~ stayed in custom ~

~ prepare go to Thailand after Lunar New Year's holiday ~

Happy days!!!

I like him. Almost as posable as my Side Show Clonetrooper, easier to carry around and $120 cheaper. I wish he had at least an extra set of hands or they could have made one able to hold the barrel of the longer rifles. Wave 3 has a normal Stormie in it but that close out next year. Wave 2 has Boba in it. Looks like only 4 figures in each wave. At $20 US per I guess that's good for hard core collectors.

Spiders (order Araneae) are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs and chelicerae with fangs that inject venom. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all other orders of organisms. Spiders are found worldwide on every continent except for Antarctica, and have become established in nearly every habitat with the exceptions of air and sea colonization. As of November 2015, at least 45,700 spider species, and 114 families have been recorded by taxonomists. However, there has been dissension within the scientific community as to how all these families should be classified, as evidenced by the over 20 different classifications that have been proposed since 1900.

 

Anatomically, spiders differ from other arthropods in that the usual body segments are fused into two tagmata, the cephalothorax and abdomen, and joined by a small, cylindrical pedicel. Unlike insects, spiders do not have antennae. In all except the most primitive group, the Mesothelae, spiders have the most centralized nervous systems of all arthropods, as all their ganglia are fused into one mass in the cephalothorax. Unlike most arthropods, spiders have no extensor muscles in their limbs and instead extend them by hydraulic pressure.

 

Their abdomens bear appendages that have been modified into spinnerets that extrude silk from up to six types of glands. Spider webs vary widely in size, shape and the amount of sticky thread used. It now appears that the spiral orb web may be one of the earliest forms, and spiders that produce tangled cobwebs are more abundant and diverse than orb-web spiders. Spider-like arachnids with silk-producing spigots appeared in the Devonian period about 386 million years ago, but these animals apparently lacked spinnerets. True spiders have been found in Carboniferous rocks from 318 to 299 million years ago, and are very similar to the most primitive surviving suborder, the Mesothelae. The main groups of modern spiders, Mygalomorphae and Araneomorphae, first appeared in the Triassic period, before 200 million years ago.

 

A herbivorous species, Bagheera kiplingi, was described in 2008,[5] but all other known species are predators, mostly preying on insects and on other spiders, although a few large species also take birds and lizards. Spiders use a wide range of strategies to capture prey: trapping it in sticky webs, lassoing it with sticky bolas, mimicking the prey to avoid detection, or running it down. Most detect prey mainly by sensing vibrations, but the active hunters have acute vision, and hunters of the genus Portia show signs of intelligence in their choice of tactics and ability to develop new ones. Spiders' guts are too narrow to take solids, and they liquefy their food by flooding it with digestive enzymes and grinding it with the bases of their pedipalps, as they do not have true jaws.

 

Male spiders identify themselves by a variety of complex courtship rituals to avoid being eaten by the females. Males of most species survive a few matings, limited mainly by their short life spans. Females weave silk egg-cases, each of which may contain hundreds of eggs. Females of many species care for their young, for example by carrying them around or by sharing food with them. A minority of species are social, building communal webs that may house anywhere from a few to 50,000 individuals. Social behavior ranges from precarious toleration, as in the widow spiders, to co-operative hunting and food-sharing. Although most spiders live for at most two years, tarantulas and other mygalomorph spiders can live up to 25 years in captivity.

 

While the venom of a few species is dangerous to humans, scientists are now researching the use of spider venom in medicine and as non-polluting pesticides. Spider silk provides a combination of lightness, strength and elasticity that is superior to that of synthetic materials, and spider silk genes have been inserted into mammals and plants to see if these can be used as silk factories. As a result of their wide range of behaviors, spiders have become common symbols in art and mythology symbolizing various combinations of patience, cruelty and creative powers. An abnormal fear of spiders is called arachnophobia.

 

BODY PLAN

Spiders are chelicerates and therefore arthropods.[6] As arthropods they have: segmented bodies with jointed limbs, all covered in a cuticle made of chitin and proteins; heads that are composed of several segments that fuse during the development of the embryo. Being chelicerates, their bodies consist of two tagmata, sets of segments that serve similar functions: the foremost one, called the cephalothorax or prosoma, is a complete fusion of the segments that in an insect would form two separate tagmata, the head and thorax; the rear tagma is called the abdomen or opisthosoma. In spiders, the cephalothorax and abdomen are connected by a small cylindrical section, the pedicel. The pattern of segment fusion that forms chelicerates' heads is unique among arthropods, and what would normally be the first head segment disappears at an early stage of development, so that chelicerates lack the antennae typical of most arthropods. In fact, chelicerates' only appendages ahead of the mouth are a pair of chelicerae, and they lack anything that would function directly as "jaws". The first appendages behind the mouth are called pedipalps, and serve different functions within different groups of chelicerates.

 

Spiders and scorpions are members of one chelicerate group, the arachnids. Scorpions' chelicerae have three sections and are used in feeding. Spiders' chelicerae have two sections and terminate in fangs that are generally venomous, and fold away behind the upper sections while not in use. The upper sections generally have thick "beards" that filter solid lumps out of their food, as spiders can take only liquid food.[8] Scorpions' pedipalps generally form large claws for capturing prey, while those of spiders are fairly small appendages whose bases also act as an extension of the mouth; in addition, those of male spiders have enlarged last sections used for sperm transfer.

 

In spiders, the cephalothorax and abdomen are joined by a small, cylindrical pedicel, which enables the abdomen to move independently when producing silk. The upper surface of the cephalothorax is covered by a single, convex carapace, while the underside is covered by two rather flat plates. The abdomen is soft and egg-shaped. It shows no sign of segmentation, except that the primitive Mesothelae, whose living members are the Liphistiidae, have segmented plates on the upper surface.

 

CIRCULATION AND RESPIRATION

Like other arthropods, spiders are coelomates in which the coelom is reduced to small areas round the reproductive and excretory systems. Its place is largely taken by a hemocoel, a cavity that runs most of the length of the body and through which blood flows. The heart is a tube in the upper part of the body, with a few ostia that act as non-return valves allowing blood to enter the heart from the hemocoel but prevent it from leaving before it reaches the front end. However, in spiders, it occupies only the upper part of the abdomen, and blood is discharged into the hemocoel by one artery that opens at the rear end of the abdomen and by branching arteries that pass through the pedicle and open into several parts of the cephalothorax. Hence spiders have open circulatory systems. The blood of many spiders that have book lungs contains the respiratory pigment hemocyanin to make oxygen transport more efficient.

 

Spiders have developed several different respiratory anatomies, based on book lungs, a tracheal system, or both. Mygalomorph and Mesothelae spiders have two pairs of book lungs filled with haemolymph, where openings on the ventral surface of the abdomen allow air to enter and diffuse oxygen. This is also the case for some basal araneomorph spiders, like the family Hypochilidae, but the remaining members of this group have just the anterior pair of book lungs intact while the posterior pair of breathing organs are partly or fully modified into tracheae, through which oxygen is diffused into the haemolymph or directly to the tissue and organs. The trachea system has most likely evolved in small ancestors to help resist desiccation. The trachea were originally connected to the surroundings through a pair of openings called spiracles, but in the majority of spiders this pair of spiracles has fused into a single one in the middle, and moved backwards close to the spinnerets. Spiders that have tracheae generally have higher metabolic rates and better water conservation. Spiders are ectotherms, so environmental temperatures affect their activity.

 

FEEDING, DIGESTION AND EXCRETION

Uniquely among chelicerates, the final sections of spiders' chelicerae are fangs, and the great majority of spiders can use them to inject venom into prey from venom glands in the roots of the chelicerae. The family Uloboridae has lost its venom glands, and kills its prey with silk instead. Like most arachnids, including scorpions, spiders have a narrow gut that can only cope with liquid food and spiders have two sets of filters to keep solids out. They use one of two different systems of external digestion. Some pump digestive enzymes from the midgut into the prey and then suck the liquified tissues of the prey into the gut, eventually leaving behind the empty husk of the prey. Others grind the prey to pulp using the chelicerae and the bases of the pedipalps, while flooding it with enzymes; in these species, the chelicerae and the bases of the pedipalps form a preoral cavity that holds the food they are processing.

 

The stomach in the cephalothorax acts as a pump that sends the food deeper into the digestive system. The mid gut bears many digestive ceca, compartments with no other exit, that extract nutrients from the food; most are in the abdomen, which is dominated by the digestive system, but a few are found in the cephalothorax.

 

Most spiders convert nitrogenous waste products into uric acid, which can be excreted as a dry material. Malphigian tubules ("little tubes") extract these wastes from the blood in the hemocoel and dump them into the cloacal chamber, from which they are expelled through the anus. Production of uric acid and its removal via Malphigian tubules are a water-conserving feature that has evolved independently in several arthropod lineages that can live far away from water, for example the tubules of insects and arachnids develop from completely different parts of the embryo. However, a few primitive spiders, the sub-order Mesothelae and infra-order Mygalomorphae, retain the ancestral arthropod nephridia ("little kidneys"), which use large amounts of water to excrete nitrogenous waste products as ammonia.

 

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

The basic arthropod central nervous system consists of a pair of nerve cords running below the gut, with paired ganglia as local control centers in all segments; a brain formed by fusion of the ganglia for the head segments ahead of and behind the mouth, so that the esophagus is encircled by this conglomeration of ganglia. Except for the primitive Mesothelae, of which the Liphistiidae are the sole surviving family, spiders have the much more centralized nervous system that is typical of arachnids: all the ganglia of all segments behind the esophagus are fused, so that the cephalothorax is largely filled with nervous tissue and there are no ganglia in the abdomen; in the Mesothelae, the ganglia of the abdomen and the rear part of the cephalothorax remain unfused.

 

Despite the relatively small central nervous system, some spiders (like Portia) exhibit complex behaviour, including the ability to use a trial-and-error approach.

Sense organs

 

EYES

Most spiders have four pairs of eyes on the top-front area of the cephalothorax, arranged in patterns that vary from one family to another. The pair at the front are of the type called pigment-cup ocelli ("little eyes"), which in most arthropods are only capable of detecting the direction from which light is coming, using the shadow cast by the walls of the cup. However, the main eyes at the front of spiders' heads are pigment-cup ocelli that are capable of forming images. The other eyes are thought to be derived from the compound eyes of the ancestral chelicerates, but no longer have the separate facets typical of compound eyes. Unlike the main eyes, in many spiders these secondary eyes detect light reflected from a reflective tapetum lucidum, and wolf spiders can be spotted by torch light reflected from the tapeta. On the other hand, jumping spiders' secondary eyes have no tapeta. Some jumping spiders' visual acuity exceeds by a factor of ten that of dragonflies, which have by far the best vision among insects; in fact the human eye is only about five times sharper than a jumping spider's. They achieve this by a telephoto-like series of lenses, a four-layer retina and the ability to swivel their eyes and integrate images from different stages in the scan. The downside is that the scanning and integrating processes are relatively slow.

 

There are spiders with a reduced number of eyes, of these those with six-eyes are the most numerous and are missing a pair of eyes on the anterior median line, others species have four-eyes and some just two. Cave dwelling species have no eyes, or possess vestigial eyes incapable of sight.

 

OTHER SENSES

As with other arthropods, spiders' cuticles would block out information about the outside world, except that they are penetrated by many sensors or connections from sensors to the nervous system. In fact, spiders and other arthropods have modified their cuticles into elaborate arrays of sensors. Various touch sensors, mostly bristles called setae, respond to different levels of force, from strong contact to very weak air currents. Chemical sensors provide equivalents of taste and smell, often by means of setae. Pedipalps carry a large number of such setae sensitive to contact chemicals and air-borne smells, such as female pheromones. Spiders also have in the joints of their limbs slit sensillae that detect forces and vibrations. In web-building spiders, all these mechanical and chemical sensors are more important than the eyes, while the eyes are most important to spiders that hunt actively.

 

Like most arthropods, spiders lack balance and acceleration sensors and rely on their eyes to tell them which way is up. Arthropods' proprioceptors, sensors that report the force exerted by muscles and the degree of bending in the body and joints, are well understood. On the other hand, little is known about what other internal sensors spiders or other arthropods may have.

 

LOCMOTION

Each of the eight legs of a spider consists of seven distinct parts. The part closest to and attaching the leg to the cephalothorax is the coxa; the next segment is the short trochanter that works as a hinge for the following long segment, the femur; next is the spider's knee, the patella, which acts as the hinge for the tibia; the metatarsus is next, and it connects the tibia to the tarsus (which may be thought of as a foot of sorts); the tarsus ends in a claw made up of either two or three points, depending on the family to which the spider belongs. Although all arthropods use muscles attached to the inside of the exoskeleton to flex their limbs, spiders and a few other groups still use hydraulic pressure to extend them, a system inherited from their pre-arthropod ancestors. The only extensor muscles in spider legs are located in the three hip joints (bordering the coxa and the trochanter). As a result, a spider with a punctured cephalothorax cannot extend its legs, and the legs of dead spiders curl up. Spiders can generate pressures up to eight times their resting level to extend their legs, and jumping spiders can jump up to 50 times their own length by suddenly increasing the blood pressure in the third or fourth pair of legs. Although larger spiders use hydraulics to straighten their legs, unlike smaller jumping spiders they depend on their flexor muscles to generate the propulsive force for their jumps.

 

Most spiders that hunt actively, rather than relying on webs, have dense tufts of fine hairs between the paired claws at the tips of their legs. These tufts, known as scopulae, consist of bristles whose ends are split into as many as 1,000 branches, and enable spiders with scopulae to walk up vertical glass and upside down on ceilings. It appears that scopulae get their grip from contact with extremely thin layers of water on surfaces.[8] Spiders, like most other arachnids, keep at least four legs on the surface while walking or running.

 

SILK PRODUCTION

The abdomen has no appendages except those that have been modified to form one to four (usually three) pairs of short, movable spinnerets, which emit silk. Each spinneret has many spigots, each of which is connected to one silk gland. There are at least six types of silk gland, each producing a different type of silk.

 

Silk is mainly composed of a protein very similar to that used in insect silk. It is initially a liquid, and hardens not by exposure to air but as a result of being drawn out, which changes the internal structure of the protein. It is similar in tensile strength to nylon and biological materials such as chitin, collagen and cellulose, but is much more elastic. In other words, it can stretch much further before breaking or losing shape.

 

Some spiders have a cribellum, a modified spinneret with up to 40,000 spigots, each of which produces a single very fine fiber. The fibers are pulled out by the calamistrum, a comb-like set of bristles on the jointed tip of the cribellum, and combined into a composite woolly thread that is very effective in snagging the bristles of insects. The earliest spiders had cribella, which produced the first silk capable of capturing insects, before spiders developed silk coated with sticky droplets. However, most modern groups of spiders have lost the cribellum.

 

Tarantulas also have silk glands in their feet.

 

Even species that do not build webs to catch prey use silk in several ways: as wrappers for sperm and for fertilized eggs; as a "safety rope"; for nest-building; and as "parachutes" by the young of some species.

 

REPRODUCTION AND LIFE CYCLE

Spiders reproduce sexually and fertilization is internal but indirect, in other words the sperm is not inserted into the female's body by the male's genitals but by an intermediate stage. Unlike many land-living arthropods, male spiders do not produce ready-made spermatophores (packages of sperm), but spin small sperm webs on to which they ejaculate and then transfer the sperm to special syringe-like structures, palpal bulbs or palpal organs, borne on the tips of the pedipalps of mature males. When a male detects signs of a female nearby he checks whether she is of the same species and whether she is ready to mate; for example in species that produce webs or "safety ropes", the male can identify the species and sex of these objects by "smell".

 

Spiders generally use elaborate courtship rituals to prevent the large females from eating the small males before fertilization, except where the male is so much smaller that he is not worth eating. In web-weaving species, precise patterns of vibrations in the web are a major part of the rituals, while patterns of touches on the female's body are important in many spiders that hunt actively, and may "hypnotize" the female. Gestures and dances by the male are important for jumping spiders, which have excellent eyesight. If courtship is successful, the male injects his sperm from the palpal bulbs into the female's genital opening, known as the epigyne, on the underside of her abdomen. Female's reproductive tracts vary from simple tubes to systems that include seminal receptacles in which females store sperm and release it when they are ready.

