大象传媒

During the week鈥檚 after the Normandy Invasion I was with our ATC Squadron on a week鈥檚 camp at RAF Holmsley South, adjacent to Christchurch, in the New Forest.
We arrived by a local train at an apparent wayside halt, for RAF transport to collect us.

That week and subsequent was attrocous for weather and was a reason the Mulberry Harbour suffered.
Despite the weather I was given the chance with our F/Sgt cadet to collect our chutes and proceed
To Flying Control where a crew awaiting to board a Liberator of RAF Transport Command for an air test.
The prospect did not look good with 10/10 cloud at a base of approx 1000ft.
Never the less we took off and headed out to sea. I took the opportunity to go forward past the tricycle
undercarriage nose wheel into the foremost position where I laid prone for the whole flight.

On reaching the coast the a/c turned west, dropped down very low and beneath me a panoramic view
of the shipping that made up the Invasion fleet and its supply lines. I remember literally lines of ships proceeding east towards Normandy for approx 10 miles then a well define gap and then another 10 mile column of ships returning from the beaches. This vista was repeated many times for the whole of our flight down to Plymouth and then over them again for the returned trip. You could make out the crews and equipment on board as we passed over them.
I now realize how privileged I had been to witness the worlds largest armada. How I wished those moments could have been captured by camera, but alas forbidden on or near RAF Aerodromes.

The sequel on return to base, and the second circuit well under way before I realized the klaxon was attempting to alert me to vacate the forward position, before the under carriage nose wheel could be lowered. Finally a crew member dragged me out feet first. That night, sleep was impossible due to the motion of waves and flight which returned whenever I attempted to close my eyes. Dawn and a mess breakfast could not come soon enough.

I read recently in Air Crew Association, The Link magazine Summer 2003, that a memorial (Hamilton Std three bladed propellers very appropriate for a Liberator) has been sited adjacent to RAF Holmsley South. (Part now a Caravan Park) that commemorates the 12 airfields that used the New Forest area.
Bournemouth Hurn International is the only survivor.

Corporal. 79 Squadron ATC
St Joseph College
Upper Norwood

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