Great video, my Uncle's picture is in it, he was Les Smith who was a rear and mid upper gunner in Lancaster KC-M also pictured in the video with damage to the tail end, this damage was done while my uncle was in the Lancaster, he bailed out and was caught by the Germans and remained a POW until the end of the war, his pilot Tony Iveson managed to get the lanc back and did not know if he had survived until then. So many great men well boys really when you think the average age was around 21 !!
@agin1415 Hello there old chap my uncle freddy watts piloted avenging cleo with the 617sqaudron. He was decorated for helping to sink the turpits and for destroying the uboat pens he also helped in the destruction of the v2 sites. He also was involved in the food drops over holland. Fred watts dfc and bar.
My Uncle's picture is on this video... he flew on the Tirpitz raids over Norway, he was a rear and mid upper gunner in the greatest of all bombers the mighty Lancaster.
a most wonderful piece of music to start this slide show, brings a tear to my eye everytime i play it. more so than ever at this time of year we must never forget those who have gone brfore us in the fight for freedom. i may never know what it was really like to fly to war but had my time been then i know bomber command would have been my place to offer whatever i could. LEST WE FORGET
Did you know the UK has not officially recognised Bomber Command's services? Nor has there been a Bomber Command medal? Nor a memorial to the aircrews and groundcrews etc? Nothing! 55,000 aircrew - the cream of our Island. Discraceful? Then write to the Government now!
I think this was because of the Dresden raid. I have the utmost respect for Mr Churchill, but in this case, where he enthusiastically supported the op., but then sought to distance himself from it afterward, he was wrong....It was as if Bomber Cmmd. were being punished for becomming TOO good at their job.
Bomber aircrew had the highest mortallity rate of all allied combatants, and deserve recognition for knowingly facing such danger-night after night.
@crocfme not enough people are aware that this raid was at the express orders of Eisenhower to prove his assistance to Stalin. It would seem that afterwards, in the best of British traditions Bomber Harris took the wrap.
@rwarreng Im in australia, And i to knew and am discraced by that, and it was not just the englishmen, no bomber command crews from anywhere in the commonwealth where recognised, and i was under the understanding it was actualy 255000 lives lost in bomber command alone
@rwarreng I totally agree, my dad was part of bomber command during the war(148 Squadron) I think it's bloody disgraceful that the efforts of all these brave guys have been ignored by the british government for so long and it is high time that some sort of formal recognition should be acknowledged.
I've just watched an air display over Derwent reservoir commemorating this operation. The Lancaster was flown quite beautifully, which together with the Spitfire, Hurricane & Dakota planes made for a very moving occasion for me. It reminded me really what a debt we all still owe these airmen, and sadly also how few people bother to remember. I was born post WW2 but grew up with a lot of the remnants of this war. RIP you brave men.
I lost my beloved father, Freddie Watts DFC, last summer. He was a pilot on 617 squadron and appears on one of the crew photos on this video. He was a warm and funny man and an excellent raconteur, he was also modest about what he had done and couldn't understand why anyone would be interested! I miss him so much. God Bless and RIP to all those brave young men.
are you rosemary if so iam your cousin chris . my dad is ron hill your mothers brother.i was raised on storys about fred watts dipping his wings over tibshelf in a hurrican
if you ask a pilot of today to do what they did he would prob tell you where to go,this was real flying ,no fly by wire on board computers , no laser guided missisles,no satalites just nerves of steal and the balls to go with it,how little the youth of today does not appreciate these men.if it was not for people like thses men we would all be speaking german.may you reat in peace and your memory live on,god bless you all and what you done for england ,we will never forget you
i thank each and every one of you who fought the good fight,whether returned safely or still out on ops..the greatest disservice was occasioned against you by us not recognising your valiant efforts with a campaign medal
and its just unimaginable that an ungrateful country could allow such a disgrace to occur,i hang my head in shame after what you went through and achieved....i thank you sincerely,from someone reaping the rewards of your sacrifice...
I was with the 617 RCAC squadron in lewisporte NL, a air cadet squadron which has been named after the RAF 617 Dambuster squadron. being a pilot myself not i find great admiration in what these young men did. what most do not know, these few men flew a mere 60 feet over the flak cannons protecting the mohne, eder, and sorpe dams carrying 10000 lbs bombs. The tremendous nerves of steel and courage displayed by these men should be admired by all. RIP men we will remember you.
visiting the memorial of 617 at lossiemouth , i felt quite emotional when given a brief run down on the sqn, i also visited BBMF in lincolnshire, im currently an NCO in the ATC and was given the chance to do work experience with BBMF, the best experience was that i sat in the cockpit of the phantom of the ruhr lancaster, it is a memory i will keep forever, sitting in such a great machine that once took to the skies to provide our freedom,
Stirring stuff...thanks for keeping their memories alive. Hopefully this film will inspire the next generation to ask questions and to learn what it was all about.
