THE WORLD WAR TWO GROUP discussion
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2016 - April - Theme Read on any Air Battle or Campaign of WW2
In my book on the RAAF in the Pacific during WW2 I have just read about the history of RAAF base Tindal:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAAF_Ba...
The author also had this to say about the American 49th Fighter Group under the command of Lt-Colonel Paul Wurtsmith:"By the end of April, Wurtsmith's Group had destroyed 38 Japanese aircraft and lost just seven P-40s. They flew from Darwin RAAF base, Batchelor, and two new airstrips, named Strauss and Livingstone after two of their dead pilots. Australians should not forget that the first direct air defence of their country was provided by these American fighter pilots. They raised the moral of all in Darwin, for as a senior RAAF officer observed, once P-40s began shooting down Japanese aircraft, 'excitement and anticipation began to replace frustration'."
Some links of interest:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strauss...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livings...
http://www.australiangeographic.com.a...
'Aussie Rick' wrote: "4ZZZ wrote: "Just finished chapters 9 through to 13 and that also ends the first part of the book. from my very limited reading of the Dresden bombing I was a little under the impression that it wa..."Yes Rick. Very good. The author is easy to read, I think this is aimed at an interested lay reader/public as apposed to the specialist. I was expecting it to focus wholly on the raid itself but it is broader in scope than I thought it might be and certainly none the worse for that.
Glad I eventually made it to this group :-) All the posts and links are fascinating.
Here is a great first-hand account of one of the Japanese raids on Broome in 1942. In this raid the Japanese have caught some RAAF Empire flying-boats as 'sitting ducks':"We were all on our ship, 3 miles from the shore, drinking our morning cocoa, when the first kite appeared and dropped a bomb within 30 feet of us. Then it dived, and next minute, a prolonged burst of machine-gun incendiaries entered some of our tanks and set them on fire. I shall leave the panic to your imagination. I personally ran around in circles, trying to work out what one should do on a burning flying boat with 2000 gals of gas on board and incendiaries whining into her obviously in search of further containers of fuel. All that in 5 seconds!!! Then came a second burst of, I suppose 70 or 80 rounds. Some of them came so close to me and a 44 gallon tin of gas I quickly decided to place my fate in the jaws of the excellent specimens of grey nurse sharks we had seen rather than collect a gutful of lead and suffer a consequent roasting. The third burst found me disappearing through the aft hatch ..."
During this raid the actions of Corporal Andrew Ireland later led to the award of the British Empire Medal:
1942: British Empire Medal (Military Division) - Leading Aircraftman (Temporary Corporal), Andrew Benvie Ireland, RAAF, of Campsie, New South Wales. "For gallant conduct in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner in the north-eastern area."
"Corporal Ireland was in charge of an Empire flying-boat, and a crew of six at anchor at Broome when enemy fighters attacked. He made his way from the aft portion of the aircraft through burning parts to the flight deck, and secured the rubber dinghy. After the third attack the petrol tank exploded, and Corporal Ireland was thrown into the water. He inflated the dinghy and rescued from the water six members of the crew, four Dutchmen and a wounded Dutch woman.
"As the flying-boat was moored over a mile from shore, and a strong ebb tide was running, most of these lives would probably have been lost but for the courage and prompt and determined action of Corporal Ireland." - The Sydney Morning Herald, 18 Dec 1942
4ZZZ wrote: "Glad I eventually made it to this group :-) All the posts and links are fascinating."We are glad you made it to this group as well :)
Just read about this amazing Australian, Leigh Vial, who was a patrol officer and coastwatcher in New Guinea during WW2. He was subsequently awarded the United States' Distinguished Service Cross, that country's second highest bravery decoration and its highest for non-citizens:http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/vial-...
Finished
To Command the Sky: The Battle for Air Superiority Over Germany, 1942-1944 (Smithsonian History of Aviation and Spaceflight Found this amusing note on the conversion of the Eagle squadrons back to American control in 1942:VIII Fighter Command created the 4th Fighter Group on 12 September 1942, equipping it with the three American-crewed Eagle squadrons (the 71st, 121st, and 133rd, renumbered the 334th, 335th, and 336th squadrons when transferred to American control) of the Royal Air Force on 29 September 1942. The transition to American control was handled with little difficulty, though the crews evidently did not miss British cooking. The 334th Fighter Squadron historian wrote, “Farewell to sprouts, cabbage, kipper and imitation sausage.” Less kindly he also gave his recipe for cooking English mutton. “I find that if {English] lamb is cut and soaked in salt water overnight, the water makes an excellent cleanser for garbage cans. The lamb is then placed on a board, seasoned with salt and well heated in a warm oven. Then take the lamb, toss it in the nearest can, garbage GI 32-gallon, and serve the board.”
