It certainly kept about a thousand fighters away from the Eastern Front, but the crucial issue is what would have been the effect of having those fighters there? I suspect not a great deal, I think the Russians would have defeated the Germans anyway.

It also apparently kept about 2.5 million personnel busy on AA batteries (And think what all those 88s could have done to the advancing Russian/American/British tank brigades), civil defence duties, repairs, firefighting/watching etc etc

Photo taken by a friend in Seaham yesterday:

I was an Engineer Cadet with CP Ships, did about another 6 years after that before going into the drilling industry.
Had a great time, thoroughly enjoyed it. Recommended but obviously you will need to be prepared to not have a ‘normal’ home life.

there’s not a single airworthy British marine aircraft of any kind anywhere in the world.

Two airworthy Seafires, Swordfish, Seahawk, Sea Furies … or am I missing the point?

If we are talking about present day comedians from this side of the pond, I would put John Bishop and Ardal O’Hanlon on the list.

Its not so much their practices, its making sure that their prospective customers are aware of them in advance …

Dave Allen – Genius.

All looks a bit temperate – surroundings and uniforms (although I do appreciate not all of North Africa is open desert!)