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Harry Brabin memoir

Harry joined the Royal Australian Air Force on 25 June 1942 as a wireless operator/air gunner and received his initial training in Australia before going to Canada for his trade training.

He sailed on the SS Johan Van Barneve to San Francisco and…

Tags: 102 Squadron; 1652 HCU; 27 OTU; 4 Group; Advanced Flying Unit; air gunner; air sea rescue; aircrew; anti-aircraft fire; bomb aimer; bomb struck; bombing; Bombing and Gunnery School; bombing of Helgoland (18 April 1945); bombing of the Normandy coastal batteries (5/6 June 1944); briefing; crewing up; debriefing; demobilisation; entertainment; faith; fear; flight engineer; forced landing; Fw 190; Gee; ground crew; H2S; Halifax; Halifax Mk 3; Ju 88; lack of moral fibre; love and romance; Master Bomber; McIndoe, Archibald (1900-1960); Me 109; Me 262; Me 410; military discipline; military ethos; military living conditions; military service conditions; mine laying; Morse-keyed wireless telegraphy; navigator; Navy, Army and Air Force Institute; Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944); Oboe; P-51; Pathfinders; perception of bombing war; physical training; pilot; promotion; propaganda; radar; RAF Gamston; RAF Lichfield; RAF Marston Moor; RAF Pocklington; RAF West Freugh; RCAF Mossbank; recruitment; searchlight; Spitfire; sport; tactical support for Normandy troops; Tallboy; target indicator; training; V-1; V-weapon; Wellington; Window; wireless operator / air gunner; Women’s Auxiliary Air Force

Robert Blamires' South African Air Force observer’s and air gunner’s flying log book

R G Blamires Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book covering the period from 25 November 1942 to 10 May 1946, detailing his flying training and operations flown as Navigator. He was stationed at South African AF Port Elizabeth (42 Air…

John Francis Bank's observer's and air gunner's flying log book

The observer's and air gunner's flying log book for Flight Lieutenant John Francis Banks, born I July 1922, (1578295 Royal Air Force) from 28 March 1943 to 9 April 1946. Detailing his training and operations flown. Served at 41 Air School South…

Tags: 192 Squadron; 47 Squadron; 84 OTU; Advanced Flying Unit; aircrew; Anson; bomb aimer; C-47; Mosquito; navigator; Operational Training Unit; Oxford; RAF Desborough; RAF Foulsham; RAF Wigtown; Tiger Moth; training; Wellington

Navigation log for operation to St Martin de Varville

Forms 441 for operation.

Tags: 103 Squadron; aircrew; bombing; bombing of the Normandy coastal batteries (5/6 June 1944); Lancaster; Lancaster Mk 3; Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944); RAF Elsham Wolds

David Charles Davies' observer's and air gunner's flying log book

Observer's and air gunner's flying log book for David Charles Davies from November 1940 to 24 March 1948 detailing his training, operational and post conflict duties. Training was with No.5 Air Observer's School at RAF Jurby and Operational Training…

Tags: 105 Squadron; 1660 HCU; 25 OTU; 57 Squadron; 61 Squadron; air gunner; Air Observers School; air sea rescue; aircrew; Anson; Blenheim; bomb aimer; bombing; bombing of the Normandy coastal batteries (5/6 June 1944); bombing of Toulouse (5/6 April 1944); Bombing of Trossy St Maximin (3 August 1944); Cook’s tour; Distinguished Flying Medal; Dominie; Halifax; Heavy Conversion Unit; incendiary device; Lancaster; Lancaster Mk 1; Lancaster Mk 2; Lancaster Mk 3; Lincoln; Manchester; mine laying; navigator; Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944); Operational Training Unit; Oxford; Proctor; RAF Bishops Court; RAF Burn; RAF Compton Bassett; RAF Coningsby; RAF Feltwell; RAF Finningley; RAF Fulbeck; RAF Jurby; RAF Manby; RAF Skellingthorpe; RAF St Eval; RAF Swanton Morley; RAF Swinderby; RAF Syerston; RAF Woolfox Lodge; RAF Yatesbury; Stirling; submarine; tactical support for Normandy troops; training; Wellington; wireless operator; wireless operator / air gunner

Joseph Forster Mills flying log book

Flying log book for J F Mills, Navigator, covering the period from 20 September 1942 to 24 September 1950. Detailing his flying training, operations flown and post war flying with 1332 heavy conversion unit, 246 squadron, number 23 reserve flying…

Walter Braithwaite’s Observer’s and Air Gunner’s flying log book

Walter Braithwaite’s Observer’s and Air Gunner’s flying log book which includes a majority of his training, both stationed in Britain and Canada. Flights are recorded from the 2nd July 1942 to 13th July 1945. Walter began operations on 17th…

Raymond Harris's Pilot's log book

Raymond Harris was a pilot who flew the Lancaster on 34 operations with No 9 Squadron. The log book runs from 19 September 1942 to 24th August 1945. After his initial flying at the No 9 EFTS at RAF Ansty, flying in the Tiger Moth, Raymond went out to…

Len Curtis' Flying Log Book

Len Curtis' Flying Log Book as Air Bomber from July 1942 until 5 August 1944 when he was reported as missing in action. Started at 15 EFTS then 10 AFU. 29 OTU, 1660 CU. Posted to 106, 630 and 617 Squadrons for operations.
Served at RAF Dumfries, RAF…

Record sheet for 1317047 Flight Sergeant Howell ELC

Records 10 sorties of 6 full operations.

