{"id":4962,"date":"2020-06-21T00:03:50","date_gmt":"2020-06-21T04:03:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/?p=4962"},"modified":"2020-06-21T00:25:14","modified_gmt":"2020-06-21T04:25:14","slug":"episode-70-bunmahon-ireland-alan-skeochs-journal-august-81960-to-sunday-august-14-1960","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/?p=4962","title":{"rendered":"EPISODE 70 BUNMAHON IRELAND ALAN SKEOCH’S JOURNAL AUgust 8,1960 to sunday august 14, 1960"},"content":{"rendered":"
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EPISODE 70   BUNMAHON  IRELAND    ALAN SKEOCH\u2019S JOURNAL  AUGUST 8 TO AUGUST <\/font><\/div>\n

<\/font><\/div>\n
alan skeoch<\/font><\/div>\n
June 2020<\/font><\/div>\n

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\u201cA GERMAN BOMBER CRASHED HERE, THE PILOT CAME BACK FOR A HOLIDAY  THIS SUMMER.”<\/font><\/div>\n

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I have a lot of trouble with Irish  stories.  Are they true?  Are they false?  Are they half true?<\/font><\/div>\n
Are they meant to entertain?  Are they meant to test gullibility?  Are they told to mislead?<\/font><\/div>\n
Are they told just for something to say?  Are they legends from the deep past that no one<\/font><\/div>\n
really knows what they mean?  Are they spliced  together to make a boring story better?<\/font><\/div>\n

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As you may have noticed if you actually read some of my Irish  stories<\/font><\/div>\n
they are often based on fact.  Like the story of the cow that got lost in the<\/font><\/div>\n
mine\u2026a story which turned out to be true.<\/font><\/div>\n

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The lads told me a story about a German bomber that crashed  near Bunmahon and<\/font><\/div>\n
the crew survived.  Did it crash in the bog we surveyed?  Maybe.  How could I find<\/font><\/div>\n
out?   One way was to check on German planes  that ditched or landed in Ireland<\/font><\/div>\n
which was neutral  in World War II.  Well a German bomber was  shot down over Waterford <\/font><\/div>\n
and tried to land but hit a  stone wall near Kilmacthomas killing all the crew. <\/font><\/div>\n
Maybe that was the one the boys  were talking about.<\/font><\/div>\n

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And not so  far away another German bomber made a solid landing and the<\/font><\/div>\n
crew survived.   <\/font><\/div>\n

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German and Allied planes that landed or crashed in Ireland are numerous and<\/font><\/div>\n
all seem to have been recorded.  So many that I am  too tired to continue <\/font><\/div>\n
trying to find  if the story of a German plane landing on Bunmahon beach is<\/font><\/div>\n
true or false.  I can find  no record of it.  And the beach  is not very long.<\/font><\/div>\n

<\/font><\/div>\n
\u201cMaster Skeoch, a  German bomber landed in a farmers field near here and<\/font><\/div>\n
the pilot and  his  family  came back this summer on a holiday.\u201d  That may<\/font><\/div>\n
have happened.  I did not see any German wreckage.  If you have the time<\/font><\/div>\n
please feel free to go through the records of crashes  in World War II\u2026they are all<\/font><\/div>\n
documented.<\/font><\/div>\n
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Date: <\/span> 10th June 1941<\/font><\/p>\n

Location:<\/span>  Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford<\/font><\/p>\n

Aircraft Type: <\/span> Fighter<\/font><\/p>\n

Crew Members:  (1)<\/span>

            Pilot Officer Maurice Motte<\/font><\/p>\n

Notes: <\/span>Pilot Officer Motte was part of a Free French Unit operation out of England. He had been involved in an attack on a German Bomber in the sky over Ireland. The German Aircraft a Heinkel Bomber with a crew of five tried to make an emergency landing near Churchtown, Co. Waterford, but burst into flames after hitting a stone wall, killing all crew members.  Officer Mott aircraft was also damaged in the skirmish and had to make an emergency landing not too far from Kilmacthomas Co. Waterford. <\/font><\/p>\n

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Date:  <\/span>1st April 1941<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

Location: <\/span> Dunbratten Head, Co Waterford.<\/font><\/p>\n

Aircraft Type:<\/span>  Heinkel 111 Bomber<\/font><\/p>\n

Crew Members:  (5)<\/span>

            Leutnant Heinz Grau (Pilot)
            Feldwebel Georg Fleischmann 
            Oberfeldwebel  Ernst Lorra
            Unteroffizier Otto Jaegerr      
            Unteroffizier Ernst Gensen  <\/font><\/p>\n

Notes: <\/span> The Heinkel Bomber had been shot up in an attack on some ships in the Bristol Channel. An engine had been knocked out and there was no question of their being able to return back to their base in Tours, France, so decided to make for Ireland. After landing successfully they quickly se<\/font><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Belligerent aircraft would end up on Irish soil for one of two reasons:<\/span><\/o:p><\/o:p><\/font><\/p>\n