@ 4ZZZ I think there is some justifications that can be made, but honestly they are pretty weak. Most of the industry was commercial, which was surprisingly still common in Germany even with the war going on. The main military targets were north of the city center, and were never even targeted. Bridges over the Elbe, the main marshaling yards, and the military base to the north were all left untouched except by accidental bombs.'Bomber' Harris made it pretty clear he considered every home a military target, as the roof provided shelter and comfort for either workers, soldiers, or refugees which would need resources to repair.
I am a firm believer in calling dirty deeds for what they are, and in war many of them happen. No one comes away with clean hands. Accepting this bombing for what it was... a message to the Russians, is an essential part of learning the foundations of the Cold War.
Erik wrote: "@ 4ZZZ I think there is some justifications that can be made, but honestly they are pretty weak. Most of the industry was commercial, which was surprisingly still common in Germany even with the wa..."I am a firm believer in calling dirty deeds what they are as well and I try to have a pragmatic view of my historical reading. Once I have finished I will write up a full review and am obviously keen to take on-board any comments .
Dresden and some other raids of WW2 always raise a few issues of contention. I always try to remember that the aircrews involved believed that they were doing a job that they felt had to be done to end the war. I try never to forget the sacrifices of those brave men, regards of the politics behind the decision to send them.
4ZZZ wrote: "Just finished chapters 9 through to 13 and that also ends the first part of the book. from my very limited reading of the Dresden bombing I was a little under the impression that it was not really ..."This was the value of the book for me. Taylor challenges the conventional story of Thunderclap throughout, which I welcomed given the shadow it cast over Bomber Command. I recall reading somewhere that Sir Arthur Harris always contended that Bomber Command was beaten not by the Luftwaffe but by little pottery shepherdesses (a reference to the fact that it was alleged.that all that came out of Dresden was porcelain).
James wrote: "I just finished The Kamikaze Hunters: Fighting for the Pacific, 1945. I really enjoyed this book, as it followed the experiences of the "forgotten" Fleet Air Arm's Pacific air crews..."I imagine once you'd lived through a Seafire deck landing, a Corsair wouldn't look so difficult....
From Poolman's Focke-Wulf Condor: Scourge Of The Atlantic, here's a follow-up to my #99 above:From an Admiralty report of 10 April '41 --
"Recent successes have emphasized the vulnerability to AA fire of the above aircraft (Focke-Wulf Condor), which is a commercial type converted to war service..."
A list was appended of five Condors confirmed as destroyed since the beginning of the year by the anti-aircraft armament on merchant ships...The Condor suffered from lack of armour, and its fuel lines were all located in the particularly vulnerable under-belly.
Unlike other German types, the Focke-Wulf was built in only one plant, outside Bremen. Only 276 were built during the entire production run from 1938-44 -- that's an average of fewer than four per month.
Derek wrote: "James wrote: "I just finished The Kamikaze Hunters: Fighting for the Pacific, 1945. I really enjoyed this book, as it followed the experiences of the "forgotten" Fleet Air Arm's Pac..."Desperately in need of a good carrier fighter, the Fleet Air Arm pilots were the first to master deck landings with the Corsair. From The Kamikaze Hunters: Fighting for the Pacific, 1945:
By luck, the FAA discovered that clipping the Corsair's wingtips the eight inches needed to fit in the smaller hangars of the Royal Navy carriers also had the side effect of reducing its float on landing. Other difficulties were ironed out. A small spoiler fitted on the leading edge of the starboard wing prevented the lopsided plummet when it stalled. A modified undercarriage removed the bounce, and early models with a 'birdcage' canopy were replaced with smooth perspex canopies. The pilot's seat was also raised by seven inches, improving visibility.
In addition, Mike Tritton, a veteran navy combat pilot and newly appointed Corsair squadron leader, was determined to develop a new technique to landing Corsairs on carriers.
On their downwind approach pilots would fly parallel with the carrier in the opposite direction to which it was steaming. As they passed abeam of the island of the ship, they started a 180-degree banking turn to port, which meant the moving carrier remained in constant view over the dip of the left wing as the pilot came in behind it to land just as he was straightening out.
Running at just over a quarter of the way through
A Separate Little War: The Banff Coastal Command Strike Wing Versus the Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe in Norway September 1944 to May 1945. The integral firepower of both the Mosquito and the Beaufighter are clearly very impressive, moreso on the Tsetse Mosquitos which are armed with a 57mm anti tank gun. Clearly an A-10 forerunner! Also quite amazed by the breadth of nationalities within Coastal Command, and by the degree of research that went into the book.
Hi Jonny, I'm eagerly awaiting to read of the appearance of the Beaufighter in the RAAF squadrons based in the Pacific. I reckon she will be a devastating surprise to the Japanese who subsequently called the aircraft 'Whispering Death'.
I have read this account before in other books but figured I would share it again as some members may not have read it previously. It's a war reporters observation of a dogfight over Port Moresby:"As Osmar White observed, 'When a fighter came spinning out of the brazen morning sky over Moresby, writing its own brief epitaph in a thin line of flame and smoke, the chances were even on it being a Zero or one of ours'."
An account concerning the fate of Sergeant David Brown who flew a RAAF Kittyhawk and was subsequently shot down and captured on a mission over Rabaul:"The National Archives holds a copy of an RAAF Casualty Section letter written to Brown's father in 1950 informing him that his son's body had been found in a mass grave with ten other RAAF members executed by the Japanese Navy at Rabaul. It reported that:
After the execution a Japanese officer addressed his men and spoke of the fearless manner in which the prisoners met their deaths and said that he hoped the Japanese would be prepared to die for their country as bravely as their enemy had done."
An interesting list of other allied personal captured at Rabaul and their fate:
http://www.warbirdforum.com/prisoner.htm
I think one of the biggest drawbacks from the anti-tank gun armed aircraft was the high degree of skill needed and the vulnerability to enemy fighters. Limited ammo was also an issue.I think Hans Rudel does a great job describing the issues in :
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
The British Hurricane MkII D was an interesting early type, but was not suitable if fighters were present. North Africa allowed it to blossom though, as the territory is open and fighter cover unlikely. Enemy armor present was also weakly protected for the most part, so the 40mm guns were adequate.
I read in my book that an Australian, Leslie Knox (born in Brisbane), later moved to the US and flew Wildcats off the USS Yorktown during the Battle of the Coral Sea. He subsequently had a ship named after him: the U.S.S. Leslie L.B. Knox and was awarded the Navy Cross:https://www.albright.edu/reporter/sum...
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign Leslie Lockhart Bruce Knox (NSN: 0-83148), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron FORTY-TWO (VF-42), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of the Coral Sea. On that evening, as one of the fighters launched to oppose enemy Japanese aircraft in the vicinity of his ship, Ensign Knox attacked a formation of seven enemy aircraft, shooting down one and assisting in the action which resulted in dispersing the others. In this engagement he displayed unusual skill and devotion to duty, carrying out his mission with determination and aggressiveness against great enemy odds and with complete disregard for his own personal safety. He failed to return from this action. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Erik wrote: "I think one of the biggest drawbacks from the anti-tank gun armed aircraft was the high degree of skill needed and the vulnerability to enemy fighters. Limited ammo was also an issue.I think Hans..."
I interviewed (with some material published) many Germans who knew and a couple who flew with Rudel, and they all admired his bravery and tenacity which they often witnessed, but kept their distance due to his very fervent Nazi/Anti-Semitic beliefs which he did not keep secret. My late friend Col. Robert S. Johnson, P-47 ace in ETO was brought to work with Rudel as part of the Fairchild-Republic design team to create the A-10 Thunderbolt II as a ground support and anti-tank aircraft.
Mrs Happy is bringing my theme read home from the library tonight. It's James Holland's look at the Dam buster raid
I think you will enjoy that book Happy, well I hope you do, keep us posted!
I found this interesting about RAAF crewed Beaufort aircraft:"It was a controversial aircraft, particularly before technical deficiencies were overcome in 1944. Nearly 300 Beauforts would be lost, more than half of them in accidents in Australia. There were 467 RAAF Beaufort fatalities - more than 500 if one includes Australians with RAF Beaufort units - and this represented more than 20 per cent of trained Beaufort aircrew."
Information on the Beaufort:
http://www.gunsofmuschu.com/beaufort_...
