| Accession Number | P03348.002 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Negative |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | United Kingdom: England, Lincolnshire, Coningsby |
| Date made | May 1945 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Coningsby UK. Group portrait of an aircrew from 97 (Straits Settlement) Squadron RAF, taken after ...
Description
Coningsby UK. Group portrait of an aircrew from 97 (Straits Settlement) Squadron RAF, taken after VE Day. 83 Squadron and 97 Squadron RAF were Pathfinder squadrons stationed in Lincolnshire, United Kingdom as part of 5 Group Bomber Command, which specialised in precision night bombing of targets including oil refineries, rail junctions, canals and shipping. The aircraft, Lancaster bomber ND 746 OF-N, was used during the crew's last raid of the Second World War on the night of 17/18 April 1945. On the left side of the bomber, near the nose, are painted a bell and the words 'Ell's Bells' [Hell's Bells]; the bombs painted to the right indicate that the aircraft had flown approximately 45 missions. Identified left to right: 432896 Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt) John Stein, wireless operator; 413727 Flight Lieutenant Colin Bruce Blackwell, air gunner; 433421 Flt Sgt Alexander Donald Davidson, air gunner; 439361 Flying Officer (FO) Clifford Albert Hagin; 34839 FO George Anzac Mason, navigator; 6255 FO William F Williams, pilot; Sgt A Young (RAF), of Liverpool, United Kingdom.