Gaining An R.A.F Pilots Brevet In WW II
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A Coastal Command dity
We had been flying all day long at a hundred effing feet,
The weather effing awful, effing rain and effing sleet,
The compass it was swinging effing South and effing North,
But we made an effing landfall in the Firth of effing Forth
We joined the effing Air Force 'cos we thought it effing right,
But don't care if we effing fly or we effing fight,
But what we do object to are those effing Opps Room twats
Who sit there sewing stripes on at the rate of effing knots.
An extract from the book previously mentioned
Nkosi
The weather effing awful, effing rain and effing sleet,
The compass it was swinging effing South and effing North,
But we made an effing landfall in the Firth of effing Forth
We joined the effing Air Force 'cos we thought it effing right,
But don't care if we effing fly or we effing fight,
But what we do object to are those effing Opps Room twats
Who sit there sewing stripes on at the rate of effing knots.
An extract from the book previously mentioned
Nkosi
Thank You
@Danny42c - Sir, thank you for your service , your stories, your fascinating insight into life some 70 years ago , and best of all your flying tales of daring do read better than many of my childhood Warlord and Victor comics. I truly sat with you in some of those enchanting tales, thank you so much. I will raise a Guinness this weekend in your honour, (and scout the behind the bar for any Group Captains or above!)
I have been reading this thread since day one ( Cliff , Fred , Reg, R.I.P. Sirs) and finally I get to say thank you to a real WW2 pilot. I daydream of what it must have been like for you during the conflict, and can only begin to imagine the hardships endured, Again it makes me say thank you for passing your story on. Lest we Forget.
Danny , knowing you through your writing has been a great Honour to us all , I repeat so many of these stories to all and sundry who will listen and long may it last.
Also I see it is your birthday fast approaching , everyone in the crew room , 3 Cheers for Danny ....
Is Mise Le Meas,
Fionn
I have been reading this thread since day one ( Cliff , Fred , Reg, R.I.P. Sirs) and finally I get to say thank you to a real WW2 pilot. I daydream of what it must have been like for you during the conflict, and can only begin to imagine the hardships endured, Again it makes me say thank you for passing your story on. Lest we Forget.
Danny , knowing you through your writing has been a great Honour to us all , I repeat so many of these stories to all and sundry who will listen and long may it last.
Also I see it is your birthday fast approaching , everyone in the crew room , 3 Cheers for Danny ....
Is Mise Le Meas,
Fionn
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1in1,
'Fraid so. But the candles on the cake idea is a non-starter ('Elf 'n Pastry wouldn't allow it, for a start !)....D.
Nkosi,
A good one ! I've quoted this a long time ago, but it'll stand repetition (tune: "Lili Marlene")
"Roarin' down the runway, throttles open wide,
Second dickey snoring - he just came for the ride,
Over the treetops out of sight,
It's pourin' down and black as night !
............(Refrain)............
We're Right Around the Cor-ner,
We're Right Around the Bend !"
(31 Sqdn [Daks in Burma]).......D.
Fionn,
You do me too much honour, Sir !
Dublin, eh ? So your Guinness may be "drawn from the wood" (or is that a thing of the past ?), whereas mine is "draught" (out of a can ! - only an Irishman could think of that !)
"Is mise Le Meas" ? Translate, please - I haven't a word of my ancestral tongue !.....D.
EDIT:
Looked it up: "Sincerely Yours" And to you, Sir !.....D.
Thanks! and cheers to you all, Danny.
'Fraid so. But the candles on the cake idea is a non-starter ('Elf 'n Pastry wouldn't allow it, for a start !)....D.
Nkosi,
A good one ! I've quoted this a long time ago, but it'll stand repetition (tune: "Lili Marlene")
"Roarin' down the runway, throttles open wide,
Second dickey snoring - he just came for the ride,
Over the treetops out of sight,
It's pourin' down and black as night !
............(Refrain)............
We're Right Around the Cor-ner,
We're Right Around the Bend !"
(31 Sqdn [Daks in Burma]).......D.
Fionn,
You do me too much honour, Sir !
Dublin, eh ? So your Guinness may be "drawn from the wood" (or is that a thing of the past ?), whereas mine is "draught" (out of a can ! - only an Irishman could think of that !)
"Is mise Le Meas" ? Translate, please - I haven't a word of my ancestral tongue !.....D.
EDIT:
Looked it up: "Sincerely Yours" And to you, Sir !.....D.
Thanks! and cheers to you all, Danny.
Last edited by Danny42C; 7th Nov 2014 at 18:13. Reason: Add Text.
Hi Danny, Many Happy Returns for Monday! We produced a more modern version of your ditty in '68:
Roaring down the runway, throttles open wide
Goes the mighty Phantom as it sways from side to side
Airborne again without a clue
There's f*** all else that we can do
But we're pressing on regardless for the wingco's AFC
Roaring down the runway, throttles open wide
Goes the mighty Phantom as it sways from side to side
Airborne again without a clue
There's f*** all else that we can do
But we're pressing on regardless for the wingco's AFC
Without a doubt, a wee nip will be raised in the Smith bothy to wish Danny a very happy birthday, and with plenty left in this particular bottle, he had better stay around a bit. Meanwhile, does anyone have memories of the change from war to peace circa 45/46. How quick was the transition, and, what was it like becoming a civvy again. I'm sure as Danny experienced many years later, returning to civvy street in those days may well have been a wrench, for those called to duty at a very young age. I bet there's a few who remember their demob, and might wish to comment.
