by John Nichol
low-level ‘beat-ups’ of Norfolk coast 120
nicknamed ‘The Death or Glory Boys’ 91
off-duty passengers 133
pilgrimages made by members of 324
practice bale-out and escape procedures 175–7
proposed to assassinate Mussolini 33–4
publicity tours 25, 271
raid on Anthéor 84–7
raid on Arbergen 302–5
raid on Bergen 285–91
raid on the Berghof 312–14
raid on Bielefeld railway 292–301
raid on Brest 173, 177–9, 185–6
raid on Dortmund–Ems Canal 35–46, 217, 220–2
raid on Kembs barrage 224–31
raid on Le Havre 132–4, 136
raid on Mailly-le-Camp 115–20
raid on Mimoyecques 139–41
raid on Mulheim 25
raid on Munich 107–10
raid on Ruhr dams 7–22
raid on Saumur tunnel 127, 129–30
raids on the Tirpitz 194, 195, 208–11, 212–14, 233–6, 246–68, 269
raids on V-weapon sites 149–60, 164–5, 166–9, 170
recreation and down-time 69–72, 120–1, 147–8, 157, 159, 172, 186, 193, 202, 207–8, 211–12, 219, 270, 272–3
recruitment to 3–4, 6, 26, 27–8, 88, 89, 91
resourcefulness of 24
sense of anticlimax 318
song written for 29–30
tests and uses Tallboy 127–30
transferred to Coningsby 34–5
transferred to Waddington 318
transferred to Woodhall Spa 68–9
use of gaggle formation 151, 268
uses low-level marking technique 64, 67, 73–8, 104, 106–10
see also Dambusters
Aachen 194
African-Americans 131
Afrika Korps 1
Air Ministry (Berlin) 83
Air Ministry (London) 223, 234, 294
aircraft
B-17 (Flying Fortress) (American) 126, 141
B-24 Liberator (American) 141
Bristol Beaufort 2
Fairey Swordfish 2
Focke-Wulf Fw 190 (German) 89, 165, 259, 286–7, 290
Halifax 27, 93, 139, 219
Hurricane 1
Junkers (JU 52 & JU 88) (German) 93, 145, 236
Liberator (American) 197
Lockheed Lightning (American) 173, 178
Messerschmitts (ME 109, 110, 262) (German) 96–9, 171, 257, 311–12
Mosquito 36, 38, 63, 86, 103–4, 107–10, 110, 116–17, 129, 132, 157, 167, 171, 184, 206, 208, 211, 214, 216, 229, 233, 270, 292
Mustang (American) 139–40, 157, 159, 224, 225, 226, 285, 286, 313
Northrop P-61 (Black Widow) (American) 213
Spitfire 1, 144, 145, 162, 173, 254, 291
Stirling 219
Sunderland 218
Tiger Moth 200
Wellington 27, 60, 233
Akkajaure Lake (Lappland) 256
Allsebrook, Flight Lieutenant Ralf 45
Altenfjord (now Alta Fjord) 196, 208, 214
Anderson, Flight Sergeant Cyril 15, 19
Angoulême 77
Anthéor railway viaduct (southern France) 46, 84–7, 92, 326
anti-aircraft guns 8, 10, 47, 66
Antwerp 193
ANZAC Day 231
Anzio, Battle of (1944) 73, 84
Arbergen 302–5
Archangel 197, 199–200, 201, 210, 211, 212, 285
Arctic convoys 246, 252, 285
Arnhem 223
Arnold Scheme 32
Arnsberg viaduct 300–1
Ashley Walk bombing range (Hampshire) 128, 294, 295–6
Associated Press 196
Astbury, Keith ‘Aspro’ 251–2, 270
description of 73
goes AWOL to take part in operation 253, 270
takes part in Tirpitz op 234, 251, 253
Astell, Flight Lieutenant Bill 8, 13
Atlantic Wall 20
A.V. Roe (aircraft manufacturer) 24–5
Babbacombe (RAF receiving centre) 5
Bardufoss airbase 208, 254, 259, 267, 268
Barlow, Flight Lieutenant Bob 13
Barnett, Eddie 302, 305
Barry, Bob 302
Basel 224
Batson, Ron 18
Battle of the Beams (1940) 114–15
Battle of Britain (1940) 1, 79, 102, 115, 144, 237, 253–4
Battle of Britain (film, 1969) 147
Battle of the Bulge (1944/45) 275, 291
‘Battle of the Hedgerows’ (1944) 163
Bayeux 190
Bayne, Bruce 240
BBC 196
BBC Bush House 137–8
BBC World Service 271–2
Bell, Don 204, 205
Bell, Florence 158–9
Bell, John
background 78
becomes engaged to Florence 159
(Bell, John cont.)
