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Vol VII, No 8 Winter 2010

In This Issue

Visit to Docking School

Visit to Bircham War Graves

Tony Nelson with his scale replica of a Vulcan bomber, part of Norfolk’s

model Air Force

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Editorial

The opinions expressed in the Normandy Star are those of the authors and

do not necessarily reflect the policy and views of the Norwich & District

Branch of the Normandy Veterans Association

All copy, articles etc. for inclusion should be sent to the Editor

Editor – Paul McAllister

12 Millside, Stalham, Norwich, Norfolk, N.R12 9PA

Tel (01692) 583336

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.normandystaronline.org.uk

2010 draws to a close, and what a busy year its been for the Normandy

Veterans of Norwich and District. Things show no sign of slowing up as

we move into 2011 and another step closer to the 70th Anniversary

year. The branch continues to increase its membership, both of

Associate Members and all important new Veteran members that

discover the branch and come in from the cold. So all in all, we can

look forward to 2011 with optimism and be assured that the Branch will

remain active for many years to come.

Our best wishes to you all.

Paul and Sarah McAllister

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Annual General Meeting 2011

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Norwich & District No.3 Branch of the Normandy Veterans Association will take

place in the

Royal British Legion Centre, Aylsham Road Norwich

on

Wednesday 13th April 2011

11.00am for 11.30am

Rule 8 (part) – Officers and Committee members

(a) The Branch shall appoint the following Officers: - Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, together with a committee of six

members.

(b) All Officers and Committee members shall be elected by

nomination at the Annual General Meeting. Nominations shall be accepted only from fully paid up Members. All candidates for

nomination must notify their agreement to such nomination and must

be proposed and seconded by two fully paid up Veteran Members. All retiring Officers and Committee members shall be automatically

nominated unless they indicate an unwillingness to serve. All nominations for positions of Officers or on the Committee should be

handed to the Secretary by 1st April 2011.

Jack S Woods Hon Secretary

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Normandy Veterans Association Norwich & District (No.3) Branch

Current Officers and Committee Members

Chairman: Veteran P E Johnson.

Vice Chairman: Veteran L W Mann.

Secretary/Treasurer: Veteran J S Woods.

Committee Members: (1) Veteran F L Scott.

(2) Veteran S D Valori. (3) Veteran J E Curson.

(4) Veteran L Fox. (5) Mrs K Burge.

(6) Mr G Holmes.

Other Officers and Appointments

Welfare Officer: Veteran L W Mann.

Public Relations Officer: Veteran J S Woods.

Assistant Secretary: Mrs S McAllister.

Social/Events Co-ordinator: Mrs K Burge.

Standard Bearer: Mr P McAllister.

Reserve Standard Bearers: Mr M J Baker

& Mr G V Claxton.

Editor, The Normandy Star: Mr P McAllister.

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Subscriptions for 2011 are now due. If you have not yet received your

2011 Membership Card, it is because you have NOT yet paid your

subscriptions. Please do so As Soon As Possible in order to continue

the benefits of membership. Rates for 2011 are £5 per person (£10

per couple).

All subscription monies to be sent to the Assistant Secretary, Sarah

McAllister, at 12 Millside, Stalham, Norwich, Norfolk, NR12 9PA. Cheques

made payable to “NVA Norwich and District.” Membership cards will

be sent out with your next copy of Normandy Star News or Normandy

Star once monies have been received.

Subscriptions

For Sale

Full colour enamelled lapel badges, produced by the Branch to celebrate

the 67th Anniversary of Normandy, are now available. Costs are £2 each

to Branch Members, £3 each otherwise, plus 50p postage/packing. They

can be obtained from George Holmes, 169 Palgrave Road, Great

Yarmouth, NR30 1QD. Tel: 01493 858319. Cheques made payable to

“NVA Norwich and District”

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From the Secretary’s chair

As the old year draws to close, we turn our thoughts to the year 2011.

At this point let me wish you all a good New Year which commences

Year 2 of our planned March to the 70th

Once again a programme of events is being arranged for all of you to

follow. It will consist basically of 11 x monthly Social meetings (inc the

AGM); 6 x bi-monthly Committee meetings; School visits as requested;

Remembrances honoured; Collections arranged; Outings arranged;

Armed Forces Week supported; NVA events supported; Normandy

visited and a Christmas lunch.

