RAF Airfield, Luga, Malta
00:25 11th of July, 1940
I was one of the first to arrive to the airfield, which was buzzing with activity. Mechanics doing their last checks on the Gladiators,
flakcrew carrying the ammunition boxes to their flakguns, planes being fuelled and armed, the usual organized chaos that took
place when we were under threat.
I reported at HQ and was immediatly appointed as the leader of the first four Gladiators to take off and patrol the coast. The flight
was scheduled to start in 5 minutes, so I hurried back to the barracks and geared up.
The other pilots, whom I hadnt seen before, were already waiting for me in their Gladiators. I climbed to the cockpit and brought
the engine to life. The plane shook violently at first, but then eased up as the engine was running properly. I taxied to the runway,
followed by the others and stopped.
"This is tower, you are cleared for take off."
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