I am of the opinion that basically all squadron / crews experienced extraordinary situations, moments of survival that we can only shake our heads in disbelief and think, how did they make through.
This short story is from my (Joe Pollard) fathers flight engineer, Harry Parkins, relating their 'Mid Air Survival'. K for Kitty crew, 630 Squadron.
When flying operations it was said that the last plane back to base set up drinks in the mess for the first crew back.
Because so many airbases were within a few miles of each other, it was a written rule that when flying over another base where other aircraft were flying, to land, one had to join the circuit before flying off and not to go straight across (similar to the roundabout system today )
On our way back from our 31st raid (Stuttgart) 28th of July 1944, we were on the circuit preparing to land when another Lancaster ignored the rule and shot across and under our Lancaster, crashing into us and taking off the tail wheel and H2S cupola. I shouted. 'that was hell of a slipstream' to make to crew laugh, which momentarily took away our fear. The other plane dived and crashed with no survivors. Thankfully, we were able to land with sparks flashing down the runway. Joe Pollard, our rear gunner, was shouting all the way out of fear of the sparks. It was a very nasty and frightening experience.
After debriefing, we were all given seven days survivors leave. No counselling in those days and back on ops when we returned.
You can google - k for kitty crew (Harry Parkins) to bring up many wonderful short stories that Harrys son, Keith Parkins has collated on his site.
Another 'story' definitely worth reading is the 'Dropping Mines in Kiel Bay' Regards, John
I am sure that there are numerous Instances that have gone unrecorded of ordinary airman doing extraordinary things while operational with RAF Bomber Command.
I am researching the exploits of No.218 (Gold Coast) Squadron for a forth-coming squadron history; one of those who served on the squadron was Peter Dunham DFC. A pre-war ground crew mechanic, he volunteered for air gunner duties and completed a tour as such flying Blenhiems. He returned for a second tour as a trained observer flying Wellingtons with 218, which was duly completed, he then returned for a third tour as a pilot. He was sadly killed in February 1945 when commanding officer of No.90 Squadron. His final number of ops stood at 86. !!
How many airmen did this, just an example of the thousands of ordinaryairman who have gone unrecognised.
Steve
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No.218 (Gold Coast) Squadron Association Historian
Funny how you have mentioned 'Gold Coast' Squadron. I live on the Gold Coast in Australia. I've always wanted to know how this Squadron was given the name 'Gold Coast'.................................... I look forward to your reply.
Also ..... For this gentleman to acquire 86 ops, especially considering that flying in the early years was a 'no win' situation and then to make it through the 'Battle of Berlin' era to finally lose his life in what you could call, for want of a better word, the somewhat easier times of 1945 ( I hope I don't offend anyone by making this comment) but when you compare this last stage of the war, ie: Bomber Command in full swing, better performed than at any time of the war, Germany on its last legs with lessor defences than previous) would it be fair to say, that a man who had survived through the toughest of times would have his luck run out when the war was nearing its end, when one thought it would be more likely to survive?
