RAF News Edition 1532, 25 March 2022

The Forcesit' e favourer pap

Competition

Competition

Churchill's secret Win ! army

Post-WWI gripping thriller Win!

Friday March 25 2022 No. 1532 70p

l See R'n'R p3

l See R'n'R p3

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40 years since Falklands War

l Pages 16-21

Alpine

Ice festival

Cold call

l See pages 28-29

Football

On our way

l See page 30

Paralympics

Guiding light FS

l See page 31

O T A N n i o j s Dambuster s e m a g r a w North Sea

UK F-35 LIGHTNINGS joined vessels and troops from 26 other nations in the North Sea as Nato flexed its maritime muscle in the biggest Arctic exercise in more than 30 years.

More than 2,000 UK military personnel are taking part in Exercise Cold Response, testing Allied forces’ ability to operate in extreme conditions. l See report p7

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 P2

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“

We all went down with Galtieri’s revenge”

Quite frankly David Attenborough is everything in terms of an influence to me”

Falklands EOD veteran Ade Thorne’s war diary See pp18-19

“

I got emotional at the finish line, it was a very special moment” FS Gary Smith – guide to Winter Paralympics great Menna Fitzpatrick See p31

Seven Worlds host naturalist Steve Backshall See R’n’R 4-5

Britain steps up aid mission to Ukraine Staff Reporter

RAF News Room 68 Lancaster Building HQ Air Command High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP14 4UE Editor: Simon Williams Email: editor@rafnews.co.uk Features Editor: Tracey Allen Email: tracey.allen@rafnews.co.uk News Editor: Simon Mander

BRITAIN HAS airlifted more than two million medical items to war-torn Ukraine in a massive humanitarian operation.

A total of 10 flights carrying vital medicines, wound packs and intensive care equipment have so far left Brize Norton, Stansted and Heathrow airports destined for the region with another consignment of donated NHS equipment expected to follow.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “We’re leading the humanitarian effort to support Ukraine by providing targeted medical support to those in need.

“In less than three weeks the UK has donated more than two million medical items.”

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss added: “The UK is providing £220 million in life-saving humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

NATO TALKS: Defence Secretary Ben Wallace joins counterparts from across the Alliance at extraordinary meeting as conflict in Ukraine worsens

This Week In History

Sports Editor: Daniel Abrahams Email: sports@rafnews.co.uk Tel: 07966 429755

1967

Tanker targeted

THE GOVERNMENT calls in RAF Hunters to bomb the oil tanker Torrey Canyon, grounded on the Seven Sisters reef near Land’s End.

All advertising: Edwin Rodrigues Tel: 07482 571535 Email: edwin.rodrigues@ rafnews.co.uk Subscriptions and distribution: RAF News Subscriptions c/o Intermedia, Unit 6 The Enterprise Centre, Kelvin Lane, Crawley RH10 9PE Tel: 01293 312191 Email: rafnewssubs@ subscriptionhelpline.co.uk

“In addition to medical supplies we are providing shelter and hygiene kits. The UK is also donating more than 500 mobile generators to provide vital energy to Ukrainian hospitals and shelters.”

The news comes as Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called an extraordinary meeting of Allied Heads of State and Government to further strengthen the West’s deterrence and defence in response to Vladimir Putin’s aggression.

In a virtual speech Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused the Russian state of behaving ‘like Hitler’ as heavy fighting continued north of the capital Kyiv and around the southern city of Mariupol.

Meanwhile Moscow has claimed to have used its Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic air-to-ground missile against a fuel storage site.

1927

First metal airframe THE RAF’S first all metal fighter biplane, the Armstrong Whitworth Siskin IIIA, enters service with 41 Sqn.

1999

Harrier Serbia raid SIX HARRIER GR7s on Nato duty in the Balkans launch a bombing raid on a Serbian arms depot after talks to find a settlement on Kosovo break down.

Extracts from The Royal Air Force Day By Day by Air Cdre Graham Pitchfork (The History Press)

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 P3

News

Call for vegan ration packs

Hawk’s farewell

MILITARY CAMPAIGNERS are stepping up calls for cruelty-free kit and vegan ration packs to be made available across the Armed Forces.

The MOD Vegan and Vegetarian Network is hoping to change Defence policy to cater for the growing number of personnel who are going meat-free and adopting a plant-based lifestyle.

Speaking ahead of the group’s first annual meeting, a spokesman said: “The Network aims to create

HAWKS OPERATED by 736 Naval Air Squadron performed a flypast over RAF Valley as the veteran aircraft retire from service this month.

The jets took part in a farewell tour of training centres around the UK. They took off from their home base at RNAS Culdrose and flew past HMNB Devonport, RNAS Yeovilton, Bournemouth Airport and then HMNB Portsmouth, before heading up to

new policies that will empower members to maintain veganism and vegetarianism alongside military life.

“The RAF already provides a variety of food choices in mess facilities, although fail to provide vegan ration packs and limited guidance for alternatives in clothing, kit, and equipment.

“We are even exploring the supply of vegetarian shoes that are not made using leather, but still

LIFESTYLE CHOICE: Fruit/veg diet

provide the support and wear of standard military boots.”

Valley and on to HMS Gannet at Prestwick in Scotland.

736 NAS will be decommissioned at the end of the month.

VIP jet flies out of the limelight ‘Royal’ aircraft the BAe 146 retires to aviation museum Simon Mander AN RAF JET that has flown VIPs across the world for 36 years touched down at St Athan to complete the final flight of its service life.

The BAe 146 CC2 ZE700, named after Victoria Cross recipient Group Captain Lionel Rees, is to go on public display at South Wales Aviation Museum.

Pilot Wg Cdr Delia Chadwick, Officer Commanding 32 (The Royal) Squadron, said: “Crews old and new are exceptionally fond of the 146’s characteristics and

capabilities. They’re proud of her proven reliability, rich heritage and the significant role she’s delivered.”

The jet has three separate compartments based on the Andover transporter: a C or centre section for Royals, Prime Ministers and military top brass; a B Compartment used by personal protection officers and zone A, occupied by the crew.

Veteran former RAF Chief Technician Barry Kelly said: “I saw the aircraft into service and I’m seeing it out.

“It’s been an absolute privilege to have flown with many of the Royal

JOB DONE: Wg Cdr Delia Chadwick, CO 32 Sqn, with Air Officer Wales, Air Cdre Adrian Williams, after the final flight for the RAF of the BAe 146. Top, crew are met at St Athan PHOTOS: SAC ANNA HARRIS

Family, every Prime Minister since Mrs Thatcher, and on operations.

“The most poignant moment was the repatriation of Princess Diana. I got a phone call and was told to come into work, to go to Paris. It was a very surreal day, as we came into Northolt the A40 was

at a standstill with people sat on the roofs of their cars.”

The BAe 146 is being replaced

by Dassault Falcon 900LX jets that have a longer range and more sustainable smaller engines.

The final flight crew were Sqn Ldr Alex Ball, Wg Cdr Delia

Chadwick, Flt Lt Archie Gemmell, WO Mike Rodrigues and Cpl Jaz Lawton.

The aircraft will be stripped of its electronic equipment before joining a collection of historical UK military aircraft at the former RAF base 15 miles west of Cardiff.

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 P5

News

The hunger games Catering aces dish it out to rivals at Services cook-off Simon Mander AIR FORCE chefs had the golden touch at this year’s Inter-Services cookery competition with a trio of top places won by Wittering’s 3 Mobile Catering Squadron.

For starters, Sgt Carl Findon’s team came first for transforming 10man ration packs into Chicken 65, a spicy, deep-fried dish originating from Hotel Buhari, Chennai, India as an entrée or quick snack.

He said: “This is a competition I’ve never done. It was hard because I was managing a team as well. We did two practises, got feedback, and adjusted the menu and then came in yesterday. It was a great team, a

strong team, and we did the business on the day.”

The main courses followed with SAC Jody Huteson striking gold in the lamb category, SAC Mark Dearlove taking silver in the Great British Pie Challenge and SAC Annie Nicol, who has been in the RAF for only four years, winning silver for the vegan category.

She said: “I felt

HOT STUFF: 3 Mobile Catering Sqn take on Army and Navy rivals in battlefield conditions.

Main photo, SAC Pete Wooton, a Reserve Chef from 504 Sqn seconded to 3MCS. Inset below, SAC Annie Nicol presents another winning dish

very happy about my award, very chuffed. I cooked vegan bao buns with hoisin glazed mushrooms, pickled Asian slaw and crushed peanuts.”

Victory was made sweeter when Sgt Dave Wright’s team topped the hotly contested Defence engagement challenge, where fine food is prepared in a field kitchen, and 504 (County of Nottingham) Sqn Reservist SAC Andrew

Nazanin tastes freedom at Brize Staff Reporter JAILED MUM Nazanin ZaghariRatcliffe touched down on British soil at Brize Norton where she was reunited with her husband Richard and seven-year-old daughter Gabriella after being held in Iran for six years.

The 43-year-old British-Iranian charity worker flew from Tehran to Oman on board an Omani Air Force aircraft before boarding a flight to the RAF’s Oxfordshire station.

Her release follows an agreement by the British government to settle a long-standing dispute over a £400 million payment for a shipment of Chieftan tanks dating back more than 40 years. Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested and later sentenced to five years in jail in 2016 following claims she was working as a spy.

She was temporarily released in 2018 to meet her daughter in Iran and returned to prison three days later.

She was released again in 2020

following a Covid outbreak at Iran’s Evin prison before being given another one-year sentence under house arrest at her parents’ home.

She was finally issued with her passport and given permission to leave the country this month.

Blezard won silver in the celebration cake decoration category.

The RAF’s strong showing came against rival Royal Navy and Army chefs on Exercise Joint Caterer at Birmingham’s NEC – a two-day event at which all entries are evaluated by professionals and judging is severe.

Sgt Findon said: “It’s always great at Joint Caterer, the banter is brilliant between the Navy, the Army and the RAF, but when those guys are competing, that’s what really does it for me.”

Initially formed in 1975 as the RAF Mobile Catering Support Unit, 3MCS has been supporting deployed exercises and operations

for more than 40 years backed up by reservist suppliers, chefs, drivers, and engineering technicians from 504 Sqn. Air Cdre Neil Grant said: “Our team has done brilliantly.

“I know from personal experience how high the standard of cookery is at Exercise Joint Caterer, and how much work goes into preparing for this competition.

“We know that good food enhances the morale of deployed personnel.

“Inter-Service events like the annual Joint Caterer help the whole of Defence by allowing our chefs to exchange ideas and learn from one another.”

TOUCHDOWN: Nazanin arrives at Brize Norton; inset left, husband Richard and daughter Gabriella PHOTOS: PA

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 P7

News

There was a huge bang and people were screaming. I felt my left leg and it was warm and sticky - I was relieved to find it was just Mick Sidwell’s rice pudding

Read Armourer Ade’s explosive Falklands diary

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“

See p18

Lightning strikes on NATO’s Arctic drill North Sea combat test for Dambusters

KEEP IT UP: Marines unfurl Forces Day flag at Scarborough Castle

Scarborough military fair MILITARY PERSONNEL laid siege to Scarborough castle as the UK counts down to Armed Forces Day. The North Yorkshire town saw a flypast by a Merlin helicopter from 814 Naval Air Sqn over the 12th century fortress while Royal Marines abseiled down its keep unfurling a flag to mark 100 days to the national event on Saturday, June 25.

Pals’ war mission

VETERANS COMMUNITY site Forces Penpals is shipping £17,000 worth of medical aid to war-torn Ukraine.

The military social site is financing the mercy mission after putting out an appeal to members.

Penpals chief Bruno Mustone said: “We teamed up with an aid charity and within a couple of days the items were collected and on their way to help out.”

Simon Mander BRITISH F-35Bs teamed up with HMS Prince of Wales at the start of the largest Arctic exercise in 30 years.

Marham-based fighters simulated dogfights alongside Nato partners as a huge multinational task force headed for one of the world’s harshest environments to demonstrate the West’s resolve to defend its northern flank.

The 617 (Dambusters) Sqn jets staged an air battle orchestrated by two Royal Navy fighter controllers on HMS Prince of Wales in the skies over the east of the UK and in the North Sea pitted against eight ‘aggressor’ aircraft, allowing them to hone their tactics.

And as the aircraft carrier continued her journey, two 207 Sqn Lightnings carried out a flypast as it sailed alongside USS Mount Whitney and USS The Sullivans.

Lossiemouth-based Poseidon Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft will also take part in the exercise, that

runs until April 1, demonstrating their extensive suites of sensors and anti-submarine capability.

Six Royal Navy ships and 2,000 UK personnel have joined vessels and troops from 26 other nations taking part.

HMS Prince of Wales, which is currently serving as Nato’s command ship, will spearhead the month-long test of Allied forces.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “The Arctic is becoming an area of increasing military competition and the security of the region is directly linked to our national security.

“Exercise Cold Response is a demonstration of Nato’s ability to both operate and compete in one of the harshest environments in the world and is a demonstration of how a multinational force would defend Europe’s northern flank.”

The long-planned defensive manoeuvres include Nato’s close partners Finland and Sweden, about 220 aircraft and more than 50

NATO FIREPOWER: More than 2,000 UK military personnel deployed on the Cold Response exercise in the North Sea alongside 26 other nations

vessels. Cold Response deals with a fictional scenario where Norway is attacked triggering the Alliance’s Article 5 collective defence clause.

Observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation were invited to watch, but declined.

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 P9

News In Brief

Photo of the week

REMEMBRANCE: Military representatives from across the world attended

F-35 CREWS guarding Nato airspace from Estonia brave sub-zero conditions as temperatures plunge across Eastern Europe. Two RAF Lightnings landed at Amari airbase this month to provide enhanced Vigilance Activity, alongside UK Typhoons. PHOTOS: CPL NICK EGAN

Commonwealth wreath tribute AIR CHIEFS joined representatives from across the Commonwealth to pay tribute to the five million Servicemen and women who served with the Armed Forces during the World Wars I and II. Air Vice-Marshal Suraya Marshall laid a wreath on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff at the event, supported by the Band of the AVM MARSHALL Coldstream Guards and a Piper from 1st Battalion Scots Guards.

The Green machine

COACHING ROLE: RAF Veteran Flt Lt Jenny Collins in action

Bow ace lands academy role ARCHERY ACE Jenny Collins has added a new string to her bow – as a coach at the Help for Heroes Academy.

The 41-year-old RAF veteran and former England international will provide coaching to injured Service personnel as part of their rehabilitation.

The Forces charity helped her take up the sport to aid her recovery after she was medically discharged in 2017 and she will join a team of 10 other coaches.

She said: “I’m so passionate about community sport and I want to encourage people to be involved in archery.

“I want to look at ways to encourage women and girls not only to do their beginners course, but to stay in the sport and do competitions.”

Simon Mander OIL SHORTAGES could become a thing of the past after the RAF launched its first successful drone flight using synthetic fuel.

A four-metre-long UAV powered by kerosene made from food waste, sugar and bacteria took to the skies under the Project Vermeer UK-US international collaboration and the

technology could eventually power fighter jets.

Air Vice-Marshal Lincoln Taylor said: “The RAF needs to ensure it is at the forefront of technology to safeguard our own resilience and operational capability, whilst minimising our damage to the environment.

“Fuel scarcity and cost will only ever increase in its impact on our operations and synthetic fuels for our aircraft are one potential

solution to this situation.”

British company C3 Biotechnologies and the US Navy created 15 litres of fuel in a laboratory to power the fixed-wing aircraft during a 20-minute test flight in Wiltshire.

Chief of US Naval Research, Rear Admiral Lorin C. Selby, said: “The ability to manufacture this fuel without large infrastructure requirements would be ground-breaking for deployed forces.”

The RAF is to work with partners to refine the process and develop deployable manufacturing facilities.

Royal R oyal Air F Force orce N News ews Fr Friday, iday, M March arch 25, 2022 P10

News

Cyprus call for Gunners New Regt unit for Akrotiri

SALT S ALT A AND ND SH SHAKE-UP: HAKE-UP: The new RAF Regt unitt T he n ew R AF Re gt uni will w ill guard guard Akrotiri Akrotiri and and UK’s tthe he UK K’s Salt Salt a Lake Lake site site

Simon S imon Mander Manderr GUNNERS ARE tto o b beef eef up up ssecurity ecuritty in Cyprus C yprus taking taking over over tasks tasks previously previously ccarried arried out out by by o one n o ne off the resident resident A Army rm my infantry inf fantryy b battalions. atta t lions.

F From rom A April pril tthey hey will will form form a new new Force Force Protection P rotection unit unit for for A Akrotiri krotiri and and the the Salt Salt Lake L ake SSite ite deploying deploying on on four-month four-month rrotations otations aass p part art o off a lo long-planned ng-planned rreorganisation. eorganisation.

Th Thee ffirst ir i st ttour our w will ill be be by

by Honington’s Honington’s 1 SSqn, qn, w which hich w will ill work work w with ith R RAF AF Police Police aand nd military mi litary working working dogs d already already based based on on the the iisland. sland.

F Force orce C Commander ommander A Air ir C Cdre dre JJamie amie Thompson Th ompson ssaid: aid: ““Taking Taking on on the the role role of of Force F orce P Protection rotection will will not not only only provide provide sspecialist pecialist p protection rotection for for critical critical assets assets at at this this

THE QUEEN’S QUEEN’S Colour Colour S Squadron quadro on welcomed P welcomed Prime riime Minis Minister ter B Boris oris JJohnson ohnson and and ffellow ellow p premiers remiers C Canada’s anada’s JJustin ustin T Trudeau rudeau aand nd M Mark ark R Rutte utte o off the Netherlands N etherlands to to Northolt Norttholt as western western lleaders eaders rramp amp u up pp pressure ressuree o on nR Russia. ussia.

sstrategic tra r tegic aairbase irbase b but ut w will ill also also offer off ffeer greater greater o opportunities pportunities to to conduct conduct experimentation experim i entation aand nd eevaluation valuation of of cutting-edge cutting-edge ccapabilities. apabilities.”

T Two wo A Army rmyy b battalions attalions will will remain remain in C Cyprus. y rus. yp

A After fter an an ins inspection pecttion the politicians, politticians, ac accompanied companied by

by S Station tation C Commander omma m nder G Group roup C Captain aptain T Toria oria M McPhaden, cPhaden, were were es escorted corted to to the Of Officers’ fficers’ M Mess ess tto o dis discuss cuss sstrengthening trengthening ssanctions anctions o on n R Russian ussian lleader ead a er V Vladimir ladimir Pu Putin’s tin’s rregime. egime.

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Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 P13

News In Brief

LINE OF FIRE: MOD Police recruits firearms training at St Mawgan

MOD squad’s Mawgan drill

Rock and a hard place

DEFENCE POLICE recruits honed their firearms skills at RAF Mawgan during the latest tactical training course at the Cornish station.

Officers undergo eight weeks of firearms tuition before being deployed to protect Defence and government sites across the UK. A recruit said: “The set-up here offers us the freedom and capability that we can’t get anywhere else, allowing us to make the training as realistic as possible.”

Staff Reporter

ROCK STARS: Chinook delivers new kit to radar installation at the top of the Rock of Gibraltar PHOTOS: CPL TIM LAURENCE

A 27 SQN CHINOOK crew has delivered radar equipment to the peak of the famous Rock in Gibraltar.

The Odiham-based twin rotor helicopter flew in four loads of kit to upgrade vital air traffic control systems and a navigation beacon.

RAF Gibraltar Station Commander Wg Cdr Nel Doherty said: “As always, the Rock poses its own set of unique challenges, which makes a likefor-like replacement trickier than normal.

“A talented team ensured disruption to the people of Gibraltar was minimised.”

UK flypast lifts Lithuania day FUNDRAISER: Teams taking on London’s 13 bridges for Armed Forces Day

Bridging the charity gap

FORCES DAY fundraisers have London’s bridges in their sights to support UK military families.

Volunteers will be taking on the 13 bridges across the Thames during the 10-mile event as Britain marks Armed Forces Day on June 25.

The event, organised by SSAFA, starts at Tower Bridge in the east and finishes at Battersea Bridge.

SSAFA chief Sir Andrew Gregory said: “This is an excellent opportunity to raise much needed funds to support serving personnel, veterans and their families.” l Go to ssafa.org.uk/13Bridges22

BRITISH AND Polish jets roared over the Lithuanian capital Vilnius in a display of Nato unity.

The flypast marked the country’s Restoration of Independence Day that celebrates it becoming the first Baltic state to break away from the Soviet Union in 1990.

Flying from Zokniai Air Force Base near Šiauliai, RAF Typhoons from Lossiemouth joined a pair of Polish F-16 Fighting Falcons for the event.

Officer Commanding A Flight IX(B) Sqn said: “The flypast provided a unique opportunity to maintain close working relationships with Lithuanian and Nato partners while demonstrating the UK’s continued commitment to its allies and the unity within the Joint Expedition Force.”

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda was joined by expresidents and government heads for the symbolic occasion.

During the ceremony the flags of the three Baltic States were raised over Independence Square near the Lithuanian Parliament.

A day earlier, Britain’s Ambassador to Lithuania, Brian Olly, welcomed the pilots as they

INDEPENDENCE DAY: Crowds take to the street in Vilnius; right, Typhoons fly over the capital

arrived at Šiauliai Air Force Base.

He said: “Celebrating the Restoration of Independence Day over the capital city Vilnius is a tangible demonstration of the UK’s

unwavering commitment to Nato defence of the Baltic region.”

Typhoons from Coningsby and Akrotiri are conducting patrols in the region as part of pre-planned

enhanced Vigilance Activity.

The Nato mission was launched in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and is designed to defend the region.

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 P15

News In Brief

Sun sets for 146 Sqn veterans SEND-OFF:

AWARD: Brize-based Reservist Cpl Hayley Court has raised more than £30,000 for mental health charity

Hayley hailed at charity awards

CRUSADER CPL Hayley Court has scooped an award from Forces charity Combat Stress after netting more than £30,000 to support military mental health campaigns.

The Brize Norton-based Reservist with 622 Sqn launched her own charity, Healing Military Minds, last year to raise awareness of conditions like PTSD, linked with military service.

She was presented with the Combat Stress Community Group of the Year award for her fundraising success at the recent ceremony.

She said: “I felt honoured to pick up this award. We have worked so hard to achieve this.

Camps all around the world and UK are getting involved and our next goal is £50,000.”

ROYAL REWARD: New award minted to mark The Queen’s 70th anniversary

Medal citizens A NEW medal to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is being awarded to serving members of the Armed Forces with five full years service

by February 2022, and recipients of the George and Victoria Cross.

The Platinum Jubilee medal, designed to celebrate public service, features a portrait of The Queen.

THE RAF’S veteran VIP jet received a Royal send-off before taking off from Northolt for the last time.

During 36 years’ service the workhorse BAe 146 has flown Royals, Ministers and military chiefs across the globe.

Its retirement was marked by a poignant sunset ceremony featuring a display by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force followed by a flypast.

The four-strong 146 fleet operated by 32 (The Royal) Sqn is to be replaced by two Dassault Falcon 900LX aircraft.

Kit launch for Forces women Staff Reporter

FORCES WOMEN training for the frontline are being issued with a new range of armoured clothing to provide better protection and boost combat performance.

The latest kit is designed to fit the female frame in a range of smaller sizes so allows greater freedom of movement to use their weapons on the battlefield, Defence chiefs said.

The new range of body armour, which includes a scalable tactical vest, was put to the test in Winchester and will be issued to women personnel from next month following further trials.

Badly fitting and oversized standard vests have come under fire from the UK’s female fighters for leaving gaps and making aiming a rifle more difficult.

Army recruits will also be issued with professionally fitted sports bras under the programme, the MOD said.

Minister for Defence People and Veterans Leo Docherty said: “Women serving – if they’re slightly smaller frame, they need to ensure that they are just as well protected in a way that allows them to move and use their weapon and wear their kit and fight.

“All ground combat roles are open to women. It’s about practicality, this is not virtue signalling. This is about women being able to do their jobs properly as soldiers.”

Combat clothing range for female frontline fighters

COMBAT FIT: New body armour specifically designed for women will improve safety and performance; left, RAF Regt officer during training

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 P16

Feature

Falklands War, 40th anniversary

CORPORATE RE The little-known role of the Royal Air Force in longrange Falklands campaign as we mark 40 years since the battle

O

NCE THE British Government had decided to mount a Task Force to retake the Falkland Islands following the Argentinian invasion on April 2, 1982, the RAF was in action immediately when many air and ground elements of the Air Force were involved.

Because much of the RAF’s activity was covert, it did not attract the same attention as the preparations for war of major Army and Royal Navy units. Nevertheless, RAF aircraft were heavily tasked in moving men and equipment to the ports of departure and making preparations for combat and transporting vital equipment and personnel to Ascension Island.

It was the intensive use by the RAF of Wideawake Airfield on Ascension Island as a forward operating base that contributed to the blackout of information of the extensive RAF activity. Situated some 4,100 miles from the UK and 3,900 miles from the Falklands, it played a crucial role in the buildup and support for the Task Force.

Within 24 hours of the operation beginning, eight Hercules headed for Ascension carrying vital supplies and members of Tactical Supply Wing, who played a key role managing stores and the huge uplift of fuel during the operations.

Amongst the earliest arrivals at Ascension were Nimrods that were immediately tasked to make long-range maritime surveillance operations. In due course, Harrier GR3s and Phantoms provided air defence for the airfield.

ALL HANDS ON DECK: No time to lose after Chinook resupply

VICTOR TO VICTOR REFUELLING: Twenty-two such manoeuvres were required for each Black Buck mission from Ascension Island to the Falklands and back (Victor to Victor and Victor to Vulcan)

BY GRAHAM PITCHFORK Aviation historian, author and Air Cdre (Ret’d) The Victor Tanker Force IN VIEW of the huge distances involved, it was immediately apparent that air-to-air refuelling was essential. Initially, only the Harriers and Phantoms were equipped and trained for air-toair refuelling from the RAF’s two squadrons of Victor K2 tankers.

Within a few weeks, Vulcan, Nimrod and Hercules aircraft were modified for in-flight refuelling and conversion training of aircrews was completed.

Thereafter, crews of all these aircraft flew greatly extended missions, taking on fuel by day and by night, often in bad weather. This allowed maritime reconnaissance, air-drops of vital equipment and bombing missions that would otherwise have been impossible.

