Forum for residents of St Georges Park and Long Leys Road Lincoln

[john shipton]

For those interested in aviation...


Following the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbour on 7th December 1941, the United States looked for a means of striking back at Japan. Faced with the challenge of reaching Japan across the Pacific Ocean a daring raid was mounted in April 1942. B-25 bombers were launched from an aircraft carrier to bomb Tokyo. Led by Jimmy Doolittle, the raid was considered by some to be a suicide raid, yet nearly 90% of the aircrew survived.

Fascinated by the post war relationship between one of the raiders and Mitsuo Fuchida, who led the raid on Pearl Harbour, Squadron Leader Phil Bonner has put together a talk which covers not only the planning and execution of the Doolittle Raid, but also the post war tradition of the Raiders Reunions.

Phil Bonner's lecture on The Doolittle Raid will be held at the Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre, near Lincoln, on Wednesday, 24th June, beginning at 7.30pm. Admission is £4.00 to visitors which includes refreshments but it free to members of the Friends of Metheringham Airfield, and 106 Squadron who were based at former RAF Metheringham.

He is a keen aviation historian who has lived in Lincolnshire for the last 19 years. He is an active member of the Lincolnshire Integrated Aviation Heritage Partnership and is currently researching the history of the Royal Australian Air Force in Lincolnshire.

For further details, please telephone 01526 378270/378604.

John Shipton.

Press Officer,

Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre.