In December 1944, the war in Europe was intensified following D Day and here at RAF Elvington, the French Squadrons were flying missions in support of the offensive. Flying from the UK to free their homeland, these were intense times for the French airmen and ground crews. It must have been worrying to not know […]
Remembrance and History
Remembrance Day 2020
This year marks 75 years since the Elvington based French Squadrons finally made their journey home to Bordeaux in France. We would loved to have welcomed our Groupes Lourds friends to the museum on this Remembrance day, however this sadly cannot be the case. Instead, we’ve created this short film to express our gratitude and […]
Barbara George appointed Honorary Vice President of Association des Anciens et des Amis des Groupes Lourds.
More than 60 years ago, the Groupes Lourds Association was founded in France to remember the sacrifice of the French aircrew who flew Halifax III Bombers from RAF Elvington near York on missions to liberate Europe between 1944 and 1945. The museum enjoys a great bond of friendship with the association and we work together […]
The French Squadrons Homecoming, 1945
In October 1945, the French Heavy Bomber Squadrons based here at Elvington were finally able to return home to Bordeaux. President of the Groupes Lourds Association Paul Bogaert recounts the return of 346 and 347 Squadrons as they fly from Elvington to Bordeaux in October 1945. After 23 months of operations from the RAF Station […]
Jean Billaud, 346 Squadron, Passes Away
One of the last few remaining extraordinary members of 346 squadron sadly passed away this week. We were blessed to have welcomed him at Elvington only a few years ago. Enrolled in the French Air Force as a volunteer just before the Second World War, he was a student pilot at Rochefort. When the Germans […]
Alfred Pendariès, Air Gunner, 346 Squadron
We remember Alfred PENDARIÈS from 346 Guyenne Squadron who passed away in April 2020. Born on 18th April 1924 in Rullac-St-Cyr, Aveyron, France, Alfred PENDARIÈS joined the forces on his 18th birthday and left for Casablanca. In 1944, he decided to join the R.A.F. After qualifying as an air gunner in Morpeth on 2nd June […]