celebrates anniversary of Dam raids 121
celebrates sinking of the Tirpitz 270–1
character and description 76, 78
deals with loss of comrades 87
excited at news of D-Day operations 122, 125
joins Bob Knight and 619 Squadron 80–1
joins the RAF 79
memories of VE Day 315
proud of his time in 617 Squadron 325
remains in the RAF after the war 322
returns to Wizernes seventy years after the event 160
survives fifty ops before standing down 185
takes part in destruction of V-weapon sites 150, 158, 160
takes part in Hamburg and Berlin ops 81–3
takes part in Limoges op 74–5
takes part in radar deception exercises 115
Belsen 320–1
Bennett, Air Vice Marshal Don 64
Bennett, Tom
difficulties being a navigator 107
falls asleep in his plane and in his car 110–11
takes part in Munich op 109
Berchtesgaden 312–14
Bergen 285–91
Berghof (Eagle’s Nest) 312–14
Berlin 27, 66, 75, 312, 314
Berlin, Battle of (1943) 56, 82–3
Bickley, Wilfred 61–2, 109
takes part in Michelin rubber factory op 99–100
takes part in Tirpitz op 210
Bielefeld railway viaduct 292–301, 316
Bismarck 194
Bitter, Erna 299
Blitz (on London) 78, 115, 137, 142, 237, 254
Blockbuster HC bombs 58, 84
Bomber Command 1, 291
Arthur Harris as head of 3
blanket use of low-level marking technique 104, 106–7, 110
casualties 7–8, 9, 12, 13, 14–15, 16–18, 22, 36, 40–2, 44–7, 48, 67, 81, 85, 86, 87, 90–1, 102, 117–19, 165, 237–8, 292
Churchill’s denigration of 319
difficulties of being a navigator 107–9
growing recognition of vital role of 319–20
launches Battle of Hamburg 65, 81–2
Main Force 2, 21, 35, 45, 56–7, 63, 73, 82–3, 87, 104–6, 108, 116, 117–20, 139, 140, 142, 158, 166, 221, 222, 223, 237, 300, 302, 316, 320
Memorial to 319, 320, 321
policy of laying waste to whole cities 73
pre-op preparations 75–6, 173, 235
‘Press on, regardless’ 66
sorties carried out 127
see also 617 Squadron
Bombing Direction Indicator (BDI) 47
Bombing Error Ladder 58
Boulogne 125, 134, 136, 223
Bradman, Don 141
Bremen 302, 307
Bremerhaven 307
Brest 27, 173, 177–9, 185–6, 187, 223
Bridlington 297
British North Russia Expeditionary Force 199
Brockmann, Helmut 299–300
Brook, John 154
Br
own, Flight Sergeant Ken 15
Brunswick 107, 316
Brussels 52, 193
Buchenwald 54
Buckham, Flight Lieutenant Bruce
arrives back with film of sinking of Tirpitz 271
awarded the DSO 273
bravery of 196
comment on awards given to Tait 157
comment on watching filmed atrocities 207
flies special Lancaster fitted with camera equipment 196
interviewed in London 271–2
returns safely to England 210–11, 250–1
speaks up for men suffering from LMF 242–3
takes part in Tirpitz op 195–6, 199, 200, 205, 209, 210, 250–1, 255, 259, 263
unable to use the Elsan 80
Buckham, Gwen 271–2
Burpee, Pilot Officer Lewis 14–15
Byam, Guy 196
Byers, Pilot Officer Vernon 13
Caen 125
Calais 223
Calder, Squadron Leader Charles ‘Jock’ 297, 299, 300, 311
Callan, Harry 308
Cap d’Antifer 124
Carey, Flying Office Bill
character and description 247
ditches his plane in Lappland 249–50
hit by flak 198–9, 247
returns safely to England 250, 272
survives several ops 247
takes part in Tirpitz op 247–8
Castagnola, pilot Jimmy 133, 229, 290
Castle Howard (Yorkshire) 228
Central Gunnery School 93
Chance, Frank 287
Chandler, Gunner Chan 56–7, 70
Cheney, Don
awarded DFC 322
