From Landsman To Lancasters And Beyond

Ron Davies was born on the Wirral peninsula of England into an old farming family and grew up during the Great Depression.Using family records and a remarkable memory Ron paints a vivid picture of self-reliance and making do in hard times...largely due to mutual support, not state help.As for many others his life was disrupted by the transition to Total War in 1939.Wirral and nearby Liverpool suffered heavy bombing for three years with much destruction and many deaths including Ron's Uncle Ned.Despite being in a reserved occupation Ron volunteered for the RAF and recounts his adventures training in the USA and Canada before becoming operational back in the UK.In 101 Squadron Bomber Command he played an active part in preparing for and supporting the Normandy Invasion and in destroying Germany's V1 and V2 'terror weapon' sites.In 1945 as an expert bomb aimer he joined a secret mission to perfect a new bomb sight designed to destroy the Japanese fleet.Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the surrender ended the project.At home Ron like many returning servicemen found life hard under post war austerity and his life entered a routine of hard work to support his family.For several decades the Bombing War was controversial and its veterans received no state recognition.It was not until the 21st century that the nation felt ready to honour and remember the 55,000 bomber boys who died in action to save their country (and the 8,000 who died in training).Ron renewed contact with his old squadron and was able to meet old friends and exchange stories of what they had survived.It becomes clear that these men in their ninetieshave pin sharp memories. Several military mysteries also emerged which Ron followed up with his usual enthusiasm.He decided to bring together, his RAF log book, several memoirs of his adventures and the new information and this book was born.At this time new memorials were finally built to celebrate Bomber Command and Ron was able to attend several commemorative events with his son and friends.Ron also discovered the Military History community and other adventures followed including selling 'The Book' the proceeds of which have gone to local and national charities.