225578 Flt.Sgt. Harry M. Liddell Royal Air Force from:Oxford I was at Leicester East in April - May 1945, so was most interested in Peter Brown's account of the Lancaster accident having witnessed it myself. I have often wondered as to the cause, most likely of which (to me, anyway) was a runaway autopilot. Early autopilots, as would have been fitted in this case, lacked the safety features of later specimens such as torque switches enabling manual over-ride by the pilot.
As a Dakota pilot I spent six weeks there learning supply and paratroop dropping techniques, glider towing etc and thus it is quite possible I towed a glider with Peter in it! I recall one particular cross-country exercise when I was allocated a Dak that for some unknown reason seemed to be 'down' on performance, so that we were unable to climb much above 2500 ft. Being a hot day this left us floundering along in very bumpy air, and it was not long before the Horsa pilot was beseeching me to climb higher as most of his passengers were being sick. However, any attempt to do so resulted in our engines overheating so that had to be abandoned, much to the glider pilot's disgust; further badgering from him ensued, but fortunately the plug of the intercom cable connecting us via the tow rope became disconnected thus granting my crew relief from his 'binding'. Somehow, I don't think the glider's occupants had a very good ride!
VE day occurred towards the end of my time there, and I have happy memories of enjoying celebrations with the good citizens of Leicester in the city streets and pubs.
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