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Ted Neale's memories of serving in Italy
Ted arrived in Portici, south of Naples from training in Palestine. He recalls a trip to Rome driven by Jesse Owens, the Olympic athlete. Afterwards he was transferred to Foggia to join 37 Squadron. There was a shortage of crews and he did not fly…
The Algerian Affair and On
Ted Neale's account of his last operation on a Wellington Mk 10. They had to fly to Grotaglie to take soldiers to Athens. He describes how they fitted the 12 men into the aircraft. On reaching Kalamaki, the airfield was being besieged by ELAS…
Wellington memories
Memories of an early operational sortie for Ted Neale. An hour into the flight the cover of the photoflash spinner had come off. This could have caused the flash to ignite in the aircraft and brought it down.
Italian war memories
Ted Neale describes the aircrew and circumstances leading to their baling out near Nereto, Tortoreto, Italy. Some of the crew were captured, but Ted was sheltered by local people. He met up with an English army corporal and travelled by boat to…
Ted Neale's observer’s and air gunner’s flying log book
Observer’s and air gunner’s flying log book for E T H Neale, navigator, covering the period from 25 August 1943 to 16 October 1945. Detailing his flying training, operations flown, wartime and post war flying duties. He was stationed at SAAF Port…
H O Cannon’s observer’s and air gunner’s flying log book
Observer’s and air gunner’s flying log book for H O Cannon (1802390) air gunner, covering the period from 29 December 1943 to 3 November 1944 and from 16 October 1952 to 8 October 1953. He was stationed at RAF Moffatt, RAF Qastina, RAF…
Letter from Ted Neale
![ENealeETH[Recipient][Date]-030001.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/1246/16338/ENealeETH[Recipient][Date]-030001.jpg "ENealeETH[Recipient][Date]-030001.jpg")
He refers to feeling 'isolated and diminished' when returning to civilian work. He rejoined the Royal Air Force, but the jobs became more menial and supplies and maintenance were poor. He describes the contrast with some of the operations he took…
To Ted Neale from Flight Sergeant H (Bert) Cannon
Bert refers to receiving an earlier letter from Ted. He discusses his social life - beer, food and cigarettes and recalls various colleagues and what they are doing.
Ted Neale's training and early operational experiences
An account by Ted Neale of his training in South Africa, subsequent further training in Jerusalem, crew selection and transfer to Italy. He relates early experiences on operations - including Shederevo oil refinery - and losing a Wellington to enemy…
Two stories and a letter by Ted Neale
#1 Ted Neale's account of a train trip in South Africa. Ted and his tall friend were attacked in Bloemfontein by a group of six locals.
#2 Designated pilots-navigators or bomb aimers at Heaton Park then sent to Bridgnorth to await a ship to South…
#2 Designated pilots-navigators or bomb aimers at Heaton Park then sent to Bridgnorth to await a ship to South…
Ted Neales' memoir
Memoirs of Ted Neale (written in a non-contemporary diary), recounting his experiences of an air raid on Woolwich, travelling to South Africa for aircrew training and taking part in bombing operations from Italy. Some anecdotes are repeated. This…
Oil's Well
Discusses in detail an operation to attack the Ploesti oilfields in Romania. At that time he was based in Foggia, Italy. They had an issue with the airframe of the Wellington twisting due to a mismatch in the fuel tanks. On another operation a…
Jim Allen’s Royal Canadian Air Force pilots flying log book
Royal Canadian Air Force pilots flying log book for J H Allen, covering the period from 2 December 1942 to 14 January 1947. Detailing his flying training, operations flown, instructor duties and post war squadron duties. He was stationed at, RCAF…
The Miracle of Askham Bryan
The story of a complete engine failure in Wellington LN 487 over York at 15,000ft at night. The aircraft was over York and crash-landed safely. The rear-gunner had been knocked unconscious but was unhurt, as were the rest of the crew.
A Love Story by Grandad
An account of Jim Allen's life from 1941 to 1997. He details meeting his future wife and their intermittent courtship. There is great detail about his social life and relationship with his future wife. There are two pages of photographs:
First page:…
First page:…
Martin Catty's Royal Canadian Air Force flying log book for aircrew other than pilot. Two
Royal Canadian Air Force flying log book for aircrew other than pilot for M A Catty, covering the period from 15 October 1943 to 21 September 1946. Detailing his flying training, operations flown and post war flying duties. He was stationed at RCAF…
Jeff Brown's flying log book for navigators, air bombers, air gunners, flight engineers
Flying log book for navigators, air bombers, air gunners, flight engineers for Jeff Brown, air gunner, covering the period from 18 August 1944 to 31 December 1951. Detailing his flying training, operations flown and post war flying. He was stationed…
Reg Manning's observer's and air gunner's flying log book
The Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Log Book covering the period 15 June 1941 to the 16 August 1963. Manning qualified first as an Air Gunner on the 4 July 1941 and second as a flight engineer on the 1 September 1941. He was commissioned on the 4…
Interview with John Martin
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…
Operation on Turin
David Donaldson reminisces about an operation on Turin, describing the crossing of the Alps at night and the awe-inspiring sight of Mount Blanc. David stresses the uniqueness of the operation, only comparable to a previous one on Munich, and mentions…
David Donaldson and other aircrew member by a Wellington
Two aircrew wearing leather flying jackets with fur collars standing behind the wing root of a Wellington. David Donaldson is on the right. Flaps on aircraft are down.
David Donaldson
Head and shoulders of David Donaldson wearing flying jacket with fur collar looking over the back of wing of a Wellington.
Six aircrew in front of a Wellington
Six aircrew, five wearing tunic and the sixth a greatcoat standing in line in front of a Wellington. Aircraft has 'Edward III' on the nose. On the reverse 'Crew of Edward III, Jan? 1940'. David Donaldson is fourth from left.
Propaganda photograph
Newspaper cutting of two aircrew in cockpit of an aircraft. David Donaldson is on the left. Propaganda banners at the bottom.
From Daily Telegraph and Morning Post, dated Thursday 31 December 1942.
From Daily Telegraph and Morning Post, dated Thursday 31 December 1942.
Letter to David Donaldson from E P Fernbank
Writes to inform David of two crews coming to him from training unit; Flying Officer Stephens and Flying Officer Mitchell. Catches up with news.