- Contributed by听
- accoutrementalist
- People in story:听
- 1656326 DENNIS, John Royston (R.A.F.)
- Location of story:听
- The Ardennes, Belgium, 1944
- Background to story:听
- Royal Air Force
- Article ID:听
- A3319689
- Contributed on:听
- 24 November 2004
My father does not have a PC, so I am contributing this story. After joining the R.A.F., in 1941, he trained as a Radio Mechanic. After training he was transferred as an RDF Mechanic, working on radar and associated equipment, becoming involved in Radar.
In September 1944, Dad landed at Arromanches - the "Mulberry" Harbour, as part of an A.M.E.S. unit, within 72 Wing. The initials stand for Air Ministry Experimental Station, a cover name for Radar. His unit was concerned with OBOE - a bombing aid. Eventually they fetched up in the Ardennes, where they selected the second highest point, Baracque de Fraiture, as a good site for an OBOE station. The only trouble was, the German Army decided on their "push" in the same area! Their billet, on a cross roads, called Les Sapinieres (The Pine Trees) had a German tank drive the front. The house is photographed in Battle of the Bulge - Then and Now (published by After the Battle Publications). Evacuated to the rear, they were billeted in Durbuy Chateau.
He sent a letter to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. G.L. Dennis - only he addressed it to Mr. and Mrs. A.R. DENNES. Thus my grandparents got to know exactly where he was serving - and the censor patently didn't spot the format of the addressees!!!
As the de facto family historian, I have been delighted at the photographs and documents, etc that have survived to be passed down to me. Sadly the A.R. Dennes envelope wasn't one.
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