[Brian]

Hi guys

Not quite an answer, but ...........

Many years ago I had a friend who was an ex RAF Halifax rear gunner, Jim. He told me of two strange incidents.

(a) On approaching base on returning from a night sortie when the crews had experienced much AA fire and night fighter attacks, Jim's aircraft closed in on another in which his friend, also an air gunner, was flying. They exchanged waves on recognition. However, when Jim's aircraft landed, the other did not. It transpired that the other Halifax had been shot down over the target area.

(b) More to the point. On another occasion, Jim's aircraft was followed by a bright light, at a distance, back to base. Having landed, been debriefed, breakfasted etc, Jim turned in. A smaller version of the bright light reappeared in his quarters. Others apparently didn't, or couldn't, see it.

I would imagine both phenomenon were the result of operational fatigue.

Cheers
Brian