The Victors flew nearly 600 sorties during the hostilities.

The Vulcan’s swan song THE VETERAN delta-wing bomber was about to be retired from service when it was suddenly thrust into the limelight on the world stage. Its long range, extended by air-to-air refuelling, and its ability to carry a large bomb load enabled it to be tasked to carry out five attacks on Port Stanley airfield and its air defences.

DELIVERY: Stores and equipment being unloaded from a Hercules after its arrival at Wideawake Airfield, Ascension Island, in April 1982

Dropping 1,000lb bombs, attacks were made against the airfield and anti-radar missiles were released against the air defences. The sorties were in excess of 15 hours and involved the transfer of 50,000 gallons of fuel from the Victors.

At the time, these were the longest bombing missions in the history of air warfare.

Harriers in action IT WAS clear from the outset that the Task Force would be heavily out-numbered in the air. The Royal Navy’s Sea Harriers were highly successful defending the Fleet against Argentinian air attacks and some 23 Argentine aircraft were shot down. To provide a close air support and ground attack capability, it was decided to deploy nine RAF Harrier GR3s.

Using air-to-air refuelling they deployed to Ascension, a flight of more than nine hours. Three were

MISSIONS: 1 Sqn Harrier. Inset, RAF Harrier GR3s and Navy Sea Harriers and Wessex choppers share the deck of HMS Hermes as it heads towards the Falklands

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 P17

ESPONSIBILITY ASCENSION ISLAND: Flt Lt Martin Withers crosses the threshold at Wideawake airfield in Vulcan B.2 XM607 after successfully completing the Black Buck 1 mission. Inset top left, the pilot debriefs with Gp Capt Jeremy Price and AVM George Chesworth, Chief of Staff 18 Gp

BRIEFING: Victor crews ahe Buck mission during Operatiad of a Black Close attention to detail was on Corporate.

11-aircraft formations, whi required for the in radio silence. In the fore ch were completed Ldrs Barry Neal and Frank ground are Sqn Milligan

CRAMPED DISPERSAL: Vict transporters (in the distance or tankers and Hercules ) at Wideawake Airfield

MR.2 taking off MARITIME PATROL: Nimrodension Island Asc , ield Airf from Wideawake

operation. In addition to the Tactical Supply Wing, the RAF Tactical Communications Wing was deployed at the outset. More than 200 personnel were involved and their work encompassed every facet of military signals.

The RAF Regiment was deployed to Ascension, and later to the Falklands, and bomb disposal teams were in action after the reoccupation of the islands.

Casualty evacuation was a crucial morale booster for the fighting troops and more than 550 aeromedical patients were evacuated by specially-adapted VC10s.

ON BOARD ATLANTIC CONVEYOR: 1 Sqn Harrier pilots Sqn Ldr Pete Harris, Flt Lts Jeff Glover, Mark Hare, John Rochfort and Tony Harper with the OC 1 Sqn Wg Cdr Peter Squire (standing second from right, next to Sqn Ldr Bob Iveson). Seated is Sqn Ldr Jerry Pooks

IR PHOTOS: AAL IC R HISTO AF) BR ANCH (R

retained for local air defence and six were moved to the Atlantic Conveyor before transferring to HMS Hermes in the South Atlantic. Soon after, four additional Harriers, using air-to-air refuelling, flew direct to Hermes.

The Harriers were soon in action carrying bombs and rockets in support of the land forces.

Towards the end of the campaign, some deployed to a forward strip near San Carlos and were able to mount precision attacks using laser-guided bombs. The Harriers flew 150 operational sorties with three aircraft shot down by enemy fire. All three pilots ejected safely and one became the only British prisoner of war.

The airlift TO ESTABLISH and maintain such a large force, and at extreme range, required a huge airlift involving almost all of the RAF’s

TOP UP: A Harrier GR.3 refuels from a Victor K.2 tanker

transport support. Not since the Berlin Airlift of 1948-49 had the RAF been involved in such a massive operation. In addition to the constant flow of Hercules and VC10 aircraft carrying supplies to Ascension, the Hercules, using air-to-air refuelling, carried out airdrops to ships of the Task Force and to troops in the Falklands. One airdrop to troops in East Falkland lasted for 28 hours, a world record

for the Hercules. By the ceasefire, more than 500 sorties had been flown by the Hercules and the VC10.

Four Chinook helicopters were deployed to the South Atlantic but this force was reduced to just one following the sinking of the Atlantic Conveyor. Based at Port San Carlos, this provided support to the land force commander and it carried out some prodigious airlift

tasks. It achieved more than 150 flying hours, carried 1,530 troops, 600 tons of equipment and 650 prisoner-of-war. On one occasion, in response to an urgent operational task, it carried 81 troops towards the battle zone, almost twice the normal limit.

Ground support RAF GROUND personnel were essential to the success of the

Achievements IN THE campaign to regain the Falklands, the RAF provided vital air support. There were some remarkable achievements during the 11-week war, which included record duration flights by the Hercules (28 hours), the Nimrod (19 hours) and the Harrier (nine hours). The Vulcan carried out the longest-range bombing operations in the history of air warfare at the time and air resupply was carried out over the most extended single line of communication ever – 8,000 miles from the UK to the Falklands.

Operational techniques developed for a possible conflict in Europe had to be adapted for a totally different campaign conducted at extreme range, but RAF personnel rose to these new challenges and delivered magnificently.

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 P18

Feature

Falklands War, 40th anniversary

As the UK marks the Falklands 40th anniversary, EOD specialist Ade Thorne shares his explosive and candid account of the 74-day battle WITHIN THREE days of the Argentianian invasion of the Falkland Islands on April 2, 1982, the British Task Force set sail with 25,948 UK military personnel and 3,000 civilians on board. 255 of them would never return.

Ade Thorne was part of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team on the Otterburn ranges when 5131 (Bomb Disposal) Sqn was ordered back to RAF Wittering to form five two-man teams to clear landing strips for 1 (F) Sqn Harriers spearheading the air assault on the Argentinian invaders.

April 30

“

We said goodbye to our families and headed to Marchwood military docks in Southampton to board the RFA Sir Bedivere. Unfortunately, as it had two uncovered Bofors guns at the front, it couldn’t be classified as a merchant vessel and we were ordered off, leaving all our vehicles and kit on board, and got a coach back to Wittering.

The following week, a BL755 cluster bomblet exploded at West Freugh range in Scotland killing Sgt Ginge Rutter and LAC Boothroyd and injuring two others – the first two RAF EOD deaths since 1956. It was a trial drop of the munition, a task which we were to face hundreds of times in the forthcoming weeks.

May 7

We caught a VC10 to Ascension Island from Brize and were billeted in Two Boats village. It was on the Equator, yet it was chucking it down. I remember supping pina coladas in a swimming pool, thinking, ‘This is a lovely war’.

Next morning there was a sign outside the tent that read, ‘Whoever has nicked the 21 x 1,000lb bombs

DUTY CALLS: Ade (right) with No 5131 Sqn at Marchwood military base, Southampton

can they please return by midday and nothing will be said.’ Later we found out they were taken for the Vulcan Black Buck missions.

May 10

RFA Sir Bedivere sailed into Ascension. To board we had to climb a rope ladder dropped over the side. It was quite scary watching my 50-year-old WO pull his way up, surrounded by hammerhead sharks circling our boat. We set sail at night to avoid Argentine submarines.

We had four times as many people on board than we should have had.

May 14

We sail south. As RAF, we were enemy aircraft watchers on the bridge. One night, I had been following a bright, white light and eventually plucked up the courage to shout out, ‘Red (on the port side) 110 plus 60’. The officer on watch ON THE WAY: Ade (front) and comrades aboard RFA Sir Bedivere, heading to Ascension

came out saying, ‘What’s up?’, to which I replied, ‘Bright light sir, been following us for a while now, moving around a bit’. ‘That’s the planet Venus, you idiot,’ he said.

The war diary of a young RAF Explosive Ordnance Disposal operative

May 23

HMS Ardent escorts us into San Carlos water. What a sight, naval and civilian vessels everywhere, helicopters buzzing all over the place.

As I stood on the deck taking pictures, a marine said, ‘You won’t be doing that at 2pm mate – that’s when the Argies come.’

He wasn’t wrong. I could have set my watch by it.

Suddenly all hell broke loose.

Metal tins being banged, ships’ horns blasted, lots of small-arms fire, then a massive whoosh as a missile fired by one of the warships cracks past us.

Our brief was to go back to our bunk and lie down, pushing mattresses against the bulkhead.

On the way down I saw some Argentine Mirages go flashing past. I remember thinking, ‘Brave bas**rds’, because they were met by a wall of tracers and missiles from the ships and kept coming. If we didn’t get them, then the Harriers or Rapier batteries would have a good go as they left.

A couple of bombs hit us but didn’t explode. One bounced through the crane on the front, skipped off the water and into Sir Galahad. We were attributed the kill of a Mirage but also put a GPMG volley through the wardroom of HMS Fearless.

The night before, HMS Antelope had exploded, killing a Royal Engineer trying to defuse a bomb. The reality is sinking in.

May 24

We move ashore as our explosives

WELCOME TO WAR: Mirage attack on the Sir Bedivere saw 5131 in the thick of things

were too much of a target. At 2am we move the vehicles onto a Mexeflote raft, arrive at Ajax Bay, and head for the old sheep refrigeration factory.

There were some hooligans from Poole or Hereford who saw we were looking lost. The RSM from 45 Commando appeared and wasn’t impressed. ‘Oh, for Christ’s sake, the bloody Air Force has arrived.

Only they would bring a 4-tonner decked in white arctic camouflage and two Land Rovers with bright red wings and blue lights on top.

Get them covered up now.’

We all went down with Galtieri’s Revenge. The latrine was just a 12 x 12, you went in four at a time and hung onto the makeshift scaffolding pipe. It was not the

time to stop and chat. The rat pack toilet paper was shiny. Absolute nightmare.

Another time, an air raid sounded, the helicopter went to ground and blew the tent away. There was our Warrant Officer, trousers down hanging over the trench, God, how we laughed!

May 27

We were housed in the Field Hospital, but it was decided not to paint a Red Cross on the top because of the proximity of our supplies and ammunition.

We were back in our room when the air raid sirens started. I thought, ‘Blimey they’re late tonight’. Next thing, smallarms fire opened, there was an almighty bang, a loss of air, and a rush of wind past us. All the lights went out, the air was full of dust, and people were shouting and screaming. Scrambling around for my

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 P19

ADE THORNE, 61, was born and brought up in Amesbury, next to RAF Boscombe Down. As a child, his dad would take him up to the end of the runway, aircraft spotting.

Thrilled by the sight of fast jets flashing overhead in his neighbourhood, he quit his job in a fireworks factory and joined the RAF in 1978 at the age of 17 as an armourer.

Ade left the RAF as a Warrant Officer in 2015 after serving more than 37 years. Moving in with his partner Jane, also an ex-armourer, they settled in Somerset and Ade (inset) trained to be a coach driver. He is now a coach driving instructor and DVSA assessor.

Season ticket holders at Southampton FC, the couple travel around the country supporting the Saints and meeting up with old comrades.

tin lid and rifle I tried to crawl towards the door in pitch darkness, struggling to breathe. I can remember the smell of explosives. I love that smell. ‘Get up, get down,’ was being shouted. I felt my left leg was wet, warm, and sticky, but no pain.

There was a large fire where the Marines’ galley was; 26 men were injured and five men lost their lives.

In the half-light I looked at my leg and was relieved to see the wetness was caused by Mick Sidwell’s rice pudding.

There was another almighty bang. A Sea King lifting a double stack of ammo for the frontline at the time of the air raid just cut the rope. Somehow it ignited, and we had mortars, rounds, and 66mm rockets whizzing all over the place.

The raid was by two Skyhawks; one dropped its stick of four bombs on us, one went off, one went right though the building and was up on the hill unexploded, one was in the metalwork inside the wall, the other was in the roof.

The next day the ammunition stack had cooled enough for us to clear the area, which was an important helicopter pad for outgoing stores and incoming casualties from Goose Green.

We picked up stretchers and gingerly walked up and down picking up anything we could find – ammo boxes, grenades, rockets, and mortars.

We just got on and did it. I remember a marine saying, ‘Fair play dude.’

My mum received a letter from the Station Commander at RAF Wittering saying her little boy was aboard the Atlantic Conveyor. I’d never even seen the boat, let alone been on it. Then the ship was hit by an Exocet missile and sunk. It took numerous phone calls to EOD ops before she finally believed I wasn’t onboard.

Goose Green was now in the hands of the Paras, but at some cost. Helicopter after

helicopter brought in casualties, then the bodies. A medic asked for anybody blood type A-Positive to come forward. I put my hand up.

I went through the makeshift door CLASS ACTS: Ade (left) and pals at Goose Green School House

and saw guys laid out with medical teams around them. They got me to lay down, put a needle in, and I watched my blood disappear off behind a screen.

Next day all the Paras killed at Goose Green were carried to a mass grave on a hillock overlooking the sheds and we gathered for a small service. Then, we helped construct a POW compound for the expected 1,500 Argies.

Early June

We arrived at Goose Green and set up in the old schoolhouse. As prisoners moved back to Ajax, we moved onto the airfield to sort out the mess left behind – helmets, rifles, and fighting kit.

