In 1946, the United States Army Air Force invited the RAF to take part in Air Forces Day that August, at Long Beach in California. The RAF gladly accepted, and set about planning a goodwill tour of America.
Operation Lancaster (also known as the Goodwill Tour) involved 16 Lancasters of 35 Squadron, the only heavy bomber squadron to have taken part in the VE Day flypast over London on 8 June, 1946. The Officer in Charge of the Operation was Group Captain Collard, the Station Commander of Graveley, and the Squadron was commanded by Wing Commander A J L Craig, DSO DFC. Aged only 23, Craig had nonetheless participated in 66 wartime operations. Prior to Japan’s surrender, the Lancasters had been painted white and black for their proposed move to the Far East to carry on the war as part of Tiger Force – Bomber Command’s contribution to the anticipated invasion of Japan.
The operation provided an invaluable opportunity after WWII to ‘fly the flag’ in America, while at the same time showing gratitude for America’s support to the allies. The RAF personnel – more than 200 flight and ground crew – were under strict orders about their behaviour, they were to be ambassadors of not only the RAF, but also Great Britain.
All personnel were kitted out with new uniforms for flying – tropical lightweight flying suits for aircrew and white drill overalls for the ground crew – and special light khaki dress uniforms for a range of formal and informal receptions, as well as organised and informal sightseeing. The number and composition of crews varied, although around eight flight crew and around four ground crew were on each aircraft.
The squadron was inspected at RAF Graveley on 3 July by the Commander in Chief of Bomber Command, Air Vice Marshall Sir Norman Bottomley, when crews were presented in front of their aircraft. He offered his congratulations to the squadron on being chosen to represent not only Bomber Command but the entire Royal Air Force and called on all personnel going on the tour to do their utmost to uphold the high standards of discipline and flying of the RAF. The Lancasters – which were accompanied by an Avro York aircraft that led in advance with supplies – flew in two flights of eight (‘A’ flight and ‘B’ flight) from RAF Graveley on 8 July, 1946.
They landed at Mitchel Field Air Force Base, New York on 17 July, having flown via RAF St Mawgan, Lagens (Azores) and Gander (Newfoundland) and flown in close formation over Boston and Mitchel Field. An official welcome was arranged at Mitchel Field, led by Lieutenant General George Stratemeyer, US Army Air Forces Air Defense Commander, and watched by several thousand spectators. Subject to rank, officers, non-commissioned officers and airmen were hosted at the airbase.
Inspection at RAF Graveley, Alfred Instone is far right in white overalls, nearest the camera. 3 July 1946
The following day the squadron flew in formation over New York landmarks, with footage of the flight receiving considerable publicity. During the tour, RAF personnel were hosted at US airbases and provided with entertainment and sightseeing opportunities.
While based at Mitchel Field the crews spent a day at Jones Beach in Long Island, and were hosted in small groups and accompanied to some of the major New York sites, including up the Empire State Building, down Broadway and into Times Square – places that were recognisable to the crews through appearing in films, newsreels and newspapers. The crews were paid in dollars, with an extra allowance, and many took the opportunity to buy souvenirs including stockings (unavailable back home) for their girlfriends, wives or sisters.
Following a four-day stay at Mitchel Field, the squadron began its three-stage, 2,700-mile journey across America to Long Beach, Los Angeles, landing at Scott Field, St Louis on 21 July, and Lowry Field, Denver on 25 July.
Further official receptions and sightseeing took place. The crews were well-fed, enjoying some foods that hadn't been available in Britain or which were very limited in supply as well as American specialities. Another treat was the visit to the Anheuser-Busch Budweiser factory in St Louis, 'the largest brewery in the world', which ended with free drinks in the visitors' lounge.
Official duties also continued, and an open day on 27 July at Lowry Field saw large numbers of the American public in attendance. They were treated to viewings of the Lancasters which they were aware had played such a prominent role in the war, and met the crews who were stationed beside their aircraft. Many visitors commented on how young the aircrew were as well as the size of the Lancaster's bomb bay.
The following day the squadron flew to Long Beach, Los Angeles, passing over the Albuquerque Pass in hot conditions to land mid-afternoon in California.
One of the highlights of the tour saw the crews experience Hollywood. A reception saw the appearance of some famous British film stars including David Niven, Olivia da Havilland and Boris Karloff. On other days the crews were divided into several groups, and activities included walking around the districts including Hollywood Boulevard and Grauman's Chinese theatre. Visits were arranged to some of the Hollywood studios and some groups were hosted in the homes of film stars including Alan Mowbray and Mr Attwater Kent, who hosted a lavish circus party for the officers which included an elephant, performing animals and clowns.
The original invitation to the squadron was to take part in the American Air Forces Day Flying Display, and on 1 August, 12 Lancasters flew in formation for two hours along the coast. Two other aircraft – a Lancaster and the York – were part of the static display at Long Beach when around 100,000 visitors came to view the aircraft and speak to the crews.
The return journey – west to east – via San Antonio, Washington DC and Boston to New York was over 3,200 miles, much of which was in particularly hot weather. The first leg to Kelly Field, San Antonio took more than eight hours and involved navigational challenges, in part due to the lack of geographical aids to navigate by. Texas was the most southerly point of the journey and home of the Texas Rangers. Hospitality was again generous, and sightseeing included a visit to the Alamo – where the Mexican army defeated the Texans in 1836 – and an action-packed rodeo.
The next stage of the journey saw the longest internal leg of the tour, when the squadron flew to Andrews Field, Washington DC on 8 August. The following evening all personnel attended the British Embassy as guests of the British Ambassador, Lord Inverchapel alongside Air Chief Marshal Sir Guy Garrod. Drinks and snacks were enjoyed in the embassy garden to the sounds of a military band.
Official duties during the five-day stay in Washington saw the 12-formation aircraft fly over Washington to Philadelphia and return to Andrews Field, as well as a squadron 'open house' which was well attended. Informal visits were also arranged to enable the air crews to see the main Washington landmarks, including the Capitol, the White House, the Washington Memorial and – for some – a trip down the Potomac River.
On 14 August the squadron continued to Massachusetts, landing at Westover Field in Boston where they were based until flying back to Mitchel Field, New York four days later. Further hospitality, including a show featuring the Rockettes at the Radio City theatre on 5th Avenue was arranged, and a final opportunity to shop in the city was enjoyed by some of the personnel.
The return journey to RAF Graveley took eight days, arriving on 28 August. Following formalities, all crew were granted seven days leave.
Operation Lancaster had been unlike any other RAF operation of the time, as a 'goodwill tour' it involved no actions relating to combat or defence, neither was it based around humanitarian activities. Those who took part enjoyed an experience of a lifetime, much of which is not available to civilians or military personnel even today. Although the flights across the Atlantic and then across north America and back were not in the face of enemy action, considerable skill was still required – particularly relating to navigation and flying – to secure a successful operation that also included formation flying over important American cities.
The American hosts had also turned out in large numbers to meet the 'Brits' and see first-hand the legendary Lancaster bomber. It can be assumed by the extensive coverage by the newspapers and newsreels on both sides of the Atlantic that Operation Lancaster played an important part in shaping a new post-war relationship between Britain and the United States.
For the Lancaster bombers though, it was the beginning of the end of an era. In April 1945 there were more than 1,000 Lancasters in active service. Eight years later, the last Bomber Command Lancaster was retired.
LAC Instone (left).
