大象传媒

In August 1940, during the period which became known as the Battle of Britain, Detling received the attention of the Luftwaffe. We were extensively dive bombed by Stuka aircraft. The first raid was the most disastrous. All three of our hangars were damaged, several aircraft were destroyed and there were many casualties. I believe that some 30 or so personnel were killed, mostly in air raid shelters which received direct hits. Following this raid most personnel never again entered a shelter during a raid.
I and several work mates found a small hollow at the edge of some woods, just across the tarmac from our hangar, which we considered to be an excellent "hidey hole". Every time the air raid 'red' sounded we ran like the wind to this hollow. All went well for several days, then, during an early morning raid, we were shaken out of our skins by a series of loud explosions and severe vibrations. We thought "This is it - goodnight nurse". However, WE found out that during the hours of darkness the "Ack Ack" battery of the Royal Artillery had positioned two 'Bofors' Ack Ack guns about two yards from the edge of our hollow. We had to find a new 'hidey hole'.
I recall one memorable character at Detling, George Wooton a reservist called up at the outbreak of war. George had left the RAF in 1924, working as a London bus driver, a real 'dyed in the wool' Cockney. If there was any fiddle going on you could guarantee George would have organised it or at least be deeply involved. The most lucrative was the section 'tea swindle' which George took over. He 'won' supplies of tea, sugar, milk and cake and expanded the swindle to serve the whole of Maintenance Flight, making huge profits for the members (the Instrument Section). If anything was in short supply, George could invariably obtain it (at a price).
Near the end of August 1940 I was informed that I was to be posted overseas and was granted 4 days embarkation leave. Having been issued with tropical kit I was sent to RAF Uxbridge which was used as a personnel dispatch centre. I spent my 19th birthday at Uxbridge. While at Uxbridge, London received several air raids, both by day and night. At night the sky was red from the many fires. I saw the aftermath of the raid on the East Surrey Docks which set fire to Tate & Lyles refinery.

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