Lancaster Crew Log books
Below are example 550 Squadron air-crew log books. These show various pre-operational, training and live operations during 1944-1945.
Where a small (lower resolution) and a large (higher resolution) picture is available, then either or both can be accessed to see the details. The smaller will be a faster download the larger will take longer, but the clarity is excellent in either version.
Log Book (F/L Fleming and crew, North Killingholme)
Flight Lieutenant Edward Greer Fleming, RNZAF, 550 Squadron (number NZ415305), spent about three and a half years in England as a flying instructor with the RAF from around August 1942. He travelled to a number of bases and in September 1944 he went to #28 OTU in Wymeswold. In February 1945 he went to #1656 HCU at Lindholme in Yorkshire flying Lancaster MK I's (he had completed 1180 hours flying by then).
The log book entries available cover both live and training operations.
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To find out more click on the image or click here. |
Operations (F/L Cassidy, North Killingholme)
Flight Lieutenant James Cassidy DFC* (RAAF) flew a full tour with 550 Squadron (following a first tour with 626 Squadron). These documents list the operations he took part in from the time he joined up (6th December 1941) until he was de-mobbed (27th February 1946).
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To find out more click on the image or click here. |
Log Book (W/O Denis Porter)
Pages from flight log book of W/O Denis Porter while with 550 Squadron 1944-45.
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To find out more click on the image or click here. |
Log Book (S/L Frank Hume)
16/01/2011
Pages from flight log book of Squadron Leader (later Wing Cmdr) Frank Hume while with 550 Squadron 1945.
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To find out more click on the image or click here. |
RAF Bomber Command Operations
Described below are a number of operations carried out by RAF Bomber Command, accompanied by diary excerpts recorded at the time.
Operation Manna - May 1945
Operation Manna was an Allied operation to drop supplies to the starving Dutch people as the Germans withdrew in front of the Allied advance.
See Operations Manna and Chowhound
and Operations Manna for general information about the operations.
The following excerpt is taken from F/L Fleming's diary describing his Operation Manna flight on 4th May 1945.
Operation Exodus - May 1945
Carried out in May 1945 Operation Exodus involved flying recently released Allied PoWs back to the United Kingdom.
The following excerpt is taken from F/L Fleming's diary describing his Operation Exodus flight on 7th May 1945.
Operation Dodge - August 1945
British troops were repatriated back to the United Kingdom from Italy by Operation Dodge. See also: Operation Dodge for photographs.
The following excerpt is taken from F/L Fleming's diary describing his Operation Dodge flights in August 1945.