 

Males of the genus Tidarren amputate one of their palps before maturation and enter adult life with one palp only. The palps are 20% of male's body mass in this species, and detaching one of the two improves mobility. In the Yemeni species Tidarren argo, the remaining palp is then torn off by the female. The separated palp remains attached to the female's epigynum for about four hours and apparently continues to function independently. In the meantime, the female feeds on the palpless male. In over 60% of cases, the female of the Australian redback spider kills and eats the male after it inserts its second palp into the female's genital opening; in fact, the males co-operate by trying to impale themselves on the females' fangs. Observation shows that most male redbacks never get an opportunity to mate, and the "lucky" ones increase the likely number of offspring by ensuring that the females are well-fed. However, males of most species survive a few matings, limited mainly by their short life spans. Some even live for a while in their mates' webs.

 

Females lay up to 3,000 eggs in one or more silk egg sacs, which maintain a fairly constant humidity level. In some species, the females die afterwards, but females of other species protect the sacs by attaching them to their webs, hiding them in nests, carrying them in the chelicerae or attaching them to the spinnerets and dragging them along.

 

Baby spiders pass all their larval stages inside the egg and hatch as spiderlings, very small and sexually immature but similar in shape to adults. Some spiders care for their young, for example a wolf spider's brood cling to rough bristles on the mother's back, and females of some species respond to the "begging" behaviour of their young by giving them their prey, provided it is no longer struggling, or even regurgitate food.

 

Like other arthropods, spiders have to molt to grow as their cuticle ("skin") cannot stretch. In some species males mate with newly molted females, which are too weak to be dangerous to the males. Most spiders live for only one to two years, although some tarantulas can live in captivity for over 20 years.

 

SIZE

Spiders occur in a large range of sizes. The smallest, Patu digua from Colombia, are less than 0.37 mm in body length. The largest and heaviest spiders occur among tarantulas, which can have body lengths up to 90 mm and leg spans up to 250 mm.

 

COLORATION

Only three classes of pigment (ommochromes, bilins and guanine) have been identified in spiders, although other pigments have been detected but not yet characterized. Melanins, carotenoids and pterins, very common in other animals, are apparently absent. In some species, the exocuticle of the legs and prosoma is modified by a tanning process, resulting in brown coloration. Bilins are found, for example, in Micrommata virescens, resulting in its green color. Guanine is responsible for the white markings of the European garden spider Araneus diadematus. It is in many species accumulated in specialized cells called guanocytes. In genera such as Tetragnatha, Leucauge, Argyrodes or Theridiosoma, guanine creates their silvery appearance. While guanine is originally an end-product of protein metabolism, its excretion can be blocked in spiders, leading to an increase in its storage. Structural colors occur in some species, which are the result of the diffraction, scattering or interference of light, for example by modified setae or scales. The white prosoma of Argiope results from hairs reflecting the light, Lycosa and Josa both have areas of modified cuticle that act as light reflectors.

 

ECOGOGY AND BEHAVIOR

NON-PREDATORY FEEDING

Although spiders are generally regarded as predatory, the jumping spider Bagheera kiplingi gets over 90% of its food from fairly solid plant material produced by acacias as part of a mutually beneficial relationship with a species of ant.

 

Juveniles of some spiders in the families Anyphaenidae, Corinnidae, Clubionidae, Thomisidae and Salticidae feed on plant nectar. Laboratory studies show that they do so deliberately and over extended periods, and periodically clean themselves while feeding. These spiders also prefer sugar solutions to plain water, which indicates that they are seeking nutrients. Since many spiders are nocturnal, the extent of nectar consumption by spiders may have been underestimated. Nectar contains amino acids, lipids, vitamins and minerals in addition to sugars, and studies have shown that other spider species live longer when nectar is available. Feeding on nectar avoids the risks of struggles with prey, and the costs of producing venom and digestive enzymes.

 

Various species are known to feed on dead arthropods (scavenging), web silk, and their own shed exoskeletons. Pollen caught in webs may also be eaten, and studies have shown that young spiders have a better chance of survival if they have the opportunity to eat pollen. In captivity, several spider species are also known to feed on bananas, marmalade, milk, egg yolk and sausages.

 

METHODS OF CAPTURING PREY

The best-known method of prey capture is by means of sticky webs. Varying placement of webs allows different species of spider to trap different insects in the same area, for example flat horizontal webs trap insects that fly up from vegetation underneath while flat vertical webs trap insects in horizontal flight. Web-building spiders have poor vision, but are extremely sensitive to vibrations.

 

Females of the water spider Argyroneta aquatica build underwater "diving bell" webs that they fill with air and use for digesting prey, molting, mating and raising offspring. They live almost entirely within the bells, darting out to catch prey animals that touch the bell or the threads that anchor it. A few spiders use the surfaces of lakes and ponds as "webs", detecting trapped insects by the vibrations that these cause while struggling.

 

Net-casting spiders weave only small webs, but then manipulate them to trap prey. Those of the genus Hyptiotes and the family Theridiosomatidae stretch their webs and then release them when prey strike them, but do not actively move their webs. Those of the family Deinopidae weave even smaller webs, hold them outstretched between their first two pairs of legs, and lunge and push the webs as much as twice their own body length to trap prey, and this move may increase the webs' area by a factor of up to ten. Experiments have shown that Deinopis spinosus has two different techniques for trapping prey: backwards strikes to catch flying insects, whose vibrations it detects; and forward strikes to catch ground-walking prey that it sees. These two techniques have also been observed in other deinopids. Walking insects form most of the prey of most deinopids, but one population of Deinopis subrufa appears to live mainly on tipulid flies that they catch with the backwards strike.

 

Mature female bolas spiders of the genus Mastophora build "webs" that consist of only a single "trapeze line", which they patrol. They also construct a bolas made of a single thread, tipped with a large ball of very wet sticky silk. They emit chemicals that resemble the pheromones of moths, and then swing the bolas at the moths. Although they miss on about 50% of strikes, they catch about the same weight of insects per night as web-weaving spiders of similar size. The spiders eat the bolas if they have not made a kill in about 30 minutes, rest for a while, and then make new bolas. Juveniles and adult males are much smaller and do not make bolas. Instead they release different pheromones that attract moth flies, and catch them with their front pairs of legs.

 

The primitive Liphistiidae, the "trapdoor spiders" of the family Ctenizidae and many tarantulas are ambush predators that lurk in burrows, often closed by trapdoors and often surrounded by networks of silk threads that alert these spiders to the presence of prey. Other ambush predators do without such aids, including many crab spiders, and a few species that prey on bees, which see ultraviolet, can adjust their ultraviolet reflectance to match the flowers in which they are lurking. Wolf spiders, jumping spiders, fishing spiders and some crab spiders capture prey by chasing it, and rely mainly on vision to locate prey.Some jumping spiders of the genus Portia hunt other spiders in ways that seem intelligent, outflanking their victims or luring them from their webs. Laboratory studies show that Portia's instinctive tactics are only starting points for a trial-and-error approach from which these spiders learn very quickly how to overcome new prey species. However, they seem to be relatively slow "thinkers", which is not surprising, as their brains are vastly smaller than those of mammalian predators.Ant-mimicking spiders face several challenges: they generally develop slimmer abdomens and false "waists" in the cephalothorax to mimic the three distinct regions (tagmata) of an ant's body; they wave the first pair of legs in front of their heads to mimic antennae, which spiders lack, and to conceal the fact that they have eight legs rather than six; they develop large color patches round one pair of eyes to disguise the fact that they generally have eight simple eyes, while ants have two compound eyes; they cover their bodies with reflective hairs to resemble the shiny bodies of ants. In some spider species, males and females mimic different ant species, as female spiders are usually much larger than males. Ant-mimicking spiders also modify their behavior to resemble that of the target species of ant; for example, many adopt a zig-zag pattern of movement, ant-mimicking jumping spiders avoid jumping, and spiders of the genus Synemosyna walk on the outer edges of leaves in the same way as Pseudomyrmex. Ant-mimicry in many spiders and other arthropods may be for protection from predators that hunt by sight, including birds, lizards and spiders. However, several ant-mimicking spiders prey either on ants or on the ants' "livestock", such as aphids. When at rest, the ant-mimicking crab spider Amyciaea does not closely resemble Oecophylla, but while hunting it imitates the behavior of a dying ant to attract worker ants. After a kill, some ant-mimicking spiders hold their victims between themselves and large groups of ants to avoid being attacked.

 

DEFENSE

There is strong evidence that spiders' coloration is camouflage that helps them to evade their major predators, birds and parasitic wasps, both of which have good color vision. Many spider species are colored so as to merge with their most common backgrounds, and some have disruptive coloration, stripes and blotches that break up their outlines. In a few species, such as the Hawaiian happy-face spider, Theridion grallator, several coloration schemes are present in a ratio that appears to remain constant, and this may make it more difficult for predators to recognize the species. Most spiders are insufficiently dangerous or unpleasant-tasting for warning coloration to offer much benefit. However, a few species with powerful venoms, large jaws or irritant hairs have patches of warning colors, and some actively display these colors when threatened.

 

Many of the family Theraphosidae, which includes tarantulas and baboon spiders, have urticating hairs on their abdomens and use their legs to flick them at attackers. These hairs are fine setae (bristles) with fragile bases and a row of barbs on the tip. The barbs cause intense irritation but there is no evidence that they carry any kind of venom. A few defend themselves against wasps by including networks of very robust threads in their webs, giving the spider time to flee while the wasps are struggling with the obstacles. The golden wheeling spider, Carparachne aureoflava, of the Namibian desert escapes parasitic wasps by flipping onto its side and cartwheeling down sand dunes.

 

SOCIAL SPIDERS

A few spider species that build webs live together in large colonies and show social behavior, although not as complex as in social insects. Anelosimus eximius (in the family Theridiidae) can form colonies of up to 50,000 individuals. The genus Anelosimus has a strong tendency towards sociality: all known American species are social, and species in Madagascar are at least somewhat social. Members of other species in the same family but several different genera have independently developed social behavior. For example, although Theridion nigroannulatum belongs to a genus with no other social species, T. nigroannulatum build colonies that may contain several thousand individuals that co-operate in prey capture and share food. Other communal spiders include several Philoponella species (family Uloboridae), Agelena consociata (family Agelenidae) and Mallos gregalis (family Dictynidae). Social predatory spiders need to defend their prey against kleptoparasites ("thieves"), and larger colonies are more successful in this. The herbivorous spider Bagheera kiplingi lives in small colonies which help to protect eggs and spiderlings. Even widow spiders (genus Latrodectus), which are notoriously cannibalistic, have formed small colonies in captivity, sharing webs and feeding together.

 

WEB TYPES

There is no consistent relationship between the classification of spiders and the types of web they build: species in the same genus may build very similar or significantly different webs. Nor is there much correspondence between spiders' classification and the chemical composition of their silks. Convergent evolution in web construction, in other words use of similar techniques by remotely related species, is rampant. Orb web designs and the spinning behaviors that produce them are the best understood. The basic radial-then-spiral sequence visible in orb webs and the sense of direction required to build them may have been inherited from the common ancestors of most spider groups. However, the majority of spiders build non-orb webs. It used to be thought that the sticky orb web was an evolutionary innovation resulting in the diversification of the Orbiculariae. Now, however, it appears that non-orb spiders are a sub-group that evolved from orb-web spiders, and non-orb spiders have over 40% more species and are four times as abundant as orb-web spiders. Their greater success may be because sphecid wasps, which are often the dominant predators of spiders, much prefer to attack spiders that have flat webs.

 

ORB WEBS

About half the potential prey that hit orb webs escape. A web has to perform three functions: intercepting the prey (intersection), absorbing its momentum without breaking (stopping), and trapping the prey by entangling it or sticking to it (retention). No single design is best for all prey. For example: wider spacing of lines will increase the web's area and hence its ability to intercept prey, but reduce its stopping power and retention; closer spacing, larger sticky droplets and thicker lines would improve retention, but would make it easier for potential prey to see and avoid the web, at least during the day. However, there are no consistent differences between orb webs built for use during the day and those built for use at night. In fact, there is no simple relationship between orb web design features and the prey they capture, as each orb-weaving species takes a wide range of prey.

 

The hubs of orb webs, where the spiders lurk, are usually above the center, as the spiders can move downwards faster than upwards. If there is an obvious direction in which the spider can retreat to avoid its own predators, the hub is usually offset towards that direction.

 

Horizontal orb webs are fairly common, despite being less effective at intercepting and retaining prey and more vulnerable to damage by rain and falling debris. Various researchers have suggested that horizontal webs offer compensating advantages, such as reduced vulnerability to wind damage; reduced visibility to prey flying upwards, because of the back-lighting from the sky; enabling oscillations to catch insects in slow horizontal flight. However, there is no single explanation for the common use of horizontal orb webs.

 

Spiders often attach highly visible silk bands, called decorations or stabilimenta, to their webs. Field research suggests that webs with more decorative bands captured more prey per hour. However, a laboratory study showed that spiders reduce the building of these decorations if they sense the presence of predators.

 

There are several unusual variants of orb web, many of them convergently evolved, including: attachment of lines to the surface of water, possibly to trap insects in or on the surface; webs with twigs through their centers, possibly to hide the spiders from predators; "ladder-like" webs that appear most effective in catching moths. However, the significance of many variations is unclear.

 

In 1973, Skylab 3 took two orb-web spiders into space to test their web-spinning capabilities in zero gravity. At first, both produced rather sloppy webs, but they adapted quickly.

 

TANGLEWEB SPIDERS (COBWEB SPIDERS)

Members of the family Theridiidae weave irregular, tangled, three-dimensional webs, popularly known as cobwebs. There seems to be an evolutionary trend towards a reduction in the amount of sticky silk used, leading to its total absence in some species. The construction of cobwebs is less stereotyped than that of orb-webs, and may take several days.

 

OTHER TYPES OF WEBS

The Linyphiidae generally make horizontal but uneven sheets, with tangles of stopping threads above. Insects that hit the stopping threads fall onto the sheet or are shaken onto it by the spider, and are held by sticky threads on the sheet until the spider can attack from below.

 

EVOLUTION

FOSSIL RECORD

Although the fossil record of spiders is considered poor, almost 1000 species have been described from fossils. Because spiders' bodies are quite soft, the vast majority of fossil spiders have been found preserved in amber. The oldest known amber that contains fossil arthropods dates from 130 million years ago in the Early Cretaceous period. In addition to preserving spiders' anatomy in very fine detail, pieces of amber show spiders mating, killing prey, producing silk and possibly caring for their young. In a few cases, amber has preserved spiders' egg sacs and webs, occasionally with prey attached; the oldest fossil web found so far is 100 million years old. Earlier spider fossils come from a few lagerstätten, places where conditions were exceptionally suited to preserving fairly soft tissues.

 

The oldest known exclusively terrestrial arachnid is the trigonotarbid Palaeotarbus jerami, from about 420 million years ago in the Silurian period, and had a triangular cephalothorax and segmented abdomen, as well as eight legs and a pair of pedipalps. Attercopus fimbriunguis, from 386 million years ago in the Devonian period, bears the earliest known silk-producing spigots, and was therefore hailed as a spider at the time of its discovery. However, these spigots may have been mounted on the underside of the abdomen rather than on spinnerets, which are modified appendages and whose mobility is important in the building of webs. Hence Attercopus and the similar Permian arachnid Permarachne may not have been true spiders, and probably used silk for lining nests or producing egg-cases rather than for building webs. The largest known fossil spider as of 2011 is the araneid Nephila jurassica, from about 165 million years ago, recorded from Daohuogo, Inner Mongolia in China. Its body length is almost 25 mm.

