My uncle Jimmy Langton was F/E in Halifax bombers,unfortunately lost his life in Germany. The Halifax never seems to get same recognition as Lancaster. My god these were brave men , this footage is very emotional,thank you.
My Dear father flew 37 missions in the Halifax as wireless operator. He was based in Driffield with the 462 466 RAAF squadrons. He passed away 21st June this year at age 94. Like so many, he only ever spoke of this period of his life towards the end. This footage is very special.
just discovered this. My dear father also was a wireless operator in a Halifax in WW2 with the RAF. Not sure how many missions he flew, but I suspect over 20. He used to tell my sister and me some funny stories about his days in the RAF, and later a few horrifying ones. He died a few years back at age 88. this footage is very special indeed.
avss01 that’s interesting, Dad flew in Halifax’s with the same Squadron from Driffield after completing the European war from Holme on Spalding Moor attached to 76 RAF (HOSM and Driffield are close by) The English elements of the crew were de-mobbed but the Australians posted to Driffield in anticipation of going to the East to the Pacific War. I’ve got some pretty amazing images if you are interested from the Driffield era, including large hand drawn schematics of the Halifax.
avss01 I’ve just come across this, my dad John (Jack) Horridge completed 31 ops as bomb aimer with Carthy Crew RAAF 462 Squadron Driffield, flying serial no. LW440 Z5-B. They were all heros ❤️
My departed father was ground crew in Norfolk. He and his brother both joined up in 1939. Uncle Eddie, Sgt 1456175 . Took off 1808 3 Oct 1943 Halifax V DK 201 unit 76 squadron from Holme - on -Spalding Moor . Shot down by night fighter , crashing at Leistrup , 4 km ESE of Detmold Germany . POW Stalag Luft L3 Sagan and Belaria. Survived the war , murdered in Brixton , London . UK circa 1977. We shall remember them.
My Grandfather was in the Royal Australian Air-force as a Navigator in a Halifax from 42 to 45. It was an extremely terrifying time for him and he had his life changed forever. So for me this video gave me a small window into his amazing life during that time. It helped me put pictures to his stories. Also It reminds me how much he and others risked and sacrificed for our way of life and how we must never forget. Thank you so very much for your post much.
Great footage. My uncle was a Flight Engineer in 10 Squadron based at RAF Melbourne. I know he flew in Halifax ZA-A on a raid over Saarbrucken on 19 September 1942. It crashed in Yorkshire on returning but happily the crew bailed out. Sadly after surviving missions over Germany he was killed in above all things a training flight in November 1942. He was just 22. He had left his home in India in 1936 to join the RAF aged 16 which was the last time my grandmother saw her son. The Bomber Command crews were the bravest of the brave.
My Great grandfather was an officer in the British Army in WW1 and his son (my grandfather) was in the RAF during WW2, he flew in Handley Page Halifax's and was the gunner either at the top or the rear of the plane, due to dementia he can't really remember much anymore but I'll never forget the stories and pictures he used to show me and the stories my dad still tells me to this day, and makes me proud as hell. Lest we forget.
Thought I'd share something I wrote on behalf of my late grandfather. On the night of 22nd July, 1943 Stan joined the crew of Halifax DK119, 161 squadron and took off from RAF Tempsford in Bedfordshire on a mission to drop desperately needed supplies to the French resistance. Stan, just 20 years old and due on leave the next day was asked to take the place of a navigator that had fallen ill. Because the weather was so bad that night, their four-engine bomber was to be the only allied plane to leave Britain for Europe. The first two consignments were successfully dispatched, but no signal was received for the third target drop zone at St. Sauvier. The plane flew over the area twice without seeing any lights. The weather was extremely bad, thunderstorms and heavy rain. On the third run in, signal lights were spotted and the remaining supply containers were dropped. The aircraft was flying very low and on turning to gain height an engine stalled and the plane crashed on the edge of a wooded area. Unfortunately the rear gunner, Sgt. Lavallee was killed, but through the aid of the local French resistance five of the crew did escape (Sergeants Crome, Paulin, Hunter, Patterson and Kanakos). Stan and the nose gunner Sgt. Allen were both badly injured. Stan could not be moved although he was fully conscious at the time and persuaded the resistance to destroy as much evidence and equipment in the wrecked aircraft as possible. There was a certain amount of panic at the time because the containers had been emptied and the supplies taken away, but the empty containers had been thrown into a nearby lake and were floating so they had to be recovered and better disposed of before the Germans arrived on the scene. Stan was seriously injured with head wounds, a dislocated hip and several pieces of wreckage embedded in his legs. One of the resistance women sat with Stan until the Genderarm (French police) arrived to take him to Montlucon, from there the Luftwaffe (German airforce) took him to a hospital in Clairemont Ferrand. When he was fitter, Stan was transported on a stretcher by train to a hospital in Germany, Obermassfeld, then onto a prisoner of war camp. Stan was a P.O.W at Heydekrug, Throme in Poland and then Fallingbostel until April 1945 when the Germans marched the prisoners south in an attempt to reach Poland and use them as hostages. During this forced march, the column of prisoners, were often mistaken by allied aircraft for German infantry. Then one day they were attacked by RAF Typhoon fighter-bombers, firing rockets. One of Stan’s most horrific memories of this time was of a strongly built Canadian nicknamed ‘Tiny’ who, ran out waving his white shirt in an attempt to signal the attacking aircraft but he took a direct hit and in was ‘blown to bits’. Stan, his friend Mac and another prisoner later managed to escape the column at a bend in the road. They even succeeded to evade the patrolling guard dogs. After about a week on the run, hiding up by day in forests and moving by night, they arrived in an area near to where the British Army were fighting and they were finally picked up by the 7th Hussars near the river Weser. Stan arrived back home in England at the end of April in time for his 22nd birthday in May. All five members of Stan crew arrived safely back in England after evading capture for about four months. It is uncertain what happened to Sgt. Allen but it is believed he died of his wounds in hospital. Sgt. Lavallee was a French Canadian, and by some strange coincidence, whose mother had been born in St. Sauvier and his grandmother was still living in the village at the time of the crash. A local historian Rene Chambereau had put advertisements in the RAF Association Magazine to trace members of the crashed plane to build up the history, and Stan contacted Rene in time for a memorial service in 1994. A memorial was built in honour of Sgt. Lavallee, quite close to the crash site and is a focal point in the village for the past history of the resistance members. Stan was invited back to St.Sauvier again as guest of honour and to help mark the 60th anniversary of Liberation of France.
Halifax crash DK119 FTR 23 July 1943 in Saint-Sauvier (03) Written by Alain GODIGNON in the section The Allies, Memory Site, Special Sabotage Section Halifax crash DK119 July 23, 1943 in Saint-Sauvier (O3) On July 22, 1943, the BBC broadcasts at noon and confirms in the evening on its radio program the personal message coded: "The King loves the Bergère" The parachuting operation for the reception committee of Saint Sauvier (O3) is for this night . "From 10 pm, the reception team goes to the" WRANGEL "approved site located 2 km from the village along the Saint-Sauvier-Mesples road. Depending on the Clermont-Ferrand Action Network R 6, it is composed of: René DEGREVE ‘Claude’. Head of the team. Jean GAULIER - ‘Sylvain’. Camille ROUGERON - ‘Clément’. Auguste CHAULIER ‘Gust’. Henri DUBOUCHET - ‘Riton’. Henry CHOLIN - ‘Riri’. Emile ROMAIN ‘Mimile’. Fernando SOARES - ‘Franco’. E. MARTOLINI - “Benito’. [1] On the field, men, cars, carts and horses are ready. In England, on the RAF base of the 161st Squadron of Tempsford in Bedfordshire, the crew of the Halifax DK119 prepares to perform the three operations of the night. The crew consists of 5 English and 3 Canadian: RG P/O Louis Max LAVALLÉE. RCAF J-18759. Captain and Rear Gunner, Plt Sgt Donald CROME. RAF 1318539. F/Eng Sgt Raymond Orville HUNTER. RCAF R-1O2359. Nav Sgt Stanley F. HATHAWAY. RAF 1338742. Stan, only 20 years old, on leave the next day, was asked to take the place of a fallen navigator [2] BA Sgt David Gordon PATTERSON. RAF 1491419. W/Op Sgt Robert William PAULIN. RAF 1321294. AG Sgt Tass Joe KANAKOS - RCAF R-144O74. AG-Dis Sgt Edward Arthur ALLEN. RAF 132O921. dispatcher (drop containers). --------------------------------------- Around 23:40, the plane takes off from its base. The first two drop operations ‘TOMCOD’ and ‘PRINCESS’ of the mission are carried out successfully (probably droplet of leaflets). The third, named ‘MISTRAL 3’, is that of Saint-Sauvier and presents itself badly. The plane flew over the area twice without seeing any light because the weather is extremely bad. On the ground: "Around 3 o'clock, the wind rises.” At about 03:10, our attention is attracted by a sound of engines, we recognize the sound of a Halifax [3]. In the plane : at the third pass, at very low altitude, the traffic lights are located. On the ground: "We give our identity in Morse using an electric torch : figure 7. Response of the airplane in Morse under a wing of the plane. We see the parachutes falling from the sky. Suddenly noise and light -- like a storm breaking out out, we see a flame, a motor that stops, the plane that passes over us, we notice that a wing of the aircraft hits the top of an oak, makes a quarter of turn and fall to the ground. "Claude", "Clément" and "Riton" are looking for the device which should be about 200 meters away. The storm is redoubled with violence. The team ‘Sylvain’, ‘Gust’, ‘Mimile’ take care of the containers and the evacuation of the material. ‘Riri’, ‘Franco’, ‘Benito’ take care of the container envelope. We find the device - At 10 meters from it, we find one dead (F/Sgt Louis Max LAVALLÉE), then find two seriously wounded men (Sgt Stan F. HATHAWAY and Sgt Edward A. ALLEN) and a light wounded man (Sgt David G. PATTERSON). Inside the apparatus we see three men; two (Sgt Donald Crome & Sgt Paulin ?) are busy destroying the dashboard, the last unfurls a wick. We tear off the roll of his hands (wick to destroy the Halifax). We return to the serious wounded, we drive them under a wing of the plane to protect them from the storm, covering them with their parachute. We fold the dead man into his parachute and place him under the other wing of the aircraft. The light wounded man is driven into the ‘Riton’ car, which is 300 meters away. ‘Claude’ and ‘Clément’ see an individual speaking on them alone. At our sight, the latter, with the Algerian accent, gesticulates and tells us: "I come back from the guard of the railways in Treignat, I live in the old tile factory. I opened my door at the same time, I heard a loud noise, saw a long flame and I could have no light. ‘Claude’ replied: "It's nothing, the light will come back, go home." He takes over the direction of the tile factory and disappears. We join the three valid airmen. With them, we pierce the tanks. Around 5am, ‘Claude’, ‘Sylvain’ and the three (four!) Airmen [4] (David CROME, Robert O. HUNTER, Tass J. KANAKOS and Robert W. PAULIN) leave the field and leave towards Montluçon by Archignat, Huriel. (Around 5.45) With "Riton", we reach his vehicle and we leave with the light wounded (D. G. PATTERSON) for Montluçon passing Mesples, Chambérat and Chapelaude. (Around 6h). While crossing the town of Chambérat, we cross a German convoy composed of two bikers, three light cars and trucks, they head towards Saint-Sauvier. Along the way, we learn the identity of the light wounded; his name is David PATTERSON, age 20, second pilot aboard the Halifax. He informs us that the dead man is his Captain named LAVALLÉE. PATTERSON is taken to "Clément" for treatment. "Clement" goes to Dr. Louis CONTAMINE and return Rue Championnet extended Montlucon where PATTERSON is. The three valid airmen (?) Are handed over by "Claude" to Resistant LEPINE, who takes them to a farm in Ayat-sur-Sioule, near the Menat Bridge. The material received is driven in a wood located on the road from Saint-Sauvier to Treignat. Are dropped in the pond of Romagère, the envelopes of the containers "[5]. S. F. HATHAWAY has broken pelvis, legs and wounds to the head, E. A. ALLEN has leg injuries. Untransportable, the Resistants decide to leave them on the spot so that they are treated by the authorities. "Riri" made them drink a glass of rum to "bring them up". Probably between 5:45 and 6:30, the Mayor is warned by the Algerian tile. The Mayor then warned the Gendarmerie about 6h30 and she alerted the Germans to Montlucon. After 6h30, the Mayor is on the scene. Around 8am, the gendarmes arrived and asked Dr ROGUET de Treignat to treat the wounded who gave them a bite of morphine. A woman from a nearby village wipes their faces, probably the Algerian wife of the tile factory. Towards 10 am, the Germans arrive and, around 1030, take custody of the aircraft until then provided by the Gendarmerie. By order of the Germans, the two wounded, S. F. HATHAWAY and E. A. ALLEN, are transported to the infirmary of the barracks Richemond de Montlucon, garrison of the occupation troops. German soldiers, assisted by gendarmes, search for aviators and containers, interrogate the inhabitants and search them. In the morning, two envelopes of containers and parachutes float on the pond of the Romagère. They are recovered by the Germans thanks to the inflatable boat of the plane. The decision to empty the pond is then taken. A curious man with a camera, Jean DUTHEIL, a student at the faculty of pharmacy in Clermont-Ferrand whose parents live in La Vierne in the commune of Saint-Sauvier, is requisitioned to recover empty containers in the pond. [6] The pond of La Romagère will empty until the end of the day of July 24th. THE OBSEQUES OF LOUIS MAX LAVALLÉE. The body of Louis Max Lavallée was taken to the morgue of Montlucon Hospital. On the 24th of July at 5 pm, the military procession, composed of German soldiers paying the honors, of a special Swiss delegate and of the French Police providing the service of order, went towards the cemetery of the East. I ndiscretions made it possible to know the date and the hour of the funeral and, relayed by the Local Resistance, a large crowd appeared at the exit of the procession of the hospital. Held at a distance by the police, she loudly manifested her disapproval of not being allowed to follow the coffin, of not being able to deposit the innumerable flowers brought; the flower wreath of the German authorities being only allowed. From a distance, "La Marseillaise" made itself heard, then, as they approached the cemetery, arriving by the back roads, many people sang songs as they passed the coffin. Immediately after the German delegation had passed the gates of the cemetery, they were closed to the crowd. During the time of the German presence at the cemetery, the crowd sang "La Marche Lorraine" but remained calm. While the delegation was returning, a slogan circulated: "Let's turn our backs so as not to see them and stay calm until they leave." A woman's voice then sang "La Marseillaise" again and the crowd exploded without being hostile. The German superior officer then stopped his troop, who fired a volley of fire in the air. Surprised, the crowd was killed and a large number of people escaped. The crowd, exasperated by the gunshots, began to sing again. After the German delegation had left the place, the crowd invaded the cemetery quietly. The crown of the German authorities was thrown over the wall of the cemetery. [7] The day after the funeral, "Clement" placed a cushion of flowers on the tomb on behalf of the reception committee of Saint-Sauvier. A tricolor ribbon was pinned with the inscription: "SES FRIENDS OF FRANCE". A police report was drafted against "Clément" by one of his colleagues at the Montluçon police station for laying the flowers. Shortly after the tragedy, a stele was erected near the crash site. In 1952, the body of L. M. LAVALLÉE was exhumed from his Montluçon tomb to be transferred to the Commonwealth military cemetery of Choloy (54), falls 3F15. [8] continued . . .
