-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1252/16890/SCheshireGL72021v10031-0001.1.jpg
cd38a1b76f37376021c453fc18ff3f9e
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1252/16890/SCheshireGL72021v10031-0002.1.jpg
0021fe952e665b3e9c7f7c52549c8a6a
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1252/16890/SCheshireGL72021v10031-0003.1.jpg
79be14d35565effbbe74c847a214b9de
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1252/16890/SCheshireGL72021v10031-0004.1.jpg
f5afdeb05783040db941da3fb49608df
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1252/16890/SCheshireGL72021v10031-0005.1.jpg
d42f9bc490fe4a4c86b7e10bc5fe66c3
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1252/16890/SCheshireGL72021v10031-0006.1.jpg
6968ddc6c433ac3bbb1b0614439f72e0
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1252/16890/SCheshireGL72021v10031-0007.1.jpg
134821e29c2665b0f424a0b18da5ea99
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Cheshire, Leonard
Cheshire, Geoffrey Leonard
Baron Cheshire
Description
An account of the resource
374 items concerning Group Captain Leonard Cheshire VC, OM, DSO & Two Bars, DFC. Collection consists of photographs of people, vehicles, places, aircraft, weapons and targets; documents including, private and service letters, signals, telegrams, intelligence reports, crew lists and official documents. Cheshire served on 102 and 35 Squadrons and commanded 76 and 617 Squadrons. The collection includes details of 617 Squadron's precision bombing operations. Also included are two sub-collections: one containing 21 photographs of Tinian and Saipan, the other consisting of 37 audio tapes of speeches given by Cheshire after the war.
The collection has been licenced to the IBCC Digital Archive by The Leonard Cheshire Archive and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is property of the Leonard Cheshire Archive which has kindly granted the International Bomber Command Centre Digital Archive a royalty-free permission to publish it. Please note that it was digitised by a third-party which used technical specifications that may differ from those used by International Bomber Command Centre Digital Archive. It has been published here ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre.
Access Rights
Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies.
Permission granted for commercial projects
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
1059877 Sgt. McLean, DFM,
No 4. (C) O.T.U,
Raf Station,
Alness,
Ross-shire,
Scotland.
31.1.44.
Sir,
Before proceeding with this letter perhaps it would be advisable to mention that my friend F/Lt. Hill DFC, DFM, who was formerly your wireless operator suggested that I contact you, and assured me that if anyone could possibly help me in my present predicament it would be you. I am fully aware that I am not at liberty to approach you on any Service subject but as this whole war - the whole outcome of the war - is built up on
[page break]
[underlined] 2 [/underlined]
taking chances, I decided to write you. Being aware of your vast operational experience and ability as a Bomber Pilot I think if anyone can help me you are the man. So please Sir, regard this letter as a purely tail gunner to Skipper affair.
I will attempt to outline the details.
In 1940 I remustered [sic] from my basic trade to Aircrew Duties. In 1941 I went through No. 14 I.T.W, No. 2 AGS, Conversion Unit and finally commenced operations with 102 Squadron in 1942. On my first operation (to Saabrucken) I shot down an me 109 into the channel. (Confirmed.. A/C HALIFAX [underlined] NO [/underlined] W7677. 28.8.42) During the following months I took a very keen interest in German and Italian night fighter tactics.
[page break]
[underlined] 3 [/underlined]
I put in an average of fifteen hours turret manipulation per week. I made a careful study of old combat reports, various methods of fighter evasion, and even “gened” [sic] up on a crashed crashed [sic] German fighter. During an inspection of this aircraft I made a very simple, but very important discovery which considerably assisted me in later combats. My previous Gunnery Leader, F/LT. Vaugn-Davies DFC can vouch for the fact that one week I put in 25 hours turret manipulation.
About my 9th or 10th operation we were attacked by three JU’88’s near Mannheim. I shot down two! Our aircraft was damaged. ([underlined] Confirmed [/underlined] A/C [underlined] NO [/underlined] W7952 night of 6.12.42). Previous to this I had damaged an me 109 on the return journey from Genoa (A/C [underlined] NO [/underlined] W1241, 10.11.42)
[page break]
[underlined] 4 [/underlined]
A couple of months later on the way back from Lorient we were coned by searchlights and attacked by two JU 88’s. Our aircraft was damaged and set afire. None of the crew were injured.