1.    <\/span>The allied pilots would land, mistaking Eire for Britain. This was quite common considering that aircraft navigation systems then were very basic compared to today\u2019s standards.<\/o:p><\/o:p><\/font><\/p>\n

2.    <\/span>Aircraft would either be damaged during battle or run low on fuel, forcing the pilots to crash or emergency land. In the case of allied pilots they sometimes could not make it to Britain or Northern Ireland. Luftwaffe pilots would land in Eire in preference interment in Britain. <\/o:p><\/o:p><\/font><\/p>\n

When a warplane was forced to land in Eire, the crew would destroy all documents, maps and as much of the aircraft as possible, before they were captured. Allied pilots, on realizing where they had landed would attempt to travel to the North of Ireland, although not usually with much success.<\/o:p><\/o:p><\/font><\/p>\n

Escape from K-Lines for German internees would prove undesirable, as France was the nearest axis occupied country to Ireland and travelling there, especially via England would prove very difficult. On the other hand, if British internees succeeded in escaping they would only have to travel little over one hundred miles in order to cross the boarder into Northern Ireland. However, the practice of breaking parole in an attempted to return home was condoned by the respective governments as it was seen as an abuse of privilege. Each internee had a duty to affect his escape but this would have to be done legitimately in the form of a break out from the camp. It was also the duty of the military guard in K-lines, to the escape or rescue of the internees. The guards were armed with rifles but ordered not to fire at internees who attempted escape. Even if an internee successfully effected escape from the compound, the Curragh Camp and surrounding towns were populated with off duty troops stationed in the Curragh. It was not long before Irish authorities had a good intelligence network known as G2, to counter escape attempts. Yet many pro British people were willing to aid the allied internees and an organization known as the \u201cEscape Club\u201d was formed. It was headed by Dr. Hugh Wilson who was a veteran of the First World War and established by M19, British Military Intelligence. The \u201cEscape Club\u201d would organize and aid many British internees to attempt escape during the war. <\/font><\/p>\n<\/div>\n


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alan skeoch<\/div>\n
June 2020<\/div>\n

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Ireland has lots of wild land\u2026places where nothing can grow but heather.<\/div>\n

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the mountains  are treeless but not empty\u2026lots of low heather and lots of sheep although this picture shows only one.<\/div>\n

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This picture was taken on same mountain five years later when Marjorie (by them my wife), Eric (my brother) joined me<\/div>\n
in a nostalgic Visit to Bonmahon.   Eric is pretending tp push Marjorie into the water.  <\/div>\n

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The local pipe band marched through town heading towards  some<\/div>\n
special celebration.  Went to pub of course. Discovered  the newspaper<\/div>\n
has  madde our outdoor crew into celebrities\u2026pictures.   The lads like<\/div>\n
the notoriety as they do  not get much in their regular lives. <\/div>\n

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John and  I then visited the seventh annual Bonmahon dance and  had a wonderful <\/div>\n
time.   Met the local belle of the dance, Ren \u2026 Nice person<\/div>\n
to talk to but no romance.  Marjorie would  like her.<\/div>\n

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MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 1960<\/div>\n

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Really tired today as  we did too much on week end.  Took  out the resistivity <\/div>\n
outfit and spent entire day puzzling out its operation.  Just will not work.  is<\/div>\n
this my fault\u2026i.e. ignorance?  Hate to let our company down but this machine<\/div>\n
just wil not perform. <\/div>\n

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This could be our last day of work.  Fellows spent day kidding me about <\/div>\n
the day before\u2026<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Got nice letter from Marjorie with a picture. Also letter from Bob and Anita<\/div>\n
Taylor wnich was a  surprise.   They are now married and less inclined<\/div>\n
to socialize\u2026seems marriage puts up a kind of wall.  <\/div>\n

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The evening was magnificent with bright sunlight bouncing light off the<\/div>\n
rain covered leaves and verdure\u2026Rainbow over the Atlantic Ocean.<\/div>\n

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TUESDAY , AUGUST 9, 1960<\/div>\n

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Tested resistivity agan.  Then began reclaiming our base line cable\u2026badly<\/div>\n
beaten up by cattle.   <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Sadly I had to lay the crew off at noon.  We all felt bad about it.  Pile of<\/div>\n
mail and exam results\u2026some good , some not so good\u2026but all on positive<\/div>\n
side of things.  In the afternoon I drove to Waterford  with John Hogan to<\/div>\n
get more 35mm film and  phoned Toronto to see if project was about<\/div>\n
to be extended.  Affirmed extension.  (phone call $47.60)  This means  I will<\/div>\n
be here another month or so.   The lads are happy.  Fantastic  sunset<\/div>\n
\u2026all the clouds were blood red.<\/div>\n