In 1993, a major event took place on the 50th anniversary of the crash in memory of Louis Max LAVALLÉE in the presence of his family, members of the parachute reception committee, the Canadian, English and French authorities and a crowd of 500 people. In 2OO1, the inauguration of the Place Louis Max LAVALLÉE, in Saint-Sauvier, was the object of a recollection in his memory in the presence of his family, veterans and authorities. David Gordon PATTERSON After being treated and accommodated for about a week at "Clément", Rue Championnet extended Montluçon where he was monitored daily by Dr. CONTAMINE, he was driven to Mr. and Mrs. Maurice GERMAIN, Avenue of Starlings in Montlucon for a week or so then to Teillet-Argenty (O3) at Mr. CHICOIX, tailor, before joining the department of Saone et Loire. He was to be exfiltrated to England on the night of 22 to 23/08/1943 from the "Marguerite" field of Feillens (O1) as part of the Trojan Horse operation but the aircraft could not land because fog. The following night, on 24 August 1943, the operation was renewed and D. G. PATTERSON was able to return to England aboard a Hudson plane. A few days later, the Resistance of Saint-Sauvier heard the coded personal message of the BBC: "PAT arrived well - thank you all" meaning that PATTERSON had returned to England. Appointed Flight Sergeant, D. G. PATTERSON, still at 161st Squadron, is on the Halifax LL248 O5 / O8 / 1944 for a parachute operation of weapons and agents named "Bob 166" on the DZ Honolulu (51). The plane is located above the municipalities of Courdemanges, Huiron and Glannes, located southwest of Vitry-le-François. Probably hit by a German fighter, the plane catches fire, explodes in flight and loses altitude to crash on the ground in the town of Glannes. From the carcass of the plane are extracted 7 bodies including that of D.G. PATTERSON. The bodies of 6 Allied airmen, 2 French passengers are buried in the communal cemetery of Huiron (51) in a collective grave [13]. A commemorative stele was erected on the town of Glannes (51) near the crash [14]. Flight Sergeant David Gordon PATTERSON died at age 22 on O5 / O8 / 1944. He was the son of James and Mary Patterson of Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, England. He is buried in the collective grave n ° 81 of the Huiron cemetery (51). Inscription of the grave: "ALTHOUGH HIS GRAVE IS FAR AWAY OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH HIM NIGHT AND DAY". Entrusted to Lucien LEPINE aka "Barbouillé" (who will become captain), this one, although living Domérat (O3) and working at the factory Sagem of Montluçon, returned during the summer of 194O near the place where he was raised as a child and created a maquis in Ayat-sur-Sioule at a place called Les Bougets [15]. The airmen will stay two or three days at Mr. and Mrs. BERTHON Alexis Bougets. Marinette, the eldest daughter was 13 years old and remembers very well their passage: "The parents did not want to see them, they were afraid of the babble of children, I looked through the keyhole. At noon, my mother passed them their meals by the door of the cellar of the contiguous "fournial" where they were hidden. In the evening, they dined at the family table. She served them the soup, the creamed potato pie - they showed two fingers meaning they wanted them twice - and then the plum pie. "[16] Under the direction of "Lieutenant Robert" (the teacher JR LINDRON), the carpenter Gervais FOURNIER and "Francois the Belgian" (Frans HENDRICKS), they were moved away for safety in a house of the bush more isolated at the coast of the donkey , always in Ayat, where they stayed longer. Around August 22, they are in Gelles (63). During the third week of September, they are lodged by the maquis "Duranton" Marius PIREYRE, an abandoned house about two kilometers from Giat (63), with eleven French fleeing the S.T.O. After about a week, they are joined by Flight Lieutenant Ed MASON, then Sergeant Charles HEYWORTH and Warrant Officer JM NELMES RCAF, crew members of the Halifax LK913 crashed on 15/9/1943 in Tronçais Forest, near Le Brethon (O3) following the bombing of the DUNLOP factory in Montluçon [17]. A fourth member of the same crew, Flight Lieutenant J. M. FORMAN RCAF joined the group on October 8th. On 12 October, Sergeant D. CROME inspects a possible landing site near Toulouse. He was still absent two days later when the Airmen of the 161st Squadron: RO HUNTER, TJ KANAKOS and RW PAULIN were taken to Clermont-Ferrand with Ch. HEYWORTH and JM FORMAN, the latter two also of the trip, given their state of health. . A woman, Mrs. Marianne, and a man (who is believed to be her husband), escorted the five airmen by train that took them to Angoulême (16) via Limoges (87). When crossing the line of demarcation, there was an identity check on the train by a German officer and a soldier. The officer questioned J. M. FORMAN on his identity card, established in 1942, who declared him deaf and dumb (like all his colleagues). Marianne spoke to the German officer, who, though apparently unhappy, let them continue on their way [18]. They finally arrived at the Angouleme station. ANGOULEME At the Angoulême station, Jean LAPEYRE-MENSIGNAC is in charge of welcoming the group to the morning train. In front of the door of the buffet of the station, he scrutinizes the arrival of the passengers having in his left hand the newspaper "Signal" and a glove, accessories agreed. A woman approaches and asks him: "Where is the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville? ". This is the password he must answer: "There is none." The group is complete and does not go unnoticed; the accoutrement of the airmen is, to say the least, heterogeneous. The group must go through the station since they have tickets, and Jean LAPEYRE-MENSIGNAC, by the buffet of the station, he who has none and all found themselves outside. As he walks through the buffet tables, Jean LAPEYRE-MENSIGNAC turns around and sees the group that mistakenly followed him. Too late ! They go out through the forbidden exit and find themselves outside. Charles FRANC aka "Le Pointu" had to be there with a car since 1Oh: there is not! We then form two groups so as not to attract attention; the woman forms a group and I the other. Around 11h30, Jean LAPEYRE-MENSIGNAC met two comrades René CHABASSE aka "The Godfather" and Guy BERGER aka "The Pastor" and asked them to find a car. It is Henri LAGARDE of Javerlhac who agrees to transport the men to the home of Charles FRANC in Ronfleville, commune of Malaville, to 25 km of Angoulême, in a closed van in which the pilots are piled in the back. He does not have a pass but we have two revolvers! We arrive at 14h at Charles FRANC we met halfway; he had not found a car sooner. Two days after their arrival, D. CROME reappeared from his expedition. He arrived in time, two Lysander planes were scheduled to pick them up on the night of October 20 and 21 during the favorable lunar period on the "Serin" field, 1.5 km south of Vibrac (Operation Water Pistol). The poor visibility in the reception area, forced the aircraft to abandon, it will repeat the operation at the next full moon in November. This was not good news for Charles HEYWORTH who contracted a serious lung infection. Around 11h30, Jean LAPEYRE-MENSIGNAC met two comrades René CHABASSE aka "The Godfather" and Guy BERGER aka "The Pastor" and asked them to find a car. It is Henri LAGARDE of Javerlhac who agrees to transport the men to the home of Charles FRANC in Ronfleville, commune of Malaville, to 25 km of Angoulême, in a closed van in which the pilots are piled in the back. He does not have a pass but we have two revolvers! We arrive at 14h at Charles FRANC we met halfway; he had not found a car sooner. Two days after their arrival, D. CROME reappeared from his expedition. He arrived in time, two Lysander planes were scheduled to pick them up on the night of October 20 and 21 during the favorable lunar period on the "Serin" field, 1.5 km south of Vibrac (Operation Water Pistol). The poor visibility in the reception area, forced the aircraft to abandon, it will repeat the operation at the next full moon in November. This was not good news for Charles HEYWORTH who contracted a serious lung infection. Airmen kill time by playing belote, washing and ... breaking dishes. They comfort themselves by absorbing Pineau strength. It is on the ground "Albatros" in the municipality of Angeac-Charente (16) that the operation is decided for the November moon. Charles HEYWORTH is very sick, "Le Pointu" and Jean LAPEYRE-MENSIGNAC bring him on a radio at Dr. BONNAUD's in Segonzac; diagnosis: pleurisy. A new Radio-London announcement is made on the 10th, then the 12th by the personal message: "The bird of the seas will take flight tonight" but the operation will not take place. Finally on the 14th, the message goes back, it is for the night of November 15th to 16th that the airmen FORMAN, HUNTER, CROME, PAULIN, KANAKOS with Léon NAUTIN alias "Clo", alias "Sol", aka "Avocat", are driven in two cars at the landing field. Patient HEYWORTH was transported separately [19]. The first Lysander, piloted by Flying Officer J. M. MacBRIDE, takes off at 9:25 pm from England. He landed at 1h3O, laying two passengers and packages. He embarks 4 people: "Clo" and three airmen and takes off again at 1:35. Due to technical problems, the second Lysander departs at 22:10, it is piloted by the Flying Officer J. R. G. BATHGATE. It lands at 1:23, poses two passengers and several packages. He takes off at 1:28 with 3 passengers [2O]. Charles HEYWORTH is from the latter [21]. contnued below . . .
