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Strange Aircraft
October 19th 1941. Arrived by sea at Aden, stationed Khormaksar. No.8 Squadron Vickers Vincent single engine bi-plane aircraft were used to patrol the protectorate because of short take off and landing distance required. The Vincent construction is of steel and duralumin tubes held together with forgings and knuckle joints. The aircraft was fabric covered preserved with earth/dark green camouflage dope. It had few instruments and the propellers were of wood construction. The aircraft had a top speed of 130 mph.

In May 1942 No 8 Squadron became a general reconnaissance unit with Bristol Blenheim 1 a twin - engine monoplane, and went into action against the Italians in Somaliland.
Soon after arrival I was tasked with building a De Haviland Gypsy moth from a kit of parts found in a crate, this was only possible because Vincent aircraft covering was similar and fabrics, dope and threads were readily available on site. The pilot insisted that I flew with him on its first flight.

It was very hot in Aden, midday temperatures were above 100 degrees and it was very humid 24 hours per day. Heavy doses of salt had to be taken daily to prevent heat stroke. It was classified as an 18 month station, but I had to stay for three years.

Forced Landing
A cabin with charcoal stove and bunk beds, built in the hills (Alt.5000 feet) near a landing strip was used as a rest centre and to grow vegetables for use in the Khormaksar messes. My rest ended when a Vincent in which I was returning to Aden was forced to land in a wadi (Out of fuel, due to the compass being set north instead of south) The pilot and I were rescued by Local Bedouin who provided food (tea, honey and stew) and shelter until evacuated to Aden.

American Staging Post
The Americans used Khormaksar as a staging post on route to Burma and the Far East. The RAF provided the servicing for their aircraft and we soon learned the early problems of these aircraft just off the production line. For what ever reason, there was a need for the staging post to be further a-field.

Exploiting the general collapse of Italian power, a force embarked from Aden and recaptured British Somaliland.

1943 Socotra Landing
To assess the possibility of an aircraft landing site on the island of Socotra, situated off the Horn of Africa in the Indian Ocean, two Blenheim 1 aircraft were modified for flight to Socotra via Somaliland. But that is another story.

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