A few to be going on with.
Schweinfurt ball bearing factory on 24 February 1944. American B-17s were also heavily involved with this target http://ww2db.com/facility/Schweinfurt_Ball_Bearing_Factories
Not target related but may still be of interest on 27 January and 30 January trips to Berlin in “Ton up Lanc” DV 302.
A couple of railway junctions at low level, an ammo/fuel dump and the Berliet Motor Works at Vénissieux near Lyon. 28 April Fighter Affiliation with the 0.5 Rose rear turret.
Copy of the telex of aircraft movement when she was moved from Changi to Butterworth in May 1965. The designation WSRC & WSRB are RAF Changi & RAF Butterworth.
St. Eval 1957 and I am still alive to tell the tale with not a hand rail or crash mat in sight. Head gear was optional but it would have been rude not to.
Following the donation of this display of my father’s original map and logs for the Nuremberg raid 30/31 March 1944 my brother and I were privileged to have free access to NX611 on a number of occasions courtesy of the Pantons. To see first hand my father’s “office” and sit in the tail gunner position was much appreciated.
Howard I can’t think how I forgot to mention the “The White Hart”. We stayed there just after my father passed away in order to attend the 101 annual Memorial Service that is held next door in the church of St Mary and St Peter. Following the wreath laying and parade we had a lovely afternoon tea in the village hall and then all went outside for a flypast by the BBMF Lancaster. Not a dry eye was to be seen.
Yourfinesthour you are most welcome. I will PM you another emotive section from the same letter that expresses the camaraderie and close “family” bond that regular crew members developed during a tour of duty together and an excerpt from a letter from their rear gunner.
Keep up the good work and good luck with the map.
Taken in The Blue Bell near Coningsby while awaiting a very nice evening meal. I’m indebted to one of the locals for pointing them out amongst the many on display :-
Rosie the riveter.
Bill Reid V.C.
A certain William Wales.
To be found in the only logical place.
The Black Horse Inn, Magna Mile, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire LN8 6AJ.
Watering hole used by 101 Squadron based at Ludford Magna circa 1943.
Letter from the pilot “Corky” Ken Corkill to my father who was the navigator in Ken’s crew.
Map showing how close the pub was to the airfield. Allegedly one of the dispersal points was favoured for this very reason.
The thought of going back into the grinder as soon as Christmas was over must have weighed heavy.
Moggy
No let up for 101 Squadron on Christmas Eve 1943 either with a trip to Berlin.
22 December saw a trip in one of the “Ton Up” Lancs DV245.
5 trips squeezed in between 24 December and 5 January.
My father very nearly didn’t make it back from Berlin in DV298 on the 20 January having been attacked by 3 Me 110’s. This aircraft was repaired and he flew in it again to Orleans on 19 May 1944, bombing from 9,000 feet.
And of ground crews, clad only in shorts, boots and socks trying to decontaminate the aircraft by hosing down and scrubbing them.
That is exactly the same protective gear my father had for Operation Grapple in 56. After flying the exclusion zone in a 206 Squadron Shackleton he was ground based when the bomb went off. He died aged 76 from multiple myeloma. His oncologist said the cause of the myeloma was uncertain and could be unconnected with any radiation exposure my father might have received.
These excerpts from his letter home perhaps sum up the experience for many personnel involved in these tests. How lucky was that Liberian ship?
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