Stationed In The Pillbox …..
‘It’s a murky day today. I can see my pillbox up ahead but the sea mist is coming in from the East. A blast of cold Arctic air gave me the chills as I walked around the base of Dunstanburgh Castle.
Looking back up at it, George is waving at me…. He’s an Observation Corps Sergeant, and he as well as sixty others are stationed up there in the castle keeping an eye out for German aircraft, shipping and possibly even an invasion force. They have a bit of a cushy number as their huts ( built inside the castle keep) are warm and cosy, each has a paraffin heater with a shower, and they get three hot meals a day.
I and seven others…..we’re the 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers…. are a Vickers machine gun unit stationed in the pillbox, next to the old golf course and overlooking the beach and approaches to the castle. We are camping out in ‘not so waterproof’ tents and currently only get one hot meal a day, with no shower. ……. But we can swim in the sea at our pleasure! It’s icy cold!!!
I can see Stanley walking towards me. He’s quite chirpy today by the looks of things….. I wonder what that bit of paper is that he’s waving?
In Norway, across the North Sea, is a large standing army….the German Army… of about 300,000 men! They’re a real threat to us, and their airforce fly frequent bombing missions, over our heads, into Britains industrial heartland.
Who knows when this bloody mess will end?!…… not me
Stanley is shouting at me!………. ‘ we’ve finally done it!!!!’ He shouts.
‘Done what?’
‘We’ve landed in France…. We’ve invaded Europe….in Normandy!’
He’s breathless, and hands me the sheet of paper that he’s been waving.
I read it and I’m overcome with relief…..excitement…. And concern!’
I take traveling in Europe very casually these days, as do many ‘citizens of the world’.
On this day, June 6th, I wonder what might have been, if the allies had not beaten the Axis powers… if Britain had not stood up for Poland, and if our airforce had not won the Battle of Britain.
Would travel be so easy? AND so many other questions surrounding freedom.