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It has never been proven who shot me down near Thorney Island in August 1940. My Mother watched it happen from our home in Hayling Island - but you know proud Mothers!

A few weeks ago, a Swedish author, who is doing a new book on the Battle, got my address from the Russian site (see 2GvSAP in "Watch your Language" earlier - what did I tell you!!) & asked for my contribution.
He then produced a list of 43 German victory claims for that day, 5 of which were in my general area, but only one (me?) shown as 'east of Portsmouth'. Three of our Squadrons were engaged in the interception, so it's been a little difficult to check losses with the other two.

But the claim was for 1425hrs, whereas our record shows my demise at 1315hrs.
It is not known for sure, but firmly believed that our Record Books were kept in GMT, so that narrows the gap. But what of Germany's rules? And they were an hour ahead anyway - or, operating from France, were they??
But it looks increasingly like Oblt. Helmut Wick. Bless him!!

You figure it. Just thought it would give you some colourful reading until the rain stops.

Still smiling - Tim!

Gosh Tim, after all this time you find out who it was who shot  you down.  I find it amazing, is it the power of the Internet?  It makes information so much more available. 

I have just started looking into my family tree and am amazed by what I have found on the www.  Not long ago I just typed in the name of a relation who had been a pilot during WWII and found an article someone had written about him, it was fascinating.  So it is not just information about the modern world but people are putting on historical info too.

Wow Tim! How do you feel at prehaps putting a name to the person who shot you down?

I have to say I when I read the times I thought German time,an hour ahead. We used to change our watches as soon as we got off the ferry at Calais to an hour ahead so I assumed they (France) were too.

I'd be so curious to see Oblt. Helmut Wick. Wonder if he is still around?  I guess Oblt. is his rank?

On an entirely different note...my mum comes from Portsmouth,she used to have her holidays on Hayling Island. My aunt who died recently had her last holiday there.
Mum was evacuated to Devon during the war, She did not ever forgive my Gran as her brother and sister were kept at home. Her brother was disabled and her sister thought too young.
My Dad met my mum in Portsmouth when he was in the Royal Navy and brought her up North to Newcastle. She has been up here ever since and she has not ever lost her accent.

Why am I telling you this...I don't know! It's raining here also !

Helen - feel? - just great!! Rank? Yes - as written in the records - but, in full, 'oberstleutenant'. I'm checking to see if he's still around. He virtually saved my life.
Hayling? Yes - stepfather was an RN medic, & did D-Day in HMS Hawkins. Better him than me!!
And why am I telling you this??  Because it keeps your mind off the weeds? And, as said, I think it has colour like the other BST thread?

tulippa - yes - the last few years with a computer have opened up a whole new world for me. But as I've said elsewhere - the fact that someone can type in my name & be given everything that I've said on a site over the last 18 months -
spooky??

I hope you do find Helmut Wick. If you do,would you like to meet him?

Good Heavens, YES!!

That would be something to see. Quick make a documentary!

I searched on Google for Helmutt Wick and found a few sites selling a kit to decorate model planes to match his! eg. http://www.internationalhobby.com/ihs/kpitem.asp?ItemCode=EG32-059
Were you shot down by someone famous? Or is it a coincidence?

Then I searched again and spelt his name right this time!

http://www.luftwaffe.cz/wick.html

I bet Herr Wick would be a bit worried about hearing that someone he'd shot down wanted to meet him. But then the surprise that you would be thanking him for saving your life? That's just amazing. Would make a fantastic story.

Oh Tim - I really want you to meet him now so you can tell us all about it!

Sue - thanks a bundle for that. Never thought of Googling him. But if you can do me, why not him??

Yes - knew he was an ace, but now I see what a dashing looking chap he was I don't mind!! As you see, I was his 18th victim. Didn't stand a chance!! But he was 5 years older & V experienced.

See how young I was ..................

tim!
glad you feel that way about herr wick-if not i was going to offer to find him and thump him for you! ;D
you've had a very adventurous life..especially during the war-isnt it odd that now,everyone needs 'counselling' thru hard times-and yet you bods(including my dad in burma)just'got on with it'
i have always said i'm sure if i was alive during the blitz the first bomb going off anywhere near me would have given me  heart failure-i dont know how people survived the fright!
glad you did tho-where would we be without you? ;) : :-*

No meeting!  Reading on in his Google bit, I see that he was himself shot down over the Channel by Johnny Dundas, baled out but was never found. Poor chap.

He,he!!

TIM, was the link any good that Samantha sent you? worth looking at do you think.

Indeed! Already acknowledged. And your post came in as I was trying to send this...........!!

So sorry - but I just have to follow up Yellow Petals' lead. All new to me & digging up some amazing memories. Equalling, to me, the colour of the original thread.

The link http://hem.passagen.se/galland/wick.html not only brings in Adolf Galland - who I first met in 1945, when we were 'de-briefing' him, & later, when I obtained his autograph at the Premiere of the BofB film - but it also brings in the poster of the link - Christer Bergstrom - who is the Swedish author who I'm trying to help with his new book. Wheels within wheels??

Any more coincidences/happenings gratefully received. What a mine of information we have on this board.

Tim

Maybe it's because you were younger but you were definitely the more handsome. ;)

!

Tim, have you written all your stories down?  For your family in the future?  They will be so interested in it all and enjoy reading it.  I know I wish I could find out more about what my step-grandfather did, and also someone on my Mum's side.  I know someone has mentioned him in a book but can't find out what the book is called.  Hopefully one day.... I know there may be things in the National Archives, I must follow it up.

It is so easy to lose these wonderful bits of history.  I know I only have tiny snippets and wish there was someone to ask about it all.  So can you write it or have you written it down somewhere so that in years to come your future generations have it.

At least it will be in the book you are helping with, that must be fascinating.  I feel very honoured to be talking to you.

Tim! I've just read this thread. Amazing! Extraordinary!

Lishka x

tulippa - DO do the research!  My parents told us nothing of their tribulations, so we've spent ages going through letters & things, trying to piece it together.

Our children & g/children are truly grateful that I have kept annotated albums since before WWII. Elder daughter keeps nagging me to get a fireproof cupboard to keep things in. She says the house can go but not those!!
See my PM.

Lishka - as you say, but all the glorification is embarrassing - it was quite different from facing cold steel on the ground. My flesh creeps every time I think of those chaps.
But on 9 May, at the IWM, we're pre-viewing a video about our time in Russia - made privately because the MOD didn't recognise that we had been there!! And destroyed 15 of the a/c trying to deny Murmansk as a port. I dread to think how I shall come over on film. More frightening than many real actions!!