What a WW2 Bomber Crew Looked Like 

Big thank you to FL Thomas for showing off his kit and presenting his crew! Today is Friday 13th so a perfect day for this video to come out as the Halifax in the background is indeed 'Friday the 13th'. Also, tomorrow is France's National Day so happy to give my francophone friends an extra feature here!

Friday the 13th and a bomber with the same name. It is as if it was planned. :)

Excellent kit, chaps! Very smart and accurate. I believe that the preferred term in the R.A.F. was Bomb Aimer. Bombardier was the term used in the U.S. Air Force. My father was a heavy bomber pilot with 61 Sqn. during WW2, flying Hampdens, Manchesters and Lancasters, but he flew a number of 'heavies', including the Halifax and the first two thousand bomber raids in a Wellington, while with training units. The usual R.A.F. term for a bombing trip was an operation or sortie; the Americans called them missions. He was a lucky pilot - 52 operations with all his crew members safe, despite plenty of ventilation, courtesy of the Luftwaffe and flak. Very sad that so many other fine young men were not so fortunate.

In 1944 my father was a wireless operator in 425 squadron, the Alouette Squadron in Tholthorpe, Yorkshire. I've been trying to find what the rear gunner's cap is called, but I don't think Mr. Thomas specifically names it. I'm sure they had some kind of name for it, and in fact I have a few photos of my father wearing something similar. Regardless, this is a great video. My sincerest thanks to those who still care enough about the events of WW2 to educate others today.

I still have some of my father's R.A.F. kit, including Irvin sheepskin jacket, service and field caps, helmet, etc. His flying gauntlets are still as soft and flexible as the day they were made nearly 80 years ago!

Interesting, my father was a Radio operator with a bomber crew Raf. We even had a Gibson girl which I used to crank up as a child, tough going for a kid to he used to instruct me of the bail out procedure and use of life raft equipment while ditching. We even had the yellow kite, my dad's big leather fleece jacket I used to wear, it hung up in the garage for years. God rest his Soul.

My uncle David was a Sgt Gunner on Halifax V LK-685 from 431squadron, 6 Group, RCAF. They failed to return from operation December 3/4 , 1943. The pilot was W/O2 Ritchie RCAF, and the crew were Sgt B Hornung RCAF, F/OJ Shannon RCAF, F/Sgt Fulham RCAF, Sgt V Jenkins RAF, Sgt J. MacMullin RCAF, Sgt D. Lyford-Pike RAF (my uncle, rear gunner.) except the Pilot W/O Ritchie they all survived and were POW for the rest of the war.

Who else wants to see Bismarck in period cosplay? ;)

Interesting vid. Btw, in the RAF the chap who released the bombs was called the Bomb Aimer, not Bombardier.

Really interesting to see the uniforms & the guys looking very authentic, really sets it of to see both aircrew & aircraft together at there stations. Also Nice touch to see a free French airman, Canadian & Australian in remeberance of all the nationalities that served in the air force. Thanks for making this vid!

My first cousin, once removed, was in 77 Squadron, flying in a Halifax II ,HR841 as a Sergeant Air Gunner. He was Canadian, but his parents came from Jersey CI. His aircraft was lost over Berlin on the 29th Jan 1944 after a collision with a night fighter. Three other aircraft were also lost that night. Three weeks later the squadron was taken off the bombing of Berlin, due to the very high casualty rate.

Excellent, really nice to have the chaps been introduced and some things explained about their gear an such. Nice also the shots inside them playing the part! xD

@ 2:22 he says mission, this is an Americanism, the Empire/Commonwealth forces used the word Operation, often shorted to Op.

Most underrated channel on RU-vid

This makes all my childhood fascination with Bomber Crews and research on the subject come to life!

ahhh they had a canuck in the turret..no wonder they came home safe every time. ;)

Another outstanding video, many thanks!