On the welfare front, the branch committee will do its utmost to help

and assist members needing support. Again you can help. A visit to a

sick comrade (that is if they want to see you?) can help no end.

Associations like S.S.A.F.A Forces Help, Spirit of Normandy Trust,

Veterans Agency, Royal British Legion etc can all be contacted through

the secretary’s office but in many cases a visit from you might be all

that they need.

Associate Members Norwich Branch welcomes Associate Members.

As our veteran membership diminishes, (which won’t be for some time

yet, so don’t panic) the Associate members will be essential to support

the remainder. They can be “the wind beneath our wings”. This Branch

will continue to exist while there are Normandy Veteran members

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needing it.

Associate Member Blazer Badges I have been asked for Associate

Member Blazer Badges. I can no longer obtain any from my previous

source but avenues are being explored from another source. Will of

course let you know progress..

Branch committee runs the Branch. It consists of volunteers both

willing and able to serve These volunteers are essential to the

membership. Associate members are entitled to serve on the

committee to assist in the day to day running of the Branch. affairs.

Once again, no panic on that front as only Normandy Veterans

members can effect any policy change and then only by voting at a

General Meeting called for that purpose. There is no danger of

Associate Members taking over the Branch, that is a myth, as is the fact

that anybody serving the Branch benefits financially, that is also a

myth.

March to the 70th. In accordance with the March to the 70th policy,

67th year Lapel and Button badges are now in stock. The Lapel Badges

cost £2 for members and £3 for non members The Button Badges are

free, for issue for schools visits and collections. Associate Member

George Holmes is responsible for general issue although they may also

be obtained from Sarah and myself. This is the second of the four

needed to qualify for a free gold 70th badge, so keep your old ones.

Return to Normandy A Branch party will visit Normandy from the 4th

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to the 9th of June 2011 to commemorate the 67th anniversary of the

landings and the ensuing Battle of Normandy, travelling by coach via

the Channel Tunnel and staying at the Best Hotel Herouville Caen on a

Half Board basis. The cost will be £400 per person payable by four

instalments of £100 per person commencing January 10th. 20

double/twin bedded rooms have been reserved, single rooms have a

supplementary charge of £50 All booking arrangements must be made

through Kitty Burge The itinerary has not yet been arranged but the

general idea is as follows.

.

The Branch will host a service with a wreath laying at the statue of

Field Marshal Montgomery on the 5th June Arrangements are being

made in conjunction with the locals to make this not only a day of

remembrance but a celebration of the liberation of the town. It is

hoped to create a carnival atmosphere and to include the children of

the area.

Normandy Veterans Association The Normandy Veterans

Association will continue to operate up to the 70th anniversary at least.

Their programme for 2011 has not been conpleted, all that is known at

present is that Whitehall will happen and the date of their AGM has

been fixed. As we know more, so will you.

Public relations Always the most important job, but the next few

years will be more important. Contacts will be made through the Press,

Veterans agency, Royal British Legion, Normandy Star, Normandy

News, Normandy Memoir etc., Fliers will be produced as to our

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programme etc.

How can you help? Mostly by being supportive, by being a comrade

to others, by keeping yourselves as fit as possible, by having a positive

attitude to what remains of your lives and by Marching with us to the

70th.

Jack S Woods

Hon Secretary & Treasurer

Veterans sought for television documentary

Impossible Pictures, a television production Company, are making a

documentary covering the North-West Europe campaign, from D-Day to

VE-Day. They are seeking Veterans from all branches of the Armed

Forces who served in the campaign, to tell their stories. Interviews will

take place in Norwich.

If you are interested in taking part please contact;

Amy Tookman

Impossible Pictures

First Floor, 58 Davies Street

London W1K 5JF

Tel: 0207 408 2591

Ken Moore

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The Boston tea party

There are those among us who still remember when lots of red patches

upon the world map indicated the extent of the Empire which this

Country headed. Sadly the red has disappeared and we are now

subservient to the Americans. One reminder of this is tea. During a few

years after the war, we used to laugh at them making tea with bits of

cardboard on string floating outside the cup and saying “of course the

Americans don’t know how to make tea, they drink coffee. Coffee to us

was something we drank occasionally, out of very small cups at some

dinner we were attending. Look at it now, what has happened to

teapots, tea cosys and letting it stand for four minutes to brew after

boiling water has been used? All this is something the younger

generation have not learnt to do. In most instances now, a tea bag is

put into a cup and hot water, sometimes not even boiling, is slapped on

it. Then the bag is discarded and the liquid, I will not call it tea as it

bears little resemblance to tea, is consumed. So nowadays, instead of

asking friends along for a cup of tea, we say a cup of coffee. Loose tea,

as it is now called, is hard to find, being stocked by very few shops and

will possibly disappear completely, leaving poor old souls such as

myself, to make do with horrible bags.

