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Old 29-03-2014, 03:43 PM
Hans Tucker (Hans)
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70th Anniversary of the disastrous 1944 Nuremberg Raid

For anyone interested in Military historical events.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-unmarked.html
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Old 29-03-2014, 04:31 PM
Stardrifter_WA
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Thanks for the interesting post Hans. It isn't really that surprising that the RAF would not want to commemorate a major disaster, after all, do we celebrate our individual failures? I know I would rather forget about my failures, and certainly wish I could.

It isn't like we don't pay tribute to the brave men and women who lost their lives in war.

After all, it wasn't the only disaster, as it is reminiscent of the early raids the USAF took over Sweinfurt-Regensburg, to destroy the ball bearing factories. Daylight bombing without fighter escorts, saw the loss of a large number of bombers and crews.

In hindsight, it all seems like utter madness, but then, they were fighting desperately for something worth fighting for...freedom.

Very brave men indeed.

I once read a quote that said, something like, "the winner of any war, is the one that makes the least amount of mistakes." The allies made lots of mistakes, but fortunately, the Nazis made more.

Sad all round really.

Pete
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Old 29-03-2014, 07:25 PM
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Baddad (Marty)
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Hi Pete, Hi Hans,

No one wins a war.

Anzac day commemorates a disaster. The landing against the Turks took its toll.

Back on subject:

The Lancaster Bomber was the best bomber aircraft of its time. Capable of carrying the biggest bomb payload of its time and fast. The crew of 7 and sometimes 8. Consisted of Pilot, Flight engineer, Navigator, Bomb aimer, Radio operator, Mid and tail gunners. The extra member was on for special radar duties.

Bomber Harris had wanted and achieved to send a thousand Lancasters on a bombing raids over Germany.

As good an aircraft as it was, the Lancasters often had huge losses.
Some of the events I wish I never learned about.
Nuremberg was a strategically important target. So were the industrial cities.

The plans were to halt German industry. Bombing factories was found to be unsuccessful. Rebuilding was fast.
This led to a change to using high explosives with incendiary bombs. Targets were the housing areas around the factories. It had the required affect. Tens of thousands of people were killed in single raids. The workers who had kept the wheels of industry turning were taken out of the picture.

The Germans of today are very sorry and regret that such a war took place. All because of a Jew hating madman. The British have not been fully informed of the bombing strategies that the RAF was ordered to do.
The justification was that it needed to be done to shorten the war.

Hitler's generals knew the end had come long before the madman would admit defeat.

Both sides suffered. However on a positive note:

The rocket technology that the Germans developed is what was the start of the Apollo series and man on the moon. There were many other technological advances as well.

Cheers
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Old 30-03-2014, 03:06 PM
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MichaelSW (Michael)
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G'day Hans, Pete, Marty.

I have an old friend in Townsville, Ken Tweedie, who was the F/Sgt Navigator on 460 Squadron Lancaster "C" for Charlie on the Nuremberg raid of 30 March 1944. Some years ago, Ken photocopied his navigators log sheets from this raid for me. (I collect military memorabilia).

It is 5 pages of times, headings, waypoints, and observations - all technical.

If anyone would like a copy, send me your postal address by private message.

Cheers.

Michael.
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Old 31-03-2014, 11:21 AM
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graham.hobart (Graham stevens)
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bomber

Interesting thread.
I often listen to the BBC radio adaptation of Bomber by Len Deighton. I find that this reminds me of the sacrifices and of the best and worst in War. It is the fictionalised account of the last mission of Lancaster O for Orange, and the story is told from the view point of the crew, the ground crew and Officers, the Axis fighter pilots and also the residents of Altgarden, a small fictional market town in Germany that bears the brunt of the bombing raid. Tear jerking stuff.
I recommend any one with an interest to listen to it.
Very moving - narrated by Tom Baker with an out standing voice cast.
Graham
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Old 31-03-2014, 11:24 AM
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Varangian (John)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stardrifter_WA View Post
Thanks for the interesting post Hans. It isn't really that surprising that the RAF would not want to commemorate a major disaster, after all, do we celebrate our individual failures? I know I would rather forget about my failures, and certainly wish I could.

It isn't like we don't pay tribute to the brave men and women who lost their lives in war.

After all, it wasn't the only disaster, as it is reminiscent of the early raids the USAF took over Sweinfurt-Regensburg, to destroy the ball bearing factories. Daylight bombing without fighter escorts, saw the loss of a large number of bombers and crews.

In hindsight, it all seems like utter madness, but then, they were fighting desperately for something worth fighting for...freedom.

Very brave men indeed.

I once read a quote that said, something like, "the winner of any war, is the one that makes the least amount of mistakes." The allies made lots of mistakes, but fortunately, the Nazis made more.

Sad all round really.

Pete
Gallipolli?
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