out on amazon now... by Nick Armbrister and Mel Grobler

“Sir. They Hit the Wrong Town”

Ruth was concerned. Spitfire recon photos were the problem. Not the quality but something else. The target, it was wrong. Its street plan was different. Buildings, or what were once buildings, were different. What was wrong? Ruth thought. Do what thy will be the whole of the law. Do it right or it’s a cock up! What have our boys done?

She called her superior officer over. Quietly Ruth raised her concern and he looked closely through the stereoscopic eye glass at the post bombing pic.

“Strewth! You’re right. A right cock up. They hit the wrong bloody town. It’s not Munich. This is bad.

Ruth glanced up with wide intelligent questioning eyes. She looked very pretty in her WAAF uniform, with hair tied back and young features.

“As you sow, so shall you reap,” muttered her officer. Did it matter where the enemy was hit? As long as we bombed them. Our revenge for Coventry, London and a score more. Our Lancasters were pulverizing Germany. Bomber Harris had unleashed his whirlwind, silencing the Luftwaffe’s wind with extreme violence.

An urgent investigation needed to be carried out. It was the wrong target. A new raid would be needed...

Memories (by Mel)                                                                                                                  

Today as I sit and think of you,
I remember your face so dearly.
I can still see the love which shone
As the lights flashed across your face.
I remember a straight line across your jaw
And the tightness of your expression.
I can still see the creases on your face
As you smiled at your friends.
You seemed so sure and confident
And so relaxed and patient.
I stood and watched you and
When your gaze met mine, I glanced away.
I glanced away even though I didn't want to.
I turned away though my heart was screaming.
I felt as though you were still looking at me
And your gaze seemed to tear me apart.
I wanted to run up to you and hold you close
and perhaps then you would have known how I felt
About you...
I see you so clearly in my dreams and it seems
as though you're a part of me, but you suddenly drift away.
You drift away because my grasp on you isn't secure.
You drift away in dark and smoky clouds.
I reach out for you every way I can.
I whisper your name as I walk down deserted alleys and high mountains.
I see your face in everything I do,
and I fumble with sweet thoughts of you.
Will I ever make you mine or will you always
Be a memory that I failed to erase.