To See the Dawn Breaking - 76 Squadron Operations

Between August 1914 and November 1918, the English and German Empires engaged in a war of quite titanic proportions. It was said to have been a war to end all wars, but a politically impotent Europe in the middle '30s helped to produce a climate ripe for a resumption of hostilities, which eventually broke out in September 1939.

This book is chiefly concerned with the second conflict and in particular the bombing campaign as remembered by the men and women of one unit, namely 76 Squadron of the Royal Air Force. Because of the sheer scale of this savage campaign, I have attempted to link the many individual contributions to the general run of events as the war progressed, though towards the end in 1945 with Bomber Command at its zenith the story becomes, perhaps, less personal.

It has not been possible for me to mention every squadron character by name and for this omission I apologise. Many of those stalwarts who formed the backbone of the squadron are no longer alive: to mention just two, 'The Colonel' and 'Pop' Bligh whose names must bring memories flooding back. Both were men of mature standing and I often wonder what their private thoughts were as they watched the young aircrews going willingly out to battle, often never to return. Therefore, I will try to set the tone of this book by quoting from a letter sent to me by Squadron Leader John Crampton who commanded B Flight at Holme-on-Spalding Moor from mid-1944, through to the end of the main bombing campaign in April 1945 and who writes in appreciation of just one of whom I have mentioned: 'We were blessed with a wonderful Adjutant, 'Pop' Bligh. He had served in the First World War and so must have been at least fifty. However, he kept us on our toes and frequently disapproved of our youthful behaviour. And yet, no matter what time of day or night we took-off on operations, dear old 'Pop' Bligh was always at the start of the runway, standing beside his bicycle, to wave us goodbye.'

Certainly not forgotten are the Commonwealth aircrews who came to serve with 76 Squadron, neither are the Norwegians who brought with them a special brand of enthusiasm to sustain them through their years in exile. I am proud to be able to recount so many of their stories.

For the younger generation who read this book, I sincerely trust the experiences relived in the following pages by so many of the participants, now nearly 40 years on, will never be repeated. I am sure this must have been the earnest hope of men like 'Pop' Bligh who, in May 1945, realised that no more would they need to go out onto a windswept Yorkshire airfield and wave farewell to the men in the bombers.

Bill Chorley, Ottery St Mary, Devon March 1981