大象传媒

The flarepath for night flying was always laid in the area opposite Milford Haven, close to Angle Bay. It consisted of a Control Pinnace, heading a line of two other pinnaces behind it, at a distance of some quarter mile apart, each one carrying a line of light bulbs which were switched on at a signal given by the Control Pinnace, giving incoming aircraft a clear landing distance. Of course, as soon as the aircraft had landed, the lights were switched off.
On this particular night, I was the coxswain of the 'Crash' boat - a seaplane tender, and had already carried out my first duty when an aircraft was about to land - i.e., a sweep of the flarepath to make sure there were no odd items floating about that cause trouble. We had already found a dead (drowned) cow, greatly swollen, which we had towed over to the south shore, and a few odd lengths of timber. which were also removed. Having tied up alongside the Control Pinnace, I was standing by the Control Officer when he received a call from 'Seaman Peter' (an incoming Sunderland) asking for permission to land. The Officer grabbed the microphone and rather testily, told the caller to take his place in the circuit as he was about sixth in line waiting to land. Back came the unbelievably calm voice of the Captain of the aircraft as he said 'Request again permission to land, as I am on fire.' The Control Officer became equal to the occasion as he contacted the other aircraft telling them to continue their respective circuits before telling Seaman Peter it was OK to land.
We all watched anxiously as the giant Sunderland made its approach, with flames coming from its great body and it made a copy-book landing. As I went up to it, prior to leading it to a mooring buoy, the crew were busy as they succeeded in extinguishing the flames. The suspense was over, but I will nevrer forget the calm voice of the officer telling us that 'I am on fire'. Such men make us very proud...

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