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END EPISODE 69   <\/div>\n

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1960<\/div>\n

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Spent the day doing the calculations and then drafting results.  Pleased<\/div>\n
with myself as I was not clear about the job\u2026puzzled it out.<\/div>\n
Huntec may have assumed I  know more that I do know.  Studying<\/div>\n
manuals and previous notes helped  <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Beautiful sunlit day.  Reminded  me so much of John Wayne\u2019s film<\/div>\n
The Quiet Man.   So similar to film here in Bunmahon.  our job would<\/div>\n
make a great sequel as all the elements are present including the <\/div>\n
humorous rather than hate filled relations between the Anglicans <\/div>\n
and Catholics.  <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
We drove to Tramore in the evening to see ‘ Some Came Running\u2019<\/div>\n
… played golf first though\u2026using word golf sounds more athletic than <\/div>\n
the truth that we played miniature golf.  Little kids play the game better\u2019<\/div>\n
than we seem to do.  Lots  of little kids. The movie was sensational.<\/div>\n

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 1960<\/div>\n

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I spent most of the day  drafting Turam results then I got the lads organized for<\/div>\n
work tomorrow.  All happy we have got job extension.  We have made the <\/div>\n
Bonmahon community come to life. <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Nice to walk along the cliffs in the evening before sunset.  Lads  told me all <\/div>\n
about Willy O\u2019Meara and his immorality.  No woman, married or single,<\/div>\n
is  safe if alone and Willy is nearby.  Does not change my opinioon of<\/div>\n
him for he has helped me a lot.  Always  willing.   Do notice the lads<\/div>\n
treat him differently though.  Seems more  of the gossip is being shared<\/div>\n
with me.  I suppose that is a sing of acceptance.<\/div>\n

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 1960<\/div>\n

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<\/div>\n
A  Tinker (Gypsy) caravan invaded town today making locals  a<\/div>\n
little anxious especially  when one wagon broke an axle and<\/div>\n
whole caravan  had to stay a while.  Their horses follow the wagons<\/div>\n
without halters or harness.  Quite a  sight to see.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
The profiles are nearly finished.  Not bad  job. <\/div>\n

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Took a walk along cliffs with John Hogan and Barney Dwan\u2026lots of women <\/div>\n
and girls walking as well.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
A strange thing happened  later when Mrs. Kenneday wanted to \u2018<\/div>\n
talk to me privately.  Concerned  local  scandals.  Rena\u2019s \u201cfamily is<\/div>\n
renowned  as  thieves.\u201d  In other words be careful.  \u201cBarney is illegitimate<\/div>\n
\u2026his mother was 16 years old\u201d   I take it this was some kind of<\/div>\n
warning.   Revealed nature of the Bonmahon community that I<\/div>\n
did not know.  She was giving me advice.  I am  not sure I wanted<\/div>\n
this kind of advice.  Sort of a warning that things are not what they seem.<\/div>\n
A warning that I should keep things more at arms length. Must think<\/div>\n
about that.  Mrs.  Kennedy  might be well intentioned.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 1960<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Sent lads  out to work on new lines while I began listen the anomalies<\/div>\n
on an overlay.   Got a drive out to where some of the lads were digging a<\/div>\n
trench   22 feet down to bedrock just in case the seam of chalcopyrite <\/div>\n
reached  he surface.  Walked  home.<\/div>\n

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Got telegram from Toronto concerning the project extension.  <\/div>\n

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In the afternoon Barney, Billy and I went fishing using a small boat.<\/div>\n
We caught lots of mackerel.  Easy.  Just drop in the line with hooks<\/div>\n
spaced along it and then haul in the Makerel.  A huge basking shark<\/div>\n
swam under our boat\u2026looks like a whale to me.  Baksing sharks  are<\/div>\n
not dangerous Barney assured  me   Not so sure\u2026it was bigger than<\/div>\n
our boat.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Then we explored two more old mine adits  as deep as we could go.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
A  seal followed  us some distance.  The sea  is  not nearly as  nice<\/div>\n
as our freshwater lakes in  Canada in my opinion but the adventure<\/div>\n
was exciting.  Flattering that Barney included me in the fishing trip.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
At night we went to Buckley\u2019s pub, across the road from Kirwin\u2019s <\/div>\n
pub\u2026we played table top football again.   My social life is  tending<\/div>\n
to eclipse the business  life.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
SUNDAY AUGUST 14, 1960<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Rain  again\u2026another \u2018soft\u2019 day using Irish parlance.  Spent morning trying to<\/div>\n
interpret my results\u2026assured John Hogan this was not professional  opinion.<\/div>\n
Then did more expense accounts \u2026 i.e. wages  to the lads.  Late in the afternoon<\/div>\n
John and I drove to see a movie in Waterford.   Sillhy waste of 25 cents..cost of show.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

EPISODE 70   BUNMAHON  IRELAND    ALAN SKEOCH\u2019S JOURNAL  AUGUST 8 TO AUGUST  alan skeoch June 2020 \u201cA GERMAN BOMBER CRASHED HERE, THE PILOT CAME BACK FOR A HOLIDAY  THIS SUMMER.” I have a lot of trouble with Irish  stories.  Are they true?  Are they false?  Are they half true? Are they meant to entertain? […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4962","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4962","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4962"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4962\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4962"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4962"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4962"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}