DOCSLIB.ORG

From Wartime Berlin to Melton Mowbray – Hans Elsner's Story

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
From Wartime Berlin to Melton Mowbray – Hans Elsner's Story ‛‛Tornado Talk’’ RAF Association Melton Branch & Club Newsletter April 2016 Commemorating the Sacrifice of the 50 Victims of the GREAT ESCAPE, murdered by the Gestapo in March 1944 Organised by the City of Leicester Branch, members of the Royal Air Force Association including our own standard bearer Phil Taylor accompanied by other members of our branch, paid their respect to the prisoners of war who inspired the film The Great Escape at a wreath-laying ceremony held at the War Memorial In th Victoria Park, Leicester on March 24 2016. Situated in the German Province of Lower Silesia near the town of Sagan (now Żagań in Poland) about 100 miles south east of Berlin. Stammlager Luft III, more commonly known as Stalag Luft III was a Luftwaffe-run prisoner-of-war camp during World War II for captured allied airmen. The site was selected because it would be difficult to escape by tunnelling. As many people know, though, the camp is best known for its two prisoner escapes that took place by tunnelling – as portrayed in the films The Great Escape (1963) and The Wooden Horse (1950), and the books by former prisoners Paul Brickhill and Eric Williams from which the films were adapted (very loosely, in the case of The Great Escape). The Centre compound was opened in April 1942, originally for British sergeants, but by the end of 1942 replaced by Americans. The North Compound for British airmen, where the Great Escape occurred, opened in March 1943. In March 1944 the real great escape happened. Out of the fifty three Allied servicemen who escaped from the Stalag Luft III in Poland, three mananged to escape and fifty were recaptured and executed by the Gestapo . ‘We Will Remember Them’ nd AGM 22 March 2016 Following the AGM on March 22nd the Melton Mowbray and District Committee members for 2016/2017 are; PRESIDENT Mr H. Jarvis CHAIRMAN Mr P. Davies VICE-CHAIRMAN Mrs B. Cox BRANCH SECRETARY Mr B. Fare CLUB SECRETARY Mrs B. Cox WELFARE OFFICER Mr J. Jinks ASSISTANT WELFARE OFFICER Mr B. Fare TREASURER Mrs V. Moore WINGS OFFICER Mrs B. Cox SUBSCRIPTION SECRETARY Miss J. Durrance STANDARD BEARER Mr P. Taylor MINUTE SECRETARY Miss J. MacDonald OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS Miss A. Blackley, Mr P. Brightwell, Mr T. Burton, Mrs A. Fare, Miss S. Harrison, Miss L. Heggs, Mr S. Moore, Mr B. Walkling, Mrs J. Woods. NEW LIFE VICE PRESIDENT Miss J. MacDonald Committee meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 8 p.m. Are members are welcome to attend. Mayor’s Civic Dinner 2016 The Civic Dinner hosted by the Mayor of Melton Mowbray was th held at Scalford Hall on Friday 11 March. Dignataries joining the Mayor of Melton on the ‘top table’ were, Councillor John Wyatt, was Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Lady Gretton, Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor John Thomas, and his consort Maggie Corley, Chairman of Leicestershire County Council, Councillor Bill Boulter, and his consort Mrs Boulter, plus Commander of the Defence Animal Centre, Lt Col Mark Morrison. Other guests included community and local organisation representatives including Chairman Paul Davies, Sue Davies, Vice- Chairman Brenda Cox representing the Melton Mowbray Branch of the RAF Association and Flt LT Toby Burton RAF VR(T) representing the Cadets. St Clement Danes Church Sunday 3rd April 2016 Service to commemorate the Formation of the Royal Air Force. Melton and Rutland Branch Standard Bearers accompanied by their wives, attended the Annual Royal Air Force Service held in St Clement Danes Church, the Strand, London, on Sunday 3rd April 2016. This service commemorates the formation of the Royal Air Force and also the 75th anniversary of the Air Training Corps. Phil and Heather Taylor, representing Melton RAFA , have attended this memorable service several times but it was a first for Rutland RAFA couple Francis (Rutland Standard Bearer ) and Angie Humphreys . The 30 or so Standards paraded down Lincolns Inn Fields with the accompaniment of RAF Halton Pipe Band. and the packed church congregation observed the Standards as they entered the main aisle and then divided up to line the sides of the church. Next the National Standard Bearer of the Royal Air Force, followed by the Banner of the Air Training Corps marched into the church and the service commenced. Music provided by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force under the direction of Director of Music Squadron Leader Piers Morrell FRSM,LRSM, GVGI,LTCL, Dip TCL RAF. It