Friday Morning Talks: Eyes over D-Day – With Mark Lemon

Join us for our Friday morning talk, where Mark Lemon will be returning to to talk about his Father in-law’s wartime work as a reconnaissance pilot. 

Eyes over D Day. The very personal journey of a reconnaissance pilot in the 2nd Tactical Airforce.

F/Lt ‘Joe’ Boughey was involved every step of the way in the D Day Operations. A trained bomber pilot, he was involved in early testing of secret “Rebecca” transponder technology that minimised allied casualties during close tactical air support. Very unusually, he transferred from bombers to the single engine Mustang supporting excercises on Slapton Sands, photographing German beach defences, and probing our own decoys as part of Operation Fortitude. He was one of the first pilots to see D Day unfold, and at dawn was acting as a spotter for HMS Belfast’s opening salvos against the German heavy defences. He gave close tactical reconnaissance support to Canadian and Polish troops as they advanced through Normandy, playing a key role in the Battle of Falaise and in securing navel access to Antwerp passed Walcheren Island. The talk also shines an unexpected light on the likely true cause of failure of Operation Market Garden.

The painting above is one he had commissioned by Mark Posselthwaite showing Joe and his no2 flying over Ouistreham at dawn guiding HMS Belfast’s guns.

About the speaker

Mark Lemon is a keen military historian, and a volunteer at Bentley Priory. He has spent several years researching his father in law’s role in the RAF after his log books were stolen. This is his second talk at the museum, having previously given another highly personal history, that of his mother who was ‘the barmaid who built spitfires’.

This talk will take place onsite in the Museum’s Learning Centre and is included in Museum admission or Annual Membership.

Advance booking required – please reserve your seat via the link below.

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