Chapter 27. Return flight
And John Blyth? Ah, I wondered if you’d remember. At nineteen, already he was a veteran of 51 solitary missions to Germany. A number of them ranged as far as Berlin. His steed was the Spitfire Mark XI, developed from the Mark IX especially for recce purposes. Instead of guns it had additional fuel tanks in the leading edges of the main plane. It was equipped with two 36 inch cameras. No guns, no bullet proof windscreen, nothing – just cameras. These men flew unarmed and alone. Blyth employed an interesting technique. He would fly right on past his assigned target, pretending to be on a mission elsewhere. Then he’d do a 180, turn around, line up and get the cameras rolling. That way, he often caught the Germans off guard. Sometimes they wouldn’t even shoot at him, he’d later relate. If they did, he’d just get his head down, stick to his heading and focus on keeping her flying straight and level. He would be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his troubles. But on this day in 1944, more adventure even than usual was in the making.
It was as he was making a safe return from a reconnaissance …show more content…
Every pilot should fly a Spitfire at least once!’ Amen to that.
Chapter 28. Finally, it’s over
I’d not be long back at Biggin when I’ll finally wake up and fall lock stock and barrel for the inimitable Polly’s charms. Talk about falling upwards! Within the year, we’ll get married: right there in Biggin Hill Chapel. Archie of course, would have been best man on that happy occasion, had he not received the ultimate promotion and been posted to heaven before then.
Ten the war ended. Wing Commander Sailor Malan and his good wife will return from Biggin Hill to their native South Africa in 1946. He’ll later be involved in the diamond industry in Kimberley and reportedly not receive the recognition properly due to a war hero. Apparently, because he was inclined to tread on the toes of the (new) government of the
And John Blyth? Ah, I wondered if you’d remember. At nineteen, already he was a veteran of 51 solitary missions to Germany. A number of them ranged as far as Berlin. His steed was the Spitfire Mark XI, developed from the Mark IX especially for recce purposes. Instead of guns it had additional fuel tanks in the leading edges of the main plane. It was equipped with two 36 inch cameras. No guns, no bullet proof windscreen, nothing – just cameras. These men flew unarmed and alone. Blyth employed an interesting technique. He would fly right on past his assigned target, pretending to be on a mission elsewhere. Then he’d do a 180, turn around, line up and get the cameras rolling. That way, he often caught the Germans off guard. Sometimes they wouldn’t even shoot at him, he’d later relate. If they did, he’d just get his head down, stick to his heading and focus on keeping her flying straight and level. He would be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his troubles. But on this day in 1944, more adventure even than usual was in the making.
It was as he was making a safe return from a reconnaissance …show more content…
Every pilot should fly a Spitfire at least once!’ Amen to that.
Chapter 28. Finally, it’s over
I’d not be long back at Biggin when I’ll finally wake up and fall lock stock and barrel for the inimitable Polly’s charms. Talk about falling upwards! Within the year, we’ll get married: right there in Biggin Hill Chapel. Archie of course, would have been best man on that happy occasion, had he not received the ultimate promotion and been posted to heaven before then.
Ten the war ended. Wing Commander Sailor Malan and his good wife will return from Biggin Hill to their native South Africa in 1946. He’ll later be involved in the diamond industry in Kimberley and reportedly not receive the recognition properly due to a war hero. Apparently, because he was inclined to tread on the toes of the (new) government of the