大象传媒

He was in the Birmingham Police force along with my husband George Smith. They did not have to go into the forces when War broke out as the Police was a reserved occupation. However, Jim voluntered for the R.A.F early on and was accepted to train to become a fighter piolt on Spitfires. being only 23, the young ones mainly went as fighter pilots where as my husband was 28, he trained to become a Bomb aimer on Lancasters. Jim and George have been life long friends. He was our best man at our wedding in 1944. Jim is still alive in Australia but not in the best of health, but he's still a marvellous character. My husband died two years ago.
The story i want to tell about Jim, he flew with Treble One Suad - Luchars (Soctland), he was shot down three times - once in England and twice in North Africa. This is almost an unbelievable story but true, what I'm going to tell you.
In North Africa he was shot down behind the German lines. He walked and walked and came upon a small Arab village. A Arab beckoned him into a house (of some knid) jim feeling very wary - he showed him into a bedroom - there was a bed iin the room - wonderful though Jim.
The boy came back shortly to tell him a patrol of Germans were approaching and tells Jim to get under the bed.
Three German soldiers came into the bedroom, put their guns etc. on the bed, then they asked the boy where they could wash. He takes them to an outhouse. Jim takes one of the guns and locks these three Germans in the outhouse. I remeber him relating, wandering what the hell he was going to do with them. He sat outside for hours, eventually he rounded them up and marched them back through their own lines and brought back three prisoners of war to the British lines. Then he was stationed in Malta and involved in many Dog fights. One day he was patroling along the Italian coast and spotted (not sure which now) either the Italian or French fleet, trying to break out of Palermo OR Tarranto (of which I forget), he engaged them-called for abck up and they were prevented from escaping. He was awarded the D.F.C & Bar ( he has other Decorations too). He was also awarded by Malta, their highest Decoration.
On the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain he and his wife Pam came over to stay with us as six of their friends from the Police days were going to have a reunion. On the way here they went up to Luchars for a special reunion (apparently there were only 7 of them left). they were treated with great respect and met all the young fighter pilots of today.
Whilst there, they showed him to a Hanger, there was a Spitfire, in pristine condition apparently. They had just been given permission to fly it so many hours a year. jim looked at the number on the side and thought he recognised it. On looking in his log book-it was one he had flown.
Another thing, whilst staying with us, George and Jim realised on looking in their log books, when my husband was on "ops" over Germany, Jim's squad had accompanied them as escort as far as they could take them on three occassions.
Jim's wife Pam was a Sgt on the Ack-Ack guns on the East coast in the A.T.S, she became profoundly Deaf because of this.
I worked after being directed at 18 to Vickors Armstrong aircraft factory at Castle Bromich, Birmingham, working alongside a team of 8 ordering parts for the Lancasters - after harrassment I got my release but was idrected to the First base American Post Office at Sutton Coldfield, where I worked until the end of the War. My husband was recalled to the Police, Jim did not return to the Police, he flew for some time for a cargo company I think, but had to give up flying due to all the pressures of Diving whilst in the Dof fights.
They emigrated to Australia. They still keep in regular contact with me - He is a truly wonderful guy.

Told by: Mrs.Veronica.J.Smith
Stourbridge, West Midlands

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