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Ian and I in our WW2 tent (plus authentic –ahem- plastic sheet on the floor)

Parachute packing

Red Cross Ambulance

1943 Canadian field kitchen – cooking up the grub!

F.A.N.Y.!  And some Petrol tins dated ‘44

Peter gave us all a stern talking too about not drinking too much alcohol and being on time for any briefings – I decided not to have another beer! The camp was quiet by 22:00 although I don’t think many of us slept well, the anticipation over the next day’s jump was already kicking in. Throughout the night it sounded as if we had incoming mortars particularly when the acorns hit some of the vehicles – BANG!

Saturday 22nd September

The jumpmaster gently woke us at some unGodly hour (05.30), no bugle luckily and we rummaged around for our kit, doing up the DMS high leg jump boots in pitch black made for an interesting challenge. It was a fretful sleep as the excitement and nerves built.

The breakfast was hot and coffee flowing freely as the cooks were up way before us clanging away with the oversize cooking pots. Not forgetting the sticky current buns, mmmmmmm.

The Ginkle Heath (British Drop Zone) parachutists boarded the bus for a trip to Lelystad airport, when we arrived all eyes searched for the Dakota DC3. We carried all the remaining chutes into the hangar and peered round the open hangar doors and there she was sitting majestically outside the terminal building.

 
The ‘Lady’ waiting for her passengers

Back in the flight cafe we were given a last minute briefing and given our jump orders.

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