Character Interview – Jane Howell

Jane, welcome, please could you introduce yourself.

Sure. Hi everyone, my name’s Jane Howell and I’m the officer in charge of the Air Transport Auxiliary unit at RAF Hamble. Sorry, but if I told you where the base was, I’d have to have you arrested and that’s not the best way to start an interview.

That’s quite alright. We all have to be very careful what we say. The walls have ears, and all that. So, you mentioned you’re in charge. From what I understand, all your pilots are also women, do you find you have any particular problems because of this?

Hmm, it you were a man asking me this question, you and I would have our own problems. However, I’m delighted to let you know that I haven’t had to deal with anything which I would face with a group of male pilots. Mind you, having said that, and I’m not going to name any individual, there is a group of four or five of my girls who fancy themselves as amateur detectives.

Really! Is there any particular reason for this?

Well, I suppose it started when they discovered they all loved the Miss Marple books of Agatha Christie. They were billeted with a friend of mine who’d lost her twin sister in, shall we say, suspicious circumstances and they became privy to this information pretty quickly. One thing followed another, and before long, they’d actually dug up evidence which appeared to back up my friend’s beliefs. I won’t go into details, but the end result proved satisfactory. Now, I’ve what has come to be called the ‘ATA Mystery Club’ on my hands.

And has this proved to be a problem? Does this make them difficult to manage?

I don’t believe it’s their fault, though it’s undeniable that mystery and adventures seem to be attracted to this lot, as a moth to a flame. They don’t go out looking for it, but it finds them nonetheless. Does it cause me trouble? No, not really. These girls are professionals and take their job very, very seriously. Delivering planes is their main passion and all of them hate it when they can’t fly. Overall, things tend to run quite smoothly, probably as smoothly as it’s possible, given wartime circumstances.

I see the wings on your chest Jane. I assume you’re a pilot too? Do you get to fly much?

Not as much as I’d like, I’ll have to admit. My job is mainly administrative, keeping things working smoothly. However, I do keep my flying license current and am quite capable of flying anything with wings, should the need arise.

If I may, a personal question. Is there a special someone in your life? I’m sorry. I noticed you flinched a little at this. Would you prefer not to answer?

I’ll answer, but briefly. There was someone, a yank, but he was killed quite recently, and I’d prefer not to say anything else on that matter.

I quite understand, Jane. Please allow me one more question. Do you believe that you and your girls are doing a worthwhile job?

Oh, yes! Most definitely! Think about it. If we and all the other Air Transport Auxiliary squadrons weren’t here, each of the operational squadrons would have to detail some of their pilots to go and pick up replacement and new aircraft. That would take a pilot away from operational sorties and there’s always the possibility he’d be injured and killed whilst performing that duty. Now, of course, that’s possible when flying against the Germans, but to lose one on such a mundane task would be a waste.

Sorry to interrupt, but does that mean your pilots are expendable?

Certainly not! The point I’m trying to make is that if we deliver the aircraft, we allow an operational pilot to do the job he’s been trained to do; take the fight to the Germans.

Many, many thanks Jane for your time and for such a wonderful interview. May I wish you good fortune and, safe flying.

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mick is a hopeless romantic who was born in England and spent fifteen years roaming around the world in the pay of HM Queen Elizabeth II in the Royal Air Force before putting down roots and realizing how much he missed the travel. He’s replaced it somewhat with his writing, including reviewing books and supporting fellow saga and romance authors in promoting their novels.