was a perfect sunny and mild day and everyone gathered outside after the service to take photographs and enjoy the company and the sunshine. The Reception for everyone was in The Royal Courts of Justice, adjacent to St Clements, and the musical accompaniment by the Royal Air Force Salon Orchestra. A very fitting end to a busy day as many friends and comrades shared reminiscences and news. If members wish to attend in future, a very good place to stay is the Union Jack Club, which is acknowledged as the Premier Club for the Non-Commissioned Armed Forces community, proudly providing the best level of service, quality of catering and accommodation at affordable prices Quiz Night Since the mid - 90’s there has been a successful quiz night for members for which money raised goes towards the RAFA “Wings” appeal and it is still going strong. It is an entertaining and fun night with teams trying to outscore each other to be the top team of the night. Over the years teams have changed, some have stayed the course and new ones have joined, so if you’re at a loss on the THIRD TUESDAY of each month why not come down and join a team and better still help form another team. By doing this you’d be helping us to raise even more money for our own RAF Association charity to add to the estimated £4500-£5000 we have already raised over the years since the quiz nights started. Quiz night details: Monthly every third Tuesday Cost £1.00 per person Time 20.00hrs (8.00pm) ‘Inspection Success for Melton Air Cadet Squadron’ On Tuesday the 22nd of March, 1279 (Melton Mowbray) Squadron, Royal Air Force Air Cadets, were visited by Squadron Leader Mark Richards RAFVR(T) and Squadron Leader Andrew Pass RAFVR(T) for their Annual Formal Inspection. This was a very important night for squadron, as it allowed the members of the Wing Staff team to see what the squadron has achieved over the last year. For the first part of the night, the cadets were formally inspected by Squadron Leader Richards; some were even asked about their experiences so far in the Air Cadets. Cadet Amy Healey, aged 14, commented: “It was a very nerve-wracking night for the squadron, as it was our opportunity to showcase what we can do, and why we are an incredible squadron.” One of the squadron’s strongest areas is drill, so a team of some of our best showed off what they can do as a banner drill team. Cadet Sergeant Jason Blackshaw, aged 17, was the squadron’s banner bearer, a huge accolade. He said that the night was “Very difficult, as all of the cadets had to be on top form, but the results will be worth it.” The squadron received praise for achievements such as being invited to attend the Red Arrows End of Season Guest Night, for being ‘the best squadron that the regional Health and Safety advisor has seen’ and for the increase in both cadet and staff numbers over the year. Praise was also forthcoming for the way in which the squadron has been leading the way in such initiatives as ‘Heartstart in the Community’. The final parade was rounded off by Squadron Leader Richards who thanked the cadets and staff for all of their efforts over the year. He presented certificates and badges to both cadets and staff including Heartstart certificates, Wing Blues, classification badges, swimming proficiencies and a promotion to Cadet Corporal for Cadet Josh Davidson, who was ‘very surprised and delighted’. Anyone who is aged 12 and in Year 8 at school or upwards and is interested in seeing the wide range of activities on offer can visit the squadron on a Tuesday or Thursday night from 7.15pm at the Cadet Centre, Asfordby Road. More information can be found by emailing [email protected] Toys We are proud to be part of ‘The charity that supports the RAF family’ therefore we are pleased to tell you that there are a number of toys, games and colouring books at the back of the Charles Towel Room. Please feel free to let any children that are visiting the club to play with these toys, we do however ask that you replace them tidily back into the boxes after they have been used. Thank you. From wartime Berlin to Melton Mowbray – Hans Elsner’s story The RAF Association’s Wexford House assisted living facility in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, has been home to many former RAF men and women, and their widows and widowers over the years. Each resident has their own interesting tales to tell of life in the service or as an RAF spouse. One current resident’s tale, however, has a twist: he was born in Berlin just before the outbreak of WWII, yet served in the Royal Air Force for over ten years. Hans J Elsner was born in 1934, his father was a wine and spirit merchant and his mother a nurse. His first two years were relatively normal, but everything changed in 1936.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Love Reading 4 Schools
    Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle -Year 8 (age 12-13) A Bridge to the Stars Henning Mankell 12 year old Joel lives with his father in the cold northern part of Sweden. At night he often sneaks out of his father's house to look for a lonely dog he has seen from his window. On the bridge across the icy river he starts a secret society and has adventures. But one night he discovers that his father's bed is also empty and will have to come terms with his father's new-found love. The harsh reality of Joel's world comes vividly to life and leaves the reader spellbound. Format: Paperback Blood Red, Snow White Marcus Sedgwick The Russian Revolution. Fairy tale, spy thriller, love story. One man's life during the last days of the Romanovs, beautifully imagined by award-winning author Marcus Sedgwick. Shortlisted for the Costa Children's Book Award. Set in the rich and atmospheric landscape of Russia during the revolution that sent shockwaves around the world, this is the partly true story of Arthur Ransome - a writer accused of being a spy. Fictionalising history and blending it with one man's real life, Marcus Sedgwick expertly crafts this innovative and stimulating novel of three parts - a fairy tale full of wise and foolish kings, princesses, wishes and magic; a bleak and threatening spy thriller, and a love story ... Format: Paperback Brother In The Land Robert Swindells An 'After-the-Bomb' story told by teenage Danny, one of the survivors - one of the unlucky ones.
    [Show full text]
  • Edited Book: Archaeologies of Internment Adrian Myers, Stanford University Gabriel Moshenska, University College London
    Stanford University From the SelectedWorks of Adrian Myers June, 2011 Edited Book: Archaeologies of Internment Adrian Myers, Stanford University Gabriel Moshenska, University College London Available at: https://works.bepress.com/adrianmyers/7/ One World Archaeology Series Editors: Heather Burke, Flinders University of South Australia, Australia Gabriel Cooney, University College, Dublin, Ireland Gustavo Politis, Universidad Nacional del Centro, Buenos Aires, Argentina For further volumes: http://www.springer.com/series/8606 Adrian Myers · Gabriel Moshenska Editors Archaeologies of Internment 123 Editors Adrian Myers Gabriel Moshenska Stanford Archaeology Center Institute of Archaeology Stanford University University College London Stanford, CA, USA London, United Kingdom [email protected] [email protected] ISBN 978-1-4419-9665-7 e-ISBN 978-1-4419-9666-4 DOI 10.1007/978-1-4419-9666-4 Springer New York Dordrecht Heidelberg London Library of Congress Control Number: 2011927917 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011 All rights reserved. This work may not be translated or copied in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher (Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA), except for brief excerpts in connection with reviews or scholarly analysis. Use in connection with any form of information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed is forbidden. The use in this publication of trade names, trademarks, service marks, and similar terms, even if they are not identified as such, is not to be taken as an expression of opinion as to whether or not they are subject to proprietary rights.
    [Show full text]
  • Adherence to Long-Term Therapies: Evidence for Action
    ADHERENCE TO LONG-TERM THERAPIES Evidence for action World Health Organization 2003 WHO Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Adherence to long-term therapies: evidence for action. 1. Patient compliance 2. Long-term care 3. Drug therapy – utilization 4. Chronic disease – therapy 5. Health behavior 6. Evidence-based medicine I.WHO Adherence to Long Term Therapies Project II. Global Adherence Interdisciplinary Network. ISBN 92 4 154599 2 (NLM classification: W 85) © World Health Organization 2003 All rights reserved. Publications of the World Health Organization can be obtained from Marketing and Dissemination, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland (tel: +41 22 791 2476; fax: +41 22 791 4857; email: [email protected]). Requests for permission to reproduce or translate WHO publications – whether for sale or for noncommercial distribution – should be addressed to Publications, at the above address (fax: +41 22 791 4806; email: [email protected]). The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement. The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers’ products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters.
