Wg Cdr Arthur Gill, OBE, DFC
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NigG,
An unfurled Union Flag (surely not ! - that would be overkill !) Had a good look, couldn't see it. Was there a hatstand in the corner ? (in the Civil Service, the sign of a Very Superior Person).
What sybaritic luxury ! (no wonder MPN11 hid his face in shame !). And there was me, with an old anteaten trestle and a couple of halved petrol tins on it, trying to keep abreast of the paperwork.
There's no justice ! All right for some !
Danny.
An unfurled Union Flag (surely not ! - that would be overkill !) Had a good look, couldn't see it. Was there a hatstand in the corner ? (in the Civil Service, the sign of a Very Superior Person).
What sybaritic luxury ! (no wonder MPN11 hid his face in shame !). And there was me, with an old anteaten trestle and a couple of halved petrol tins on it, trying to keep abreast of the paperwork.
There's no justice ! All right for some !
Danny.
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Two Types (anyone remember ?)
"You know, the things we used to wear in England."
The first thing you notice about them is their clothes. In no way are they wearing standard Army Issue! James explains, 'Long before the Eighth Army came into official existence, the men of the Army of the Nile and of Western Desert Force had achieved a reputation for a certain eccentricity of dress. The reason for the appearance of suede boots, silk scarves, corduroy trousers, sheepskin coats and shaggy pullovers was never merely the desire to be different, or to assume the distinctive clothing that would mark the wearer as a desert soldier.' In fact, the reasons were purely practical, to help them cope with conditions not imagined by the designers of 'War Office Sealed patterns'
NigG (revisting your #272),
... I doubt there are many F/Os who would relish being told-off in front of their subordinates, especially in that manner...
Picture No.1 : The aircraft behind them is, of course, a Blenheim IV. But "Caliph of Baghdad" (?) Have seen a lot of "nose art" in my time, most of it of a more "earthy" nature than this ! The "Varga" long-stemmed beauties ("Saturday Evening Post") were favourites, as on our side was "Jane" (Daily Mirror).
I believe the desert gets quite chilly at times, otherwise your three chaps might have been too warm. 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).
Far too warm for India/Burma (except in winter, up on the NW Frontier). We would be wearing khaki cellular (much lighter and cooler than 'drill') open shirt or bush jacket. Nothing underneath. Shorts much cooler than trousers. (Note bomb doors partly open, to relieve hydraulic pressure in system after shutdown, we did the same).
Danny.
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(Nothing underneath. Shorts much cooler than trousers. Note bomb doors partly open, to relieve hydraulic pressure in system after shutdown, we did the same).
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Maybe not. MPN11 is clearly a man of impeccable taste. In fact it's interesting to compare the photo of Air Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder's desk with his. I think Sir Arthur would have been (just a smidgen) envious! The map of Africa, however, is a good touch. A man who decides the fate of continents! (And indeed he did... thanks to Allied air power making things impossible for Rommel.)
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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
Danny - many years ago when I was dealing in militaria I acquired a plaster figurine of the Two Types. Its about 8" high and the chaps are dressed as shown in your cartoon. Since then I have picked up a wartime book of their cartoons depicting their exploits in North Africa and their subsequent lesser known experiences when they move on to Italy. The figurine lives on a shelf in the room where I keep the rest of my military junk, photos etc.
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MPN11 (#283),
It did. No underwear worn in India/Burma. Not necessary, and would only give you dhobi rash anyway. Not recommended.
...At first glance I thought the parenthesis related to the shorts with nothing underneath...
Last edited by Danny42C; 29th Jul 2016 at 13:29. Reason: Box Quote
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Danny
Shorts without underwear? I also tried that when travelling in India, back in the 1980s. Much cooler, for sure, but in other respects it had its drawbacks.
I remember being sat on bus and having a delightful young woman take the seat beside me. Indian women, of course, are very good looking (or they were in those days when invariably they were lithe and fine-featured). Naturally, I glanced sideways to discreetly take-in her appearance. But, on doing so, I was rather taken aback to notice that the direction of her gaze was both downwards and diagonal. I followed the trajectory and there, to my acute embarrassment, I found that my rather too short shorts had an escapee... or rather several. From that day on I returned, greatly abashed, to more conventional dress.
Of course in your day, shorts went right down the thigh. I guess that only the most remarkably well-endowed could have had an accident such as I had.
Shorts without underwear? I also tried that when travelling in India, back in the 1980s. Much cooler, for sure, but in other respects it had its drawbacks.
I remember being sat on bus and having a delightful young woman take the seat beside me. Indian women, of course, are very good looking (or they were in those days when invariably they were lithe and fine-featured). Naturally, I glanced sideways to discreetly take-in her appearance. But, on doing so, I was rather taken aback to notice that the direction of her gaze was both downwards and diagonal. I followed the trajectory and there, to my acute embarrassment, I found that my rather too short shorts had an escapee... or rather several. From that day on I returned, greatly abashed, to more conventional dress.
