January 2014 - Home

Friendship
Help
Support
January 2014
Remembrance Day Service, 11 November-­‐-­‐Lest we Forget by Brian Wanstall
The annual Remembrance Day Service, organised
by the British Embassy in Berne is held each year at the
Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC)
cemetery, Vevey, within the St. Martins churchyard,
Vevey. The WW1 and WW2 standard CWGC cream
head stones are aligned each side of a central path leading to a four metre high stone cross with the path surrounding its base. providing more space for wreaths,
particularly when it is known that 22 wreaths are
planned to be laid round the cross.
I came by train, just under the hour from Geneva,
with, for me the challenge of 71 stone steps from the
Vevey station level to the level of St Martins, which I
admit finds me short of puff at about the
60th step! Still it hasn't beaten me yet.
By 10.30 a goodly number of people
have gone up the 200m service road to the
CWGC, but our Flag carriers, John Hannon, Alain Dardelin and John MacGregor(RBL) got our small group together
and we marched up, flags flying, glad to
be moving again, but finding a cold
breeze between the gravestones, even
though it was a cloudless sky.
Three local schools/colleges had contingents swelling the congregation to about ninety, but
many inadequatly dressed for the cold wind! The lone
piper played his first lament and at 10.55 the Ven.Peter
Maxwell Potter led the prayers until the first chime of
St Martins bell announced 11.00am and Ambassador
Sarah Gillett then read Binyons lines:
"They shall grow not old as we that are le1 grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn,
At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them"
Response: " WE WILL REMEMBER THEM"
Bugler Peter Fairgrieve played Last Post, flags were dipped and Two Minutes Silence was observed Bugler played Reveille
Wreath Laying Before the start of the Service, wreath layers bring their
wreaths to Mrs Lorraine Clay, by the cross, acting for the
Berne Defence Attache who is attending the Armistice Service
today in one of the other countries where he is also HM Defence Attaché. Lorraine Clay accepts the 22 wreaths in turn
and places them in order for presentation at this point.
Ambassador Sarah Gillette's United Kingdom wreath
was laid first, followed by those of the nine Commonwealth
representatives present, a Colonel representing the Swiss
Armed Forces, the three British Services Associations, No.
207 RAF Sqn ( Lancaster crew killed July '43 over Le Bouveret, buried Vevey);The Scots Kirk, British Residents Association, Federation of Anglo-Swiss Clubs and Commonwealth
Association of Geneva.
The three schools contingents - Haut Lac
International School, St. Georges School and
Aiglion College each used a girl and a boy as
their Wreath laying teams, laying the last three
wreaths. With the many wreaths in place, the
cross was a mass of colour with many poppies.
RededicaDon
The Venerable Peter Maxwell Potter now
came to an act of Re-dedication.
"God who has made us one with Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ
calls us to share in His work of reconciliaAon"
ALL "We pledge ourselves anew to be peacemakers in our homes and in our community,
in our country and throughout the world.
Guide us by Your Spirit, give us wisdom, give us courage, give us hope; and keep us faithful, now and always.
Amen
Then followed concluding Prayers and Blessing and
the Bagpipers Lament
Following the invitation to all to take light refreshments
after the Service in the Hotel Astra in front of Vevey station,
some forty accepted and warmed up in a pleasant upper room
of the Hotel. Wine, soft drinks and snacks in a relaxed atmosphere helped conversation and renewed contacts in a less formal setting. It was appreciated. 
European Area Conference (EAC), Guernsey, 5 - 6 October 2013
Left to right:- Lawrence Salvoni, Brian Flowers, Bryan Pattison, Major General J Moore-Bick, Air Marshall Sir Christoper Coville,
Bob Hunt,(Chairman), HE Air Marshal Peter Walker, Malcolm Mason, Peter Clarke, Mick O’Connell, Simon Martin.
The autumn 2013
EAC hosted by the
Guernsey Branch saw
only 14 Branches represented. Alain Dardelin
attended as the Swiss
Branch Delegate, and
Graham Robertson participated actively from
the floor. Margaret Duff
and Di Robertson provided moral support while Régis Pizot was snapping away at whoever spoke.
