TWO wartime comrades wept tears of joy when they were reunited 60 years to the day after their plane was shot down.

Retired York publican Arthur Briggs was the wireless operator and Arne Storm the flight engineer on an RAF Pathfinder mission to Berlin on December 2, 1943.

After their Halifax bomber was hit they had to parachute to safety, and spent the rest of the conflict as prisoners-of-war.

The pair had not seen one another since their Stalag camp was liberated by the Russians. But Audrey James, the author of a new biography of Arthur, called Flight Path To Stalag IVB, tracked down Arne, 85, to his native Norway and arranged the reunion. It took place at the Red Lion pub at Knapton, which Arthur's daughter used to run.

His wife, Eve, who ran the Bay Horse, Marygate, with Arthur for 35 years, said it was an emotional evening.

"When they first saw each other, they both filled up," she said. "The pub was packed. It was a wonderful night, and Arne has invited us over to Norway."

Photographs and other memorabilia from 83-year-old Arthur's wartime days were on display at the Red Lion. Landlady Tracy Butler said the reunion was "a wonderful thing".

Updated: 10:51 Thursday, December 04, 2003