we were introduced to the Queen Mother as spontaneous as that no preparation at all so Joy went across and was presented on the spot that was a lovely instance and that was my group captain.
CB: Yes
FS: From Mildenhall so where have we got to as far as your concerned
CB: I know that you were involved even on a slight degree with Operation Manna
FS: Oh yes on experimentation that’s right
CB: So how did you come to be involved in that
FS: There wasn’t much and I signed on for an extra six months no I’m getting things out of timing I came back to Mildenhall and everybody had gone all the bodies had gone all disappeared and there was [unclear] bombing leader who would need a bombing leader after the war [?]
CB: This is April Forty Five Right
FS: That’s absolutely right and I had come back I had finished full of my trips overseas America and everything else and that was excitement at the tail end of when we arrived in Washington of course it was madness and from there we flew up to Duval which is Montreal in the Lancaster of course in preparatory for coming home and we flew off from there and landed in Newfoundland and took off for the trip back to Prestwick which the navigator and I the two of us that was going to be an entirely star navigation back home as an experiment two three thousand miles so we dropped all the mechanics we concentrated on star shooting with our cameras and moon charts and we got a freak tuning from Prestwick two thousand three hundred miles from Prestwick so that pointer came there and we had a beam it up so that we could tell exactly where we were coming over the county it was fine we had a fire on the outboard engine on the starboard side of the aircraft a fire no problem just press the button to extinguish it, press the button to extinguish it, nothing happened so we had a fire in the starboard engine so the only think that Calder could do we were probably about twelve fourteen thousand feet high was to put the aircraft into a very steep dive and it worked it blew the fire out the engine so on investigation we found that when we dropped into Duval for final check up they had not put the fuses back into the system so [sighs] it was a toss up shall we turn back into Newfoundland rather than risk anything and that’s where they confirmed there were no fuses in the fire system whatsoever so we thought we’d choose this got airborne and came back to Prestwick [laughs heartily] but these things what happen we could have gone down there and had no well they wouldn’t know well they would have had a rough idea of where we’d gone down but fat lot of good that does [laughs] well yes that was the spot yes you can see it no can’t see any bubbles a simple thing like that happen yes and that was on the return flight. So back now Manna
CB: Right Manna
FS: So when I came back to Mildenhall there was no job for yours truly but they had a vacancy up the road in Mareham in the experimental unit for Manna and not much alternative I had my service to do and I wanted a job so I was posted in actual fact to take over this Manna thing now that involved researched into a sort of canister that we were handling that had to go on board laden with goods and lifted up into the bomb bay and writing up a report and making recommendations and so forth and on one could be tragic as far as I was concerned we got everything ready we got a pannier fixed inbetween these two containers with whatever to make weight and upstairs one of the armament people was controlling the hoist and halfway up the hoist gives way and I am standing with my hands on the edge of the thing and I took my hand and the whole of the thing crashed down into the pannier it would have just taken it off at the wrist and we looked at the hoisting gear it was clearly marked ‘US’ and they had used it oh there was a terrific stink because the person actually totally responsible was the person doing the mechanical winding upstairs was clearly marked anyway but that’s the time I could have easily lost my two wrists so I continued on my balance on my extra six months writing up reports and so forth and then I left the Air Force.
CB: So for Operation Manna the supplies couldn’t be dropped by parachute so they were in these cannisters.
FS: Yes they were an oblong framework and supported with release gear [unclear] by the pound in actual fact these are the continued developments experiments if you like that we were conducting and it was changing fairly rapidly what was being called for because we were getting reports back from Holland and Belgium on how things were landing and what sort of degree of damage occurred etcetera and what was the ideal height for dropping and they were putting up these tremendous haystacks I suppose you could call in actual fact them to cushion the thing and they worked then I came away from the operation so they built these fields with twenty foot haystacks totally soft so they cushioned everything so the percentage of damage incurred by the contents was minimalised and that was when I came away came out.
CB: So you really finished with the war with Operation Manna and taking Harris out two positive ways to finish the war.
FS: Oh very much no question about that I assure you
CB: Rather than finishing it off on a bombing mission
FS: Yes yes absolutely
CB: And how did you feel when you you know
FS: Well tail end of course the humanitarian thing came in and it was the most simple thing in the world in Kings Lynn at the Dukes Head throughout the war every weekend every Saturday evening throughout the war they had an officers invitation dance at the Dukes Head Hotel and they meant officers and it was at one of these occasions at the officers dance I went along there and surprise surprise I met Joy who was on about her second time out having lost her husband who was a bomber pilot university bomber pilot straight from university straight in.
CB: They had their own squadrons didn’t they
FS: Absolutely yes he did complete his first tour of thirty trips came out unscathed was sent to train pilots who were going to be involved in the dropping of a bridge too far sort of thing he did all his training and he was called back to do his second tour of operation and on his second trip on his second tour went down coming back from Cologne and left Joy with a little girl she was then three and I met her and got married.
CB: What did you do after the war
FS: I worked for a company called Nestle on the sales side and I became responsible for recruitment and training and development for the whole organisation I was with them for thirty years wonderful company international of course head office in a lovely place called Vevay in Switzerland on the banks of the lake and I was with them for
CB: Did you live out there
FS: No went but no lived in England moved about England when Nestle moved their head office into Croydon and had this twenty two storey block the first one they had seen in Croydon and they occupied the whole of the building because they brought in all the associated companies into one building the associated companies being the likes of Kieler, Crosse & Blackwell, Toblerone, Findus all the associated companies which were dotted around that all came into the head office twenty two storey block in Croydon so I was there until I retired and then I started work.
CB: How would you sum up your time in the Second World War and Bomber Command
FS: Well it’s tough I mean apart from being revolutionary of course which it is to my mind I don’t know what would have happened if I had stayed with the South American Shipping Association which was involved obviously in shipping goods to South America and that came to an[unclear] end at the start of the war because you couldn’t expect boats to go out there so there was no job so that’s a bypass so answering your question because it’s obviously so revolutionary and so different to what it would have been and I couldn’t imagine what I would have done had I not gone into the Air Force well I suppose life would have been fairly steady progressing with an organisation and at some stage deciding I wasn’t going far enough fast enough and getting out but I mean that was wiped off by going into the Royal Air Force.
CB: So you obviously had to volunteer so did you
FS: Ah you can’t go into the Air Force Royal Air Force without being a volunteer.
CB: No
FS: As you know
CB: Yes
FS: So I had to volunteer I had to go into the Air Force after I had tried to go into the Navy fortunately the Air Force they said yes please thank you rather than the Navy did no no no [laughs].
CB: So well a time really of excitement danger new experiences
FS: A mixture of all of those I mean the new experiences were embodied in the African trips and so forth and at the end when we were coming home from Africa we spent some time in Greece in Italy on the way back so it was really a very comprehensive trip and whilst we down in particularly Rio de Janeiro that was absolutely fantastic I mean you have seen pictures of it Copacabana Beach but we went out to place called Quichaninnia [?] about seventy miles out we had never ever I had never in my life seen a hotel like that out there it had its own everything I mean I mentioned things seventy pianos for a concert seventy pianos indoor and outdoor ballroom indoor and outdoor swimming pools and it was situated actually on the banks of a river so you could get out at night time and go right the way up the river which were all lit from this Quichaninnia [?] Hotel all lit right up into the hills fantastic place.
CB: So these are all experiences that you wouldn’t have had.
FS: I could have afforded it we were honorary members of everything when we arrived there golfing club swimming club the lot they’d opened everything and across the bay from the statue you know it’s the English quarter and that was fantastic a bit of England on the opposite shores of Rio de Janeiro.
CB: Wonderful it’s been fantastic and interesting to hear all your experiences so thank you very much Frederick.
FS: It has if it identifies with what you are looking for fine yes.
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
Interview with Frederick Harold Shepherd
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Clare Bennett
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
2015-05-25
Type
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Sound
Identifier
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AShepherdFH150525
Conforms To
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Pending revision of OH transcription
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.
Format
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01:11:50 audio recording
Language
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eng
Coverage
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Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Description
An account of the resource
Frederick joined the Royal Air Forcein 1941. After going to Cardington, he was given deferred entry and studied for a year at university. He was invited to London for initial training, followed by the Initial Training Wing at RAF Newquay. He did basic flying in Tiger Moths at RAF Clyffe Pypard before going for 15 months to different stations in Canada. He trained mainly on Ansons.
On his return, he went to Harrogate and was then posted to RAF Dumfries where he did a specialised bomb dropping course for Pathfinders. Frederick crewed up at RAF Chipping Warden and trained on Wellingtons. He did one operation, dropping leaflets over France.
Frederick then went onto Stirlings at RAF Chedburgh before Lancasters at the Lancaster Finishing School at RAF Feltwell. He carried out several operations with 218 Squadron at RAF Methwold. Frederick then moved with his captain to RAF Mildenhall when the latter was promoted. He carried out several operations on major cities. Frederick was appointed as bombing leader for 15 Squadron as well as the squadron adjutant.
Frederick was chosen to accompany Arthur Harris, flying with Charles Calder as a co-navigator. The crew were all section leaders. Frederick describes Harris’s personality and the leadership challenges he faced, expressing his sympathy and respect. Having refuelled in the south of France, they went through Africa and on to South America and the United States, arriving in Washington on VJ Day.
Frederick signed on for another six months and went to RAF Marham in the experimental unit for Manna before leaving the RAF.
Contributor
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Sally Coulter
Spatial Coverage
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Great Britain
England--Cornwall (County)
England--Manchester
England--Norfolk
England--Northamptonshire
England--Suffolk
England--Wiltshire
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
United States
Washington (D.C.)
Canada
France
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1945-08-14
15 Squadron
218 Squadron
aircrew
Anson
bomb aimer
bomb struck
Flying Training School
Harris, Arthur Travers (1892-1984)
Initial Training Wing
Lancaster
Lancaster Finishing School
Operation Manna (29 Apr – 8 May 1945)
Operational Training Unit
Pathfinders
perception of bombing war
propaganda
RAF Chipping Warden
RAF Clyffe Pypard
RAF Dumfries
RAF Feltwell
RAF Heaton Park
RAF Marham
RAF Methwold
RAF Mildenhall
Stirling
Tiger Moth
training
Wellington
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/678/9226/PAsshetonJJ1701.2.jpg
c3d238893eeb38ea9b88a618d2c5124b
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/678/9226/AAsshetonJJ170510.2.mp3
5cf1e2f8b43c6c23f973dbf74b34085e
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
Assheton, Jacqueline
J Assheton
Description
An account of the resource
Four items. An oral history interview with Jacqueline Assheton (b.1939) and three photographs. She is the daughter of Air Chief Marshall Arthur Harris.
The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Jacqueline Assheton 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
2017-05-10
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. 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
Assheton, JJ
Access Rights
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Permission granted for commercial projects
Transcribed audio recording
A resource consisting primarily of recorded human voice.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
CB: I think it must have done.
Other: Can you rewind it?
CB: I did it just then and it because that’s why I looked at the counter which I should have done earlier. Right.
JA: What do you want to do now?
CB: Do you mind if we restart?
JA: Yes, do —
CB: Can we do that?
JA: Yeah.
CB: So, my name is Chris Brockbank and today is 10th of May 2017 and I’m in London with Jackie Assheton to talk about her life and times as the daughter of Bomber Harris. So, what are the earliest recollections you have of your life Jackie?
JA: Well, my earliest recollections really are, which was the Bomber Command house in Buckinghamshire near High Wycombe where my pa was stationed and working for the last three years of the war. And that was just a lovely childhood in a big garden with nice friends next door and I wasn’t involved really in what was going on except, ‘Please be quiet your father is working.’ Or thinking [laughs] And everybody in uniform. And that’s really, I don’t really have there was nothing particularly special about it. Occasionally there was some Americans. Rather nice Americans. In uniform again. Who would bring the odd bottle of bourbon, I think. Not for me but for my pa and dolls for me which I didn’t like. I stripped them of their clothes and dressed my teddy bear as far as I remember. Nice things like chocolates. Hershey bars. They appeared. And that was really it.
CB: What didn’t you like about your clothes of the children? The —
JA: What? The dolls?
CB: The dolls.
JA: I didn’t like dolls.
CB: Only teddy bears.
JA: I only liked teddy bears. Yes. So they got dressed up.
CB: And —
JA: The dolls were given away at the local fete, I think.
CB: And your friend next door.
JA: Oh, Posy Johns was a great friend next door. Yes. So, we’ve now been friends for seventy five years having met through the hedge and so that was, we had great fun together. And I don’t think I went to school. No. I don’t think we had, I don’t think there was a nursery school. I imagine possibly my mother was trying to teach me to read.
CB: There probably weren’t schools —
JA: No. I think I was a slow reader.
CB: For under-fives in those days. So, father was CnC Bomber Command.
JA: Yes.
CB: At that time.
JA: Yeah.
CB: Where had you been before then? He’d been, and you?
JA: Oh, in Washington for about eight months I think when he was, before America joined up and I think it was to do with the lease lend. Sorting out the aeroplanes and the people, whatever was coming over. I think that was, he was busy sorting it out and came back after Pearl Harbour.
CB: Right.
JA: And took on Bomber Command.
CB: Right.
JA: So, I was what? Two when I come back. I don’t really remember anything about Washington.
CB: No. So a lot of it is second hand but in the family.
JA: Right.
CB: You know about, there were things going on. So, to what extent did father engage with you in conversations?
JA: Well, never about the war but just what was going on at the time, you know. He was great with young and the children and [pause] but I just didn’t discuss the war. I think particularly by the end of the war he really didn’t talk about it. I think he’d had enough of it. He took to ships. Africa, where we ended up. And life went on from there.
CB: Yes.
JA: So I wasn’t really at all involved in the war.
CB: Just taking a step back when you went out to Washington.
JA: Yeah.
CB: How did you travel?
JA: Oh, we went out on HMS Rodney which I think was a bit of a shock to the captain and —
CB: Which was a battleship.
JA: It was a battleship. Yeah. My poor mother was very seasick. Suffered from claustrophobia so I think she was probably very frightened and I was running around which can’t have been easy. I’ve still got my little life jacket.
CB: Have you really?
JA: Was it called the Mae West?
CB: Yes.
JA: It’s upstairs on my teddy bear and I think it was stuffed with kapok. I think it’s the sort of thing that when it gets wet you actually sink rather than float but luckily I didn’t have to try it out. And then we came back on a, I believe it was an armed merchant cruiser which must have been another slightly frightening journey. But I don’t remember that. I just remember Springfield.
CB: What were your father’s activities as relaxation?
JA: Oh, cooking was his main thing. Probably to the annoyance of the cook during the war because he’d come straight back and interfere in the kitchen and, no he loved cooking and carried on cooking until the end of his life. Loved it.
CB: What sort of speciality did he have?
JA: Well, he was a very good meat cook in that stews and things were his speciality really and roasts. Wonderful gravy. But he did exotic things. Not always appreciated. I do remember squid cooked in their own ink sitting around in South Africa. Nobody would eat them. He was quite cross. Did look awful in the glass jar I must say. And Boston baked beans. We had rows of pots of Boston baked beans in America. Nobody was very keen on those either I don’t think. But no. He was an adventurous cook. He loved it. Is it working now?
CB: It is. Yes. And your father was running Bomber Command until the end of the war.
JA: Yeah.
CB: What do you know about his feeling about the end of the war and the treatment of himself and bomber crews?
JA: Well, he was only really concerned about the treatment and the recognition of the crews and I think he was very upset that they weren’t given more recognition at the time for the crews that survived and for the families of the ones that didn’t. I think that annoyed him a lot. I think he was very relieved to leave the whole situation behind and take to ships. Cargo shipping instead of aeroplanes. I think he’d had enough of it.
CB: Yes.
JA: Not surprisingly, by then.
CB: Because —
JA: But he did mind very much about the boys. As did his last boss. The Queen Mum.
CB: Right. And that prompted him did it not to refuse a peerage?
JA: Yes. And I think I only heard him once saying that he considered it was a job that he’d have to do as he was going to end up living in South Africa. It wasn’t something he was prepared to take on and, no. He wasn’t keen to do that at all.
CB: So, before the First World War he’d been in Southern Rhodesia.
JA: Yeah.
CB: At the end of the Second World War why did he go to South Africa and not Southern Rhodesia?
JA: Well, because he’d been offered this job in cargo shipping by his American friend Henry Mercer who was running States Marine which was a cargo shipping company and they wanted to set up an end in Africa. So, South Africa Marine known as Safmarine was now going strong still in the Cape. So he got back as far as Cape Town. Not as far as Rhodesia which probably quite lucky. I think he would have been very upset to see what’s happened to it now. He was a bugle boy in the Rhodesian Regiment at the beginning of the First World War and then he wanted to, a very long march across South West Africa, he decided then he wanted to finish the war sitting down and so that’s how he ended up in the Royal Flying Corps.
CB: And then had his whole career —
JA: In the Air Force.
CB: In the RAF.
JA: Yeah.
CB: Yes. Well, first of all Royal Flying Corps.
JA: Yes.
CB: And then RAF.
JA: Yeah.
CB: Yeah.
JA: So Janny Smuts was quite a friend of his because he was a great supporter of the Air Force being an independent service, I believe.
CB: Yeah.
JA: I remember him staying with us during the war. I do remember that.
CB: South African general.
JA: Yes.
CB: Yes.
JA: Yeah. And prime minister.
CB: Yes. And what do you remember about being in South Africa as a child?
JA: Oh, well that was lovely because that was pure heaven for a child with the sea and the dogs and the country. The wildness of it. Lovely. I loved that.
CB: And whereabouts was that?
JA: Behind Table Mountain. Wynberg was one of the, near Constantia. And one of those lovely old Cape Dutch houses which was heaven.
CB: And that was, that area was the headquarters of Safmarine was it?
JA: Well, Cape Town was.
CB: Cape town. Right.
JA: Yeah. And the three original ships were [pause] get it right, they were Liberty ships.
CB: Right.
JA: Which I think, I think my pa got that organised in America through Averell Harriman. And they were done up and went out to the Cape and that was the beginning of Safmarine.
CB: So, Henry Mercer was in the States.
JA: Yeah.
CB: What did that, how did that affect your family life?
JA: Well, they were great family friends. We lived in New York but we used to go and spend weekends with them when we were out there and, no so that, that was wonderful because the end of the war my pa was looking for a job and so that all fitted in very neatly.
CB: And did you travel between South Africa and America quite a lot?
JA: Yes. On and off on the cargo ships. I missed out on a bit of schooling here and there. Yeah. And that was very few passengers and quite long journeys in those days. I think it was a couple of weeks to get from New York to Cape Town. No. I enjoyed that too.
CB: When did you return to Britain?
JA: In ’53 and we spent some time living in Cornwall looking for a house and then ended up at Goring nearer London which was probably lucky because it was, my father’s American friends always had itineraries with very little time on them. They got to Goring. They wouldn’t have got to Cornwall. So —
CB: What was he doing when he returned to the UK?
JA: He didn’t have a job. Cooking. Building bridges in the garden. Doing anything practical like that. Oh, and driving a coach and four horses for his old friend who had a collection of old carriages and large Dutch horses and we used to go around the countryside in those exercising them. I think we showed them once at Windsor. He was very keen on that. Then he got rather a bad back and decided it was unsafe sitting up on top of the carriage so he stopped doing that.
CB: And when he returned —
JA: Yeah.
CB: Then he had a baronetcy conferred on him. What was the origin of that?
JA: Well, he’d refused the peerage and the baronetcy. I think actually it was early. I can’t remember the date. Early ’50. Yeah.
CB: Oh right.
JA: Yeah.
CB: Ok. And you’re, on your own side as you got older then what did you do?
JA: Well, after school we went out to South Africa again and then I went to Winkfield. Did my cordon bleu. Following along in the long cooking line [laughs] And, and then I got married rather early and after that I was with my family and children.
CB: So, you had three children.
JA: Grandchildren.
CB: Yes.
JA: And now great granddaughter.
CB: And what did your husband do? Nicholas.
JA: He was a stockbroker and then a banker and then worked for the Queen Mother for a few years.
CB: And did he manage to sort out a lot of things for the Queen Mother?
JA: Well, I think he said it was very well organised already. He didn’t really have to do much sorting out but he very much enjoyed working at Clarence House for nearly five years. She was great and she was a great supporter of my pa. She unveiled his statue.
CB: Excellent and when —
JA: At St Clement Danes.
CB: Yes. And when the children had grown up then did you find yourself involved more with your husband’s activities?
JA: Not his work particularly, no but just running his life. Running our life. A few charitable things like Riding for the Disabled. Doing the church flowers. Nothing stunning at all.
CB: How did you —
JA: It just kept me very busy.
CB: How did the Riding for the Disabled originate?
JA: Oh, well a great friend who was my son’s mother in law was running it at Knightsbridge Barracks and very efficiently she ran it [unclear] and so I used to go help with that. Not with the army horses. With ponies. That was very interesting and that was great.
CB: So, looking back over the years being the daughter of a very famous person who for some people was controversial created a good deal of attention in certain ways. How did you feel about that?
JA: Well, I’ve got nothing to compare it with really and I think my family were very good at protecting me when I was small from it and I kept very much out of controversy since then and very pleased to see the Memorial at Green Park. That’s the one thing that did come in to my life.
CB: The Bomber Command Memorial.
JA: The Bomber Command Memorial. Yes.
CB: Yes.
JA: Yeah.
CB: Yeah.
JA: So, I’ve been really very uninvolved with Bomber Command and so it’s very difficult to fill in the background for you.
CB: Sure. What would you say was the most memorable point about your father’s involvement in the RAF?
JA: Goodness. Well, I suppose the Bomber Command years. That was probably the most traumatic for him and probably for my mother and, but it’s always very nice to meet what he called the old lags. Why they were called the old lags I don’t know. He loved his reunion dinner parties at Grosvenor House and talking to the old boys. And I think that was a great encouragement and support for him. I never heard a word of criticism from them.
CB: But he was always well supported by your mother. How did she feel about the strain? Stresses and strains of her husband’s activities.
JA: Well, again, I mean, she didn’t talk about it. I think it’s a modern thing isn’t it to talk about things and dash off for counselling. Nobody really talked about it.
CB: No.
JA: It would be mentioned but not of any great sort of concern or worry. Again, for the details just go back to Henry Probert’s book.
CB: Yes. Absolutely.
JA: And my life just carried on really without being influenced by the Bomber Command years.
CB: Yes.
JA: And so I haven’t really got any exciting stories for you on that line.
CB: But do you get requests occasionally to attend —
JA: No.
CB: Certain events.
JA: No, only your lovely invitation through, well Posy —
CB: Yes.
JA: Organised that.
CB: Did she?
JA: So, that was great. Yes. That was great.
CB: The Aircrew Association.
JA: Yeah.
CB: Yes.
JA: But, no. No. It’s all a long time ago, isn’t it?
CB: Yes. It is.
JA: Yeah.
CB: But it needs recording.
JA: Yeah.
CB: Accurately. Yeah.
JA: Well, you can shorten that down.
CB: Ok.
JA: To about five minutes.
CB: Thank you very much indeed.
[recording paused]
JA: My pa was a brilliant speaker and it didn’t worry him at all making speeches to any number of people. I think the last Bomber Command reunion dinner there was something like, could it have been nine hundred people in Grosvenor House?
CB: Possibly.
JA: It was something massive.
CB: Yeah.
JA: Yeah. And he got given a little gavel by the, oh my goodness the guys in the red suits who always take charge of ceremonies and dinners for the best speaker of the year.
CB: Right.
JA: I’ve still got it in the safe.
CB: Have you really?
JA: Yes.
CB: Excellent. Yes.
