Warbird Information Exchange

Hi everyone,

This isn't the most exciting news, but today while I was at work (in a grocery story) I caught my eye on the lepel pin of an elderly gentleman. The pin had a little red poppy on it and some other jazzing up that I couldn't really interpret. Automatically I asked the old man if he had been in the military and he replied that he had.

It turns out that he was a navigator on a Handley Page Halifax flying night bombing missions during WWII. He told me he survived 13 missions and that nowadays he meets with other bomber command crews at a local recreation centre once a month.

I made it a point to express my appreciation for what he did and what all of his friends from the RCAF did during WWII. Of course I wasn't terribly eliquent and it came out sound pretty lame I'm sure. Regardless, I think he appreciated my kind words and he went away with a smile on his face.

It brings up a good point... when you meet one of these men, anyone really, who served in WWII, what do you say?

I have an amazing respect and gratitute for everyone that fought in WWII, but in my mind saying "Thank you" doesn't seem like enough. I don't know if words can really express my thanks.


It turns out his pin was from the 60th Anniversary of VE-day that when I asked him if he'd attended at Normandy, he sadly replied "no." I could tell that it meant a lot to him, but he did mention shortly after that he was lucky enough to visit Normandy on business back in the 60's. And, as a total side note, he mentioned that the night crews really needed navigators (for obviously reasons), but that the "American Boys" as he said "Flying during the day only had one navigator for every 12 or so airplanes."

Is this true?

Anyways, that's just a little story that I thought I'd share. I still have that feeling like I was in the presence of someone famous. Or maybe I just feel that way towards all vetrans. I feel really bad that I can't remember his name, but hopefully he'll pop in again and I can write it down. If I remember correctly, he did mention he was with the 31st bomber group out of Northern England (or Norfolk maybe)? Does that make sense?

Cheers,

David

Thanks for sharing the story Dave!!. By the way Good eye!! From time to time I run across some Veterans. In a way I think it makes them feel proud that there are people out in this cruel world that really do care about our Veterans. Like Ive said before, you never know about the old man thats taking forever in the checkout lane...or the one who is driving slow in the fast lane.

_________________
Never drive faster than your Guardian Angel can fly!!

http://www.390th.org/
www.LSFM.org

Trae

Speaking of old veterans driving... I'm not sure if they have anything like it in the US, but in Canada we have a "Veteran's" license plate that all veterans get. It is light blue with poppies and some military images on it.

It definitely helps with identifying drivers not to get angry at.

G'night,

David

Dave,

If he was in the RCAF and flying on Halifaxes he could have been with a Canadian or British squadron. There was no 31st Bomber Group there was 1,2,3,4,5,6,8 and 100 Groups.

see thsi link on my site for the squadrons which made up ther various groups this may help you find the base he was at. Perhaps it was 431 squadron they operated from North Yorkshire out of Croft.

http://www.bombercrew.com/groups.htm

I believe that what he said about the navigators on US bombers is correct, if my memory serves correctly they operated with a "Lead Navigator" or somethign to that effect.

A good book that covers the bombing campaign and the differences between the USAAF and RAF Bomber Command is the The Bomber War by Robin Neillands.

HTH.
Matt

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Remembering those that served in Bomber Command!

www.bombercrew.com

Hey Matt,

Thanks for the great info. When I talked to the Gentleman his speak was a little impared as with many elderly gentlemen. I imagine what he said was that he flew with 431 Sqn, but it sounded like he flew "for" 31 Sqn.

Cheers,

David