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Interview with Norman Goodfellow
Norman Goodfellow was born in Wakefield, in 1923. Before the war he worked as an apprentice engineer. Joining the RAF aged 17 he was offered the choice of pilot or navigator. Although Norman chose to be a navigator he, initially, trained as a pilot…
Interview with Robert Barnes. One
Robert Barnes was working in a Reserved Occupation and knew the only way he could join the RAF was to volunteer for aircrew. Before he volunteered he was also a member of the ARP and Home Guard. Robert trained as a flight engineer and was posted to…
Interview with Robert Barnes. Two
Robert Barnes, as flight engineer, had to deal with an emergency on one flight when, during the process of changing the fuel tanks, the aircraft went into a steep dive.
Interview with Edward Robert McRae
Ted McRae volunteered for aircrew and trained as a gunner. He was usually in the mid-upper turret but would sometimes swap places with the rear gunner. On one trip, repatriating ex-prisoners of war, his aircraft crashed. He and the other gunner were…
Memoir Flight Lieutenant Gordon Cruickshank D.F.M. RAFRO
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;…
Gordon Cruickshank life on squadrons 1940-1944
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…
G Cruickshank Memoir
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…
Interview with Eric Coling
Eric Coling’s father died when Eric was a child which left his mother to cope on her own, economically. Eric and his sister were sent to live in an orphanage but their mother was able to visit monthly. When Eric left the orphanage he began working…
The day I reviewed the German army
The memoir details the events after Sergeant George Reid Williamson baled out of his Lancaster over Chateau-Thierry. After hiding in a wood for a few days, he met a local farmer who took him back to the farmhouse for food and a large overcoat. While…
Citation for award of Victoria Cross to Flying Officer Leslie Thomas Manser
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,…
Invitations for Mr and Mrs George Bubb
Two invitations for Mr and Mrs G Bubb. The first to the presentation of colours to 44 and 50 Squadron's by HRH Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, on 15 July 1967. The second to a luncheon following the presentation of colours on the same date. On the…
Harry Parkins' flight engineer log book
The log book covers the training and operational career Sergeant Harry Parkins from 20 December 1943 to March 1954. He flew in Stirling, Lancaster, Anson, C-47, Lancastrian, Valetta, Lincoln. Harry Parkins flew 47 operations - 30 night operations and…
Leonard Green’s navigator’s, air bomber’s and air gunner’s flying log book
Navigator's air bomber’s and air gunner’s flying log book for Flight Sergeant Leonard Green, wireless operator, covering the period from 15 December 1942 to 20 January 1946. He was stationed at RAF Manby, RAF Wigtown, RAF Bitteswell, RAF…
Sydney Grimes' observer's and air gunner's flying log book
Royal Air Force observer's and air gunner's flying log book for Sydney Grimes, wireless operator, covering the period from 2 July 1942 to 22 August 1945. Detailing training, operations flown, instructional duties and post war flying. He was stationed…
John Firth's navigator's, air bomber's and air gunner's flying log book
Navigator's, air bomber's and air gunner's flying log book for Sergeant John Firth from 31 March 1944 to 7 August 1944. Detailing training and operations flown. Served at RAF Wigsley, RAF Syerston, RAF Skellingthorpe. Aircraft flown were Stirling and…
St. Cyr
Target photograph of St. Cyr, urban area, street patterns visible although largely obscured by smoke and dust from bomb explosions. Two sets of railway tracks from top right corner, four bomb explosions and many bomb craters. A red dot is visible on…
J/Laroche
Target photograph of Laroche - Migennes. Largely rural but with built up area along canal that runs top to bottom on left side of photograph and also across the top third, street patterns clearly visible. Railway with extensive sidings runs alongside…
Le Havre
Target photograph of Le Havre. Rural area, centre of photograph obscured by smoke and dust, craters and one dropping bomb visible. Captioned '5° F', '5B', '2625 SKELL. 10.9.44. // 8" 11000' [arrow] 130° 1723, LE HAVRE RD. D. 11x1000. 4x500. …
Boulogne
Target photograph of Boulogne. Rural area, smoke and dust obscures much of the photograph, many craters visible. Captioned '8° F', '5B', 2897 SKELL 17.9.44 // 7000' [arrow] 160° 0946 BOULOGNE RD. Z. 11x1000, 4x500. C24secs. F/O FIRMIN G. …
Stephen Dawson's pilot's flying log book. One
Pilots flying log book for Stephen Dawson, covering the period from 11 June 1939 to 30 March 1942. Detailing his flying training, operations and instructor duties. He was stationed at RAF Southampton, RAF Hastings, RAF Hatfield, RAF Little…
Bergueneuse
Target photograph of Bergueneuse. Mainly rural, houses visible either side of road, some smoke and dust, craters visible. Captioned '5° F', '5B', '2478 SKELL. 31.8.44. //8" 13000' [arrow] 190° 1819, BERGUENEUSE RD. W. 11X1000. 4X500. C. …
Gilze-Rijen
Target photograph of Gilze-Rijen. Runway running top to bottom of photograph, taxyways visible as are craters and bomb explosions. Centre of photograph obscured by smoke and dust. Red dot centre left. Captioned '3°F', '5B', '2084 SKELL. 15.8.44. …
Foret de L'Adam
Target photograph of Foret de L'Adam. River Oise running top to bottom right side of photograph, railway running close to river, road bridge across rive. Bomb explosions with smoke and dust obscure bottom left of photograph. Road network in forest…
Gilze-Rijen
Target photograph of Gilze-Rijen. End of a runway lower centre together with taxyways, centre of photograph obscured by bomb explosions, dust and smoke. Craters visible. Red dot lower centre. Captioned '3°F', '6B', '2138 SKELL. 15.8.44. //. 8"…
Foret de L'Isle Adam
Target photograph of Forêt de L'Isle-Adam. Road rail bridge over river Oise top right, bottom left obscured by cloud with smoke and dust, bomb explosions and craters visible. Captioned '5°F', '5B', '2208 SKELL. 18.8.44 //8" 12000' [arrow] 090°…