WIX Archives

Re: Magical Moments

Posted by kevin mears on Sun Mar 09, 2003 08:12:46 AM

In reply top Re: Magical Moments posted by simon king on Fri Mar 07, 2003 12:36:09 PM

Possibly at North Weald or West Malling in the late 80's. Standing in a queue to have a look around the inside of Sally B. In front of me was a short guy in a leather jacket. Our turn came and in we went. When we came out this guy walked towards the tail and stumbled. I helped him up and tears were streaming down his cheeks. He had been a ball gunner. He told me that was the first time he had been in a B-17 since 1944. He was crying at the memories of his tour, the happiness he felt at being in England, his terror while on operations and his sadness at the memory of his comrades who were killed. I'd willingly give up every memory of aircraft in the air just to have spent another hour in his company.

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