 

Several Carboniferous spiders were members of the Mesothelae, a primitive group now represented only by the Liphistiidae. The mesothelid Paleothele montceauensis, from the Late Carboniferous over 299 million years ago, had five spinnerets. Although the Permian period 299 to 251 million years ago saw rapid diversification of flying insects, there are very few fossil spiders from this period.

 

The main groups of modern spiders, Mygalomorphae and Araneomorphae, first appear in the Triassic well before 200 million years ago. Some Triassic mygalomorphs appear to be members of the family Hexathelidae, whose modern members include the notorious Sydney funnel-web spider, and their spinnerets appear adapted for building funnel-shaped webs to catch jumping insects. Araneomorphae account for the great majority of modern spiders, including those that weave the familiar orb-shaped webs. The Jurassic and Cretaceous periods provide a large number of fossil spiders, including representatives of many modern families.

 

WIKIPEDIA

Embroidery Handmade Dresses

Waiting for new orders

19.08.2024, Bratislava Vychod Railway Museum

Illustrations of the natural orders of plants with groups and descriptions..

London :Sampson Low, Son, and Marston,1868..

biodiversitylibrary.org/page/32429914

Nikon F6, 85mm/f1.4, Fuji Superia 400, Unicolor presskit, Nikon 9000.

Illustrations of the principal natural orders of the vegetable kingdom /

London :Chapman and Hall, 193 Piccadilly,1874

biodiversitylibrary.org/page/58218077

on the back patio at the Panorama Music House during the opening weekend (that coincided with Mardi Gras)

CVSR personnel simulate handing up train orders at Jaite during a railfan special. (Scanned from color negative film)

Merlin Ford Engine 1600cc S4 Ford

Production approx 700 (all models)

Registration Number KNX 845 F (Dudley)

MERLIN SPORTSCARS

Merlin Sportscars

www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/albums/72157694535929201

  

Not sure of the real mode namel, but it is registered as a Ford Merlin Monroe and is based on a 1975 Ford Cortina 1600 running gear..

 

Merlin cars can trace their origins to the early 1970's in America. British engineer and designer Leonard Witton launched his project in the USA, with a breif of producing a British classic style Roadster. The model he developed was equipped with VW Beetle flat-four engine and was named the Witton “Tiger”.

In 1975 the car underwent a redesign when Washington-based Thoroughbred Cars started accepting custom orders for the body and frame, these new models were powered by with Ford or GM V-6s and small-block V-8s at the front and VW or Porsche engines at the rear.

In 1980, Peter Gowing, who owned a business specializing in VW accessory sales and body transformations, imported two Witton “Tiger” body shells into the UK, one was used to manufacture a VW-based car, which was named “Merlin Trans-axle” while the Witton shell underwent a further redesign.

Gowing used the second shell to design a chassis and utilised Ford Cortina running gear and powered by a Ford Pinto engine, the car niftyly named Merlin Type Ford. Between 1980-84 around 300 of these cars were built in the UK.

In 1985 redesigned the chassis and suspension and launched the Merlin Plus Two, under the name Paris Cars. Later again under the Paris Cars banner a two seater version was launched as the “Merlin Two Seater”

In 1992 the company launched a Ford Sierra based chassis design, the Merlin iRS, which went on to become the companies most popular model., In May 1988, Paris Cars stopped the production of Merlin with over 700 cars

 

In 2017 Merlin was reborn under the ownership of Andrew Imms, based The Old Gym Works, Helmswell Cliff, Lincolshire. .

 

Many thanks for a fantabulous 33,970,200 views

 

Shot at the VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone 18:04:2015 Ref 105-360

W Club upgrade ladies

[TR] Now Booking Consultations for Custom Graphic Orders!!

www.toxxicrhiannyr.com

 

Book a Consultation TODAY!

Available Times: M-F; 9 AM - 4 PM PST/SLT

 

Consultation options:

- Discord chat or voice

- Inworld chat or voice

- File a Ticket in my server

 

Order Form:

forms.gle/a5zGHuQxximBsmry6

 

Branding for stores, events, clubs etc ~ Logo Design, Mesh Logo Design - Animated / Static, Blogger Search Posters, Store Sale Posters, Event Posters, Club Posters, Mesh Lettering / Words - Animated / Static, Social Media Graphics, Marketplace Graphics, Texture HUD Design, Redelivery HUD Design, Unpacker HUD Design, Mesh Gift Card Design, Price Tags, Clothing Hangers, Receipts, Mockups, Mesh Event Booths, Brand Consulting, Icons, Submarks, Watermarks, Signatures, Business Cards, Certificates, Diplomas, Invitations, Seasonal Posters, Product Layouts, Mesh Decor, Premades & more!

 

by Toxxic Rhiannyr

Virtual World Graphic Designer

SecondLife, VRChat, IMVU, Sims 4, Roblox

 

linktr.ee/toxxicrhiannyr

Orders/

Encomendas

www.pao-de-lo.blogspot.com

Reenactors on parade in Gloucester.

NYC, 2009

 

View On Black Of Course!

Aunt Tilda and other members of Sisters of Social Service in their (illegal) home, Budapest, Hűvösvölgy. The Communist regime broke up all the holy orders in Hungary in 1950, they were in prison for a while, later they settled in this villa of a member of SSS in Budapest, Hűvösvölgy. They were watched by secret police all the time.

 

See about Sisters of Social Service (SSS) in my set: www.flickr.com/photos/37578663@N02/sets/72157636695174194/

About Sisters of Social Service and martyr Sister Salkahazi Sara you can learn more here:

www.salkahazisara.com/index_es.html

 

Founder: Schlachta Margit, 1923.

Margit Schlachta (or Slachta) was a Hungarian feminist, social activist, .champion of human rights and the first woman to be elected to the Hungarian diet in 1920. In 1923 she founded the Sisters of Social Service, a Roman Catholic religious institute of women.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisters_of_Social_Service

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margit_Slachta

 

Tilda néni és a Szociális Testvérek Társaságának több tagja a hűvösvölgyi ház előtt.

1950-ben a többi egyházi renddel együtt a Szociális Testvérek Társaságát is feloszlatták, rövid börtönbüntetést is szenvedtek. Majd a szociális testvérek egy része ebben a hűvösvölgyi villában lakott, miközben civil foglalkozást űztek. A ház az egyik szociális testvér öröksége volt, a többiek úgymond "albérletben" laktak ott. Később egy kápolnát is kialakítottak az egyik szobából. Természetesen a belügy tudott róluk, és rendszerváltásig figyelték őket (emlékszem a drapp kocsira, sokszor ott állt a villa előtt, mikor látogatóba mentünk), ők pedig azt tudták, hogy figyelik őket.

 

Szettem főleg a szociális testvéreknél készült képekkel: www.flickr.com/photos/37578663@N02/sets/72157636695174194...

 

Szociális Testvérek Társasága, alapító: Schlachta Margit, 1923.

Nevezetes tagja a mártír Salkaházi Sára:

 

www.salkahazisara.com/index.html

 

magyarnarancs.hu/belpol/keresztenyek_kozt_az_igazak_salka...

 

www.nol.hu/archivum/archiv-414397

 

Shlachta Margit keresztény feminista, szociális aktivista, emberjogi harcos, az első női képviselő a magyar parlamentben (1920), a vészkorszak hőse, a Szociális Testvérek Társaságának alapítója.

Schlachta Margitról:

 

www.rubicon.hu/magyar/oldalak/slachta_margit/

 

magyarnarancs.hu/belpol/a_szurke_nover_-_slachta_margit_1...

  

Canadian National 2-6-0 Mogul type steam engine, 89, idles away at the Strasburg Station as the Strasburg Rail Road crew talk about the plans for todays operation.

 

Meanwhile steam wafts from various valves and pipes on the 114 year old locomotive. Built by the Canadian Locomotive works in 1910, 89 was originally built for the Grand Trunk Railway before it was merged into the Canadian National Railway. 89 served for a stint on the Green Mountain Railroad before being sold to the Strasburg Rail Road where it operates to this day

Sorting out two bricklink orders for next months festivities.

This is also the first time for me to be bricklinking parts for shiptember. The past 2 years I used parts I already had with a little PAB help for some basic bulk I was a little sort on the first year.

In 1881 King Kalakaua of Hawaii visited Great Britain as part of his world tour. Soon after his visit he bestowed Hawaiian orders on both Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales. The Prince was appointed to the Royal Order of Kalakaua (shown here), founded by the King in 1875. His star and badge can be seen here alongside the warrant of appointment signed by King Kalakaua.

The Royal Collection © 2011, HM Queen Elizabeth II

orders all packaged up from ohhellofriend.etsy.com *

Paperback Library Edition Oct. 1967

Opening scene

 

It is late in the 22nd Century. United Planet cruiser C57D a year out from Earth base on the way to Altair for a special mission. Commander J.J Adams (Leslie Neilsen) orders the crew to the deceleration booths as the ship drops from light speed to normal space.

 

Adams orders pilot Jerry Farman (Jack Kelly) to lay in a course for the fourth planet. The captain then briefs the crew that they are at their destination, and that they are to look for survivors from the Bellerophon expedition 20 years earlier.

 

As they orbit the planet looking for signs of life, the ship is scanned by a radar facility some 20 square miles in area. Morbius (Walter Pigeon) contacts the ship from the planet asking why the ship is here. Morbius goes on to explain he requires nothing, no rescue is required and he can't guarantee the safety of the ship or its crew.

 

Adams confirms that Morbius was a member of the original crew, but is puzzled at the cryptic warning Morbius realizes the ship is going to land regardless, and gives the pilot coordinates in a desert region of the planet. The ship lands and security details deploy. Within minutes a high speed dust cloud approaches the ship. Adams realizes it is a vehicle, and as it arrives the driver is discovered to be a robot (Robby). Robby welcomes the crew to Altair 4 and invites members of the crew to Morbious residence.

 

Adams, Farman and Doc Ostrow (Warren Stevens) arrive at the residence and are greeted by Morbius. They sit down to a meal prepared by Robbys food synthesizer and Morbius shows the visitors Robbys other abilities, including his unwavering obedience. Morbius then gives Robby a blaster with orders to shoot Adams. Robby refuses and goes into a mechanical mind lock, disabling him till the order is changed.

 

Morbius then shows the men the defense system of the house (A series of steel shutters). When questioned, Morbius admits that the Belleraphon crew is dead, Morbius and his wife being the only original survivors. Morbius's wife has also died, but months after the others and from natural causes. Morbius goes on to explain many of the crew were torn limb from limb by a strange creature or force living on the planet. The Belleraphon herself was destroyed when the final three surviving members tried to take off for Earth.

 

Adams wonders why this force has remained dormant all these years and never attacked Morbius. As discussions continue, a young woman Altaira (Anne Francis) introduces herself as Morbius daughter. Farman takes an immediate interest in Altaira, and begins to flirt with her . Altaira then shows the men her ability to control wild animals by petting a wild tiger. During this display the ship checks in on the safety of the away party. Adams explains he will need to check in with Earth for further orders and begins preparations for sending a signal. Because of the power needed the ship will be disabled for up to 10 days. Morbius is mortified by this extended period and offers Robby's services in building the communication facility

 

The next day Robby arrives at ship as the crew unloads the engine to power the transmitter. To lighten the tense moment the commander instructs the crane driver to pick up Cookie (Earl Holliman) and move him out of the way. Quinn interrupts the practical joke to report that the assembly is complete and they can transmit in the morning.

 

Meanwhile Cookie goes looking for Robby and organizes for the robot to synthesize some bourbon. Robby takes a sample and tells Cookie he can have 60 gallons ready the next morning for him.

 

Farman continues to court Altair by teaching her how to kiss, and the health benefits of kissing. Adams interrupts the exercise, and is clearly annoyed with a mix of jealous. He then explains to Altair that the clothes she wears are inappropriate around his crew. Altair tries to argue till Adams looses patience and order Altair to leave the area.

 

That night, Altair, still furious, explains to her father what occurred. Altair takes Adams advice to heart and orders Robby to run up a less revealing dress. Meanwhile back at the ship two security guards think they hear breathing in the darkness but see nothing.

 

Inside the ship, one of the crew half asleep sees the inner hatch opened and some material moved around. Next morning the Captain holds court on the events of the night before. Quinn advises the captain that most of the missing and damaged equipment can be replaced except for the Clystron monitor. Angry the Capt and Doc go back to Morbius to confront him about what has occurred.

 

Morbius is unavailable, so the two men settle in to wait. Outside Adams sees Altair swimming and goes to speak to her. Thinking she is naked, Adams becomes flustered and unsettled till he realizes she wants him to see her new dress. Altair asks why Adams wont kiss her like everyone else has. He gives in and plants one on her. Behind them a tiger emerges from the forest and attacks Altair, Adams reacts by shooting it. Altair is badly troubled by the incident, the tiger had been her friend, but she can't understand why acted as if she was an enemy.

 

Returning to the house, Doc and Adams accidently open Morbius office. They find a series of strange drawings but no sign of Morbius. He appears through a secret door and is outraged at the intrusion. Adams explains the damage done to the ship the previous night and his concern that Morbius was behind the attack.

 

Morbius admits it is time for explanations. He goes on to tell them about a race of creatures that lived on the planet called the Krell. In the past they had visited Earth, which explains why there are Earth animals on the planet. Morbius believes the Krell civilization collapsed in a single night, right on the verge of their greatest discovery. Today 2000 centuries later, nothing of their cities exists above ground.

 

Morbius then takes them on a tour of the Krell underground installation. Morbius first shows them a device for projecting their knowledge; he explains how he began to piece together information. Then an education device that projects images formed in the mind. Finally he explains what the Krell were expected to do, and how much lower human intelligence is in comparison.

 

Doc tries the intelligence tester but is confused when it does not register as high as Morbius. Morbius then explains it can also boost intelligence, and that the captain of the Belleraphon died using it. Morbius himself was badly injured but when he recovered his IQ had doubled.

 

Adams questions why all the equipment looks brand new. It is explained that all the machines left on the planet are self repairing and Morbius takes them on a tour of the rest of the installation. First they inspect a giant air vent that leads to the core of the planet. There are 400 other such shafts in the area and 9200 thermal reactors spread through the facilities 8000 cubic miles.

 

Later that night the crew has completed the security arrangements and tests the force field fence. Cookie asks permission to go outside the fence. He meets Robby who gives him the 60 gallons of bourbon. Outside, something hits the fence and shorts it out. The security team checks the breach but finds nothing. A series of foot like depressions begin forming leading to the ship. Something unseen enters the ship. A scream echos through the compound.

 

Back at the Morbius residence he argues that only he should be allowed to control the flow of Krell technology back to Earth. In the middle of the discussion, Adams is paged and told that the Chief Quinn has been murdered. Adams breaks of his discussions and heads back to the ship.

 

Later that night Doc finds the footprints and makes a cast. The foot makes no evolutionary sense. It seems to have elements of a four footed and biped creature; also it seems a predator and herbivore. Adams questions Cookie who was with the robot during the test and decides the robot was not responsible.

 

The next day at the funeral for Chief Morbius again warns him of impending doom facing the ship and crew. Adams considers this a challenge and spends the day fortifying the position around the ship. After testing the weapons and satisfied all that could be done has, the radar station suddenly reports movement in the distance moving slowly towards the ship.

 

No one sees anything despite the weapons being under radar fire control. The controller confirms a direct hit, but the object is still moving towards the ship. Suddenly something hits the force field fence, and a huge monster appears outlined in the energy flux. The crew open fire, but seem to do little good. A number of men move forward but a quickly killed.

 

Morbious wakes hearing the screams of Altair. Shes had a dream mimicking the attack that has just occurred. As Morbious is waking the creature in the force field disappears. Doc theories that the creature is made of some sort of energy, renewing itself second by second.

 

Adams takes Doc in the tractor to visit Morbius intending to evacuate him from the planet. He leaves orders for the ship to be readied for lift off. If he and Doc dont get back, the ship is to leave without them. They also want to try and break into Morbious office and take the brain booster test.