On Saturday, the Conference started promptly at
10.00 hrs. Following the official dedication of the Royal
Air Forces Association silent tribute was paid to members and friends who passed away since the spring EAC
in Eastbourne, with a particular thought for Mr Robert
Gauci of the Malta GC Branch who, over many years,
served as Area Chairman, Vice Chairman and Vice President
The Chairman, Mr Robert Hunt, welcomed everybody to the European Area’s Autumn Conference in particular to H.E. Air Marshal Peter Walker our European
Area President, the guest speaker Major General John
Moore-Bick, General Secretary of the Forces Pension
Society (FPS) and past National President Air Marshal
Philip Sturley.
The Chairman said that the 20 items on the agenda
would provide opportunities to discuss some important
issues, and expressed his regrets that seven Branches
were unable to participate. Finally, he thanked the
Guernsey Branch for arranging the Conference weekend
and to H.E. Peter Walker who kindly hosted an excellent
Reception and buffet supper in Government House on the
Friday evening.
In his address, H.E. Peter Walker encouraged everyone to take part in the discussions revolving around the
difficult times ahead for the RAF and the prominent part
RAFA would have to play in its support.
In his report, the Chairman reported among other
things, the closures of the Gibraltar Branch due to RAF
personnel reductions and of the Benalmadena Branch.
Then on amalgamation, the two were reformed as the
Costa del Sol Branch.
He also identified two
points of concern for the
Association:
- Wings Appeal: in 2012,
some GBP 80,000 was
raised, however new ideas
for fund raising need to be
generated to balance out
the diminishing membership and the gloomy as-
pect of household budget.
- Membership: as at 4 October 2013 the total membership within the European Area was 2,559, with a majority of Associate Members. It is of importance to put an
emphasis on the recovery of lapsed members (71 Ordinary Members and 68 Associates).
In the absence of Air Marshal Sir Christopher
Harper, Air Marshal Sir Christopher Coville briefed the
Conference about the current Royal Air Force. Everadvancing technology such as Combat ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) is having a major impact on information gathering
and useable format on the military and more so onto the
RAF which, although reducing in size, remains the most
technologically-based Service. The replacement of Nimrod Rs with Boeing’s RC 135/Rivet Joint will increase
the electronic intelligence capability of the RAF.
Outsourcing of support services continues. For example, Voyager aircraft (Airbus 330) are largely supported by civilian personnel and crews.
Sir Christopher finished the exposé with the following headlines:
- New CAS is Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford
- Typhoons are now fully operational as air defence
as well as ground attack,
- VC10 has been withdrawn from Service and replaced with A330 Voyager,
- Merlin helicopters to be handed over to the Royal
Navy for use by Royal Marines, while the Chinook is to
remain the workhorse of the RAF,
- RAF and French Air Force continue to work
closely together.
ROUNDEL – Newsletter of the Royal Air Forces Association, Swiss Branch
The Central Council Representative Mr Brian
Darke’s report was made up of three parts: the past, the
present and the future.
Past: concerned the cost of membership which 3
years ago Conference was told was draining away funds
with a deficit of about £ 660,000. According to 2 papers
produced by the Membership Lead Group and the General Purposes Committee on one hand and the Director of
Finance and IT on the other, conclusion was drawn that
accounting based on Membership versus Welfare cost
was based on flawed assumptions and that RAFA finances are sound.
Present: concerned the civilian post of RAF
Wounded, Injured and Sick Specialist Employment Consultant (WIS SEC) within the RAF Recovery Pathway. The
RAF asked whether RAFA would be prepared to fund it
for another 2 years. Central Council agreed to do so.
Future: concerned the RAF 100 Appeal in celebration of the centenary in April 2018 of the formation of
the RAF. Objectives would be to increase awareness and
the profile of the RAF and the RAF Charities and their
work; to raise funds for specific projects; to promote and
protect the RAF heritage; to assist the provision of RAF
100 celebratory events.
