Browse Items (515 total)

  • Tags: bale out

BAllisonTAllisonTv1.pdf
Bomber Command wartime memoirs 1939-45 by Ted Allison. He completed 35 bomber operations as wireless operator/air gunner 1941-43, which he described as being looked down upon. The introduction describes his role as a Wop/Ag and how they're replaced…

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PFOMetheringhamAF25030013.jpg
Top - two air gunners standing in front of rear turret of a Lancaster 'submitted with caption 'Two aircrew, wearing battledress, stood at the rear of a Lancaster. Annotated: "Left- Vic Cole's mid upper and rear gunners. The mid upper baled out on the…

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SBatchelderHE1262838v10004.jpg
A letter of sympathy from 102 Squadron explaining that Harold Batchelder did not return from an operation to attack Essen on the night of 16 and 17 June 1942.

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MBatchelderHE1262838-190626-06.pdf
An article written 40 years after the start of the war describing the role and functions of the RAF Ex-Prisoner of War Association. Quotes are included from honorary member Prince Philip. An Irish airman called Larry Slattery who baled out on 3…

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LBatchelderH1262838v1.pdf
Pilot's Flying Log Book for Sergeant H E Batchelder DFM covering the period 2 March 1941 to 11 May 1945 and detailing training flights, air tests and operations. Aircraft flown were Tiger Moth, Oxford, Whitley and Halifax. Harold Batchelder carried…

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AKornerGV960820.mp3
G Korner completed his training as a rear gunner and was posted to RAF Leconfield. As gunner he witnessed other aircraft above heading into their bombing run and their bombs just missing his aircraft. He also witnessed aircraft being shot down and on…

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ATruemanKW970804.mp3
Ken Trueman trained as a navigator and flew operations with 640 Squadron from RAF Leconfield. While on operations they came under attack and the plane began to burn. The crew baled out except the pilot and rear gunner. Ken parachuted into a field…

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BBatchelderHEBatchelderHEv50001.jpg
Harold Batchelder writes about the loss of a Halifax with 102 Squadron on an operation to Frankfurt on 8 September 1942. He states that the attack had not been a success and provides details of the aircraft lost. He discusses the role of Bomber…

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BBatchelderHEBatchelderHEv20001.jpg
A summary of Harold Batchelder's service with Bomber Command describing his training, operations as a pilot with 102 Squadron and capture after baling out on an operation to Essen on the night of 16 June 1942. Harold Batchelder was a prisoner of…

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BBatchelderHEBatchelderHEv10001.jpg
An abstract, summarising Harold Batchelder's wartime service with Bomber Command, and two additional pages providing background details of his education and pre-war employment.

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BElsonAElsonAv10001.jpg
Warrant Officer Albert Elson (751538) joined the Volunteer Reserves in Derby in 1938 and was called up on 3 September 1939. His operational service began on 26 September 1940. He completed his first tour with 115 Squadron at RAF Marham in 1941, then…

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BGoldsworthyRGGoldsworthyRGv2.pdf
Dick Goldsworthy trained as a navigator and was posted to Ferry Command. In August 1942, he and his crew, Pilot “Cisco”, Wireless Operator Arthur, Rear Gunner Joe Gordon (Canadian), and two others delivered a Wellington to Palestine and was posted o…

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MSlaterWJ50613-160121-03.jpg
Covers joining RAF and training initially as pilot in United Kingdom and the United States, then having failed due to poor eyesight re-mustered and trained as navigator in Canada. Flew anti-submarine patrols on Whitley then joined 102 Squadron. Lists…

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ESlaterWJ[Recipient]R20060415.pdf
Joined the RAF in February 1939 and was eventually selected for training as an air gunner. Writes of training and crewing up at OTU where he flew some operational leaflet and mining operations on Whitleys. Follows a time on Coastal Command and…

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PHawkinsGF1901.jpg
A wooden shield with the badge of the Caterpillar Club Association affixed to it. Along the top is a banner which says, "North West Branch, founded 16th October 1981". Below the badge is another banner with, "G.F. Hawkins, 8th August 1944"

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LBealesRW570398v100.pdf
Observer's and air gunner's flying log book of RW Beales, flight engineer. It covers the period from 1 January 1942 to 24 August 1942 and includes details and locations of his flying training and operations flown. Whilst in training he flew on two of…

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PBealesRW19010001.jpg
Gold coloured caterpillar brooch in a red presentation box

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MBealesRW570398-191204-010001.jpg
Caterpillar Club membership certificate for Sgt. R. W. Beales, signed by Leslie Irvin

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EIrvinLLBealesRW430121.jpg
Letter on company headed paper, from Leslie Irvin Honorary Secretary of Irvin Air Chute of Great Britain Limited, regarding the Caterpillar Pin to which Mr Beales' son was entitled.

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SJenningsHW411560v10003-0001.jpg
Letter from Sergeant Hoskisson to a woman called Joan containing general news and an account of the loss of his aircraft and the fate of the crew.

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EJenningsHW[Recipient]4404XX-010002.jpg
A letter in which Hugh Horsley reassures his father that he will conquer his fear and expresses his political opinions.

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AWilliamsS250826.mp3
John Andrew Cromie volunteered for the RAF in Australia. He was posted to 460 Squadron. On his thirteenth operation he was shot down and became a prisoner of war. After the war he didn’t talk to his family about his experiences. Upon the death of…

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EMaunsellJ[Recipient][Date]-01.pdf
A letter from John Maunsell detailing his service and experiences with Bomber Command, including the training, his crew and operational duties. He was shot down in June 1944, evaded capture and returned to Britain in September 1944.

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MKnoxVD63842-240818-39.pdf
Douglas' notes on accidents and operational duties. Includes 'to do' lists, suggested alterations to logs, operational failures, lists of missing, injured and killed.Additional information on Gordon Leslie Hyde is available via the IBCC Losses…

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MKnoxVD63842-240818-28.pdf
A monthly report on operations, photography, signals, armament, gunnery, bombing, navigation, flying control, gardening, operational training, accidents, air & sea rescue, organisation, aerodrome defence, equipment, public relations and honours and…

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