RAF log book marking town war effort found in archives

The book was given to the town after residents responded with great generosity to the Wings For Victory project in 1943, which sought public funding to buy badly needed planes for the war effort.

A total of 383,965 was raised in Beverley, which secured the purchase of 48 Beaufighters, long-range heavy fighter planes.

The log book, which is available for viewing at the Treasure House in Beverley, recorded the flights made by Beaufighter V.8460 over enemy territory between April 16, and August 15, 1943.

It details the experiences of her two-man crew, Sgt Frost and Sgt Towler, as they encountered enemy planes and survived anti-aircraft fire while striking at enemy supply vehicles.

An entry for one of its patrols said: "Attacked goods train just E of Landivisiau going West. Gave 3 seconds burst cannon and…diving from 1000 to 100ft…Beau attacked by two JU88s simultaneously. One from behind and the other from ahead…"

Collections officer Sam Bartle said it was not clear whether the aircraft was one of the 48 bought by the people of Beverley.

He 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."