VILLAGERS in Nether Wallop were served up a treat on Saturday night when retired Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell DFC related his wartime days in the RAF.
Even more astonishing was that Colin is 103 years old, although he denied that by claiming to be nearly 104.
Sent to the USA in 1941 to gain his flying licence, Colin was selected to become an instructor, teaching young Americans before returning to Britain.
He joined 608 Squadron, based at Needham Market, Norfolk, and equipped with de Havilland Mosquito bombers, known as Britain’s “Wooden Wonder”.
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He described the Mosquito as the fastest aircraft in the RAF at the time and felt proud to be flying an aircraft with two Spitfire Merlin engines.
He flew 50 missions over Germany, of which 13 were over Berlin where he faced fierce anti-aircraft fire.
Only once did his Mosquito receive a direct hit, although Colin was unaware of this until the following morning when his ground crew presented him with two pieces of shrapnel found in his parachute pack.
The packed audience was left in awe as this former pilot related his story with a sound memory and a sharp wit.
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