J A Martin DFC - Engine loss at Feltwell

This story was submitted to the People’s War site by a volunteer on behalf of Pilot Officer John A. Martin DFC (retired) Larne, N. Ireland and been added to the site with his permission. Mr Martin understands the site’s terms and conditions.

When we were at Feltwell and were doing ‘circuits and bumps’ in Lancesters on a grass aerodrome. I was along with 620 Squadron. We were in the air and heard Paddy Saunders a pilot, from Belfast coming over the radio. Paddy called up the Controller and reported having lost his port outer. The Controller came back, “Feather and come back into dispersal.” Paddy came back on the radio and said, “I’ve lost my port outer.” The Controller retorted, ”Yes, we know you’ve lost your port outer. Feather and come into dispersal.” Paddy replied, “I’ve lost the bl***y thing, it has fallen off.” The port outer engine had fallen off the airframe. All these messages were being heard by those other aircraft also in the circuit. He and I used to meet in Belfast before he ‘passed on’ and many a time we used to laugh over this incident.

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