Log Books
P/O James Eric Tench, Wireless Operator RAF, 463 (RAAF) Squadron
Log Book belonging to P/O James Eric Tench. James Tench started his operational tour as W/OP on the Avro Lancaster in F/Sgt Smith's crew, operating out of RAF Woodhall Spa with 619 Squadron. In November 1944 when the 463rd squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force was formed at RAF Waddington, they joined this squadron as one of the first crews. Late in their tour, Tench had to miss out on a Raid to Gelsenkirchen due to illness, he was replaced in the last minute. It was on this Raid his aircraft JO-S "S for Sugar" was attacked and downed by a German Nightfighter, killing all but one of the crew. Tench was to finish his tour as a "spare bod". He flew several Raids to the Big City during the so-called "Battle of Berlin", and the infamous Mailly-le-Camp Raid.
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W/O Charles Geoffrey Polkey, Pilot RAF, 184 squadron
Log Book belonging to Warrant Officer Charles Polkey. After having received his wings in Canada, Charles was appointed as an instructor and remained in Canada until 1943. He was then appointed to 59 O.T.U. where he was trained on the Hurricane Mk. IV. Polkey was then assigned to 184 Squadron, at first flying Hurricanes, then converting to the Hawker Typhoon. In total he flew 18 Sorties, mostly against so-called "No-Ball" targets; V1 sites in Northern France. On the 25th of may 1944 Charles Polkey died when his Typhoon was hit by Flak on a mission to bomb the marshalling yards at Gisors.
P/O Phadric Woodrow Kerry, Observer RAF, 105 Squadron
Log book belonging to Pilot Officer Phadric Woodrow Kerry. After initial training, Woodraw Kerry was immediately commissioned to Pilot Officer. He was transferred to 105 Squadron, flying Mosquito Mk. IV's from Horsham St. Faith. The squadron mainly flew solo nuissance raids on German cities. In the morning of the 1st of August 1942, P/O Kerry and his pilot F/Sgt Collins, took off for a bombing Raid on the city of Bremen. It was their third operation and sadly would be the last one for P/O Kerry.
Collection of Chris Goossens
W/O Herbert D. Parker, Pilot RAF, 274 Squadron
After being trained in Canada F/Sgt H.D. Parker remained there as an instructor. In 1944 he trained on many different types of aircraft including the DeHavilland Mosquito and Hawker Hurricane. Early 1945, after having returned to the UK, Herbert received training on the ultimate ground attack fighter; the Hawker Tempest. He was posted to 274 Squadron, flying from Gilze-Rijen Airfield (B.77)and Kluis Airfield (B.91) near Nijmegen in the final two months of the war.
P/O H.R. Hurditch, Bomb-Aimer RCAF, 622 squadron
Log Book belonging to Pilot Officer H.R. Hurditch, who flew a tour of operations as F/O Barnetts Bomb Aimer with 622 Squadron, based at RAF Mildenhall. They started their tour in September 1944 and flew their last sortie on New Years' day 1945. As a Canadian, Hurditch trained in Canada, first as a Navigator and later as Bomb Aimer. They flew a mix of night and daylight raids on targets both in Germany and France. Amongst them the daylight Raid on Le Havre, when German troops trapped Belgian citizens inside the heart of the city, as a bombing raid was announced days in advance by the RAF. Unfortunately over 3000 citizens lost their lives. Le Havre was bombed a second time, this time targetting the German troops outside the city.
F/Sgt Richard George Bird, Flight Engineer RAF, 427 Squadron RCAF
Log Book belonging to Flight Sergeant Richard George Bird who joined 427 "Lion" Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force in November 1943. The "lion" squadron operated the Halifax bomber out of RAF Leeming, Yorkshire with 6 Group. Richard started his tour of operations when Bomber-Command losses were at an all-time high. He flew sorties upto and just after D-Day and completed his tour in July 1944, having cumulated 27 Operations. Richard Bird was Mentioned-in-Despatches. After the war he moved to Canada where he began working for Avro Arrow and several other aviation companies, finishing with Bombedero. Richard Bird passed away on April 10, 2010.
F/Sgt George R. Pickup, Wireless Operator RAF, 576 Squadron
Log Book belonging to Wireless Operator George Pickup, who flew a full tour with American skipper Lt. Sawyer USAAF. They flew their first operation in February 1944, while still attached to their Operational Training Unit O.T.U., dropping leaflets over Evreux France, flying a Wellington bomber. After their training was finished they were posted to 576 Squadron, based at RAF Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire. They completed their tour with 576 Sqd, flying the Lancaster. Most of their operations were flown against German V1 and V2 rocket sites in Northern France, and operations supporting the D-Day landings. They finished their tour in October 1944.
