Notifications
February 15, 2019
New Publication courtesy of New Mills Local History Society: The bombing of New Mills and Hayfield 3 July 1942 Now available – contact me for details. Talk Calendar My talks:
Lancaster bombers operated by the Russian Air Force in WW2
December 5, 2019
Although no Lancasters were supplied to the Russian military under the lend lease scheme in WW2 two examples were in fact used in Russian Air Force markings. In preparation for Operation Paravane, the attack on the German Battleship Tirpitz which was anchored in a fjord in the far north of Norway, thirty-eight 617 Squadron and … More Lancaster bombers operated by the Russian Air Force in WW2
What happened to the Lancasters used on the Dambuster Raid?
August 20, 2019
The Dambuster Raids, or more correctly Operation Chastise is without doubt the most famous bombing mission of the Second World War (at least here in Britain). Over 75 years on everybody has heard about the ‘bouncing bomb’ and the hero pilot Guy Gibson. Most people, if they only know of one RAF Squadron, it will … More What happened to the Lancasters used on the Dambuster Raid?
From Manchester to Lincoln via Lancaster – An aviation aristocracy family tree
May 7, 2019
The relationship between Manchester the city, and Lancaster the bomber is well documented. Many of us will also know that the Lancaster bomber originally started out as the Manchester bomber and that Avro, the aviation manufacturing company responsible for the Manchester and Lancaster bombers started in, and fortuitously remained Manchester based for the entire life … More From Manchester to Lincoln via Lancaster – An aviation aristocracy family tree
Manchester’s Avro Aviation Heritage reminders
March 16, 2019
The famous aeroplane manufacturing company Avro is synonymous with the city of Manchester. The connection between the two lasted over one hundred years, longer if we consider that the founder of Avro was born in Manchester. Sadly, the last link was broken when the Avro successor, British Aerospace (BAe), closed its main facilities in 2012. … More Manchester’s Avro Aviation Heritage reminders
Rolls-Royce Derby birthplace of the Merlin
January 20, 2019
As a consultant I usually get to work on several diverse projects every year. It’s daunting, but always interesting to see the different locations and I always ensure I do a site visit. It’s fascinating to see the way different organisations work. Recently I had a tour around a speciality chemical plant. It was amazing … More Rolls-Royce Derby birthplace of the Merlin
First-hand account of when eastern Poland became western Belarus. October 1939
January 13, 2019
On 1 September 1939 Germany invaded the western half of Poland. Just over two weeks later the Soviet Union invaded the eastern half and immediately began incorporating it in to the Soviet Union. Below is an extract of my book ‘Two Years in a Gulag’ describing the event using a Pleszak family first-hand, hand-written account … More First-hand account of when eastern Poland became western Belarus. October 1939
