What did you do in the Great War, Daddy ?
Danny, ref your #63:
Quote: "There was a way out: accept the risk of death for yourself, but volunteer for a technical arm like the Air Force or the Navy, where you will kill clinically, at a distance, where you won't see " the whites of his eyes". Was this a form of cowardice? Probably. All I know is, I take my hat off to the PBI, who had to do the dirty work."
Yes Danny, you have got my baser motives in going for aircrew dead right! Of course there was also a (reasonably) strong element of wanting to do the ‘right thing’, but I too certainly found the idea of close combat distinctly unappealing nor I did not fancy the idea of being sunk – never mind being prone to seasickness anyway. Above all, the prospect of being taught to fly while getting paid at the same time was a distinct plus.
Totally concur with your view of the PBI, who always get the short straw in any war that’s going.
harrym