A log book, recently discovered in the Borough of Beverley archive collection, provides a snapshot of the experiences of a Beaufighter aircraft during the Second World War.
‘Wings For Victory’ took place during 1943 and was a nationwide fundraising event, part of the National Savings Campaign, designed to raise money to buy planes for the war effort. The town of Beverley did its bit, and managed to raise £383,965 to fund the cost of 48 Beaufighters
In commemoration of their charitable donations, the people of Beverley were presented with a log book recording the flights made by Beaufighter V.8460 into enemy territory between 16th April and 15th August 1943.
The log, which is available to view through East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s archives and local studies service in The Treasure House, Beverley, records the actions of the aircraft and her two-man crew of Sgt Frost and Sgt Towler, as they encountered enemy planes and survived anti-aircraft fire whilst striking at enemy supply vehicles.
Collections officer, Sam Bartle said: “The log book seems to have served as a demonstration to Beverley people of how their ‘Wings For Victory’ donations were being spent. Whether or not this specific Beaufighter was bought directly from their donations is uncertain, but the book was probably designed as a morale-booster for the local population.”
The book contains various notes on the Beaufighter’s ranger patrols, of which the following are typical: “Attacked goods train just E of Landivisiau going West. Gave 3 seconds burst cannon and …diving from 1000 to 100 ft…Beau attacked by two JU88s simultaneously. One from behind and the other from ahead…”
