Originally Posted by
JW411
I remember a chap from my old days in the RAFGSA (1960/70s) who had barbed wire marks either side of his mouth which he had collected from an out-landing in Holland or Germany. He was lucky he didn't lose his head. The first glider I ever flew fitted with the protection bar fitted was Ian Smith's old Skylark 2 (497) in 1969.
Don't recall GGA having the bars fitted, but, this was the reason I plonked Bruggen.s K18 into a field. Went to Helmond, came back in still air ! ..fantastic but then got near Weert. John Willy said yes, the brain cell said no. Between me and Bruggen was Roermond, marshy ground, with lots of barbed wire, rising ground with forest and the Maas..which sucks,as they say. Every X country brief stressed the dangers of the encounter you witnessed.
However, having arrived back in earth, next step is to call Bruggen to come and collect. Wander across to Dutch "farmhouse" and notice a lot of expensive cars. Get to front door and sign says "Chateau de Sade "...undeterred, knock on door and then notice the bel.l..well you know, easy to miss. Door opens and am greeted by a lady "suitably attired"...ask politely can I use the phone, showing 1250..being Dutch, she was fluent in English so "No. (rude word) off !!" came the reply. Well you can't see a sign on the door from 2000 ft can you !
To be fair, she did have
some justification as the sight in front of her hadn't actually shaved for a couple of days and the sartorial elegance of the grow bag had been " somewhat stained " over time. I was reliably informed by ECW the venue had mysteriously caught fire one night some time later.