The USAAF 390th Bomb Group had a bear as a mascot whilst in England during WW2. It has sad ending... Here's the short story of Roscoe Ann, the airfield bear. 🧵 (1/6)

Johnnie Johnson and his dog Sally, relaxing in between sorties on the wing of his Spitfire in Normandy, 1944.

On this day 1942, the "First of the Few" (US Release: Spitfire) premiered in Leicester Square. Starring Leslie Howard & David Niven, the film told the story of RJ Mitchell, designer of the Spitfire (manufactured in Southampton). Sections were filmed at RAF Ibsley, New Forest.

Today is the anniversary of Churchill's "The Few" speech, delivered at the height of the Battle of Britain. What many don't realise is that Churchill went on to pay tribute to "the many" of RAF Bomber Command, but that part rarely gets quoted. Full text below NeverMindTheDambusters

On this day 81 years ago, a Liberator of 311 Czechoslovak Squadron RAF left Beaulieu Airfield at 947am on an anti-submarine patrol to the Bay of Biscay. She never returned, with all 8 crew declared missing. 🧵

The concrete roadway leading from the living area at Beaulieu Airfield in Hampshire, to the airfield perimeter. It's a 0.7 mile walk, and a journey many men made from 1942 to 1944, but not all made the same journey back.

I've just seen a comment saying that plans are underway to restore the RAF Kenley officers mess which has been victim of arson, vandalism, neglect, and graffiti. Some years ago I saw up close up how bad things were. It's an lovely building, I hope this is true.

Saw this on Facebook today via the Veteran's Foundation page. Olympic cyclist Emma Finucane is a great-niece of Irish WW2 RAF pilot Wing Commander Brendan 'Paddy' Finucane who, in June 1942, became the RAF's youngest wing commander at just age 21.

This is an Air Ministry inspection lamp used by ground crew at a WW2 airfield. I have no idea if it still works, but thought it rather cool. Needs a bulb.

Here you go… just seen a Lancaster bomber flying over Bournemouth Pier.

Can anyone help ID what WW2 aircraft this wreck might belong to please?

I just interviewed Mike... since the 1990s he has been researching the biological, chemical, and germ warfare tests conducted in secret across the south of England in the 1950s... To watch the full interview, search YouTube for "Beaulieu Germ Warfare Tests" 🧵