100 Days to Lincoln

Posted on April 17, 2018 • No Comments

*|MC:SUBJECT|* LYON TO LINCOLN 100 DAYS Click this link to make a donation directly to the IBCC. Hi In 100 days I will be arriving in Lincoln. A journey of reflection and remembrance of Bomber Command, raising vital funds for The International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) to ensure that[…]

Recce of the Start

Posted on March 27, 2018 • No Comments

Strava Route Photos from the stage Lancaster WA118-ZN-Y Admiral Prune belonging to Squadron 106 departed at 6:30 pm on February 4, 1943, from the RAF Syerston near Nottingham, England. It was part of a mission of 188 aircraft including 77 Lancasters en route to Turnin to bomb industrial. The last[...]

Air Force Records: A Guide for Family Historians

Posted on August 30, 2017 • No Comments

If you are new to searching old records like me, then this is an excellent book . One of the first things I did when researching the Mosquito in the Forest was to buy the service records of the crew. Without this book I think it is fair to say[...]

Woodhall Spa to Lincoln Cathedral

Posted on March 16, 2017 • No Comments

During the war the imposing Lincoln Cathedral and the River Witham served as geographical navigational aids for returning bombers. In many instances Lincoln Cathedral was the last recognisable building that the crews would see as they left on their missions in mainland Europe. The route I took started at my[...]

In search of the home of 627 Squadron.

Posted on March 15, 2017 • No Comments

My objective on my first afternoon in Woodhall Spa was to find the site of the old Woodall Spa Airfield and then hopefully some evidence about Christie and Flaherty. It was not to be so. My route started at The Petwood hotel, more specifically from within the Dambusters' Bar, a small[...]

Closing the Barn Door…

Posted on March 6, 2017 • No Comments

... after the plane has bolted. Wheel Support Rod This part – a wheel support rod was recovered by a farmer from Dieme and showed to me by his son. Ever since its discovery it had been used to open and close the barn door. I am certainly no expert[...]

Ploughing On

Posted on March 5, 2017 • No Comments

Interesting use of Cross Rod Mechanism On the Ternaud side of the Croix de Brou a farmer, just 7 years old at the time of the crash, showed me an ancient rusting horse drawn plough lying in his barn. The two handles were clearly identifiable as Radius Cross Members, again[...]

Help in Identification

Posted on February 28, 2017 • No Comments

So, today I will start work on writing up the story behind the Funeral for the 2 airmen… Well, I say 2; there is even some dispute in that. Roger Chavanet, in his book Histoire vécue des maquis de l’Azergues states that: “Les recherches continuent et nous découvrons enfin l’appareil[...]

627 Squadron in Action

Posted on February 13, 2017 • No Comments

Film of 627 Squadron, An excellent short film that appeared on FaceBook today courtesy of The Peoples Mosquito. It shows planes of 627 Squadron at Woodhall Spa. Filmed less than a month after the tragic loss of Mosquito DZ636 that crashed overnight, 26th - 27th July 1944.

26 / 27 July 1944 – Raid on Givors.

Posted on January 27, 2017 • No Comments

New Story Added I have just finished writing the latest update re the story of the Mosquito in the Forest. Hope you like it. The Mission At 21:20 hrs on the evening of 26th July 1944, 178 Lancaster Bombers left various airfields in the east of England, their mission was to[...]