JA: No. He was a great storyteller. Animal stories and things for the children and more serious things. No. He was always very interesting to listen to.
CB: That’s an interesting point. I wonder what the topic would have been for his military dinners. In other words, Air Force dinners but they weren’t just Air Force.
JA: Oh, well I mean his support and his thoughts about Bomber Command and his great admiration for the crews and everything they did was always I know deep in his thoughts and heart.
CB: Because after VE day then the government changed and what did that do for his association would you say?
JA: I think we’d gone to America by then so I don’t think it affected, affected him at all.
CB: No.
JA: No. But that really, again I have a badge that said, “I like Ike.” [laughs] So we were probably more in to American politics than —
CB: Eisenhower.
JA: English ones by then.
CB: Yes.
JA: Yes.
CB: Yeah. Dwight D Eisenhower.
JA: Yeah. Went to see him in the White House when we had tea with him. And so that was rather exciting for me.
CB: Cookies and Hershey bars.
JA: Do you know when we got to America the Hershey bars didn’t taste the same. I didn’t like them any longer. All I wanted was steak and chips with butter on both. I do remember that. That was heaven.
CB: So, by this time we’re talking about —
JA: Oh, the steak and the chips. That was when I was five or six and we were in New York setting up Safmarine and I couldn’t believe that I could actually get a hold of butter. That was the big treat. Didn’t want the ice cream. Wanted the butter.
CB: Who do you remember about rationing in Britain?
JA: I remember sitting in the back of the official car eating a whole lot of cold butter off the block of butter and it was a disaster apparently. I think it was the whole week’s butter ration [laughs] for everybody. I didn’t like eating in those days apart from butter so it didn’t worry me.
CB: And chips.
JA: Didn’t get chips during the war. No. I think the rationing was still going when we came back in the 50s. Meat. Petrol. Yeah.
CB: Till ’54. Yeah.
JA: Til ’54 yeah. No. I’m more interested in food now then I was then.
CB: Do you enjoy cooking now still?
JA: Oh yes. Luckily. I had to do quite a lot of it. Yeah.
CB: And did you induct your children in correct cooking?
JA: Oh, they’re all, particularly my son is a very good cook and very good at his, running his coffee shop and his café.
CB: Inspired by his grandfather.
JA: Probably, yes. Very keen on his grandfather. They all were.
CB: So, there was a good relationship there.
JA: Oh, very much so. Yeah. And we went down there at weekends and holidays to Goring and he cooked for them. Complained he was nothing but a short order chef because they all wanted different things. He kept going until he was nearly ninety cooking.
CB: Did he really?
JA: Yeah.
CB: Yeah. Ninety.
JA: Ignored everything the doctors told him and cooked happily away. Lots of butter and meat and delicious things.
CB: Yes. All the things that are really good for you.
JA: He did quit smoking sixty Camels a day which he smoked during the war when we got to New York. He was told by a heart specialist that he’d better stop so he did. Being strong minded he stopped dead. Never smoked again.
CB: American doctor.
JA: Yes. We were in New York.
CB: Yes.
JA: I think he took a turn for the worse and was told to stop smoking so he did. My mum couldn’t.
CB: Did she —
JA: I think he had one [unclear] on Christmas day after that as a sort of celebration. I think they came out of the same packet so eventually he pronounced them disgusting.
CB: [unclear]
JA: And threw away the pocket. Yes. No. No. He was great.
CB: Thank you.
[recording paused]
CB: I see on the mantel piece there’s a V&A card. What do you do with the V&A?
JA: Oh, I’m in the V&A on Mondays. I do, I’m on the Information Desk and it’s a great museum. We’ve got a great new director and I enjoy that very much.
CB: How often do the exhibitions, well how often do the exhibits change?
JA: Oh, that varies. There’s usually one or two main ones on at a time. At the moment we’ve got Pink Floyd coming on.
CB: Just right.
JA: Yeah. Balenciaga is the next one, I think.
CB: Right.
JA: No. It’s, it’s a great place and Tristram Hunt was the Labour MP in Stoke.
CB: Yes.
JA: And he’s fantastic.
CB: Is he?
JA: Yeah. Yeah.
CB: Good with people.
JA: They all feel he’s really part of the team. And —
CB: That’s his real interest.
JA: Yeah.
[recording paused]
JA: That’s why I —
CB: Rightly or wrongly your father is well known in the context of Dresden and the bombing of it.
JA: Yes.
CB: How did you appreciate that?
JA: Well, I do remember him saying that I think he didn’t want to bomb it at all. It was too far away was one of the main things. But what people don’t realise is he did what he was told to do. Depending on the weather and what was on the list he had to send the boys off to go and do it and it wasn’t the final choice of where, I suppose but it was on the list, you know. I don’t suppose he enjoyed it any more than anybody else.
CB: It's, it’s a —
JA: He did what he was told.
CB: Yes. It’s a bone of contention in many ways from all sorts of aspects but to what extent do you rub against that, up against that with the V&A?
JA: Not at all. Never mentioned. And I didn’t mention it to the last director either.
CB: Right.
JA: You’d best not.
CB: The reason I ask is because there is a Dresden Society which is active in a variety of ways and is to do with the rebuilding of Dresden.
JA: Probably is.
CB: In an, an architectural context.
JA: Yeah.
CB: Apart from other things, and I just wondered whether you got involved in that in any way.
JA: No. No. I mean, I really haven’t been involved in anything to do with war. Bomber Command since the war. I think I was protected from it during the war and it continued from there
CB: Sure.
JA: And so I can’t fill you in on any more. But I know the V&A there’s a few holes in the wall that the Germans left. They’re still in Exhibition Road. I notice they’re still there although they’ve redone that wall. No, the V&A doesn’t.
CB: There isn’t enough money to cover all repairs in these things.
JA: Probably not. No. There’s a great new extension that’s up there about to open. Do you know the V&A?
CB: Haven’t been for ages.
JA: Sorry, that’s the one. No, it’s great.
CB: And —
JA: It’s a delightful museum.
CB: They run a special briefing for you on the desk beforehand, do they? So, that everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet at the V&A.
JA: Oh yes. We have so many emails. So many that we don’t really get around to reading them all. No. I think there are big changes now. It’s getting more and more efficient in that way. My only worry is that it’s more and more based on the computer which I’m not very speedy at operating and so they probably have younger people taking over from us old folk quite soon.
CB: What sort of age range do you have of the public coming in?
JA: Oh, everything. Every age. And I, they are encouraging a lot of children to come in. There are lots of activities at the weekends and holidays which is great.
CB: Yeah.
JA: No, it’s a great museum.
CB: Thank you.
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
Interview with Jacqueline Assheton
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Chris Brockbank
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
2017-05-10
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.
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Sound
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
AAsshetonJJ170510, PAsshetonJJ1701
Conforms To
An established standard to which the described resource conforms.
Pending review
Pending revision of OH transcription
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
Second generation
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Germany
Great Britain
South Africa
United States
Germany--Dresden
New York (State)--New York
South Africa--Cape Town
Washington (D.C.)
New York (State)
Description
An account of the resource
Jacqueline Assheton discusses her father's career in the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force and his post war work establishing Safmarine shipping line and his friendship with Jan Christiaan Smuts. Her father did not talk about his wartime career, but enjoyed cooking. He enjoyed talking to Bomber Command veterans and wanted them to have more recognition for their role during the war. She discusses her role as a volunteer with the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
00:28:13 audio recording
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Julie Williams
bombing of Dresden (13 - 15 February 1945)
Harris, Arthur Travers (1892-1984)
memorial
perception of bombing war
-
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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
Wrigley, James
J Wrigley
Description
An account of the resource
27 items. The collection concerns James Wrigley (1920 - 2010, 1029740 Royal Air Force) and contains an interview with his widow, Alice Wrigley, photographs, his log book, decorations, and a photograph album of his service in the UK and and Far East. The collection also contains a log book made out to Rascal, his mascot or lucky charm. James Wrigley completed 47 operations as a wireless operator with 97 and 635 Squadrons.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Susan Higgins 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
2017-07-09
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. 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
Wrigley, J
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
Three airmen
Description
An account of the resource
Three airmen seated in a bar. Half length image. They are wearing khaki uniform, one has a signaller's badge. There are three beer bottles, three glasses and an ashtray on the table. The photograph is mounted in a cardboard holder with 'In Washington It's..The "400" Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge 1425 F Street, N.W. Washington D.C.' On the back of the mount is printed 'Souvenir Photo One Dollar For extra copied write to: Oscar Markovich Concessions The "400" 1425 F. Street N.W. Washgington. D.C. Ask for number on back of photograph'.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Oscar Markovich Concessions
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One b/w photograph in a printed mount
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PWrigleyJ17010001,
PWrigleyJ17010002,
PWrigleyJ17010003
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
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
United States
Washington (D.C.)
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.
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
aircrew
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/781/9443/PWrigleyJ17020001.2.jpg
893413c22dcf082c3e9455538bd3d750
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/781/9443/PWrigleyJ17020002.2.jpg
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https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/781/9443/PWrigleyJ17020003.2.jpg
5d8713cacead1e724e751a29ff7126cf
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
Wrigley, James
J Wrigley
Description
An account of the resource
27 items. The collection concerns James Wrigley (1920 - 2010, 1029740 Royal Air Force) and contains an interview with his widow, Alice Wrigley, photographs, his log book, decorations, and a photograph album of his service in the UK and and Far East. The collection also contains a log book made out to Rascal, his mascot or lucky charm. James Wrigley completed 47 operations as a wireless operator with 97 and 635 Squadrons.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Susan Higgins 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
2017-07-09
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. 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
Wrigley, J
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
One airman
Description
An account of the resource
Head and shoulders of an airman looking to the side. It is dated in pencil, 29th July 1947. The photograph is mounted in a cardboard holder with 'In Washington It's..The "400" Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge 1425 F Street, N.W. Washington D.C.' On the back of the mount is printed 'Souvenir Photo One Dollar For extra copied write to: Oscar Markovich Concessions The "400" 1425 F. Street N.W. Washgington. D.C. Ask for number on back of photograph'.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Oscar Markovich Concessions
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1947-07-29
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One b/w photograph in a cardboard mount
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PWrigleyJ17020001,
PWrigleyJ17020002,
PWrigleyJ17020003
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
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
United States
Washington (D.C.)
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1947-07-29
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
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/781/9444/PWrigleyJ17030001.1.jpg
a721d9df5222c02fc44a25b46a025143
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/781/9444/PWrigleyJ17030002.1.jpg
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https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/781/9444/PWrigleyJ17030003.1.jpg
19205907c6af1cdf5a408446a3b4cfc0
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
Wrigley, James
J Wrigley
Description
An account of the resource
27 items. The collection concerns James Wrigley (1920 - 2010, 1029740 Royal Air Force) and contains an interview with his widow, Alice Wrigley, photographs, his log book, decorations, and a photograph album of his service in the UK and and Far East. The collection also contains a log book made out to Rascal, his mascot or lucky charm. James Wrigley completed 47 operations as a wireless operator with 97 and 635 Squadrons.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Susan Higgins 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
2017-07-09
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. 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
Wrigley, J
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
Eight airmen and one civilian in a bar
Description
An account of the resource
Eight airmen in khaki uniforms and one civillian sitting around a table in a bar. On the table are beer bottles, glasses and plates with snacks. There is a date pencilled on -31 July 1947.
Above the photograph are three handwritten names and addresses.
On the front of the cardboard mount is printed 'Club Kavakos 8th & H Sts. N.E. Washington , D.C.'
On the back '...where you always get
the BEST entertainment
the FINEST drinks
the CHOICEST foods
2 Floor shows nightly
For extra copies write to:
Photographer
Sens $1 plus description, date and number on back of each photo plus 25c for handling, mailing, etc.
c/o Kavakos Club
8th &H Streets N.E.
Washington, D.C.'
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1947-07-31
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One b/w photograph in a printed cardboard mount
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PWrigleyJ17030001,
PWrigleyJ17030002,
PWrigleyJ17030003
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
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
United States
Washington (D.C.)
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1947-07-31
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
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/949/9448/PWrigleyJ17040005.2.jpg
3ef6d954aea9d9551b2cf63827930d13
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
Wrigley, James. Album
Description
An account of the resource
Photograph album containing 51 photographs of James Wrigley's family, training and post war service in the United States and the Far East with 97 Squadron.
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.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Wrigley, J
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-07-09
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
Lincoln, airmen and Bolling Field Washington
Description
An account of the resource
Photograph 1 is a Lincoln flying over New York, captioned 'Over New York 1947'.
Photograph 2 is seven airmen in swimming trunks. Five are standing and two are sitting. It is captioned 'Jack Smalley, Harry Boness Reg Williams on the banks of the Ptomac 1947'.
Photograph 3 is an air to ground oblique photograph of numerous aircraft at an air show. The shadow of two Lincolns can be seen on the ground. It is captioned 'Over Bolling Field Washington D.C. on Air Force Day. 1947'.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1947
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Three b/w photographs from an album
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PWrigleyJ17040005
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
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
United States
New York (State)--New York
Washington (D.C.)
New York (State)
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.
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1947
aircrew
Lincoln
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/949/9449/PWrigleyJ17040006.2.jpg
d778fdc5e39a6097c11bdf572b6dd30a
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
Wrigley, James. Album
Description
An account of the resource
Photograph album containing 51 photographs of James Wrigley's family, training and post war service in the United States and the Far East with 97 Squadron.
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.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Wrigley, J
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-07-09
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
Washington, three civilians, aircrew
Description
An account of the resource
Photograph 1 is the Capitol, Washington taken from an aircraft and partly obscured by an engine, captioned 'Capitol building, Washington D.C. 1947'.
Photograph 2 is a head and shoulders portrait of a man, a woman and a girl, captioned 'Lloyd, Dolores & Mike Dessaint, Riverside, California. 1947.'
Photograph 3 is six aircrew with a woman in the centre of the line. They are standing in front of a four engined bomber. It is captioned 'Lefty Cowles Jock Simpson Cholly's wife, Self, Johnny Rown [?] Chollerton Hemswell 1948'
Photograph 4 is an airman in an aircraft. He has a tray of mugs. It is captioned 'Tea Up!'.
Photograph 5 is the cockpit of an aircraft with two aircrew at the front and two more behind. It is captioned 'Cholly feeds the skipper'.
Photograph 6 is two men standing beside a palm tree, They are wearing towels, captioned 'Nav. Cook & Skipper Go native. 1948 Negombo, Ceylon'.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1947
1948
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Six b/w photograph from an album
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PWrigleyJ17040006
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
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Sri Lanka
United States
California
Sri Lanka--Negombo
Washington (D.C.)
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.
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1947
1948
aircrew
Lincoln
RAF Hemswell
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/957/9613/SMathersRW55201v10009.2.jpg
09785a570bbe3c25830d11616a069f50
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
Mathers, Ronald. Album
Description
An account of the resource
45 page scrapbook of Squadron life and The Goodwill Tour to the United States by 35 Squadron in 1946. It includes photographs, newspaper cuttings, and programmes. The tour visited stations on both the East and West coasts of the United States and the airmen were entertained with visits to Hollywood.
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.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SMathersRW55201v1
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-07-17
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 Goodwill
Description
An account of the resource
A map of North America with a route plotted on it. Airfields visited are listed from Gravely and back. It is captioned '"Operation Goodwill" 8th July to 29th Aug 1946.'
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1946
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One printed map with handwritten annotations.
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Map
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SMathersRW55201v10009
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
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Azores
Canada
Great Britain
United States
California
Colorado
Massachusetts
Missouri
Texas
Washington (D.C.)
California--Los Angeles
Colorado--Denver
England--Cambridgeshire
Massachusetts--West Springfield
New York (State)
Newfoundland and Labrador
Texas--San Antonio
England--Cornwall (County)
Illinois--Belleville
Illinois
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1946-07
1946-08
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.
Goodwill tour of the United States (1946)
RAF Graveley
RAF St Mawgan
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/957/9629/SMathersRW55201v10025.2.jpg
af4c115ed609668fd68ff4b5bfb8a563
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
Mathers, Ronald. Album
Description
An account of the resource
45 page scrapbook of Squadron life and The Goodwill Tour to the United States by 35 Squadron in 1946. It includes photographs, newspaper cuttings, and programmes. The tour visited stations on both the East and West coasts of the United States and the airmen were entertained with visits to Hollywood.
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.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SMathersRW55201v1
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-07-17
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
Army Air Force Day 1946
Description
An account of the resource
Item 1 is 'Roger Jr', a programme of evens of Army Air Force Day.
Item 2 is a printed leaflet welcoming 35 Squadron to Washington.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1946
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Two printed sheets
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SMathersRW55201v10025
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
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
United States
Washington (D.C.)
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1946
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.
35 Squadron
Goodwill tour of the United States (1946)
Lancaster
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/957/9645/SMathersRW55201v10041.1.jpg
11c9888c07e5425c29080b4e7292932c
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
Mathers, Ronald. Album
Description
An account of the resource
45 page scrapbook of Squadron life and The Goodwill Tour to the United States by 35 Squadron in 1946. It includes photographs, newspaper cuttings, and programmes. The tour visited stations on both the East and West coasts of the United States and the airmen were entertained with visits to Hollywood.
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.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SMathersRW55201v1
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-07-17
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[Blank page]
[page break]
ANDREWS FIELD NEWS
PUBLISHED BY AND FOR THE PERSONNEL OF ANDREWS FIELD
[inserted] 8 AUG - 16 AUG. [/inserted]
Volume 2 WASHINGTON, D.C., WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1946 Number 20
35th RAF Sqdn. Leaves Andrews Field Today
[inserted][underlined] Washington Addresses [/underlined]
Nancy Johnson
1910 'K' ST. N.W.
Room 212.
Phone Extension 2010.
Elizabeth Sinton
Joy De - Smiths
ALL WITH BRITISH ARMY H.Q.
(A.T.S.).
"Mike" Black
PHONE COLUMBIA 9806. [/inserted]
Gen. Spaatz Welcomes RAF
[photograph]
At the microphone welcoming the RAF to Andrews Field is Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, Chief of Staff of the Army Air Forces. In back of him, reading from left to right, are Lord Inverchapel, British Ambassador; Col. Curtis D. Sluman, Base Commander, and Maj. Gen. O.P Weyland, Assistant Chief of Air Staff Plans.
[photograph]
Group Captain R.C.M. Collard is pictured above shaking hands with Col. Curtis D. Sluman, Base Commander, at ceremonies welcoming the RAF to Andrews Field. To the left of him is Lord Inverchapel, British Ambassador; to his right are Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, Chief of Staff of the Army Air Forces, and Col. A.L. Berry, Deputy Base Commander.
[photograph]
In picture above, men of the RAF's famous 35th Squadron are shown lined up in front of a group of heavy Lancaster bombers during Andrews Field reception for the Royal Air Force.
The RAF's famous 35th Squadron zoomed northward today on the last lap of its "goodwill tour" of U.S. air bases as guests of the Army Air Corps after spending one week at Andrews Field.
The noted British fliers of World War II flew 12 Lancaster bombers from San Antonio, Tex., to Andrews Field on August 8. The bombers are still wearing the battle paint that distinguished them in the night raids over Germany.
The British ambassador, Hon. Lord Inverchapel; the AAF's Chief of Staff, Gen. Carl A. Spaatz; the commanding officer of Andrews Field, Col. C.D. Sluman, and many other dignitaries were on hand to greet the fliers.
Lord Inverchapel welcomed No. 35 Squadron to the Washington area, and stated that while they were in this vicinity he thought he should retire, allowing them to serve as ambassadors. He also invited all the members of No. 35 Squadron to a party at the Embassy on Friday night.
In a speech of welcome, General Spaatz recalled the close cooperation that had existed between the RAF and the AAF. He said that it was imperative that this relationship should continue to exist between the two air forces.
While at Andrews Field the 209 English airmen, all veterans of Britain's much decorated Pathfinder Force, were entertained by both military officials and civilians. The entertainment ranged from downing brews at the Pte Club with GI's to drinking tea on the lawn of the British Embassy in response to Lord Inverchapel's invitation.
On Saturday morning, August 10, the British aircraft gave a demonstration flight over Atlantic City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, taking off from Andrews Field at 0915. Thirty newsmen went on this flight. From 1300 to 1500 Saturday afternoon the public was invited to an open house here. Royal Air Force crews stood by their Lancasters and answered questions concerning their equipment. During the late afternoon and evening Andrews Field held a gala beach party at Chesapeake Beach for all enlisted visiting RAF personnel and for Andrews Field enlisted and civilian personnel. Swimming, a picnic supper, and dancing were the main features of the day. On Saturday night, a buffet dinner and dance were held at the Officers' Club for all RAF and Andrews Field officers.
Forty Air Attaches visited the Base Sunday morning at the invitation of Headquarters AAF. British service women and other members of the British Colony in Washington were also guests here Sunday afternoon. In the evening the RAF personnel attended the AAF band concert given on the Capitol steps.
During the course of their stay in Washington our English guests also went on sight-seeing tours as well as visiting Bolling Field and attending dinner parties and other social functions.
The itinerary of No. 35 Squadron since it arrived at Mitchell Field July 17 from Graveley, Huntingdon, England, via Azores and Newfoundland, has been St. Louis, Denver, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Tex., and Andrews Field. The squadron is now headed for Westover Field, Chicopee Falls, Mass., where it will remain for four days before completing the cycle back to Mitchell Field. From there they will return to England, where most of the men will await their well-earned discharges.
U.S., Britain Must Retain Air Superiority, Says English Ace
Urges Adequate Funds For Aviation Research
[photograph]
ALLAN J. CRAIG
Regardless of current economic conditions, United States and Great Britain must appropriate adequate funds for research and development of modern military aviation if world peace is to be maintained.
This conviction was expressed yesterday by Wing Comdr. Allan J. Craig, 23-year-old British war hero and the youngest officer of his rank in the Royal Air Force, corresponding to a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. army.
Here on "Operation Goodwill" at the invitation of the Army Air Forces, Comdr. Craig is head of the famed Thirty-Fifth Squadron, the Lancaster bomber outfit which saluted President Truman Saturday in a formation over the White House, and which is being entertained at Andrews Field. With a maturity belying his years, the youthful veteran of 73 European sorties pleaded earnestly for public awareness of the "tremendous changes" taking place in aviation. "The people must be made to understand that present-day aircraft become obsolete practically as soon as they are manufactured. We must not practice false economy with inferior air power. With weak air power we will have inferior peace power," he said.
Craig holds the Distinguished Service Order, the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Brazilian decoration and numerous campaign stars. The Lancaster crews will leave Washington Wednesday for Boston and New York, returning to England August 22. They will be feted tonight by Gen. Carl Spaatz and other top A.A.F. generals.
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
Andrews Field News
Description
An account of the resource
First item is an account of the the visit by 35 Squadron at Andrews Field. Second item is 'U.S., Britain must retain air superiority, Says English Ace'. Handwritten notes of Washington addresses.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1946-08
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Two newspaper cuttings and handwritten notes on an album page
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SMathersRW55201v10041
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
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
United States
Washington (D.C.)
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1946-08
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
Angela Gaffney
35 Squadron
Goodwill tour of the United States (1946)
Lancaster
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/957/9646/SMathersRW55201v10042.2.jpg
4416835c07965c2524b7ae8fc12c4f09
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
Mathers, Ronald. Album
Description
An account of the resource
45 page scrapbook of Squadron life and The Goodwill Tour to the United States by 35 Squadron in 1946. It includes photographs, newspaper cuttings, and programmes. The tour visited stations on both the East and West coasts of the United States and the airmen were entertained with visits to Hollywood.
