Dan Ellin
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danellin.bsky.social
Dan Ellin
@danellin.bsky.social
3K followers 1K following 1.5K posts
Historian, Gremlinologist, musician, and father. IBCC Digital Archivist. All views my own. He/him.
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danellin.bsky.social
Dan Ellin @danellin.bsky.social · Nov 10
My article Lack of Moral Fibre in RAF Bomber Command and Popular Culture @britjnlmilhist.bsky.social is here: journals.gold.ac.uk/index.php/bj...
A ‘Lack of Moral Fibre’ in Royal Air Force Bomber Command and Popular Culture | British Journal for Military History
journals.gold.ac.uk
danellin.bsky.social
An Englishwoman, Dorothy May married her German husband Paul, a stage-manager, in 1938. She wrote to him regularly after he was conscripted into the Wehrmacht. She continued to chronicle her experiences in Freiburg after he was declared missing at Stalingrad, in case he returned.
The Dorothy May collection. It contains her letters and journal, but also the couple’s official documents including Paul's Ahnenspiegel and Wehrpaß and Dorothy's Reisepass, their visitors book, and photographs. One photo album is in the form of a woman in traditional dress, with checked skirt, apron and hat with feather. IBCC Digital Archive collection #2651 Paul and Dorothy walking arm in arm. Annotated, "Frontispiece: Paul and Dorothy on their wedding day 5 April 1938" IBCC Digital Archive #57579
November 28, 2025 at 7:45 AM
danellin.bsky.social
There's a piece about the @ibccdigitalarchive.bsky.social in here! See the Midlands and East Highlights
uknatarcsector.bsky.social UK Archive Sector Leadership @uknatarcsector.bsky.social · 1d
We’re delighted to announce that #AYearinArchives 2025 is now live!

Have a browse and let us know which projects you enjoy reading about: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archives-sec...

📷 RNLI, Tower Hamlets Local History Library & Archives, Staffordshire County Council, Gateshead Archive

(1/2)
Four women pose for the camera wearing colourful patterned dresses. A large exhibition space displaying a buggy (with an explanatory placard in front of it) and an interactive screen. A colourful yellow and red poster entitled 'Cockney Rebels: Popular Music in Tower Hamlets 1624-2003'. The centre of the poster shows an electric guitar in front of photos of performers from various decades. A black and white image of four people wearing raincoats and walking in a straight line. Two of the people carry models of boats. The other two carry collection boxes that say 'life-boat'.
November 27, 2025 at 3:33 PM
danellin.bsky.social
The IBCC Losses Database is now available again. It was taken offline after an attack by bots on Remembrance Sunday. losses.internationalbcc.co.uk
Losses Database - International Bomber Command Centre
losses.internationalbcc.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 2:19 PM
danellin.bsky.social
#OTD 27 November 1944 the underground munitions store at RAF Fauld exploded, killing 70 people, creating a huge crater and destroying a reservoir. #History #WW2
BURTON-ON-TRENT, Tuesday. THE death-roll [sic] in the R.A.F. depot explosion near here yesterday is expected to exceed 160. Tonight more than 100 men were estimated to be buried in the ammunition store, from which 23 bodies have been recovered. Thirty-one bodies remain under the wreckage of a plaster works nearby. Rescue parties worked through last night and today, often in extreme difficulties. Many deaths were caused by gas and some of the rescuers could work only for two-minute spells, although equipped with respirators. The casualties include Service men, civilians and Italian collaborators. A village near the scene of the main explosion, and the open country above the depot, today looked as if it had been pattern-bombed. Great craters are everywhere, and the face of the countryside over an area of several square miles has been completely changed. Buried under mud. There were two explosions in different parts of the depot. The first was in a gallery which, with the administration buildings above it, was wrecked. The other was at a bomb dump 70ft. underground. Between 50 and 60 men were at work at the site of the first explosion, but some escaped by an air shaft. Mr. Charles Gibbs was one of those unhurt. Man after man he carried to safety on his back, and he gave in only when he collapsed through being gassed; he was himself carried home by R.A.F. men. Blast wrecked a reservoir and an avalanche of mud swept through and over the administration offices. Men are believed to be buried under the mud. At the bomb dump there were at least 75 men at work. Farm disappears. Two farms near the dump were among the wrecked buildings. One has practically disappeared into a crater 100 yards deep and 300 yards wide. There is no trace of a farmer and his wife and three farm hands. At intervals throughout today there have been minor explosions, attributed to the bursting of incendiary bombs... IBCC Digital Archive item 22086 Jean Smith was a WAAF at 27 OTU at RAF Lichfield. She remembers the explosion: ‘Fauld, the day the Dam went up, yes it was in 1944 and it was the Fauld explosion … and I’d gone upstairs and was typing away at this huge … long-carriage typewriter… and it was this funny rumble that went through my feet… we all stopped because it sounded like air raids and, we, it was only, must have been seconds… and suddenly this rumble got bigger and my typewriter … jammed, it went and I sort of sat back and I looked at the dirty, green wall in front of me and there was this little crack and it started to open and it came down in a big curve and I just, I just watched it… somebody said, oh, there must be a bad air raid somewhere, funny we haven’t heard the sirens.’ IBCC Digital Archive item 3488
November 27, 2025 at 11:46 AM
danellin.bsky.social
I've just been visited by Trevor Kerry who dropped this off for archive and the top of my TBR pile. Someone to have on a show in the next series @nmtdambusters.bsky.social ?
THe cover of The Lost Dambuster Lancaster: The Story of 617 Squadron’s Attack on Hitler’s V2 Rocket Site by Trevor Kerry and Gaëtan Sagot. Image of a Lancaster and a crewman if flying gear inside a Lancaster.
November 26, 2025 at 1:49 PM
danellin.bsky.social
You’ve been kidnapped. The characters from the last TV show you watched are trying to rescue you. Who’s coming to save you?

I'll be alright too...
November 25, 2025 at 5:12 PM
danellin.bsky.social
A free civic carol service, in association with SSAFA, in Lincoln Cathedral in support of the armed forces community. @lincolncathedral.bsky.social
On the evening of 2 December, the Worshipful Mayor of Lincoln will be holding a civic carol service, in association with SSAFA, in Lincoln Cathedral in support of the armed forces community. 19:00- 20:00. Free ticketed event - QR Code or https://www.charity-hub.co.uk/ssafa-lincolnshire/index.cfm?event=event&eventId=102485
November 24, 2025 at 9:58 AM
danellin.bsky.social
What does freedom mean to you?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ffG...
Rough cut+logos+subtitles
YouTube video by Film Portfolio
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Reposted by Dan Ellin
flyingarchivist.bsky.social
Did you tell him there'd be more when the boat comes in?
November 20, 2025 at 3:21 PM
danellin.bsky.social
I'll always remember what James Bolam said to me in the marquee rest area after we shot this scene. 'Are there any more crisps?' he said.
danellin.bsky.social Dan Ellin @danellin.bsky.social · 9d
My 'starring' role alongside James Bolam has been watched 28,000 times in three days! As @jamesjhistory.bsky.social said, the film's theme is 'what happened to the people...'
November 20, 2025 at 9:24 AM
danellin.bsky.social
I had my tea an hour or two ago, but I'm a bit peckish now...
Emergency Flying Ration Mk II IBCC Digital Archive item 57176 A metal ration tin (reference number 27P/7) with instructions printed on one side. IBCC Digital Archive item 57176
November 19, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Reposted by Dan Ellin
archiveswm.bsky.social
📣Exciting Opportunity✨ to join the Library & Archives senior management team at University of Warwick. To lead @mrcwarwick.bsky.social, including the University Archives and Special Collections.
Closing date: 7 Dec
#Archives #ArchivesWM @uknatarcsector.bsky.social
MRC Manager and Head of Archives and Special Collections
An exciting opportunity has come up to join the Library & Archives senior management team. You will lead on all aspects of strategic development and operational management and expertise relating to th...
www.archiveswestmidlands.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 2:52 PM
danellin.bsky.social
My 'starring' role alongside James Bolam has been watched 28,000 times in three days! As @jamesjhistory.bsky.social said, the film's theme is 'what happened to the people...'
Selfie of Dan in front of a monitor paused on a scene from the film. An ex Likely Lad in the foreground, Dan standing with others in the background. Behind that the reception at the IBCC Digital Archive
November 19, 2025 at 3:17 PM
danellin.bsky.social
Starring James Bolam, 'A Memory Owed' tells two stories: a replacement W/OP joining an experienced bomber crew, and an emotional journey of remembrance. Some photos in the end credits are from the @ibccdigitalarchive.bsky.social, I’m credited as a historical advisor, and appear briefly as an extra.
A Memory Owed || Short Film (2025)
YouTube video by A Memory Owed (2025)
www.youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:14 PM
danellin.bsky.social
Call that snow? This was snow. #snow #WW2 #History
Eight ground personnel standing alongside Lancaster NG485 holding shovels. RAF Waddington 1943/1944 IBCC Digital Archive item 42772 Three Lancasters parked, rear two in echelon behind and left. In the foreground two ground personnel in leather jerkins in front of the tail of the first aircraft and piled high snow. RAF Waddington 1943/1944 IBCC Digital Archive item 3625 RAF Skellingthorpe in snow. Three single story huts surround a stand with a large number of bicycles. The ground is covered by deep snow. In the background centre are three figures. 1943/1944 IBCC Digital Archive item 9911
November 19, 2025 at 8:49 AM
danellin.bsky.social
Give them a follow folks!
November 18, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Reposted by Dan Ellin
curatorian.bsky.social
I tend to think that for every remarkable photo of battle damage survived, like this one, there's ten or a hundred aircraft that blew up over the target or caught fire and crashed or ditched and the crew lost at sea etc etc etc.
November 16, 2025 at 5:14 PM
danellin.bsky.social
Damage to a 102 Squadron Halifax that landed at RAF Woodbridge returning from an operation to Julich in support of the American Army #OTD 16 Nov 1944. After landing at RAF Woodbridge in fog using FIDO Jim Finney, the mid upper gunner (left), was hospitalised and did not fly again. #WW2 #History
Starboard fuselage and rear inboard section of Halifax wing showing damage sustained during an operation over Germany. On the reverse 'Original photo Julich 16 Nov 1944 Landed Woodbridge Pocklington'. IBCC Digital Archive item 17780 Seven airmen in front of their Halifax. On a second image the same image is annotated - 'Mid-Upper Gunner Jim Finney Hull Flight Engineer Eric Horsham Wolwich SE London Navigator Owen Shirley Carshalton Surrey Pilot F/Lt Edgar Francis Seke St Michael Bomadier B/A John Norris Finchley London Wop/AG Alan Shepherd Ringwod Hants. Rear Guns Ronald Alderton Hampstead London'. On the reverse ' Pocklington 1944 Halifax III (Eshersham Instructor 346/347 F French) Loraine (1946) Sqdn - Elvington. March 1944-1947'. IBCC Digital Archive item 17769
November 16, 2025 at 2:46 PM
danellin.bsky.social
This video by @lordhardthrasher.bsky.social is rather well done, and I think I can hear some of my work being referenced. #History #WW2 @nmtdambusters.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvk0...
November 16, 2025 at 12:01 PM
danellin.bsky.social
While I'm thinking about memory, commemoration, and remembrance this from last week is worth watching. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb34... skip the first 5 minutes.
The Remembrance Assembly 2025 (English, no subtitles)
YouTube video by National Literacy Trust
www.youtube.com
November 16, 2025 at 11:31 AM
danellin.bsky.social
It's been viewed over 1,000 times in the first hour. The @ibccdigitalarchive.bsky.social gets a shout out for supplying some images, I have a credit as a historical advisor, and you can even spot me as an extra on screen for a second.
November 15, 2025 at 9:07 PM
danellin.bsky.social
This wizard film is just about to screen on YouTube... www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYtZ...
A Memory Owed || Short Film (2025)
YouTube video by A Memory Owed (2025)
www.youtube.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Reposted by Dan Ellin
smoorebofb1940.bsky.social
Finally made it here @danellin.bsky.social
November 15, 2025 at 9:35 AM
danellin.bsky.social
I was in 633 Squadron when I was seven years old. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Arrest after man suspected of posing as navy admiral at Llandudno Remembrance event
Police said a naval uniform and a selection of medals were seized from the man's home.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 6:03 PM
danellin.bsky.social
A busy day. A productive IBCC / University of Lincoln partnership committee meeting with @flyingarchivist.bsky.social, Alex trained new student volunteers, and we took in a wizard collection of POW material containing interviews recorded with Dixie Deans... #History #WW2 @nmtdambusters.bsky.social
A box file containing papers and 7 cassettes labelled J A G Deans and Dixie on the March.
November 14, 2025 at 5:05 PM