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MORE TALES FROM THE WOODPECKERS — 136 FIGHTER SQUADRON

SQUADRON LIFE IN CALCUTTA 1942

Units and individuals struggled back to India and China and Calcutta became the focal point. All were relieved to meet up again with surviving friends from their own and fellow Squadrons. Calcutta was full of good food and terrible local hooch and the atmosphere was electric with anticipation at the expected Japanese onslaught upon India.

Many tales were told: Tex Barrick an American Sgt Pilot flying with 17 Squadron had distinguished himself in the retreat and destroyed 5 Japs being decorated with the DFM. Frank Carey had also destroyed 5 Japs, three in one single attack as he led a sweep of Hurricanes over a Jap airfield and caught a formation of 3 Oscars taking off. He had now been awarded his fourth British decoration, a second Bar to his DFC. Bill Storey a young Pilot Officer from Australia had arrived with Frank Carey at Rangoon in Burma in mid-January and within 28 days had shot down 5 Japs and had been promoted immediately to Flight Commander for his leadership. Bunny Stone of 17 Squadron had also added at least a further 3 victories to his personal score whilst TAF Elsdon, the Chief Woodpecker had set a splendid fighting example but made no claims. Barry Sutton, now with 135 Squadron added at least 3 more to his own personal tally.

Arriving in Calcutta the pilots and ground crews were initially billeted in various hotels, Connie and the other Woodpeckers in The Grand whose owners were particularly pleased to see them as all other white guests had departed following an outbreak of typhoid!

For the next 3 months based at Alipore, Frank Carey was the Wing Leader and Jimmy Elsdon the CO. There were 2 new Flight Commanders, both with experience in Battle of Britain and in the recent Akyab battle; Piers Worrall commanded A Flight and B Flight was commanded by Guy Marsland who had been one of Connie’s instructors at Sutton Bridge. At last the Squadron was integrated for the first time since serving in the UK in 1941 but the team had changed: a few like Connie had not yet seen combat but had been taking part in active operational flying and of course, there were the many other pilots who had met and tangled with the Oscar!

Equipped with mostly old Hurricanes, 136 trained as a fighting unit — waiting for the Japanese. A proportion of the Squadron was on high readiness ready to go, whilst others were on lower states available to take off within 30 or 60 minutes if required. There was only one rule — one was never late!!

The dawn shift started long before. The day fighter period of readiness was from first to last light and as they dispersed the aircraft every night by flying them out to satellite strips, it was necessary to drive out in ancient trucks over rough tracks to be in the cockpit on readiness at dawn. Then came the short flight to main base and then the long waiting game. The only advantage was that a long spell of duty would usually be followed by an afternoon and perhaps the next morning free. Readiness was a 7 day week, for months and even years!

The rather exclusive Calcutta swimming Club opened its doors to the pilots — Officers only — the Sergeant Pilots were not included! Whilst not on readiness Calcutta’s bright lights offered many temptations in the form of bars and nightclubs and The Saturday Club with its indoor pool, library and bar allowed them to become members too. Even more fun was had at The 300 Club where in the evenings the misguided Jazz band allowed The Woodpecker Jazz fiends to play during their break! Winky Moorhouse played beautiful Jazz piano, Connie played the drums and Kit Kitley the bass.

THE SPYCATCHERS OF BENGAL

As the local families departed for the cooler hill estates each of the Squadrons were offered large houses as self-contained Squadron messes, complete with staff. 136 Squadron was billeted in a very pleasant two-storeyed villa known as The Woodpeckers’ Hole after the Squadron signature tune. They shared at least four to a room except of course, for the CO and it was pure luxury, for a while, with linen and ceiling fans. Little did they know that they would not see such luxury again.

One hot and sticky Calcutta night, those on dawn readiness had retired early hoping to get some rest if not sleep. Just as Connie was falling asleep, two pilots who had been chatting quietly on the outside verandah shook him awake. It was purist John Bucchan. A series of morse code flashes had been spotted, emanating apparently from an upstairs room in the house next door.

They were quick to dress as flying kit, boots and revolvers were on the bedside chairs ready for the following day. The intrepid pilots set off quickly but quietly down the stairs, across the garden and up over the wall, under a moonless sky towards the flashes.

Connie and Ian Adamson were first to enter the house. Brought up on a youthful diet of Kipling and Biggles, they made their way quietly and undetected, drawn pistols in hand, up to the turret room at the top of the house. In the centre of the room which had a panoramic view over Calcutta and the Ganges Delta stood a powerful transmitting lamp and several open books on tables nearby. Half a dozen astonished Bengalis stood frozen, caught in the act!

When challenged they urged the Woodpeckers to put away their revolvers. They protested their innocence, they were only bookmakers’ clerks going about their daily business. The books were not code-books, merely the tools of their trade! The Woodpeckers assuming suitably stern exteriors, continued to cover them with their revolvers, standing with their backs to the door, until to their relief they heard the ringing tones of the C.O. ( Jimmy Elsdon) demanding to know where his men were. Being twice wounded in the Battle of Britain, he had come round the longer route with the remaining pilots. He immediately took in the scene and sent for the Provost Marshall. The latter on arrival promptly took command and the Woodpeckers went home.

Some weeks later as Connie was feeding Babu, the tame Squadron brown Bear, some tea from a soft drinks bottle, the C.O. arrived with news from the PM. The Squadron received hearty thanks for their aid; the men had been convicted of being fifth columnists and duly dealt with; the Bear choked on his tea!

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