Underground London - The 1940s Society

The 1940s Society
For Everyone Interested in Wartime Britain
Issue 60
March / April 2010
£2.50
DANGER UXB
Bomb Disposal
by Jon Mills
SECRET
Underground
London
The Goudhurst
Liberator
Churchill’s
Secret Army
PLUS
Events, reviews
and much more!
The 1940’s Society, 90 Lennard Road, Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2UX
Tel: 01732 452505 Web: www.1940.co.uk Email: magazine@1940.co.uk
RE Bomb Disposal in West London - 17 September 1940
1
Welcome to the March/April Issue
A special welcome to any new members that have joined for 2010
its great to have you with us and I hope you enjoy each issue, get
a chance to visit the website or even come along to one of the
meetings in Sevenoaks. A visit to Sevenoaks isn’t possible for
many I know. We have a very wide membership with members all
over the country and a growing number abroad. Its wonderful that
there is such a growing interest in the 1940s and your support of
the society and the magazine is very much appreciated.
The growing interest in the 1940s can be seen particularly in the
huge number of events that seem to be taking place this year.
Hardly a weekend goes by without a dance, museum event,
railway event, or other 1940s activity taking place. Unfortunately,
many taking place on the same day giving us all the difficulty of
deciding on where to visit when you really would like to attend
them all!
I do hope that with all of these activities taking place, attendees
don’t just treat them as some kind of fancy dress party but take
the time to think of the events, sacrifices and tragedies that took
place in the war years. I’m not suggesting that we should dwell
on the more unpleasant sides of the 1940s but its human nature
to try and put aside the sorrows and heartaches and look back
with rose tinted spectacles. Lets remember those whose lives
were cut short or who suffered great family losses and take the
time to look more closely at the history and activities of those
people and organisations that helped bring the war to a close.
Many thanks to those that have sent items for the magazine (your
T-shirts will be in the post) and please do keep contributing,
weather it be a book review, museum review, or personal
account.
Many thanks once again for your continued support of the society
Ian
If you have any comments, articles or information of interest we would be pleased to consider it for future use. Please contact us at: The
1940’s Society, 90, Lennard Road, Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 2UX or email us at: magazine@1940.co.uk .
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part and in any form whatsoever, is strictly prohibited without the prior permission of the editor.
Whilst every care is taken with material submitted to ‘The 1940s Society”, no responsibility can be accepted for loss or damage. Opinions
expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor or the 1940s Society.
Whilst every effort has been made to contact all copyright holders, the sources of some pictures that may be used are obscure. The
publishers will be glad to make good in future editions any error or omissions brought to their attention. The publication of any quotes or
illustrations on which clearance has not been given is unintentional.
Designed and produced by Ian Bayley. . 2
© Ian Bayley 2010
The 1940s Society
For Everyone Interested in Wartime Britain
Regular meetings at Otford Memorial Hall near Sevenoaks
Friday 26th March 2010 - 8pm
SECRET
Underground London
Presented by Amanda Pickard
London is rumoured to have a labyrinth
of tunnels, factories, headquarters
and secret passageways beneath its
pavements. Much of it dating from the
Second World War.
Amanda Pickard will
be telling and showing
us some of the stories
behind these secret
constructions (at least the
ones she’s allowed to) in a presentation
that is normally only given at the
Imperial War Museums Cabinet War
Rooms.
Amanda, also known as ‘Edna’ from Home front friends is a
museum curator and freelance speaker who has worked for the
Imperial War Museum, The National Trust and many other
organisations around the UK. Specialising in Britains Home
Front during the Second World War this is sure to be a
fascinating evening.
Friendly meetings learning more about life in the 1940’s.
Meetings start at 8pm at Otford Memorial Hall, Nr. Sevenoaks.
Admission £3. Further details from Ian on 01732 452505 or
visit the Web Site at: www.1940.co.uk
3
Subterranean Secrets of Wartime London
Amanda Pickard or as perhaps many of us
know her ‘Edna’ from Homefront friends
will be speaking to us at our March meeting
which sees a talk that is normally given by
the Cabinet War rooms, being given special
permission to have its first public outing
outside of the museum.
‘Edna’ will be talking on
Subterranean London and the
secrets it still holds beneath the
pavements. We will also take
a peak at the level beneath the
Cabinet War rooms known as
‘The Dock’, sadly now used as a
service area and so is not open to
the public and view some archive
pictures of the Cabinet War
Rooms before and after they were
opened to the public.
In 1942 it was assumed that the
next war would begin with aerial
bombardment and that London
would be hit first and continuously
to make it uninhabitable.
