"1939, just three weeks after the chilling announcement that our country was again at war with Germany.
Nothing it seemed had happened during that period - the date, October 2nd. That morning, it was clear bright with only small clouds moving across the blue sky. The birds would have been chirruping in the hedgerows that lined both sides of the country road leading to Paisley, cows browsing in the meadows."
"At a point, not far from the junction with Cockles Loan where, in the old picture of the tram stop, a significant devastating historic event was taking place.To the trained ear, and the sharp eye - at a point immediately and directly above that place, (behind the shelter), the unmistakable silhouette of an aeroplane would have been noticed. Nothing untoward to a casual observer but, if it had been possible for one to rise up and enter it they would have found a scene that would have stayed with them for the rest of their lives."
"Crouched over a Grey metal tube, helmeted aircrew would have been receiving instructions from the pilot - over the roar of the engines. The crew members hand would have then pressed upon a cable switch - the noises of shutters opening and closing and of film being transported into light proof drums - masked by the engines roar. The observer/navigator then would have relaxed, casually noting down details in his board mounted logsheet. 'Renfrew-Zivilflugplatz (getarnt)'. Numbers listed representing the plane's position were there as part of a list - a list that started from the far side of Glasgow City. The plane a photo-reconnaissance type from Hitler's airforce, the Luftwaffe had arrived. It flew that sunny morning across Scotland on the instructions of the German High Command to shape their plans for the systematic bombing of factories and shipyards."
"The drone of the engines would have faded gradually as it headed towards Inchinnan, Erskine, Clydebank and Dumbarton. Clydebank with its shipyards to eventually suffer the worst of this morning's evil endeavour - bearing the heaviest of the
attacks. The observer/photographer used the best optical equipment available and his quality had to be admired. To the untrained - the aerial map is not easily read. To help, the Legend carries a host of pointers to the various sites that are clearly defined.
Over recent years I have collected as many of these captured Nazi photographs - taken across the length and breadth of Scotland, as were to be found."
- - - Glen |