Browse Items (334 total)
- Tags: crewing up
Reminiscences of service in the Royal Air Force - 1937 to 1945
Tags: 115 Squadron; 218 Squadron; 27 OTU; 3 Group; 5 Group; 9 Squadron; air gunner; aircrew; anti-aircraft fire; bale out; Battle; bombing; bombing of Cologne (30/31 May 1942); crash; crewing up; Distinguished Flying Cross; Distinguished Service Order; forced landing; ground personnel; Halifax; Lancaster; Magister; Me 110; military living conditions; nose art; Operational Training Unit; Pathfinders; pilot; prisoner of war; RAF Abingdon; RAF Benson; RAF Farnborough; RAF Harwell; RAF Henlow; RAF Lichfield; RAF Marham; RAF Ringway; RAF Sealand; RAF Sywell; RAF Tangmere; RAF Weston Zoyland; Stranraer; Sunderland; Swordfish; Tallboy; Tiger Moth; training; V-2; V-weapon; Walrus; Wellington; Women’s Auxiliary Air Force
To war in a Wimpy - the life and times of Flight Sergeant Ron Williams RAF
Chapter 1 - early life, enlistment and training.
Chapter 2 - operational training. Describes activities during training OTU including naming his crew and flying out to…
Tags: 150 Squadron; 205 Group; 21 OTU; 216 Squadron; Advanced Flying Unit; Air Gunnery School; aircrew; Anson; Beaufighter; Boston; C-47; crewing up; Dominie; hangar; Hudson; Lancaster; Lysander; military living conditions; Operational Training Unit; Proctor; RAF Moreton in the Marsh; RAF Old Sarum; RAF Padgate; RAF Stormy Down; RAF Wigtown; RAF Yatesbury; training; Wellington; wireless operator
Conversation with Alan Thomsett
Recollections of a flight engineer. Version Two
Tags: 1658 HCU; 640 Squadron; air gunner; aircrew; animal; bomb aimer; bombing; crewing up; flight engineer; Halifax; Halifax Mk 2; Halifax Mk 3; Heavy Conversion Unit; Initial Training Wing; Ju 88; Meteor; navigator; Operation Dodge (1945); pilot; RAF Acaster Malbis; RAF Hemswell; RAF Leconfield; RAF North Killingholme; RAF Riccall; RAF St Athan; RAF Torquay; training; wireless operator
Story of my war
Tags: 61 Squadron; 617 Squadron; 9 Squadron; 95 Squadron; air gunner; aircrew; Anson; bomb struck; bombing; Churchill, Winston (1874-1965); crash; crewing up; Distinguished Flying Cross; Distinguished Flying Medal; entertainment; flight engineer; ground personnel; Halifax; Initial Training Wing; Ju 52; killed in action; Lancaster; love and romance; navigator; Nissen hut; Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944); Operation Exodus (1945); Operational Training Unit; Pathfinders; pilot; prisoner of war; promotion; propaganda; RAF Bardney; RAF Bridlington; RAF Bruntingthorpe; RAF Burn; RAF Dalcross; RAF Kinloss; Stirling; submarine; Tallboy; Tirpitz; training; V-1; V-weapon; Wellington; wireless operator; Women’s Auxiliary Air Force
Crewing up RAF Lichfield
They are identified in information supplied with the collection as 'L to R Jack Southgate, Colin Thurecht, Stewart Semple (or Sempell), John Waugh, Bill Brown'.
This item was sent…
Tags: crewing up; pilot; RAF Lichfield
Lancaster "PO-O" LM583
#1 is a Lancaster piloted by John Waugh being waved off at Waddington.
