Scottish Saltire Aircrew Association News
1st February 2012
This new title “Out Of The Blue” contains a number of events collected by three ex-military pilots, who joined the RAF on the same day and have been life-long friends. Many of the events recounted here happened during the Cold War, when the surreal world of potential nuclear conflict was the backdrop to day-to-day operations, and nearly all the stories appear in print for the first time.
There’s a saying in the Royal Air Force: if you can’t take a joke, you shouldn’t have joined. It’s a perfect example of the wry humour that permeates the mind-set of Service personnel, and it resonates throughout this book. Indeed, it is true to say that, from an aviation perspective, they are frequently more remarkable for the fact that the protagonist got away with it rather than demonstrated great flying skill. “Out of the Blue” appears in print thanks to the generosity of the sponsors CAE and BAE Systems, and all proceeds will be shared between the two charities ‘Help for Heroes’ and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. Foreword is by Air Marshal Cliff Spink CB CBE FCMI FRAeS RAF R’td Edited by Ian William Cowie, David Martin Jones, Christopher John Long. Pub: Halldale Media Group (Dec.2011). 248 Pages, Price £7.99.
Embarking on our first full year as an independent Aircrew Association, it is pleasing to note we are accompanied by our near neighbour ‘Tayside Aircrew Association’ for many former ACA branches have fallen by the wayside. By clicking on 'News >Tayside Aircrew News’ on the left, details of relevant Tayside contacts will be noted. It would be greatly appreciated if any present or former member of military aircrew living north of the River Tay could communicate with, or be informed of, the contact information given in ‘Tayside News’ section.
As we enter a further year of recording aircrew experiences and exchanging views on aviation history, there are occasions when we find it difficult to define the concept of “News.” The present upsurge of interest in TV productions recounting world war two incidents may be ‘news’ to younger viewers; and we’ve had our fair share of involvement in those productions. Testimony Films have been in regular contact, and Harry Fisher and other members although not actually appearing in the “Bomber Boys” feature, contributed ninety-minute ‘phone interviews to provide relevant information. Ever since Andrew Jackson gave us “Before the Bomber Stream” (No.5) in 2001, where he was involved in destroying Hitler’s invasion barges along the channel ports, we’ve continued to record numerous bomber command experiences within our web pages.
The following three very brief snippets of information illustrate the wide range of activities in which our members have been involved, but may be currently regarded as “News.”
The late Bill Taylor, Iain MacDonald, George Thomson and Angus Galloway have all contributed personal accounts of “The Long March” the subject currently appearing in three parts on television. Bill Campbell to this very day receives queries and requests for information regarding his 30+ years’ service flying helicopter rescue missions. From his home in Berkshire, Wing Commander Derek Martin sent in his manuscript describing the occasion he was left for dead on the Oban quayside after a Sunderland crash, then after becoming a founder member of the Guinea Pig Club carried on to complete 34 years RAF service (No.213). All three of those items mentioned above in brief can be read at leisure in our website library.
Communication being a two-way process, it has been very rewarding to receive responses relating to members’ memoirs. Charles Penning from The Hague replied with thanks to accounts of “Operation Manna” contributed by Jim Vallance, Alastair lamb and Anderson McCormick. Charles Penning then followed up his thanks by contributing “Hunger Winter” (177) by way of appreciation. Harry Fisher recalling his experiences as an ‘evader’ on the run after being shot down was able to pay tribute to the French Resistance, in particular to one exceptionally courageous Frenchman, Gabriel Cochet, who suffered indescribable torture and hardship after helping Harry and others find ‘safe houses’ on their way for a safe return to UK (168).
Recent news also involved a contribution by Louis Wooldridge DFC (209) which was subsequently selected by St Clement Danes Editor to appear in the RAF Church Bulletin. Not content with that, Louis was invited to the “Salute Bomber Command Banquet” in London on 8th November where VIPs paid £400 per person (in aid of Bomber Command Memorial) the function presided over by Carol Vorderman of TV fame.
We are grateful for news from various parts of the world; recent contributions include Far East operations from Dan Brooks (210) and Italian operations described by Bill Young (216). All proving there is no substitute for eye-witness accounts and we hope these continue to arrive.
