Gerald Pawle > Quotes

“Perpetually shrouded in a dense, clammy fog, Cardington was a depressing place, and the only really contented mortal there that chill November was the resident observer, who used to ascend to 2000 feet every morning in a balloon, and spend the day sitting happily with a book in the autumn sunshine.”
― Gerald Pawle, Secret Weapons of World War II

“Scott therefore devised an off-white camouflage for the Broke, and this was such a spectacular success that she was rammed by a trawler while at anchor in the Foyle, the trawler’s captain protesting afterwards that Broke was invisible! On another occasion Broke and Verity collided 300 miles out in the Atlantic, the latter ship failing to sight Broke at all until the last moment. Eventually all warships in the North Atlantic and Home waters were painted to this specification, after the colour scheme had been somewhat modified. Always to the fore in adopting new ideas, Captain Mountbatten became a keen supporter of the change, and he had the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla disguised in a curious shade of pale mauve which became known as “Mountbatten pink.” This particular colour earned understandable popularity with harassed First Lieutenants, for it showed up dirt and rust a good deal less conspicuously than Scott’s off-white camouflage.”
― Gerald Pawle, Secret Weapons of World War II

“To some people mishaps never come singly. Shells vanished from the desk of Commander Richardson, but in their place arrived two Free Balloon Barrage detonators. Richardson soon forgot his unnerving experience, and a month later he was again speaking on the phone — this time to Captain Long at the Ordnance Board when he prodded one of the detonators with his pen-nib. There was a deafening explosion, and as Richardson staggered into the outer room clutching a wounded hand the phlegmatic Swan picked up the receiver. “Would you mind calling back a little later, sir?” he said. “Commander Richardson has just shot himself, but I don’t think it’s anything more serious than usual.”
― Gerald Pawle, Secret Weapons of World War II

“At the time of the Blitz a plan was presented in all seriousness for the building of an enormous Anti-aircraft Mountain, thousands of feet high, in Kent. From this, its sponsor explained, gunners would be able to shoot down the highest-flying bombers raiding London! And at various times plans came to D.M.W.D. for a space-ship; a gun for merchant vessels which squirted columns of water at approaching aircraft, presumably with the object of drowning the pilot in mid-air; and a weird and wonderful machine for manufacturing artificial tidal waves in the Pacific. Its inventor claimed that this would disorganize the Japanese defence system by washing all their outlying garrisons off the smaller coral atolls!”
― Gerald Pawle, Secret Weapons of World War II

“Eades was completely fearless, and his indifference to explosives roused no little apprehension at Birnbeck, where he experimented with a lethal device called “Bookrest.” This was a canvas tube filled with plastic explosive and designed to blow up enemy minefields. Plastic explosive was a highly temperamental substance, and quite liable to react to the slightest rough handling, but Eades treated it with a cavalier disdain. Whenever he wanted to empty it out of its hosepipe container he resorted to the simple expedient of banging the pipe against the wall of the magazine which housed all Birnbeck’s cordite, flares, rockets, and detonators!”
― Gerald Pawle, Secret Weapons of World War II

“The troubles of Lieutenant Byng were not, however, quite over. He had to return to London early next morning — and he still had thirteen mice on his hands. Late that night he made a cautious reconnaissance of the corridors. And under the door of every bedroom which had a pair of lady’s shoes outside it he liberated one mouse!”
― Gerald Pawle, Secret Weapons of World War II

“All you R.N.V.R.’s are the same,” he said scathingly. “Look at you ... absolutely filthy ... a disgrace to the Service! And you didn’t even salute me. Why not?” As it happened, Coulson was accompanied by Richardson, who had been promoted to Commander two days earlier, but had not had time to acquire his ‘brass hat,’ so he said somewhat smugly, “As this officer with me holds the same rank as yourself I did not think it was necessary.” A trifle disconcerted, his interrogator abandoned all further examination of Coulson’s shortcomings.”
― Gerald Pawle, Secret Weapons of World War II

“Eades was completely fearless, and his indifference to explosives roused no little apprehension at Birnbeck, where he experimented with a lethal device called “Bookrest.” This was a canvas tube filled with plastic explosive and designed to blow up enemy minefields. Plastic explosive was a highly temperamental substance, and quite liable to react to the slightest rough handling, but Eades treated it with a cavalier disdain. Whenever he wanted to empty it out of its hosepipe container he resorted to the simple expedient of banging the pipe against the wall of the magazine which housed”
― Gerald Pawle, Secret Weapons of World War II

“This request proved ill-advised, for the pilot was now on his mettle. Taking off again, he made a couple of dummy runs, and then released the huge concrete block and its girdle of rockets from 2000 feet with alarming accuracy. As it came screaming through the air the watchers on the pier gazed open-mouthed. Then, suddenly realizing that it was going to score a direct hit, every one started running for dear life down the long plank roadway. The concrete ‘bomb’ landed squarely on the roof of D.M.W.D.’s engineering shop. It sheared through a massive steel joist, and then demolished the covered way leading to the steamer jetty. Happily there were no casualties, though the Wren cooks preparing lunch a few feet from the wrecked shelter thought the end of the world had come.”
― Gerald Pawle, Secret Weapons of World War II

“I’m not in the habit of dealing with minor matters of this kind,” came an irate response. “Do you know who you are talking to, young man?” “No,” said Roberson, “I haven’t the faintest idea.” “This is Admiral — here.” “Oh, is it?” said Roberson, much alarmed. “Do you know who this is at this end?” “No, I don’t,” boomed the voice. “Thank God for that!” remarked Roberson, quickly replacing the receiver.”
― Gerald Pawle, Secret Weapons of World War II