The passengers descended from both Lysander are: - Colonel Claude BONNIER aka "Hypothenuse", Head of Mission of BCRA London, DMR Zone B Bordeaux, - Captain Jacques NANCY aka "Sape", aka "Frégate", aka "Lavigne", saboteur leader responsible in zone B, - André DESGRANGES aka "Marshal", - André CHARLOT aka "André ROCHE", aka "Deacon" [22]. In the packages delivered, there are machine guns, silent revolvers and as always chocolate, cigarettes, tobacco, tea, etc. in another package, more than 2OOO food stamps, half-yearly sheets and coupons for the maquis. At the arrival of the Lysander at RAF Tangmere Base (West Sussex, England), it is 5:00; Charles HEYWORTH is transported to the hospital, but it is too late, he died on November 25, 1943. The ashes of 26-year-old Charles HEYWORTH live at the Borough Crematorium, Brighton (Woodvale), Panel 2 [23]. Appointed Pilot Officer, Charles HEYWORTH - RCAF No. 157454 - 428 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn, was the son of Pte. Charles HEYWORTH - Royal King's Own Lancaster Regt. (killed in action in France, March 23, 1918) and Margaret Elizabeth HEYWORTH, of St. Annes-on-Sea, Lancashire, husband of Vera Elsie HEYWORTH of St. Annes-on-Sea [24]. He was a mechanic aboard the Halifax LK913 crashed on 15 / O9 / 1943 at the Rond de la Bouteille, in the Tronçais Forest, Le Brethon (O3). Raymond Orville HUNTER He was appointed Flight Officer on February 10, 1944, and was posted to the 424th Squadron. On 9/10/1944, the Halifax MZ8O2 named "Gerty" was one of the 209 bombers in Group No. 6 sent to bomb Bochum (Germany). Of these planes, five aborted the mission and three were shot, "Gerty" was among them. The squadron commander, W / C G.A. Roy DFC, was the pilot. He and five of the six other crew members on board survived and will be prisoners of war. [25] The sixth member was Raymond Orville HUNTER, he died and was buried at the Rheinberg Military Cemetery (Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany), falls at 2:25 [26]. Raymond Orville HUNTER Flight Officer, Royal Canadian Air Force Engineer No. C / 85347, 424st Squadron, was the son of Harvey Llewellyn and Sue Muriel HUNTER of Hazenmore, Saskatchewan (Canada). At the time of enrollment on 20/05/1941, he was a student. Married with Nora Ward Shields in Durham County (United Kingdom) on 4/12/1943 (as soon as he returned from France). A son of the same name was born there in April 1945. [27] WHAT HAVE OTHER AVIATORS BECOME? Tass Joe KANAKOS Tass KANAKOS was demobilized in Toronto in September 1945. He owned his own auto parts business. Married to Vivian PAVLIS on February 5, 1948, he had two sons and six grandchildren [28]. He came to Saint-Sauvier to collect himself on the stele of L. M. LAVALLÉE on the fiftieth anniversary of his death in 1993. In September 1995, he also reviewed the places where he was lodged in Ayat-sur-Sioule. Robert William PAULIN On his return to England, Robert William PAULIN did no other work and was assigned to training duties, teaching other radio operators. He died after a long illness on January 9, 2002 at the age of 80 years [29] Donald CROME Donald CROME was named Flight Officer and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) medal when he was member of the 514th Squadron under number 45O417 [30]. [1] Written testimony of Camille ROUGERON alias "Clément" of 31/07/1985. [2] Source: www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/00/a5353300.shtml [3] Testimony Camille ROUGERON already mentioned. [4] In her testimony, Camille ROUGERON always speaks of 3 unscathed airmen and yet they are 4! [5] Written testimony of Camille ROUGERON already cited. [6] Source: AFMD Allier (www.afmd-allier.com/PBCPPlayer.asp?ID=952455) - Memorial GenWeb (www.memorialgenweb.org/memorial3/html/en/complementter. php? table = gf & id = 5733157) [7] Source: A. D. Allier, 778 W 12.1 - German Occupation-Relations with the German Authorities: Report of 24 / O7 / 1943 of the Commissioner of General Information to the Prefect of the Allier. A crowd of about 4,000 people is quoted in this report. [8] Sources: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2319820/lavallee,-louis-max/ www.francecrashes39-45.net/page_fiche_av.php?id= 519 [9] Source Stephen HATHAWAY: www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/00/a5353300.shtml [1O] Source: his fact sheet on the "Forces War Records" website (link)
My dad was a WOP in the halifax baled out over Belgium on his 29th op captured after 3 days on the run he was also at hydekrug and fallingbostel 1944 to 1945 probably knew your grandfather but we'll never know
Like so many who have commented my father was a Halifax pilot, flew with 102 Squadron based in Pocklington just a few miles down the road from Elvington. He flew both MkIIIs and ended the war flying the Mark VI Halifax which he was very fond of. It was about 25 knots faster than the Lancaster and mkIII. I took him to a 102 Squadron reunion in 2007 which was quite a trip from his home in Auckland NZ. He went again to the opening of the bomber command memorial is 2012. He was 91 at the time so quite a feat. Great film clip, I am grateful for the opportunity to watch it.
Dad was a Halifax Bomb Aimer in 10 Squadron stationed at Melbourne, Yorkshire. His first operation was to Hamburg on 24/7/43 (the big one), and he got his DFC over Pennemunde a month later. Dad told me that his Skipper Sgt/PO Officer Glover and he were so lucky to have survived when more than 50% of his colleagues didn't. So this is to EVERY crew who flew in the Halifax, whether they returned or not. Thank you, I am so very grateful!
+Ray Quigley Great to hear from you Ray. The Mk III was fitted with Bristol Hercules engines which gave much better lift and more importantly less exhaust flame. The previous Rolls Royce Merlin engines were a night-fighters dream :( And on the Mk III they also sorted out the shape of the tail fins which could make it very hard for inexperienced pilots to get out of a search-light avoiding 'cork-screw'.
Wow....never thought I would find such a clip here. My father was a navigator on Lancasters and Halifax bombers, part of the free french that had joined the RAF. A million thanks for posting this
My late father and his crew completed a tour of operations as members of 78 Squadron, 4 Group, based at Breighton, Yorks, from October 1944 through to April 1945. He and the crew are always in my thoughts and daily prayers. They loved their Mk III Hallybags and held them as superior to anything in the skies sporting 4 engines. Lest We Forget
My father was radio operator in Halifax DK119 of 161 squadron flying for the SOE and was on the same mission with Stephen Hathaways grandfather (article posted 7 yrs ago) when they crashed near St Sauvier in France whilst dropping provisions for the French resistance. Sadly the tail gunner, Lou Lavallee, a French Canadian, was killed. Amazingly, his mother was born in the village and his Grandmother was still living there at the time of the crash. There is a memorial at the crash site, just outside the village. The French resistanc helped my father and two other crew to get back to England. Brave men, that my father owes his life to.
My Dad, F.O. Norman Gillen, Navigator, 429 SQ, RCAF, flew 32 combat missions in a Halifax Bomber. I have all his Navigational charts for those missions..He and his crew, are what Canada is all about..My respects to all that flew..
My uncle F.O Edward.Joseph Andrews was with the 428 Ghost Squadron R.C.A.F aboard Halifax EB274 coded NH-A. Left Middleton st George on the night of Aug 2-3 on a mission to bomb Hamburg but ran into bad weather and was eventually shot down by an me110 night fighter over the dutch coast and went into the sea all crew members lost and never found Their remains lay at the bottom to this very day.
My Dad flew in Halifax' and Lancaster bomber in the mid upper gunner position. He did 30 sorties altogether and came home safe at the end of the war but passed away tragically at the age of 42 after the war.Miss him every day...
@@annekerr3652 Sorry for your loss. I was 15 second oldest of 7 so my mother was an instant single mother.It was tough in those days but we made it through. I'm in my 70's now but like you, get the "what if's" if he was still here, but luckily stayed away from booze and drugs [being from an older generation probably saved me from that garbage.] Hope you enjoy the rest of your life..."And at the going down of the sun ..we will remember them."
My Dad was the Bomb Aimer in the Halifax 3 from Full Sutton Yorkshire. His crew had a wonderful Pilot , Dave Maxwell who never lost his focus no matter how bad the situation
My dad, a Halifax pilot, told me he would wait anxiously for the bomb aimer to report "bombs gone", then he could take back control and hopefully pull up and out of the flak's range.
I join so many on here celebrating their relatives. My Dad was a Nav/Bomb aimer, Radio op in a Halifax. I have his flight log but I forget the details. Here's to them all!
Thanks for this, my dad (RCAF) was just a 20 year old pilot, and looked it too, when he started flying Halifax operations for the RAF 578. He kept a private pilot's license until he was 80. Some of my first memories are of sitting on an old lifejacket cushion in his two seater tail dragger Luscombe listening to him recite the pre-flight checklist.
My father was a 578 Sqdn rear-gunner. Successfully completed 40 operations and together with the rest of the crew was awarded the DFM. In 1953 he completed 20 operations in Malaya in an 83 Sqdn Lincoln. I have his log book.
My half brother was part of the final punitive heavy bomber raid on Germany ( Kiel ) 2/3 rd of May 1945. He was a W/op on a Halifax Mk3 , in 199 sqdn, 100group, out of North Creake, Norfolk. They were attacked by a JU88 night fighter, the flight controls were hit and damaged, causing their plane to collide with another. Of 16 crew, only 3 survived. None were my brother. His widow, died yesterday--aged 94.
Hello to all, watching this fantastic video gives us such great insight into a bomber crews duties and how the aircraft was readied for a mission. Cheers to all the brave men and women who made this happen. My father was a Halifax pilot (full tour) while with based with 158 squadron RAF . Pilot officer Nick Smith . We still have his log books and original handbook for the Halifax bomber, very interesting to map out where there flying took place.
Hi Peter - do you know that there was a book written about the 158 Squadron - CalledIN BRAVE COMPANY - 158 SQUADRON OPERATIONS. By W. R .Chorley ISBN 0 9507467 1 1Published by P. A. Chorley10 Sycamore Close, Sixpenny Handley, SalisburyWiltshire,SP5 5QQ England.Regards Chris RogersAustralia
Ive just seen this great clip...dad flew with 624 Sq Special Ops 90% of it as Pilot in Halifax...his plane was Percy's Pigeon and he shared many stories of those years with us. He was the boy from Bondi who made it home, so many didn't!
John Atkins have you checked out the 624 Squadron website? There is also a Facebook page. Tons of information posted on the sites. My dad was a wireless radio operator in 624, based in Blida, Algeria. Cheers!
Amazing that you synced up the audio it sounds very authentic. I made a film onboard the Elvington Halifax last year and the volunteers at the museum were fantastic. My grandfather was a Halifax rear gunner and wrote his memoirs which we only found after he passed away. Its my goal to one day make a film based on a section of this and films like this are brilliant for research.
Cracking bit of footage, really enjoyable watching, even my partner stopped what he was doing in the other room when he heard and came through to watch. Thanks for posting :-)
Thanks a real bunch for this my father was a navigator RAAF seconded to the RAF 76 Sqdn Holme On Spalding Moor. He moved in to better things a few years ago now. Amazing bit of film it brings a tear to my eye every time I watch it, truly wonderful to se the sort of things that were routine to those men… men.. crikey my dad was the oldest in the crew 22 and 5 months when he crewed up… amazing stuff indeed… thanks again Roger Skinner Australia.
Roger my uncle George Such was a pilot on Halifax from 76 squadron .died at age 22 bombing Hamburg ,shot down into the sea. George had left his lucky rabbits foot behind on this mission .The grandfather clock stopped in my grandparents house and transpired 6 months later at the exact time George lost his life. Heard so much about this maverick from my father.
Ahhh my uncle was there at holmes spalding 76 squadron. He was 23 when his plane crashed due to engine failure. I should imagine you had some very informative chats with your father. Brave men indeed❤
My Uncle was Australian in 158 SQN Halifax III LV946, this aircraft collided with 51 Sqn and Halifax Mk III LV946 over Tergneir all lives lost. The little town where the craft and bodies landed conducted a memorial and rememberence statue ceremony this year, was really good.www.awm.gov.au/collection/P09307.006
i was in Lissett last week they have named all the huge wind turbines after the halifaxes that were stationed there ,,they all standing on the hard standing the planes used to stand on.Many of the old buildings are still there and in the old Guard room the original piano is still there very interesting place....its no museum its all just abandoned
Wow. First footage of a halibag I've seen. My dad rest his soul was a tail end Charlie. He passed on prematurely at 51when I was 17. Too young to be really interested, but I remember the things he occasionally talked about. The war scarred his life. I think this is why he went so young. Wish I could chat with him now😢
My brother john murray Robertson flight engineer on LV784 S Sugar was shot down and killed with all his crew on24 May 1944 (51 squadron).IHav recently returned from Snaith Yorkshire where there is a well maintained memorial garden Ionly found out about this Rembrance plot very recently,I hope other relatives friends,etc are aware of its existence,I do wish that his parents were informed when they were alive of this sacred place but too late now but at least all his remaining siblings can pay their respects,HE was only 19
The Halifax seen at 2:48 is from 347 (Free French) Squadron, based at Elvington in 4 Group. The squadron codes L8 and the diamond marking on the tail confirm this. Its French designation was 'Groupe 1/25 Tunisie'.
I have amended my mistake in my earlier post regarding the aircraft ID at 2:48 crediting and quoting your correct identification of this aircraft. Thank you.
My late Uncle JE Bartram was a mid upper/ flight engineer on a Halifax with 502 Sqn based in Stornoway. In Jan 1945 he went out to dive bomb Prinz Eugen which was shelling Russian troops on the Samland Peninsular in the far South East corner of the Baltic. Dad told me about the MIA telegram after that trip followed by a post card a few days later that that he was safe and sound in Sweden. Dad was sixteen and Uncle John was twenty-one. I think about this a lot and the more I do the harder I find it the more mind boggling I find it that these things really happened just one generation before me. I'm 57.
In my case, my father. August 3, 1944, his 21st birthday. Ops to Bois de Cassen V1 launch site. Op no.27, only 13 more to go... Rear Gunner completed 40 ops, whole crew decorated with DFMs for bringing back on-target photograph each time. I regret so much that we didn't talk about it - but then, they never did, did they?
My Father, F.O. , Norman Gillen, Navigator, flew with the RCAF, 429 SQ, during WW11. His crew flew 32 combat missions in a Halifax..I have all his navigational charts, that he made for each flight..We, today, have no idea what these brave men went threw..My respects to all that served, and continue to do so..Always in my heart Dad..
My dad, flt. Sgt. Eric Stofer was a flight engineer with 429 squadron and completed his tour in Halifax aircraft then converted to Lancasters. Ended up being the last surviving member of his crew. Passed away in 2008 at 92. I miss him dearly.
The Lancaster had the larger bomb capacity, but in terms of tonnage of bombs dropped in WWII, the Halifax dropped the greater tonnage. The Lanc was a later aircraft and was also faster. The Halifax does not get the kudos that the Lancs do, but they were a well-loved plane by their crews as you were more likely to survive in a Halifax due to its ruggedness.
Small world. Great uncle was Pilot (RCAF) in Squadron 51 also, JN920 crashed after taking flack in 1943. Closest I have to a picture is the painting by Michael Lees.
"What do you mean? You hope my landing will be better than my takeoff." Any landing you can walk away from is a good landing, and if you can re-use the aircraft then it's a bonus!
