199 Squadron, RAF North Creake
The very first operation to be carried out from RAF North Creake was on 6 June 1944. It might not have meant much then to airmen who were called to a Briefing during the early hours, but looking back on that time, we know today it was to become a world-changing event that would be remembered long after that day was done.
Bernie How was twenty years old at the time he was called into that Briefing, listening intently to what had been planned for ‘Operation Overlord’, codename for the Battle of Normandy. Hours later, he was in an aircraft flying low just off the coast of France where fellow airmen would drop ‘Window’, or ‘Chaff’ as Americans call it, aimed at fooling the enemy into believing the invasion was heading to Calais. ‘Window’ was basically a simple ruse, made up of strips of aluminium foil dropped through the chute of an aircraft. As it wafted about in the air, it showed up on enemy Radar as if a major raid was taking place involving hundreds of planes. This was used many times during the Second World War leading up to the use of more sophisticated electronic countermeasures being developed by Boffins, intent on turning the war around towards a successful outcome.
Bernie was a Flight Engineer. He remembers:
‘I was only 20. I didn’t worry about anything. I just saw that I was doing my job, we all did. We messed about with their (the enemy) Radar and did our bit.’
So much secrecy surrounded this equipment used that not even Special Operators using it understood what it could do, much less the crew. They simply did what was ordered. As with other airfields under RAF 100 Group, Bomber Command, RAF North Creake was subject to a 30-Year Rule, with information remaining classified until the early 1970s. Meanwhile, this first Operation on 6 June 1944 lasted six long hours in total, with all seven members of Bernie’s crew arriving back at RAF North Creake tired but safe.
Bernie has fond memories of his time spent at RAF North Creake, but then there were moments when he would have wondered what might happen. Like the Stirling he was flying in which had a puncture and crashed on take-off. On board were two 400lb sea mines. However, all crew got out safely with only one minor injury. He remembers getting out and running for safety in case of explosion. He also recalls walking an extra mile to drink at ‘The Black Swan’, nicknamed ‘The Mucky Duck’, instead of ‘The Bull’ he could have gone to in Walsingham. The Land Girls were stationed next to the pub and the walk was for the extra fun they might have on reaching their destination!
Bernie is the only surviving member of his crew today.
Bernie How with crew, 1944, based at North Creake, 199 Sqn
Stan Pallant – Mid Upper Gunner
Harry Durrell – Wireless Operator
Bernie How – Flight Engineer
Ernie Harper – Pilot
Alf Salter – Bomb Aimer
Bob Sewell – Rear Gunner
John Russell – Navigator
Bernie How today, with Stuart and Janine, May 2018
This article is from the Autumn 2018 issue of Confound and Destroy
