Short Stirling & RAF Bomber Command Forum

The Remarkable Story of one of World War Two's Unsung Heroes, Sqn Ldr Edward 'Teddy' Blenkinsop, DFC, CdeG (Belge), RCAF

On the night of 27/28 April 1944, Teddy Blenkinsop and his crew were acting as deputy master bombers during a Pathfinder raid on Montzen in Belgium. After a successful attack, their Lancaster was shot down. Miraculously he survived to be protected by Belgian citizens before ending his days in Bergen Belsen concentration camp. Little was known of his exploits in between until Peter Celis, a Belgian air-force officer, began to research the story. What he uncovered is far more amazing than any fictional film could be. He found that Blenkinsop was not only an exceptional and gallant operational pilot, but that his loyalty, dedication and devotion were second to none and that his bravery and fearlessness led him to make the supreme sacrifice in the face of Nazi Germany. Written with pace and insight, this is an uplifting account of an outstanding young man who very nearly made it back home.
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Published 29/08/08
ISBN 9781906502164
Format Hardback
Dimensions 246 x 170mm

Excellent, Steve .................. I will add this one to my preferred list.
Cheers,
John

Steve,
2 of my friends, F/L Jim Scannell DFM DFC & W/C Reg Lane DSO DFC & Bar, witnessed Teddy's downing.
Their 405 sqdn. kite (Master Bomber) is pictured above and behind Blenkinsop's, in the now famous painting.
Jim Scannell ( R/G) witnessed the fighter attack and subsequent explosion. They knew it was Teddy's kite by the colour of the exploding T.I's, and reported the crew killed.



http://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/s,blenkinsop.html

Cheers.
Paul

Paul,

Thanks for the post, I am not that knowledgably about the PFF, I may buy this book having read the link.

Regards

Steve

Steve,
You're welcome.
35 & 405 sqdns were my specialties, as I had many friends there, such as Jim and Reg (both were also on 35).
I will check to see if Reg's kite , on this op to Montzen, was a Mk 6 Lanc? He had flown the Mk 6 on the last of the Berlin raids, March 24/25/1944, as Master Bomber.

Cheers.
Paul

I've just read the book, tis a good insight into inhouse resistence/colaboration/capture issues and some of the feelings and issues the families of those MIA, go through. Shame there isn't more on life around the station in it, I lived in the area and did a little stint of gliding from Gransden lodge.
Worth a read but not on my top 20.