大象传媒

I was nineteen years old when the war started, living in South East London with my parents and elder sister. I was called up into the Women's Auxiliary Air Force on 4th January 1943, and, after the initial four weeks training, was posted to RAF Scampton, as a Clerk (Special Duties).

My most poignant memory of my WAAF career was going on duty at midnight on 15/16th May 1943 to the Intelligence Section, RAF Scampton, and discovering, unofficially, that 617 Squadron, led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, whom I had occasionally seen in the Operations Room, had gone on a mission - after all the many weeks of training!. This came as no surprise - but why were we not told anything? What was the target? Only the crews abd Opertions Officers on duty would know. Normally, with 83 and 56 Squadrons, also based at Scampton, we were told "Time of take-off", "Time over target", and "Time of return", and we would be expected, and only too willing, to welcome the crews back and hand them cups of sweet tea. But tonight we were told - Nothing! It was as though time were standing still. What time would they return? A long night of waiting! And most important of all - How many would come back safely? This nobody knew.!

It was to be many hours later when we finally knew the answers; and that, of course, is now all part of history.

This story was submitted to the People's War site by Wendy Adams and has been added to the website on behalf of Winnie M Roszak and she fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

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