Scottish Saltire Branch News
The Aircrew Association has circulated a proposal with the above heading to all ACA Branches worldwide. This outlines a phasing out of ACA activities over one year, culminating in ‘laying up’ the ACA National Standard in the central church of the RAF, St Clements Danes Church, London, during a special service in Spring 2011.
However, Branch President Group Captain Tinley has already voiced the feelings of members at Branch meetings that we have no intentions of winding down our activities. In fact, we are about to launch our third publication in July with the title “60 More Aviation Experiences” as stated in a following news item.
For all those who have been active members and contributed their aircrew experiences to the ACA Archives, it will be satisfying to know that members of the ACA Archives Trust are working towards an appropriate and lasting memorial building. This will provide safe keeping of military aircrew artefacts and memorabilia and become a focus for scholars and the general public. The ACA Archives will become the ACA in perpetuity.
Although our first two branch publications are still available from the publisher (see below) we have pleasure in announcing our third book which is now waiting in the wings to make its appearance. 'Wings' being the operative word as the title '60 More Aviation Experiences' contains another wide range of personal experiences including European and Far East operations; aircraft carrier memories from an ex-Royal Navy pilot; Air Sea and Mountain Rescue accounts; and many other experiences. The launch of our new book is now imminent - watch this space.
Among the number of RAF-related locations visited in May,2010, one of the most impressive was the central church of the Royal Air Force where plans are in place to lay up the ACA Standard at a special service in Spring 2011. Situated in the middle of the Strand, and within the church surrounded by London traffic, I was shown many points of interest by Izabela Przybylska and Sharon Hardwich, Church Manager. It is incredible to think that this church was bombed almost to extinction in 1941. It has literally risen from the ashes to house ten remembrance books containing 125,000 names of RAF personnel in a most magnificent setting. – Jack Burgess, Branch PRO.
The above Escape Line was instrumental in helping scores of Allied servicemen escape the clutches of the enemy and return to rejoin their Units in the United Kingdom. One of those Helpers was Charles Hamoir (his assumed wartime name) and he is very keen to know if the above two Air Force members and their crews managed to survive after he lost contact in helping them escape. Charles is now 85 years old and for over sixty years has been anxious about the welfare of those aircrew members with whom he became separated during their bid to reach safety. The Gestapo had been searching everywhere causing everyone to seek various routes.
Persuaded to write his wartime memoirs, we have been given details of some of those harrowing experiences. Suffice to say at this point, we should be very grateful if anyone recognising the above names could make contact with the following e-mail address, it would ease the anxiety of this elderly Belgian gentleman and help put his concerns to rest. Please send any information to: daepenn@bluewin.ch
We have had ongoing correspondence with the Belgian Aviation History Association members who are urgently seeking help from former members of 514 Squadron. The reason being they have built a crash-site memorial for the crew of a 514 Squadron Lancaster which crashed and failed to return to Waterbeach on 28th May 1944. This was an unusual Lancaster in that it had Bristol-Hercules engines.
The Belgian Association members have made contact and confirmed that12 family members of the aircrew will attend the memorial dedication ceremony in Belgium (7 Taylors and 5 Rodericks, from Australia and UK) on 5th May 2010.. This Lancaster was also special because the Lancasters were bombing the station "Rothe Erde" in Aachen, Germany, and it was the only one FTR (Failed To Return) that night. Although the Belgian Aviation History Association has been told that Waterbeach is now an Army base, they still wish to hand over artefacts to a museum at Waterbeach.
They have also sent us a copy of the Lancaster photograph they intend to place on the memorial. Will any former members of No.514 Squadron wishing to contact with further information please send details to: dirk.de.quick@telenet.be
Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington, is the repository and home for our aircrew experiences. Those valued accounts have outgrown the existing accommodation, and a series of highly successful events are now in place to provide an additional hangar. Yorkshire Air Museum and several other websites (notably 'The Diecast Aviation Website and Forum') are predicting another sell-out as tickets are already on sale. On the 'Diecast' site Air Vice Marshal Red 2 states "Although a Phantom never made it to Elvington we hope to have a Phantom cockpit there for 'Cold War Thunder.' Although Saltire Branch Chairman Wg Cdr Brian Thornton had experience of flying the Phantom, on this occasion held on 16th October 2010 he will be giving a talk on the Lightning having included this aircraft among numerous other types during his 37 years service in the Royal Air Force. Also in the 'Cold War Thunder' programme Aircrew Association Archivist Air Cmdr Graham Pitchfork will be speaking about the Buccaneer.