Happy Birthday on Monday Danny
Smudge
Happy Birthday on Monday Danny
Smudge
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harrym (your #6419),
Now I come to think about 'whole unit' moves by rail in WWII India, I must admit that the only time I was part of one was on the final move of the (VV) 8 IAF Sqdn from the Arakan to Quetta. Then all our airmen would be IAF, the only BORs being our "ground" RAF NCOs, who would not number more than 20 (as they were essentially supervisors).
IIRC, the 1st and 2nd Class 4-berth "cabins" made up one carriage * (perhaps two 1st and four 2nd Class). As all the IAF officers flew the trip, the RAF train element would fit in one of these carriages * (we four officers in one of the 1sts, our RAF NCOs in the 2nds (the SNCOs certainly appropriating the other 1st). The IORs were in the 3rds which comprised the rest of the special train (as 4th would be intolerable on the 16-day journey).
All the other thousands of miles on rail that I travelled in my 3½ years out there were always in 1st (as an officer) or 2nd (as a Sergeant, and all our other BORs would always be so). So it would seem that "It's all been changed" by the time you arrived in the monsoon of '45 - and they packed the "Sahibs" into a 4th Class ! (how long were you on the trip, and what did the troops think of being on bare wooden seats ?)
Cheers, Danny.
Note *: "Car" in transatlantic parlance.
Now I come to think about 'whole unit' moves by rail in WWII India, I must admit that the only time I was part of one was on the final move of the (VV) 8 IAF Sqdn from the Arakan to Quetta. Then all our airmen would be IAF, the only BORs being our "ground" RAF NCOs, who would not number more than 20 (as they were essentially supervisors).
IIRC, the 1st and 2nd Class 4-berth "cabins" made up one carriage * (perhaps two 1st and four 2nd Class). As all the IAF officers flew the trip, the RAF train element would fit in one of these carriages * (we four officers in one of the 1sts, our RAF NCOs in the 2nds (the SNCOs certainly appropriating the other 1st). The IORs were in the 3rds which comprised the rest of the special train (as 4th would be intolerable on the 16-day journey).
All the other thousands of miles on rail that I travelled in my 3½ years out there were always in 1st (as an officer) or 2nd (as a Sergeant, and all our other BORs would always be so). So it would seem that "It's all been changed" by the time you arrived in the monsoon of '45 - and they packed the "Sahibs" into a 4th Class ! (how long were you on the trip, and what did the troops think of being on bare wooden seats ?)
Cheers, Danny.
Note *: "Car" in transatlantic parlance.
Travelling today and tomorrow so may not get on the computer. Consequently, a day early, "Happy Birthday" Danny. Thanks for the light you have brought to our lives.
W
W
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Happy birthday Danny
Danny, you have given a lot of pleasure to a lot of people, some you may know but most you do not. Thank you.
From a 73 year old to a 93 year old, happy birthday!
Nkosi
From a 73 year old to a 93 year old, happy birthday!
Nkosi
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India rail (1945 style)
Danny, all best wishes for tomorrow 10th!
You mention your 16-day Indian journey, from extreme east to ditto west - I pale at the very idea. Surely it was not in the same train the whole way, I would have thought at least one break of gauge somewhere along the way.
My journey from Calcutta to Comilla involved one night on the first train (broad gauge, a day on a vast river (Brahmaputra?), then another night from river to Comilla on metre gauge - quite enough thank you, and yes it was not at all comfortable. We were an all NCO crew, Flt Sgt being the highest rank, which no doubt made it easy for the authorities to allocate us to 'slum' class.
You mention your 16-day Indian journey, from extreme east to ditto west - I pale at the very idea. Surely it was not in the same train the whole way, I would have thought at least one break of gauge somewhere along the way.
My journey from Calcutta to Comilla involved one night on the first train (broad gauge, a day on a vast river (Brahmaputra?), then another night from river to Comilla on metre gauge - quite enough thank you, and yes it was not at all comfortable. We were an all NCO crew, Flt Sgt being the highest rank, which no doubt made it easy for the authorities to allocate us to 'slum' class.
Like to add a hearty many happy returns to all the others firm in the belief that your blood sir's worth bottlin'.
As Ted Sly (ex 92 East India Sqn North Africa . . wan tok with Nevil Duke)
and who passed away last November aged 94, used to say -
luck of the draw, you've got to remember . . . it's just luck of the draw
. . . and that's exactly what he called his autobiography 'The Luck of the Draw'
(Ted's always farewell as he saw us off from his home in Byron Bay, can hear him yet . .. . went . . .." Fly high and you'll live a longtime." . . . Que hombre!)