#2 is a set of six captioned photographs - crewing up, taking off, the crew leaving Waddington at the end of their tour, the cockpit., a Lancaster in…
A conversation with Jim Lord and John Elliot
Tags: 1667 HCU; 17 OTU; 550 Squadron; 83 OTU; air gunner; aircrew; bale out; bomb aimer; Caterpillar Club; crewing up; Distinguished Flying Cross; flight engineer; Halifax; Heavy Conversion Unit; Ju 88; Lancaster Finishing School; navigator; Operational Training Unit; pilot; RAF Halfpenny Green; RAF Hemswell; RAF North Killingholme; RAF Peplow; RAF Sandtoft; RAF Silverstone; training; Wellington; wireless operator
If Love were all...the story of a Second World War bomber crew
Tags: 12 Squadron; 15 OTU; 1667 HCU; 30 OTU; 626 Squadron; Advanced Flying Unit; air gunner; aircrew; anti-aircraft fire; Berlin Campaign (23 August 1943 – 25 March 1944); bomb aimer; bombing; Churchill, Winston (1874-1965); crewing up; ditching; evading; final resting place; flight engineer; Flying Training School; Gee; ground personnel; Halifax; Harris, Arthur Travers (1892-1984); Heavy Conversion Unit; Hudson; killed in action; Lancaster; Lancaster Mk 1; Lancaster Mk 3; love and romance; lynching; Me 110; memorial; mess; missing in action; navigator; Operational Training Unit; Oxford; Pathfinders; pilot; prisoner of war; propaganda; RAF Binbrook; RAF Faldingworth; RAF Leeming; RAF Mepal; RAF Seighford; RAF Shellingford; RAF Shepherds Grove; RAF Watchfield; RAF Wickenby; RCAF Calgary; Red Cross; Schräge Musik; searchlight; Spitfire; sport; Tiger Moth; training; Wellington; wireless operator; Women’s Auxiliary Air Force
Conversation with Jo Lancaster. Part one
Tags: 12 Squadron; 20 OTU; 22 OTU; 40 Squadron; 617 Squadron; Air Gunnery School; aircrew; anti-aircraft fire; bombing; bombing of Cologne (30/31 May 1942); crewing up; Lancaster; Me 109; Me 110; Operational Training Unit; Oxford; pilot; RAF Alconbury; RAF Binbrook; RAF Boscombe Down; RAF Cranwell; RAF Lossiemouth; RAF Sealand; RAF Ternhill; RAF Upavon; RAF Wellesbourne Mountford; RAF Wickenby; RAF Wymeswold; RAF Wyton; Tiger Moth; training; Wellington
Conversation with Jo Lancaster
Tags: 12 Squadron; 20 OTU; 22 OTU; 40 Squadron; aircrew; anti-aircraft fire; bombing of Cologne (30/31 May 1942); crewing up; Flying Training School; Lancaster; Me 109; Me 110; Operational Training Unit; Oxford; pilot; RAF Alconbury; RAF Lossiemouth; RAF Sealand; RAF Ternhill; RAF Upavon; RAF Wellesbourne Mountford; RAF Wickenby; RAF Wymeswold; RAF Wyton; Tiger Moth; training; Wellington
Flight Sergeant Francis Hickling's service history
Conversation with Cliff Hobbs
To war in a Stirling - the life and times of Flight Lieutenant Stanley Robert Grafton DFC RAFVR
Tags: 10 OTU; 1651 HCU; 1653 HCU; 26 OTU; 3 Group; 90 Squadron; Air Observers School; aircrew; B-17; Battle; Berlin Campaign (23 August 1943 – 25 March 1944); bomb aimer; bombing; bombing of Hamburg (24-31 July 1943); Bombing of Peenemünde (17/18 August 1943); bombing up; crewing up; debriefing; demobilisation; Distinguished Flying Cross; fuelling; hangar; Heavy Conversion Unit; Initial Training Wing; intelligence officer; military service conditions; mine laying; nose art; observer; Operational Training Unit; petrol bowser; RAF Abingdon; RAF Chedburgh; RAF Ridgewell; RAF Torquay; RAF Tuddenham; RAF Waterbeach; RAF Watton; RAF Wigtown; RAF Wing; RAF Wratting Common; service vehicle; Stirling; training; V-1; V-2; V-weapon; Wellington
Transcript of conversation with David Fellowes
Tags: 1656 HCU; 30 OTU; 460 Squadron; air gunner; aircrew; anti-aircraft fire; crewing up; Halifax; Heavy Conversion Unit; Ju 88; Lancaster; Lancaster Finishing School; mid-air collision; mine laying; Operation Exodus (1945); Operation Manna (29 Apr – 8 May 1945); Operational Training Unit; Oxford; P-51; RAF Binbrook; RAF Hixon; RAF Ingham; RAF Lindholme; RAF Manston; RAF Scampton; Shackleton; training; Wellington
Conversation with Jim Lord and John Elliot
