大象传媒

I joined 17 Squadron RAF as a Sgt Pilot, aged nearly 20, early in 1940 having been a pilot under training in the RAFVR prior to the war, and was sent to Kenley for about 2 months where I was able to get in some valuable operational training before we were sent to France in May. We operated out of Le Mans for about 3 weeks but had little or no success against the enemy as there was a very efficient 5th column being operated by French collaborators who kept the German bombers informed of our movements. Before leaving Le Mans because of the German advance we discovered that the army had left a pool of motorbikes, many of which were in running order so the whole squadron turned out in force and we had a hair raising race around the Le Mans circuit before destroying the bikes. We also found that the NAAFI had evacuated the Grandstand leaving all the stores behind so we decided that we didn't really need any spare clothing or uniforms and filled our kit bags with cigarettes and bottles of spirits before destroying the remainder of the goods. We then proceeded on our way to Dinard which is not far from Cherbourg. After one week we again retreated, this time to Jersey and then Guernsey where we only stopped for one night as it was decided that the Channel Islands should be left to the Germans to avoid mass bombing of the civilians.
During this evacuation from France it was a case of either find an aircraft to fly or remain and hope to get out by road to St Nazaire. It was amazing how some people came back. We had 3 pilots return in a Fairey Battle aircraft which had no flaps and had to be flown with the wheels down. Another 2 returned in a light aircraft called a Magister and yet another sat on the lap of his friend in a Hurricane. This meant that the parachute was discarded to make room. Personally I brought my Hurricane back with a flat tail wheel, no brakes and no ammunition for the guns. On arrival in the UK at Tangmere we were sent home for 7 days leave until more aircraft became available. On my arrival home in Bristol I was greeted by my grandmother with the words "Where have you been? You are dirty and untidy. Have you deserted?" But she was grateful for some of the cigarettes in my kit bag!

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