259691 Sgt. Thomas Pegler Royal Air Force 219 Squadron from:Whitchurch, Herefordshire Dad, Tom Pegler was the navigator of Mosquito FK-E piloted by Jack Bremner, who was from the London area. He would never tell anyone what they were detailed to do, other than theirs was a Night Fighter Squadron.
He did tell me, however, one summer morning retuning to Acklington over the North Sea, the tops of the clouds were perfectly flat, so being the 'good airmen' they were, they did several practice landings on the top of the clouds until they realised the rest of the section had disappeared.
When they landed, everyone else had been back safely for several minutes and concern was shown for them. When he and Jack got to the briefing room, they were asked why they were late. 'Port engine, sir, got a bit hot so I shut it down' was the reply.
After debrefing, they got their flying kit off and hit the sack.
They hadn't been in bed long when the tannoy went, 'Will the crew of E for Easy report to the boss at once' (I use the word 'boss' because he never stated the rank of the man to whom they were answerable). They had to get their flying kit on again before they they went, but duly arrived. 'I've had that port engine run up - there's **** all wrong with it- now what were you actually doing?' '.'Practising landing on the clouds, sir.'
I cannot repeat what was said, suffice it to say he went ballistic and their proverbial cards were marked.
I believe they didn't do it again!
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