大象传媒

On the 16th Oct 1939 I, along with several pals were playing on the beach at Fisherrow, Musselburgh on the South side of the Firth of Forth.

A plane came over our heads so low that we recall innocently waving to the pilot who in turn waved back to us.
As children of around 10 years of age we had no idea it was a German plane,however it was quickly followed by a spitfire from the 603 City of Edinburgh Squadron who shot the bomber down and it eventually ditched in the Forth.

Our adventure to the beach was brought quickly to a close as our parents arrived to grab us and virtually haul us home . Only some time later we were told of the seriousness of the day as the War increased in its ferosity.

Ships in the Forth at the time were cruisers HMS Southampton and Edinburgh and a destroyer HMS Mohawk.Some hits were made and 16 British sailors were killed. many are buried in the Douglas Bank Cemetery at Pattismuir... some 40 others were wounded.
Two German bombers were shot down and the pilots bodies were recovered and like our own servicemen were buried with full military honours in Edinburgh.

I am now 74 years of age and my brother and I can recall this as if was yesterday.

Unkown to me at the time my wife witnessed the same event from a different part of rhe beach and it was ironic that we should tell each other the story some 14 years later when we married.

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