Legend of Blitzkid

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Kaga and the water-cooled Vickers machine-gun that was part of the legend in 1945

Early in 1914 two English Brothers from Walthamstow in London decided to join the Army. Posted to two different units, both were sent to France. Both took part in major battles miles apart in France. They wrote to each other, heading their letters: 'Brother in Arms', otherwise it was 'mates'. After the war they wrote their story. I have their book.

Please continue these little snippets, Blitzkid.

Haifa was a major port on the Med in Palestine. In the early hours of the 31 march 1947 a small party of I.Z.L saboteurs cut their way through the wire perimeter fence round the oil fence round the storage tanks. By means of three explosives expertly placed by the tanks they caused a great escape of oil which immediately set on fire. The fire raged for four days, spread until it had destroyed ten of the thirteen tanks. The big-wigs thought the shipping office would be next, a large house with five floors: The first two floors Barclays bank, third floor us thirteen guards, top two floors the shipping office. I was walking to the front floor when I saw the suit case, I blew my whistle and screamed take cover, and the damned thing went-off.

Barclays Bank was ripped apart, several killed and I was found covered in glass and debris out cold. I heard a voice in my ear saying don't move a muscle don't try to move your lips or your eyes. "If you can hear me squeeze my hand." I squeeze his hand, "Now you have been in an explosion. Listen carefully I am taking you to hospital. If you feel pain then squeeze." I felt lifted and the jeep raced off to hospital, the guy still holding my hand, he handed me to hospital staff and explained, and a soft nurses hand began to clean me up. Then a nurse said "You lucky bugger, you only have cuts and bruises across your face." Army detective came and and grilled me. Four days later I was in blue suit, red tie, white shirt. Months later I found the medic, thanked him and we had a few drinks together. The shipping office was never touched. Later I found out that we soldiers where the target, not the shipping office.

Brilliant, Blitzkid.