I can remember my 5 days R & R leave to Tokyo over Christmas 1952. Flights to Japan were controlled by the US at Kimpo Air Base, near Seoul. We flew by US Globemaster strapped with our backs to the fuselage. You could look down to see the lower deck which was enormous and used for transporting tanks and other heavy equipment. A similar aircraft had crashed in the United States when we were in Japan, so all Globemasters were grounded, except those on active service!

During my outward flight I had an excellent view of Mount Fuji, which pleased me a lot. (Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest mountain at 3,776 metres and is worshipped as sacred. It is an active volcano which most recently erupted in 1708). Whilst in Tokyo, I attended a traditional Kabuki theatre performance, and had an obligatory photograph taken outside the Imperial Palace! The return flight was uneventful I am pleased to say!