Military Veterans and Patriots

Tag: Alan Maitland

  • The Shepherd by Fredrick Forsyth

    The Shepherd by Fredrick Forsyth

    In what has become a Christmas tradition for this Editor, Military Veterans and Patriots presents Alan Maitland’s reading of the 1975 novella by Fredrick Forsyth. First heard on CBC (Canadian Broadcasting System) radio on Christmas Eve 1979, the reading has been replayed every year since on CBC radio 1.

    The Shepherd relates the story of a De Havilland Vampire pilot, going home on Christmas Eve 1957, whose aircraft suffers a complete electrical failure en route from RAF Celle in northern Germany to RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk. Lost in fog over the North Sea and low on fuel, he encounters a De Havilland Mosquito fighter-bomber, which has apparently been sent up to “shepherd” (i.e. guide) him in.

  • The Shepard by Frederick Forsyth

    The Shepard by Frederick Forsyth

    In what has become a tradition with this editor, we give you the annual Christmas eve presentation of The Shepard by Alan Forsyth as read by CBC’s Alan Maitland. I sincerely hope you enjoy this story as much as I do.

    The Shepherd relates the story of a De Havilland Vampire pilot, going home on Christmas Eve 1957, whose aircraft suffers a complete electrical failure en route from RAF Celle in northern Germany to RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk. Lost in fog and low on fuel, he is met and led to a disused RAF dispersal field by the pilot of a De Havilland Mosquito fighter-bomber of World War II vintage, who has apparently been sent up to guide him in.

    https://youtu.be/4P834fiIXEs