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Interview with David Bowker
David Bowker joined the Air Force and was originally training to be a wireless operator / air gunner but remustered as a pilot. He discusses rudder lock on early versions of Halifax. Jacqueline Bowker his wife, discusses her life during the war and…
Interview with Jack Wakefield
Jack Wakefield grew up in New Zealand and volunteered for the Air Force and the Army. He trained as an air gunner on Defiants before being posted to 75 Squadron at RAF Feltwell where he completed a tour on Wellingtons, flying operations to locations…
Interview with Monty Felton
Monty grew up in Croydon and became an articled accountant in London before joining the RAF. Training at the Initial Training Wing in Torquay was followed by RAF Bishops Court in Northern Ireland and RAF Kinloss, which had a flight simulation room.…
Pat Hogan's recollection of events on 3/4 March 1945 written to a relative of Flying Officer Alan Shelton
Recounts his attendance at an annual RAAF Air Crew Europe Dinner in September 1979 where the quest speaker was Donald Bennett. He then recounts his activities and training from July 1944 at Lichfield where he was crewed up and subsequently Church…
Account of operations
Mention action on getting caught in searchlights, effects of altitude on aircrew, avoiding bombs from above, encounters with B-17 while on operations and getting a bottle of Bourbon from the American crew later. Mentions encounter with probable…
Edward Allan McDonald's wartime memories
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…
The second part describes the 'Skilling Follies', an aircrew who completed 25 operations from RAF Skellingthorpe.
The third part describes an…
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Peter Lamprey provides a detailed description of the procedures and emotions of the crew before, during and after an operation..
My life in the Royal Air Force Bomber Command
Writes of early life and mentions beginning of the war and volunteering for the air force in January 1940. Continues with account of initial training and mustering as an airframe mechanic and subsequent technical training. Describes first posting to…
My life in the Royal Air Force Bomber Command
Includes several b/w photographs of people and aircraft. Writes of early life and mentions beginning of the war and volunteering for the air force in January 1940. Continues with account of initial training and mustering as an airframe mechanic and…
Interview with Harry Irons. Two
Harry was under age when he joined the RAF in 1940 after witnessing bombing in London. He went to Blackpool in August 1941 and became a rear gunner. Gunnery school for six weeks at RAF Manby followed, and Harry joined 9 Squadron at RAF Waddington. He…
Interview with Harold Kirby. Two
Harold Kirby grew up in London and worked in an accounts department before joining the Royal Air Force. He served as a fitter with 460 Squadron at RAF Binbrook before remustering as a flight engineer. He flew two tours of operations with 467, 97 and…
Interview with Bill Moore. Three
Bill Moore grew up in Scotland and volunteered for the Royal Air Force. He completed 36 operations as a navigator with 138 and 161 Squadrons.
Please note: The veracity of this interview has been called into question. We advise that corroborative…
Please note: The veracity of this interview has been called into question. We advise that corroborative…
Briefing
A group of aircrew attend a briefing, standing round a paper-strewn table, all in uniform. They are in a large room, with maps and posters on walls, and aircraft recognition models suspended from ceiling.
44 Squadron Operations Order book cover
Hard book cover annotated 'Secret' with label '44 Squadron Briefing Reports'.
Bomb aimers briefing 1 January 1944
Briefing sheet for 1-1-44 indicates 12 by 1000 MC 1/2 hour or 1 hour delay with preselection settings, false height settings, Window, timings, bombing height. On the reverse handwritten notes on target marking and code words.
Bomb aimers briefing - Nuremberg
Gives bomb load and bomb stations including preselection settings, false height settings, delays and other operation information including wave times, routes, bombing methods. On the reverse target marking information including 'Newhaven marking' .…
Bomb aimers briefing 5 June 1944
Form containing bomb load, pre-selection settings, false height settings, operation timings, route including target coordinates in France near Rouen, wave times. On the reverse handwritten notes on target marking including that red target indicators…
Bomb aimers briefing 6 June 1944 - Caen
Details of three different bomb loads for squadron aircraft by letter with pre-selection settings. Annotated 'Caen' in red.
Bomb aimers briefing 4/5 June 1944
Details two different bomb loads with pre-selection settings. Includes route and method. Target 'Marquise (2 heavy railway guns)'. annotated 'Scrubbed' written in large red letters. Notes that bombs are not to be brought back but are to be jettisoned…
Bomb aimers briefing 2 June 1944
Shows single bomb load with pre-selection settings, route and method. Notes that Mosquito will drop red and green target indicators. Annotated 'Cap Griz Nez'.
Bomb aimers briefing 1 June 1944
Single bomb load for all aircraft with pre-selection settings, route and method. Notes that musical paramatta Mosquito will drop long burning red target indicators. On the reverse a list of other bombing operations by group. Annotated target…
Bomb aimers briefing 31 May 1944
Indicates single bomb load for squadron with pre-selection settings. Includes timings, route, method and on the reverse handwritten target marking notes. Notes that Pathfinder Mosquito will drop preliminary and other markers. Annotated…
Bomb aimers briefing 30 May 1944
Indicates two bomb loads for squadron with pre-selection settings. Annotated 'Morsalines, Scrubbed'. On the reverse some notes.
Bomb aimers briefing 27 May 1944
Indicates two bomb loads for the squadron. Contains pre-selection settings, route, method and other details including that red spot flares will be dropped by Mosquito. Annotated 'Cherbourg'. On the reverse some notes.
Bomb aimers briefing 26 May 1944
Two bomb loads for six aircraft. Pre-selection settings. Window briefing, route, method. Notes that 3 Mosquito serrate over southern Denmark. Annotated 'Kiel Bay and Frisians'. On the reverse a note.