Pucara aircraft littered the skyline. We weren’t sure if they

ARGENTINE PUCARA: Checking grounded aircraft for booby traps

what he was stood up in, so I gave him my trainers.

We then boarded the MV Elk and set sail for the capital.

June 18

June 30

We left on the RFA Sir Geraint, straight into a Force 14 hurricane.

The 14 days sailing back to Ascension seemed a lifetime.

At Ascension, we were ferried ashore by a Wessex, and then a good old VC10 Goes-homey bird to take us to Brize Norton. I expected to catch the bus to Wittering, collect my car, then drive home but the boss had got everybody’s families there. It was pretty HOME: emotional...

Ade back

Stanley was a complete and utter mess. The Argies had trashed everything.

Our first job was to cordon off the Falkland Islands Company warehouses to search for IEDs, whilst loading the landies with bags of flour, sugar, tea, spam, and anything else we could blag.

at Brize

We checked over shipping containers down by the Governor’s house for booby traps. I noticed the amount of officer ration packs, with cigarettes, whilst the poor conscripts on the mountains got bugger all.

There were crude traps everywhere. Leaving Stanley to the Royal Engineers, our job was to concentrate on the airfield. They needed the runway clear to get the first Hercules in.

The Vulcan might only have got one and a half bombs on the runway, but it made one hell of a mess everywhere else. There were 20 aircraft types, the ground was littered with UXBs, fired shells, empty cases, rocket pods, missiles,

June 14

Argentine forces surrender.

June 15

At Ajax, there were hundreds if not thousands of POWs with P&O passenger level cards around their necks, A for officer, C for conscript etc. I bumped into an old mate, a chef with 16 Field Hospital Paras, who was on the Sir Galahad that had been bombed. He only had

British, American, French, and Israeli-made weapons. It took nearly four days to clear.

PARTY: Neighbours gather at Ade’s parents’ house to welcome him back

At home, all the neighbours were out. The house was decorated with Union Jacks and RAF flags. It was very humbling.

Two days into my leave we were ordered back to camp to attend the memorial service at St Paul’s Cathedral. In October, we marched through London on the victory parade. As is tradition, the RAF, being the junior service, were at the back behind the Household Cavalry. I didn’t care though ’cos I was able to trample loads of horse manure into the red carpet in the Guildhall.

In seven weeks, we were shot at, bombed and rocketed, but we all survived. We cleared 900 UXBs/ bomblets, hundreds of plastic mines, tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition and a few tons of napalm.

All of us got some form of award, I got The Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct. I will never know why I was singled out. Seven times we got the bloody thing presented by various bigwigs.

“

CLOSE-KNIT: Ade (right) with 5131 team at Ajax Bay, Falklands

were booby-trapped, so a decision was made to pull out the ejection seats.

Other traps included rocket launchers strapped onto a kiddies’ slide and 1,000lb bombs wired up on the shoreline like mines. We removed the seat pins, tied a rope around the handle, and ran away, bravely pulling the rope. I reckon only a third worked correctly.

Then we moved onto the napalm clearance. There were lots of containers with a weeping liquid crusted around the lids. Not nice stuff. We commandeered a tractor with a sledge and transported it to the airfield, where we constructed a large bonfire.

Next, we were asked to clean up the Argie rifles. The FN was like our SLR. News soon got around that we had reconned these rifles, and next day a Lynx landed, and the crewman asked for some to strap in the doorway.

We then cleared up cluster bomblets that were strewn all over the place. We formed a FOD plod line and slowly advanced. More than 600 were recovered between Goose and Darwin. These were placed on top of the napalm, linked with det-cord, ready for the big blow.

It was now time to ignite the bonfire. As we lit the safety fuse a Sea King appeared with a big rubber portable fuel bag tethered underneath. Thankfully it veered off and the bonfire ignited. It was a massive fireball.

Whilst at Goose we heard on the World Service that the end was near, so we packed up our kit and waited for a Chinook to take us back to Ajax.

The Chinook duly arrived, and we ferried all the kit aboard. I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was the loadie pointing at my weapon slung over my shoulder. It was the wrong way up; it should have been barrel down.

In my haste to turn it round I caught the bottom of my magazine catch which sprung off and covered the whole back ramp in rounds of ammunition. Another harder smack of the head followed, and as we lifted off all I could see was lots of Gurkhas picking up my rounds.

That flight back to Ajax was scary. No glass in the windows, back ramp open – it was as noisy as hell. Best and worst roller-coaster ride I’ve ever had.

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Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 P21

Falklands War, 40th anniversary FIRST IN: The pilot of Vulcan B.2 XM607, Flt Lt Martin Withers, pictured immediately after leaving his aircraft on his return to Wideawake airfield on Ascension Island on May 1, 1982, after the successful completion of the initial Black Buck mission to attack the airfield at Stanley on the Falkland Islands. Below, approaching the airfield

Feature

The Falklands Few

DOGFIGHTS: Falklands Harrier

S

BLACK BUCK The ‘mission impossible’ Simon Mander

O

PERATION BLACK BUCK – the Vulcan bombing raid that began Britain’s campaign to retake the Falklands – has been described as a mission impossible.

The daring attack on April 30, 1982 to put Port Stanley airfield out of action for Argentine jets was the longest-range bombing raid in history and is still its bomb bay – designed to carry nuclear weapons – to considered one of the most ambitious ever feats of drop a conventional payload. combat flying.

A total of 11 Victor tankers were required to get the Comparisons with 617 Squadron’s legendary attacking force to their target with multiple top-ups, Dambusters mission in World War II are inevitable posing massive potential for error. although none of those who took part would ever And the start of the mission was not promising liken themselves to Guy Gibson’s heroes. either – with one of three Vulcans forced to return to The, even then, ageing V-bomber was the only Waddington with a cabin pressure problem within RAF aircraft that could do the job – but it had never minutes of take-off. been flown in anger and at the time was three months That left Flt Lt Withers in the second aircraft, XM607, away from retirement. in the lead, having to refuel five times en route to get to With barely a month to train for the fiendishly his destination.

And that wasn’t the only problem – one of complex mission, dumps and even museums the probes broke during an electrical storm were scoured for vital spare parts while and there was radio silence at Ascension personnel had just three weeks to learn Island. They were above maximum the air-to-air refuelling skills crucial take-off weight because of fuel and to its success.

And as pilot Flt Lt Martin bombs and while they could reach the target it was uncertain that they Withers, who won the DFC in the would be able to get back. raid, later admitted, it just didn’t seem possible.

But Withers has no doubt that his decision to press on was the He said: “We trained hard right one and it paved the way for a for the mission flying 1,000lb total of seven Black Buck raids. bombing runs at Garvey Island but even after all the practice, we He said: “We were right to drive the Argentinians out of the Falklands. still didn’t really believe that we would be doing it for real over Port For the Vulcan’s part, denying the Argentinians the use of the airfield at Port Stanley. pion “Even up to the last minute we thought WITHERS: Vulcan cham Stanley helped to protect the Task Force and the fear of another strike on the mainland it would never happen. No one really expected to go to war, and it came as a m a s s i v e forced the Argentinians to reposition their fighter shock when we did.” aircraft to the northern airfields, thus moving the threat The complications involved were enormous; much further away from the Falklands themselves. frantic engineering work was needed to install an “I’ve been back to the Falklands since the war and internal refuelling system to extend the aircraft’s talked with some of the Islanders and they are all still range beyond its maximum of 4,171kms and convert very grateful for what we did.”

EA HARRIER pilots in the Falklands War were arguably ‘The Few’ of 1982.

Though later reinforced by 10 RAF jump jets, only two Fleet Air Arm squadrons initially faced an estimated 122 Argentine fighters – who outnumbered them six to one.

Starting with just 20 Sea Harriers, a further eight joined the Task Force by midMay. Six were lost by accident or ground fire, and none in air-to-air combat.

Ranged against them were the enemy’s Daggers, Mirages, Super Etendards and Skyhawks.

And perhaps the most famous dogfight of the conflict took place on June 8 when two Sea Harriers, led

by RAF Flt Lt David Morgan, engaged four Skyhawks.

He later told RAF News: “We were at 10,000 feet over Fitzroy when we saw the landing craft Galahad and Tristan being attacked by four Skyhawks as they tried to evacuate troops.”

Diving down at speeds never achieved by a Sea Harrier before he fired a Sidewinder heat-seeking missile, destroying one Skyhawk, then fired again at a second aircraft, whose pilot managed to eject.

He said: “I was overcome with the oddest sensation I have ever had, first intense anger at the enemy because I knew they’d probably killed some of our guys then huge empathy as I saw the pilot dangling on the end of his parachute, then anger again as I fired my cannon at a third Argentine jet.”

FLT LT MORGAN: Harrier pilot was awarded Distinguished Service Cross

The action won Flt Lt Morgan one of only 11 Distinguished Service Crosses ever awarded to the RAF, and his wingman Lt David Smith became the last British pilot to shoot down an enemy aircraft for finishing off the third jet with a missile.

Eleven years later Flt Lt Morgan met the fourth Skyhawk pilot who got away, Hector Sanchez, and discovered the outcome could have been very different.

“I nearly collided with Hector, but he backed away and by the time I’d shot down the first Skyhawk he had me in his gun sights but luckily for me they jammed as he had taken some small arms fire earlier on,” he said.

The former adversaries became firm friends and when reunited on a visit to the Falklands realised they had both suffered PTSD from the episode, even though the dogfight only lasted about 90 seconds.

And Flt Lt Morgan admitted only regular therapy sessions had brought his symptoms under control.

He said: “Self-treatment is not an option, all you’re doing is driving it underground, so it comes back later but louder.

You need professional help – manning up and getting on with it doesn’t work.”

FALKLANDS RETURN: Morgan by wreckage of downed Skyhawk in 2007

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 P23

Henriette ‘Monique’ Hanotte MBE Obituary

Monique, heroine of the Comet Line H

COURAGEOUS: her Henriette during ove, war service and, abme in later life with sols of her many meda and decorations

ENRIETTE ‘MONIQUE’ HANOTTE, who has died aged 101, was one of a number of young Belgian heroines who assisted Allied airmen to evade capture by the Germans and travel along the Comet Escape Line through France to the Pyrenees and into Spain.

The daughter of a Belgian First World War veteran and a French mother, Henriette was born on Sepeaux in the Yonne region of France on August 10, 1920 before her parents returned to their home at Rumes.

After leaving school, she helped with the running of the family hotel and their smallholding before becoming involved in the work of MI9, the British intelligence organisation that supported the various escape lines in occupied Europe.

Shortly after the Germans invaded the Low Countries and France on May 10, 1940, two British officers, who had been cut off during the retreat from Belgium, called at the family hotel seeking help to evade capture. It was to be the beginning of a remarkable career for the slim 19-year-old and, in the years that followed, she would assist more than 100 Allied airmen in their successful bid for freedom.

She lived in the Belgian village of Rumes, some two kilometres from the French border. She had attended school in the village of Bachy, just inside France. Hence, she had crossed the border every day, knew all the local paths, ditches and countryside and was familiar with the habits of the neighbourhood.

Those manning the customs post knew her well as she cycled to school with her violin on her back.

She was an ideal courier, able to take evaders across the border and on to Lille from where they were taken to Paris.

Within a year, the Comet Line, organised by Belgian nurse Andrée de Jongh and supported by MI9, came into existence. More than 800 airmen would travel down the route to Spain. Henriette, first given the code name ‘Marie’ and then ‘Monique’, had all the qualities needed to take on the dangerous task of escorting the evaders.

The nine-room family hotel

became a key collecting point for crossing the Franco-Belgian border. Evaders were brought from Brussels, sometimes by Monique, and stayed at the hotel where her English-speaking mother checked their clothing and possessions for any incriminating evidence. When it was the right time to cross the border Monique took them through the local fields before passing them to the next courier, usually in Bachy. On occasion, using buses and trains, she took them to Lille and on to Paris, the main collecting point for the Comet Line.

Sometimes, the six-mile walk to Bachy was straightforward but on other occasions she had to be very alert. In an interview with a Daily Telegraph journalist in August 2020 she commented: “You had to think on your feet. There were German soldiers all along the border.”

On one occasion, she was taking her ‘package’ of two airmen to Paris by train. At one stage, a German officer asked to borrow the newspaper they were pretending to read. She recalled: “I quickly gave him mine instead so they wouldn’t have to speak. It was a very scary moment.”

It was on one of her visits to Paris that members of the Comet Line were betrayed, placing those who avoided capture at great risk.

Monique was spotted in Rumes by the Gestapo and in January 1944, MI9 decided to extract her. She travelled down the Line to Biarritz, crossed the Pyrenees led by a Basque guide, and on to Madrid and Gibraltar before being flown to England.

After her arrival in England early in 1944, she was recruited to be a secret agent. Enlisted into the Auxiliary Territorial Service as a Second Lieutenant she trained as a parachutist with the intention of dropping her into the Ardennes to assist in establishing a Resistance cell.

Late in her training she was injured on landing and, to her eternal regret, she was not fully fit until Belgium was liberated in September 1944. She remained in England for the rest of the war and celebrated VE Day in London.

Until very late in her life Monique attended many reunions in Brussels of the Comet Line, the RAF Escaping Society and its successor the Escape Lines Memorial Society, where she met other helpers and the airmen she had assisted.

Among her numerous Belgian and foreign decorations, she was appointed MBE and received the United States Medal of Freedom.