F/O Harold Garret March, Pilot RCAF and Captain KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Log Book belonging to Flying Officer harold March, who started his flying carreer as a student of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Having started his training in 1943, March just missed out on operational flying during WW2 and in 1947 started his training as a civil airline pilot with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. With KLM he flew on a multitude of different aircraft such as the DC-3,DC-4, Convair and the famous Lockheed Constellation. He flew the Dutch-Indies routes on the "Connie" and was even detached to the Dutch Colonies. He flew with some well-known Dutch aviators such as Plesma, Viruly and Risseeuw, to name a few. This Log Book ends in 1954.
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P/O T.E. Arbuckle, Wireless Air Gunner RCAF, 426 Squadron "Firebirds"
Log Book belonging to T.E. Arbuckle, who trained in Canada as a W.A.G.; Wireless Air Gunner. After his training he was converted to the heavy bombers in the United Kingdom and assigned to the 426 "Firebirds" Squadron, flying Lancasters at RAF Linton-on-Ouse in Yorkshire. He only operated on the Squadron's final wartime operation to the Frisian Island of Wangerooge.
F/O George Gordon Perkins, Air Gunner, RCAF, 434 Squadron
Log Book, medals, insignia and photos belonging to F/O George Gordon Perkins, J/28280, Air Gunner, RCAF. Born at Toronto, Canada in 1917, George Perkins enlisted in the R.C.A.F on 12 June 1940. Initially trained as a Guard and then Drill Instructor he served at various locations in Canada before re-mustering as aircrew in 1943. Following initial training he was posted to 434 'Bluenose' Squadron, operating out of Croft aerodrome in Yorkshire, England. As part of F/O Lang's crew he flew two operations in August 1944, both to V1 sites in Northern France, before being killed on his third operation to bomb a 'V' weapon site at Bois de Cassan on August the 4th. On this mission the crew's Halifax WL-Y was hit by flak and exploded in mid air, killing four of the crew including F/O Perkins. Three were subsequently interred in the churchyard at Drosay.
Log Book belonging to Flying Officer Ralph Lewis, who flew a tour of 21 Operations as Flight Engineer on Handley Page Halifax's in 1943. Together with his crew, skippered by then Pilot Officer A.D. Andrew, he joined 51 Squadron at RAF Snaith in May 1943. Most of his Operations were flown to what is now known as the "Battle of the Ruhr". Bomber Command losses were at an all time high at this time in the war, chances of actually finishing a tour were slim. He also participated in Operation Gomorra, the raids against the city of Hamburg, resulting in a firestorm, devastating most of the city. The secret V1 research centre at Peenemunde was also one of their targets bombed. Ralph Lewis ended his tour with the opening Raid of the "Battle of Berlin" in November 1943. Apart from Lewis himself, the entire crew was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. In all probability he was not awarded the DFC because he was still a NCO Sergeant at the time, while the rest of his crew were already Officers. The crew was "tour expired" after 21 Operations instead of the usual 30, probably because of the severity of the Operations flown. It was also quite a morale booster for the squadron if some crews actually managed to finish a tour. After his tour Lewis was transferred to 1652 Conversion Unit at Marston Moor as an instructor and eventually rose to the rank of Flying Officer.
F/O Ralph Edward Lewis, Flight Engineer RAF, 51 squadron
Wing Commander David Brown, Air Gunner RAF, 75(NZ) squadron, 70 Squadron, 101 Squadron
Two Log Books and a large photo album belonging to W/Cmdr David Brown D.S.O. David Brown started his flying career in 1940, training as an Air Gunner at the height of the Battle of Brittain. In December 1940 he was briefly attached to 7 Squadron at Oakington, his first operational assignment. He swiftly moved on to 75 (NZ) Squadron. While serving with 75 (NZ) Squadron at RAF Feltwell he flew five Operations against German targets in the Vickers Wellington in two months time. He then joined 70 Squadron and moved to the Western Desert to fight Rommel's forces. He completed another 36 Operations, mainly bombing targets in German occupied Libya and Greece. During this tour he succeeded to shoot down two Italian fighters on a single mission. His photo album shows pictures of several crashes he survived during this period.
After completing his tour in the Middle-East, David Brown returned to England to join 21 Operational Training Unit (O.T.U.) as an instructor, mainly screening new Air Gunners. 21 O.T.U, however, was called upon several times to fly operational sorties and in late 1942 David Brown ended up flying another four Raids to well-defended German cities such as Essen and Cologne in the dreaded industrial Ruhr area, better known as "Happy Valley".
