Subj: Re: 27th ATG
Date: 7/29/97

Entitle this?

After VE day we were busy returning B-26s to Burtonwood to be scrapped. Somebody had landed 3 on the small grass field called Friston on the edge of the chalk cliffs of Dover about 10 miles east of Brighton. 3 crews, that is 3 pilots and 3 flight engineers, were dropped off there to get them to Burtonwood. All of them were patched and worn out. Mine checked out OK, but was told years later by John Crawford that after five days of work the others were left as unflyable.

On takeoff the right engine broke apart and almost tore loose before it could be feathered. Due to the 150 ft.. cliff was able to get it under control and climbing into the overcast, tumed to true north heading for Stanstead airport that we had been at an hour earlier and was open. In dense snowy cloud saw only the tail of a British C-47 flash a few feet directly in front. My engineer also saw it. He was standing between the seats and went white and decided to sit down but had to remove his 30# satchel of tools that was strapped in the seat. He threw the tools over the back of the seat where a crudely made escape hatch had been constructed. Out went the hatch and tools. I estimate we were then over London east end dock area. The noise of the fresh air was welcome.

Landing uneventfull, except for the ire of the lone Major that was trying to close the field so he could go home.