Bomber Command Memorial

[ChrisInBlackpool]

I don't have any new news, but thought it might be best to start of a thread all about this as I can see us discussing rather a lot over the next few months..

Anyone have anything to say, please say it here...

Questions for you all:

1)Who Wants to go,

2) Who thinks they are going to be invited??

[ChrisInBlackpool]

OK now I do have news,, BAD NEWS!!!

This is my reply to a thread that you can find here,
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/ww2-news-articles/31622-bomber-command-vat-bill-please-contact-your-mp-about.html
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Thought I would bump the thread as there seems to be a new article on line featuring Mr Gibb,
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/273081/Bomber-Command-Fund-clobbered-by-mm-tax-demand
and a new one in todays Express, and on line featuring Dame Vera Lynn.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/273306/Dame-Vera-Lynn-attacks-disgraceful-tax-on-bombers-memorial
I can also tell you that having spoken to 43 living 102 veterans this past month, only a hand full of them have any idea about what's going on with the unveiling, and none of them actually know if they are going to be invited.

The sadest thing to me though, was that several widows responded to me asking them if they would be going by saying, 'I have no reason to belive any one will want me there'!!
I have words to describe what I think about this... but I can't possibly type them here... One of these ladies explained to me that she had been married during the war to her husband (a flyer), and they had only managed a mere 67 years of marriage before his passing a few months ago... personally I'd sit this lady next to Liz!!!

Now where did I put my MP's phone number..................

[Bill Leyland]

The government makes me sick. Taxing the dead is disgusting. A quote I read once seems apt today "This country is being run by people who could never have built it".

[AndyMc]

There are some incredible people moving mountains to get this memorial off the ground...I've seen an artist's impression and when it is complete, it will be quite something to see.

I've no idea if I can be there at the unveiling as there are as yet, no fixed dates...May 2012, I've heard but very little else...I can't book a ticket from Australia, if it goes down to the wire...

To be fair to the authorities though, there's no accurate way of knowing how many veterans and/or widows will still be around in several month's time....they're all over the World.

Some live very quiet lives....almost isolated....

[ChrisInBlackpool]

Hi Andy

Imagine you were the Bomber Command Memorial (BCM) people facing the task you speak about, contacting all these people.. ohh I dunno say the way the New Zealand Gov have ALREADY contacted their people...

and you're sat there in your office and some one phones up and tells you they can give you a TOTALLY up to date list of every member of their squadron as of that day - a list that will not only give them current addresses, but phone numbers as well... just imagine for a second..

Would you being the BCM say to this person on the phone:

A) We are not contacting any one at this moment, invitations to the opening will be sent ONLY to the veterans of bomber command, GoodBye!
B) Wow what a generous offer, how kind and yes that would help us no end... what's your name again.

I know what I would have said ... and I know what BCM did say, because it was me that phoned them up and me that got one of the coldest shoulders I have ever had in my life.

I have great respect for what the BCM folks have done and are doing, BUT I have GRAVE GRAVE reservations as to who is going to be at this thing and who isn't and it has bugger all to do with them being healthy or even alive... most of them don't know a thing about it because our Gov is keeping it that way!!!

Just my opinion I might add..

Steps off soap box.........

[AndyMc]

Chris,
I hear you..and totally understand....

I'm back at School after a lapse of 13-14 years...doing a masters degree in military history and our last lecture was on the Bombing Offensive.....well, the first thing the lecturer says is how controversial it was...the first thing...

So we all start wondering how ethics can ever play a part in a World War....and of course the reality is that it can't...only the planners can really decide if we fight a clean war..or a dirty one.....

I read the other day of a transport ship sunk off the coast of Ireland....she was loaded up with silver bullion..somewhere to the tune of 200 million in todays market....it's been in the news headlines.

Only one man survived out of 85 odd men on board...apparently the U boat crew that popped one into the side of the ship then started shooting with light arms as the survivors hopped over the sides......morality....war....they don't mix....do they??

I've also heard that Cameron has slapped a tax on the memorial....the only time I've ever been short on words.....mind you, if this is true, then leave me in a room with him..I can think of plenty of words that I'd be happy to share with him....

Whatever your point of view on bombing, the men and women of Bomber Command thoroughly deserve this....to the day I die I will never be able to understand how men as young as 18-19, could take off in heavily laden aircraft in pitch darkness, with a one in three chance of survival....all the while watching familiar faces come and go...some surviving..many dying.

Time for me to get off my soapbox too.....!!!

[Neilw]

If you watch the video here -

http://www.rafbombercommand.com/memorialfund/

and your're quick you can see a crew and aircraft from 102.

Neil

[ChrisInBlackpool]

Ok clever so and so...

roughly wat time..

cause I've watched this (and cried once or twice.. ish)

and I never noticed it.... mmmmm

Man I am blind!!!

[Neilw]

Not far in - from memory (although can watch it again) its just before the bit featuring Blenheims, have to be quick though!

Its really only a prt of the aircraft but you can make out DY clearly

Neil

[ChrisInBlackpool]

I've seen it.. WOW well done you... going to take a screen shot and get into lots of trouble