War photos collection

[Brookfields Lad]

Here's a link to a very interesting site covering WW1 and WW2. Lots of pics covering military life in genera and pics taken inside P.O.W camps.

https://www.wartimememories.co.uk/

 

[ChrisM]

Thanks for that reminder, Bob.

Chris

 

[cookie273uk]

Bob, thank for that link, found out 82 Sqdn which I served on 1949 to 1951 as a wireless op (Lancasters) in Africa, was based in Malta in 1941, my favourite holiday resort I visit twice a year, what a coincidence. Thanks again. Eric

 

[Bernard67Arnold]

I know we lost a lot of aircrew in the Dambusters raids, they were a suicide mission really because the Dams were so well protected by AA guns.I recently read a very good book about Albert Speer which said that the damage was soon put right, does anyone know how long it actually took to repair ?Bernard.

 

[Stephen0002002]

Apparently it took 8 weeks to rebuilld the dams but the raids caused extensive damage not only physically but in many other ways. The Dambuster raid gave a great propaganda and morale boost to the alied forces and a big hit to German morale. So it was important for Germany to be seen to rebuild them urgently. The resources prioritised to rebuilding and clearing were diverted from other German war causes of course.

The raid went on to change the way bomber command viewed its own strategy. Bombing opertions developed from this and eventually helped greatly to change the path of the war in very many ways. So success all round - not just from that night or the 2 months afterwards.

 

[Bernard67Arnold]

Strange I should mention the raid, in the Spring edition of the Poppy Press the RBL paper I got yesterday, it is all about the 70th Anniversary of the raid.16th May 1943 617 Squadron took off and flew into history.Reading the Albert Speer bio bought it all back. Bernard

 

[I Am Nico]

This is for you Baz

Best Wishes Nico

 

[Steve R]

Quote 5 has hit the nail on the head for raids such as these. It was important for morale of course but for the fighting on the front line as well. I recently read the book 'Cockle shell hero's" based on recently released records it was a great insight on what raids such as that achieved. With 10 men setting off in five canoes to put limpet mines on to ships 70 mile up a river Estuary was a huge achievement. The end result was minimal damage and although ships were sunk all but one was re-floated and the same day, it achieved very little in respect of damage but caused panic throughout the German army. 1000's of troops many tonnes of ammunition and material were needed to guard and reinforce other installation across Europe to prevent them being targeted. All of which I'm sure Germany and their allies would have wanted used to protect the front line. Out of the 10 men only 2 survived. Most subject of a big manhunt tying up more resources before they were shot.

 

[I Am Nico]

Bob, thank for that link, found out 82 Sqdn which I served on 1949 to 1951 as a wireless op (Lancasters) in Africa, was based in Malta in 1941, my favourite holiday resort I visit twice a year, what a coincidence. Thanks again. Eric

I should tick them all as likes please take this as a tick for all of you. My uncle Jan was a pilot in the Lancasters. I believe they were only recognised last year for their efforts. My cousin went to the memorial for her dad. She obtained some photos this year, and hopes to get his medals and his war records. He was Polish.
I obtained my birth father's war records, they were an eye opener. It took ages though. I was passed around a lot. I believe it might be easier now. Fascinating. He was a CSM in the Royal Welch Fusiliers. Chocs and Maypole Baz helped me out a lot with the 'lingo' the armoured vehicles and the uniforms. I showed my Birth Mother a photo of him straight after repatriation and she did not recognise him he was so thin.

 

[I Am Nico]

Quote 5 has hit the nail on the head for raids such as these. It was important for morale of course but for the fighting on the front line as well. I recently read the book 'Cockle shell hero's" based on recently released records it was a great insight on what raids such as that achieved. With 10 men setting off in five canoes to put limpet mines on to ships 70 mile up a river Estuary was a huge achievement. The end result was minimal damage and although ships were sunk all but one was re-floated and the same day, it achieved very little in respect of damage but caused panic throughout the German army. 1000's of troops many tonnes of ammunition and material were needed to guard and reinforce other installation across Europe to prevent them being targeted. All of which I'm sure Germany and their allies would have wanted used to protect the front line. Out of the 10 men only 8 survived. Most subject of a big manhunt tying up more resources before they were shot.

I remember the film of the same name. Dad used to tell me how important they were how pertinent that so many less recognised units played a massive part but often went unsung.

 

[victor de quincey]

My father Victor Philip Quincey was in the Royal Navy 1941-46 along with Atlantic convoys and Pacific duties he served a short time at the White House Washington. The photos show him on duty with his friend Harry Glover also from Birmingham and his White House Pass, which I still have. My father is on the left

 

[Out in the sticks Brummy]

First photo Is John (Jack) Gregory R.A.F, second is Alan Gregory he was serving on the H.M.S Hood but had come on a gunners course when she went down both my Moms brothers
Albert Commander submariner and my Dad Donald Commander Royal Corp of signals taken at the fall of Singapore and worked on death railway. All born within a 100 yards of each other in Howard road/Wood Lane/ Wellington Road, all came back from the war

 

[Radiorails]

Good to see they all made it home. Alan was lucky to be on that course and not on the Hood for sure.

 

[jmadone]

Glad that Alan and the others all made it safely. My uncle who was a Royal Marine was on board HMS Barham when it was torpedoed in the med. He was among the survivors. Amazingly the whole incident was recorded on film by Pathe news from another ship. It can be seen at

. I'm astounded that anyone survived. He too came back safely.

 

[Johnbell]

My dad Cyril Bellison served 19 years in Royal Navy, came out just after the war.
Petty Officer Gunnery. HMS Birmingham, incl Murmansk Arctic convoy escorts. I managed to get him his Arctic Star for that shortly before he passed away a few years back.
Served in the Pacific on HMS Speaker, Woolworths carrier he called it! I think it was part of the supply train to the American Fleet. My mom(92!), still has old pics of Hellcats, avengers etc on board.
He never stopped talking about the Navy, he loved it.
For his 70th. Birrthday i wanted to do something special for him, so i rang Portsmouth Navy Yard and asked to speak to the Admiral in charge of Personnel! To my surprise i was put through!
I told him it was my dads 70th, ex Matelot etc etc, and what can he do about it?
What a nice bloke! He said as dad was a petty Officer, i should bring him down to the Petty Officers mess on the flagship at Portsmouth and they would look after him!
The Flagship is HMS Victory!
So i told dad we were going out for the day and i would collect him. Didnt tell him where!
In those days i had a few quid and picked him up in my Classic Rolls Royce Silver Wraith 2. I had arranged security passes to the Dockyard and agreed an arrival time, we rolled up at the Dock gates and were met by a sentry who hopped about a bit and Presented arms! A young chap on a motorbike guided usto an office, signed us in and took us to Victory, where we parked at the Gangplank! The old man was amazed, so was i !. We were shown to the PO's mess and given a couple of glasses of Navy Rum.
We spent a couple of hours there, dad got chatting to another fella who was about his age, also an old Sailor. We got tickets for the Meat Raffle, apparently a Navy tradition, and won 2 chickens and a box of sausages!
I poured dad into the back of the Rolls and he slept all the way home !
Good chap, that Admiral.