大象传媒

George volunteered for the RAF on 26th May 1941. As he was a practicing optician at the time, his papers stipulated 'Not to be employed other than as pilot or Observer without reference to the Air Ministry.'

After being torpedoed in South Africa, he returned to the UK, then was posted to No.297 Squadron at Fez, N. Africa, for General Montgomery's Campaign in the desert with the Eighth Army, and the push into Italy. In one sortie from North Africa, they were caught in a thunderstorm and had to crash land on a beach at Palermo, Sicily. The plane disintegrated on some rocks. George fell out and did not know much more. He was reported 'missing believed killed' for several months. Somehow he ended up in an American Forward Hospital. He suffered facial and body injuries with concussion. He awoke to hear the surgeon saying, "Look what a wonderful job I have done on this chap's nose!"

George found he had been awarded the Purple Heart which they later reclaimed as he was not an American citizen.

This story was submitted to the People's War website by Helena Noifeld of 大象传媒 Radio Kent and has been added to the website on behalf of George Charles Shepherd with his wife Margot Shepherd's permission. She fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.