Memories of 'doodlebugs'

I remember going shopping with my mother along Kilburn High Rd one Saturday morning during the time Hitler presented us with the V1 'flying bomb'. There had been an air-raid warning, but we like so many Londoners were quite used to them by that time.

Suddenly we heard the unmistakable sound of a doodlebug coming towards us, followed by a spitfire. The entire High Road came to a standstill and we wondered why the spitfire wasn't shooting at the doodlebug! Then, as it approached Gladstone Park (Cricklewood), we heard the sound of machine gun fire, followed by a huge explosion in the air. The entire Kilburn High Street whooped, cheered, and sounded their car horns.

I was about nine years old at the time, but it still brings a lump to my throat!