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LtCol H

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  • in reply to: EU Gun Control Proposals #883953
    LtCol H
    Participant

    As a new lad with this lashup, I hesitated to throw my sixpence in-being a colonial. But now that it is a receding thread, I shall jump in. I do regret any further
    gun control affecting citizens, directly or indirectly,-but particularly with respect to military aircraft. It seems a bit jaded and MPs just “doing something” in the wake of an incident.
    As we in the U.S. are fast learning, its best to attend to the human end first. As to placing firearms “control” in perspective, in 1939-40-Lend Lease was in effect and many American
    weapons were sent to Britain for home defense use by the Home Guard and Army. With all due respect, it would seem that the modern law makers have convinced themselves that the citizenry need protection from themselves. Additionally, that future history does not portend another Hitler whereby weapons might be needed again; or that today’s citizens in the UK,trained and armed-might deter the average violent criminal or above-average terrorist. Remarkable.

    in reply to: B-17 "Blue Streak" 486BG #884601
    LtCol H
    Participant

    There is some irony in this account of the “Blue Streak” , a B-17 from the 486th BG-receiving what is probably a direct hit from an 88mm anti-aircraft artillery piece,

    This B-17 was piloted by 2 LT David Paris, from New Albany, Indiana. David Paris was an Eagle Scout, and the family
    received only a parachute with kitbag as personal effects following his death. There is a marker in the New Albany cemetery, placed by his brother CPT John Paris, a flight surgeon in a Tunisia AirCobra Group during WW II. The further irony continues as John Paris was my father-in-law before his passing in 2002.

    My father was a bombardier in the B-24 “Modest Maiden”, with the 491st BG-North Pickenham. In his Bombardier’s Case or kitbag, amazingly enough-was a newspaper clipping of the “Blue Streak” direct hit-from a local English newspaper in November, 1944. There is no explanation other than coincidence as to this account being in the kitbag of my father.
    But it is supreme irony. He survived 30 bombing missions over occupied France and Nazi Germany.

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