Whitehall was considered to be
the first target as the heart of
government. Trafalgar Square,
St. Paul’s and Tower Bridge all
expected to be hit hard. The RAF
was the newest branch of the
armed forces and they anticipated
24hour bombing, with 2000 killed/
injured everyday. So plans had to
be drawn up.
FUSILIERS ASSOCIATION
LONDON
CORPS
OF DRUMS
The Corps is looking to recruit
musicians to join our ranks. We play
because we love music and have
been taken on under the wing of
RRF HQ HM TOWER LONDON, who
supply our kit. Many of our members
come from civilian and military
background and mix well.
The Corps is also available for hire.
Contact us for further details:
Fusiliers House, 213 Balham High
Road, LondonSW17 7BQ
Administrator: Mr C Ashton
Tel: 07903 497 393
Books, Music, Posters, Clothing,
Accessories, and Much More
www.1940.co.uk
The Cabinet War Rooms map room.
4
5
The Warren Fisher committee
was set up to investigate
and develop a plan. The first
meeting was held in 1936, and
in 1937 it recommended that the
Government should move out of
London to ensure their safety.
In 1937 the Deputy Chiefs of Staff
decided that a nerve centre was
needed where all the Chiefs of
Staff and the war planners could
meet safely. It should
include a map room for daily use
and the facility to send out orders.
A new war room was planned,
but would take four years to build.
As such, a temporary site was
needed.
The ‘New Public Offices’ were the
newest and most well built building
in central London with a large
basement and so a temporary war
room was set up. Not all staff were
as well provided for as the Prime
Minister and his wife, some Junior
staff had to ‘hot bunk’ down in the
‘Dock’ and share with the Rats
and the damp!
6
Dollis Hill, code name the ‘Paddock’.
HQ national railway executive committee.
Dollis Hill code name – the
‘Paddock’, was built to a similar
plan as the Cabinet War Rooms
(CWR), but it was 40ft underground
whereas the CWR are only 10ft.
Dollis Hill also had a concrete apron
over the top. It was constructed
in secret, the soil being removed
in bakers’ delivery vans. It had
a hidden entrance and had 30
rooms. It was generally disliked,
and Churchill, who visited it once,
rejected it as it was a 25-minute
drive from Westminster, although
the accommodation was
generally better.
As bombs grew larger, it was
realised that CWR could not
withstand a 1000lb bomb. Two
‘rotundas’ were built on a piece
of waste ground, each five
storeys (two under ground,
one intermediate and two
above) Despite being rejected
by Churchill, they were used
throughout the Cold War up until
the 1970s.
However much more was made
of the underground stations.
Already by 1929, most trains were
non-stopping at Brompton Road,
so the War Office rented it and it
was used by the 1st anti aircraft
division for their HQ. Interestingly
there is no street access to
this station today. Down Street
(Piccadilly Line)became the HQ
of the National Railway Executive
Committee. Again at Down
Street a munitions factory was
established under the houses of
Parliament. Aldwych was the only
station in central London where
the power could be switched off,
as it was a dead-end. Thus people
slept on the track as well.
This is just a short introduction to
the Society meeting on 26 March.
Do come along if you can to what
is sure to be a fascinating and little
discussed area of interest.
7
Members Letters
Dear Ian
Just a note to say how much I enjoy the 1940s magazine. Am sending
my renewal fee separately by post. I found the Jennings piece
particularly informative, and I enjoyed the piece on the Black Out. In
which latter connection, readers may be interested to know that you
could be fined up to a staggering £100 for a domestic chimney fire. You
were to blame for not keeping the chimney properly swept. £100 ! One
could build a new chimney stack for less.
There were numerous deaths and injuries due to the Black Out besides
those on the roads. Local examples from south east London included
a man who fell into Surrey Docks and drowned, a man killed when he
fell into an open trench shelter, a 19 year old youth electrocuted on live
line at Bromley South station after stepping off wrong side of the train,
a man died after alighting from the wrong side of the train at Shortlands
station and falling 20 feet into the street...Just a few among many
numerous cases. All before a single air raid casualty occurred.
Well might a contemporary account remark, In the first three months of
the war, civilians killed on the roads: 3,000; civilians killed in air raids:
one Scotch rabbit. The rabbit was killed in the Shetlands in November
1939 during an attack on naval vessels at Sullom Voe. The song Run,
Rabbit, Run was widely and incorrectly attributed to this well-publicised
event.