Incidently, I wonder what has happened to the ladies who told one’s

fortune from the tea leaves?

John Eastbury

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Collections Programme 2011

The Collections programme for 2011 is currently being compiled. These

street collections are an essential part of the Branch fund-raising

activities, monies raised subsidise trips and events and ensure that the

Branch is financially healthy in the years ahead.

Our dedicated team of collectors is dwindling and new volunteers are

needed. Not only will you be carrying out the vital task of collecting,

you will be acting as an ambassador for the Normandy Veterans

Association, giving the public the opportunity to meet and talk with

Veterans, something which is enjoyed by both Veteran and Public alike.

If you can spare an hour or two throughout the summer to help with

the Street collections, please contact Sarah McAllister, 01692 583336,

to put your name down.

Thank you.

FORTHCOMING COLLECTIONS FOR 2011

JANUARY

Fri 21 & Sat 22 Jan : ASDA, Lowestoft

Fri 28, Sat 29, Sun 30 Jan : Morrisons, Riverside, Norwich

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FEBRUARY

Fri 4 Feb & Sat 5 Feb : Morrisons, Lowestoft

MARCH

Thu 17 & Fri 18 Mar : Morrisons, Cromer

APRIL

Fri 15 & Sat 16 Apr : Co-Op, Bradwell, Great Yarmouth

Fri 22 & Sat 23 Apr : Co-Op, Carlton Colville

Sat 30 Apr : Sainsburys, Brazengate, Norwich

MAY

Thu 12 & Fri 13 May : Sainsburys, North Walsham

Fri 20 & Sat 21 May : Roys, Wroxham

Sat 28 May : Norwich City Centre

JUNE

Sat 18 Jun : Co-Op, Cromer

Thu 30 Jun: Tesco, Harford Bridges, Norwich

JULY

Thu 14 Jul : Sainsburys, Pound Lane, Norwich

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Schools Visit

A small delegation visited Docking Primary School on November 18th

2010. Veterans Neville Howell and John Utting were acompanied by

myself and George Holmes. We were treated as V.I.Ps !

On arriving we were seated in front of sixty pupils with ages of 4

through to 10, who then sung the hymn “All things bright and

beautiful” to us. We found this very moving and I am not ashamed to

say that two of us had a little tear in our eye. John and Neville took

many questions from the pupils and then we had a little service

followed by the excellent roast lunch. The pupils asked if we could stay

for a week! Docking School are most keen to maintain the relationship

with the Normandy Veterans. After lunch, Neville and John gave a talk

to the older children and then a photo session for the local press.

I must thank George Holmes for his help in putting the visit together

and for bringing Neville to Docking all the way from Great Yarmouth.

We did not have enough badges to go round as they all wanted one.

The children at Docking will be talking about the visit for quite some

time.

Kind regards

Tony Nelson

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The War Graves of Bircham Newton

During the 1939 -1945 war the churchyard of St. Mary's at Great

Bircham was used for the burial of service personnel from the Royal Air

Force Station at Bircham Newton, and its satellites RAF Docking and

RAF Langham. Also buried were Service dead who died in the area, or

were recovered from the Sea, British service dead whose families

requested local burial, and German airmen brought down in the area.

The special plot in the South Eastern corner of the Churchyard was

set aside early in 1940, and all except one of the WW2 War graves

are in this Plot. The single WW1 War grave is located elsewhere in

the churchyard.

The first WW2 grave in the Churchyard was that of the German

airman Emil Rodel who was buried in an unused corner of the

Churchyard in December 1939. In February 1940 the Imperial (later

Commonwealth) War Graves Commission (CWGC) applied to create a

plot in which to bury the war dead. Approval was given, and the

current plot, which included the grave of Emil Rodel, was laid out in

March 1940. The German grave was in the "wrong place" for the

proposed layout of the plot and the Authorities planned to move the

grave. However the villagers objected to the interference of the grave

and it was left undisturbed. This explains why there is a German

grave in the first row of Commonwealth graves, and why there is an

unequal space between the 3rd and 4th graves in that row.

