"War Digs With Harry Harris"

Unfortunately, Discovery didn’t want the funeral covered. Long story! But that would have been the most amazing and moving part of the whole story.

I must have seen the “Parker Pen” Spitfire episode at least three time now, but I still find it very emotional to watch.

Always the prime time slots, eh?! :applause:

This may have been mentioned already, but Discovery History are showing the series again as I write.
Several times, as it’s on until 6am Sunday morning.

They are actually been shown every weekday, apart from the BH Weekend.

On at 6pm Discovery History. With lots of repeats at various times.

Just think of all those repeat fees 😀

Thursday morning at 4am!! Wow. Glad we are making all the prime TV slots!

This is being repeated on the History Channel, it’s on now and repeated Thursday morning at 4am
It’s about the Halifax crash at Rocroi.

`Although I have a stack of the series DVD’s (including some unpublishable out-takes!) I have not yet seen the Stirling one`……..any chance of a copy of the Stirling one please Andy ?

Andy, just PM’d you…

Going back to the request by Steve218 regarding info on the Stirling crash, by chance I came across an article in RAF News by the Navigators son.

Stirling R9313 (HA-Q) was shot down on 4/5 May 1942 by a Hurricane/Turbinlite Havoc combination. This was the only instance where this combination actually shot down an aircraft, fortunately with no loss of life in this case.

From the article it appears that the same crew were then shot down over Holland in June 1942 with the loss of 3 crew including the pilot Sqn Ldr Ashworth. The Navigator Plt Off Alan Green ended up in Stalag Luft III for the remainder of the war.

Hopefully this should provide a bit more info to follow up the programme

John

Bob

I know that will be of great interest to the family. Thanks for letting us know, and look forward to hearing further.

IWM – I’ve been watching gun camera film as part of a Film & Video Archive project to catalogue film at Duxford.

Watching the Smith episode this evening, I recall watching 457 Squadron footage recently so I just checked my files – not sure off the top of my head what quality the footage was but I’m in on Wednesday and I expect I can run the film through the Steenbeck again as it is near the start of the film.

Bob

Thats really interesting.

What is the source?

Managed to record a few of these to watch – interesting viewing.

I may have watched some gun camera footage shot by Sgt Smith 457 Squadron recently…

Combat Film No. K315 Sgt Smith 457 Squadron 01/05/1942 Flying Spitfire VB Attacking Fw 190

Eight days before he was lost?….

Bump !

Obviously this did slip under the radar. Andy I am sure you are busy on other projects.

Perhaps a reflection of the amount of actual research that went into this rather sloppy documentary.

I hope the last episode ends the series on a high!

Hi Andy,

Before this tread goes under the radar, any luck with the files on the Stirling dig.

Regards

Smudger

Andy,

Look forward to it, Pimms :rolleyes: try Shepherd Neame by the jug, that works better 😉

Smudge

Will dig out the file over the weekend and post details.

In between putting up marquees and bunting and making (and drinking!) jugs of Pimms….hic…

You are probably correct in what you say, however in defence of the production team there were a number of elements that had to be introduced into the 50 minutes available – not least of all the inclusion of the Army team which was an important elment in actually getting this ‘dig’ sanctioned by the landowner (Lord Leconfield), the South Downs National Park and the County Archaeologist. Actually fitting everything in was a challenge and a lot was left out – although I agree that it was a shame that the crew details were left out.

I will post the information later today for those interested.

Hi Andy,

Did you have a chance to locate the background information on this incident Andy?

Regards

Smudger