Anson

A very interesting project. After my wireless operator’s training at Yatesbury, I was posted to 7 Advanced Flying Unit at Bishops Court, Nothern Ireland for the last stages before gaining my S brevet. I was there for a month, June to July 1944. Several of us flew in the Anson at the same time, flights lasting from 2 hours 20 mins to 3 hours 30 mins.

Appointment in London

As a veteran from 1945, this film is a remarkable creation showing the tensions amongst aircrew and another favourite of mine is “Night Bombers”.

Bomber Command Memorial

I didn’t get to 61 Sqdn in 5 Group until the end of February ’45 so I wasn’t involved in the raid on Dresden. However, we need to be reminded of the basics. We had been at war with Germany, for the second time, for over 5 years. The RAF was the fastest reacting military force and the people of the UK couldn’t wait for the war to end. In the morning papers would be censored reports about the progress of various units around the world. I was there, so I do know a little of what went on, and the satisfaction shown by the people about the activities of Bomber Command was quite obvious. The country’s leaders knew a lot about what was going on in the war but it is only with hindsight that anybody can say we shouldn’t have done this or that. The intention was to end the war as soon as possible by whatever means possible. It is all very well for some of the contributors to express their doubts or opposition to what went on but if we hadn’t done what we could they wouldn’t be able to express their views today. Sir Arthur Harris’s statue is a fitting tribute to a very determined and brave leader. The Bomber Command Memorial is a very belated tribute to some of my fellow aircrew and we, in this country should decide for ourselves what is remembered, celebrated or commemorated in our own land. I just hope we have strong minded politicians who will ignore suggestions from others.