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Interview with James Flowers
Horace James Flowers was born and grew up in Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire. He became an apprentice butcher before being released to volunteer for the Royal Air Force in 1944. He trained as an air gunner at RAF Bridgnorth, RAF Wigsley and RAF Syerston…
The Eder, Möhne and Sorpe operation
A Lancaster flies over the explosion of an Upkeep bouncing bomb against a dam. A second aircraft has been hit by anti-aircraft fire and is plunging towards the water, engulfed in flames and smoke. A third Lancaster is visible on the right with a bomb…
Don Briggs, a brief description of wartime service
Describes wartime service from 1939 to 1945. Joined as Halton apprentice in September 1939. Posted as fitter engine to RAF Wittering working on Wellington Hampden and Manchester aircraft. Followed by tour at RAF Upper Heyford working on Wellington…
Tribute to a Pathfinder captain
Tribute to Squadron Leader William G Neal Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross, Croix de Guerre, 1912-2001. Describes how Don Briggs met and was crewed with Bill Neal’s crew who having completed one tour had been selected for a…
More war memories. The RAF bombing raids on Revigny
Describes how his aircraft was shot down on an operation to Revigny by an Me 110 night fighter. He baled out. and was captured. After being interrogated he became a prisoner of war. In February 1944, as the Russians advanced, he and his fellow…
Interview with Donald Briggs
Donald Briggs was born in Lealholm near Whitby in Yorkshire. After school, he became an apprentice with the Royal Air Force. He trained at RAF Halton in 1939 and became an engine fitter working on Wellingtons and Manchesters. He volunteered for air…
He flew with the R.A.F. to Ulm. Ex-pilot amazed by our new bombing technique
An ex-RAF pilot describes a bombing operation to Ulm in Southern Germany, He hadn't flown for three years and he is amazed at the technical improvements in hitting the targets using the Pathfinder force. He mentions the squadron CO, Wing-Comdr J R St…
Interview with John Derek "Bill" Bailey. Two
John Derek Bailey completed a full tour of operations as a bomb aimer with 103 and 166 Squadrons from RAF Elsham Wolds and RAF Kirmington.
Interview with Thomas Carroll
Thomas Carroll grew up in Yorkshire and became a cashier for a mining company. He joined the Royal Air Force and flew operations as a flight engineer with 100 and 626 Squadrons. After the war, he retrained as an air traffic control officer in Germany…
Interview with Ian Denver
Ian Denver grew up in Australia and joined the Royal Australian Air Force as soon as he was old enough. After training he completed 60 operations with 625 Squadron and 156 Squadron. He met and married his wife, Pat who was an intelligence officer at…
Interview with David Leicester
David Leicester grew up in Australia and worked as an office boy before he volunteered for the Royal Australian Air Force. He completed 68 operations as a pilot with 35, 158 and 640 Squadrons and as a Master Bomber with Pathfinders. He describes how…
Interview with Douglas Reed
Flight Lieutenant Douglas Reed worked for the council before he joined the Royal Air Force. He flew operations with 166 Squadron from RAF Kirmington and with 156 Squadron, Pathfinders, from RAF Upwood. His aircraft often suffered damage. On one…
Interview with Ivon Warmington
Ivon Warmington was working for the Post Office in his native Cornwall before he volunteered for the RAF. After pilot training he flew a tour of operations with 166 Squadron from RAF Kirmington. His first operation was to Mailly le Camp where the…
Interview with Geoffrey Whittle
Squadron Leader Geoffrey Whittle was born in London. After leaving school at fourteen he became an apprentice printer in the family business. He volunteered for the Royal Air Force on the outbreak of the Second World War and trained as a navigator.…
Interview with Arthur Spencer
Arthur Spencer joined the Royal Air Force after leaving school. He began pilot training in Florida but then re-mustered as a navigator and trained in Pensacola. He completed two tours of operations as a navigator with 97 Squadron at RAF Woodhall Spa…
Bomb aimers briefing 2 June 1944
Shows single bomb load with pre-selection settings, route and method. Notes that Mosquito will drop red and green target indicators. Annotated 'Cap Griz Nez'.
Bomb aimers briefing 31 May 1944
Indicates single bomb load for squadron with pre-selection settings. Includes timings, route, method and on the reverse handwritten target marking notes. Notes that Pathfinder Mosquito will drop preliminary and other markers. Annotated…
Target marking and bombing instructions
Notes written in red on marking and bombing instructions, method and blind marking.
Bomb aimers briefing 19 May 1944
Shows one bomb load for squadron. Contains preselection settings, false height settings, Window, route and bombing notes on reverse.
Bomb aimers briefing 9 May 1944
Shows three bomb loads, one for most aircraft and two for one aircraft each. Includes timings, preselection settings, Window, route and method. Annotated 'Gennvilliers'. On the reverse bombing notes including marking by Mosquito and hand drawn map…
Bomb aimers briefing 3 May 1944
Indicates two bomb loads for squadron. Includes preselection settings, Window, timings, route and method. Annotated 'Mailly Le Camp'. On the reverse bombing notes. including marking and that Mosquito will drop red spot on aiming point.
Bomb aimers briefing 1 May 1944
Shows four bomb loads for the squadron. Includes preselection settings, Window, route and method. Mentions that Moisquito will search for and mark target. Annotated 'Toulouse'. On the reverse target marking and bombing notes.
Bomb aimers briefing Schweinfurt
Shows two bomb loads for squadron. Includes preselection settings, heights, Window, method with bombing notes including target marking by Mosquito on the reverse.
Bomb aimers briefing
Shows four bomb loads for the squadron with two for one aircraft each and the other two for eight and six aircraft. Includes preselection settings, weights, timings, method. On the reverse bombing notes including target marking continued.
Bomb aimers briefing - Paris marshalling yards
Shows single bomb load for squadron. Includes preselection settings, Window, zero hour and effort level. Describes method including target marking by Pathfinder Mosquito. On the reverse the route and notes.