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Letter to Les Pickford's Mother from 139 Squadron
The author is delighted that Les is safe, albeit a prisoner of war.
Letter to Les Pickford's Mother from 139 Squadron
The writer has received letters and cards from Les' mother indicating he is alive.
Telegram to Les Pickford's Mother from 139 Squadron
The telegram advises her that her son is definitely a prisoner of war and not deceased.
Letter to Les Pickford's Mother from 139 Squadron
The writer confirms that her son is definitely a prisoner of war.
Letter to Mrs Doreen Ellis from 199 Squadron
The letter advises Doreen that he husband is missing in action. The possibility that he husband may have escaped or taken prisoner is mentioned.
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 operation lost 37 crews from 120 launched against Wesserling oil refinery near…
Letter from 408 Squadron to John Taplin's Parents
The letter confirms that John is missing during an operation over Hamburg. The circumstances are not known.
Letter to Wally Layne's wife from 97 Squadron adjutant
Writes that they were glad to hear that her husband was safe and a prisoner of war. Notes that other crew members were also prisoners. Congratulates her on behalf of husband who received his commission 13 September 1943.
Letter to Joan Wareing from Alan Buppinger
Describes events during an operation to support the Normandy troops 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.
Barney Thompson's wartime log
Contains tables of bird watching activity and descriptions of birds; list of books; a large number of photographs of civilians, fellow prisoners including one of Wing Commander Day (Senior British Officer) and a Wellington. Followed by list of names…
Flying Officer Arthur S Woolf - RAF career and experiences in WW2
First page has head and shoulders portrait of Arthur Woolf wearing uniform tunic with half brevet, medal ribbons and peaked cap. Next page has badges for Bomber Command, 5 Group and 630 Squadron.
Covers joining the RAF at age 19 and training at…
Covers joining the RAF at age 19 and training at…
Water under the bridge
Part 1. "By the Seat of his Pants". Covers from Alan Gamble's years as a schoolboy in Worthing in the late 1930's, up to joining the RAF in 1943, where he trained as a wireless operator in Blackpool. He joined 620 Squadron, which was equipped mainly…
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 31st operation another aircraft…
Interview with Colin Fraser
Colin joined the British Army in December 1941 and, eventually, moved to his preferred Royal Air Force in March 1943. He went to Number 2 Initial Training School at RAAF Bradfield Park in Sydney as a navigator, graduating in February 1944. His first…
Interview with Jean Smith
When war broke out, Jean was working in the Ministry of Aircraft Production. She joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force in 1942 and did two months’ training at Innsworth camp. Jean was posted to 27 Operational Training Unit at RAF Lichfield, as…
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…