Browse Items (4469 total)

  • Tags: bombing

EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420512-0001.jpg
Bill writes about possible leave - keeps changing. Now on 2-3 hr shifts on the gun post, but also have to get there quickly if there is an air raid warning. Says no air raids recently but saw Me 109 at high level and resulting anti aircraft fire.…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420627-0001.jpg
Catches up with news of family and friends. Mentions dairy farming in local area. Describes photo reconnaissance work and other flying activity. Talks of journey home on next leave. Writes of bad news on Libya and good news on RAF bombing operations.

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420729-0001.jpg
It is pay day, so Bill is sending money home and asking his mother to send his comb and diary which he left there.

Now senior course so lots of cross country flights. Dropped his first bombs, which he describes in some detail. Continuing with…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420807-0001.jpg
Bill thanks her for her parcel and letter. Shocked by story of bombs jettisoned by friendly aircraft but shouldn't judge until know the facts. Worried about Lancaster base being so close to home ('Those Lancasters and the drome are a menace').…

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William Cross Memoir of a supply drop to Polish fighters. They lost an engine and struggled to maintain height. The pilot had bailed out leaving the rest of the crew to fly the aircraft. They landed successfully in Russian territory and met up with…

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SHomewoodWR1577093v1.pdf
A detailed account of William's service in 51 Squadron including copies of the squadron's operational record books.

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BTaylorWHTaylorWHv1.pdf
Describes how his aircraft was shot down on an operation to Revigny by an Me 110 night fighter. He baled out. and was captured. After being interrogated he became a prisoner of war. In February 1944, as the Russians advanced, he and his fellow…

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SMarshallS1594781v10009.jpg
An article describing daylight and night time operations on Duisburg. There is a photograph of a Lancaster dropping a 4000 pound bomb and incendiaries and a photograph of an aircrew. The crew is Flying Officer J Whitwood, pilot and Ken Thomas…

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EHancockELTurnerF450405.jpg
The letter advises Mrs Turner that her son is seriously ill after a flying accident.

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MDoranWR177745-170423-06.jpg
A battle order prepared for the squadron listing aircraft, code, crew, and operations,

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Gives some details of service, 97 Squadron, 203 hours operations, air gunner and citation.

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SScottEW188329v10004.jpg
Informs her that her husband was missing in action from operations on night 21 Oct 1944. Gives assessment of character and mentioned he had just recommended him for commission. Gives some account of operation to marshalling yards in northern…

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MEdgarAG172180-180704-02.pdf
A document recommending an immediate DFC for Alan Edgar.

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MCruickshankG629128-150428-060003.jpg
Congratulatory letter concerning daylight operation by Bomber Command Lancasters on U-boat factory at Augsburg. 'Undeterred by heavy losses at the outset 44 and 97 Squadrons pierced in broad daylight into the heart of Germany and struck a vital point…

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SPerryWRP1317696v50004.pdf
On Blackpool and District Branch of Aircrew Association paper. A few RAF songs remembered (& modified!) by Peter Perry.
The flying Fortress, the navigators lament, the bomb-aimers ballad. Shaibah blues, No flak at all, the airman lament, three old…

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PColombiE1701.jpg
Efrem Colombi recalls his care-free childhood, initially in the Bergamo countryside and then in Milan. He emphasises his life-long, radical, anti-Clericalism and recounts how he ran away several times from Catholic boarding schools due to his…

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AColomboS161203.mp3
Santina Colombo describes her early life in a family of farmers and says that her father was a fervent socialist. She recalls the start of war being announced on the radio and gives a detailed account of civilian life in wartime Milan: scarce food;…

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PBuffadossiA1701.jpg
Annunciata Buffadossi recollects her wartime life in Milan. Annunciata describes poor-quality housing in a low-class neighbourhood close to potential targets; emphasises how much she feared Germans and Fascists; and speaks with affection of her old…

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PSamoreT1801.jpg
Tito Samorè recalls wartime memories in Milan, when he was a member of the Balilla youth organisation. He remembers the outbreak of war and its announcement on the radio. Tito describes the first bombing of Milan in 1940, stressing how easy it was…

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PPirovanoG1701.jpg
Giuseppe Pirovano describes wartime memories as schoolboy at Affori, a Milan neighbourhood, and daily life in fascist youth organisations, with regimented schooling and political rallies. He talks about children’s games and pastimes, such as…

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PColomboE1601.jpg
Edvige Colombo recalls her life in wartime Milan and describes an occasion when the alarm sounded and she and her family went to the basement, used as a shelter. She recollects moments inside, re-emphasizing how there was nothing to do, just standing…

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PSamoreA1801.jpg
Alessandro Samorè reminisces his early life in Milan, Domodossa, Portofino, and Santa Margherita Ligure. Provides details of life in youth fascist organisations, playing with homemade fireworks, and attempts to assemble an improvised scuba gear.…

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PGiovanettiJL1801.jpg
Leontina Giovanetti (b. 1913) reminisces about her early life with three sisters, her father who was a typographer and photographer and her mother a house-wife. Describes musical training at the Milan conservatory, stressing the demanding attitude of…

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PPisaG1801.jpg
Germana reminisces her comfortable evacuee life in Gualtieri, supported by local farmers who kept her family well supplied. Describes ditches used makeshifts shelter and daily life in Milan.

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AFantiniC181218.mp3
After leaving school, Carla Fantini started working as telegraph operator, which she found a gratifying and thoroughly enjoyable occupation. She describes the bombing war in Milan, stressing widespread destruction and ravaging fires. Reminisces…

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