Originally Posted by
Danny42C
Skipper (on left) recalls Jon's "Two Types" (see - hopefully - sketch above). The other two have KD tunics (not much work done on buttons !) with shirt, collar and tie (Nav ?) or open shirt (AG).
Interesting what you wrote about servicemen in the desert wearing an individualistic choice of clothing. When 84 Sqn arrived in Sumatra, having flown down from Egypt, they evidently maintained their 'battle casual' approach to turnout. It was also somewhat tatty, their having just completed a tour in decidedly basic, desert conditions.
Two weeks into their time at Sumatra, they had already flown on five operations against the Japanese. Facilities were inadequate, crews sleeping on the floor of a girls' school and meals had to be bought in town if a crew arrived back late. The Japs were flying daily fighter sweeps over the island to maintain their air superiority. Three Blenheims had been destroyed on the ground, making it necessary for the squadron to move to a secret, jungle airfield. One crew had been shot up by Zeros as they came in to land, another aircraft had been crashed after being taken without authorisation by a pilot from another squadron. Twenty-four aircraft had left Egypt, eighteen arrived in Sumatra. Now, only fourteen of these were operational. Everyone was under strain and was under warning that the Japanese might land on the island at any time.
That was the setting for the arrival of the AOC to deliver to the squadron a pep talk. He told everyone that they were there to fight and there was no question of evacuation. Among other things, he told them that they were a scruffy bunch and their failure to polish their shoes was an indicator of poor morale.
The response from the squadron wasn't exactly positive... the AOC wouldn't be looking quite so well turned-out if he had to do what they were doing. He also was clearly overlooking the fact that he was addressing hardened men with a good deal of operational experience... some had been operating in Greece and Iraq, as well as in the Western Desert. It was generally noted that the AOC's address did little to raise morale, at what was patently a very difficult time.
Above: an 84 Squadron
Blenheim Mk IV