j4ckos mate

Breathtaking account of one of Second World War's most dangerous jobs.... gunner on a Lancaster bomber | Mail Online

amazing

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

My Uncle did 2 tours (60 sorties) as a rear gunner in a Lancaster. The average life expectancy of a rear gunner was 26 sorties

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal during the war, which would have been a DFC had he commissioned a few weeks earlier than he did.

Will

hodgy0_2

my Wifes grandfather flew Lancasters during WW11 (out of Oakington) still alive and going strong, doesnt really talk about it except to say that one day in 1945 he was walking across the airfield when over the tannoy came the announcement that the germans had signed the surrender and war (in Europe) was over -- he said 5 years of emotion came over him and he burts into tears for the first time since the war started

amazing people

I thought the life expectancy of a rear gunner over enemy territory was measured in hours, and tragically they often had to hose them out

such brave people

The Zohan

My dad flew Beaufighters (most heavily armed ship busting aircraft of the war), Bleinheims and ended up flying SOE operatives into France in Lysanders.

Uncle Eric was a rear gunner in a Wellington, shot down and captured. Eric's account is published in a Book called Down in the Drink. I have a copy somewhere.

I wish they where still around to tell thier stories.

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

My Uncle still is, lives in Manchester having left the RAF in the late 40's and then worked for BAA for the rest of his working career. Like a lot of that generation, the saw, heard and experienced a lot of things that some of today's generation just couldn't comprehend, and in a bid to retain their sanity they just don't want to talk about it.

My Father-in-law served in Cyprus during the trouble whilst on national service. He had never spoken to anyone about until recently when we had a real good chat about our experiences on Ops.

Scoob99

iTrader: (1)

: Reminds me of my Dear Uncle Harry who flew as a co-pilot bomb aimer with 576 squdron in a Lancaster, heroes all of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
R.I.P. Uncle Harry, I miss you
Cheers
Colin

cossie-nutter

iTrader: (45)

FANTASTIC!!!!

Leslie

Thanks for posting that. What a good read and it underlines the fearful existence they must have had during operations.

I know a chap whose uncle was a rear gunner and he survived too-not that many did of course. He still has his flying kit from that time.

Can't say how much I respect them all for their bravery.

Les

Funkii Munkii

What an fantastic read, when will they be printing the next part ?

Petem95

Impressive stuff! Would like to continue reading that account! Can't even begin to imagine what it must have been like to be in that situation. With so many aircrews lost the atmosphere on the bomber bases surely cant have been that good, but seems they just put that out of their mind to try and keep up spirits.

Petem95

My Lancaster bomber was shot down in flames... and I landed in the arms of Madame Mazonga | Mail Online

Second part of this account for anyone who is interested

Pretty amazing stuff really!

Scoob99

iTrader: (1)

Excellent read, I must order the book, thanks for posting it up
Cheers
Colin

JonMc

iTrader: (51)

Agreed, one to take away with me to Kandahar along with my Vulcan 607

Something to while away the months

gpssti4

iTrader: (6)

Great story, shows what Britain was once made of..................... unlike now with their snouts in the trough.

Thanks for the link.