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 P24

Obituary Sqn Ldr Alexander Gilbert DFC

DFC hero who took part in Op Manna A

WORLD WAR II hero who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and took part in Operation Manna and Operation Exodus has died aged 100.

Sqn Ldr Alexander Gilbert joined the RAF in 1940 and completed 36 missions with Bomber Command, serving as a Flight Engineer.

After qualifying as an airframe fitter and servicing Spitfire and Sunderland flying boats, then being released from the RAF temporarily in 1942 to work on the production of Lancaster fuselages at the Cowley works in Oxford, he was posted to Scampton, and detached to 49 Sqn at Fiskerton.

In 1943 he volunteered for flying duties and qualified as a Flight Engineer, was promoted to Sgt and posted to No 5 Group Headquarters at Morton Hall. He trained on the Lancaster with No 1661 Heavy Conversion Unit at Whithorpe then moved to 9 Sqn at Bardney. While on 9 Sqn his crew went on 10 operations including three to Hamburg. He then joined 514 Sqn as senior Lancaster crew at Foulsham.

Gilbert remembered, in the middle of May 1943, racing to Scampton to watch the returning aircraft of 617 (Dambusters) Sqn land and counting the aircraft.

In November that year 514 Sqn moved to Waterbeach and in May 1944 Gilbert was in the first crew to complete a tour of duty with the squadron. He was promoted temporarily to Pilot Officer that October. With 514 Sqn

YOUNG RECRUIT: Alexander Gilbert

his crew completed four operations, the last of which was to Berlin.

In January the following year he volunteered for a second operational tour and, with three members of his original crew, was posted to 149 Sqn at Methwold. He was awarded the DFC in May 1945 and with his crew was involved in Operation Manna, dropping food and supplies to the starving Dutch population from the end of April to the beginning of May 1945. They also took part in Operation Exodus that month, bringing back repatriated prisoners of war to the UK. At the end of the war he was appointed Flight Engineer Leader and stayed with 49 Sqn until 1948, when he transferred from the General Duties branch to the Administrative branch.

In 1951 he was promoted to Flight Lieutenant and was selected for a permanent Commission in April 1952. He later served on the staffs of Training, Tr a n s p o r t , B omb er and Strike

Commands and also at the Ministry of Defence in London. He was promoted to Sqn Ldr in January 1964 and his overseas service included tours of duty to Hong Kong, France and Aden.

On retiring in October 1976 Gilbert was offered a retired officer post at RAF Halton and completed 10 years’ service as Wing Administrative Officer of the Herts/Bucks Wing ATC. He finally put his uniform away in October 1986 after 45 years’ service.

In October 2020 he received France’s highest honour of merit, the Légion d’Honneur, in a presentation at RAF Halton.

After retirement he lived at Cheddington, near RAF Halton, and station personnel provided a Guard of Honour at his funeral earlier this month with Station Commander Gp Capt Daniel Startup representing the Service.

MEDALS: Sqn Ldr Gilbert was awarded the Légion d’Honneur, as well as the DFC and others

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Boris Defence bonanza fuels UK space race MAY THE FORCES BE WITH YOU: Boris Johnson has pledged extra funding for military space defence technology

£16.5bn to combat Russia & China 'Star Wars' threat Simon Mander DEFENCE IS set for the biggest funding lift since the end of the Cold War government budget boost of £16.5 with a to transform the Armed Forces. billion PM Boris Johnson announced the spending spree to counter the growing threat Russia and China in space and the cyber from realm.

Among the projects to receive extra funding are a national Cyber Force and RAF Space Command, to safeguard military and commercial satellites from attack by adversaries.

Senior Air chiefs this week warned the next major conflict could be won or lost in space and that a move away from traditional military war fighting is vital to protect the UK and its allies.

Mr Johnson said: “I have taken this decision in the teeth of the pandemic because the defence of the realm must come first.

“The international situation is more perilous and intensely competitive than at any time since the Cold War and Britain must be true to our history and stand alongside our allies. To achieve this, we need to upgrade our capabilities across the board.

“This is our chance to end the era of retreat, transform our Armed Forces, bolster our global influence, unite and level up our country, pioneer new technology and defend our people and way of life.” l Continued p3

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Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 P26

Motoring

Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid

TIM MORRIS Motoring Correspondent I DON’T know about you but I’m still not entirely used to the fact that supercar manufacturers now make SUVs. It’s a bit like fitting Formula 1 cars with Monster Truck wheels just in case they might, one day, need to drive across a piece of grass.

Even Ferrari, the last stand against super-SUV production, will shortly give in to market pressure with a model called Purosangue.

It will join the likes of the Lamborghini Urus, Aston Martin DBX and of course Porsche’s legendary Cayenne, which has been around for a lot, lot longer.

The latest version is actually the grandchild of the original Cayenne, a car that hit showrooms way back in 2002. Yes, 20 years ago.

In that time more than 700,000 have been sold and it’s gained a loyal fan base in the UK. The thirdgeneration car is the fastest and lightest yet, which will certainly delight Cayenne-ites but also intrigue new buyers. After all, we’re talking about an SUV with real off-road ability that can go from 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds and hit over 180mph.

Ah, now I have your attention.

PREMIUM SUV: Now even the red-hot Cayenne is going green

t o h s ’ e Cayenn

Exterior The Cayenne looks rapid for a 4x4. It’s longer, lower and broader than the previous model, which gives it the stance of a real beast. It has a new snarling mouth, unmistakable Porsche flanks and a full-width LED light-bar between the taillamps. It otherwise remains true to the original Cayenne design, which is fabulous if you loved the original.

If you didn’t, chances are you won’t like this one much either.

Interior Getting into a super-SUV is an odd experience because your brain expects fat cat lazy luxury but instead gets race-tuned supercar sleek. The sculpted seats are very similar to those in a 911 and they wind down low too. This gives you the feeling of driving on the boards and tricks you into believing you’re driving something far more agile than a hefty 4x4.

The Cayenne’s cockpit is shared with the new Panamera. The central rev-counter dominates the main instrument binnacle, flanked by two high-resolution screens.

The left displays the speedometer, the right flips through several

SEATS: Super-soft leather adds to luxury feel

functions including sat nav and technical information.

In the centre of the dash is a 12.3in touchscreen infotainment system that is both fast and sharp.

Beneath that is a shiny dark panel

that houses illuminated icons.

These replace a number of traditional buttons and give a slight tingle to your fingers when you operate them – slick. If you can’t be bothered to go looking for buttons however, there’s always voice control.

The interior is generally outstanding. The leather is super-soft and the attention to detail makes it a very nice place to be indeed. There’s also plenty of space so even the lankiest of rear seat passengers can spread out.

It’s just a pity that there’s no 7-seat option.

On The Road This version of the Cayenne is powered by a 4.0 V8 petrol engine, married to a 136hp electric motor.

The power is further enhanced by twin turbochargers, with twinstroll turbines that push the output

up to a stonking 680hp. Hence the blistering 0-60 and eye-catching top end. Plant your boot into the boards and it’s like a jet taking off, noise, vibration, G, the lot. You almost cling on for dear life.

What is slightly unexpected is the relatively frugal 59mpg that you can get on a combined cycle. Then there’s the 20 miles you can do on pure electric before the huge lump rumbles into life.

Off-road the Cayenne chugs along quite happily and you can jack up the suspension for a bit more ground clearance. It’s no mud-plugger but it’s more capable than you might expect.

On tarmac it really shines. The sharp steering, combined with torque vectoring, makes it way better than any 4x4 has the right to be through the bends. It’s still a beefy bit of German engineering to throw around, with a relatively high centre of gravity, but you can’t help feeling impressed by what it can do.

Verdict Pros l Immense Power l Frugal (in V8 terms) l Sharp handling l Impressive interior Cons l Ours cost £146,319 l Expensive options list l Slight lag in gear change l Reliability yet to be proved Overall The Cayenne handles well and delivers strong performance. It’s also a practical SUV that’s easy to live with. It will get you to where you want to go rapidly, even if your destination is hard to reach, and you can save the planet while you’re getting there. The new chassis and reduced weight make it more interesting to drive than many rivals too. It’s the roar from the Twin Turbo V8 that’s the real sell however, because it provides epic fun that leaves you grinning from ear to ear.

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Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 P27

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pages of RAF Sport start here l Paralympics guiding light: p31

It's Crunch time RUGBY UNION

Stiff test in France then Inters beckon RAF RUGBY union seniors head coach FS Justin Coleman was in bullish mood speaking in the build-up to this year’s IS and Le Crunch fixtures.

Having seen his charges produce an incredible 39-38 IS warm-up win over Coventry, all eyes turn to Bordeaux and the business end of the season for the top man.

Talking to RAF News, Coleman told how he feels things are at an exciting place, not just for his team but Service rugby union as a whole.

He said: “We have all had to deal with Covid, the loss of fixtures and training and we have all seen changes across the board with personnel and backroom staff. So, from that perspective, this year will be a good benchmark to see where we all are.

“There will be pressure as there always is with IS matches but since we got going this season I’ve been looking to build our depth, because we are not just dealing with injuries but also world events and I feel very happy with the squad we have.”

The annual fixture against France will this year see the RAF travel across the Channel to play at the Stade André et Guy Boniface. The match will be the team’s final warm-up match before returning to the UK to face the Army at Kingsholm, home of Gloucester RFC, on March 26.

Coleman (pictured right) – who will also have a week’s training with his squad on home

soil before the opening IS clash – said: “For us, it’s really been a steady escalation of getting everyone involved to tie things in with the French game and our training week before the opening Army clash.

“We know what is needed but of course things are focused on last time we played – squads and preparations have changed massively without last year’s IS.” Coleman, who announced his IS squad recently, gave the captain’s armband to Cpl Alex Stanley.

“He is one of our young players who will be around for some time to come. He is playing a good level at Esher and he is bringing that to the side as well,” added Coleman.

“The Inters buzz is slowly gathering pace again this year.

The profile of the championship has been rising for a while now.

There are live streams on Forces TV, proper stadia and good crowds – it’s great. Our warm-up matches have had big attendances at some good grounds, so the lads have had the chance to acclimatise to it and they are soaking it up and enjoying it.

“Now the real work begins though.”

The RAF play the Royal Navy on April 9 at the Ealing Trailfinders ground, Vallis Way, Ealing, KO 3.15pm.

For tickets to the opening clash visit: Ar myr ugbyunion. org.uk/ticketinginformation-for-rafv-army-fixtures Follow RAF rugby union on Twitter @ RAFRugbyUnion.

BEST FOOT FORWARD: RAF squad warms up for the Inter-Services with Coventry victory

MAKING GROUND: Ball-carrier Cpl Alex Stanley battles on as Cpl Sam Breeze gets airborne at Coventry's Butts Park Arena

Win silences Coventry Coventry Rugby Football Club RAF Senior Men

38 39

THE RAF senior men’s rugby union team’s last home soil IS warm-up match was action-packed down to the last winning kick of the game.

As Cpl Luke Riddell’s kick sailed over to secure the 39-38 win at Coventry RFC’s Butts Park Arena it signalled the team’s first win after suffering two lastgasp defeats and ended a match the crowd of 1,500 could not take their eyes off.

The score in the first half changed hands no less than four times as seven tries were run in, four from the visitors who led 26-19 at the break. The action started in the 10th minute as Coventry led 7-0, but four minutes later the RAF levelled through a Cpl Jon Taylor try, before Cpl Jedd Evans extended the lead to 14-7 after 25 minutes.

The hosts closed the gap to 14-12 with an unconverted try minutes later, before leading on the half hour at 19-14. Not to be halted the Servicemen levelled, then led through a Cpl Joe Parkin try.

Captain on the night, Parkin made it 26-19 to the visitors going into the break, after a breathless half of rugby union.

The scoring slowed after the interval with just the four tries changing the score board.

Once again, the hosts led early on, before the RAF’s brace, started through SAC(T) James Roberts who levelled things up at 31-31 after 55 minutes

YOU BEAUTY: Cpl Zach Clarke (left) celebrates with try-scorer Cpl Tom Windibank PHOTOS: NICKBIMAGES.COM

from a well-drilled line-out.

Having conceded again the RAF clawed back the score as Cpl Tom Windibank went over in the corner to bring things to 38-36 in favour of the hosts after 72 minutes.

Step up Riddell, imperious all night with the boot, to send over his winning kick with not enough time left for the hosts to reply.

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 P28

Sport

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Email: sports@rafnews.co.uk THE SERVICE’S weightlifting association is powering up for the RAF Championships this summer with a tough competition next month.

It will be fielding a strong team to compete against athletes from Yorkshire Strength and others at Movement Lab in Castleford.

Having placed second at last year’s IS, the team will incorporate many of the athletes who medalled, including: Cpl Mike Cutler, who was first in category and best lifter overall; Sgt Maddie Elliott, Cpl Steph Pye and Cpl Luke Mees, second in category; and LAC Ellie McManus and Cpl Lucy Spy, who were third in their category.

IS HOPEFUL: Cpl Steph Pye

ALPINE SPORTS

Lifters power up Sgt Lee Coonan, RAF Olympic Weightlifting Association head coach, said: “With the calibre of athletes training at Yorkshire Strength we knew this would be a good initial test for our athletes.

As some haven’t competed since finishing runners-up at the Inters last November, I thought it would be a good test and was keen to get them back on the competition platform.

