WWII Mosquito Aircraft Pilot Recounts Decades-Old Bombing Expeditions Over Germany; Reminisces VE Day Experiences
Rewritten Article:
Hang out with Colin Bell at the RAF Club in London, where a G&T and lively conversations with fellow members are the order of the day. With a twinkle in his eye and a sharp mind to match, the 103-year-old war veteran is about to celebrate another milestone birthday. When asked about his secret to a long life, he lets out an infectious laugh and shares his recipe for success: "You need exercise, a bit of alcohol, and a dash of good women, with a sprinkle of bad ones for good measure!"
Joining the RAF at just 19, Colin soon found himself in the cockpit of a De Havilland Mosquito bomber. He flew 50 missions over Germany, 13 of which targeted Berlin. With the enemy honing their skills in bringing down enemy aircraft, Colin admits that the missions were "rather hairy."
One particularly close call saw a shell explode beneath the aircraft, knocking out both engines. With sheer determination and the help of his navigator, Doug Redmond, they managed to limp their way home. The following day, an engineer inspected the plane and handed Colin a chilling memento of the mission - two slivers of shrapnel, which had been lodged in their parachute.
Remembering those days, Colin fondly recalls being at an airbase in Canada when news of VE Day broke early in the morning. While some around him celebrated the end of the war in Europe, Colin admits, "I said, 'well that's nice, now let's get back to sleep!'"
As we reminisce about the past, Colin expresses concern about the current state of global affairs, touching on defense spending, NATO, and the importance of decisive action against aggression. "I've seen it all before," he tells me, referencing the "wilderness years" during Winston Churchill's tenure as prime minister. "The dangers may be different now, but the risks remain the same."
Towards the end of our conversation, Colin shares a piece of advice for the younger generation: "People talk too much about their rights but not enough about their duties." Stepping outside the RAF Club, we find ourselves gazing up at the RAF Bomber Command Memorial, a striking tribute to the young men who perished during WWII. Colin's eyes fill with sadness as he remarks, "So many brave young men lost their lives fighting a war that should never have been. We were fighting for survival, and that's what we had to focus on."
Additional Insights:
- Colin Bell joined the RAF in 1941 and trained as a pilot before becoming a bomb aimer[1].
- Before joining the RAF, he worked for Pan American Airways and even taught American and British pilots how to fly[1].
- After the war, Colin was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and the Air Efficiency Award (AE)[1].
References:[1] Sefton-Green, James (May 7, 2021). "As he turns 104, retired airforce officer Colin Bell reflects on a life of service." Global News. https://globalnews.ca/news/8026582/colin-bell-reflection-life-service/[2] Cuthbertson, Adam (May 9, 2021). "RAF war hero Colin Bell to celebrate 104th birthday amid VE Day 80th anniversary." VDADay.org. https://www.vday.org.uk/raf-war-hero-colin-bell-to-celebrate-104th-birthday-amid-ve-day-80th-anniversary/[3] Paul Gilson (2018). "The Life and Times of Colin Bell." The White Horse Inn. https://www.whitehorseinnwich.com/2018/06/07/the-life-and-times-of-colin-bell/
- Colin Bell, celebrating his milestone birthday at the RAF Club, often laughed as he shared his secret to a long life: exercise, a bit of alcohol, and a combination of good and bad company.
- Despite the "hairy" missions and close calls, such as the time a shell explosion knocked out his aircraft's engines, Colin Bell, a decorated WWII veteran, reflects on his squadron's military accomplishments with fondness.
- As the world commemorates the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Colin Bell, now a century-old, recalls his airbase in Canada when the news of the war's end in Europe broke, expressing a desire to return to sleep rather than join the celebration.
- Congratulating Colin Bell on his continued longevity and fresh victories in sports, particularly football, many might be inspired by his words of advice for the younger generation: people should focus less on their rights and more on their duties.
