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It had been a dreadful two days here on this station in NE England. It wasn`ta case of being bombed but of being drenched by heavy rain.The airfield was sodden .The four of us airmen were sitting together in a hut on the edge of the perimeter track.We had brought in a Lancaster bomber and the latest news was that another was expected any minute.Bringing in this next one on to the hard stance next to the first bomberwas my job. soon we heard the rumble of engines and saw our next customer come straight in to make his landing on the runway.The crew would be talking to the control tower as we saw it turn off the end of the runway and begin to taxi along the perimeter track towards us.
I grabbed my two torches and ran out on to the track,to be ready to guide him on to the hardstanding.I stood in the path of the plane and waved my two torches as it came towards me.As it came closer I started to make circular motions with both torches indicating that he should keep both engines running at the same speed.When he was at the proper point for swinging round to come on to the hard stance I started to move one torch up and down while I made fast circling movements with the other.But,there was no change in engine speed,I got concerned,was one torch not working?I turned it towards me to check,it was working.There was nothing I could do but carry on,it was too late now,he eventually came round,of course on to the grass.
next to the first bomber heavy bomber,even one which I hoped,had unloaded its bombs, would sink its wheels well down into that sodden ground. I waved my torches horizontally to have the pilot cut engines and when this had been done, walked round to the pilot`s side of the cockpit and shook both hands vigorously up at his perspecs window.The window slid open and a helmeted head leant out.
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"What`s the matter?"came the call from above .
"Just you wait until you come down here and I`ll show you aeroplane drivers what is the matter"I yelled.I was fuming,as I made my way to the exit and waited for the crew to emerge. Out they came,all seven of them, and I noticed that one carried a large leather bag.I assumed him to be the pilot."What`s the matter ?"he enquired.
"Come with me and I`ll show you just what is the matter"Isaid, as I turned tewards the landing gear. By this time the wheels of the plane had sunk a good fifteen inches into the ground.As we were both looking at the wheels,I noticed that he was taking of his helmet.He opened his leather bag and shoved his helmet in and pulled out a cap. As he put on his cap I nearly fainted.
I could see now that the front of his cap was covered with what we commonly called scrambled egg,the proper term,of course,gold braid, Here was I a mere corporal,bawling at an officer,of what rank,I did not know.
"I did try to get you to rev up your port engine,sir".I pleaded,in a much more restrained voice.
"That is all right",was the reply,"I thought that my wing tip was going to clip the wing of that other plane,my fault".
"Was I lucky?" He looked at the wheels again and said that he would attend to getting a squad out to it in the morning."If your duties are finished for the night get of to where I am going, to bed." "Was I grateful?"

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