‘La France, on ne la voit pas, on la sent’ ‘You can’t see France but you can feel it’ (words of a French pilot in the RAF on a night bombing mission over Normandy in June 1944) Halifax bomber taking off from Elvington, 5th June 1944. On the 5th of June 1944, the Allied Armies […]
Remembrance and History
International Womens Day, 8th March
Each year on the 8th of March, the world celebrates International Womens Day. Across the history of aviation there have been some inspirational women who have achieved great things and contributed much. Museum Director Barbara George hopes you will join us in remembering some of these famous women: “On this day, we are celebrating women’s […]
1944 and The French Squadron’s Toy Story
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 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 […]
18th June 1940 A Key Date in France and England’s History
“Let us be firm, pure and faithful; at the end of our sorrow, there is the greatest glory of the world that man never gave up”. “Soyons fermes, purs et fidèles, au bout de nos peines, il y a la plus grande gloire du monde, celle des hommes qui n’ont pas cédé.” Général De Gaulle […]
D Day from RAF Elvington – What Action the French Squadrons Flew on The Momentous Day
By June 1944, the two French Squadrons that flew from Elvington were fully operational. They had been flying missions as part of the allied air forces over occupied Europe and while everyone knew that an invasion was inevitable and drawing ever closer, nobody knew exactly when that would take place. The evening of the 5th […]
Why Did Josephine Baker visit RAF Elvington in 1945? And Who Was This Amazing Woman from WW2?
A very special guest….The day Josephine Baker came to Elvington. On the 16th of May 1945, RAF Elvington hosted a very special surprise guest on the site of what is now the Yorkshire Air Museum. It is a few days only since VE Day and the capitulation of Germany. The 2,500 French airmen based at […]
Recalling VE Day for RAF Elvington’s French Squadrons
As the 75th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day approaches, Yorkshire Air Museum Director Barbara George has been delving into the history of RAF Elvington’s famous French Squadrons within RAF Bomber Command, to see how the announcement of the Allied Victory in Europe was celebrated back at base. She provides us with a fascinating glimpse […]