Good evening, I just have discovered this video a couple of minutes ago. I would like to thank Flight Lieutenant ( exact abbreviation : F/Lt ) Thomas and his crew for showing us what a bomber crew would look like between 1943 and 1945. As a true R.A.F. and Commonwealth air forces enthusiast, it almost pleases me, really. Almost ? Because, if you don't mind, I have noticed two big mistakes : 1. F/Lt Thomas introduces us to F/Lt Grundstrum as a " Bombardier " ! Oh, come on !!!! The appropriate term used in the R.A.F., as well as in the Commonwealth air forces ( mentioned a year ago by Pete Hall ), was " Bomb Aimer ". " Bombardier " was the term used in the U.S. Army Air Force. The same mistake, I still wonder why, has been made in the film " Lancaster Skies " ( a 70 percent disappointment ). 2. F/Lt Thomas introduces us to Sgt Harris as a " Radio Operator " ! Oh please, why don't you use the appropriate term : Wireless Operator ?!!!!! Despite the two mistakes mentioned above, I would like to take my hat off to you, fellows. Perhaps we will see each others on some next occasion ? Normally, I would be invited at the Bastogne War Museum ( Belgium ) for the " Nuts Weekend " event, which would take place in mid - December 2019. Keep up the good work, chaps! Have a nice evening. Cheers.

Love some history, makes the day better and possibly even the weekend! Best, IC

Would the gunners have been officers or enlisted? Seems like a lot of officers on that crew. Either way, it's cool. Very cool. And not inexpensive, I'm sure.

And old neibour was a Halifax flight Engineer,he said he used to deliver steel to Berlin!

Behind the scenes pre recording: "low life expectancy of a rear gunner? hmm... ok lads we are going to put Free French there" ;)

Well done, lads! Smile, please, we're trying to encourage those on the Home Front, eh?

Nice treat and thanks for filming that for us. I'd love to read a historical account of a ditched or crashed crew having to use that portable radio having successfully launched its kite. There's got to be a case where it was used. That would an interesting and exciting historical account to read, I think.

Fantastic video, and thanks a lot to these fine gentlemen as well

In 2000 i flew in a B-17. I t was absolutely amazing. The noise was deafening. The rear gunner and ball gunner had to be really small brave guys. it lasted 20 minutes and was on my bucket list. plane was called nine-0-nine. Sadly i crashed around 2018 i think and 5 were killed.

Excellent job chaps! A bomber aircraft from ww2, along with it’s crew is authentic! I actually have a P-51D Mustang, and the pilot suit too. Maybe i could escort you sometime!

Certainly one of the most moving tribute's to the “Many.” I'm sure Ole Bert, has already witnessed this herein. And called up 8 Group, to get Don to tell his men. Certainly the resolute, dedicated and serious; whom carry their own cross of Lorraine. All with great aircraft of the perfect Plan, for history will cherish their fame. With such great hardworking Groundcrew, and cohesion within the bomber stream. From Blenheim's to the Halifax heavies, for eternity they'll fly unseen.

God I wish my girlfriend turned me on this good

What??? A" bombardier"? There was no such crew position in a WW 2 RAF bomber. The RAF employed 'Bomb Aimers', not Bombardiers. Although this may seem like a relatively minor point, it does tend to cast doubt on your level your understanding of the subject matter.

Always wondered how LeBeau found himself in a LuftStalag

The more I consider it the more I believe that deletion of the turrets on these RAF bombers would have been best. Two less crew, a considerable saving in weight which could be used for armour or make for a lighter, faster aircraft.

Luv ur vids dude

As a Kid of the 13th (Sunday) I approve of this bomber name and this episode! ;) One question, was this beauty fired up?

My great uncles sold all of my great grandfathers raf stuff

Nice video as always Bismarck! Thx for upload:)

Hahaha nice timing (today is friday the 13) 👍 And great video too, as usual 😎

Great stuff Thankyou for posting. Must be low level Op as not an Irvin to be seen..!

this is amazing, would like to see tanks like this

Afraid I don't quite follow you, squadron leader.

Was the position called bombardier or bomb aimer? It was my understanding that bombardier was American? Maybe the Australians also used it

just saw this and very well done

Great.....thank you!

This was nice, thanks!

Crew inside a bomber hmmmm Bismarck, Bo, Loli

Well this crew ain't gonna be flying at altitude. -40° for 4-5 hours in an aircraft with zero insulation. Woolly jumpers, silk scarf, electric heated suits, Irvin sheepskin jackets or and trousers. These guys would not last long during the winter campaign of 1943 44 against Berlin.

very good ...except...WHERE ARE THE PIGEONS AND PIGEON BOXES?

