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Details of raid on Cologne
Details of raid on Cologne sent by Arthur Bank, brother-in-law to Keith Dexter's mother. Details number of aircraft involved and some details of attach and weather. One Ju-88 claimed destroyed an 14 of own aircraft failed to return. At thew bottom…
Interview with John Harrison
John Harrison grew up in Yorkshire and worked in the Civil Service before joining the Royal Air Force at 18. After training, he flew operations as a mid-upper gunner with 106 Squadron from RAF Metheringham before being shot down over Leipzig and…
A speck of history from long ago and far away
Account of the operation to locate a German submarine and shooting down of a United States Navy PB4Y-1 Liberator by a Ju 88 in February 1944. Author is the nose gunner/bomb aimer and describes the operation, attack by fighters, ditching, escape to…
Interview with Alan Payne
Alan Payne was born in Wendover, Buckinghamshire. He volunteered for aircrew with the Royal Air Force and after initial training was sent to South Africa where he trained as an observer. When he returned to the UK, he was allocated the role of bomb…
Interview with John Cox
John Cox grew up in Lincolnshire and worked in banking before he joined the Royal Air Force. After training as a pilot in the United States, he served as an instructor for almost three years. He flew 20 operations as a pilot with 626 Squadron,from…
Donald Cochrane's operations
A handwritten list of Don Cochrane's first tour. It comprises a short paragraph for each of the 29 operations he undertook. Included are four maps with bombs indicating his targets.
David and the RAF
![[1]DAVID AND THE RAF2 (2).pdf](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/1213/11929/[1]DAVID AND THE RAF2 [2].jpg "[1]DAVID AND THE RAF2 (2).pdf")
Account of Wing Commander David Donaldson's RAF career from his early interest in flying and joining the Royal Air Force volunteer reserve in 1934, call up in 1939 and operational tours on 149 Squadron, 57 Squadron, flight commander 156 Squadron…
Interview with John Cuthbert
John Cuthbert joined the RAF and initially trained as a wireless operator / air gunner but re-mustered as an air gunner. After training he was posted to 189 Squadron at RAF Fulbeck and flew operations as a mid-upper gunner. He talks about his…
Return from Stuttgart
Lancaster and a Ju 88 night fighter in flight over a meandering river with tracer fire between them. In the background on the left of the image are a set of searchlights and a large fire in the distance. Captioned 'Return from Stuttgart' and is…
Interview with Sam Price
Gwyn Price was living a rural lifestyle until he volunteered for the RAF. His dream was to train as an RAF pilot but since there was a surplus of pilots he chose to train instead as a flight engineer. On operations Gwyn observed the surreal feeling…
Jack Warner's account of first ten operations
First operation to Montluçon 15 September 1943. Briefed as easy trip with little opposition. Arrived early and waited for pathfinders, bombed from 8000 ft. Wing Commander Smith missing from operation reported hit by bombs. Operation 2, Mondane 16…
Interview with Graham Allen
Graham Allen joined the Royal Air Force aged 19. He trained as a mechanic and worked on inspection and recovery of Spitfire aircraft. He later volunteered to be a flight engineer, and flew a tour of operations with 106 Squadron. His first operation…
The Story of Flight Lieutenant John J Blair, DFC
![MBlairJJ[Ser#-DoB]-160509-01.pdf](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/711/17279/MBlairJJ[Ser -DoB]-160509-01.jpg "MBlairJJ[Ser#-DoB]-160509-01.pdf")
A 52 page document detailing the history of John Blair's RAF service from 1942 to 1963, and his childhood in Jamaica. Introductory note says it was based on a taped interview with John Blair by his nephew in 1997.
John was born in 1919 to a poor…
John was born in 1919 to a poor…
Flying Stories by Paul Hilton
Nine accounts of flying activities during the war.
Additional information about this item has been kindly provided by the donor.
'David Joseph's son Brian met Paul Hilton in the 1980's through work, and he was wearing a prisoner of war tie. In…
Additional information about this item has been kindly provided by the donor.
'David Joseph's son Brian met Paul Hilton in the 1980's through work, and he was wearing a prisoner of war tie. In…
Talk to the Haywards Heath Historical Society
![MBarkerR[Ser#-DoB]-151001-01.pdf](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/689/9430/MBarkerR[Ser -DoB]-151001-01.jpg "MBarkerR[Ser#-DoB]-151001-01.pdf")
Opens with mention of Bomber Command memorial in Green Park and 55,573 despite killed, moral was high due to belief that winning was vital. Tells story that he was guest at two weddings in 1943 with three other members of bomber command and that all…
Aviation Memory
A detailed account of Reg Payne's service in the RAF. He starts with a list of 18 RAF bases where he served in his 5 years of service. He was 16 when war was declared but volunteered for the RAF at 17. After tests he was selected for training as a…
Before I was in the RAF by Reg Payne
An account by Reg Payne of his wartime experiences. Too young to sign up at the start of the war he spent two years in the Home Guard. Training started at age 18 and lasted for two years. He served at RAF Skellingthorpe and his brother served at RAF…
Interview with Andy Andrews
Andy Andrews worked in a gentleman's outfitters shop and volunteered for the Air Force in 1941. He trained at RAF Cardington and Blackpool and after crewing up he flew operations with 10 Squadron from RAF Melbourne. He discusses the members of his…
Letter to Leonard Cheshire from Sergeant Thomas Joseph McLean DFM
States that Cheshire's previous wireless operator Flight Lieutenant Hill has suggested he write to Cheshire. Provides his history as air gunner with 102 Squadron in 1942 where he was credited with four aircraft destroyed one probable and two damaged.…
Oil's Well
Discusses in detail an operation to raid to the Ploesti oilfields in Romania. At that time he was based in Foggia, Italy. They had an issue with the airframe of the Wellington twisting due to a mismatch in the fuel tanks.
On another raid a control…
On another raid a control…
World War II service History of Flight Lieutenant WH Brooker DFC
WH Brooker volunteered in June or July 1940. He was called up on 27 February 1941 and trained in Pearce, Western Australia. On transfer to UK there were delays in further training.
Initially he served on Wellingtons at Snaith. He describes…
Initially he served on Wellingtons at Snaith. He describes…
Cartoon notebook
Royal Air Force notebook for workshop and laboratory records containing a large number of hand drawn wartime cartoons including aircraft caricatures. On the cover '547557 AC2 Johnson' and '1209046 LAC Cluett 1940'.
Details operation to Dusseldorf 25/26 May 1943
This was the operation on which Ian Wynn's aircraft was lost. Captain was Squadron Leader P R Turgel. Item contains:
1. A list of crews on the operation.
2. Map of routes to target.
3. Luftwaffe night fighter combat claims for 25/26 May 1943.…
1. A list of crews on the operation.
2. Map of routes to target.
3. Luftwaffe night fighter combat claims for 25/26 May 1943.…
The Lancaster which knew its way home
Story of Lancaster Number R 5868 once the gate guard at RAF Scampton. Relates that it flew 137 operational sorties and suffered only minor damage. Served on 83 Squadron in 1942 at RAF Scampton and mentions some of its operations including…