大象传媒

My father, Samuel Block, and his two brothers volunteered for the RAF at the outbreak of WW2 despite one having to lie about his age (17). My father was trained as an air-gunner on the Manchester bomber, the precurser to the Lancaster. Manchesters were thrown into action before they were properly developed. He was returning to base in Lincoln after his first air-raid when they encountered barrage balloons over The Wash. The underpowered Manchester engines were unable to lift the plane above the balloons and the plane crashed into one. All crew were lost. Two months later, my father's brother, Flt Sgt David Block, was lost in action - his Manchester was on the first 1000 bomber raid over Germany. He was never seen again.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.