Summer 2025 5 that happened was a Mitchel bomber gave the wrong signal and was shot down by a British fighter. We found the remains of the bomber not far away” “Almost two days later at 4.30 in the afternoon we were told to look out for mines. We entered Katakolon harbour. Our LCT went towards the beach which was sand and dropped the ramp onto the beach itself. We couldn’t drive the cars off because we had to unload large quantities of fuel which took several hours to do. Once unloaded we drove off the beach on to a road and then had to de-waterproof the vehicles. It was dark when we took up our positions in convoy. Being the last of three ac’s to bring up the rear CPL Cockburn, Ken Aggett and myself being once again the Good Shepherd” It was during his stay with the flight that CPL Cockburn was told by Squadron Leader Wynne that he will immediately with his crew and car report to the SBS headquarters as from now and you will take orders from their CO for as long as they required your presence. We backed them up in all operations and at one time we were joined by two other cars one afternoon. By drawing fire from the hill and just driving out of reach each time which resulted in a considerable amount of the enemy ammunition not being used against our rifle flights. N.B. During the recapture of Greece in World War II, multiple RAF Regiment squadrons were involved in operations in the Peloponnese. Specifically, a squadron from the Levant and Italy, part of “Bucket Force,” landed on the Peloponnese to secure an airhead at Araxos. Additionally, an RAF Regiment squadron advanced from the Peloponnese towards Patras, liberating the town with a detachment of the LongRange Desert Group. Detachments from 2908 Squadron were attached to the SBS during this time. Several excursions into Patras we confronted the enemy and inflicted casualties. One morning the SBS CO Major Patterson took over the gunner’s position in the car and said to take him into Patras to see how far we could go without finding opposition and as we approached a bend in the road we were travelling along, a lorry load of the enemy came from the other direction. The immediate shout from above was “Open fire.” Major Paterson with the Bren in the turret and CPL Cockburn with the 5 anti-tank rifle inflicted numerous casualties and the order to me “You can withdraw now driver and return to base.” This I did. With the all the flight 2908 squadron actively engaged the following night the enemy left Patras withdrawing back towards Corinth and Athens. Allan and the Recce cars provided vital patrolling and recce tasks, but soon the war in Europe was over, the squadron moved to Crete and in November the squadron moved to Klagenfurt, in Austria. And following Xmas leave Allen returned to the UK, where he passed the NCO course at RAF Belton Park and was promoted to the rank of Corporal and posted to RAF Compton Basset. Allen was released via Uxbridge on the 10th of September 1946, finally cleared by 21st of December of that year. Civvy Street came, and after leaving the RAF Regiment, Allan went back to the company he worked for before joining up. The company being W D Stirling Ltd Allan and Maisie with Air Cdre Neal on the 75th anniversary of the RAF Regiment formation. 2908 Sqn in Greece IWM CNA 3277 Heritage centre 2908 Sqn Otter of Yeovil (the company is no longer in existence). The company was involved in the business of lamb skins for making gloves and sheep skins for making coats. Allan retired from this company at the age of 65 but continued working for another company until he was 74 when he finally retired. Allan and his wife Maisie will be celebrating their 78th wedding anniversary in September 2025. Allan joined the Catterick Branch of the RAF Regiment Association in 1991 and then later transferred to the Somerset, Dorset, Bristol and Bath Branch.
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