Thank you 3(Attack). The best account I have seen/heard. I believe half the problem was due to the Bomber Command culture - minutely detailed planning. Each squadron's coach was given an exact time time of arrival, which had to be made good +/- a minute or less. Consequently the squadrons built in a traditional bomber "trombone" to their route, and when they found they were running very early, stopped at various wayside hostelries. The rest is history. It was not very well "hushed up". Story has it that CAS had his chain pulled by Phil the Greek a short time later. Anyway, Waddo tried to make amends by having a golden jubilee dinner in about '68. No other squadrons were invited, but a list of VIP guests as long as your *** starting with Sam Elworthy. It was a very civilised evening. Thanks for the link.
Can anyone recall details of the Bachelors' Balls held at Luqa in the '50s? The idea was for the single officers to repay hospitality received from the married. They were costume efforts, on the theme "Barons & Peasants" or "Romans & Slaves". I gather they got fairly wild. Particularly when a CO's lady was auctioned off as a slave and did not fetch a very good price. Also there were visits to Takali for summer camp by RAuxAF squadrons from UK. One of the more chic squadrons chartered an aircraft to fly out their wives/girlfriends for a big thrash. The Mess was a converted Nissen hut with, in the bar, a large stone fireplace with a wide mantlepiece. Story has it that some of the debs, hot from the London season, were up there dancing the CanCan "Sans culottes". 208 were NOT present (hard luck!).
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