The morning walk began with grey clouds. One of the women had pinned a sprig of rosemary on her shirt. By mid-morning the sun shone brightly as does the Anzac spirit tinged with the sadness of loss and suffering. It seems fitting that I have been delving into my family history and currently reading books that tell the stories of brave young men, such as my father who joined the RAAF and fought the war in skies above Europe.
My father was one of the lucky ones to survive as an airman taking part in the British Bomber Command missions. He flew 28 night missions and 5 day missions with the odds of coming back stacked against it. Only one in three would complete their tour of operations.
My father was one of the lucky ones to survive as an airman taking part in the British Bomber Command missions. He flew 28 night missions and 5 day missions with the odds of coming back stacked against it. Only one in three would complete their tour of operations.
Peter Rees author of 'Lancaster Men : The Aussie Heroes of Bomber Command' has focused on the Squadrons 467 and 463. The details of the men and their experiences is graphic and enlightening - a powerful tribute to these men, synonymous with the bravery of those who also served with other squadrons, as my father did with 550 Squadron RAF based at North Killingholme, Lincolnshire. My father was part of a mixed crew combining an English pilot, a Scotsman, two Aussies and three Canadians.
My father welcomed home by a family member As I was reading with more understanding of the conditions and situations that occurred, I was suddenly shocked by the recognition of a name. I knew this man from childhood, a friend of my father's. I knew he was blind because he'd been shot in the war. Now here I was reading the graphic details of how it happened. His brave survival became real. To think about the pilot and crew - a badly injured man, not expected to make it, a damaged plane still under attack from night fighters in the sky and trying desperately to return to base with two engines not working and radio communication gone- moves me to tears.
Training runs were also responsible for casualties and injuries. My father described his escape from a burning plane.......
He was in two crashes that affected him physically but the psychological impact of his war experiences would cause long-lasting suffering, as it did for many people whose lives were changed by the events of war.
Training runs were also responsible for casualties and injuries. My father described his escape from a burning plane.......
He was in two crashes that affected him physically but the psychological impact of his war experiences would cause long-lasting suffering, as it did for many people whose lives were changed by the events of war.
Many airmen, shot down over Europe, who survived the crashes were then imprisoned, sometimes avoiding capture with the help of Resistance fighters. One such story written by Michael Veitch is about Barney Greatrex - from Bomber Command to French Resistance. Veitch, the author of several books about the airmen of WWII, has always been a keen historian and aeroplane fanatic, obsessed with airforce pilots and their machines.
There are numerous accounts of war stories well worth the read - it's a history we won't forget but the stories of these servicemen, servicewomen and their families are stored in our hearts. Many graves of those who died on French soil are still tended by the villagers..
One story is told by Mike Coleman in his book, 'Crew : the story of the men who flew RAAF Lancaster J for Jig.' The seven men comprised five Australians and two Scots - the Pilot, the Navigator, the Bomb Aimer, the Wireless Operator, the The Mid-Upper Gunner, the Rear Gunner and the Flight Engineer. Some would die and some would survive the night mission shot down over France on 24th February 1944. Four headstones - for two of the Aussies and the two Scotsmen - in a small French village link the crew and their loved ones who had waited - desperate for news... all seven families receiving a letter.. missing....
There are numerous accounts of war stories well worth the read - it's a history we won't forget but the stories of these servicemen, servicewomen and their families are stored in our hearts. Many graves of those who died on French soil are still tended by the villagers..
One story is told by Mike Coleman in his book, 'Crew : the story of the men who flew RAAF Lancaster J for Jig.' The seven men comprised five Australians and two Scots - the Pilot, the Navigator, the Bomb Aimer, the Wireless Operator, the The Mid-Upper Gunner, the Rear Gunner and the Flight Engineer. Some would die and some would survive the night mission shot down over France on 24th February 1944. Four headstones - for two of the Aussies and the two Scotsmen - in a small French village link the crew and their loved ones who had waited - desperate for news... all seven families receiving a letter.. missing....
RSS Feed