The presence of aircraft in an otherwise remote location, previously linked to the mainland by boat only, meant that No 220 Squadron flew its share of mercy missions from Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides. This patient with acute appendicitis was airlifted to hospital on the mainland in one of the Squadron’s Fortresses, the open waist window serving as a convenient entrance to the aircraft, May 1943.
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NEW BOOK EXTRACTS
The latest round of extracts from recently published books includes a comprehensive study of spying in World War II, including an account of how Rommel read the U.S. diplomatic signals about British military strength in the Desert. A G.I.'s diary of combat from France through to the Battle of the Bulge forms the foundation of Finding Foxholes. Jim Ring has produced a highly readable and comprehensive study of Hitler's War in the Alps.There is the also the welcome re-issue of Barbed Wire Surgeon which won acclaim when it was first published in 1948.LAST YEAR IN THE WAR …
Two V.C.s in fierce Tunisian battles
On the first objective and still under continual enemy fire, Major Anderson re-organised the Battalion and rallied men whose Commanders, in most cases, had been either killed or wounded. The Commanding Officer having been killed, he took command of the Battalion and led the assault on the second objective. During this assault he received a leg wound, but in spite of this he carried on and finally captured ” Longstop ” Hill with a total force of only four officers and less than forty other ranks.
German Me 323 transport plane fleet shot down
While the Germans had complete command of the skies the Me 321, and later the Me 323, were to prove their worth in transporting heavy equipment over the vast distances of Russia. When the German campaign in North Africa began to unravel, the Me 323 was pressed into service to transport men and munitions between Tunisia and Sicily.
Spitfires versus Focke-Wulf 190s over France
I identified it at once-it was a Focke-Wulf 190. I had not studied the photos and recognition charts so often for nothing. After firing a burst of tracer at me he bore down on Martell. Yes, it certainly was one – the short wings, the radial engine, the long transparent hood: the square-cut tail-plane all in one piece!