As Ted Sly (ex 92 East India Sqn North Africa . . wan tok with Nevil Duke)
and who passed away last November aged 94, used to say -
luck of the draw, you've got to remember . . . it's just luck of the draw
. . . and that's exactly what he called his autobiography 'The Luck of the Draw'
(Ted's always farewell as he saw us off from his home in Byron Bay, can hear him yet . .. . went . . .." Fly high and you'll live a longtime." . . . Que hombre!)
With very best wishes on achieving 93 not out and may your innings go into the record books!
Have a thoroughly enjoyable birthday, which you greatly deserve for all the thoroughly enjoyable days you have so freely and generously given to us.
Jack
Have a thoroughly enjoyable birthday, which you greatly deserve for all the thoroughly enjoyable days you have so freely and generously given to us.
Jack
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India rail (1945 style).
harrym (your #6431),
Thanks for the Good Wishes !
" I would have thought at least one break of gauge somewhere along the way".
One gauge, but two trains ! We went from Dohazari to the ferry broad gauge, then our "Showboat" crossed the Sunderbans E-W. This vast swamp was the delta of both the Bramahputra and the Ganges, the B. came from the NE, the G. from the NW, but as the channels were always shifting, your "mighty river" might be either or both.
(Parachuting down in that part of the world was reputed to be hazardous, as if you landed in salt water, the Bay of Bengal sharks would have you, if in fresh the "muggers" (alligators) would take you, on dry(ish) land the Bengal tiger - they were still around then - would make you his dinner ! - it was "Safer by Rail").
On the W. bank, we were on broad gauge all the way again to Calcutta and right across to Baluchistan (whole story Page 150 #2983). You would go North to Comilla on narrow gauge, I suppose. ( I believe there was some rolling stock made with two sets of wheels on one axle, but cannot see that would be very safe on narrow gauge for fast passenger traffic).
"made it easy for the authorities to allocate us to 'slum' class".
Disgraceful ! Had they forgotten that the first requisite to being the Ruling Class is to look like a Ruling Class ? (their own Maharajahs and our Viceroys knew this all too well !). Sahibs (even 2nd class Sahibs like us Sgt/Pilots and the BORs), travelling 4th ???
Letting the Side Down, by Gad, Sir - fella' in charge of this should be horsewhipped !
(Incredulous old Sahib) Danny.
Thanks for the Good Wishes !
" I would have thought at least one break of gauge somewhere along the way".
One gauge, but two trains ! We went from Dohazari to the ferry broad gauge, then our "Showboat" crossed the Sunderbans E-W. This vast swamp was the delta of both the Bramahputra and the Ganges, the B. came from the NE, the G. from the NW, but as the channels were always shifting, your "mighty river" might be either or both.
(Parachuting down in that part of the world was reputed to be hazardous, as if you landed in salt water, the Bay of Bengal sharks would have you, if in fresh the "muggers" (alligators) would take you, on dry(ish) land the Bengal tiger - they were still around then - would make you his dinner ! - it was "Safer by Rail").
On the W. bank, we were on broad gauge all the way again to Calcutta and right across to Baluchistan (whole story Page 150 #2983). You would go North to Comilla on narrow gauge, I suppose. ( I believe there was some rolling stock made with two sets of wheels on one axle, but cannot see that would be very safe on narrow gauge for fast passenger traffic).
"made it easy for the authorities to allocate us to 'slum' class".
Disgraceful ! Had they forgotten that the first requisite to being the Ruling Class is to look like a Ruling Class ? (their own Maharajahs and our Viceroys knew this all too well !). Sahibs (even 2nd class Sahibs like us Sgt/Pilots and the BORs), travelling 4th ???
Letting the Side Down, by Gad, Sir - fella' in charge of this should be horsewhipped !
(Incredulous old Sahib) Danny.
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Happy Birthday Sir!!!
Hi Danny, was going to try for some form of 'Card' greeting, but instead am posting a link to a certain South African Forum
The post is from a guy who has just had a flight in Spitfire Mk IX G-CCCA "Bremont" at Duxford - what could possibly be the Ultimate Birthday present
Some great cockpit photo's and an out of kilter video
My Experience in Spitfire Mk IX G-CCCA "Bremont"
Anyway Happy Birthday Danny
PZU - Out of Africa (Retired)
son of a 608 SATCO
https://www.flickr.com/photos/21234417@N06/8618161491/
The post is from a guy who has just had a flight in Spitfire Mk IX G-CCCA "Bremont" at Duxford - what could possibly be the Ultimate Birthday present
Some great cockpit photo's and an out of kilter video
My Experience in Spitfire Mk IX G-CCCA "Bremont"
Anyway Happy Birthday Danny
PZU - Out of Africa (Retired)
son of a 608 SATCO
https://www.flickr.com/photos/21234417@N06/8618161491/
Very many Happy Returns of the day Sir!
Your contributions to this thread have excelled in maintaining its upward trajectory of enlightened, informative and downright fascinating comment ... thank you so much.
Your contributions to this thread have excelled in maintaining its upward trajectory of enlightened, informative and downright fascinating comment ... thank you so much.
Ergo Bibamus!
Many Happy Returns to Danny, with thanks for his past and all the best for the future - so as 'himself' says so regularly on this thread - Cheers!
Ian BB
Ian BB