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ADDITIONAL WW2 RECOLLECTIONS by Mr Charles Dear

Date: 15.5.1940 Target: ESSEN

On arrival in the target area we began a low level search for the works we were to bomb. Suddenly a searchlight latched on to us and "Darky" Stanhope in the rear turret opened fire on it. He did not hit the light but must have scared its crew since the light ceased to follow us but remained stationary and pointing straight up. Strangely there was no gunfire aimed at us.

We continued our search without success even at low level it was difficult to find ones way about in the dark. Eventually we stumbled across an autobahn and decided to bomb it. A very accurate low-level run was made down it and bombs released and we could feel the concussion when the bombs exploded.

Shortly afterwards the air turned blue when we flew over a fairly large factory and we had nothing left to throw at it.


Date: 3.8.1940 Target: GELSENKIRCHEN

Unable to find our target we returned to Feltwell with our bombs still on board only to find the airfield fog bound and we were unable land.

I cannot recall if any diversion system was in being at that time, I suspect not. I do remember that we proceeded aimlessly inland with the hope of finding somewhere to land.

On reaching the midlands we found some hilltops poking up through the fog and circled these while considering whether to drop the bombs "safe" and then crash landing alongside. It was while doing so that we stumbled across an airfield which proved to be the training school at Desford. Unfortunately all sorts of obstructions had been placed on it as an anti-invasion measure but we saw that a narrow strip had been left clear alongside a hedge probably unintentionally. It was on this strip that we managed a safe landing much to the amazement of the Station Commander and his staff particularly when they saw the bomb load on board.

In the mean time I had failed to wind in my trailing aerial the lead weights of which must have cracked a few roof tiles during the course of our approach for landing.


Date: 13.4.1943 Target: SPIEZIA

Half an hour out from base en route to Spiezia in Italy it was realised that no response was forthcoming from the mid upper gunner. I went back to investigate and found him unconscious in his turret. Of all places most difficult to evacuate a body it was the mid upper turret of a Lancaster. It is above head height with the gunner sitting on a swing seat which I had to prise from under his bottom and ease him down onto my shoulder. Alone in the dark and at 20000 ft this was not easy and it took me twenty minutes and the use of three emergency oxygen bottles to achieve.

During the process the gunner was sick over me which fortunately froze and gentle patting of my flying suit caused the vomit to cascade to the floor as crystals.

Since we had already lost the use of our navigation set (gee) and not knowing the cause of the gunners sickness the captain decided to abandon the sortie. We therefore blew some holes in the sea and returned to base. It later transpired that the oxygen tube to the mid upper turret had become disconnected, not helpful for the gunner.

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