Late 1944 Brown once again joined an operational squadron to start his third tour. With 101 Squadron at Ludford-Magna, Lincolnshire, he flew yet another 16 Operations. 101 Squadron was flying Lancasters equipped with special "ABC or Airborne Cigar" equipment and an extra German-speaking Radio-Operator to jam and fool German Nightfighter communications.
The then Flight Lieutenant David Brown ended the War having flown three tours, 64 Operations and being awarded the Distinguished Service Order and Air Efficiency Award. After the War he stayed in the RAF and eventually retired a Wing Commander.
F/Sgt John L. "Yorky" Burrow, Pilot RAF, 92 (E.I.) Squadron
Log Book belonging to Flight Sergeant John L. Burrow "Yorky". After training in South Africa as a fighter pilot, "Yorky" joined 92 (E.I.) Squadron of Battle-of-Brittain fame, mid 1944. The Squadron was part of 244 Wing, D.A.F.; Desert Air Force, 1st T.A.F.; Tactical Air Force. Now stationed in Italy and equipped with the Spitfire MK.VIII, used in the Fighter Bomber role, "Yorky" immediately entered combat operations after joining. The Squadron flew daily operations right up to the end of the war, straffing and bombing enemy gun-positions, trains, convoys, gun-emplacements etc etc. "Yorky" ended the war having flown a total of 111 combat flights. in his Log Book he kept a detailed account of every mission flown.
F/Sgt J. Mitchell, Air-Gunner RAF, 100 Squadron
Log Book belonging to Flight Sergeant J. Mitchell. Having finished his training in August 1944 at no.1 Lancaster Finishing School at RAF Hemswell, F/Sgt Mitchell is posted to 101 Squadron at RAF Ludford Magna. He only does four non-operational flights at Ludford though, and for some reason unknown to me, gets transferred to a Training Unit again. In February 1945 F/Sgt Mitchell is once again posted to an operational Squadron, this time 100 Squadron, flying Lancasters out of RAF Waltham (also known as RAF Grimsby). In February he completes three Operations as a spare bod, flying with three different skippers, until joining the crew of skipper F/O Burrell. With this crew Mitchell continues his Operational flying upto the end of the war. Among the Operations flown by F/Sgt Mitchell is the infamous raid on the city of Dresden, the bombing of Hitler's retreat in the Alps; Berechtersgarten and several "Manna" flights, dropping food supplies to the starving Dutch population. Mitchell succeeds in damaging a Me-109 on his fourth Operation to Duisburg.
F/O R.J.Tomlinson, Pilot, RCAF, 418 Squadron
Log Book, letters and photos belonging to Flying Officer Robert James Tomlinson of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Robert started his training in Windsor, Ontario in 1942. After completing his own training he was transfered to no. 1 Flying Instructor Course to be trained as an Instructor. In September 1943 however, Robert enroles Course no. 7 of the 36 O.T.U. at Greenwood, Nova Scotia to be trained as a Mosquito pilot. He is rated as an Above Average Night Intruder pilot and sent off to 60 O.T.U. at RAF High Ercall. Here he teams up with his Navigator P/O Charles Esam. After graduation they join the RCAF 418 Squadron at RAF Ford. 418 squadron specialises in Night intruder missions; dangerous nighttime low-level missions, patrolling German Nightfighter Airfields. On the evening of the 2nd of June 1944, in the run-up to D-Day, Robert and Charlie take off from RAF Holmsley-South in Mosquito HR179 "TH-P" on their ninth "Night Intruder" sortie. Their task to patrol the 'Biville-Laon-Athiens' area in Northern France. At 00:57 they are downed 500 metres south of the village of Campneuseville. Both men are killed and interned side-by-side in the cemetary of Poix-de-Picardie.
Flying Officer Alexander Lyon, Bomb-Aimer, RAF, 149 Squadron
Log Book, photos, 16mm films and documents belonging to F/O Alexander Lyon from Edinburgh, Scotland. At the age of 30, already a married man, Alexander started his training as a Bomb Aimer in Canada. He graduated as an "Air Bomber Armament" from 31 Bomb & Gunnery School at Picton, Canada in December 1943 and as an Air-Bomber Navigation from 7 Air Observers School in January 1944. Having arrived back in the United Kingdom, Alexander subsequently joined 11 O.T.U. at Westcott, 1653 Heavy Conversion Unit at RAF Chedburgh, where he met his future skipper Nicolay, 3 Lancaster Finishing School at RAF Feltwell, and finally 149 Squadron at RAF Wethwold. As a Bomb Aimer in the crew of F/O Marcus Nicolay, Alexander completes 18 Operations, some as GH-leader. One of his last wartime Operations was Kiel harbour, where the German Battleship 'Von Scheer' was sunk. He ends the war flying three Manna operations, dropping food supplies to the starving Dutch population. Immediately after VE-Day, Alexander Lyon teams up with F/Lt Wolfson and flies to Juvincourt, France twice to repatriate P.O.W.'s as part of Operation Exodus.
