Just thought it would be an interesting thread.
We've (possibly) all heard little stories from our Father's/Grandfathers about their experiences of Wartime. Here's a couple of short tales I remember my Dad telling me:
(sorry about the text size..I copied and pasted from my facebook page)
Never forget some of the stories my Dad told me. He was in SOE during the War... on one occasion he was in the back seat of a Jeep, going through a Valley in Italy, when two German Bf109 fighters came flying down the Valley. My Dad jumped on the rear mounted machine gun, and opened fire on them...the Jeep was bouncing around so much, he couldn't aim properly. The Germans for their part, were busy trying to avoid the sides of the cliffs, so their aim wasn't too good either. They swooped overhead, and one turned for home...the other circled back, and came round for another pass...as he flew down the Valley, my dad noticed he didn't open fire...but instead, tilted his wings, and waved goodbye to my dad... my dad stuck two fingers up at him!... three days later, the War ended...my dad always hoped that the pilot survived to see the end of it
On another occasion, again in a Jeep, he was offered a lift by an American Soldier (again, in Italy)... They had driven for a couple of miles, past a small convoy of American Trucks, and came to a deserted village. The enemy had pulled out, and were retreating. My dad asked if they could pull over, as he needed a leak. He spotted a Barn with some Chickens, and said to the American, "Hang on, I'll see if there's any Eggs in that Barn, to which the GI Replied, "It's ok, you take a leak, I'll check the Barn" Whilst my dad went to take a leak, the GI went over to a barn There was an explosion as he opened the Barn door. He was killed instantly by the Booby-trap device left by the retreating Germans......
There but for the Grace of God go I
:(