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“L for Love” Part I – The Man Who Fell from the Sky – – André Guédez
80 years ago, an extraordinary but true story about the crew of a special aircraft, which continues to this day. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Approaching Christmas 1944 and the Allies had made great advances across France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Holland. The huge logistical problems of supplying the troops 340 miles (540km) ahead from the landing beaches…
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04 March 2025 Award ceremony at the French Ambassadors Residence, London for the Association Nationale Franco Britannique. Several AFHG associates and members receive the silver cross (Chevalier) medal. 2025 09 February 2024 National Order of Liberation, Arc de Triomphe, Paris – AFHG is the only British representative at the commemoration of France’s highest WW2…
Read More“L for Love” Part II – Düsseldorf Discovery Uwe & Werner Baum
Surprise discovery in Düsseldorf in 2019 – plans for a unique memorial of reconciliation in Germany. The story goes on…. See “L for Love” Part I – https://afheritage.org/tha-man-who-fell-from-the-sky-l-for-love-part-i Note: Latest updated news about this project can be found at the end of this article……. Ian Reed. November 2018 The Annual Service of Remembrance…
Read MoreBalkan Experience – New Projects by Dušan Simić
Resurgent Balkan interest in the RAF & Balkan Air Force of WW2 and pilots of the Battle of Britain. A full translation in Serbian can be found at the end of this article. Verzija teksta na srpskom jeziku se nalazi pri kraju ovog članka. The Royal Air Force in the Balkans 1941…
Read More1944 / 1945 – a soldier’s perspective – D.H. Reed
On the ground, war is different – as the British and US armies push on into Germany towards the Russians. Historical Note: “Special Forces” including Glider and Parachute regiments of the British Army and Royal Marine Commandos of the Royal Navy were highly specialized trained troops often held back and used for specific missions;…
Read MoreSearching for René – Jan Leeming / Ian Reed
The research and commemoration of one of France’s greatest WWII fighter pilots and the RAF’s first French Squadron Leader. My sincere thanks to the many people who were involved in this very special Anglo/French project: Jan, for setting us all off on this venture and the following for their support, research and hard work…
Read MoreElvington Echoes – Caroline Broch
A Poet’s Tale. Through no other reason than by being born at a specific time and place, destiny called. André was born in the City of Limoges in west central France on 28th September 1920 and was schooled nearby in the small town of St Junien. As for many people born at that period,…
Read MoreLa Photo – The Francis Usai Letters
Discovery of the private letters of a French airman in Britain. One of the largest wartime collections in France. The Beginning Prior to the fall of France on 22nd June 1940, French Air Force personnel and their serviceable aircraft had pulled back to Oran in Algeria in order to re-group for the fight…
Read MoreFlightpaths – Henry & Pat Martin – 1943 / 1944
The compelling story of a French airman Henry Martin, who fell in love with “Pat” Pattimore, a British special agent. The Story Prior to the invasion of Jersey by the German Army on 1 July 1940 , Phyllis Joyce Pattimore, (aged 23) known as “Pat” to her friends, had left her family home…
Read MoreWW1 – On the Balkan Trail 1917 – Lt. H.W. Brekke
Discovery of a superb wartime sketchbook from a century ago – personal insights – but who was the artist? The Balkan Trail – 1917 The khaki coloured sketchbook measuring 10” x 7” (26cm x 18cm), containing good quality velum drawing paper, looks as one would imagine such a book would be which had…
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