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The first British casualty to be buried was Gunner Frederick Pile who

was part of the Anti- Aircraft defence of Bircham Newton Airfield. He

was buried in the grave nearest the entrance to the plot, and burials

continued in the plot until F/O J. Rhodes on 5 May 1945.

There are a total of 66 Commonwealth graves and 11 German graves

in the plot and 2 British Graves outside the plot. There are 2 army, 1-

naval, and one WAAF's grave in the churchyard. All members of the

Commonwealth are represented with airmen from Britain, Canada, New

Zealand, Australia, and South Africa lying side by side. There is also an

American serving with the RAF, who joined before America entered the

War. The body of an unidentified Raf Pilot Officer was recovered from

the sea and lies with his comrades.

His Majesty King George VI, accompanied by his Queen and the

Princess's Elizabeth and Margaret, unveiled the cross of Sacrifice on

14th July 1946. The Cross was the first to be erected after the 1939 -

1945 war and stands near the east wall. Let into the wall behind it is an

inscribed bronze plaque erected in March 1955 recording these facts.

The Cross of Sacrifice was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield during

the first world war and is found in any military cemetery, or civil burial

ground, with more than 40 War graves. Standing on an octagonal base

with a bronze crusaders sword mounted upon it, the cross carries both

religious and military significance.

The 60th Anniversary of the unveiling of the cross was marked by a

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commemoration service attended by her majesty Queen Elizabeth on

Sunday 16th July 2006. The Queen laid a wreath at the cross and met

several relatives of those buried in the Churchyard.

In the north west corner of the plot is a Canadian Maple tree

presented by the Government and People of Canada as a reminder of

all the Canadians who are buried in the Plot.

Also in the Churchyard, but just outside the entrance to the plot, are

the graves of 3 airmen killed just before the war, they have been

included here for completeness, although they are not War graves

under the care of CWGC.

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A party from the Branch attended the CWGC plot at Great Bircham

Churchyard, close by to the former RAF Bircham Newton, for a short

remembrence service, attended by local schoolchildren. The event was

organised by Associate Members Tony Nelson and Mick Ayres, who laid

on an interesting day of activities, along with refreshments which they

funded themselves. Despite the wet and cold weather all who went

thoroughly enjoyed themselves. A special thank you to Tony and Mick

for all their efforts on the day.

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Normandy – The first two days

Concluding Frank Wright’s moving account of his experiences during the capture of Port-en-Bessin

I think the village was probably Asnelles-sur-mer. At the end of the

street on the left was a high stone wall enclosing the grounds of a

large, imposing, house. I could see elegantly shaped turrets and oriel

windows through gaps in the trees. Eventually we came abreast of the

entrance. There were fine tall wrought iron gates and through them

could be seen a freshly- raked sweeping drive up to the front entrance.

On either side of the drive were neat borders, meticulously trimmed,

and flowering shrubs.

From the drive steps led up to the porch where two heavy columns

supported a stone pediment - everything in immaculate condition and

in sharp contrast to the peeling paint and cheerful scruffiness of the

village houses. The reason for this contrast was just dawning on me

when I realised there were two men standing, quite still and watching

us, near the front entrance. They wore field grey uniforms, black hats

and boots, officer's insignia. One was calmly pulling on a pair of gloves,

the other, a little closer ,had a revolver in his hand, he raised his arm,

slowly and deliberately, until he was aiming in our direction, and fired.

Bang - clang – Bzz.z.z.z. The round struck part of the ornate decoration

of the gate and ricocheted over our heads like an angry bee. I stood

there like a lemon, absolutely immobile. Marine Skinner was in the left-

hand file. He was just outside the gate. Perhaps he took it personally,

his rifle flew up and he fired off a round within seconds. As he did so he

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released a torrent of Glaswegian abuse the meaning of which required

no translation. The two officers, with smart footwork and a twirl of the

skirts of their greatcoats were in retreat, they scuttled swiftly round the

far corner of the building. X troop pressed on - someone else would

have to look after those two. Skinner was a hero for some time after

that with promises of free drinks from everyone. I hope he survived the

war, the last time I heard of him he had just been made up to

Sergeant.

