大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by a volunteer from Northumberland on behalf of Don Simcock. Mr. Simcock fully understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions, and the story has been added to the site with his permission.

Towards the end of 1940, on a sunny afternoon during the school holidays, with my friend Clive Enoch, it was decided to hire a rowing boat on Wicksteed Lake. I would have been about fourteen years of age, at the time.

Wicksteed Park is just outside Kettering, in Northamptonshire, and was donated to the town by the Wicksteed family, famous for making playground equipment.

Just as we reached the middle of this quite large lake we heard the drone of an approaching aircraft. Within seconds, over the horizon appeared the unmistakable outline of a Heinkel 111k, easily recognised because of our interest in aircraft recognition, a popular hobby at the time.

Sweeping low, just skimming the surrounding trees, the Heinkel came in low over the water, heading straight for us! Clearly visible, through the transparent nose section, were the pilot and one of the crew, possibly the nose gunner. They were looking straight at us. 鈥淭his is our lot鈥�, we thought, having been brought up on stories of Nazi brutality but, as the 111k passed over us, both crewmembers waved a greeting, or perhaps goodbye.

A few moments later, a Spitfire appeared in close pursuit of the Heinkel. Then, we heard the chatter of the Spitfire鈥檚 guns, followed by a crump and column of black smoke rising up from about a mile or two away. We had a brief moment of elation as the Spitfire returned performing what became known as a Victory Roll.

Then, a strange quietness came over us. Clive said nothing and neither did I, we each felt a pang of sadness because, moments earlier, the crew of that Heinkel had shown friendship to two children totally at their mercy and were now being consumed in magnesium fuelled fire.

Perhaps, the German airmen had children of their own and, as they passed over us, thought of them. We can only guess but I like to think that is what happened.

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