1961-07-22 — Page 9

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THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, JULY 22, 1961,

The bridges must be destroyed'

THERE

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was complete silence as the squadron leader told the assembled crews what the job was; that the squadron had been specially chosen to do it; that only six crews would be needed. Then he said: "The raid will be carried out, on a volunteer basis. Will anyone who doesn't wish to go please step forward?”.

There was no movement of any kind. Then, one by one, each more insistent than the last, the crows began to put for

ward their claims, Soon it was apparent that the whole squadron had volunteered.

It was May 1940. German armoured columns were racing into the Law Countries. The Albert Canal lay across their Jine of advance. Most of its brloges and been destroyed, but German airborne troops had captured two of them intact. It was the Immedinte destruction of these bridges near Maastricht which had been entrusted to Nu 12 squadron.

And on the succes of this nisston, it was believed at the

the time, could depend

whole

future of the war.

"The Germans know the

value of these bridges," suid the squadron leader, "and

You

and only one

plane returned

Flying Officer Thomas's planc after its attack on the concrete bridge at Maastricht. This Gor- man propaganda' pictura gave no clue to the damage inflicted by Thomas on the target.

divo. Ho was far enough behind to see the anoke and dust of Thomas's bombs settle and nole extensive damage to the tar end of the bridge.

Davy dived to 2,000 fest be- fora dropping his bombs, pursued by more fighters.

Davy' aircraft, too, Was badly damaged. Smoke туд pouring from the port wing. It's the port petrol tank," called Mansell, the observor, "It's on fre."

Looking over his shoulder al the burning wing, Davy realised that the petrol tank might blow up at any moment. "Prepare 10 abandon aircraft," he called. Another look at the thick smoke streaming back from the wing decided

him. "Observer and gunner--jump!"

Patterson was the first to go. The whole structure of the He struck the tali fin as he went

they've HEROES of the BOMBERS artsame strained and ground and broke his ankle and wrist

dc-

can

had time to get their flak fences In positiun.

the most obstinate expect defence, both from ground and fighters.

cost.

A

hat," and

repeated

the ery

1las taken up on all sides. But the vociferous voices of the rix crews on stand-by duty now made themselves heard. "I's que turn,"

target,

"We're ready to go. There's plane no need to call for volunteers." Davy were

won their 5.000.

The stand-by crews point.

They went.

flok

PART FIVE

by RALPH BARKER »

93

Ая

soon

08

his own

THE MAN WHO WAS TO WIN THE V,C. Sergeant "Dolly"'-Gray: