Re: From Crighton School

Horace A Basham (horace@hbasham.ak.planet.gen.nz)
Sun, 19 May 1996 19:25:19 -0400

My name is Horace A. Basham. I was a Flight mechanic in WW2 with the RAF.
In Britian.

>From MRS CAROLE K KURTZ
>Crighton School, New Jersey, USA.
>
>My name is Gabrielle Merken.
>
>1.If someone said the Holocaust was exaggerated or made up, what
>would you say?

Ans. I would say they were sadly mistaken. Or had an ulterior motive
saying that. The holocaust happened. Believe me.
>
>2.If you could explain your experience in WWII in one word, what
>would that word be?
>
Ans. That is impossible. There is no word.

>-----------------
>
>Hi. My name is Sean Adams and I go to the Crighton School,
>
>How do you feel about the recent Neo-Nazi and skinhead movements in
>the original Nazi countries and even in the US?

Ans. There have always been silly people who lack commonsense in any
community.
>
>Thank you for taking the time to try to answer my question. I
>appreciate it greatly.
>
No problem.

>-----------------
>
>Howdy!!!!!! My name is Randi Goldberg I am 12 years old and in the
>Intermediate class at Crighton School.
>
>I was just wondering- What emotions did you experience at the
>liberation??

Ans. One of great relief and happiness that I and my family and most of my
relatives had survived.
>
>Thanks for reading my question.
>
>-----------------
>
>Hi my name is Christopher Sojka.  I'm from Crighton School.  I am 10
>years old.  I would like to know how you  remember your experiences
>from World War 2  ???
>
Ans. That is a hard one Christopher. You see I was at the age of 19 years
old at the time I entered the RAF. I was as you would say drafted. We say
called up (to the colours). I had no great ambition to be in the war. It
was something expected of us. I chose the RAF for altruistic reasons. I
thought I would be of better use there than in the army. I had had two
years as a cadet in the Air Training Corp. prior to call up. Also I had
seen how worried my mother was at my two elder brothers going into the
army. It relieved her worry a little not to have another.

As for my feelings. It was an adventure I would not like to experience
again. Although there was a sort of excitement. There was danger at any
time. There was fun with comrades who became your friends. It was alway a
wrench when one was posted away from them to go to another unit. Which
happened to me many times.

War is a ghastly business. I pray you youngsters will not have to
experience it.

Horace A. Basham
horace@hbasham.ak.planet.gen.nz