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.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SMathersRW55201v1
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-07-17
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
35 Squadron over Washington
Description
An account of the resource
Item 1 is a formal invitation to Flight Lieutenant Mathers to attend a reception at the British Embassy.
Items 2, 3, 4 and 5 are air-to-air view s of 12 Lancasters over Washington captioned 'Formation over the "White House"'
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1946-08
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SMathersRW55201v10042
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
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
United States
Washington (D.C.)
Washington (D.C.)
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1946-08
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.
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One printed invitation and four b/w photographs on a scrapbook page
35 Squadron
entertainment
Goodwill tour of the United States (1946)
Lancaster
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/518/10365/EChadwickRLaphamR4310X2-0001.1.jpg
3f156d92536f4fc98ebee16120722dbb
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/518/10365/EChadwickRLaphamR4310X2-0002.1.jpg
0481dcc1cff054a2f9b6e3ae9847f42e
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
Lapham, Rosemary
R Lapham
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Lapham, R
Description
An account of the resource
100 items. An oral history interview with Rosemary Lapham, the daughter of Roy Chadwick, family correspondence, congratulations on being honoured, personal documentation as well as photographs of family, acquaintances and aircraft. The collection also contains a thank you letter from Barnes Wallis to Roy Chadwick and a note from Arthur Harris to Robert Saundby about the in-feasibility of the Eder Möhne and Sorpe operation, some conceptual aircraft drawings and other mementos.
The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Rosemary Lapham and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2015-06-22
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.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[picture]
THE SHOREHAM HOTEL – Connecticut Ave. at Calvert St. – WASHINGTON, D. C.
[page break]
[postmark][postage stamp]
Washington 11th Oct 43.
My dearest Osie. I arrived here last night and have spent a very interesting day today. Someday I’ll bring you to see this delightful City my dear. This is a picture of the Hotel where I’m staying. With much love to you & Mummy & Margaret. yours Daddy
[underlined] Miss [/underlined] Rosemary Chadwick.
“Kingsley”.
Gilbert Road.
Hale. Cheshire.
England.
[inserted] VIA AIR MAIL IN U. S. A. [/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
Postcard from Washington DC
Description
An account of the resource
Addressed to Rosemary Chadwick from Roy Chadwick. Writes he has arrived and had an interesting day. Postcard is of hotel where he is staying. On the front a painting of a large multi-story building with American Flags on top and trees in the foreground. Title 'The Shoreham Hotel, Connecticut Ave. at Calvert St. -- Washington DC'.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1943-10-11
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Postcard with artwork front handwritten on reverse
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EChadwickRLaphamR4310X2
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
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
United States
Washington (D.C.)
Great Britain
England--Cheshire
England--Sale
England--Lancashire
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1943-10-11
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
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Roy Chadwick
Chadwick, Roy (1893-1947)
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/704/11895/LBeethamMJ[Ser -DoB]v2.pdf
e48b84bb1ab4b0ad11464c42bd3238d3
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
Beetham, Michael
Sir Michael Beetham
M Beetham
Description
An account of the resource
Five items. The collection concerns Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Michael Beetham GCB, CBE, DFC, AFC, DL (1923 - 2015) and contains his five flying log books. He flew a tour of operations as a pilot with 50 Squadron. After the war he flew on the goodwill tour of the United States with 35 Squadron. He remained in the RAF and rose in rank until his retirement in the 1980s.
The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Sir Michael Beetham and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
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
2015-09-09
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
Beetham, MJ
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
Michael James Beetham’s pilots flying log book. Two
Description
An account of the resource
Pilots flying log book for Michael James Beetham, covering the period from 5 December 1945 to 18 July 1952. Detailing his post war squadron duties, staff duties, flying training and instructor duties and flew the victory day fly past and good will tour of the United States. He was stationed at RAF Graveley, RAF Hemswell, RAF Finningley, RAF Eastleigh, RAF Middleton St. George, RAF Bassingbourn and RAF Andover. Aircraft flown were, Lancaster, Oxford, Lincoln, C-47, B-17, Expiditor, Anson, Wellington, Devon, Valetta, Meteor, Canberra and Proctor. Flying duties were with 35 Squadron, 82 Squadron, Headquarters Bomber Command and Staff College.
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One booklet
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Log book and record book
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
LBeethamMJ19230517v2
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
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
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
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Great Britain. Royal Air Force
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Mike Connock
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Canada
Ghana
Great Britain
Kenya
Nigeria
South Africa
Tanzania
United States
Zambia
California--Mather Air Force Base
Colorado--Colorado Springs
England--Cambridgeshire
England--Durham (County)
England--Hampshire
England--Huntingdonshire
England--Lincolnshire
England--Suffolk
England--Wiltshire
England--Yorkshire
Ghana--Accra
Ghana--Takoradi
Kenya--Nairobi
Michigan
New York (State)
New York (State)--Mitchel Field
Newfoundland and Labrador--Gander
Ohio
Ontario--Ottawa
Ontario--Trenton
South Africa--Pretoria
Tanzania--Dar es Salaam
Tanzania--Lindi
Tanzania--Mbeya
Tanzania--Tabora
Texas
Washington (D.C.)
Zambia--Ndola
California
Colorado
Ontario
Newfoundland and Labrador
35 Squadron
82 Squadron
aircrew
Anson
B-17
C-47
Goodwill tour of the United States (1946)
Lancaster
Lincoln
Meteor
Oxford
pilot
Proctor
RAF Andover
RAF Bassingbourn
RAF Eastleigh
RAF Finningley
RAF Graveley
RAF Hemswell
RAF Middleton St George
Wellington
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1292/17587/PPearceAT16030001.2.jpg
6701edb32f95cff83b696270aa14b712
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
“Americans don’t know us” says ‘goodwill’ gunner
WITH the memories of a wonderful reception in the USA fresh in his mind, having just returned from the RAF Bomber Command goodwill visit, W/O Arthur Pearce, of 70, Whitworth House, Falmouth-rd., Southwark, still thinks the average American knows little or nothing about Britain.
“The people over there don’t seem to have any idea of life outside their own home town. They think they are the only country with jet planes and don’t know we hold the air speed record.
“I’ve never seen so much food in my life, but they think they are hard done by. We need more about England in the American papers, they don’t seem to know what goes on.
“The only people who like England are the ex-Service men who served in this country during the war and would like to revisit the places they know.”
A Bomber Command air gunner with 44 ops. to his credit, he joined 35 Squadron, the senior bomber group of the RAF, a year ago and was selected to make the trip by the Squadron Commander.
Starting from Graveney, the hop to New York was made with stops at Cornwall, The Azores and Newfoundland.
The Lancasters called at St. Louis, Denver, Washington, D.C. and many other large cities in the States and their crews were lavishly entertained to civic receptions wherever they went.
Arthur told a South London Press reporter: “We had a wonderful time throughout the tour, money just didn’t seem to be any object to the people entertaining us.
“Wherever we landed we were given a good time, taken to dances and shows and on visits. I met many of the British film stars including Sir Aubrey Smith and [missing letters]rle Oberon.”
[photograph]
[photograph]
[photograph]
[photograph] [photograph]
LOCAL AIRMEN WERE GUESTS OF FILM STARS
GUESTS of film stars in Hollywood, feted wherever they went, the two local airmen who took part in the R.A.F.’s goodwill mission to the United States are expected home this week-end.
They are W.O. Arthur Pearce, D.F.M., 70, Whitworth House, Falmouth-rd., Elephant and Castle (left), and A.C.1 J.B. Lumsden, 150, Burbage-rd., Herne Hill (right). They arrived back in England, on Monday.
Writing home, Pearce says that he has “had enough of a good time.” The film stars he met included Mary Pickford, who entertained him at her home at Beverly Hills. “Hollywood is one of the best places on earth,” he comments, “but only the rich can afford to live there.” He says that five drinks cost him £3. “Though I am really having a good time, I would like to get home and have a few hours’ sleep and when I get home I hope I shall never see another drop of beer!” Lumsden, tells his parents in a letter that “there is still too much food in the U.S., and they apologise for the lack of it!”
[photograph] [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
Goodwill trip to United States
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Two newspaper cuttings and five b/w photographs mounted on an album page
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PPearceAT16030001
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
Civilian
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Cambridgeshire
United States
New York (State)--New York
Washington (D.C.)
New York (State)
California--Beverly Hills
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1946-07
1946-08
Description
An account of the resource
Top left - newspaper article 'Americans don't know us say s"goodwill gunner".' Noted that Warrant Officer Arthur Pearce has just returned from goodwill tour of the United States with a view that Americans know nothing about Britain and have no idea of life outside their own home town. A bomber command air gunner with 44 operations to his credit he joined 35 Squadron a year ago and was selected to make the trip with Lancaster air craft. Starting from Graveley with stops in Cornwall, Azores and Newfoundland then to New York. Visited St Louis, Denver, Washington DC and other large cities.
Top right - photograph of two Lancasters in light paint scheme parked on airfield with welcoming spectators and band.
Middle top - photograph of a Fairchild C-82 Packet and C-47s.
Middle below - an airfield by the side of a river.
Middle right - newspaper article 'Local airmen were guests of film stars'. Notes that Warrant Officer Arthur Pearce and AC1 J B Lumsden had met film stars Mary Pickford in Beverley Hills, Hollywood.
Bottom left - photograph of the Spruce Goose (Hughes H-4 Hercules) by waterside.
Bottom right - photograph of C54 Skymaster on runway
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
1946=07
1946-08
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Steve Baldwin
35 Squadron
aircrew
C-47
Goodwill tour of the United States (1946)
Lancaster
RAF Graveley
runway
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1292/17606/PPearceAT16030010.1.jpg
50ae2a28125484086d5839e17997d77a
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
Gen. Spaatz Welcomes RAF
[photograph]
At the microphone welcoming the RAF to Andrews Field is Gen. Carl A Spaatz. Chief of Staff of the Army Air Forces. In back of him, reading from left to right, are Lord Inverchapel, British Ambassador; Col. Curtis D. Sluman, Base Commander, and Maj. Gen. O.P. Weyland, Assistant Chief of Air Staff Plans.
The RAF’s famous 35th Squadron zoomed northward today on the last lap of its “goodwill tour” of U.S. air bases as guests of the Army Air Corps after spending one week at Andrews Field.
The noted British fliers of World War II flew 12 Lancaster bombers from San Antonio, Tex., to Andrews Field on August 8. The bombers are still wearing the battle paint that distinguished them in the night raids over Germany.
The British ambassador, Hon. Lord Inverchapel; the AAF’s Chief of Staff, Gen. Carl A. Spaatz; the commanding officer of Andrews Field, Col. C.D. Sluman, and many other dignitaries were on hand to greet the fliers.
Lord Inverchapel welcomed No. 35 Squadron to the Washington area, and stated that while they were in this vicinity he thought he should retire, allowing them to serve as ambassadors. He also invited all the members of No. 35 Squadron to a party at the Embassy on Friday night.
In a speech of welcome, General Spaatz recalled the close cooperation that had existed between the RAF and the AAF. He said that it was imperative that this relationship should continue to exist between the two air forces.
While at Andrews Field the 200 English airmen, all veterans of Britain’s much decorated Pathfinder Force, were entertained by both military officials and civilians. The entertanment [Sic] ranged from downing brews at the Pfc. Club with GI’s to drinking tea on the lawn of the British Embassy in response to Lord Inverchapel’s invitation.
On Saturday morning, August 10, the British aircraft gave a demonstration flight over Atlantic City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, taking off from Andrews Field at 0915. Thirty newsmen went on this flight. From 1300 to 1500 Saturday afternoon the public was invited to an open house here. Royal Air Force crews stood by their Lancasters and answered questions concerning their equipment. During the late afternoon and evening Andrews Field held a gala beach party at Chesapeake Beach for all enlisted visiting RAF personnel and for Andrews Field enlisted and civilian personnel. Swimming, a picnic supper, and dancing were the main features of the day. On Saturday night a buffet dinner and dances were held at the Officers’ Club for all RAF and Andrews Field officers.
Forty Air Attaches visited the Base Sunday morning at the invitation of Headquarters AAF. British service women and other members of the British Colony in Washington were also guests here Sunday afternoon. In the evening the RAF personnel attended the AAF band concert given on the Capitol steps.
During the course of their stay in Washington our English guests also went on sight-seeing tours as well as visiting Bolling Field and attending dinner parties and other social functions.
The itinerary of No. 35 Squadron since it arrived at Mitchell Field July 17 from Graveley, Huntingdon, England, via Azorea and Newfoundland, has been St. Louis, Denver, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Tex., and Andrews Field.
The squadron is now headed for Westover Field, Chicopee Falls, Mass., where it will remain for four days before completing the cycle back to Mitchel Field. From there they will return to England, where most of the men will await their well-earned dis-discharges [Sic].
[photograph]
Group Captain K.C.M Collard is pictured above shaking hands with Col. Curtis D. Sluman, Base Commander, at ceremonies welcoming the RAF to Andrews Field. To the left of him is Lord Inverchapel, British Ambassador; to his right are Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, Chief of Staff of the Army Air Forces, and Col. A.L. Berry, Deputy Base Commander.
[photograph]
In picture above, men of the RAF’s famous 35th Squadron are shown lined up in front of a group of heavy Lancaster bombers during Andrews Field reception for the Royal Air Force.
FLY-PAST
Five South Londoners will have an aerial view of the procession when they take part in the RAF fly-past.
One of them is 23-year-old F/O Frank Baker of Glengarry-rd., Dulwich, navigator in a Mosquito night intruder who won the DFC for a night operation over German airfields.
Three of the others are from heavy bombers, F.O Brundritt. Of Lynton-rd., Bermondsey, will be navigator of a Lancaster. W/O A.J. Pearce, of 70, Whitworth House, Falmouth-rd., Southwark, who won the DFM in 1945, and Flight Sgt. B. Ford, of 5, Arlingford-rd., Tulse Hill, will be rear gunners in Lancasters, W/O S. Pritchard, of 5, Montford-place, Kennington, will be a navigator in 248 Mosquito squadron.
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
Goodwill tour of United States and Victory Fly-Past
Description
An account of the resource
Top right - newspaper cutting titled 'Gen Spaatz welcomes RAF' with three photographs. Top left photograph of General Spaatz at microphone welcoming RAF to Andrews Field. Also in background Lord Inverchapel, British Ambassador, Col Curtis D Sluman and Maj Gen O P Weyland. Article explains that 35 Squadron spent a week at Andrews Field having flown from San Antonio on August 8th. Covers Gen Spaatz speech. Mentions aircraft gave demonstration flight over Atlantic City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington. Photograph middle of Group Captain Collard shaking hands with Col Curtis D Sluman (base commander Andrews Field) in front of parade of servicemen. Bottom photograph 35 Squadron crews lined up in front of their Lancasters.
Bottom left - a newspaper cutting 'Fly-Past', notes that five south Londoners will have aerial view as they take part in RAF fly-past: F/O Frank Baker DFC (ex Mosquito navigato)r; F/O Brundrift (navigator); W/O A J Pearce DFM; F/Sgt B Ford (air gunners in Lancaster) and W/O S Pritchard (navigator in 248 Squadron Mosquito).
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1946-07
1946-08
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Two newspaper cuttings mounted on an album page
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PPearceAT16030010
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
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
United States
Washington (D.C.)
New Jersey--Atlantic City
Texas--San Antonio
Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
Maryland--Baltimore
Great Britain
England--London
Maryland
New Jersey
Texas
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1946-07
1946-08
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.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Bradley Froggatt
248 Squadron
35 Squadron
air gunner
aircrew
Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Medal
Goodwill tour of the United States (1946)
Lancaster
Mosquito
navigator
Pathfinders
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1292/17623/PPearceAT16030024.1.jpg
36a28c7e5c9693a8c897fc8e2bc915de
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
Lowry Field on July 25. Plans are underway to fete the British flyers and make their visit to Lowry as pleasant as possible. This is one of the many points which the RAF Squadron will visit on a five-week goodwill tour of the United States. Open house at Lowry Field is planned for the 27th of July. At this time the public will be given a chance to inspect this sample of the might of the British Air Arm.
Flying the famed Lancaster bombers that helped smash Germany’s industrial war plants in night raids at the height of the Allied air offensive, R.A.F. fliers will land at Lowry Field to begin their three-day visit to the Denver area. Invited to the United States by the Army Air Forces, Squadron 35 (Pathfinder), Royal Air Force Bomber Command is touring the country, taking part in several events along the way. Arriving at Mitchell Field, New York, on July 17, the group of sixteen Lancasters and two Yorks, commanded by Wing Commander A.F.L. Craig assembled before beginning its “Good Will” tour.
Upon their arrival in New York last Wednesday, members of the group were extended a warm welcome. Among the activities held in their honor [sic] were a baseball game, dinner, dance, and open house entertainment. Similar programs are being planned for their visits to Scott Field and other AAF installations in this country.
The squadron will stop at Scott Field, near Bellevue, Illinois on July 21. After leaving Lowry Field, the group will take off for a scheduled arrival at Long Beach, California on the 28th. on August 1, the unit will take part in the program for the Army Air Forces Day at Los Angeles. Next scheduled stop on the itinerary will be Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas, when the group leaves Long Beach, on August 3. From Kelly the R.A.F. fliers will take off for Morrison Field, near West Palm Beach, Florida, arriving there on August 7. Next will be Andrews Field, Maryland, near Washington, D.C. On August 18 a return
[photograph]
[photograph]
The mass formation will be manned by 110 enlisted men, 30 warrant officers, 61 company grade officers, and eight field grade officers. Total strength will be 209, including two British newspapermen.
Veteran of some of the toughest air combat in the European theatre, the 35th Squadron will complete project “Good Will” under the direction of Group Captain R.C.M. Collard, Station Commander at Gravelly, Huntington, England. Wing Commander Craig of Gravelly, a 23-year-old flier with a brilliant war record will conduct the group on its five-week tour. Craig holds the Distinguished Service Order and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Britain’s largest bombers, the four-engine Lancasters of Squadron 35 which carried the war to Germany completed every mission but one. Chosen to form part of the R.A.R.’s “Tiger Force,” No. 35 was making preparations to join American B-29’s on Okinawa for the massed air offensive against Japan when surrender came, cancelling the project. Still clad in their “tropical Dress,” the R.A.F. Lancasters are white on top and black underneath.
Much of the fame which was attained by the 35th Squadron came from their successes as one of the four squadrons which went to make up the nucleus of the “Pathfinder Force.” This was the RAF’s solution to the difficulties encountered in maintaining accuracy in bombing on night missions over Europe. Early in the war it became apparent that night bombing would be much more effective if an unmistakable beacon were created near the target by fire-raising parties. Hence the “Pathfinder Force” was established. The four squadrons chosen were selected because of special skills in navigation and the use of special equipment. Their mission was to locate targets in the dark and provide the guiding beacon by setting them afire with incendiary bombs and by dropping flares.
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
Goodwill visit to United States
Description
An account of the resource
Newspaper cutting with three air-to-air view photographs of Lancasters.
Article states that 16 Lancasters of 35 Pathfinder Squadron will arrive 27 July 1946 on three day visit to Denver area. They arrived in the United States at Mitchel Field New York on 17 July 1946. Mentions they will visit Scott Field Bellevue. Long Beach California, San Antonio, Morrison Field West Palm Beach and Andrews Field Washington DC. Mentions party consists of 110 enlisted men m 20 warrant officers and 61 officers. Mentions would have been part of Tiger Force.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1946-07
1946-08
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One newspaper cutting mounted on an album page
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PPearceAT16030024
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
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
United States
Colorado--Denver
California--Long Beach
Texas--San Antonio
New York (State)--New York
Illinois--Belleville
Florida--West Palm Beach
Maryland
Washington (D.C.)
Florida
California
Colorado
Illinois
New York (State)
Texas
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1946-07
1946-08
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.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Steve Baldwin
35 Squadron
Goodwill tour of the United States (1946)
Lancaster
Pathfinders
Tiger force
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1339/20868/SValentineJRM1251404v10008.2.jpg
f9f2423f30706f1dfb1a4a0caff89fb2
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
Valentine, John. Ursula Valentine's newspaper cutting scrapbook
Description
An account of the resource
131 items contained in a scrapbook. Mainly newspaper cuttings of events from May 1942 to 1945.
Transcribed document
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Transcription
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THE TIMES FRIDAY JUNE 12 1942
TWENTY-YEAR TREATY WITH RUSSIA
FULL PARTNERSHIP IN WAR AND PEACE
M. MOLOTOV’S VISITS TO LONDON AND WASHINGTON
UNTIED ACTION FOR VICTORY
The conclusion of a treaty of alliance between Great Britain and Soviet Russia, providing for full collaboration between the two countries during and after the war, was announced yesterday. The treaty, which is to remain in force for 20 years, was signed on behave of the Soviet Union by M. Molotov, who recently visited London.
After leaving this country M. Molotov visited Washington and had talks with military and political leaders in the United States. Both there and in London the urgent tasks connected with the opening of a second front in Europe this year were discussed, and full agreement was reached.
A SECOND FRONT IN 1942
MR. EDEN’S SPEECH
WESTMINSTER, Thursday
Mr. Eden was cheered repeatedly by a crowded House of Commons when he rose to-day to announce the conclusion of the treaty between the Russian and British Governments.
Mr. Churchill was on the Treasury Bench next to Mr. Eden. In the Ambassadors’ Gallery M. Maisky, to whom Mr. Eden paid a tribute for his long efforts to promote Anglo-Russian understanding, sat beside Mr. Winant, the American Ambassador. Mrs. Churchill and Mrs. Eden sat together in the Ladies’ Gallery.
MR. EDEN said:-
I am glad to be able to inform the House that his Majesty’s Government have concluded a treaty with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics which confirms our alliance with that country during the war against Germany and her associates in Europe. (Cheers.) The treaty provides that after the war our two countries will render each other mutual assistance against any further attack by Germany or her associates. (Cheers.) It further provides that we shall collaborate with one another and with the other United Nations in the peace settlement, and during the ensuing period of reconstruction, on the basis of the principles set out in the Atlantic Charter. (Cheers.)
The House will remember that Germany invaded Russia on June 22 last year, and that on the same evening the Prime Minister affirmed that the Russian danger was our danger – (cheers) – and that we should give whatever help we could to Russia and make common cause with the Russian people. (Cheers.) Practical effect was given to the Prime Minister’s declaration by the signature, on July 12, of an agreement for joint action in the war against Germany. In September Lord Beaverbrook, with Mr. Averell Harriman, visited Moscow and negotiated an arrangement for supplying the Soviet Government with the war materials which they urgently needed for the prosecution of the war. This was followed in the political field by my visit to Moscow in December of last year. The purpose of that visit, in the words of the joint [italics] communiqué [/italics] which was issued on my return, was “the exchange of views on questions relating to the conduct of the war and the post-war organisation of peace and security in Europe.”
M. MOLOTOV IN LONDON
Since then conversations, begun in Moscow, have been continuing. The British Dominions, the United States, and other countries most closely concerned have been kept fully informed of the whole course of our negotiations. When I was in Moscow I gave M. Molotov a cordial invitation to visit us in this country, and when our discussions had made sufficient progress his Majesty’s Government suggested that M. Molotov should come to London to embody our agreement in a formal treaty.
M. Molotov meanwhile had been invited by President Roosevelt to visit him in Washington. It was arranged accordingly that M. Molotov should come here, and then go on to the United States. He arrived in London on May 21. The treaty was signed on May 26, (Cheers.)
The next day M. Molotov left for the United States, in accordance with his programme. I am glad to be able to tell the House that M. Molotov had a safe journey to the United States and back, and that he had most useful and satisfactory talks with the President in Washington. M. Molotov has now gone back to Moscow.
