大象传媒

Walking home from school on a spring afternoon in April 1942, the air was suddenly filled with the noise of aircraft flying very low. Then, seemingly only just above the treetops appeared twelve Lancaster bombers, flying due south. It was'nt unusual to see these aircraft in the sky, but never before had I seen them at such a low altitude in close formation. As a young aircraft "spotter " with all the aircraft recognition books then available in my possession I had no difficulty in recognising them, but what was their mission?
I learned later from the 大象传媒 news that on that day, 17th April, a top secret and meticulously planned attack had been carried out by twelve Lancasters on a diesel engine works in Augsburg, deep in southern Germany. Much later I read that of the twelve aircraft,from RAF bases at Woodhall Spa and Waddington, that passed over my head that day, only five returned. Among awards for gallantry was a VC and several DSOs.

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