 

They are met at the door by Robby, who disarms them. Altair appears and countermands the orders given to Robby by her father. Seeing a chance Doc sneaks into the office. Altair argues with Adams about trying to make Morbius return home, she ultimately declares her love for him.

 

Robby appears carrying the injured Doc. Struggling to speak and heavy pain, Doc explains that the Krell succeeded in their great experiment. However they forgot about the sub conscious monsters they would release. Monsters from the id.

 

Morbius sees the dead body of Doc, and makes a series of ugly comments. His daughter reminds him that Doc is dead. Morbius lack of care convinces Altair she is better off going with Adams. Morbius tries to talk Adams out of taking Altair.

 

Adams demands an explanation of the id. Morbius realizes he is the source of the creature killing everyone. The machine the Krell built was able to release his inner beast, the sub conscious monster dwelling deep inside his ancestral mind.

 

Robby interrupts the debate to report something approaching the house. Morbius triggers the defensive shields of the house, which the creature begins to destroy. Morbius then orders Robby to destroy the creature, however Robby short circuits. Adams explained that it was useless; Robby knew it was Morbius self.

 

Adams, Altair and Morbius retreat to the Krell lab and sealed themselves in by sealing a special indestructible door. Adams convinces Morbius that he is really the monster, and that Morbius can not actually control his subconscious desires.

 

The group watch as the creature beings the slow process of burning through the door. Panicked Morbius implores Altair to say it is not so. Suddenly the full realization comes, and he understands that he could endanger or even kill Altair.

 

As the creature breaks through Morbius rushes forward and denies its existence. Suddenly the creature disappears but Morbius is mortally wounded. With his dying breath he instructs Adams to trigger a self destruct mechanism linked to the reactors of the great machine. The ship and crew have 24 hours to get as far away from the planet as possible

 

The next day we see the ship deep in space. Robby and Altair are onboard watching as the planet brightens and is destroyed. Adams assures Altair that her fathers memory will shine like a beacon.

Edited Hubble Space Telescope image of the galaxy NGC 3256 (a type of peculiar galaxy due to its shape), which recently (for very long orders of "recent") merged with another galaxy.

 

Original caption: This image, taken with the Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) and the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), both installed on the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, shows the peculiar galaxy NGC 3256. The galaxy is about 100 million light-years from Earth and is the result of a past galactic merger, which created its distorted appearance. As such, NGC 3256 provides an ideal target to investigate starbursts that have been triggered by galaxy mergers. Another image of NGC 3256 was already released in 2008, as part of a collection of interacting galaxies, created for Hubble’s 18th birthday.

 

Another original caption: Located about 100 million light-years away in the constellation of Vela (The Sails), NGC 3256 is approximately the same size as our Milky Way and belongs to the Hydra-Centaurus Supercluster. It still bears the marks of its tumultuous past in the extended luminous tails that sprawl out around the galaxy, thought to have formed 500 million years ago during the initial encounter between the two galaxies, which today form NGC 3256. These tails are studded with young blue stars, which were born in the frantic but fertile collision of gas and dust.

 

When two galaxies merge, individual stars rarely collide because they are separated by such enormous distances, but the gas and dust of the galaxies do interact — with spectacular results. The brightness blooming in the centre of NGC 3256 gives away its status as a powerful starburst galaxy, host to vast amounts of infant stars born into groups and clusters. These stars shine most brightly in the far infrared, making NGC 3256 exceedingly luminous in this wavelength domain. Because of this radiation, it is classified as a Luminous Infrared Galaxy.

 

NGC 3256 has been the subject of much study due to its luminosity, its proximity, and its orientation: astronomers observe its face-on orientation, that shows the disc in all its splendour. NGC 3256 provides an ideal target to investigate starbursts that have been triggered by galaxy mergers. It holds particular promise to further our understanding of the properties of young star clusters in tidal tails.

 

As well as being lit up by over 1000 bright star clusters, the central region of NGC 3256 is also home to crisscrossing threads of dark dust and a large disc of molecular gas spinning around two distinct nuclei — the relics of the two original galaxies. One nucleus is largely obscured, only unveiled in infrared, radio and X-ray wavelengths.

 

These two initial galaxies were gas-rich and had similar masses, as they seem to be exerting roughly equal influence on each other. Their spiral disks are no longer distinct, and in a few hundred million years time, their nuclei will also merge and the two galaxies will likely become united as a large elliptical galaxy.

 

NGC 3256 was previously imaged through fewer filters by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope as part of a large collection of 59 images of merging galaxies, released for Hubble’s 18th anniversary on 24th April 2008.

 

More information

The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between ESA and NASA.

 

Image credit: NASA, ESA

The Order of Solomon was the highest order of the Ethiopian Empire. It was only given to the Emperor and Empress, and foriegn monarchs.

 

Originally the Order of Solomon was the highest grade of the Order of Solomon's Seal, but was made into it's own seperate order by Emperor Haile Selassie

Rome - Italy

Craftsman F E Algar

Craftsman; R.E.M.E.; 21st August 1943 (RoH)

 

Name: ALGAR, FRANK EDWARD

Rank: Craftsman Regiment/Service: Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Age: 30 Date of Death: 21/08/1944 Service No: 7616876

Additional information: Son of Percy James Algar and Ethel Daisy Algar; husband of Doreen Algar, of Bungay, Suffolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: VI. D. 5. Cemetery: AREZZO WAR CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2096915

 

Note incorrect date quoted on the Roll of Honour Page - the invasion of mainland Italy didn’t even start until the 3rd September 1943, (barring the possibility that Frank was a POW).

*******************************************************************

ANDREW

Lieutenant (name not on memorial but on plaque (b)); Royal Navy; At Sea

 

Possibly

Name: ANDREW, PETER LE MESURIER

Rank: Sub-Lieutenant Service: Royal Naval Reserve Unit Text: H.M.S. Vortigern

Age: 21 Date of Death: 15/03/1942

Additional information: Son of Captain Bertram Le Mesurier Andrew and Mary Andrew. Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 71, Column 1. Memorial: PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2490953

 

(Only Navy Officer with this surname)

 

HMS Vortigern - 15th March 1942

Sunk off Cromer by E-Boat S104 during defence of Coastal Convoy with HM

Corvette GUILLEMOT.

Casualty List was published on 16th May 1942.

(Note : 110 of ships’ company were killed with only 14 survivors.

This was the heaviest loss of life of RN personnel in any one ship in defence

of an east coast convoy.)

www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DD-09VW-Vortigern.htm

 

On 15 March 1942 HMS Vortigern (Lt.Cdr. Ronald Stanley Howlett, RN) was torpedoed and sunk off Cromer in position 55º06'N, 01º22'E by the German motor torpedo boat (E-boat) S-104. HMS Vortigern was escorting coastal convoy FS-749 at the time of her loss.

The wreck lies in 17 meters of water in position 53º13'06"N, 01º06'54"E.

www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4701.html

 

The loss of HMS VORTIGERN

In the early hours of 15th March 1942 convoy FS49 was proceeding South. When near the 57D buoy seventeen miles north of Cromer they were attacked by E boats. S 104 (Captain Oberleutnant Roeder) of the German 4th MTB Flotilla, sank HMS VORTIGERN with torpedoes. The other escort vessel HMS GUILLEMOT, a corvette based in Harwich following Naval Orders. ignored the survivors in the water and continued with her duty of escorting the convoy. At dawn, the GUILLEMOT turned round and found the wreck with two survivors clinging to the stern. The VORTIGERN had been torpedoed forward and had plunged down with her bow on the sea bed. The sea all round was strewn with bodies several of which were later recovered by the Cromer and Sheringham lifeboats. The search by the GUILLEMOT recovered only 14 men. 147 men lost their lives, making this the worst incident recorded off the east coat during the Second War. At a later board of enquiry it was found that contrary to standing regulations most if not all the Carley Floats had been lashed down and few of the crew had been wearing lifejackets.

Surprisingly the wreck site has never been declared an Official War Grave.

Nicholas Monsarrat who served on GUILLEMOT as an officer described the event in his book “Three Corvettes” .

Details of the VORTIGERN are included in "Ship-Wrecks off North Norfolk".

www.ship-wrecks.co.uk/know.html

 

********************************************************************

Sergeant Robert Arthur George Bailey

Sergeant (Air Gunner) 3006845, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died in Morayshire, Scotland 14th August 1944. Aged 19. Son of James Robert and Gladys Emily Bailey, of Bungay. Buried in BUNGAY CEMETERY, Bungay, Suffolk. Section O. Grave 85. (RoH)

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2720330

 

No match on Lost Bombers

  

*********************************************************************

Able Seaman John Neville Boland

Royal Navy; At Sea; 1940 (RoH)

 

Name: BOLAND, JACK NEVIL

Rank: Able Seaman Regiment/Service: Royal Navy Unit Text: H.M.S. Willamette Valley Date of Death: 29/06/1940 Service No: C/SSX 22470

Grave/Memorial Reference: 35, 1. Memorial: CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2465038

The HMS Willamette Valley was actually a “Q”ship, the Edgehill, a converted merchant seaman with hidden guns out hunting for U-Boats. She was torpedoed on this day and sank with the loss of 68 lives.

www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1940-06JUN2.htm

www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/40/a3588140.shtml

kearns.fogbugz.com/default.asp?ahoy.2.495.15

 

At 0012, decoy ship HMS Edgehill was hit by one torpedo from U-51 amidships and stopped but did not sink due to her buoyant cargo. The U-boat surfaced and fired a coup de grâce at 0106, but it needed a third torpedo at 0124 to let the vessel sink slowly by the stern. Built as motor ship West Lynn (4702 tons), 1931 renamed Willamette Valley for Sir William Reardon Smith and Sons Ltd, Cardiff. On 17 Sep 1939 requisitioned by the Royal Navy and converted to a decoy ship, commissioned as special service vessel (SSV) HMS Edgehill (X 39). The ship had a concealed armament of nine 4in guns and four torpedo tubes and carried a buoyant cargo to help keep her afloat if hit.

homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.etherington/1940/06/29.htm

 

49.27N, 15.25W - Grid BE 3476

www.uboat.net/allies/merchants/394.html

www.uboat.net/boats/u51.htm

 

***********************************************************************

Lance-Corporal Godfrey Nicholas Hammond Brill

Lance-Corporal; 2nd Bn. Irish Guards; Normandy; 3rd August 1944 (RoH)

 

Name: BRILL, GODFREY NICHOLAS HAMMOND

Rank: Lance Corporal Regiment/Service: Irish Guards Unit Text: 2nd Bn.

Age: 25 Date of Death: 03/08/1944 Service No: 2719764

Additional information: Son of Herbert Francis and Beatrice Ann Christobel Brill; husband of Florence May Brill, of Westfield, Woking, Surrey.

Grave/Memorial Reference: V. F. 11. Cemetery: ST. CHARLES DE PERCY WAR CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2062367

 

On 1 August, the Guards were called up to continue the rapid advance that the 11th Armoured had created against the two German infantry divisions (326. and 276.). The next two weeks would see intense bocage fighting as the Germans, reinforced with the 21. Panzer, 1., 9. and 10. SS-Panzerdivisions, fought for every mile of French ground. By 15 August, the German 7th Army began to withdraw only to be caught in the infamous Falaise Pocket. The Guards were able to withdraw for refit, rest and restructuring.

www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=502

  

*********************************************************************

W.O. Walter Randall Cook

W.O. Flight Engineer; Royal Air Force; Venloo; 24th May 1943 (RoH)

 

Name: COOK, WALTER RANDALL

Rank: Sergeant (Flt. Engr.) Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 101 Sqdn.

Age: 31 Date of Death: 24/05/1943 Service No: 1116625

Additional information: Son of Harry and Rosemond Cook, of Lowestoft, Suffolk; husband of Winifred Maud Cook, of Lowestoft.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 16. C. 4-7. Cemetery: JONKERBOS WAR CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2645291

 

Lancaster W4919 Information

Type....................................................Lancaster

Serial Number..................................W4919

Squadron..........................................101

X1D....................................................SR-A

Operation..........................................Dortmund

Date 1................................................23rd May 1943

Date 2................................................24th May 1943

  

W4919 was delivered to 101 Sqdn ex-5MU Feb43, loaned to 207 Sqdn - no dates. No other key Operations traced. No record of total hours. W4919 was one of two 101 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See ED775. Airborne from Holme-on-Spalding Moor. Shot down by a night-fighter, crashing 0233 24May43 at Bergen (Limburg), a small town on the E bank of the Maas and about 4 km inside Holland from the border with Germany. The crew were initially buried in the temporary Military Cemetery at Venlo. They have been subsequently re-interred in the Jokerboos War Cemetery.

F/S J.H.T.Hayes RAAF KIA

Sgt W.R.Cook KIA

Sgt P.G.Eames KIA

Sgt J.Park KIA

Sgt J.W.C.Evans KIA

Sgt O.H.Sibson RCAF KIA

Sgt L.G.Smith RCAF KIA

 

'Air Battle of the Ruhr', A.Cooper, records Sgt O.H.Sibson as Sgt O.H.Gibson.

www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=6630

 

*********************************************************************

Sergeant Stanley Ecclestone

Sergt (Navigator); Royal Air Force; Berlin; 1st/2nd January 1944 (RoH)

 

Name: ECCLESTONE, STANLEY

Rank: Sergeant (Nav.) Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 207 Sqdn. Age: 21 Date of Death: 02/01/1944 Service No: 1268286

Additional information: Son of Emma Ecclestone, of Bungay, Suffolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 6. J. 1-7. Cemetery: HANOVER WAR CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2198620

 

Lancaster DV370 Information

Type..........................................................Lancaster

Serial Number........................................DV370

Squadron.................................................207

X1D...........................................................EM-L

Operation................................................Berlin

Date 1......................................................1st January 1944

Date 2......................................................2nd January 1944

 

DV370 was a Mk.1 and was delivered to 207 Sqdn 11Nov43. DV370 took part in the following key Operations: Berlin 18/19Nov43- aborted; Berlin 22/23Nov43; Berlin 23/24Nov43; Berlin 2/3Dec43; Berlin 16/17Dec43; Berlin 23/24Dec43n Berlin 29/30Dec43; Berlin 1/2Jan44-Lost When lost this aircraft had a total of 95 hours. P/O Bottrell and his crew flew all eight Berlin ops with DV370. DV370 was one of two 207 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: W4892

Airborne 0003 1Jan44 from Spilsby. P/O Bottrell is commemorated on Panel 204 of the Runnymede Memorial; his crew are buried in Hannover War Cemetery.

P/O W.J.Bottrell KIA

Sgt F.Holland KIA

Sgt S.Ecclestone KIA

Sgt J.C.O'Mahony KIA

Sgt F.W.Porteous KIA

Sgt K.H.H.Wardle KIA

Sgt R.Clark KIA "

www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=2397

www.207squadron.rafinfo.org.uk/rollofhonour/207cemeteries...

 

***********************************************************************

Petty Officer Henry Guy Flatt

Engine Room Petty Officer; Royal Naval Reserve - H.M.D. "Boy Andrew"; Granton Harbour; 9th November 1941 (RoH)

 

Name: FLATT, HENRY GUY

Rank: Engineman Service: Royal Naval Patrol Service Unit Text: H.M. Drifter Boy Andrew.

Age: 27 Date of Death: 09/11/1941 Service No: LT/KX 106767

Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Flatt, of Bungay, Suffolk; husband of Kathleen Flatt, of Bungay.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 6, Column 3. Memorial: LOWESTOFT NAVAL MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2367801

Built in 1918 she was originally named Sunburst and served with the Royal Navy during WWI. In 1940 she was renamed Boy Andrew and used as an Admiralty Drifter.

  

On 9 November 1941 Boy Andrew was heading East along a swept channel in the Firth of Forth. Sailing along the same channel was the steamship St Rognvald. The steamship was gradually overtaking Boy Andrew at a lateral distance of about 100 feet. With the St Rognvald on her starboard quarter Boy Andrew suddenly swerved to starboard and both ships collided. Boy Andrew sank with the loss of her skipper George F Ball and 11 crewmen. This included two brothers, Frederick and Robert Goodwin from Edinburgh.

