Arnhem

The Army Air Corp cap-badge and "wings" of M's godfather, Alan.

Exactly 65 years ago today he was at Arnhem, during Operation Market Garden. He was a glider pilot, and had been shot in the knee by a sniper (possibly because he was out carrying a wounded German to safety).

During a 2 hour truce on 20th September 1944, wounded servicemen were handed over to the German Army for treatment. His leg was saved in the hospital at Appeldoorn. Alan spent the last months of the war in Stalag Luft XI B.

When I knew him, he was a lovely gentle gardener, with one leg shorter than the other. The little birds used to come down and take seed from his hand. He always carried some bird-seed in his jacket pocket :)