A Night to Remember -- part 16 . . . . . . . . Clear of the flak, and at last a bearing for home
Editor’s warning: Today’s sensitive souls on satnavs may not wish to read this account which contains WW2 radio codewords which saved many lives. The initial call DARKEY indicated emergency and asked for searchlights to be pointed towards the nearest airfield. It could be followed by other codewords as in this case. It was a quick way of communicating vital information and I don't consider it's my place to change Ron Homes's detailed and stirring account. QDM has survived today and was originally Morse code requesting a course to reach the airfield.
I CAN see the edge of the island now just down on the port side. Nearly through and out to sea. Now what? All the searchlights have laid down their beams pointing straight out to sea along our route out. “Pilot to gunners, look at the lights, they’re showing the fighters which way we are going, keep you eyes skinned for them” “Reargunner OK skip, Midupper OK skip” We’re now down to five thousand feet and keeping up a gentle corkscrew.
“Pilot to navigator, after that bit of excitement, have you got that heading?” “Navigator to pilot, compass course for Woodbridge is 280, and 44 minutes to run. “Roger navigator, 280 compass and 44 minutes.” “Pilot to engineer, how’s the fuel?” “Engineer to pilot, we’ve got about 170 gallons left, enough for about 68 minutes.” OK, that gives us a little in reserve, but not much.
“Pilot to crew, everybody OK? How’s the eyes reargunner? “OK skipper, a bit sore” “Glad you were able to stick it out, not long now, but don’t relax too much, they will still be after us, Midupper OK?” “OK skipper” “Bombaimer OK? Good bit of map reading there”. “Bombaimer OK skip” “Pilot to wireless operator, call up Woodbridge and ask for an emergency landing, our ETA will be 0246 hrs”. “Wireless to pilot, Roger ETA 0246 hrs”.
Onward through the night, the engines keeping up their continuous drone, enough to induce sleep after all that excitement but we must keep wide awake, for we are not home yet. It would be a shame to be shot down on the last leg and the thought of all that cold black sea underneath us sends a chill down my back and a longing for a warm bed. “Wireless to pilot, we’re cleared to Woodbridge, call on R/T when we get closer.” “Roger, fifteen minutes to run now”.
Switch R/T over to Woodbridge frequency for emergency homing and call “DARKEY from RELATE Nan Squared request QDM one two three four five, over” “RELATE Nan Squared QDM two seven zero, two seven zero over” “Nan Squared, two seven zero, Roger out.” A slight turn to port on to 270 and ease off power to reduce height to 2000 ft. Ahead all is dark until, a glimmer of light, flashing, yes, dar dar dar dar dar dit dit, yes OZ, the beacon at Woodbridge.
“Woodbridge from RELATE Nan Squared your beacon in sight, landing instructions please.” “Nan Squared you’re cleared for a straight in approach Runway 27 QFE 1012 wind 260, 15 to 20 knots, what is your damage, over.” “Woodbridge from Nan Squared, three engines, no hydraulics, undercarriage suspect, your runway in sight over.” “Roger Nan Squared call finals.” Reduce power, down to 1000ft.
“Right engineer, landing checks, undercarriage selected down, operate the emergency compressed air system”. “Undercarriage down but we’ve only got one green light skipper”. “OK engineer, the port’s OK, look out of your window and see if the starboard leg looks OK”. He searches with a torch and it appears to be down but we can’t be sure it’s locked.