大象传媒

This is a letter my Father wrote to a local newspaper after abandoning his Bristol Blenheim over Iraq in November 1942.

WOODHOUSE MAN'S ADVENTURE

Now a member of the famous 'Caterpillar Club'

The following interesting letter dated 11th January, 1943, telling how a young Mansfield Woodhouse man serving in the RAF gained his 'Caterpillar Club' membership was received by the Editor this week from Corporal D.W. Temple.

Dear Sirs,

Being what you might call a 'local lad' having been born and bred in 'Mansfield Woodhouse', I thought some of your readers may be interested to know I have become a member of the 'Caterpillar Club' having saved my life by a parachute.

Having trouble with our aircraft the pilot gave the order for us to standby to bale out. I must say it shook me (to use RAF slang) but I passed the message on to the wireless operator, who thought I was joking. I was far from joking at the time. Anyway, the pilot whom was a Canadian Officer and a very fine chap, told me to open the escape hatch. I pulled on the quick release catch and away it went, a terrific inrush of air nearly blew me over. I looked out and there what seemed like miles below, could see lights and fires burning in native encampments - it was dark at the time. I returned to the side of the pilot and asked him to check my parachute and harness, which he did and he ordered me to tell the wireless operator to 'bale out'. I did that after first telling him to check his parachute and harness.

Anyway, out he went and after a few minutes I was instructed to follow. I went towards the hatch with a very empty feeling in my stomach and tried to go feet first. As soon as I put my feet and legs out the rush of air clamped them to the belly of the machine and I couldn't move them, so I stuck my head and shoulders out and kicked myself free of the aircraft. Then came the sensation of falling through space and after what seemed like a lifetime, I pulled my ripcord. I saw the pilot's chute fly past my face and in a second or so, there was a jerk and my main chute opened. What a relief that was, what a beautiful sense of security! I never felt so happy in my life. I had no idea how high I was. I could see fires and lights, could hear the wind wistling through the chute cords. I was wondering where the pilot and wireless operator were when I hit the deck with such a thud, knocking all the wind out of me and I thought I had broken every bone in my body. I lay down for a few minutes, picked up my chute and started walking straight into an irrigation ditch. I was cold enough as it was, but that made it wet and worse. I got out and staggered on for two or three hours, I don't know as I lost track of time and eventually came to a native village.

They treated me very well, dried my clothes, gave me food and took me to the nearest town at dawn. They wouldn't take me at night due to robbers! As it was some miles and I was very tired I rode most of the way on a donkey! I bet I looked a comical sight. They were very pleased to see me at the town, as I had been reported missing the rest of the crew being there. After a bath and a good sleep, I felt like a new man and thought I had been dreaming.

That is my story. I still have the ripcord as a treasured souvenir of what I consider the most exciting episode of my life. I am also the proud possesor of a gold 'Caterpillar' badge and a membership card of the most famous club in the world, 'The Caterpillar Club'

Yours truly

D.W. Temple

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