IWM: Film of Dresden raid, 2nd attack, February 13/14, 1945

[JDCAVE]

Below, a link to IWM: Film of Dresden raid, 2nd attack, February 13/14, 1945 "Night attack by Avro Lancaster bombers of the RAAF 463 Squadron against Dresden, Germany. Filmed by on board cameras. Camera plane piloted by Flight Lieutenant Skelton."

https://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/29666

At the 4:00 minute mark of this film is footage from the "Mid-under" camera. Does this footage show "St. Elmo's fire" or is it a result of film damage.

Incidentally, as with Pforzheim, Dad was over the target at precisely the same time as this footage was filmed.

Jim

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

13/14-2-1945 DRESDEN.
No.463 Sqn RAAF
Lancaster I PD329:JO-Y
146876 F/Lt (Pilot) Graham Clyde SKELTON RAFVR
(DFC, LG: 13-4-1945, No.467 Sqn RAAF, p.1964).
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...upplement/1964

Col.

[JDCAVE]

Thanks Col. I hadn't gone through the ORB on this one yet, but intended to do so. The film from Pforzheim came from the 463 Squadron (PD.337) with F/Lt. Perry (A.418872). Different a/c and crew.

A modern video capture of St. Elmo's fire.

https://www.news.com.au/national/fla...00f8b87e0b5aea

That phenomena on the Dresden video at the 4:00 mark sure looks similar.

Jim

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

23/24-2-1945 PFORZHEIM
No.463 Sqn RAAF
Lancaster I PD337:JO-L
AUS418872 F/Lt (Pilot) Thomas Allan PERRY RAAF
(DFC. LG: 13-4-1945, No.463 Sqn. p.1965)
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...upplement/1965

Col.

[JDCAVE]

One other thought: this could also be due to some sort of static electricity event going on inside the camera as the film is being wound through and being exposed on the film.

Jim