大象传媒

I was overseas from March 1943. The sea voyage lasted thirty days and eventually we reached Durban, South Africa, in April. Then we took a train to Bulawayo in Southern Rhodesia (today Zimbabwe) where I undertook preliminary training as a pilot, but failed. I then decided to become a Navigator - transferring to South Africa - and eighteen months later I qualified. After that I was posted to Palestine to OTU (Operational Training Unit). We formed a crew for activities in bomber command. Eventually I arrived at Foggia in Southern Italy for Christmas 1944.

I was involved with operations over Yugoslavia, Northern Italy and Austria. I flew Wellington and Liberator planes and covered twenty-five operations. There were casualties and sometimes it seems the Italian campaign is overlooked. After all, the landings at Salerno took place in September 1943. This is not to detract from D-day but we should remember Monte Cassino and the First and Eighth army who bore the brunt of this on the ground.

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