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Birling Gap
One of a series of stories and place-based sketches exploring locations that sit at the edges of the narrative told in The Écrivélo Book. The RAF Bomber Command Memorial on Beachy Head. The RAF Bomber Command Memorial, located on Beachy Head above the lighthouse. During the Second World War this[...]
May 26, 1944
One of a series of stories and place-based sketches exploring locations that sit at the edges of the narrative told in The Écrivélo Book. On this day in 1940 — the beaches at Dunkirk, and a Flight Sergeant already on his way home. 86 years ago today, on 26 May[...]
The House Where Commandant Guerin Recovered
One of a series of stories and place-based sketches exploring locations that sit at the edges of the narrative told in The Écrivélo Book. A hamlet in the Rhône, a surgeon's memoir, and one night in April 1944. Eighty-two years ago today, on the evening of 22 April 1944, a[...]
From St Cyr to Tempsford — The Road That Brought Them Home
One of a series of stories and place-based sketches exploring locations that sit at the edges of the narrative told in The Écrivélo Book. INTRODUCTION — A field near Mâcon There is a field, roughly 9 kilometres north-north-east of Mâcon, that looks like any other in the Ain. Flat, wide,[...]
Buried under the Bombs
One of a series of stories and place-based sketches exploring locations that sit at the edges of the narrative told in The Écrivélo Book. INTRODUCTION – Lyon under the bombs In the spring of 1944, Allied bombing over Lyon was aimed mainly at railways and industrial targets. In practice, it[...]
Wilford L. Bollinger – The Absent Man
One of a series of stories and biographical sketches exploring the lives of those who stand at the edges of the narrative told in The Écrivélo Book. Those present include Left to right back row: Lt. George W. Ambrose, Peter Roccia & Robert Redhair Front row : second from left,[...]
Lackey 3A
A series of stories and biographical sketches exploring the lives of those who stand at the edges of the narrative told in The Écrivélo Book. BEAUREGARD, ALCIDE “CYRANO” THE LACKEY 3A DROP SITE On the night of 27/28 April 1944, the aircraft Worry Bird of the 801st Provisional Bomb Group[...]
André Dammann
One of a series of stories and biographical sketches exploring the lives of those who stand at the edges of the narrative told in The Écrivélo Book. Introduction - A Tempsford Passenger On the night of 7 August 1944, a Hudson aircraft of RAF 161 Squadron approached the Saône valley[...]
Sgt R. W. Watson (RAAF)
Sgt Ralph William Watson (418600 RAAF) — Navigator, Evader, and Tempsford Passenger Sergeant Ralph William Watson, RAAF 418600, served as navigator with No. 166 Squadron RAF, based at Kirmington, flying Lancaster Mk I bombers on operations over occupied Europe. On the night of 3/4 May 1944, Watson’s aircraft — Lancaster[...]
The Croixault Aerodrome
During the Battle of France, 53 Squadron was based here, engaged in reconnaissance duties to track the advancing German Army. One aircraft of the squadron was a Blenheim MK IV PZ¤C. The crew were Flying Officer Alastair Panton, Sergeant John Christie, and AC2 Ronald "Benny" Bence. They were attacked and[...]