Flying For Your Life

Flying for your Life

Moose Jaw Air Show July 6, 2019

Moose Jaw Air Show July 6 saw the Needham siblings, spouses and family get together to witness Warren Pietsch fly a spitfire - the same model that our Dad flew in WW2.

Debra, Colin, Scott and Denise

Colin, Linda, Denise, Scott, Debra, Sharon, Alfred, Sandi and Wolfgang

Spitfire at Tangmere

June 6, 1944 to the 75th Anniversary of D Day June 6, 2019

On May 20, 2019 I arrived at Tangmere Military Air Museum having travelled from Martlesham Heath Aviation Society the day before. Both of these air bases are listed in Dad's log book and Tangmere was most often mentioned by him in his story telling.


Entries in Dad's log book June 6, 1944 read:

Spitfire "R" Patrol Beach Head 2:00 flight comments: "D" Day WE INVADE FRANCE AT LAST!!

He made 2 more Beach Patrol flights that day for a total of 6  hours 15 minutes

Denise and Trevor at Tangmere

Trevor graciously gave a personalized tour of the incredible museum directing me through the Battle of Britain displays to "Have a look around the corner."  

412  Squadron with Dad is top row second from the left

These photos have been in the museum 37 years since 1982 when it first opened.

Needless to say I was very moved to see them.

The same photo we have in our collection!!

                 

412 Squadron listed for June 6, 1944

Who Shot Rommel?

Dad knew Charey Fox and he encouraged Charley to set the record straight when it had been believed that an American shot up Rommel. This article connects the dots as Dad told the story to us on occasion.


https://www.tangmere-museum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Tangmere-Logbook-9-Autumn-2011.pdf

The Flying Fox versus the Desert Fox

Charlie was the honorary colonel  for 412 squadron when he died; Dad was asked to replace him but he declined due to logistics & I suspect lack of interest in the pomp & ceremony.

High Flight

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth

And danced the skies on laughter- silvered wings;  

Sunward I have climber, and joined the tumbling mirth

Of sun-split clouds,-and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of- wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,

I’ve chased the shouting  wind along, and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air…

Up, up the long delirious, burning blue

I’ve topped the windswept heights with easy grace

Where never lark, or even eagle flew-

And while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space,

-Put out my hand, and touched the face of God

Officer John Gillespie Magee Jr.

Royal Canadian Air Force