Hey Christopher : I read your reply and thought for a few minutes,, went downstairs and opened up a box of my Dads flight gear and found a copy of that book, I had forgotten totally that we had it, nice thing is he had outlined many parts of the book to coincide with his log book and with the raids he participated in and the brave men he knew. Thanks for reminding me and Thank you for your kind reply.
My father,an Australian, was a pilot with Squadron 51 based at Snaith, Yorkshire. His name is Roy Edward Abell. Intend to show him your video! His mid upper gunner, Dave Rouse, is also still with us, living in Mildura, Victoria. As I'm sure you know, Squadron 51 have an active website and busy historians. Am intending to upload the logbooks of both Dave Rouse and my father on their website. Do you know where the officials photos of the Squadron might be found? I have some taken in 1944.
My first cousin once removed, was one of those who did not return to Elvington. Geoffrey Jandron of the RCAF, was a Sergeant Air Gunner on board Halifax II HR H841 "T", which was lost over Berlin on 29th Jan 1944. 77 Squadron from Elvington had a very rough time, so hats off to all those aircrew who flew in these machines.
My grandfather was the navigator of a halifax with 161 (special ops) squadron that crashed near St.sauvier, france 1943 while dropping supplies to the resistance.
Fantastic footage, thanks for sharing! Love the British humour "dorsal gunner here, come on up, the views lovely!" "Tail end Charlie here, lonely as usual" 😅
One of my uncles was in the RAAF but attached to RAF 640 Squadron. I think the aircraft shown here is C8-C my uncles was C8-U which went down over Epernon France 3rd June 1944 with total loss. Thanks for posting this.
Just consider the absurdly heavy loads the Lancasters sometimes hauled. I guess that's the reason why in public perception the Lanc overshadows the Halifax so much. Yet, the Halifax heavies were a perfect supplement in the sense that the later 1943 Mk.III used the powerful Bristol Hercules engines so they didn't interfere with Merlin availability. especially important because the Lancaster BII variant with Bristol Hercules engines was not considered a success, only 300 of these being built.
came across this video ,and I caught the squadron letters on the side C8 which was a relative of my family who was shot down and killed over Germany in a Halifax C8 S MZ856. The whole crew are buried in Durnbach cemetary . 640 squadron based at Leconfield.
My other Great Uncle Norman, flew as a Pilot in a Halifax for 158 Squadron, completed 35 sorties and awarded the DFC. He even flew the famous "Friday the 13th" Halifax Bomber stationed at 158 Squadron at Lissett Airbase. One of the few Bombers to make it over 100 sorties. Too bad some guy decide to scrap such a historic item. Great though, that the Yorkshire Air Museum Restored a Halifax and named her" Friday the 13th" .
Good viewing, amazing good looking plane. Just read Battle of Berlin again and the Halifax was regarded as a liability because of it's low operational ceiling and huge losses which was a bit harsh. Thanks to all the brave boys who flew these and you are not forgotten.
Roger, My dad was a F/E in 420, Snowy Owl. He was the last one to pass in his crew -- lost him 11 days ago, 13 days sort of 89 years. Tough he is gone -- a great guy. The Mar III were great aircraft and if they had just lengthened their wings a bit, they could have increased the bomb load to near or = the Lanc. That was not appreciated until after the war when more analysis was done on the Hali III aircraft dynamics.
Splendid sound effects, so often neglected in today's video's, well done team! Thank you for this very impressive guide to the Halifax. I already knew a bit about the Halifax in part because I was asked by the only survivor to paint 'The Loss of Halifax DK 170. DK 170 Halifax heavy bomber aircraft was lost on it's first mission being shot down by a German night fighter that had been radar directed to the interception point. My Painting was commissioned by the late Mr. John Loban eye witness, formerly Flight Sergeant and navigator of that aircraft. I built two models, rearched and John provided me with detailed information even down to the number of rounds the attacking Me 110 fired. You can if you wish to, read more about DK 170 on one of my two websites under 'aviation-aircraft/halifax-heavy-bomber ... The DK 170 Halifax wreck was identified in Belgium in 2017 . This year 2022 I've been approached a limited licence to reproduce my painting for a Belgium book about RAF & USAF aircraft that crashed in Belgium. As you say, beside the Lancaster, the Halifax is a bit like the Hurricane beside the Spitfire. Again, thank you for this remarkably informative and engaging programme.
If that squadron code, briefly visible at 2:51 is L8, then the aircraft is from 347 (French) Squadron RAF. Likely location then is RAF Elvington, location of the Yorkshire Air Museum these days which has a reconstructed Halifax bearing the French Squadron's markings on one side. The other side represents Halifax LV907 "Friday the Thirteenth" of 158 Squadron, the original of which completed 128 missions, a record I think. My interest in the Halifax stems from the fact that an Uncle, Abel Baker from Cardiff, was lost with 58 Squadron Coastal Command out of Stornoway on his first sortie in February 1945. I know that Abel Baker are the first two letters of the phonetic alphabet of the time, so he must have got ribbed for that. Apparently he was known as "Don" on the squadron, oddly his brother's name. I once had the honour to board the Elvington Halifax and take a cockpit view of the hangar - very special.
I am no aviation enthusiast but thanks for that video it a least gave me an idea as to what the inside of a Stirling looked like...And also to remember the brave crews who flew them.
Craig Moloney What you are saying about bomb loads is not entirely true, both aircraft had a very similar maximum bomb capacity of around 14,500 lb. The issue was that the Halifax had compartmentalised bomb bays in the fuselage and wings, which meant the largest bomb that the Halifax could carry was a 2000 lb. The Lancaster had one huge 33 ft bomb bay, and could carry it's maximum load in one piece As the Bomber Command campaign was base on the use of 4000 lb, and later 6000 and 12000lb cookies + incendiaries, this was the main reason for Harris's criticism. This wasn't really a fault of the Halifax's design, as standard RAF bombing practice at the time of the Halifax's design, concentrated on dropping a stick of bombs with reasonable accuracy on a target. You are however correct that Lancasters did in fact carry heavier bomb loads, but mainly for the reasons given above.
The navigational course given in this documentary suggests that this was filmed to represent RAF Wombleton, North Yorkshire. The base opened on the 21st October 1943 and was home to 1666 'Mohawk' Heavy Conversion Unit that flew Handley Page Halifax's until 3rd August 1945. The Base was located too close to the North Yorkshire Moors (National Park) to be an operational bomber base as several crashes occurred when aircraft failed to clear the moors when operating at full weight. RAF Eastmoor lies 7.4 miles to the North of York and transferred from the RAF to the RCAF in 1942. The aircraft is a Halifax from No.28 Operational Training Unit from the Squadron identification code 'LB' on the aircraft's side.
My Dad flew 32 combat missions in a Halifax Bomber. 429, Bisson Sqd, RCAF. His name is, and Rank, F.O. Norman Gillen..He was a Navigator..My respects to all that he did...
My Dad, Bob Shepherd, flew Halifaxes in 518 squadron coastal command from Iceland and Tiree, Hebrides. He was a meteorological observer and theirs was the squadron that spotted the bad incoming weather that delayed D-Day. There were airmen of various nationalities in the squadron - especially Canadians I think.
My grandad flew one of these and he said it was not uncommon to be flying back with one or two of the engines working.. Most of his friends didn't make it. He doesn't talk much about it. However, he did just randomly mention the fact that after the war, they just took a plane and flew round the world because the army was in a major state and didn't really care about much of its equipment (he didn't specify what plane it was).
Starting and running up the Bristol Hercules radials was part of the fitters course at RAF St Athan 1951. Quite an experience for 18 year olds. A coastal command pilot told me that at first there was a lot of trouble with the rudders until modified..
The mark 2 Halifax with Merlin engines experienced rudder overbalance; the pilot losing control when an engine had to be shutdown resulting in many sad losses. The remarkable Captain Eric Brown flight tested and resolved to problem. The Mark 3 tailfin was altered.
Great video...Hard to find Halifax Bomber footage!My great uncle was a Navigator ( RCAF) in a RAF Squadron...Squadron 77 out of FullSutton, Yorkshire England. He and his fellow crew mates were shot down and KIA on Nov2 1944. True Gingerzilla in regards to painting a better picture about what went on inside the Halifax. What a terrifying experience they had to go through!
Brilliant footage, thank you. My late father was ground crew with 158 Lissett, he was part of the 'U bend we mend em' group. Seeing how tight the pilots and navigator area is, I'm surprised he got his 6' 2" frame plus the tools in there, quite a squeeze. An amazing generation, bless em.
Very much enjoyed this sequence - well done and thanks. I'm interested in reusing part of the original (silent) material in a piece about a local Halifax crash in 1944. May I ask where you obtained the footage?
Hi I have a ground running Bristol Hercules engine which was fitted to the Halifax, will have to see if I can take it to Elvington and give it a run, bring back some memories for the brave young men that crewed these aircraft. Good to see this footage and good job with the voice over.
My Dad was in the RCAF and flew in Halifax bombers. The crew was from Canada, Britain and Australia. They had several very close calls. Never wanted to talk about it.
Same with my grandfather. He barely talked about it and only mentioned a few things. Not sure about the other crew, but he was Canadian in the position of tail gunner. They ended up being shot down. He managed to survive and ended up in a POW camp for the remainder of the war.
The pannier at bomb bay location suggests a Halton, perhaps in Berlin Airlift duties, but Haltons were unarmed; can anybody solve this doubt for me? Thank you for this footage!
Hi Ann Crober, If you put the type of aircraft and the aircraft number into google your brothers aircraft comes up a few times. Also try the RCAF museum at Trenton. Best regards
dempsey981, Actually there were quite reliable. Unlike the Lancaster, Halifax aircraft had air-cooled engines and could take a lot of punishment before quitting. They were also easier to bail from than a Lancaster, so more crews were able to survive.
Hi Mag drop or short for Magneto drop, each engine has two Magnetos which supply the spark to their individual spark plugs fitted to each cylinder, both work completely independent of each other so you have a redundancy. If one magneto system was faulty you would not know due to the other magneto still running the engine, so you check this by turning both magneto off in turn so the engine is running on one system at a time and see if there is a drop in engine revs which would indicate a fault.
My Dad flew Halis with 624 Special Operations Squadron out of Blida in Algeria. Trying to trace some of his Crew if anyone knows of them or their relatives please make contact via the 624 Facebook site. The Pilot was Edwin Denness and the people I am trying to trace are Johnny Weeks Bomb Aimer, "Gene" Tunney Mid Upper Gunner/ dispatcher, Albert Sutton Rear Gunner, Ron Brown Navigator
My uncle Jimmy Langton was F/E in Halifax bombers,unfortunately lost his life in Germany. The Halifax never seems to get same recognition as Lancaster. My god these were brave men , this footage is very emotional,thank you.
My uncle was pilot in a Halifax and lost his life over Hamburg just after jettisoning his bombs.. all crew perished in the sea sadly .july 1943
My Dear father flew 37 missions in the Halifax as wireless operator. He was based in Driffield with the 462 466 RAAF squadrons. He passed away 21st June this year at age 94. Like so many, he only ever spoke of this period of his life towards the end. This footage is very special.
just discovered this. My dear father also was a wireless operator in a Halifax in WW2 with the RAF. Not sure how many missions he flew, but I suspect over 20.
He used to tell my sister and me some funny stories about his days in the RAF, and later a few horrifying ones. He died a few years back at age 88. this footage is very special indeed.
avss01 that’s interesting, Dad flew in Halifax’s with the same Squadron from Driffield after completing the European war from Holme on Spalding Moor attached to 76 RAF (HOSM and Driffield are close by) The English elements of the crew were de-mobbed but the Australians posted to Driffield in anticipation of going to the East to the Pacific War. I’ve got some pretty amazing images if you are interested from the Driffield era, including large hand drawn schematics of the Halifax.
avss01
I’ve just come across this, my dad John (Jack) Horridge completed 31 ops as bomb aimer with Carthy Crew RAAF 462 Squadron Driffield, flying serial no. LW440 Z5-B.
They were all heros ❤️
My departed father was ground crew in Norfolk. He and his brother both joined up in 1939. Uncle Eddie, Sgt 1456175 . Took off 1808 3 Oct 1943 Halifax V DK 201 unit 76 squadron from Holme - on -Spalding Moor . Shot down by night fighter , crashing at Leistrup , 4 km ESE of Detmold Germany . POW Stalag Luft L3 Sagan and Belaria. Survived the war , murdered in Brixton , London . UK circa 1977. We shall remember them.
My Grandfather was in the Royal Australian Air-force as a Navigator in a Halifax from 42 to 45. It was an extremely terrifying time for him and he had his life changed forever. So for me this video gave me a small window into his amazing life during that time. It helped me put pictures to his stories. Also It reminds me how much he and others risked and sacrificed for our way of life and how we must never forget. Thank you so very much for your post much.
Great footage. My uncle was a Flight Engineer in 10 Squadron based at RAF Melbourne. I know he flew in Halifax ZA-A on a raid over Saarbrucken on 19 September 1942. It crashed in Yorkshire on returning but happily the crew bailed out. Sadly after surviving missions over Germany he was killed in above all things a training flight in November 1942. He was just 22. He had left his home in India in 1936 to join the RAF aged 16 which was the last time my grandmother saw her son. The Bomber Command crews were the bravest of the brave.
