DeptName
Documents

IDNO
2287

OtherNumber
86/15/1

ItemName
Private Papers of R H Williams

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
204 ms letters sent to his parents, June 1941 - October 1944, while serving as a Navigator in RAF Bomber Command, in which he describes the camps in which he lived, the places he visited, his social life, and briefly his experiences training in England, June - October 1941, and in Canada and the USA, October 1941 - March 1942, then back in England, April - October 1942, and his operational flying with No 106 Squadron RAF, October - December 1942, with No 61 Squadron RAF, February - August 1943, with No 57 Squadron RAF, May - August 1944, and finally with No 617 Squadron RAF from September until his death in October 1944, and an ms diary, October 1941 - December 1942, in which he describes his journey to Canada and his life in Canada and in Miami, Florida, including reflections on war-time conditions in those countries and the American reactions to Pearl Harbour; together with his flying log book, January 1942 - October 1944, in which he recorded his 52 operational sorties against targets in France, Germany and Italy; official correspondence concerning his death in action and burial, and his Commemorative Scroll. The collection also includes part of an ms letter, dated September 1944, to a female friend in which he describes joining No. 617 Squadron.

MakerName
Williams

Forenames
R H

Honours
DFC

Style
Flight Lieutenant

RelatedIWMItems
See also DPH DOC450

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
264

OtherNumber
89/2/1

ItemName
Private Papers of J H Mason

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
Flying Log Book covering his training and service as a pilot/co-pilot in the RAF from August 1941 to his death in action in a raid over France on 10 May 1944, covering his postings with 16 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School (August 1941 - January 1942), 35 Service Flying Training School (January - October 1942), 14 Advanced Flying Unit (October - December 1942), bomber conversion units (December 1942 - April 1943), flying Lancasters on bombing raids over Italy and Germany with 619 Squadron (July - December 1943, including the Berlin Raid of 18 November) and over France with 50 Squadron (May 1944); also: a citation for his DFC (15 February 1944; the decoration is held by the Department of Exhibits and Firearms), photographs of him, his grave, and of 16 EFTS in 1941, his RAF identity document (RCAFG 84), a letter from the King offering sympathy on his death in action and an invitation to attend a posthumous presentation (1946).

MakerName
Mason

Forenames
J H

Honours
DFC

Style
Pilot Officer

RelatedIWMItems
See DCAR (DEAF)

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
655

OtherNumber
90/32/1

ItemName
Private Papers of A Coleman

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
3 aircrew flying log books (including a fair copy) covering his service as an officer navigator - bomb aimer with the RAF, 1942 -1946 and 1951 - 1965 including training in England (January - November 1943) and service with No 7 Squadron Path Finder Force, (November 1943 - April 1944, RAF Oakington), No 582 Squadron PFF (April - August 1944 RAF Little Staughton) and No 139 (Jamaica) Squadron PFF (August 1944 - July 1945, RAF Upwood) listing and occasionally describing the 100 missions he flew, predominantly in Lancasters and Mosquitos, over the major cities of Germany (36 over Berlin) and accompanying the D Day landings and later advances in raids over targets in France (including the Wizernes V Weapon site), often as Master bomber, occasionally on two operations in one day,; also concerning his post war RAF career, including flights over Christmas Island in the summers of 1957 and 1958 (24 Squadron), observing the effects of atom bomb tests (Operation Grapple).

MakerName
Coleman

Forenames
A

Honours
DFC

Style
Squadron Leader

RelatedIWMItems
See DCAR

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
3574

OtherNumber
85/16/1

ItemName
Private Papers of C B Owen

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
Ms diary (114pp) with detailed entries covering his operations as a pilot with No 97 Squadron, Bomber Command RAF, on bombing raids against targets in Germany and occupied France, November 1943 - April 1944, and as part of the Path Finder Force, April - July 1944, and as a Master Bomber with 54 Base V Group, August - November 1944, including photographs and operations maps, together with details of a goodwill visit to the USA in July 1946 as a pilot for AO C-in-C Bomber Command, Air Marshal Sir Norman Bottomley.

MakerName
Owen

Forenames
C B

Honours
DSO DFC

Style
Group Captain

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
4493

OtherNumber
82/32/1

ItemName
Private Papers of H V Satterly

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
Ts operation order (15pp) by No 5 Group RAF for the 617 Squadron attack on the Ruhr dams, May 1943, with ms annotations relating to its use in the book THE DAM BUSTERS (1950). Together with a ms note (1p) regarding restrictions on use, 1950, and a photostat copy of the operation order (6pp). Also a copy of notes on the `Dambusting' weapon by Sir Barnes Wallis, 1963 (6pp).

MakerName
Satterly

Forenames
H V

Honours
CB CBE DFC

Style
Air Vice Marshal

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
7789

OtherNumber
Strong Room

ItemName
Private Papers of D J Shannon

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
2 Flying Log Books (RAAF Form A18 and RAF Form 414) recording his service with the RAAF and the RAF, April 1941 - November 1945, including: his flying training in Western Australia with No 9 EFTS, RAAF Cunderdin, April - May 1941, and No 4 SFTS, RAAF Geraldton, June - September 1941, and in the UK with No 1 ATU, RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire, December 1941 - January 1942; No 1515 BAT, RAF Swanton Morley, Norfolk, January 1942; and No 19 OTU, RAF Kinloss, Scotland, March - June 1942; flying Lancasters on active service (3 operational tours) with No 106 Squadron (led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson VC), RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, and RAF Syerston, Nottinghamshire, June 1942 - March 1943; No 617 Squadron RAF (led by Wing Commanders Guy Gibson VC, Leonard Cheshire VC, and J B Tait), RAF Scampton, RAF Coningsby, and RAF Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, March 1943 - July 1944; No 511 Squadron, RAF Lyneham, Wiltshire, October - December 1944; and No 246 Squadron, RAF Holmesley South, Hampshire, December 1944 - November 1945; and giving brief but useful comments on air raids over France, Germany and Italy, notably the 'Dams' raid of 16-17 May 1943; and mentioning the award of the DSO, DFC, and Bars. Also included are his Pilot's Training card (RAAF Form P/T 28), giving personal details and the results of his flying training with No 5 ITS, No 9 EFTS, and No 4 SFTS in Australia, January - September 1941, and 8 cards with sketches of the Lancaster by Pilot Officer A Pollen and the names of his aircrew kept as souvenirs of air raids with No 106 Squadron against Dusseldorf, Genoa, Turin, and Duisberg, September - December 1942; aerial photographs of targets; and a list of the aircrews flying on the 'Dams' raid, May 1943.

MakerName
Shannon

Forenames
D J

Honours
DSO* DFC* RAAF

Style
Squadron Leader

RelatedIWMItems
His medals are also held on loan by DEAF.