When I shall sit down a White Paper will be available to members at the Vote Office. It will contain, in addition to the treaty, an exchange of messages between his Majesty the King and M. Kalinin, as well as the speeches made by M. Molotov and myself at the signature of the treaty, and I think it would be for the convenience of the House if I gave them now a brief outline of what the treaty contains.
POST-WAR TASKS
The United Kingdom and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics reaffirm their determination to afford one another all possible assistance in the war, and not to enter into any negotiations with the Hitlerite Government, or any other government in Germany which does not clearly renounce all aggressive intentions, and not to negotiate or conclude except by mutual consent any armistice or peace treaty with Germany, or any other State associated with her in acts of aggression in Europe. (Cheers.) The two countries also agree that they will, when peace is re-established, work together for the organization of security and economic prosperity in Europe. In doing so, they will take into account the interests of the United Nations, and they undertake to be guided by the two principles of not seeking territorial aggrandisement for themselves, and of not interfering in the internal affairs of other States.
The two Governments go on to declare their desire “to unite with other like-minded States in adopting proposals for common action to preserve peace and resist aggression in the post-war period.” Meanwhile, when the war is ended they will take “all measures in their power to render impossible a repetition of aggression and violation of the peace by Germany or any of the States associated with her in acts of aggression in Europe.” (Cheers.)
There is, of course, bound to be some interval after the victory has been gained before an effective international system can be built up for preserving peace and for the prevention of further aggression. The two Governments accordingly have agreed that, should one of our countries during the post-war period become involved in hostilities with Germany or any of her European associates in consequence of an attack by one of them, the two Governments will at once give each other “all the military and other support and assistance” in their power.
As for the duration of this undertaking, I will quote from the relevant article of the treaty: “This article shall remain in force until the high contracting parties by mutual agreement shall recognize that it is superseded by the adoption of the proposals contemplated in Article 3.” That is, the long-term system of international security which the treaty contemplates as our goal, as I have already mentioned. The article then goes on: “In default of the adoption of such proposals it shall remain in force for a period of 20 years, and thereafter until terminated by either contracting party.”
The treaty contains a ratification clause. Both Governments are anxious that the treaty shall come into force as soon as possible. The treaty accordingly will be laid forthwith on the table of the House.
Our conversations with M. Molotov were not, of course, confined to treaty matters, important as those were. The war in all its aspects was reviewed, and I will now give the House a quotation from the [italics] communiqué [/italics] which is being issued this afternoon:- “Full understanding was reached between the two parties with regard to the urgent task of creating a second front in Europe in 1942. Discussions also took place on the question of further improving the supplies of aeroplanes, tanks, and other war material to be sent from Great Britain to the Soviet Union. Both sides were gratified to note the identity of their views on all the above questions.”
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Title
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Twenty year treaty with Russia
Description
An account of the resource
Sub headlines: full partnership in war, M. Molotov's visit to London and Washington, United action for victory. Article announcing treaty between Great Britain and Soviet Russia. Sections titled: Second Front in 1942, Mr Eden's Sp[each. M. Molotov in London, Post-war Tasks.
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The Times
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
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1942-06-12
Format
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One newspaper cutting mounted on a scrapbook page
Language
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eng
Type
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Text
Identifier
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SValentineJRM1251404v10008
Coverage
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Civilian
Spatial Coverage
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Great Britain
England--London
United States
Washington (D.C.)
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-06
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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David Bloomfield
Steve Baldwin
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Workflow A completed
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1339/21969/SValentineJRM1251404v10042.2.jpg
18afd6666b1b8ba13f2775a6df24d10c
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Title
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Valentine, John. Ursula Valentine's newspaper cutting scrapbook
Description
An account of the resource
131 items contained in a scrapbook. Mainly newspaper cuttings of events from May 1942 to 1945.
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THE TIMES WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 9 1942
IMPLACABLE FOE OF NEW DEAL
REPUBLICANS’ NEW CHAIRMAN
From Our Own Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8
Mr. Harrison Spangler, who has been chosen as the new chairman of the Republican National Committee, is a Conservative from Iowa. He is in his sixties, and his friends describe him vaguely as a “moderate internationalist” notwithstanding that he opposed the League o[missing letter] Nations. He accepted office, as it carrie[missing letter] with it the committee’s mandate to help [missing word] country “to defeat the New Deal,” a[missing letters] he added that he had been “after [missing words] animal since 1932,” and hoped to be [missing words] the kill in 1944.
Obviously the committee was moved [missing words] choice by a lively sense of dissension to [missing words] if it gave the post to a confessed isolat[missing letters] like Mr. Werner Schroeder, for that a[missing letters] Wendell Willkie had said, would [missing words] “imprinted the masthead of the [italics] C[missing letters] Tribune [/italics] on the party.” Another candidat[missing letters] Frederick Baker, of Seattle, came, rig[missing letters] wrongly, to be considered as Mr. W[missing letters] man, which effectively doomed him, [missing words] after a couple of ballots, a deal was ma[missing letters] Mr. Spangler was unanimously appoin[missing letters]
“PRODDING” AT HO[missing letters]
But this was not all. Senator Taf[missing letters]red a resolution before the meeting ended, [missing letters]rming the one which was passed on Apr[missing letters] last and the declaration of the Republican [missing letters]bers of Congress which diluted it, and ad[missing letters] that the committee dedicated itself “t[missing letters]ctory over our foreign enemies, to a just pe[missing letters] when war shall end, and to the preservati[missing letters] of the Republic under our Constitution.” [missing words] what this reference to the post-war world [missing letters]ns, or will mean, it would be impossible t[missing letters]y, but it should be remembered that Sen[missing letters]r Taft has strong isolationist leanings. M[missing letter] Willkie will have to do a great deal more “p[missing letters]dding” at home before it will be safe to [missing word] much encouragement from it.
Mr. Spangler has said that his adm[missing letters]istration of the committee’s machinery will ha[missing letters] nothing to do with the Republican Preside[missing letters]al candidate for 1944 until the party has [missing letters]osen its man. Clearly he will give all his [missing word] to the New Deal not only in 1944 but [missing word] the next Congress where the Republican P[missing letter]rty is now so strongly entrenched. Where [missing letters]e line can be drawn in a conflict over domes[missing letter]ic policy to prevent it from impinging on the field of war policy is difficult to determine, and the desire – so strongly present in many bosoms – to “get Roosevelt” will not make it easy to draw.
SHACKLING OF WAR PRISONERS
HOPE OF ENDING THE DEADLOCK
FROM OUR DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT
Hopes of ending the present deadlock in the shackling of prisoners of war grew stronger yesterday. The Swiss Government, who since the early days of October have been trying to end the German reprisals and the British counter-reprisals, yesterday made a public appeal to the British, Canadian, and German Governments. The appeal was worded as follows:-
In the conviction that it was with reluctance that Germany, as with Britain and Canada, was led to shackle prisoners of war, Switzerland, the protecting Power for German interests in the British Empire and for British interests in Germany, has suggested simultaneously to the interested Governments a date on which those prisoners should be freed from their shackles.
Soon after the appeal was received it was officially stated in London that the Swiss proposals would be examined immediately, and with the utmost sympathy, by the British Government in consultation with the Canadian Government.
Earlier in the day, before the appeal was received, the Prime Minister had told the House of Commons that he hoped to make a statement on the manacling of prisoners during the next series of sittings in the House.
Asked if Canada had been consulted before the decision to manacle prisoners was taken, he replied, “On account of urgency it was not possible to consult any of the Dominion Governments upon the counter-measures to the German shacklings which were deemed necessary in October by the Government.” In reply to further questions he said that the Cabinet were of course fully consulted, and that the fullest explanations tendered to the Dominions were accepted in “that friendly spirit of cooperation which marks all our relations.”
It was on October 7 that the German High Command announced that all British prisoners taken at Dieppe would be put in chains because “British troops had tied the hands of German soldiers in the raids on Dieppe and Sark.” After the German decision was put into effect on October 8, the British Government gave notice that unless the British prisoners were freed from their bonds by October 10, an equal number of German prisoners would have their hands tied. The German High Command replied by ordering the shackling of three times the number of British prisoners and declared that the men would be kept chained until the British Government gave clear notice that never again would they allow any tying of German soldiers in raids.
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Two articles: implacable foe of new deal and shackling prisoners of war
Description
An account of the resource
Article 1. Headlines: implacable foe of new deal, Republican's new chairman. Deals with appointment of Mr Harrison Spangler as the new chairman of the United States Republican party national committee. Article 2. Headlines; shackling of war prisoners, hope of ending deadlock. Mentions Swiss Governments attempts to end German reprisals and British counter-reprisals.
Publisher
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The Times
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
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1942-12-09
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Two newspaper cuttings mounted on a scrapbook page
Language
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eng
Type
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Text
Identifier
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SValentineJRM1251404v10042
Coverage
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Civilian
Wehrmacht
British Army
Spatial Coverage
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United States
Washington (D.C.)
France
France--Dieppe
Atlantic Ocean--English Channel
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-12
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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David Bloomfield
Steve Baldwin
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Workflow A completed
prisoner of war
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1339/22012/SValentineJRM1251404v10062.2.jpg
64dd36f551126d8e8ee97093327b1b7c
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Valentine, John. Ursula Valentine's newspaper cutting scrapbook
Description
An account of the resource
131 items contained in a scrapbook. Mainly newspaper cuttings of events from May 1942 to 1945.
Transcribed document
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Transcription
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THE TIMES SATURDAY MARCH 13 1943
VYASMA OCCUPIED BY RED ARMY
PURSUIT TOWARDS SMOLENSK CONTINUING
HEAVY CASUALTIES INFLICTED
GERMANS CLAIM TO BE IN KHARKOV
The Russians have entered Vyasma, where they report that 9,000 of the enemy were killed and much war material was captured. Berlin, while admitting the fall of Vyasma, claimed last night that German forces were in the centre of Kharkov.
Soviet forces are already pressing on from Vyasma and are pursuing the enemy towards Durovo, a railway junction half-way between Vysama and Smolensk.
MR. EDEN IN WASHINGTON
MEETING TO-DAY WITH PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
WIDE DISCUSSIONS WITH U.S. LEADERS
Mr. Eden, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, has arrived in Washington, it was announced this morning, to discuss with United States statesmen all aspects of the war situation, including future meetings between the Governments of the United Nations.
Our Washington Correspondent states that first and foremost in the discussions will be the problem of food supplies and relief for the European peoples as they are liberated from German oppression.
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Vyasma occupied by red army and Mr Eden in Washington
Description
An account of the resource
Article 1. Headlines: Vyasma occupied by red army, pursuit towards Smolensk continuing, heavy casualties inflicted, Germans claimn to be in Kharkov. Article 2. headlines: Mr Eden in Washington, meeting to-day with President Roosevelt, wide discussions with U.S. leaders.
Publisher
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The Times
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
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1943-03-13
Format
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Two newspaper cuttings mounted on a scrapbook page
Language
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eng
Type
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Text
Identifier
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SValentineJRM1251404v10062
Coverage
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Wehrmacht
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Ukraine
Ukraine--Kharkiv
Russia (Federation)
Russia (Federation)--Vi︠a︡zʹma (Smolenskai︠a︡ oblastʹ)
Russia (Federation)--Smolensk
United States
Washington (D.C.)
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1943-03
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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David Bloomfield
Steve Baldwin
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Workflow A completed
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1339/22068/SValentineJRM1251404v10085.2.jpg
e532979621fa2afa65736a2658de8de1
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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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Valentine, John. Ursula Valentine's newspaper cutting scrapbook
Description
An account of the resource
131 items contained in a scrapbook. Mainly newspaper cuttings of events from May 1942 to 1945.
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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Headlines on western and eastern fronts as well as announcement of Roosevelt's death
Description
An account of the resource
Headlines: Hanover ours, on to Brunswick, Americans over the Elbe, the red army crosses Oder, allies are moving on Berlin from west and East. Article: President Roosevelt is dead.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1945-04-11
1945-04-13
1945-04-12
Format
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Four newspaper cuttings mounted on an album page
Language
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eng
Type
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Text
Identifier
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SValentineJRM1251404v10085
Coverage
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British Army
Wehrmacht
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Germany
Germany--Braunschweig
Germany--Hannover
United States
Washington (D.C.)
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1945-04
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.
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano (1882-1945)
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/501/22597/MCurnockRM1815605-171114-025.1.pdf
47b29512fd6a29e7ba8653c928204f37
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Curnock, Richard
Richard Murdock Curnock
R M Curnock
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Identifier
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Curnock, RM
Date
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2016-04-18
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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.
Description
An account of the resource
92 items. An oral history interview with Warrant Officer Richard Curnock (1924, 1915605 Royal Air Force), his log book, letters, photographs and prisoner of war magazines. He flew operations with 425 Squadron before being shot down and becoming a prisoner of war.
The collection has been licenced to the IBCC Digital Archive by Richard Curnock and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
No. 58 February 1945
BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES’ ASSOCIATION
NEWS SHEET
V [Drawing] V [Drawing]
16 ST JAMES’S STREET,
LONDON, S.W.1
Telephone: ABBEY 3520.
President:
THE RT. HON. LORD VANSITTART, G.C.B., G.C.M.G.
Chairman:
Mr. J. CRAIG HARVEY
Secretary:
Mr. W. LAING.
Founder and Organising Secretary:
Mrs. P.M. STEWART.
Hon. Treasurer:
Mr. R.H. HYDE-THOMSON.
Editor:
ELIZABETH EWING.
[Boxed] IN THIS ISSUE.
PAGE
Far East Prisoners write Home 3
Camps as Schools of Citizenship 6
I.R.R.C. Visit Far East Camps 7
Far East Camp Problems 9
Letters from Germany 12
Activities in Provinces 15
Late News 16 [/boxed]
COMMON PROBLEM
BRITISH prisoners of war, from home and all parts of the Overseas Empire, now number nearly 300,000. That figure, given recently in the House of Commons by Mr. Churchill in the course of a survey of war casualties, is a telling reminder to the general public that prisoner of war problems are wide enough to be a matter of considerable moment to the community as well as to that section of it bound by blood and affection to the men who, in captivity, are at once so utterly out of the war and so pressingly in it. It is a reminder, too, that the restoration of the prisoner of war to normal life must be considered generally as an integral part of that reshaping of the world around us which is the post-war responsibility of all.
Relatives’ Part.
As is natural and to be expected, the main driving power behind past and present activities on the prisoner of war’s behalf has come from his relatives. They have provided, in their letters, his main personal link with normal life. They have, in the case of men shut off in that Far East which is living up, unfortunately, to its reputation for inscrutability, striven to the last ounce of their energy to achieve contact – and are still striving. They have sent personal parcels, with the individual needs which mean so much, to camps in Germany and, earlier in the war, to Italy too, and have contributed, by money and work, to the immense activities of the Red Cross in succouring prisoners. Among themselves relatives have got together and have endeavoured, by discussion and the exchange of views, to picture the world of the prisoner and enter into his thoughts. They have co-operated to help the families of prisoners in cases where need arose. That solidarity of the relatives will, when the story comes to be told, be one of the outstanding examples of how suffering can draw people together and bring out the best in them as well as enabling them to aid to the utmost of their power their prisoner of war sons and husbands and brothers.
The Future.
As regards the wider issue of the future of the prisoner of war, there is evidence that the community in general, as well as the relatives, is giving considerable and steadily growing thought to this problem. At the present moment the return of the prisoner, as distinct from that of the fighting man, has secured a dramatic hold on the public mind. The surge of Allied armies on to German soil from East and West makes this irresistible. As liberation draws near, it throws into bold outline the drama of those long years of captivity. It makes the modern prisoner of war one with the age-long wanderer and exile who comes back to a world he scarcely knows and which scarcely knows him. This is one of the oldest of human dramas, persistent from Homer’s Odyssey to Tennyson’s Enoch Arden, and that it should thus be revived in the persons of this war’s prisoners is for the most part a good thing. To see our present and personal problems in the magnifying glass of general human history is beneficial if it clarifies them.
A Danger.
There has, however, been evident of late a serious danger arising out of this – the danger of the prisoner war being regarded as a “problem” upon whose solution will be let loose an army of psychologists and other high-geared experts all on the lookout for symptoms of abnormality or strain in him. There has already been a tendency to impress this upon relatives, to explain to them in advance that all sorts of difficulties and maladjustments are likely to confront them when their men come home. This has at times reached the extent of a certain amount of scare-mongering, and something like a “bogey” is being created in various directions.
[Page break]
2 B.P.O.W.R.A. News Sheet
At times the talk and discussion resembles that which a few years ago seethed round the so-called “problem child” who, we were told, must be allowed to set the drawing room curtains on fire if he felt like it and who was encouraged to get rid of his inhibitions by riding round town all day in a taxi if he felt an inclination that way. So easy is it to be swept along to absurdities like this that a clear vision of the prisoner of war must be kept in mind by those at home if the difficulties of family reunions are to be met fairly and squarely.
Voice of the Prisoner.
For this purpose, we publish in this issue a forceful and reasoned letter on the subject written by a medical man who has been a prisoner of war since the Greek evacuation of 1941 and who has been attending prisoners professionally as well as living as one of them in Stalag IX B. His refutation of the idea of any general “problem” among prisoners of war is emphatic and categorical. He deserves to be listened to. Equally conclusive are the letters from camps, a cross-section of which we publish monthly as a means of giving in some ways a more just and balanced picture of the prisoner’s life and thoughts than can individual correspondence. Most of these letters tell of that inexhaustible, inspiring human miracle of adjustment to alien surroundings; of humour and balance preserved; studies proceeded with, careers prepared for. Among men who have been repatriated the same spirit prevails. The Far East is not an exception; remember Gunner Wilson, selected by the B.B.C. to broadcast his experiences and recalling among other lighter touches, how our men “had some fun” with the roll-call – “The Japanese couldn’t understand English in the beginning, and when they gave us the order to “number” it went something like: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace.”
Prisoner’s Point of View.
But the problem of the prisoner is not wholly resolved by the reminder that normality has not left him. If we imagine this is so, we are taking too self-centred a point of view. What is his attitude to us going to be? What will he think about the world to which he returns?
“All the world’s queer except me and thee. And even thee’s a little queer,” is a saying which voices a truth from which only the wisest and mentally most honest of us are immune. The plain fact is that to returned prisoner this world of ours will seem very queer indeed, and in many ways unpleasantly so. Thousands of prisoners of war know nothing of rationing of any sort. They are unaware of the revolution wrought on the home by the servant problem, the disappearance of the car, the shortage of fuel, the inability to repair and renew household goods. They have no knowledge of the mental and emotional upheaval caused by long evacuation, by the damaging of one house in three all over Britain by enemy raids. They do not know how five years have broken ties and changed friendships and destroyed settled habits and created new ways of daily life.
A Bleak Life.
Looking back on memories of pre-war existence they will no doubt find our present life narrow and bleak in many ways, lacking in graciousness and cordiality. Strain, overwork, lack of leisure have taken their toll of us gradually though in everyday life we are unaware of them. To men who return to us after years such things will stand out a mile. It is we who will in many ways be the problem, not they. It is ourselves who should be considering and our own adjustment to the future which should give us thought. That is the real lesson we can learn from the thought of the return of the prisoner.
Balanced View.
It may be that we shall consider some of the changes in ourselves beneficial. We may applaud the end of hypocrisy and invidious class distinctions and hail the creation of a more equitable world. In that event we can recall that prisoners, too, have written in their solitude, that their enforced withdrawal from the world has had a beneficial effect on them, has cleared away cobwebs from their minds and made their purpose in life clearer. We can, accordingly, prepare to move hand in hand with them out of the chaos into the future. There is no doubt that returned prisoners will welcome this, for no man of worth wishes to be regarded as a prisoner or to be set aside from his fellows for longer than is called for by the mere mechanics of getting back into normal life. Having served his country he wants to share its future along with those at home who, in the hard conditions of modern war, share with him in body and mind the scars of the conflict regardless of their age, occupation and station.
P.O.W.R.A. CONFERENCE
In London in March
THE BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES’ ASSOCIATION will hold a CONFERENCE at the CAXTON HALL, WESTMINSTER, LONDON, on SATURDAY, MARCH 17th, 1945.
This meeting will be open to all Individual Members of the Association, Members of Affiliated Associations and Societies and their friends.
The President, Lord Vansittart, has promised to address the gathering, and other speakers will include senior officers of National Organisations which have the welfare of Ex-Service Men and their rehabilitation as their special concern.
An Informal Session will be held in the morning, commencing at 11.30, when the Officers of the Association will be available to deal with individual enquiries concerning Prisoners of War. During the Afternoon Session, commencing at 2 p.m., ample opportunity will be afforded to relatives to put forward their views on the future policy of the Association. Formal Resolutions will not be put to the vote on this occasion, as the Conference is not confined to representative members. It is requested that all those who wish to speak will confine their remarks to matters of general interest to those who attend the meeting, and will be brief and to the point.
Thailand Relatives
Meeting Arranged
Owing to many requests we are arranging an informal Meeting at ALLIANCE HALL, CAXTON STREET, WESTMINSTER, LONDON, S.W.1. on Saturday, March 10th, at 3 p.m. for the relatives of P.O.W. and Civilian Internees in Thailand only.
This will be mainly in the nature of an experiment to sound the opinion of these relatives as to whether they would support future similar meetings in London for the purpose of exchanging views and information on matters relating to Thailand.
We suggest that any attending should pin a ticket on the coat indicating the camp in which the respective Prisoner or Civilian is interned.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES.
Membership of the B.P.O.W.R.A., which includes the News Sheet, is 12s. per annum. In cases of limited means, reduced rates are considered.
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B.P.O.W.R.A. News Sheet 3
FAR EAST PRISONERS WRITE HOME
What Their Letters Say
How are we at home to form a true picture of the Far East camps where 300,000 of our own people from home and the Dominions and of the Allied nations are in captivity? Life in that dim world of the Pacific, spread over hundreds of thousands of square miles, is unbelievably hard for those who have never been there to imagine, and the effort is made ten times harder by Japanese obstructiveness over allowing communications to be set up.
Gleams of light come from the stories of men who have been repatriated, from radio messages that trickle through from the erratic flow of correspondence. When, just before Christmas, 60,000 letters and cards arrived from prisoners of war and civilian internees in Japanese hands, this record mail did more than any other single happening to shed light on the Far East.
Singly, these communications brought comfort to relatives, who, in many cases, had never had word from near and dear ones on captivity in the Far East. Together, and aided by the comments and notes of the recipients, they are of even greater value. To help to fill out the picture, other information has come from other parts of the world to P.O.W.R.A.
A friend in Melbourne, for instance, sends a very helpful letter.
“I am,” she writes, “a member of an Auxiliary in Melbourne, the personnel of which is composed entirely of N.O.K. of prisoners of war in Japanese hands.
“Recently I have been lucky in receiving what is a comparatively large amount of news from my husband. Two letters arrived in the large distribution of mail some weeks ago. Two radio messages have come since then, and last week I had another letter written on May 17th of this year. In the first radio message (which was only picked up in the U.S.A.) my husband said: ‘I am working on a farm and studying Eastern History.’ I have good reason to believe that he was at Tamagato last year and I imagine he is now in Camp No. 4, though, of course, I have no proof of this. The letter received last week stated: ‘The second lot of Red Cross parcels have arrived.’ The first lot arrived in April, ’43, and was enough meat and sugar apparently to last for four months. I don’t suppose they realize that what they have had is a lot more than many of the camps. A great many of the details of camps in Malaya and Thailand are now known owing to the evidence of the prisoners who have recently been rescued by the Americans and who arrived here a couple of weeks ago. The evidence is indeed grim and one cannot but be grateful when one’s husband is in a camp further north.