 

The National Archives has a file on this collision, TS32/479

 

www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-cemeteries-war-memorial-researc...

 

The “Boy Andrew” had become famous in 1936 when it won the Madame Prunier trophy for the biggest shot of herring during the East Anglican Autumn season

www.scalan.co.uk/caravanpilgrim.htm

www.gorlestonhistory.org.uk/pruniertrophy.html

www.scotfishmuseum.org/factsheets/g.pdf

************************************************************************

Able Seaman Douglas Alan Honeywood

Able Seaman; Royal Navy; Mediterranean; 17th June 1944 (RoH)

 

Name: HONEYWOOD, DOUGLAS A.

Rank: Able Seaman Regiment/Service: Royal Navy Unit Text: H.M.S. Copra

Age: 24 Date of Death: 17/06/1944 Service No: D/JX 216869

Additional information: Son of Mrs. D. Honeywood.

Grave/Memorial Reference: IV, G, 5. Cemetery: BOLSENA WAR CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1707232

 

HMS Copra was a base name for ratings, (mid-shipman and below), who were assigned to Combined Ops -- essentially manning the various landing craft and small support craft required for an amphibious assault such as D-Day or Anzio & Salerno. Able Seaman Honeywood appears to have lost his life in the Italian Campaign - a number of the graves at Bolsena were re-located from the Island of Elba which was taken from the Germans by an amphibious assault which commenced on the 17th June 1944.

www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/84/a1982784.shtml

 

A very full account of the destruction suffered by the landing crafts, (later there were allegations of a major security breach), and the fate of the RN ratings who helped with the capture of a German warship in the harbour can be read about here.

www.combinedops.com/Elba%20-%20Op%20Brassard.htm

 

********************************************************************

Seaman Hubert Thomas Honeywood

Ordinary Seaman; Royal Navy - H.M.S. "Neptune"; Off Crete; 19th December 1941 (RoH)

 

Name: HONEYWOOD, HUBERT THOMAS

Rank: Ordinary Seaman Regiment/Service: Royal Navy Unit Text: H.M.S. Neptune

Age: 21 Date of Death: 19/12/1941 Service No: P/SSX 33974

Additional information: Son of Charles Henry Honeywood, and of Elsie Honeywood, of Bungay, Suffolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 50, Column 3. Memorial: PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2494482

 

The Cruiser HMS Neptune ran into an uncharted minefield in the Mediterranean off Tripoli, and sank with the loss of 764 officers and men. Just one man was rescued by an Italian torpedo boat, after 5 days in the water

www.hmsneptune.com/history1.htm

 

www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-06CL-Neptune.htm

www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/10/a8609510.shtml

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Neptune_(20)

uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4004.html

 

*********************************************************************

Engineer William Frederick Hutchinson

3rd Engineer; Merchant Navy - S.S. "Victoria"; At Sea; 1940 (RoH)

 

Name: HUTCHINSON, WILLIAM FREDERICK

Rank: Fourth Engineer Officer Service: Merchant Navy Unit Text: S.S. Victoria City (Bideford)

Age: 20 Date of Death: 02/12/1940

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 114. Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2790332

 

The U-140 only had one raiding patrol, under her first captain, Hans-Peter Hinsch. He took her round the north of Scotland in December 1940 following her work-up program, and it was here she sank her first victim, twelve days into the cruise. He sank two more six days later north of Ireland before he headed home towards retirement for the boat.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unterseeboot_140_(1940)

(The first ship sunk, on the 2nd December, was the SS Victoria City)

 

At 21.42 hours on 3 Dec, 1940, the Victoria City (Master Alfred Longstaff), a straggler from convoy HX-90, was hit underneath the bridge by one G7a torpedo from U-140 and sank by the bow within 15 seconds west of the North Channel. The master and 42 crew members were lost.

 

uboat.net/allies/merchants/693.html

********************************************************************

Lance-Bombardier Robert Alexander Hutton

Lance-Bombardier; Royal Artillery; Italy; 22nd October 1944 (RoH)

 

Name: HUTTON, ROBERT ALEXANDER

Rank: Gunner Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Unit Text: 7 Mountain Field Regt.

Age: 22 Date of Death: 22/10/1944 Service No: 1461426

Additional information: Son of Robert and Flora Hutton, of Bungay, Suffolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: VII. E. 1. Cemetery: FAENZA WAR CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2237418

  

**********************************************************************

Lt Frederick John Ingram

Lieutenant; R. Engineers Bomb Disposal Sectn; Wales; 10th September 1940 (RoH)

 

Name: INGRAM, FREDERICK JOHN

Rank: Second Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers Age: 36

Date of Death: 10/09/1940 Service No: 136316

Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. QQ. Grave 313A. Cemetery: BRISTOL (CANFORD) CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2450704

 

The night of the 10th September saw raids on South Wales, the first for several days. This may of course be a co-incidence - Lt Ingram may have died from natural causes, accident or dealing with a bomb from earlier raids.

**********************************************************************

A/Sqdn Leader George Francis Henry Ingram

A/Squadron. Leader (Pathfinder), D.F.C.; Royal Air Force; Nienwpoort; 23rd/24th June 1944 (RoH)

 

Name: INGRAM, GEORGE FRANCIS HENRY

Rank: Squadron Leader Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 35 Sqdn. Age: 22 Date of Death: 24/06/1944 Service No: 116714 Awards: D F C

Additional information: Son of Frederick George Hubert Ingram, and of Elizabeth Anne Ingram, of Bungay, Suffolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 200. Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1800890

  

Lancaster ND734 Information

Type..................................................Lancaster

Serial Number................................ND734

Squadron........................................35

X1D..................................................TL-H

Operation........................................Coubronne

Date 1..............................................23rd June 1944

Date 2..............................................24th June 1944

  

ND734 was delivered to No.35 Sqdn, ex-32MU Mar44. ND734 took part in the following Key Raids: Berlin 24/25Mar44; Nuremberg 30/31Mar44; Montdidier 3/4May44; Dortmund 22/23May44. ND734 was rammed on the ground at Graveley on return from Essen 27Apr44 by a Mosquito - NL977 - No.692 Sqdn. Killing the Tail Gunner and badly injuring the MU Gunner. Repaired and re-issued to No.35 Sqdn. When lost this aircraft had a total of 77 hours. Airborne 2344 23Jun44 from Graveley to ground-mark a flying-bomb site. Homebound was shot down by a night-fighter from 11,000 feet near Dunkirk. S/L Ingram is commemorated on Panel 200 of the Runnymede Memorial. P/O Weatherill, whose father served as Speaker of the House of Commons, gained his DFC with No.158 Squadron, details being Gazetted 23May44, but that awarded to F/S Gill was not Gazetted until 25Jan46.

S/L G.F.Ingram DFC KIA

F/S D.B.Gerrard DFM PoW

F/O V.J.Murphy RCAF PoW

F/L G.W.Rushbrook PoW

F/O M.J.Spencer Inj

F/S S.Jackson PoW

F/S R.H.J.Gill DFM PoW

P/O D.A.Weatherill DFC KIA

 

Note the eight-man crew. F/S D.B.Gerrard was interned in Camp L7, PoW No.215. DFM Gazetted 23May44 (10 Sqdn). This was his 48th operation. F/S R.H.J.Gill in Camp L7, PoW No.216. DFM Gazetted 25Jan46. F/S S.Jackson also in L7, PoW No.225. F/O V.J.Murphy in Camp L3, PoW No.6503 with F/L G.W.Rushbrook, PoW No.6505. F/O M.J.Spencer was confined in Hospital due injuries. No PoW No. "

www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=562

 

There are six claims for “4-engined aircraft” in the Luftwaffe records in the early hours of the 24th June, all in the Belgium\Pas de Calais area.

www.lesbutler.ip3.co.uk/tony/tonywood.htm

  

***********************************************************************

Sergeant Eric Noel Jolly

Sergt.; Royal Air Force; Settin Raid; 16th/17th August 1944 (RoH)

 

Name: JOLLY, ERIC NOEL

Rank: Sergeant (Flt. Engr.) Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 405 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn.

Age: 20 Date of Death: 17/08/1944 Service No: 1871640

Additional information: Son of Herbert and Lottie Elizabeth Jolly, of Bungay, Suffolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave 917. Cemetery: KIRKEBY CHURCHYARD

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2271334

 

Lancaster PB239 Information

Type............................................................Lancaster

Serial Number..........................................PB239

Squadron..................................................405

X1D.............................................................LQ-D

Operation..................................................Kiel

Date 1.......................................................16th August 1944

Date 2.......................................................17th August 1944

 

PB239 was a Mk.111 and was delivered to 405 Sqdn ex-32MU Jul44 PB239 also took part in the tactical support of the Normandy Battle Area 7/8Aug44. When lost this aircraft had a total of 56 hours. Airborne 2115 16Aug44 from Gransden Lodge. Crashed in the sea off the W coast of Denmark. F/O Fisher, a veteran of 53 sorties, and WO1 Billingsley are buried in Kiel War cemetery; three are buried in Danish Cemeteries, while F/L Bruce who was a Master Mariner from sour lake, Texas, and F/S Carter are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

F/O C.h.Fisher DFC RCAF KIA

Sgt E.N.Jolly KIA

F/L J.S.Bruce KIA

F/O K.D.Kemp RCAF KIA

WO1 F.D.Billingsley RCAF KIA

F/O K.a.Nordheimer RCAF KIA

F/S J.W.Carter RCAF KIA

www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=2711

 

This site is from a survivor of 405 Squadron, Frank Miseferi, who flew during 1943/1944 with a crew that included an Englishman called “Erik” Jolly who was the engineer. The skipper was a Canadian called Charlie Fisher. Sometime after D-Day the crew was broken up following a crash which left Frank unable to carry on.

www.effieswarmemoirs.com/thecrew.htm

 

There are pictures of Kemp, Carter & Nordheimer here,

www.flensted.eu.com/1944097.shtml

***********************************************************************

W. O Herbert Alfred William Jolly DFM

Warrant Officer (Wireless Operator) 629823, 35 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Died in England 25th January 1944. Aged 22. Son of Herbert and Lottie Elizabeth Jolly, of Bungay. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (D.F.M.). Buried in BUNGAY CEMETERY, Bungay, Suffolk. Section P. Grave 84. (RoH)

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2720331

 

No match on Lost Bombers

Using a search engine, I can find no other 35 Squadron casualties on the CWGC database on this day.

************************************************************************

Lance Corporal Alfred Knowles

Lance-Corporal; 4th Bn R. Norfolk Regiment; Thailand; 22nd September 1944 (RoH)

 

Name: KNOWLES, ALFRED

Rank: Lance Corporal Regiment/Service: Royal Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 4th Bn. Age: 27 Date of Death: 21/09/1944 Service No: 5772045

Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Knowles, of Bungay, Suffolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 48. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2136095

 

The 4th Battalion were captured with the Fall of Singapore, with many prisoners subsequently being worked to death by the Japanese.

www.cofepow.org.uk/pages/armedforces_r_norfolk.html

www.britain-at-war.org.uk/WW2/royal_norfolks_in_far_east/...

 

***********************************************************************

Private Reginald George Locke

Private; The Loyal Regiment; Florence, Italy; 25th August 1944 (RoH)

 

Name: LOCKE, REGINALD GEORGE

Rank: Private Regiment: The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) Unit Text: 1st Bn.

Age: 21 Date of Death: 25/08/1944 Service No: 14216960

Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Locke, of Bungay, Suffolk; nephew of Robert Charles and Alice Amelia Wilby, of Bungay.

Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. K. 11. Cemetery: FLORENCE WAR CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2614482

************************************************************************

Sergeant J Moores

Sergt.; No. 2 Commando, C.M.F.; C. Mediterranean; 1944 (RoH)

 

Name: MOORES, JACK ERNEST

Rank: Serjeant Regiment/Service: Royal Norfolk Regiment Secondary Regiment: Commando Secondary Unit Text: and No. 2

Age: 37 Date of Death: 29/07/1944 Service No: 5767479

Additional information: Son of Walter and Alice Moores; husband of Vera Lucy Moores, of Cambridge.

Cemetery: TIRANA PARK MEMORIAL CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2241615

 

Sergeant Moores may well be amongst the group shots of No 2 Commando held here:

www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/main.php?g2_view=slid...

 

Albania

On Jul 28 1944 a small party of 40 porters drawn from No 9 Commando was involved with No 2 Commando, a company from the HLI and others, in a raid on Albania, codename 'Healing II.' It was designed to open up the coastline south of the Linguetta Peninsula because the partisans were in desperate need of supplies. The action against the 150 strong German garrison at Spilje was designed to create a relatively safe landing area. However, a combination of events conspired against the raiding party. Albanian Quislings had alerted the Germans so the element of surprise was lost and they were well prepared. In addition radio communications were adversely affected by surrounding trees with predictable consequences in not achieving the best use of the resources available. Machine gun nests took an increasingly heavy toll and, with time running out, the Commanding Officer, Colonel Fynn, had no choice but to withdraw his exhausted men including the wounded. 20 men were killed in this action and 60 wounded.

However, the result was better than had first appeared. Many of the German defenders had been killed and wounded together with a number of Quislings. The garrison strength had been weakened to such an extent that local partisans had rounded up the remaining Germans thus taking control over the coastal strip in the area. Brigadier Davey, in a note to Colonel Fynn, considered the mission a 'complete success' notwithstanding the casualties.

www.combinedops.com/No%209%20Commando.htm

 

***********************************************************************

Seaman Cyril George Peck

3rd. Seaman; Royal Navy - H.M.S. "Fiji"; Off Crete; 23rd May 1941 (RoH)

 

Name: PECK, CYRIL GEORGE

Rank: Ordinary Seaman Regiment/Service: Royal Navy Unit Text: H.M.S. Fiji

Date of Death: 23/05/1941 Service No: C/JX 218937

Additional information: Son of William G. and Rosanna Peck, of Bungay, Suffolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: 44, 3. Memorial: CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2471272

 

On 22 May 1941 she was acting in company with the destroyers HMS Kandahar and HMS Kingston shortly after the loss of HMS Gloucester. She had already expended all of her AA ammunition fighting off numerous air attacks that persisted for two hours. She was attacked and hit by several bombs from Messerschmitt Bf 109s before an aircraft of Jagdgeschwader 77 dropped a bomb close alongside to port. This blew in Fiji’s bottom plates and caused a list to port. Fiji lost power and came to a standstill. She was now largely defenceless, having practically exhausted her 4 inch ammunition. She was then hit by three bombs dropped by a Junkers Ju 87. Captain William-Powlett gave the order to abandon ship and at 2015 Fiji rolled over and sank. The destroyers dropped floats and withdrew to the south. They returned after dark to pick up 523 survivors. 241 men had gone down with the ship.

On 30 May 1941, in a letter to the First Sea Lord, Sir Dudley Pound, Admiral Cunningham wrote, "The sending back of Gloucester and Fiji to the Greyhound was another grave error and cost us those two ships. They were practically out of ammunition but even had they been full up I think they would have gone. The Commanding Officer of Fiji told me that the air over Gloucester was black with planes."

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Fiji_(58)

www.angelfire.com/ri/georgev/hmsfiji.html/

www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/70/a7122070.shtml

home.freeuk.net/johndillon/airattack.htm

www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/great_britain/pag...

On 22 May, 1941, HMS Fiji (58) (Capt P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, RN) was bombed and sunk by German aircraft southwest of Crete in 34º35N, 23º10E.

www.uboat.net/allies/merchants/ships/507.html

 

********************************************************************

Seaman R G T Powley

[Listed on memorial as Thomas but on plaque as R G T (b)] Ord. Seaman (Cook); Royal Navy - H.M.S. "Curacoa; Off N. Ireland; 2nd October 1942 (RoH)

 

Name: POWLEY, THOMAS JAMES

Rank: Cook Regiment/Service: Royal Navy Unit Text: H.M.S. Curacoa

Age: 23 Date of Death: 02/10/1942 Service No: C/MX 65032

Additional information: Son of John and Edith Powley; husband of Joan May Powley, of Beccles, Suffolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: 64, 2. Memorial: CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2471496

 

From Alfred Johnson

 

It was 1942 and I was 22 years old and a Seaman in the Merchant Navy on the Queen Mary. We were returning to Glasgow from New York, which was a four / five day journey.

