They move south for
their Balloon training. The area is full of naval bases which
cheers Edie up enormously "I've died and gone to
heaven", she cries. The first time the trio
leave the camp they meet up with three sailors. The
girls don't waste any time enjoying their hospitality and by
the end of the evening Edie lies hysterically drunk in a ditch
and Basher has to find a way of getting her through the main
gate without being noticed.
Basher and Edie have to sober up immediately when, returning
to their dorm, they find Phyllis kneeling beside
her bed sobbing. She has been attacked by a Naval Chief Petty
Officer, who is swiftly dealt with by the inmates of their
barrack room, ensuring he would think twice before attempting
to rape a WAAF again!
The girls need to get through their finals but feel Edie is
unlikely to pass...... but Edie knows better! And after
fluttering her eyes at the tutor of the balloon school, she,
of course, scores! All three pass with flying colours
and are sent to
Sheffield
to an operational site as balloon operators. Once again the
site conditions are appalling. They are surrounded by steel
works which belch out thick black smoke day and night. Basher
has her first experience at driving a winch in an air raid but
it proves to be her worst nightmare. Food goes missing. Daily
rations dwindle and Basher requests a food parcel from home.
It doesn't arrive, but a visit from Air Ministry does!. |