I extinguished the fire, destroyed one enemy aircraft and probably destroyed the second. We carried no mid-upper turret. (Confirmed A/C [underlined] NO [/underlined] (UNKNOWN) “E” EDWARD night of 16.2.43 (app.). The Captain of the aircraft was W/COMM. Hope).
Several operations later I was screened on medical grounds. I finished up with four aircraft destroyed, one probable and two damaged.
When fit again I naturally expected to back on Bomber Command. (I had become quite a useful member of a Bomber crew you must admit.) To my utter horror, when I was passed fit for operational flying,
[page break]
[underlined] 5 [/underlined]
[underlined] I was posted to this unit to do a Coastal Command O.T.U Course. [/underlined] I have nothing to look forward to now but a damned binding existance [sic] of these bloody “flying whales” they have here (Sunderlands). I have been here three weeks and at the moment I am in a “POOL” consisting of surplus aircrew awaiting the commencement of the next Course which takes place in two-three weeks time. During the first week or so I was engaged on the job of chopping wood and lighting fires for the classrooms. I approached the C.G.I. on the matter and I am now on a Test crew but still have to start the Course when it starts. I have been granted an interview by almost every Officer here but all my efforts to get back
[page break]
[underlined] 6 [/underlined]
on Bomber Command have failed. Now Sir I look at it from this angle. My heart is not in Coastal Command and never will be. From a patriotic viewpoint, I am only a hindrance to the war effort whereas on my old job on B. Comm. I would be an asset. After all Sir, I did work hard on B. Comm. and I am just as good a gunner today as I was when I was on 102 Squadron. In fact I think I’m better. My heart is not in flying boats and I can visualise myself becoming only a menace to a crew. After all, I did put my heart into my work on B. Comm. and took more than a keen interest in night fighter tactics so I feel that the least the R.A.F. can do is let me
[page break]
[underlined] 7 [/underlined]
continue where I [deleted] layed [/deleted] left off. I assure you Sir, I have endevoured [sic] to aquire [sic] an interest for Coastal Command work but find it absolutely impossible. Therefore Sir, if you could possibly do anything to assist in my transfer to Bombers I would be deeply indebted to you. As a typical Bomber Pilot, I think if anyone can help me that person is you.
In the meantime I shall resign myself to my monotonous existance [sic] and hope for the best. I shall put in an application to see the C.G.I. again but the outcome of my interview will undoubtedly be the same - no joy!
I Remain Sir,
Your Obedient Servant,
J Mclean, Sgt.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter to Leonard Cheshire from Sergeant Thomas Joseph McLean DFM
Description
An account of the resource
States that Cheshire's previous wireless operator Flight Lieutenant Hill has suggested he write to Cheshire. Provides his history as air gunner with 102 Squadron in 1942 where he was credited with four aircraft destroyed one probable and two damaged. Subsequently he was screen medically. On regaining fitness he was posted to Coastal Command which he regards as a total waste of his skills. He requests that Cheshire provides any help he can in arranging a transfer to Bomber Command.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
T J McLean
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-01-31
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Seven page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SCheshireGL72021v10031
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Royal Air Force. Coastal Command
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Ross-shire
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-01-31
Is Part Of
A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included.
Cheshire, Leonard. Correspondence
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
License
A legal document giving official permission to do something with the resource.
Royalty-free permission to publish
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is property of the Leonard Cheshire Archive which has kindly granted the International Bomber Command Centre Digital Archive a royalty-free permission to publish it. Please note that it was digitised by a third-party which used technical specifications that may differ from those used by International Bomber Command Centre Digital Archive. It has been published here ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre.
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Roger Dunsford
102 Squadron
air gunner
aircrew
Cheshire, Geoffrey Leonard (1917-1992)
Ju 88
Me 109
military ethos
RAF Alness
Sunderland