Browse Items (66 total)
- Type is exactly "Text. Service material"
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Letter from Leonard Cheshire to Wing Commander J Collier
To Air Ministry concerning bombing results. 700 bombs being plotted possibly undershooting. Request they must get Mosquito by next moon.
Letter from Leonard Cheshire to Squadron Leader Noel Vincent
To Royal Australian Air Force liaison officer at Bomber Command. Writing that Flight Lieutenant D J Shannon desires to continue with operations and does not want to return to Australia. Mentions Shannon's wife is in Royal Air Force serving in same…
Letter from Leonard Cheshire to Air Commodore A C H Sharpe
To 54 Base Coningsby forwarding the names of two pilots who were anxious to return to operational duties on Mosquito. Squadron Leader C F Campbell DSO, DFC and Flight Lieutenant R T Fleming DFC. Includes operational history.
Letter to Group Captain Sir Louis Greig from Leonard Cheshire
To Personnel Air Secretary Air Ministry. Apologises for late reply and writes that he has passed message to the squadron. Most disappointed that visit was missed and look to time when they might be more fortunate.
Letter from Leonard Cheshire to Wing Commander H J Wilson
To Royal Aircraft Establishment stating that present scale of operation precludes visits for some time. Is returning memorandum that was lent.
Bombing leaders instruction signal 22 April 1944
Signal provides weapons settings for tonight. Details distributor, delay and TV settings for bomb sight. Details photo flash and camera settings. Provides specific settings for 52 Base, East Kirby Base and 617 Squadron. Concludes with instructions on…
Albert Thomas Smith's service record
The service record of Albert Thomas Smith covering the period from his enlistment on 15 January 1926 to discharge on 23 March 1953. It includes reference to Albert being twice mentioned in despatches and being awarded the British Empire Medal and the…
Letter from Adjutant RAF Aston Down to Leonard Cheshire
Thanks him on behalf of Wing Commander Thomas for all the lectures he gave to flight leaders school.
Letter to Leonard Cheshire from the Vice Chief of Air Staff
From Air Marshall Sir Douglas Evill on behalf of Chief of Air Staff congratulating Cheshire on the award of the Victoria Cross. Writes of Cheshire's record and leadership in Bomber Command.
Letter to Leonard Cheshire from Group Captain Sir Louis Greig
From Personal Air Secretary on behalf of Secretary of State apologising for not getting to RAF Woodhall Spa due to poor weather. Hopes Sir Archibald Sinclair would visit 617 Squadron at earliest opportunity.
Bomb aimers briefing - Paris marshalling yards
Shows one bomb load for squadron. Includes preselection settings, Window, effort level and method including target marking by Pathfinder Mosquito. On the reverse, route, wave details and heights.
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.
Bomb aimers briefing 17 April 1944
Shows one bomb load. Includes preselection zero hour and method including target marking. Mentions Pathfinder Mosquito will mark target and then 15 aircraft of 617 Squadron will illuminate. 'Scrubbed' in large letters across the page. On the reverse…
Bomb aimers briefing 24 March 1945 - Berchtesgaden
Bombing details of operation on Berchtesgaden. Includes preselection settings, effort, marking details and other instructions.
Bomb aimers briefing 12 June 1944 - Caen
Shows several bomb loads with some crossed out. Details preselector settings and other information. Includes timings, route and marking method. On the reverse bombing instructions, oboe marking and mentions 617 Squadron dropping 12000 pound bombs. At…
Ernie Twells' Operations
A list of 48 operations undertaken by Ernie Twells. It details date, target and flight time.
No. 5 Group Operation Order No. B. 976
A Top Secret document referring to the operation to the Ruhr dams. There is a general section describing the purpose of the operation, a section on defences and the priorities of the attack. There is a list of 19 aircraft and their crew from 617…
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…
Interpretation report - Saumur tunnel - provisional statement of damage
Concentration of craters at south end of target area, severe damage to tracks and embankment. Notes direct hit in roof of tunnel a few feet from south entrance and lists six other areas of damage.
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…
Interpretation Report, Le Havre, provisional statement of damage
Describes damage to E-boat pens mentioning some direct hits and definite damage to north-west corner. Mentions other hits and heavy damage to small craft, a floating dock, jetties and basins. Limited damage outside dock area.
Extract from bomber command summary of operations, Le Havre E-boat pens - effect of 12,000 lb bombs
Mentions two or three direct hits which penetrated the roof as well as some near misses. Describes damage to roof and foundations and subsequent collapse of the roof.
Royal Air Force file cover - Boulogne, dusk 15/16 June 1944
Buff file cover lists contents: No photos - all failures, Photographic Reconnaissance Unit, interpretation report. crew list.