Browse Items (245 total)

  • Temporal Coverage starts with "1942-05"

LSmithEW174520v1.pdf
Pilot’s flying log book for Flight Sergeant Ernest Smith from 11 February 1939 to 31 March 1943, detailing his pilot training and 20 operations with 144 Squadron on the following targets in Belgium, France and Germany: Aachen, Antwerp, Brest,…

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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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PHarrisJ1901.jpg
Jack Harris was born in Gillingham, Kent. At sixteen, he undertook employment as a clerk in the intelligence department of the Air Ministry. He describes the brief evacuation of his department to Harrow in 1939 and receiving permission to leave his…

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EBainABainID420529.jpg
An aerogram written by Andrew when training in South Africa. He has now been there a week and has visited Johannesburg and Pretoria.

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EBainABainID420521.jpg
An aerogram written when Andrew was training in South Africa at no. 75 Air School, Lyttleton Camp, Transvaal. He writes that the food and accommodation are good and he hopes to visit her cousin Bill who lives near by.

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YThompsonKG1238603v1.pdf
During this period Keith Thompson did his basic RAF training in England then left for Canada to undertake his flying training.

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PThompsonKG15010017.jpg
A station building captioned 'Rail station only rails there now 1983'.
Photogrpahs of street scenes with cars and a motor coach, people walking by a canal, a man in RAF uniform with training flash, a woman standing in a street, a field and two…

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BCruickshankGCruickshankGv1.pdf
Memoir written in 1956 by Flight Lieutenant Cruickshank. It starts with his early childhood and family life. It includes his early time in RAF after enlisting in December 1938 with first job as balloon operator and then training as an air gunner;…

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PCruickshankG1501-0016.jpg
Reconnaissance photograph photograph of city centre with major road running top to bottom and railway lines on right side. Captioned in 1956 Memoir between pages 26-27 'Cologne after first 1,000 Bomber raid 1942'. On the reverse 'Cologne, C2550'.

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BCruickshankGCruickshankGv2.pdf
Mentions time as a balloon operator at Felixstowe and then training as an air gunner. First tour on 50 Squadron RAF Swinderby on Manchesters, but had to wait for aircraft to arrive as squadron still flying Hampden when he arrived later transferred to…

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BCruickshankGCruickshankGv3.pdf
Describes life with family from 1918. Joined Army – 4th Queen's Own Hussars on 2nd January 1936. Joined RAF 1938 and trained as balloon operator then applied as air gunner, arriving at RAF Swinderby in December 1941. Took part in 50 Squadron…

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SCruickshankG629128v10003-0001.jpg
Relates actions of Manser as captain of Manchester during the first 1,000 bomber operation on Cologne on 30 May 1942. After damage to aircraft Manser persisted in efforts to save aircraft. Once crash was inevitable he ordered his crew to bail out,…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420504-0001.jpg
Writes about exams and passing. Mentions leave possibility and church parade. Speculates over embarkation and writes of being re-equipped. Starts writing about a friend's experience of a bombing attack on Bath but then breaks off. Resumes to write of…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420507-0001.jpg
Writes that he is still alive despite Lord Haw Haw's broadcast of German bombing attacks on Eastbourne. Mentions damage to nearby buildings. Describes attack by Me 109s including machine gunning and dropping bombs - and how they had to hide from the…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420510-0001.jpg
Writes about measures after bombing attack - half the course to go on leave and other, including his flight, to man gun post. Describes how he and friend Derry rushed to get the first post. They are on a very exposed gun post with a Vickers machine…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420512-0001.jpg
Bill writes about possible leave - keeps changing. Now on 2-3 hr shifts on the gun post, but also have to get there quickly if there is an air raid warning. Says no air raids recently but saw Me 109 at high level and resulting anti aircraft fire.…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420515-0001.jpg
Bill describes his new location in Scotland as a desolate place, comparing it unfavourably with his previous stations: 'posh hotels, fashionable seaside resorts, country mansions'. Stranraer is about 12 miles away. Mentions that there are Ansons,…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420521-0001.jpg
Bill writes that he is happier with location and work will be interesting. Little chance of long leaves. Would like to get his bike up there, so he can go on 'good rides' around the local countryside. Mentions Stranraer as a 'dismal sort of place'.…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420524-0001.jpg
Bill mentions that he was disappointed not to go overseas for training but that his mother would be pleased he is staying for home training. Writes of enjoying Eastbourne but is now at new completely different type of location at West Freugh.…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420527.jpg
Writes of sending cash and asks about getting savings certificates.

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PAkrillWE1907.jpg
Fifty one airmen and four staff sitting and standing in six rows in front of Eastbourne College. All students are wearing tunic and side caps. On the reverse 'No 1 Elementary Air Navigation School, Eastbourne, 2 Flight, D Squadron, 7.3.42 - 14.5.42'.

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YGeachDG1394781v2.pdf
First of David Geach's diaries, covering training in London, Brighton and St. Andrews from 9 February 1942 to 16 June 1942.

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LStachiewiczM170522v1.pdf
Pilot Officer Mieczysław Stachiewicz's RAF Pilot’s Flying Log Book from 11 June 1941 to 21 November 1942 detailing his training and operations as a pilot. He was stationed at RAF Peterborough (No. 25 (Polish) Elementary Flying Training School),…

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PStachiewiczM17010045.jpg
A list of 16 aircraft and crew lost between May and November 1942 from 301 Squadron.
Business card for P/O Harry William Bock, Polish Air Force.

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MParkerJJ1062881-160315-03.jpg
Menu celebrating a course graduation from D Squadron No 166 Officer Cadet Traing School, Douglas Isle of Man at Collinson's Cafe on Monday 18 May 1942, signed by some of the attendees, John Joseph Parker's at the top. Included is a note written by…

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