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44 Squadron and the Wesserling Raid 21/22 June 1944
Six page document courtesy of the late Allen White - 44 Squadron Historian. Reproduces narratives from three 44 Squadron crews involved in the operation. Overall the raid lost 37 crews from 120 launched against Wesserling oil refinery near Cologne. …
Letter to Joan Wareing from Alan Buppinger
Describes events during an operation against target in France when Robert Wareing's aircraft was attached by fighters and set on fire. Four crew members were killed and four baled out. Author and one other evaded with help of French resistance,…
Letter to Joan Wareing from Squadron Leader Alan Hill
Letter posted from RAF station North Luffenham by Base Navigation Officer, Squadron Leader Alan Hill covering family news and friendship matters in general. Is glad that Bob is safe and well and wanted to know about how to send parcels to him.
50 years ago
The memoir covers Sergeant Officer A Yates' time as a prisoner of war from September 1942 to April 1945. He was initially imprisoned in Stalag VIIIB in Upper Silesia, he was evacuated with 30,000 others to escape the advancing Russian Army. He and a…
Statement of Abele Torracchi about some Allied servicemen
Abele Torracchi claims that on 10 or 12 September 1943 he was in his grocer’s shop in Striglianella, near Montale (Pistoia), when ten or twelve allied prisoners of war arrived. He gave them food, a map, and information about Germans movements. On…
Statement of Ada Aiazzi about some Allied servicemen
Ada Aiazzi claims she helped thirteen English prisoners of war, from 15 September 1943 to 20 December 1943, giving them food, shelter, clothes, medicines, and cigarettes. On 24 December, they moved to Monte Morello (Florence), where a Partisan…
Interview with Jack Bell
Jack Bell joined the Royal Australian Air Force as a wireless operator/air gunner and joined 216 Squadron, at Heliopolis, near Cairo. He flew in Valentia and Bombay aircraft in a transport role. On an operation over Libya, his aircraft was shot down…
Interview with Francis Shamus "Jim" Cahir.
Jim Cahir grew up in Australia. He originally joined the army but later was transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force. He flew operations as a mid upper gunner with 466 Squadron. His aircraft was shot down and he became a prisoner of war. after…
Interview with Keith Campbell. Two
Keith Campbell grew up in New South Wales and joined the Royal Australian Air Force when he was old enough. He flew 35 operations as a bomb aimer with 466 Squadron from RAF Leconfield and RAF Driffield when, on their thirty first operation another…
Interview with Colin Fraser
Colin Fraser grew up in Hawthorn, Australia and joined the Royal Australian Air Force. He flew operations as a navigator with 460 Squadron.
Interview with Wal Goodwin
Wal Goodwin grew up near Melbourne, was conscripted in the Australian Army but was discharged due to his father’s reserved farming occupation. He later volunteered for the Australian Air Force and received his initial training of meteorology, Morse…
Interview with Ronald Last
Ronald Last grew up in Dorset and worked as an apprentice for the local Gas and Water company before volunteering for the Air Force. He attended the reception centre at Lord's Cricket Ground and describes the medical tests and inoculations recruits…
Statement of Adelindo Meoni about some Allied servicemen
Adelindo Meoni claims he helped, from 10 September 1943 to 20 December 1943, ten allied prisoners of war, giving them food and shelter. On 20 December they moved to Migliana area, near Cantagallo (Prato), where they were recaptured some days later by…
Statement of Adelmo Ferri about some Allied servicemen
Adelmo Ferri claims he helped some Allied servicemen, from 8 September 1943: he hosted one of them for a month, and he helped other servicemen hid in the mountain areas of Vallone, Macchia, and Fonda, near Pistoia, with his fellow villagers. Then…
Statement of Adolfo Innocenti about some Allied servicemen
Adolfo Innocenti claims he helped some English prisoners of war who arrived in the woods near his house. He regularly brought them food. One of them, called George, got sick, and he lived in Adolfo’s house for 21 days until his recovery; then, he…
Statement of Adori Melani about some Allied servicemen
Adori Melani claims he helped three English soldiers for six months. At first, they hid in a hut and then they moved to San Baronto, in the province of Pistoia. In both cases Adori brought them food and clothes. For his efforts, he received a…
Letter to Mrs Miller from Alan Robson
Alan Robson writes to Mrs Miller from M.- Stammlager 1X A telling her he flew with her son Teddy and expects her to hear bad news.
Interview with George Thomson. One
George Thomson had always wanted to fly. When he volunteered for the RAF he hoped to be a pilot but re-mustered as a navigator. He was posted to 15 Squadron based at RAF Mildenhall. On their first operation they were attacked by fighters three times.…
Interview with George Thomson. Two
George Thomson was a navigator with 15 Squadron based at RAF Mildenhall. On their nineteenth operation they came under attack and had to bale out of the aircraft. The pilot and mid-upper gunner both died. When he landed he saw a parachute stuck in a…
Statement of Albanetto Bovani about some Allied servicemen
Albanetto Bovani claims he helped from 1 May 1944 to 8 September 1944, three allied prisoners of war in the village of Torbecchia, near Pistoia. He gave them food, clothes, cigarettes, and 1000 lire. On the evening of 8 September he was put in front…
Statement of Albina Barni about John F Kerrigan, David Douglas, Alex Rodgers, and Erbert Nirton
Albina Barni claims she helped John F Kerrigan, David Douglas, Alex Rodgers, and Erbert Nirton providing food and blankets. On 10 March 1944, John F Kerrigan was shot in an arm while he was with the Resistance and Albina tended him.
Statement of Albirena Ioli about John Cunningham
Albirena Poli claims she helped some allied serivcemen providing food and clothes. Among them John Cunningham (847028) who lived in her house for two days.
Statement of Alderigo Ghelli about some Allied servicemen
Alderigo Ghelli claims he helped eight English servicemen who arrived on 9 September 1943 at Sabatino Vezzosi’ house: David Pugh, Reginald Painter, T Wallace Hume, William Black, Victor Simmons, Frank Jaques, and Frederick Pears. Alderigo endorses …
Interview with Lidia Vendramin
Lidia Vendramin reminisces her childhood in Sacile including details on her primary schooling, family, and town life. Contrasts the public manifestations of joy the day the war was declared, with the shock and dismay of her parents, whose lives had…
Statement of Alessio Ferri about some Allied servicemen
Alessio Ferri claims he helped, from 8 September 1943 to 1 September 1944, some Allied servicemen, giving them food and clothes. For his efforts, he received a certificate of thankfulness (number 83271-18246)