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Memories of a child 1939 – 1945

Blackout curtains at the window --------------------- the sound of the air raid warning -------------------------------- searchlights lighting up a black cross on an aircraft side --------------------------- the sound of anti aircraft guns firing at the bottom of the garden ------------------------ ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Guard on manoeuvres letting off fire crackers --------------------------- the musty smell of the Anderson shelter ---------------------- sleeping night after night in the shelter ------------------ carrying and wearing my gas mask ------------------------ listening to my father’s report as he watched a land mine fall ------------------------- the sound of piston engined aircraft at night (which still give me nightmares) ------------------- the sound of bombs whistling as they fell ------------------- the sound of shrapnel falling on the roof --------------------------- ration books and clothing coupons ---------------------------- my father’s 303 rifle in the hall always at the ready -------------------------- blackout masks on the car headlights --------------------- the pictures of the ovens and ashes from the Belsen concentration camp in 1945 ------------------------- pictures of people hanging in Belsen -------------------------- the sound of the all clear ------------------------ VE celebrations and VJ celebrations.

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