langley - very interested -- and keep it on this thread.

My dad's memoirs are on this thread and he was an erk. This thread has turned into a tribute to all who served in the RAF. Weathermen had their part to play, remember that D-Day at one point hinged on what the met man had to say!

PS - What's the weather going to be like in Canary Wharf over the next few days? :ok:

Ah, the vagueness of your reply proves you are a weatherman!!

My maths master was an RAF met-man during WW2. He once explained to us why vectoring was important by recounting the story of when he was at an aerodrome near Bristol and an He-111 landed. The crew bundled out and were surprised to be looking down the barrels of various bits of weaponry. They thought they were in Brittany.

"The nav got his wind reading wrong!" :eek:

Looking forward to your tales. :ok:

LANGLEYBASTON.
You are more than welcome on this thread. Of course you may start your own thread if you wish, but think you will initially obtain a larger following starting here. Give it a try, and then decide. You will certainly be apprecitated by a friendly 'mob of bods'
CLIFF.

This thread should come with a health warning. I forsee another period of weeks where I will be tied to my PC, following the stories. I'm supposed to be working at the moment...

It definitely pleases us langley :ok:

Monopoly Game Used to Assist POWs Escape Germany In WWII
 

I got an email on this topic recently. Frankly I find it rather hard to believe. You would think the risk of German discovery would compromise the whole undeground effort. Any comments?

Monopoly's Hidden Maps Help World War II POWs Escape - ABC News

Escape Maps of World War II

Yeah, I received an email on the subject of escape maps a while back...if sites like truthorfiction and snopes are to be believed - mostly true.

There is some reference to the Red Cross NOT being involved (knowingly anyway?) and a suggestion that no way would safe houses have been indicated on "hard copy", for obvious reasons.

Would be appropriate to hear about this from a "horses mouth" for a definitive answer of course...

Rmventury
 

During the 18 months I was a prisoner of war I saw no Monoply Boards, but I do know that there were various ways in which we received escape material.
The Red Cross parcels were NEVER used. An organisation, called The Licenced Victualers Sports Association, sent games and cigarettes to Prison Camps, with maps and other escape equipment hidden inside, so Monopoly would have been one of games. Shove ha'penny boards, pencils, other board games, playing cards, and even gramophone records were used.
Cigarettes came inside Red Cross parcels, but relatives could send separate parcels directly through one of the tobacco agents, such as Rothmans. Some of these were in round cans containing 50 cigarettes, sealed in with tin foil. A neat cutter in the lid was used to open the foil. All parcels and came through the camp Post Office, who issued collection chits sent to an individual via his hut chief. In addition to the German postal staff were prisoners who knew the code marks for the tins with the contraband, which they had to conceal and smuggle out. The Germans were distracted by gifts of cigarettes or simply bribed. I believe some cricket bats sent to one camp aroused suspicion, so the Germans removed all the handles!
Many years ago there was an Exhibition of these materials in the RAF Museum at Hendon. A recent show at the War Museum North, in Manchester, I unfortunately missed.
fredjhh

Anyone know where langley's posts have gone? Or am I missing something?

He got lost in unexpected fog.

Monopoly
 

As always thanks Fred

Snaith Halifax Variants
 

Fred, interested in what Halifax variants were at Snaith in '43. From Reg's prior input and information from my uncle's log book looks like by early July '43 and possibly sooner it was the Mk II Series 1A (with factory installed D rudders). Then in early Jan '44 Snaith upgraded to the Mk III. I would be interested when you arrived at Snaith and which variants you flew as I believe in the past you mentioned you always flew with the triangular rudders?

Snaith Halifax Variants
 

Rmventuri
I only ever saw Halifaxes with Triangular fins. I had one of the first
Halifax 2a series 1 with the perspex nose cone, but still with old fins and rudders, delivered in June 1943. Most of the other aircraft had front turrets or blocked in noses, series 2. I don't know when the modified rudders began to arrive on the Squadron, but I think the Squadron aircraft had some modified rudders fitted on the airfield after July.
Fredjhh.

Any world war 2 aircrew veterans reading this, registration is now open for project propellor 2011. Note that the organisers are being very specific that the event is for WWII aircrew only but from any organisation (including ATA) and either side of the conflict.

Project Propeller

"Anyone know where langley's posts have gone? Or am I missing something?"

Deleted by author.

Albany, Georgia, USA
 

My wife was a child in Albany, Georgia where RAF cadets and officers trained at Darr Aerotech and Turner field in the early 1940s. She remembers them visiting families in Albany and visiting the town. A friend who still lives in Albany went to the cemetery where seven RAF Cadets who died in training accidents are buried. Our friend has sent me pictures of the large monument, flagpole, and individual headstones. Specifically, I have pictures of the headstones of RAF Cadets E. S. Headington, E. N. G. Furze, H. D. Wilson, R. S. Wilson, J. Hartley, D. Hope, and T. Moseley.

I would be glad to post some, or all, of these pictures if someone would kindly give me instructions as I have failed to find those instructions on the site.

Additionally, I would also be glad to e-mail you any or all of the pictures if you will send me a private message.

Smilin_Ed: Instructions for posting pics.
There is a sticky thread in DG&P General Aviation & Questions, and another link in the Computer forum in the Frequently Asked Questions and Useful Information.

RAF Gravesites in Albany, Georgia, USA
 

Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

The pictures are at this site. I hope that those interested can view them.

Thanks Henry for the advice on posting pictures. It seems that the link (if it works) is probably the best way to go and thanks to Tommy who took the pictures.

Ed

Smilin Edd's pic.
 

Got it Ed, but can't remember how I did it !
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/...lin_Ed/011.jpg
What a marvelous memorial. I hope you will all join me in thanking the good folks of Albany, Walter .H, --- and the American Legion, for erecting and maintaining this tribute to our B.F.T.S comrades.

With many thanks to Ed. (Retired U.S. Navy Pilot, Graduate Navy Test Pilot School)

the memorial....
 

I was very touched by the memorial raised by the good citizens of Albany and area as a tribute to those killed in flying training in the area. Fantastic generosity and such a fitting tribute to those left behind.
Thank you folks! :D