The story of a little known hero from World War 11

Every time Douglas Bader’s squadron took off from RAF Duxford during the Second World War, it was relying on vital intelligence gathered by the RAF’s Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (PRU).

Historians have largely ignored the dangers faced by the PRU pilots who ventured deep into enemy territory, unarmed and unprotected to photograph the movements of enemy supplies, men, ships and planes to enable Allied Commanders to plot their next moves.

One such was AFP Frane who died on 18 July 1942 when his spitfire A4810 came down in a field south of Stapleford in a failed attempt to locate RAF Duxford after a reconnaissance mission over the U-Boat yards at Felsburg. Being blown off course by bad weather was a deadly prospect in the days before modern navigational equipment.

In super smart uniform ‘ as good as the Americans!’

Dane’s life was not without adventure. A Cambridge graduate and veteran of Brooklands , he designed his own racing car, raced at the Nurburgring and Donington Park and at the time war was declared, was awaiting a try-out for the Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix team.

His life is celebrated in the Stapleford Spitfire 80th Commemoration exhibit which includes one of Dane’s pre-war racing cars, a section of a restored Spitfire and a Merlin engine.

The Family Day offers a wide range of entertainments but be sure not to miss Tony Hoskins’ exhibition and his fascinating story of one of the Second World War’s unsung heroes.

by Christian Eaves-Walton

Family Village Day Stapleford Granary Sunday 17 July 11 am -4pm

https://www.staplefordgranary.org.uk/whats-on/events/village-day-2022