The group included raf squadron numbers192, 169, 23, 171, 199, 214, 157, 85, 141 and 239. The wartime story of a lancaster squadron patrick otter, 2017 available from august 2017 the story of 550 squadron 266 pages, nearly 100 photographs, written by one of the leading authors of books on bomber command. It was the seventeenth raf squadron in bomber command to receive lancasters. In the latest edition of the nightfighter war diaries the account of the interception is clearly described. Lancaster jb603 was shot down on its return leg by lt. Fs db jameson sgt w phillips fo fm connolly sgt jr jones rcaf. I am of course author of 20 books myself, some of which relate to wwii and this secret group. A further 2 halifaxes and 3 unidentified 4 motor s were claimed.
Mention the war ltd 1 edition october 16, 2016 language. From 1942 onward, the british bombing campaign against germany became less restrictive and increasingly targeted industrial sites and the civilian. Even on the australian bomber command squadrons, which began forming. This book records the exploits of the airmen of the first australian beaufort squadron in action in world war ii. Volume 4 raf bomber command squadron profiles book online at best prices in india on. These are royal air force raf operations record books orbs, though the. Books you may like which may assist you in researching the squadron. The ground crews that were to form the basis of 100 squadron were initially attached to 101 squadron at raf holme and 103 squadron at elsham wolds.
Jul 05, 2012 i always remembered bomber command losses as 55,000 out of 110,000 so 50%, the last figures i saw said 55,000 out of 125,000 so only 44% fatalitiesbut a further 10,000 pow. Front left is johnnie wortley, johnnie went onto train as a flight engineer and return to the squadron and complete a tour in 1945. Martin w bowman as part of the aht series, the airfields and interest in this book are concentrated in a particular areain this case norfolk. Along with the united states army air forces, it played the central role in the strategic bombing of germany in world war ii. On the evening of saturday august 12th 1944 an avro lancaster serial number lm658 took off from its base at raf waltham near grimsby, lincolnshire in eastern england bearing the squadron code hww of raf 100 squadron, bomber command 1 group as part of an airborne offensive of 379 heavy bombers heading for heart of the nazi reich. It moved to singapore in 1933 staying there until it fell to the japanese in wwii. Bomber command books is the sales site for mention the war ltd. It soon reequipped with the fairey battle before receiving its first handley page hampdens in may 1939. Wing commander jgw swain assumed command of 100 squadron on 26 december, 1942. Raafs greatest casualties were with the bomber command raids. Jan 01, 2006 as part of the aht series, the airfields and interest in this book are concentrated in a particular area in this case norfolk.
Number 100 squadron of the royal air force is based at raf leeming in north yorkshire, uk. In june 1943 the squadron moved to raf ludford magna and then flew specially equipped lancasters fitted with airborne cigar ecm. Dec 16, 2014 don charlwoods and miles tripps books caused sensations when they were first published, giving a personal and very direct view of what life was like in bomber command at different times in the war. Chris wards bomber command profiles tell the operational histories of raf squadrons in ww2. From the operational report book for the squadron the operation is detailed as. It entered service with the royal australian air forc. The hornets nest a history of 100 squadron royal air force 1917 1994. Its story is told as an inuniverse journal written by resistance gunner paige tico. The command was the first strategic bombing organisation sent to england as the united states armed forces. We were indeed surprised, but over lunch she showed us her log book. The unit flew on more bombing raids than any other squadron in bomber command, but suffered the highest casualties, with 1176 airmen killed in action.
Only 3% of australians who served to ww2 went as part of a bomber aircrew yet 39% of all australias ww2 casualties were from this bomber command group, of which were from a single raaf squadron, 460 sqn flying out of binbrook uk. The sqn subsequently reformed as a lancaster squadron at waltham on 15 dec 1942. Royal air force operations record books 19111963 the. On the formation of the royal air force on 1 april 1918 it became no. Ww2 peoples war so you want to be a flier an air gunners. The aircraft flew the highest number of sorties on the squadron and the command with 62 ops, 610 hours 55 minute flying time. Raf bomber command controlled the raf s bomber forces from 1936 to 1968. The following books may contain references to 10 sqn. Yates book came out somewhat later, but was, and is, remarkable for a first book written at the age of 77. We are a small friendly group with a mixture of veterans, authors, historians and those with just an interest. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The story from the record and with added detail from veterans, and others. Home book shop wars battles biographies timeline weapons blog full index.
