The Wings of Pegasus by George Chatton

Chapter 2.

Birth of the Glider Pilot Regiment.

It was exceedingly cold and snow lay everywhere.

My train pulled into Salisbury Station at 835, and as I stepped onto the freezing platform

I was full of anticipation and excitement.

Jumping into a jeep that had been sent to collect me, I turned up the collar of my great

coat and sat back waiting for the cold driver head, and indeed it was cold.

The wind blew through the jeep, making my eyes run, and the set expression of the driver,

who was obviously frozen too, warmed me that conversation was not being encouraged.

We drove out onto Salisbury Plain along the Amesbury Road, where in the distance I saw

old serum, and reflected on my last visit there, and how I had failed to become an

early A's on officer. I felt a wondering what this next adventure might hold.

Driving on through the lanes, we came to the edge of a snow-covered airfield, Royal Air

Force Nether-Aven, then turned down a lane to enter the drive of a small Georgian house.

This was the headquarters of the newly formed airborne division, and the seat of command

of Major General, Boy Browning.

I jumped down from the jeep and entered the house. It was charming, old-fashioned, and

had panelled walls. It had been denuded of furniture,

which had been replaced by the fittings' customary in all houses, taken under military command.

On the floor was the usual coconut matting, and odd chairs and tables were everywhere.

Yet there was a distinct, an exciting atmosphere, something new.

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