Of Different Stuff

Spitfires

Dear Reader, 

The Supermarine Spitfire is a legendary British fighter aircraft, particularly renowned for its role in the Battle of Britain during WWII.   It was known for its peed, agility and powerful weaponry, becoming a symbol of Allied resilience.  Over 20,000 Spitfires were produced, undergoing significant design changes and improvements throughout the war.

The iconic Supermarine Spitfire was critical in defending Luftwaffe air attacks during the Battle of Britain.

The Spitfire, also commonly referred to as the Supermarine Spitfire, in undoubtedly one of the most iconic and beloved aircraft in the history of aviation.  It was the only Allied fighter to be in production for the duration of WWII. During the war Spitfires flew 835,00 sorties.  They were also capable of carrying two 250lb bombs, one on each wing or one 500lb bomb under the fuselage.

Brad Pitt is an accomplished pilot and, in addition to having mastered the more common and garden aircraft, he owns a World War II-era Supermarine Spitfire.

 

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From D.H.Lawrence  May 24th  1916 in Cornwall

'The country is simply wonderful, blue, graceful little companies of bluebells everywhere on the moors, the gorse in flame, and on the cliffs and by the sea, a host of primrose, like settling butterflies, and seapinks like a hover of pink bees near the water.  There is a Spanish ship run on the rocks just below - great excitement everywhere.'

From Francis Kilvert   May 27th   1874  in Wiltshire

'.......banks and hedges brilliant with pink campion....As I came home the western heavens were jewelled with pure bright sparkling lights of grey silver and pale gold, and overhead a sublime mackerel sky of white and blue in its distant fleecy beauty gave me a more intense and grand sense of infinity and the illimitable than I ever remember to have had before.'

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Of Different Stuff

 

 

The ATS, the WAAFS, the WRENS,

rode in battleships,

flew spitfires and mosquitoes,

decoded enemy messages

nursed the wounded.

 

They tilled the land

drove tractors, fed the pigs,

birthed the lambs,

rose with the dawn,

went to bed late

exhausted and often hungry.

 

They walked alone in London

late at night

in the dark and dangerous streets,

they slept in freezing dormitories

shared a lavatory and basin

with twenty others.

 

These women were made

of different stuff.

They were fearless,

 they were brave.

 

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I am ashamed at my fearfulness

in the peace they fought for us,

gave us.

I am made, sadly, of different stuff.

 

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A new volume of my poetry 'Betrayal' has just been published.  If you would like a copy it is on Amazon under the name: Patricia Huth Ellis.   Click on that name and it will come up.  Some of the poems you will have already seen but there are lots of new ones.  It is my final book as the muse seems to have left me now, in old age.

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With very best wishes, Patricia