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
8143

OtherNumber
99/7/1

ItemName
Private Papers of J W Howland

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
Well-written ts diary recording his service as a Navigator with the USAAF in the USA and the UK, November 1943 - June 1944, including: training at an Overseas Training Unit at Kearney, Nebraska, November 1943; the flight across the USA and the Atlantic to the UK, November - December 1943; flying the B-17 Flying Fortress on operations over Germany and France with the 535th Bombardment Squadron of the 381st Bombardment Group (1st Bombardment Division, 8th US Air Force) from Ridgewell, December 1943 - March 1944; the Path Finder Force, 305th Bombardment Group, Chelveston, near Northampton, March - May 1944; and the 324th Bombardment Squadron, 91st Bombardment Group, May - June 1944, supporting the operations on D-Day; and commenting on his duties; the incompetence of the planning for a raid on Oschersleben (January 1944) and the inept performance of senior navigators; off-duty recreation; relations with British civilians; the theft of property by colleagues; his navigation equipment; the enemy opposition, the loss of friends; an air raid on London; the excellent protection given by their fighter escorts; being shot up by enemy aircraft and flak; sanctions taken against pilots who lacked morale fibre.

MakerName
Howland

Forenames
J W

Style
Captain

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
8545

OtherNumber
Con Shelf & 01/1/1

ItemName
Private Papers of S P Brunt

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
121 ms letters written to his girlfriend, later fiancee, from January - October 1944, while undergoing flying training in Scotland, Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire and from October 1944 as a bomber pilot flying Mosquitos adapted to carry a 4,000 lb "cookie" bomb in raids on Germany with No 693 Squadron RAF from RAF Graveley in Cambridgeshire as part of No 8 (Path Finder Force) Group, Bomber Command until his death on 17 December 1944 when his aircraft crash landed on return, describing daily life and off-duty entertainment in the various RAF bases where he was stationed and also documenting his increasingly serious relationship with his fiancee; together with several photographs including one of a briefing session, an RAF Graveley Christmas card for 1944, theatre programmes, a cigarette packet and his fiancee's pocket diaries for 1944 and 1945.

MakerName
Brunt

Forenames
S P

Style
Flight Lieutenant

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
10863

OtherNumber
P141

ItemName
Private Papers of D Gilley

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
Collection of 5 flying log books covering his service in the RFC and the RAF, beginning with his period of training (August – September 1915); as a flying instructor at Northolt, Middlesex (September – November 1915); with No. 51 Squadron RFC at Thetford and Mattishall, Norfolk on home defence duties, primarily anti-Zeppelin patrols (July 1916 – January 1917); with No. 199 Squadron RFC at Retford, Nottinghamshire training for night bomber operations (July – December 1917); with No. 58 Squadron RFC in France engaged on night bombing operations on enemy bases and communications until the Armistice (January 1918 – June 1919); at the Air Pilotage School at RAF Andover, Hampshire (July 1919 – July 1921); with No. 2 Squadron RAF in Ireland on Army co-operation duties and in the United Kingdom (July 1921 – April 1924); with No. 208 Squadron RAF in Egypt on Army co-operation duties (January 1925 – June 1926); with the Aden Flight (August 1926 – March 1927) and at Headquarters, Middle East, Cairo (August 1927 - September 1928).

MakerName
Gilley

Forenames
D

Honours
DFC

Style
Group Captain

RelatedIWMItems
See full catalogue and also DCAR DPH Q94770-Q94860

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Documents

IDNO
12528

OtherNumber
71/31/1 & Strongroom

ItemName
Private Papers of Leonard Cheshire

ObjectType
Private Papers

ShortSummary
2 flying log books covering his flying training with the Oxford University Air Squadron (October 1936 – June 1940), at No 9 Flying training School, RAF Hullavington, Wiltshire (October 1939 – April 1940), at No 10 Operational Training Unit RAF Abingdon, Oxfordshire (April – June 1940), his first tour of operations flying Whitley Bombers with No 102 Squadron RAF at RAF Driffield, RAF Leeming, RAF Linton-on-Ouse and RAF Topcliffe, Yorkshire (June 1940 – January 1941), then having volunteered for a second tour, flying the new Halifax four engined bombers with No 35 Squadron RAF, based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse (January 1941 – February 1942), a period which included flights with the Atlantic Ferry Pool (ATFERO) during a break from operations (May – July 1941), then after completing his second tour, a brief period as a flying instructor with No 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit based at RAF Marston Moor, taking part in the thousand bomber raid on Cologne in May (February - August 1942), a third tour, as Commanding Officer, with No. 76 Squadron RAF at RAF Linton-on-Ouse (August 1942 - April 1943), as station commander at RAF Marston Moor, Yorkshire (May – September 1943) before being placed in command of No. 617 Squadron and developing their role as a precision bombing unit using low flying Mosquitos to mark targets for their Lancaster bombers (October 1943 – July 1944), with South East Asia Command (ACSEA) (October – December 1944) and then in the USA at the British Joint Staff Mission in Washington DC, (January – August 1945) and as one of two British observers during the dropping of the second atomic bomb on Nagasaki (8 August 1945). The log books are accompanied by 4 volumes (February – May 1944) containing briefing details, crew lists, detailed operational reports, target maps and aerial photographs compiled by Cheshire immediately after No 617 Squadron’s raids on the Gnome and Rhone aero-engine factory at Limoges and the viaduct at Antheor (February 1944), aircraft and aero-engine factories near Albert, the needle bearing works at St Etienne, an aero-engine works at Woippy, a tyre factory near Clermont Ferrand, the Poudrerie Nationale at Bergerac and at Angouleme and an aero-engine factory at Lyons (March 1944), an aircraft repair plant near Toulouse, the signals equipment depot at St Cyr and marshalling yards at Juvisy and at La Chapelle (April 1944), the cities of Brunswick and Munich (April 1944) and the military barracks at Mailly-le-Camp (May 1944).

MakerName
Cheshire

AlternativeName
later Lord Cheshire

Forenames
Leonard

Honours
VC OM DSO** DFC

Style
Group Captain

RelatedIWMItems
Lord Cheshire's medals and flying helmet are held by the Museum's Department of Exhibits and Firearms, related material is also held in the Photograph Archive and the Sound Archive.

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

WebStatus
published

UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31

URLEncodedDeptName
Documents

Access
Unrestricted

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
2169

ProductionDate
20/Apr/1943

ObjectType
Recording

IndexPlaces
DE
GB

IndexUnits
GB.F & Bomber Command
GB.O & BBC

ShortSummary
Actuality made inside Avro Lancaster of Bomber Command, RAF during raid on Stettin, Germany, 20/4/1943

FullSummary
REEL 1 Actuality: intercom conversations on approach to target; intercom conversation during bombing of target and taking evasive action; intercom conversations on threat of fighters.