Love u bis! Keep up the great work!

The free French pilot was so nervous he was about to surrender to the camera crew.

The RAF observer parachute harness doesn't have D-ring connector (which stay the parachute container in position), so, if the crew bailed out, would the parachute container fly up from its position? (this can make the crew die)

you can easily see the bombardier's guilt,he's most definitely has been over Dresden for more than 10 times

Is there a guide to sewing uniform insignia?

I was wondering about the differences of kit each position had. I'm kinda surprised how little change in dress each person had.

ofc they put the frogs at the back of the craft

Man, I wish I had a job like that.

thanks for sharing this. I have a follow up question, what efforts if any did the Japanese employ on recovering downed airmen? I know they had seaplanes, but how effective were they on rescuing pilots.

Australia Australia Australia, God bless you

could be worse, could be a B17 ball gunner.

Amazing ?Are all items of clothing and equipment original

Could the Flight Engineer land the plane?

G'day, Well, mate, mixed feelings on this one. As an Aeroplanologist, I fully understand the deep fascination of aquiring and possessing & learning about bits of Kit which pertain to long gone Aeroplanes, & the people who flew them ; when I was about 6 years old I used to wind my grandfather's Sam-Browne Belt twice around my waist (from his days in the Australian Flying Corps in WW-1) and climb up to perch atop the Rotary Clothes-Hoist in the backyard, pretending to fly my Sopwith Camel over the Trench-Lines of France..., imagining the sweet scent of the half-burnt Castor Oil... (olde Bean) ! However it's difficult to not regard it as being a bit weird for a bunch of Grownups to have gone to such extraordinary lengths to recreate the assemblage of Uniforms, Caps, Badges, Kit and Caboodle..., all to be able to (essentially) gather together to play Dress-Ups, and sit in a (beautifully) restored old Halifax, and and therein (presumably) "reinact" what they imagine the Intercom Conversations would have been ; ie, "Rear-Gunner to Pilot, Night-Fighter Aporoaching, 5 O-Clock High ; Corkscrew Starboard - Go !", or perhaps, " Bomb-Aimer to Pilot, we're smack on the Run-up now Skip...., Steady..., Left, left, Steady..., Steady..., Right..., Steady..., Steady......., Bombs Gone...!, Oh NO, Shit..., Skipper, don't turn yet - what about the Photoflash..?!". All while pretending to hear the concerted roaring of 4 times The Sound Of Round, growling away on the Wings... The French Accent from the "Rear-Gunner" was pretty good, but nobody in the RAAF ever sounded like that "Pilot"..(!). To be honest though, when I have beheld "Reinactors" marching up the mainstreet of my hometown's Celtic Festival, the Platoon of English Redcoats with their Brown-Bess Muskets and the Roman Legionaries (in shiny Chromed Armour !) have competed in my estimation for the position of which was the more ridiculous spectacle - the Redcoats, the Legionaries, or both of them marching in a Parade of Antipodean Celtic Clans, all stepping out to the sound of Bagpipe Bands...(?) ! It's only the Aeroplane in this context, and my own personal prejudices and predelictions, which rescues these Bomber-Command Aircrew Reinactors from being seen as an equally anachronistic bunch of Wannabe's - all systemstically glorifying the institution of War in general, and the mass Firebombing of Civilians in particular (see the Nose Art on the Halifax..!). One wonders if they afterwards sit around drinking Pints of warm weak English Beer, practising their singing of the Drinking-Songs popular in Bomber-Command Aircrew's Messes in 1943 ? "We shall bomb the Blind and Helpless, We shall kill the Halt and lame... We'll burn Mothers and their Babies, For they're Germans ; All the same....!". " Cheers, Matey, here's Mud in y're eye !". Mind you, between 1980 & 1984, as a Student at a Repatriation Hospital (RGH-Concord, Sydney), I nursed some 2,000 Veterans of every Military Adventure in which Oz was ever involved, from 1914 to 1984, for an average of 10 days each ; and it was those Veterans who re-educated my own understanding of War, Warriorism, and Military Forces - leading me to realise that ALL War is ALWAYS total BULLSHIT, regardless of whomsoever one fights for, or against, when, or where, or "what for" - because 20 or 30 years after they stop shooting at each other, the surviving Combatants on all sides are gathering together in Pub's beside their old Battlefields, on the annual anniversaries, to eat & drink & get pissed together and swap stories of how very Scared they used to be, of each other, back when they were trying to kill each other - and all because they had all foolishly believed all the Bullshit which their Parents, Teachers, Neighbours Magazines, Newspapers, Movies, Newsreels and Politicians had told them - about each other... So, yeah..., while I realise that these blokes in the Video are all very well meaning, and earnest, and that they've all worked very hard to reach such a pinnacle of Mimicry....; they have apparently missed the whole point of the prayer, "Lest We Forget The Horrors Of War..." Probably because the Recruiters who organise Memorial Services for Wars past always assiduously amputate those final 4 words, thus deliberately malappropriating the meaning of the whole, in their presentation of Half of the Story ; whereas half of The Truth is ALWAYS 100% of a Lie, in Real Life... Just(ifiably ?) sayin'. Take it easy, ;-p Ciao !

