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
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.
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.
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.
Discover the Thrilling Bravo, Bravo! at the RAF Museum Midlands
26 July 2024
What did blogger-in-residence Dan think of the summer show?
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For Valour: Sergeant Norman Cyril Jackson VC
26 April 2024
On 26 April 1943, Sergeant Jackson was Flight Engineer on Lancaster ME 669, coded ZN-O.
For Valour: Squadron Leader John Dering Nettleton VC
17 April 2024
In the Spring of 1942, German U-Boats were winning the Battle of the Atlantic, the Air Ministry decided to mount an attack on the M.A.N.
From little acorns …
7 April 2024
It was 50 years ago today that the Historic Aircraft Collection at RAF Cosford opened its doors to the public with its first Sunday opening.
For Valour: Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell’s Victoria Cross
6 April 2024
On 6 April 1941, Flying Officer Campbell was captain and pilot of Bristol Beaufort N 1016, coded OA-X, of 22 Squadron.