That night, 100 squadron lost their commanding officer, david holford, who crashed landed approaching raf grimsby. Buy raaf military books battle of britain bomber command. Bomber command, through fits and starts, grew into an effective fighting force. This book looks at the history and personalities associated with each base, what remains today and explores the favorite local wartime haunts where aircrew and ground crew would have sought welldeserved entertainment and relaxation. Nov 27, 2017 its twoman crew, canadian pilot officer jack fisher and navigatorspecial operator fltlt vic vinnell, were serving airmen under no. During the second world war no 101 squadron served with bomber command, equipped initially with bristol blenheims, then vickers wellingtons and from september 1942 with the avro lancaster. These are royal air force raf operations record books orbs, though the oldest books predate the formation of the raf in april 1918 and cover operations carried out by its predecessors, the royal flying corps rfc and the royal naval air service rnas. Bomber command books from mention the war publications home. Chris wards profile of 101 squadron is a comprehensive history of the unit through world war two and contains details of every aircraft operated between 1939 and 1945. Volume 7 raf bomber command profiles 1 by ward, chris isbn. Raf bomber command squadron profiles book 4 paperback.
Bomber command books from mention the war publications, merthyr tydfil. Bomber command is the companion book to the last jedi. During may and june 1945, bomber command took many of the ground crews on a cooks tour of the ruhr to see some of the devastation that had been inflicted on germany. Pilots flying log book for warrant officer ernest smith, from 3 april 1943 to 29 june 1944, recording operations and instructional duties. Our growing list of titles focuses on the aircraft, squadrons and above all the men and women who shaped the legend that endures to this day. Bomber command books is a community site from mention the war publications, a specialist in publishing and selling. Don charlwood, journeys into night, burgewood books, warrandyte, 2005, p. Off the top of my head, it varied a lot by year so in 39 and 40 on some missions losses could reach 50% or even 100 % of the squadron for example in the raids against the. When the euphoria had subsided, it was time to take stock of the war, and its effects on 100 squadron in particular, and bomber command in general. Formed as a bomber unit in june 1938 at abingdon, 106 squadron initially operated hawker hinds.
The book was published by studio fun international on december 15, 2017. On the 15th december 1942, 100 squadron reemerged at raf station waltham, close to grimsby, in lincolnshire, equipped with lancaster mkiii aircraft. The raid became known as black thursday as bomber command lost 25 aircraft on the raid and 28 in crashes at fogshrouded airfields. Ww2 book song of the beauforts bomber no 100 squadron raaf. In january 1943, the squadron received the first of its new complement of avro lancasters. The squadron had stumbled in its journey, but it was just a stumble, as 100 torpedo bomber squadron metamorphosed into 100 bomber squadron in bomber command back in england at the end of 1942. Bomber command is a book written by jason fry based on the film star wars. Bomber command list their losses at just 16 lancasters of the 364 lancasters, 7 halifaxes and 8 mosquitoes that took part in the raid this list would not include accidents on return. Developed as a torpedo and general reconnaissance bomber, the beaufort was the heaviest, most powerful and most complex aircraft ever built in australia at that time. The claim was also picked up by the raf y service over the ether confirming the report and the area of twente in holland. We specialise in publishing and selling books about raf bomber command in the second world war and related topics.
Two books and one supplementthat document much of the squadrons history have been written by arthur white. Royal air force operations record books 19111963 the national. Roll of honour 115 squadron royal air force, 19391945. Roll of honour 115 squadron royal air force, 19391945 imperial. The viii bomber command is an inactive united states army air forces unit that is better known as the later appellation eighth air force, as was popularized in postworld war ii filmsand is frequently called the first eighth air force by its veterans and successors in the services.
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