Probably the essence of maintaining website interest is the sheer variety of incoming news. We recently moved from a cluster of reviews describing wartime airfields in various parts of Scotland to being swiftly propelled into the jet age via a contribution by Chairman Brian Thornton (217). Brian’s account “Better then Working – A Lifetime of Service” covers 37 years service which we hope will encourage other contributors to come forward with post-war aircrew experiences hopefully covering the Cold War, Falklands era and up to the present time.
As stated at the beginning of this news update, we actively encourage responses to contributed memoirs from our members. So far, those have extended well beyond the shores of United Kingdom and we sincerely hope this will continue. In closing, it is fitting that we pay tribute to our past President Bill Reid VC and we write this on the tenth anniversary of his death. Our appreciation is due for his insistence that after completing a more accurate version of his own experience, he urged us to record the aircrew experiences of others before they became lost. With the present flow of contributed eye-witness accounts this is a promise we intend to keep.
Looking back, it must have seemed quite incredible that a book based on a web site would ever exist and especially since it's normally the other way round. The Saltire Branch Book, "Well... You Wanted To Fly" did quite well by all accounts with readership in many countries. As if that wasn't quite enough of an acheivement, the second companion called "60 Aviation Experiences" and still based on stories and articles submitted to the web site expanded the concept by including peacetime work in the emerging jet age and helicopter aircrew experiences. The second volume also tended to recognise the work of the South African Air Force during the war and where much of their substantial contribution had all but been forgotten. As webmaster, I recall joking about the possibilty of a third book yet never expecting it to happen! Today, I'm proud to admit that I was wrong!
The third book of the trilogy, called "Sixty More Aviation Experiences" adds to the personal eye-witness experiences of some authors no longer alive and tributes to people who can now be named despite clandestine and secret work during a time of global conflict. It's a book adding first hand narrative about the transistion from piston powered engined planes to that of the jet age. It's a book about personal experiences in the 'Bermuda Triangle' and the significance of 'Aircraft at Sea' during the dark days of Global War and operational duties during the Falklands Conflict. Above all else and collectively, the 'Aircrew-Saltire' Book Trilogy perhaps represents both serious and amusing aspects of a different time in history and where personal experiences and memories have been preserved beyond their lifetimes and representing 'a kind of immortality' left for future generations to read and examine.
As before, you can order your copy by writing directly to Woodfield Publishing, Babsham Lane, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO21 5EL (Please make cheques payable to "Woodfield Publishing") and include Post and Packing charges: 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 books and order a copy. Please note the third book, 'Sixty More Aviation Experiences' has yet to be added to their web site at this time of writing.
War graves have been discovered in the Andaman Islands and we, among others, are now seeking to find relatives of the following;-
F/Sgt John McDowall, F/Sgt H. W. Emmerson, F/Sgt Harold Wynn.
They were crew members of Liberator KA250 'H' No. 355 Squadron. We have been asked to help in this matter as families of other crew members have been found. If anyone recognises one of these names then please contact Ron Manley on Ph. 01239 654225.
The above story appeared in the British press in 1999. The RAF pilot involved saved the life of the German pilot in North Africa during the Second World War. Now former Beaufighter pilot Jim Callan would very much like to find out the name of the German pilot who left him his medal. Would anyone who could help in this matter please get in touch with any of the contacts listed on this web site.
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.
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
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.
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.
“Among the numerous responses we receive relating to website accounts, one arrived recently from Bavaria where a German person had been listening to wartime tales from a ninety year-old former seaman. He recounted that he had been a member of the crew of the ‘SS Insterburg’ which had been described as a “hell-ship’ when transporting POW aircrew in horrific conditions by Dennis Sawden in his story about Rowland Maddocks being story Index 208 in our website library. The correspondent had viewed this story in our website and was astounded to hear his old friend had been involved. The old seaman being of Jewish descent had pleaded that he had been forced into such dreadful activities as the Germans had promised to kill his mother and cousin if he did not obey their orders.”
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 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 '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 '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
More - 29/05/11 - Following Harry Fisher’s wartime evasion experiences appearing in our web site, he has been approached by several film and documentary producers to give interviews. The latest firm dates have been confirmed by a Bristol film company who supply programmes for the BBC.
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 relating to Aircrew Experiences in the Library Section mentioned above, responses to any other matter relating to the Scottish Aircrew Saltire Branch will always be welcome. Contact by e-mail: jack.burgess .