“The letter which arrived last week had German censor marks on it, which was rather puzzling. Probably some of these letters have arrived in England too. There were only forty-two in the whole lot for Australia, so we do consider ourselves extremely favoured. There was no other actual news in this letter. It was written in verse on heavy lined paper. There were exactly ten words on every line and exactly a hundred words in the whole message. Both the papers and the envelope (inside and out) was streaked with blue and orange paint which is, I am told, the method of testing for secret writing.”
From Bristol comes a lighter touch in the story of how a Bristol corporal, sending one of the formal printed cards from No. 2 Camp, Thailand, beat the Japanese censor with a touch of humour.
Having solemnly declared in cold print that his health was normal, that he was
[Picture of a house on a beach, with palm trees] A pre-war memory from Singapore.
working for pay and so forth, he delighted his mother by writing on the two lines provided after the printed “My best regards to”-“ yourself, all the family, Giles, Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davey, Dan Widder, Uncle Tom Cobley.”
Elsewhere, scattered bits of news throw light here and there. The aunt of an artillery officer in No. 4 Camp, Thailand, received on December 22nd last a postcard dated January 15th 1944, saying that no mail had arrived but the writer was in “usual” health and working for a monthly salary. On January 2nd, 1945, she received another postcard dated June 10th, 1944, announcing that mail had been received and health was still as “usual.”
Another gunner, in a Borneo camp, sent five undated postcards to his wife, who received them all during the recent Christmas holiday.
“They are all in my husband’s writing,” she explains to P.O.W.R.A., except one, which is printed, and he has filled in the blanks. He says he is interned in Sandakan, and is working for pay. Also that health, climate and spirits are excellent and that we must not worry. He sounds quite cheerful. Unfortunately he has received no letters yet.”
Other letters from prisoners speak for themselves. Here is a selection recently received:-
HAKODATE.
Undated.
In excellent health and spirits still. Hope this applies to you. Have just enjoyed gift of American Red Cross parcel and clothing. We shall soon be re-united – God bless you all.
2/5/44.
My seventh card saying all is well, no mail yet, but some expected soon. Keep writing and send photographs. Just received more --, Red Cross food, boots, and toilet kit, love to you all.
16/5/44.
This is to say I am still safe and well, and receiving good treatment. Hope you are all well. Am receiving Red Cross supplies fairly frequently now, and am expecting mail soon. Needless to say, I am always thinking of home and hope we shall soon be reunited. Keep writing meanwhile.
24/7/44.
In excellent health and spirits. Delighted to receive twenty-three more letters, and an air card only three months old. Keep it up, with more local news please. We write monthly. Please send photographs. Hope you like mine. Have received no personal parcels yet, but still hoping. Sincerely pray Hugh is safe and well. What stories we shall be able to exchange when reunited. G. and G. safe when last seen, October, 1942. Love to everyone. Chins up. Reunion soon.
28/4/44.
Am still in good health and spirits. Glad to receive another letter and air card, dated May, 1944. My thoughts always with you all, especially Hugh, whom I pray is still safe. Am receiving excellent treatment still, but parcels and photographs would be most acceptable. Please send more local news when you write Am no longer with my original friends, but D.F. was well when last seen March, 1943. Am longing to see you all again, and feel that the time is not long now.
7/9/44.
Am still well. Hope you are all right. I trust Hugh is still safe and well. Am confident that we shall meet again before long. Am still receiving excellent treatment, but needless to say shall be glad to
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4 B.P.O.W.R.A. News Sheet
see Suffolk again. I expect harvesting is now in full swing. Hope it is a good one. My best wishes to all my friends. Am looking forward to more mail. My best wishes for Christmas and peace in the New Year.
CHOSEN (KOREA) DETATCHED No. 1
16/4/44.
Delighted to send eighth card – two days ago overjoyed to receive fourteen from you, two from Hilda, no one else.
I hope your neuritis improves and you are in good health as I am. Rest and take care of yourself, Mum. Remember my money is yours. I shall be sorry if I find you have “needlessly wanted” at all. Am pleased you are able to go about occasionally.
Glad to hear family well with exception of Harry. I hope he improves quickly. Those at home will seem changed when I return, but I always think of you as you were when I last saw you. I have a photo of you and my dear Father, which I treasure above all else. You express a desire for a stone for my dear Dad’s grave. I wish it also and we can do that when I return.
Fred D—is a friend of mine here and is O.K. You met his wife at a Red Cross meeting. The R.C.S. is doing good work and would do more if it were not so restricted. In one year we have had one American parcel, a very good one too. Summer is beginning and today is sunny and warm. It is Sunday and my rest day. We have every other Sunday off work. I have had my hair cut today by an Aussie. You would laugh, it is only half an inch long on top. Still it is healthy.
We have a garden which we hope will help fill our stomachs and we have eight pigs. They are funny ones, have profuse long black hair and are so small. No one seems to know what they eat besides fish-heads. We have footballs, etc., and they look good on a show-case.
The Pope gave us 50 sen each, very kind --- (here quite four or five lines are blacked out).
Very best wishes to all family and neighbours and tell my nieces not to grow too much or I shall feel an old man.
In anticipation of a day not far distant, for which we must pray.
FUKUOKA CAMP No. 2, KIUSHU, JAPAN.
Undated.
This is my fourth letter, not heard from you yet. Am fit and well, treatment is O.K. Pray you are all the same. Remember me to all friends and relatives. Patience, all my love.
CAMP No. 4, TAIWAN.
8/7/44.
Most letters to July ’43 received, one December. Glad you wrote so many long ones – love re-reading twiddlies! Thank you, Anthea Rob lovely letters. Pictures jolly good – adorn wall above my bed. Am well, cheerful. Also read Plato; learning German, shorthand. Home soon.
5/8/44.
Time I answered some your letters! Our rabbit’s white, Anthea with pink eyes! I’ve not tried sketching – no paints – but wrote a little music and, for magazine, music articles. I read mainly philosophical, scientific, and historical novels and textbooks. Now enjoying Sparkenbroke. Also poetry means much more. Faith stronger. Think much of you and the children and future. (Army – certainly awhile – Church? Business? Politics?) Made several permanent friends. Bless you all.
TAIWAN
27/3/44. (Received December 25th, 1944.)
I have just received your letters of June, August, November, 1942, and April, 1943. Wonderful stimulation in the news of you and everybody’s doings, but almost painful in its revival of memories grown dull. Nevertheless, the same mixture in future letters, please.
I am still well and our treatment is everything you can imagine. The Y.M.C.A. has been our best friend, recently sending us books, a medicine ball, a gramophone and records and some musical instruments. We are allowed concerts and at each one the officers do a sketch which would make the Crazy Gang seem highbrow.
Although we have no news our spirits are high and my fellow-rankers think the war will end next month. I hope they’ll soon be right, so please don’t worry about me.
25/5/44. (Received December 23rd, 1944.)
Since my last letter to you I have received yours of July 20th, 1943 – not the latest I’ve had but full of interesting news.
Great excitement here as we have each received (via the Gripsholm, I presume) a 10 lb food parcel from the American Red Cross. After a year without them, such things as Klim, butter, cheese, chocolate, coffee and Spam represent the wildest luxuries. We also received such odd comforts as soap, shaving soap, toothpaste, tobacco, razor blades, etc., and our doctors received a wonderful selection of drugs.
What with this and increased facilities for sport, life is getting more cheerful. Under difficult conditions I’m becoming quite a baseball addict. Both the Y.M.C.A. and Red Cross have sent quite a lot of books and I’ve got enough decent literature to go on with.
Don’t worry about me as I’m very well.
23/7/44. (Received January 1st, 1945.)
Since last writing to you I have received fifty letters, all between June ’42 and July ’43, and two airmail postcards of March 27th and April 10th, ’44. All letters, photos ae worth their weight in gold.
Don’t worry about my wearing rages – a minor point. Anyway, I have no immediate shortage. I don’t smoke and have smaller appetite than most. I am still well, have books to read, and enough to eat. We amuse ourselves with football of a sort in the evenings and an occasional concert.
23/3/44.
Am quite well. Hoping you are all fit. Received no mail yet. Am working for pay. Has Maurice been called up yet? Is Fred married, if so give him my congrats. Give my love to Sylvia and Fred. Keep smiling. Fondest love.
28/4/44.
Hope you and all at home are well. I am well and working. Received no mail yet. Give my regards to everyone. Tell them I still remember them. Give my love to Sylvia, Maurice and Fred. Keep your chins up and keep on smiling.
24/5/44.
Received no mail yet. Hope you are all well. I am well and healthy. I have received a Red Cross parcel. Give my fondest love to Sylvia. Remember me to all at home. To-day is Empire Day and I hope things are happening. Fondest love.
26/6/44.
I was delighted to receive eight letters dated up to July 1943. Glad to hear you ate all O.K. I would like some snaps very much. Give my love to everyone. Keep your chins up. Ever your loving son.
26/8/44.
Hoping you are all well and cheerful. I am receiving mail. Very surprised at change of address and business. I have received one letter from Maurice, very much blue pencilled. Give my love to all, keep your chins up.
No. 4. THAILAND.
15/1/44.
Your mail received with thanks. My health is good. I am working. Best regards.
10/6/44.
Your mail received with thanks. My health is good. I am not working. My best regards to family and all friends.
ZENTSUJI CAMP No. 1.
23/5/44.
Since I wrote the first letter I have received letters and postcards from you. The first batch of letters, of which I received two, and two postcards, arrived on April 17th, 1944. The dates of your letters were May 25th, 1943, to June 24th, 1943. Earlier letters from you arrives a little later here, because they were addressed to Malaya.
I am quite well, and am labouring in the open air. I often wondered if Aunt Emily had visited the District. She will, no doubt, have given you an idea too, of the type of food we get. It is not what we are used to, of course, but occasionally we get bread instead of rice.
The postcard you wrote the day before my twenty-second birthday arrived the day before my twenty-third, so your wish of many happy returns came just right for that date.
All the boys here are now longing for a parcel from home. We still get the Red Cross gifts of food, toilet requisites, boots and clothing. The Red Cross really do a marvellous job for us.
The camp entertainments here include games of football and table tennis. We have a gramophone with English and American records.
10/9/44.
Once again permission to write to you has arrived. Your letters, I am pleased to write, are getting here after about six months.
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B.P.O.W.R.A. New Sheet 5
Prisoners and Parliament
Many Questions Answered
Total numbers of prisoners of war in all ranks of British Commonwealth and Empire Forces were given in the House of Commons by the Prime Minister on January 16th, 1945.
Including Service internees, the totals are as follows:-
United Kingdom (including men from overseas serving in these Forces) … 161,020
Canada … 7,128
Australia … 25,597
New Zealand … 7,153
South Africa … 10,765
India (including 22,803 officers and other ranks missing but presumed to be prisoners of war) … 76,023
Colonies … 6,752
[Underlined] 294,438 [/underlined]
Prisoners of war in Stalag IV C are working twelve hours a day, seven days a week, with one Sunday off a month, stated Mr. T. Driberg, M.P., in the House of Commons, when he asked the Secretary of State for War if he would make appropriate representations through the Protecting Power.
Sir James Grigg said in reply that he was well aware of this and other matters in connection with Stalag IV C, and that repeated representation had been made, so far without satisfaction. They would continue to be made so long as there was the slightest hope of their achieving any result.
The dissatisfaction of relatives with the arrangements made for repatriated prisoners of war suffering from tuberculosis was voiced by Miss Irene Ward, M.P., when she asked Sir James Grigg if in view of this he would consider an alteration of the present policy.
In reply, the Secretary for War stated that according to Army regulations soldiers suffering from tuberculosis were discharged as soon as possible, so that they could if necessary enter civil sanatoria near their homes. They became the charge of the Ministry of Health. Repatriated prisoners of war were given special consideration, and as there was sometimes a delay in their entering sanatoria through lack of accommodation the Minister of Health had set aside a number of beds in E.M.S. hospitals specially for service patients awaiting transfer to sanatoria.
In reply to a further question by Miss Ward, Sir James Grigg promised to pass on to the Minister of Health the information that his arrangements were regarded as unsatisfactory and that improvements were needed in future.
Information was sought by Mr. Collindridge on the subject of promised cablegrams from prisoners of war in Japanese hands. Mr. George Hall, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, replied that no cablegrams had yet been received from prisoners of war or civilian internees in Japanese hands, under the scheme sponsored by the I.R.C.C.
Miss Ward asked the Secretary of State for War for an assurance that pay and allowances to prisoners of war in the Far East about whom no authentic information was available were being continued for the next twelve months, Sir James Grigg said in reply that so long as a man was recorded as a prisoner of war, in the Far East or elsewhere, his pay and allowances admissible for his dependents continued.
Major Peto asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether aby escaped British prisoners of war were imprisoned in Spanish prisons at the present time. The answer was “No.”
CAMP VISITS BY Y.M.C.A.
Special Needs Supplied
Charcoal driven automobiles are used by seven Swiss and Swedish “Y” secretaries who constantly visit our men in German prison camps. These cars are carefully equipped for the needs of the particular camps each worker serves. For example, the car used for visits to the surgical-orthopaedic hospital in Germany, and a special camp for prisoners who have suffered eye injuries, is loaded with short-wave apparatus, a special motor for diathermy, transformer bulbs, and modern Swedish instruments for the blind. All other available space within the car is crowded with hospital games, handicraft materials, braille books, masseur books, pipes, pencils, notepaper, and a hundred miscellaneous items. On the roof, ten sacks of charcoal provide an ever-present filling station!
A total of 1770 such personal visits were made by representatives of War Prisoners’ Aid of the Y.M.C.A. from February, 1940, to December, 1943, in order to promote and establish religious, educational and recreational activities for our men in German prison camps. During 1944 visits have been increased.
BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES’ ASSOCIATION.
Council of Management, 1944-45.
The Viscountess Acheson, Barclay Baron, Esq., O.B.E., Lady Bracken, L.E. Davis, Esq., Violet, Countess of Ellesmere, Mrs Ferguson, Mrs Fitton, Major-Gen. H.W. Goldney, O.B.E., M.C., R. H. Hyde-Thomson, Esq. (Hon. Treasurer), Mrs. Constance Gold, Sir Leonard Lyle, Bt., M.P., Humphrey H. King, Esq., Mrs. Mitchell, Mrs Harold Palmer, Colonel T.C. Sinclair, C.B.E., J.E. Sixsmith, Esq., Miss Irene Ward, C.B.E., M.P., Brigadier H. Willan, D.S.O., M.C.
LONG TERM PRISONERS OF WAR
Sir Leonard Lyle, M.P., who has been urging the repatriation of long-term prisoners of war in the hands of the Germans as well as of the Japanese, has received a letter from Mr. Eden, the Foreign Secretary, in which he writes:-
“Up to the present time, and in spite of frequent pressure from the Swiss, no reply has been received to the proposals which we put forward to the German Government in April last regarding able-bodied long-term prisoners of war.
We are, therefore, now considering whether there is any alternative proposal which we can put forward, and which might have a better chance of acceptance by the Germans. If one is found, you may be sure that it will be forwarded at once through the Protecting Power.
It is only just that it should be made clear to the relatives, and other inquirers, that the fault is with the Germans, and that without their co-operation no progress can be made.
With regard to prisoners in the Far East, the Japanese Government have, up to the present, refused to repatriate even the sick and wounded.
[Picture of a pleasant country scene] Konigstein, once a popular tourist resort, where Stalag 383 is situated.
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6 B.P.O.W.R.A. News Sheet
PRISON CAMPS AS SCHOOLS OF CITIZENSHIP
Doctor Denies Fellow P.O.W.s are Problem Cases
There may be an acute danger of too much being made of the “problem” of the returned prisoner of war. Even if due to an excess of zeal and devotion on the part of his people at home, this can be psychologically harmful as well as the cause of much needless friction in personal and business life. As a considered statement of how the real facts of the case present themselves to a Liverpool ophthalmic surgeon who allowed himself to be captured in the Greek Campaign of 1941, and who has since declined two opportunities to be repatriated, we reproduce, by courtesy of the Editor of “The British Medical Journal,” the following letter which appeared in the issue of January 6, 1945.
The writer, Major Charters, is a prisoner of war in Stalag IX B.
Sir,
Because there is a delay in the arrival here of my Journals I have only recently read the correspondence on the prisoner of war mentality. I am amazed to find in Dr. Harkness’s letter of April 22nd, 1044, the statement that “the very large majority of our returned prisoners of war will be problems for their lifetime.” It has been my privilege for the last three and a half years to administer the medical affairs of large groups of wounded and disabled prisoners. These groups consisted of some of the worst of our “grands blesses” – the totally blind, the double or single amputated, the extensively burned, the paralysed, and the major orthopaedic cases. Nearly all of these patients had known several years of captivity; nearly all of them had suffered hard disappointment when the first attempt at repatriation broke down at Rouen in October, 1941, and they returned to the prison camps instead of going home.
No one realises more acutely than I do the pressing psychological problems which in certain cases have resulted from years of enforced idleness, of monotony, and of physical suffering and disablement. If any group of prisoners of war was likely to present psychological problems it was the kind of group with which I had to deal. Nevertheless I most emphatically deny that anything approaching a majority of prisoners will be “problems for their lifetime.” Rather I would say that the majority of these men have gained in tolerance, understanding, patience, forbearance and courage. They have acquired a bigger concept of comradeship and of community life. They have more fully recognised the need for the individual to pull his weight in the interest of the group. If a man was disabled it became a matter of pride to him to be one of the “muckers” – the man who was ready to “muck in,” to lend a hand, and accept his responsibilities. The average prisoner has demonstrated a high standard of adaptability, and will do so again when he returns home to a post-war world. He will be out of touch in much the same way as any normal man who has been abroad during the changes of the last few years. He will need time to pick up the threads of his life again, but he will not have a peculiar mentality. I have shown Dr. Harkness’s letter to several of the men here – cheerful, average, level-headed individuals. They expressed themselves as follows: “Afraid he doesn’t all together know what he is talking about: a few special cases, yes! but not the very large majority.”
By all means let us arrange for physical and mental rehabilitation where it is needed. By all means let us make some allowances for the fact that the average prisoner of war is not adjusted to the change of the last five years. But so not let us discuss the majority as if they were psycho-pathological problems. Above all, let us avoid discussing their “mentality” in the lay press. If Dr. Harkness’s statement were true, and if we were to follow his recommendation for wide publicity, “the powerful advocacy of the press” would hardly be sound psychological treatment for the prisoner; nor would it encourage employers to select him as a worker. It is my belief that the responsible Departments of the Government will make a true assessment of the problem, and will provide adequate means of rehabilitation. It will not be difficult for them to obtain accurate information based on actual observation by medical officers and by laymen, who have been with the prisoners over long periods and under changing circumstances.
I have lived with prisoners of war of all ranks, of all the services, from all European fronts. On their behalf I resent any implication that they are below average in the qualities of balance, steadiness, patience, perseverance, tolerance, or good humour. The average prisoner is not a “problem” to himself, his companions or his future employer. Surely Dr. Harkness takes a very pessimistic view of the mental and moral stamina of our race.
I am, etc.,
D.L. CHARTERS
Major, R.A.M.C.
(P.O.W. No 23911).
Next-of-Kin Parcels
Points to Watch
With reference to the instructions issued by the Red Cross in December regarding next-of-kin parcels, it should be noted that the allowance of 20 extra coupons (and extra chocolate and soap) made to compensate for 1944 issues missed owing to the suspension of despatches can only be made up to the end of February, and only by next-of-kin who still hold a 1944/3 label (or earlier 1944 issue) with 20 coupons.
The extra allowances cannot, in any circumstances, be made with a 1944/4, or any 1945, label.
Applications should state clearly whether the next-of-kin holds an issue of label and coupons, and if so, its number.
It is important that next-of-kin who qualify, and apply for, the extra coupons for use with a label already in their possession, do not despatch a parcel with this label before they receive the extra coupons, because these must be accounted for at the same time as the issue already held.
In cases where the parcel is sent in and the extra coupons are not accounted for at the same time, they will have to be sent back to the Packing Centre for clearance, before any subsequent label can be issued.
In consequence of the very great number of parcels received since the beginning of December and the difficulty of obtaining extra labour, the despatches from Finsbury Circus and Glasgow are about one month in arrears.
The issue of labels and coupons is also consequently delayed.
All possible steps are being taken to overcome the difficulties, and next-of-kin are asked to help by not making enquiries about the despatch of their parcel and the issue of their next label and coupons until at least two months have elapsed since they posted their parcel.
[Photograph of a man in water, with a model boat] Making the best of it: an R.A.F. prisoner in Stalag Luft III steers the steamboat he has made from scrap metal from Red Cross parcels.
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B.P.O.W.R.A. News Sheet 7
International Red Cross Visit to Far East Camps
Re-assuring Features of Daily Life
(Translated from Revue Internationale de la Croix Rouge.)
On the 16th and 17th of September Mr H. Angst visited the main Hakodate camp, in which are housed more than 200 British (seven of whom are civilian internees), 40 Americans, 50 Netherlanders, and some Australians, Canadians and Esthonians.
The camp consists of thirteen wooden bungalows (with plank floors) ten of which are of recent construction. The lighting and ventilation systems are adequate; fire-precautionary measures have been installed and anti-air-raid trench shelters have been constructed. The washing and bath facilities (in the Japanese style) are adequate. The food is the same as that of the camp guards. This is the normal amount, but the prisoners would like to receive more Red Cross parcels. The kitchen contains five cauldrons, some stoves, an ice-box, and two store-rooms for provisions. And there is a hut in which vegetables can be kept. Nine prisoner of war cooks, one of whom is a professional, prepare the meals. The infirmary comprises nine rooms capable of accommodating 60 patients, and the isolation quarters, which consist of three wards, can accommodate a further 20. The dental equipment is, apparently, complete, save for a lack of the material necessary for manufacturing artificial dentures. The camp has, moreover, a group of specially chosen laundrymen, but soap is scarce.
The camp commandant allots to each man a task suitable to his wishes and qualifications, in electrical works, or other factories, the work including such things as carpentry, porterage, etc. Prisoners of weak constitution are occupied in the camp itself, where also there is a carpenter’s shop. More than 200 prisoners are employed in labour detachments. All workers have a quarter of an hour’s break for rest during the morning, and another in the afternoon, as well as an hour in which to take their mid-day meal; every Sunday is a free day.
These men are not insured, but the national laws in regard to employment apply to them and, in case of being the victims of an accident, they receive the same relief as that to which ordinary workers are entitled by law. The prisoners keep cows, pigs, chickens and rabbits, and cultivate an area of 2970 square metres. Weekly walks are allowed; indoor and out-of-door games such as volleyball, catchball and boxing are organised. In the summer the men may bathe in the sea every day. They have a library, consisting mainly of books donated by the Y.M.C.A., and they also have some musical instruments.
Religious services can be held at will. The prisoners hold these themselves in English and Dutch.
The commandant had no complaints to make. He stated that discipline was good and that the morale of the men was satisfactory, but he confirmed the need of the prisoners for warm clothing and especially for footwear.
Mr. Angst also visited a branch camp which depends on Hakodate main camp, and which accommodates more than 100 British (of whom four are civilian internees) and some Americans, these latter all being medical staff.
This camp is situated beside the sea; it comprises five wooden bungalows of recent construction. The latrines and baths are installed in the Japanese style. The food rations are the same as those in the main camp, but prisoners who do heavy work receive some extras. The kitchen possesses three cauldrons and two store-rooms; a bread oven in in the process of construction; five military cooks prepare the meals.
The infirmary can take in ten patients; prisoners who are seriously ill are taken to the infirmary of the main camp.