Regards,
Gordon Dennington
1940s Society Members Classifieds
Whether your looking for something or trying to make space, here is the
opportunity to advertise to your fellow members.
No members advertisements have been received for this issue but do contact
me if you have something for the next magazine.
Classified adverts will be included subject to space and are free of charge to members
placing private advertisements. Please email or post your advertisements for the
next issue by 30th April 2010 and include clear contact details in case of queries. No
responsibility will be accepted for advertisements placed or errors in copy.
8
Churchill’s Secret Army
James Plunket discovers a Home Guard
Auxiliary Unit hide in Kent.
Many individuals and collections
of service personnel have been
proclaimed as the unsung heroes
of the Second World War. Surely
none are more deserving of this
title than the men and women of
the British Resistance Movement.
Until fairly recently only those
involved have known of their
existence.
Set up on the instructions of
Winston Churchill they numbered
some 3500 and were chosen, in
the main, for their detailed local
knowledge. Formed into what
were known as Auxiliary Units,
they were given training in “silent
killing” and sabotage, and taught
in detail how to use explosives
and special weapons. Uniform
was very similar to that of the
Home Guard, and indeed many
of them played a part in their
local Home Guard Units. In the
event of a German invasion of
Britain they would have taken to
underground operational bases
(OBs), to emerge after the enemy
had passed by. They would then
have created as much havoc
and destruction to the enemy’s
supply lines and personnel as
possible. In addition, they would
have fed detailed information
on the logistics of the German
war machine back to the British
Command.
Churchill soon realised that the
Auxiliary Units were composed
of people of exceptional courage
who would be vital if a German
invasion was to be defeated. He
made a quite exceptional and
9
extraordinary agreement with
the American Government to
supply special weapons, arms,
explosives and radio equipment
to the Auxiliary Units. We have
all heard how poorly armed the
Home Guard Units were. This
certainly did not apply to the
members of the Auxiliary Units
who in many instances were better
equipped than the regular army.
All members of the Units had to
sign the Official Secrets Act, and
although this now no longer binds
them, many Unit members are still
loath to divulge the details of their
service. World War II historians
are now racing against time
trying to track down these special
soldiers before their adventures
and stories are lost forever.
My interest in the Auxiliary Units
started some years ago when I
discovered entirely by accident
one of their secret structures, an
operational base (radio hide).
I work for English Nature, and
while carrying out conservation
work in Ham Street Woods (A
National Nature Reserve located
near Romney Marsh in Kent) I
came across this large concrete
slab. With the help of a colleague,
I managed to lift the slab, to
discover underneath a concretelined hole, which was full of water
and debris. The slab I later found
had been placed over the hole
after the war ended. Pumping
out the water and removing the
debris revealed that the hole was
five feet in diameter and eight
feet deep. Diagram 1 shows the
hole (A) in cross-section. The
floor of the hole was of earth (B).
In the hole was found the original
entrance hatch (C). This was
made of wooden planks with an
old hazel coppice stool nailed to
10
archaeologists trowel (a builders
pointing trowel) to reveal the
pipes and cables. The layout of
the cables is shown in Diagram
2. One of the cables was coaxial
in nature and went to a chestnut
coppice stool. Judging by the size
Hatchway disguised with a coppice stool
it, presumably to camouflage it
when it was in the closed position
over the entrance. The hole
was equipped, as shown, with a
rung ladder (D) and three glazed
earthenware pipes (E). The latter
provided ventilation, and ducting
for various cables which were still
in position. The bottom of the hole
was fitted with duckboards (G) on
which stood a table and seat (F),
all neatly fitted to the curvature of
the hole. A hook was fixed to the
wall above the table, possibly for
a clock. Several names had been
written on the wall, E C Bacon, P
Myers, Newton Weedon, D Atkins,
B Oates and Clay, and the date
affixed was 1941. It is not known
if these names were those of the
Auxiliary Unit members or of the
people who constructed the hide.
Several weeks after my initial
discovery, I returned to the site
in order to trace the route of
the cables. This required the
painstaking removal of the earth
outside of the hide, using an
Hatchway with lock, bolt & hinges
and approximate age of this stool
it is conceivable that this was a
full-grown chestnut tree in the
1940s. This coaxial type of cable
is of the type used to connect an
aerial to a radio set. It is probable
that this was a vital part of the
communications system of the
operational base and that the
aerial ran up a chestnut tree.
A second cable, this time of a
heavy-duty two-core type travelled
only a short distance to a small
square, brick lined hole. This
without doubt contained a battery.
