Just wondering what WW2 related modern day occurences people have witnessed that have sent a shiver up their spines, or in some way moved them or really reminded them of the conflict. Or even just impressed them. Two that made a particular impression on me to start it off: Glorious: The Battle of Britain Flight Lancaster 'City of Lincoln', while circling to approach a nearby crowd, coming right over the heads of myself and a mate at treetop height with her bomb doors open. Frankly bloody marvellous and awe-inspiring. Spine-chilling: Standing reading one of the Bomber Graves (entire crew in one plot) at Madingley American Cemetary near Cambridge and just as I'd finished reading, a P51 with Invasion stripes roared over low dipping it's wings. Hairs on the back of the neck on end and not a dry eye in the house. Any more?
One of mine must be the day i went to a military show at hamilton. There were various displays and bits of equipment. however near the end all of a sudden there was the sound of a merlin engine and above the show was a MK9 spitfire. It was the best thing that happened that day. There was also the time waiting for a train at leuchars train station, PA474 was practising her display for the airshow and it was overflying at very low level - those were the days. Also, during my resettlement course at aldershot, we were sitting learning all about the mysteries of a washing machine, someone shouted "look at this" turning round the RAF bods were looking out the window and as I lookd out I could see that we were looking at the flight path for Farnbrough. However on this occasion there was a Dakota, A Mossie and a varsity in the circuit!
Last year, whilst standing in the kitchen whilst tea was cooking (as you do), i heard the unmistakable roar of Merlins. I ran out and stood in the garden to watch 3 Spits in a Vic fly at tree top height over my house. And when visiting the German cemetry at Cannock, just to stand amidst all of those black stones, and then realise that each one marked 4 men, front and back.
Last May whilst with my Father in Holland at SS Kamp vught, a lady approached him, trying desperately not to cry, and asked him if she could shake his hand, because her Father had died the week before and had not been able to shake the hand of a man who helped to end the occupation. Then a piper started playing Flowers of the Forest. Emotional or what!!!
Standing in Dachau Concentration Camp and not hearing any signs of life save the rustling of the Trees. Walking through the Kehlstein House in Berchtesgarden.
And of course, there's always The Last Post on remembrance Sunday, or anywhere else. That is the only time i let go and cry.
