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The scene is set for the final act in "Swan Lake". A lone dancer is on stage to bring to a close the dance of the dying swan. The stage is bathed in light as the dancer begins her dance. As the tension of the dying swan increases, so the stagelights begin to dim, first the main lights until only the spotlights remain. These are extinguished slowly, until the only light is one spotlight; this fades until the dancer drops to the floor of the stage.

Touching, isn't it?

German bombers are making their way across the Essex countryside on their way to the target, London. Suddenly, one of them is caught in the beam of a searchlight, and as if drawn by a huge magnetic force, other searchlights join in, until there are about six lights coned in. The target is well illuminated for the anti-aircraft guns to begin their attack, a shell burst near seems to start a dull red glow inside the plane which begins to lose height slowly. As the rate of descent increases, the first light has to go out, the angle is too great. This continues until all the searchlights have gone out.

Seconds later, there is a flash in the sky, a deep rumble, and the sky returns to its inky blackness.

Is fact stranger than fiction?

In the cool light of day, it was realised that at least one member of the doomed aircraft had parachuted to safety, only to land in an orchard, to be confronted by a local vicar, armed with a pitchfork.

Rumour had it that the incident took place between Billericay and Chelmsford, but it was never confirmed nor denied.

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