I've mentioned this sentiment in this thread before but it's worth saying again: Threads like this are the exact reason I decided to create this website. Interested and smart people from all over can get together and complete a picture of the past. In this case a picture is exactly what has been created. Skipper, is there any chance the larger image is available? I'll gladly host a copy here for all too see.

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Otto, I see what I can do about posting the whole thing. This sample is taken from an art work designed for Alex Campbell and his relatives by artist Christian Dieppedalle. The original took him over 100 hours to paint so he's reluctant to post the entire work on the internet. Maybe I can post it with a mark accross it or low resolution. The original weighs over 11mo and used the technology of Illustrator software. I will discuss this with Christian tonight.

To the Campbell's: Glad and proud you like the A2-C signature: this is only a sample so there is much more to come in the future. The completed drawing will be sent to you by mail (present) when it's ready and another copy will hopefully be permanetly be displayed at the townhalls involved in the crash of A2-C so that the local population will know your tory whenever they come to the town hall. We have also other surprises for you to come in the future. This is our way to pay tribute for our loved veterans. For instance the local press has edited an article about veteran airmen last week with your name and picture and eyewitnesses are invited to call me. I have an average of 3 calls a day, nothing about A2-C but that is the article was printed in Orleans , so I may try the same in Chateaudun. I will tell you more about these witnesses, some of them are amazing an involves allied airmen.
Here is the article (I erased some telephone numbers, address, and names ).
I hope you don't mind I did not ask you to use the picture , but I wanted it to be another surprise. I must say your story is getting quite famous in Orleans and in Chateaudun. The caption of your picture says "Alex Campbell in his Lancaster was shot down over Chateaudun in July 1944. He was saved by the Resistance and is alive and kicking".

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I hear you skipper, I wouldn't want to impose on someone's effort and then just copy it on the web. A scaled down version would be more than enough. I'm hoping to get a complete story of Mr. Alex Campbell somewhere here on the WWII Network, specifically ww2.org. It's been a great ride following this story along, I'd like to help package it nicely on the web if you are willing.

Lovely article by the way, I wish I was better at French!

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"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance." Socrates

Otto I have good news. Christian likes the idea of posting his work at WW2.org. We send you a lower resolution version of the full painting. However you"ll have to be a little patient as we want the Campbells to be the first ones to discover this artwork. It's almost ready now.

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That is good news Skipper. No rush on the photo, I'll post it whenever he's ready. I'll be sure to credit him and anyone else who has contributed to this effort.

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"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance." Socrates

Otto that Skipper is demanding isn't he? No wonder he accomplishes so much. This entire Forum is "out of this world" I'm so pleased to be a member of this league. And TA I presume that brave little fellow in your signature has a C of A.
A heartfelt thanks to this whole wonderful team. Alex Campbell

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Alex :

A great signature piece to a fine aircraft and crew.............good one Skipper and Christian

boy I wouldn't mind having a copy of that article in French either

Ok guys I'll translate the article into English asap. Erich if you wish a copy of the article just let me know where to send it.

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Skipper : sending you a private mail

Not at all Alex, I'm glad to help him share your incredible story any way I can. Thanks so much for the kind words about the WWII Forums, but I must say that it is truly an honour to have you as a member here. We are all incredibly fortunate that you have decided to join our little community!

Skipper and E.Campbell, just a heads-up I sent you both Private Messages. Also, if possible Skipper, I'd love to post the english translation of that French article here. No rush, but if you have the time I'd be very gratefull!

As a sidenote, Skipper I think it's great that the photo in the newspaper is the same shot from our own Rogues Gallery. I didn't know you were so famous!

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Now you are making me blush. I will translate the article as soon as possible and post it here. It is just something genral about paying tribute to WWII Airmen, don't expect the latest best seller. However I get about three phone calls per day and have located several crashsites and testimonies, aircraft pieces etc...

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Here is a translation of the article: As I said earlier it is quite general. To those who requested a copy with full names and details I will email these a.s.a.p.

AVIATORS’ MEMORIES REMEMBERS EPIC AND SACRIFICE OF AIRMEN

Two passionate aviation searchers have created a new association. Its purpose is historical and aims to remember the way WWII airmen lived and not to forget those who fell.

