A Bomb "From Anne"
On the 1st of May 1943 a letter was sent from No.6 Group Head Quarters
to 419 squadron it read:
"Information has been received from Canada, from C.A.S.-RCAF in conjunction with the Dominion of Canada's National War Loan Drive that a Dutch child residing in Canada has contributed five hundred dollars, sent to C.A.S. personally, with the request that a bomb be dropped by an RCAF aircraft on Germany marked from her."
With approval given and the War Loan authorities making this known to the public. It was decided that the bomb either to be a 500 pounder or a 1,000 pounder be dropped sometime after May 25th, 1943.
It was suggested that this mission was to be undertaken by 419 squadron and arrangements were made for photos to be taken and sent as soon as available to Headquarters.
The photographers used the crew of Flight Sgt. Bill Gray and his Halifax nick named "Mermaid" for photos used in association with the event. A 1,000 pound bomb was painted with the message by members of the ground crew.
Time moved on, the 1,000 sortie had already happened on the night of April 11/12 1943 almost a month before the letter was send from No.6 Group Head Quarters. ( Some sources mention the 1,000 sortie happened just before that date).
Eventually on the night of 11/12 June 1943 Halifax JD210, VR-S Piloted by P/O Bell dropped a 2,000 pound bomb on the night's target. Although you will notice that the bomb says "For Anne" and not the "From Anne" as requested.
"Information has been received from Canada, from C.A.S.-RCAF in conjunction with the Dominion of Canada's National War Loan Drive that a Dutch child residing in Canada has contributed five hundred dollars, sent to C.A.S. personally, with the request that a bomb be dropped by an RCAF aircraft on Germany marked from her."
With approval given and the War Loan authorities making this known to the public. It was decided that the bomb either to be a 500 pounder or a 1,000 pounder be dropped sometime after May 25th, 1943.
It was suggested that this mission was to be undertaken by 419 squadron and arrangements were made for photos to be taken and sent as soon as available to Headquarters.
The photographers used the crew of Flight Sgt. Bill Gray and his Halifax nick named "Mermaid" for photos used in association with the event. A 1,000 pound bomb was painted with the message by members of the ground crew.
Time moved on, the 1,000 sortie had already happened on the night of April 11/12 1943 almost a month before the letter was send from No.6 Group Head Quarters. ( Some sources mention the 1,000 sortie happened just before that date).
Eventually on the night of 11/12 June 1943 Halifax JD210, VR-S Piloted by P/O Bell dropped a 2,000 pound bomb on the night's target. Although you will notice that the bomb says "For Anne" and not the "From Anne" as requested.