bales out of burning plane 179–83
Canadian family background 88–9
celebrates anniversary of Dams raid 121
character and description of 323–4
comment on aircraft shot down 90–1
death of 323
escapes to England and back to Canada 188–92
first flight drama 89–90
hit by flak 161–4
joins 106 Squadron 89
joins 617 Squadron 91–2
marries Gladys 192
never forgets death of his comrades 322–3
rescued by Frenchmen 183–4
saddened at death of his crew 184
sees damage inflicted by V-2 weapon 148
takes part in Brest op 175, 177–9
takes part in escape and evasion exercise 177
takes part in Toulouse factory op 103–4
Cheney, Gladys 89, 191, 192
Cheshire, Wing Commander Leonard 317
advocates and uses low-level marking 64, 73–5, 76, 77, 84, 99, 102–3, 106–7, 132
arranges for crew to practice escape and evasion technique 175
assures Cochrane of 617 Squadron’s ability to keep silent 113
blamed for losses at Mailly-le-Camp 119
character and description 57–8, 244
comment on cost of bombs 210
completes a hundred ops and compulsorily stood down 143–4
feels fear 61–2
final briefing before Operation Overlord 122
gives Reid a red endorsement 166–7
hits a flock of plovers 70
instructions unheard by Main Force crews 117
issues his men with pistols and Sten guns 121
leads assault on Flixecourt 63
learns about Tallboy at the last moment 129
prevents Knilans from being court-martialled 68
sets high standards 58
successful landing at Manston 109
switches to flying a Mosquito 103–4
switches to flying a Mustang 140
takes command of 617 Squadron 56
takes part in Juvisy op 105–6
takes part in Le Havre op 132, 133
takes part in Mimoyecque op 140
takes part in Munich op 107–10
takes part in Operation Taxable 123
takes part in Saumur tunnel op 129–30
Churchill, Winston 25, 68, 126, 195, 216, 252–3, 319
cinema see film shows
Clermont-Ferrand 99–100
Coastal Command 94, 113, 218, 251
Cochrane, Air Vice Marshal Sir Ralph
assured of 617 Squadron’s ability to keep silent 113
compulsorily stands down several crewmen 143
congratulates Dambusters 20
description of 21
emphasises need for secrecy 21
flies as bomb-aimer with Mick Martin’s crew 26
informs 617 Squadron of secret Operation Taxable 113–14
orders further attack on Wizernes 159
supports low-level marking 64
Cockburn, Dr Robert 114–15
Cockshott, Squadron Leader John 144, 227
Cole, Colin
joins 617 Squadron 253
plane hit by flak 258
post-war work 321–2
takes part in Bergen op 291
takes part in Bielefeld op 296
watches Battle of Britain as a schoolboy 253–4
watches Tallboy in flight 261
Cole, Wireless Operator Colin 169–70
Cologne 2, 27, 316, 321
combat fatigue see post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
‘Come and Join Our Happy Throng’ (617 Squadron song) 29–30
Committee of Adjustment 237, 238
Cooke, ‘Cookie’ 281, 282
Corsica 86
Crafer, Flight Lieutenant Clifford 298, 299
Creil 170
Cromer 38
Curtis, Larry 20
acceptance of death 39
background and RAF career 27
comment on Leonard Cheshire 57
comment on morale and casualties 48
feels fear and vulnerability 61
holds Mick Martin in high esteem 74
joins 617 Squadron 27
joins Joe McCarthy’s crew 86
low-level flying 40
prominent member of 617 Squadron Association 326
survives thirty-eight ops 273
takes part in Tirpitz op 199, 201, 203, 211
Curtis, Len 178, 179, 180
