Download Striking Through Clouds: The War Diary of No. 514 Squadron, RAF AudioBook Free
Formed on 1st September, 1943, as part of the enlargement of Bomber Control No. 3 Group, 514 Squadron specialised in blind bombing techniques in the slow and bloody marketing campaign against Nazi Germany. For the vast majority of its war, 514 Squadron was stationed at RAF Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, operating Lancaster bombers. Aircrew people were drawn not merely from Britain but also Canada, Australia, and New Zealand among others. Over 400 people of the squadron were to lose their lives in both years of the squadron's presence, which saw losing on businesses of 66 aircraft, with another 14 being written off in incidents. Thrown into the Battle of Berlin in the winter of 1943-4, 514 Squadron also enjoyed a pivotal role in encouraging the Allied bridgehead in Normandy after D-Day, before reverting to disorders on German infrastructure, including transport facilities and engine oil production plants. Striking Through Clouds is the day-by-day contemporaneous profile of the businesses of 514 Squadron. Saved by squadron officials, this was a dispassionate but complete profile of the war effort of the squadron and its members. It provides as the official record of the squadron's day to day war. It provides a stark testament to the courage, sense of responsibility and, frequently, the sacrifice of bomber aircrews, 55,573 of whom, with the average age group of 22 years, wouldn't normally return from businesses. Seven years later, the number of survivors is diminishing however the memory of the heroes will never be allowed to diminish.
