2:01

German bombing raids that forced the city

2:03

underground into the tube stations till the

2:06

buzz bombs passed. Pretty

2:08

British girls he dated with names

2:10

like Daphne and Bubbles. But

2:13

mostly he talked about Raddleston. Every

2:16

time I got on the plane he

2:18

would remind me that his airbase was

2:20

in Raddleston, and if I went there

2:22

into the town pub, I would find

2:24

his photograph along with his ace air

2:26

force squadron there on the wall. It

2:29

was still there, he said, over 50 years

2:31

later. Lenny loved

2:33

England, and for as terrifying as

2:35

it had been for an 18-year-old who had never

2:37

been out at the Lower East Side of New

2:39

York and was now a

2:42

navigator in the Army Air Corps

2:44

flying bombing missions over Germany, he

2:46

loved his time in the Army,

2:48

fighting Hitler and fascism and anti-Semitism,

2:51

meeting guys from places like

2:54

Kansas and Utah. Hearing

2:56

the swing bands that came and entertained the

2:58

troops, receiving a salami

3:00

from Katz's deli sent to Raddleston by

3:03

his mother back on Orchard Street. For

3:06

five years he asked me to go to

3:08

Raddleston to see the photograph and find his

3:10

base. I kept

3:12

saying I would go. Finally,

3:15

one fine Sunday, Joe agreed

3:17

and we headed north-northeast of

3:19

London in search of a

3:21

pub and a piece of my father's past.

3:25

The piece he was proudest of. Lenny

3:28

died on Christmas Eve last year. In

3:31

his honor, we share this journey with you. Samuel

3:35

Shelton Robinson helped us produce

3:37

this story. He's from London.

3:40

It seemed only right. A.B.A.

3:59

and Joe. I had

4:01

a day may twelve Two thousand

4:03

and twelve. On

4:06

our pilgrimage for the for

4:08

Forty Seven and the and

4:10

so forth. So we just

4:12

passing very said Edmunds. Are

4:16

on our way toward Still market around

4:19

with the for the turn off two

4:21

rattles them. To

4:23

look for the town of Whoop. It's. Hip

4:27

and will. Go

4:29

through with music greens and then we get

4:32

to rattles. And in

4:34

the actual air for is a little

4:36

bit south of Radisson. are faithful Hi

4:39

Town Green. And

4:41

is applied for. The

4:44

only part of the air filters still. These.

4:51

Are the birds. And Fran often. Humble

4:55

those birth sad to see some the same.

5:05

We are now

5:07

has improved arms

5:09

which perhaps fans

5:11

had. Been

5:14

using her friend Tim. Homemade

5:18

food. garden task as classic lines

5:20

take a syringe. take her sounds.

5:29

That are not as a

5:31

second things are feather in

5:33

a Prosecco Pass. Or

5:37

yes I am today via Fran

5:39

San Francisco. My father was a

5:42

man in the Us Air Force

5:44

and was says terror during the

5:46

for your Money back on the

5:48

landlady if. The person they must. Have

5:50

been added to come to the the

5:52

landlady am I grew up Nazis? awesome

5:54

his do you hear many stories about

5:57

that time in the forties when they're

5:59

a man. Herman more here

6:01

you get quite a few people coming to

6:03

raise so if he of on yes issue

6:05

during the summer as a few people in

6:07

the village this of Odom and that it's

6:10

mean see that the see stories to tell

6:12

have had love stories about the lady who

6:14

was the landlady then enemy so his or

6:16

her party says isn't what kind of part

6:18

of our the is a lot of dancing

6:20

on tables. In the forces. Mabel set

6:22

aside nine thousand and on the table

6:24

with maple that thought the are guy said

6:27

same as as so when sony they some

6:29

fun things that that went on in

6:31

this building i think and the photographs data

6:33

so he said there's a pattern rattles that

6:36

have either they were of a lot of

6:38

sites classy Been time we got here there

6:40

wasn't really that much here on Nye

6:42

guys with see things as a local historical

6:44

society that we sounds as you say tires

6:47

and their personal plants that have been presented.

6:50

To the pub at some point as a

6:52

massive so supports and of the way during

6:54

the more. So it kind of within the

6:56

village. I think some of the fi size belongs

6:58

to families in the village and they had kind

7:01

of always been his the some people. Sick things

7:03

and things like that. And what

7:05

about the local. Man who fought

7:07

in the war. The other pub

7:09

with no best sauce and any one that

7:11

was around because they're more than a kind

7:13

of drink he pops so any of the

7:15

guys that do so want to see Iran's

7:18

have a point and so they send to

7:20

go in there even a this is what

7:22

middle the history, the drinking and the. Story.

7:24

Since happen in the other, this is the brewers

7:26

Arms and that's the five. Both. Have

7:28

own and the Salish says. If

7:31

is have club for the best fatherless

7:33

hundred ccs I think. So

7:35

my dad was in here in

7:37

nineteen. Forty four months say? what

7:39

would he have been drinking? A

7:42

would have been visser fit. It was a

7:44

slightly different services aging these days. It was

7:46

slusser. And it is hop yeah

7:49

because it wasn't ever left with no and

7:51

it would have been said states and the

7:53

Bauer property pump. See, I

7:55

would have been that defense. What would have in

7:57

the music she would have been hearing and hear them.