The most likely type of battery
for powering the radio would be
a lead acid accumulator. Since
these were notorious for giving
off hydrogen and acid fumes, it
is not surprising it was housed
some way from the hide itself. The
third cable (light two-core type
similar to that used for telephones)
disappeared off into the distance,
and it took over a month of careful
digging, weaving around tree
stumps and crossing a footpath to
determine its eventual destination.
It led to another underground
structure, this time buried
underneath a silver birch tree.
This second structure consisted
of another concrete lined hole,
again fitted with a trap door. The
hole had been filled with bricks
and other assorted rubble. After
careful removal of the rubble a
gravel layer was reached. What
lies below this gravel layer is still
under investigation. Auxiliary
Units are known to have occupied
very large underground facilities
in some parts of the country. It is
exciting to speculate that we may
have found one of these bigger
bases. I hope to relate the story of
that in the near future.
Inside the hide. Half of the platform has collapsed
11
DANGER UXB
With the problems of dealing with bombs in Afghanistan
receiving much news coverage, Jon Mills looks at
Britain’s early efforts to deal with the unexploded bomb
of the Second World War.
The first bombs
dropped from flying
machines fell from
Italian aircraft flying
over Turks and Arabs
in North Africa in 1911, a
mere eight years after the
invention of the first practical
aeroplane. The first bombs to
fall on England were dropped on
the south coast in 1914 followed
two years later by the first bombs
on London. During the 1930s as
Britain’s new Air Raid Precautions
services developed, experts
asked who was to deal with any
bombs dropped that did not go off.
German bombers carried a variety
of bombs from 1kg incendiaries in
containers to the 2500kg - known
to the British as the Max - most
being of 50 kg, 250 kg, or 500 kg.
Each bomb contained an electrical
fuse, which set off the larger
amounts of explosives within but
which was not armed until the
bomb left the aircraft.
BD Sections) to undertake this
task were stationed around the
country. No mention was made
of preventing damage from the
explosion by removing the fuses
from the missiles, thus rendering
them comparatively safe to be
picked up and carried away.
By summer of 1940 the embryo
RE BD Sections – an officer
and fifteen soldiers, with picks,
shovels, ropes, block and tackle,
sandbags and explosives - stood
ready to speed to an incident, the
red painted mudguards of their
After much discussion the job
of disposing of unexploded
bombs or UXBs was given to the
army’s Royal Engineers (RE) on
the assumption that most were
likely to be found on the surface
where they fell and could be
surrounded with sand bags and
blown up, sandbagging and the
use of explosives for demolition
work being established RE tasks.
At the beginning of the war RE
Bomb Disposal (BD) Parties (later
12
13
lorry making them more visible.
The officers were volunteers
from existing RE units and not
all were young men - two being
over fifty when they started
their new duties. Of the first 16
section commanders, five were
subsequently awarded the George
Cross and three the George Medal
for gallantry. With 3,759 UXBs
awaiting disposal by September
1940, the number of sections was
doubled by converting existing RE
units. Not all the men involved in
bomb disposal were volunteers!
Air raid wardens were trained
to identify the distinctive entry
hole made by a bomb. They
reported their find to the ARP
control who summoned the BDS
whilst the police cordoned off
and evacuated the danger area
around the bomb. Having been
notified of the bomb by the local
authority the BD officer would take
his section to deal with it. Bombs
were categorised to regulate the
urgency of their disposal, the
most serious which disrupted vital
war work, were put into Category
A and were to be disposed of
immediately, the loss of life of the
BD personnel being an acceptable
risk. All other bombs were to be
left for four days after they had
fallen to allow a possible long
delay fuse to set it off.
Bombs did not always behave
rationally. Whilst a 50kg bomb
dropped from 15,000 feet would
penetrate the ground, its depth
depending on the nature of the
soil, if dropped from a shallow
angle they might hit harder ground
and come out again, causing two
holes and reports of two UXBs.
Those dropped on hard ground
might bounce or break up and
if they hit anything underground
could travel in unpredictable
directions. One bomb hit a
concrete telephone junction box
under ground, bounced back up
to roof height and exploded in
mid-air.
much explosive it contained, the
bomb was safe.
An
enterprising
RAF officer
discovered
that a solution
of sugar
injected into
the
mechanism
goo-ed things
up very nicely.
The method for dealing with a
fuse depended on its type which
was marked on the fuse head for
the convenience of the Luftwaffe
armourer who fitted it to the bomb.
Correct identification was essential
as the fuses were constantly
developed by the Germans to
counter the measures put in place
to ensure their safe removal. All
German fuses were electrical
and early types could simply be
earthed. Later types were fitted
with a clockwork mechanism
but booby-trapped to stop them
being removed from the bomb.
