Take time out and listen, WW2 RAF

enfield

Take time out and have a listen. American reporter on a British bomber over Humburg
Enjoy.
http://www.supload.com/listen?s=C331LZ

Wicklowrider

Thanks for that, My Uncle was shot down in a Lancaster over Onsabruk. I always wonder about the navigator on those raids. Imagine sitting at a bench and plotting away while all hell goes on about you. Imagine finding your way home after being shot off course or the pilot holding course with "two burning , two turning.." I often wonder about the cold etc.

Fratton Fred

Wicklowrider wrote: »

Thanks for that, My Uncle was shot down in a Lancaster over Onsabruk. I always wonder about the navigator on those raids. Imagine sitting at a bench and plotting away while all hell goes on about you. Imagine finding your way home after being shot off course or the pilot holding course with "two burning , two turning.." I often wonder about the cold etc.

My mothers uncle was a Halifax navigator, he us buried at Hotton cemetery in Luxembourg.

I met a US airman who was a gunner on B17 during wwii. He told several tales of the cold, including taking a dump in a metal helmet and getting it frozen to his arse.

The most memorable one though, was that for the first 5 missions they were petrified, always following procedures and determined not to put a foot wrong. After that, they were so convinced they were going to die they lived every day like their last. This often meant carrying out bombing raids still pissed from the night before.

When they reached about 20 missions though, the thought that they may miraculously live started to creep in and the terror of the early days came back.

That is a great recording and brings home what it must have been like.

Panda General

Cheers for that, it was interesting and good:)