Elizabeth Triffitt

WWII  3rd September 1939

So long ago -- it is hard to think back to those years when most of the world was in deep widespread depression and the difficulty with a heavy cloud hanging over us as we heard of German rearmament bringing a fear of attack made worse because we realized that shortage of funds had lead to lack of military readiness.

There were men who made great contributions:

Reginal Mitchell (sick with cancer) designed the Spitfire fighter firs flown March 1936. Nine fighter squadrons had Spitfires by September 1939 and 19 squadrons by July 1940.

Sydney Camm designed the Hawker Hurricane.

Robert Watson Watt created radar 1935.

C.H.L Radar later by Australian Bultemont

All of this in a desperate attempt to catch up with Hitler.

The U.K. had given a treaty to Poland in a vain hope that it might make Hitler hesitate to invade. But Sept 3, 1939 Hitler entered Poland and the U.K. kept its promise and declared war, and there we were not really prepared as Hitler marched through the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.

People from around the world flooded into the U.K. to join the forces. My husband and I volunteered for the Air Force.  His older brother, an Anglican Priest, and his younger brother joined the Army.

It was a mad scramble, no boot camp or the usual preliminary training. I found myself reporting in civilian clothes for duty that night.

In what had been gentler times, the aura of protection of women still prevailed so we were not in combat. We went where sent and did what was required of us. I was working in Fighter Operations Control on a RCAF fighter base north of London.

July 1940 invasion was expected momentarily. We expected gas attach followed by paratroop landings, then the main force if we could not hold the paratroops.  Our C.O. decided we should have rifle practice and be prepared to shoot to kill.

After the fighter bases were bombed, we took over a mansion and estate where the Prince of Wales used to stay and party for fox hunting pre-war.  We will billeted and worked there.  I was mentioned in Dispatches 2 June 1943. Bronze Oakleaf. Then, I was on a new GCI Radar Mobile Unit out near the coast, extreme secrecy as it was one of the first and great preparation in case of paratroops.

There was great interest when the first tests with foil happened. It was used to fool the enemy.  Here we were billeted with a civilian woman with a young child. We were her “war work.” Women were called up (drafted) in the U.K. later in the war.  I am not sure to what age—I believe around 50.

Later back at base doing liaison with G.C.I. Radar Unit, ARP and fighter controller. 

Sixty years have smoothed the sharp harshness of the memories of the war: 

We had change of duty 2-3 am – 7am, 7 am to noon, noon to 5 pm, 5 pm to 11 pm, and 11 pm – 2-3 am.

We worked either on or off or two shifts back.  Medics said after two years we should be on normal hours. Of course, this was not possible. No replacements were available.

On and on, year after year after year. After four and a half years, I came out completely worn out. Medical discharge.

By then ware was in Europe and our UK fighters were not in action in the UK.

During all these years, my husband had been serving in an Australian Air Force Squadron from Ismalia Eastern Egypt all across North Africa as they pushed back Rommel and his force, then on to the Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Corsica, then Italy.  In 1945 we met again. His older brother served in India and Burma.  His younger brother in a tank unit all across North Africa.

Some time after the War, I discovered our U.S. corporations had been supplying the enemy while we were putting our lives at risk. They supplied Standard Oil, cotton, and chemicals.  When I mentioned this, people would not believe me, however, there is a book which details it: “Trading With the Enemy-The Nazi-American Money Plot 1933-1949” by Charles Higham, based on the Freedom of Information documents.

This caused me to go into Peace work!

In earlier times when I spoke out for peace and justice I met with hostility.  However, I believe I earned the right to have an opinion about war.  Now, as an old, old woman, I look back at all the wars and see a dreadful pattern: unemployment supplying economy driven recruits to meet military needs of the planners.

The lesson of media control and manipulation as operated by German Goebells and followed here.  Herman Goering, Hitler’s Deputy, said “Why of course the people don’t want war, why should some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece? It is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship.  All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.”

We should be able to convince the young that the people who gain from war are the powerful who become more powerful, the rich become more wealthy often as war profiteers. The others have their lives, limbs, and health taken and are as quickly forgotten until another generation is called upon for another war.

The Honorable Dwight D. Eisenhower in a speech before the American Society of Newspaper Editors in 1953 said “Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hope of its children.”

I did what seemed to be my duty. Now with all the years of experience behind me, all the learning, it is my duty to enlighten the present generation in an effort to save them from the evils of war and protect the country’s wealth.

Elizabeth Triffitt
Lacey, Washington

Sad News: Elizabeth Triffitt, WWII Veteran and member of VFP109 passed away on February 10th. You are encouraged to go to  http://www.funeralalternatives.org/Obit_Results.asp?ObitKey=110 to see the Obituary and sign the Guestbook.

[Last night I had the most beautiful dream and closure for Elizabeth's passing: We all participated in Elizabeth's full military honor funeral. However in my dream, children were marching to the event with flowers. Cub Scouts were carrying peace banners bigger than they were. VFP109 members were the honor guard. I awoke with a smile on my face and thankful to have briefly known Elizabeth Triffitt. --Dennis]