Alexander Lyon was an amateur photographer and filmmaker. He took his filmcamera on a Cook's tour, filming the bomb damage of German cities, as well as on a visit to Berlin, showing the bombed-out city. A converted movie-clip is included in these pages, showing some unique footage.
F/Sgt Philip Stuart Camsell, Bomb Aimer, RCAF, 61 Squadron
Log Book belonging to Flight Sergeant Philip Stuart Camsell R/134429 who was killed on his fifth Operation to Munich on the 2nd of October 1943. Philip joined the RCAF in 1942 and was trained in Saskatchewan as a Bomb Aimer / Air Gunner at the 5th Bomb & Gunnery School. In November 1942 he entered the 5th A.O.S. for further training as a Bomb Aimer in Winnipeg. Almost a year later, in August 1943, Philip arrived in the United Kingdom and teamed up with his skipper S/L Cousins at 29 O.T.U. With his crew they convert to Lancasters at 1660 Conversion Unit, Swinderby. A month later his crew was posted to 61 Squadron at Syerston to commence their Operational Tour. On their fifth Operation to Munich, their Lancaster ED718 "QR-P" was attacked by a German Nightfighter just south of Munich. A fierce fire broke out as the Lancaster dived and at approximately 6000' the bomber exploded. Two of the crewmembers survived; S/L Cousins and Sgt Dunn, they were both taken to a Prisoner of War camp. Philip was 29 years of age when he died. Their Lancaster was most probably destroyed by Ofw Hans Kreutzberg of 5./NJG101, it was his one and only victory. Philip Camsell is interned at Durnbach War Cemetary.
Sgt Alfred William Gowland, Air Gunner, RAF, 103 & 166 Squadron
Log Book belonging to Sergeant Alfred William Gowland. Alfred started his training in May 1943 with 7. Air Gunnery School at Stormy Down. After finishing his Gunnery training in July he is sent to 18 O.T.U. where he crews up with his future skipper Sgt. Mc Intyre. Alfred is then sent off to 1481 Gunnery Flight at RAF Binbrook and 1656 Conversion Unit at RAF Lindholme. In December 1943 Sgt Mc Intyre and his crew are posted to 103 Squadron at RAF Elsham Wolds to start their Operational Tour. Operational Record Book entries however, show that their Lancaster fails to Take Off on two subsequent Operations. Alfred Gowland does start his tour with two Operations to Berlin, as part of Bomber Commands "Battle of Berlin", flying with Warrant Officer Frost. In January 1944 Sgt Mc Intyre and crew are transferred to nearby RAF Kirmington to resume their tour together. They fly three Operations together. In March the crew gets split up for unknown reasons. The crewmembers continue their tour as 'spare bods' flying with different crews. On the 26th of March 1944 both gunners, Sgt Gowland and Harris are detailed to fly on a raid to Essen in the dreaded Ruhr Area, known as "Happy Valley". Their Lancaster LL749 "AS-J2" is lost on Operations, the cause of the crash not established. Only one member survives and is taken prisoner. Alfred was only 19, he is burried with his fellow crewmembers in a joint grave in the Choloy War Cemetary, just south of Toul, France.
Sgt Herbert Gregson, Wireless Operator - Air Gunner, RAF, 408 Squadron RCAF
Log Book belonging to Sergeant Herbert Gregson, 1062058, from Burnley, Lancashire. Herbert started his training as a Wireless Operator / Air Gunner late February 1941 at No.2 Signals School, RAF Yatesbury. His Air Gunner training he received at RAF Pembrey in October 1941. After finishing his training he was sent to 16 Operational Training Unit (O.T.U.) at Upper Heyford, where he crewed up with Sgt Kemp. They were assigned to the Royal Canadian Air Forces' 408 "Goose" Squadron in May 1942, where they started flying wartime Operations on the Handley Page Hampden. Sgt Gregson flew a total of 13 Raids, ranging from bombing missions to the Ruhr area to Minelaying missions in Scandinavian waters. On the 28th of August 1942 the crew consisting of Sgt Kemp, Sgt S.F. Clark and Sgt Herbert Gregson took off for a bombing raid on Saarbrucken. This turned out to be a very costly night for 408 Squadron; four of their Hampden bombers failing to return. Sgt Kemp's Hampden AD829 "EQ-Q" crashed at Sauville in the Ardennes. The reason of the crash is unknown. Only Sgt Kemp survived the crash and was taken prisoner. Sgt Clark and Sgt Gregson were burried in the Sauville Communal Cemetary.
