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Ops are on. Maximum Effort.
A memoir by Joe Harrison of his first operation in 1943. He describes the initial briefing, the events during the bombing run, the damage to their aircraft and his subsequent illness. Includes descriptions of the post-op analysis and good crew…
We're On Tonight
A description of what happened before and during and operation. The battle order was posted, the crew checked over their aircraft, the bomb load was planned, the crew received their briefing, dinner was eaten (bacon and eggs), they dressed,…
Interview with Janet Hughes, One
Janet Hughes’ father, Reginald Charles Wilson, volunteered for the RAF in August 1941. In January 1942, he was posted to America under the Arnold training scheme and was later remustered to train as a navigator in Canada. After forming a crew at…
Peenemünde
A description of the briefing by 'Bomber Harris' and attack on Peenemünde on 17 August 1943.
[Untitled]
Top left. Head and shoulders photograph of Ivor Jones, in uniform, captioned 'Sq Ldr Ivor Jones 1941 Linton on Ouse', ''The Colonel' had been previously Indian Army'.
Bottom left. Photograph of Mary Brown, civilian clothes, seated in a field of…
Bottom left. Photograph of Mary Brown, civilian clothes, seated in a field of…
Pre-flight briefing
Top, shows five airmen, seated, some in uniform, two taking notes, maps on the wall. Captioned 'Includes Ron Gunse, Pat Butler', '1946 Chivenor'.
Bottom, seven airmen seated, some in uniform, two taking notes. Maps and briefing boards on walls.…
Bottom, seven airmen seated, some in uniform, two taking notes. Maps and briefing boards on walls.…
Aircrew in the Middle East
Top left - five pilots wearing flying helmets with goggles or peaked cap gather round a briefing officer all looking at a map. Captioned 'Being briefed'. Top right - five pilots wearing flying helmets with goggles or peaked cap gather round a…
Interview with Gordon Mellor. Two
Gordon Mellor grew up in London and was interested in aviation. He volunteered for the Air Force and trained as a navigator in Canada. On his return to the UK he and his crew were posted to 103 Squadron at Elsham Wolds and his first operation was the…
Interview with a navigator from 101 Squadron
He was born in London and worked for some time as a clerk until joined up the Royal Air Force. He did not like the idea of serving in the Army or in the Navy but - as a Londoner - he was keen to take part in the war having experienced the Blitz. He…
Interview with David Bowker
David Bowker joined the Air Force and was originally training to be a wireless operator / air gunner but remustered as a pilot. He discusses rudder lock on early versions of Halifax. Jacqueline Bowker his wife, discusses her life during the war and…
Interview with Harry Irons. One
Harry Irons left a tailoring apprenticeship to join the Royal Air Force and trained as a wireless operator but actually became an air-gunner. He describes the uniform he wore and the unreliability of heated suits. Discusses the invention of…
Operations order 14 January 1944
Lists crews and aircraft for operations on 14/15 January 1944. The fourth member of each crew is ticked. Includes briefing times and duty personnel
Operations order 22 February 1944
Lists crews and aircraft for operations on 22/23 February 1944. Fourth member of each crew is underlined and ticked. Includes briefing times and duty personnel. On the bottom some handwritten notes and calculations.
Bomb aimers briefing 22 February 1944
Shows four bomb loads for operation. Details preselection, delay and false height settings and other information. Mentions MINOL filled and H2S. Page is struck through and annotated 'Scrubbed' in large red letters. On the reverse two routes, marking…
Operations order 30 January 1944
Lists crews and aircraft for operations on 30/31 January 1944. The fourth member of each crew is underlined. Included two standby crews with aircraft letters annotated. Shows briefing times and lists duty personnel. Page is written over with…
Bomb aimers briefing 24 February 1944
Shows several bomb loads. Details preselection and delay settings. Includes weights and timings.
Bomb aimers briefing 24 February 1944 - Schweinfurt
Shows two bomb loads for operation for three and six aircraft respectively. Details preselection, delay and false height settings and other information. Includes weights and two routes. On the reverse some calculations.
Operations order 25 February 1944
Lists crews and aircraft for operations on 25/26 February 1944. The fourth member of each crew is underlined and ticked. Includes two standby crews, briefing times and duty personnel.
Bomb aimers briefing 25 February 1944
Shows two bomb loads each for a single aircraft. Details preselection settings and includes window, route and marking method. On the reverse marking and bombing instructions.
Bomb aimers briefing 25 February 1944 - Augsburg
Annotated 'Augsburg, MINOL Filled, SXUHOTML'. ) Shows four bomb loads for operation for seven, six, one and two aircraft respectively. Details preselection, delay and false height settings and other information. Includes weights, zero hour, Window,…
Operations order 28 February 1944
Lists crews and aircraft for operations on 28/29 February 1944. The fourth member of each crew is underlined and two crews have aircraft letters appended. Includes briefing times and duty personnel.
Bomb aimers briefing 28 February 1944
Shows four bomb loads for operation for four, four with H2S, two and three aircraft respectively. Details preselection and delay settings. Page is struck through and annotated 'Scrubbed' in large letters.
Bomb aimers briefing 1 March 1944 - Stuttgart
Annotated 'Stuttgart, MINOL YLXZTU'. Shows three bomb loads for operation. Details preselection, delay and false height settings and other information. Includes weights, Window, effort level and marking method. Mentions Pathfinders, route marking and…
Bomb aimers briefing 4 March 1944
Shows two bomb loads for six and seven aircraft annotated H2S respectively. Details preselection, time interval and false height settings. Includes timing, weights, Window effort, route and marking method. as well as bombing instructions. Page is…