大象传媒

Hi
As a student I worked in a graphics shop. The manager was a quiet and unassuming man. I was interested in engineering, cars etc, and at times we would chat about such things. The manager Bob, one day got onto the story of WW2, He was a pilot and his story was fascinating. His experience began in boot camp where 140 young men stationed in Devon were to be trained as pilots for the war. Even then things were tough and on one night-time training exercise on a very rainy and windy night two recruits fell to their death as their shawls got raped around their legs as they were walking along the cliff top. "A sign of things to come" said bob. Bob's main story was a horrifying account of the time his plane was shot down, he gave the order for his men to bail out, but the rear gunner panicked and released his parachute whilst still in his gun turret. He was entangled and unable to free himself. He must have gone through hell thinking he was trapped in a plane about to go down. Bob got control of the plane and landed it safely some short time after. But he was always haunted by the crew mans terror. Bob must have seen and experienced allot but like so many that saw real and nasty action never really spoke about it. I a young student had just caught him on a day when he let his guard down a little. I have no doubt that this man did many brave things the world will never know about. The final parting lines of his story were perhaps the most chilling. At the end of the war his training regiment had a reunion. Only 4 of the 140 were still alive and able to attend.
I would like to tell this story on behalf of Bob, who like so many, gave so much and asked so little in return.

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