He had an entry in his log book: ‘Flew Pitchfork, dropped suitcase North Sea, Bang!’ He could remember all of the trip, every minute of it (and he would tell that next time round).

So, he went upstairs and got the log book out (it’s a big one). In it, XV352 was one of 208’s aeroplanes, and he had flown it dozens of times. He wouldn’t bore everyone with all of the stuff, but he had tanked it across the ‘pond’, he had been been to Maple Flag in that thing, including that memorable recovery back from Maple Flag when (another story), but he’d also flown it on one particular trip, coming back to Malcolm Brown’s story where the Squadron was carrying out an airfield attack at Laarbruch on their TACEVAL, so they were enemy forces, and he thought there were 6 aeroplanes, with Malcolm Brown in there at the back, probably.

They had routed across the North Sea, in at the North Coast to attack Laarbruch. They had let down to low level in very similar conditions to those described earlier (but below the Phantoms) and, as they were coming in, at about 2 minutes out – they were on a pre-planned attack – The President called up Laarbruch and said “Buccaneer formation, airfield attack, one minute out.” The Laarbruch controller  said, and he would never forget this: “the airfield is closed because of weather.” It was ‘Red’ and, for the ladies, that means there was no flying at Laabruch, and so there could be no airfield attack. The President replied over the radio: “No, we are on a mission, we are pre-authorised, and we are 30 seconds out.” So, they flew across Laarbruch, at about 200 feet, in weather that was officially stopping all flying at Laarbruch, and said “Thank you, and we’re off.” And that was the Buccaneer routine, and it was true.

The President reflected on that spirit, which had been heard, by those who remembered, from Ken Pugh with his famous story about Spitfires over the D-Day landings and getting shot at and all that stuff – he was lovely farmer from the Cotswolds – all the way through to ‘The Boy’, who was the test pilot, who was the junior pilot, according to ‘The Boy’, when Graham was the Boss. All the stories that had been told at all of the reunions had been marvellous.

‘The Boy’ had also sent an email that evening, late as always. He had said: “I am very sorry I’m late,” (OK, ‘Boy’). He said: “I am very busy, but I want to wish you all the very best for your evening tonight.”

The President reiterated that what the Association was trying to do, and the Chairman had given that impression, is to look at what can be done to maintain the spirit, the stories, the memories, the camaraderie that we have had for many years, and at that, the Committee were now working at. He thanked the Committee for the jolly good work they had done under David’s Chairmanship: Graham with his books; and Ben with his Membership (and Nigel taking over); the Squadron Commanders – there were a lot of them there that evening, which was really very good to see; Neil Meadows, the Webmaster; and the Engineer, Malcolm Ward with the outstanding Newsletter.

2017 Reunion - 09

Back to
News Archive

…... Continued

2017 Reunion Page  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  

Back to
2017 Reunion