- Contributed by听
- CSV Solent
- People in story:听
- Bill Snell
- Location of story:听
- Grennock and Gibraltar
- Background to story:听
- Royal Air Force
- Article ID:听
- A4115404
- Contributed on:听
- 25 May 2005
Some of Bill's wartime photos
This story was submitted to the People's War website by Marie on behalf of Bill and has been added to the site with his permission. Bill fully understand the site's terms and conditions.
In August 1942, I was in a small group of R.A.F. tradesmen who were sent at a moments notice (no embarkation leave) to West Kirby and kitted out with tropical clothing, and a large toolbox. We eventually arrived in Grennock, Scotland and put on a boat, we arrived in Gibraltar about a week later. There we received boxes of Spitfires in pieces, which we assembled and made ready for active service in time for the North African invasion. Some were flown by British pilots and some by American pilots - the planes having the USA cross in place of the Roundels.
We also had an aircraft carrier, HMS Eagle, and some Spitfires were carried halfway to Malta and then flown to the island which was under siege at the time and relying on three very old bi-planes called Faith, Hope and Charity.
Later on we fitted overload tanks to the belly of the Spitfire and they were able to fly non-stop from Gibraltar to Malta. A very brave pilot tried the first overloaded plane. He had been badly burned in a previous crash and said "If I don't make it, with these burns, I won't be missed a lot." Unfortunately I can't remember his name.
We assembled about 1700 Spitfires and some Hurricanes in the 12 months we were there. Then we moved onto North Africa.
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Story with photo