After the Flood

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After the Flood Page 38

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

 

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