大象传媒

I was a member of a crew of seven flying Lancaster Bombers based at RAF Mepal Cambridgeshire, attached to 75 New Zealand Squadron. Together we had completed a large number of bombing operations - we were just like seven brothers and an excellent team, totally compatible, dedicated and efficient (this is why we survived).

On 15 December 1944 we were briefed to attack the German Town of Siegen. From leaving our airfield and throughout the flight the weather conditions deteriorated very rapidly and as we entered German air space we were recalled and detailed to jettison our bomb load into a pre-designated area of the North Sea. Over 100 aircraft were involved and an extremely dicey action in 9/10's cloud when we could hardly see our own wing-tips!

Our flight coincided with the last fateful flight of Major Glen Miller, the renowned American band leader, flying from his Twinwood base in Bedfordshire to give a concert to US troops in Paris. His aircraft was a small two-seater Norseman also on a similar track.

Over the years there have been numerous reports from the media and several observers who have claimed to have seen our bombs hit the small Norseman aircraft. Considering that we were jettisoning from an altitude of 3,000ft with almost nil visibility, in my opinion a ridiculous claim from any observer. This was the only time we brought our bombs back from the target throughout our many operations.

I have been spending the last 15 winters in Florida and have acquired many good ex-USA Veteran Air Force friends. Last year joining a Post Office queue of around 30 Americans to purchase Christmas postage stamps, a colleague recognised me and shouted from the head of the queue: "Hi Ron!" and then to the rest of the assembly, "Hey folks, this is the English guy who killed Glen Miller!"

I feel this stigma will never leave me!

Ron Brown

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