Browse Items (675 total)

  • Tags: Pathfinders

PShepherdGC18010094.jpg
Three-quarter length portrait of a flight lieutenant wearing tunic with air gunner brevet, medal ribbons, pathfinder badge and peaked cap. Black airman wearing beret behind.

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MShepherdGC3030576-180525-110001.jpg
Two pages each with a large number of miniature full-face portraits of group captains, wing commanders, squadron leaders and one flight lieutenant all with considerable decorations. (DSO, DFC, AFC, AFM, OBE). All are from the famous Pathfinder Force…

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MShepherdGC3030576-180525-090001.jpg
Long article telling the story of the Pathfinder Force from early bombing with poor results, through better aircraft, equipment and tactical improvements to the formation of the Pathfinder Force. Mentions Air Vice Marshall D C T Bennett CBE, DSO.…

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MShepherdGC3030576-180525-070018.jpg
Top - photograph of a large group of airmen wearing tunics with air gunner brevet and peaked or side caps; sitting and standing in five rows with Lancaster in the background. Captioned 'The air gunners of 7 P.F.F. Sqn, W/Cdr Davies DSO DFC (B Flt),…

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MShepherdGC3030576-180525-070017.jpg
Top - photograph of a large number of airmen wearing battledress sitting and standing in 6 rows. Captioned '7 Squadron Pathfinder Force. 6th row: Sgts Hill, Shaughnessy, Stedman, Short, Yule, Woolloff, Wood, Boden. 5th row: Sgts F/Sgt Earl, F/Sgt…

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MShepherdGC3030576-180525-070016.jpg
List operations January to July 1945. All wartime operations as MUG on Lancaster with F/Sgt Boden as pilot. After hostilities, missions include food dropping and repatriating prisoners of war. Bottom left - Pathfinder certificate awarding badge to…

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MShepherdGC3030576-180525-070014.jpg
List operations on 27 August as MUG and skipper awarded DFM. Continues to list operations through September, October, November and December 1944. All in Lancaster with F/Sgt Boden as pilot. Includes photograph of a large group of airmen wearing…

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MShepherdGC3030576-180525-070013.jpg
Gives account of flying in April 1944 as air gunner on Wellington from log book remarks. In June notes moving to Stirling for conversion and transfer to LFS as mid upper gunner. Gives account of first war operation on 7 Squadron on 7 August 1944.…

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SHarriganD[Ser#-DoB]v330002.mp3
Ken Cook joined the RAF in 1941 and trained as a bomb aimer. He was posted to 9 Squadron at RAF Bardney. After approximately ten ops the crew were posted to the Pathfinder Force at RAF Bourn where he became radar navigator and air bomber. They…

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AMahaddieH900726.mp3
Conversation recorded for the Nanton Lancaster Society.
Hamish Mahaddie, the recruiter for the Pathfinder Force recalls the life of Ian Willoughby Bazalgette VC, who plagued him weekly for the opportunity to join the Pathfinders. He had been posted…

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AMahaddieH900728.mp3
Hamish Mahaddie was selected during a tour of operations to become the recruiter for the Pathfinders working closely with Don Bennett. He discusses the changing technology of aircraft during the war years. He personally flew the Whitleys, Stirlings,…

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LStevensGE1605523v1.pdf
G Stevens’ Navigator’s Air Bomber’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book from 26th July 1943 until 11th October 1946 as a flight engineer.
From 1660 Conversion Unit posted to 50 Squadron for operations. Posted Aircrew School and then to 1654…

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NMackieNAJ210811-05.jpg
Quotes message sent from Winston Churchill to Air Chief Marshall Sir Arthur Harris. Expresses gratitude felt by the nation for he glorious part played by Bomber Command. Gives some examples of the work of the command in particular carrying the load…

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NMackieNAJ210811-010002.jpg
Includes b/w photograph of a Mosquito being loaded with a 4000lb HC bomb. Notes that he Mark XVI Mosquito could fly above specially installed high level anti-aircraft guns in Berlin. Aircraft were part of night light striking force controlled by the…

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MKeatingR1338063-160822-040001.jpg
A document sent by Channel 4 after a request from Marie Laydon. The document quotes Hamish Mahaddie's comments on bombing during the war.

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BLaydonMKeatingRv2.pdf
A brief biography of Raymond provided by his sister, Marie Laydon.

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BLaydonMKeatingRv1.pdf
A memoir by Raymond's sister.

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MMackieNAJ88410-210811-330003.jpg
Recommendation for award of Distinguished Service Order. Included details and account of leading a formation on an operation to Duisburg. Mentions that he had just completed his third tour having been shot down on his second and evaded to return to…

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MMackieNAJ88410-210811-200001.jpg
Gives service history of Wing Commader N A J Mackie DSO, DFC currently OC Admin at RAF Coningsby. Completed 32 operations on Hampdens and Manchesters with 83 Squadron. Instructional tour on Wellingtons then return to 83 Squadron on Lancasters. Shot…

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SSmithRW425992v10003-0002 copy.pdf
Covers his operational tour and bombing operations.

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MMackieNAJ88410-210811-150001.jpg
Lancaster ED313, 83 Squadron RAF Wyton. Details of attack and shooting down by Me 110 11/12 March 1943. Aircraft crashed in France, Five crew baled out, 3 evaded, two became prisoners of war and two were killed. Noted that pieces of the aircraft were…

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MMackieNAJ88410-210811-03.pdf
The document describes Norman's last school days and using various means to try to join the RAF, finally being accepted for pilot training, with service deferred until June 1940. It covers initial training at No 2 ITW Cambridge; continues with…

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EMackieNAJCooper[Mr]850102-0001 b.jpg
Norman is aware that Mr Copper is intending to write a book about the RAF Escaping Society and seeking stories from members. He describes being shot down on the 20th operation (Stuttgart) of his second tour with 83 Squadron. He recounts his …

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LMackieNAJ88410v2.pdf
Norman Mackie’s Flying Log Book 2 as a pilot from 29 September 1942 until 12 December 1944. Continued in 29 OTU and 83 Squadron for operations until March 1943 when shot down by a Messerschmidt 110. Baled out at 1500 feet. Captured but escaped.…

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LShepherdGC3030576v1.pdf
George Shepherd’s Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book as an Air Gunner from 24 December 1943 until July 1948. Training took place with 11 Air Gunnery School, 12 Operational Training Unit, 1657 Conversion Unit and 3 Lancaster finishing…

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