In a Question & Answer session, it clearly emerged
that there is still a lot of confusion about membership
costs. Conference was made aware that Central Council
will ensure that all is done to restore trustworthy and
transparent communications within RAFA.
Although not present at Conference due to Service
commitments, RAFALO Representative Flt Lt Spike
Milligan prepared a lengthy report (made available later)
in which he highlighted that RAFALOs are a strong and
diverse team which covers a wide and diverse area. They
engage at all levels with Branches and support a large
selection of ceremonial and social events.
However, he pointed out that outside the RAF, RAFALOs duties can be seen as “Charity work” and that
funding for Travel and Subsistence can turn into a battle.
This issue could be a handicap when it comes to attending the Annual National Conference which to them is
their only viable medium to make contacts and share
ideas.
The guest speaker, Major General John Moore-Bick,
General Secretary of the Forces Pension Society (FPS)
explained that the Society formed in 1946 is not a charity
but a not-for-profit membership society with a charitable
arm. Membership of FPS is open to all members of the
Armed Forces, serving or retired, and their dependants.
The presentation covered many areas which may be better addressed when visiting the Society’s website:
http://www.forcespensionsociety.org.
Illness prevented the Area Welfare Officer, Mr Mike
McCourt, from attending. However, his briefing provided
on paper copy dealt with an update on repatriation; a reminder of Central Council decision that Level 1 training
of all welfare volunteers is to be completed by 2015;
benefits’ claims in Europe (for example winter fuel allowance). Rights to claim benefits, tax credits or other
3
financial support are protected by social security arrangements between the UK and other countries in the
European Economic Area.
On the subject of Welfare, the Secretary Mr Simon
Martin reported that the new Director of Welfare, Mr
Rory O’Connor, will look into providing welfare training
for Overseas Branches, and will speak at the European
Area’s Annual Conference in Blackpool next spring.
Mr Stephen Lemon, the North Costa Blanca Branch
delegate, updated the Conference on the arrangements
for the 2014 Autumn Conference to be held over the
weekend of 10-12 October in the Melia Hotel, Benidorm.
With regard to the hosting of future Conferences, Mr
Peter Clarke (Jersey Branch) presented their bid (and the
only one received) to host the 2015 European Area
Autumn Conference over the weekend of 30 October to 1
November 2015. The venue would be the Radisson Blu
Hotel situated on the waterfront of St Helier. The Jersey
Branch which will be celebrating its 90th anniversary is
generously sponsoring everyone registering to the sum of
£ 50. Delegates voted unanimously to hold the 2015
Conference in Jersey.
His Excellency Peter Walker
presented four European
Area Presidential Certificates and encouraged
Branches to come forward
with deserving members for
this award. However, no
nominations were received
for the Dennis Emes Shield
award for 2013. The Chairman stated that there must be
well-deserving candidates.
With no more matters to be
discussed on the agenda, the
Chairman announced that
the next EA Conference will
be held in The Savoy Hotel,
Blackpool on Friday 16 May
2014, and declared the Conference closed.
Alain Dardelin in church
As time for the gala dinner
approached, the hotel lobby
filled to hear the magnificent voices of the Welsh Boys
Aloud, a group of Welsh expatriates issued from the
Guernsey Rugby Club, in a repertoire of traditional
Welsh songs and others well known. The Saturday social
evening was enjoyable with attractions on the dance floor
being second to none.
On the Sunday morning, Conference participants
and visitors joined the congregation of the Parish Church
of St Michel du Valle for an impressive service. RAFA
was made very welcome and everyone was invited to
share cakes and drinks after the service.
Our thanks to Mike O’Connell, chairman of the
Guernsey Branch, and his team for their warm welcome
and for organising outings to the German Occupation
Museum, and the donation of well documented books on
everyday life in German-occupied Guernsey. 