1.

We had a short break at a crossroads in a small hamlet called la

Rosiere. It was a relief to remove one's gear for a few minutes - we

had been wearing it continuously for about nine hours. At this point we

crossed the main road, Bayeux to Arromanches. We knew that there

was the headquarters of a German Panzer Division in Bayeux, so where

were they? I strained my ears whilst we sat smoking at the roadside for

the squeaky rumble of moving armour. Nothing. Late afternoon on D

day and along the narrow country lane high hedges either side

concealed orchards and occasionally open fields. Our road was fairly

straight but rising and falling over a series of low ridges, each only

twenty or thirty feet high. We were in the dip between two of these

ridges when we first heard the motor car, some way off. I immediately

thought of the American jeep doing a recce or even just joyriding. No

such luck. Seconds later I knew it was no jeep, nor any Allied vehicle. ,

The car was running easily - perhaps on downhill slopes - then

struggling up the little hills in a way that suggested very low grade

petrol. It came nearer, still invisible though, the leading sections

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stopped. Whoever it was, we were to be the reception committee. I put

down the Bangalore Torpedo for the umpteenth time that day then, left

foot forward, rifle in both hands, safety catch forward. We waited.

The engine noise grew louder. One ridge to go, we heard it change

gear. Into our view the car appeared, roof first, then windscreen it was

a small saloon unfamiliar in design and in the gingery-hued camouflage

colours of the Wehrmacht. It was the first enemy vehicle I had seen.

The car reached the crest of the hill. There was one occupant sitting in

what I thought should be the passenger seat. If I was a little

surprised by this the driver was totally gobsmacked. He screeched to a

halt, eyes almost popping out of his head at the sight of the two lines

of black-faced, heavily armed men lining both sides of the road. Wheels

locked in an emergency stop on the very top of the hill, skidding a little

this way and that before coming to a halt. The driver's door flew open

and he leapt out grabbing the door with his left hand to effect a

lightening U turn. As he spun round, so his machine pistol was clearly

silhouetted on its sling. Captain Walton shouted "Halt! Deutsche

soldaten, kommen - sie hier!" The driver ignored that. He set off at a

run, back over the hill. If he had kept going he might have made it, he

would have been out of sight in seconds and anyway no-one would

want to shoot a man in the back. But he slowed, changed course so

that he was hidden by the car. Then he stopped and flung himself

down on the road. He looked at us through the space under the cars

chassis. Perhaps he thought that the car would give him some

protection conceal him - but owing to the high clearance of the

suspension and the position of the car on the crest of the hill he was in

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full view. I began to get a bad feeling about the situation. Within the

space of a few seconds the driver had made several choices, each time

a bad one. He was about to make another.

There was a short silence. He shifted his position, feeling for his pistol

with his right hand, he seized it by the butt and dragged it into a firing

position. I remember the sound of the magazine scraping on the road

surface, it made a tinny noise like a rattle falling from a baby's pram. If

he opened fire, with a long burst he could take out the leading section

in seconds. I saw daylight under his body when the volley hit him. He

was still for a moment then rolled slowly, agonisingly, onto his right -

side and then onto his back. There was some shouting - I heard the

words "stop firing!" A few of us went forward. Shock Kendrick, our

medical orderly said “Give us a hand you lot". Four of us picked him up

as gently as we could, someone supported the driver's head, we carried

him over to the grass verge with little shuffling steps then laid him

carefully down. He was still alive. The front of his uniform was

drenched with blood. He was scarcely breathing, tiny pink bubbles blew

from his nostrils. His eyes flicked to and fro, to and fro, in despair. “Oh

Christ Almighty. you poor sod why don't you die? Just die you poor

sod." Captain Walton and Kendrick knelt by him. We turned away. I

went back across the road to fetch my gear. As I passed the little car I

saw that it was beginning to creep forward. Sergeant Hooper reached

over the drivers seat and yanked up the handbrake. “All right then lads,

let's get on.”