These prisoners hold their own religious services.
One hundred men work in a cement factory; the others are engaged in camp maintenance. The prisoners have a sports ground as well as a piece of ground, measuring 1320 square metres, where they cultivate vegetables; some pigs and rabbits are raised in this camp too.
The commandant of the camp had no complaints to make in regard to the prisoners, but he passed on to the delegate of the International Red Cross Committee the requests of the prisoners, which were numerous, the men being particularly anxious to receive some warm clothing, some footwear and some food parcels.
Future of Prisoner of War
ABERDEEN LOOKS AHEAD
Measures to safeguard the future of men who have spent several years in prisoner of war camps have recently been discussed by the Returned Prisoners of War Association (Aberdeen Area).
The Committee of this Association has been considering the Government’s White Paper on the reallocation of man power between the defeat of Germany and that of Japan.
This resolution was agreed to unanimously at a special meeting:-
“That the Committee, having studied the Government’s proposed Demobilisation Plan, notes that on their repatriation, men who have spent long years of captivity in Germany will be retained in the Army and required to await their turn for demobilisation according to their release group number. That the Committee, without wishing to suggest that returned Prisoners of War should receive priority over other Service men, feels that there are reasons why those who have spent a number of years in captivity should not be retained un the Forces longer than is absolutely necessary. That the Committee is of the opinion that those who have spent more than two years as a Prisoner of War should not again be sent, except voluntarily, on overseas service. That in the event of any priority in demobilisation being given to men who had overseas service, then the Committee is of the opinion that Prisoners of War should receive at least as favourable treatment.”
GERMAN CAMP MAP ON SALE
The new coloured Red Cross map showing the principal camps for British and Dominion prisoners of war in Germany can be supplied on application to B.P.O.W.R.A. Headquarters, 16a St. James’s Street, London, S.W.1. The price is: small size 2d. (by post 3d.); large size 1/- (by post 1/2). Remittance should be sent with order. The map is correct according to information available up to June 30th, 1944.
New Light on Rescued Thailand Prisoners: Miss I. Ward, M.P., obtains facts
Certain questions arising out of the recent rescue of torpedoed Thailand prisoners of war by an American ship and their subsequent return to this country have been answered as a result of correspondence which has passed between Miss Irene Ward, M.P., and the Foreign Office.
In answer to the query as to whether there were any officers on board the sunk transport it was stated by the Foreign Office that the names of all officers were known and that their next-of-kin had all been informed.
As rumours were current to the effect that everyone was being moved from Thailand camps to Japan, information was sought by Miss Ward on this point. There is, it is stated, a tendency to remove prisoners from the Southern to the Northern area, including Japan, and this was happening in the case of the torpedoed transport. But a large number of prisoners remain in Thailand. Their relatives should continue to write to the Thailand camp, the Japanese Government having provided an assurance that correspondence for transferred prisoners of war will be redirected to their new address.
Broadcast messages from Japanese stations, including broadcasts by prisoners and messages from them, have been the subject of some discussion. Every word spoken over the enemy radio is monitored in the British Empire, some in Australia, some in India, some in London. Messages by or relating to prisoners of war are passed on to the next-of-kin as soon as possible.
Efforts were made by Australia to establish a system of broadcast messages to and from prisoners of war, but to this the Japanese Government refused to agree. The New Delhi system has proved unsatisfactory for various reasons, including the lack of assurance from the Japanese that messages to prisoners would be handed on.
Relatives of prisoners of war in Thailand have expressed the desire that representatives of Government Departments should attend a meeting of the Thailand Fellowship to answer questions and provide information. It is explained by the Foreign Office that this would be difficult in view of the great pressure at which the officials concerned are working, both on behalf of relatives and with the direct purpose of alleviating the conditions of prisoners in the Far East. It is suggested, however, that the Thailand Fellowship could serve a very good purpose by keeping records of and disseminating all available information, referring questions when necessary to the Prisoners of War (Far East) Enquiry Centre, Curzon Street House, Curzon Street, London, W.1.
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8 B.P.O.W.R.A. News Sheet
Red Cross Parcels and German Camps: DETAILED REPORT
PART PLAYED BY EMPIRE
News of parcels for prisoners of war in Germany is included in information issued by the Red Cross and St. John War Organisation.
During October the International Red Cross Committee is reported by the Red Cross to have despatched to the camps in Europe for British prisoners of war 53,068 British Red Cross, 13,920 Canadian and 5,524 Indian food parcels. In addition, food in bulk from Argentina was sent to the equivalent of 21,374 parcels, and 285 kilos. of bulk food was sent from Brazil. Other despatches during the same month were 39,215 medical and 1,236 tobacco parcels.
Acknowledgements received from the camps by the I.R.C.C. during October were of 107,641 British Red Cross, 211,130 Canadian, 10,276 Indian and 15,963 New Zealand food parcels. Food in bulk from Argentina equalled 30,092 food parcels and 603 kilos. of bulk food was received from Brazil. Acknowledgements were also received of 33,470 medical and 6,145 tobacco parcels, in addition to forty-four cases of cigarettes and tobacco, of which thirty-nine were from New Zealand.
During December the staff of the Shipping Section of the Stores Departments of the Red Cross worked at high pressure, dealing with the many consignments arriving from overseas of supplies for prisoners of war and British Red Cross Commissions overseas. The Section received, unpacked and distributed 121 consignments of gifts during the month. These included 25 from the American Red Cross and in all there were 7,600 cases and packages, including 1,065 boxes of eggs from Argentine, dried bananas, cigarettes, boiled sweets from South Africa, hospital supplies, clothing, blankets and eighty bags of raw coffee.
Two shipments of supplies for prisoners of war were assembled, packed and despatched. They amounted to 20,138 packages, weighing more than 1,100 tons, and their total value exceeded £500,000. The first contained Army clothing and toilet requisites. The second consisted of outdoor sports equipment, musical instruments, next-of-kin parcels, books, artists’ materials, clothing, towels, boot polish and cigarettes and tobacco.
G.P.O. and Far East: New Instructions
It should be noted that considerable differences in the procedure for sending communications to prisoners of war and civilians in Japan and Japanese-occupied territories are announced in the Post Office Leaflet (P.2327 B), now being supplied to enquirers. The existence of these changes may not at first be clear, because the new leaflet bears the same number as the earlier one, but the date is December, 1944.
[Photograph of a building, fronted by trees] The Sick Bay at Stalag 344.
HANDS ACROSS THE SEA
News from American P.O.W.R.A.
Cordial New Year greetings have been received from the American P.O.W. Relatives’ Association, whose officials send a message of good cheer to all the British relatives, wishing them a speedy reunion with their kinsfolk.
The American Association was formed in Buffalo in 1941 by Miss Helen Wade Jackson, now Organising Secretary, for the purpose of assisting British prisoner of war and especially men of the Rifle Brigade, on whose behalf appeals had been made. The National Chairman of the Association, Mrs. John Knight Waters, provides a strong link with the European Theatre of War, because she is the daughter of General Patton. Her husband, Lieut.-Col. Waters, is second in command at Oflag 64. Living in Washington, Mrs. Waters has done invaluable work by keeping the American P.O.W.R.A. in close touch with the War Department and the National Red Cross Headquarters.
At the start of its career, the American organisation sent parcels to men of the Rifle Brigade and to other British prisoners of war. This work was stopped when parcels were restricted to those with next-of-kin permits, but regular supplies of Canadian cigarettes are still sent, and books are provided in response to specific demands. In addition, packing centres have been set up where next-of-kin can be advised on the best items to send and the most nourishing foods, and assisted to obtain them. If any family cannot afford to send a really good box, the Association offers to pay for it.
“Cousin Helen.”
To hundreds of men in prison camps Miss Jackson has become known as “Cousin Helen,” so close is her interest in their well-being. She has also had hundreds of letters of thanks from British relatives, expressing gratitude for help being given to prisoners of war from America. She now asks us to convey her thanks for these letters, which it is unfortunately impossible for her to answer personally, but which have been profoundly appreciated by all those who have taken part in the work.
“I shall always feel I have many good friends in England,” writes Miss Jackson “and am looking forward to the time the war is over and I can hope to come over and meet some of them. The undaunted spirit of the British people at home in a fitting match to the magnificent attitude of their men who have spent long years shut away from the world, enduring loneliness and privation so bravely.”
Recently a number of repatriated officers have spoken at spoken at branch meetings of the American P.O.W.R.A., whose members have found their understanding of prisoners of war problems greatly widened as a result of this. As in this country, interest is centred strongly on what can be done for prisoners of war on their return home. “As you probably realise,” concludes Miss Jackson. “the return of the prisoners of war is almost a new experience for this country, and I think we should profit by whet you people have to ‘offer’ in the way of plans and suggestions.”
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B.P.O.W.R.A. News Sheet 9
FAR EAST CAMP PROBLEMS REVIEWED IN FULL
WHAT AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS HAS DONE
Below we reproduce the second half of the Address given by Dr. J. Newman Morris, C.M.G., Chairman, National Executive, Australian Red Cross Society, at a conference called at Melbourne on May 12th, 1944, by the Australian Red Cross Society for the purpose of exchanging information about prisoners of war in Japanese hands. The first half of the Address appeared in our January issue, and we are indebted to the Australian Red Cross for permission to reprint this comprehensive survey of the situation. Particular attention should be paid to dates.
Over a period of many months, the Japanese have taken the position that they will not discuss any relief matter until every reported incident of aerial attack on Japanese hospital ships has been fully clarified.
Since the storm of public opinion raised by the publication of maltreatment of prisoners, the Japanese are apparently more active in helping to effect the prompt distribution of goods sent by exchange ships. There are indications that these goods are actually reaching the prisoners at practically all points.
Red Cross Co-operation.
As it has been said, co-operation between National Red Cross Societies has grown steadily in the face of the common problem and culminated in a conference held in Washington the latter part of last year, and confined entirely to consideration of prisoners in Japanese hands.
We gave full authority to the British delegates to act for us. There has been constant interchange of information and consultation between Governments over this problem, but it was not until the final session of the Washington Conference that Government representatives and Red Cross representatives met around one table.
It would be informative and perhaps helpful to include here the full text of some of the cables that passed between Washington and Geneva arising out of that conference.
Cable sent to Geneva from Washington Conference on October 1st, 1943:-
“Because of increasingly grave concern over lamentable situation of prisoners of war is Japanese hands and over failure to date to secure them protection and relief which would be in accordance with principles of Prisoner of War Convention, Amcross* (*American Red Cross Society) has convened conference of Red Cross Societies of British Empire. This Conference is now in session and united action in form of conference machinery and otherwise as may be proper will continue as long as there is hope of solution being found to present impasse. Representatives of Red Cross Societies here attending have full power to deal with situation as above generally described.
It is unnecessary to recapitulate the individual representations which have been addressed to you over the last two years by the Red Cross Societies concerned and to the Protecting Power by the respective governments. You are cognizant of all these and interchange of information which has been continuous throughout and has now been further consolidated has established that views of all Red Cross Societies are wholly in accord as regards vital importance of problem. We recognize unanimously also that we are dependent upon good offices of I.R.C.C. † († International Red Cross Committee) to secure conventional solution; that difficulties in your way have been uniquely great owing to position of Japanese authorities vis-a-vis the convention and their general attitude towards humanitarian issues involved.
Nevertheless failure to secure adequate solution conventional or otherwise is intolerable and if such failure is perpetuated it is bound to have prejudicial effect upon future reputation and potency of national Red Cross societies and indeed whole Red Cross structure. It is even now difficult to satisfy public opinion in our countries that sufficient effort has been made and this difficulty will constantly increase. We know well that fault lies mainly or wholly within Japan, but we feel bound to emphasise foregoing aspects of matter on which we all feel so strongly and which we know must be equally close to the heart of I.R.C.C.
It seems possible to us that current development of hostilities may provide timely psychological opportunity of further and strengthened reaffirmation of requests to Japanese authorities for compliance in all material aspects with provisions of convention regarding communications between prisoners and the Red Cross and the securing to them of traditional Red Cross relief of material kind and specifically regarding the appointment of I.R.C.C. representatives in sufficient numbers in all areas in which prisoners are detained with freedom to inspect and report on welfare of prisoners.
We attach highest importance to this latter safeguard. Japan’s recent request for Red Cross reciprocity may further be interpreted as offering hope of willingness to approach problem more in the spirit which other belligerents have displayed, and which combined with admirable arrangements by I.R.C.C. has resulted in favourable conditions to prisoners in Europe.
We earnestly request therefore that you will review very urgently in the light of the above the previous representations you have received from the individual Red Crosses on the subject, the most recent representations in particular, and will inform us by cable fully on the following points:-
1. What action have you felt able to take vis-a-vis the Japanese authorities on the representation already received and what response has been made by the Japanese authorities of a kind on which you feel entitled to build hope? A full and definite summary covering this would be of great value to the present deliberations.
2. How would you view a proposal that we should send you an expression of protest and redoubled request for relief facilities for formal transmission to Japanese Red Cross or other Japanese authorities, such communication being expressed as representing unanimous view and wishes of Red Cross societies here in conference. Would such communication which amongst other things would be designed to bring world opinion to bear on subject be likely to make impression on Japanese authorities? Would it in your opinion be liable to prejudice any effort that you may already have in hand and from which you have some present reason to hope for progressive good result? A full and frank statement of your views on these special issues would be greatly appreciated.
3. Have you any fresh suggestion of your own to make which we could usefully consider here? Since we are assured of your sympathy in the views we hold and the objective we aim at, we fell we need not apologise for the force with which we now direct this representation. It is sent with the full and unreserved concurrence of the Amcross, and Britcross, Cancross and other Red Cross societies of the British Empire, and we hope to receive a very early reply to enable us to decide upon next step to be taken in consultation and agreement with you. – NORMAN DAVIS, Amcross.”
The following cable was despatched to Geneva on December 2nd, 1943:-
“We have carefully studied your cable of October 9th and wish to express our appreciation of the efforts which have been made by you and the International Red Cross Committee to alleviate the conditions of prisoners of war and civilian internees in the Far East. We continue to be hopeful that your further diligent and patient efforts will eventually result in the creation of forms of transportation and communication which will enable a continuous flow of relief goods and mail in both directions between east and west. After thoughtful consideration we have decided, if you so concur, to transmit the following joint appeal to the Japanese Red Cross:-
“The American, Canadian and British Red Cross Societies, the British Red Cross Society representing all other Red Cross Societies of the British Commonwealth, have met in Washington in a conference convened by the American Red Cross to consider the situation of American, British Commonwealth and Netherlands prisoners of war and internees held by Japan, and the means of securing them the full measure of Red Cross protection and relief to which they are entitled under Geneva conventions and usage hitherto universally recognised. The conference has studied carefully the whole series of representations which have already been addressed to the Japanese Red Cross by the American and British Red Cross societies acting individually, and has examined every aspect of the present position which causes us grave concern.
It is abundantly clear that the high humanitarian ideals jointly professed by the Red Cross societies of the world, which in the present war have been observed by other belligerents, have not been given full effect by Japan in the two following respects:-
1. Facilities have not been given for shipments of appropriate supplementary food, medicines, and comforts from abroad;
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10 B.P.O.W.R.A. News Sheet
2. The International Red Cross Committee and its delegates have not been given full scope at all points to exercise their traditional functions of safeguarding the legitimate interests of all prisoners of war alike.
The conference of the Red Cross Societies assembled in Washington feels it is its duty to present this view with grave emphasis to the Japanese Red Cross bearing in mind the solemn adherence to Red Cross principles and practice for which the Japanese Red Cross has stood, notably in the International Red Cross Conference held in Tokyo in 1934, and again in its pronouncement on the humane treatment of prisoners of war published in its bulletin of 1942. It is common fundamental ground that however fully a detaining power may be prepared to provide by its own means for the welfare of prisoners, the prisoners themselves are entitled to the special humanitarian services rendered by the National Red Cross Societies through the International Red Cross Committee, and the relatives of the prisoners are correspondingly entitled to the comfort and assurance which the close intervention of this neutral and independent agency alone can give.
In response to requests from the Japanese Red Cross, the American and British Red Cross Societies have already guaranteed through I.R.R.C. that Japanese prisoners within their jurisdiction will receive Red Cross services in the fullest measure. What is now required of the Japanese Red Cross is reciprocity in the practical form which the circumstances of the case necessitate. The most urgent problem at present confronting the American and British Commonwealth Red Cross Societies is that of the means of transporting to the prison camps the relief supplies which have been sent to Vladivostok for the prisoners, the Japanese authorities having suggested this stage in the movement of Red Cross relief.
The Red Cross Societies are prepared to co-operate in any practical way. The Japanese Red Cross Society has here a great opportunity of Red Cross service to humanity and it is earnestly requested that the Japanese Red Cross will offer constructive advice and suggestions as regards the means of onward transportation to be provided, replying as soon as possible.’ – AMCROSS”
The Japanese attitude is indicated by a cable sent on February 24th, 1944, from International Red Cross, Geneva:-
“Intercross has been informed by its delegate in Japan that after delegate’s repeated efforts to obtain satisfactory solution problem Vladivostok shipments, delegate was informed by Japanese Official Information Bureau that question was being studied by Japanese Naval Authorities and Japanese Foreign Office that intervening events render pursuance this problem rather inopportune at present moment. At same time, Intercross has received message from Japanese Red Cross replying to various communications sent them from Amcross through Intercross concerning supplies Vladivostok stating that upon receipt of each cable Japanese Red Cross had taken up with proper authorities question of acceptance and distribution relief and requested authorities to take the subject into consideration. Japanese Red Cross itself prepared to give every facility when relief arrives in Japan. In spite remarks mentioned first part this cable Intercross following this subject.”
Memorandum from Washington.
There is a permanent British and British Commonwealth Red Cross representative in Washington representing us all and continuing to work in consultation and co-operation with American Red Cross. From him we received yesterday the following memorandum on the present situation in regard to Far Eastern relief:
“In the memorandum issued by this Mission on February 21st to Red Cross Societies of the British Commonwealth, the position in regard to relief for the prisoners of war and civilian internees in the Far East was summarised up to date. No further memo has been issued since then, mainly because there have been no concrete results to report.
This, however, does not imply that no action has been taken. The effect of the atrocity disclosures on public opinion in America was strong, and considerable pressure was exerted in February on the United States Government and on the American Red Cross to make further endeavours to open up the supply routes. This resulted in the formulation of proposals put forward by the American Red Cross, with the approval of the State Department, toward the end of February, for another approach to the Japanese through the International Red Cross. This proposal, which involved the use of neutral shipping to convey supplies to a point in Far Eastern waters where the ships would be taken over by Japanese crews, was considered jointly by the Red Cross Societies and Government Departments in London and Washington in the first week in March. It was agreed that, although there were some defects in the proposals, they should go forward to Geneva, with the request that they should be sent on to Tokyo after enquiry by the International Red Cross whether neutral shipping would in fact be available if required.
It is now learned that this enquiry has been answered in the affirmative, and that the proposals have been sent on to the International Red Cross delegate in Tokyo.
It is not possible to predict what will be the reactions of the Japanese to these proposals. Their general attitude since the atrocity disclosures has been that when their own grievances in regard to the bombing of hospital ships, etc., have been cleared up they will be ready to consider moving supplies forward from Vladivostok. This is an improvement, if only slight, on their attitude last autumn, and it is possible that they have been affected by world opinion sufficiently to make them more disposed to listen to suggestions for the opening of the supply routes. It must, however, be emphasised that there as yet no evidence to show that this is the case.
Such reports as are received come solely from the northern camps in Japan, Formosa and northern China. These show that conditions, if not good, are tolerable. But the bulk of Commonwealth prisoners are in the camps in Burma, Siam, Malaya and Java, about which we have no official, and very little unofficial information. It is to be feared that conditions in these camps are bad.
Enclosed with this report is a statement showing the information which has reached the Mission regarding the distribution of supplies sent by the American, Canadian, British and Australian Red Cross Societies on the American exchange ship Gripsholm. These supplies appear to have been distributed to the camps round about Christmas time, except for those which were sent to Yokohama, some of which are still lying there.”
RELIEF SUPPLIES CARRIED ON SECOND AMERICAN-JAPANESE EXCHANGE SHIPS
AUTUMN, 1943
Supplies sent to Far East:
American Red Cross:
Cases of Food, Clothing, Medical Supplies and Toilet Articles … 44,424
Canadian Red Cross:
Cases of Food, Medical Supplies, etc. … 3,177
British Red Cross:
Cases of Medical Supplies … 891
Y.M.C.A.:
Cases of Recreational Supplies … 225
National Catholic Welfare:
Cases of Religious Supplies … 40
--- 48,757
1. Distribution of Supplies Reported:
Malay P.O.W. Camps … 637
Malay C.I. Camp … 164
Thailand P.O.W. and C.I. Camps … 2,293
Sumatra P.O.W. and C.I. Camps … 748
Java P.O.W. and C.I. Camps … 274
--- 7,333
Philippines P.O.W. and C.I. Camps 21,624
2. Off-loading of Supplies Reported:
Yokohama for Japan, Korea, Manchuria and Formosa 13,239
(Of these 8,270 cases have been sent to camps in Japan and Korea)
Yokohama for Hong Kong 1,921
(Not yet shipped to Hong kong)
Shanghai … 4,408
(Actual distribution to camps not yet reported) --- 19,628
Total … 48,585
Cash Relief.
While it is satisfactory that a certain amount of success has been attained in forwarding cash, it cannot be considered a real substitute for relief goods.
Money has been sent to all areas, both from Australia and from the United Kingdom, from the United States and from other countries.
Up to the end of 1943, 240,000 dollars had been supplied by American Red Cross for local relief to be spent in Shanghai, Hong-kong, the Philippine Islands and Japan itself. Where there are recognised International Red Cross Delegates, the spending of this money is entrusted to them for the purchase of supplementary food and clothing, and it is estimated that it is necessary to spend 150,000 dollars per month in these areas.
Early in 1943 Australian Red Cross received a message from the International Red Cross Committee requesting reimbursement to them of the sum of 20,000 Swiss francs, or £1,462 Australian, which had been made available to a member of our imprisoned unit in Malaya. This sum had been sent for the general relief of our prisoners of war in that area. In refunding this sum to Geneva in February, 1943, we asked if arrangements could be made for forwarding further finds to our unit in Malaya for this purpose.
Later we forwarded 81,000 Swiss francs, or £5,921 Australian, in April 1943. Recently we received a copy of a promissory
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B.P.O.W.R.A. News Sheet 11
note signed by Mr. Campbell Guest in Malaya covering this last advance. So that from March, 1943, there has apparently been available some money for local purchases of comforts and medical supplies for those of our men in Malaya.
Since that time and in order to co-ordinate our joint Red Cross efforts, we have forwarded contributions through British Red Cross, which acts for us in this regard with International Red Cross. By the end of last year approximately £25,000 had been placed at the disposal pf the Swiss Consul at Bangkok for the purchase of medical, clothing and toilet supplies for the benefit of prisoners of war in Siam. This Swiss Consul has purchased and transmitted to the prisoners of war certain supplies for which he has received receipts, which indicate that some supplies have reached their destination. In fact, we have recently received news that some of the medical supplies thus purchased have succeeded in saving the lives of some of the British prisoners.
The Swiss Consul in Bangkok has been authorised to send money to the camps for local purchase of food and for this purpose £12,000 Australian per month is being made available by the British Red Cross War Organisation. Australian Red Cross contributes its proportion of this amount.
To Internees.
