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Johnny Clifford raised £1,130 from 28 supporters

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Closed 10/01/2017

0%
£1,130
raised of £5,000 target by 28 supporters

    Weʼve raised £1,130 to erect a marble plinth at the National Memorial Arboretum in commemoration of the RAF Path Finder Force.

    Funded on Tuesday, 10th January 2017

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    Story

    The RAF Bombing Offensive against the Third Reich got off to a disastrous start, with Bomber Command’s (BC) aircraft being no match for the German air defences. A switch to night ops greatly reduced the casualty rate, but at a cost to accuracy, with large numbers of bombers failing to find their targets.

    In order to address this issue a specialist force, known as the Path Finder Force (PFF), was set up in Aug 1942, commanded by an Australian airman, Gp Capt Don Bennett. Initially comprising 5 squadrons, the PFF were first to receive the latest navigation technology, and developed tactics and techniques to mark targets using specialist flares to improve the accuracy of the main force.

    The concept proved to be extremely effective, leading to the PFF being elevated to Group status. It became No 8 Group of BC in January 1943 and eventually grew to a strength of 19 squadrons. Commanded throughout its wartime period by Don Bennett, promoted to Air Vice-Marshal in December 1943, he was the youngest officer to ever hold that rank.

    The PFF attracted some of the best aircrew serving in BC, including many from Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand, as well as airmen who had escaped from countries in occupied Europe, and their elite status was recognised by the award of the PFF badge, worn on the left breast pocket flap.

    During its short existence the PFF flew over 50 thousand ops against some 3440 targets. Around 3727 PFF airmen were killed on ops.

    More info about the PFF can be found at: http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/bombercommandno8group.cfm, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathfinder_%28RAF%29 and http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafbramptonwyton/history/heritagecentre.cfm

    The RAF Wyton Heritage Centre maintains the Path Finder Collection to remember and commemorate all those brave young men of the PFF, and intends to erect a memorial to No 8 (PFF) Group in the National Memorial Arboretum. Any help towards achieving this goal would be greatly appreciated.

    Updates

    3

    • Johnny Clifford7 years ago
      Johnny Clifford

      Johnny Clifford

      7 years ago

      Hi guys, Well, we're nearly at the end of this crowdfunding plea. It will close next month, Jan 2017. I would like to thank all those that have generously donated to this worthy cause and I would kindly ask if you haven't done so, please do think about donating before it's too late. I also mentioned I would place an image of the design, below is an interpretation of what we would like. The face will not be white, it's like that to better show the aircraft silhouettes. There are also Sqn badges missing thou will be in the final design.

      Update from the Page owner

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    • Johnny Clifford8 years ago
      Johnny Clifford

      Johnny Clifford

      8 years ago

      Hi Guys, I thought it time for another update. We were at 4% and £200 14 days ago, we have now progressed to 19% and £955! Thank you so much to all who have donated and today, a special mention to Sean Feast and his fellow golfers for the £400 donation, well done Sean and please pass on our thanks. We still have a wee way to go, so please pass on, share and encourage your family and friends to give a small donation. Thanks once again to one and all for your generosity. I should have some drawings on my next update Cheers

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    • Johnny Clifford8 years ago
      Johnny Clifford

      Johnny Clifford

      8 years ago

      Good morning everybody, just a quick update. We have reached £200 at this point (4%), so a way to go. Thank you to the guys who have donated at this point and I look forward to more in the future. We have drawings on the go for what we would like to have placed at the National Memorial Arboretum and I will post these as soon as the team are all happy with the result. Thank once again and will update again in a week or two. Regards Johnny

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    8 years ago

    Johnny Clifford started crowdfunding

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    Page last updated on: 12/22/2016 07.43

    Supporters

    28

    • Fen Tiger'.

      Fen Tiger'.

      Nov 11, 2016

      In Memory of Flt Lt H. B. Pettifer DFC and Bar, 51 and 35 Sqns'.

      £30.00

    • Anonymous

      Anonymous

      Nov 3, 2016

      On Behalf of Mr Jim Blackwood

      £50.00

    • mark arnold

      mark arnold

      Oct 30, 2016

      Good luck with your fundraising

      £20.00

    • Anonymous

      Anonymous

      Oct 22, 2016

      £20.00

    • Anonymous

      Anonymous

      Oct 22, 2016

      Thank you from a proud family member of members of Pathfinder Force.

      £10.00

    • Anonymous

      Anonymous

      Oct 17, 2016

      £15.00

    • Staunton Di

      Staunton Di

      Oct 11, 2016

      Donating in memory of a dear friend Flt Sgt Percy Cannings DFM, 97 Sqn Pathfinder crew, and an amazing gentleman that I was so proud to know, much missed by all.

      £30.00

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    About Crowdfunding
    About the fundraiser
    Johnny Clifford

    Johnny Clifford

    Born in Motherwell, Scotland, I joined the RAF in 1979 spending 30 Years as an aircraft technician at various stations around the world. My last posting, RAF Wyton, I got involved with the PFF Museum. I retired in 2009 and am now employed as a manager at Marshall ADG, Cambridge.

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