War Time Memories

SEVERAL articles are appearing int he national press relating to the country’s epic stand against Hitler in World War two. Most towns were involved in one way or another int he struggle to survive.

SEVERAL articles are appearing int he national press relating to the country’s epic stand against Hitler in World War two. Most towns were involved in one way or another int he struggle to survive.

Apart from Whitemoor marshalling yards’ immense contribution to the war effort, March played its part in a number of ways.

I can remember seeing low-loading vehicles passing along Broad Street, taking damaged aircraft wings and tails to Pilgrims Garage. A building had been setup to repair damaged Hurricane and Spitfire aircraft sections and most of the workers were March women.

They were obliged to be there or work at the marshalling yards.

The photo shows workers having a break, local women and men standing near an aircraft wing. This happened all over the country, repaired fighter aircraft returning to the front line to stem the Nazi tide.

March was chosen as the assembly point for hundreds of powered aircraft towing Horsa gliders to Arnhem - “a bridge too far” - in 1944.

A glider became unhooked and landed in a field near Badgeney Road.

On another occasion a german Junkers bomber, passing above March in broad daylight emptied its guns over North Street and Alpha Street.

The postmasters wife in North Street was extremely vexed to find bullet holes through her sheets dring in the garden!

TREVOR BEVIS

St Peter’s Road

March