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617 squadron badge
Front and back of 617 squadron's badge, with the motto 'Apres Moi Le Deluge'.
Interview with Colin Cole
Colin Cole was brought up and schooled at Twickenham, and worked for a time at W H Smith before joining the Royal Air Force. He trained as a wireless operator/air gunner at RAF Yatesbury and RAF Barrow in Furness. He then served with 617 Squadron,…
Colin Cole's navigator's, air bomber's, air gunner's and flight engineer's flying log book
Navigator’s, air bomber’s, air gunner’s and flight engineer’s flying log book for Warrant Officer Colin Cole from 5 August 1943 to 23 September 1946. Detailing training schedule and operations flown. Served at RAF Yatesbury, RAF Mona, RAF…
Interview with Reg Woolgar
Reg Woolgar was born in Hove. He volunteered for the Royal Air Force in December 1939 and trained as a wireless operator/air gunner. He flew Hampdens with 49 Squadron. His aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire on a mine laying operation to Oslo…
Interview with Basil Ambrose
Basil Ambrose was born in Reading. He left school at fourteen and became an apprentice turner. He joined the Royal Air Force in May 1942 and trained as a turner before transferring to aircrew as a flight engineer. He trained at RAF St Athan, and…
Dam Busters 617 Squadron
Group of airmen arranged in four rows in front of a Lancaster. Captioned 'Dam Busters 617 Squadron'.
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 Glen Atkins
Glenn Atkins was born in Newport Pagnell and was called up for National Service in 1951. He was involved in exercises to test the defences of Europe during the Cold War. When he was released from National Service he returned to his former company…
Interview with John Richard Bell
John Bell completed 50 operations as a bomb aimer with 617 Squadron before becoming an instructor.
Interview with Kenneth Cook
Wing Commander Kenneth Cook was born in Randwick in Gloucestershire. At Marlings grammar school, he joined the Air Training Corps. On the outbreak of war he joined the Royal Air Force and went to America under the Arnold Scheme for pilot training.…
Interview with Johnny Johnson. One
George ‘Johnny’ Johnson was the bomb aimer in Lancaster AJ-T flown by Joe McCarthy during operation Chastise 16th of May 194. He discusses the attack on the dams and the events before and after the attack. He describes training over the Derwent…
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 Johnny Johnson.Three
George ‘Johnny’ Johnson comments on Paul Brickhill's book and on the 1955 film of the same name, expressing disappointment that there was no mention of the Sorpe Dam. He voices contempt for the unscrupulous people who have made money by selling…
Interview with Les Munro
John Leslie Munro was born in the area of Gisborne, New Zealand. He only completed two years of secondary education because of the economic slump and in 1936 began work on a sheep ranch and then a mixed farm. On the outbreak of the Second World War,…
Interview with Gerald Taylor
Warrant Officer Gerald Taylor joined the Royal Air Force in 1943 and after training in Canada, flew operations as a navigator with 550 and 617 Squadrons.
Interview with Robert Woodhouse
Robert Woodhouse was living in Pembroke Dock when the bombing of the town began. The family relocated to Cardiff when they lost their home in the bombing. In Cardiff Robert joined the Air Training Corps. He had a cousin who had already joined the RAF…
Interview with Syd Grimes
Sydney Grimes grew up near Southend and joined the RAF as a wireless operator in 1940. After training he was posted to RAF Cottesmore, where he met his crew. He completed a tour of operations with 106 Squadron from RAF Syerston. He then became an…
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…
Bomb aimers briefing 17 April 1944
Shows one bomb load. Includes preselection zero hour and method including target marking. Mentions Pathfinder Mosquito will mark target and then 15 aircraft of 617 Squadron will illuminate. 'Scrubbed' in large letters across the page. On the reverse…
Ernie Twells’ navigator’s, air bomber’s and air gunner’s flying log book
Royal Air Force Flying Log Book for Ernie Twells, flight engineer, covering the period from 15 June 1943 to 19 August 1945. Detailing training, operations flown and post war flying. He was stationed at RAF Swinderby, RAF Woodhall Spa, RAF Bramcote,…
617 Squadron memorial tie
Maroon tie with sky blue stripes and a repeated small dam with lightning strikes.
Ernie Twells' decorations
Ernie Twells' medals and ribbons with cases. Medals are Distinguished Flying Cross, War Medal 1939-45, 1939-45 Star and Air Crew Europe Star, Arctic Star and Bomber Command Clasp. Also included is a 617 Squadron badge.
Bomb aimers briefing 12 June 1944 - Caen
Shows several bomb loads with some crossed out. Details preselector settings and other information. Includes timings, route and marking method. On the reverse bombing instructions, oboe marking and mentions 617 Squadron dropping 12000 pound bombs. At…
Album title page
Captioned 'Flight Lieutenant Ernie Twells D.F.C. 619 Squadron 24 missions 617 Squadron 41 missions'.
Ernie Twells' recommendation for D.F.C.
A document recommending the award of a Distinguished Flying Cross to Ernie Twells.