My father was also a Flight Engineer with 10 Squadron, ZA-X, 1944-45. Then got sent to India to 159 sqd, based at Dum Dum/Kolkata
My Grandfather was 10 Squadron too, ZA-O named Farouk
My Great grandfather was an officer in the British Army in WW1 and his son (my grandfather) was in the RAF during WW2, he flew in Handley Page Halifax's and was the gunner either at the top or the rear of the plane, due to dementia he can't really remember much anymore but I'll never forget the stories and pictures he used to show me and the stories my dad still tells me to this day, and makes me proud as hell. Lest we forget.
Dementia? Nice.
@@BusinessRaptor520 Cork soaker? - Supernummary to humanity (- piss off).
Thought I'd share something I wrote on behalf of my late grandfather.
On the night of 22nd July, 1943 Stan joined the crew of Halifax DK119, 161 squadron and took off from RAF Tempsford in Bedfordshire on a mission to drop desperately needed supplies to the French resistance. Stan, just 20 years old and due on leave the next day was asked to take the place of a navigator that had fallen ill. Because the weather was so bad that night, their four-engine bomber was to be the only allied plane to leave Britain for Europe.
The first two consignments were successfully dispatched, but no signal was received for the third target drop zone at St. Sauvier. The plane flew over the area twice without seeing any lights. The weather was extremely bad, thunderstorms and heavy rain. On the third run in, signal lights were spotted and the remaining supply containers were dropped. The aircraft was flying very low and on turning to gain height an engine stalled and the plane crashed on the edge of a wooded area. Unfortunately the rear gunner, Sgt. Lavallee was killed, but through the aid of the local French resistance five of the crew did escape (Sergeants Crome, Paulin, Hunter, Patterson and Kanakos). Stan and the nose gunner Sgt. Allen were both badly injured. Stan could not be moved although he was fully conscious at the time and persuaded the resistance to destroy as much evidence and equipment in the wrecked aircraft as possible. There was a certain amount of panic at the time because the containers had been emptied and the supplies taken away, but the empty containers had been thrown into a nearby lake and were floating so they had to be recovered and better disposed of before the Germans arrived on the scene.
Stan was seriously injured with head wounds, a dislocated hip and several pieces of wreckage embedded in his legs. One of the resistance women sat with Stan until the Genderarm (French police) arrived to take him to Montlucon, from there the Luftwaffe (German airforce) took him to a hospital in Clairemont Ferrand.
When he was fitter, Stan was transported on a stretcher by train to a hospital in Germany, Obermassfeld, then onto a prisoner of war camp.
Stan was a P.O.W at Heydekrug, Throme in Poland and then Fallingbostel until April 1945 when the Germans marched the prisoners south in an attempt to reach Poland and use them as hostages. During this forced march, the column of prisoners, were often mistaken by allied aircraft for German infantry. Then one day they were attacked by RAF Typhoon fighter-bombers, firing rockets. One of Stan’s most horrific memories of this time was of a strongly built Canadian nicknamed ‘Tiny’ who, ran out waving his white shirt in an attempt to signal the attacking aircraft but he took a direct hit and in was ‘blown to bits’.
Stan, his friend Mac and another prisoner later managed to escape the column at a bend in the road. They even succeeded to evade the patrolling guard dogs. After about a week on the run, hiding up by day in forests and moving by night, they arrived in an area near to where the British Army were fighting and they were finally picked up by the 7th Hussars near the river Weser. Stan arrived back home in England at the end of April in time for his 22nd birthday in May.
All five members of Stan crew arrived safely back in England after evading capture for about four months. It is uncertain what happened to Sgt. Allen but it is believed he died of his wounds in hospital.
Sgt. Lavallee was a French Canadian, and by some strange coincidence, whose mother had been born in St. Sauvier and his grandmother was still living in the village at the time of the crash. A local historian Rene Chambereau had put advertisements in the RAF Association Magazine to trace members of the crashed plane to build up the history, and Stan contacted Rene in time for a memorial service in 1994. A memorial was built in honour of Sgt. Lavallee, quite close to the crash site and is a focal point in the village for the past history of the resistance members.
Stan was invited back to St.Sauvier again as guest of honour and to help mark the 60th anniversary of Liberation of France.
Halifax crash DK119
FTR 23 July 1943 in Saint-Sauvier (03)
Written by Alain GODIGNON
in the section The Allies, Memory Site, Special Sabotage Section
Halifax crash DK119 July 23, 1943 in Saint-Sauvier (O3)
On July 22, 1943, the BBC broadcasts at noon and confirms in the evening on its radio program the personal message coded: "The King loves the Bergère" The parachuting operation for the reception committee of Saint Sauvier (O3) is for this night .
"From 10 pm, the reception team goes to the" WRANGEL "approved site located 2 km from the village along the Saint-Sauvier-Mesples road.
Depending on the Clermont-Ferrand Action Network R 6, it is composed of:
René DEGREVE ‘Claude’. Head of the team.
Jean GAULIER - ‘Sylvain’.
Camille ROUGERON - ‘Clément’.
Auguste CHAULIER ‘Gust’.
Henri DUBOUCHET - ‘Riton’.
Henry CHOLIN - ‘Riri’.
Emile ROMAIN ‘Mimile’.
Fernando SOARES - ‘Franco’.
E. MARTOLINI - “Benito’. [1]
On the field, men, cars, carts and horses are ready.
In England, on the RAF base of the 161st Squadron of Tempsford in Bedfordshire, the crew of the Halifax DK119 prepares to perform the three operations of the night. The crew consists of 5 English and 3 Canadian:
RG P/O Louis Max LAVALLÉE. RCAF J-18759. Captain and Rear Gunner,
Plt Sgt Donald CROME. RAF 1318539.
F/Eng Sgt Raymond Orville HUNTER. RCAF R-1O2359.
Nav Sgt Stanley F. HATHAWAY. RAF 1338742.
Stan, only 20 years old, on leave the next day, was asked to take the place of a fallen
navigator [2]
BA Sgt David Gordon PATTERSON. RAF 1491419.
W/Op Sgt Robert William PAULIN. RAF 1321294.
AG Sgt Tass Joe KANAKOS - RCAF R-144O74.
AG-Dis Sgt Edward Arthur ALLEN. RAF 132O921.
dispatcher (drop containers).
---------------------------------------
Around 23:40, the plane takes off from its base.
The first two drop operations ‘TOMCOD’ and ‘PRINCESS’ of the mission are carried out successfully (probably droplet of leaflets).
The third, named ‘MISTRAL 3’, is that of Saint-Sauvier and presents itself badly.
The plane flew over the area twice without seeing any light because the weather is extremely bad.
On the ground: "Around 3 o'clock, the wind rises.”
At about 03:10, our attention is attracted by a sound of engines, we recognize the sound of a Halifax [3].
In the plane : at the third pass, at very low altitude, the traffic lights are located.
On the ground: "We give our identity in Morse using an electric torch : figure 7.
Response of the airplane in Morse under a wing of the plane.
We see the parachutes falling from the sky.
Suddenly noise and light -- like a storm breaking out out, we see a flame, a motor that stops, the plane that passes over us, we notice that a wing of the aircraft hits the top of an oak, makes a quarter of turn and fall to the ground.
"Claude", "Clément" and "Riton" are looking for the device which should be about 200 meters away.
The storm is redoubled with violence.
The team ‘Sylvain’, ‘Gust’, ‘Mimile’ take care of the containers and the evacuation of the material.
‘Riri’, ‘Franco’, ‘Benito’ take care of the container envelope.
We find the device - At 10 meters from it, we find one dead (F/Sgt Louis Max LAVALLÉE), then find two seriously wounded men (Sgt Stan F. HATHAWAY and Sgt Edward A. ALLEN) and a light wounded man (Sgt David G. PATTERSON).
Inside the apparatus we see three men; two (Sgt Donald Crome & Sgt Paulin ?) are busy destroying the dashboard, the last unfurls a wick.
We tear off the roll of his hands (wick to destroy the Halifax).
We return to the serious wounded, we drive them under a wing of the plane to protect them from the storm, covering them with their parachute.
We fold the dead man into his parachute and place him under the other wing of the aircraft.
The light wounded man is driven into the ‘Riton’ car, which is 300 meters away.
‘Claude’ and ‘Clément’ see an individual speaking on them alone.
At our sight, the latter, with the Algerian accent, gesticulates and tells us: "I come back from the guard of the railways in Treignat, I live in the old tile factory.
I opened my door at the same time, I heard a loud noise, saw a long flame and I could have no light.
‘Claude’ replied: "It's nothing, the light will come back, go home."
He takes over the direction of the tile factory and disappears.
We join the three valid airmen.
With them, we pierce the tanks.
Around 5am, ‘Claude’, ‘Sylvain’ and the three (four!) Airmen [4] (David CROME, Robert O. HUNTER, Tass J. KANAKOS and Robert W. PAULIN) leave the field and leave towards Montluçon by Archignat, Huriel.
(Around 5.45) With "Riton", we reach his vehicle and we leave with the light wounded (D. G. PATTERSON) for Montluçon passing Mesples, Chambérat and Chapelaude.
(Around 6h). While crossing the town of Chambérat, we cross a German convoy composed of two bikers, three light cars and trucks, they head towards Saint-Sauvier.
Along the way, we learn the identity of the light wounded; his name is David PATTERSON, age 20, second pilot aboard the Halifax.
He informs us that the dead man is his Captain named LAVALLÉE.
PATTERSON is taken to "Clément" for treatment.
"Clement" goes to Dr. Louis CONTAMINE and return Rue Championnet extended Montlucon where PATTERSON is.
The three valid airmen (?) Are handed over by "Claude" to Resistant LEPINE, who takes them to a farm in Ayat-sur-Sioule, near the Menat Bridge.
The material received is driven in a wood located on the road from Saint-Sauvier to Treignat.
Are dropped in the pond of Romagère, the envelopes of the containers "[5].
S. F. HATHAWAY has broken pelvis, legs and wounds to the head, E. A. ALLEN has leg injuries.
Untransportable, the Resistants decide to leave them on the spot so that they are treated by the authorities.
"Riri" made them drink a glass of rum to "bring them up".
Probably between 5:45 and 6:30, the Mayor is warned by the Algerian tile.
The Mayor then warned the Gendarmerie about 6h30 and she alerted the Germans to Montlucon.
After 6h30, the Mayor is on the scene.
Around 8am, the gendarmes arrived and asked Dr ROGUET de Treignat to treat the wounded who gave them a bite of morphine.
A woman from a nearby village wipes their faces, probably the Algerian wife of the tile factory.
Towards 10 am, the Germans arrive and, around 1030, take custody of the aircraft until then provided by the Gendarmerie.
By order of the Germans, the two wounded, S. F. HATHAWAY and E. A. ALLEN, are transported to the infirmary of the barracks Richemond de Montlucon, garrison of the occupation troops.
German soldiers, assisted by gendarmes, search for aviators and containers, interrogate the inhabitants and search them.
In the morning, two envelopes of containers and parachutes float on the pond of the Romagère.
They are recovered by the Germans thanks to the inflatable boat of the plane.
The decision to empty the pond is then taken.
A curious man with a camera, Jean DUTHEIL, a student at the faculty of pharmacy in Clermont-Ferrand whose parents live in La Vierne in the commune of Saint-Sauvier, is requisitioned to recover empty containers in the pond. [6]
The pond of La Romagère will empty until the end of the day of July 24th.
THE OBSEQUES OF LOUIS MAX LAVALLÉE.
The body of Louis Max Lavallée was taken to the morgue of Montlucon Hospital. On the 24th of July at 5 pm, the military procession, composed of German soldiers paying the honors, of a special Swiss delegate and of the French Police providing the service of order, went towards the cemetery of the East. I
ndiscretions made it possible to know the date and the hour of the funeral and, relayed by the Local Resistance, a large crowd appeared at the exit of the procession of the hospital.
Held at a distance by the police, she loudly manifested her disapproval of not being allowed to follow the coffin, of not being able to deposit the innumerable flowers brought; the flower wreath of the German authorities being only allowed.
From a distance, "La Marseillaise" made itself heard, then, as they approached the cemetery, arriving by the back roads, many people sang songs as they passed the coffin.
Immediately after the German delegation had passed the gates of the cemetery, they were closed to the crowd.
During the time of the German presence at the cemetery, the crowd sang "La Marche Lorraine" but remained calm.
While the delegation was returning, a slogan circulated: "Let's turn our backs so as not to see them and stay calm until they leave."
A woman's voice then sang "La Marseillaise" again and the crowd exploded without being hostile.
The German superior officer then stopped his troop, who fired a volley of fire in the air. Surprised, the crowd was killed and a large number of people escaped.
The crowd, exasperated by the gunshots, began to sing again.
After the German delegation had left the place, the crowd invaded the cemetery quietly. The crown of the German authorities was thrown over the wall of the cemetery. [7]
The day after the funeral, "Clement" placed a cushion of flowers on the tomb on behalf of the reception committee of Saint-Sauvier.
A tricolor ribbon was pinned with the inscription: "SES FRIENDS OF FRANCE". A
police report was drafted against "Clément" by one of his colleagues at the Montluçon police station for laying the flowers.
Shortly after the tragedy, a stele was erected near the crash site.
In 1952, the body of L. M. LAVALLÉE was exhumed from his Montluçon tomb to be transferred to the Commonwealth military cemetery of Choloy (54), falls 3F15. [8]
continued . . .
In 1993, a major event took place on the 50th anniversary of the crash in memory of Louis Max LAVALLÉE in the presence of his family, members of the parachute reception committee, the Canadian, English and French authorities and a crowd of 500 people.