An engineer flying back the plane. Intresting what if the engineer is dead aswell?

Anyone else playing the game "Bomber Crew" and watching this?

When was that? I was at the museum the other day.

Hello, I work for a musuem and need some help. I've been working on referbing a UH-C1 huey CAS. I'm looking for the Federal Stock and Manufatures part number for Pilot and CO pilot XM-60 reflecx sights. I have about 5 service manuals for the heli but can't find the numbers. If you can help it would be mutch appreciated.

Where can you get the type 41 flying boots?

Where is Jingles when you need it ?

Where did the pilot get the RAAF hat?

I wish I was there...

I must admit that I don't "get" the whole reenactment thing. Dad was a navigator in B-17s and I grew up listening to the war stories of him and his friends. Oddly enough... his two best friends were "Klaus", a Luftwaffe Bf-109 pilot with three kills, and "Mr. Abe" who crashed during his first training flight while he was on a path to, probably, become a Kamikaze pilot. Funny. All three of them probably survived the war through being wounded and missing the final flurry of action. None of them thought their experiences were cool or ever demonstrated any desire to revisit them in this way. I don't think there's any disrespect intended but the whole thing strikes me as being a bit silly and creepy. The heroes of the past trod their own paths and we tread ours.

Of course french need white color shirt

Need to stop rewriting History ! ! Reality is that most of the Crew were not Officers, but Sergeant's etc ,, simply to keep costs down .. RIP all those lost..

Excellent, sad more french couldn't be saved at dunkirk .. and their fleet in north africa.

hello bro

Would there really be that many officers in one plane, even the gunners?

An all officer crew?

How many Halifax were ever Made?

Lieutenant *DAB* by

Good video but...Air gunners would have been NCO's!

Wow

Sehr interessant

It doesn't fly does it? I've seen the Halifax in Canada (Trenton Ontario) and they say it's in flying condition but they will never fly it since it's one of the only ones left.

Vive les FAFL ! ^_^

Frenchy says “uh” a lot lol

RAAF NUMBER 1

I don’t think that guys hat could be less on his head.

Very interesting, but nit fully authentic. You would never have a crew on a british bomber, all officers! Retired Warrant Officer I

99 likes

Great clip and subject, but there was no such thing as "Bombardier" in the RAF, RAAF, RNZAF, RCAF, it was known as "Bomb Aimer" in the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Australian, New Zealand, Canadian Air Forces respectively. "Bombardier" is equivalent to Corporal in the British Army's Artillery Corps (pronounced "core" as it's a French word, and in this context it means a Branch or Arm of Service), i.e Royal Artillery (RA), Royal Australian Artillery (RAA), Royal New Zealand Artillery, etc. In a Bomber context "Bombardier" is uniquely American, as in the WWII US Army Air Forces (USAAF), Army Air Forces (AAF) or Army Air Corps (the United States Air Force or USAF from 1947 onwards when it was created as a seperate Service) only.