| WINKIE FITT AND A NORFOLK FLYER IN
KOREA 14185489 Sgt Gerry Jermy, sent two items on disc from North Wales. Now aged 70 and just retired from a career in engineering, he writes first about that remarkable legend, Winkie Fitt: Whenever I reflect back on my service with The Royal Norfolk Regt, the name of one man predominates over all others. I refer of course to the late Winkie Fitt. In spite of the fact that our paths did not cross until after I was transferred from the County Regiment for flying duties, his sheer presence on the fringe of my service from August 1951 to March 1953 has left an indelible imprint on my memory. During the whole of this period, not once did he mention his exploits in Burma with the 2nd Bn at Kohima and it was not until I read Peter Hart's book 'At the Sharp End' that I realised just how important a place in the history of the Regiment did this outstanding character play his part. The following resume of my experiences in Korea are in part to jog the memories of veterans of the Korean Campaign but also to demonstrate that The Royal Norfolk Regt had a hand in the happenings above the front as well as on the ground. |
CSM Alf Cooke at the air-strip in Korea 1952 |
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| The photograph above right was taken by myself during a visit to the 1st
Bn The Royal Norfolk Regiment in the late spring 1952. It clearly shows the fearless arrogance of a truly professional soldier. SSgt Nobby Hall and I had been invited to visit the forward positions, accompanied by Sgt Maj Winkie Fitt, to increase our knowledge and appreciation of the conditions on the ground at the time when we were regularly flying Company and Platoon Commanders on reconnaissance flights over Brigade and Divisional Fronts. As I recall, this photograph was taken in 'B' or 'C' Company positions overlooking the Samichon Valley, the top-less figure being CSM Dinger Bell . My service with the Regiment commenced in January 1946. Although having attended the Recruiting Office in Norwich, whilst still at Thetford Grammar School and signed for 7 and 5 with The Royal Norfolk Regt, my initial posting was to an Infantry Leader Training Battalion located at Palace Barracks, Hollywood, County Down, Near Belfast. Immediately following completion of the six month training programme I was sent to the school of Infantry at Warminster on a Junior NCO course. Finally, I made it to Britannia Barracks, or 9 PTC as it was in those days, as a Junior NCO Weapon Training Instructor. The Depot CO at that time was Lt Col Winter, OC 'B' Coy Maj Cain and CSM WO2 Bert Davies MM. The two and a half years spent at the depot were very enjoyable and many friends were made. However, I was eventually looking for another challenge and that came about in February 1949 when I was accepted for flying training with the Glider Pilot Regiment. Although badged to another, my parent Regiment remained The Royal Norfolk Regt. To my surprise I was to meet up with the Regiment again in August 1951 when boarding the troopship 'Empire Orwell' at Southampton en route to Korea. (Click here for an account of a Reunion in 2001 of the 2 surviving Warrant Officers) At that time I was with the newly formed 1913 Light Liaison Flight RAF heading out to join the Commonwealth Division HQ at an airstrip being prepared on the south bank of the Imjim River, close by Pintail Bridge. It was inevitable that whilst on board I should meet a number of NCOs who before joining the 1st Battalion had been instructors at the depot in Norwich. Additionally I was to meet and form a firm friendship with Winkie Fitt who had known my brother in India prior to WW2. When The Norfolks disembarked at Pusan, 1913 Light Liaison Flight remained on board to complete the journey to Kure in Japan. Our Auster aircraft had already been shipped out from the UK and were awaiting our arrival at the RAAF base at Iwakuni. It was not long before the RAF maintenance crews were assembling the light aircraft in readiness for flight testing. Finally, on 2 Nov 51 we were ready to fly across the sea of Japan to Korea. Our route would take us to Ashiya in Kyushu - Pusan - Taegu - Taijon - Seoul finally arriving at the divisional airstrip (Fort George) on 13 Nov 51. At that point in time we were not sure how our services were to be utilised, but we didn't have to wait long. Very soon we were carrying out two or three sorties each day and at the same time familiarising ourselves with the disposition of friendly and enemy units along the divisional front. The operational requirement was for 1913 flight to have an aircraft over the Div front at 'Stand-To' every day. This aircraft would have a direct radio link with the RA Field Regts and would be responsible for directing gun fire on any target considered suitable. Following the 'Stand-To' sortie, all aerial direction was undertaken by the Gunner Officers of 1903 Air Observation Post Flight RAF who were located on the same air-strip. This arrangement released the aircraft of 1913 flight for the rest of the day to carry out recces along the Bde/Div Fronts, leaflet dropping, casevac and communication flights within the US 8th Army Area. During the time that the 1st Bn was in action I carried a number of members of the Regt on recces over the front in 1952, prior to them taking out patrols: 23 Jan Lt Gunton; 27 Jan and 2 Jun Lt Towell; 15 May Lt Berney; 13 Apr, 7 and 16 Jul Lt Raven. In addition, the following flew with me from time to time between Fort George and Seoul, taking advantage of the aerial taxi-service we were able to provide: Maj Wilson, RSM Gilly Gilchrist, CSM Winkie Fitt and CSM Alf Cooke. (Webmaster after-note Jul 03: Maj John Denny says of Alf Cooke, alive and well in Norfolk: 'one of the best!') When the Bn completed it's tour of duty and left for Hong Kong, I remained with 1913 flight until 31 Jan 53 at which time the Commonwealth Division pulled out of the line and I returned to the UK having completed my colour service. I was to learn later in 1953 that I had been awarded the American Air Medal (London Gazette issue no 3999 27.10.53). A first for the Regiment and probably the first SNCO in the British Army to receive such an award. I am still in possession of my Association Membership card dated 4.5.53 signed by G Rushbrook and in which the Regimental journal is offered at a cost of 2/3d per copy including postage. I very much regret that I am unable to make the long journey from North Wales to Norwich for the annual reunion each September, but I do keep up to date with happenings in the Association by reading the excellent journal from cover to cover. The editors are to be congratulated on their dedication and application and long may they continue to present us with this very enjoyable and informative newsletter. |
