Two airmen who flew on bombing raids over Nazi Germany from a North Yorkshire airfield have been reunited after 53 years.

George Pattison, of Romanby, near Northallerton, and Norman Macqueen, who lives in Australia, made contact through a Christmas card.

The two men were members of 578 Squadron, based at Burn airfield, near Selby, risking their lives in bombing raids in Halifax aircraft.

Norman, 74, a wireless operator, left England at the end of the war and returned to a cattle farm at Flinders Island, off the east coast of Australia.

He said: "The crew was grounded very quickly just before the end of the war while we were on a few days' leave. I never had a chance to say goodbye."

The two men did not hear from each other until George, a gunner, sent Norman a Christmas card.

George heard that a book had been written about 578 Squadron called Based At Burn and learned that some of the book's subscribers were from Australia. He found Norman's address and sent off the card.

After becoming regular pen pals the former airmen finally arranged to meet face to face before tonight's 54th annual reunion dinner of 578 Squadron.

Norman arrived in England on Tuesday. George said: "I was delighted to see him after so long. It's given me great pleasure to finally meet up with him again."

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