Thursday, January 13, 2022

The Skies Of Europe

The Dieppe Raid took place on the 19th of August, 1942, the first real test of Hitler's Atlantic Wall at the port of Dieppe, France. Canadians, along with some British and American soldiers, took part in the attack, which failed, with over nine hundred Canadians killed and thousands more wounded or captured. Allied planners would learn from the raid, however, and apply those lessons to invasions of North Africa, Italy, and Normandy. 


The Royal Canadian Air Force took to the air of Europe alongside other Allied air forces, bombing enemy targets and engaging the Luftwaffe. Andrew Mynarski posthumously won the Victoria Cross for valor in trying to save the life of a fellow crew member aboard his Lancaster. Pieces of the wreckage are displayed behind the panel.


The bombing campaign occupies space here, with a large video screen featuring images of the period.


The display panel beyond includes a photograph of a navigator and the plane's mascot, a formidable fellow named Ruthless Robert.


Allied bomber crews didn't just drop bombs. Leaflets were dropped over enemy territory.


I finish today with this marvelous portrait by Robert Hyndman. Sergeant M.E. Boreham, The British Empire Medal, features Canadian Myrtle Boreham, who spent the war as part of the RCAF.

24 comments:

  1. Wow William, with you as my history teacher way back in the 70's, I would have gotten a far better mark. Thanks for this interesting post.

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  2. The sound of airplane would have caused fear in the hearts of those people at that time, not knowing where the bombs will land.

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  3. Uma excelente e bem documentada exposição.
    Um abraço e continuação de uma boa semana.

    Andarilhar
    Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
    O prazer dos livros

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  4. My mother long time her whole life hid in the basement when there was a thunderstorm it made her think of the falling bombs !

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  5. Great post and exhibit, I like the portrait of Sergeant Myrtle. Take care, enjoy your day!

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  6. ...a high cost for a learning lesson.

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  7. @Jo: you're welcome.

    @Nancy: it would have.

    @Francisco: thanks.

    @Gattina: understandable.

    @Eileen: I like it too.

    @Tom: at least they learned it.

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  8. Sergeant Myrtle looks in fine fettle!

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  9. My mother was about 8 years old then. She has told us many times about how impressive the many overflying bombers were.

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  10. Great portrait, but, oh, will wars ever end, reckon not.

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  11. @Marie: indeed.

    @Magiceye: she does.

    @RedPat: definitely.

    @Sharon: very much so.

    @Jan: my family told stories too.

    @Iris: the tactics change, but otherwise...

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  12. A lovely portrait. Will there ever be a time when wars never happen?

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  13. Honoring those who served ~ great exhibit ~

    Wishing you happy times,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor

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  14. The portrait is indeed marvelous.

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