Of course in your day, shorts went right down the thigh. I guess that only the most remarkably well-endowed could have had an accident such as I had.
Last edited by NigG; 29th Jul 2016 at 19:58.
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NigG
No bus for us - and as for the village women - not in your worst nightmares !
They did when they came out of Stores - but that was soon remedied. "Betty Grable" (you won't remember) shorts were the order of the day. Your Dad would have his tailored (about a rupee for the cloth to be made up into a pair of shorts to measure) by the dherzi in the local bazaar.
I do not suppose your fellow passenger was unduly perturbed. The lingam is a revered Hindu symbol and temple carvings make it abundantly clear.
Danny.
...on bus and having a delightful young woman take the seat beside me...
...in your day, shorts went right down the thigh...
I do not suppose your fellow passenger was unduly perturbed. The lingam is a revered Hindu symbol and temple carvings make it abundantly clear.
Danny.
Last edited by Danny42C; 29th Jul 2016 at 21:19. Reason: spacing
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Danny
I was just returning to edit my previous post, thinking it was just a bit too 'marginal'! But, as you point out, there's nothing prudish about Hinduism and the lingum (the phallic symbol that represents the god Shiva), nor indeed the female yoni, nor the (jaw-dropping) carvings on the temples at Khajuraho. However, I rather doubt that my little indiscretion inspired a religious moment for my seating companion!
I was just returning to edit my previous post, thinking it was just a bit too 'marginal'! But, as you point out, there's nothing prudish about Hinduism and the lingum (the phallic symbol that represents the god Shiva), nor indeed the female yoni, nor the (jaw-dropping) carvings on the temples at Khajuraho. However, I rather doubt that my little indiscretion inspired a religious moment for my seating companion!
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NigG,
Like you, I feel I was a bit (in my case) too "PR" over the "no bus".
Let's not be mealy-mouthed:
In my day no Sahib or Memsahib would be seen dead in a bus - except when it was the only transport available (as in my ride into the mountains from 'Pindi to Srinagar for a spot of ski-ing in Kashmir).
A Sahib would be in a (man powered) Rickshaw, or a Tonga, or a taxi (in Calcutta, always an open bodied American tourer of the thirties, driven by a homicidal Sikh).
Or, of course, on a horse !
Danny.
Like you, I feel I was a bit (in my case) too "PR" over the "no bus".
Let's not be mealy-mouthed:
In my day no Sahib or Memsahib would be seen dead in a bus - except when it was the only transport available (as in my ride into the mountains from 'Pindi to Srinagar for a spot of ski-ing in Kashmir).
A Sahib would be in a (man powered) Rickshaw, or a Tonga, or a taxi (in Calcutta, always an open bodied American tourer of the thirties, driven by a homicidal Sikh).
Or, of course, on a horse !
Danny.
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pzu (#274),
Don't know the type, but looking at the Wiki picture, could very well have been that. What at first appears as a twin tail is another aircraft behind. And it seems it was used extensively in M.E. Only 51 built, so a rara avis indeed.
Also worthy of note is Arthur "doing his dhobi!". No laundry available, so it was "every man for himself". Clearly little water would be available for the job, and you had to do your best with it. I like the jury-rigged clothesline behind ! (one thing, it wouldn't take long to dry).
At Worli, water very short. I developed a technique for having a bath out of a pint tin mug. No idea how I did it now !
Danny.
....is it a Bristol Bombay?...
Also worthy of note is Arthur "doing his dhobi!". No laundry available, so it was "every man for himself". Clearly little water would be available for the job, and you had to do your best with it. I like the jury-rigged clothesline behind ! (one thing, it wouldn't take long to dry).
At Worli, water very short. I developed a technique for having a bath out of a pint tin mug. No idea how I did it now !
Danny.
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Be careful what you wish for - you might get something far worse !
NigG (#286),
Very nice shot of the Blenheim IV. I always thought that the longer nose made it a more handsome aircraft than the rather snub-nosed Mk.Is (IMHO the same was true of the Griffon Spits: the longer nose gave them a more "well balanced" and elegant appearance than the Merlin Marks).
110 (Hyderabad) Squadron had flown the IVs on Channel shipping sweeps in '41/'42, and taken a fair old beating. It meant that India was a rest-cure for them, but the re-equip with Vengeance meant that half their navs/AGs were out of a job. I got a Wop/Ag, Keith Stewart-Mobsby, as my "crew" in a Vengeance, "Stew" and I stayed together till the VVs were pulled off 'ops' in summer '44: we parted, but met again when he joined me as my "adjutant" in Cannanore the following year - but only for a few weeks, then he went home "tour-ex".
The Squadron had flown out to India in a body with their Blenheims in mid '42, then the Mk.IVs were sent back to the M.E., flown by nearly all their junior pilots, with one or two navs needed for the journey. The rump of the Squadron left in India then needed an infusion of fresh pilot blood. Lo: their prayers were answered when a 30-strong mob of young hopefuls straight from UK Spitfire and Hurricane OTUs turned up in Bombay, thirsting to fly the waiting Spitfires which were to fight the "Battle of India" and gain them undying fame.
