For a lifetime I had bathed with becoming regularity, and thought the world would come to an end unless I changed my socks every day. But in Africa I sometimes went without a bath for two months, and I went two weeks at a time without even changing my socks. Oddly enough, it didn't seem to make much difference.

Somebody said that carrier pilots were the best in the world, and they must be or there wouldn't be any of them left alive.

I try not to take any foolish chances, but there's just no way to play it completely safe and still do your job.

Below us the Thames grew lighter, and all around below were the shadows - the dark shadows of buildings and bridges that formed the base of this dreadful masterpiece.

Say what you will, nothing can make a complete soldier except battle experience.

Someday when peace has returned to this odd world I want to come to London again and stand on a certain balcony on a moonlit night and look down upon the peaceful silver curve of the Thames with its dark bridges.

I've been immersed in it too long. My spirit is wobbly and my mind is confused. The hurt has become too great.