A Pilots comments on flying the Beaufort:
http://www.gunsofmuschu.com/beaufort_...
Some of my American friends may be interested to know that the United States was involved in the decision to change the RAAF roundels on our aircraft during WW2:"In the early years of World War Two all RAAF aircraft had the standard red, white and blue roundel that was the same as the RAF (sometimes an additional outer yellow circle was added). This all changed though when a Number 11 Squadron PBY Catalina flying boat was mistaken for a Japanese aircraft by a US Navy Wildcat fighter. The red dot was promptly removed! After the war it was reintroduced and remained on RAAF aircraft until 1956 when the famous Kangaroo roundel was implemented."
https://acesflyinghigh.wordpress.com/...
'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Some of my American friends may be interested to know that the United States was involved in the decision to change the RAAF roundels on our aircraft during WW2:"In the early years of World War T..."
AR: That's a new wrinkle on my horn.
'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Some of my American friends may be interested to know that the United States was involved in the decision to change the RAAF roundels on our aircraft during WW2:"In the early years of World War T..."
I could see that mis-ID happening in an air-to-air engagement. Adrenaline high, looking for certain key features to ID friend or foe, red dot=rising sun.
'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Some of my American friends may be interested to know that the United States was involved in the decision to change the RAAF roundels on our aircraft during WW2:"In the early years of World War T..."
IIRC that was one of the reasons the US insignia on aircraft changed as well. Pre WW II aircraft had a red circle in the center of the star.
from Wikipedia
In the months after Pearl Harbor it was thought that the central red dot could be mistaken for a Japanese Hinomaru, from a distance and in May 1942 it was eliminated. On aircraft in service they were painted over with white. During November 1942, US forces participated in the Torch landings and for this a chrome yellow ring (of unspecified thickness) was temporarily added to the outside of the roundel to reduce incidents of Americans shooting down unfamiliar British aircraft, which could themselves be distinguished by a similar yellow outline on he RAF's "Type C.1" fuselage roundels of the time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_...
In one of the early chapters I found myself being almost depressed at the plight of the Luftwaffe pilots. Everything was against them. It is not that I would have wanted it to be any different; just that I found myself trying to put myself in their shoes. I was a little surprised at how I felt.
My understanding of the Battle of the Bulge has typically centered around the ground war. I had always thought aircraft played a very small roll and only came into effect after the weather front cleared over the Ardennes. Howeve, Parker, describes huge risks taken by pilots on both sides of the front in trying to support their ground troops many times with zero visibility.
He spends significant time on the role of night fighters as well. While they have been mentioned a couple of times it seems that the P-61 Black Widow did not play as big a role as I would have expected.
The author covers this pretty amazing incident involving an Australian Hudson bomber piloted by Pilot Officer Warren Frank Cowan:"On the night of 21/22 July 1942, the Japanese landed an Army Division at Buna, 110 miles south of their airbase at Lae on the eastern coast of New Guinea. It was a desperate attempt to launch an attack through the jungle on Port Moresby. On 22 July 1942, a 32 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, Lockheed Hudson, A16-201, took off on what was to be its final mission (it appears to have been a lone reconnaissance mission, although another Hudson from the same squadron – flown by Flight Lieutenant L W Manning – is also known to have been in action that day).
The Lockheed Hudson was a twin engine bomber with a maximum speed of around 253 mph (407 kph), and for protection had 2x 0.3 inch (7.62mm) machine guns in the nose; another two in the dorsal turret, a single gun of the same type to be fired from a ventral hatch, and some versions had single guns for side hatches.
Lockheed Hudson A16-201 was new, having entered service in April that year and assigned to the squadron in May. At the controls was Pilot Officer Warren Frank Cowan (407614). On board with him were 33 year-old Pilot Officer David Reid Taylor (408206), Sergeant Russell Bradburn Polack (411183) and Sergeant Lauri Edwin Sheard (416369), 24 and 22 years-old respectively.
Providing aerial cover to the beach-head were a number of Mitsubishi Zeroes of the Imperial Japanese Navy (there wasn't a separate Japanese air force in WWII, military aviation came under army or naval air wings). The Zeroes from the Sasai Squadron of the Tainan Air Group, which had transferred to this area of operations in April 1942, were led by fighter ace Saburo Sakai – destined to become Japan's top scoring surviving ace.
Suddenly spotting bombs bursting in the beach-head area, the Zeroes roared in looking for the attacker or attackers. They soon spotted a lone Hudson in the distance.
