"Strike Hard Strike Sure" - RAF Bomber Command

[Micawber]

11 OTU {Operational Training Unit - note the word 'operational'] Bassingbourn before the USAAF 91st Bomb Group moved in.

 

[Smithy]

Wonderfully evocative photo of wintertime at RAF Mepal in Cambridgeshire...

 

[B-Man2]

11 OTU {Operational Training Unit - note the word 'operational'] Bassingbourn before the USAAF 91st Bomb Group moved in.

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Steve;
Are these guys all wearing Jerkins under their flight gear? If not... what then?

 

[Micawber]

Steve;
Are these guys all wearing Jerkins under their flight gear? If not... what then?

I think they are Irvin 'Harnessuits' Burt.

 

[Greg Gale]

Here's another great one:

 

[Smithy]

Here's another great one:

I think you posted this in the wrong thread Greg, although Bomber Command would have made spectacularly short work of the Nazi war machine if they'd had F-14s

 

[Smithy]

419 Sqn, RCAF...

And a very weary Halifax pilot of 405(Vancouver) Sqn, RCAF. He's just returned from a raid on Germany and you can see the toll that an op had on his face...

 

[Greg Gale]

I think you posted this in the wrong thread Greg, although Bomber Command would have made spectacularly short work of the Nazi war machine if they'd had F-14s

Oh no! Sorry, the wrong link must have gotten stuck on the clipboard. I edited my post now.

 

[Smithy]

Here's another great one:

I bought Jack's "Lancaster Target" just recently which is meant to be a terrific read.

Thanks Greg for that link!

 

[Greg Gale]

I’d love to read that one and also his ‘Mosquito victory’ but none of these are available in audiobook format or kindle

 

[Smithy]

I’d love to read that one and also his ‘Mosquito victory’ but none of these are available in audiobook format or kindle

PM me your address Greg and when I've finished with it I'll send it to you

 

[Greg Gale]

Thanks @Smithy much appreciated - but with some further research I managed to find Lancaster Target on Kindle I'll start it soon!

 

[Lord Flashheart]

I've always been mildly curious how the RAF arrived at the idea of putting a large number of newly qualified aircrew in a large hall and let them get on with it to crew up for themselves. Very simple and yet quite a clever idea too. I don't know how the USAAF did it - anyone?

 

[Smithy]

I've always been mildly curious how the RAF arrived at the idea of putting a large number of newly qualified aircrew in a large hall and let them get on with it to crew up for themselves. Very simple and yet quite a clever idea too. I don't know how the USAAF did it - anyone?

I'm not sure Flash but I agree the RAF way was very clever, albeit I imagine a shock to the system to begin with.

 

[Smithy]

 

[Micawber]

Here's another great one:

Jack Currie made a few documentaries back in the '80's, I always really liked his style and delivery, a natural...

 

[MikeyB-17]

I bought Jack's "Lancaster Target" just recently which is meant to be a terrific read.

Thanks Greg for that link!

Had it for years, read it several times, IMHO the best bomber command memoir. It was Jack Currie and Phillip Kaplan’s ‘Round the clock’ that got me started on this whole daft business in the first place. His ‘Echoes in the air’ about aviation ghosts is a great read too.

 

[Smithy]

Had it for years, read it several times, IMHO the best bomber command memoir. It was Jack Currie and Phillip Kaplan’s ‘Round the clock’ that got me started on this whole daft business in the first place. His ‘Echoes in the air’ about aviation ghosts is a great read too.

I was going to read "Bomber Boys" first but just started "Lancaster Target" and so far it's excellent. The writing style is tremendously engaging. From his documentary work and this memoir it does appear he was a natural, effective communicator. Loving it!

 

[MikeyB-17]

It’s also bloody funny on several occasions.

 

[Smithy]

Blenheim chaps of 110 Squadron at Wattisham with a list of recent targets in August 1940...