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February 22nd 1942 – Rangoon

I have to go and get the kite from J. Walker. I do a recce whilst Burt Mann does his first (recce) solo then he does the afternoon one. I go to town, borrow Paddy O’Malley’s motorbike and go swimming … Continue reading

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February 19th 1942

Yesterday I do two recces in my Hurricane over the Bilin-Thaton area. The first time I see nothing, and then I drop two messages on a company of KOYLI’s who are cut off at Yimon. Later heard this successful and … Continue reading

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February 18th 1942

Yesterday I go off and bomb Moulmein railway station. I follow Pete Jennings and drop mine between two engine sheds in what I hope is a slit trench. Then C.O. says “you and Dickie go and fly Hurricanes”. We go … Continue reading

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February 14th 1942

Pete Jennings and I have dinner with the DSP, one Benson, an excellent dinner after rations, though we don’t sit down until about 10.30 pm. On Friday 13th the C.O. and I fly down from Magwe, as all serviceable ‘Lizzies’ … Continue reading

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February 11th 1942

I go off with F/Sgt Perry but get foxed by the satellite landing ground – Hilton and I and four of 1 Squadron under Pritipal Singh. Namsang is at 3200 and pretty cold, though hot baths had been laid on … Continue reading

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9th February 1942

Joe Nelson arrived and collected me from Z and he, I, and Dickie go to the golf club and get rather drunk with the war correspondents Gallacher, Webber and Stow (‘Snow White’). Next day I load up with two 250s … Continue reading

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February 6th 1942

Last night they come overhead three times, so we don’t get much sleep. This morning we see a small Balbo cross over to Ningaladon and fighters weaving trails in the sky. (JDW: Early WW2 RAF jargon, which often referred to … Continue reading

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February 4th 1942 – Rangoon

Bill Tate forced landed somewhere, so they say. “Z’ and Toungoo bombed yesterday. Pete Jennings rings up and orders me to get his Lysander from Johnny Walker to Ningaladon and return to Toungoo after lunch. I phone Alec Johnston who … Continue reading

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February 3rd 1942 – Rangoon

Deacon has trouble at He-Ho and Nobby Clark returns for spares, so Burt Mann and I go down [to Rangoon] the next morning. We call at Toungoo where I meet Watson and then to Ningaladon. We are then sent to … Continue reading

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January 30th 1942

We leave an hour late and I do a ground loop at Lahore and bust a wheel, and so am two hours behind. On reaching Delhi, I refuel and take off up to some gate or other as I can’t … Continue reading

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