Browse Items (4441 total)

  • Tags: bombing

BDunmoreGDunmoreGv1.pdf
A 25 page account of the preparation for, and carrying out of a maximum effort operation against Duisburg by Lancasters of 83 Squadron at RAF Wyton, part of 8 Group Bomber Command. Account provides detailed description of preparations, briefing and…

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MDunmoreG635201-160526-01.jpg
A note regarding a recording made by the BBC of an operation on 3 April 1943, where the recording was made on the aircraft which George Dunmore was a Flight Engineer. The note gives the names, professions and ranks of the crew.

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MDunmoreG635201-160526-02.jpg
Transcription of extract from a recording made in a Lancaster bomber while over target. Gives crew intercom commentary including bombs gone and reports on defences.

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PDunmoreG1603.jpg
A Lancaster, caught in searchlights with anti-aircraft fire bursts around it, diving toward Dusseldorf on the night of 9 September1942, with a title reading “The Night of September 9th 1942.” A note next to the Lancaster reading, “450.…

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ABiltonGHA960623-0001.pdf
Talks of early life at school and work in Hull. Volunteered as ARP messenger and described duties and air raid damage in Hull. Volunteered as aircrew and initially selected for wireless operator/air gunner but later asked to change to air engineer.…

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EBiltonGHABilton[Mo][Date]-010001.jpg
Writes that he was okay after operation to Brunswick and now had only seven left to finish tour. Returned with 72 holes in the aircraft. Relates seeing films and discusses clothing. Mentions a visit by the King to Middleton St George.

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EBiltonGHABilton[Mo][Date]-020001.jpg
Says he is OK and asks after her holiday. Mentions rear gunner was hit in the head on operation to Ludwigshafen and was in hospital. Mentions that he will be sending her his dirty laundry and talks of weather.

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EBiltonGHABilton[Mo]XX1225-010001.jpg
Writes that he diverted down south after operation to Stuttgart. States it was a good trip but said they still lacked their own gunners and one had opened up on an enemy fighter. Writes about time they had at diversion. Catches up on family news.

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[1]DAVID AND THE RAF2 (2).pdf
Account of Wing Commander David Donaldson's RAF career from his early interest in flying and joining the Royal Air Force volunteer reserve in 1934, call up in 1939 and operational tours on 149 Squadron, 57 Squadron, flight commander 156 Squadron…

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MBakerWB1392752-161128-40.jpg
Relates events during operation to Essen on 12/13 March 1943. Enemy fighter attacked and was engaged and hit by rear gunner. Claimed as damaged. After releasing bombs in heavy anti-aircraft fire and searchlights rear gunner engaged Me 109. Gunner…

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SRoyallGL1801494v10018.jpg
Nine images on three sheets of selected pages from George Royall's log book, each showing a double page spread. The three images on the first sheet cover nine bombing operations as well as training and air test flights. Each image has the…

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ATiptonJ170610.mp3
John Tipton grew up in Tenby and studied law at University College London. He volunteered for the RAF and trained as a navigator. He was posted to 40 Squadron where he began operational flying before the squadron were posted to Malta. After his tour…

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AMartinEJ181202.mp3
John Martin was born in June 1922 and lived in London. He always wanted the opportunity to fly and so at the age of 19 volunteered to join the Royal Air Force as an armourer. He was not accepted as he was in a reserved occupation. Eventually he…

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PThomasWK1601.jpg
Ken changed from the Merchant Navy to the Royal Air Force. He became a flight mechanic but after night school, decided to apply for aircrew. Ken went to the Air Crew Receiving Centre at St John’s Wood. He proceeded to No 4 Initial Training Wing at…

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PWildR1602.jpg
Ralph was conscripted into the army but wanted to join the air force. He eventually became an instrument repairer and trained at RAF Cranwell. When war started, he volunteered for aircrew but he was not transferred for some time. Briefly in 242…

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PWoodC1601.jpg
Colin Wood grew up in Sheffield and worked as a plumber until he volunteered for the RAF. He trained in Canada and flew operations as a navigator with 106 Squadron from RAF Metheringham. On arrival at the station his pilot and three others made their…

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PCrossleyD1501.jpg
Don Crossley was born in South Emsall in 1924. He tells of his time before the war working at Upton Colliery before joining the Royal Air Force. He volunteered and trained, initially, as a wireless operator/air gunner. He tells of his experience at…

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PCurnockRM1602.jpg
Richard Curnock was born in Grantham and joined the Royal Air Force in 1941.He achieved the rank of warrant officer and served in 425 Squadron. Richard tells of how he followed his two older brothers into the services, and his time serving in the Air…

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PMellorG1501.jpg
Gordon Mellor grew up in London and was interested in aviation. He volunteered for the Air Force and trained as a navigator in Canada. On his return to the UK he and his crew were posted to 103 Squadron at Elsham Wolds and his first operation was the…

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PPettyD1601.jpg
Born in Shildon, County Durham Doug Petty was a car maintenance apprentice before joining the Royal Air Force in 1942 as a flight engineer.
He completed technical training at RAF St Athan, where he met Betty, his future wife. From there Doug went to…

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PWarnerJ1609.jpg
Jack Warner grew up in Huddersfield. He volunteered for the Royal Air Force and trained at RAF Filey and RAF St Athan. He completed a tour of 37 operations as a flight engineer with 428 Squadron from Middleton St George. On one mine laying operation…

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PColingE1801.jpg
Eric Coling’s father died when Eric was a child which left his mother to cope on her own economically. Eric and his sister were sent to live in an orphanage but their mother was able to visit monthly. When Eric left the orphanage he began working…

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ANeedleR171004.mp3
Ron Needle, from Birmingham, flew operation as a rear gunner on 106 Squadron Lancasters at Metheringham. Operations included Norway, Dortmund Ems Canal and Munich; he was one of two survivors after his aircraft crashed in France. Ron was aided by…

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PParkerE1602.jpg
Eric was born in 1924 in West Derby, Liverpool and volunteered for the Royal Air Force at the age of 17 and a half, finally being called up in January 1942, when he became a navigator/bomb aimer on Lancasters. After completing his training in Canada,…

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PRoseHP1801.jpg
Hayden Philip Rose was born on the 27th of July 1924. After leaving school he worked in the Simmonds factory office before joining the RAF in 1943, training as an engineer. His brothers also joined, becoming a pilot and a navigator. Upon meeting his…

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