Great video, my Uncle's picture is in it, he was Les Smith who was a rear and mid upper gunner in Lancaster KC-M also pictured in the video with damage to the tail end, this damage was done while my uncle was in the Lancaster, he bailed out and was caught by the Germans and remained a POW until the end of the war, his pilot Tony Iveson managed to get the lanc back and did not know if he had survived until then. So many great men well boys really when you think the average age was around 21 !!
spikeandjackwesties 3 months ago
In memory to Nicky Ross DSO DFC a very fine man
Wudong20 10 months ago
617 SQUADRON. never forgotten, ALWAYS REMEMBERED WITH PRIDE
retrorocker44 1 year ago
Thank-you for such a memorable video of such fine and courageous men who for our freedom did the ultimate sacrifice.
Also we have to thank all the men and women who did their services for the war effort.
Not forgetting our soldiers at present who also are fighting for peoples freedom throughout the world.
Could you please let me know who plays the music to the start of this video ? It is so melancholic.
Great video that was good to see
agin1415 1 year ago
@agin1415 Hello there old chap my uncle freddy watts piloted avenging cleo with the 617sqaudron. He was decorated for helping to sink the turpits and for destroying the uboat pens he also helped in the destruction of the v2 sites. He also was involved in the food drops over holland. Fred watts dfc and bar.
spitfire47able 1 year ago
god bless those brave men and one in particular ginger Stevens who died last year . All of those brave men will never be forgotten .
vinylorcd 1 year ago
Shame it wasnt more than just the usual images pinched out of books
airman617 1 year ago
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G1ZQCArtwork 1 year ago
I volunteer at RAF Woodhall Spa Heritage Museum. (Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre)
I would like a copy of some of these pictures for our archives please.
These men served there.
David.
Is it possible to add contact details to this post?
G1ZQCArtwork 1 year ago
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G1ZQCArtwork 1 year ago
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G1ZQCArtwork 1 year ago
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G1ZQCArtwork 1 year ago
My Uncle's picture is on this video... he flew on the Tirpitz raids over Norway, he was a rear and mid upper gunner in the greatest of all bombers the mighty Lancaster.
spikeandjackwesties 1 year ago 2
a most wonderful piece of music to start this slide show, brings a tear to my eye everytime i play it. more so than ever at this time of year we must never forget those who have gone brfore us in the fight for freedom. i may never know what it was really like to fly to war but had my time been then i know bomber command would have been my place to offer whatever i could. LEST WE FORGET
corkybass 2 years ago
fantastic vid great music. i lost my grandfather during ww2 serving in lancaster bombers as a bomb aimer. he was shot down in 1945.
JIMLAD51 2 years ago 2
Great vid, well done. The music is perfect.
tmolet 2 years ago
Did you know the UK has not officially recognised Bomber Command's services? Nor has there been a Bomber Command medal? Nor a memorial to the aircrews and groundcrews etc? Nothing! 55,000 aircrew - the cream of our Island. Discraceful? Then write to the Government now!
rwarreng 3 years ago 5
I think this was because of the Dresden raid. I have the utmost respect for Mr Churchill, but in this case, where he enthusiastically supported the op., but then sought to distance himself from it afterward, he was wrong....It was as if Bomber Cmmd. were being punished for becomming TOO good at their job.
Bomber aircrew had the highest mortallity rate of all allied combatants, and deserve recognition for knowingly facing such danger-night after night.
I wish you well in this endeavor.
crocfme 2 years ago 2
@crocfme not enough people are aware that this raid was at the express orders of Eisenhower to prove his assistance to Stalin. It would seem that afterwards, in the best of British traditions Bomber Harris took the wrap.
globaleye8 2 years ago
@rwarreng .....completly agree with you.
Aussiephil99 1 year ago
@rwarreng Im in australia, And i to knew and am discraced by that, and it was not just the englishmen, no bomber command crews from anywhere in the commonwealth where recognised, and i was under the understanding it was actualy 255000 lives lost in bomber command alone
ausadvanceelectrical 1 year ago
@rwarreng I totally agree, my dad was part of bomber command during the war(148 Squadron) I think it's bloody disgraceful that the efforts of all these brave guys have been ignored by the british government for so long and it is high time that some sort of formal recognition should be acknowledged.
