Highlights of my Career in the Air Force.

1I was questioned by a Gestapo officer on the train from Arlon to Brussels. I got away with it whilst two other evaders with me in the same carriage were arrested.

2On Aug.25th 1945 I was a member of the colour guard in the marquee tent on Mingaladon airfield at Rangoon in Burma at the signing of surrender documents by a Japanese General. He was in command of all Japanese forces in Burma, Malaya, Singapore and Thailand. It was a dramatic occasion to witness the General offering to shake hands when he disembarked from his aircraft. His offer was refused by the British officers, so the General took off his sword and ceremoniously offered it to the Allied group. This again was ignored, so he entered the tent dragging his sword behind him. He had completely lost face.

3Whilst flying as personal navigator to C in C India, on one occasion we had to make a forced landing in the Sind desert in NW India due to engine trouble. The passenger list was impressive; Field Marshall Sir Claude Auchinleck, General Sir Geoffrey Scoones, General Goodwin-Austen, Lt/Gen. Sir Robert Lockhart, Vice/Admiral Sir Geoffrey Miles, Brig/Gen. Desmond Young, Maj/Gen Reed, one other Brig/General, one major and India’s War Minister Sadar Baldey Singh, 8 senior officers of General rank and above in one aircraft. We spent 36 hours in the open desert talking and sleeping under the wing of the aircraft awaiting a relief aircraft. I call it a night with the generals.

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