大象传媒

It is a beautiful spring morning with a perfect unblemished blue sky, the type of morning when one wakes full of the joys of spring and inwardly aware of the fact that life really is worth living - this morning of March 24th 1945.

Something Different

The intermittent drone of planes can be heard but somehow this noise, which you have become so accustomed to, is ignored, and normal routine proceeds. However, the intermittency becomes more irregular, the drone seems to be settling into a regular hum and you seem to sense something different about this beautiful spring morning. You look over towards the west and see, breaking the horizon, a flock of low flying aircraft heading in your direction. The first thought is 'more bombers bound for Germany'. As they approach, however, the steady hum turns into a roar and you notice that each of the planes is towing one of those long nosed gliders - and as they pass overhead at a very low altitude you can see every marking on the planes and gliders. You think that you can distinguish the release hatches - or maybe it is just imagination - but one thing is sure, and that is the grand feeling you have somewhere inside, the feeling of pride in knowing that this may be the climax for which we have all been working and waiting.

Like Twins at Baby Show

These long-nosed gliders are followed by stubby-nosed ones being towed in couples, resembling proud mothers taking their twins along to the baby show. One of the twins has become unhitched, the towing chain is still hanging there, shining as it reflects in the sun, and the twin brother is hanging on, eager to attend the big show.
The twins are followed by heavier craft being towed by four engined bombers, which we assume are carrying artillery and light tanks in support of the fellows who will now be on terra firma rounding off the efficiency behind this whole operation.
An army co-operation plane swishes over our heads - we call them aerial jeeps - and he reminds one of a little boy, excitedly bobbing and weaving about, displaying how proud he is of his bigger brothers.
A fleet of transports is passing over in perfect formation, and like the remainder of this vast air armada, looking very formidable and business-like. Above their heads can be seen fighters glittering in the morning sun as they weave round and round in their defensive role.
For over three hours this roar of aircraft fills the air and the sky seems full of these 'masters of the air'. How appropriate that on this morning we should be called together by the O.C. to be given Field-Marshall Montgomery's message informing us that the last round is going very well on both sides of the ring - and overhead.

Takes Your Breath Away

Somehow the whole exhibition has taken your breath away, you have a feeling that is difficult to explain - you feel proud of being indirectly connected with this great show of perfect timing and organisation, and marvelling as to how so many aircraft have been put into the air at one time, and where they have all been stored on the appropriately named Aircraft Carrier British Isles.
You try to imagine the feelings of the men in those gliders, evidently all keyed up for this dramatic and historic 'Hop over the Rhine'but that is impossible and can only be explained by the boys themselves. No praise can be too high for them, nor any future too good.

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