|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 13, 2015 0:03:58 GMT 12
Today is the 70th Anniversary of the infamous raid by the RAF and USAAF on Dresden, Germany, that saw the city mostly destroyed in a fire storm. BBC Radio 4's 'Making History' programme this week is looking into the Dresden raid" www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/mhistory |
|
|
|
Post by nuuumannn on Feb 13, 2015 13:29:58 GMT 12
I remember many years ago I was dating a German girl and we visited her cousins living in Dresden. One night we were out I saw across the river a beam of light arcing into the sky and asked what it was and whether it was still looking for British bombers? The cousin said, completely deadpan, without any hint of humour that, "no, it was a night club".
My girlfriend elbowed me in the ribs!
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 13, 2015 14:17:21 GMT 12
Ooooh, too soon mate!
|
|
|
|
Post by fwx on Feb 19, 2015 13:37:17 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by pjw4118 on Feb 20, 2015 7:48:30 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by oggie2620 on Feb 25, 2015 1:16:10 GMT 12
The coverage on BBC TV was very one sided. So much so that I ended up sending a long email to Newswatch which is a feedback forum. I agree with you PJW that Bill and Martin are the authorities on Bomber Command though I would add Errol Martyn for Kiwi members. I dont know whether Simon has access to the history of 75 Sqn that the NZ Assn put together as that may have stuff to add to the personal recollections that he has on his site. I dont have a copy but I gather it took many years of work to collect all the data about the crews etc  I am sure if he has that he will have acknowledged any information he has used from it |
|
|
|
Post by fwx on Feb 25, 2015 13:59:36 GMT 12
Good on you for giving them an earful Dee!
The official history put together by the Assn doesn't contain any personal recollections of the Dresden op', and its commentary aligns closely with Middlebrook's version. 75 (NZ) Sqdn was part of the second wave, following the initial 5 Group attack, and fires were already well established when they arrived. Prior to the first attack, there was thick cloud over the target and the Pathfinders had to use less-accurate Wanganui parachute flare/ground flare markers. Some cloud was still in place when the first 75 (NZ) Sqdn a/c bombed (my uncle records 5/10 in his logbook), but this apparently cleared very quickly and the fires helped define the target. At the time they believed they had bombed quite accurately, so I guess its possible that the majority of the fires were caused by the first wave.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 25, 2015 15:50:12 GMT 12
The coverage on BBC TV was very one sided. Amazing considering the very balanced and in fact 'putting the record straight' manner in which the BBC Radio 4 programme handled the topic, not one-sided or biased at all. Don't the BBC departments talk to each other to get a consensus on their output? |
|
|
|
Post by isc on Mar 1, 2015 21:17:03 GMT 12
Dave, probably not (BBC conferring).
For the last 70yrs them at the "TOP" thought that if no one said anything it would all go away as if it never happened. That way Bomber Command was shunned, the fighter sqds of the BofB got the glory. isc
|
|
I am sure if he has that he will have acknowledged any information he has used from it 