大象传媒

I was a teenager in Leiston during the war and I can remember a particular poignant scene.
A badly shot up Flying Fortress came in from the sea escorted by a single Mustang. I watched it turn back to the East, then headed over Leiston Airfield and the crew bailed out. I jumped on my bicycle and headed in the direction of Saxmundham and was in time to catch a glimpse of one of the crew coming down at what was Harpers Farm. I reached the man who had landed painfully on a log pile and was obviously in a poor way. There was also blood.
Suddenly I was faced with the reality of the war rather than the Hollywood image. Knowing I had to say something but no idea what to say I blurted out 鈥淚 expect you would like a cigarette but I am afraid I don鈥檛 have any. I am too young to smoke鈥�.
The American said nothing but looked less confident that the succour he was being offered was sufficient to meet the case, at which moment some Medics arrived from the airfield.
鈥� Leave him to us鈥� they said.
Torn between the drama of involvement and this scene of my own inadequacy, I quietly wheeled my bike away across the field.

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