Tags: 1667 HCU; 17 OTU; 550 Squadron; 83 OTU; aircrew; bale out; Caterpillar Club; crash; crewing up; ground crew; Halifax; Heavy Conversion Unit; Ju 88; Lancaster; Lancaster Finishing School; nose art; Operational Training Unit; pilot; RAF Halfpenny Green; RAF Hemswell; RAF Lindholme; RAF North Killingholme; RAF Peplow; RAF Sandtoft; RAF Silverstone; training; Wellington; wireless operator
Transcript of conversations with Jack Bromfield
Tags: 158 Squadron; 1659 HCU; 21 OTU; 6 Group; Advanced Flying Unit; air gunner; aircrew; Anson; anti-aircraft fire; bale out; Blenheim; bomb aimer; bombing; Bombing and Gunnery School; crewing up; Dominie; Dulag Luft; evading; flight engineer; ground crew; ground personnel; Halifax; Halifax Mk 2; Halifax Mk 3; Halifax Mk 5; Heavy Conversion Unit; Initial Training Wing; Ju 88; military living conditions; military service conditions; Morse-keyed wireless telegraphy; navigator; Operational Training Unit; pilot; Proctor; RAF Bishops Court; RAF Bridgnorth; RAF Cosford; RAF Dalton; RAF Evanton; RAF Ford; RAF Lissett; RAF Madley; RAF Melksham; RAF Moreton in the Marsh; RAF Topcliffe; RAF Yatesbury; recruitment; Red Cross; shot down; Stalag Luft 1; training; Wellington; wireless operator; wireless operator / air gunner; Women’s Auxiliary Air Force
Dan Nash memoir
Tags: 149 Squadron; 15 Squadron; 27 OTU; air gunner; Air Gunnery School; aircrew; Anson; anti-aircraft fire; Blenheim; bomb aimer; bombing; bombing of Cologne (30/31 May 1942); briefing; crewing up; demobilisation; Dominie; entertainment; evacuation; Initial Training Wing; military living conditions; military service conditions; mine laying; Morse-keyed wireless telegraphy; navigator; Operational Training Unit; pilot; Proctor; promotion; propaganda; RAF Bottesford; RAF Cosford; RAF Cranwell; RAF Hednesford; RAF Kinloss; RAF Lichfield; RAF Linton on Ouse; RAF Locking; RAF Marham; RAF Metheringham; RAF Mildenhall; RAF Pembrey; RAF Uxbridge; RAF Wyton; RAF Yatesbury; recruitment; searchlight; service vehicle; sport; Stirling; superstition; target photograph; training; Wellington; Window; wireless operator / air gunner
Memoirs of an Air Gunner
Tags: 620 Squadron; air gunner; Air Gunnery School; aircrew; anti-aircraft fire; briefing; crewing up; Heavy Conversion Unit; Horsa; Operational Training Unit; RAF Ashbourne; RAF Fairford; RAF Leicester East; RAF Stormy Down; RAF Woolfox Lodge; recruitment; Special Operations Executive; Stirling; training
Letter from Kenneth Smith to his mother
Frank Dennis' memoir
Tags: 1659 HCU; 419 Squadron; 427 Squadron; 6 Group; air gunner; aircrew; Anson; anti-aircraft fire; bale out; bomb aimer; C-47; crash; crewing up; demobilisation; Distinguished Flying Cross; Distinguished Flying Medal; evading; firefighting; flight engineer; forced landing; Fw 190; Gee; H2S; Halifax; Halifax Mk 2; Heavy Conversion Unit; Initial Training Wing; killed in action; Lancaster; Me 163; military discipline; military living conditions; mine laying; Morse-keyed wireless telegraphy; Mosquito; navigator; Operation Dodge (1945); Operation Exodus (1945); perception of bombing war; pilot; prisoner of war; promotion; RAF Bridlington; RAF Cardington; RAF Leeming; RAF Little Snoring; RAF Manston; RAF Middleton St George; RAF St Athan; RAF Stradishall; RAF Topcliffe; recruitment; Stirling; training; V-1; V-weapon; Window; wireless operator
Harry Brabin memoir
He sailed on the SS Johan Van Barneve to San Francisco and…
Tags: 102 Squadron; 1652 HCU; 27 OTU; 4 Group; Advanced Flying Unit; air gunner; air sea rescue; aircrew; anti-aircraft fire; arts and crafts; bomb aimer; bomb struck; bombing; Bombing and Gunnery School; bombing of Helgoland (18 April 1945); bombing of the Normandy coastal batteries (5/6 June 1944); briefing; crewing up; debriefing; demobilisation; entertainment; faith; fear; flight engineer; forced landing; Fw 190; Gee; gremlin; ground crew; H2S; Halifax; Halifax Mk 3; Heavy Conversion Unit; Ju 88; killed in action; lack of moral fibre; love and romance; Master Bomber; McIndoe, Archibald (1900-1960); Me 109; Me 262; Me 410; military discipline; military ethos; military living conditions; military service conditions; mine