The Queen Mary was carrying about 20,000 American Troops to join the Allied Forces. She was known as a 'hornets nest' in the war as there were lots of nationalities on the ship.

There were 2 of us on the poop deck on the aft of the ship and we were manning the 6 inch gun - incase we came under attack. What good we could have done with one gun, I've no idea!

A cruiser called HMS Curacao met us 200 miles off the coast to escort us into Greenock. I could see her clearly as I was on the aft. We could see our escort zig-zagging in front of us - it was common for the ships and cruisers to zig-zag to confuse the U-boats. In this particular case however the escort was very, very close to us.

I said to my mate "You know she's zig-zigging all over the place in front of us, I'm sure we're going to hit her."

And sure enough, the Queen Mary sliced the cruiser in two like a piece of butter, straight through the six inch armoured plating. The Queen Mary just carried on going (we were doing about 25 knots). It was the policy not to stop and pick up survivors even if they were waving at you. It was too dangerous as the threat of U-Boats was always present.

www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/13/a2733013.shtml

www.roll-of-honour.com/Ships/HMSCuracoa.html

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Curacoa_(D41)

www.rna-carmarthen.org.uk/hms_curacoa.htm

 

******************************************************************

W O. Leslie George Remblance

Warrant Officer; Royal Air Force, Coastal Command; North Sea; 1st October 1944 (RoH)

 

Name: REMBLANCE, LESLIE GEORGE

Rank: Warrant Officer Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 461 Sqdn. Age: 23 Date of Death: 01/10/1944 Service No: 619992

Additional information: Son of George and Emily Remblance, of Bungay, Suffolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 214. Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2940089

 

In February 1944 No. 461 Squadron was equipped with the more advanced Mark III Sunderland. This aircraft allowed the Squadron to operate at night. Equipped with these improved aircraft the Squadron continued to fly anti-submarine patrols over the Atlantic, including patrols in support of the Allied landing in Normandy. During 1944 the squadron sank three submarines and damaged a further three.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._461_Squadron_RAAF

 

With the liberation of southern France the submarine threat emanating from ports there declined, and in turn, so did the intensity of the 461 Squadron’s operations. At the end of September 1944, six of its aircraft were deployed to Sullom Voe in the Shetland Islands to conduct operations along the Norwegian Coast. Beginning on 30 September, these lasted until 29 October, when the detachment returned to Pembroke Dock.

www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11165.asp

 

From 461 Squadron’s Operational Record Book.

 

1st November.

The first operational sortie of the month brought, after a period of ten months, the loss of an aircraft and crew, F/O, (A/F/LT) H M Godsall and his crew in ML 735, (‘A’), failing to return from patrol, (flown from SULLOM VOE), 30 miles west of Bergen in Norway. In spite of search in the area, nothing has been seen or heard of the crew or aircraft, and it must be presumed that the crew were taken by surprise and shot down before a signal could be got off. F/Lt Godsall and seven of his crew had previously been in action together in March last, when they successfully fought off a twenty minute attack by four JU88s in the Bay of Biscay, and the majority of the crew have been together for a considerable time.

 

naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=1359213&I=1&am...

 

The minutiae of disposing of effects, letters of condolence to next of kin, etc have also been digitised at the Australian Archive.

naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=1966138&I=1&am...

 

The crew were

Flight Lieutenant H M Godsall

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1798477

Flight Sergeant G L Toose RAAF (AUS 423627)

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1808926

Pilot Officer E B Willis RAAF (AUS 419103)

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1531745

Sergeant F Reed 619357

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2939998

Warrant Officer P H Brewin RAAF (AUS 418247)

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1530400

Flying Officer D J Jennings RAAF (AUS 418152)

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1802066

Flying Officer H H Turnbull RAAF (AUS 418211)

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1809097

Flight Sergeant J C Cottier RAAF (AUS 423654)

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1085044

Sergeant J Cottam 1147382

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1085038

Fight Sergeant Percival Richard Criddle RAAF (AUS 417621)

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1085234

 

There do not appear to be any Luftwaffe claims for a Sunderland shot down during this time on any of the usual sources.

www.lesbutler.ip3.co.uk/tony/tonywood.htm

 

*******************************************************************

Pilot Officer Norman Charles Arthur Simms

Pilot Officer (Pilot) 152100, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died at Darby, Staffordshire 25th September 1943. Aged 20. Son of Charles Robert and Gladys Rose Simms, of Bungay. Buried in BUNGAY CEMETRY, Bungay, Suffolk. Section DX. Grave 102. (RoH)

 

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2720332

 

There are no specific incidents on this day on my normal source for air crashes in the Midlands area, although there was a collison on landing between two training unit Wellington’s at RAF Bramcote on the 24th. The website has no details of injuries or of the crews involved.

www.couplandbell.com/marg/crashes1943.htm

******************************************************************

Pilot Noel Geoffrey Sprake B A

Pilot Officer; Royal Air Force Vol. Reserve; Duisb.; 21st July 1942 (RoH)

 

Name: SPRAKE, NOEL GEOFFREY

Rank: Pilot Officer (Pilot) Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 142 Sqdn.

Date of Death: 26/07/1942 Service No: 109943

Grave/Memorial Reference: 4. B. 6. Cemetery: KVIBERG CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2187061

 

Wellington Z1287 Information

Type......................................................Wellington

Serial Number....................................Z1287

Squadron............................................142

X1D......................................................QT-Q

Operation.............................................Duisburg

Date 1..................................................25th July 1942

Date 2..................................................26th July 1942

 

Airborne 0039 26Jul42 from Grimsby. Presumed lost in the North Sea. P/O Sprake was washed into the Baltic and he was buried 13Sep42, at Ko_n. though he is now buried at Kviberf Cemetery, Sweden. The others have no known graves.

P/O N.G.Sprake KIA

P/O B.N.Ward KIA

Sgt O.Kedgley KIA

Sgt R.A.mansell KIA

Sgt D.W.Moss KIA "

www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=10608

 

Pilot Officer Sprake had joined the squadron on the 9th April 1942.

www.couplandbell.com/marg/men_of_142.htm

 

There are four Wellington’s claimed by Luftwaffe Pilots as shot down in this raid.

www.lesbutler.ip3.co.uk/tony/tonywood.htm

However Pilot claims are usually exaggerated, with the same plane being claimed by several. Lost Bombers has 8 Wellington’s lost on this raid - one ditched due to engine failure, one shot down by night fighter, one shot down by flak and one crashed on landing after having to abort due to mechanical issues. The cause of loss of the rest is not known.

********************************************************************

Pilot Officer George Roland Tart

Pilot Officer; Royal Air Force Vol. Reserve; Bay of Biscay; 1942 (RoH)

 

Name: TART, GEORGE ROLAND

Rank: Pilot Officer Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Date of Death: 15/10/1942 Service No: 123966

CasualtGrave/Memorial Reference: Panel 71. Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1808446

 

No match on Lost Bombers.

 

There are various Luftwaffe claims for Whitleys and a Wellington, two of which are definitely in the Bay of Biscay, but Pilot Officer Tart’s name does not come up as a crew member.

 

In the summer of 1942, through a combination of new technology, the transfer of obsolescent aircraft from Bomber Command such as earlier marks of the Wellington Bomber, and a growing number of air-crew being produced by the Dominion Air Schools, Coastal Command achieved notable successes in the war against the U-Boats , as they sailed from France via the Bay of Biscay to their huntings grounds on the Atlantic seaboards of North and South America. However, from September the pendulum swung the other way. The U-Boat losses prompted the dispatch of long-range fighter units, principally flying JU-88’s to provide air-cover and re-establish German control. Coastal Command losses rose dramatically.

 

On the 15th October 1942, the official Luftwaffe claims include a Whitley bomber shot down by Lieutenant Heinz Olbrecht at 17.23, in a position which if I’ve interpreted the grid position correctly corresponds to the Bay of Biscay. Lost Bombers has no Whitley recorded as lost on that day, which makes it likely that the plane was from Coastal Command. None of this proves that Pilot Officer Tart was on board, so the search will need to continue. (See Comments below for more information on the fate of Pilot Officer Tart)

 

*******************************************************************

Corporal John Leslie Alexander Twiddy

Corporal; Royal Army Service Corps; Normandy; 9th August 1944 (RoH)

 

Name: TWIDDY, JOHN L.

Rank: Corporal Regiment/Service: Royal Army Service Corps

Age: 41 Date of Death: 09/08/1944 Service No: T/14301334

Additional information: Son of William and Clara Twiddy; husband of Gertrude Mary Twiddy, of Bungay, Suffolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: III. E. 4. Cemetery: LA DELIVRANDE WAR CEMETERY, DOUVRES

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2340288

 

*******************************************************************

Flt Lt David Frank Walker

Flight Lieutenant; Royal Air Force Vol. Reserve; Trondheim Raid; 6th February 1942 (RoH)

 

Name: WALKER, DAVID FRANK

Rank: Flight Lieutenant (Pilot) Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 608 Sqdn.

Age: 28 Date of Death: 07/02/1942 Service No: 72415

Additional information: Son of Reginald Hope and Kathleen Walker; husband of Monica Walker, of Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. B.A. (Oxon.).

Grave/Memorial Reference: A IV British. K. 6. Cemetery: TRONDHEIM (STAVNE) CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2186340

 

608 Squadron was flying Hudson’s at the time.

www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/h608.html

 

There are no claims for a Hudson shot down in the official Luftwaffe records for this day.

www.lesbutler.ip3.co.uk/tony/tonywood.htm

 

An Andrew Dawson was seeking information about David Walker, for whom he was intending to write a biography. He describes him as the “the Oxford University and Norfolk cricketer. …..David was killed in February 1942 when his Hudson was shot down off the Norwegian coast. He is buried in the military cemetery at Trondheim”

www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/11/a2104011.shtml

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Walker_(cricketer)

content-www.cricinfo.com/england/content/player/22664.html

  

******************************************************************

Private Bernard Cecil Watson

Private; 4th R. Norfolk Regiment; Singapore; 11th February 1942 (RoH)

 

Name: WATSON, BERNARD CECIL

Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Royal Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 4th Bn.

Age: 23 Date of Death: 11/02/1942 Service No: 5774015

Grave/Memorial Reference: 17. B. 12. Cemetery: KRANJI WAR CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2821932

 

The 4th Battalion were trapped in Singapore at this point, subject to constant attack and without air cover. Three days later, Singapore would surrender, with many prisoners subsequently being worked to death by the Japanese.

www.cofepow.org.uk/pages/armedforces_r_norfolk.html

www.britain-at-war.org.uk/WW2/royal_norfolks_in_far_east/...

******************************************************************

Leading Aircraftman Timothy Gurney Whiteland

Leading Aircraftman; Royal Air Force; Carberry, Manitoba; 3rd December 1943 (RoH)

 

Name: WHITELAND, TIMOTHY GURNEY

Rank: Leading Aircraftman Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Age: 20 Date of Death: 03/12/1943 Service No: 1399640

Additional information: Son of Arthur and Una Whiteland, of Bungay, Suffolk, England. Grave/Memorial Reference: Lot 4. Block B. Sec. 27. Cemetery: BRANDON CEMETERY, Manitoba

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2851054

 

Carberry was an Elementary Flying Training School, where new aircrew learnt the basics of flying. This was many bases set up in Canada, South Africa and Australia, as well as secretly in the US prior to December 1941.

 

A taste of what these training camps involved can be read here

users.cyberone.com.au/clardo/td_taylor.html

 

**********************************************************************

Private Peter George Whyte

Private; 4th Bn. Wiltshire Regiment; Normandy; 6th August 1944 (RoH)

 

Name: WHYTE, PETER GEORGE FRANK

Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Wiltshire Regiment Unit Text: 4th Bn.

Age: 19 Date of Death: 06/08/1944 Service No: 14577121

Additional information: Son of Herbert Frank and Doris Elizabeth Whyte, of Bungay, Suffolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: VII. C. 13. Cemetery: ST. CHARLES DE PERCY WAR CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2062943

 

St Charles de Percy War Cemetery is the southernmost of the Normandy cemeteries. The majority of those buried here died in late July and early August 1944 in the major thrust made from Caumont l'Evente towards Vire, to drive a wedge between the German 7th Army and Panzer Group West. The cemetery contains 809 Second World War burials.

www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=200500...

 

The 4th Battalion had been heavily engaged since landing in Normandy, including this action at Hill 112 which Private Whyte possibly took part in and survived.

history.farmersboys.com/Battle_Honours/hill_112.htm

They then took part in Operation Bluecoat, which would culminate with the capture of Pinchon on the 6th August.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Bluecoat

www.43wessexassociation.com/history/mont_pincon.html

 

Later in August the unit would be tasked with establishing the first crossing of the Seine.

 

**********************************************************************

Private Ernest Arthur Wilson

Private; 4th R. Norfolk Regiment; Off Singapore; 21st September 1944 (RoH)

 

Name: WILSON, ERNEST ARTHUR

Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Royal Norfolk Regiment Unit Text: 4th Bn.

Age: 26 Date of Death: 21/09/1944 Service No: 5774378

Additional information: Son of Arthur and Edith Wilson; husband of Muriel Mabel Wilson, of Bungay, Suffolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 54. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2538580

 

At first I assumed Ernest was lost in the sinking of the Toyofuku Maru on this day, but that was sunk by US warplanes of the Philipines in an attack which left over 1,000 Allied PoW dead. There is an E V Wilson listed but the rank is Corpoal and the service number is completely different.

www.cofepow.org.uk/remembrance/Toyofuku_Maru/index.htm

 

********************************************************************

L\Aircraftman Dennis Wood

Leading Aircraftman (Radio Operator) 956838, No. 24 Air Sea Rescue Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died off Lowestoft 28th June 1944. Aged 28. Son of Thornton and Sarah Wood; husband of Eva Andelinda Wood, of Ipswich. B.A., Hons. (Bristol). Buried in BUNGAY CEMETERY, Bungay, Suffolk. Section DX. Grave 101. (RoH)

 

Name: WOOD, DENNIS

Rank: Leading Aircraftman Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 24 Air Sea Rescue Sqdn.

Age: 28 Date of Death: 29/06/1944 Service No: 956838

Additional information: Son of Thornton and Sarah Wood; husband of Eva Andelinda Wood, of Ipswich. B.A., Hons. (Bristol).

Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. DX. Grave 101. Cemetery: BUNGAY CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2720333

 

Note slight discrepancy in date of death.

 

Throughout the Second World War No.24 Squadron served as a communications and transport squadron, operating a wide range of aircraft. When war broke out it had been planned to replace the mixed bag of aircraft then in use with twenty Miles Mentors, but this plan had to be abandoned, and the squadron would not begin to concentrate on a single type until April 1942.

As the senior transport squadron it often carried V.I.P.s. In March 1943 it was given the task of operating Churchill's personal Avro York, soon named "Ascalon". The first two production Yorks were also given to the squadron, also as V.I.P. transports. The month after the arrival of the first York, the squadron began to standardise on the Douglas Dakota. The smaller aircraft remained with the squadron until August 1943, when they were transferred to No.512 Squadron.

The scope of the squadron's operations reflects the nature of the war. From 1939 until the summer of 1940 No.24 frequently flew into France. From 1940 until April 1942 the majority of flights were within Britain. In that month the squadron joined Ferry Command and began to operate between Britain and Malta. In the last few years of the war the squadron was used to transport Churchill and other key personnel to the wartime conferences.

www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/24_wwII.html

 

********************************************************************

Lance Corporal Harry Theodore Woodhouse

Lance-Corporal; France; 16th September 1944 (RoH)

 

Name: WOODHOUSE, HARRY THEODORE

Rank: Lance Corporal Regiment/Service: Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Date of Death: 16/09/1944 Service No: 7634710 Additional information: Son of Eustace Charles and Constance Alice Woodhouse; husband of Joyce Woodhouse.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Divn. 67. Row R. Grave 4. Cemetery: STE. MARIE CEMETERY, LE HAVRE

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2095301

 

*******************************************************************

Glider Pilot J H Woodland

[Listed on memorial as J H but as J J on the plaque (b)] Glider Pilot; Royal Air Force (RoH)

 

There is no J H or J J listed on the CWGC site.

