Browse Items (52 total)

  • Tags: Operation Catechism (12 November 1944)

SHarriganD[Ser#-DoB]v290002.mp3
Basil Fish volunteered for the RAF in 1941 from Manchester University where he was a student and a member of the University Air Squadron. He was posted to 617 Squadron at RAF Woodhall Spa. On one flight his aircraft crashed on return and although…

SHarriganD[Ser#-DoB]v240002.mp3
Colin Cole took part in the attack that sunk the Tirpitz. He describes how the aircraft was adapted for the operation and flew via Lossiemouth. Colin disposed of the Upkeep 'bouncing bombs' as part of his service with the RAF. They were dropped on…

PEwingRL19010025.jpg
The two officers are standing outside the Officers' Mess of 617 Sqdn. The caption reads 'W/Cdr Cheshire VC DSO +2 bars DFC (sic), AVM Sir Ralph Cochrane After the "Tirpitz" on 617 Sqn'. [The officer on the left is in fact Wing Commander Willie Tait]

PHowkinsF1701.jpg
Six airmen standing at the tail of their Lancaster after the Tirpitz operation.
On the reverse the six have signed their name and handwritten is 'Nov 44 On return from the "Tirpitz" raid'.

PRosserLV19010030.jpg
Left -newspaper cutting - Tait dropped the bombs. Includes full face b/w image and gives account of operations flown by Wing Commander James Bryan Tate DSO and 2 bars DFC. Noted that his squadron was formed by Gibson to burst German dams. Top right -…

SGillK1438901v40010.pdf
Description of three (one aborted due to weather) operations against Tirpitz, photograph of crew on return from sinking Tirpitz, poor photocopy of target photograph of attach on Tirpitz. Account of operation on E & R boat pens at Ijmuiden along with…

SGillK1438901v40007.pdf
Joined 18 June 1941. Trained as navigator in Canada. After operational and conversions training in England during which he flew two operations. He was posted to 9 Squadron at RAF Bardney where he flew 25 operations which are listed. After a tour as a…

SGillK1438901v40002-0002.jpg
Six airmen wearing flying clothes or battledress standing in line behind a Lancaster. Captioned at top 'Crew from left to right, Sid Grimes wireless operator, Ken Gill navigator, Charlie Randon bomb aimer, Jack Penswick gunner, Eddy Barnett engineer,…

SGillK1438901v40002-0001.jpg
Target photograph showing shoreline, with smoke obscuring the island of Hakøya within Tromsø fjord. Battleship Tirpitz can be seen just right of centre through smoke. Three water-spouts from earlier explosions above and to the right. Anti-aircraft…

SGillK1438901v30083.jpg
Concerns up-turned hull of Tirpitz sunk in Tromso Fjord was a tourist attraction.

SGillK1438901v30079.jpg
Reports Flying Officer Kenneth Gill DFC was presumed killed after being posted missing on 21 March 1945 on his 45th operation. Gives some local history concerning Ken Gill, mentions Tirpitz operation. Also reports other RAF Yorkshiremen killed, Sgt…

SGillK1438901v30054-0003.jpg
Top - sketch map of Tromsø Fjord with ship and bomb hits marked with x's and track line.
Bottom - annotated diagram sketch of upside down ship.

SGillK1438901v30054-0001.jpg
Sketch map showing Norway and Sweden with route marked up the North Sea and into Tromsø and return along similar route.

LGillK1438901v1.pdf
Observer’s and air gunner’s flying log book for K Gill, navigator, covering the period from 17 May 1942 to 21 March 1945 when he was missing on operations. Detailing his flying training, operations flown and instructor duties. He was stationed at…

SGillK1438901v20031.jpg
States that photograph shows. Mentions first abortive attack on 29 October 1944, second cancelled for weather and the final successful attack on 11 November 1944.

SGillK1438901v20020.pdf
Biography of Arthur Alexander Gill and memories of his cousin Kenneth Gill. Writes of working in the same firm as Kenneth Gill before the war. Too young to join forces, he was employed in Blackburn aircraft stores. Was called up in December 1944.…

SGillK1438901v20032-0003.jpg
Left - at top of drawing a shoreline and Tromso, track direction, lower down the location of ship surrounded by 'x'. Bottom of drawing shows cross section of half of ship.
Right - hand drawn map showing route along Norwegian coast to Tromso and…

SGillK1438901v20032-0002.jpg
Top - six aircrew standing in line behind a Lancaster, Captioned 'Crew from left to right, Sid Grimes wireless operator, Ken Gill navigator, Charlie Randon bomb aimer, Jack Penswick gunner, Eddy Barnett engineer, Barney Gumbley pilot'.
Bottom target…

SGillK1438901v10039-0025.jpg
Left - A large group of airmen wearing tunics with side caps standing in two rows in front of an Anson. One officer in centre standing has a lighter uniform and peaked cap. Annotated with signatures and home towns of many of the participants.
Right…

Penswick, J - Notes-02.pdf
A compilation of photographs of Jack comprising 25 images in this collection.

This item was sent to the IBCC Digital Archive already in digital form. No better quality copies are available.

PPenswickJ1709.jpg
A vertical aerial photograph of the bombing of the Tirpitz. Much of the image is obscured by smoke and explosions. Tirpitz can be seen right of centre. Anti-aircraft fire can be seen to the top of the photograph. Three bomb explosions in the water…
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