David Morton
Lifetime Supporter
It was 50 years ago today when a U2 took vertical and oblique photographs over Cuba and proved the existance of .......... Well - you know the rest.
Were you alive then? Did you have any relatives that were involved?
Did it have any repercussions in your world?
I was 15 1/2 yrs old and living in Western Germany. The subsequent Missile Crisis of October 16th onwards was a massively traumatic event and we were trying to get on transport to the Hook of Holland before Armageddon arrived in the shape of Soviet tanks that were massing on the border just 70 miles ( 3 hours) away. We were advised that when called forward, we could only walk out of the house and close the door but no luggage except toiletries. If armageddon happened, all of the Hunter aeroplanes would launch and probably only achieve a maximum of two sorties.
Alongside this was the Thor ICBM sites with their 1.44 megaton warhead and throughout the crisis all 59 serviceable missiles were erect,fueled, targeted,
and ready for the codes from the inner safe.
This was Kruschev trying to take it to the brink and the Kennedy presidency seeing Kruschevs cards.
When we finally returned to the UK one year later, it seemed a majority of the civilian population knew virtually nothing of what went on in spite of living amongst the heaviest concentration of V bombers
in the UK - Lincolnshire.
At the former RAF Hemswell there is a talk about Operation Emily (the Thors) on this Monday evening (15th. October)
as part of Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire's week of the Cuban Crisis.
Other events are :
The events to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis are now confirmed.
15th October 2012
A talk by John Boyes about project EMILY. This lecture is being held at Hemswell Court at 7pm. Tickets cost £5 per person and include tea/coffee.
16th October 2012
Starting from Hemswell Court, this is a coach tour of significant Cold War venues in Lincolnshire. We will be visiting Caistor, Faldingworth, Dunholm Lodge and RAF Scampton Museum. This full day tour includes lunch and is priced at £15 per person.
20th October 2012- Cold War focus at Newark Air Museum
There will be a series of talks focusing on the equipment of the Cold War in Lincolnshire with an opportunity to view the Vulcan from inside the cockpit, learn more about the Bloodhound Surface to Air Missile and hear about the role of the Royal Observer Corps. Tickets cost £15 per person
21st October 2012
Heritage Lincolnshire have arranged for the former Royal Observer Corps underground post at Holbeach to be opened up for visits. For more information or to book your place please contact Penny Ward on 01529 461499 or email [email protected]
27th October 2012
We will be hosting a series of talks in the Hardy Lecture Theatre in Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln. The talks will be by those who have studied the Doomsday events of half a century ago and we will have the opportunity to listen to those who were serving on the Thor sites and Vulcan bases in Lincolnshire. A fascinating day with lunch included - £15 per person.
Places on these events are strictly limited and booking early is recommended to avoid disappointment. To book your place today or for more information please call Phil Bonner on 01529 308135 or email [email protected] or Debbie Roberts on 01529 308172
Were you alive then? Did you have any relatives that were involved?
Did it have any repercussions in your world?
I was 15 1/2 yrs old and living in Western Germany. The subsequent Missile Crisis of October 16th onwards was a massively traumatic event and we were trying to get on transport to the Hook of Holland before Armageddon arrived in the shape of Soviet tanks that were massing on the border just 70 miles ( 3 hours) away. We were advised that when called forward, we could only walk out of the house and close the door but no luggage except toiletries. If armageddon happened, all of the Hunter aeroplanes would launch and probably only achieve a maximum of two sorties.
Alongside this was the Thor ICBM sites with their 1.44 megaton warhead and throughout the crisis all 59 serviceable missiles were erect,fueled, targeted,
and ready for the codes from the inner safe.
This was Kruschev trying to take it to the brink and the Kennedy presidency seeing Kruschevs cards.
When we finally returned to the UK one year later, it seemed a majority of the civilian population knew virtually nothing of what went on in spite of living amongst the heaviest concentration of V bombers
in the UK - Lincolnshire.
At the former RAF Hemswell there is a talk about Operation Emily (the Thors) on this Monday evening (15th. October)
as part of Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire's week of the Cuban Crisis.
Other events are :
The events to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis are now confirmed.
15th October 2012
A talk by John Boyes about project EMILY. This lecture is being held at Hemswell Court at 7pm. Tickets cost £5 per person and include tea/coffee.
16th October 2012
Starting from Hemswell Court, this is a coach tour of significant Cold War venues in Lincolnshire. We will be visiting Caistor, Faldingworth, Dunholm Lodge and RAF Scampton Museum. This full day tour includes lunch and is priced at £15 per person.
20th October 2012- Cold War focus at Newark Air Museum
There will be a series of talks focusing on the equipment of the Cold War in Lincolnshire with an opportunity to view the Vulcan from inside the cockpit, learn more about the Bloodhound Surface to Air Missile and hear about the role of the Royal Observer Corps. Tickets cost £15 per person
21st October 2012
Heritage Lincolnshire have arranged for the former Royal Observer Corps underground post at Holbeach to be opened up for visits. For more information or to book your place please contact Penny Ward on 01529 461499 or email [email protected]
27th October 2012
We will be hosting a series of talks in the Hardy Lecture Theatre in Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln. The talks will be by those who have studied the Doomsday events of half a century ago and we will have the opportunity to listen to those who were serving on the Thor sites and Vulcan bases in Lincolnshire. A fascinating day with lunch included - £15 per person.
Places on these events are strictly limited and booking early is recommended to avoid disappointment. To book your place today or for more information please call Phil Bonner on 01529 308135 or email [email protected] or Debbie Roberts on 01529 308172