CHURCHILL, Winston S.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Photograph album compiled by an RAF serviceman, including six images of Churchill. Gracing the final page of this album are six candid, apparently unpublished, images of Churchill arriving at Milan airport in 1945. The album was compiled by a serviceman in RAF Transport Command, who served in North Africa and Italy during and immediately after the Second World War.On 2 September 1945, Churchill arrived in Milan aboard Field Marshal Alexander of Tunis's Dakota; Alexander was then Supreme Commander, Mediterranean. Churchill stayed at his Villa d'Este on Lake Como, headquarters of the 2nd Military District, for a working holiday. That day, he visited Mussolini's execution site and pauper's grave and was reportedly cheered by local crowds. He remained at Lake Como until 19 September. The photographs show Churchill with his daughter Sarah and secretary Elizabeth Leyton alighting from the aircraft, receiving a salute, and speaking with officers.RAF Transport Command maintained a network of staging posts worldwide. Its main tasks included transporting passengers and freight, maintaining and fuelling aircraft, and providing meals and accommodation for passengers and crew. One photograph shows a sign for the 146th staging post, presumably where the compiler served. This post was established in Milan in November 1944 under the control of No 216 Group and was disbanded in January 1946.The photographs are a mix of commercially produced tourist images - chiefly of the famous churches, civ

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