In Malaya and Singapore International Red Cross has been able to arrange for a Swiss citizen, Mr. Schweitzer, to act as its agent, and through him to purchase local limited relief supplies. The greatest proportion of this relief has been given to the civilian internees in Changi Camp, but he has been able to do a very little for prisoners of war. It was through this Mr. Schweitzer that funds were sent to our unit in Malaya early last year. We have no details of the use to which the money has been put, but we have the greatest confidence that if any freedom of action has been allowed to our Commissioner, he will spend the money to the best advantage.
Advice from Geneva dated 18th January, 1944, stated that Schweitzer had been able in December last to distribute approximately 97,000 dollars monthly, as before stated, to internees. He had hoped to cable a complete summary of the loans and purchases for the prisoners of war from September 1st to December 31st, 1943.
Communications to Prisoners of War and Internees.
During my visit to Washington, Ottawa and London I became fully aware of the constant pressure being brought by all the Governments on to the Japanese Government on the important matter of the notification of lists of prisoners and the forwarding of mails. I think I saw copies of all the correspondence passing between Governments in this regard. I was also shown their comments on the almost complete failure of the Japanese Government to adhere to the terms of the International Convention relative to the treatment of prisoners of war. One can only fully realise the deprivation imposed by the Japanese on our prisoners of war by the knowledge of the relevant articles of this Prisoners of War Code. I shall read these in full in order to refresh your memory:
ARTICLE 36 of the Convention lays down that each of the belligerents shall fix periodically the number of letters and postcards which prisoners of war … shall be permitted to send per month, and shall notify that number to the other belligerent.
These letters and cards shall be sent by post by the shortest route. They may not be delayed or withheld for disciplinary motives.
Not later than one week after his arrival, or similarly in case of sickness, each prisoner shall be enabled to send a postcard to his family notifying them of his capture, and the state of his health. The said postcard shall be forwarded as quickly as possible, and shall not be delayed in any matter.
ARTICLE 37 states that prisoners of war shall be authorised to receive individually, postal articles containing foodstuffs and other articles intended for consumption, or clothing. The parcels shall be delivered to the addressees and receipts given.
ARTICLE 39 states that prisoners of war shall be permitted to receive individually, consignments of books which may be subject to censorship. This same Article also permits duly recognised and authorised associations to send works and collection of books to the libraries of prisoners’ camps. The transmission of such consignments to libraries may not be delayed under pretext of difficulties of censorship.
Finally, part of ARTICLE 40 states that any prohibition of correspondence ordered by the belligerent for military or political reasons shall be only of a temporary character, and shall be for as brief a time as possible.
Lists of Names.
With regard to the notification of names, it has always been very apparent that the persistent and typical evasiveness of the Japanese character ruled the negotiations. They in effect wanted a one-way traffic. You are all probably fully aware, only too well aware, of the gaps in our lists of names. If reliance were placed entirely on official Japanese notification, we would have a very small amount of comfort.
All sorts of excuses have been put up for the Japanese, some no doubt authentic, but International Red Cross early in 1942 informed us that a Prisoner of War Bureau would be set up in Tokyo that would exchange information about prisoners of war and civilian internees.
Three months later our first list comprising a few hundred names came from Tokyo through I.R.C.C. This included the names of some of our men in Singapore, but mostly covered names in other areas. It was not until November, 1942, that the first list of men captured in Malaya reached Great Britain. From then on names began to come in greater volume. As we all know, there is still a large number of whom nothing has been heard officially or unofficially. It is not the purpose of this report to deal with statistics, but it is well always to remember in considering the problem, that there are upwards of 300,000 Allied prisoners of war and civilian internees in the Far East.
Now relief measures are a joint enterprise; everything that gets in is for the common good – each for all and all for each. Although Australia is probably on a per capita basis more deeply involved in the grave problem that we are studying than any other of the United Nations, it is not possible to arrange differential treatment. The Japanese make some distinction as between civilian internees and prisoners of war in favour of the civilians, but maintain the same evasive cynical attitude to all national protests and suggestions. While referring to this joint effort, permit me to quote the words of Sir Ernest Burdon in summing up his impressions of the Washington Conference:
“Our consciences can now be clear, and we were able to show the world that the Red Crosses really did take every possible step and try their utmost to get relief to those in the hands of the Japanese. Nothing as yet had been achieved with the Japanese, but at any rate new ways and means of pressure had been devised and should the Japanese open the door wider the joint machinery was set up and ready to take the actions it was desired to take by all.” Thus joint consultation by all the Red Cross bodies concerned can now take place in Washington, and the fullest advantage be taken of any opportunity to reach our men in Japanese hands.
Mail communications, while not a Red Cross responsibility in any way, have been the subject of many negotiations, and, of course, considerable anxiety. It has been a great comfort that some messages have got through, that some letters have been received by some of the men. As you all know, for a long time we were completely in the dark as to whether the Japanese would deliver any letters sent from Australia. The route for transmission of letter via Russia has always been available, but we knew that letters sent by this route would take months to reach their destination.
Send Correspondence Direct.
The latest communications we have with regard to mails is the following cable from Geneva dated 28th January:
“Japanese Red Cross asks us to communicate following message: Considerable correspondence addressed to internees, prisoners of war under Japanese authority has reached us from enemy countries by the last exchange boat. The Japanese Government has already communicated to them the names of the internees, prisoners of war. Therefore we should like them hereafter to send correspondence addressed to these internees, prisoners of war directly to their camps and to send us the rest.”
You will see by that again another illustration of the tendency to put all the blame on us, naturally enough, perhaps, but it would appear obvious that the Japanese Government has misled the Japanese Red Cross because in so many cases the camp addresses of internees and prisoners of war have not been communicated.
(Here follow comments affecting Australian mails only, which owing to lack of space we omit.)
Broadcasting Policy.
The policy with regard to this means of communication is a Governmental matter. You are all familiar with the history of Japanese action regarding broadcast messages. There is no doubt that they have given a very great deal of information not otherwise available, and have provided a considerable amount of comfort, despite the apparent motives behind the Japanese action in this regard.
Owing mainly to the necessity of first ensuring that regular mail communications are established, and probably to Government pressure of work on short-wave stations, the Commonwealth Government has not given approval for broadcasting of messages from Australia to prisoners of war and internees in Japanese hands.
(Continued on page 16.)
12 B.P.O.W.R.A. News Sheet
LETTERS FROM GERMAN CAMPS
WINTER DAYS AND FUTURE PLANS
MARLAG O.
Welcome Cigarettes.
31/10/44.
Two cigarette parcels have arrived from the Worcester P.O.W.R.A. Branch. Would you acknowledge and thank them for me? Three weeks since tour last letter arrived, dated September 9th. Many of your letters are missing, it seems. I’ve only had two July ones, and no August ones as yet. Are my letters getting through? I went out for a walk to-day. Although the weather was misty and damp it was pleasant to get out for a bit.
5/11/44.
My model yacht is nearly finished. Am having great difficulty cutting a decent set of sails. My powers of “seamstering” are not great and material is limited to the remains of an old shirt.
OFLAG VII B.
Coal Short.
10/11/44.
We have had snow for the past two days and are all preparing to hibernate for the winter! Coal is very short – much less than last year, which was less than the previous year. We are still on half rations of Red Cross parcels, but a number of private parcels have come in recently. The new conductor of the orchestra now holds weekly promenade concerts and I very much enjoyed the first one last weekend, as I also did a show given by our orderlies and a choral and orchestral concert. We have just had another number of our Camp Magazine Touchstone in which there is an able article on land nationalisation. No, I have not had any more parole walks or cinema visits. These were stopped by higher authority in the autumn and for the main body of the camp have not been re-started. Recently I have been reading translations of Virgil, Horace and Aristophanes, etc. Only wish I could read the originals.
Half Parcels.
30/11/44.
I am afraid I have not written you a Christmas letter this year. In fact I completely forgot until it was too late, so I now wish you all New Year Greetings and hope you have had as good a wartime Christmas as possible. The postcards we are sending for Christmas Greetings have not yet materialised.
I was interested to hear that both John S. and Angus P. are on the Continent. I was most pleased to hear that you are to have extra rations – a very good sign. As you know, we have been on half rations for over two months, and stocks in the camp will last at this rate until the New Year so we do not look like having anything special for Christmas. A small Handicrafts Exhibition was held last week-end – as good as usual. A new Dance Band Show opens to-night, which I shall see on Monday, and on Saturday I go to hear the orchestra playing a programme of ballet music. There is going to be no pantomime this year – ideas have run out after producing four!
A Bright Idea.
31/10/44.
A good week for mail. Mum’s of August 26th and September 16th and 24th, and Pop’s of July 18th, August 25th and September 19th. I’ve also had the sunglasses you sent. They are fine glasses, but you need something better than them to see the sun these days! As a matter of fact the weather hasn’t been too bad, but it is getting colder now and I have only had one game of hockey since I wrote. I’m still having fun with the gearbox – it’s a lot easier to have a bright idea than to get it to work out, even on paper. In the flesh I expect it would burst or melt or something. There hasn’t been anything very exciting in the theatre – an orderlies’ concert and some orchestra stuff.
[Boxed] Extracts from letters from prisoners of war and civilian internees in Germany and the Far East are welcomed for reproduction in these pages. They should deal with subjects of general interest, such as camp life and conditions. Copies of letters only should be sent and should be written on one side of the paper, with the prisoner’s camp number, address and date od writing clearly marked. Interesting camp photographs are also cordially welcomed, and will be returned with care. [/boxed]
Welcome Gramophone Records.
10/11/44.
I am very well – only one letter this week, Mum’s of July 2nd. A slip for some more records has arrived but I haven’t had them yet. It’s getting beastly cold here – we’ve had a good old blizzard the last two days and we’re only getting a third of the coal this year to what we had last! That and half parcels makes this winter look most uninviting to say the least of it. Yes, I’ve been thinking pretty hard on what to da after we get home. I’ve definitely decided against getting a regular commission and this exam which won’t turn up was going to be a step towards getting a job. I’ve taught myself quite a bit here, but the snag is I’ve no real experience and am getting a bit old for an office boy. Anyhow, one of the first things I shall do is run around and find what sort of vacancies, if any, there are with big firms like G.E.C. and get some experience with them if I can.
20/11/44.
Two of your letters this week: Mum’s of July 16th and 30th, also H.’s of June 29th. Thank you very much also for two records. They are La Traviata and two short sides of symphonies. They always arrive intact and undamaged, much better than anything else. I’ve had a most energetic day. I am on a small party that goes out to collect fir cones. We do a week at a time and go out for about four hours in the afternoon with haversacks and a handcart. Every now and then we get a horse and cart, so you collect like hell and then bring back what you can, leaving the remainder for when the horse and cart comes out. I don’t think I’ve worked so hard for ages, and of course it had to pour with rain just as we were starting back! Heigh-ho, anyway. French without Tears has opened and is a great success.
Fir Cone Collection.
30/11/44.
No mail this week. I have finished the cone collecting and am feeling much better for the fresh air and exercise, although I was pretty weary by the end of the week. We are losing the Canadian who has been messing with us and hope to get a friend of V.W.’s into the room, so we shall still mess as a four. Our crossword has appeared in the camp magazine Touchstone, and I’ve already been accosted and told how difficult it is! Anyway, someone has tried to do it. French without Tears is over and we have a Dance Band show starting the end of this week. The Dance Band is definitely better than I’ve heard it before, although some of the turns between tunes are not up to scratch. Victor blows a trombone in both dance and symphony orchestras and has got a good arrangement he has done of Sunny Side Up in this new show.
[Photograph of two rows of men] In Oflag VII B. Back row: Charles Watt, Richard Clark, Peter Hanbury, Dan Cunningham, Ian Garnett Orme, Peter Fraser, Brian McIrvine. Front: Iain Cobb, Andrew Craig Harvery, Jocelyn Abel Smith, Graeme Panton, Brian Wilson.
[Page break]
B.P.O.W.R.A. News Sheet 13
OFLAG IX A/H.
Birthday in Captivity.
15/10/44.
Well, once more we come round to my birthday. You will need no telling that it is my fourth in captivity and my third in this camp.
I see that in my letter of October 10th, 1943, I wrote: “I should think it is practically certain that my next birthday will be spent in England.” However, the fates have decided otherwise and that is that. We can only carry forward the slogan anther year with definitely better grounds. If the war is not over soon all long term prisoners will be feeling that something ought to be done (as happened in the last war) for us to be sent to a neutral country or even repatriated.
OFLAG IX A/Z.
Hard Winter.
3/11/44
I was pleased to receive two letters from you yesterday; the dates were August 23rd and September 27th. The weather has got very cold lately. I think we are in for a hard winter, which is not what I am looking forward to, especially as the food situation is not the same as it was last year. Anyhow we shall get through O.K., and I can look forward to getting home next year.
OFLAG 79.
Good Scheme.
12/10/44.
I was delighted to get your letter dated September 17th this morning – very quick. I have had almost no August nor other September letters at all. We are all growing very impatient to be back and it looks doubtful now whether we shall make Christmas or not. Life has been quieter here lately, but the repatriated people could tell you something about the state of our nerves a month ago. They have recovered a bit, fortunately, and mine have not suffered as much as most. I have read the Government’s proposed demobilisation scheme and I think it fairly good.
STALAG IV A.
News from London.
13/11/44.
I’ve had some cigarettes lately, and tobacco from you, so am O.K. for smokes for a bit, but hope a supply of parcels comes soon as we are nearly out of them. We have had some more chaps here, including some who were in London at the end of September, so have some idea of things with you after such a long break.
STALAG IV B.
26/10/44.
Note new address (cut out Luft 3). Received your letter from Bedford, September 25th. Parcels are almost finished but will manage O.K. Went to an excellent Schubert Symphony concert at the Empire this week. The orchestra was made up from British, Dutch and French musicians. Some of the Arnheim boys have gone out on “kommando” but more arrived today. They had a pretty tough time in Holland, but were praised by Jerry. These longer evenings make us think of the home fire burning. See you soon.
New Arrivals.
9/11/44.
I went for a walk the other week to the ---. It is a quaint little place and very quiet these days. However it is a change to get out of the cage for a spell. I shall probably go again this Friday, as we can go once every week. This only applies to the hospital staff, so there are about twenty on each walk. It has been very wet lately and it gets cold at night, but it will not be long before the spring comes. We have had a lot of new arrivals lately, including a fellow who was repatriated way back in early 1943 from Camp 43. I have been trying to get a French Grammar Book for quite a while but without success. If possible could you have a Neath’s French Grammar sent? My transport books have not arrived yet, unfortunately.
Pay Problems.
17/11/44.
I had a letter on Monday – yours of October 7th. I had another letter from the Paymaster which was as clear as mud, at the same time it makes me mad that after suffering being a prisoner of war you get further complications about pay. It has been fairly cold here of late but nothing
[Photograph of three men with musical instruments] “Music Hath Charms” for this happy trio at Stalag IV A.
to worry about. I generally get to bed about 8 p.m. and read until 9.30 p.m. I still do not like sleeping in blankets, but of course I would not be without them. Two I have carried all the way from Italy to here. There is another week gone by, but it is one nearer home. I guess I have just lived for that day, whenever it may be. It’s a long time since I saw you.
A Record Mail.
9/11/44.
In the last ten days I have received over 60 letters, dated from April to September, from all the usual sources. Sorry you have been unlucky, but I would point out that the ration is only two letters per month and four cards. All goes well here and I am still fairly busy. Parcels have just run out but more are expected.
I have just seen a demonstration of hypnotism. Amazing but true. I will write more about it anon.
College Prospects.
3/10/44.
The age of miracles is not yet passed! I have just received three letters and a parcel of 500 cigarettes, dispatched by Dad on May 5th. Sincere thanks. They are
[Picture] This Christmas Card was sent home to relatives by men in Oflag IX A/H.
more useful than ever now that the issue of Red Cross parcels in cut down to half owing to difficulty of supplies. The letters were from Dad (May 5th and 15th) and G.C. (August). Nice work.
Have you heard about the National Further Education Scheme? In brief it says that a cash grant will be made to University students who broke their studies for the duration, sufficient to pay both tuition fees and also the cost of living. Just think of it: my final year at College with all expenses paid! I am itching to get back and get stuck in. What do you think about it? The immediate future is certainly taking shape fast. I haven’t any room for news. No matter, there isn’t any, anyhow. Do you see I am in a cheerful mood? Must go now – there’s a train to catch.
Post-war Planning.
2/9/44.
I have had no mail or parcels for many weeks now, but that is only a minor detail and no explanations are necessary. I don’t think you will receive this, but here goes. In case my earlier letters have not arrived I will briefly outline one of my post-war plots. Three of we ex-aviators are contemplating opening up a building venture – to wit Sid, Bill (F.A.A. pilot) and yours truly. Sid is a master builder and the working part of the firm, while Bill and I intend to watch from a safe distance. I will tell you more shortly, but for the present I wonder if Dad would kindly mind making a few crafty enquiries at the Ministry of Works and Buildings re the forming of new companies, etc., and also the allocation of contracts for bomb damage repairs? Sid has been in the business all his life and certainly knows his onions. If there are restrictions on the forming of new companies, by virtue of our position as prisoners of long standing we shall do our best to obtain special concessions. What do you think of the scheme? I think it should be a good scheme, particularly as no work is required on my part! I may say that we have thought out this idea very carefully. More anon.
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14 B.P.O.W.R.A. News Sheet
STALAG VII A.
Camp Newspaper.
16/10/44.
I have started a camp newspaper in conjunction with another officer and our first bi-weekly number appears to-morrow. I have just received your first letter, dated August 26th, though from its contents I gather that it is not the first you have written. From all accounts my letters arrive quicker than yours.
STALAG XVIII A.
Paid in German Marks.
8/10/44.
You are certainly very optimistic about the finish of the war, and I hope among your flags you have a Greek one. (The writer was captured in Crete. -ED.) Religion seems to interest you quite a lot by the trend of your letters. You should read some modern books such as The Age of Reason. We are now paid in German marks instead of camp money – twenty-one marks a month. Quite a change of policy. We are now allowed more than thirty marks. Personal parcels are starting again next week for all of us.
Exciting Times.
22/10/44.
Nothing this week except six parcels. To-day more Red Cross parcels, and during November we are to receive one a fortnight. We have plenty of excitement nowadays, and spend quite a bit of time in the evenings with no lights.
1/10/44.
What are the chances of putting the car on the road when I return? Your views are wanted on this subject. Just fancy the old bus has been laid up five years yesterday.
STALAG XX A (3).
Together in Thought.
12/11/44.
My 29th birthday has passed me by most uneventfully. Maybe, after five years behind the wire, this birthday, and the approaching Christmastide, will be really the last I shall spend in captivity, but who can say?
However in spite of minor setbacks – no mail from you for several weeks, no permit cigarettes for a very long time, no personal parcel later than last January’s, and a very elusive, curtailed Red Cross food ration – I manage to keep cheerful and happy. How could I be anything else, when you are always with me to add extra heart to this long wait in isolation?
We tend to become such hardened fatalists, living this unnatural life, that any though of good news to come – as it undoubtedly will – seems unable to pierce the hard armour, fashioned in five long years away from all one loves and holds most dear. We just await “the day” – but after so many disappointments, dare not imagine when that day will be. This must not in any way convey I am “down in the mouth” for I am no such thing – I can still count my blessings on both hands.
I think this letter should arrive in time to send you every possible loving greeting for a happy Christmas Day. If the parcels arrive on time, we shall make the [missing word] in the camp as usual, and manage
(Continued from previous column.)
to do so anyway, even if the parcels are delayed, as we have been warned to expect.
I am quite fit again following my recent operation, and the three weeks in hospital was a real rest. This new camp if wooden huts is well situated, and healthy. I am keeping house with two other lads, one an Australian. As they both work in the cook house you can imagine I am getting well cooked meals. They have made me Q.M. so I try to rule rations with an iron hand, as we are only allowed one Red Cross food parcel per man each fortnight.
STALAG 344.
Fourteen Ovens.
12/11/44.
This past week has seen our first fall of snow, and I think the winter has started now. The outlook for Christmas is not too cheerful; we are on a half parcel per week now and I believe that finishes this month. Still we are consoling ourselves with the thought that this is definitely the last winter. How grand it will be to be home! Next week we are making an oven for cooking on in the barrack round. It is funny, practically every combine in the barrack room is making itself a small stove. By the time they are all finished there will be some fourteen or fifteen fires in the barrack. Still it will keep us warm this winter. I went to a variety concert to-night which I enjoyed.
STALAG 383.
At a Rest Camp.
1/11/45. [sic]
Still at the Rest Camp in Bavaria – nearly seven weeks now since we arrived, and my mental and physical condition is greatly restored. Mentally I am much calmer and able to concentrate. I must admit that before, like many others, I had become very nervy.
With the long walks and long views my limbs and eyes have had a good stretching, so now I can wait in greater peace of spirit for as long as proves necessary.
I can rejoice in spirit with some of my friends. I hope you can write and possibly help ---. These families gave us the finest help and affection. We had five months of the greatest hospitality that could not have been better had they been our own families. We should like you all to help them, for they will probably have been in great need of it. Some of them lost their husbands and brothers in the evacuation of Greece. I hope the country will remember this.
ATHLETICS IN GERMAN CAMP
Some Fine Achievements
A warm tribute to the “grand sporting spirit” of our prisoners overseas was paid recently by Percy Rudd in the News Chronicle. In the second of two articles he writes:-
A week last Saturday I told the story of the swimming activities of British prisoners of war in a German camp, Stalag 383, where two Londoners, Cpl. G. Stacey and Sgt. W. Cole, had been acting as instructors and organisers.
Stacey’s father has now sent me a photograph of these two which he has just received from his son and which is reproduced in the adjoining column.
It is a magnificent example of what swimming can do on the score of physical fitness, even for prisoners of war, and of how much we are indebted to the Red Cross for its practical encouragement among our men in the German prison camps.
Since writing that article I have received details of an athletic meeting held on August Bank Holiday of last year at another German camp, Stalag 344, which typifies the grand sporting spirit of our prisoners overseas.
To create the illusion of home, the competing teams bore such famous names as Polytechnic Harriers, Herne Hill Harriers, Achilles Club and Milocarians.
Everything was done in the manner of a big meeting in this country. There was a march-past of the competitors, headed by the camp pipe band, the salute being taken by Lt.-Col. D.M. Crawford, R.A.M.C.
All the track events included in the Camp Championship were team or relay races and Rifleman Wood, a pre-war member of Poly. Harriers, who at one time trained with Syd. Wooderson, was first in two of these. Wood is unbeaten in camp distance races and on this occasion he won the 1,600 yards team event in 4 min. 9 3-5 sec. and the 3,200 yards in 10 m. 26 1-10 s.
In the band race competitors had to play instruments as they ran, but three of them preferred to walk behind the runners, derisively playing “Colonel Bogey.”
Shields, given as prizes, were made by craftsmen in the camp – the medallions carved and burnished from waste metal.
[Photograph of two men in swimming costumes] Courtesy News Chronicle Cpl. Stacey, Sgt. Cole.
[Page break]
B.P.O.W.R.A. News Sheet 15
ACTIVITIES IN THE PROVINCES
PARTIES AND MONEY-RAISING PROJECTS
Bridlington.
Well over a hundred children enjoyed a tea and party given in the Christ Church Parish Hall, under the auspices of the local P.O.W.R.A. The young guests were the children of prisoners of war. The Mayoress (Mrs. Newby) presented a large cake which augmented a fine display of good things. A big Christmas tree was provided by the Corporation Gardens Superintendent. Every child received a toy, an apple, a bag of sweets, and Father Christmas distributed sixpenny pieces. Entertainment was provided by the “Tiny Tots” from Flambro and Mr. E.L. Maples, conjuror.
Brighouse.
