Conquest-Hospital Radio interview with Jack Newton
Jack Newton joined the RAF in 1938. He trained as an air gunner and was posted to 12 Squadron at RAF Binbrook. Just before midnight on the 5th of August 1941 Jack and his crew set off for Cologne. They were attacked by a night fighter. One engine was on fire and they were losing height. They jettisoned everything they could but were still losing height. When they thought they were finally going to have to abandon the aircraft they saw a cathedral to their side which they discovered later was Antwerp Cathedral. Jack looked out and saw concrete and alerted the pilot. The concrete was Antwerp’s Deurne Airport which was now an active station of the Luftwaffe. The pilot landed the aircraft on the runway and knowing that time was limited they managed to set fire to the aircraft before making their escape. The crew split up and Jack was accompanied by the skipper and wireless operator. They were spotted by a Belgian while they were hiding and he organised what would be the start of their escape through the Comète Line.
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00:32:42 audio recording
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NewtonJL[Date}-01
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Fate Deals a Blow
Extract from "But Not in Anger". Story of a Hastings of 53 Squadron on route from El Adam to Castel Benito Tripoli which shed a propeller blade which struck the fuselage injuring the co-pilot and cutting the tail control rods. Relates story of crew flying the aircraft using passengers moving up and down fuselage to raise and lower the nose. The aircraft landed short of runway at Benghazi and the crew were killed in crushed cockpit but most of the passengers survived. George Medal and King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air were awarded as result to an officer who tended the wounded co-pilot and the rest of the crew.
Top left - remainder of the extract.
Top right - photograph of the crashed Hastings upside down at Benina.
Bottom left - newspaper cutting - Jonahs of the sky. Story of a Hasting that crashed in the Gulf of Sirte leaving passengers and crew in life rafts. Comments on poor reputation of Hastings aircraft for crashes.
Bottom right - extract from Ned Sparkes's log book from 8 December 1950 to 24 December 1950 listing 13 sorties.
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One printed document, one newspaper cutting, one log book extract and one b/w photograph mounted on two album pages
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PSparkesW17010028, PSparkesW17010029
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First airman to travel via Comète
Describes events leading up to and including Jack Newton's last operation before crash landing in Belgium. Lists his crew and gives account of their attempts at evasion, meeting with Belgian helpers, moving to various safe houses and Jack Newton's journey through France, the Pyrenees, Spain, Gibraltar and back to England.
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Two page printed document
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SNewtonJL742570v10033
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George Medal citation for Warrant Officer Thomas Breech Miller RCAF
Account of his aircraft, in which he was air observer, being attacked on return from operation in Germany by intruder aircraft. The aircraft was crash landed and caught fire. Miller escaped through the top hatch but noticed that the pilot and wireless operator were still in the aircraft. He then re-entered the aircraft and rescued the pilot, he then returned again for the wireless operator who he also rescued him and carried him away to safety and beat out the flames from the injured man's clothing and received burns to his own hands.
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One page printed document
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M78Sqn19361201-170421-14
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Jack Newton meets Mlle de Jongh
On the left, an RAF officer wearing greatcoat is shaking hands with a woman on the left who is wearing a dark jacket. On the reverse 'Jack Newton meets Mlle DeJongh. She helped rescue many servicemen and was awarded the George Medal'.
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1946-02-14
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One b/w photograph
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SNewtonJL742570v10064-0003, SNewtonJL742570v10064-0004
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Mlle Andree De Jongh goes to palace for GM
Photograph and account of Adree De Jongh going to Buckingham Palace to receive the George Medal. Helped 200 servicemen escape along the "Comet Line". On the reverse a list of her decorations.
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One newspaper cutting
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SNewtonJL742570v10002
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