Journal

Interesting to see Major Helmut Wick putting in a fleeting appearance in Simon Pearson and Ed Gorman’s new book, Battle of Britain, on 28 November 1940 (page 132). Leading a JG2 formation of Me 109s. Like our father Tim on 16 August, when Wick shot him down, PO Keith Ogilvie was Top Weaver that day:

“I was Yellow 3 and was weaving merrily behind, keeping an eagle eye above, when I caught a glimpse of three yellow noses in my mirror. They were obviously crack pilots by their tight formation and strategy. I gave the warning and dove as the centre Johnny opened fire on my, and was speeded on my way by a cannon shell up the fuselage and a second through my prop. Returned to base at 16.55.”

As Tim used to say, if you are going to be shot down it may as well be by an ace.

https://johnelkington.com/2020/07/13023/

Latest podcast to appear is one I did way back on May 1st with Fabian Sack, President of the International Society for Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) – in whose Hall of Fame I am privileged to find myself. He was in locked down Sydney, me in locked down London – the wonders of Zoom.

Rajni Bakshi, the Indian journalist and champion of Gandhian values and a long-standing friend, has been recording a series of conversations on non-violence. Here is the one she did with me earlier this month. Took me some places I don’t usually – or at least often – go in interviews.

Nicola (Godden) came to a moderately socially distanced lunch today – and to hand over two more Green Swans, more or less fresh from the foundry. Now to attach the name tags and send. Before they winged their way, though, I thought it worth taking a photo or two of the quartet.

The link to this Good Future podcast came through yesterday. I recorded it with John Treadgold in Australia on 9 June – and am very happy with the way it turned out. John asked some excellent provocative questions. A good distillation of what’s currently in my brain.