A very enjoyable afternoon was spent by relatives at a meeting attended by the Mayor of Brighouse (Mr. F. Bottomley), who accepted the invitation of the club to be its president. Mrs. M.M. Middleton was in the chair.
Bristol.
Two hundred and fifty children, close relations of prisoners of war, came to Bristol Cathedral for toys
from a Christmas tree provided for them. Each child received one large toy, one or more small ones, a book, money and a bag of sweets, and the event was a great success. The association reached its parcels fund target of £10,000 on December 31st, 1944. This is passed to the Red Cross to cover the cost of Bristol Prisoners’ Food Parcels.
Burnley.
Competitions held at meetings have raised substantial sums of money for the association, and gifts of sweets contributed to the success of the children’s Christmas party, which was attended by about 180 children. The Mayor of Burnley was present.
Members took an active part in preparing the petition, with 4,300 signatures, which was recently sent to the Borough Member, Mr. W.A. Burke, urging more interest in the welfare of prisoners in the Far East on the part of the Government. A reply was subsequently received, giving assurances of unremitting pressure on the Japanese to improve the treatment of prisoners of war.
As parcels cannot be sent to the Far East, money is being set aside as gifts for the men when they return.
Caterham and District.
Many activities were carried out in 1944, starting with the second birthday meeting and annual children’s party. In early spring meetings were transferred to the afternoons owing to raids, and although crowded meetings took place in May and June, activities had to be suspended for the next three months owing to raids and evacuation. Crowded meetings were held again in October and November, when an ex-prisoner, now stationed in the district, brought his band to entertain members and received a very warm welcome. During this month the Hon. Secretary opened a gift shop for a week, which raised nearly £330 for the special Far East Fund. The aim of this fund is to give every Far East prisoner a substantial money present on his return to make up for the lack of parcels during captivity.
At the December meeting a local man rescued from the Japanese, was the guest of honour and received the branch’s usual welcome home present. Christmas week saw a tea party for the relatives of the seventy local people in the hands of the Japanese. Private Wiles, the local returned prisoner, had an individual chat with each relative. On January 1st, 1945, the third birthday party was held.
During the three years over 300,000 cigarettes have been sent to prisoners of war in Europe. The Hon. Secretary has kept in touch with the relatives of over 200 prisoners on the branch’s books.
Clitheroe and District.
The fourth Christmas party was held on December 16th at the Conservative Club, when fifty children of prisoners of war were entertained. The room was festively decorated with a huge illuminated Christmas tree loaded with toys presented by local people. The Mayor and Mayoress (Councillor and Mrs. J. Wilkinson) were guests of the party and presented gifts. Father Christmas, assisted by the Mayoress, distributed toys and a money gift from an anonymous donor. On leaving each child was given a new two-shilling-piece, an apple and sweets. Tea, ices and music from a barrel organ contributed to the fun.
Durham and District.
A “Bring and Buy” Sale was held in the Town Hall in December in aid of the Duke of Gloucester’s Red Cross Fund, to be used for prisoners of war in the Far East. The Mayoress, Mrs. Bell, opened the sale, which resulted in a cheque for £60 being sent to the Red Cross.
Grimsby and Cleethorpes.
Details of what is being done for prisoners of war were given by Mrs. P.M. Stewart, Organising Secretary of B.P.O.W.R.A., at a meeting held recently. The Mayor of Cleethorpes presided, supported by the Mayoress and many other well-known people, including representatives of the British Legion, S.S.A.F.A. and the Red Cross. Mrs. Stewart dealt with mail and parcels for prisoners, with difficulties in the Far East and with the need for considering whether the Association should continue to exist after the war for the purpose of assisting prisoners to settle down in ordinary life again.
Congratulations on the work of the association were extended by Miss Elise Sprott of the B.B.C., and thanks to Mrs. Stewart, the Mayor and Mayoress and others were proposed by Mrs. Meller, Mrs. Frank Robinson and Mrs. Hazelgrove. Musical items were rendered by Mrs. Frank Bannister’s trio.
Hungerford and District.
A dance was held in the Church House to raise money for prisoners of war on their return to civil life, and the net proceeds amounted to £10 4s. 6d. A Fur and Feather Whist Drive was held in December, the prizes being donated by various people in the district. As a result £16 10s. 0d. was raised as a further contribution towards helping returned prisoners.
Kendal.
The second Christmas party for all Kendall children whose fathers are prisoners of war was held in the Y.W.C.A. Hall on January 3rd, when the Rev. E.H.E. Bowers presided and some fifty children enjoyed the tea provided by the Association and friends. The Mayor of Kendall, Councillor W.F. Pennington, attended and congratulated the Association on the happy, healthy appearance of the children. A conjuring display was given by Prof. Fox of Morecombe, and games were organised by Miss Deighton. A Punch and Judy show followed, and before leaving each child was given a present from the Christmas tree.
Newbury.
A largely attended meeting held on December 14th listened with great interest to Mr. S.G. King, of the Far Eastern Section of the British Red Cross, who described the latest developments in the prisoner of war situation in the Orient.
He told of the efforts being made continuously to ship further Red Cross supplies and of the cash remittances made to neutral representatives to enable them to purchase necessities for our men. He dealt also with the latest reports from the camps, the delays in transmission of mail and hopes of the eventual commencement of a cable service.
Mr. P.B. Brown, the Chairman, announced that the Association had made a donation of £250 to the British Red Cross, half this sum being earmarked for the Food Parcels Fund and half for Far Eastern relief. The Toc H./P.O.W.R.A. Joint Fun Fair held recently had realised a net profit of about £750.
The despatch of cigarette parcels to prisoners of war from Newbury now in German Camps had been resumed.
North-East Cheshire.
The North-East Cheshire Branch of the Prisoners of War Relatives’ Association held its Christmas party on Saturday January 6th, at their headquarters, Unity
NEW AFFILIATED BODY
Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire.
Honorary Secretary: A.A. Nicholson, Esq., 57, Bordon Place, Stratford-on-Avon.
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16 B.P.O.W.R.A. News Sheet
Hall, Greek Street, Southport. Eighty-five members and children of prisoners of war attended.
A very bountiful tea was enjoyed and games were conducted by Mr. W. Stephen in which children and many of the parents joined.
Father Christmas (Mr. Titterton) visited the party and gave each child oranges, apples and sweets, and a small gift.
At the conclusion of the afternoon Mr. H.C. Hindley, treasurer, presented each child with Savings Stamps to the value of 7s. 6d.
Oldham.
During the past year the number of prisoners has increased from 425 to 618 – 408 in Europe and 210 in the Far East. Forty-nine men have escaped or been repatriated since the beginning of the war, and 14 have died in camp, the majority of the latter being in the Far East.
The Committee still attend every Friday afternoon at 112a Lees Road, to give advice and help with the next-of-kin parcels. Nearly 800 parcels were packed during 1944 and £2,121 was expended on food parcels sent from London.
The Association meets twice monthly, one of the meetings being for the Far East and one for Europe.
The Committee have fourteen adopted prisoners.
Meetings have been held regularly and donations have been received from many sources.
Reading and District.
A performance of Christmas Carols held in the Town Hall, Reading, realised the sum of £14 to be used for the Reading Prisoners of War (Welcome Home) Fund. The carols were sung by the Reading Temperance Choral Society and the Reading Postal Choir, the soloists being Doris Coles and Geoffrey Tristram and the conductor Frederick Drew. The district’s first repatriated prisoner, Cpl. Norman Bennett, has been appointed to the Committee, and Captain A. Henson has been made an additional Trustee.
At the monthly meeting of the Reading branch of the Association last week, Capt. A. Henson being in the chair, it was announced that the Mayor had accepted a vice-presidency of the association, and he said he would do all he could to help. The secretary said the Prisoners of War Welcome Home Fund stood at £3,800, and the proceeds of the November and December efforts to provide for a re-union and reception of local prisoners of war as soon as practicable after their return had realised £213 10s. 5d.
The Christmas sale of toys realized £44 10s. 2d. and the Christmas competition £47 11s. 11d.
Spen Valley.
A seasonable address was given at a Christmas meeting by the club’s padre, Rev. T. Abell, and carols were sung. Greetings were extended to all by the chairman, Mr. A. Helliwell.
Far East Problems Reviewed
(Continued from page 11.)
Red Cross Messages.
The Red Cross Message Service may be mentioned here. It began to operate from Japan and Siam as early as the end of February, 1942, giving the first news of the welfare of certain individual British nationals.
Thousands of Red Cross messages have been sent from Australia to the Far East, and where Red Cross is well organised, as in Shanghai, a large number of replies to messages have been received.
The position as regards messages to and from Malaya and Java is obscure, but we will hope the Japanese Government will make an announcement in this aspect at an early date.
I have presented a short, probably incomplete, statement of the history of negotiations and the results obtained by the Red Cross efforts in co-operating with Governmental action. You will, I trust, see that the position has in no sense of the word become static; that there is continuous session machinery for co-ordinated United Nations Red Cross effort.
However pessimistic the Government attitude may be, we feel justified within the Red Cross movement in maintaining the attitude of constant pressure in spite of the heavy clouds of doubt and frustration. There does seem to be a little rift in the clouds at the present moment. We trust it will be widened at a very early date.
The future programme concerns the obligations placed on us by opportunities which may, and we trust will, arise for service even while our men are in captivity, and secondly the prosecution of preparations for relief on the release and repatriation of prisoners and civilians concerned.
Firstly, a new Prisoner of War Department has been created, concerned solely with the organisation of service to prisoners of war and internees, both now and during the process of repatriation. This brings us into line with the practice of the British Red Cross Society and other Empire Red Cross Societies.
Secondly, the maintenance at its full efficiency of the Bureau for Missing, Wounded and Prisoners of War in relation to Searcher Service and communications. We feel that the day is approaching when the doors will open on the prison gates of our fellow citizens and relations, and we are in close consultation with the Government Departments in the preparation of plans. We have allotted the leader of the Commission, whom it is hoped will accompany the liberating forces. He is busy selecting the remainder of his team, who will undertake concentrated training for the work ahead of them. Our Stores Department, Medical Department, Library Services and Information Department and others are already involved in the preparation of the special contributions they can make to the service.
Complete lists of names are being prepared by the Central Bureau, so that every effort will be made to get in touch with the men whose names are on those lists, and so that our Searcher Service will be completely equipped to fill in the gaps in the information relating to each individual member of the forces.
(Continued at foot of next column.)
(Continued from previous column.)
Finally, we consider we are acting firstly as an Official Auxiliary of the Government in this matter, but that our services will be always carried out as the agency of the people in this country for relief work in this regard. We look for and expect he mutual co-operation of the special interests represented here to-day.
LATE NEWS
P.O.W. Military Mission in Moscow
We are informed that a British Military Mission is now established in Moscow for the purpose of assuming responsibility for British Prisoners of War in the event of their being released by the advancing Russian armies.
Japanese Statement on Far East Parcels.
Reuter reports Tokyo wireless statement that Japanese Government will send a ship to Singapore, Sumatra and Java with Red Cross parcels and gift to prisoners of war. Date and route will be published later.
Food Parcels in German Camps.
“A German order came out yesterday saying that we must consume all the food in the camp by January 14th,” states a letter just received from Oflag VII B and written on December 20th. “The Germans,” it continues, “say that after January 14th parcels will come in once a week and must be consumed as they arrive.”
Broadcast by Returned Thailand Prisoner of War.
For the information of those who did not hear the broadcast by Gunner Wilson on Christmas Eve and January 10th, the script was printed in the Listener of January 4th, 1945.
Repatriated Prisoner of War.
Names of sick and wounded repatriated prisoners of war brought home on hospital ships Leticia and Arundel Castle were (states The Times of February 1st) communicated in advance to next-of-kin from lists compiled in Switzerland. Nearly 1,500 men have returned to this country, and 370 will shortly sail from Marseilles to their homes in India, South Africa and New Zealand.
FAR EAST MAP OUT OF PRINT
The Far East map is out of print and no orders can be taken meantime. A new, more detailed map is being prepared and an announcement will be made as soon as it is available.
ERRATUM.
January Newsheet, page 16, col. 3.
Far East Exchange of Prisoners of War and Internees.
The last paragraph under this heading should be deleted. It should read “It is learned that this situation is not confined to civilian internees in Hongkong.” It is incorrect to assume that this applies to Prisoners of War.
Published by British Prisoners of War Relatives’ Association, 16 St. James’s Street, London, S.W.1 and Printed by Speedee Press services, Ltd., 27a Pembridge Villas, London, W. 11
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
News-sheet of the British Prisoners of War Relatives' Association February 1945
Description
An account of the resource
The news-sheet covers the return of prisoners of war and issues that they will face, POW letters from the Far East, Prisoners and Parliament, Camp visits by the YMCA, Prison Camps as schools of Citizenships, Next-of-kin Parcels, International Red Cross Visit to Far East Camps, Future of Prisoners of War, New Light on Rescued Thailand Prisoners, Red Cross Parcels and German Camps, News from American POW Relatives Associations, Far East Camp Problems Reviewed in Full, Letters from German Camps, Athletics in German Camp and Activities in the Provinces.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
The British Prisoners of War Relatives' Association
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1945-02
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
16 printed sheets
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
MCurnockRM1815605-171114-025
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
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--London
Australia
Victoria--Melbourne
Japan--Hakodate-shi
Malaysia--Sandakan (Sabah)
Korea
Japan--Fukuoka-shi
Taiwan
Thailand
Japan--Zentsūji-shi
Germany--Königstein (Pirna)
United States
Washington (D.C.)
Russia (Federation)--Vladivostok
Thailand--Bangkok
Canada
Ontario--Ottawa
England--Worcester
England--Bridlington
England--Brighouse
England--Bristol
England--Burnley
England--Caterham
England--Clitheroe
England--Durham
England--Grimsby
England--Cleethorpes
England--Hungerford
England--Kendal
England--Newbury
England--Cheshire
England--Oldham
England--Reading
England--Spen
Russia (Federation)--Moscow
Poland--Żagań
Poland--Tychowo
Poland
Singapore
Victoria
Malaysia
Ontario
Germany
Japan
Russia (Federation)
England--Durham (County)
England--Gloucestershire
England--Berkshire
England--Lancashire
England--Lincolnshire
England--Surrey
England--Westmorland
England--Worcestershire
England--Yorkshire
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.
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1945-02
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Anne-Marie Watson
aircrew
arts and crafts
Churchill, Winston (1874-1965)
demobilisation
entertainment
prisoner of war
Red Cross
sport
Stalag Luft 3
Stalag Luft 4
-
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Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Hughes, Clarence. Photograph album
Description
An account of the resource
48 Items. 70 page album with photographs of people and local scenes while training in Albany Georgia in the United States and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island , Canada. Also includes scenes while on journeys in North America as well as people. family and places back in the United Kingdom.
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
2016-06-02
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.
Identifier
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PHughesCL1601
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Places in the United States
Description
An account of the resource
Top left - a view of the Jefferson Memorial with tree on the right in Washington DC. Top right - a church with tall spire in the distance with houses in front. Centre middle - view over house in city with suspension bridge in the background. Bottom left - view of a factory with two chimneys. Bottom right - view of a freeway through a city and under a road. On the reverse 'Washington, Philadelphia, New York.
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Five b/w photographs mounted on an album page
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PHughesCL16010025, PHughesCL16010022
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
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
United States
Washington (D.C.)
Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
New York (State)--New York
New York (State)
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.
Conforms To
An established standard to which the described resource conforms.
Pending review
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1662/26962/PHughesCL16010027.2.jpg
95b05dc3bdcef8d1fdb4b027df5a2ed4
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1662/26962/PHughesCL16010026.2.jpg
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Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Hughes, Clarence. Photograph album
Description
An account of the resource
48 Items. 70 page album with photographs of people and local scenes while training in Albany Georgia in the United States and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island , Canada. Also includes scenes while on journeys in North America as well as people. family and places back in the United Kingdom.
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
2016-06-02
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.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PHughesCL1601
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
People and places
Description
An account of the resource
Top left - an airman wearing greatcoat and side cap standing in a road with house in the background left. Top right - an airman wearing greatcoat and side cap standing in a road. Centre middle - a man standing by the side of a large locomotive. Bottom left - view from a train of an embankment with tree at the bottom. Bottom right - group of airman wearing tunics in front of a building with porch over door. Another two story building in the background. On the reverse 'Washington - Moncton, Moncton New Brunswick Canada'.
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Five b/w photographs mounted on an album page
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PHughesCL16010026, PHughesCL16010027
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
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
United States
Washington (D.C.)
Canada
New Brunswick--Moncton
New Brunswick
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.
Conforms To
An established standard to which the described resource conforms.
Pending review
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1548/30377/LPrickettTO40427v3.2.pdf
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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
Prickett, Thomas Other
T O Prickett
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
2016-10-11
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
Prickett, TO
Description
An account of the resource
13 items. The collection concerns Air Chief Marshal Sir Thomas Prickett KCB, DSO, DFC (1913 -2010, 40427 Royal Air Force) and contains his log books, documents and photographs. He served in the RAF from 1937 to 1970 and flew operations as a pilot with 148 and 103 Squadrons.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Lady Prickett and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
Access Rights
Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies.
Permission granted for commercial projects
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Thomas Other Prickett’s pilots flying log book. Three
Description
An account of the resource
Pilots flying log book, three, for Thomas Other Prickett, covering the period from 21 June 1944 to 2 November 1966. Detailing his flying training, instructor duties, staff duties with the RAF Delegation to the USA, Empire Central Flying School, Middle East Air Force and second tactical Air Force. He was stationed at Washington, Clewiston, RAF Hullavington, RAF Tangmere, RAF Ismailia, RAF Jever, RAF Bassingbourn, RAF Finningley and RAF Akrotiri. Aircraft flown in were C-45, PT-17, AT-6a, P-47, AT-7, Oxford, Harvard, Reliant, Spitfire, Mosquito, Tiger Moth, Rhone Buzzard, Wellington, Lancaster, Master, Hotspur, B-25 Mitchell, Meteor, Anson, Auster, Dominie, Proctor, Vampire, Devon, Valetta, Lincoln, Pembroke, Sabre, Prentice, Hunter, Chipmunk, Canberra, Vulcan, Argosy, and Hastings.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Great Britain. Royal Air Force
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Mike Connock
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.
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One booklet
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Log book and record book
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
LPrickettTO40427v3
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
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Cyprus
Egypt
Great Britain
United States
Egypt--Ismailia (Province)
England--Cambridgeshire
England--Wiltshire
England--Yorkshire
Florida--Clewiston
Germany--Jever
North Africa
England--Sussex
Florida
Germany
Washington (D.C.)
Cyprus--Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
5 BFTS
aircrew
Anson
B-25
British Flying Training School Program
Dominie
Flying Training School
Harvard
Lancaster
Lincoln
Meteor
Mosquito
Oxford
P-47
pilot
Proctor
RAF Bassingbourn
RAF Finningley
RAF Hullavington
RAF Tangmere
Spitfire
Stearman
Tiger Moth
training
Wellington
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1548/30378/LPrickettTO40427v2.2.pdf
54e5c903d13670263adf5bdef6986e6a
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
Prickett, Thomas Other
T O Prickett
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
2016-10-11
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
Prickett, TO
Description
An account of the resource
13 items. The collection concerns Air Chief Marshal Sir Thomas Prickett KCB, DSO, DFC (1913 -2010, 40427 Royal Air Force) and contains his log books, documents and photographs. He served in the RAF from 1937 to 1970 and flew operations as a pilot with 148 and 103 Squadrons.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Lady Prickett and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
Access Rights
Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies.
Permission granted for commercial projects
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
Thomas Other Prickett’s pilots flying log book. Two
Description
An account of the resource
Pilots flying log book two for Thomas Other Prickett, covering the period from 2 May 1940 to 18 June 1944. Detailing his flying training, instructor duties, operations flown and staff duties with the RAF Delegation to the USA. He was stationed at RAF Sealand, RAF Kumalo, RAF Malta, Clewiston, RAF Lindholme, RAF Elsham Wolds, Washington, and RAF Hullavington. Aircraft flown in were Oxford, Master, Audax, Whitley, Gypsy Moth, Magister, Harvard, Taylorcraft, DH86a, Tiger Moth, Lodestar, Moth Major, Rapide, Empire flying boat, Wellington, Hurricane, Lysander, Gordon, DC-3, Clipper, Beechcraft, AT-6a, PT-17, B-17, C-40, Halifax, Martinet, Lancaster, Spitfire, Anson, AT-11, C-45, C-78, Catalina, B-26 and Mosquito. He flew a total of 52 operations, 32 with 148 Squadron and 20 with 103 Squadron. Targets were Benghazi, Derna, Malemi, Piraeus, Crete, Agkeila, Salamis, Jedebya, Heraklion, Comiso, Tymbaki, Tmimi, Tobruk, Spezia, Duisburg, Essen, Dortmund, Dusseldorf, Wuppertal, Krefeld, Cologne, Turin, Hamburg, Nuremburg, Milan, Peenemunde and Leverkusen.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Great Britain. Royal Air Force
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Mike Connock
Callum Davies
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.
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One booklet
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Log book and record book
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
LPrickettTO40427v2
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
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Germany
Great Britain
Greece
Italy
Libya
Malta
United States
Zimbabwe
Atlantic Ocean--Baltic Sea
Cyprus--Famagusta
England--Lincolnshire
England--Wiltshire
England--Yorkshire
Florida--Clewiston
Germany--Cologne
Germany--Dortmund
Germany--Duisburg
Germany--Düsseldorf
Germany--Essen
Germany--Hamburg
Germany--Krefeld
Germany--Leverkusen
Germany--Nuremberg
Germany--Peenemünde
Germany--Wuppertal
Greece--Crete
Greece--Ērakleion
Greece--Maleme
Greece--Piraeus
Italy--Comiso
Italy--La Spezia
Italy--Milan
Italy--Turin
Libya--Ajdābiya
Libya--Banghāzī
Libya--Darnah
Libya--Tobruk
Wales--Flintshire
Zimbabwe--Bulawayo
Florida
Cyprus
Germany--Ruhr (Region)
Washington (D.C.)
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1940-05-28
1940-06-05
1940-06-15
1941-06-21
1941-10-25
1941-11-26
1941-12-07
1941-12-12
1941-12-18
1941-12-28
1941-12-30
1942-01-05
1942-01-16
1942-01-20
1942-01-30
1942-02-05
1942-02-08
1942-02-09
1942-02-12
1942-02-16
1942-03-05
1942-03-11
1942-03-13
1942-03-23
1942-03-24
1942-03-30
1942-04-01
1942-04-07
1942-04-22
1942-05-27
1942-05-29
1942-06-13
1942-06-25
1942-06-29
1942-07-04
1942-07-13
1943-04-13
1943-04-18
1943-04-26
1943-04-30
1943-05-04
1943-05-23
1943-05-25
1943-05-29
1943-06-21
1943-07-03
1943-07-08
1943-07-12
1943-07-24
1943-07-25
1943-07-27
1943-07-29
1943-08-10
1943-08-12
1943-08-15
1943-08-17
1943-08-22
1944
103 Squadron
148 Squadron
1656 HCU
5 BFTS
aircrew
Anson
B-17
B-26
bombing
bombing of Hamburg (24-31 July 1943)
Bombing of Peenemünde (17/18 August 1943)
British Flying Training School Program
C-47
Catalina
Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Service Order
Dominie
Flying Training School
Halifax
Harvard
Heavy Conversion Unit
Hurricane
Lancaster
Lysander
Magister
Martinet
Mosquito
Oxford
pilot
RAF Elsham Wolds
RAF Hullavington
RAF Lindholme
RAF Netheravon
RAF Sealand
RAF Sywell
Spitfire
Stearman
Tiger Moth
training
Wellington
Whitley