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Herbert Gray'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 Sergeant Herbert Gray from 21 February 1944 to 10 November 1945. Detailing training and operations flown. Served at RAF Stradishall, RAF Hemswell and RAF Elsham Wolds. Aircraft flown were…

Peter Bellingham’s observer's and air gunner's flying log book

The log book covers the training and operational career of bomb aimer Peter Bellingham from 10 March 1943 to 21 February 1946. After training in South Africa he flew Halifaxes and Stirlings with 138 Squadron, taking part in 30 night operations over…

John Firth'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 Sergeant John Firth from 31 March 1944 to 7 August 1944. Detailing training and operations flown. Served at RAF Wigsley, RAF Syerston, RAF Skellingthorpe. Aircraft flown were Stirling and…

Tags: 1654 HCU; 50 Squadron; aircrew; bombing; bombing of the Creil/St Leu d’Esserent V-1 storage areas (4/5 July 1944); bombing of the Pas de Calais V-1 sites (24/25 June 1944); Bombing of Trossy St Maximin (3 August 1944); flight engineer; Heavy Conversion Unit; Lancaster; Lancaster Finishing School; missing in action; Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944); RAF Skellingthorpe; RAF Syerston; RAF Wigsley; Stirling; tactical support for Normandy troops; training

St. Leu D'Esserent

Target photograph of Saint-Leu-d'Esserent. Rural area, centre of photograph obscured by smoke and dust and a small area of light streaks. Roads visible. Captioned 3° F', '7B', '1213 SKELL 4/5.7.44 //NT 8" 16000 [arrow] 348° 0138 ST.LEU D'ESSERENT…

Tags: 50 Squadron; aerial photograph; bombing; bombing of the Creil/St Leu d’Esserent V-1 storage areas (4/5 July 1944); Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944); RAF Skellingthorpe; target photograph

St. Leu D'Esserent

Target photograph of Saint-Leu-d'Esserent. Two large balls of light and a light streak. No clear details visible. Captioned '3°F', '6B CL', '1223 SKELL 4/5.7.44 //NT (C) 8" 17000 [arrow] 014° 0138 ST LEU D'ESSERENT RD.B.11X1000,4X500.27secs.W/C…

Tags: 50 Squadron; aerial photograph; bombing; bombing of the Creil/St Leu d’Esserent V-1 storage areas (4/5 July 1944); Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944); RAF Skellingthorpe; target photograph

Operations order 5 July 1944

Lists crews and aircraft for operations on nigh 5/6 July 1944. Includes seven standby crews and duty personnel. One training flight at the bottom. Annotated 'Cancelled' in large letters.

Tags: 44 Squadron; air gunner; aircrew; flight engineer; pilot; RAF Dunholme Lodge; wireless operator

Operations order 4 July 1944

Lists crews and aircraft for operations on night 4/5 July 1945. Fourth member of each crew is underlined and ticked. One crew has green cross alongside and duty crew has a change of captain to 'F/O Valentine'. Included duty personnel and five…

Tags: 44 Squadron; air gunner; aircrew; flight engineer; pilot; RAF Dunholme Lodge; wireless operator

Arthur Atkins’ flying log book for pilots

Pilots flying log book for Arthur Atkins, covering the period from 12 November 1942 to 12 July 1945. Detailing his flying training, operations flown and instructor duties. He was stationed at RAAF Benalla, RAAF Somers, RAAF Malalla, RAAF Ascot Vale,…

Angas M Hughes’ Royal Australian Air Force observer’s air gunner’s and wireless operator’s flying log book

Royal Australian Air Force observer’s air gunner’s and wireless operators flying log book for Angus Murray Hughes, covering the period from 24 October 1942 to 26 September 1944. He was stationed at RAAF Mount Gambier, RAAF Port Pirie, RAAF Nhill,…

Letter from Malcolm Payne to Doris Weeks

Writes of frustrating day with flying on and off. Mentions going to the pictures and writing letters concerning upcoming trip to the Lakes.

Tags: love and romance; military living conditions; military service conditions; RAF Bardney

D A MacArthur's log book extracts

Flying log book for D A MacArthur, navigator, covering the period from 24 April 1944 to 2 August 1944. Detailing his flying training and operations flown. He was stationed at RAF Hemswell and RAF Kirmington. Aircraft flown in was Lancaster. He flew a…

Tags: 166 Squadron; aircrew; Bombing of Mailly-le-Camp (3/4 May 1944); bombing of the Le Havre E-boat pens (14/15 June 1944); bombing of the Normandy coastal batteries (5/6 June 1944); Lancaster; Lancaster Finishing School; mine laying; navigator; Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944); RAF Hemswell; RAF Kirmington; tactical support for Normandy troops; training; V-1; V-3; V-weapon

Royal Air Force file cover - Creil area dumps 4/5 July

Buff file cover with contents: Photos, Photographic Reconnaissance Unit, Photographic Reconnaissance Unit report

Tags: bombing; bombing of the Creil/St Leu d’Esserent V-1 storage areas (4/5 July 1944); Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944); V-1; V-weapon

Attack on Creil area dumps, 5/5 July 1944. narrative

Notes that despite allied bombing, V-1 campaign against London and South East continues. Notes decision to attack V-1 storage sites. 617 Squadron were to join 5 Group attack and use using 12,000 bombs to collapse roof of caves in which bombs were…

Tags: 5 Group; 617 Squadron; 627 Squadron; bombing; bombing of the Creil/St Leu d’Esserent V-1 storage areas (4/5 July 1944); Cheshire, Geoffrey Leonard (1917-1992); Lancaster; Mosquito; Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944); P-51; Tallboy; target indicator; V-1; V-weapon

Crew list for operation against Creil area dumps

Date: 4/5 July 1944, target, zero hour 0130 hours. Lists leader and marker 1, Wing Commander Cheshire flying P-51. Marker 2 in Mosquito and 17 Lancaster carrying one tallboy bomb each.

Tags: 617 Squadron; aircrew; bombing; bombing of the Creil/St Leu d’Esserent V-1 storage areas (4/5 July 1944); Cheshire, Geoffrey Leonard (1917-1992); Mosquito; Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944); P-51; Tallboy; target indicator; V-1; V-weapon