All true, I'm afraid.
I started work in June 1967 and one of my first jobs was to compile a transcript from the RT tape (none of this impounding malarkey!
)
There had been a briefing beforehand but the RT went something like:
Luton Twr: "Do not drop, do not drop. Oh dear, I see you have."
The next call was to the MON Britannia on final (rwy 08) to which the pilot replied "It's OK, I was at Arnhem." He then weaved around the parachutists.
A couple landed outside the Vauxhall sports field, one broke an ankle. However, there was no huge witch-hunt, no Dail Mail headlines. I could name the ATCO but won't!!!
The pilot of the Coal Board Dove was Basil Allum. Really nice bloke.