“We are going from strength to strength, and the building

of relations with exceptional weightlifting clubs that produce outstanding athletes, such as Yorkshire Strength, will only build on our already strong team.”

Since the turn of the year, the association has shown its intentions for IS glory with some impressive results at British Weightlifting-affiliated competitions.

LAC Ellie McManus collected Gold in Harrogate to become the reigning U20 55kg British Champ.

Novices

SKELETON: Daredevils sped head-first to a host of first, second and third-place slides

BOB THE JOB: Sledders team, top, and in action, right and below. Cpl John Stanbridge and SAC Anthony Harvey, who came third, left

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Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 P29

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McManus will now compete again soon alongside Cpl Becca Nesbit, in the U23 U71kg class, at the English National Age Group Champs, where the team are expecting more medals.

Despite not medalling, Cpl Luke Thompson performed well at the recent North West Open.

An association spokesperson added: “The Yorkshire event will also see reigning British champions Fraer Morrow and Jack Oliver conducting a Q&A session at the end of the competition, and as this is the first of its kind for RAF Weightlifting, out athletes are really looking forward to picking the brains of the elite lifters.”

■ Follow the association on Instagram: @RAF_weight_lifting

IS CHAMP: Cpl Mike Cutler

TOP TECHNIQUE: Cpl James Stuart

prove their worth...

Top showing at Festival of Ice as rookies come of age

THE FORMAT for the year’s Inter-Services ice sports championships may have changed but the white-hot battle for supremacy was still there at Innsbruck, Austria.

The Festival of Ice saw the three Services placing the emphasis on returning the sport after European covid suspensions. The event ran two races, Novice and Senior, with the RAF dominating in the bobsleigh and skeleton and a brace of impressive novice finishes in the luge.

Flt Lt Keith McLaughlin, bobsleigh team captain, said: “The staff and I are tremendously proud of what our athletes have achieved. They showed the resilience, mental and physical robustness required for the sport when faced with the tough days of crashes and big hits.”

Fired by his return to Service action, winter Olympian L/Cpl Shanwayne Stephens won the twoman bob with SAC(T) Alex Cartegena and lit the blue touch paper for an incredible series of results, with Cpl John Stanbridge and SAC Anthony Harvey coming home third.

While the skeleton team recorded a one, two, three in the men’s senior race, second and third in the women’s senior and novice, and third in the men’s novice.

Team coach Fg Off Rhys Thornbury said: “Our team had a great adapted Inter-Services with strong performances throughout.

“We fielded four complete novices in both the men’s and women’s events and there were some great performances in both races.

“I am very happy and excited for our newcomers and to see their progression and development. They are a great addition and will contribute heavily to future Inter-Services.”

Two hugely impressive thirds for the luge team had team manager Cpl Luke Farrar purring. “After almost two years since the last IS event, it has been great to get back on the ice,” he said.

“This year we decided to bring out only novices to build for the future. This gave us the opportunity to introduce new athletes to Olympic Luge and utilise our experienced staff to develop them.”

RAF winners Bobsleigh: Open Male 1st – L/Cpl Shanwayne Stephens and SAC(T) Alex Cartegena 3rd – Cpl John Stanbridge and SAC Anthony Harvey Novice Male 1st – Cpl George Dowling & Cpl Jack Heslop.

2nd – SAC Alex Cartegena & Cpl Mike Cutler Open Female 1st – Cpl Jo Belgrau & SAC Alexis Newton-French 2nd – Zoe Morris & SAC Iva Magpantay – RN/RAF Novice Female 1st – Cpl Jo Belgrau and SAC Iva Magpantay 2nd – Flt Lt Hannah Rutter and SAC Charlie Bland 3rd – AET Zoe Morris and SAC Alexis Newton-French – RN/RAF Skeleton: Men’s senior 1st – Fg Off Rhys Thornbury 2nd – SAC Benji Fulker 3rd – Cpl Robert Vickerman Men’s novice: 3rd – SAC Toby Edghill Women’s senior: 2nd – SAC Chelsea Ainsley 3rd – Cpl Lou Webb

LUGE: Novice RAF sliders enjoyed some success

Women’s novice: 2nd – Flt Lt Nicole Burger 3rd – Cpl Samantha Russell Luge: Men’s senior: 3rd – Novice slider Flt Lt Chris Ford Women’s novice: 3rd – SAC(T) Ailsa Dermidy

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 P30

Sport

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FOOTBALL

We're on our way to Inters champs RAF SRT Royal Navy

2 0

“IT COUNTS for nothing if we don’t beat the Army,” said SRT head coach WO Andy Kuchta after his side’s 2-0 Inter-Services win over the Royal Navy.

The opening fixture victory at Shrewsbury Town’s Montgomery Waters Meadow stadium saw the RAF senior footballers produce a superb battling display, with quality finishes at the start and end of the match to take the spoils.

Kuchta said: “We’ve banked the first game, but it means nothing if we do not win our second match against the Army.

“I am relieved it’s out of the way and we got the result we wanted.

We played some lovely football in the first half and in the second we managed the game well to see it out.

“We did our homework on them [RN], paid them the respect they deserved, but that did not dictate the way we played. I think the scoreline could have been a bit better, but the ones we got were great strikes and at perfect times.”

'But victory will mean nothing if we don't overcome Army,' says the Gaffer Having seen two good early efforts from SAC Jack Debnam and Sgt Mike Campbell, Gibraltar star Cpl Jake Gosling slotted home from 20 yards after 8 minutes.

Further good work in the second half from Debnam almost forced an own goal as his cross was turned just wide of the near post by the Navy defence with Cpl

SUPER SUB: Spalding slots home and celebrates (centre, below)

David Wedd placed to slot home.

A 93rd-minute run by substitute SAC Joseph Spalding, who broke from his own half down the left wing before despatching a superb shot over the onrushing keeper into the far corner, sealed the game.

Team captain Cpl Tom Claisse said: “The old winning buzz is back. The Gaffer set us up perfectly, we all know what we have to do and we are all fighting for each other. It was a battle as it always is, they are a good side but we got on with our game and that’s what we have to do against the Army. We are happy with the result, but it means nothing if we don’t win the next game.”

PHOTOS: SAC LIZ BROWN

RUGBY LEAGUE

Long-awaited return of all the President's men

UKAFRL: Squad are raring to go

THE END of March marks the return of all things UKAF rugby league as the Tri-Service team finally get the chance to defend their President’s Cup, won in 2019.

The charges of head coach Danny Johnson CPO (Ret’d) won that hard-fought final clash 24-20 in the three-match series against England Universities at Hallam Uni, Sheffield.

He said: “It feels amazing to finally return after a long break from UKAFRL. “We will be aiming to retain

the trophy, but the task is going to be huge.

“The training camp will be intense, and I’m looking forward to working with fresh young talent as well as our more experienced players.”

One of seven RAF players to be selected, RAF RL team captain Cpl Ben Mellor said: “Being selected for UKAF is always a great achievement.

“Being the best of all three Services, it’s always a good opportunity to put our differences aside and work

together, well, until September that is and the Inter-Services.”

This year’s series begins at Saddleworth Rangers’ ground, with the team undertaking a two-day training camp before the clash at DST Leconfield.

Rounds two and three are at Lock Lane Sports Centre, Castleford, on April 27 and Leigh Miners Rangers’ ground, Leigh on May 25.

Kick-off is at 8pm, with UKAFRL women’s team beginning their Cup series against GB Police at 6pm.

Would you like to see your sport featured in RAF News? Send a short report (max 300 words) & two or three photographs (attached jpegs) to: Sports@rafnews.co.uk

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Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 P31

Email: sports@rafnews.co.uk

Sport

FS is Menna's guiding light PARALYMPICS

Smith helps Paralympics star make history

Daniel Abrahams THE SERVICE’S Alpine Paralympians played a major part in the medal success of Team GB at the Beijing Games.

SAC Shona Brownlee and guide FS Gary Smith, competing in the Para Alpine Ski, produced historic podium and top 10 finishes as part of what Paralympics GB’s Chef de Mission Phil Smith described as ‘the most competitive squad we have ever taken to a Games, producing so many magical performances’.

ICT technician and Elite Scheme Athlete Smith, 38, who began working with visually-impaired skier Menna Fitzpatrick in 2019, scored two podium finishes in Super Combined Vision Impaired – bronze and silver.

The medals made Fitzpatrick the most decorated winter Paralympian GB athlete ever, taking her overall tally to six.

Smith said: “I got a bit emotional at the finish line, as it was a really special moment. I have known Menna since 2016 and she did brilliantly to get the silver.

“The hill on that run was unbelievable, the snow was great, and skis were gripping well.

“My previous Paralympic experience helped me. I had gone into these Games trying to keep nice and calm and it paid off.”

The pair then recorded the fastest factored time in the Slalom

MOST-DECORATED: Fitzpatrick follows Smith in the slalom. Above left, the pair celebrating Menna's sixth Games medal and, top, bronze presentation TOP-10 FINISHES: SAC Shona Brownlee

MAIN PHOTO: G.PICOUT

to bring home bronze on the penultimate day of the Games.

Smith added: “This is 10 days I will not forget, that’s for sure.”

SAC Shona Brownlee, who said just being at the Games was a medal finish, produced three top 10 positions – starting with a ninth in the giant slalom sitting, before a fall in the Super Combined.

The tumble did not deter the RAF musician, as she snapped back with a superb sixth in the Super G, ending the Games with ninth in the Slalom following another fall during her first fun.

Shona told RAF News: “I cannot quite believe what I have achieved here in Beijing. Even being here seemed like a pipe dream a few weeks ago, to get here exceeded my expectations. It wasn’t my best skiing, but I now know what I can work on, so I am really pleased with how it has all been.”

66p ISSN 0035-8614 12 >

9 770035 861037

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 R'n'R 1

Announcements l P6-7

Puzzles l P8

R'n'R Win!

Win: WWI thriller l p3

Three times a lady – The Cher Show l p3

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 R'n'R 3

R'n'R Win!

Film review

A Call to Spy (12A) Amazon Prime Video, Signature Entertainment

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CO-STARS: (left to right) Millie, Debbie and Danielle

Cher's three times a lady D

IRECTED BY Arlene Phillips and choreographed by Oti Mabuse, The Cher Show features three actresses portraying the superstar in three different ways throughout her long career.

Debbie Kurup plays ‘Star’, Danielle Steers is ‘Lady’ and Millie O’Connell is ‘Babe’ in the musical that’s packed with plenty of Cher’s biggest hits, including If I Could Turn Back Time, I Got You Babe, Strong Enough, The Shoop Shoop Song and Believe.

From a young child with big dreams – the shy daughter of an Armenian-American truck driver – to the dizzying heights of global stardom, The Cher Show tells the incredible story of one woman’s meteoric rise to fame. The musical introduces the audience to the influential people in her life, from her mother and her first husband Sonny Bono, to fashion designer and costumier Bob Mackie.

It shows how she battled the men who underestimated her, fought conventions and was a trailblazer for independence.

The Cher Show made its debut on Broadway in 2018, earning two Tony Awards. This new production is the European premiere and tours from next month until March 2023. Venues include Leicester, Manchester, Belfast, Blackpool, Canterbury, Milton Keynes, Stoke-on-Trent, Cheltenham, Aberdeen and Liverpool.

Go to: cheronstage.com for more information.

CALL TO SPY is an historical biopic about the spy agency formed to ‘disrupt the Nazi machine’ that was rapidly occupying Europe in 1940. Known as Churchill’s Secret Army, a shortage of professionals meant that an appeal was made to amateurs, with a particular focus on women.

Viewed as more inconspicuous, select women were recruited for their transferable skills and trained in sabotage and subversion as part of the Special Operations Executive: a club, they are told, unlike any other. They are plucked out of their lives and given training for ‘ungentlemanly combat’ before being dropped across the Channel.

The film focuses on two recruits and the Jewish Romanian spymistress Vera Atkins (Stana Katic) who scouted them. Virginia Hall (played by the film’s screenwriter Sarah Megan Thomas) is an American with a prosthetic leg who lands in Vichy posing as a reporter. Noor Inayat Khan (Radhika Apte), a Russianborn Sufi pacifist, is trained in communications as a wireless operator.

But when the Nazi grip tightens and Virginia’s ruse is no longer viable, she is forced to change her name, her hair and adopt an accent that they hope will be passable. Noor will become the only line of communication between the SOE and field agents, without a place to stay and having to avoid her radio signal being picked up by patrolling Gestapo.

Whilst the performances are pretty varied, it is Apte who gives heart to the film in the smallest of these roles, representing Britain’s first Muslim war heroine.

A cat and mouse story of subterfuge focusing primarily on women, A Call to Spy does well to broaden the cinematic

PORTRAITS OF COURAGE: Radhika Apte as Noor Inayat Khan (left) and Sarah Megan Thomas as Virginia Hall (also below)

PM's Secret Army of indomitable women Win the DVD

WE HAVE copies of A Call To Spy on DVD up for grabs. To be in with a chance of winning one, simply answer this question correctly: Who stars as Noor Inayat Khan in A Call To Spy?

representation of those who contributed to the war effort, picking out some extraordinary real-life heroes. Despite its twohour runtime however, it feels as

Email your answer, marked A Call To Spy DVD competition, to: competitions@ rafnews.co.uk or post it to: RAF News, Room 68, Lancaster Building, HQ Air Command, H i g h though much is lost in trying to W y c o m b e , contain all three of these remarkable HP14 4UE stories within one film. to arrive by AN 3 out of 5 roundels April 8.

