205768 Cliff Cork Royal Air Force 77 Squadron from:Sydney, Australia This is a story of my Grandfather, Cliff Cork. He is still alive, living in Australia. He was stationed at Full Sutton during WW2 with the 77 Squadron. He was an Australian mixed in with Canadians and Brits flying Halifax Bombers into Germany. They started with leaflet raids progressing to bombing industrial targets on the Ruhr. Sometime during May of '44 (to the best of his recolection) they were dropping incendiaries on a refinery at Strassen along the Ruhr when a bomber above dropped its load on their plane and lit it up like a birthday cake. The pilot Stan Goodman, survived the crash and flew during peacetime with the Canadian Airforce. - Billy Grogan was the bomb aimer, surviving the crash.
- Tommy Cousins was killed in the crash, he was the Navigator.
- George Hudson was the rear gunner, he survived.
My Pop was the Wireless Op and Electronics man. He vividly remembers jumping out through the flames of the burning Halifax. His next memory is coming to in the pine forests. He was recalling to me the aluminium foil all through the trees. Different lengths of foils were used to disrupt the German radar systems. He recalls it looking alot like Christmas! His recollections also include several dire events. During his capture he was transported accross the Ruhr in a small boat chained to another man. A Colonel (to the best of his recolection) was having a Birthday celebration and was quite drunk, he withdrew his service revolver and began to play Russian Roullette, pointing the gun back and forth between them. The man beside him was shot in the head and killed, Pop was forced to carry the man from the boat before he was allowed to be un-chained and wash up. He was later informed the individual responsible was disciplined. His Wing Commander was Ron Corony (unsure of spelling).
I am now 36 years old and living in Canada. I have 2 boys and a beautiful wife. This, and other stories, are to Honour Great Men and Women. Do not be decieved, no one in my generation has the courage to do as these men and women did. Thank you to the 77. TO BE, RATHER THAN TO SEEM! sincerely
|