3
ROUNDEL – Newsletter of the Royal Air Forces Association, Swiss Branch
4
Montcony remembers its Halifax Crash 71 years on by Alain Dardelin
and Henri Vincent roused the whole local area for the funeral of the young crew, giving their lives to help free Europe. It is reported that 4,000 aVended the funeral and interment in the village churchyard, where they s`ll lay, epitomizing by their sacrifice successive local gen-­‐
era`ons. Their sacrifice also inspired Henri Vincent to form a resistance group acer this, becoming 'Capitaine Vic' in the Résistance!
But back to 'now' and a plaque on the schoolhouse wall honouring the memory of Henri Vincent, is the This year the annual service of remembrance of first stop in the ceremonies with flower arrangements the crash was to be held on Sunday 27th October with laid by Members of the Souvenir Français associa`on, RAFA Swiss and Lyon RAFA Branches invited as usual to replacing at short no`ce M.Robert Fichet, Ancien de la Résistance (in hospital). Then the local Fanfare led the be present
'Standards' party, officials, (but for once no Area Préfet The thought of se\ng re p re s e n ` n g ' ' L a off early for the two-­‐hour France'!), and per-­‐
drive on Sunday morning, haps 90 local people, with the threat of bad led by the Maire of weather, influenced the Montcony, M.Rémy Ferney/Geneva con`ngent, Chatot, with repre-­‐
already reduced to two, senta`ves of mili-­‐
Regis Pizot, (photographer/
tary, gendarmerie driver) and myself (stan-­‐
and fire services, dard bearer) to head for A n c i e n s C o m b a t-­‐
Louhans on the Saturday t a n t s , S o u v e n i r acernoon and to stay over-­‐
Français,, RAFAsso-­‐
night in the Cheval Rouge cia`on Swiss and Hotel. There we joined two RAFA Swiss Member, Graham Robertson prepares to lay RAFA Swiss wreath Lyon branch mem-­‐
other RAFA couples, also des`ned for Montcony, for supper and a good sleep bers and representa`ves of local associa`ons.
Most were too young to have seen the crash, but with less than 15km to drive to Montcony in the morn-­‐
their parents had told them of the 8 graves of the Hali-­‐
ing. Staying locally overnight was a good decision.
fax crew. All arrived in the churchyard, most facing the Next morning, the short drive to Montcony saw us joining some twenty French standard bearers uncasing eight cream CWGC headstones, behind which stood their flags, mixing and cha\ng with local people await-­‐ the RAFA Swiss and Lyon branch and RBL standard bearers, ready to honour the dead. Flower arrange-­‐
ing the start of the com-­‐
ments were laid, Mrs memora`on service in front BeVy Hall (?) niece of of the historic Montcony WOp/AG Sergeant Cham-­‐
Schoolhouse.
bers, of the crash crew, On the morning of 24 laid a Poppy wreath from October 1942 acer the her family, five of whom Halifax crash, the school-­‐
were present. Flags were master, M.Henri Vincent dipped and a Silence ob-­‐
had arranged for eight served, The column re-­‐
coffins to be prepared for formed and, the Fanfare the bodies of the Halifax leading, all moved 500m crew and the Schoolhouse farther along the road to to be laid out as a chapel of the monument at the site rest for the crew. Imagine of the crash.
the tension as all the On 23rd October1942, a Halifax Bomber of No.78 RAF Squadron set off at dusk from Linton-­‐on-­‐Ouse airfield , close to York, a ca-­‐
thedral town, heading for Northern Italy. How-­‐
ever, over France, near Dijon it was aVacked and badly damaged and crashed just before 22:00 hrs on the village of Montcony. The young crew did not survive the impact and fire which set the wreckage ablaze. They are buried in the village churchyard.
