Search
Search
Search Results
19 results returned
Training to Become an Air Gunner
Mr. Cole describes the different places he went to train to eventually become an air gunner. He describes basic training, specific training, #1 AGGTS, and #9 Bombing and Gunnery School.
Receiving Wings
Mr. Cole describes what the wing represents on the left breast of his uniform and tells a humourous story on what the "AG" means.
The Voyage Overseas
Mr. Cole describes what it was like to prepare for and to go overseas. He describes the morale of his comrades.
Morale
Mr. Cole explains that they had high morale even though they were aware of the high morality rate of air crew. They just thought that it would be the other guy instead of themselves.
The Conversion to a Heavier Aircraft
Mr. Cole describes the conversion from twin engine aircraft to the four engine Halifax at 1667 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU)
Baptism of Fire
Mr. Cole describes his first encounter with the enemy and the effect on the rest of the squadron. They were still positive and naive, but convinced that they were not invincible after all.
The Lancaster Bomber
Mr. Cole describes the accuracy of the Lancaster Bomber, its payload and the Pathfinder Force (PFF) that was used to mark its target.
Bombing Operations
The bombing operations that were flown were mostly heavy concentrations of bombers and targeted heavily industrial areas in the Ruhr Valley.
The Night Raid
Mr. Cole describes what it was like on a night raid with the incredible amount of exploding anti-aircraft fire and search lights. He describes the total destruction and how it seemed virtually impossible to get through.
A Foe in the Darkness
Mr. Cole describes the night in which he caught a glimpse of a ME-109 in the darkness and how they were trained to defend against fighter aircraft at night.
Memorable Operations
Mr. Cole describes the bombing of an oil refinery and his 20th operation in which a Lancaster bomber was directly overhead and started to drop its bombs.
Final Operations
Mr. Cole describes some of the final operations in which there were fewer interceptors, probably due to lack of fuel and maintenance.
- Date modified: