Too tall to be a pilot, John Bell trained as an air observer and later specialised as a bomb aimer. He flew 30 operations in the Lancasters of 619 Squadron before transferring with his crew to 617 Squadron. Soon after his arrival, the squadron began dropping Barnes Wallis’ 12,000 lb “Tallboy” bomb with great precision. Bell bombed the Saumur Tunnel shortly after D-Day and a few days later his bomb landed close to the V-2 site under construction at Wizernes, a huge reinforced concrete dome. The shock-wave effect undermined the structure causing severe damage. After his 50th operation he was awarded the DFC. He remained in the RAF as a photographic interpreter seeing service during the Berlin Airlift and in Korea. He was a strong supporter of the RAF Benevolent Fund and was president of the 617 Squadron Association. He raised funds for the Bomber Commands memorial in London’s Green Park.
To read full obituary click HERE