In 2OO1, the inauguration of the Place Louis Max LAVALLÉE, in Saint-Sauvier, was the object of a recollection in his memory in the presence of his family, veterans and authorities.
David Gordon PATTERSON
After being treated and accommodated for about a week at "Clément", Rue Championnet extended Montluçon where he was monitored daily by Dr. CONTAMINE, he was driven to Mr. and Mrs. Maurice GERMAIN, Avenue of Starlings in Montlucon for a week or so then to Teillet-Argenty (O3) at Mr. CHICOIX, tailor, before joining the department of Saone et Loire.
He was to be exfiltrated to England on the night of 22 to 23/08/1943 from the "Marguerite" field of Feillens (O1) as part of the Trojan Horse operation but the aircraft could not land because fog.
The following night, on 24 August 1943, the operation was renewed and D. G. PATTERSON was able to return to England aboard a Hudson plane.
A few days later, the Resistance of Saint-Sauvier heard the coded personal message of the BBC: "PAT arrived well - thank you all" meaning that PATTERSON had returned to England.
Appointed Flight Sergeant, D. G. PATTERSON, still at 161st Squadron, is on the Halifax LL248 O5 / O8 / 1944 for a parachute operation of weapons and agents named "Bob 166" on the DZ Honolulu (51). The plane is located above the municipalities of Courdemanges, Huiron and Glannes, located southwest of Vitry-le-François. Probably hit by a German fighter, the plane catches fire, explodes in flight and loses altitude to crash on the ground in the town of Glannes. From the carcass of the plane are extracted 7 bodies including that of D.G. PATTERSON. The bodies of 6 Allied airmen, 2 French passengers are buried in the communal cemetery of Huiron (51) in a collective grave [13]. A commemorative stele was erected on the town of Glannes (51) near the crash [14]. Flight Sergeant David Gordon PATTERSON died at age 22 on O5 / O8 / 1944. He was the son of James and Mary Patterson of Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, England. He is buried in the collective grave n ° 81 of the Huiron cemetery (51). Inscription of the grave: "ALTHOUGH HIS GRAVE IS FAR AWAY OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH HIM NIGHT AND DAY".
Entrusted to Lucien LEPINE aka "Barbouillé" (who will become captain), this one, although living Domérat (O3) and working at the factory Sagem of Montluçon, returned during the summer of 194O near the place where he was raised as a child and created a maquis in Ayat-sur-Sioule at a place called Les Bougets [15]. The airmen will stay two or three days at Mr. and Mrs. BERTHON Alexis Bougets. Marinette, the eldest daughter was 13 years old and remembers very well their passage: "The parents did not want to see them, they were afraid of the babble of children, I looked through the keyhole. At noon, my mother passed them their meals by the door of the cellar of the contiguous "fournial" where they were hidden. In the evening, they dined at the family table. She served them the soup, the creamed potato pie - they showed two fingers meaning they wanted them twice - and then the plum pie. "[16]
Under the direction of "Lieutenant Robert" (the teacher JR LINDRON), the carpenter Gervais FOURNIER and "Francois the Belgian" (Frans HENDRICKS), they were moved away for safety in a house of the bush more isolated at the coast of the donkey , always in Ayat, where they stayed longer. Around August 22, they are in Gelles (63). During the third week of September, they are lodged by the maquis "Duranton" Marius PIREYRE, an abandoned house about two kilometers from Giat (63), with eleven French fleeing the S.T.O. After about a week, they are joined by Flight Lieutenant Ed MASON, then Sergeant Charles HEYWORTH and Warrant Officer JM NELMES RCAF, crew members of the Halifax LK913 crashed on 15/9/1943 in Tronçais Forest, near Le Brethon (O3) following the bombing of the DUNLOP factory in Montluçon [17]. A fourth member of the same crew, Flight Lieutenant J. M. FORMAN RCAF joined the group on October 8th.
On 12 October, Sergeant D. CROME inspects a possible landing site near Toulouse. He was still absent two days later when the Airmen of the 161st Squadron: RO HUNTER, TJ KANAKOS and RW PAULIN were taken to Clermont-Ferrand with Ch. HEYWORTH and JM FORMAN, the latter two also of the trip, given their state of health. .
A woman, Mrs. Marianne, and a man (who is believed to be her husband), escorted the five airmen by train that took them to Angoulême (16) via Limoges (87). When crossing the line of demarcation, there was an identity check on the train by a German officer and a soldier. The officer questioned J. M. FORMAN on his identity card, established in 1942, who declared him deaf and dumb (like all his colleagues). Marianne spoke to the German officer, who, though apparently unhappy, let them continue on their way [18]. They finally arrived at the Angouleme station.
ANGOULEME
At the Angoulême station, Jean LAPEYRE-MENSIGNAC is in charge of welcoming the group to the morning train. In front of the door of the buffet of the station, he scrutinizes the arrival of the passengers having in his left hand the newspaper "Signal" and a glove, accessories agreed. A woman approaches and asks him: "Where is the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville? ". This is the password he must answer: "There is none." The group is complete and does not go unnoticed; the accoutrement of the airmen is, to say the least, heterogeneous.
The group must go through the station since they have tickets, and Jean LAPEYRE-MENSIGNAC, by the buffet of the station, he who has none and all found themselves outside. As he walks through the buffet tables, Jean LAPEYRE-MENSIGNAC turns around and sees the group that mistakenly followed him. Too late ! They go out through the forbidden exit and find themselves outside. Charles FRANC aka "Le Pointu" had to be there with a car since 1Oh: there is not! We then form two groups so as not to attract attention; the woman forms a group and I the other.
Around 11h30, Jean LAPEYRE-MENSIGNAC met two comrades René CHABASSE aka "The Godfather" and Guy BERGER aka "The Pastor" and asked them to find a car. It is Henri LAGARDE of Javerlhac who agrees to transport the men to the home of Charles FRANC in Ronfleville, commune of Malaville, to 25 km of Angoulême, in a closed van in which the pilots are piled in the back. He does not have a pass but we have two revolvers! We arrive at 14h at Charles FRANC we met halfway; he had not found a car sooner.
Two days after their arrival, D. CROME reappeared from his expedition. He arrived in time, two Lysander planes were scheduled to pick them up on the night of October 20 and 21 during the favorable lunar period on the "Serin" field, 1.5 km south of Vibrac (Operation Water Pistol). The poor visibility in the reception area, forced the aircraft to abandon, it will repeat the operation at the next full moon in November. This was not good news for Charles HEYWORTH who contracted a serious lung infection.
Around 11h30, Jean LAPEYRE-MENSIGNAC met two comrades René CHABASSE aka "The Godfather" and Guy BERGER aka "The Pastor" and asked them to find a car. It is Henri LAGARDE of Javerlhac who agrees to transport the men to the home of Charles FRANC in Ronfleville, commune of Malaville, to 25 km of Angoulême, in a closed van in which the pilots are piled in the back. He does not have a pass but we have two revolvers! We arrive at 14h at Charles FRANC we met halfway; he had not found a car sooner.
Two days after their arrival, D. CROME reappeared from his expedition. He arrived in time, two Lysander planes were scheduled to pick them up on the night of October 20 and 21 during the favorable lunar period on the "Serin" field, 1.5 km south of Vibrac (Operation Water Pistol). The poor visibility in the reception area, forced the aircraft to abandon, it will repeat the operation at the next full moon in November. This was not good news for Charles HEYWORTH who contracted a serious lung infection.
Airmen kill time by playing belote, washing and ... breaking dishes. They comfort themselves by absorbing Pineau strength. It is on the ground "Albatros" in the municipality of Angeac-Charente (16) that the operation is decided for the November moon. Charles HEYWORTH is very sick, "Le Pointu" and Jean LAPEYRE-MENSIGNAC bring him on a radio at Dr. BONNAUD's in Segonzac; diagnosis: pleurisy. A new Radio-London announcement is made on the 10th, then the 12th by the personal message: "The bird of the seas will take flight tonight" but the operation will not take place. Finally on the 14th, the message goes back, it is for the night of November 15th to 16th that the airmen FORMAN, HUNTER, CROME, PAULIN, KANAKOS with Léon NAUTIN alias "Clo", alias "Sol", aka "Avocat", are driven in two cars at the landing field. Patient HEYWORTH was transported separately [19].
The first Lysander, piloted by Flying Officer J. M. MacBRIDE, takes off at 9:25 pm from England. He landed at 1h3O, laying two passengers and packages. He embarks 4 people: "Clo" and three airmen and takes off again at 1:35. Due to technical problems, the second Lysander departs at 22:10, it is piloted by the Flying Officer J. R. G. BATHGATE. It lands at 1:23, poses two passengers and several packages. He takes off at 1:28 with 3 passengers [2O]. Charles HEYWORTH is from the latter [21].
contnued below . . .
The passengers descended from both Lysander are:
- Colonel Claude BONNIER aka "Hypothenuse", Head of Mission of BCRA London, DMR Zone B Bordeaux,
- Captain Jacques NANCY aka "Sape", aka "Frégate", aka "Lavigne", saboteur leader responsible in zone B,
- André DESGRANGES aka "Marshal",
- André CHARLOT aka "André ROCHE", aka "Deacon" [22].
In the packages delivered, there are machine guns, silent revolvers and as always chocolate, cigarettes, tobacco, tea, etc. in another package, more than 2OOO food stamps, half-yearly sheets and coupons for the maquis.
At the arrival of the Lysander at RAF Tangmere Base (West Sussex, England), it is 5:00; Charles HEYWORTH is transported to the hospital, but it is too late, he died on November 25, 1943.
The ashes of 26-year-old Charles HEYWORTH live at the Borough Crematorium, Brighton (Woodvale), Panel 2 [23]. Appointed Pilot Officer, Charles HEYWORTH - RCAF No. 157454 - 428 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn, was the son of Pte. Charles HEYWORTH - Royal King's Own Lancaster Regt. (killed in action in France, March 23, 1918) and Margaret Elizabeth HEYWORTH, of St. Annes-on-Sea, Lancashire, husband of Vera Elsie HEYWORTH of St. Annes-on-Sea [24]. He was a mechanic aboard the Halifax LK913 crashed on 15 / O9 / 1943 at the Rond de la Bouteille, in the Tronçais Forest, Le Brethon (O3).
Raymond Orville HUNTER
He was appointed Flight Officer on February 10, 1944, and was posted to the 424th Squadron. On 9/10/1944, the Halifax MZ8O2 named "Gerty" was one of the 209 bombers in Group No. 6 sent to bomb Bochum (Germany). Of these planes, five aborted the mission and three were shot, "Gerty" was among them. The squadron commander, W / C G.A. Roy DFC, was the pilot. He and five of the six other crew members on board survived and will be prisoners of war. [25] The sixth member was Raymond Orville HUNTER, he died and was buried at the Rheinberg Military Cemetery (Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany), falls at 2:25 [26].
Raymond Orville HUNTER Flight Officer, Royal Canadian Air Force Engineer No. C / 85347, 424st Squadron, was the son of Harvey Llewellyn and Sue Muriel HUNTER of Hazenmore, Saskatchewan (Canada). At the time of enrollment on 20/05/1941, he was a student. Married with Nora Ward Shields in Durham County (United Kingdom) on 4/12/1943 (as soon as he returned from France). A son of the same name was born there in April 1945. [27]
WHAT HAVE OTHER AVIATORS BECOME?
Tass Joe KANAKOS
Tass KANAKOS was demobilized in Toronto in September 1945. He owned his own auto parts business. Married to Vivian PAVLIS on February 5, 1948, he had two sons and six grandchildren [28].
He came to Saint-Sauvier to collect himself on the stele of L. M. LAVALLÉE on the fiftieth anniversary of his death in 1993. In September 1995, he also reviewed the places where he was lodged in Ayat-sur-Sioule.
Robert William PAULIN
On his return to England, Robert William PAULIN did no other work and was assigned to training duties, teaching other radio operators. He died after a long illness on January 9, 2002 at the age of 80 years [29]
Donald CROME
Donald CROME was named Flight Officer and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) medal when he was member of the 514th Squadron under number 45O417 [30].
[1] Written testimony of Camille ROUGERON alias "Clément" of 31/07/1985.
[2] Source: www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/00/a5353300.shtml
[3] Testimony Camille ROUGERON already mentioned.
[4] In her testimony, Camille ROUGERON always speaks of 3 unscathed airmen and yet they are 4!
[5] Written testimony of Camille ROUGERON already cited.
[6] Source: AFMD Allier (www.afmd-allier.com/PBCPPlayer.asp?ID=952455) - Memorial GenWeb (www.memorialgenweb.org/memorial3/html/en/complementter. php? table = gf & id = 5733157)
[7] Source: A. D. Allier, 778 W 12.1 - German Occupation-Relations with the German Authorities: Report of 24 / O7 / 1943 of the Commissioner of General Information to the Prefect of the Allier. A crowd of about 4,000 people is quoted in this report.