Next morning, after a night spent in the open on hill 72, I looked from

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our vantage point at the top of the hill down the long straight road

into Port-en-Bessin. Two ribbons of marching men were making their

way to the start lines for the coming battle. We could see the three

strongpoints surrounding the port clearly. We followed when our turn

came. We didn't go far though. At a fork in the road there was a long

hold-up. One section formed a road block, the rest of us patrolled up

and down the estate, amongst bungalows and villas. All was quiet.

One or two civilians began to emerge, standing rather nervously in

their gardens. Eventually someone noticed two strangers approaching

across open fields. They made no attempt at concealment but came

on with confident, easy strides. They were strangely dressed but

there was something familiar about them. "They're Yanks” someone

burst out. ·The two men quickened their pace when they realised we

had spotted them. They vaulted over a rear garden fence, strode past

the house and down the garden path. We waited at the gate. "Say,”

said one, "Are you guys British? Oh brother, are we glad to see you!"

A hubbub broke out then, everyone talking at once but soon we were

listening to our first news of the disaster at Omaha Beach, silenced

by the sheer scale of the losses. Sergeant Patey took them off to find

Captain Walton, thence to the CO.

Thus passed, almost unnoticed, an historic moment in the battle for

Normandy. Eventually, after what seemed an eternity – “X Troop, X

troop.” It was TSM Ball calling his flock. We fell in and marched

north, towards the sea. Left the road which led to the harbour and

followed a farm track westwards, away from the houses, usual

hedgerows on either side, gaining height all the time then swung

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north again. We could see the village; houses to our right through the

trees. To the left were cornfields and fields of long, coarse grass. At

the third field we stopped; crouched low and slipped two at a time

through a gap in the hedgerow and into the ditch beyond. The troop

spread out, one section to the right and the other, mine, to the left.

It was a superb ditch, deep enough to offer complete cover. I had

only been in France for 24 hours but I had already become a

connoisseur of ditches. I put down the Bangalore Torpedo carefully

on my left. To our front, across a field which was about the size of a

football pitch and just about as flat was a neat, man-made mound

like a miniature Silbury Hill. It rose, an inverted pudding basin of a

hill, abruptly from the yellowish grass to a height of about twenty five

feet. There were chalky white scars on its sides indicating slit

trenches, but no sign of life or human activity.

Lt Armstrong, our section officer was working his way along speaking

to groups of two or three men at a time. It came to our turn. He

explained the plan of action in a few words. I couldn't believe my

ears, it seemed so foolhardy. I had read books about the Somme and

Passchendale and knew only too well what usually happens when

attacking German trenches over open ground. The Lieutenant said

“Any questions?” but we were all speechless. No one said a word.

Later Skinner said “I hope they are going to notify our next of kin.”

We had another long wait then but eventually came a distant

droning. There had been fewer aircraft about that morning so it was

unusual. I assumed it was a fighter patrol. The sound persisted,

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came closer. Quite soon the whole field in front of us filled with

thunder and the first plane appeared over trees to my right. It dived

steeply down, going pretty fast, straight at the the strongpoint then

at point blank range there was a gush of smoke and a salvo of

rockets streaked down, disappearing in to the top of the hill. Earth-

shaking bangs followed and a column of black sooty smoke hung in

the air. Our target had been transformed into a miniature volcano,

the Typhoon was gone, but just to make the point clear, another one

followed. Smoke was still in the air when Captain Walton raised

himself up and yelled “X troop fi - i - ix bayonets - For - war-d” We

climbed out of the ditch. I yanked my bayonet out of its scabbard

and clicked it onto the rifle nozzle. “I must be dreaming,” I thought,

"This isn’t really happening – I’ll wake up in a minute.” We formed

up, more or less in line abreast as we advanced across the the field.

There was light covering fire from our own troop bren guns but no

three inch mortars or medium machine guns as these had been lost

in the landing. Short, slow bursts cracked between us as we walked.

