- Contributed by听
- csvdevon
- People in story:听
- Allen Neville Dent, but I know none of the names of my crew, since I did not go on briefings. I flew with two Polish crews, one Australian crew and two English crews. A crew consisted of 1 pilot, 1 Co-Pilot/Navigator, an Agent Despatcher and a Flight Engineer.
- Location of story:听
- Missions to France, Holland, Denmark and Poland from RAF Tempsford
- Background to story:听
- Royal Air Force
- Article ID:听
- A4138607
- Contributed on:听
- 01 June 2005
This story has been written onto the 大象传媒 People's War site by CSV Storygatherer Coralie on behalf of Allen Neville Dent. The story had been added to the site with his permission and Allen fully understands the terms and conditions of the site.
I was in a reserved occupation (Analytical Dairy Chemist) at Daws Creameries (became Cow and Gate), Totnes. I wished to join Fleet Air Arm but was unsuccessful. I then joined RAFVR and was called up on 17th April 1941 and did a Flight Mechanics course at Lytham St Anns, Blackpool. On completion I was posted to 534 Squadron, RAF at Tangmere, American Boston's with a searchlight in the nose. These aircraft were to fly into invading German aircraft accompanied by two Hurricanes as figher escorts. Needless to say, this strategy was quickly withdrawn. I was then posted to RAF Henlow to assemble Hurricanes made mainly in Canada. I then was able to train as a Flight Engineer and did an engine course at RAF St Athan and an Air Gunnery course at RAF Stormy Down, before being posted to 138 Squadron RAF Tempsford. This was 2nd December 1942 I think (it is not clear on my RAF records).
I did 13 missions dropping Agents and supplies to Resistance fighters until shot down near Caen, North France (13th April 1943). Our Polish pilot made a marvellous crash landing with two starboard engines on fire.
Helped by the Maquis we travelled South to Perpignan (Spanish border). We crossed The Pyrenees guided by smugglers (well paid) eventually reaching England via Gerona, Barcelona and Gibraltar.
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