    [Show full text]
  • 2Nd Lieutenant Robert H. Monaghan World War II Service
    2nd Lieutenant Robert H. Monaghan World War II Service Author: LTC Robert Monaghan, His Son 10/1/2014 Revision V1.0 A Service History of Robert H. Monaghan, 407 Wangum Avenue, Hawley, PA Decorated World War II Veteran and Survivor Pearl Harbor - Europe Air Offensive - Prisoner of War - Sagan Death March 0 2nd Lieutenant Robert H. Monaghan World War II Military Service FOREWORD After our Mother died, we found a treasure trove of personal documents relating to our Father’s war time experiences. There were letters written home from pre-World War II, while he was stationed with the artillery in Hawaii, and after Pearl Harbor before he went to flight school. His US Army orders, Department of Defense notifications, Red Cross, magazines, newspaper clippings, POW documents, and other documents I found in my Mother’s papers enabled me to develop a narrative of his Army life. Letters written to his family also provide his view of the war while in the 306th Bomb Group and the boring life of a Prisoner of War in Stalag Luft III. Also included was a recipe list used to cook meals from various Red Cross rations for his combine. Most interesting was his diary detailing the Sagan Death March. While much has been written about the Death March, his papers reveal the daily experience from the Stalag Luft III evacuation to his arrival in Stalag Luft IIA in Southern Germany and subsequent rescue by General Patton’s Armored Division. By chance I located a member of his Stalag Luft III Combine Charles A.
    [Show full text]
  • Sir Keith Park Sir Frank Whittle
    raf catalogueRAFC21 Sir Keith Park Sir Keith Park, World War I Ace. During World War II he was the commander during the Battle of Britain and the Battle of Malta. Signed cover of our choice. RKP04 £1000 £100 per month for 10 months Flexi-pay available on all items! No interest charged - payment options up to 12 months Sir Frank Whittle Sir Frank Whittle Flown and personally signed cover. HA23S £400 £200 per month for 2 months RAFDM10 £150 £25 per month for 6 months The 1939-45 Star with Battle of Britain Clasp, signed by Ben Bennions, George Unwin, Dennis David, Bob Stanford Tuck, Bob Doe, HJL Hallowes and Pat Hancock. CALL US ON 01303 278137 Buckingham Covers, Warren House, Shearway Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 4BF 1 Tel 01303 278137 Fax 01303 279429 Email [email protected] Andy Green OBE and Eric Williams MC and Oliver Philpot MC, DFC Richard Noble OBE RKT03 £50 Green is a British Royal Air Force fi ghter pilot and World Land Speed Record holder. Noble is a Scottish entrepreneur who was holder of the land speed record between 1983 and 1997. He was also the project director of ThrustSSC, RKW01 £100 £50 per month over 2 months the vehicle which holds the current land speed record, set Williams was an English writer and former Second World War at Black Rock Desert, Nevada in 1997 Signed cover of RAF pilot and prisoner of war who wrote several books dealing our choice. with his escapes from prisoner-of-war camps, most famously in his 1949 novel The Wooden Horse.
    [Show full text]
  • Acceptance in Lieu Report 2005/06
    12693Route 6/19/06 7:51 PM Page 3 Acceptance in Lieu Report 2005/06 12693Route 6/19/06 7:51 PM Page 4 12693Route 6/19/06 7:51 PM Page 1 Contents Preface 3 Introduction 5 1 The process of making an offer 7 Criteria for pre-eminence 8 Association with a building 10 Expert advice 10 The Panel’s recommendation 10 Open market price 11 Provenance 11 Allocation 12 In situ offers 13 Time involved 14 Benefits to the Offeror 14 Conditional Exemption 15 Funding for hybrid arrangements 16 The Contracting Out Order 2005 17 Panel membership 17 Acknowledgments 18 2 AIL cases 2005/06 1 Nicholas Hilliard: Two Portrait Miniatures 19 2 Jean-Étienne Liotard: Portrait Miniature of Laura Tarsi 23 3 12th Century Manuscript of Peter of Poitiers 24 4 Archive of the Earls of Guilford 26 5 Archive of the Earls of Coventry 28 6 My Ladye Nevells Booke 30 7 Three Bronzes by Gertrude Spencer Stanhope 33 8 The Hengrave Hall Archive 34 9 The ‘Viotti’ Violin by Antonio Stradivari 36 10 Meindert Hobbema: Wooded Landscape 38 Cover 11 The Harpur-Crewe Archive 40 The Viotti 12 Collection of Chinese Bronzes, Ceramics and Paintings 42 Stradivari Violin: 13 The Newton Hall Athena 44 front, side and back views 14 The Archive of Sir Richard and Lady Burton 46 © The Royal 15 Collection of Chinese Carvings and Ceramics 48 Academy of 16 Duncan Grant: The Ass 50 Music 17 Archive of Roger Fry and Helen Anrep 52 12693Route 6/19/06 7:51 PM Page 2 18 Paintings from Penrhyn Castle 54 19 Pablo Picasso: La Femme qui Pleure 58 20 Three Watercolours by JMW Turner 61 21 Collection of Early 19th Century Welsh and English Porcelain 64 22 Collection of 19th & 20th century Paintings Drawings and Prints 69 23 John Everett Millais: Twins 71 24 Two pieces of English silver 74 25 JMW Turner: Naples from the Mole 76 26 A William and Mary Silver Toilet Set 78 27 The Scottish National Covenant of 1638 80 28 Ten Sculptures by Barbara Hepworth 82 29 Chattels from Chirk Castle 86 30 CR Ashbee: Two Peacock Pendant Brooches 88 31 Morris & Co.