Attempts to establish if the clock
was ticking first used a medical
stethoscope but were superseded
by an electronic version with
magnets to hold it on the bomb’s
surface, on which the operator
could be up to 160 feet from the
bomb. If it had stopped of course
the difficulty was to know how long
had it had been running before it
had stopped - or whether in fact
it had started at all. This problem
was overcome by clamping a very
powerful electro-magnet to the
outside of the bomb to stop the
clock which, although it stopped
the clock, did not render the
fuse inoperative. An enterprising
RAF officer discovered that a
solution of sugar injected into the
mechanism goo-ed things up very
nicely.
A later fuse, the number 50 - was
a booby trap, first encountered
in September 1940. The time
taken to arm it by electricity was
increased from the usual seconds
to minutes so that it only became
live once it had buried itself in
the ground. Its mechanism was
so sensitive that any movement
once running could set it off,
Digging down to the bomb
became dangerous and nearby
movement was heavily restricted,
as the rumble of a passing train
Once located a shaft was dug
down to a bomb with picks and
shovels, work which could take
several days. The shaft, six feet
by eight feet, was lined to stop
its collapse. A 50 kg bomb was
usually found about ten feet down
although one 1,800 kg bomb was
found at 66 feet - a hole four times
the height of a double decker bus.
Once uncovered the first job was
to locate and identify the fuse
situated in the side of the bomb
casing a job which often involved
moving the bomb. Remove the
fuse and, irrespective of how
14
15
or lorry was enough to set it off.
To immunise it boffins on the BD
Research Committee discovered
that injecting steam into the
bomb allowed the safe discharge
of the electricity. The device for
doing this was known as a BD
Discharger and no self-respecting
BD officer left home without one.
Even with all this technology it
was possible that the bomb, whilst
comparatively inert, was still
dangerous. The only remaining
solution was to remove the bomb’s
TNT filling, a practice known as
sterilising. Done with steam this
initially messy and dangerous
job was later improved by an
automatic cutting device known as
a trepanner. Once safe the bomb
had to be removed from the hole
for which the section used shear
legs or gin, a tripod of poles set up
above the hole with a block and
tackle suspended. In most cases
sheer brute force by all members
of the section hoisted the bomb
to the surface. Larger missiles
like the 1,800 kg Satan required
cranes which were borrowed by
local authorities complete with
operators, from local builders.
Once removed bombs were
loaded onto the section’s lorry and
taken to a local ‘bomb cemetery’
where they were either emptied of
their contents and the cases cut
up for scrap or blown up safely.
In many cases the streets were
closed first and the route cleared
in advance by the police. The
three largest London cemeteries
were at Richmond Park, Wanstead
Flats and White City. One drink
manufacturer placed a cartoon
in the newspapers showing two
BD men strolling into a pub under
the caption, “Just time for a
16
quick drink, I think.” Prominently
parked outside is a lorry with a
very large bomb on the back. The
memoirs of one BD officer record
that such an incident happened although the bomb was inert, most
customers probably would not
have known that.
Anyone interested in the work of
the Bomb disposal squads should
get hold of a DVD of the series
Danger UXB which was shown on
television in the 1970s which is an
accurate portrayal of their work.
Jon Mills has written a number of
books on Britains Home Front and
the collecting of Home Front
material, some of which are
available from the 1940s society
website. His books include: ‘Utility
Furniture’, ‘The WVS’, ‘Identity
Cards, permits & Passes’, plus
many others.
He is also a regular writer for a
number of military history and
family history magazines including
“The Armourer” where he writes a
regular column on the Home Front.
17
The Goudhurst Liberator
Graham Holmes
Taking a stroll along Ranters Lane in Goudhurst it is very hard
to imagine that just over 65 years ago the peace and tranquillity
of this area was broken in the late afternoon by the sound of an
aircraft in trouble, followed by the unpleasant sound of impact
with the ground.
Going to Headcorn Aerodrome?
Be Sure to visit
Lashenden Air Warefare Museum
Open Sundays & Bank Holidays - Admission Free
For details visit :
www.lashendenairwarfaremuseum.co.uk
For a while silence descended
and gradually the site became
alive with people who were
there officially as well as
those unofficially, who simply
wanted to help. What they
found by Trillinghurst Farm
was the shattered remains of a
Consolidated Liberator bomber,
or B24 as it was known, strewn
across the lane and into the
adjacent fields, having taken with
it the uppermost branches of an
oak tree. Of the ten man crew,
four died and six were badly hurt
but what had brought this aircraft
to Goudhurst and what were the
circumstances of its demise ?
