Page 5

It was dusk when we left our tronset army
and the few personel left there (N.A.A.f 1 etc.)
waved us goodbye it was then that I personally began
to feel that we the "airborne armada" would
split the dead silence of that "waiting for something
to start" atmosphere.
The C 47s were all parked both sides of
the runway with there noses pointed diagonally towards
the take off [?string]. I marched on with the rest towards
our own DAKOTA and dumped the "parachute" packs
and all the gear in one heap and lit a cigarette.
It was now beginning to get dark and the officer called
us together to tell us that King George sends us his
personall wishes of good luck. Then the pilot stepped forward
a very short blonde-headed young fellow with rows of ribbons.
We were introduced by the officer, and the pilot said a few
words, "look chaps, I shan't take any 'evasive action
untill you are all off the plane". and with that,
we all picked up our packs etc and strapped our para-chute
on and clambered aboard the plane.
One by one the planes took off and circled for
re-groouping at ceiling 3000 we took off after a struggle.
I rememner so clearly when the red light came up
and we all stood waiting for the green that gurgling
in your stomach seems so loud, I was number 17 on the
stitch and could not see much untill I got to the door,
slap on the back from the R.A.F. corporal by the door
the blast of air that hit me was Hot and it
smelt of cordite gunpowder, the flak was bursting all
round, I looked around me for the others but could only
see our one aircraft dissapearing fast I looked down
and saw the flooded fields and landed with
a loud splash D.Day is HERE.