Fred Gardiner sat with his companion on the rear floor of a military aircraft, flying low over the English Channel. Below them, he could see Brighton with great visibility. Missing in action for 5 weeks, Fred looked down at his grandmother’s house, recalling she would have no idea whether or not he was alive. Born in Banbury in 1923, Fred Gardiner volunteered for the Royal Air Force after war broke out, not wishing to be drafted into the army. He trained as a wireless operator air gunner. With his fellow squadron, Fred completed 4 successful military operations on the Lancaster. His 5th operation was to Manheim, Germany. On route, Fred’s aircraft, the Lancaster was hit by a Messerschmitt Bf 110, a German fighter-bomber, where Fred recounts horrific moments of shells, bullets and deafening noise. The aircraft caught fire, and Fred knew he had to evacuate imminently. After releasing the bomb from the aircraft, Fred escaped through the rear and made his exit, parachuting through the night sky. He landed with no shoes, socks and no clue what country he was in. After spending the night, Fred came across a man in a horse and cart. Fred surrendered, with the man escorting him to safety, beginning his dangerous adventure back to the UK: hiding in ditches, encounters with resistance members, near-misses with armed German soldiers, escorted by bicycle, car, on foot, and through the day and night. Fred’s story is a fascinating testimony, revealing how incredibly fortunate he was to survive, both in the air, and in his subsequent escape. By circumstance, it makes Legasee feel lucky to have his memories to share.

Determined to become an air gunner, Tommy Thomas began RAF service with General Duties. Assisting in the dangerous task of target towing for Spitfire training, he worked with Fairey Bombers and Lysanders. His hard work paid off; before age 19, he completed air gunner training and joined the 161 Squadron at RAF Tempsford. Initially serving on Halifax aircraft to drop supplies, Tommy was soon transferred to the squadron’s A Flight by Flight Commander Hugh Verity, who recognised his skill with Lysanders. Tommy flew 33 missions in Halifax, Hudson, Lysanders and, once, in a Stirling bomber. Whilst most missions were over France and Europe, some reached as far as North Africa. The most challenging were the night flights, navigating hostile territory by moonlight alone. He recounts fascinating details from his time with 161 Squadron, including mission preparations from RAF Tempsford and Tangmere, and techniques for retrieving mail bags from occupied territory using adapted Lysanders. Although Tommy claims he was “lucky,” his missions included two near-disasters, and he admits flights over the sea were the most unnerving—he always dreaded water. Following D-Day, Tommy took on new responsibilities helping with internees at RAF Tempsford. He concludes his story with a personal memory of his promotion to Flight Officer, which coincided with his father’s Red Cross return. Resolving to notify his mother, interned in a French camp, Tommy recounts a successful—and daring—effort to get a message to her, showing his courage and daring.