R E A L KH Review by Sam Cooney

WWI thriller inspired by service of author's grandfather Win!

P

HILIP GRAY was inspired to write his novel Two Storm Wood (Vintage Publishing) by his grandfather, a captain in the Lancashire Fusiliers, who fought in World War I. The historical thriller was voted The Times Book of the Month and we have copies to give away.

In 1919, on the desolate battlefields of northern France, the guns of the Great War are silent.

Special battalions now face the dangerous task of gathering up the dead for mass burial.

Captain Mackenzie, a survivor of the war, cannot yet bring himself to go home. First he must see that his fallen comrades are recovered and laid to rest. His task is upended when

a gruesome discovery is made beneath the ruins of a German strongpoint.

Amy Vanneck’s fiancé is one soldier lost amongst many, but she cannot accept that his body may never be found. She heads to France, determined to discover what became of

the man she loved.

It soon becomes clear that what Mackenzie has uncovered is a war crime of inhuman savagery. As the dark truth leaches out, both he and Amy are drawn into the hunt for a psychopath, one for whom the atrocity at Two Storm Wood is not an end, but a beginning.

For your chance to win a copy of this absorbing title, that’s been hailed as a worthy successor to

Sebastian Faulks’ Birdsong, send us the correct answer to this question: To which regiment did Philip Gray’s grandfather belong?

Email your answer, marked Two Storm Wood competition, to: competitions@rafnews.co.uk or post it to: RAF News, Room 68, Lancaster Building, HQ Air Command, High Wycombe, HP14 4UE, to arrive by April 8.

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 R'n'R 4

R'n'R DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR: Duplicitous inn-keepers Thenardier (Ian Hughes) and Madame Thernardier (Helen Walsh)

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S EX-CONVICT Jean Valjean and his nemesis, fanatical police inspector Javert, Dean Chisnall and Nic Greenshields play two of the most iconic roles in musical theatre.

They are starring in the current touring production of Victor Hugo’s classic Les Misérables, on the road until January 2023 and going to venues including Salford, Milton Keynes, Plymouth, Hull, Bristol, Birmingham, Sunderland and Leeds.

Based on Hugo’s epic historical novel, the show features Boublil and Schönberg’s magnificent score of Les Misérables and includes the songs I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Stars, Bring Him Home, Do You Hear the People Sing?, One Day More, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, Master of the House and many more.

The production, which includes reimagined scenery inspired by Hugo’s paintings, was conceived in 2009 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the musical and broke box office records throughout the UK followed by productions in North America, France, Canada, Australia, Korea, Japan, Spain, Manila, Singapore, Brazil and Dubai.

D

ean said: “This is the dream role for anybody in musical theatre. It’s the pinnacle for any male performer and I just feel very lucky to do it, and to have done it for as long as I have. I’ve now played

Not to be Mis-s greatest show o REVOLUTION: Troubled times in France

over 500 performances as Jean Valjean, and it still feels as magical as it did the first time I stepped on the stage. I pinch myself every day.”

Nic added: “It’s a great privilege to play Javert (pictured below). I first saw the show when I was in my teens, and to be doing it 25 years later is a huge honour. I try to bring out a different side to Javert, giving him multiple dimensions and making him more than just the baddie, showing a more emotional side to him.”

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption.

This production inspired the hit film version starring Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Eddie Redmayne.

Dean and Nic are both long-term fans of the show.

Dean said: “I’ve always been a fan, long before I even dreamt of having a career in theatre. I was in London on my own about the age of 18 and pootled off to get myself a ticket to see Les Misérables at The Palace Theatre.

I sat there and completely fell in love with the show.”

N

ic said: “I remember buying a cassette when I was about 11 of people singing songs from Les Mis. I remember listening to it and trying to imagine what the show would be like. Eventually I begged my Mum to take me, and we queued for returns. I was just blown away. The show really resonated with me, and I thought ‘I want to be part of this. This is what I want to do.’ ” He revealed that he took up running during

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 R'n'R 5

Theatre

TV's Backshall in seventh heaven

B

AFTA-WINNING explorer, naturalist and TV presenter Steve Backshall will host the UK premiere of the BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet Live in Concert at The 02 Arena in London on March 31.

He described the show as ‘simply an extravaganza of both sight and sound which is going to completely overwhelm people’s senses’.

He added: “It showcases the very, very best of glorious, glamorous, blue-chip natural history on a giant screen, backed by a full live orchestra to a live audience, which is something that all too rarely gets to happen.

“All of this is completely new to me, but I have heard about these kinds of concerts being done before and always wanted to be a part of them. This is my first opportunity to do one, so I’m very excited, if not also ever so slightly intimidated.

It’s an 80-piece orchestra, playing music by Hans Zimmer and Jacob Shea, as well as a song by Sia. “The television show itself was hosted by the greatest broadcaster of all time, Sir David Attenborough.

So, I have to find some way of trying to step into his shoes.”

The music by Zimmer and Shea is considered an essential part of the production. Backshall (pictured below) agreed.

“It’s critical,’ he said, “when you watch those kinds of shows, they just have this ability to make your heart soar, but then can make it plummet with fear or terror when we are being shown environmental degradation. It has an unparalleled ability to steer or enhance your emotions.”

Seven Worlds, One

SOUTH AMERICA: Guanaco (llama family) in Torres del Paines, Chile

Planet was the BBC’s most-watched factual programme of 2019 and now it’s being shown live to an audience of many thousands.

Backshall said: “Seeing that this kind of thing isn’t just for the conservationists or the biologists, but is something that anyone can appreciate and be moved by is really important. These kinds of programmes are instrumental in bringing people to the natural world and all those marvels and wonders that they may never get to see with their own eyes. Or potentially they will, as these shows could kickstart a whole new fascination in their lives that leads towards them seeing these things for themselves. They can lead people to conservation and the natural world, which has never been more important to be doing than it is right now.”

The TV series was narrated by Attenborough, whose

voice will still be heard at the show. Backshall admitted that Attenborough has been a huge influence.

He said: “Quite frankly, he is everything. I’ve been lucky enough to meet him several times over the years and even present a couple of awards ceremonies alongside him.

“The one time that really stands out though, is when we did an award show for the 100th anniversary of the Wildlife Trust at the Natural History Museum. Myself and a few other people spoke, which we had all spent ages planning for, then Sir David stepped up and just spoke for an hour without any slides or preparation. He didn’t hesitate once and had the entire room hanging on every single syllable.

“The man has an absolutely unparalleled gift as a storyteller and a broadcaster. I would sit and listen to him read the phone book.” n Go to: www.seven-worlds-oneplanet-live.co.uk for ticket details.

sed: the on earth Sandi slides by this spring lockdown which helps maintain the stamina he needs for performing.

He explained: “I felt I needed to do something and just before we started rehearsals I ran a half marathon, which was a big achievement.

“All the roles are demanding, if you keep delivering at the level we want to, it is tough work. You do have to look after yourself. Dean and I try to take care of our voices and energy to ensure that we’re performing well in eight shows a week.”

Dean (pictured as Jean, right) agreed. “Preparation is key, trying to stay healthy and get some sleep. I love my job, so it’s not a chore and I don’t think of it as being exhausting. It is tiring but I have to say probably more mentally exhausting than it is physically because of who Jean Valjean is and what a marathon journey he goes on,” he said.

“We are here to give the audience some sort of escape and, of course, actors like to escape into a role as well. I undoubtedly feel that I am somewhere else during those two and a half hours, you have to live and breathe these characters. You can’t fake Les Mis. It’s the greatest show on earth.”

Nic added: “Ultimately, I think the show has remained so popular because of the themes. It’s a show about redemption and the human condition and everything that still resonates with us all today. We connect with the characters and become engrossed in the story and the beautiful music pulls everything together.

It’s clearly a magical formula.” n Go to: lesmis.com for tour details.

TOUR: Toksvig

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OLLOWING HER sell-out National Trevor tours in 2019, the comedian, broadcaster and writer Sandi Toksvig returns to live performance this year.

Her new show, Next Slide Please... will tour to 43 UK towns and cities, starting at Camberley on April 5 and going to High Wycombe, Peterborough, Cardiff, Oxford, London, Sheffield and Edinburgh amongst other venues.

She said: “I just can’t wait to be back in theatres.

It has been a perilous time for live performance, but I am thrilled to be back on the boards this spring.”

In 2016 Sandi took over from Stephen Fry as host of BBC2’s popular quiz show QI and in 2017 she and Noel Fielding became the new co-hosts of The Great British Bake Off. For a decade she was a familiar voice for BBC Radio 4 listeners as chair of The News Quiz.

Sandi has written more than 20 fiction and nonfiction books for children and adults – her latest novel, The End of the Sky, was published in 2017. n Go to: sanditoksvig.com for tour dates and booking information.

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 R'n'R 6

R'n'R Your Announcements

You can email photos for announcements on this page to: tracey.allen@rafnews.co.uk

Deaths LEE Gilbert (Gil), Sqn Ldr (Ret’d), sadly passed away on February 8 aged 94. Husband to the beloved late Jean Lee, father of Barry, Jennifer and Simon, grandfather and great-grandfather; he will be greatly missed.

Sqn Ldr Gilbert Lee After serving in the Merchant Navy as a young man and participating in many operations during the latter part of World War II, Gil joined the RAF in 1947, initially as a Physical Training Officer. In 1954, following the end of National Service in the UK, Gil joined the Regiment where he was to serve the remainder of his 30 years with the force, stationed across the UK with overseas tours in Germany, Cyprus, Malaya and Norway. He was promoted to Pilot Officer in 1959 and achieved the rank of Squadron Leader in 1972.

Gil’s final posting was to RAF Brize Norton, where he was to serve his final years before retiring from military life in 1977.

Gil’s civilian life saw him and his family settle in Sussex – his last position was as the Emergency Planning Officer for the Corporation of London, based in the Guildhall, where he brought his wealth of experience in

civil defence and planning.

Retirement from here was in 1992.

Gil had a passionate interest in boxing and whilst serving in the RAF became a qualified referee of the sport – he definitely went the full 12 rounds.

The funeral took place on March 8. Any donations, if desired, would be greatly appreciated to Dementia UK or Cancer Research.

WESTON Jim, Flt Sgt, sadly passed away on March 2 aged 99 years and eight months.

Jim served on 23, 551, 271, 204, 46 and 77 Squadrons, he carried out 35 missions over Germany and was involved in the Berlin airlift, where he carried out 220 missions.

He maintained his connection with the RAF through his support of the local RAF air cadet squadron, and latterly with his connection to the 23 Sqn Association.

Seeking I am trying to contact the next of kin of Pilot Officer Denys Bellerby who, on January 4, 1941, was one of a crew of four on a training flight aboard a Wellington L7783 from 99 Squadron Bomber Command when the plane crashed and two of the crew died.

I would also like to contact the next of kin of Wing Commander Walter Hutton (26036, later Air Commodore) of 210 Squadron Coastal Command.

I would like to reproduce their letters of condolence when a colleague died in 1940 and 1942 respectively.

I would be extremely grateful if anyone with any information could contact me: ccecil@carolinececil. co.uk.

I am trying to find anyone who remembers or has information about an RAF chap who served in Wunstorf, near Hanover, in the 1950s. His name is/was John Penford. I am an RBL member living in Germany.

Please email: nigel.capel@ yahoo.co.uk LOOKING for any of the class of IFN4/66, nav inst fitters course held at RAF Newton from April 1966 to March 1967. Please contact Malcolm Hodgson on: hodgson8448@gmail.com

Flt Sgt Jim Weston with his family; inset, as a young airman He generously funded a plaque at the National Arboretum to celebrate the centenary of 23 Sqn and dedicated it to all those who had served on 23 Sqn over those 100 years.

To remember and celebrate Jim’s life, there was a service at the Warrington Crematorium on March 22.

Jim has made his final flight – ‘Semper Aggressus’.

I am interested in contacting any ex-40th entry 1 Squadron, C Flight, Boy Entrants, at RAF Hereford 1960-61. Are there any still about? Please contact Ken Tinker on: KenMckean100@ gmail.com or call: 01722 790344 or 07377 03054.

LOOKING for anyone stationed at RAF Safi, in Malta, and RAF Idris, in Libya, between June 1963 and December 1965. Also, anyone on the RAF flight

How to use our service There is no charge for conventionally-worded birth, engagement, marriage, anniversary, death, in memoriam seeking and reunion notices. For commercial small ads contact Edwin Rodrigues on: 07482 571535.

We cannot, under any circumstances, take announcements over the telephone. They can be sent by email to: tracey.allen@rafnews.co.uk. Please note that due to the coronavirus pandemic we are currently unable to accept notices submitted by post.

Important Notice The publishers of RAF News cannot accept responsibility for the quality, safe delivery or operation of any products advertised or mentioned in this publication.

Reasonable precautions are taken before advertisements are accepted but such acceptance does not imply any form of approval or recommendation. Advertisements (or other inserted material) are accepted subject to the approval of the publishers and their current terms and conditions. The publishers will accept an advertisement or other inserted material only on the condition that the advertiser warrants that such advertisement does not in any way contravene the provisions of the Trade Descriptions Act. All copy is subject to the approval of the publishers, who reserve the right to refuse, amend, withdraw or otherwise deal with advertisements submitted to them at their absolute discretion and without explanation.

