Like many I have been reading up the raid and watching some of the television coverage. Flight Sgt Anderson’s story has always been of interest to me. An older member of the squadron I believe, and the dams raid was only his 5th or 6th mission. He was posted away very quickly from 617 having angered Wing Commander Gibson by not making an attack.
His rear turret was faulty as well as other equipment problems, mist was an issue he eventually aborted and came home, only to be posted away and later killed on operations.
I wondered if any forum members had any thoughts or views or additional information about this member of 617, and sadly another casualty of war.
By: David Layne - 18th May 2013 at 13:47
Thanks for that David Layne, I never knew that he was married and lost his son a month before the raid. Tragic.
Thanks should go to Dom Howard who constructed the site.
By: BSG-75 - 18th May 2013 at 13:27
Thanks for that David Layne, I never knew that he was married and lost his son a month before the raid. Tragic.
By: David Layne - 18th May 2013 at 13:12
Here is a little about the Anderson crew.
By: BSG-75 - 18th May 2013 at 12:15
I’ve been to his and his crews graves. I’m not sure much can be gained by going over this. I’m sure they did their best.
I mean no disrespect to anybody David, it is a piece of history that I was interested in as in a lot of what I had read there is not much detail about Sgt Anderson and his crew and it was a general question.
My apologies if you felt there was any other meaning in my question, I don’t mean to second guess anybody 70 years on, it was genuine interest in the history and the story.
By: Martin Bull - 18th May 2013 at 08:52
Although a great admirer of Gibson I’d be the last to say he didn’t have faults and in many ways he was an unpleasant character. But he had the vices of his virtues and probably couldn’t have achieved what he did if he’d been a nice chap.
Cyril Anderson was 28 years old and, like most of his crew, was married. After the Dams raid they returned to 49 Squadron and were all lost in Lancaster ED702 on a raid to Mannheim on 23/24 September 1943.
There are photos of them and further details in the excellent book ‘Beware Of The Dog At War’ by John Ward.
By: bazv - 18th May 2013 at 05:46
As with the Bader question I am not 100% convinced by the background theory,some of GG’s characteristics may have been formed through the class system but others would have been his own personality.I am not trying to denigrate anybody…we all are who we are and it is difficult for us to change that !
Some military leaders during WW2 seemed to be able to ignore backgrounds etc and others seemingly couldn’t!
rgds baz
By: David_Kavangh - 17th May 2013 at 23:33
Bazv, I think we are actually in agreement. GG, a hero, would have been less than supportive of Anderson, for reasons of their backgrounds. But this should not be a reflection on either of them. And both paid the ultimate sacrifice. I have always thought Anderson, in the circumstances, should not be criticised now. Who are we to say?
By: bazv - 17th May 2013 at 23:11
Not meaning to be harsh David,I have no axes to grind either way….but !!!! nobody is perfect…even possibly one of our national heroes!
By: David_Kavangh - 17th May 2013 at 23:05
Harsh comment, but probably fair! And another reason not to go there.
By: bazv - 17th May 2013 at 22:54
He was a non commissioned pilot and therefore probably of minimal interest to GG !
By: David_Kavangh - 17th May 2013 at 22:26
I’ve been to his and his crews graves. I’m not sure much can be gained by going over this. I’m sure they did their best.
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May 17, 2013 at 8:20 pm