Stories

In 1943 workers at a Welsh aircraft factory gave up their weekend off to build a bomber from scratch in just 24 hours. Why? To bolster spirits at home and demonstrate to the enemy the capacity of Britain to continue to arm Bomber Command.

Despite the efforts of many volunteers to have a Bomber Command Memorial built, the lack of political will to support the concept, meant the project struggled to gain traction. Help appeared from an unlikely source, Robin Gibb, the British singer, songwriter and record producer, famous as a member of the Bee Gees.

The Memorial Garden in the centre of Mepal Village has been a focal point for all those with association with 75 (NZ) Squadron. For those visiting the village and those that attend the annual Remembrance Day service, it is a special place to reflect and give thanks for the sacrifices made.

Bomber Command aircrew operated as a team, each member with a vital role to ensure they reached their target, dropped their payload and safely returned to base. But they were part of a much bigger team, a mix of both air and ground crew responsible for maintaining and servicing aircraft.

In the Ellesmere RSA is a painting by Chris Sheehan, the Shepherd. John Lay tells the remarkable story of the Denton crew, their kiwi skipper fighting to get his crippled Lancaster back to safety and his Scottish wireless operator whose “courage has seldom been equaled and never surpassed".

Shortly after D-Day a 75(NZ) Squadron returning from an operation to Villers-Bocage made an unplanned stopover in Normandy, becoming the first Allied heavy bomber to land (and later take-off) in libertaed western Europe. Chris Newey tells of the remarkable experience of the Williamson crew.