RAFA Swiss, Lyon and RBL standards are dipped, honouring the 78 Sqn.
crew graves
prepara`ons were against Bryan Pa\son, Chairman of RAFA Swiss Branch the orders of the Vichy authori`es and the German laid a
wreath at the monument as did others. A repre-­‐
forces. But the authori`es did not stop prepara`ons 4
ROUNDEL – Newsletter of the Royal Air Forces Association, Swiss Branch
5
senta`ve of Sou-­‐
for a leisurely venir Français, Lunch.Early in the presented Mrs lunch M.Rémy BeVy Hall(?) with C h ato t , M o nt-­‐
a set of photos cony's Maire wel-­‐
for her family of comed the mem-­‐
earlier ceremo-­‐
b e r s o f b o t h nies honouring RAFA Branches, the crew of the many of whom 78 Sqn Halifax.
have been com-­‐
An official ing to Montcony gave a speech for more than a tracing the sad d o z e n y e a r s . After the Montcony Service, Montcony residents with RAFA members at lunch in the Salle
path of the Hali-­‐
Later Bryan Pa\-­‐
fax that night, with Communale, Left is Alan Baker, from the right Rosemary Billinge, Alistair Bowie and Brita son, Chairman of Baker.
Madame Monin-­‐
RAFA Swiss Branch, Badey transla`ng. The column reformed for the march spoke about WW2 and the Lancaster and Halifax raids back past the schoolhouse to the 1914-­‐1918 memorial and stressed that Bomber Command had lost some where Montcony's Maire laid a last flower arrangement, 56,000 aircrew killed as the price to be paid for the mass before passing and thanking all standard bearers, and raids.
finally invi`ng all to take light refreshments beside the Acer the meal, Bryan Pa\son and Margaret Duff Salle Communale just 300m away.
visited M.Maurice Prudent, whose large scale Bomber Around 13:00hrs 48 people who had aVended the models with near 2m. wingspans had been displayed in commemora`on, including the members of RAFA Swiss the Salle Communale on numerous occasions. 
and Lyon Branches sat down in the Salle Commmunale The Memorial to the 78 Sqn Halifax crew is beside the field where the aircraft crashed
5
ROUNDEL – Newsletter of the Royal Air Forces Association, Swiss Branch
6
As commander of No.311 he
continued to patrol the Atlantic.
The Czech government in exile
awarded him the Czech Gallantry Medal and the War Cross
with three bars.
In April 1944 he left for Burma
to be a staff officer at the Headquarters of the 3rd Tactical Air
Force.
Despite his ground appointment,
he flew a number of transport
operations dropping supplies to
Army garrisons that were surrounded at Imphal and Kohima.
After six months Nedved returned to England to join the
Czech Inspectorate with Transport Command and in January
married his Czech sweetheart. In August 1945 he was repatriated to Czechoslovakia and served at the Air Force College as a
tactical instructor before attending the Military Staff College in
Prague on his promotion to Lieutenant-colonel.
The communists took power in 1948 as Nedved was completing his course. He and his RAF wartime colleagues, who
had returned to their homeland, were persecuted and Nedved
joined a group planning to escape back to England. He booked
three seats on an internal flight to Bratislava piloted by a friend.
After take-off, the co-pilot (a communist sympathiser) was arrested at gun point and the aircraft turned for Germany and
flew at very low level to land at a USAF base near Munich
where most of the passengers sought political refugee status.
Nedved and his family travelled to England where they
were given British citizenship. He rejoined the RAF in October
1948 and for two years flew transport aiircraft with No. 31
Squadron before heading for the Middle East to take command
of No. 78 Squadron flying Valetta transport aircraft.
On his return to England he converted to jets and was
adjutant at the Central Gunnery school (at the same time as
Flying Officer Brian Wanstall was there taking the Pilot Attack
Instructors course!). In 1956 he was put in command of the
RAF's Selection Board for ground officers). He retired two
years later and moved with his family to Australia. Settling in
Sydney, he worked in administration for the Shell-BP oil company. He later moved to Queensland.
Nedved spent much of his time writing and recording
events in the war. A deeply religious man, he always claimed
that his faith was one reason for his survival. For many years he
was a lay preacher in the Uniting Church.
After the fall of communism, President Vaclav Havel
promoted Nedved to Major-general in the Air Force Reserve.
