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Bill
Goodall's Diaries: 1941/1945 |
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25
May 1945 to 28 May 1945 |
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In
spite of the discomfort it was an interesting trip which took
us over Kassel and after a comparatively short flight we landed
at a big air base near Brussels. There we were given a big welcome
especially from some cheerful friendly British girls working
for the Red Cross and the YMCA.
We were driven into Brussels, which showed little sign of damage,
and we were set down at St Anne's barracks where we were warmly
greeted by a unit of the Canadian Army. Their organisation was
superb and I heard nothing but praise for the kindness and efficiency
of the Canadians in getting us ready to go home. We were taken
first to the clothing store where we were given new underclothing
and other articles of dress to replace the tattered things which
most of us wore.
After a mild de-lousing and a shower we put on our clean clothes
and were led to a wonderful Red Cross depot where we were invited
to help ourselves to chocolate, cigarettes, pullovers, handkerchiefs,
toilet articles etc. Then to our billets where each man was given
800 francs and told he could do as he pleased in the city that
night.
After a splendid dinner in the mess and quite a lot of champagne
the four of us (Ted, Ray, Johnny and myself) decided to go into
town; we were not entirely sober but I think the circumstances
were exceptional and our state was probably due more to excitement
than drink. However as the evening wore on our sobriety did not
improve and I have a vague memory of trying to get on a train
at the main railway station, presumably in the hope that it would
take me home. But we got a lift safely back to barracks and we
were all in good shape in the morning for breakfast at nine o'clock.
The morning was spent in the rest room reading and waiting for
our turn to be called but nothing happened until lunch time when
we were told to parade outside ready to leave. Naturally no time
was wasted and we were driven to another airfield further out
of Brussels than the one at which we had landed on the previous
day. This was a huge airfield with many types of aircraft and
very heavy traffic. We had to wait for some time but eventually
boarded a Lancaster into which 24 of us were packed and we were
at last off on the final stage.
It was a very bumpy flight but the Lancaster seemed much more
stable than the Dakota so that no one was adversely affected.
I think that the flight was something of an anticlimax as whereas
we expected to be excited at seeing the shores of England, in
fact we were tired and I was actually asleep when we crossed
the coast at Eastbourne.
We landed at Oakley near Oxford and our troubles were over; an
ATS girl escorted every POW into the hanger for tea and then
we were driven to RAF Bicester for the night.
The next day, Sunday, we travelled in a special train to Cosford
where we were de-briefed by Intelligence Officers on the circumstances
of our crash and capture, given ration coupons, leave passes,
travel warrants and generally treated very sympathetically. All
this was carried out speedily and efficiently so that on Monday,
May 28 1945, I was in another special train to Paddington
on six weeks leave.
Moira met me there about 3pm and the long ordeal was over. |
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©
1995 William Motion Goodall & Ian William Goodall |
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