(Webmaster's Perks)
I decided that perhaps I could be permitted to have one or two recollections of my own, so here goes.
Although I think the Sgt, with his 'mop' of hair, had always been there...
things had changed at The Bombing Range by 1961, (compared to 1959 bottom of page), no tents...

The main gate to the Bombing Range (Hell's Half Acre) had a red 1000lb bomb mounted either side. The strafing targets were 15ft square sacking on wooden frames, with a target painted on.

I recall that after strafing had finished, Libyans would suddenly appear from nowhere (out of holes in the ground) and run around collecting the shell cases for scrap.

I must have stayed at the NAAFI at El Adem too long one evening, because I had to walk back to the Range (20 miles?) in the pitch black with no road and no torch, what frightened me most was that on my arrival I would be attacked by the dogs.

FACT: One box of beer (a ration for round the camp fire) held 24 cans of Alsops OR 24 cans of Tenents.

Unburnt cordite from rockets (sort of waxy sticks), pushed into empty beer cans, produced rockets - recycling?

The Americans used a technique called 'over the shoulder' bombing, where the plane was upside down at release point.
R.A.E. Farnborough, sent a team to photograph bomb dropping and they told me that 100ft of film disintegrates when they stop the camera. It was interesting to watch.

I remember one of our number (an artist) played with a mine detonator once too often (in his nissen hut).
Thanks to Robbie (Foxy) Foxwell for recalling his name for me, Brian Howlett. I seem to remember that he had a moustache.
I radioed main camp (EB8S, Echo Bravo Eight Sierra from CX3J, Charlie Xray Three Juliet) from the tower to get a helicopter. The remarkable Brian remained conscious during the long wait, right up until the chopper landed and he walked out to it. He had blown off most fingers from both hands and simply had a towel wrapping.
I have often wondered about how he made out. 'Foxy' has told me that he ended up in a hospital in Surrey.If anybody knows please contact me.

Don,
I just thought you might like to see this photo, I found this as a negitive on the camp road at El-Adem, I had it developed into print years ago, and have always kept it, you might even know who it is, I haven't a clue.
Cheers
Dave.[Austin]

Hello again Dave
Nice picture but unfortunately I haven't a clue who he is.
I do however recognise the bomb outside the Bombing Range compound (there was one either side of the entrance gate), the Sgt's nissen hut was in line longwise across the path from the one shown, all the rest (6 or 8 total for living inc. the bar) were diagonally top left off the picture in two rows either side of the path.

I would suggest that it is pre-1961 because the toilet building is not present in the top right corner, unless my memory fails me regarding how far away from the end nissen it was.
The small control tower would be about a 100yds behind the photographer. El Adem main camp to the left about 18 miles, the strafing point just outside the fence to the right and the bomb drop to the right 5 miles. With your permission I would like to post the picture and see what comes of it.
Regards Don

Hello,

I just cannot believe I have just found this information about Miss Brittan on the web, I was putting honey on my breakfast this morning 18/04/2009 and for some reason Miss Brittan came in to my thoughts, I did meet her once as I was the Area Commanders driver 1966/67 Benghazi it's just amazing the info you can find on this Internet thingy.
Thanks for putting it on.

I have attached a photo of a few lads that were based at BMH Tripoli 1965 I am not on it as I am the one taking the photo.

Keith Hawkes

Glad to have been of service Keith.
If you have any memories of Libya that might be interesting to others,
please come back to me and include your permission to post it.
Regards
Don Simmonds

Hello Don,
Here are some pictures for you.
Joe Challoner

Pictures courtesy Joe Challoner