(8 Group Path Finder Force - Senior Photographic Officer - Squadron Leader Howard William Lees)
A trio of Stirling's roar over RAF Downham Market at low level. The aircraft on the left is N3721 HA-P PETER, flown by Sergeant Ted Gough and crew. This aircraft went on to complete 62 operations, all with 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron. This aircraft went on to do 62 operations, all with 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron—photo taken by Photographic Section Sergeant Jack Walmsley, RAF Downham Market.
Five Stirling Bombers of No. 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron lined up along the Oakwood/Lough Cover sector perimeter track at RAF Downham Market, 1943. The track is now part of the New Road, which cuts through the airfield site very close to the Downham Market Airfield memorial. Photo taken by Photographic Section Sergeant Jack Walmsley, RAF Downham Market.
RAF Downham Market 1943, No.218 (Gold Coast) Squadron Ground Crew/ Armourers Loading Parachute Mines into the Stirling Bomb bay. The tall man in short sleeves is Leading Aircraftman Cartwright. Photo taken by Photographic Section Sergeant Jack Walmsley, RAF Downham Market.
218 (Gold Coast) Squadron, close-up of Ground Crew/ Armourers loading Parachute Mines (Leading Aircraftman Charles Henry Cartwright RAFVR seen here steadying a parachute mine as it winched up into the Stirling bomb bay.
What it takes to keep the Stirling bomber ready for operations
