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Al Deere

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by Gleggy, Mar 18, 2007.

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  1. Gleggy

    Gleggy Formula 3

    Sep 22, 2004
    1,588
    Land of Oz
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    Gleggy
    #1 Gleggy, Mar 18, 2007
    Just thought I'd drop a line to see if anyone out there knew Alan Deere in the last months of his life. For those who don't know-Al or Air Commodore Deere, had a very distinguished career. 54Sqd Battle of Britain vet, etc,etc.
    Cheers MG
     
  2. SWITCHESOFF

    SWITCHESOFF Formula Junior

    Nov 9, 2005
    582
    #2 SWITCHESOFF, Mar 18, 2007
    I read his book, " Nine Lives" years ago. Incredible story of an incredible fighter pilot. I don't remember how many times he was shot down ( sometimes on fire) but returned to action immediately. He was the essence of the iron men who fought the Nazi's years ago.
     
  3. Gleggy

    Gleggy Formula 3

    Sep 22, 2004
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    #3 Gleggy, Mar 18, 2007
    I use to talk to Al regularly, and I found out he passed away. His ashes, very fittingly, were scattered from the Mk1 "Baby" spit of the B/B memorial flight over Dover. He told me that they would sometimes close to as little as 50 yards when attacking E/A. He had a close call, a bullet came through the cockpit and took the face off his watch left the band and the back of the case, -no blood. Not for nothing was the book titled NINE LIVES. The guy was just a bloody legend. He told me some wonderful stories of events and pilots he knew- BADER, TUCK, JOHNSON, and others. He certainly had a guardian angel.
    I was hoping to contact his surviving family.
    Cheers MG
     
  4. SWITCHESOFF

    SWITCHESOFF Formula Junior

    Nov 9, 2005
    582
    #4 SWITCHESOFF, Mar 19, 2007
    I don't think that the current generation realizes just what the fliers of WW2 went through, particularly in the early stages. I have known many of them from Battle of Britain, Eagle Squadron, and USAAF. I don't think there will be any more like them. What they did as a matter of daily duty was heroic when we look back at it now but when it was happening , it was just a big show in which they were bit players. It was expected that life was going to be short and hard but they bent to the task of beating back those who would try to take away a free way of life. There weren't many like Alan Deere but there were many who fought just as hard with what they had.
     
  5. Gleggy

    Gleggy Formula 3

    Sep 22, 2004
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    #5 Gleggy, Mar 20, 2007
    I couldn't agree more, I have had the honor of meeting and knowing pilots of Bomber Command, who served in Europe and the the pacific. Fighter pilots of fighter command RAF, and the RAAF,and are all modest about what the did and the dangers they faced on a daily basis, and pass it of " Just a piece of cake old boy".
    Imangine coming home after a trip to the fatherland across the channel in a Lanc and be so low that you clip the top off a wave because the bomb bay doors would not close, and the gunner in the rear turret nearly drowns!!!!
    They thought it was hilarious after they got home, because they could see the death notice in the paper the following day; gunnery sergent drowns on opps, the guy also looked like a drowned rat and nearly froze!!
    I just wish hollywood would get their historical facts straight when they try and do justice to the men and women who saved the world when they make a film. But like they say never let the truth stand in the way of a good yarn.
    Cheers MG
     

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