Hello My name is Leslie (Trotter) Zwingli and I am new to this forum, having been directed here by Robin Riley, webmaster of the 156 Sqdn. website. I am currently writing a book about my Father's war memoirs as a Lancaster bomber and Pathfinder pilot. His name is Elmer John Trotter, DFC,DFM,CD,CM and he flew with 101, 156 and 582 Squadrons. He was shot down Aug 12/13, 1944 on the return trip from Russelsheim and taken POW, and interred at Stalag Luft III. He is still alive at 84, soon to be 85 and we both live in British Columbia Canada.
Leslie as we already have another veterans long long thread going from his evening flights, may I pose the question : would your father as well be open to share his experiences right up till the night he was shot down and after... ? I do believe that all present would gain much knowledge from this. was he shot down by a LW night fighter or Flak ? thoughts ? Erich ~
Hello Leslie. 101 and Airborne Cigar are one of my favorite subjects. If you need info about Ludford Magna and Radar Jamming devices let me know. I would be glad to help.
A very warm welcome to the Forums, zwingli. As has been said, I'm sure many of us here would like to hear anything of your Father's wartime experiences. I have visited Little Staughton airfield on a number of occasions ; it is well-preserved and would still look familiar to any veteran of 582.
Thank you all very much for your warm welcome. Of course I would be happy to share some of my father's memories with you but bear in mind, I am also writing a book on same which I intend to publish upon completion. I have posed questions to my father that have come up on various forums that I visit, and he has been most happy to answer them if he can. He relies on me to do this, given his age and as he says, lack of computer literacy. I have been working on this book for over 1 1/2 years now and the information I have found through forums such as this has been incredible. Example: Erich, my father was shot down by FW Erwin Egelar with Stab 14/NJG1 who himself was shot down in air comban and crashed at Treysa 19/20 Oct. 1944. This information was provided by Dr. Theo Boiten. If you wish to view some of my father's story, I invite you to visit Robin Riley's website, 156 Squadron. Scroll down to F/L Elmer John Trotter, click on the name and it will take you to his story, logbook etc. If you do visit the site, I would love to have some feedback on the content. Kind regards Leslie
Dear Zwingli: Welcome to the WWIIF!. Because my language native isn't the English, I am not express very good. But I will read your post. Many thanks for share these histories!
Hello sir! Another Canadian, I'm always glad to see them post! Members from all nations too that is! ;D Welcome and enjoy your stay, spread knowledge and read it too!
Hello Hawkerace Just wanted to clarify that I am a she. I have to say this site is most interesting and very active. Glad to be aboard. Leslie
Hello Leslie, you might be interested in C. Cornelissen's "Huzaren of de nacht" which is a great 300 page chronic of the NJG1 . It's in Dutch but there are many rare pictures of the unit, with many groups of airmen while stationned in Holland and there are some useful databases too.
Hi leslie, Welcome aboard. I'm the curator of the PFF Museum at RAF Wyton and if you need any help or would like some of the booklets we have please let me know. I'm also interested in your fathers experience to put in the museum and maybe a copy of your book once completed. Very kind regards and well done. Shack
Hi Leslie, Thanks for your welcome. Glad to connect with the daughter of another Canadian Veteran. You are so fortunate to get to work with your Dad to write about his experiences. I am also working on a book about my parents - but shall be going the hard way to get information. Most information my Dad gave was out of context as the usual answer to what did you do in the war was "I took a secrecy oath!" More came out shorly before he died in 1996. Hopefully the records I have ordered, books on the campaigns, and regimental histories will help to fill in the war years. Today is Remembrance Day - so feel particularly sad that he is not here to talk to. Michelle
