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With the African Corps defeated the British First and Eighth Armies stood poised ready to invade Sicily. All the harbours along the North African coast were full of shipping and it was essential for the AA batteries to be fully alert.

A supply of urgently needed spare parts for radar sets was required and I was forced to drive the 300 mile journey from Bone to Algiers alone. Having created the crates of spares I enjoyed a short break and then started the hazardous journey home. I was just about to ascend into the Atlas mountains where the raod ran through spectacular canyons when I came across two members of the French Foreign Legion who begged a lift. Although it was strictly forbidden to give rides I was glad of the company which would help to keep me fully awake.

I had only travelled a few miles when there was a loud bang and the staff car lurched violently over to the left. I climbed out and saw the damage was limited to a punctured tyre. This caused me some concern as the spare wheel was bolted onto the roof of the vehicle and with its special heavy duty sand tyres was well over one hundredweight. The two French soldiers saw my dismay and Pierre the older of the two said "OK Jo, we fix. You got Jack?" I produced a Jack and wheel brace and pointed to the heavy spare wheel. In an incredibly short period of time they had changed the wheel and bolted the punctured wheel back on the roof of the car. They must have recognised my look of amazement. Pierre slapped my shoulder and explained " We pit mechanics Grand Prix."

Pierre then asked if he might drive. Again I broke regulations and Pierre then treated me to a wonderful display of driving through the narrow canyons of the Atlas range. I dropped them off close to Bone where they could easily get a lift to Tunis.

On reaching our workshop my comrades were surprised at the quick time I had taken considering the long journey and how fresh I looked. I thought that this was a good time to be economical with the truth.

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