Bomber Command Memorial

[K4KittyCrew]

W/C Jim Flint ........ ( as posted above )

A few extra details this remarkable gentleman ......
John
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... sCSNN0zuMg

[Dave_Richardson]

Just a heads up to let UK based forum members that ITV have come in a bit late (must have an American producer ) on the Bomber Command Memorial. They're screening a programme on Tuesday 3rd July at 9.00pm simply called 'Bomber Command'. Here's what the Radio times has to say:

"Days after the Queen unveiled the long overdue memorial to the sacrifice of the shamefully under-regarded Bomber Command, John Sergeant tells the story of its key role in World War Two.

Former members share their memories of dangerous missions over German industrial cities. Such was the secrecy surrounding these raids that crews were told only hours before they took off. But controversy over so-called “area bombing” of heavily populated cities such as Dresden embarrassed Winston Churchill, who never acknowledged Bomber Command’s contribution to the war. They were the only men never to receive a campaign medal.

About this programme:

John Sergeant pays tribute to the aircrews of RAF Bomber Command who died serving their country and tells the stories of some of the surviving members, including bomb aimer Andy Wiseman, pilot Bill Lucas, rear gunners Bob Gill and Harry Irons, and navigator Harry Hughes. On June 28, the Queen unveiled a memorial in London's Green Park to honour the 55,573 men who gave their lives in bombing raids during the Second World War."

[Dave_Richardson]

The memorial unveiling seems to have got pretty good coverage. Here's a couple of links that I liked@

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/raf- ... d-now.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18634283


Apparently the Lancaster pilot's taxi call to the ATC was: "Memorial request taxi, 9 POB (persons on board) & 55,573 Souls on board"

[AlanW]

Just watching the Bomber Command documentary, thoroughly good throughout, with the vets doing a splendid job. Slightly spoilt with having heard a big mistake in the narration by John Sargent concerning the Nuremburg Raid, having put the date of the raid as 30th May 44.

[K4KittyCrew]

Hi Alan, unfortunately, I haven't seen the footage but have found some details of the Australian crews that travelled over to the event. He is a very nice photo of Don Huxtable, whom I and several other members here, had the pleasure to meet at the Australian Bomber Command Memorial event several years ago. Fellow member Adam, ( I believe ) has met Don and fellow crew members several times over the last couple of years, regarding Anzac Day parades http://www.facebook.com/pages/463467-La ... 0603783086
Cheers,
John

[kookabat]

Aw man, what's he done to his hand???
One of the real characters of 463 Sqn, is Hux. Most years he beats us to the bar after the march...

[K4KittyCrew]

Hi Adam,

As soon as I saw this photo tonight, I thought I'd seen Don with his hand bandaged before ............... and you were in the photo, mate! ( from the Anzac Day March in Brisbane if I'm correct )
Now that I think of it .......... and looked at the photo again, it was his other hand.
John

....... and one of Don in his flying days.

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_i ... 8857896865

[Dave_Richardson]

Whilst looking on Youtube to see if the documentary had been put up yet I came across these links which might be of interest:

this one is the BBC highlights of the memorial unveiling:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVnanoHz ... re=related

this one is a BBC Timewatch programme entitled 'The Bombing of Germany', split into 4 parts. I've not watched this but Martin Middlbrook is one of the historians so it might be ok.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3963921744CFAFDE

Dave

[PAFG]

Thanks for all the news and photos - I travelled up and down to London on the train that day, saw plenty of veterans but sadly couldn't bunk out of work.

Richard

[K4KittyCrew]

A little late with this but I wanted to acknowledge the RZNAF crews. If anyone has found the crew list, please let us know.
Cheers,
John
Link to the story ......... http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/7146534/L ... -brothers/