Tags: 102 Squadron; 635 Squadron; aircrew; bomb aimer; bombing; bombing of the Normandy coastal batteries (5/6 June 1944); Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944)

Keith Hailey's Royal Air Force navigator’s, air bombers and air gunner’s flying log book

K J Hailey’s Wireless Operator’s Flying Log Book covering the period 6 May 1943 to 9 May 1945. Detailing his flying training and operations flown as Wireless Operator. He was stationed at RAF Yatesbury (2 Radio School), RAF Manby (Empire Air…

Frank Howkins’ navigator’s, air bomber’s and air gunner’s flying log book

Navigator’s, air bomber’s and air gunner’s flying log book for F Howkins, wireless operator, covering the period from 29 April 1943 to 30 August 1953. Detailing his flying training, operations flown, and post was flying with number 5 Reserve…

Alfred Sweeney’s RAF Pilot’s Flying Log Book

Alfred Sweeney’s RAF Pilot’s Flying Log Book from 17 May 1942 to 30 July 1962 detailing training, operations and post-war duties as a pilot and instructor, including VIP duties. (Several logbooks bound into one volume).
He was stationed at RAF…

Tags: 115 Squadron; 1651 HCU; 1653 HCU; 1669 HCU; 216 Squadron; 51 Squadron; 514 Squadron; 84 OTU; Advanced Flying Unit; aircrew; Anson; B-29; bombing; bombing of the Le Havre E-boat pens (14/15 June 1944); bombing of the Normandy coastal batteries (5/6 June 1944); C-47; Cook’s tour; Flying Training School; Halifax; Halifax Mk 7; Harvard; Heavy Conversion Unit; Horsa; Lancaster; Lancaster Finishing School; Lancaster Mk 1; Lancaster Mk 2; Lancaster Mk 3; Lancastrian; Lincoln; Meteor; Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944); Operation Dodge (1945); Operational Training Unit; Oxford; pilot; RAF Aqir; RAF Bassingbourn; RAF Boscombe Down; RAF Carlisle; RAF Church Lawford; RAF Desborough; RAF Feltwell; RAF Langar; RAF Lyneham; RAF Marham; RAF North Luffenham; RAF Syerston; RAF Waterbeach; RAF Watton; RAF Witchford; RAF Wratting Common; Shackleton; Stirling; tactical support for Normandy troops; Tiger Moth; training; Wellington; York

Record of postings

Shows postings to 1 Group, Binbrook, Sculthorpe, Oulton, Swannington and Church Fenton.

Tags: 1 Group; ground personnel; RAF Binbrook; RAF Church Fenton; RAF Oulton; RAF Sculthorpe; RAF Swannington; Women’s Auxiliary Air Force

Record sheet for 1333766 Sergeant Whitehead

Records 12 operations or 7 1/3 full operations

Tags: 102 Squadron; 635 Squadron; aircrew; bombing of the Normandy coastal batteries (5/6 June 1944); Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944); wireless operator / air gunner

Record sheet for 1605575 Sergeant Glass

Records 10 sorties or 7 full operations

Tags: 635 Squadron; air gunner; aircrew; bombing; bombing of the Normandy coastal batteries (5/6 June 1944); Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944)

Record card for 1335368 Flight Sergeant Waspe E J

Records 12 sorties or 7 1/3 operations.

Tags: 102 Squadron; 635 Squadron; aircrew; bombing; bombing of the Normandy coastal batteries (5/6 June 1944); navigator; Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944)

Record card for 1018307 Flight Sergeant Ball I

Records 11 sorties or 7 full operations

Tags: 102 Squadron; 635 Squadron; air gunner; aircrew; bombing; bombing of the Normandy coastal batteries (5/6 June 1944); Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944)

Record sheet for 1603457 Sergeant Harding

Records 12 sorties or 7 full operations

Tags: 102 Squadron; 635 Squadron; aircrew; bombing; bombing of the Normandy coastal batteries (5/6 June 1944); flight engineer; Halifax; Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944)

Robert Palmer's pilot's flying log book. Two

Robert Palmer’s RAF Pilot’s Flying Log Book from 12 May 1942 to 23 December 1944, detailing training and operations as a pilot and instructor. He was stationed at RAF Lossiemouth (No. 20 OTU), RAF Hullavington (No. 3 Flying Instructors School),…

Eric Keen's navigator's, air bomber's and air gunner's flying log book

Navigator’s, air bomber’s and air gunner’s flying log book for E D Keen, flight engineer, covering the period from 30 July 1943 to 18 May 1946. Detailing his flying training, operations flown and instructor duties. He was stationed at RAF…

Five Franc note

Bach and front of 5 franc note with names listed and message 'thanks for the lift'.

Tags: Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944)

Letter to the editor of Pegasus journal from Eric Keen

Story of paratroopers dropped from Stirling over Normandy on 5/6 June 1944 all signing 5 franc note with message 'thanks for the lift'. Stirling crew survived the war and the pilot kept the note. Lists names of paratroopers and the fact that Eric…

Tags: aircrew; Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944); RAF Keevil; Stirling