8:00

I did you need to be like the country's

8:02

it really that kind of music I felt as

8:04

if of these advances it is nice about since

8:06

I. Home. From.

8:20

Suffolk. frozen so. What

8:22

kind of press similarities some growing

8:24

up? A for apart. From

8:27

stories from my grandmother so I never

8:29

know about were voting he was one

8:31

in ones that will different the tanks

8:33

is a massage her people in the

8:36

grass and and way I walk in

8:38

front a tank. Faith so good cop

8:40

out never told by the war or

8:42

source badges in is a uniform and

8:44

I was known as by it. Mentioned

8:47

a few things here and now subdivisions

8:49

over Badger they reading so I think.

8:52

Some people do some events and anger. And

8:56

that for testing Neocons I added

8:58

I say you have. To.

9:18

Will. Do.

9:27

Our thing you do on and

9:29

Sophia from San Francisco hi Dad

9:31

was here during World War two

9:34

thousand and rattles ten And the

9:36

as far as I'm so so

9:38

so far as a pause in

9:40

town this is think still has

9:43

a pincer as the Eighth Air

9:45

Force. his. That was the

9:47

number was arms and new people

9:50

to cause a severe girls and

9:52

their what's up guys for when

9:54

escape. And

9:56

nobody saw any of the builders moved him

9:58

to do when they done. And

10:00

just kept everything. Not realizes.

10:04

They were actually bought us I'm Debbie,

10:06

all of our and five pounds. Why

10:10

has gotten so used in the war?

10:12

If you're lucky to get back will

10:14

not be enormously people at Cisco, other

10:17

city schools and lucky bastard can I

10:19

please of the lucky to get back.

10:22

In the sixties June nineteen Hundred

10:24

and Forty four the sickle find

10:26

on a site since expediency twice

10:29

on the role of lucky been

10:31

discussed the name of Edward it

10:33

made me based on on on

10:35

their flying fortress the Southern edge

10:37

and will have a nice day.

10:39

It's a remarkable record rallying for

10:41

returning no less than thirty time

10:43

level rise to has his of

10:45

onsite for them to Hitler and

10:48

his cronies. tons of bombs for

10:50

dungeon the businesses back also the

10:52

to. See or say they've on

10:54

one one. I a S who

10:56

sponsors these programs in the interests

10:58

of liberty loving people everywhere. Fulfils

11:01

hasn't been great. Did

11:03

that come with a. Guy that was given

11:05

to me. When will the

11:07

stuff then they got from know somebody brought

11:09

in for me says anything that they had.

11:12

Escape. Or here. Is

11:14

an open wound announced? I. I

11:17

bet you're gonna become the informal

11:19

historical society. There is one, a

11:21

mouse and. For. Them and

11:23

run it. Seated on the road

11:26

more you cannot on find out

11:28

when you come back from one

11:30

nine four years the phone numbers

11:32

game again or have a socio

11:34

admired letting her. Go.

11:44

Quite happy. Air

12:22

Field has been replaced by.

12:27

We have just made the right turn

12:29

us to the gays and we are

12:31

as case of the airfield. Clothes

12:35

line. From.

12:37

A lot Jays. Emerson

12:40

A: Let's. See how far we can

12:42

get. Served

12:45

right on Her last is a

12:47

concept that as being swallowed by

12:50

nature. Walks.

12:52

He asks it is sort of

12:54

an anger what kind of seasonings

12:56

cause says that after concept has.

13:00

A much bigger hugs concert

13:02

Outside buildings are much much

13:04

bigger. I

13:06

guess it's a new addition.

13:08

Those skylights merseyside him to

13:10

smoke success and smoke chimneys

13:12

that looks like they might

13:14

have been some time and

13:16

also green. Whether

13:19

that's with mold or paints we're

13:21

not sure as he gets paid

13:23

three hundred. Three

13:26

nine through. Three.

13:28

Six Marines sex. Gas.

13:40

Hi Dad, it's Daisy! I'm

13:44

so sorry to wake you

13:47

up but I'm standing at

13:49

Rattles Thin air field and

13:51

I I i just had

13:53

to hear your voice slow

13:56

staring at the Klein Said

13:58

Heights. Hi

14:01

hats are still there. There's like little

14:03

clients it has in between all of

14:06

the big quonset hut. What?

14:12

If. You remember the number of years Quonset

14:15

Hut. Dad

14:45

I'm in a introduce you are a gentleman says what

14:47

he up what's your name sir. Mister Mister

14:49

One and this. Is my father Leonard

14:52

Nelson? the is Mr. Watts dad who

14:54

just approached us. Hello.on Ira.

15:00

Have you been over before? Not. My

15:09

trip. For.

15:26

Them to these ones were living.