The pace quickened, we ran, started shouting and, though our

voices sounded thin and lost in the blue space above the field I felt

better for it. I looked to see which side of the field offered the

nearest cover - just in case - but both seemed miles away. Still no

movement in the slit trenches on the strongpoint. I heard the brens

change to single shots to save ammo. Unbelievably we had reached

the foot of the mound and were seeking a way in. At that moment

half a dozen grenades rolled down the side of the hill would have

snuffed out our little attack. But it was our lucky day. Suddenly we

were in. The entrance was a short corridor, two metres wide, which

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led into the bowl shaped centre of the strong-point. Still black-

faced with bayonets fixed and in a state of high excitement we

poured through the gap to be confronted by a pathetic and

woebegone picture. Inside were about twenty soldiers, sitting or

cowering in little groups. White-faced, hands held high, they were

shaking uncontrollably. Clearly terrified, to us they seemed old men,

but I suppose most of them were in their forties. In the background

stood several younger Wehrmacht NCOs striking more defiant poses

but not offering any resistance either. Needless to say, not a shot

was fired. When we saw how pathetic they were the temperature

soon dropped, The men were shepherded outside and fallen in on

the field of long grass. They co-operated eagerly with instructions

from our 10 IA Commando member who spoke fluent German. With

a couple of volunteer escorts they were marched off towards the

town centre. Though what they would find when they got there was

anybody's guess.

Half an hour later we were marching along the track which led to the

sea. The sun was at our backs and I guessed that it was not long

after midday. I could smell salt in the air. There was a stillness and

silence which was worrying. A few yards from what I took to be the

edge of the cliff we stopped. There was cover here in the shape of a

stone wall. Immediately to our right a village street dropped sharply

away to 'the inner harbour whilst to the left the grassy breast of a

hill sloped up fifty feet or more. Another strongpoint?

To be continued

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26

Norfolk’s Model Air Force

60 years of model planes

I first started building model aircraft in 1948, aged 6. This would bring

me into conflict with my father, who thought I should be building model

ships, as he was a Normandy Veteran. He went ashore at Arromanches

on June 6th 1944 with 47 Royal Marine Commando from a landing craft.

As a young boy I got fed up hearing about the Marines and D-Day.

Later in life when I told him I was thinking about joining the Royal Air

Force it was like World War Three. However, now that I have been to

Normandy and seen for myself, perhaps I should have listened to him a

bit more. Model building went ahead from 1948 until I left school in

1957, and then it was motorbikes, coffee bars and girls – perhaps I

should have stuck with motorbikes!

The collection as you see it today was started on January 1st 1970. All

the models are designed by me and drawing the plans takes from 50 to

100 hours depending on the size. They are all scale replicas of full size

aircraft and are built to various scales. They are all flying models. I

keep a record of the building hours as at my displays I am asked how

much do they cost and how long to build. We do not talk about cost.

The collection to date has taken almost 30,000 hours.

In the early years when I was doing a lot of airshows I used to try to

build a new model each year – this took away some of the enjoyment

as there was always a deadline to meet.

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Over the years I have met some wonderful people and of course there

have been plenty of highs and lows. The highs were my flights in

military aircraft, both the R.A.F. and U.S.A.F. The lows are getting

caught out in the rain when there is the risk of damage to the models

in the rush to get them into shelter. Sometimes a model will give me

problems and I have on occasions woken up in the middle of the night

with problem solved, only to rush out to my workshop and draw it

down. My wife is very tolerant!

The latest model of the Stirling has been in the building stage for 15

years, but eight other models have been built in this time – it has taken

over 4,000 hours to date. I keep telling people this will be the last one,

as the eyes seem to be getting dimmer, the glasses stronger and the

fuse is getting shorter.

Thanks are due to M.E., Ayres and Sons for their support over the past

10 years. The models are all kept in the transporter at their premises

and the transporter is maintained by Stephen Ayres. I am pleased to

have them onboard as my sponsor.

Tony Nelson

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29

Roll of Members Updates

New Members

We extend a warm welcome to the following new members to the Branch;

Mr T & Mrs P Keeble (A827, A828) 58, South Croft, Hethersett, Norwich. NR9 3ED. (01603) 811901.

Associate Members

Mr B & Mrs W Harris (A829, A830) 3, New Close, Acle, Norwich. NR13 3BG

Associate Members

Mr A P Lince (F828)

67, Anchor Street, Norwich, Norfolk, NR3 1PB. (01603) 614161 Veteran - Royal Army Medical Corps

Deletions from the Roll of Members

Veteran G T R Ford (Deceased) Mrs M Howlett (Deceased)

Mr M D & Mrs G Thurston (Resigned)

Mr W and Mrs Moverley (Resigned)

Change of Address

Mr G Barnes, Dorrington House, West Field Avenue, Wells-Next-Sea, Norfolk. NR23 1BY. (01328) 806020

Mr D Burge, 43/381 Murramarang Road, Bawley Point, New South

Wales 2539, Australia. Please ensure that the Secretary is informed of any changes of address, telephone numbers etc, so that Branch records may be kept up-to-date.