ContextDescription
BBC Sound Archives: Second World War 1939-1945
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Bomber Offensive, 1939-1945

Duration
3' 41"

NumberOfParts
I/I

OtherFormats
None

ProductionCompany
BBC 5631

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedSoundFile
002169S01.mp3
StettinRaid-airwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
Educational use only

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
12562

ProductionDate
8/May/1992

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexObjects
aircraft, British: Avro Lancaster

IndexPeople
Easton, Arnold Ralph xxx
Marshall, Jim
Cochrane, Ralph Alexander

IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Lincoln, Lincs
AU
AU & Corryong
DE
DE & Nuremberg
DE & Stuttgart
FR
FR & Normandy

IndexUnits
GB.F & Sqdn 467
GB.F & Group 5
GB.F & RAF Waddington
GB.F & RAF Wittering

ShortSummary
Australian officer served as navigator with 467 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1944

FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in Corryong, 1917-1939: family; education; reaction to declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939. Recollections of operations as navigator with 467 Sqdn, 5 Group, RAF in GB, 1944: flying from RAF Waddington near Lincoln; members of his crew; opinion of Avro Lancaster; importance of navigators briefing and flight plan; procedures for crew prior to operation; superstitions and good luck charms; assembling of aircraft for concentrated bombing operation; problems of putting new crews in last bomber wave; attack by German night fighter during raid on Stuttgart, 1/3/1944.
REEL 2 Continues: damage to aircraft during raid on Stuttgart and landing at RAF Wittering, 1/3/1944; lessons learnt by crew from first raid; memories of his pilot Jim Marshall including his method of distracting German night fighters; heavy losses of aircraft during Nuremberg raid, 30/3/1944; night raid on V1 storage site north of Paris; operations supporting ground forces in Normandy; attitude towards bombing Germany; briefing for bombing of French targets; opinion of Ralph Cochrane and Arthur 'Bomber' Harris; effect on his health of wartime service.
REEL 3 Continues: length of tour of operations; treatment of Australian aircrew by British civilians; favourite public house used by crew.

ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Bomber Offensive, 1939-1945
Commonwealth

Duration
75

NumberOfParts
3

OtherFormats
None

MakerName
Easton, Arnold Ralph

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedIWMItems
Partial Avro Lancaster in which he flew is on display in IWM Other items in Documents (77/26/1) and Photographic Archive (HU28596-98, HU37233-40)

RelatedSoundFile
012562S01.mp3
Easton-airwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
25 June 2007

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
Australian

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
15558

ProductionDate
6/Jul/1995

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexPeople
Cole, Arthur Westcombe xxx
Hope, Tom

IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Broadstone, Dorset
DE
DE & Hamburg
DE & Berlin
DE & Dortmund
DE & Nüremberg
DE & Essen
DE & Gorlitz
DE & Lübeck
DE & Gorlitz
DE & Lübeck
US
US & Cleariston
CA

IndexUnits
GB.F & Sqdn 158
DE.O & POW Camp, Stalag Luft III, Sagan
GB.F & Flying Training School, British, Cleariston, US
GB.F & RAF Lissett

IndexConcepts
POW

ShortSummary
British officer served as bomb aimer with 158 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1943; POW in Stalag Luft III, Sagan, Germany, 1943-1945

FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in Broadstone, 1923-1939: family; education; reaction to declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939. Aspects of enlistment and training with RAF in GB, Canada and US, 1941-1943: background to volunteering for RAF; flying training at 5 British Flying Training School, Cleariston, US; illness and loss of confidence in landing aircraft; training postings; opinion of instructors at 5 British Flying Training School; hospitality of US civilians towards RAF personnel; reception from civilians in Canada; keenness to get onto operations; inter-personnel relationship problems with his first crew at operational training unit. Recollections of operations as bomb aimer with 158 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1943: facilities at RAF Lissett; high unit morale; memories of squadron commander Tom Hope; crew member who couldn't cope with mental strain of operations; physical and mental strains of night time operations; use of alcohol when not on operations.
REEL 2 Continues: luxuries available to aircrew and treatment by civilians; composition of his crew; role as bomb aimer; problems of seeing night fighters; reaction to first operation against Dortmund, 5/1943; raid on Essen; near collision with Avro Lancaster; attack by two night fighters during raid on Nüremberg; character of operations; raid on Berlin in which his aircraft was shot down by night fighter, 31/8/1943; escape from stricken aircraft; landing in cabbage patch.
REEL 3 Continues: Aspects of capture and interrogation by Germans, 1943: attempt to evade capture; treatment on capture; first interrogation and attempted humiliation of carrying parachute through streets; interrogation with hidden microphone that was later broadcast; period in Dulag Luft Interrogation Centre; interrogation and threat that Gestapo would shoot him. Recollections of period as POW at Stalag Luft III, Sagan, Germany, 1943-1945: character of camp including golf course; importance of Red Cross parcels; role in escape organisation for Great Escape; reasons why he didn't escape; reactions to news of executions of escapers; reasons why so many tried to escape.
REEL 4 Continues: attitude towards German shooting of Great Escapers. Aspects of trek from Stalag Luft III, 1945: trek to naval camp near Bremen; transfer towards Lübeck, spring 1945; RAF Hawker Typhoon attack on POW column; trek from Stalag Luft III to Gorlitz; method of keeping warm in barn; loss of cigarettes to Russian POWs. Reflections on Second World War, 1939-1945: memories of raids on Hamburg, 1943; 1945 Election and significance of class mix in RAF; question of national unity; resentment of low paid servicemen to higher paid civilians going on strike; role of government propaganda in national unity; effect of Winston Churchill and Lord Haw Haw's speeches; role of Bomber Command ins Second World War.

ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Bomber Offensive, 1939-1945
Prisoners of War in Europe, 1939-1945

Duration
120

NumberOfParts
4

OtherFormats
None

MakerName
Cole, Arthur Westcombe

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedSoundFile
015558S01.mp3
015558S02.mp3
015558S03.mp3
015558S04.mp3
015558S05.mp3
015558S06.mp3
015558S07.mp3
Cole-prisoners.mp3
Cole-airwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
TheCamps
StrategicBombing

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
15743

ProductionDate
11/Sep/1995

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexObjects
aircraft, British: Vickers Wellington
aircraft, British: Avro Lancaster
aircraft, British: De Havilland Mosquito

IndexPeople
Olsen, Ronald Wingate xxx
Cheshire Leonard

IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Chester-le-Street, Co Durham
GB, England & Birmingham, Warcs
FR
FR & Bourges
DE
DE & Bochum
DE & Leipzig
DE & Kassel
DE & Berlin
DE & Nüremberg
DE & Schweinfurt
DE & Ladburg
DE & Dresden
DE & Mittelland Canal
DE & Kiel Canal
NO
NO & Horten

IndexUnits
GB.F & Sqdn 619
GB.F & Sqdn 627
GB.F & Operational Training Unit 16
GB.F & RAF Finningley
GB.F & RAF Upper Heyford
GB.F & RAF Stradishall
GB.F & Group 8
GB.F & Force, Pathfinder

