Dr. Albert Amedeus Denzler
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Status: Offline | 256 Squadron records March 1945 North Italy
I was browsing the web for the Squadron that operated in the area Argenta-Ferrara between February-April 1945 and found your site and the records of RAF 256 Squadron (Forli). At the time I was the 5 year old son of an Anglo-Italian mother Countess Elda Ricci (my Brit.Granny had been with Princess Alexandra at Court) and a Luftwaffe officer stationed in Ferrara and operating at the Argenta Front, who was KIA in March. Beginning of the month I distinctly remember a Dog fight near our Villa, which acted as the Luftwaffe Officer’s Mess, when an RAF Aircraft was shot down. My dad’s Batman said it was a “Mosquito”, and imitated the buzzing sound. Seeing your records I assume it was the March 4th casualty HK178, piloted by W/Cdr (42490) Hugh William ELIOT. Please record this “spotting” and convey my belated condolences to his family and friends.
On the 18th., they “got their own back” by strafing and bombing our Villa, even though the Luftwaffe Command had moved out on the 5th. Sadly enough my 92 year old Great Uncle Leo and my Dad’s batman were killed in the action, but we, Mam, my two Aunts and Dad’s Cossack subaltern, who acted as my bodyguard, escaped unscathed and joined my Brit., Granny Immy in Ferrara. She was overjoyed to see us safe and sound but even more to welcome the 8th Army and we all assisted to a stirring Pipe Revue in the main square. Mam became the town C.O.s - Major Lowless’ interpreter and assistant, and two years later she married a Royal Artillery lad in 1947. We moved to Yorkshire, where, thanks to my Yorkshire Nanny in Ferrara, I readily blended in. Needless to say, in 1954 at 14, I joined the Yeadon based ATC Squadron – 2168 – , and Nov.1957, I was seconded to RAF 24 Squadron as Super.y Aircrew on Hastings, on the Warsaw and Singapore runs. I had already opted for a permanent posting as a Pilot Officer, when a car accident blocked our family in Rome and aborted my plans. In 1959 I started a Civilian Career at Rome Ciampino Airport, with a parallel one in Security (restricted) and ended up owning my own Airline – AZZURRAair. Now I’m heading an Air Engineering project to complete Russian Aircraft in the West and am in the process of setting up AT AEROSPACE plc., based in London. You can say I’ve come full circle. Congrats on your Venture, it certainly gave me what I was looking for.
Albert Denzler aka Cyc (my call sign)
The Only Prussian Yorkshireman from Ferrara
Ps I’ve recently published “Crossroads Crimea 1939-89” Lulupress & Amazon, all full of War photos and Memories.
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