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Constructional works Watten - narrative
Explains that the enemy had brought much vaunted secret weapons into action including V2 missile. Five launching platforms were known to exits and 617 as a precision bombing squadron to destroy these sites. First target allotted was at Watten to the…
Conversation with Les Giddings
Speaks a little about training and mentions cross country with Leonard Cheshire as pilot. Mentions first operation to Kassel. Gives details of aircraft involved on Leipzig operation including high loss rates. States he did not know what went wrong…
Crew list for Boulogne E-boats operation
States date 15/16 June 1944, target, zero hour 2235. Shows Wing Commander Cheshire leader and marker in Mosquito and 22 crews flying Lancaster all armed with Tallboy bombs.
Crew list for operation against Creil area dumps
Date: 4/5 July 1944, target, zero hour 0130 hours. Lists leader and marker 1, Wing Commander Cheshire flying P-51. Marker 2 in Mosquito and 17 Lancaster carrying one tallboy bomb each.
Crew list for operation against submarine pens in Le Havre
Specifies date - 14/15 June 1944, target and zero hour 2235 hours. Lists crews with Wing Commander Cheshire leading along with two other markers flying Mosquito and 22 crews flying Lancaster all armed with one Tallboy bomb.
Crew list for Saumur tunnel operation
Provides date - night 8/9 June 1944, target- railway tunnel and bridge, Saumur, zero hour - 0200. Leader and marker no 1 - Wing Commander Cheshire flying Mosquito. Lists pilot and navigator of two other markers flying Mosquito. Lists 25 other crews…
Crew list for Siracourt operation
Date 25 June 1944, target, zero hour 0905 hours.Lists leader and marker 1 in P51, two more markers in Mosquito and 17 crews in Lancaster carrying tallboy bombs.
Crew list for Watten operation
States date 19 June 1944, Target constructional works Watten, zero hour 1915/1931. Lists leader/marker Wing Commander Cheshire and marker 2, Squadron Leader Shannon in Mosquito with 18 crews flying Lancaster all armed with Tallboy bombs.
Crew list for Wizernes operation
Date 24 June 1944, target, zero hour 1750 hours. Lists leader and marker no 2 crews in Mosquito and sixteen crews in Lancaster all armed with Tallboy bombs.
E-boats and E-boat shelters, Le Havre, narrative
Account of operation against sheltered E-boats in Le Havre harbour. Tasks to assist Navy in their fight against E-boats who were operating against allied invasion forces. States pens would be invulnerable even to 12,000 lb bombs therefore, bombs…
Envelope addressed to Leonard Cheshire
Envelope addressed to Group Captain Cheshire, DSO, DFC at RAF Marston Moor. Postmarked London.
Eric Horsham Flight Engineer
Recollection of Eric Horsham from his early years in Plumstead, training at Lords, Torquay, St Athans, Marston Moor then 102 Squadron at Pocklngton. On one operation they were badly damaged but made a successful forced landing at Woodbridge, assisted…
Ernie Twells' Obituary and letter from the King
Ernie Twells' obituary detailing his life before, during and after the war.
A letter from the King awarding Ernie Twells his Distinguished Flying Cross.
A letter from the King awarding Ernie Twells his Distinguished Flying Cross.
Five airmen and bicycle
Three airmen in shirt sleeves sitting on the ground with a bicycle alongside. Surrounding them are three air force personnel wearing tunic and carrying gas mask cases, The one on the left has pilot's brevet and the one on the right sergeants stripes.…
Four Newspaper cuttings
Item 1 refers to a protest from Dresden over a statue to Sir Arthur Harris.
Item 2 is a letter thanking Sir Arthur Harris from a couple bombed out of their home in Liverpool.
Item 3 is an article titled 'Remembering Bomber H'.
Item 4 is a letter…
Item 2 is a letter thanking Sir Arthur Harris from a couple bombed out of their home in Liverpool.
Item 3 is an article titled 'Remembering Bomber H'.
Item 4 is a letter…
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…
Gnome et Rhône aero-engine factory
An oblique aerial photograph showing target indicators showering over the rows of workshop buildings at the Gnome et Rhône aero-engine factory. The photograph is taken at very low level.
Gnome Rhone works
Aerial photographs of the bombing of the Gnome Rhone aero engine works. Photograph 1 is a vertical aerial photograph of a bombing attack on the Gnome Rhone works. Much of the image is obscured by smoke and explosions. On the reverse 'Raid on Gnome…
Gnome Rhone works Limoges
A sequence of three inclined aerial photographs showing a group of buildings with a large flare bloom above them. Cheshire's aircraft is moving towards the top of the images with final image just showing flare. On the reverse '[..] 4086B'
Gnome Rhone works Limoges
Inclined aerial photograph showing completely dark image with fire centre right. There are a few spots of light around the fire. On the reverse 'Neg 1 Cam 1, 139, run 3, Night attack on Gnome Rhone Wks, Limoges, Date 8.2.44, Sqdn 617, W/C Cheshire…
Gnome Rhone works Limoges
Inclined aerial photograph showing completely dark image with fire in centre. There are a few spots of light around the fire. On the reverse 'Neg 2 Cam 2, 139, run 2, Night attack on Gnome Rhone Wks, Limoges, Date 8.2.44, Sqdn 617, W/C Cheshire DSO,…
Gnome Rhone works, Limoges
Inclined aerial photograph showing a line of buildings with flare bloom on bottom edge and a smaller one top centre, On the reverse '139 Neg 1, Rhone Gnome Wks Limoges, 8.2.44, 617, W/C Cheshire DSO, DFC, W/C Cheshire marking target, mirror camera'.
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…
Group Captain Leonard Cheshire's decorations
Framed collection of Leonard Cheshire's Victoria Cross, his signature, brevet, medal ribbons, photograph of him in uniform, and an image of a Lincoln flying over Lincoln Cathedral.
Group of men with a surveying instrument and a 1936 Morris Commercial command car
On the right, three young men stand round a object on a tripod being instructed by a man in uniform with peaked cap. To the left a 1936 Morris Commercial command car M 354360 B with a young man sitting in rear seat being spoken to by a man in uniform…