[8] Sources: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2319820/lavallee,-louis-max/ www.francecrashes39-45.net/page_fiche_av.php?id= 519
[9] Source Stephen HATHAWAY: www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/00/a5353300.shtml
[1O] Source: his fact sheet on the "Forces War Records" website (link)
Too nice of u to SHARE! Thx
My dad was a WOP in the halifax baled out over Belgium on his 29th op captured after 3 days on the run he was also at hydekrug and fallingbostel 1944 to 1945 probably knew your grandfather but we'll never know
Like so many who have commented my father was a Halifax pilot, flew with 102 Squadron based in Pocklington just a few miles down the road from Elvington. He flew both MkIIIs and ended the war flying the Mark VI Halifax which he was very fond of. It was about 25 knots faster than the Lancaster and mkIII. I took him to a 102 Squadron reunion in 2007 which was quite a trip from his home in Auckland NZ. He went again to the opening of the bomber command memorial is 2012. He was 91 at the time so quite a feat.
Great film clip, I am grateful for the opportunity to watch it.
Dad was a Halifax Bomb Aimer in 10 Squadron stationed at Melbourne, Yorkshire. His first operation was to Hamburg on 24/7/43 (the big one), and he got his DFC over Pennemunde a month later. Dad told me that his Skipper Sgt/PO Officer Glover and he were so lucky to have survived when more than 50% of his colleagues didn't.
So this is to EVERY crew who flew in the Halifax, whether they returned or not. Thank you, I am so very grateful!
+Mark Mogridge I am a yankee near Oshkosh - am I wrong or are those Pratt & Whitney's? Quite the bird either way.
+Ray Quigley
Great to hear from you Ray. The Mk III was fitted with Bristol Hercules engines which gave much better lift and more importantly less exhaust flame. The previous Rolls Royce Merlin engines were a night-fighters dream :( And on the Mk III they also sorted out the shape of the tail fins which could make it very hard for inexperienced pilots to get out of a search-light avoiding 'cork-screw'.
My Grandfather was also on 10Sqn at Melbourne as a Flight Engineer
+Mark Mogridge Well thought-out by the engineers and absolutely brilliant by those brave men aboard!!
my grandad was with 10sqn towards the end of the war .Albert Hodson DFC
Wow....never thought I would find such a clip here. My father was a navigator on Lancasters and Halifax bombers, part of the free french that had joined the RAF.
A million thanks for posting this
My late father and his crew completed a tour of operations as members of 78 Squadron, 4 Group, based at Breighton, Yorks, from October 1944 through to April 1945. He and the crew are always in my thoughts and daily prayers. They loved their Mk III Hallybags and held them as superior to anything in the skies sporting 4 engines. Lest We Forget
Utmost respect to all Halifax aircrew and ground crew You all did a vital and often unsung job Thankyou
A great video and a beautiful aircraft
My father was radio operator in Halifax DK119 of 161 squadron flying for the SOE and was on the same mission with Stephen Hathaways grandfather (article posted 7 yrs ago) when they crashed near St Sauvier in France whilst dropping provisions for the French resistance. Sadly the tail gunner, Lou Lavallee, a French Canadian, was killed. Amazingly, his mother was born in the village and his Grandmother was still living there at the time of the crash. There is a memorial at the crash site, just outside the village. The French resistanc helped my father and two other crew to get back to England. Brave men, that my father owes his life to.
Thanks for posting this -- dad was a flight engineer on a Hali on 420 Snowy Owl Squadron. He is now the only surviving member of his crew.
My Dad completed his second tour piloting Halifax's with 432 Squadron. He loved this plane.
Absolutely priceless this footage thanks 👍
My Dad, F.O. Norman Gillen, Navigator, 429 SQ, RCAF, flew 32 combat missions in a Halifax Bomber. I have all his Navigational charts for those missions..He and his crew, are what Canada is all about..My respects to all that flew..
My uncle F.O Edward.Joseph Andrews was with the 428 Ghost Squadron R.C.A.F aboard Halifax EB274 coded NH-A. Left Middleton st George on the night of Aug 2-3 on a mission to bomb Hamburg but ran into bad weather and was eventually shot down by an me110 night fighter over the dutch coast and went into the sea all crew members lost and never found Their remains lay at the bottom to this very day.
My Dad flew in Halifax' and Lancaster bomber in the mid upper gunner position. He did 30 sorties altogether and came home safe at the end of the war but passed away tragically at the age of 42 after the war.Miss him every day...
A terribly short ending to a brave and deserving life.
My dad a mid upper gunner also, only lived to 53 stress from the war took his life early
@@annekerr3652 Sorry for your loss. I was 15 second oldest of 7 so my mother was an instant single mother.It was tough in those days but we made it through. I'm in my 70's now but like you, get the "what if's" if he was still here, but luckily stayed away from booze and drugs [being from an older generation probably saved me from that garbage.] Hope you enjoy the rest of your life..."And at the going down of the sun ..we will remember them."
Wow! Thanks so much. My dad, A.F.McArthur, LAC, Halifax "G" for George, 432 Sqd out of EASTMOOR.
My dad completed his second tour with the 432 . S/L Maurice (Pete) PETTIT, DFC - Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross.
Great web page for 432 Squadron on FB
Thanks grandad for all you did. I will never truly know what you and many others had to do
Salute xxx miss ya
My Dad was the Bomb Aimer in the Halifax 3 from Full Sutton Yorkshire. His crew had a wonderful Pilot , Dave Maxwell who never lost his focus no matter how bad the situation
My dad, a Halifax pilot, told me he would wait anxiously for the bomb aimer to report "bombs gone", then he could take back control and hopefully pull up and out of the flak's range.
I join so many on here celebrating their relatives. My Dad was a Nav/Bomb aimer, Radio op in a Halifax. I have his flight log but I forget the details. Here's to them all!
Thanks for this, my dad (RCAF) was just a 20 year old pilot, and looked it too, when he started flying Halifax operations for the RAF 578. He kept a private pilot's license until he was 80. Some of my first memories are of sitting on an old lifejacket cushion in his two seater tail dragger Luscombe listening to him recite the pre-flight checklist.
My Grandad was also 578 (R C PEGG)
My father was a 578 Sqdn rear-gunner. Successfully completed 40 operations and together with the rest of the crew was awarded the DFM. In 1953 he completed 20 operations in Malaya in an 83 Sqdn Lincoln. I have his log book.
My half brother was part of the final punitive heavy bomber raid on Germany ( Kiel ) 2/3 rd of May 1945. He was a W/op on a Halifax Mk3 , in 199 sqdn, 100group, out of North Creake, Norfolk. They were attacked by a JU88 night fighter, the flight controls were hit and damaged, causing their plane to collide with another. Of 16 crew, only 3 survived. None were my brother. His widow, died yesterday--aged 94.
Hello to all, watching this fantastic video gives us such great insight into a bomber crews duties and how the aircraft was readied for a mission. Cheers to all the brave men and women who made this happen. My father was a Halifax pilot (full tour) while with based with 158 squadron RAF . Pilot officer Nick Smith . We still have his log books and original handbook for the Halifax bomber, very interesting to map out where there flying took place.
Hi Peter - do you know that there was a book written about the 158 Squadron - CalledIN BRAVE COMPANY - 158 SQUADRON OPERATIONS. By W. R .Chorley ISBN 0 9507467 1 1Published by P. A. Chorley10 Sycamore Close, Sixpenny Handley, SalisburyWiltshire,SP5 5QQ England.Regards Chris RogersAustralia
Ive just seen this great clip...dad flew with 624 Sq Special Ops 90% of it as Pilot in Halifax...his plane was Percy's Pigeon and he shared many stories of those years with us. He was the boy from Bondi who made it home, so many didn't!
John Atkins have you checked out the 624 Squadron website? There is also a Facebook page. Tons of information posted on the sites. My dad was a wireless radio operator in 624, based in Blida, Algeria. Cheers!
Amazing that you synced up the audio it sounds very authentic. I made a film onboard the Elvington Halifax last year and the volunteers at the museum were fantastic. My grandfather was a Halifax rear gunner and wrote his memoirs which we only found after he passed away. Its my goal to one day make a film based on a section of this and films like this are brilliant for research.
Not many rear end Charlies got to write his memoirs. He must have had some stories to tell.
Cracking bit of footage, really enjoyable watching, even my partner stopped what he was doing in the other room when he heard and came through to watch.
Thanks for posting :-)
Thanks a real bunch for this my father was a navigator RAAF seconded to the RAF 76 Sqdn Holme On Spalding Moor. He moved in to better things a few years ago now. Amazing bit of film it brings a tear to my eye every time I watch it, truly wonderful to se the sort of things that were routine to those men… men.. crikey my dad was the oldest in the crew 22 and 5 months when he crewed up… amazing stuff indeed… thanks again Roger Skinner Australia.
Roger my uncle George Such was a pilot on Halifax from 76 squadron .died at age 22 bombing Hamburg ,shot down into the sea. George had left his lucky rabbits foot behind on this mission .The grandfather clock stopped in my grandparents house and transpired 6 months later at the exact time George lost his life. Heard so much about this maverick from my father.
Ahhh my uncle was there at holmes spalding 76 squadron. He was 23 when his plane crashed due to engine failure. I should imagine you had some very informative chats with your father. Brave men indeed❤
indeed brave men. My father seldom discussed his time in the RAAF @@em6577
Excellent footage. Thank you.
My Uncle was Australian in 158 SQN Halifax III LV946, this aircraft collided with 51 Sqn and Halifax Mk III LV946 over Tergneir all lives lost. The little town where the craft and bodies landed conducted a memorial and rememberence statue ceremony this year, was really good.www.awm.gov.au/collection/P09307.006
ZeeCheef My granddad was KIA mid upper gunner flight HR944 over Berlin Squadron 158. Are you a member of the www.158squadron.co.uk/
Gday mate no I am not a member, respect to your grandad.
i was in Lissett last week they have named all the huge wind turbines after the halifaxes that were stationed there ,,they all standing on the hard standing the planes used to stand on.Many of the old buildings are still there and in the old Guard room the original piano is still there very interesting place....its no museum its all just abandoned
Wow. First footage of a halibag I've seen. My dad rest his soul was a tail end Charlie. He passed on prematurely at 51when I was 17. Too young to be really interested, but I remember the things he occasionally talked about. The war scarred his life. I think this is why he went so young. Wish I could chat with him now😢
Yes, we have such thoughts at some time in our lives, usually when it's too late.
@@MrDaiseymay hi, yeah, that's life, as we get older we find that we are interested in things that didn't seem important when we were young 🤔👍
My brother john murray Robertson flight engineer on LV784 S Sugar was shot down and killed with all his crew on24 May 1944 (51 squadron).IHav recently returned from Snaith Yorkshire where there is a well maintained memorial garden Ionly found out about this Rembrance plot very recently,I hope other relatives friends,etc are aware of its existence,I do wish that his parents were informed when they were alive of this sacred place but too late now but at least all his remaining siblings can pay their respects,HE was only 19
The Halifax seen at 2:48 is from 347 (Free French) Squadron, based at Elvington in 4 Group. The squadron codes L8 and the diamond marking on the tail confirm this. Its French designation was 'Groupe 1/25 Tunisie'.
I have amended my mistake in my earlier post regarding the aircraft ID at 2:48 crediting and quoting your correct identification of this aircraft. Thank you.
My grandfather was French and was a rear gunner in 1/25 Tunisie. 37 missions.
My late Uncle JE Bartram was a mid upper/ flight engineer on a Halifax with 502 Sqn based in Stornoway. In Jan 1945 he went out to dive bomb Prinz Eugen which was shelling Russian troops on the Samland Peninsular in the far South East corner of the Baltic. Dad told me about the MIA telegram after that trip followed by a post card a few days later that that he was safe and sound in Sweden. Dad was sixteen and Uncle John was twenty-one. I think about this a lot and the more I do the harder I find it the more mind boggling I find it that these things really happened just one generation before me. I'm 57.
Imagine watching this and seeing your grandad as a young man
In my case, my father. August 3, 1944, his 21st birthday. Ops to Bois de Cassen V1 launch site. Op no.27, only 13 more to go... Rear Gunner completed 40 ops, whole crew decorated with DFMs for bringing back on-target photograph each time. I regret so much that we didn't talk about it - but then, they never did, did they?
@@stevecommons3822 Thank you that was very interesting.
No they never talked just like their fathers in 1914/1918 war.
My Father, F.O. , Norman Gillen, Navigator, flew with the RCAF, 429 SQ, during WW11. His crew flew 32 combat missions in a Halifax..I have all his navigational charts, that he made for each flight..We, today, have no idea what these brave men went threw..My respects to all that served, and continue to do so..Always in my heart Dad..
My dad, flt. Sgt. Eric Stofer was a flight engineer with 429 squadron and completed his tour in Halifax aircraft then converted to Lancasters. Ended up being the last surviving member of his crew. Passed away in 2008 at 92. I miss him dearly.
The Lancaster had the larger bomb capacity, but in terms of tonnage of bombs dropped in WWII, the Halifax dropped the greater tonnage. The Lanc was a later aircraft and was also faster. The Halifax does not get the kudos that the Lancs do, but they were a well-loved plane by their crews as you were more likely to survive in a Halifax due to its ruggedness.
Small world. Great uncle was Pilot (RCAF) in Squadron 51 also, JN920 crashed after taking flack in 1943. Closest I have to a picture is the painting by Michael Lees.
"What do you mean? You hope my landing will be better than my takeoff."
Any landing you can walk away from is a good landing, and if you can re-use the aircraft then it's a bonus!
