February 2009

 

After an extended hiatus and two relocations of the site, it has finally found a new home on the main site, www.bombercrew.com.  

My research  has been a remarkable journey so far that has led to many new friendships with people all over Canada and the world. When I initially started my small tribute back in 1997, I didn't even have a photo of Gerald Sorel, 10 years later I have photos of all of the crew, but I am continuing  to search for a crew photo and a photo of the aircraft, MZ589. My quest has led me to expand my research to include first Canadian bomber squadrons and eventually all Bomber Command Squadrons as well as school of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Still, I occasionally uncover treasures that relate to Gerald's crew such as the photo above which is Halifax MZ657, coded SE-K. The crew flew in this very aircraft during a daylight operation to bomb the V-1 flying bomb site at Bonnetot, France on June 24, 1944. As you can see from the photograph, there are leaves on the tress in the background which suggests this photo was likely taken during late May or Early June of '44. It provides an excellent window into what life around the base would have been like at the precise time that the crew was there. The aircraft was later destroyed in a crash on takeoff on July 5, 1944.

 

The airmen of Halifax MZ589, their service records, journals and logbook entries are available in the Crew section, clicking  on one of the photos will take you to that airmen's service records. I also recommend reading the Operations section, where details of the missions flown by the crew are available.  In the aircraft section you will see a photo of the crew's first aircraft as well as a profile drawing of MZ-589. For more general information on bomber command, I recommend my parent site www.bombercrew.com.

For those that are interested in learning more about the men that served in Gerald's squadron as well as its  history, W.E Heron has written the most complete book on the subject, you can order it here.

I will be reconfiguring this site over the next few weeks and adding a photo gallery relating specifically to Gerald and his crew. There is still much more information to be discovered so if you can help in any way, please contact me. 

 

 

Regards,

 

Matt