MrJohn148 2 months ago
god bless all the men and women who gave there life for us all 65 years on lest we never forget
jonboyforever 3 years ago 5
well said jonboy
darkmossie633 2 years ago
I've just watched an air display over Derwent reservoir commemorating this operation. The Lancaster was flown quite beautifully, which together with the Spitfire, Hurricane & Dakota planes made for a very moving occasion for me. It reminded me really what a debt we all still owe these airmen, and sadly also how few people bother to remember. I was born post WW2 but grew up with a lot of the remnants of this war. RIP you brave men.
davetowers1 3 years ago 3
Please look at the No 10 Downing Street site for my petitiom "Forgotten RAF" and sign if you agree. Many thanks
rosebarry 3 years ago 2
Please look at the No 10 Downing Street sitefor my petitiom "Forgotten RAF" and sign if you agree. Many thanks
rosebarry 3 years ago 2
Thank you. Its a truly lovely piece.
sixfootbear 4 years ago
The first music is superb.What is it please.
sixfootbear 4 years ago
Hi, glad you like it I think its called "up on the hill" by the blues and royals band.
lozreg 4 years ago
Tom J McClean DFC DFM passed away ten days ago one of Bomber Commands greats RIP
Wudong20 7 months ago
I lost my beloved father, Freddie Watts DFC, last summer. He was a pilot on 617 squadron and appears on one of the crew photos on this video. He was a warm and funny man and an excellent raconteur, he was also modest about what he had done and couldn't understand why anyone would be interested! I miss him so much. God Bless and RIP to all those brave young men.
rosebarry 4 years ago 2
are you rosemary if so iam your cousin chris . my dad is ron hill your mothers brother.i was raised on storys about fred watts dipping his wings over tibshelf in a hurrican
gillhill92 3 years ago
if you ask a pilot of today to do what they did he would prob tell you where to go,this was real flying ,no fly by wire on board computers , no laser guided missisles,no satalites just nerves of steal and the balls to go with it,how little the youth of today does not appreciate these men.if it was not for people like thses men we would all be speaking german.may you reat in peace and your memory live on,god bless you all and what you done for england ,we will never forget you
t31000 4 years ago 2
GC Cheshire was the best!!!
thedreamdealer 4 years ago
to our unsung heroes of bomber command,
i thank each and every one of you who fought the good fight,whether returned safely or still out on ops..the greatest disservice was occasioned against you by us not recognising your valiant efforts with a campaign medal
and its just unimaginable that an ungrateful country could allow such a disgrace to occur,i hang my head in shame after what you went through and achieved....i thank you sincerely,from someone reaping the rewards of your sacrifice...
verydirtyharry 4 years ago
I was with the 617 RCAC squadron in lewisporte NL, a air cadet squadron which has been named after the RAF 617 Dambuster squadron. being a pilot myself not i find great admiration in what these young men did. what most do not know, these few men flew a mere 60 feet over the flak cannons protecting the mohne, eder, and sorpe dams carrying 10000 lbs bombs. The tremendous nerves of steel and courage displayed by these men should be admired by all. RIP men we will remember you.
djsnowman06 4 years ago
wow what can u say
c130mover 4 years ago
visiting the memorial of 617 at lossiemouth , i felt quite emotional when given a brief run down on the sqn, i also visited BBMF in lincolnshire, im currently an NCO in the ATC and was given the chance to do work experience with BBMF, the best experience was that i sat in the cockpit of the phantom of the ruhr lancaster, it is a memory i will keep forever, sitting in such a great machine that once took to the skies to provide our freedom,
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM!!!!!
RIP Lads
terroriser 4 years ago
my grandad was a engineer on these planes, saw many crews leave and never come back......rip
dubzisgod 4 years ago
My 1st AOC was AVM Sir Harold (Mick)Martin, 2ATAF. A true gentleman in every sense of the word.
Richydoes 4 years ago
Stirring stuff...thanks for keeping their memories alive. Hopefully this film will inspire the next generation to ask questions and to learn what it was all about.
terryrble 4 years ago
My great uncle was shot down in a Lancaster over Hamburg, I now carry his name, may they all rest in peace
Robulas 5 years ago
Thanks this video is excellent these boys did an amazing thing they should always be remembered
speedair40 5 years ago
thanks tom,
daddygab 5 years ago