It is sad to report that the Dunfries & Galloway Branch of the Aircrew Association has closed yet nice to know that former members have chosen to join with our Saltire Branch. Our latest addition to the Branch Library (Reference 204) comes from this source. We welcome Jerry Dawson and others to our clan.
Tempus Fugit - The unrelenting march of time has eventually taken Harry Patch, the final surviving veteran of World War One. In a sense, World War Two participants may now feel they have been thrust into the front line of being regarded as surviving veterans of the 1939-45 conflict.
Post-war members of HM Forces may also become viewed as taking one step up in the general scheme of things. By taking a more prominent role in recording events during their service, continuity could be maintained in preserving valuable details of their experiences and personal eye-witness accounts.
By a happy coincidence and immaculate timing, Branch Chairman Wing Commander Brian Thornton has contributed the first episode of an RAF career extending to 37 years. We look forward to further details of his aircrew experiences of flying during the post-war early days of jet aircraft. This opens a new phase in our Branch Library, and the first account has been installed at No.181 with the title “Better Than Working - A Lifetime of Service." Click Here to go directly to this new entry.
We congratulate our aircrew colleagues on reaching the Centenary of Naval Aviation. The anniversary marks the Admiralty's far-sighted decision on 7th May 1909 to order the first airship, HMS Airship 1, and embark on a programme for developing military aviation. Consequently, when five years later the First World War broke out, the Royal Navy was not only fully prepared, but in the vanguard. (See No.174 in Web Library - Aircraft at Sea.) We should be delighted to welcome into our membership, anyone who has qualified to wear a flying badge within the realm of Naval Aviation.
Continuing our naval theme, we are pleased to announce a new addition to our Web Library. Branch member George Gibb describes events from his service as a Pilot in the Fleet Air Arm. See No.178 in our Branch Web Library or click here to go directly to this new entry.
Another Scottish Saltire Branch Publication!
"60 Aircrew Experiences"
The Saltire Branch Book, "Well... You Wanted To Fly" did quite well by all accounts with readership in many countries. If that wasn't quite enough of an acheivement, it now has a new companion called "60 Aviation Experiences" based on stories and articles submitted to the web site following the publication of the first book. The range of material is wider in this latest offering with entries from fairly modern times and including some helicopter aviation experiences. The price of each copy is £15. As before, you can order your copy by writing to Woodfield Publishing, Babsham Lane, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO21 5EL (Please make cheques payable to "Woodfield Publishing") -Post and Packing: In UK, please add 10% (mimimum £1.50, maximum £5.00) Overseas, please add 15% (minimum £4.00). Order by post, phone or fax - Telephone: 01243 821234 Fax: 01243 821757 Order via the Internet - CLICK HERE - to see the book and order a copy. Remember too that "Well... You Wanted To Fly" is still in print and available at the same price from the same publisher. Details of the new book should be available soon.
For much of World War Two, RAF Bomber Command accepted the front-line role with all accompanying dangers as Allied ground forces had been driven from Europe. In this case, Bomber Command was the only means left of taking the war to Germany. The RAF brought tremendous heart not only to the home population, but also to the millions of victims suffering under the Nazi rule and aggression in Occupied Europe.