On October 28 1996 he was awarded the country's highest honour, the Order of the White Lion, for outstanding services and
leadership in the fight for freedom, he also received the Order
of Tomas Garrigue Masaryk, awarded to individuals who have
made outstanding contributions to humanity, democracy and
human rights. On May 8 2005 he was given the rank of
Lieutenant-general.
Vladimir Nedved married his wife Louisa in 1945, she
survives him with their three sons.
Wing Commander Vladimir Nedved, born March 27 1917, died October 31 2012. Wing Commander Vladimir Nedved
Wing Commander Vladimir Nedved, who died in October 2012 at the age of 95, was twice forced to flee his native Czechoslovakia to seek his freedom; first to fight with
the RAF, and later with his young family after the communist takeover of his country.
Following the German occupation in 1939 he left
Czechoslovakia without identity papers, travelling by train
and foot through the Balkans. In Lebanon he boarded a
ship for France, arriving in early 1940, and in June he
managed to escape to England, where he joined the RAF
Volunteer Reserve and trained as a navigator before joining
No.311 (Czech) Squadron equipped with the Wellington
bomber.
He was born in Brno, Czechoslovakia on March 27,
1917 and educated in Kyjov High School. He joined the
Czech Aiir Force in October 1936 and trained as a Navigator, graduating from the Military Academy in 1938 as a
Flight Lieutenant.
On the night of December 16/17 1940 his crew was
sent to bomb Mannheim. Shortly after take-off one of the
engines failed and caught fire and the bomber crashed
into trees. Nedved survived and immediately went to the
aid of the pilot who was badly injured. Despite the flames
he was able to drag him clear, He then returned into the
blazing fuselage to assist the rear gunner who was
trapped in his turret. Ammunition started to explode and
the fire intensifiied. Even when a bomb exploded Nedved
refused to leave his injured colleague.
As the flames approached the rear of the aircraft,
Nedved’s colleagues implored him to shoot him rather
than let him die in the fire. Nedved refused, but the explosion of another bomb killed the gunner. Miraculously,
Nedved survived, all his comrades perished.
Nedved was recommended for the George Cross, but in
the event was appointed a Member of the Order of the
British Empire for Gallantry.
Nedved completed 25 bombing missions over Germany
with No.311 before training as a pilot, and in 1942 he returned
to the Czech Bomber Squadron which had recently been assigned to Coastal Command for operations against U-boats in
the Atlantic.
Flying a Wellington on September 29 1942, Nedved was
involved in a running battle with three Junkers 88 fighters over
the Bay of Biscay. He jettisonned his bombs and tried to gain
some cloud. His gunner shot down one fighter before a second
attacked, only to be driven off with a burning engine. Nedved
escaped into cloud before returning to his base at sea level.
RAF Wellington Bombers
The Squadron was re-equipped with the long-range fourengined Liberator, for the first time giving Coastal Command the capability to close the “Atlantic Gap” which had allowed the U-boats to operate with greater freedomn the “Gap”.
In November 1942 Nedved was promoted to Squadron Leader.
In August 1943, aged 26, he was awarded a DFC for his
agressive patrolling, and was also promoted Wing Commander.
This article first appeared in the Daily Telegraph, and has permission to appear in Roundel.
6
ROUNDEL – Newsletter of the Royal Air Forces Association, Swiss Branch
7
Tempelhof Airport Yields its Secrets.
Alan Baker
Germany may not be geographically close to Great
Britain but in many ways
the history of both areas is
intertwined. A legacy of turbulent World War II and
Cold War aviation history
may be found, almost frozen
in time, in the centre of a
unified Berlin.
Until its closure in 2008, Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport
(THF) remained a reminder of Nazi ideology and the
long post-War period when flying to West Berlin was not
only the easiest but often the only way to reach this divided city. Everyone remembers the Berlin Airlift - its
completed. Deutsche Luft Hansa AG (not to be mistaken
for the current German airline) flew little from THF, although their headquarters used the new airport building.
