"A LOOK BACK AT TWO WORLD WARS"

by Edward Alexander Packe

In World War I he served as a private and as a commissioned officer in the trenches. His diary describes life in the trenches and the Christmas Truce. He then was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps (precursor to the R.A.F.) as an observer and later a fighter pilot, and his diary describes what it was like flying and fighting in planes made of wood, with no brakes or flaps, without parachutes or oxygen or enclosed cockpits. In World War II he became an Air Intelligence Liaison Officer, interpreting photos taken of enemy territory. His diary gives a vivid account of the retreat to Dunkirk. During the years before his death in 1962 he had edited and bound into a single manuscript extracts from his diaries of both World Wars, with photographs, letters and other reminders of his experiences. It is from his manuscript that this website has been compiled. World War I Roles in WWI Family and friends Diary Preface 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 Letters 27th Sep 1914 15th Oct 1914 30th Oct 1914 9th Nov 1914 17th Nov 1914 25th Nov 1914 21st Dec 1914 Extracts from letters Pictures Aircraft World War II Role in WWII Diary Preface 1940 Other Illustrated article Photos index to photos used on this website

Major Edward Packe, MBE, DFC. Obituary