Browse Items (62 total)

  • Tags: RAF Snaith

EWakefieldHEWakefieldWE-[Mo]430904-0002.jpg
Writes that he is fit and well after having done six operations and describes some of them. Mentions their usual bomb load. Relates that a fighter had attacked a Halifax just behind them. Mentions eating eggs and bacon before and after operations.…

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EWakefieldHEWakefiledWE-[Mo]430924.pdf
Writes about operations to Hanover and Mannheim. Describes fires after attacks, poor German defences and German fighter attacks. Offers some sympathy to Germans on the ground and describes a fighter attacking them. Describes their first trip to…

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PRobertsM2001.jpg
Born in Manchester, he was 20 years old in 1940 when he joined up and volunteered for aircrew. He trained in South Africa, Canada (Moncton and Trenton), the Unites States (Lakeland), and was torpedoed in the Atlantic on his way back. Maurice flew…

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PMercierCG2101.jpg
Cyril Mercier was born in Jersey in 1925. He joined the Home Guard in 1940 and the RAF in 1943. After initial training, and training on gunnery at Bridgnorth he joined 14 Operational training Unit at Abingdon, where he crewed up. He trained on…

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PFrostB1501.jpg
Bob Frost flew on a night operation on 16/17 September 1942 as a rear gunner on Wellington BJ877, 150 Squadron, from RAF Snaith. Before reaching the target at Essen, the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and the port engine was damaged. He…

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BWagnerHWWagnerHWv10001.jpg
Henry, volunteered for the RAF and learned to fly Tiger Moths at Brough. He then was transferred to South Africa on a troopship. His flying training came to an end after a poor solo flight. He was retrained as a navigator. On completion of his…

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MWagnerHW1604744-170719-160001.jpg
This account was written by Henry for publication in 'The Digger'. Henry recounts that in 2010 he became aware that the National Lottery were awarding grants to veterans to visit places with special memories for them, he applied and was successful.…

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BWagnerHWWagnerHWv2.pdf
An extremely detailed account of the No 51 Squadron briefing for the operation to Essen on 28/29 November 1944 by Henry. It includes all the specialist officers as well as the Station Commander's brief. It also includes Henry's crew, Station and…

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BWagnerHWWagnerHWv1-01.pdf
Hand written by Henry, Part 1 covers his early life and time at university. It goes on to cover in some detail his time in the RAF, his time training in South Africa conversion to the Halifax and operations on 51 Squadron. It also covers his time as…

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SJonesHB1866363v10090.jpg
Hugh congratulates Daphne on the arrival of her baby.

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EDarbyCAHDarbyJ451119.pdf
He asks his wife to thank her mother for the laundry parcel. He took airmen to Snaith for onward transport. He went into York for shopping, tea and a film.

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MAllenJH179996-160512-030001.jpg
An explanation of the end of astro-navigation on board bomber aircraft in addition to GEE navigation. Navigators were required to carry sextants and take three astro readings every hour. One night the wrong astro-projector settings were supplied and…

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PWagnerHW1701.jpg
Henry Wolfe Wagner was born in Ireland. The family moved to England when he was young and settled near Reading. Henry attended Reading University for two years joining the University Air Squadron. He then volunteered for the RAF and began training as…

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ABowkerD151117.mp3
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…

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AHextellGJE160104.mp3
George Hextell joined the RAF as a flight engineer and flew operations with 51 Squadron on Halifaxes. After being shot down over Holland, he became a prisoner of war. Gives a detailed account of how his capture, imprisonment and liberation. Describes…

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ANicholsonA150922.mp3
Arthur was released from his reserved occupation as an apprentice engineer to join the Royal Air Force. After St John’s Wood, he underwent some basic training at RAF Bridlington and RAF Usworth before going on an engineering course at RAF St Athan…

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MWakefieldHE174040-171016-54.jpg
Congratulations on award of Distinguished flying Cross

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MCleggPV[DoB]-150819-04.pdf
Listing by page of visitors' book of personnel who had signed and were subsequently killed with details.

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Bessie Thomas left school at the age of fourteen and worked at the Consett Iron Company working as a typist. At the age of eighteen at the time of Dunkirk she joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force where she wanted to be a radio operator but there…

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BBrookerWHBrookerWHv1.Pdf
WH Brooker volunteered in June or July 1940. He was called up on 27 February 1941 and trained in Pearce, Western Australia. On transfer to UK there were delays in further training.
Initially he served on Wellingtons at Snaith. He describes…

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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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PLarmerLO15010003.jpg
One hundred plus 51 Squadron personnel in five rows in front of a Halifax. In the background on right the top of a hangar.

Additional information about this item was kindly provided by the donor.

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CLarmerLO-151112-02.jpg
Ordnance survey of England and Wales map, sheet 32, Goole and Pontefract, second war revision 1940, with the intersecting runways of RAF Snaith drawn on.

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Observer’s and Air Gunner’s 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…

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LFreemanRRE1523700v20001.jpg
Two pages from a logbook. Ralph is mentioned as a second pilot or passenger.

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