I was a Flight Mechenic/Engiones, working on Wellington engines at OTU Hampstead Norris, satellite to Harwell in Berkshire when D-Day was approaching. Our camp was being closed down and all personnel transferred to Harwell on a temproary basis as it too was being handed over to the American Airforce and their DC3's to be used to drop paratroops over Germany.
We were leaving Hampstead Norris really early in the morning and had been given orders to assemble with our bicycles and packed kit bags. The kit bags were loaded onto garrys but we had to cycle the 17 miles to Harwell. Quite a few of us dropped by the wayside with flat tires and others of us, myself included, were unable to keep up. We did all finally make it by dinner time, but it took a few days to recover from sore muscles. We certainly envied those who didn't have bicycles and got a ride with the kitbags.
25% Off Breakdown Cover
There is nothing worse than breaking down. But if you do, the RAC have more than 1,500 patrols ready to rescue you, whether you are at the shops or on the motorway. They will always try to fix your vehicle at the roadside, but if they cant they will make getting it repaired as painless as possible.
I was a Flight Mechenic/Engiones, working on Wellington engines at OTU Hampstead Norris, satellite to Harwell in Berkshire when D-Day was approaching. Our camp was being closed down and all personnel transferred to Harwell on a temproary basis as it too was being handed over to the American Airforce and their DC3's to be used to drop paratroops over Germany.
