大象传媒

I served in the Womens Auxilliary Airforce, during the Battle of Britain, 1940 & 1941 on the Royal Airforce Station at Middle Wallop, which is near Andover and the South Coast.

When I arrived there were 3000 Airmen and only 30 WAAF's. It was a Fighter Station and we had Hurrican Planes. We were often bombed and spent many nights down the air raid shelters, but during one bad raid all the civilians ran out of the gates instead of down the air raid shelters, and all were killed.

Before I knew all the rules of the Fighter Station, I sauntered across the Parade Ground, and an Officer called out to me "Myascoff, Myascoff", and as I took no notice she waited for me, and I saluted her. "Why are walking on the Parade Ground? and why did'nt you come when I called" she demanded angrily. "My name is Nicholson" I replied, and you called something different. She did not believe me, so I produced my identity card, and listened to a lecture on keeping the Parade Ground for Parades only, which I was happy to do. This "Myascoff" WAAF had made two dates with two Airmen, and they both came after me and demanded an explanation as to why I had not kept the two dates. Once again my identity card was very useful, but I never saw my double in person, as she had been posted.

I worked in the Assistant Adjutants Office which was very busy, and one day a young Pilot Officer came in for Petrol Coupons for his leave, and I enquired where he was going? because I was going to London the following week. I can give you a lift he replied, as I am going very near London. The car was very small and the passenger window was broken, but it was an enjoyable journey and better than the crowed trains. In the billit one night several Airwomen were chatting together, when an Airwoman said "I am off to see this special Pilot, I know where he sleeps, and I am going to tuck him into bed". I often wondered if she managed it, as he was very popular. This charming Pilot Officer became very famous, as he shot down many enemy planes and everyone knew his nickname , and he later became a Wing Commander.

As Middle Wallop was near the South Coast, we were given instructions of what to do if the Germans invaded, as they were fully prepared to invade our Country at that time. I did not think much of these instructions, but we were told to evacuate at once, and get as far away from the Station as possible.

I often visited Salisbury by bus which was about 15 miles away, and one day I missed the last bus back to the Station, so decided to walk, and hope for a lift. No vehicle passed by, but after I had walked a few miles, an Australian Airman cycled past and continued a good way up a steep hill. At the top he stopped and waited for me. "I am very sorry I have not got the car in England" he said "but if you would like a lift on my cross bar, you are very welcome, where are you going?", I replied "I was much to heavy for him to push me, and I was going to Middle Wallop", We chatted for a while and then he said "if a car comes along, I will stop so you can get a more comfortable lift, but for now try my cross bar and we will manage somehow". I climbed on the cross bar and that good man pushed me all the way to my Station, not very comfortable but better than walking, and I was very grateful. Then he had to continue to his own Station which was a few more miles away. He was a Singer from an Entertainment Group, who had visited Middle Wallop to entertain us a few weeks previously.

I became friendly with another Australian, and after seeing a film, he said "we will have a taxi instead of waiting for a bus". When the taxi stopped outside my Headquarters , the Australian gave the driver some money, and he got out and went behind his car. Now I did not mind kissing my friend Goodnight, but he obviously wanted much more and struggled to get it. What a fight we had, I never thought I would have to fight like that to keep my virginity, but I was strong, and I felt like kicking that driver who did nothing to help me. The friend wrote two letters of apology later, but I wanted no more fights.

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