Lancaster Bomber 514 Squadron

Hi Simon,


Thanks for your reply re 514 Squadron. I'm not a Facebook user at the moment, perhaps I should sign up. I have very little in the way of information but will sift through what I have and send them on. It is proving quite a struggle delving into the past to get little snippets of info.

Kind regards

Ian

 

No problem Ian, I have put a post on the Facebook page on your behalf. We now have over six hundred people linked to the page and a number of online reunions have happened.

There is also our website www.514squadron.co.uk. I am going to put a forum page on there for enquiries as well.

Regards

Simon

 

Thanks Simon, I appreciate your help. I have looked at the info on Facebook, some interesting things there.

Fingers crossed for some contacts with more information.

Regards

Ian

 

Hi All,

Dad phoned tonight to point out that we are approaching a milestone with this thread. Sometime in the near future, total viewings will reach 100, 000.

It has been quite a journey, from the first posting on March 9, 2006, through all the new revelations about the events on and after July 28, 1944 - Skipper, Strassner, Morenneville,Freteval,a trip to France, Michel and Isabel, Monsieur Cogneau, Colette, discovery of Dad's parachute - I have just touched on some of the people and events, if you haven't followed this thread you may want to start at the beginning - it is a great story.

This thread has become an important document, a record of one series of events from WW2 and a powerful demonstration of what is possible with the Internet.
Without this forum, many of these events and people would have remained unknown to our family.

Stay tuned, I imagine there are more revelations ahead.

Wayne

 

Thank you for the kind words Wayne. Though I had investigated your dad's crash before, I was attracted to this forum in 2006 because of the initial video you posted in this thread. Without it I would possibly not have been in touch, at least not directly. There is nothing like a fist hand account to learn more.

This giant thread has indeed grown tremendously and has attracted more and more people over the years. My wish now is to find the Giffin familly . I'm sure they would appreciate to learn that their ancestor is not forgotten.

 

Congratulations Wayne on reaching 100,000 views on the
Lancaster Bomber 514 Squadron thread.
Amongst all who have made this possible, it would be
timely to honour "Sapper" and his achievements.

Cheers,
Dad
Alex Campbell, Skipper of Lancaster A2 C

 

Once again the Christmas season is upon us. Hazel and I are now
enjoying life in a retirement community, an entirely new chapter in our lives.
We would just like to wish all our friends out there the time honoured greeting-
"Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year"
Alex Campbell Skipper of Lancaster A2 C

 

Mr. Campbell, for your service and for your sacrifices, thank you, and have a blessed Merry Christmas!

David

 

Have done a lot of work in those communities, Mr Campbell. It brings me joy and pain whenever working in one. Some residents don't remember a thing, but their wall is plastered with historical pictures of their service/family. Those who still have their witts about them are shear joy, favourites of the staff. Maybe other residents could be a little jealous of the celebrity provided by a life serving the country we reside in.
Enjoy the good food and maybe a little gambling, eh.
Well done sir. Best wishes.

 

MODS: Please make this thread a sticky again. K? It has to be the highest hit thread on any topic relating to WW2 anywhere.
- 106,380 views as of today. Mon Feb 8th 2015 1:30 PM PST.

 

Lancaster Bomber 514 Squadron

E. and Alex Campbell: would you consider writing an TV Episode or two of Murray Peden's book A Thousand Shall Fall on this event?

See: http://www.ww2f.com/topic/38106-a-thousand-shall-fall-by-murray-peden-perhaps-the-best-bomber-command-book-ever/?hl=+i#entry601937
From: http://www.ww2f.com/topic/38106-a-thousand-shall-fall-by-murray-peden-perhaps-the-best-bomber-command-book-ever/

cc at: http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/56613-a-1000-shall-fall-ww2talk-script-writers-challenge/

 

How aboot that? Great news.


ps...good to see you Fred

 

Thread pinned again. I don't know who "unpinned" it.

 

May 19th 1944 began a new chapter in life for me and my crew. It would require
a mountain of adjectives to describe the emotions and experiences that followed in the
next few months. One has to wonder if it was all worthi it in this ever changing world.

Cheers Alex Campbell Skipper of Lancaster LL692 A2 C

 

and quite an amount of stress and interrogations too I can imagine.

 

71 years have passed since I heard the urgent call from the rear gunner "Fighter Port Go!".
I immediately began the corkscrew maneuver so familiar to our crew and to many other
Bomber Command crews. At the same instant we heard and felt the thudding of 20 mm shells
into the fuselage and port side of our Lancaster.
I now gave the order "Prepare to Abandon Aircraft by Parachute Put on Parachutes".
A second attack disabled a starboard engine and we were engulfed in flames. My next command
came "Abandon Aircraft by Parachute Jump! Jump! Jump!".
The well trained crew overcame a series of unforeseen difficulties and managed to escape the
stricken craft. Now my own exit was anything but routine. My luck held. A series of miracles
in quick succession saved me from extinction. I suddenly felt a thump to the back of my head and
realized I was back on Mother Earth.
Sad to say one of our crew members died at the scene. His grave site is tended by caring hands.
Another of our crew was captured and spent the remainder in a POW camp. With many brave acts
by French and Belgian "helpers" the rest of us were able to reach our homes in the UK and Canada
before war's end.
Now I am the only survivor.To the rest of my crew "May you rest in peace".
Cheers to all Alex Campbell Skipper of Lancaster A2 C

 

A pleasure to hear from Mr Campbell. Best wishes, sir.

My life is so comparatively easy thanks to men like MrC.

 

I was abroad this July 29th and couldn't have internet access until I returned. However my thoughts were with you and especially Bob giffin who didn't make it that unfortunate day.


May he rest in peace , he is not forgotten

http://www.lancasterdiary.net/Sep%201944%20plus/post_march_1945.php

 

Came across this today:

http://www.brantnews.com/news-story/4892170-a-lancaster-love-story/;send=false

 

Hello Poppy- Thank you for your prompt reply. Mine are getting more tardy.
It is comforting to know that our efforts are appreciated.
Wish you all the best.
Alex Campbell Skipper of Lancaster A2 C