Browse Items (381 total)

  • Tags: bale out

EButlerARHIrvineLtd441229.jpg
Requests caterpillar badges for himself and his crew after they baled out on night of 24 December 1944.

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ACastletonGJ160719.mp3
Gerald John Castleton was born in Southsea. He worked in demolition until he joined the Royal Air Force. He flew operations as a flight engineer but was shot down and became a prisoner of war.

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PGardinerEF1701.jpg
Fred Gardiner grew up in Oxfordshire and worked in a furniture factory before volunteering for the Royal Air Force. He flew five operations as a wireless operator/air gunner, from RAF Syerston, before his aircraft was shot down. He gives a detailed…

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MAnkersonR[Ser#-DoB]-180129-60.pdf
Pat's research into her father's RAF life. He was shot down over the Netherlands and was protected by locals until he gave himself up. He was held at three prisoner of war camps and towards the end of the war he was forced into the Long March.…

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MRidingRH1525125-210923-32.jpg
Paul's story about his grandfather Ron, being shot down and evading capture.

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MMcDonaldEA1076160-150914-01.pdf
The first part is an eye witness account by Alan McDonald of an aircraft crash and its aftermath.
The second part describes the 'Skilling Follies', an aircrew who completed 25 operations from RAF Skellingthorpe.
The third part describes an…

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BLovattPHastieRv2.pdf
A biography of Roy Hastie.

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ASimonsohnW170812.mp3
Wilhelm Simonsohn remembers his wartime service as a Luftwaffe night fighter pilot. He tells of his adoption by a Jewish family, and the discovery of his father’s background after being lampooned as ‘Jewish scum’ at school. He emphasises family…

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APeelMG[Date]-01.mp3
Michael Peel was posted to 44 Squadron based at RAF Dunholme Lodge. On one operation at midnight his crew wished him a happy birthday. It was his twenty first birthday. On another occasion they found they still had a bomb in the bomb bay and the…

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ARapozziF-MG161019.mp3
Francesco and Maria Gigliola Rapozzi remember wartime life in Monfalcone. They recollect the day the shipyard was engulfed in flames after a severe bombing raid and mentions the high number of casualties among civilians. They remember various…

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EHaySRClark[Mrs]440718.jpg
Writes informing her that Dermot Hegarty was killed recently. Correspondent was his mid-upper gunner and describes aircraft's engines cut after take off. While Hay bailed out, Dermot, the rear gunner and wireless operator did not get out. He, the…

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SDryhurstHG1332214v10018.pdf
Account of 142 Squadron crew operation to Kassel wriiten by rear gunner Bob Henderson. Was attacked by night fighter and had to bale out. Continues with account of evading and capture. Reunited with wounded crewmates and transported to prisoner of…

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BHumesELHumesELv1.pdf
Recalls joining the RAF as a flight mechanic in 1939 and then employed as a barrage balloon operator. Describes his subsequent selection for aircrew and training in London, St Andrews, Manchester and in advanced navigation at Dumfries. Next covers…

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EWareingRPillotsJ440808-0001.jpg
He advises that his aircraft was hit by a night fighter but he managed to parachute out. He has several blisters and burns but a French doctor has tended him. He is now a prisoner and his personal effects are in a good place.
He will be in hospital…

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BWareingRWareingRv2.pdf
Starts with hand drawn map of Normandy marking main towns. The author records his experience on or around D-Day of bailing out of an aircraft shot down and on fire, and the subsequent aid given to him by the French Resistance. He also records a…

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EWareingRWareingJ440808.jpg
Sent from France describing how his aircraft was shot down by a fighter, caught fire and he baled out. He was burned but treated by a French doctor. He was in hospital near Le Havre.

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MWareingR86325-161005-79.jpg
Letter describing Robert's aircraft being shot down, baling out, suffering burns and now a prisoner of war. Yeoman states he was given the letter by a woman when he entered Fecamp.

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MRidingRH1525125-210923-090001.jpg
An unused Christmas card featuring an airman parachuting.

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MPackhamG1214349-160825-010001.jpg
On his return to Great Britain after his release from prisoner of war camp, Geoff Packham was interrogated by his commanding officer. His aircraft was damaged during an operation on Sterkrade by Holten. He baled out over the Netherlands. He was…

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MBarkerR[Ser#-DoB]-151001-01.pdf
Opens with mention of Bomber Command memorial in Green Park and 55,573 despite killed, moral was high due to belief that winning was vital. Tells story that he was guest at two weddings in 1943 with three other members of Bomber Command and that all…

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BPayneRPayneRv1.pdf
A detailed account of Reg Payne's service in the RAF. He starts with a list of 18 RAF bases where he served in his 5 years of service. He was 16 when war was declared but volunteered for the RAF at 17. After tests he was selected for training as a…

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EWilsonRCWilsonWJ-M440202-0001.jpg
This is his first letter from a prisoner of war camp. He is well and includes a list of items to be sent via the Red Cross.

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MWilsonRC1389401-170113-07.pdf
A notebook to be used for recording wartime activities. It contains an account of Reg's bale out, capture and time in Dulag Luft, Stalag 4B and Offlag 7B.Reg records his operational experiences the day he baled out. His captors were friendly but the…

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MWilsonRC1389401-170113-100001.pdf
Reg's account starting when he was shot down on an operation to Berlin. After Berlin he was transferred to Frankfurt for interrogation then by train to his camp. Camp life involved food, the preparation and acquisition of extra food by theft, trading…

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MWilsonRC1389401-170113-100002.pdf
Reg starts with a page about the Caterpillar Club then describes his life after the war. Over the years he had many reunions and he undertook research regarding the four crew members who died the night they were shot down. In 2001 he and 90 or so…

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