This new Association was born thanks to the support of …Remco …. And Christian……. two enthusiastic aviation researchers, willing to promote our duty to remember. The Association is baptised “Aviators’ memories” and has the goal to pay tribute to WWII airmen who crashed on the soil of France and particularly the Centre region.

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER

The purpose is to solve mysteries about these soldiers’ stories and their sacrifice and to make sure that local populations and young generations know about their story. There is absolutely no desire to make money and writings will be perfectly impartial. The Association wants to bring something to the French historical heritage and to narrow gaps between peoples. In a nutshell: to make sure that these sacrifices will be engraved in memories forever.

DETAILED SEARCHES

Remco….. and Christian…… are not beginners concerning the matter. They have already realised a considerable amount of work on several crashes like Rebrechien or Trainou. Their work consists of detailed searching which ails to bring light of the exact circumstances that led to a crash of an aircraft.

MULTIPLE TALENTS

The association gathers multiple talents, such as researchers, a computer artwork designer and linguists who help to establish contacts with the last survivors or their families who are often scattered around the world. The association is open to all those who feel close to their philosophy. Contact Remco…. at…………..

INTERVIEWING Remco……. THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION

What are you currently working on?

We are working on several projects at the moment. Our designer is illustrating brochures for others associations near Paris. We have contacts with two pilots who were shot down the same day as the Rebrechien Lancaster. We have found information about these aircrafts after long searches. One Pilot lives in Canada, the other one in England. We helped the English pilot to contact his former gunner who now lives in Australia. He had no contact with him since 1944.
Our biggest work at the moment is the ordeal of a group of allied airmen who were deported to Buchenwald. Several of them went through the Loiret district. I found a lady who has helped four of them, two of whom are still alive. When their story is complete it shall be available on the Internet. We also hope to organise exhibitions.

Caption: Alex Campbell in his Lancaster. This airman was shot down near Chateaudun in 1944. He was saved by the resistance and is still alive.

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Well I was not totally surprised on reading the translation. It just adds to the list of on going tasks taken on by these ambitious people, great stuff. And Otto, you have a right to be pleased with the success of not only this thread but your entire website. Thanks for many enjoyable hours of enligtening reading and participation. Cheers Alex Campbell

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What a great assortment of contributors to this forum. Yes, I do look for and read your interesting postings. I think it is good for all of us to read and think about the enormous loss of life and the digusting manner in which so many died.
Maybe for me the thoughts of burning hold the greatest terror.- Trapped inside an ironclad tank with you and your crewmates screaming hopelessly, totally covered in burning oil on a sinking tanker, unable to free yourself from a flaming aircraft spiralling down.
I have seen some of the above examples of man's inhumanity to man- hollow eye sockets from a face with grinning teeth, parachute buckles shining through a mass of overcooked meat still bubbling and steaming, a bloated body in a much too small Wermacht uniform.
On a lighter vein I was going to submit my list of RAF patter and slang but next time. Cheers for now Alex Campbell

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I commend all involved in this excellent look into a Lancaster Crew. I must admit, I have been following this conversation with growing excitement. It is a pleasure to have not only a Lancaster veteran in the forum but individuals with such passion for military history and an eye for details. My hat is off to you gentelmen.

I thought of anouther question I wanted to ask you Mr Campbell. Would you be able to fly a Merlin powered Lancaster without any new training and if so what would be the differences other than the engines would sound different ?

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Work Harder ! Millions on welfare are depending on you.

Yes TA I did pretty well just as you suggested. On the 23rd of July/44 under the guidance of our Flt Commander "Timmy" I flew a Mk III for some 20 minutes.
Then on the 24th I flew a new one not yet assigned to a Flight with registration # PB291/G. The Merlin had shutter controls for the liquid cooling rads while the Hercules were air cooled.
Another difference was the supercharger enabling the MkIII to gain more altitude and look down on us. The Herc XVI was rated at 1650HP and the Merlin about the same I believe. Both remarkable performers all round. EAC

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Coming from you Sir that means more than you know. I am quite proud of this little website, and that's because people like you share your stories here. We do have a stellar bunch contributors here, the products of this thread alone could fill an entire book!

I'd love to see that RAF patter and slang you mentioned.

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"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance." Socrates

"roger wilco"

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