D-Day 104, 106, 112–14, 116, 122–6, 164, 314
Dahl, Roald 25
Daily Mirror 93, 172, 220
Daily Telegraph 21
Dambusters 220, 322, 324
casualties 7–8, 9, 12, 13, 14–15, 16–18, 22, 316
celebrations and awards 22–5
damage to German industry and infrastructure 21–2
destruction of the Eder dam 12–13
destruction of Möhne dam 8–11
formation of 3–4, 6, 91
impact of raid on morale 20–1
personalities of Gibson and McCarthy 18–20
propaganda and publicity 25
return of the aircraft 15–17
survival of the Sorpe and Ennepe dams 13–15
see also 617 Squadron
Daniels, Walter ‘Danny’ 226
Day, Don 300
Deane, Wing Commander Laurence 116, 119
Den Ham 43
Denkort Bunker Valentin 311
Dieppe 125, 193
Dijon 193
Divell, Flying Officer 44–5
Dönitz, Admiral Karl 213
Dortmund 22
Dortmund–Ems Canal 35–46, 54–5, 56, 217, 220–2, 316
Drem airfield landing system 278
Dresden 291, 318–19
Duck, Roly 134–6
Duffy, Flying Officer Bill 94, 95, 96, 98, 184
Duisburg 223
Dunkirk 1, 78, 154
Düsseldorf 25, 164–5
Dutch Resistance 50–2, 54
Dvina River 206
E-boats 112, 132, 133, 136, 171
Eastern Front 35, 223, 275
Easy Elsie (Carey’s plane) 247–50
&n
bsp; Eaton, Len 18
Edward, Flight Lieutenant John 153, 155
Efringen-Kirchen 228
Ehrler, Major Heinrich 267
E.K. Cole radio factory (EKCO) 237, 238
El Alamein 2, 20–1
Elizabeth, Queen 23
Ellwood, Flying Office Mowbray 290
English Steel Corporation 294–5
Essen 2, 196
Etaples 172
Evans, Norman 273
Evans, ‘Red’ 95, 96, 97, 98
Far East 1
Fauquier, John E.
demonstrates sense of humour at briefing 308
drops Grand Slam bomb on Arnsberg 300
replaces Tait 273
reputation of 273–4
takes part in Bielefeld op 296–7
takes part in Politz op 286
Fawke, Squadron Leader Gerry 107
comment on his part in Munich op 110
falls asleep in his plane 111
promoted Flight Commander 144
takes part in destruction of V-weapons sites 157
takes part in Kembs barrage op 224–5, 226
takes part in Tirpitz op 210
Fighter Command 115, 146, 316
film shows 25, 29, 69, 138, 194, 207–8
First World War 78, 87, 142, 144, 276
Firth of Forth 115
Fish, Basil
comment on Bill Carey 247
drags Joplin from crashed plane 280–1
manages to arrange rescue for his crew 281–2
memories of VE Day 314
reprimanded and given red endorsement 284
survives plane crash in thick fog 279–80
takes part in Politz op 276–7
takes part in Tirpitz op 198
Flamborough Head 115
Fleet Air Arm 113, 195
Flixecourt 63
Florence 171
Fog Investigation and Dispersal Operation (FIDO) 278
Folkestone 134
Foxlee, Toby 24, 86
Franco, Francisco 53
French Resistance 52–3, 62–3, 100, 154, 173, 183–4, 186, 188–91
Gee navigation 113, 117, 176
Geller, Harry 176
Gellhorn, Martha 70
George VI 23
German Panzer divisions 115–16, 127, 130
Gestapo 51, 53, 83, 100, 119
Gibraltar 54
Gibson, Wing Commander Guy Penrose 317
appears on Desert Island Discs 121
attends parties at Petwood 121
awards 3, 21
character and reputation 3, 19–20
death of 216–17
forms 617 Squadron 3–4, 6, 91
introduces the expression ‘pissed on from a great height’ 80
leads first wave in Dams raid 8–12
relationship with the men 19–20
sent on flag-waving tour 25
tries to reassure Wallis 22
Enemy Coast Ahead 25
Gill, Derek 324–5
Gill, Ken 284, 301–2, 306, 324
Gill, Vera 301–2, 306, 325
Glane River 36
Gliderdrome (Boston) 219
Gneisenau 27
Gnome-Rhône aero engine factory (Limoges) 74–5, 76–8