The Story Of Avro Lancaster JB659 (part 1)

The story of JB659 'J-Johnny', a 97 Squadron Lancaster of the Pathfinder Force, from manufacture to destruction, to the burial of her crews remains in 2001.

This video has been made with the very kind cooperation of Ger Boogmans and Cristel Strebus of the Dutch Branch of The Bomber Command Association, both of whom were instrumental in the recovery of JB659 and the Hart crew. Please take the time to visit their website at : http://www.missing-airmen.info/

Category:

Education

Tags:

• avro
• lancaster
• jb659
• jb
• 659
• johnny
• pathfinder
• path
• finder
• 97
• squadron
• raf
• bomber
• command
• hanglands
• bourn
• world
• war
• WW2

[mrrmancunian]

A very interesting video, I'm curious as to where you got the pieces of the aircraft from which are on the plaque.

[Hanglands]

The recovered parts from JB659 were returned to RAF Wickenby Memorial Museum. They eventually started making and selling the plaques to raise money for the museum. The plaques turn up for sale at aero jumbles, Newark Air Museum had a box load. Nowadays, people are flogging bits of Lanc and just saying that its from '659, just because it has a story attached to it.

[wamballauk]

Walking to shops and got talking to an elderly gentleman. He mentioned he was in the 97 sqdn pathfinders as a gunner. You mention his name in your video-P Walden. Ironic thing about it was is he ran bombing trips in Lancasters in 1943 over Bochum, Essen, Duisberg, Dusseldorf - I used to live in Bochum last year. He seemed to want to share his story, pictures etc with someone which is understandable. Anyway, if you would like to get in contact with him let me know.

[Hanglands]

Thanks for commenting Wamballauk, I hope you watched Part II too.

Interesting who you can meet just by talking to octagenarians isnt it? If he wants to share things I know just the person to put him in touch with... I'll send you a PM.

[holyfreakingcrap]

Hey, just thought i'd leave a message, my Grandad flew 58 flights (i think) with the pathfinders, he was a "tailgun Charlie", wish i had some more information about his time in the war but he seldom talked about it, and when he did it was more about what they got up to between flights. Do you have any information about other people who served and what they did? its just i know relatively little about what he did from the ages of 16-21,

[Hanglands]

Ive sent you a PM mate.

[ozywozyroby]

Woowwwwwwww Great video mate!!!! :) it makes me proud to be british, THUMBS UP!!!! And LIKE

[lawomega1]

thanks for posting exellent

[f1person]

I have a piece of this plane.

[centurion180ad]

Notice that every effort was being made by RAF to hit the military target designated before takeoff, to be marked at night by pathfinders under heavy Nazi resistance.

[AbuAvital]

Must have been a fascinating voyage of discovery for you. Thank you for sharing.

[martynpank]

Very comprehensive! Nice one!

[robbourassaguitarist]

Great plane. I wish we could hear those Packard engines in the video.

[mrrmancunian]

It's always nice to know the story behind a piece of history in your cupboard after all.

I'm more of an aviation fanatic, but I have different objects from WWII that I know very little about.