Press Officer Rick Purnell writes ….  Tinpot & the Spy

APRIL saw Teignmouth Probians and partners enjoying most informative guided tour of Exeter Cathedral from crypt to roof-tops for our April meeting. Many had visited the cathedral before but the guide brought it all to life and well worth the visit.

Teignmouth’s speaker, 4th May 2024, was David Hinchcliffe a member of Babbacombe & St Mary’s Probus Club who, when on a walking holiday in the Italian Dolomites became interested in the derelict WWI defence structures high in the mountains near the Austrian border. Further research revealed the allies pioneering adventure developing the first use of parachutes to drop saboteurs behind enemy lines using the latest aeroplanes (Sopwith Camel’s and other ‘wire and paper’ Biplanes) culminating in ‘Operation Tinpot’.

David spun a fine tale about one Italian, Alessandro Tandura the first military paratrooper, chosen with his local knowledge of his birthplace to provide intelligence about the enemy in occupied Italy.

The story developed with cameos of the main players, Billy Baker the ace Canadian pilot who flew the mission, the development of a crude ejection mechanism to dispatch the parachutist, Intelligence Officer William Wedgewood-Benn (MP) and a host of other heroes. This was all in the days when messaging was by carrier pigeon.

The vote of thanks was given by member Chris Inch.

The next meeting is on 15th May by our Secretary, John Polley about “Things we take for Granted”.