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289 S
It was the best of worlds...
it was the worst of worlds...
Some of the best Pre-Mission e-Banter
From: Paul Blore
The war paint has been applied...
From: Colin Newbold
Probably time that we sorted out who’s who in this shabby
Squadron. Sounds like a bunch of wallahs all over the bloody
place. England football team comes to mind. How the devil
we’re going to spot the enemy, let alone engage with them
is beyond me? So lets get some order into this...as far as I’m
concerned, I’m the Wing Commander. What are you Bill (Clive,
you might need to help us here)? Here’s my suggestion (in order
of rank): Air Chief Marshal = David Davis, Group Captain = Bill
Telford, Wing Commander = Colin Newbold, Squadron Leader =
Clive Johnston, Flight Lieutenant = Allan Tunstall & Marcus Price,
Flying Officers = all the rest of you! Your thoughts on a postage
stamp please – collaboration, consultation and consensus didn’t
arrive until much later.
From: Bill Telford
Now Chaps, Calm down, Fighter Command and your WingCo
have all these matters in hand. This not only includes your rank,
but your “code name” to for this mission also. For information this
mission is code named “operation retribution” Keep up the good
work and carry on.
SQUAD
From: Marcus Price
Can we at least have a Squadron motto in advance which I can
get tattoo’d on my arm or emblazoned on the car before chocks
away time?
From: Martin Young
Dear Aunt Marg ...I always read your ‘Agony Aunt’ advice column
in the ‘Cobra Chronicle’ and wonder if you may be able to help
me with a problem I think I may be developing! I am going to the
Le Mans Classic race in just a few days time and I keep coming
over all faint with excitement and with a tingle under my throttle
foot - which causes it to spontaneously push itself deep into the
floor. I have also noted that this seems to be accompanied by an
abnormal urge to consume vast quantities of alcohol and wear
odd clothes and talk as if I was an ex-World War 2 fighter ace! Am
I normal?
From: Bill Telford
My Dear Boy, This is indeed normal behaviour and should be fully
encouraged. Don’t fret. Keep up the good work and carry on.
WingCo.
PS please ensure your fighter, sorry Cobra, is running with
Castrol “R”
From: Martin Young
Roger Wing Co ... and its so nice to know those strange feelings
are completely normal. R it is then.
12
THE 289 REGISTER
From: Clive Johnston
Any more dissent in the ranks and you will stripped of your commission!
From: Colin Newbold
Ah yes....commission...now there’s an idea.
From: Bill Telford
Too late Colin, All ranks have now been determined by “fighter
command”, you will be notified of your rank at the Squadron
briefing on Thursday 9th, where you will also be issued with your
“wings”. There can only be one WingCo. Carry on
From: Colin Newbold
That’s told me...probably end up as Pilot Officer or somesuch
nonsense (mutter, mutter...)
From: Bill Telford
Gentlemen Of The 289 Squadron, I
hope that you all have an enjoyable,
safe and trouble free trip to Chateaux \ܘ