laying; Morse-keyed wireless telegraphy; navigator; Navy, Army and Air Force Institute; Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944); Oboe; Operational Training Unit; P-51; Pathfinders; perception of bombing war; physical training; pilot; prisoner of war; promotion; propaganda; radar; RAF Gamston; RAF Lichfield; RAF Marston Moor; RAF Pocklington; RAF West Freugh; RCAF Mossbank; recruitment; Schräge Musik; searchlight; Spitfire; sport; tactical support for Normandy troops; Tallboy; target indicator; training; V-1; V-weapon; Wellington; Window; wireless operator / air gunner; Women’s Auxiliary Air Force
Last of the Tail Gun Charlies - Ronald Carter's Biography
At the age of 17, Ronald volunteered to join the Royal Air Force in November 1942. After basic training, Ronald was selected for gunnery and wireless operator training, becoming…
Tags: 44 Squadron; air gunner; aircrew; anti-aircraft fire; bale out; bombing; Bombing of Mailly-le-Camp (3/4 May 1944); bombing of Nuremberg (30 / 31 March 1944); bombing of the Creil/St Leu d’Esserent V-1 storage areas (4/5 July 1944); bombing of Toulouse (5/6 April 1944); Caterpillar Club; crewing up; mine laying; Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944); prisoner of war; RAF Dunholme Lodge; RAF Ringway; RAF Waddington; Stalag 3A; Stalag Luft 7; tactical support for Normandy troops; the long march; training; V-1; V-weapon; wireless operator / air gunner
Bob Smith's Memoirs
Tags: 106 Squadron; 115 Squadron; 142 Squadron; 15 Squadron; 1653 HCU; 166 Squadron; 3 Group; 4 Group; 44 Squadron; 467 Squadron; 49 Squadron; 5 Group; 619 Squadron; 622 Squadron; 640 Squadron; 76 Squadron; 78 Squadron; 84 OTU; Advanced Flying Unit; aerial photograph; air gunner; aircrew; Anson; anti-aircraft fire; bale out; Beaufighter; bomb aimer; bombing; Boston; crash; crewing up; Distinguished Flying Cross; entertainment; flight engineer; H2S; Halifax; Hampden; killed in action; Lancaster; Lancaster Finishing School; Master Bomber; mess; Morse-keyed wireless telegraphy; Mosquito; navigator; Nissen hut; Oboe; observer; Operational Training Unit; Oxford; pilot; prisoner of war; RAF Bishops Court; RAF Breighton; RAF Bridlington; RAF Cardington; RAF Chedburgh; RAF Cranwell; RAF Desborough; RAF Dunholme Lodge; RAF Feltwell; RAF Halfpenny Green; RAF Harrington; RAF Kirmington; RAF Leconfield; RAF Mildenhall; RAF Silloth; RAF Stradishall; RAF Tempsford; RAF Waddington; RAF West Freugh; RAF White Waltham; RAF Wigtown; RAF Witchford; Red Cross; sport; Stalag Luft 3; Stalag Luft 7; Stirling; training; V-1; Wellington; wireless operator
A Tour of Operations with RAF Bomber Command No XV/15 Squadron Mildenhall
Covers his operational tour and bombing operations.
Tags: 1 Group; 115 Squadron; 149 Squadron; 15 Squadron; 186 Squadron; 195 Squadron; 218 Squadron; 3 Group; 5 Group; 514 Squadron; 6 Group; 617 Squadron; 622 Squadron; 75 Squadron; 8 Group; 90 Squadron; aerial photograph; air gunner; aircrew; anti-aircraft fire; B-17; B-24; Battle; Blenheim; bomb aimer; bombing; Churchill, Winston (1874-1965); Cook’s tour; crewing up; Distinguished Flying Cross; Distinguished Flying Medal; Distinguished Service Order; escaping; flight engineer; Gee; George VI, King of Great Britain (1895-1952); ground crew; ground personnel; H2S; Harris, Arthur Travers (1892-1984); Ju 88; killed in action; lack of moral fibre; Lancaster; Lancaster Mk 3; Master Bomber; Me 109; mess; mine laying; Mosquito; navigator; Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944); Oboe; Operational Training Unit; Pathfinders; pilot; prisoner of war; propaganda; radar; RAF Chedburgh; RAF Feltwell; RAF Honeybourne; RAF Husbands Bosworth; RAF Lakenheath; RAF Lindholme; RAF Mepal; RAF Methwold; RAF Mildenhall; RAF Sealand; RAF Stradishall; RAF Tuddenham; RAF Uxbridge; RAF Waterbeach; RAF Weston Zoyland; RAF Witchford; RAF Wratting Common; RAF Wyton; Spitfire; Stirling; tactical support for Normandy troops; target indicator; target photograph; V-1; V-2; V-weapon; Wellington; Window; wireless operator; Women’s Auxiliary Air Force