大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People's War site by Lin Freeman of Radio Derby CSV on behalf of Mr Omar Fowler and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

Part 2

INVASION EVE 5th JUNE 1944
By Omar Fowler (13)

The 7th Aldershot Boy Scouts were playing out their games and activities in the Hampshire countryside, only a mile or so from their meeting place at St.Augustines church, Aldershot. It was the evening of the 5th of June 1944.

This garrison town was the scene of feverish activity, the civilian population were vastly outnumbered by the troops from numerous army divisions. The large parade grounds, which usually echoed to the sound of marching feet, were now packed with tanks, lorries, jeeps and half tracks.

The the grassy slopes of the A31, which ran along the "Hogs Back" from Guildford to Farnham, had been concreted over and now unending lines of tanks and lorries stretched where daisies and buttercups had once flowered. It was obvious to everyone that the invasion of Europe was imminent.

Even the youngsters of "Beaver" patrol, realised that they were witnessing history in the making. In the earlier years of the war they had taken part in combined night exercises. They might well have played a small part,if England had been invaded, but now the tide had turned and the allies were on the offensive.

The scout's evening tasks had been completed and the boys were now walking back along a well trodden footpath through the fields and bushes. Dusk was approaching, the pink flush in the evening sky was darkening, but what was that? The boys paused for a moment and listened, they all recognised the noise of approaching aircraft.....many aircraft and coming their way!

Within minutes the noise of the planes, which at first had been only a faint drone, now turned into a roar, suddenly, there they were! Approaching fast and low were hundreds of Dakota troop transport aircraft, the boys recognised them immediately, but there was something else, they were towing Horsa gliders! The planes were now thundering overhead and they were so low, it was possible to make out the black and white striped markings on each aircraft.

The scouts watched excitedly, it took several minutes before the last of this "invasion" air armada passed overhead. The boys had no doubt that this is what it was, the planes were flying South towards France, the invasion of Europe was about to begin!
Omar Fowler
(7th Aldershot Scouts 1944)

END

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