Historical research reveals that
this Liberator, serial number
42-52218, had been attached
to the 733rd Bomb Squadron,
453rd Bomb Group based at Old
Buckenham airfield, two miles
south east of Attleborough in
Norfolk. The 453rd was itself, part
of the huge 8th American Army
Air Force that had first appeared
in this country in 1942 with the
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A B24 Liberator somewhere in Britain, being loaded for a mission
18
19
At the
briefing,
crews were
told to
expect near
perfect
conditions
over the
target area,
ideal for
visual
daylight
bombing.
How wrong
this was to
be.
sole aim of prosecuting an air war
against Germany, the like of which
had never before been seen. Its
speciality was to be precision
daylight bombing against strategic
targets associated with the enemy
war effort and it suffered massive
losses of men and machines in
carrying it out. Scores of airfields
were constructed in the flat
requisitioned farmland of East
Anglia and the East Midlands by
vast gangs of construction workers
in a very short period of time. Old
Buckenham was one such airfield
which opened in late 1943 and
became home to the Liberator
crews of the 732nd, 733rd, 734th
and 735th Bomb Squadrons. The
first recorded combat mission for
the 453th was in February 1944.
Among the more notable residents
of the base were the Hollywood
actors James Stewart and Walter
Matthau. Stewart served as
Operations Officer and Matthau
was a radio cryptographer.
The B24 was said by pilots to
be a very difficult aeroplane to
fly, requiring great strength and
concentration. At heights in excess
of 20,000 feet temperatures got as
low as 40 degrees below zero and
bare skin would freeze if contact
was made with metal parts, such
as guns. Unwieldy, heated flying
suits were provided against the
cold, which got worse when the
bomb bay doors were open. It
had four Pratt and Whitney Twin
Wasp radial engines capable
of a cruising speed of 200mph.
Its punch was contained in ten
machine guns and a bomb
payload of 8,800 lbs. Little was
done to make life comfortable for
crews who often had to endure
missions lasting anything up to
eight hours at a time.
Mission No.20 of the 453rd was
to take it to Friedrichshaven on
the banks of Lake Constance,
quite close to the Swiss border.
Take off from Old Buckenham was
scheduled for the early morning
of Saturday the 18th March 1944.
This was to intended to be a long
deep penetration raid against
targets which included an aircraft
factory. At the briefing, crews
were told to expect near perfect
conditions over the target area,
ideal for visual daylight bombing.
How wrong this was to be.
Accompanying the 453rd on this
mission would be the B24’s of the
392nd Bomb Group who were to
suffer the more serious losses.
Rolling down the runway, the
pilot of 42-52218, 2nd Lt.Stanley
D.Kelly, eventually got his aircraft
airborne. An extremely hazardous
business when fully laden with fuel
and bombs. The navigator, 2nd
Lt.Homer D.Dallacque, proceeded
to give Kelly the initial course
to the target as the numerous
aircraft began to form up for the
long journey. Tight formation
was expected from the crews,
although achieving this could
be as hazardous as taking off,
since mid air collisions were a
constant threat. As the attacking
force neared the target, it quickly
became obvious that the Germans
were expecting them, for a very
effective smoke screen had been
laid across the area by barges
moored on the lake. So much
for ideal bombing conditions. To
add to their discomfort, the crews
also came under very accurate
and intense anti aircraft fire from
ground batteries protecting the
target. It was about this time that
42-52218 received hits which
badly damaged the aircraft
although not serious enough for
the crew to bail out. Kelly pressed
If this were not enough, the
Luftwaffe put up large numbers
of Messerschmitt 109 and Focke
Wulf 190 fighters and a number
of B24’s were seen to be going
down. Kelly pressed on and as
friendly territory was reached
42-52218 began losing height
rapidly and a crash landing
now seemed inevitable. As they
crossed the Kentish countryside,
the crew braced themselves as
Kelly, assisted by his co pilot,
2nd Lt.William E.Bolsover,
sought a suitable site to put the
aircraft down. The hilly country
around Goudhurst was far from
ideal, but with no further options
available, the Liberator crash
landed at approximately 5.30 in
the afternoon. Sadly, the co pilot,
bomb aimer, the ball turret gunner,
Sgt.John A.Spies and the tail
gunner Sgt.Thomas E.Burns, did
not survive the impact. Serious
injuries were sustained by the
pilot, navigator, engineer, Sgt.
on with the attack and was
relieved to hear from the bomb
aimer, 2nd Lt.Irving Dolin that the
bombs had been released. He
could now concentrate on getting
the aircraft home.
