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Recollections of a flight engineer. Version Two
Will a flight engineer’s brevet on the first page the recollections of Henry Sturrock of his time flying in the Halifax with No 640 Squadron at Leconfield, he flew his first operation on 12 September 1944 and his last on 2 March 1945, he flew on 35…
A conversation with Jim Lord and John Elliot
Gives brief service background of both. John Elliot tells of crewing up at 83 OTU and comments on crew members and going on to 1667 HCU). John Lord comments the the HCU Halifax were not good aircraft and both then relate a very unfortunate experience…
Lancaster and bombs
Front quarter view of a parked Lancaster with bombs on trollies in front. Another aircraft in the distance behind. Submitted with caption 'Lancaster B.III PB707 BQ-L2 550 Sqn Norh Killingholme 1944-45' Additional information kindly provided by the…
This is ridiculous - we should bale out
Mentions that he was in air cadets and then covers training as a wireless operator and eventual posting to 550 Squadron. Recalls events of 12 July 1944 on an operation to Revigny in France when the crew were forced to abandon their aircraft over…
Interview with John Elliot
John describes an operation where all crew of his aircraft had to bale out, after all airfields in England were fog bound they were running out of fuel. He goes on to describe an incident on an operation when he looked up out of astrodome to see a…
Conversation with Jim Lord and John Elliot
Transcript of conversation with Jim Lord (pilot) and his wireless operator Jack "Jock" Elliot. Recalls crewing up and describes crew while at OTU. Mentions heavy conversion and compares Halifax to Lancaster aircraft. Relates incident while on…
John Elliott’s Royal Air Force Flying Log Book and commissioning scrolls
John Elliott’s Royal Air Force Flying Log Book from 20th June 1943 until 25th April 1945.
Trained as a wireless operator with No. 4 Radio School, No. 6 Advanced Flying Unit, 83 Operational Training Unit, 1667 Heavy Conversion Unit and No. 1…
Trained as a wireless operator with No. 4 Radio School, No. 6 Advanced Flying Unit, 83 Operational Training Unit, 1667 Heavy Conversion Unit and No. 1…
Sergeant Cedric Charles Pettit DFM (562595 Royal Air Force)
DFM gazetted 2 Jan 1940 when he was a Corporal air gunner on 99 Squadron. Citation records action on 16/17 Jun 1944 as flight engineer in 550 Squadron Lancaster. Hit by flak which damage port engines, continued to attempt to bomb despite stuck bomb…
Letter from Kenneth Smith to his brother
Discusses the stamps that he had sent his brother.
Letter from Kenneth Smith to his mother
Writes that when he arrived in Retford he was met by Mary. Describes activities and having bad cough. Continues with description of journey back to base. Includes drawing of cow in barn.
Letter from Kenneth Smith to his mother
Writes that his base is quite good and about 10 miles from Grimsby. Writes about his journey by train with all his kit of which he had a lot. Mentions that it was easier to get home than from previous stations. Comments on finances and heavy mess…
Service history Sgt K J B Smith
Flight engineer, joined 550 Squadron at North Killingholme on 8 January 1945. Lists operations seven operation carried out between 13 February and 8 March 1945. His aircraft was shot down on 8 March, he and two other crew members were killed and the…
Telegram to Kenneth Smith's father
From Killingholme informing him that his son Sergeant K J B Smith was reported missing as a result of air operations on night 7/8 March 1945. Two versions of the same telegram.
Letter from Kenneth Smith to his brother
Thanks him for his letter and comments on his handwriting. Mentions his brother working for the post office on Christmas day. Writes of having some stamps, including a rare Canadian dollar ones, for him.
Letter from Kenneth Smith to his mother
Writes thanking her for letter and comments on sending cash home. Says that he would not have much chance of a commission as the war was drawing to a close. Continues with domestic matters. Mentions leave quota system and his progress with a model.…
Letter from Kenneth Smith to his mother
Thanks her for laundry parcel but could not find a letter in it. Comments on snowy weather in Lincolnshire. Notes lack of fuel and hot water on camp. Comments on his activities.
Gelsenkirchen
Two vertical aerial photographs taken during the bombing of Gelsenkirchen. All the ground detail is obscured by cloud and explosions.
In the first one Lancaster is visible near the centre of the image.
It is captioned '1187 NKL. 6.11.44 // 8"…
In the first one Lancaster is visible near the centre of the image.
It is captioned '1187 NKL. 6.11.44 // 8"…
Berchtesgaden
A vertical aerial photograph taken during the bombing of Berchtesgaden. Very little ground detail is visible.
It is captioned '2596 NKL 25.4.45 // 7" 315° 09.48 Berchtesgaden [indecipherable] 4000 IN 4 MC 1000DT IMC 500DT c 32 sec F/S…
It is captioned '2596 NKL 25.4.45 // 7" 315° 09.48 Berchtesgaden [indecipherable] 4000 IN 4 MC 1000DT IMC 500DT c 32 sec F/S…
Pforzheim
A vertical aerial photograph taken during bombing of Pforzheim. It is captioned '2062 NKL 23/24.2.45 // NT 7". 9000. 105°. 20:00 Pforzheim E IHC 4000 IN: 16x4: 18 sec F/L Dale E 550'. No ground detail is visible.
Gelsenkirchen
A vertical aerial photograph taken during an operation at Gelsenkirchen. Most of the ground detail is obscured by explosions.
It is captioned '1199 NKL 6.11.44 // 7" 19500 095° 13.58 Gelsenkirchen M1 IHC 4000 IN: 6MC 1000 DT: 5MC 500 DT: 2 gp 500…
It is captioned '1199 NKL 6.11.44 // 7" 19500 095° 13.58 Gelsenkirchen M1 IHC 4000 IN: 6MC 1000 DT: 5MC 500 DT: 2 gp 500…
Cologne
A vertical aerial photograph taken during an operation at Cologne. The street pattern is very clear with explosions in the bottom left of the image.
It is captioned '2101 NKL 2.3.45 // 8" 18000 090° 1002 Cologne H IHC 4000 IN: 6ANM 64DT.6MC 5000…
It is captioned '2101 NKL 2.3.45 // 8" 18000 090° 1002 Cologne H IHC 4000 IN: 6ANM 64DT.6MC 5000…
Duisburg
A vertical aerial photograph taken during an operation at Duisburg. No ground detail is visible due to smoke. It is captioned '951 NKL 14-10-44 // 8" 19000 <-- 112° 08.50 Duisburg C1 1x4000 11x30 12x4 c36sec F/O John C2 550'. On the reverse 'C2…
Fort Frederik Hendrik
A target photograph showing a rural landscape with fields and some roads with the outline of the fort to the lower right. The fort is covered with bomb craters and some smoke. The beach is seen lower left.
It is captioned '926 NKL 12-10-44 // 8"…
It is captioned '926 NKL 12-10-44 // 8"…
RAF KIllingholme Christmas Menu 1945
The menu for Christmas dinner. On the reverse are signatures and comments from some of the attendees.
Le Havre
A vertical aerial photograph of Le Havre during a bombing operation.
It is captioned '792 NKL 10.9.44// 8" 9000
It is captioned '792 NKL 10.9.44// 8" 9000