Mitsubishi A4M 'Zero' was armed with 2x 20mm cannons and 2x 7.7mm machine guns and had a top speed of 351 mph. According to his autobiography there were six aircraft in the formation; however, some accounts put the total as 8-9. Whatever the total was there was no doubt about the outcome.
Expecting an easy kill, Saburo Sakai was stunned when the Hudson whipped round in a fast turn – more like a fighter than a bomber plane – and returned his fire. The Japanese formation was thrown into chaos. PO Cowan threw his aircraft around in a brilliant display of flying ability, making it impossible for the Japanese pilots to get a clear shot – no small feat, given that the Zero was one of the fastest and most nimble aircraft in the world at the time, and Japanese naval pilots were trained to an extremely high standard. After a 10-minute dogfight – an extremely long time for such an unequal battle – the end came when a burst of fire hit the turret gunner. With the tail of the aircraft undefended the Zeroes were able to close in and set the plane ablaze. Too low to bale out, Sakai watched as the stricken Hudson glided towards the jungle canopy, ploughed in and exploded.
The Japanese pilots were astounded by the fight put up by Cowan and his crew. Saburo Sakai, who took part in over 200 air combats, never forgot the bravery of the then unknown Hudson pilot and crew. His post-war autobiography led to Warren F Cowan, who had been simply listed as Missing in Action, being identified as the gallant airman. Sakai valiantly tried to convince the Australian authorities to honour his fallen foe – even writing to their Ministry of Defence in 1997. Sadly, they refused to act on the basis that the files were closed – and that it could open the way to further appeals." - Taken from: http://www.hatfield-herts.co.uk/featu...
Recent TV story on this incident:
http://www.abc.net.au/austory/transcr...
What an amazing story AR. Sad that he and the crew can't be formally recognized for their heroic fight.
Mike wrote: "What an amazing story AR. Sad that he and the crew can't be formally recognized for their heroic fight."It is a bit sad but at least the identity of Cowan and his crew and their exploits have come to light for the general public in Australia.
'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Mike wrote: "What an amazing story AR. Sad that he and the crew can't be formally recognized for their heroic fight."It is a bit sad but at least the identity of Cowan and his crew and their exploits have come to light for the general public in Australia...."
Thanks to an honorable enemy!
Michael wrote: "In one of the early chapters I found myself being almost depressed at the plight of the Luftwaffe pilots. Everyth..."
I suffered the same misconception. Air Marshall Arthur Harris already drew attention to the fact in '47 that his Bomber Command was the only areal force capable of giving tactical support during that first foggy week, albeit by bombing lines of communications, ammunition dumps, concentration area's etc. rather than ravishing the front line with flying artillery.
Funny, he habitually calls it the Rundstedt offensive. How long before that went from a hip to merely the contemporary designation ? Newspapers already spoke of "the Bulge" for short.
As someone who is considered by some to be a world renowned expert on the Luftwaffe in particular, as well as the RAF in general, I agree with the previous assessments.
'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Yes indeed!"I knew Saburo, and the short version of my interview with him was published several years ago. Look for the long version in a future book, like my German Aces Speak series.
From:
Focke-Wulf Condor: Scourge Of The Atlantic by Kenneth Poolman.Much has been written about the Catapult Aircraft Merchants (CAM) ships and the Merchant Aircraft Carriers (MAC) used by the British in WW II, but until the problem was finally resolved by the widespread availability of escort carriers, the measures taken to thwart the Condor threat were diverse and often bordered on the desperate. Among the weapons developed to defeat the Fw-200s' low-level attack tactics:
1. The Mark 3 Parachute and Cable Projector. This system, and the later Type J, fired rockets trailing four to six hundred feet of wire to an altitude of about six hundred feet. The wire was supported by a parachute and drag was created by a second parachute lower along the wire. The concept being to snag an attacking aircraft and cause the pilot to lose control.
2. Fast Aerial Mines. Another rocket system which fired a parachute-retarded cable equipped with an explosive device. If the aircraft caught the wire, the explosive was dragged toward it. The “mines” were contact fused.
3. The Harvey Projector. A battery of 3-inch rockets fired into the flight path of incoming aircraft.
4. The Trough Projector. A battery of fourteen 2-inch rockets fired vertically into the path of an attacker.
5. Maritime barrage balloons and kites. Another effort at using a cable to thwart dive-bombing and low-level horizontal bombing. The kites were limited to use in wind speeds between 14-45 knots. The problem with barrage balloons? U-boats could see them too and home in on the convoy.