All advertisements must comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice. Mail order advertisers are required to state in advertisements their true surname or full company name, together with an address from which the business is managed.

on Floriana parade ground for Independence Day in September 1964, in Malta.

Please contact Geoff Stevens, on: moomin33@hotmail. co.uk or (01795) 479803.

THE RAF Mountain Rescue Association was formed in 1993 and since then has built up a large e-archive and website telling the story of RAF MR since it was officially recognised in 1943.

The amount of information about the various teams varies widely and very little is known about RAF Harrowbeer which had a team for only a few months in 1944. In common with all the other RAF MRTs at that time the Team Leader was the Senior Medical Officer, in Harrowbeer’s case Sqn Ldr Frank Constable.

The RAF Harrowbeer Operational Record Book Form 540 indicates that there were approximately 30 to 50 airmen serving on RAF Harrowbeer Mountain Rescue Team which had been in service for at least four months. There may have been an unofficial RAF Mountain Rescue on this station prior to 1944.

RAF Harrowbeer Mountain Rescue Team may have been the first search and rescue unit to be formed on Dartmoor.

RAF Harrowbeer Mountain Rescue veterans are entitled to join the Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Association.

If any readers can throw any light on this team or have information about Sqn Ldr Constable please contact Philip Rose at: philiprose3321@gmail. com. Philip is co-ordinating research into the team.

Reunions RAF Admin Apprentice Association Annual General Meeting and Reunion June 17-19, Northampton Marriott Hotel. For full details and options please contact the association’s social secretary on: 01403 581324 or email: socialsecretary@ rafadappassn.org. This will be our first reunion since lockdown and will be a great chance to catch up with old friends and indeed make new ones.

THE RAF Changi Association (inc. HQFEAF) founded May 1996 welcomes new members from all ranks, ex RAF/WRAF/WAAF and civilian personnel who served at RAF Changi (inc.

HQFEAF ) during 1946-72.

For more information please contact our Membership Secretary: Malcolm Flack on: 01494 728562 or email: MemSecChangi@outlook. com or visit: www.rafchangi. com for more details.

RAF Bawdsey Reunion Association.

Having cancelled our 2020 reunion, we have provisionally planned the next reunion for Saturday, May 21 before The Queen’s Jubilee celebrations and the extended public holidays in early June, and we look forward to seeing our friends again then. Any queries please email: doreen. bawdseyreunion@btinternet. com or call: 07513 301723.

the Membership Secretary on: 07866 085834 or Chairman on: 01933 443673.

We we want to hear from you.

Catering Association RAF Catering Warrant Officers’ and Seniors’ Association (RAF CWO&SA): All serving or retired TG19 WO or FS and all former Catering Branch Officers are invited to join the RAF CWO&SA. We meet twice yearly. For more information or a membership application form, please send an email to davescott10@ hotmail.co.uk

RAFAA Association

Wholesale business

IF you trained as an RAF Administrative Apprentice (or are related to one) we would be delighted to welcome you to the RAFAAA. Our aim is to promote friendship and general wellbeing among our veterans, via social gatherings and assorted activities, as devised by an elected committee, and a regular newsletter. See :rafadappassn.org or contact

OPPORTUNITY to be your own boss and live in one of the best areas in the UK. Coffee and tea wholesale distribution business for sale in Devon. Established in 1986, family run with plenty of potential for expansion if required.

Call or email, POA. Contact Bryan Stoneman (Cpl RAF 1980-1997): br yanstoneman@t is ca li. co.uk; call: 07721 412399.

Maintaining the spirit of Coltishall WERE YOU stationed at RAF Coltishall, the former fighter base a few miles north of Norwich?

Were you a member of the civilian staff employed on the base?

Perhaps you are a historian with an interest in the RAF, you’re a local resident or were a child of RAF personnel, lived onbase and attended the local school?

The Spirit of Coltishall Association (SoCA) welcomes enquiries from people interested in joining, whatever their connection to the station.

SoCA was formed in 2007 shortly after RAF Coltishall closed.

The Association’s objectives are to foster the memory of this unique establishment, one which remained a fighter base throughout its 66year operational existence, to ensure its heritage is respected, and to maintain the station’s renowned spirit through providing members with social and other occasions to celebrate comradeship through their

JAGUAR: Trying out the cockpit at Heartsease school in Norwich

connection with the station.

The Association holds formal and informal functions throughout the year and organises coach trips and overnight stays to places of interest across the country.

In addition, its volunteers act as guides in the Coltishall Rooms housed in the Air Defence Radar Museum at Neatishead and also take an original Jaguar aircraft cockpit to shows in Norfolk and Suffolk.

If you are interested in joining, or would simply like more information, email: spiritofcoltishall.com or call: 07930 739166.

Royal R oyal Air F Force orce N News ews Fr Friday, iday, M March arch 25, 202 2022 22 R'n'R 7

R'n'R R 'n' nR Your Y our u Ann Announcements ouncements

You Y oou can em email ail photos photos ffor or ann announcements ouncements oon n tthis his pa page ge tto: o: tr tracey.allen@rafnews.co.uk acey..allen@rafnews.co.uk

Mini ini madness madness ccomes omes ttoo m museum useum u Cover C over e m marks arks anniversary an nniv veerrsarry M

TO MARK the 80th aanniversary TO nniversaryy o off the aaward ward o w off the G George eorge C Cross ro oss to to the island island off Malta o Maltta in April, Aprill, 1941, 1941, the British Brittish Forces Forcces Philatelic P hilatelic S Service ervvice (B (BFPS) F FPS) has p produced ro oduced a commemorative commemorative ccover over in cconjunction onjuncction with w ith the G George eorge Cross Cro osss Island Island Association Association (GCIA).

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S Standard tand n ard d uns unsigned igned vversions ersions o off th the he ccover over w will ill ccost o t £8 each os each and and numbered numbereed limit llimited ted eeditions ditions n o off 80 ssigned igned b byy the H Honourable ono ourable T Tim im L Lewin ewin (son (son of of the Late Late Admiral Adm miral of of the F Fleet leet Lord Lord d Lewin Lewin and and o organiser rganiser o off the L London ondon M Maltese altese S Siege iege M Memorial) emorial) will will cost cost £16 eeach. a ach.

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IT’S ALL aabout IT’S bout ‘‘Mini Mini Madness’ M adness’ aatt tthe he B British ritish Motor M otor M Museum useum in Ga Gaydon, aydon, Warwickshire W arwickshire this this Easter Easter with w ith a host host o off M Mini ini tthemed hemed family fa mily activities activities from from April April 9-24.

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MINI ADVENTURE: An Easter Egg hunt is on at the British Motor Museum next month

For For the the Mini Mini Egg Egg Rover Rover Challenge Challenge children children will will have have to to programme programme and and guide their their Sphero Sphero R RVR VR VR Robot Robot across across a cchallenging hallengin ng assault assault course course w while hile trying trying to to keep keep their their chocolate chocolate mini m eggs eggs safe. safe. STEM STEM ambassadors ambassado a rs w will ill be be on on hand hand tto oh help elp yyoungsters oungsters with the the challenge. challenge. with Emma R awlinson,, tthe he Emma Rawlinson, museum’s Life Liffe Long Long Learning Learning museum’s offiicer, said: said: “We “We have have lo ts o officer, lots off fu un ac tivities for for families faamilies to to fun activities

enjoy en njoy this this Easter Easter in including ncluding a traditional traditional egg egg hunt. hun nt. ““Children Children p particularly articularly love lo ve o our ur cos costumed tumed ccharacters haracters who w ho b bring ring tthe he m museum useum to to life liffe in a ffriendly riendly aand nd in informative nfformative way. wa y. P Patsy atsy aand nd V Victor ic i tor w will ill enlighten en lighten them them about about life, liffe, fashion, fa shion, m music usic aand nd o off co course urse ccars ars from from the the 1960s.

19600s.”

Q F or more more inf formation go go For information tto: o: britishmotormuseum. britishmotormuseum. co.uk/whats-on/easter co .uk/whats-on/easter o orr ccall: all: 01926 895300

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 25, 2022 R'n'R 8

R'n'R Crossword

Su Doku

No. 312

No. 322

Solve the crossword, then rearrange the seven letters in yellow squares to find a recent RAF Exercise

Fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, each column and each 3x3 square contains all the digits from 1 to 9.

Across 1. Almost incarcerated pensioners (4) 8. A policeman returns sly ape hurt in catastrophe (10) 9. Churchill’s place for a bomber? (8) 10. And 21 Across. Or outside Victoria, returning explorer’s plane (4,10) 12. During intro, physical medal visible (6) 14. Communist Central saucers contract (6) 15. Gwyn lives on US base…(6) 17. …while base Frenchmen embrace Austrian Royal Horse Artillery (6) 18. Giving into temptation led to expulsion from here (4) 19. Union emerging from grim area (8) 21. See 10 Across 22. Belt of South African silence (4) Down 2. It is no longer her title once 19 Across takes place (10) 3. Early morning girl? (4) 4. It’s laughable when Commanding Officer takes yours truly on odd days (6) 5. Batter Noah’s son at summer’s end (6) 6. RAF plane favoured by Spartans? (8) 7. Change of head means hero becomes nonentity (4) 11. Get lancers confused: not squares but close enough (10) 13. After sport, caress sweater (4,4) 16. Boris or Theresa is returning the French herb (6) 17. Mr Confused is worthy (6) 18. At first English aristocrats shared extreme affluence (4) 20. Big beasts beheaded by molecules (4)

Film Review

Summer of Soul (12A) In cinemas and on streaming platforms now

Solution to Su Doku No: 321

Solution to Crossword No 311: Across – 1. Hawk 8. Apocalypse 9. December 10. Lido 12. Reaper 14. Sesame 15. Valley 17. Basque 18. Rent 19. Laureate 21. Bluebottle 22. Rash Down – 2. Accelerate 3. Kane 4. Bomber 5. Harris 6. Cyclists 7. Hero 11. Dambusters 13. Palm Tree 16. Yellow 17. Bounty 18. Ruby 20. Ever RAF term – Red Arrows

The black Woodstock S

YOUNG TALENT: Performers included Nina Simone (above) and Abbey Lincoln (right)

Competition

House of the Long Shadows (15) Out on Blu-ray and DVD on March 28 (Fabulous Films Ltd/Fremantle Media Enterprises)

R

EMASTERED IN high definition, top-notch 1983 horror film House of the Long Shadows from cult-film maker Peter Walker stars four of the most iconic horror legends of all time – Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee and John Carradine.

This classic gothic thriller is described as a murderously funny mystery with a twist, where there is a room for every nightmare

and a nightmare in every room.

In a deserted house, a desperate writer (Desi Arnaz Jr) comes seeking a story. When a beautiful girl comes to the rescue, he almost loses a wager, and his life.

The movie is based on Earl Derr Biggers’ 1913 novel Seven Keys to Baldpate and is the only film in which the legendary ensemble of Price, Lee, Cushing and Carradine appeared together.

ummer of Soul, the Oscar nominated documentary about the ‘Black Woodstock’, explodes onto the screen and somehow sustains a ridiculously high energy throughout, even whilst tackling tough subject matter that sadly resonates to this day.

The same summer as Woodstock in 1969, the Harlem Cultural Festival took place over a series of weekends, featuring legendary acts such as Stevie Wonder, Mahalia Jackson and Nina Simone, playing to a crowd of 50,000, and yet the entire thing was lost to history, despite being recorded in its entirety (by TV director Hal Tulchin).

Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson, drummer of band The Roots, unearths this unbelievable footage

Horror classic for you to win Cushing and Lee appeared in 24 films together with House of the Long Shadows being the final one. Although they often played mortal enemies on screen, Lee and Cushing were great friends off it.

We have copies of the film on Blu-ray and on DVD to own. For your chance to win one, just tell us: Who are the four main stars of House of the Long Shadows?

E m a i l your answer, m a r k e d Horror film competition, to: competitions@ rafnews.co.uk or post it to: RAF News, Room 68, Lancaster Building, HQ Air Command, High Wycombe, HP14 4UE, to arrive by April 8. Please mark on your entry if you prefer to win a copy on Blu-ray or DVD and include your full postal address.

and supplies interviews with attendees and performers alike, but clearly his love and understanding of percussion lends a snappy and precise rhythm that gives the documentary an infectious flow.

Some context is given to the struggles being experienced at the time: the string of assassinations, the continued fight for civil rights as well as the localised heroin epidemic.

This explains why no one at this festival cares about the moon landing that was happening concurrently. The music does more than entertain, it consoles, and allows a black culture to celebrate in defiance.

Much more than a simple concert film, Summer of Soul captures an essence and allows you to take part and be present. With just as much focus on the crowds as the acts, if not more, the effect of this gathering is observed up close and their mood is transferred, joyous and funny.

Well-dressed elders smile and sway to Motown; groovy cats in dashikis and flares dance to upbeat psychedelia; all people, young and old, are ‘taken to church’ by gospel.

As observed by one commentator, you could witness the evolution of black music on that stage and in that crowd – all of it inclusive. No matter its roots, or the way they presented themselves, this truly was a celebration, and you are able to take part by seeing this film.

The louder the better.

5 out of 5 roundels Review by Sam Cooney