大象传媒

This story has been submitted to the People鈥檚 War website by a volunteer from 大象传媒 Radio Lincolnshire鈥檚 Action Desk on behalf of John Nute and has been added to the site with his permission. Mr Nute fully understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

I remember that during the war years a manor house was taken over by the Americans. To a small child they seemed to have very big cars and trucks. They mixed with the local people and were good to us. Everything was in short supply in our area but they always had sweets and candies to share.

They always had an abundance of petrol whereas ours was strictly rationed. I remember one instance when a local man was desperate. He decided to steal some for the Americans and was caught siphoning from one of their vehicles. All the American said was 鈥淚f it鈥檚 petrol you want just ask; go home and get a can.鈥�

There was an Air Force base at St Mabyn which was used to train fighter pilots. There was also a target on a cliff face which was used for firing target practice.

I was sat outside one day on a wall and clearly remember a German plane flying so low I could see the pilot. It flew over me to some nearby fields where they dropped bombs 鈥� obviously off target, but very frightening.

I remember as a boy the food rationing and the tiny piece of butter allowed per person for a whole week. Neighbours and families all shared and would sometimes swap things they needed like sugar for tea coupons, etc.

Our school was in Delabole. It had wire mesh at the windows to stop us being injured by broken glass if it got bombed. We always had to carry a gas mask in a special cardboard box. That box never left our person from leaving home in the morning to returning in the evening.

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