Only one fly in the ointment (I was going to say "[Gibson's dog] in the woodpile", but you can't say that any more, can you ?) There were no Spitfires waiting for them: there were no Spitfires at all out there. It had all been a Big Con (sound familiar ?) But never fear, lads , we have plenty of bright new Vultee Vengeances for you to fly.
What more do you want - jam on it ?
The 30 of us were shared out among the four old Blenheim outfits, we made the best of it, and the rest you know.
Press on regardless.
Danny.
We each had to fight the war we were given - not the one we might have expected !
Very nice shot of the Blenheim IV. I always thought that the longer nose made it a more handsome aircraft than the rather snub-nosed Mk.Is (IMHO the same was true of the Griffon Spits: the longer nose gave them a more "well balanced" and elegant appearance than the Merlin Marks).
110 (Hyderabad) Squadron had flown the IVs on Channel shipping sweeps in '41/'42, and taken a fair old beating. It meant that India was a rest-cure for them, but the re-equip with Vengeance meant that half their navs/AGs were out of a job. I got a Wop/Ag, Keith Stewart-Mobsby, as my "crew" in a Vengeance, "Stew" and I stayed together till the VVs were pulled off 'ops' in summer '44: we parted, but met again when he joined me as my "adjutant" in Cannanore the following year - but only for a few weeks, then he went home "tour-ex".
The Squadron had flown out to India in a body with their Blenheims in mid '42, then the Mk.IVs were sent back to the M.E., flown by nearly all their junior pilots, with one or two navs needed for the journey. The rump of the Squadron left in India then needed an infusion of fresh pilot blood. Lo: their prayers were answered when a 30-strong mob of young hopefuls straight from UK Spitfire and Hurricane OTUs turned up in Bombay, thirsting to fly the waiting Spitfires which were to fight the "Battle of India" and gain them undying fame.
Only one fly in the ointment (I was going to say "[Gibson's dog] in the woodpile", but you can't say that any more, can you ?) There were no Spitfires waiting for them: there were no Spitfires at all out there. It had all been a Big Con (sound familiar ?) But never fear, lads , we have plenty of bright new Vultee Vengeances for you to fly.
What more do you want - jam on it ?The 30 of us were shared out among the four old Blenheim outfits, we made the best of it, and the rest you know.
Press on regardless.
Danny.
We each had to fight the war we were given - not the one we might have expected !
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Danny/pzu ... Bristol Bombay gets my vote. No. 216 [my wife's squadron in more modern years] were very busy in the Middle East 40-42, including Sicily and Italy. Subsequently Hudsons and Lodestars.
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The aircraft (in the background on page 14) would appear to be a Bombay (above). I did wonder if it could have been a Free French aircraft, because while 84 were at Landing Ground 75, there was an accident (on a windless day) when three Blenheims of 45 Sqn took off at the same time as three Free French aircraft were taking off from the opposite end of the runway. Two of them collided and burned, but one stalled and crashed. I thought the latter could have been the aircraft in question. I also checked Italian aircraft on Wiki, but while there were at least five twin-engine types that had a twin tail stabiliser, they don't fit the appearance as well as a Bombay. Likewise for Free French. As MPN11 says, Bombays were being flown by 216 Sqn, as transport aircraft, in the area at that time.
Pity... I rather liked the idea of that aircraft belonging to the opposition. (Free French would have been not far behind
)
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NigG
Shows what the Twin Winged Lords of the Air can do without a nice, kind Air Traffic Controller to look after them !
...when three Blenheims of 45 Sqn took off at the same time as three Free French aircraft were taking off from the opposite end of the runway....
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NigG (your #286),
"Came there a certain Lord, neat and trimly dres't" - (Harry Hotspur, just come from battle "all smarting, my wounds being cold", required by this "Staff Officer" to hand over his prisoners) - "answered him roundly, I know not what."
But we know, don't we !
[Shakespeare, "Henry IV, Part 1"] Harry, of course, is the future Henry V of Agincourt (and I think Harry - or his spirit - may be alive today, even if his future must be different).
Danny.
...That was the setting for the arrival of the AOC to deliver to the squadron a pep talk...
But we know, don't we !
[Shakespeare, "Henry IV, Part 1"] Harry, of course, is the future Henry V of Agincourt (and I think Harry - or his spirit - may be alive today, even if his future must be different).
Danny.
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There are a number of 'Two Types' cartoons in 'Strafer Desert General' (ISBN 9781781590904) a biography of Lt Gen William Gott who was targeted and killed by the Luftwaffe whilst en route to Cairo in a Bristol Bombay in August 1942.
Highly recommend the book (by Brig Norman Nash) about a man who might have achieved greatness in the Western Desert.
Highly recommend the book (by Brig Norman Nash) about a man who might have achieved greatness in the Western Desert.