Despite the huge sacrifice in lives lost (55,000 aircrew members), plus physical and mental injuries, and lives shattered, there is yet no national memorial to those who served in Bomber Command. Attempting to resolve this issue and show some national gratitude, the Heritage Fund is appealing for funds to establish a Memorial. We have responded as an ACA Branch by donating £50 towards this fund and we would request that others may consider a similar action. The address to send a contribution is:-
Bomber Command Memorial Fund,
Doug Radcliffe, Bomber Command Association,
RAF Museum, Grahame Park Way,
Hendon,
LONDON, NW9 5LL
Presidential Commendation
Vice-Chairman Alastair Lamb
Very few members could remember when Alastair Lamb first chaired a branch meeting, but it has been generally accepted it was around 1996 that Alastair accepted the post of Vice-Chairman. Alastair has made an outstanding contribution in promoting comradeship during those years, holding regular meetings during difficult spells, and when other branch officers were absent through illness or other reasons. Alastair's reply to any criticism over the years has been, "Could you do better?" With this attitude and a few more new jokes, we hope Alastair will continue with his Saltire Branch duties for many years to come. Congratulations on a very worthy ACA Presidential Award.
Our photograph shows Vice-Chairman Alastair Lamb being presented with the National ACA Presidential Award at the Murrayfield Hotel, Edinburgh on 26th November 2008. Left to right:- Gp.Capt. Mike Tinley, CBE, AE, FBIM, Branch President; Alastair Lamb; Wg. Cdr. J. Brian Thornton, OBE, Branch Chairman.
A further response has been received relating to this article from Alastair Lamb which appeared in the Branch Newsletter and Web Library (No.030). Dick Roosa (who now operates a bulb-growing business in Castle Douglas) was an 8-year old at the time of Operation Manna. He and his family survived by eating tulip bulbs which were plentiful, due to his father being a bulb grower. Dick Roosa wishes to thank Alastair and all the many aircrew comrades for saving the lives of thousands of Dutch people, as 20,000 had already died of starvation due to German restrictive actions.
“A further eye-witness account of 'Operation Manna' – The First Day relates how Saltire Branch member Anderson McCormick flew over Holland to drop food one day before the Germans signed an agreement not to open fire. Anderson's account appears in our Branch Library on this website at Index No.161. CLICK HERE TO GO THERE
A former member of staff at Amsterdam University was barely 16 years old when he witnessed RAF planes passing overhead to drop food at Schiphol Airport. In addition to reports from aircrew taking part, we also have this eye-witness account of life at ground level from Charles Penning who lived in Amsterdam at this time. See Web Library Index No.177.
The latest response to one of our aircrew experiences comes once again from Canada. In No.128 account, Squadron Leader Bill Campbell described his Helicopter Rescue involvement in the Cairngorm Disaster of 1971. A 49-year old man, who was a 12-year old schoolboy on this ill-fated project that went horribly wrong, has replied. On other subjects, people have made contact with us from Canada, South Africa, USA in addition to UK. We would welcome further responses or feedback to any of our accounts which appear in the Library Section. Please feel free to make contact by email: jack.burgess1@btinternet.com or by other contacts which appear in the Branch Information Section of this website.
We have been pleased to establish reciprocal links with two RAFA Branch websites and we trust this joint venture will be of mutual benefit to all. There might be aircrew members interested in joining us as well as maintaining a regular contact with their RAFA Branch; while conversely, some of our existing members may wish to join the RAFA. The two RAFA Branches involved are Edinburgh (who have recently become Edinburgh, Lothian & Borders) and Cumbernauld Branch, RAFA, whose President Alan McKinstrie has very kindly promised to feature our ACA Message in his future website content. We would urge our members to maintain contact with the RAFA websites in this interactive approach to strengthening our respective membership lists. Links to the RAFA websites are listed on our Internet Links Page.
Shortly before he died on 21st October 2008, one of our branch members, George McIntosh, recorded his RAF service record which stretched to 35 years, the majority of that time being spent as a Test Pilot. Being a quiet and unassuming person, George didn't publicise his vast experience of flying new, innovative types of aircraft of the period, including Buccaneer, Canberra, Harrier and even involvement with the Concorde. In which case, we now regret not having access to many of his experiences, as each line of his service record suggests a story. The least we can do now, is to publish the flying record which George McIntosh wrote shortly before he died. This has been installed on this website (Library Section) at Index No.164. CLICK HERE TO GO THERE NOW
Our Branch Meetings continue throughout the summer months without any breaks. We warmly welcome any potential member to pay us a visit without any obligation or pressure to join. After having a thorough look through this website, you will have noted after clicking on the 'Branch Info' section, that there are plenty of suggested ways to get in touch. For Edinburgh meetings, phone Bill Campbell on telephone number 01620 860 368 to let us know that you wish to pay a visit. From the west of Scotland, a visit to a Glasgow meeting can be arranged by a phone call to Bill Ross on 01301 702 289.
