In answer to the question in the Daily Mail on the 1st. March 2003!

"Has anyone overslept and missed something really important?"

'When serving in Greece in World War II, we were sent to attack a train coming from Salonika. It took two days and two nights, without rest, to get there - then ten of us were supposed to link up with a group of Greek partisans.

When we reached our position two Special Operations Executive men, Captain Bill Killick and Corporal Ernie Chapman, were due to be on the railway line laying charges so the train would be derailed.

We took up position on the railway bank so as to open fire with mortars and machine guns, leaving the Greeks to mop up. Eventually the train appeared, and we all did a double take; the engine was pushing a fully armed 88mm gun followed by multi-barrelled gun of large calibre. On each of the carriages was a fully manned Spandau machine gun, followed by the same artillery set-up at the back.

We were stunned - and there was no way out. We all thought we were goners until, remarkably, the train simply carried on past the spot we were zeroed in on.....and kept going.

Bill and Ernie had fallen asleep, saving our bacon.'

We have Stan Port ex. RSR to thank for this gem. Thanks Stan.