Browse Items (215 total)
Sort by:
Letter to Leonard Cheshire from Squadron Leader T Kell
Recounts a lecture using models of targets which when viewed from 6 yards represent various sizes at various distances. Problem is to know accurately what height you are.
Memory of Mailly-Le-Camp
Part of a memoir describing the operation to Mailly-le-Camp 3/4 May 1944.
Letter to Leonard Cheshire from Wing Commander W J Gibbs
From officer in Ministry of Aircraft Production. Writes that Cheshire left gloves in his office and is now sending them on.
Letter to Leonard Cheshire from William Feeling
Congratulatory letter written on House of Commons paper on award of Victoria Cross and relates views of others he has met, a missed meeting and inviting him for a meal.
Unveiling ceremony of the portrait of Mr Roy Chadwick
The cover of a souvenir programme for the unveiling of the portrait of the late Mr Roy Chadwick at East Kirby, April 30th 1991. It is signed by Leonard Cheshire.
Brian Goulding, photographer and Leonard Cheshire
A photograph of Brian taking photographs captioned 'Brian, eight films later'.
Second photograph is of a ceremony, captioned 'G/Capt Cheshire V.C. at ceremony to unveil portrait of Roy Chadwick'.
Second photograph is of a ceremony, captioned 'G/Capt Cheshire V.C. at ceremony to unveil portrait of Roy Chadwick'.
Bomb aimers briefing - Paris marshalling yards
Shows single bomb load for squadron. Includes preselection settings, Window, zero hour and effort level. Describes method including target marking by Pathfinder Mosquito. On the reverse the route and notes.
Gnome Rhone works
Aerial photographs of the bombing of the Gnome Rhone aero engine works. Photograph 1 is a vertical aerial photograph of a bombing attack on the Gnome Rhone works. Much of the image is obscured by smoke and explosions. On the reverse 'Raid on Gnome…
617 Squadron veteran reunion
A reunion of veteran airmen, including Ernie Twells and Leonard Cheshire. They are all wearing suits with their campaign medals pinned to their chests.
Barnes Wallis and Leonard Cheshire
Barnes Wallis, Leonard Cheshire and their wives. They are seated at a table set for dinner. Captioned ' Barnes Wallis Leonard Cheshire and wives'.
Leonard Cheshire and officer
A three quarters portrait of Leonard Cheshire and another officer. They have raised glasses of beer and are smiling.
A civilian and two airmen under a Lancaster with a mocked up bouncing bomb during the filming of The Dam Busters. Standing with…
A civilian and two airmen under a Lancaster with a mocked up bouncing bomb during the filming of The Dam Busters. Standing with…
Ernie Twells' Obituary and letter from the King
Ernie Twells' obituary detailing his life before, during and after the war.
A letter from the King awarding Ernie Twells his Distinguished Flying Cross.
A letter from the King awarding Ernie Twells his Distinguished Flying Cross.
617 Squadron veterans
A group of five veterans in civilian clothing. Captioned 'From Left: Leonard Cheshire, Ralph Cochrane Johny Farquier'.
Bob Knights' Obituary
The obituary of Flight Lieutenant Bob Knights. It details his operations on the Tirpitz, his early life, his training in Florida, his time with 617 Squadron and his role with BOAC after the war until his retirement in 1976.
Commemorative Dam Busters envelope
An envelope with a 15c Canadian stamp commemorating the first non-stop transatlantic flight. There is a 617 squadron badge and on the left a Lancaster. Underneath is a Vulcan and under that 'Commemorating 617 Squadron Association Reunion Toronto…
Leonard Cheshire and Rosemary Lapham
On the left Leonard Cheshire wearing white overcoat holding glasses. On the right Rosemary Lapham in a dark coat smiling towards him. In the background a marquee.
Bomber Command people
Top left. Head and shoulders photograph of Ivor Jones, in uniform, captioned 'Sq Ldr Ivor Jones 1941 Linton on Ouse', ''The Colonel' had been previously Indian Army'.
Bottom left. Photograph of Mary Brown, civilian clothes, seated in a field of…
Bottom left. Photograph of Mary Brown, civilian clothes, seated in a field of…
Railway tunnel and bridge, Saumur, operation narrative
Relates that in response to request from the Army a planned operation was cancelled at late notice and replaced by operation against the railway tunnel at Saumur. As accurate bombing was required it was decided to use the recently available 12,000…
Crew list for Saumur tunnel operation
Provides date - night 8/9 June 1944, target- railway tunnel and bridge, Saumur, zero hour - 0200. Leader and marker no 1 - Wing Commander Cheshire flying Mosquito. Lists pilot and navigator of two other markers flying Mosquito. Lists 25 other crews…
Crew list for operation against submarine pens in Le Havre
Specifies date - 14/15 June 1944, target and zero hour 2235 hours. Lists crews with Wing Commander Cheshire leading along with two other markers flying Mosquito and 22 crews flying Lancaster all armed with one Tallboy bomb.
E-boats and E-boat shelters, Le Havre, narrative
Account of operation against sheltered E-boats in Le Havre harbour. Tasks to assist Navy in their fight against E-boats who were operating against allied invasion forces. States pens would be invulnerable even to 12,000 lb bombs therefore, bombs…
Crew list for Boulogne E-boats operation
States date 15/16 June 1944, target, zero hour 2235. Shows Wing Commander Cheshire leader and marker in Mosquito and 22 crews flying Lancaster all armed with Tallboy bombs.
Constructional works Watten - narrative
Explains that the enemy had brought much vaunted secret weapons into action including V2 missile. Five launching platforms were known to exits and 617 as a precision bombing squadron to destroy these sites. First target allotted was at Watten to the…
Crew list for Watten operation
States date 19 June 1944, Target constructional works Watten, zero hour 1915/1931. Lists leader/marker Wing Commander Cheshire and marker 2, Squadron Leader Shannon in Mosquito with 18 crews flying Lancaster all armed with Tallboy bombs.
Crew list for Wizernes operation
Date 24 June 1944, target, zero hour 1750 hours. Lists leader and marker no 2 crews in Mosquito and sixteen crews in Lancaster all armed with Tallboy bombs.