William E.Hawkins, radio operator,
Sgt.Graydon B.Wade, top turret
gunner, Sgt.Paul C.Swank and
the nose gunner Sgt.Mason Lee.
The graves of Bolsover, Spies
and Burns can be found in the
American Cemetery at Maddingly
near Cambridge whilst Dolins
remains were returned to his
native New York.
The site in Ranters Lane still
bears the scars of that day in
March 1944 although the passer
by would be quite unaware of
their presence and still less of the
events which took place.
20
21
Events Diary
Not a complete
listing of everything
that’s going on but a
few events that may
be of interest to
members.
More are listed on
the website at
www.1940.co.uk
26 March 2010
The 1940’s Society - Sevenoaks
Secret Underground London.
Amanda Pickard will be showing us some of
what still lays beneath the pavements of
London and how these tunnels, railways
and establishments were used during the
Second World War. Come along and find
out more.
8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near
Sevenoaks, Kent.
Further details from Ian on 01732 452505
Admission £3
27 March 2010
Spitfire Bounce 7-30 till Midnight
Swing, Jive & Boogie all night to music from
the 1940s & early 1950s.
Slade Green Community Centre, Bridge
Road, Erith (Dartford) DA8 2HS
Dress to Impress, 40s or 50s Civilian or
Allied uniform. Free tea, coffee &
doughnuts, Please bring your own drinks
Tickets £6 or £7 on the door
Details: 07506 851862 or
www.spitfirebounce.com
27 March 2010
Stage Door Canteen, Pratts Bottom Village
Hall Norsted Lane, Pratts Bottom Kent BR6
7SU. A great Dance and venue featuring 3
DJs in conjunction with USO. Refreshments
are available but you are welcome to bring
your own drinks. TICKETS ARE FREE but
must be booked in advance. Dress code
strictly 1940s. Tel 020 84602830 or visit
www.stagedoorcanteen.co.uk
3 April 2010
1940s Dance. The Crown Hotel on
Drummond Road Skegness,
Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag
and dance the night away to “ The Kings of
Swing” Forties Dress is optional.
Tickets are £6 available on the door or from
Sue Clarke on 01507 475804/Jack Wise
01754 876951 or email susanclarke 1970@
btinternet.com.
There will be a war time quiz and also a
raffle. Food is available from the N.A.F.F.I
Come along and make new friends
everyone is welcome.
16, 17, 18 April 2010
Whitby Spirit of the 40’s Weekend
There are free entertainments in the town
centre, parades, traders and all sorts of
events. Other events may require tickets
from Whitby Pavilion Box Office on 01947
604855. Too much going on to list
everything but more details are listed on the
society website.
22
1 May 2010
Bomb Boogie Bash (swing/R&B)
The Memorial Hall, School Hill, Birch, Essex
CO2 0LZ (Just off the A12)
7-30pm till Midnight. DJs Pat Da Kat, Rattlin
Daddy, & Special Guest.
Some free refreshments but no bar so bring
your own. Tickets £7 on the door.
Details: 01621 891602
1- 3 May 2010
W.W.2 “Dig for Victory” weekend - Cowper
& Newton Museum Orchard side, Market
Place, Olney, Buckinghamshire, MK46 4AJ.
Tel 01234 711516
24 April 2010
Otford Swing Dance 7-30 till Midnight
Otford Village Memorial Hall, Otford, Kent
TN14 5PQ Dress to Impress, 1940s
preferred. Free tea, coffee & doughnuts,
Please bring your own drinks
Tickets £6 or £7 on the door
Details: 07506 851862 or
www.spitfirebounce.com
21 May 2010
The 1940’s Society - Sevenoaks
French Resistance During the Second
World War by Terry Crowdy.
Author & historian Terry Crowdy will be
giving a presentation on the French
Resistance, how it was organised and run,
and the role of British security services in its
organisation. Terry spoke to us in
September 2009 when he spoke on
‘Deceiving Hitler’ and we’re delighted to
have him back for what I’m sure will be a
fascinating evening.
8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near
Sevenoaks, Kent.
Further details from Ian on 01732 452505
Admission £3
22 May 2010
Spitfire Bounce 7-30 till Midnight
Swing, Jive & Boogie all night to music from
the 1940s & early 1950s.
