Browse Items (84 total)
- Temporal Coverage starts with "1940-06"
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Battle of the Espero convoy. Part 1
An exchange of salvos is taking place between three Regia Marina vessels and seven Royal Navy ships crossing a calm sea. Plumes of black smoke are billowing out of the funnels. Shell splashes are occurring around the Italian ships.
Label reads…
Label reads…
Battle of the Espero convoy. Part 2
A fire is raging on the deck of the Espero. Explosions send large amounts of water shooting up into the sky. A second vessel, engulfed in flames and smoke, is visible in the background.
Label reads “8”; signed by the author; caption reads…
Label reads “8”; signed by the author; caption reads…
Battle of the Espero convoy. Part 3
A Royal Navy vessel exchanges salvos with an enemy ship in the distance. Both are engulfed in flames and plumes of smoke. Shells are exploding in the water near both vessels.
Label reads “9”; signed by the author; caption reads “(3) … Ed…
Label reads “9”; signed by the author; caption reads “(3) … Ed…
Battle of the Espero convoy. Part 4
The destroyer Espero is sinking rapidly in a rough sea. Its stern is raised high into the air, exposing the rudder and propeller, whilst the bow is already submerged. Flames and smoke are engulfing the bridge. A lifeboat with survivors is visible on…
Battle of the Espero convoy. Part 5
The badly damaged operations room of destroyer Espero, with a gaping hole in the ship's side and pieces of machinery engulfed in smoke. Five men are visible in total, three officers dressed in white uniforms and two seamen in blue with red stripes…
Battle of the Espero convoy. Part 6
Two life rafts are packed with survivors, some clothed others almost naked. The life raft in the foreground carries approximately nine men. Two others are being helped to climb on board. Two of the men appear seriously injured and one holds a pistol.…
Battle of the Espero convoy. Part 7
The searchlight of a Royal Navy vessel casts a yellow beam onto a group of survivors. Some of them are swimming, others are on a raft. In the foreground, a life craft can be seen on the turret on the deck of another ship. A second Royal Navy vessel…
Interview with Ernest Holmes
Ernest Holmes joined the RAF and served as a pilot, flying operations first with 76 Squadron and then on Pathfinders. Gives a vivid and detailed account of when he was shot down over Holland: how he was given shelter by a farmer’s family and moved…
Interview with Gerald Rich
Gerald’s father, Wilfred, joined the Royal Air Force in January 1920 and stayed until about 1927 training as an aircraft fitter. He re-joined in June 1940 at RAF Cardington. In 1944, upon completion of training, he went to No. 1 Air Gunnery School…
Letter from Donald Baker to his mother
Writes that he is pleased tobacco prices had been good. Continues with social activities, mentions Bulawayo young peoples club and playing rugby. Concludes writing about his accommodation.
Letter from David Boldy to his father
Letter from David Boldy to his father about being stationed in Scotland and visiting Edinburgh.
Letter from David Boldy to his father
Letter from David Boldy to his father about being stationed in Scotland, waiting to start the air observers school. He has visited Edinburgh and been swimming locally.
Letter from David Boldy to his father
Letter from David Boldy to his father about his daily activities after leaving Scotland for Hastings, and visiting his mother and Steve whilst passing through London. He comments the current military situation.
Letter from David Boldy to his father
Letter from David Boldy to his father about his daily activities at Hastings, and then at Torquay. Comments on the French government, mentions a meeting with Cecil and cadet training
Letter from David Boldy to his mother and brother
Letter from David Boldy to his mother and brother. He let them know that he has moved from Hastings to Torquay and includes some of his observations on his new posting, with references to girls evacuated from London.
Letter from David Boldy to his mother and brother
Letter from David Boldy to his mother and brother. Exclaims the benefit French reinforcements after a peace treaty; discusses his financial affairs and mentions his daily routine and chores; he describes the taking of his ‘ghastly’ official…
Letter from David Boldy to his mother and brother
Letter from David Boldy to his mother and brother. States that he is on flight duty shifts and that his kit is all pack to leave Hastings; discusses the different women he met at the dance and the beach, whilst discussing the Royal Air Force leaving…
Letter from David Boldy to his mother
Letter from David Boldy to his mother. Speaks about leaving Hastings, the leading aircraftsman course. He is swimming and is delighted with the number of girls around, and discusses a bombing attack on London.
Letter from David Boldy to his mother
Letter from David Boldy to his mother. Speaks about his daily life in Torquay including drill, physical training and fire picket duties. He comments on his social life with the girls.
Letter from David Boldy to his mother
Letter from David Boldy to his mother. He writes about his finances, the lack of hot water and that he is hoping for leave. He comments on the French surrendering.
Letter from David Boldy to his mother
Letter from David Boldy to his mother giving details of his daily routine in the RAF and his social life including swimming, playing tennis and meeting girls.
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…
Luftwaffe Record Sheet
Summarising the activities of the different aircraft groups.
Peter Hattersley's pilot's flying log book
Pilot's log book for Wing Commander Peter Hattersley, covering the period 10 April 1937 to 24 September 1948. It details his flying training, operations flown and other flying duties. He was stationed at Hanworth Park, RAF Reading, RAF Netheravon,…
Harry Aspinall's service record
The service record of Harry Aspinall from 21 June 1940 to 23 April 1944.