Instead, the manufacture of JU-87 “Stukas” and FW-190s
occupied many of the hangars. Aircraft repair work was
conducted within the tunnels lying below the massive
building, relatively safe from
bombing.
The preserved C-54 (DC-4)
hardships & its ultimate success -, Gail Halvorsen, the
“Candy Bomber”, dropping sweets to children from his
C-54 freighter and the strange experience of exiting your
airliner under the cover afforded by THF’s huge overhanging roof. On the other hand, how many weary travellers ever thought about what might lie outside, above and
especially below the main departures/arrivals hall?
THF’s construction commenced as a part of National
Socialism’s dream to create Germania, a capital city of
such splendour as to
overtake all other
world capitals. In the
event, W.W. II came
along before completion of the 300,000
square metres building. Indeed, post-war
work continued into
the 1960s and some
areas were never
Foresight led to air raid shelters
being built prior to 1939, several of which retain moraleboosting wall paintings. Wartime life underground could not
have been a pleasant experience
in Berlin, in London or elsewhere.
What’s left of THF’s Past?
Stories abound about what might have been going on
here and what relics of recent history might be lurking in
the labyrinth of tunnels, shelters, storerooms, its unused
ballroom etc. Amongst the true stories is that of the underground Luft Hansa film & photographic archive, an
area now open for viewing by organised tours. Red Army
members, finding a vault door impossible to open, decided to dynamite it. One can only imagine what happened when tons of tinder dry
film material exploded. The
Russian soldiers were probably
vaporised. When next in Berlin, do find time to visit THF.
For conducted Englishlanguage tour details and timings,contact:-----www.tempelhoferfreiheit.de
Two hour long walks take you
on to the now silent tarmac,
7
ROUNDEL – Newsletter of the Royal Air Forces Association, Swiss Branch
8
into a hangar to view the preserved C-54 (DC4), Pan American signage, remnants of THF’s
USAF occupation and, wrapped in a time-warp,
civil airline equipment. You’ll climb up one of
the corner observation towers, view the wardamaged Ballroom before making a steep descent to explore the underground passageways,
graffiti from the 1930/40s and the scary remains
of that photographic archive.
Nearby is sited the Berlin Airlift (“Luftbrücke”)
Memorial to RAF, USAF, French Air Force and
civilian personnel lost during that great campaign.
The huge Passenger Concourse
If your interest is in modern European aviation
history and/or
Century architecture or industrial archaeology, then the unique and carefully preserved THF is
well worth a visit.  (Photos: Copyright Brian Hewitt)
20th
!
!
New Members
WELCOME
Annual Members
Robert (Bob) Smith
Thomas Franklyn (Frank)
Hilton
Associate Member
Julian Radford
Obituaries
Latest RAFA recruit. Signed up after a trunk call
Events 2014
January 19 (11.55)
New Year Brunch, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Geneva
March 1
Branch AGM Crowne Plaza Hotel, Geneva
April 26
La Chapelle-Thècle Commemoration
May 16-18
EAC and Annual Conference, Blackpool
June 7
Summer Lunch, Yvoire
Aug. 30-31 &
Sept. 6-7
Payerne International Air Show
21 September
Battle of Britain, Vevey
October 10 - 12
EAC - Benidorm
October 26
Montcony
NB: ** Date to be confirmed
Italics: Events shared with other organisations
Watch for details in Roundel, special circulation, or Web site. http://cern.ch/bryanp/chrafa.html
Don't hesitate to ask a Committee Member for information
Annual Member
Edward M. (Ed) Shorno
Editor’s Footnote
We welcome our
readers’ feedback,
both criticism and
contributions. and
look forward to hearing from you.
Brian Wanstall
Editor
59 Avenue de Champel
1206 Geneva
Switzerland
Home +41 22 347 33 75
e-mail: wanstallb@bluewin.ch
Roundel Production Team
Brian, Mac, Eric, Jean-François,
Thaïs and the Stuffers
Senior Photographer : Regis Pizot
Header by Alan Lenton,who designed the
original Header back in 1988.
8