ns vol vii no8
DESCRIPTION
The official publication of the Norwich and District Normandy Veterans AssociationTRANSCRIPT
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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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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.
27
28
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
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.
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.
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
32
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
33
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
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
35
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