W/O Jack H. Laurie, Flight Engineer , RAF, 511 Sqd, 50 Sqd & 83 Pathfinder Squadron
A set of six Log Books belonging to Warrant Officer Jack H. Laurie. Jack Laurie entered RAF service in 1942 after receiving his Flight Engineer training. He was posted to 511 Squadron, flying Liberators in the transport role, mainly flying to the Middle-East. After a crash course on Lancasters, Jack Laurie is posted to 50 Squadron at RAF Skellingthorpe in June1944. Together with his new crew, skippered by F/Lt Norbury, he completes six Bombing Operations. The crew apparently stands out as they are quickly singled out for Pathfinder duties, receiving their training with the PFF N.T.U. at RAF Warboys. After just one month they arrive at 83 PFF Squadron to start their Pathfinder tour, flying their Lancaster out of RAF Coningsby. During their tour they progress from flying as a back-upper for the Flare Force to being the Primary Blind Marker. Jack Laurie acts as Flight Engineer on some famous Bomber Command Raids, including the breaching of the Dortmund Ems canal, marking the German Battleship "Emden" and the infamous Dresden Raid, where his crew acts as Primary Blind Marker for the Main Force. Jack Laurie makes a career out of the Royal Air Force and stays in the service till his retirement as a Master-Engineer in 1968. He flies on numerous aircraft such as the Avro Lincoln, Shackleton, Comet and VC-10.
1e Lieutenant Vlieger-Waarnemer P.F. Krijgsman, Pilot, RNLAF, 20 & 325 Squadron
A Pilots Log Book, belonging to 1st Lieutenant P.F. Krijgsman. Living in the Dutch-Indies, Krijgsman started his flying training at Kalidjati to become a "Artillery Vlieger Vuurleider"; a pilot directing Artillery-fire. He received his initial training on the Piper-Cub and is awarded the "Klein Militair Brevet"; his "Light Military Licence" on the 15. October 1948. He continues his training on the Wackett and Harvard to become a "Vlieger-Waarnemer"; a Pilot Observer, graduating on 23. December 1949. P.F. Krijgsman is then posted to 20 Squadron, flying the Lockheed C-40 and C-47 Dakota in the aftermath of the so-called Dutch Police Actions, to crush an Indonesian rebellion against their Dutch rulers. In August 1950 he returns to the Netherlands and starts his training on Oxfords and Gloster Meteor's Mk. VII. His final training is done at Twenthe Airbase at the "Jachtvliegerschool" (Fighter pilot school) and at Leeuwarden Airbase on the 323-Course. This Course will later develop into 323 Squadron, a unit still flying the F-16 today at Leeuwarden, adopting the legacy of the wartime RAF 323 "Dutch" Squadron. Having completed his training, Krijgsman is posted to 325 Squadron, flying the Meteor Mk IV and Meteor Mk VIII, the very first jet-fighter serving with the Dutch Air Force. The fact that jet-aviation was still a precarious business at that time is shown in a list of fallen colleagues he made in the back of his log book.
F/Lt Walter Doornink Idema, Pilot RCAF, 229 squadron
Log book belonging to US born Walter Idema, of Dutch heritage, who joined the Royal Canadian Air Force to join the fight against the Third Reich. Walter flew Spitfires with the 65th E.I. and the 229th Squadron. He fought in the skies over Malta, Sicilly and France. On the 17th of June, Walter crashed and died in Northern France after what was an unauthorized solo flight, on the hunt for V1 rockets. F/lt Idema took off in a four-ship formation from RAF Detling, but had to return due to engine problems. After crash-landing his Spitfire, he took off in another Spitfire which needed an air-test. After making sure the plane was working fine, he contacted Detling-tower telling them he was off to look for 'Divers' (V1 rockets). It is assumed that Walter found and destroyed a V1 rocket over Folkstone and in the process damaged his own plane, resulting in a crash. Having read all the official RCAF papers however, I have my doubts about this story. Matter of fact is that Walter crashed his plane well into Northern France, in the Eure region. His body was found inside the cockpit. In my opinion, Walter continued his hunt over Northern France, looking for opportunity targets, after he had destroyed the V1 rocket and was either shot down or crashed. Either way, I feel Walter was a true fighter pilot with a bit of a rebel attitude, who gave his life for our freedom.
