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INEXPENSIVE SATISFYING
2.
THE CHINA MAIL, APRIL 20, 1940.
WITH THE R.A.F. IN BRITAIN
SOMEWHERE IN THE EASTERN, leaving about once in ten times for a
COUNTIES.
You remember the squadron leader who broadcast about his experiences on a bombing raid? Well, I have just met him here, and, as you must have realised from his voice, he is a first- class type-a phrase I use both in the R.A.F. and civilian sense of the word.
He has the D.F.C. and the A.F.C.
the
beam attack (which is directly side- never from ways), and practically either bow or ahead (bow being diagonally from the front.)
But, my word, you ought to see the the tiny transparent seats in which
sit in these front and rear gunners bombers. The front gunner is right in the nose, ahead of the pilot; the rear gunner is all by himself on
And you very tail of the aircraft. should, meet R.A.F.,
He is a record-breaker, and you would instantly recognise his name if I could give it. He is, of course, extremely well-known throughout one of his peculiarities being that he flies in his breeches instead of his slacks, although the former are sup- posed to be bad for the circulation at great heights. In fact, he is very much the build of
an amateur
cross-country Jockey, the sort the Grand Grand Mili-
of fellow who National .or the tary.
*
**
wins
**
It is curious how most of the officers who have won the D.F.C. since the war broke out have the same rather hard look in their eye. Perhaps "gave" is a better word. It may also be a coin- cidence, but the seven or eight whom I have met scarcely have any notice- able lids to their eyes.
the
the air gunners. They are mostly kids from 18 to 23. If they hadn't gone into the R.A.F., they would be either winning first prizes in T.T. races of would be dirt-track riders or something.
I met five of them at this station. Two were 18, two were 19, and one was 20, Unlike the officers, they had none of that gravity when you meet them for the first time. They thorough- ly enjoy the excitement, are bursting
-By- CHARLES GRAVES
to get a D.F.M. (one of the 19-year- olds had one), and only wish that they got more pay, like everyone else.
At first when I met them I decided that they had the kind expression which you And on most matadors. But I told myself that this was far too Ethel M. Dell-ish. The fact remains that they have this grave look.
Some group captains will tell you that they scarcely recognise some of Their extra, flying pay is actually their young officers compared with six 10s. 6d. a week. But they have hopes months ago. They talk very quietly; that they may soon be raised to the they have matured overnight-though rank of sergeants. In addition to six this particular squadron leader is days' leave every six weeks, they also slighlty older than any other D.F.C. get three extra days. I have met.
毵
*
|
air to
At the moment a number of pilots with war service between 1914 and 1918 are becoming air gunners. It I asked him about some of the points has been found that their experience which he didn't mention in his broad- of dog-fights in the World War gives cast. "How good are the Hun pilots?" them an advantage of nearly six mo- I asked. "They fly beautifully, and months in experience over are full of guts," he said. "As you gunners who probably know, they attack in single the game. For, despite a formation, and the same pilot will dive lapse of 20 years, they have a sixth at you again and again, though his air-sense about approaching aircraft which craft is riddled with bullets and the they cannot see. This compensates petrol is pouring out."
for the slightly slower "response," or what a layman would term reaction, compared with their juniors.
I asked him if it was true that there is an almost, irresistible fascination in the sight of an enemy machine, which you have shot down yourself, going to its fate. He replied: "It is quite true, but you simply haven't time to watch it all the way down, because there will be another one on top of you at once,"
✡
Then I asked him what was the usual range at which you engage the enemy, and also what was meant by the phrase "wing-tip to wing-tip." He replied: "We usually engage them at about 600 yards down to 200 yards. But they may be as close as 50 yards, and when you consider the speed at which we are all going this margin of approach is very small, and it is easy to collide and crash."
*
.
are.
new
But now let me take off my hat to a very gallant gentleman (if the cen- sor will allow me to give his name) There arrived at this air station on Tuesday an officer with three rows of ribbons. They included the K.C.I.C. the C.S.I., the C.M.G., the C.I.E., the D.S.O., and the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. He wore the uniform of a pilot officer and he is now passing out as an air gunner-ex-Lieutenant- Colonel Sir Arnold Wilson, M.P., who got the King's Medal and Sword of Honour at Sandhurst in 1903, went to the 32nd Sikh Ploneers in 1904, is now aged 55, and, if I am not mis- taken, was a flying pupil of Ken Wal- ler only six years ago.
2
Next I asked him the proportion of attacks from astern compared with Hitchin, which he has represented other angles. It seems that six out of as the National Conservative M.P. ten times they come at you from since 1933, should really be proud of astern. Three times from "the quar- him. But so should the whole coun- ter, which is diagonally from behind, try, if it comes to that.
By George McManus
Bringing Up Father
WELL OUR NEXT VISITIN' PLACE. IS NEW ORLEANS IT'S A GRAND OLD CITY- IT'S A HISTORICAL
SPOT-
MRS DE VEYATE IS HERE CALLING ON
US-I WANT YOU TO
WATCH YOUR MANNERS AS SHE IS A SOCIAL LEADER IN PALM BEACH -
YES - MRS. DE VEYATE- WE BELIEVE EVERYONE SHOULD SEE AMERICA-
WE ARE LEAVING TODAY FOR NEW ORLEANS- .
OH-ISN'T IT TOO BAD YOU DIDN'T GET THERE. IN TIME TO SEE MARDI GRAS -
WELL- WE INTEND
CALLING ON
MARTY GRAW WHEN WE GET
BACK HOME-
THAT WAS A FINE >
BÖNER YOLI PULLED - THE MARDI GRAS ISN'T PERSON - IT'S.
FEST
| Caps 1940, Kinj
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