    [Show full text]
  • Reproductions Supplied by EDRS Are the Best That Can Be Made from the Original Document
    DOCUMENT RESUME ED 444 412 HE 033 005 TITLE World Directory of Medical Schools. Seventh Edition. INSTITUTION World Health Organization, Geneva (Switzerland). ISBN ISBN-92-4-150010-7 PUB DATE 2000-00-00 NOTE 455p. AVAILABLE FROM WHO Publications Center USA, 49 Sheridan Ave., Albany, NY 12210; Tel: 1-518-436-9686; Fax: 1-518-436-74-33; E-mail: [email protected]. PUB TYPE Books (010) -- Reference Materials - Directories/Catalogs (132) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC19 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Directories; Foreign Countries; Higher Education; *International Education; Licensing Examinations (Professions); *Medical Education; *Medical Schools; Tests IDENTIFIERS World Health Organization ABSTRACT This 7th edition of the World Directory of Medical Schools is a country-by-country listing of 1,642 institutions of basic medical education approved by the competent national authorities in 157 countries or areas; the information reflects academic year 1995-96. The directory also provides information on the conditions for obtaining the license to practice medicine in 14 countries that do not have medical schools. Entries are alphabetical by country and by individual medical schools. Country data includes total population, number of physicians per 100,000 population, number of medical schools, duration of basic medical degree course, degree awarded, and information about medical registration/license to practice. School entries include the year instruction started; the language of 'instruction; duration of the basic medical degree course, including practical training; entrance examination requirements; and whether foreign students are eligible for admission. This edition also includes information on national regulations governing medical registration and the license to practice and on the existence of bilateral or multilateral agreements relating to the mutual recognition of physicians' qualifications or experience.
    [Show full text]
  • International News Distribution
    International News © CopyrightAmerican Association o fBovine Practitioners; open access distribution. Prof. Dr. h.c. mult. Hans Christian Bendixen, Copenhagen, Prof. Dr. Josef Andres, Zurich the first president of the World Association for Buiatrics. On the ninth of May 1977 the Emeritus Ordinary Professor of On the first of December 1976, in the 80th year of his life, and Buiatrics and Obstetrics and former director of the Ambulatory after a short hospital stay, the honored professor of special Veterinary Clinic of the Zurich (Swiss) University died in his 78th pathology and therapy, esteemed director of the Medical Clinic of year. Josef Andres was a personality well known beyond the the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural College in Copenhagen, borders of his country by his achievements in veterinary science died. Hans Christian Bendixen was not only one of the most and practice. The news of his death will therefore be learnt among remarkable personalities of his college and of the veterinarians of his colleagues and numerous friends in many countries of the world Denmark, but because of his distinguished scientific and with much mourning. After graduation, the deceased was very ac­ professionally organized efforts beyond the country’s boundaries, tive until 1931 in the Institute for Veterinary Anatomy in Zurich as he was also internationally renowned and highly esteemed. an assistant and then as professor. Already at the age of 27 years he After several apprentice and hard working years of veterinary was named lector. From 1931 to 1933 he worked as adjunct to the practice in the country and in a packing plant, he went to the cantonal veterinary officer in Zurich.
    [Show full text]