大象传媒

We would have been amazed if we had known that the friendly, everyday sound of Spitfires would one day be so highly valued and that it would arouse the strong emotion that it does today. Or that we would have fond memories of noisy, vibrating Mosquitoes (Mozzies) taking off, during which we would have to cease conversation. Strangely, if asked, we would not even remember the event.

As children, we became quite expert in recognising "our" aircraft at West Malling. Lysanders in the very early days (my favourite as a 6 year old) followed by Beaufighters, Mosquitoes, Hurricanes and Spitfires. On occasion we would see an interesting visiting aircraft landing in emergency, by mistake or bringing a visiting dignitory.

West Malling airfield was extended on the south side, almost to our house so aircraft landing and taking off were clearly visible and audible. Aircraft did sometimes overshoot the runway and tip onto our farm. Sometimes the result was just a damaged aircraft but sadly there were occasions when crew were injured or killed.

Daytime flying was just a temporary intrusion on conversation but night flying was totally different!

At night we learned to recognise the different aircraft engines and so counted them "in and out". They were escorting our bombers on raids to Germany, meeting up on the coast and they also intercepted German bombers on their way to London. Later on they also intercepted Divers or "Doodle-bugs" as we called them. One moonlight night my parents watched a Spifire successfully tip the wing of a Doodle-bug and turn it 180 degrees. A never-to-be-forgotten sight and sound!

Evenings, especially during 1942-43 were extremely noisy. In addition to all this aircraft activity there was a strange high-pitched "pop pop"of guns on the ground being fired. Another never-to-be-forgotten sound! It made us feel safer and defended.We often went outside to watch the searchlights beaming into the sky. Whilst we
were very careful, there was too much going on that was interesting for us to feel threatened. Neither our Anderson shelter in the orchard or the Morrison Table Shelter in the house were ever used. Perhaps we made a misjudgement but with all the aircraft activity we felt pretty well protected. Or perhaps our parents were making a good job of trying to play down the seriousness of the situation.

My most vivid memory was of a Dogfight which occurred on THAT Sunday in September when a massive dog-fight went on above us. The sky was a clear blue. We were eating roast chicken for lunch and kept going out to look. Isn`t it strange what you remember? We applauded "ours" and booed "theirs" and still kept eating our lunch! That must have been due to human beings dealing with stressful situations in the best way they can.

Our thoughts were,of course, constantly with people being bombed, especially in London. The German bombers droning overhead night after night enroute for London were a constant reminder and we listened to the news. Our father took his fruit to our warehouse in Greenwich Market three times a week and brought back news of people known to him who had suffered. It was a very desperate time but we were forever trusting that eventually our servicemen and women would bring the war to an end.

Unfortunately, because West Malling was not operational for part of World War 2, it is scarcely mentioned in official reports. It was, in fact, a very important Flying Command Base and much was achieved there.

Peter Hall`s book By Day and By Night, ISBN 0 905 15580 7 and published by Kent County Council in 1987 is an excellent record but is out of print. Perhaps they could be persuaded to republish?

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