Browse Items (57 total)
- Temporal Coverage starts with "1939-09"
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Telegram announcing outbreak of war
A telegram to all RAF units stating 'War has broken out with Germany only'.
Seeding the Storm
Account of John Mitchell's career in the Royal Air Force from Oct 1934 until November 1957. Writes of his early ambitions to fly, and joining the RAF as a wireless operator. Describes his training and early postings to Worthy Down on Vickers…
Postcard to J Ball
![E[Author]ABallJ[Date]-010001.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/1490/27530/E[Author]ABallJ[Date]-010001.jpg "E[Author]ABallJ[Date]-010001.jpg")
Envelope with postcard and strip of photographs. Postcard artwork shows girl at wishing well at LLandrindod Wells. Text to Joan from Grandma about time in Wales. Srip of 11 photographs showing buildings and countryside.
John Mitchell - list of operations 1939-1940
Flight Sergeant wireless operator on 58 Squadron at RAF Linton-on-Ouze flying Whitley III. First operation to Ruhr to drop leaflets and crash landed in France on the way back. Other operations were convoy patrol and bombing in France, Netherlands,…
First Operation
John Mitchell describes events during his first operation to drop leaflets on the Rhur. After engine failure they force crash landed in a field in France. They were gathered by French Gendarmes and flown back to England three days later. In addition…
John Mitchell - notes for memoire
Notes describing first leaflet sortie, problems with starboard engine, forced landing and activities in France and return to England. Then moves on to 207 Squadron and lists operations and flying after finishing second tour and post war.
John Mitchell's flying log book. One
L Mitchell’s air gunner’s flying log book covering the period from 1 July 1936 to 17 September 1941. Detailing his flying training and operations flown as air gunner. He was stationed at Upper Heyford, Driffield, Boscombe Down and Linton-on-Ouse…
Interview with Margaret Irene Maxwell
Margaret was almost twelve years old at the outbreak of World War Two and living in Romford, Essex. She remembers the announcement made by Neville Chamberlain on the radio on September 3rd 1939. Margaret recounts being issued with a gas mask and how…
Letter from Frank Nolan to T G Green, A.I.D Office at A V Roe
Argues that his seniority for redundancy should be dated back to 3 September 1939 (not 9 March 1942) as he served earlier during the war and war in receipt of disability pension.
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…
My War
Starts with early life and interest in aviation, including photographs of pre WW2 aircraft seen at Croydon airport. Recollects going to last open day at RAF Biggin Hill. Continues account of events of lead up to and start of the war. Writes a little…
Flashbacks 0 to 4
Starts with commentary on family in Poland and names recorded on visits to Poland. Continues with account of early life, school and life in Poland before the war.
Flashback 1. Mentions first operation on 300 Squadron at RAF Faldingworth. Continues…
Flashback 1. Mentions first operation on 300 Squadron at RAF Faldingworth. Continues…
Bill Eyles service history
Enlisted in 1939, ground staff until re-mustered as aircrew, Feb 1943 to RAF St Eval, anti-submarine sweeps. May 1943 to 78 Squadron, 1943 instructing at OTU, July 1944 to 35 Squadron Pathfinders, total of 66 operations. Demobbed February 1946.
Cover of book - Bomber Boys
Cover with photograph of six aircrew standing and sitting in front of a bomber. Inside on front page, a brief handwritten account of John Doxsey's service on 149 Squadron September 1939 - September 1940. Mentions his crew positions and two pilots…
Interview with Wanda Szuwalska
Wanda Szuwalska was born on a farm in Poland and was deported to Russia by train at the start of the Second World War. She talks of the journey to Russia, the time she and her family spent there, then coming to England and becoming a WAAF. Wanda…
Arnold Louis Christian's Biography
A biography written by his grandson, covering from 1929 to 1941.
Nicht euer Kind
Describes the effects of sowing hatred. Hitler had talked about war for 20 years, prepared for 7 years and started it on 1st September 1939. The people whose land he has occupied and attacked are said to hate him. An ever increasing hatred is…
Letter from Jack Hay to 'Auntie'
Complains about speed of mail and passes on new address and mentions mail received. Catches up with family news and gossip.
Record of service for Squadron Leader Robert Antony Maurice Palmer VC DFC* AE (115772) RAFVR
Gives personal details, service as an airman, commissioned service with promotions, postings including 75, 149 and 109 Squadrons, honours and awards including Victoria Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross and bar, mentioned in despatches, and air…
Bertram Yeandle and Irene Somers Wedding Day
Bertram and Irene's wedding.
Letter from David Donaldson to his mother
![EDonaldsonDDonaldson[Mo]390902-0001.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/1213/40130/EDonaldsonDDonaldson[Mo]390902-0001.jpg "EDonaldsonDDonaldson[Mo]390902-0001.jpg")
Letter saying he has arrived safely but is not happy about the prospect of war.
Air Commodore Richard Kellet's Obituary
An obituary published in the Times with a second cutting with a correction from an air vice-marshal.
Hugh Forth’s pilots flying log book. One
Pilots flying log book one for H O Forth, covering the period from 7 March 1938 to 15 September 1940. Detailing his flying training and operations flown. He was stationed at RAF Desford, RAF Shawbury, RAF Manston, RAF Boscombe Down, Auberive France,…
Appendix I. Malta dockyard - period of siege 1940-1943
When Italy entered the war in 1940, air raids were conducted over key military targets and peaked during the first half of 1942. Attacks ceased altogether by 1943 once Italy had surrendered. The various dockyards maintained efforts to keep ships in…