 

Most likely is

Name: WOODLAND, HERBERT JAMES

Rank: Serjeant Regiment/Service: Glider Pilot Regiment, A.A.C. Unit Text: 1st

Age: 27 Date of Death: 09/07/1943 Service No: 5778071

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 12. Memorial: CASSINO MEMORIAL

 

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2099202

 

Within the cemetery stands the CASSINO MEMORIAL which commemorates over 4,000 Commonwealth servicemen who took part in the Italian campaign and whose graves are not known.

As mainland Italy wasn’t invaded until the 3rd September 1943, it is a bit of a mystery why Serjeant Woods is remembered here as it was actually the invasion of Sicily that took place on this date.

 

The British 1st Airlanding Brigade mounted in 137 gliders, were the first to land. They were to seize the Ponte Grande Bridge south of Syracuse. These landings were, on the whole, unsuccessful. Of the 137 gliders, 69 came down in the sea, drowning some 200 men. A further 56 landed in the wrong area of Sicily and just 12 reached the target area and managed to take the bridge.

www.war-experience.org/history/keyaspects/husky1943/defau...

www.paradata.org.uk/events/sicily-operation-husky

www.war-experience.org/history/keyaspects/husky1943/paget...

www.ww2incolor.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-7432.html

 

********************************************************************

Flt Lt Charles Woodward

Flight Lieutenant; R. Canadian A.F., Coastal Command; English Channel; 23rd December 1942 (RoH)

 

CWGC details for above

 

Name: WOODWARD, CHARLES WALTER

Rank: Flying Officer Regiment/Service: Royal Canadian Air Force Unit Text: 407 Sqdn. Date of Death: 23/12/1942 Service No: J/6867

Additional information: Son of Alfred and Amelia Woodward, of Tilbury, Ontario, Canada.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 99. Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1532062

 

At the time 407 Squadron was flying the Hudson III/V

 

There are no claims in the Luftwaffe records for a Hudson shot down on this day.

 

www.rafbnmp.org.uk/407squadron.htm

 

******************************************************************

Private Frederick [George] Woolner

Private 5957986, the Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey). Died at Roehampton 10th December 1943. Aged 32. Son of Henry William and Alice Woolner, of Bungay. Buried in BUNGAY CEMETERY, Bungay, Suffolk. Section DX. Grave 76.(RoH)

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2720334

 

See brother William below

*********************************************************************

Private William Woolner

Private; 4th Bn. Suffolk Regiment; Singapore; 14th June 1943 (RoH)

 

Name: WOOLNER, WILLIAM

Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Army Catering Corps Secondary Regiment: Suffolk Regiment Secondary Unit Text: attd. 4th Bn

Age: 30 Date of Death: 14/06/1943 Service No: 5824779 Additional information: Son of Henry William and Alice Woolner; husband of Violet Lily May Woolner, of Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: 2. L. 74. Cemetery: KANCHANABURI WAR CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2195723

 

See brother Frederick above

 

The 4th Battalion were captured with the Fall of Singapore, with many prisoners subsequently being worked to death by the Japanese.

www.cofepow.org.uk/pages/armedforces_r_norfolk.html

www.britain-at-war.org.uk/WW2/royal_norfolks_in_far_east/...

  

********************************************************************

Guardsman Reginald Ernest Wooltorton

Guardsman; The Grenadier Guards; North Africa; 4th May 1943

 

No Wooltorton or Woltorton matches - CWGC has

 

Name: WOOLTERTON, REGINALD ERNEST

Rank: Guardsman Regiment/Service: Grenadier Guards Unit Text: 5th Bn.

Date of Death: 04/05/1943 Service No: 2616401

Grave/Memorial Reference: 1. F. 17. Cemetery: OUED ZARGA WAR CEMETERY

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2822845

 

Guardsman Woolterton was one of 5 fatalities the 5th Battalion was to suffer on this day. In one source he is recorded as having Died of Wounds.

www.thegrenadierguards.co.uk/Alpha%20List%20W%20-%20Based...

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunisia_Campaign

 

*************************************************************************

www.roll-of-honour.com/Suffolk/Bungay.html

 

BUNGAY ROLL OF HONOUR.

THE SECOND WORLD WAR.

1939 - 1945.

KV-1S/85 KV-122 Diorama complete, Thanks to all for following the progress !

Creator: H. Allison & Co. Photographers

 

Original Format: Glass Plate Negative

 

Description: St Mary's Church, Newry

 

PRONI Ref: D2886/R/64

 

Copying and copyright:

 

Please see www.proni.gov.uk/index/research_and_records_held/copying_...

 

For Copy Orders, contact:

Email: proni@communities-ni.gov.uk

For fees and charges see: www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/are-there-any-fees-and-charges

On Explore/Flickr Top 500, Feb. 7, 2009

__________________________________________________________________

 

January 18, 2009

Sinulog 2009

Cebu City

Cebu, Philippines

The Fabulous Fizz Bar, Proms and Prosecco in the Park 2019; Chetwynd Deer Park, Newport, Shropshire.

The Order of the Queen of Sheba was the third highest order of the Ethiopian Empire. It was granted to the Emperor and Empress, the female members of the Imperial family, non-christian monarchs and heads of state as well as christian royal consorts and princes and princesses around the world.

 

the Cordon was a deep purple sash bordered in emerald green worn from the right shoulder to the left hip with the plack at the left hip.

sorry didnt mean to look

 

Checkout our previous order pictures here!

...makes me happy!

Production photo.Starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Majel Barrett, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols, Persis Khambatta, Stephen Collins, Grace Lee Whitney, and Mark Lenard. Directed by Robert Wise.

putlocker.bz/watch-star-trek-the-motion-picture-online-fr... Full Feature

Plot Contains Spoilers:

In Klingon space, three Klingon battle cruisers encounter a huge cloud-like anomaly. On the bridge of one of the ships, the captain (Mark Lenard) orders his crew to fire torpedoes at it, but they have no effect. The ships take evasive action.

 

Meanwhile, in Federation space, a monitoring station, Epsilon 9, picks up a distress signal from one of the Klingon ships. As the three ships are attempting to escape the cloud, energy beams shoot out and engulf each ship one by one, and they vanish. On Epsilon 9, the crew tracks the course of the cloud and discovers that it is headed for Earth.

 

On Vulcan, Spock (Leonard Nimoy) has been undergoing the kohlinahr ritual, in which he has been learning how to purge all of his emotions, and is nearly finished with his training. A female Vulcan Master (Edna Glover), surrounded by two men, is about to give him an ornate necklace as a symbol of pure logic, when Spock holds out his hand to stop her. Confused, she mind-melds with him and senses a consciousness calling to him from space that is affecting his human side. She drops the necklace. "You have not yet achieved kohlinahr. You must look elsewhere for your answer," she says as they leave Spock. "You will not find it here."

 

In San Francisco, Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) arrives at Starfleet Headquarters in a shuttlecraft. He sees Commander Sonak (Jon Rashad Kamal), a Vulcan science officer who is joining the Enterprise crew and recommended for the position by Kirk himself. Kirk is bothered as to why Sonak is not on board yet. Sonak explains that Captain Willard Decker (Stephen Collins), the new captain of the Enterprise, wanted him to complete his science briefing at Headquarters before they left on their mission. The Enterprise has been undergoing a complete "refitting" for the past 18 months and is now under final preparations to leave, which would take at least 20 hours, but Kirk informs him that they only have 12. He tells Sonak to report to him on the Enterprise in one hour; he has a short meeting with Admiral Nogura and is intent on being on the ship.

 

Kirk transports to an office complex orbiting Earth and meets Montgomery Scott (James Doohan), the Enterprise's chief engineer. Scotty expresses his concern about the tight departure time. The cloud is less than three days away from Earth, and the Enterprise has been ordered to intercept it because they are the only ship in range. Scotty says that the refit can't be finished in 12 hours, and tries to convince him that the ship needs more work done as well as a shakedown cruise. Kirk insists that they are leaving, ready or not. They board a travel pod and begin the journey over to the drydock in orbit that houses the Enterprise.

 

Scotty tells Kirk that the crew hasn't had enough transition time with all the new equipment and that the engines haven't even been tested at warp power, not to mention that they have an untried captain. Kirk tells Scotty that two and a half years as Chief of Starfleet Operations may have made him a little stale, but that he wouldn't exactly consider himself untried. Kirk then tells a surprised Scotty that Starfleet gave him back his command of the Enterprise. Scotty doubts it, saying that he doesn't think it was that easy with Admiral Nogura, who gave Kirk his orders. They arrive at the Enterprise, and Scotty indulges Kirk with a brief tour of the new exterior of the ship.

 

Upon docking with the ship, Scotty is summoned to Engineering. Kirk goes up to the bridge, and is informed by Lt. Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) that Starfleet has just transferred command from Captain Decker over to him. Kirk finds Decker in engineering, whom is visibly upset when Kirk breaks the news that he is assuming command, but recognizes it is because Kirk has more experience. Decker will remain on the ship as 2nd officer. As Decker storms off, an alarm sounds. Someone is trying to beam over to the ship, but the transporter is malfunctioning. Kirk and Scotty race to the transporter room. Transporter operator Janice Rand (Grace Lee Whitney) is frantically trying to tell Starfleet to abort the transport, but it is too late. Commander Sonak and an unknown female officer are beaming in, but their bodies aren't re-forming properly in the beam. The female officer screams, and then their bodies disappear. Starfleet signals to them that they have died. Kirk tells Starfleet to express his sympathies to their families.

 

In the corridor, Kirk sees Decker and tells him they will have to replace Commander Sonak and wants another Vulcan. Decker tells him that no one is available that is familiar with the ship's new design. Kirk tells Decker he will have to double his duties as science officer as well.

 

In the recreation room, as Kirk briefs the assembled crew on the mission, they receive a transmission from Epsilon 9. Commander Branch (David Gautreaux) tells them they have analyzed the mysterious cloud. It generates an immense amount of energy and measures 2 A.U.s (300 million km) in diameter. There is also a vessel of some kind in the center. They've tried to communicate with it and have performed scans, but the cloud reflects them back. It seems to think of the scans as hostile and attacks them. Like the Klingon ships earlier, Epsilon 9 disappears.

 

Later on the bridge, Uhura informs Kirk that the transporter is working now. Lt. Ilia, (Persis Khambatta), a bald being from the planet Delta IV, arrives. Decker is happy to see her, as they developed a romantic relationship when he was assigned to her planet several years earlier. Ilia is curious about Decker's reduction in rank and Kirk interrupts and tells her about Decker being the executive and science officer. Decker tells her, with slight sarcasm, that Kirk has the utmost confidence in him. Ilia tells Kirk that her oath of celibacy is on record and asks permission to assume her duties. Uhura tells Kirk that one of the last few crew members to arrive is refusing to beam up. Kirk goes to the transporter room to ensure that "he" beams up.

 

Kirk tells Starfleet to beam the officer aboard. Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy (DeForest Kelley) materializes on the platform. McCoy is angry that his Starfleet commission was reactivated and that it was Kirk's idea for him to be brought along on the mission. His attitude changes, however, when Kirk says he desperately needs him. McCoy leaves to check out the new sickbay.

 

The crew finishes its repairs and the Enterprise leaves drydock and into the solar system. Dr. McCoy comes up to the bridge and complains that the new sickbay is nothing but a computer center. Kirk is anxious to intercept the cloud intruder, and orders Hikaru Sulu (George Takei) to go to warp speed. Suddenly, the ship enters a wormhole, which was created by an engine imbalance, and is about to collide with an asteroid that has been pulled inside. Kirk orders the phasers to be fired on it, but Decker tells Pavel Chekov (Walter Koenig) to fire photon torpedoes instead. The asteroid and the wormhole are destroyed. Annoyed, Kirk wants to meet with Decker in his quarters. Dr. McCoy decides to go along.

 

Kirk demands an explanation from Decker. Decker pointed out that the redesigned Enterprise channeled the phasers through the main engines and because they were imbalanced, the phasers were cut off. Kirk acknowledged that he had saved the ship; however, he accuses Decker of competing with him. Decker tells Kirk that, because of his unfamiliarity with the ship's new design, the mission is in jeopardy. Decker tells Kirk that he will gladly help Kirk understand the new design. Kirk then dismisses him from the room. In the corridor, Decker runs into Ilia. Ilia asked if the confrontation was difficult, and he tells her that it was about as difficult as seeing her again, and apologizes. She asked if he was sorry for leaving Delta IV, or for not saying goodbye. He said that if he had seen her again, would she be able to say goodbye? She says "no," and walked around him and entered her quarters nearby.

 

Back in Kirk's quarters, McCoy accuses Kirk of being the one who was competing, and the fact that it was Kirk who used the emergency to pressure Starfleet into letting him get command of the Enterprise. McCoy thinks that Kirk is obsessed with keeping his command. On Kirk's console viewscreen, Uhura informs Kirk that a shuttlecraft is approaching and that the occupant wishes to dock. Chekov also pipes in and replies that it appears to be a courier vessel. Kirk tells Chekov to handle the situation.

 

The shuttle approaches the Enterprise from behind, and the top portion of it detaches and docks at an airlock behind the bridge. Chekov is waiting by the airlock doors and is surprised to see Spock come aboard. Moments later, Spock arrives on the bridge, and everyone is shocked and pleased to see him, yet Spock ignores them. He moves over to the science station and tells Kirk that he is aware of the crisis and knows about the ship's engine design difficulties. He offers to step in as the science officer. McCoy and Dr. Christine Chapel (Majel Barret Roddenberry) come to the bridge to greet Spock, but Spock just stares alarmingly at their emotional outburst. Spock leaves to discuss fuel equations with Scotty in engineering.

 

With Spock's assistance, the engines are now rebalanced for full warp capacity. The ship successfully goes to warp to intercept the cloud. In the officers lounge, Spock meets with Kirk and McCoy. They discuss Spock's kohlinahr training on Vulcan, and how Spock broke off from his training to join them. Spock describes how he sensed the consciousness of the intruder, from a source more powerful that he has ever encountered, with perfect, logical thought patterns. He believes that it holds the answers he seeks. Uhura tells Kirk over the intercom that they have visual contact with the intruder.

 

The cloud scans the ship, but Kirk orders no return scans. Spock determines that the scans are coming from the center of the cloud. Uhura tries sending "linguacode" messages, but there is no response. Decker suggests raising the shields for protection, but Kirk determines that that might be considered hostile to the cloud. Spock analyzes the clouds composition, and discovers it has a 12-power energy field, the equivalent of power generated by thousands of starships.

 

Sitting at the science station, Spock awakens from a brief trance. He reveals to Kirk that the alien was communicating with him. The alien is puzzled; it contacted the Enterprise--why has the Enterprise not replied? A red alert sounds, and an energy beam from within the cloud touches the ship, and begins to overload the ship's systems. Bolts of lightning surround the warp core and nearly injure some engineering officers, and Chekov is also hurt--his hand is burned while sitting at the weapons station on the bridge. The energy beam then disappears. A medical team is summoned to the bridge, and Ilia is able to use her telepathic powers to soothe Chekov's pain.

 

Spock confirms to Kirk that the alien has been attempting to communicate. It communicates at a frequency of more than one million megahertz, and at such a high rate of speed, the message only lasts a millisecond. Spock programs to computer to send linguacode messages at that frequency. Another energy beam is sent out, but Spock transmits a message just in time, and the beam disappears. The ship continues on course through the cloud. They pass through many expansive and colorful cloud layers and upon clearing these, a giant vessel is revealed. It is roughly cylindrical in shape, with large spikes jutting out from the surface at equidistant angles between each other, forming a hexagon-like shape.

