More 'On this day'

The BBC's 'on this day pages' are one of my regular haunts, like that isn't apparent without my pointing it out! It must be an age thing, let's face it, if I where only say 16 years of age, I would have memories of far fewer of the items featured!

Today again there is an item contained in the aforementioned that stands out starkly in my mind, another air disaster but one very different from the Lockerbie tragedy I recalled yesterday.

32 years ago today this was reported, I was a child at the time and I can still recall being both horrified and fascinated. my understanding was limited of course, not assisted by the fact that my father always read The Times and consequently it was my only source of information.......it's vocabulary and style were a little 'advanced' for the intellect of an 11 year old!

At the time, my fascination was of the cannibalism aspect of the story, in that horribly morbid and honest way children have I was far more interested in the fact that these individuals had turned to eating one another, something that I had never even imagined beforehand, than I was in the survival of those involved.

Today of course I read it very differently, I am astounded now at the physical and mental strength of those men to survive in such conditions by any means available to them, I marvel at their fortitude, strength of character and courage.

That these individuals survived at all in such conditions is an outstanding testament to the human spirit and it's ultimate fight for survival when faced with a life threatening challenge of such extreme magnitude.

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And yes, I am aware that this is the season of joy and goodwill and that I appear to be posting items of late that do not fall even remotely into that category.... I will endeavour for the next few days at least, to find items of a more light hearted nature!