Slade Green Community Centre, Bridge
Road, Erith (Dartford) DA8 2HS
Dress to Impress, 40s or 50s Civilian or
Allied uniform. Free tea, coffee &
doughnuts, Please bring your own drinks
Tickets £6 or £7 on the door
Details: 07506 851862 or
www.spitfirebounce.com
5 June 2010
Terry Elliott’s Sentimental Journey 1942
Dance at Horton Kirby and South Darenth
Village Hall. Enjoy & Dance to the sounds of
the 1940s with DJ Terry Elliott in this period
venue. Further details and directions
contact sentimentaljourney1944@yahoo.
co.uk or 0207 987 6686
12 June 2010
RAF Biggin Hill family day & dance
The all day event will take place in the St
Raphael Chapel and surrounding grounds
and will be fundraising for the ATC and local
soldier James Cutting who was seriously
wounded in Afghanistan. Military vehicles,
living history displays, traders, dance
classes, a flight simulator, 1930s/40s band
and more. The evening’s entertainment will
be a private Charity Ball for advanced ticket
holders only, starting at 7.30pm till midnight,
with 3 top DJs playing their 40s tracks.
There will be a WW2 dress code.
Details on: 020 8460 2830
3 - 4 July 2010
Isle of Wight Steam Railway
1940s Weekend
Always a very enjoyable event to attend, the
railway is taken back to the war years with
evacuees, homeguard, vintage vehicles and
of course steam trains. More details to
follow but worth putting in your diary now.
Details at http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/
3 - 4 July 2010
Operation HOMEGUARD - Ingleton’s 1940’s
Weekend. A weekend of entertainment and
nostalgia, two days packed with fun for
everyone, including: Military vehicles;
military and civilian re-enactors; liberation of
the German occupied French Market
Square by Allied forces; Cenotaph parade;
military parade led by the Black Watch
Pipes & Drums; Saturday night dance with
the Starlight Swing Orchestra; Sunday
afternoon Tea Dance. For more information
contact John & Elaine Ward 015242 41024
john.ward91@btinternet.com or visit www.
ingletonhomeguard.co.uk
16 July 2010
The 1940’s Society - Sevenoaks
Surviving by Magic
Presented by Monty Parkin.
The amazing story of Fergus Anckorn,
member of the Magic Circle, who used his
magician’s skills to survive the horrors of a
Japanese prisoner of war camp.
A moving, enthralling and entertaining
evening that should not be missed.
8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near
Sevenoaks, Kent.
Further details from Ian on 01732 452505
Admission £3
22 July 2010
20’s / 30’s / 40’s NIGHT
7.00 – 11.00pm
The Marquee, Dunnington Playing Fields
Common Road, Dunnington ,York,
YO19 5NG
Live 13 Piece Band “New York Dance Band”
& Supper
Tickets £10.00, Tickets & Information from:
www.dpff.org.uk, Jen Lewis – 07890230778
21 - 25 July 2010
The War & Peace Show
The Largest Military Vehicle show in the
world. The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent.
TN12 6PY. Tel: 01622 872068
Vehicles, displays, dance, music,
entertainment, military dealers and so much
more......
Look at the website to find out more:
http://www.warandpeaceshow.co.uk
31 July 2010
Spitfire Bounce 7-30 till Midnight
Swing, Jive & Boogie all night to music from
the 1940s & early 1950s.
Slade Green Community Centre, Bridge
Road, Erith (Dartford) DA8 2HS
Dress to Impress, 40s or 50s Civilian or
Allied uniform. Free tea, coffee &
doughnuts, Please bring your own drinks
Tickets £6 or £7 on the door
Details: 07506 851862 or
www.spitfirebounce.com
31 July /1 Aug 2010
Thanet at War
This is a new event, organised by the
Bygone Days Historical Group, Ramsgate. It
will be held on 31 July/1 August 2010 at
Government Acre, Ramsgate with free
public admission. The organisers wish to
extend an invitation to all Home Front
WW11 re enactors and displays. More
details later.For further initial information
please contact the Secretary, Brenda
Rogers at 7, Minster Road, Ramsgate,
CT1105L email beeherself@talktalk.net.
24 September 2010
The 1940’s Society - Sevenoaks
Speaker to be confirmed
8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near
Sevenoaks, Kent. Further details from Ian
on 01732 452505 Admission £3
26 November 2010
The 1940’s Society - Sevenoaks
Speaker to be confirmed
8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near
Sevenoaks, Kent.Further details from Ian on
01732 452505 Admission £3
23
The 1940’s Society
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Issue 60
24
The 1940s Society
90, Lennard Road, Dunton Green,
Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2UX