 

Kirk tells Uhura to transmit an image of the alien to Starfleet, but she explains that any transmission sent out of the cloud is being reflected back to them. Kirk orders Sulu to fly above and along the top of the vessel. The Enterprise is so small compared to the size of the alien vessel that it appears only as a little white dot next to it. The ship travels past many oddly-shaped structures, including a sunken area where the energy beams originate.

 

An alarm sounds, and yet another energy bolt approaches the ship. It appears on the bridge as a column of bright light that emits a very loud noise. The crew struggles to shield their eyes from its brilliant glow. Chekov asks Spock if it is one of the alien's crew, and Spock replies that it is a probe sent from the vessel. The probe slowly moves around the room and stops in front of the science station. Bolts of lightning shoot out from it and surround the console--it is trying to access the ship's computer. Spock manages to smash the controls to prevent further access, and the probe gives him an electric shock that sends him rolling onto the floor. The probe approaches the helm/navigation console and it scans Lt. Ilia. Suddenly, she vanishes, along with the probe.

 

Ahead of the ship looms another giant section of the vessel. A tractor beam is drawing the Enterprise toward an opening aperture. Decker calls for Chief DiFalco (Marcy Lafferty) to come up to the bridge as Ilia's replacement. The ship travels deep into the next chamber. Decker wonders why they were brought inside--they could have been easily destroyed outside. Spock deduces that the alien is curious about them. Uhura's monitor shows that the aperture is closing; they are trapped. The ship is released from the tractor beam and suddenly, an intruder alert goes off. Someone has come aboard the ship and is in the crew quarters section.

 

Kirk and Spock arrive inside a crewman's quarters to discover that the intruder is inside the sonic shower. It is revealed to be Ilia, although it isn't really her--there is a small red device attached to her neck. In a mechanized voice, she replies "You are the Kirk unit--you will listen to me." She explains that she has been programmed by an entity called "V'Ger" to observe and record the normal functions of the carbon-based units (humans) "infesting" the Enterprise. Kirk opens the shower door and "Ilia" steps out, wearing a small white garment that just materialized around her. Dr. McCoy and a security officer enter the room, and Kirk tells McCoy to scan her with a tricorder.

 

Kirk asks her who V'Ger is. She replies "V'Ger is that which programmed me." McCoy tells Kirk that Ilia is a mechanism and Spock confirms she is a probe that assumed Ilia's physical form. Kirk asks where the real Ilia is, and the probe states that "that unit" no longer functions. Kirk also asks why V'Ger is traveling to Earth, and the probe answers that it wishes to find the Creator, join with him, and become one with it. Spock suggests that McCoy perform a complete examination of the probe.

 

In sickbay, the Ilia probe lays on a diagnostic table, its sensors slowly taking readings. All normal body functions, down to the microscopic level, are exactly duplicated by the probe. Decker arrives and is stunned to see her there. She looks up at him and addresses him as "Decker", rather than "Decker unit," which intrigues Spock. Spock talks with Kirk and Decker in an adjoining room, and Spock locks the door. Spock theorizes that the real Ilia's memories and feelings have been duplicated by the probe as well as her body. Decker is angry that the probe killed Ilia, but Kirk convinces him that their only contact with the vessel is through the probe, and they need to use that advantage to find out more about the alien. Suddenly, the probe bursts through the door, and demands that Kirk assist her with her observations. He tells her that Decker will do it with more efficiency.

 

Decker and Ilia are seen walking around in the recreation room. He shows her pictures of previous ships that were named Enterprise. Decker has been trying to see if Ilia's memories or emotions can resurface, but to no avail. Kirk and McCoy are observing them covertly on a monitor from his quarters. Decker shows her a game that the crew enjoys playing. She is not interested and states that recreation and enjoyment has no meaning to her programming. At another game, which Ilia enjoyed and nearly always won, they both press one of their hands down onto a table to play it. The table lights up, indicating she won the game, and she gazes into Deckers eyes. This moment of emotion ends suddenly, and she returns to normal. "This device serves no purpose."

 

"Why does the Enterprise require the presence of carbon units?" she asks. Decker tells her the ship couldn't function without them. She tells him that more information is needed before the crew can be patterned for data storage. Horrified, he asks her what this means. "When my examination is complete, all carbon units will be reduced to data patterns." He tells her that within her are the memory patterns of a certain carbon unit. He convinces her to let him help her revive those patterns so that she can understand their functions better. She allows him to proceed.

 

Spock slowly enters an airlock room. He sees an officer standing at a console, his back to Spock. Spock quietly approaches him, and gives him the Vulcan nerve pinch to render him unconscious.

 

Decker, the probe, Dr. McCoy, and Dr. Chapel are in Ilia's quarters. Dr. Chapel gives the probe a decorative headband that Ilia used to wear. Chapel puts it over "Ilia's" head and turns her toward a mirror. Decker asks her if she remembers wearing it on Delta IV. The probe shows another moment of emotion, saying Dr. Chapel's name, and putting her hand on Decker's face, calling him Will. Behind them, McCoy reminds Decker that she is a mechanism. Decker asks "Ilia" to help them make contact with V'Ger. She says that she can't, and Decker asks her who the Creator is. She says V'Ger does not know. The probe becomes emotionless again and removes the headband.

 

Spock is now outside the ship in a space suit with an attached thruster pack. He begins recording a log entry for Kirk detailing his attempt to contact the alien. He activates a panel on the suit and calculates thruster ignition and acceleration to coincide with the opening of an aperture ahead of him. He hopes to get a better view of the spacecraft interior.

 

Kirk comes up to the bridge and Uhura tells him that Starfleet signals are growing stronger, indicating they are very close to Earth. Starfleet is monitoring the intruder and notifies Uhura that it is slowing down in its approach. Sulu confirms this and says that lunar beacons show the intruder is entering into orbit. Chekov tells Kirk that Airlock 4 has been opened and a thruster suit is missing. Kirk figures out that Spock has done it, and orders Chekov to get Spock back on the ship. He changes his mind, and instead tells him to determine his position.

 

Spock touches a button on his thruster panel and his thruster engine ignites. He is propelled forward rapidly, and enters the next chamber of the vessel just before the aperture closes behind him. The thruster engine shuts down, and the momentum carries Spock ahead further. He disconnects the thruster pack from his suit and it falls away from him.

 

Continuing his log entry, Spock sees an image of what he believes to be V'Gers home planet. He passes through a tunnel filled with crackling plasma energy, possibly a power source for a gigantic imaging system. Next, he sees several more images of planets, moons, stars, and galaxies stored and recorded. Spock theorizes that this may be a visual representation of V'Gers entire journey. "But who or what are we dealing with?" he ponders.

 

He sees the Epsilon 9 station, and notes to Kirk that he is convinced that all of what he is seeing is V'Ger; and that they are inside a living machine. Then he sees a giant image of Lt. Ilia with the sensor on her neck. Spock decides it must have some special meaning, so he attempts to mind-meld with it. He is quickly overwhelmed by the multitude of images flooding his mind, and is thrown backward.

 

Kirk is now in a space suit and has exited the ship. The aperture in front of the Enterprise opens, and Spock's unconscious body floats toward him. Later, Dr. Chapel and Dr. McCoy are examining Spock in sickbay. Dr. McCoy performs scans and determines that Spock endured massive neurological trauma from the mind-meld. Spock tells Kirk he should have known and Kirk asks if he was right about V'Ger. Spock calls it a conscious, living entity. Kirk explains that V'Ger considers the Enterprise a living machine and it's why "Ilia" refers to the ship as an entity and the crew as an infestation.

 

Spock describes V'Ger's homeworld as a planet populated by living machines with unbelievable technology. But with all that logic and knowledge, V'Ger is barren, with no mystery or meaning. He momentarily lapses into sleep but Kirk rouses him awake to ask what Spock should have known. Spock grasps Kirk's hand and tells him "This simple feeling is beyond V'Ger's comprehension. No meaning, no hope. And Jim, no answers. It's asking questions. 'Is this all that I am? Is there nothing more?'"

 

Uhura chimes in and tells Kirk that they are getting a faint signal from Starfleet. The intruder has been on their monitors for a while and the cloud is rapidly dissipating as it approaches. Sulu also comments that the intruder has slowed to sub-warp speed and is three minutes from Earth orbit. Kirk acknowledges and he, McCoy and Spock go up to the bridge.

 

Starfleet sends the Enterprise a tactical report on the intruders position. Uhura tells Kirk that V'Ger is transmitting a signal. Decker and "Ilia" come up to the bridge, and she says that V'Ger is signaling the Creator. Spock determines that the transmission is a radio signal. Decker tells Kirk that V'Ger expects an answer, but Kirk doesn't know the question. Then "Ilia" says that the Creator has not responded. An energy bolt is released from V'Ger and positions itself above Earth. Chekov reports that all planetary defense systems have just gone inoperative. Several more bolts are released, and they all split apart to form smaller ones and they assume equidistant positions around the planet.

 

McCoy notices that the bolts are the same ones that hit the ship earlier, and Spock says that these are hundreds of times more powerful, and from those positions, they can destroy all life on Earth. "Why?" Kirk asks "Ilia." She says that the carbon unit infestation will be removed from the Creator's planet as they are interfering with the Creator's ability to respond and accuses the crew of infesting the Enterprise and interfering in the same manner. Kirk tells "Ilia" that carbon units are a natural function of the Creator's planet and they are living things, not infestations. However "Ilia" says they are not true life forms like the Creator. McCoy realizes V'Ger must think its creator is a machine.

 

Spock compares V'Ger to a child, and suggests they treat it like one. McCoy retorts that this child is about to wipe out every living thing on Earth. To get "Ilia's" attention, Kirk says that the carbon units know why the Creator hasn't responded. The Ilia probe demands that the Creator "disclose the information." Kirk won't do it until V'Ger withdraws all the orbiting devices. In response to this, V'Ger cuts off the ship's communications with Starfleet. She tells him again to disclose the information. He refuses, and a plasma energy attack shakes the ship. McCoy tells Spock that the child is having a "tantrum."

 

Kirk tells the probe that if V'Ger destroys the Enterprise, then the information it needs will also be destroyed. Ilia says that it is illogical to withhold the required information, and asks him why he won't disclose it. Kirk explains it is because V'Ger is going to destroy all life on Earth. "Ilia" says that they have oppressed the Creator, and Kirk makes it clear he will not disclose anything. V'Ger needs the information, says "Ilia." Kirk says that V'Ger will have to withdraw all the orbiting devices. "Ilia" says that V'Ger will comply, if the carbon units give the information.

 

Spock tells Kirk that V'Ger must have a central brain complex. Kirk theorizes that the orbiting devices are controlled from there. Kirk tells "Ilia" that the information cant be disclosed to V'Ger's probe, but only to V'Ger itself. "Ilia" stares at the viewscreen, and, in response, the aperture opens and drags the ship forward with a tractor beam into the next chamber. Chekov tells Kirk that the energy bolts will reach their final positions and activate in 27 minutes. Kirk calls to Scotty on the intercom and tells him to stand by to execute Starfleet Order 2005; the self-destruct command. A female crewmember asks Scotty why Kirk ordered self-destruct, and Scotty tells her that Kirk hopes that when they explode, so will the intruder.

 

The countdown is now down to 18 minutes. DiFalco reports that they have traveled 17 kilometers inside the vessel. Kirk goes over to Spock's station, and sees that Spock has been crying. "Not for us," Kirk realizes. Spock tells him he is crying for V'Ger, and that he weeps for V'Ger as he would for a brother. As he was when he came aboard the Enterprise, so is V'Ger now--empty, incomplete, and searching. Logic and knowledge are not enough. McCoy realizes Spock has found what he needed, but that V'Ger hasn't. Decker wonders what V'Ger would need to fulfill itself.

 

Spock comments that each one of us, at some point in our lives asks, "Why am I here?" "What was I meant to be?" V'Ger hopes to touch its Creator and find those answers. DiFalco directs Kirk's attention to the viewscreen. Ahead of them is a structure with a bright light. Sulu reports that forward motion has stopped. Chekov replies that an oxygen/gravity envelope has formed outside of the ship. "Ilia" points to the structure on the screen and identifies it as V'Ger. Uhura has located the source of the radio signal and it is straight ahead. A passageway forms outside the ship as Kirk Spock, McCoy, Decker, and "Ilia" enter a turbolift.

 

The landing party exits an airlock on the top of the saucer section and walks up the passageway. At the end of the path is a concave structure, and in the center of it is an old NASA probe from three centuries earlier. Kirk tries to rub away the smudges on the nameplate and makes out the letters V G E R. He continues to rub, and discovers that the craft is actually Voyager 6. Kirk recalls the history of the Voyager program--it was designed to collect data and transmit it back to Earth. Decker tells Kirk that Voyager 6 disappeared through a black hole.

 

Kirk says that it must have emerged on the far side of the galaxy and got caught in the machine planet's gravity. Spock theorizes that the planet's inhabitants found the probe to be one of their own kind--primitive, yet kindred. They discovered the probe's 20th century programming, which was to collect data and return that information to its creator. The machines interpreted that instruction literally, and constructed the entire vessel so that Voyager could fulfill its programming. Kirk continues by saying that on its journey back, it amassed so much knowledge that it gained its own consciousness.

 

"Ilia" tells Kirk that V'Ger awaits the information. Kirk calls Uhura on his communicator and tells her to find information on the probe in the ship's computer, specifically the NASA code signal, which will allow the probe to transmit its data. Decker realizes that that is what the probe was signaling--it's ready to transmit everything. Kirk then says that there is no one on Earth who recognizes the old-style signal--the Creator does not answer.

 

Kirk calls out to V'Ger and says that they are the Creator. "Ilia" says that is not logical--carbon units are not true life forms. Kirk says they will prove it by allowing V'Ger to complete its programming. Uhura calls Kirk on his communicator and tells him she has retrieved the code. Kirk tells her to set the Enterprise transmitter to the code frequency and to transmit the signal. Decker reads off the numerical code on his tricorder, and is about to read the final sequence, but Voyager's circuitry burns out, an effort by V'Ger itself to prevent the last part of the code from being transmitted.

 

"Ilia" says that the Creator must join with V'Ger, and turns toward Decker. McCoy warns Kirk that they only have 10 minutes left. Decker figures out that V'Ger wanted to bring the Creator here and transmit the code in person. Spock tells Kirk that V'Ger's knowledge has reached the limits of the universe and it must evolve. Kirk says that V'Ger needs a human quality in order to evolve. Decker thinks that V'Ger joining with the Creator will accomplish that. He then goes over to the damaged circuitry and fixes the wires so he can manually enter the rest of the code through the ground test computer. Kirk tries to stop him, but "Ilia" tosses him aside. Decker tells Kirk that he wants this as much as Kirk wanted the Enterprise.

 

Suddenly, a bright light forms around Decker's body. "Ilia" moves over to him, and the light encompasses them both as they merge together. Their bodies disappear, and the light expands and begins to consume the area. Kirk, Spock, and McCoy retreat back to the Enterprise. V'Ger explodes, leaving the Enterprise above Earth, unharmed. On the bridge, Kirk wonders if they just saw the beginning of a new life form, and Spock says yes and that it is possibly the next step in their evolution. McCoy says that its been a while since he "delivered" a baby, and hopes that they got this one off to a good start.

 

Uhura tells Kirk that Starfleet is requesting the ship's damage and injury reports and vessel status. Kirk reports that there were only two casualties: Lt. Ilia and Captain Decker. He quickly corrects his statement and changes their status to "missing." Vessel status: fully operational. Scotty comes on the bridge and agrees with Kirk that it's time to give the Enterprise a proper shakedown. When Scotty offers to have Spock back on Vulcan in four days, Spock says that's unnecessary, as his task on Vulcan is completed.

 

Kirk tells Sulu to proceed ahead at warp factor one. When DiFalco asks for a heading, Kirk simply says "Out there, thataway." With that, the Enterprise flies overhead and engages warp drive.