Tonight we will be looking at Number 6 Group and the Canadian Squadrons that made up BOMBER COMMAND

HISTORY OF BOMBER COMMAND

During WWII, more than a million men and women served, or supported, Bomber Command. Originating in 60 nations across the world, they were united in their efforts to protect the freedom we enjoy today. The service included Aircrew, Ground Crew, Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, Auxiliary Air Transport, Auxiliary Transport Services, NAAFI and others.

The majority came from the UK and the Commonwealth, with the remainder from countries as diverse as Peru and Germany (many escaping from the Nazi regime), as well as other European refugees. Their service and sacrifices are remembered in the exhibition.

Of the 125,000 Aircrew who served, 72% were killed, seriously injured or taken Prisoner of War. More than 44% were killed whilst serving, giving the highest rate of attrition of any Allied unit. Each man was a volunteer, and their average age of death was only 23.
The efforts of the RAF Bomber Command significantly changed the outcome of WWII.

 
Their bombing sorties did great damage to the Axis powers industrial capacity. So concerned were the Axis powers about Bomber Command’s capabilities that they permanently stationed more than 1,000 Luftwaffe aircraft for the purpose of fighting the bombers as well as more than 30,000 artillery pieces.
A million men and women supported Bomber Command on the ground.  Their tasks included engineering, scientific developments, the loading of bombs, air traffic control, plotting, map creation and a myriad of other essential roles.  They too suffered losses and are memorialised on the IBCC Walls of Names.
Bomber Command developed and pioneered new technologies that together with Allied contributions of both men and material allowed a huge expansion of bombing operations after 1942, contributing to the eventual victory in Europe.

It was Bomber Command that delivered the world’s first airborne humanitarian mission, Operation Manna, delivering over 7,000 tons of food parcels in 10 days over the west of Holland, where one million people were registered as starving.  They also acted as a vital element to Operation Exodus that saw the repatriation of over 70,000 POW’s from internment camps across Europe.

In addition, they proved vital to the boosting of the morale of the Allies.

It is impossible to say enough about what these brave men and women achieved during the war or the price they paid for it. We owe it to them, and to ourselves, to remember them and their stories.

Recognition must also be given to the civilians who suffered as a result of the Command’s campaigns.

The Walls of Names carry the names of almost 58,000 men and women who lost their lives whilst serving Bomber Command, the only place in the world where you can bear witness to the sacrifices of this unit. This figure is higher than the number of people serving in today’s RAF.

Since its inception, the International Bomber Command Centre has been working with veterans. Thanks to their astounding level of support, their stories have been recorded, and their documents and photos preserved.

We Respect the work of the International Bomber Command Centre and everything they do but we have said come across information that is wrong and also does not make sense if you cross Reference some information we also know that some information has been hold back  that they will not allow you to see.

We also know that if you ask for your family information they is a fee of £50+ per item and a cost of postage they will also ask you for information you may not hold of have like a number the station etc not everyone has that. If you would like to have a look please go to https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records

KEY FACTS...

* Almost a million men and women served or supported Bomber Command during WWII
* Over 55,500 men from Bomber Command died in the skies over Europe
* Only 30% of those that flew reached the end of WWII without being killed, injured or taken Prisoner of War
* Bomber Command crews came from over 60 different countries
* Every member was a volunteer
* The average age at death was 23 (we know that this was younger around the age of 13)

FAMOUS OPERATIONS...
* Battle of Britain
* Operation Chastise – Dambusters
* Operation Taxable – D-Day support
* Sinking of the Tirpitz
* The Augsberg Raid
* Operation Manna – the world’s first airborne humanitarian mission
* Operation Exodus – the repatriation of over 70,000 POWs


Tonight we will be looking at No. 6 Group and the Canadian Squadrons

Three thousand miles across a hunted ocean they came, wearing on the shoulder of their tunics the treasured name, “Canada,” telling the world their origin. Young men and women they were, some still in their teens, fashioned by their Maker to love, not to kill, but proud and earnest in their mission to stand, and if it had to be, to die, for their country and for freedom.

One day, when the history of the twentieth century is finally written, it will be recorded that when human society stood at the crossroads and civilization itself was under siege, the Royal Canadian Air Force was there to fill the breach and help give humanity the victory. And all those who had a part in it will have left to posterity a legacy of honour, of courage, and of valour that time can never despoil.

-from a speech by Father J.P. Lardie, Chaplain 419, 428 Squadron at the dedication of the RCAF Memorial at Middleton St. George, 15 June, 1985

Although hundreds of Canadians were serving with Bomber Command in the Royal Air Force at the outbreak of war, the Canadian involvement was one that grew as the war progressed. Through the training of large numbers of aircrew in Canada by the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, the number of Canadians serving in all aspects of the air war increased dramatically and members of the Royal Canadian Air Force played a major role. Many members of the RCAF served in Royal Air Force squadrons.
One third of all Bomber Command aircrew were Canadians.

In October of 1942, No.6 Group of Bomber Command was created to be completely manned by Canadian officers and men and at the end of the war it had grown to fourteen squadrons. No. 405 Squadron RCAF finished the war serving with No. 8 Group RAF, the Pathfinder Force.

The Canadian effort reached its peak in 1944 when 25,353 sorties were flown. In total, No. 6 Group flew a total of 40,822 sorties during the war. 271,981 hours were flown, a total of 126,122 tons of bombs were dropped and 814 aircraft lost. Eight thousand decorations for bravery were awarded to No. 6 Group aircrew.

Canadian aircrew veterans remember their efforts with great pride as expressed by Jerry Fultz, “I had the honour and pleasu

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