Aviation Historian

For Valour: Sergeant John Hannah
For Valour: Sergeant John Hannah

15 September 2024

For Valour: Sergeant Hannah was a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner attached to 83 Squadron, Bomber Command, based at RAF Scampton

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The Royal Air Force and Operation Market Garden: Chapter 2
The Royal Air Force and Operation Market Garden: Chapter 2

10 September 2024

We continue the story of the Royal Air Force's role in Operation Market Garden, the attempted capture of the bridge over the Lower Rhine at Arnhem.

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The Royal Air Force and Operation Market Garden: Chapter 1
The Royal Air Force and Operation Market Garden: Chapter 1

3 September 2024

This is the story of the Royal Air Force's role in Operation Market Garden, the attempted capture of the bridge over the Lower Rhine at Arnhem.

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D-Day Memories:  Lieutenant David Hamlyn Thomas and the 591 Antrim Airborne Squadron Royal Engineers
D-Day Memories: Lieutenant David Hamlyn Thomas and the 591 Antrim Airborne Squadron Royal Engineers

20 August 2024

This blog tells the D-Day story of Lieutenant DH Thomas of 591 Antrim Airborne Squadron Royal Engineers, as told by his son - Museum volunteer Guy.

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For Valour: Acting Flight Sergeant Arthur Louis Aaron
For Valour: Acting Flight Sergeant Arthur Louis Aaron

12 August 2024

On the night of 12th August, 1943, Flight Sergeant Aaron was captain and pilot of a Stirling aircraft detailed to attack Turin.

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For Valour: Acting Flight Lieutenant Roderick Alastair Brook Learoyd
For Valour: Acting Flight Lieutenant Roderick Alastair Brook Learoyd

12 August 2024

Bomber Command had switched to night raids but was still setting precision targets, accuracy for which required flying at near-suicidally low altitude

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For Valour: Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Ferdinand Maurice Felix West VC, MC Royal Air Force
For Valour: Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Ferdinand Maurice Felix West VC, MC Royal Air Force

9 August 2024

After 3 years of static trench warfare, on 21 March 1918 the Great War became mobile again.

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For Valour: Flying Officer Lloyd Allan Trigg
For Valour: Flying Officer Lloyd Allan Trigg

9 August 2024

On 11 August 1943, Trigg was captain and pilot of Consolidated Liberator serial BZ 832 coded 'D', taking off at 0729 hours.

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For Valour: Acting Squadron Leader Ian Willoughby Bazalgette
For Valour: Acting Squadron Leader Ian Willoughby Bazalgette

2 August 2024

On 4 August 1944, Squadron Leader Bazalgette of 635 Squadron, Bomber Command, was appointed as one of the leading target markers.

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For Valour: Captain Edward Corringham (‘Mick’) Mannock VC
For Valour: Captain Edward Corringham (‘Mick’) Mannock VC

25 July 2024

Major Edward 'Mick' Mannock was awarded more medals for courage than any other WW1 British fighter pilot.

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For Valour: Sergeant James Allen Ward (NZ/401793) VC Royal New Zealand Air Force
For Valour: Sergeant James Allen Ward (NZ/401793) VC Royal New Zealand Air Force

7 July 2024

On Sunday 22 June 1941, the Germans launched Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union.

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For Valour: Wing Commander Hughie Idwal Edwards (39005) VC DFC
For Valour: Wing Commander Hughie Idwal Edwards (39005) VC DFC

4 July 2024

On 4 July 1941, a daylight raid was ordered by fifteen Bristol Blenheims - led by W/C Edwards.

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For Valour: Flight Lieutenant David Ernest Hornell (Can/J.7594) VC
For Valour: Flight Lieutenant David Ernest Hornell (Can/J.7594) VC

24 June 2024

Hornell was well north of the Shetland Islands when the crew spotted a surfaced submarine, Type IXC/40 U-1225, which they attacked

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From Sierra Leone to the Short Stirling: the Story of Johnny Smythe
From Sierra Leone to the Short Stirling: the Story of Johnny Smythe

13 June 2024

In this blog, we delve into the pioneering life of Johnny Smythe.

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For Valour: Pilot Officer Andrew Charles Mynarski VC
For Valour: Pilot Officer Andrew Charles Mynarski VC

12 June 2024

On 12 June 1944, P/O Mynarski was an air gunner on Canadian-built Lancaster X.

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For Valour: Flying Officer Leslie Thomas Manser (66542) VC
For Valour: Flying Officer Leslie Thomas Manser (66542) VC

30 May 2024

On the night of 30/31 May 1942, Bomber Command mounted ‘Operation Millennium’, the first 'Thousand Raid', against Cologne.

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For Valour: Flight Lieutenant Cruickshank VC
For Valour: Flight Lieutenant Cruickshank VC

20 May 2024

Born on 20 May 1920, Flight Lieutenant Cruickshank VC (126700), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, was awarded the Victoria Cross.

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For Valour: Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson VC
For Valour: Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson VC

17 May 2024

The ‘Dambusters’ raid by 617 Squadron on 16 May 1943, led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, is one of the best known events in the history of the RAF.

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For Valour: Sergeant Thomas Gray and Flying Officer Donald Garland’s Victoria Crosses
For Valour: Sergeant Thomas Gray and Flying Officer Donald Garland’s Victoria Crosses

9 May 2024

The story of two men who both earnt the Victoria Cross whilst trying to destroy bridges using the Fairey Battle.

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For Valour: Squadron Leader Leonard Henry Trent VC
For Valour: Squadron Leader Leonard Henry Trent VC

30 April 2024

On 3 May 1943, Squadron Leader Leonard Trent was B Flight Commander, equipped with Lockheed Ventura light bombers.

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