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30

Thanks are due to the following individuals who have kindly donated to

branch funds;

Mr & Mrs Aldis Mr A Bairstow

Mrs M Betts Mr E A Bray Mr D Burge Mr L Fox

Mr R H Gordon Mr A Griffin

Mr & Mrs Horner Mr K Knowles Mr J Mallott Mr D Riches

Mrs J D Timbers Mr & Mrs M Thurston Mr D Woodrow Mr A Wright

Anonymous

Donations

Obituaries

It is with deep regret that we record the passing of the following Veterans

and branch members.

Veteran G T R Ford

Late Royal Corps of Signals, Beach Group

Mrs M Howlett Honorary Associate Member (Widow)

Our sincere condolences are sent to the families of all those who have

passed to the green fields and beyond.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,

We will remember them.

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31

Poetry

WHY?

Strolling barefoot through the golden sand On this beautiful beach in another land.

Feeling the warmth of the sun on high,

The fleecy clouds drifting slowly by, The ripple of surf along the shore,

The laughter of children as they play once more.

My mind returns to yesteryear To that day of agony, courage and fear.

The dark clouds scurrying overhead, A place where silent prayers were said.

The evil stench that comes with battle, The pounding guns and machine gun rattle.

I still recall that fateful day,

Sand stained with blood where comrades lay. I still hear the sighs, the sobs and screams.

They gave their lives in vain it seems.

When someone asks the question "Why?" I picture those children and there's my reply.

I still hear the sighs, the sobs and screams. They gave their lives in vain it seems.

When someone asks the question "Why?"

I picture those children and there's my reply.

Cyril Crain

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JANUARY

Wed 12 Jan

Social Meeting, RBL Centre, Aylsham Rd,

Norwich.

11.00am

Wed 19 Jan

Schools visit - Mattishall Primary

1.30pm

FEBRUARY

Fri 4 Feb

Committee Meeting, RBL Centre, Aylsham Rd, Norwich

10.30am

Wed 9 Feb

Social Meeting, RBL Centre, Aylsham Rd,

Norwich.

11.00am

MARCH

Wed 9 Mar

Social Meeting, RBL Centre, Aylsham Rd,

Norwich.

11.00am

APRIL

Fri 8 Apr

Committee Meeting, RBL Centre, Aylsham

Rd, Norwich

10.30am

Wed 13 Apr

Social Meeting & Annual General Meeting, RBL Centre, Aylsham Rd, Norwich

11.00am

Programme of Events 2011

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MAY

Wed 11 May

Social Meeting, RBL Centre, Aylsham Rd,

Norwich.

11.00am

Fri 27 May

Committee Meeting, RBL Centre, Aylsham

Rd, Norwich

10.30am

JUNE

Fri 3 to Wed 8 Jun

Branch Pilgrimage to Normandy

JULY

Wed 13 Jul

Social Meeting, RBL Centre, Aylsham Rd, Norwich.

11.00am

AUGUST

Fri 5 Aug

Committee Meeting, RBL Centre, Aylsham

Rd, Norwich

10.30am

Wed 10 Aug

Social Meeting, RBL Centre, Aylsham Rd,

Norwich.

11.00am

SEPTEMBER

Wed 14 Sep

Social Meeting, RBL Centre, Aylsham Rd, Norwich.

11.00am

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34

OCTOBER

Fri 7 Oct

Committee Meeting, RBL Centre, Aylsham Rd, Norwich

10.30am

Wed 12 Oct

Social Meeting, RBL Centre, Aylsham Rd,

Norwich.

11.00am

NOVEMBER

Wed 9 Nov

Social Meeting, RBL Centre, Aylsham Rd,

Norwich.

11.00am

Sun 13 Nov

Remembrence Sunday

DECEMBER

Fri 2 Dec

Committee Meeting, RBL Centre, Aylsham Rd, Norwich

10.30am

Wed 14 Dec

Christmas Lunch – Details to follow

TBA

Programme of events is subject to update and change where necessary

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35

Your Normandy Star Needs

YOU

Please send your Poems,

Stories and Photos to the

Editor


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