Maybe I haven’t expressed myself as clearly as I could have. I am not doubting that these incidents happened. My point is that there is no conclusive evidence of how, why and to whom these incidents occurred. It really is about the fog of war and the twisting of memory over a period of sixty years. David Burke says ‘oh yes, it happened, someone told me about it.’ I have absolutely no doubt the story circulates in good faith. Much as the story I was told when doing some research was told to me in good faith. All three Squadron personnel, who were there at the time, told me personally that a certain ‘incident’ occurred while they were serving with the Squadron concerned. All three named the same crew as being involved. At this point I should state that all three described the actual incident in the same detail and with the same level of accuracy. However, according to their testimonies, this incident happened at Feltwell in 1940, North Africa in 1941 and Italy in 1944. The ORB relates the incident in the same kind of detail confirming their story, except that it happened in 1942 in North Africa. Two died believing their version to be correct while the other remains convinced it happened in Italy.

What I’m trying to say is that without the evidence to back up these stories about Squadrons abandoning personnel, the same is true of army units, I believe Dunkirk was a case in point?, we are at grave risk of vilifying people who were either forced to make hard decisions or were affected by those decisions, without going to the bother of finding out the truth.

If I’m honest, I’m certain that the story which started this thread happened, but at 60 years distance from the event I’m also certain I won’t damn those involved without knowing the whole story.

Regards,

kev35

Thanks for the advice David. Maybe I will, instead of just listening to others second, third and fourth hand stories.

Regards,

kev35

David.

If we’re being pedantic, doesn’t the very fact that “This was common knowledge from friends that served on two of these Squadrons in the 1990’s that this did happen in WW2…” make it hearsay? And nothing more? I’m not saying it didn’t happen, but as there is likely to be no definitive answers forthcoming from the participants, do we have the right to judge their actions? Isn’t it akin to convicting someone in their absence?

And should we choose to believe that either:

a) These events did happen.

b) These events did not happen.

we are guilty of revisionist history at best?

If what has been said about yellow in Squadron badges denotes something ‘unpalatable’ in a Squadron’s history, how many Squadrons would have to be treated as such? And how long is this stain on the character of a given Squadron supposed to last?

Regards,

kev35

I know it’s probably just me being a bit dense here and that I’ve lost the plot a little bit, but, can anyone explain to me who is Alpha One?

From the paper trails people have been chasing recently, there is mention of the Nutricius Group, several charter operators and Companies on the Isle of Man, but no mention of their direct connection to Martin Halstead other than a defunct website? The question I have now is, is Alpha One anything at all to do with Mr. Halstead?

On a side note, wouldn’t it be nice if everyone could have a Christmas break lasting from just before Christmas till……. when do they start operating again?

Regards,

kev35

And here I make myself deeply unpopular……

The Blackpool Vulcan was a wreck. It was dangerous and it was an eyesore. Who’s to blame? I suspect all of us. How many of the people who are posting in great indignation regarding this lump of scrap metal actually offered to do anything to help? Did any of you offer to help the original owner with its preservation? Did any of you lobby the owner when the aircraft started to deteriorate significantly? Did anyone offer to help with a repaint? Cleaning? Did anyone offer to buy it and move it to a new home to be preserved properly?

Just how many Vulcans do we need? It proves there are too many when no resources could be secured, either financially or in terms of man hours to keep this one safe.

It’s gone, it’s been scrapped. Just a pity the axe didn’t fall on it many years ago.

Regards,

kev35

It’s just gimmickry. Andy is right. Haven’t you ever been outside one nightclub/store/pub etc., and been offered tickets or a discount at the one down the road? It’s called competition, and unless you’re a BA shareholder I don’t see why you’re worried. I see very little problem in this. BHX is 30 minutes nearer to me than NEMA, but if I want to got to a destination and the fare is cheaper from NEMA than BHX that’s where I’ll fly from. Think the parkings cheaper at NEMA as well.

Regards,

kev35