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…Priory to install the RAF’s first radar operations room. But it was serviced by only five stations, and would have been, in his view, “quite inadequate” to its defensive purpose. It was Chamberlain’s negotiation of the Munich agreement that same day which bought sufficient time for the Chain Home network…
…convoys. Gibbs found his desk job immensely frustrating and constantly badgered his superior officers to allow him to return to operations. In April 1942, the only Beaufort anti-shipping squadron in the theatre suffered devastating losses during an attack on an Italian convoy, and Gibbs was sent to No 39 Squadron…
…the ensuing Nazi occupation. In the UK, Poulsson joined the first Norwegian Independent Company as a second lieutenant. He was soon recruited by the Special Operations Executive (SOE), created in summer 1940 by Winston Churchill for sabotage operations in occupied territory. The Norwegian resistance reported in autumn 1941 that the…
…Soldiers Jan and Jozef fled to Britain after Germany invaded their homeland in 1939. The following year the Czech government, in exile in London, and Britain’s Special Operations Executive devised a plan to kill “Blond Beast” Heydrich who was bringing terror to the Czech capital. They began training a team…
…awarded the B.E.M. for his valuable services in Japan – in support of the operations in Korea – in the period September 1950 to June 1952, he served in Germany in the following year, with command of the ‘Old Guard’ to Rudolf Hess at Spandau Prison. Active service resumed with…
…deck operations: Royal Navy, circa 1943 ‘Commander Mike Crosley was a Fleet Air Arm ace and later a test pilot. Among the operations in which he took part was Harpoon, when a convoy ferried supplies and new aircraft to the relief of the besieged island of Malta in the summer…
…it was two months before his mother heard that he was alive. The Vichy French had suffered heavy losses and sued for an armistice. Bryan was moved to a British base hospital in Jerusalem to recuperate. Further operations followed at a hospital in Natal before he was repatriated. In February…
…later transferred to No 133, one of the three American-manned “Eagle” squadrons of the RAF, and during the Dieppe operation in August 1942 he shot down a Dornier bomber, probably destroyed a Focke Wulf 190, and damaged two others. He was awarded a DFC after completing 120 operations. In September…
…Leader C G Lott: injured; Hurricane P3464 lost in air operations, 9 July 1940” On July 9th 1940, while leading six Hurricanes on patrol 40 miles south of the Isle of Wight, he engaged a Messerschmitt 110 in a head-on attack. He was badly wounded in the face and lost…
…commanded the Flying Wing at Coltishall, operating Hunters and Javelins, with the RAF’s first Lightning squadron, No 74, arriving in August 1960. In 1962 he joined the Directorate of Air Plans in the MoD, where he was responsible for the RAF’s Nato operations. Two years later, promoted group captain, he…
…the lunatic asylum, who came out wearing nightshirts and shouting: “Hello Tommy!” ‘Parachutes open overhead as waves of paratroops land in Holland during operations by the 1st Allied Airborne Army. September 1944 On arrival at Oosterbeek, they came under fire from enemy 88 mm anti-tank guns. Dauncey led a fighting…
…he was posted to 61 Squadron at Syerston, Newark, to commence Lancaster bombing operations, and flew seven sorties to various German cities before the raid on Dusseldorf. Handley Page Halifax B Mark II Series I (Special), JB781 ‘KN-W’, of No. 77 Squadron RAF gathers speed on the runway at Elvington,…
…30 operations, Alabaster was awarded the DFC. He had been identified as an outstanding navigator and was sent to Canada to complete a specialist course before returning to Bomber Command. He applied to train as a pilot but his services as a navigator were considered too valuable. Soon after the…
…else Representing PHOTOGRAPHIC RECONNAISSANCE, vital in ground, naval & air operations #13 Harold BALFOUR Harold Balfour, First Lord BALFOUR of Inchrye PC MC* (9 e/a) Flight Lieutenant Commander as 43(F) Sqn was formed by 23yr old Major Sholto Douglas MC; flew Western Front Sopwith Strutters & Camels; Churchill’s 1938-44 USofS…
…In the ensuing Battle of Britain, he increased his tally to 20, including five unconfirmed kills. He later fought the Japanese in South East Asia and planned operations against Javanese insurgents. After qualifying in 1938 for a short service commission in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, David was posted…
…Operations Headquarters before joining SAS as intelligence officer. Prisoner of war severely injured trying to escape. SPECIAL OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE, & Cols Airey NEAVE & James LANGLEY, MI9 ESCAPE & EVASION & + father SEARCHLIGHT & A/A DEFENCE. #43 Macleod FORSYTH Company Sergeant Major Macleod FORSYTH MM Order of the Red…
…when we’ve done more justice in writing up our extraordinary signatories. ‘It has been widely speculated that Ian Fleming used Maclean as one of his inspirations for James Bond.’ Author of Eastern Approaches. Eton, Cambridge, Paris and Moscow Foreign Office. For: CAMERON HIGHLANDERS (MP1941-74), TITO + the many YUGOSLAV Partisans…
…Newsletter (bottom of the page) and we’ll let you know when we’ve done more justice in writing up our extraordinary signatories. Observer Bomb Aimer Gunner for CANADIAN BOMBER FORCE and RCAF 514 Sqn, stationed at RAF Waterbeach, & distinctive courage of Jewish aircrew: 34 LANCASTER operations, crew destroyed 3 a/c….
…MA CEng FICE CORPS of ROYAL ENGINEERS: served in 1 Section 23 FIELD COMPANY R.E., in 1 TROOP 6 COMMANDO, and took part in the early, successful COMBINED OPERATIONS RAID on VAAGSO & Maaloy in NORWAY 27 Dec 1941 (after Blenheims bombed the nearby German airfield at Herdla) wrecking oil…
Alan Pollock’s Rough Notes: A work in progress – the fuller biographies will emerge in due course: please sign up to the Newsletter (bottom of the page) and we’ll let you know when we’ve done more justice in writing up our extraordinary signatories. James McDowell commemorates the war operations of…
…will emerge in due course: please sign up to the Newsletter (bottom of the page) and we’ll let you know when we’ve done more justice in writing up our extraordinary signatories. BOSTONS & MITCHELLS Representing Royal NETHERLANDS AIR FORCE and OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES in AIR, LAND, NAVAL and RESISTANCE OPERATIONS….
Alan Pollock’s Rough Notes: A work in progress – the fuller biographies will emerge in due course: please sign up to the Newsletter (bottom of the page) and we’ll let you know when we’ve done more justice in writing up our extraordinary signatories. Arthur W “Peter” BRITTON for SEARCHLIGHT operations,…
Alan Pollock’s Rough Notes: A work in progress – the fuller biographies will emerge in due course: please sign up to the Newsletter (bottom of the page) and we’ll let you know when we’ve done more justice in writing up our extraordinary signatories. Volunteer for Special Operations Executive, and widow…
…will emerge in due course: please sign up to the Newsletter (bottom of the page) and we’ll let you know when we’ve done more justice in writing up our extraordinary signatories. On 221, 38 & 252 Sqns, 247 Wg & 790TU. Representing BLENHEIM, WELLINGTON, BEAUFIGHTER ANTI-SHIPPING search/strike OPERATIONS in MEDITERRANEAN…