Call for permanent memorial to clandestine reconnaissance pilots during second world war

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00:00But this evening, I'm also proud to support a campaign for an official memorial to remember

00:06and honor the pilots and navigators of the RAF's Photographic Reconnaissance Unit being

00:13organized as we speak by the Spitfire AAH10 project.

00:19The PRU flew highly dangerous clandestine missions to take intelligence photos.

00:25Their stripped down planes were unarmed to carry as much fuel as possible.

00:30For this reason, they included conscientious objectors among their crews.

00:35The death rate was horrific, with around 48% losing their lives.

00:41One PRU survivor was Edward Bacon of Velenheli near Carnarvon in my constituency.

00:46The project is keen to reach out to families to collect their stories so that their loved

00:51ones will once again be more than just another name carved on a war memorial.

00:57And talking of memorials, the project is also campaigning for a UK memorial here in Westminster.

01:03When this comes to fruition, and it will, wreckage from a PRU aircraft will be its centerpiece.

01:11This poignant reminder of courage and horrendous risks faced by PRU airmen was retrieved just

01:17last month from a Mosquito aircraft which crashed in Arranvaldwy in Merioneth 80 years

01:23ago.