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History of RAF Hemswell
Outlines the history of RAF Hemswell starting from its origin as RAF Harpswell in 1918 until peacetime operations in the the 50s. The station was equipped with Ansons, then Blenheims. Part of No 3 Group, 61 and 144 Squadrons. Changed to No 5 Group,…
44 Squadron and the Wesserling Raid 21/22 June 1944
Six page document courtesy of the late Allen White - 44 Squadron Historian. Reproduces narratives from three 44 Squadron crews involved in the operation. Overall the operation lost 37 crews from 120 launched against Wesserling oil refinery near…
Interview with Fred Young
Fred Young volunteered for the Royal Air Force at seventeen and flew operations as a flight engineer with 57 Squadron from RAF East Kirkby. He recounts his experiences on several operations including Berlin, Magdeburg, Leipzig, Essen, Munich,…
More war memories. The RAF bombing raids on Revigny
Describes how his aircraft was shot down on an operation to Revigny by an Me 110 night fighter. He baled out. and was captured. After being interrogated he became a prisoner of war. In February 1944, as the Russians advanced, he and his fellow…
Derrick Allen citation for Conspicuous Gallantry Medal
Account of night 2 November 1944. Sergeant Allen's Lancaster was attacked by night fighter after successful attack on Dusseldorf. Allen opened fire twice and damaged fighter but the Lancaster was badly damaged. Whilst Lancaster was in uncontrolled…
New museum in spotlight
Article 1 refers to funding for the Bomber Command museum at Hendon from RAF Swinderby.
Article 2 is a wartime memoir by Ivor Cole, 103 Squadron.
Article 3 describes some of the exhibits at the new Hendon museum.
Article 2 is a wartime memoir by Ivor Cole, 103 Squadron.
Article 3 describes some of the exhibits at the new Hendon museum.
Interview with Herbert Adams
Herbert Adams grew up in New South Wales Australia and joined the Air Training Corps as soon as it was established. He later joined the Royal Australian Air Force and after training, he completed a tour of operations as a navigator with 467 Squadron.…
Interview with George Crooks
George Crooks was an apprentice electrician before volunteering for the Royal Air Force at the age of eighteen. After his training he served as an armourer with 50 Squadron at RAF Swinderby and later RAF Skellingthorpe. He later worked experimenting…
Interview with Johnny Johnson. Two
George ‘Johnny’ Johnson was born in rural Lincolnshire. As a child he won a scholarship to Lord Wandsworth’s Agricultural College in Hampshire. He volunteered for the Royal Air Force at the outbreak of the Second World War and was selected for…
Interview with Jean Smith
When war broke out, Jean was working in the Ministry of Aircraft Production. She joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force in 1942 and did two months’ training at Innsworth camp. Jean was posted to 27 Operational Training Unit at RAF Lichfield as…
Route plan for no. 5 group Ladbergen March 3rd, 1945
Planned operation on Ladbergen on 3 March 1945. Mandrel screen and window were to be deployed. Captioned 'ROUTE PLAN
FOR No. 5 GROUP
LADBERGEN
MARCH 3RD, 1945'
FOR No. 5 GROUP
LADBERGEN
MARCH 3RD, 1945'
Bombing instruction signal
Signal to all 5 Group Stations instructing bomb aimers to that the 32 point distributor setting is to be 0.25 seconds until further notice.
Bombing Leader Instruction Signal
Includes 32 point distributor settings and bombing instructions. 4 Lb incendiary v false height load setting. Photo flash settings.
Bomb aimers briefing 11 March 1945 - Essen
Indicates a single bomb load for operations on 11 March 1945. Includes time on target, preselection settings, false height settings and other notes. Annotated '146 of 5 Group and 800 a/c of other Groups'. On the reverse marking and tactics including…
44 Squadron Personnel Occurrence Reports - Airmen RAF
Contains lists of promotions, movements and movement corrections for airmen on 44 Squadron.
Standby for operation broadcast signal 20 January 1944
Signal from 5 Group to all 5 Group Stations stating standby for operations on 20 January. Details A and B bomb loads with preselection settings. On the reverse 'Bombing Leader from Int'.
Statistics form
Unit 44 Squadron, Lancaster Mk III. Filled in for all other flying 18 day and 5 night. Page is scribbled over with lines.
Bomb aimers briefing 14 October 1944 - Brunswick
Shows two bomb loads for ten and seven aircraft respectively. Details preselection settings, weight, Window and broadcast wind information. On the reverse marking plan, bombing instructions and alternative plan.
Meteorological reports for cross country flights
Details meteorological report requirements for flights. Covers rules for making and recording observations in the air, and actions on completion of flights, States that Squadron navigation officers and station meteorological officers are responsible…
Personnel occurrence report (airmen)
Lists airmen under headings promotions, promotion correction, results of courses, marriages and movements to the unit.
Signal jettison areas 10 April 1944
Signal indicating bomb jettison areas agreed with Royal Navy. On the reverse some calculations.
Personnel occurrence report (airmen)
Lists airmen under headings movements to the unit and movements from the unit
Personnel occurrence report (airmen)
Lists airmen under heading movements from the unit,
Ernie Twells' recommendation for D.F.C.
A document recommending the award of a Distinguished Flying Cross to Ernie Twells.
Interview with Harry Irons. One
Harry Irons left a tailoring apprenticeship to join the Royal Air Force and trained as a wireless operator but actually became an air-gunner. He describes the uniform he wore and the unreliability of heated suits. Discusses the invention of…