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Piece of wooden deck from the Tirpitz
Piece of wooden decking recovered from the Tirpitz.
Tirpitz memento
A small piece of rock taken from the fjord where the Tirpitz was sunk. It is mounted on a wooden block.
Battleship Tirpitz ornament
Small ornament made of rock taken from the fjord near Tromso where the Tirpitz was sunk. The rock base has a small wooden plaque, a small anchor and chain and a second rock with a black and orange shield. Captioned 'The Battleship Tirpitz'.
Interview with Colin Cole
Colin Cole was brought up and schooled at Twickenham, and worked for a time at W H Smith before joining the Royal Air Force. He trained as a wireless operator/air gunner at RAF Yatesbury and RAF Barrow in Furness. He then served with 617 Squadron,…
Colin Cole's navigator's, air bomber's, air gunner's and flight engineer's flying log book
Navigator’s, air bomber’s, air gunner’s and flight engineer’s flying log book for Warrant Officer Colin Cole from 5 August 1943 to 23 September 1946. Detailing training schedule and operations flown. Served at RAF Yatesbury, RAF Mona, RAF…
Interview with Philip James MBE
Philip James was a valet to Captain Fletcher at Margham Castle before joining the Royal Air Force. At the age of 19 he trained as a flight engineer at RAF St Athan, working on the Halifax. At RAF Dishforth in Yorkshire crews were formed and Philip…
Interview with Syd Grimes
Sydney Grimes grew up near Southend and joined the RAF as a wireless operator in 1940. He flew a total of 41 operations - 24 operations with 106 Squadron and 17 operations with 617 Squadron. He then served on 9 Squadron at RAF Bardney for 2 months…
Sydney Grimes' observer's and air gunner's flying log book
Royal Air Force observer's and air gunner's flying log book for Sydney Grimes, wireless operator, covering the period from 2 July 1942 to 22 August 1945. Detailing training, operations flown, instructional duties and post war flying. He was stationed…
Ernie Twells’ navigator’s, air bomber’s and air gunner’s flying log book
Royal Air Force Flying Log Book for Ernie Twells, flight engineer, covering the period from 15 June 1943 to 19 August 1945. Detailing training, operations flown and post war flying. He was stationed at RAF Swinderby, RAF Woodhall Spa, RAF Bramcote,…
Rupert the bear mascot
A black corduroy teddy bear with a red bow tie and red paws. Rupert was made for his daughter from material left over from making a coat; but it became Ernie Twells' lucky charm. The bear accompanied him on 65 operations with 617 and 619 Squadrons,…
Airmen and Lancasters at at Archangel Yagodnik USSR
Flight Lieutenant Knights and crew. Ernie Twells is third from right, standing in front of a Lancaster. Flight Lieutenant Knights is third from the left.
The two starboard engines of a Lancaster viewed from inside the aircraft. In the background…
The two starboard engines of a Lancaster viewed from inside the aircraft. In the background…
Starboard engines, Lancaster
The two starboard engines of a Lancaster viewed from inside the aircraft. In the background are two more Lancasters, On the reverse 'PB415 Yagodnik'.
Ernie Twells on a Lancaster engine
Ernie Twells is climbing on the starboard outer engine of Lancaster PB414. The view is from the inside the aircraft. On the reverse is 'PB414 Yagodnik'.
Engine change on Lancaster PB415
Taken from inside a Lancaster, looking to the starboard side from the rear door. An engine is on a crane with several ground crew working on it. On the reverse 'Archangel (Yagodnik) 17.9.44 Engine Change on PB415'.
Lancasters at Yagodnik
A view from a Lancaster of other Lancasters on the ground. On the reverse 'Lancasters at Yagodnik'.
Ernie Twells and airmen
Ernie Twells and five airmen colleagues before he became aircrew. Captioned 'Ernie Twells 2nd from right'. On the reverse the names and addresses of four of the other men.
Bob Knights and seven crew wearing flying gear standing in front of…
Bob Knights and seven crew wearing flying gear standing in front of…
Munich and of the Tirpitz
A vertical target photograph of Munich being bombed. Much of the detail is obscured by anti-aircraft fire. Captioned '66 WS. 24/25.4.44 // NT8” 18500 [arrow] 026 0145 Munich.RD. A 6RS. 6JCL 29 SECS F/O KNIGHTS A 617.'
A target photograph of the…
A target photograph of the…
Bob Knights' target photograph of the Tirpitz
A vertical aerial photograph much obscured by cloud, smoke and explosions. Captioned '671 LOS. 29.10.44 14000 330 07.52 TIRPITZ B1 1x12000 C.31 Secs F/Lt KNIGHTS 0.617'.
The Tirpitz firing its guns, taken from onboard the vessel.
The Tirpitz firing its guns, taken from onboard the vessel.
Tirpitz
Picture 1 Captioned 'Battleship Tirpitz, both photos'.
On the reverse
'Battleship Tirpitz
Walter Hugin
46 Do-Huckarde
Servahust sh. 19'
Picture 2 Captioned 'Signatures of Survivors on back of each photo'.
On the reverse
'Battleship Tirpitz
Walter Hugin
46 Do-Huckarde
Servahust sh. 19'
Picture 2 Captioned 'Signatures of Survivors on back of each photo'.
Ernie Twells and airmen
A group of 29 airmen and one woman, arranged in three rows. The front row is seated cross legged on the grass. The second row is kneeling and the third row is standing. Behind is a caravan and a hedge. Captioned 'Ernie Twells Back Row 2nd from…
Tirpitz capsized
The Tirpitz is capsized, floating in a Norwegian fjord. On the reverse
'Battleship Tirpitz
Tirpitz 15 June 1945'.
'Battleship Tirpitz
Tirpitz 15 June 1945'.
Ernie Twells' Obituary and letter from the King
Ernie Twells' obituary detailing his life before, during and after the war.
A letter from the King awarding Ernie Twells his Distinguished Flying Cross.
A letter from the King awarding Ernie Twells his Distinguished Flying Cross.
Bob Knights' Obituary
The obituary of Flight Lieutenant Bob Knights. It details his operations on the Tirpitz, his early life, his training in Florida, his time with 617 Squadron and his role with BOAC after the war until his retirement in 1976.
Dambusters Honoured
A newspaper cutting with a photograph of Group Captain Tait, Mrs Twells, Mr Twells, Councillor Wilson and Mrs Wilson. The 617 Squadron Association were presented with a silver salver by Derbyshire County Council.
Visitors from famous Dambusters' squadron
A newspaper cutting announcing that Ernie Twells and the 617 squadron association will attend a presentation at Matlock. It describes the attempts made to sink the Tirpitz. Handwritten at the top is 'Long Eaton Advertiser 10/11/77'.