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This story has been written onto the ´óÏó´«Ã½ People’s War site by CSV Story gatherer Jessica on behalf of Derek Woodward. They fully understand the terms and conditions of the site.
59 raids in 48 days - no wonder the rubble of Plymouth built the runway. Local houses lost their top storey as their roofs were lowered only the church escaped. Dodging Dartmoor mists and Shorpiter Radar mast brought 2 flying Forts’ emergency landings, both by the same crew and later ‘slipped out’ one wing down, tail up, very tricky. The ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary) girl pilots were expert at this manoeuvre having had longer civilian experiences.
It was odd to be on a bus and watch a spitfire take off. I think this was the nearest airfield to a public road. At night, it was tricky for the bus drivers driving on hooded headlamps to distinguish RAF uniform. Some personnel dreaded the Thursday night run from Davidstow to Camelford. Perimeter seating (round the sides) was the order of the day for single deckers doubling the capacity by standing passengers. Conductors (all over 20 seats had to have one) ceased to call out the stops for security.
Bus timetables and departure points had to be adjusted. City centre bombing meant country busses had to abandon East Street by Plymouth’s meat market and park opposite Plymouth Library and later a Nissen hutted shopping centre. To ensure catching the then Saltash ferry, Blakes left at 4.50 instead of the statutory 5 pm.
If you stored petrol you had to have a supply of sugar filled sand bags to render the fuel useless in case of invasion. The only invasion was the Yanks, Buckfastleigh racecourse turned brown as did every lane around Dean Prior. Nightly dances were in the town hall. I felt sorry for the pianist, Terrey Lambell, having to play the so often requested ’Pennysvania Polka’.

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