ShortSummary
British NCO served as pilot with 619 and 627 Sqdns RAF in GB, 1943-1945

FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in Chester-le-Street and Birmingham, 1920-1939: family; education; employment; reasons for rejection for Royal Navy, 1939. Enlistment and training with RAF in GB and Canada, 1940-1943: reasons for joining RAF, 1940; basic training at St John's Wood, 1941; selection for aircrew; soloing on Tiger Moths; flying training in Canada, 1942; navigating on prairies; hospitality of Canadians; pattern of training on return to GB, 1/1943; blind approach training course at RAF Finningley; crewing up at RAF Upper Heyford, 5/1943; leaflet dropping raid on Bourges, 4/7/1943; opinion of Vickers Wellington; emergency landing at RAF Stradishall; converting to Avro Lancasters at RAF Swinderby, autumn 1943. Recollections of operations as NCO with 619 Sqdn, 1943-1944: posting to RAF Woodhall Spa, 17/9/1943; first raid to Bochum, 29/9/1943.
REEL 2 Continues: effect of aborting raid on Leipzig, 20/10/1943; bad weather on raid to Kassel, 22/10/1943; first raid on Berlin, 18/11/1943; importance of surviving first five to ten operations; aircraft used on raids on Berlin, 22/11/943 and 2/12/1943; aircrew reactions at briefing to bombing Berlin; character of Berlin air defences, 1943- 1944; knowledge gleaned from army anti-aircraft expert carried on Berlin raid; frostbite injury received on operation, c20/1/1944; Berlin operations, 12/1943-2/1944; problems with wing-icing.
REEL 3 Continues: night fighter attack during raid on Berlin during in which his aircraft lost port outer engine; technique of corkscrewing; method of running into target; night fighter attacks; mishap with iced up coffee in cockpit during operation; occasion when air gun iced up; question of losses during Nüremberg raid, 30/3/1944; story of navigation problem on Berlin raid.
REEL 4 Continues: Munich raid in which Leonard Cheshire acted as marker; problem with hung up bomb; aileron problem on night flying test; last raid of his tour against Schweinfurt, 26/4/1944. Recollections of operations as NCO with 627 Sqdn, Pathfinder Force, 8 Group, 1945: flying De Havilland Mosquito from RAF Woodhall Spa; character of accommodation; method of marking targets; first raid on Ladburg, 7/2/1945; his experiences during Dresden raid, 13/2/1945; marking Mittelland Canal, 20/2/1945; raid on Horten, 23/2/1945.
REEL 5 Continues: final raids spring 1945; mining Kiel Canal, 3/1945; story of pilot who ditched off Dutch coast; final operations against Germany and Czechoslovakia; decision not to volunteer for service in Far East, summer 1945. Aspects of operations as NCO pilot with Bomber Command, 1943-1945: sight of devastated German cities, 1945; after effects of experiences; degree of knowledge of targets bombed; story of briefing for raid on Peenemünde; fate of those branded Lack of Moral Fibre; attitude towards Germans.

ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Bomber Offensive, 1939-1945

Duration
150

NumberOfParts
5

OtherFormats
None

MakerName
Olsen, Ronald Wingate

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedSoundFile
Olsen-airwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
16279

ProductionDate
8/Nov/1995

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexObjects
aircraft, British: Avro Manchester
aircraft, British: Avro Lancaster
aircraft, British: Handley Page Halifax
aircraft, British: Handley Page Hampden

IndexPeople
Parrott, Hugh Edmund 'Pip'xxx
Tait, Willie
Bennett, Don
McIndoe, Archibald

IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Ealing, London
GB, England & Woking, Surrey
GB, England & Blackpool, Lancs
GB, England & Speke, Lancs
GB, England & Market Rasen, Lincs
GB, England & Liverpool, Lancs
GB, England & East Grinstead, Sussex
DE
DE & Cologne
DE & Hamburg
DE & Essen
DE & Heimbach Dam

IndexUnits
GB.A & Sqdn 207
GB.A & Sqdn 408
GB.A & Sqdn 582
GB.A & Pathfinders Force

ShortSummary
British NCO served as wireless operator with 207 and 408 Sqdns, RAF in GB, 1942-1943; officer served with 582 Sqdn, Pathfinder Force, RAF in GB, 1944; POW in Germany, 1944-1945

FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in Ealing and Woking, 1920-1939: family; education; employment. Enlistment and training with RAF in GB, 1940-1941: volunteering for RAF, 1940; training in Blackpool; general duties at Speke; amusing story of clearing NAAFI using tear gas, 1941; promotion to NCO as aircrew under training. Recollections of operations as NCO wireless operator with 207 Sqdn, RAF, 1941-1942: posting to RAF Waddington flying Avro Manchesters; mine-laying in Heligoland Bight, 12/2/1942; character of attack on German ships at Brest, 31/1/1942; opinion of Avro Manchester; crash on feathering test near Market Rasen, 26/10/1941; conversion to Avro Lancasters, 3/1942; coping with cold in bomber cockpits; control of Avro Manchester propellers on take off.
REEL 2 Continues: sight of city burning from east coast of GB during 1000 bomber raid on Cologne, 31/5/1942; flak defenses during raids on Essen, 1/6/1942 and 5/6/1942. Recollections of operations as NCO wireless operator with 408 Sqdn, 1942-1943: reaction to transfer to Handley Page Hampdens; conversions to Handley Page Halifaxes; atmosphere in mainly Canadian squadron; return from raid on Hamburg with engine on fire, 3/2/1943; second raid on Hamburg, 3/3/1943; German attempt to divert aircraft by morse code; use of searchlights to direct stricken aircraft on airfields; difficult landing after operation, 5/3/1943. Period as instructor in GB, 1943-1944: duties training air gunners; reasons for volunteering for operations; memories of Squadron Leader Willie Tait. Recollections of operations as Flying Officer wireless operator with 582 Sqdn, 1944: posting to Pathfinders Force; reputation of Pathfinders Force; reaction of US Air Force personnel to huge bomb load of Avro Lancaster; marking methods using master bomber employed by Pathfinders.
REEL 3 Continues: his wireless operator's work during marking; aerial marking in case of cloud obliteration of target; use of Oboe; abortive raid on Heimbach Dam although top of dam marked with incendiaries, 3/12/1944; memories of Don Bennett. Question of his reaction to bombing Cologne, 31/5/1942. Recollections of the Liverpool Blitz, 1940- 1941: relations between civilians and military; public morale; amusing story of mannequin mistaken for casualty. Recollections of operation to Cologne in which he was shot down, 23/12/1944: inkling that he would be shot down on raid; failure to traditionally urinate on tail wheel.
REEL 4 Continues: shooting down of aircraft by German fighters; crashing into Cologne marshalling yards with aircraft; injuries he received in crash; treatment he got from German rescuers and hospital; reasons for his delayed liberation in Cologne, 2/1945. Period as POW in Germany, 1945: treatment he received as seriously surgically injured POW; methods of 'goon baiting' and sabotage; POW diet; attitude of German Nuns in hospital; fate of his crew. Medical treatment on return to GB, 1945: treatment by Archibald McIndoe.
REEL 5 Continues: memories of atmosphere, patients and Archibald McIndoe at East Grinstead; character of his injuries.

ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Bomber Offensive, 1939-1945

Duration
145

NumberOfParts
5

OtherFormats
None

MakerName
Parrott, Hugh Edmund 'Pip'

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedSoundFile
Parrott-airwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
16346

ProductionDate
4/Dec/1995

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexObjects
award, British: Victoria Cross <VC>
aircraft, British: Handley Page Hampden

IndexPeople
Learoyd, Roderick Alastair Brook <VC> xxx
Learoyd, Babe <VC>

IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Folkestone, Kent
DE
DE & Dortmund-Ems Canal
DE & Heligoland Bight

IndexUnits
GB.F & Sqdn 49

ShortSummary
British officer served as pilot with 49 Sqdn, RAF in operations over Heligoland Bight, 3/9/1939 and attack on Dortmund-Ems Canal, Germany, 12/8/1940, for which he was awarded Victoria Cross

FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in Folkestone, Kent, 1913-1936: family; education; employment. Aspects of training with RAF, 1936: enlistment in RAF, 3/1936; pattern of RAF training. Recollections of operations as officer with 49 Sqdn, RAF, 1939-1940: flying Handley Page Hampden; pattern of service career after leaving squadron; operation to Heligoland Bight find German fleet, 3/9/1939; subsequent operations with unit; practise for raid on Dortmund-Ems Canal; execution of raid on Dormund-Ems Canal, 12/8/1940; receiving news that he had been awarded Victoria Cross.

ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Bomber Offensive, 1939-1945

Duration
30

NumberOfParts
1

OtherFormats
None

MakerName
Learoyd, Roderick Alastair Brook 'Babe'

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedIWMItems
Photograph in

RelatedSoundFile
Learoyd-airwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
16363

ProductionDate
28/Dec/1995

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexObjects
aircraft, British: De Havilland Mosquito Mark XXV
aircraft, British: De Havilland Mosquito Mark IV

IndexPeople
Topper, William Worthington xxx
Davies 'Garth'

IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Pendleton, Lancs
GB, England & Driffield, Yorks
FR
FR & Normandy
FR & Villeneuve St George
FR & Trossy
FR & St Maximin
DE
DE & Kaiserlauten
DE & Bremen
DE & Homberg
DE & Nuremberg
DE & Munich
DE & Stettin
DE & Karlsruhe
DE & Dresden
DE & Sassmitz
DE & Lutzendorf
DE & Wesel
CS
CS & Brux
NO
NO & Bergen
NO & Tonsberg

IndexUnits
GB.F & Command, Training
GB.F & Command, Bomber
GB.F & Sqdn 627
GB.F & RAF Upavon
GB.F & RAF Woodhall Spa
DE.O & Canal, Dortmund-Ems
DE.O & Oil Refinery, Politz
DE.O & Oil Refinery, Bohlen

ShortSummary
British officer served as instructor with RAF Training Command in GB, 1941-1944; served as pilot with 627 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1944-1945

FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in Pendleton, 1916-1939: family; education; employment; reaction to declaration of Second World War, 9/1939. Enlistment and training with RAF in GB, 1940-1941: volunteering for RAFVR; call-up, spring 1940; pattern of training and reasons for allocation to Training Command. Period as pilot instructor with Training Command, 1941-1944: German Air Force intruder raids in Driffield area, spring 1941; posting to RAF Upavon; techniques of flying instruction; problems of navigating in GB; transfer to Bomber Command; training as bomber pilot. Recollections of operations with 627 Sqdn, 1944-1945: posting to RAF Woodhall Spa, 6/1944; flying De Havilland Mosquito; first operation over Normandy, 14/7/1944; raid on Villeneuve St George.
REEL 2 Continues: marking technique used; photo-reconnaissance of attack on rocket dump at Trossy-St Maximin, 2/8/1944; visibility of squadron markings on aircraft to Germans; memories of his second pilot 'Garth' Davies; raid on Kaiserslauten, 27/9/1944; raid on Bremen, 6/10/1944; support for Walcheren operation, 17/10/1944; sight of city during raid on Nuremberg, 19/10/1944; raid on Bergen, 1/11/1944; daylight raid on Homberg, late 1944.
REEL 3 Continues: raid on Dortmund-Ems Canal, 22/11/1944; raids on Munich, 17/12/1944 and 7/1/1945; use of De Havilland Mosquito Mark 25; character of raid on Politz oil refinery, near Stettin, 13/1/1945; raid on oil refinery at Brux. Czechoslovakia, 2/2/1945; raid on Karlsruche, 2/2/1945; raid on Dortmund-Ems Canal, 7/2/1945; reasons for raid on Dresden, 13/2/1945; orders not to crash land on Russian occupied territory; role as marker leader during Dresden raid, 13/2/1945.
REEL 4 Continues: raid on Sassmitz, 6/3/1945; raid on Lutzendorf, 14/3/1945; raid on Bohlen oil refinery, 20/3/1945; supporting crossing of River Rhine at Wesel, 23/3/1945; raid on Tonsberg in Norway, 25/4/1945. Attitude to role of Bomber Command in Second World War and criticisms it has received.

ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Bomber Offensive, 1939-1945

Duration
105

NumberOfParts
4

OtherFormats
None

MakerName
Topper, William Worthington

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedSoundFile
Topper-airwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
18665

ProductionDate
11/Jan/1999

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexObjects
aircraft, British: Blackburn Botha
aircraft, British: Avro Lancaster
aircraft, British: Handley Page Halifax

IndexPeople
Edwards, Douglas James xxx

IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Shropshire
GB, Wales
GB, Wales & Brynmar, Breckonshire
GB, England & St Leonards, Sussex
GB, Scotland
IT
IT & Milan
DE
DE & Peenemunde
DE & Leverkusen
DE & Berlin
DE & Leipzig
DE & Torgau
DE & River Elbe
DE & Lingen-am-Ems
FR
FR & Le Harve
FR & Versailles

IndexUnits
GB.F & RAF Wigtown
GB.F & RAF Linholme
GB.F & RAF Elmsham Wolds
GB.F & RAF Kirmington
GB.F & RAF Cosford
GB.F & Sqdn 103
GB.F & Sqdn 166
GB.F & Group 5
GB.F & Command Bomber
DE.O & POW Camp, Oberursel Interogation Centre
DE.O & POW Camp, Stalag 4 B, Muhlberg-am-Elbe

ShortSummary
British NCO served as bomb aimer with 103 and 166 Sqdns, RAF in GB, 1942-1943; POW in Stalag IV B, Germany, 1943-1945

FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in Brynmar, Wales, 1922-1939: family and education; employment as farmer. Reaction to declaration of war 3/9/1939.Volunteering for RAF, 9/1941. Period of training with RAF, GB , 1941-1942: remustering from pilot training to bomb aimer; German fighter bomber attack on St Leonards, 9/1942; reaction to volunteers to delay in training; bomb-aimer training, RAF Wigtown; proness of Blackburn Botha to accidents; nature of bomb-aimer training; discipline in RAF, 1942-1943; crewing up in RAF Linholme, Shropshire, 1943; preference for Lancaster to Halifax; attitude to prospect of going into action, summer 1943. Recollections of operations , summer 1943. Recollections of operations with 103 Sqdn from RAF Elmsham Wolds, 8/1943: start of operations, 9/8/1943; dressing and preparing for raids; pep pills taken on longer raids; temptation to sleep on long raids; realisation of odds against survival and crew morale; attitude of local civilians to aircrews; security over raids.
REEL 2 Continues: raid on Milan, 12/8/1943; Peenemunde raid, 17/8/1943; Leverkusen raid, 22/8/1943; three raids on Berlin, 8/1943-9/1943; address to air crews by Air Marshall Arthur Harris, summer 1943. Recollections of operations with 166 Sqdn, 5 Group from RAF Kirmington, 9/1943- 11/1943: move to station, 22/9/1943; problem with peto-head heater during raid on Hanover, 27/9/1943; resulting ear problems he received, autumn 1943; shooting down of his Lancaster DV 247 by German fighter during raid on Berlin, 26/11/1943; wounding in hand and thigh; plight of crew in stricken aircraft, 26/11/1943; bailing out. Attempt to evade capture. Nature of wounds. Capture and treatment by German civilians.
REEL 3 Continues: Recollections of period as POW in Germany, 1943. move to POW hospital, Lingen-am-Ems; treatment by French surgeons; journey to Oberursel Interrogation Centre, , 1/1944; interrogation methods used in Oberursel Interrogation Centre. Recollections of period as POW in Stalag 4 B, Muhrberg-am- Elbe, 1/1944-1945: arrival in camp; treatment in camp hospital for leg wound, 1/1944-7/1944; plans to escape from work party in Leipzig; story of POWs derailing train and being threatened with execution; foraging for food; effect of Allied air raids. Journey from Germany to GB, 1945: foraging for food after arrival of Russian soldiers; fraternisation with Russian soldiers; insisting to Russians that he should be allowed to cross to US lines; how he got from central Germany to France.
REEL 4 Continues: journey to Oxfordshire via Versailles and Le Havre on VE Day, 5/1945. Reception in RAF Cosford. Aspects of period as POW in Germany 1944-1945: poor rations; conditions of Russian POWs without Red Cross parcels; cubes of cow udder soup; treatment of POWs by Germans; camp ablution facilities; suffering from cold; baiting German guard; searches for POW wirelesses; sabotaging appels. Opinion of Russian troops in Germany, spring 1945. Long term effects of wounds. Attitude to having served in Second World War. Reasons for choosing career as teacher. Reaction to criticism of Bomber Command

ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Bomber Offensive, 1939-1945

Duration
120

NumberOfParts
4

OtherFormats
None

MakerName
Edwards, Douglas James

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedSoundFile
018665S01.mp3
Edwards-airwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
20261

ProductionDate
29/Mar/2000

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexObjects
aircraft, British: Armstrong Whitworth Whitley
aircraft, British: Avro Lancaster

IndexPeople
Poore, Arthur Frank xxx
Cheshire, Leonard

IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Ealing, London
GB, England & Flamborough Head, Yorks
DE
DE & Berlin
DE & Hamburg
DE & Hanover
FR
FR & Lyons

IndexUnits
GB.F & Sqdn 106
GB.F & Sqdn 617
GB.F & RAF St Eval
GB.F & RAF Syerston
GB.F & Command, Coastal
GB.F & Command, Bomber

ShortSummary
British officer served as pilot with 106 and 617 Sqdns, RAF in GB, 1942-1944

FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in Ealing, London, 1920-1940: family; education; becoming member of Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 1940. Period of pilot RAF training in GB, 1941-1942: pattern of training; period as training pilot at navigation school; failure of application to join photographic reconnaissance unit; conversion course to Avro Lancaster; attachment to Coastal Command flying Armstrong Whitworth Whitleys from RAF St Eval; attack on U-boat when depth charges failed to explode; opinion of Avro Lancaster; memories of crew members. Recollections of operations with 106 Sqdn, 1942-1943: posting to RAF Syerston, late 1942; raids on Hamburg, 1943; bombing through cloud cover at Berlin; incident of being coned by searchlights during raid on Hanover; evading night fighter attack; state of mind before raids.
REEL 2 Continues: question of lucky charms and gallows humour. Recollections of operations with 617 Sqdn, 1943-1944: reaction to transfer to squadron; attacks on U- boat pens; memories of Leonard Cheshire and his marking work at Lyons; opinion of Leonard Cheshire's leadership; role after completing forty five operations; aiming point photographs; how low moral case was dealt with; attitude to having served with Bomber Command in Second World War; memories of Leonard Cheshire's dog Simon; role of squadron during Operation Taxable, 6/6/1944; training for Operation Taxable off Flamborough Head; problems of urinating during operations; use of Window.

ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Bomber Offensive, 1939-1945

Duration
60

NumberOfParts
2

OtherFormats
None

MakerName
Poore, Arthur Frank

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedSoundFile
020261S01.mp3
Poore-airwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Sound

IDNO
21029

ProductionDate
19/Feb/2001

ObjectType
IWM interview

IndexObjects
aircraft, British: Vickers Wellington
aircraft, British: Avro Lancaster

IndexPeople
Watts, Frederick Henry Arthur xxx
Cheshire, Leonard
Tate, James

IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & London
GB, England & Southall, Middx
US
DE
DE & Brunswick
DE & Berlin
DE & Augsburg
DE & Essen
DE & Nüremberg
DE & Stettin
DE & Politz
FR
FR & La Chapelle
FR & Samur
FR & Creil
SU
SU & Archangel
SU & Yagodnik
NO
NO & Bergen

IndexUnits
GB.F & Sqdn 630
GB.F & Sqdn 617
GB.F & RAF East Kirkby
GB.F & RAF Wigsley
GB.F & RAF Woodhall Spa
GB.F & Command, Bomber
DE.N & Tirpitz

ShortSummary
British NCO served as pilot with 630 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1/1944-3/1944; officer served with 617 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1944-1945

FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in London, 1920-1942: family; education; reaction to declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939; initial attempt to join British Army, 9/1939; degree of bombing in Southall. Enlistment and training with RAF in GB and US, 1942- 1944: background to call-up to RAF, 2/1942; pattern of training in GB, 2/1942-5/1942; character of Atlantic voyage, 5/1942-6/1942; discipline in US Air Force; flying training in US, 4/6/1942- 13/12/1942; reasons for wanting to be a bomber pilot and an NCO rather than officer; return voyage from US to GB, c1943; continuation of flying training in GB, 15/6/1943-12/1/1944; flying Vickers Wellington; conditions at RAF Wigsley, 10/11/1943- 12/1/1944.
REEL 2 Continues: Recollections of operations as NCO with 630 Sqdn, RAF, 1944: composition of his crew; discouraging gambling amongst crew; posting to unit at RAF East Kirkby, 1/1944; character of 'Burton Lodge'; first operation to Brunswick, 14/1/1944; character of attack on Berlin, 30/1/1944; attack by German fighter over Augsburg, 25/2/1944; strong winds encountered during attack on Berlin, 24/3/1944; coning of aircraft over Essen, 26/3/1944.
REEL 3 Continues: character of attack on Nüremberg, 30/3/1944. Recollections of operations as officer with 617 Sqdn, 1944-1945: reasons for posting to unit at RAF Woodhall Spa, 7/4/1944; flare dropping at La Chapelle, 20/4/1944 and Brunswick, 22/4/1944; opinion and memories of Leonard Cheshire; practice and execution of D-Day spoof raid, 5/6/1944; return of his H2S equipped aircraft to 630 Sqdn; attack using 12,000 pound bombs on Samur tunnel, 8/6/1944; attack on Creil; character of daylight operations against V weapons sites and U- boat pens, 7/1944-9/1944; flight to Yagodnik in Archangel area, 15/9/1944; attack against Tirpitz under smoke screen; reception at Yagodnik.
REEL 4 Continues: attack on Krembs Barrage, 7/10/1944; flak hits on aircraft during attack on ship, 28/10/1944; attack on Tirpitz, 12/11/1944; flak damage to forward turret, 15/12/1944; character of attack on Politz near Stettin; German fighter attacks during attack on Bergen, 12/1/1945; flying Avro Lancaster; memories of Leonard Cheshire and James Tate. Attitude towards criticism of Bomber Command since 1945.

ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Bomber Offensive, 1939-1945

Duration
120

NumberOfParts
4

OtherFormats
None

MakerName
Watts, Frederick Henry Arthur

ProductionCompany
IWM

MakerGender
Male

Language
English

RelatedSoundFile
021029S01.mp3
Watts-airwarfare.mp3

Weighting
750
900

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

WebStatus
Published

UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006

URLEncodedDeptName
Sound

Access
IWM copyright

Nationality
British

DigitalAsset
Y

DeptName
Exhibits

IDNO
EPH 1812

ItemName
roof tile fragment, Nagasaki

ObjectType
relic

IndexPeople
Bronowski, Jacob (Dr)

IndexPlaces
JP & Nagasaki

FullSummary
It was brought back to the UK by Dr. Jacob Bronowski who led the UK mission to examine the effects of nuclear weapons on buildings and people. The mission's study was a continuation of their wartime work.

RelatedIWMItems
maps (DPB)

RelatedImageFile
EPH_001812.jpg

Weighting
1000
900

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

UncatTransferDate
30/06/2006 11:14:35

URLEncodedDeptName
Exhibits

FormatDescription
handwritten on base of the plinth of the roof tile is the inscription FROM DIRECTLY UNDER THE TARGET AT NAGASAKI.

Access
On display at IWM North

DigitalAsset
Y

IWMImageOwned
Y

DeptName
Exhibits

IDNO
MUN 4616

ProductionDate
c1960

ItemName
Blue Steel missile

ObjectType
missile

IndexUnits
GB.F & Royal Air Force

FullSummary
During the immediate post-war years and at a time of polarising international relations, subsequently called 'the Cold War', Great Britain began to develop (and later to manufacture) nuclear weapons in order to strengthen her defensive capability against an increasing Russian military threat to European security. The strategic doctrine, of the 'independent nuclear deterrent' was postulated whereby Great Britain, either alone or with the United States Air Force bombers would inflict 'massive retaliation' on the Soviet Union in response any Russian conventional or nuclear attack.
The first generation delivery systems designed and manufactured to carry British nuclear weapons were the RAF V-Bombers, the Vickers Valiant, Avro Vulcan and Handley Page Victor, which would fly at high-altitude and drop free-fall atomic and nuclear bombs on their targets.
The Soviet Union responded to the Western threat by building up its anti-aircraft defence systems, primarily composed of radar-directed jet interceptors, artillery and surface-to-air missiles. To maintain the credibility of the nuclear deterrent by enhancing the effectiveness of the strategic jet bomber, both Great Britain the United States began work on air-to-surface stand-off missiles. Thus bombers equipped with such weapons would not have to penetrate deeply into sophisticated defence networks in order to destroy prime targets. The Blue Steel missile considerably strengthened the RAF's nuclear delivery capability, with development beginning in 1956, and it entered service in 1962, with full operational status being achieved during 1963.
The 'V' bombers maintained the British nuclear deterrent until Polaris became available in the late 1960s, and Blue Steel was gradually phased out by 1970.

ProductionCompany
Hawker Siddeley Dynamics

Weighting
1

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

UncatTransferDate
30/06/2006 11:14:35

URLEncodedDeptName
Exhibits

FormatDescription
Blue Steel, an air-to-surface strategic missile, was a powered by a liquid-fuelled Stentor rocket motor, which had a large chamber for climb and a small chamber for cruise. It travelled at up to Mach 1.6, with a maximum range of approximately 200 miles, and was designed to be the main weapon carried by the RAF's V-Bomber force in the 1960s.
The missile was 35ft long, and had a span of 13ft. Originally a 200 kiloton fission warhead was planned, but this was later changed to a thermonuclear warhead with a yield in the order of 1 megaton, and utilized an inertial navigation system.

Access
On display at Duxford

DeptName
Film

IDNO
MGH 683

ProductionDate
1943
1944
1945

ItemName
PRELUDE TO VICTORY [Main]
[AMATEUR FILM BY AIR COMMODORE COZENS] [Alternative]

ShortSummary
Amateur colour film with titles shot by H I Cozens between 1943 and 1945 while second in command of RAF Hemswell, and edited to portray the planning, execution and subsequent analysis of a bombing raid on Berlin by Lancasters of No 1 Group, RAF Bomber Command on the night of 6 February 1944.

