Discussions about attacking dams in Germany in the event of conflict in Europe had started before WW2. In late 1940 Wallis had taken his idea of attacking the Möhne and Eder Dams to the Building Research Establishment (BRE), or as it was known at that time the Building Research Station (BRS) near Watford where engineering … More All the Dambuster Dams
A minute-by-minute account of the famous Dambuster Raid by 19 special Avro Lancaster bombers and their ‘Bouncing Bombs’ which took place during the evening of 16 – 17 May 1943. My book, with some unique documents, gives the true storey of the Flight Engineer of Dambuster Z-Zebra. My book which includes some unique documents – … More Operation Chastise – The Dambusters a minute-by-minute account
A chance discussion with my neighbour Norma when I bumped into her on a dog walk turned into an incredible journey of discovery into what really happened during the most famous of all wartime stories – The Dambusters. Norma’s uncle, Jack Marriott was one of the Dambusters, the Flight Engineer of AJ-Z who was sadly, … More THE HIGH PEAK DAMBUSTER
Whilst researching the Dambuster attack on the Eder Dam I came across an interesting snippet of history. It was told to me by my sister’s friend G.C. who was in the RAF in the early 50s. In 1952 G.C. was based in Germany at RAF Wahn which is now the modern day Cologne Bonn International … More Milk run over the Eder Dam
Although no Lancasters were supplied to the Russian military under the lend lease scheme in WW2 two examples were in fact used in Soviet 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 Soviet Air Force in WW2
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?
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
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
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
The Masurian Lakeland (Pojezierze Mazurskie) is Poland’s equivalent to the English Lake District. Situated in the northeast of Poland it has over 200 lakes surrounded by farmland, forest, and meadows. It is spectacularly beautiful and not surprisingly a popular tourist destination. Historically though, it was part of the German Empire as East Prussia when it … More Architectural marvel or hideous eyesore: Sluice Leśniewo Górne?
PLESZAK 