By closer examination of the 'Branch Info' section, you will notice that we have even supplied maps of Glasgow and Edinburgh meeting venues to bring you into our company. Once again, Glasgow meetings are held at 12.00 noon on the second Wednesday of each month, and Edinburgh meetings on the fourth Wednesday.
If after reading this, you know of any aircrew member past or present and who is unaware of the above information, why not do him a favour, and enlighten him on all the above details. He should be very grateful for your help.
Branch member Bill Ross and wife Elaine have returned to their home in Arrochar following an interesting visit to Australia. While there, Bill took the opportunity of visiting the Aviation Museum at Werribee, Victoria, which is intent on preserving Australian Military Aviation Heritage. Not least among the exhibits, is the mammoth task of restoring B24 Liberator A72-176 which through Australian grit and determination, they are striving to restore to its former glory. Determination certainly will be required as the mainplane and tail assembly had already been removed for scrap, and all military equipment had been removed, thus leaving what was described as `just a hulk' remaining.
Although the Liberator was one of the most versatile and heavily produced American aircraft during WW2, scrap dealers must have really worked overtime post-war. While so many Australian Squadrons had been equipped with Liberators for operations in the Far East, like the UK, none had been preserved. Not one complete Liberator was left in the Southern Hemisphere leading to a statement from Don Davis (SAAA) who wrote the following:-
"It is a deplorable national trait, this apparent determination to destroy the things about us that are old, or don't fit the current view of the world held by people and politicians totally devoid of heritage or historical appreciation. The curious things about wars, is the manner in which all the feverish activity suddenly ceases and the obscene haste with which governments move to rid themselves of all the expensive war-waging hardware, including the men and women whose lives have been in jeopardy. And so it was, that all surviving Liberators without a single thought of preservation, were unceremoniously sentenced to the smelter."
Among all the photographs and literature that Bill Ross brought back, one can sense the strong determination of the Australian restorers to complete the monumental task which they started in the year 2000. For those wishing to follow their progress, look up website www.b24australia.com In the United Kingdom we were more fortunate in receiving a fully functional Liberator from the Indian Air Force in 1974. A brief account of this event is given in our Branch Website, Library Section `Recovery of the Liberator' (Index No.41).
Where discipline and loyalty go hand-in-hand, it is still extremely difficult for WW2 servicemen to reveal names and places when a breach of security meant death or torture for those being betrayed. Unlike today, when it seems everything has to be `transparent' with little thought for security, members of RAF aircrew who had the misfortune to be shot down over enemy territory, were fully aware of the dangers of revealing the identity of those helping them survive. It is therefore for the first time, that branch member Harry Fisher has recorded names, places and identity of those `helpers' who assisted him when he bailed out over France. Harry had several near misses before liaising with the Maquis, and eventually scrambling aboard a 'Hudson' aircraft on special duties to return to UK.
Bringing in to play some recently acquired information, Harry Fisher describes his experiences in Saltire Branch Website Library Index Nos.143 and 148
A comprehensive description of life in RAF Coastal Command 1939-45 is contained in a book by Saltire Branch member Ian Currie. Ian provides frank and interesting details of both training and operational flying experiences including 'ditching' in the Atlantic Ocean. This incident occurred while fighting the U-boat menace which was placing a stranglehold on military and food supplies to Britain at this particular time during the war. The content of the book is not confined to UK but extends to aircrew experiences in the Far East. Book details:-"The White Crows" 192 pages, Author:- Ian S. Currie, (Jan 19th 1996), published by Minerva Press. Price £7-99. Still available from www.amazon.co.uk
In addition to any further feedback which may be forthcoming relating to Aircrew Experiences in the Library Section mentioned above, responses to any other matter relating to the Saltire Branch will always be welcome. Contact by e-mail: jack.burgess or other branch contacts in the Branch Information Section.