FullSummary
Opening titles "PRELUDE to VICTORY Throughout the War in Europe, from the first day to the last, aircraft of Bomber Command attached the Enemy.... This record of a Night Attack was made by the Officers & Men of No 1 Group Bomber Command... as a Tribute to the many who did not return."
In No 1 Group, Bomber Command's Operations Room, RAF Bawtry, the decision to launch the raid is made and planned out. At RAF Hemswell a squadron of Lancaster bombers is based and one of them is seen being refitted. The bomb load is carried out to the Lancasters, one 8000 lb 'cookie' and eight 500 lb bombs. The aircrews are fully briefed. The crews board the aircraft and the squadron takes off. From a camera inside the aircraft each crew member is seen at his work, the navigator, radar operator and pilot are especially dwelt on. The airfield traffic control room and the 1 Group's Operations Room closely monitor the raid. There are shots of Berlin aflame below (in fact Pforzheim - see technical remarks below), of a Messerschmitt attacking the Lancaster and anti-aircraft fire around the aircraft. The squadron is seen landing and the crews are de-briefed. Aerial photographs after the raid are pieced together and examined. Of 1152 aircraft on the raid, 32 are reported missing.

ContextDescription
Summary:The film includes a short dramatised prologue and epilogue as well film of the planning, execution and analysis of the raid. The film opens with a panning shot over the English countryside and view of a railway line and shots of a steam train travelling under a bridge and passing close to the camera, followed by a scene of a man in civilian dress seated by the window inside of a railway carriage. The man looks out of the carriage window at RAF Bawtry (Bawtry Hall) and then settles down to sleep with a copy of the Daily Mail newspaper open on his lap - the headline on the newspaper reads "BOMBERS RAID BERLIN NEW RAF SUCCESS". The film ends with a further scene of the same man looking out of the carriage window, this time seeing an airman on a bicycle, with his dog seated in the front basket, waiting by a level crossing (signposted as Sutton). The airman is recognisable to the viewer as one of the RAF aircrew from the bombing raid. The final shot is of a steam train proceeding around a bend.
Note: Air Commodore Henry Iliffe Cozens b.1904 d.1995
Remarks: this is an excellent, thorough piece of film. The photography of the raid itself and the crew flying the Lancaster is outstanding. The photography throughout is excellent. An extremely rare colour record of a typical Lancaster raid on Germany.
Technical: all the shots of the target area aflame are from monochrome original on yellow tinted film stock; the remainder of the film is original Kodachrome. The raid shown is in fact the night attack on Pforzheim on 23/2/1945 by Nos. 1 and 6 Groups Bomber Command. The original 35mm black and white can be found on IWM ref OPX 261.
Documentation/associated material: see also an official US War Department film that follows similarly one Flying Fortress on a raid on Wilhelmshafen and is an interesting comparison - THE MEMPHIS BELLE. This is a daylight raid. IWM film ref USA 1

Duration
94 mins

Format
P 1/16/A

Colour
Colour

Sound
Mute

NumberOfParts
2

Dimensions
2260 ft

ProductionTeam
Cozens, H I: cameraman

ProductionCountry
GB

Language
None

LanguageMainTitles
English

LanguageSubtitles
English

RelatedIWMItems
See also the Cozens' collection of photographs held in the Museum's Photograph Archive

Weighting
500

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

UncatTransferDate
22/08/2008 05:50:24

URLEncodedDeptName
Film

Access
NON-IWM

DeptName
Film

IDNO
GWY 906

ProductionDate
1/1944

ItemName
die LUFTSCHLACHT UBER MITTELDEUTSCHLAND [Main]
[the AIR BATTLE OVER CENTRAL GERMANY] [translation]

IndexObjects
combat, German - anti-aircraft
combat, United States - air raid
aircraft, German - combat: Focke-Wulf Fw 190
aircraft, German - combat: Messerschmitt Bf 109
aircraft, German - combat: Messerschmitt Bf 110
aircraft, United States - combat: Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress & [wrecked]
aircraft, United States - combat: Consolidated B-24 Liberator & [damaged]
casualties, United States dead
operations, German air - return
prisoners of war, United States - interrogation
propaganda, German - inflammatory: anti-US
propaganda, German - inspirational
weapons, German - gun [AA]: 88cm Flak

IndexPlaces
Germany

IndexUnits
DE.A
DE.F
US.F

ShortSummary
Film record for public exhibition of the aerial battle between 8th USAAF bombers and Luftwaffe fighters on 11 January 1944.

FullSummary
Titles describe the approach of strong formations of enemy bombers with fighter escorts. 88mm flak opens fire and Me 109s, Fw 190s and Me 110s scramble to intercept the first wave of B-17s. Fighters attack the bombers from the rear and front, scoring several successes and hitting a B-24 in a later wave. Remainder of film and titles are intended to convey the impression that the German air defences defeated the American raiders, alleged to have lost one third of their planes. The wreckage of a B-17 and its dead crew and a scrap heap of other crashed planes precedes a view of some captured "air gangsters", later seen being interrogated. Fighters return to base where pilots sketch graphic accounts with their hands of their recent victories.

Duration
8 mins

Format
P 1/16/A

Colour
B&W

Sound
Silent

NumberOfParts
1

Dimensions
342 ft

ProductionCompany
UFA

ProductionCountry
Germany

Language
None

LanguageMainTitles
German

LanguageSubtitles
German

Weighting
500

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

UncatTransferDate
01/11/2006 05:50:21

URLEncodedDeptName
Film

Access
IWM-GERMAN

DeptName
Film

IDNO
UKY 576

ProductionDate
1/1945

ItemName
the EIGHTY DAYS [Main]

IndexObjects
combat, German air - bombardment [I]: V1
propaganda, British - inspirational
society, British - precautionary
weapons, German - missile: V1

ShortSummary
Film about the V1 offensive.

FullSummary
The V1, a promising weapon which was the basis of a plan to "batter and blast the people of England to the point where they would demand a change in Allied strategy" - an attack on the Pas de Calais where the V1 launching sites were located. The film follows a salvo of V1s as they cross the coast and run the gauntlet of coastal AA fire, fighter interception, and the balloon barrage around London. The defences take their toll, but one missile penetrates to fall upon the city (near Camden ?). Civilian casualties and property damage inflicted by the V1 bombardment are shown. "The battle of London was part of the battle of France", and the Londoners' fortitude has been repaid in the celebrations of Bastille Day in liberated France. "The people of South England shared the battle as surely as if they had fought on French soil." The enemy underestimated the common people and the price they were prepared to pay for the common cause. The "grim and gay defiance" of the Blitz days was gone - the people were tired - but they knew that their sacrifices were speeding the final victory.

ContextDescription
Music: score was originally composed for GPO's HEALTH FOR THE NATION.

Duration
14 mins

Format
P 1/35/A

Colour
B&W

Sound
comopt

NumberOfParts
1

Dimensions
1275 ft

ProductionSponsor
Ministry of Information

ProductionCompany
Crown Film Unit

ProductionTeam
Jennings, Humphrey: director
Jennings, Humphrey: producer
Gaillard, Marius F: music composer

ProductionCast
Murrow, Edward R: commentary

ProductionCountry
GB

Language
English

LanguageMainTitles
English

LanguageSubtitles
None

Weighting
500

SubThemeTag
StrategicBombing

UncatTransferDate
01/11/2006 05:50:21

URLEncodedDeptName
Film

Access
IWM