Focal Point

Band of Brothers

Earl McClung? Donald Malarkey? They sound like names from a Western or some B movie you only ever see once and never remember again! That's what I thought when I heard from Angela (Midweek Herald reporter) that we would be making a trip together to Smeatharpe airfield near Honiton to photograph these chaps. I'd never heard of them before in my life! I later learned that these gentlemen were WW2 American veterans and would be flying over to Bristol and then be driven to the disused air base at Smeatharpe. The airbase was where they had flown out from for the Normandy landings. There would be an old WW2 Dakota plane which they would of parachute jumped from on D-Day. But the main story behind the revisit to Smeatharpe was that these guys had a film based on them called Band of Brothers, these were the real life Band of Brothers!! I am so ignorant! I was amazed to learn that their company had also been the same one that was involved in the rescue of the real Private Ryan which had been brought to prominence by Spielberg's movie.

Angela and I left the office at about 2.30 as the plane was due in for 3.30 and the men about 4ish! Well the plane was only slightly delayed by about 30mins (I was very pleased with my flyby shot I took with the Stars and Stripes and the plane together) but the veterans didn't turn up until past 5.30 (home time!). However, we were all in good spirits and there was a fair size crowd waiting in anticipation for them to step from their people carrier. There was only one other paper covering the event as it was a last minute tip off from the organiser and very hush hush. But there were several war enthusiasts and by the time the men exited the vehicle a small press crowd was assembled. The heroes seemed very spritely and not at all phased by the long journeys they both had. Angela and I were eager to get the event in the bag and get back to HQ to upload the pics and story. Unfortunately we didn't bank on 'son' of Spielberg being there and taking over the show! The heroes were followed by a mini entourage of people including a rather difficult person who was making a documentary on the chaps with a video camera. The man directed the show from start to finish and would not let any of us press anywhere near the veterans until he got his video done. I found it very hard to keep my cool when all the time I kept getting "keep back will you, these cameras pick up the slightest sound, even your camera clicks!" Not only was it frustrating to have to wait a long time for them to arrive we had to suffer this plonker! Also the light was fading as some clowds stole the sun away.

Well I finally got what I wanted, and despite Spielberg directing, I snuck a few shots during his shooting, click click! Angela got her report from the guys and she even got some video for the website. Whilst we were waiting around, Angela met up with a very friendly couple who we got chatting to and learned that Lesley is a pilot and we may be reaching for the clouds in the near future with him! Although it was frustrating to wait around for them it was well worth it. This kind of story only happens once in a blue moon and I felt very priviledged to have met 'one lung McClung' and Donald. Pics: http://www.midweekherald.co.uk/midweekherald/flatfiles/features/2008/bandofbrothers/bandofbrothers.aspx