大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Three Counties Action on behalf of Ros Hjertzen from The Association of Wrens and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

In 1945 I was stationed at Lee-On Solent and received, together with my friend, Ethel, instructions to go to Heathrow to dismantle parts from a damaged plane. Arrangements were made for us to fly there. The next morning we left very early. It was a small plane with just two seats in the front and a bench seat at the back. I sat next to the pilot, with Ethel at the back. The pilot gave us a few instructions on how to operate the pump that activated the landing gear. It was a lovely flight and we came in sight of Heathrow, which at that time was only a field with a few buildings.

The pilot prepared to land and instructed me to lover the undercarriage, which I did. We gently headed towards the landing strip. Suddenly the pilot shouted 鈥淩aise the undercarriage fast鈥�, PUMP鈥� PUMP鈥� which I did with all my strength. The plane accelerated and up we went. We circled the airfield a few times and went in again. The pilot again instructed 鈥淟ower the undercarriage鈥�, which I did and we started to go down. Then it happened again 鈥� 鈥淩aise the undercarriage fast鈥�, PUMP鈥� PUMP鈥� (you will realise that I am using a ladylike Wren version of the language). By this time the pilot was becoming decidedly edgy and Ethel in the back was decidedly sick. We could see the hedges at the end of the airfield which fortunately we managed to clear. We circled the airfield yet again and eventually came in to land, which we did with a lot of bumping. The pilot got out not saying a word, just walked away.

We dismantled the plane and, with the help of air mechanics onsite, loaded a Navy truck for returning to our station. Oh! What a luxury to travel in the back of a Navy truck packed with aircraft parts. We had not been able to get a meal since early morning but, on the way home, we stopped somewhere and were able to get a meal since early morning but, on the way home, we stopped somewhere and were able to get a cuppa and a few chocolate biscuits 鈥� unheard of in wartime, and so we carried cheerfully on our way.

When we eventually arrived at our station I was very happy as next day I had a sleeping-out pass. It was my friend鈥檚 birthday and we decided to go to Brighton. We set our clothes out all ready for an early start. Our cabin was a room over the galley. In the early hours I woke up to see flames outside our window and lots of smoke. The galley was on fire! The alarm was given and we were rushed out as the firecrew took charge. We were moved out of the area and spent what was left of the night in the mess, sleeping on the floor.

The next morning we collected our clothes and, of course, they smelt of smoke. Our clean white shirts had a grey tinge to them. Not according to regulations but what were we girls to do? That鈥檚 right, we went to Brighton, not many people about and it was lovely.

Happy Days!

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.