15:29

Coors are you visualise refers earners.

15:32

Dad. Was the memorial there when you came.

15:37

Will call you from there when we're

15:39

driving back down. And. Okay,

15:42

Are right over and out. Most

15:45

for your eyes are saying. Yes,

15:48

Jews who are they turn

15:50

off his son raises Fargo

15:52

grandfather's new areas. Where.

15:54

Do you farming only just for

15:56

marvel? This Quite Bodies owes a

15:59

ride. The let anyone at the Earth

16:01

and. Phone can never is the controls

16:03

Her secret. But center and turn

16:05

this society Musa are both

16:07

of us. If he opens

16:10

his eyes the Mcgregor into

16:12

this explain how your they'll

16:14

let us I think. So

16:52

well known. Her

16:55

morning. My

16:57

name is Daisy. I smell

16:59

sin and I'm from San

17:02

Francisco. Oh judy ne sera

17:04

zoc Name skies are named

17:06

and take heart provoke happy

17:08

to name's. Lisa

17:11

can't has some reason she's

17:13

so beautiful. My father was

17:15

here during world war two

17:17

he was an American yes

17:19

as if he has a

17:22

sense it tourney have a

17:24

very unions are hasn't would

17:26

and the reunions. I

17:28

think probably finish snap the had

17:30

from every customer. The essays come

17:33

as a answer. Except

17:35

sometimes have a mere uniform. I

17:39

think that resolves both sides

17:41

is allowed here. Set mainly

17:43

down at the crossroads down

17:46

there. That side. In

17:49

a sense where they used to take

17:51

off under to the police because that

17:53

was before my time. This.

17:56

Memorial is dedicated to

17:58

the mail. of the 447th

18:01

Bomb Group and their

18:03

supporting units in

18:06

remembrance and gratitude of their

18:08

fight in the cause of

18:10

freedom from Ratlofon

18:12

Airfield. Station 126,

18:14

1943 to 1945. This

18:21

memorial was dedicated on

18:23

the 3rd of June 1984. What's

18:29

the music you remember from that time? Ah,

18:32

the waffle. I'll see

18:34

you over the white cliffs of Dover. Tomorrow's

18:37

just your way to sea. Of

18:57

Dover. Tomorrow's

19:04

just your way

19:06

to sea. What's

19:11

traditional rattlesnip cooking? I

19:16

think most of it is what you get from the

19:18

supermarket. Probably

19:21

now. I don't know whether

19:23

people still have roast dinners on Sundays, which

19:25

they used to do. I

19:27

don't anymore because I'm on my own, but that's

19:29

where the families do. Probably

19:32

not. I used

19:34

to make steak pies and

19:38

rice pudding following that because it went

19:40

in the oven together. And

19:43

roast meat on Sundays and

19:47

cold meat on Mondays, sometimes

19:51

made into a shepherd's pie on Tuesday.

19:54

Yes, yes. Well, very

19:57

nice to have met

19:59

you. to take good care. Bye-bye. Bye-bye,

20:01

Skye. Hi, Dad. Can you hear

20:03

us? Yes, now I

20:05

can. There's another little memorial in fond

20:07

memory of Shirley Lee from the

20:10

447th Bomb Group. Do

20:12

you know who that would have been? Yes, I

20:14

think it was a woman who kept the archives.

20:17

By the way, as you made

20:19

the turn into the, towards

20:21

the airfield off the road, was

20:24

the village idiot still there? No.

20:27

Oh. No,

20:29

he was always there. Okay. He

20:32

was greeting us. We went over to

20:34

see where you lived, Dad, but it's

20:36

been cleared. What was there now was

20:39

two pheasants in a

20:41

mating dance. We just sat transfixed in

20:43

front of the open field watching

20:45

these two grouses or pheasants do

20:48

this sort of dance around each other.

20:51

Yeah, how wonderful. The

20:53

tower, it's over there, but they're gliding from it

20:55

today, so we just... Oh, I see. Yeah,

20:59

but there they were. We saw two of them.

21:02

Yeah. Okay, well,

21:04

there it goes. Glad you were there.

21:07

All right, you can go back to sleep now. No,

21:11

I won't be able to. I'm really

21:13

excited. It's beautiful, Dad. Oh,

21:17

wonderful. England has

21:19

those beautiful days. Okay,

21:21

Daddy-o. Love to you. Thanks

21:24

for taking the journey. It

21:27

is a journey. It's a good one.

21:29

Okay, sweetheart. Okay. Bye, Daddy-o. Bye, Daddy-o.

21:31

Bye, Joe. Thank you. Bye. Rattleson

21:39

was produced by Sam Robinson and

21:41

the Kitchen Sisters in collaboration with

21:43

Nathan Dalton and Brandy Hill. Special

21:46

thanks to the National Endowment for

21:48

the Humanities and the National Endowment

21:51

for the Arts. Art work. network

22:01

of extraordinary cutting-edge podcasts

22:03

created by independent producers.

22:06

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22:10

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22:25

Thanks for listening.