Browse Items (328 total)
Sort by:
Interview with Reg Harrison
Reg Harrison grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan and enjoyed watching aircraft when they flew over. He had his first flight as a youngster when he was lent five dollars by a shopkeeper. He volunteered for aircrew as soon as he was of age and began his…
T Sgt John Dyer
Note from his niece which gives outline of operation to Berlin on 2 January 1944. Mentions that Missing Research and Enquiry Service contacted his parents with news that his remains had been found and he and rest of crew were buried in the village of…
Light Lieutenant William Alfred Colson DFM (141402) - Biography
Includes early life and marriage. Joined the RAFVR and served on 9 Squadron and served full tours on Whitley, Halifax and Wellington. Mentions his pilot and award of DFM and promotion. Went to 97 Squadron in 1943. Was navigator/bomb aimer. Gives…
World War II & Flying Memoirs
Writes of travelling to Scotland before start of the war and then joining the RAF Volunteer Reserve. Continues with account of training in England before going to Lakeland Florida for primary flying training, Cochran field for basic and advanced…
Parts of a Hampden
Small pieces of aircraft laid out on blue paper. Captioned 'Hampden Mk 1, L4049, Sqn Ldr Antony O Bridgman, RAF 83 Squadron/Scampton, Op: Berlin, Bethin, 24 Sept 1940'.
John Beisly memoir
Outlines his training and 30 operations on 433 Squadron flying Halifax and then Lancaster. Writes of Halifax crash shortly after arriving and describes his actions on a busy night on an operation to Bochum when they were hit by antiaircraft fire.…
Gordon Mills observer's and air gunner's log book
G A Mills’ RAF Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book, from 18th October 1943 to 24th May 1952, detailing training, operations and instructional duties as an Air Gunner, and post-war duties including Operation Sunray. Based at RAF Penrhos…
Aircraft wreckage - engine
Aircraft engine with other pieces of mangled metal lying on grass in foreground. Other pieces of wreckage scattered about. Three men standing in distance. On the reverse 'Spitfire L.P. 85, RAF Leuchars/48'.
Aircraft wreckage
Mangled piece of aircraft wreckage (part of fuselage) in foreground with man standing in middle distance and trees behind on left. Captioned 'Exhibit F'.
Pieces of aircraft wreckage
Various pieces of mangled aircraft wreckage spread out on hangar floor. Identifiable part of wing and undercarriage in foreground. Captioned 'Exhibit N'.
Piece of aircraft wreckage
Mangled piece of metal wreckage. Captioned 'Exhibit [..]' and pointing to 'Fracture'.
Aircraft wreckage
Open ground with pieces of aircraft wreckage scattered about over a wide area. Captioned 'Exhibit B'.
Leslie Pulfrey
An account about an airman who parachuted to his death after his aircraft was shot down.
John Mitchell's flying logbook. One
L Mitchell’s air gunner’s flying log book covering the period from 1 July 1936 to 17 September 1941. Detailing his flying training and operations flown as air gunner. He was stationed at Upper Heyford, Driffield, Boscombe Down and Linton-on-Ouse…
Albert Ball crash site marker
Stone tablet in field noting that Captain Albert Ball fell on this spot fighting gloriously 7th May 1917. A gentleman wearing suit stands behind stone. On the reverse 'A Ball UC'.
Avro 504A Biplane upside down in pond
A biplane A857[?] upside down with tail in a pond with top wing on bank. Two servicemen look on from the right. In the background wooden buildings.
John Mitchell - some early wartime experiences
Writes of being attacked by fighters on an operation to Norway. Mentions flying over oceans, combatting weather conditions, the stress of returning with damaged aircraft and worried about possible ditching. Goes on to discuss other worries of engine…
Le Flight Lieutenant Jack L Newton est revenue a Liege
Article about Jack Newton, their Wellington's landing on fire in Antwerp and his subsequent escape with help from Belgian citizens.
Account of Wellington making emergency landing on German occupied airfield
Gives account of event when Wellington W5421 of 12 Squadron landed on fire at Antwerp Deurne on 5/6 August 1941. Notes that all crew except Jack Newton became prisoners of war He became the first airman to reach UK using the Comète escape line.…
German Document
Account of downing of a Wellington aircraft and subsequent actions..
Map
Map showing airfield where aircraft crash landed and locations used while evading.
Map of Antwerp
Map of city with airfield highlighted in yellow and circled in red.
Account of crash of Wellington W5421 and Flt Lt Roy Langlois's crew and Belgian Comet escape line
Includes photographs of twelve squadron officers, the crashed aircraft, some of the crew, Jack and Mary Newton and Sgt R D Porteous. Recounts the last sortie of the crew to Aachen when they had to jettison their bombs, an engine caught fire and they…
Letter from Emile Witmeur to Roy Langlois and report of crash landing and subsequent attempted escape of crew aided by Belgian escape line
Writes that he had not found out how Langlois was arrested but it seem that the Belgian he was with had been betrayed. Asks about his activates after the war and tells a little of his own. Says he is enclosing report. Report covers the crash landing…
Letter from Emile Witmeur to Roy Langlois
Thanks him for his letter and says that he had not been helped in his enquiries by the Belgian escape service. Writes of a member of his group that was shot by the Germans and that he had now traced the escape line from the beginning. List names and…