Harry Winter 2018 Travels
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Harry Winter, W/Op, RAF was one of the many RAF aircrew assigned to the fledging RCAF 6th Bomber Command. He was posted to serve with 427 Squadron at RAF Leeming, Yorkshire in 1943.
In October, 2018, WO Harry Winter, W/Op returned to RAF Leeming 75 years after he had last left. He had departed RAF Leeming the evening of October 22, 1943 as part of a Bomber Command 569 aircraft operation to Kassel, Germany. Of the sixteen 427 Squadron Halifax aircraft tasked that night to join the operation four failed to return. Harry's aircraft was one. In his crew F/O JR(Bob) Harrison, Sgt. Harry Russell and F/Sgt. Roy Wells did not survive. Sgt. S.Endrige, P/O A.Myers, Sgt. J.Cox and Harry managed to bail out but were captured and became prisoners of war. Harry several years ago corrected a Squadron diary entry:
Hello 427, I was reading the 427 Association war log October 1943. It is stated that four aircraft failed to return including aircraft "L" Love piloted by F/O Harrison. To be correct "L" Love would not start at 17.20 so we were transferred to "G" George LK633. We were shot down on our return over Ludge, SSW of Hamelin at 21.15 by an ME110. Monica (Tail Warning radar for Bombers) was U/S throughout the flight and the oxygen supply was faulty.
Best wishes, H.T. Winter, W/Op.
Harry's return to RAF Leeming was initiated and facilitated by Project Propellor. It is an organization which arranges reunions for 150+ WWII aircrew, in which they are flown from all over the UK in light aircraft by current volunteer pilots. Harry was given the opportunity to take part in a memorable trip back to RAF Leeming 75 years after last having been there. The highlights of his trip are documented in the attached slide presentation.
Note: Initial selection of the link below will take you to the thumbnails of the slides. The arrow at the top right will start the slideshow. In any of the large slides placing your cursor at the top of the slide will unveil controls from left to right - to go back one photo; go back to large thumbnails; increase size of slide; show small thumbnails at top; hide captions; pause/start; go to next photo.Harry's Trip to RAF Leeming - Slide presentation about 4 minutes
Harry's Trip to RAF Leeming - All slides on Harry's CD presentation about 10 minutes - no captions
In addition to his fall trip back to RAF Leeming Harry also participated in a POW reunion held at RAF Wittering on October 4, 2018 where the former RAF POWs were feted at a Mess Dinner. They also had a talk by a pilot shot down in the first Gulf War who was captured and tortured.
In July, 2018 Harry received an invitation, sponsored by the Aces High organization, to attend the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford as their guest. The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) is the world's largest military air show, held annually over the third weekend in July, usually at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England in support of The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust. The show typically attracts a total of 150,000 to 160,000 spectators over the weekend. He and his son Paul spent an enjoyable two days at the airshow.
Harry signing at Aces High
Harry at lunch hosted by Aces High
Harry with Red Arrows at the Royal International Air Tattoo
Harry with Red Arrows at the Royal International Air Tattoo
Harry with the pilots of a Spitfire and Lancaster at the Royal International Air Tattoo
Staff members of Cobham Aviation Ltd. who invited Harry to the RIAT
Harry with Aces High hosts
Another example of Harry's great support for this web site is his coverage of the Bomber Command Memorial dedication in 2012. Harry and son Paul who provides the excellent photos, have been long term supporters of the 427 (Lion) Squadron Association and Harry in his 96th year continues his enthusiastic support of the Association by continuing to submit material such as this.