Hey Christopher : I read your reply and thought for a few minutes,, went downstairs and opened up a box of my Dads flight gear and found a copy of that book, I had forgotten totally that we had it, nice thing is he had outlined many parts of the book to coincide with his log book and with the raids he participated in and the brave men he knew. Thanks for reminding me and Thank you for your kind reply.
My father,an Australian, was a pilot with Squadron 51 based at Snaith, Yorkshire. His name is Roy Edward Abell. Intend to show him your video! His mid upper gunner, Dave Rouse, is also still with us, living in Mildura, Victoria. As I'm sure you know, Squadron 51 have an active website and busy historians. Am intending to upload the logbooks of both Dave Rouse and my father on their website. Do you know where the officials photos of the Squadron might be found? I have some taken in 1944.
51 squadron experienced a loss of 6 aircraft March 30/31st 1944 The highest of any squadron that fateful night.
My first cousin once removed, was one of those who did not return to Elvington. Geoffrey Jandron of the RCAF, was a Sergeant Air Gunner on board Halifax II HR H841 "T", which was lost over Berlin on 29th Jan 1944. 77 Squadron from Elvington had a very rough time, so hats off to all those aircrew who flew in these machines.
My grandfather was the navigator of a halifax with 161 (special ops) squadron that crashed near St.sauvier, france 1943 while dropping supplies to the resistance.
Thank you, am full of respect and gratitude to your Grandfather
My Father flew 27 ops in a Halifax Mk III. Only really appreciated what he did as I got older. Brave men.
Like the American liberator,the Halifax,was much underrated...
Fantastic footage, thanks for sharing! Love the British humour "dorsal gunner here, come on up, the views lovely!"
"Tail end Charlie here, lonely as usual" 😅
One of my uncles was in the RAAF but attached to RAF 640 Squadron. I think the aircraft shown here is C8-C my uncles was C8-U which went down over Epernon France 3rd June 1944 with total loss. Thanks for posting this.
Just consider the absurdly heavy loads the Lancasters sometimes hauled. I guess that's the reason why in public perception the Lanc overshadows the Halifax so much. Yet, the Halifax heavies were a perfect supplement in the sense that the later 1943 Mk.III used the powerful Bristol Hercules engines so they didn't interfere with Merlin availability. especially important because the Lancaster BII variant with Bristol Hercules engines was not considered a success, only 300 of these being built.
came across this video ,and I caught the squadron letters on the side C8 which was a relative of my family who was shot down and killed over Germany in a Halifax C8 S MZ856. The whole crew are buried in Durnbach cemetary . 640 squadron based at Leconfield.
In Stepping Hill hospital talking to a former pilot who flew on of these..97 years old.God bless him hope hes better soon
I understand what you were trying to achieve with the soundtrack and really enjoyed it. Well done and thanks for uploading.
My other Great Uncle Norman, flew as a Pilot in a Halifax for 158 Squadron, completed 35 sorties and awarded the DFC. He even flew the famous "Friday the 13th" Halifax Bomber stationed at 158 Squadron at Lissett Airbase. One of the few Bombers to make it over 100 sorties. Too bad some guy decide to scrap such a historic item. Great though, that the Yorkshire Air Museum Restored a Halifax and named her" Friday the 13th" .
Good viewing, amazing good looking plane. Just read Battle of Berlin again and the Halifax was regarded as a liability because of it's low operational ceiling and huge losses which was a bit harsh. Thanks to all the brave boys who flew these and you are not forgotten.
The mark lll Halifax had that problem sorted out .. just as good as the Lancaster
@@paulpaxtop1580 Some thought it superior , and far more survivable .
Roger,
My dad was a F/E in 420, Snowy Owl. He was the last one to pass in his crew -- lost him 11 days ago, 13 days sort of 89 years. Tough he is gone -- a great guy. The Mar III were great aircraft and if they had just lengthened their wings a bit, they could have increased the bomb load to near or = the Lanc. That was not appreciated until after the war when more analysis was done on the Hali III aircraft dynamics.
Great video so well worth all the care, time and work you put in. Thank you.
Thanks for the video! My Grandfather was in the RAF and was a tailgunner in a Halifax throughout WWII
Splendid sound effects, so often neglected in today's video's, well done team!
Thank you for this very impressive guide to the Halifax.
I already knew a bit about the Halifax in part because I was asked by the only survivor to paint 'The Loss of Halifax DK 170.
DK 170 Halifax heavy bomber aircraft was lost on it's first mission being shot down by a German night fighter that had been radar directed to the interception point.
My Painting was commissioned by the late Mr. John Loban eye witness, formerly Flight Sergeant and navigator of that aircraft.
I built two models, rearched and John provided me with detailed information even down to the number of rounds the attacking Me 110 fired.
You can if you wish to, read more about DK 170 on one of my two websites under 'aviation-aircraft/halifax-heavy-bomber ...
The DK 170 Halifax wreck was identified in Belgium in 2017 .
This year 2022 I've been approached a limited licence to reproduce my painting for a Belgium book about RAF & USAF aircraft that crashed in Belgium.
As you say, beside the Lancaster, the Halifax is a bit like the Hurricane beside the Spitfire.
Again, thank you for this remarkably informative and engaging programme.
If that squadron code, briefly visible at 2:51 is L8, then the aircraft is from 347 (French) Squadron RAF. Likely location then is RAF Elvington, location of the Yorkshire Air Museum these days which has a reconstructed Halifax bearing the French Squadron's markings on one side. The other side represents Halifax LV907 "Friday the Thirteenth" of 158 Squadron, the original of which completed 128 missions, a record I think. My interest in the Halifax stems from the fact that an Uncle, Abel Baker from Cardiff, was lost with 58 Squadron Coastal Command out of Stornoway on his first sortie in February 1945. I know that Abel Baker are the first two letters of the phonetic alphabet of the time, so he must have got ribbed for that. Apparently he was known as "Don" on the squadron, oddly his brother's name. I once had the honour to board the Elvington Halifax and take a cockpit view of the hangar - very special.
I am no aviation enthusiast but thanks for that video it a least gave me an idea as to what the inside of a Stirling looked like...And also to remember the brave crews who flew them.
I am a frequent visitor to YAM so I really enjoyed this.
Craig Moloney
What you are saying about bomb loads is not entirely true, both aircraft had a very similar maximum bomb capacity of around 14,500 lb. The issue was that the Halifax had compartmentalised bomb bays in the fuselage and wings, which meant the largest bomb that the Halifax could carry was a 2000 lb. The Lancaster had one huge 33 ft bomb bay, and could carry it's maximum load in one piece
As the Bomber Command campaign was base on the use of 4000 lb, and later 6000 and 12000lb cookies + incendiaries, this was the main reason for Harris's criticism.
This wasn't really a fault of the Halifax's design, as standard RAF bombing practice at the time of the Halifax's design, concentrated on dropping a stick of bombs with reasonable accuracy on a target.
You are however correct that Lancasters did in fact carry heavier bomb loads, but mainly for the reasons given above.
Bloody brilliant.....Awesome video.....Thanks for posting.
What a beauty - thanks.
His captain was les Holes from Leicester.. I met him some years ago. He commented that my dad saved his arse many times 👍
The navigational course given in this documentary suggests that this was filmed to represent RAF Wombleton, North Yorkshire. The base opened on the 21st October 1943 and was home to 1666 'Mohawk' Heavy Conversion Unit that flew Handley Page Halifax's until 3rd August 1945. The Base was located too close to the North Yorkshire Moors (National Park) to be an operational bomber base as several crashes occurred when aircraft failed to clear the moors when operating at full weight. RAF Eastmoor lies 7.4 miles to the North of York and transferred from the RAF to the RCAF in 1942. The aircraft is a Halifax from No.28 Operational Training Unit from the Squadron identification code 'LB' on the aircraft's side.
The mark 3 was an outstanding machine apparently with the Hercules radials and increased wing span
Great film, well done, I love this, and I watched it about 8 times before I spotted continuity discrepencies - well done!!!!
lot of time on your hands then
My Dad flew 32 combat missions in a Halifax Bomber. 429, Bisson Sqd, RCAF. His name is, and Rank, F.O. Norman Gillen..He was a Navigator..My respects to all that he did...
My Dad, Bob Shepherd, flew Halifaxes in 518 squadron coastal command from Iceland and Tiree, Hebrides. He was a meteorological observer and theirs was the squadron that spotted the bad incoming weather that delayed D-Day. There were airmen of various nationalities in the squadron - especially Canadians I think.
My grandad flew one of these and he said it was not uncommon to be flying back with one or two of the engines working.. Most of his friends didn't make it.
He doesn't talk much about it.
However, he did just randomly mention the fact that after the war, they just took a plane and flew round the world because the army was in a major state and didn't really care about much of its equipment (he didn't specify what plane it was).
Starting and running up the Bristol Hercules radials was part of the fitters course at RAF St Athan 1951. Quite an experience for 18 year olds.
A coastal command pilot told me that at first there was a lot of trouble with the rudders until modified..
The mark 2 Halifax with Merlin engines experienced rudder overbalance; the pilot losing control when an engine had to be shutdown resulting in many sad losses. The remarkable Captain Eric Brown flight tested and resolved to problem. The Mark 3 tailfin was altered.
Great video...Hard to find Halifax Bomber footage!My great uncle was a Navigator ( RCAF) in a RAF Squadron...Squadron 77 out of FullSutton, Yorkshire England. He and his fellow crew mates were shot down and KIA on Nov2 1944. True Gingerzilla in regards to painting a better picture about what went on inside the Halifax. What a terrifying experience they had to go through!
Great job ground crew !
Brilliant footage, thank you. My late father was ground crew with 158 Lissett, he was part of the 'U bend we mend em' group. Seeing how tight the pilots and navigator area is, I'm surprised he got his 6' 2" frame plus the tools in there, quite a squeeze. An amazing generation, bless em.
My uncle was a gunner on one of these. His plane crashed in october1944 due to engine failure. He was 23...squadron 76.howbrave these young men were.
Very much enjoyed this sequence - well done and thanks.
I'm interested in reusing part of the original (silent) material in a piece about a local Halifax crash in 1944. May I ask where you obtained the footage?
You dubbed the sound on this? Great job, very convincing!
Very impressive indeed ! How could you get such film material ?
So it’s been 14 years since this was posted, and 13 since the last post…. But I was wondering if we could use this video at @RafSnaithMuseum ?
My old friend John Cook RIP,was a rear gunner in a Halifax of 578 sqn,Burn.
Hi I have a ground running Bristol Hercules engine which was fitted to the Halifax, will have to see if I can take it to Elvington and give it a run, bring back some memories for the brave young men that crewed these aircraft. Good to see this footage and good job with the voice over.
Well Brian, and did you ? take it to Elvington ?
@@MrDaiseymay Yes Philip I did and the Griffon but have not done any shows for a while, did you come and talk to me there?
Sorry no I did not, have got Elvington mixed up with Wellesbourne.
My Dad was in the RCAF and flew in Halifax bombers. The crew was from Canada, Britain and Australia. They had several very close calls. Never wanted to talk about it.
Same with my grandfather. He barely talked about it and only mentioned a few things. Not sure about the other crew, but he was Canadian in the position of tail gunner. They ended up being shot down. He managed to survive and ended up in a POW camp for the remainder of the war.
That was great!.
Thanks.
great video,
I made a 1/72 halifax but it seems to be an other version. Mine is the GR II version.
Fantastic,,,THANKS!
The pannier at bomb bay location suggests a Halton, perhaps in Berlin Airlift duties, but Haltons were unarmed; can anybody solve this doubt for me? Thank you for this footage!
Hi Ann Crober, If you put the type of aircraft and the aircraft number into google your brothers aircraft comes up a few times. Also try the RCAF museum at Trenton. Best regards
My grandad was bomb aimer in Halifax 905 with 405 pathfinders RCAF. He's still over there.
I enjoyed the soundtrack. Are they Elvington museum accents I hear? maybe not.
Fantastic
dempsey981,
Actually there were quite reliable. Unlike the Lancaster, Halifax aircraft had air-cooled engines and could take a lot of punishment before quitting. They were also easier to bail from than a Lancaster, so more crews were able to survive.
Notice the sly switch of aeroplane? one has the mid-upper turret and the othr has a transport pannier.
hi wondering where this footage came from? looking for some footage of the halifax bomber...thanks
Which one has better performance between Lancaster & Halifax ?
Hi Mag drop or short for Magneto drop, each engine has two Magnetos which supply the spark to their individual spark plugs fitted to each cylinder, both work completely independent of each other so you have a redundancy. If one magneto system was faulty you would not know due to the other magneto still running the engine, so you check this by turning both magneto off in turn so the engine is running on one system at a time and see if there is a drop in engine revs which would indicate a fault.
very disciplined crew. may you recognize my Vid about the Flight Engineer of Breitling Super Constellation.
I hope some day Peter Jackson could do the same for this type of footage as he did for the chaps lost in WWI. Nuff said.
even the sound is in stereo.. Wow for that time.. or did some modify the sound real?
Overdubbed
My Dad flew Halis with 624 Special Operations Squadron out of Blida in Algeria. Trying to trace some of his Crew if anyone knows of them or their relatives please make contact via the 624 Facebook site. The Pilot was Edwin Denness and the people I am trying to trace are Johnny Weeks Bomb Aimer, "Gene" Tunney Mid Upper Gunner/ dispatcher, Albert Sutton Rear Gunner, Ron Brown Navigator