6. Holman Projector. A steam-powered launcher of Mills bombs (hand grenades). Compressed air could be used too to throw grenades into the incoming Condor. A few enemy aircraft were downed by grenades thrown with a Holman device. Since the projectors were smoothbore and used air or steam, all kinds of items were fired from them, including beer bottles (empty, of course) and potatoes.
Some interesting methods used to combat the Condor there MR9, I liked the sound of the Holman Projector, good way of putting to use empty beer bottles on a ship!
The author of my current book mentions issues the RAAF Boston crews were having with using 20-pound fragmentation bombs which appeared to be so light that once released by the bombers; "one or more would be blown back against the others and, by concussion, all would explode in a detonation fatal to the aircraft and the crew. These bomb-loads were discontinued and there were no repeat occurrences. Kenney introduced the use of parachutes attached to fragmentation bombs, which proved effective."Para Frag bombs in the Pacific:
http://world-war-2.wikia.com/wiki/AN-...
I have just read about this pretty amazing bloke; Flying Officer Ralph James, who was posted to Darwin in August 1942 with No. 2 Squadron flying Hudson bombers. In 460 eventful operational hours, he was involved in daring strikes on Japanese bases and shipping in the Arafura Sea area and was Mentioned in Dispatches following an attack on his Hudson by four Zeroes, two of which he shot down. He had this to say to his wife about this incident:"I don't feel proud of myself dear as I didn't fire a shot - merely sat behind the stick and tried some aerobatics. The chaps, especially Pat are to thank that we returned at all. That darling was my first dog-fight and lasted three quarters of an hour." He reassured his wife; "remember Scamp - I'll never die in an aircraft."
In December 1942 he helped rescue survivors from HMAS Armidale and on three occasions he made it back to base on only one engine. He was killed on April 28, 1943, when his aircraft crashed into the Arafura Sea after engine failure.
I have read chapter 14 through to 19 of Taylors Dresden. Total War the author has called this 2nd part of the book and deservedly so. The eyewitness accounts make fascinating reading. The explanation of the logistical planning of the attack is equally fascinating. Again an area that I have not read too extensively on.
A couple of ancedotes from my read, Dam Busters: The True Story of the Legendary Raid on the Ruhr.One mission that a pilot, who later was posted to the 617, flew while still in training. this is paraphrased.
It was one of the early max efforts so any plane that could fly and those who could fly them werr sent. The pilot, Les Munro was still at the OTU when he was told to take an old, tired Wellington on the mission. "Yet despite expressing concern, he was told to take the Wellington and like it."
Munro did as ordered, but despite max power, the air craft wouldn't climb above 30 ft in the air. So he aborted and returned to base
"Cursing to himself, he cleared the runway only to hear the bomb aimer call out "Tree ahead". He was able to clear the tress and set the aircraft down with undercarriage retracted - none of the crew was injured, but the a/c caught fire immediately after the crew exited. After they got out of the a/c the bomb load exploded and Munro noticed he had missed a heavy brick wall and other farm buildings "by a wisker"
The next day Monro was ordered to get into another plane and check the crash site. "He was not dwelling on his harrowing brush with death the day before, "We just go on with things."
The character wanted in Bomber crews (pg33)
Experience, of course, was hugely important,, but bomber pilots and their crews needed more than that. They needed the right kind of character. They needed to have a kind of phlegmatism and imperturbablity, and iron determination.
Holland really does a good job describing the process the inventor the bouncing bomb the dam busters used in developing the bomb. Suprisingly the Royal Navy really backed the concept, more so than the RAF.
The RAAF Beaufighters were the perfect aircraft for supporting ground troops in the Pacific, but not everything always went to plan:" .... The other flight accidentally strafed a friendly village. Australians on the ground there sent a message: 'At 0810 hours four aircraft appeared from the south and strafed effectively. Horses, natives and Aussies in all directions. No casualties but thoroughly recommend for use on enemy'."
The author covers the operations of RAAF Vultee Vengeance in the Pacific. It has generated mixed opinions, according to my book; "one American historian says that in sending Australia this aircraft, 'the American's had unloaded junk'." However it appears to have down sterling work in supporting the ground troops.Information on the Vultee Vengeance:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vultee_...
Not a bad effort by this RAAF Boston Squadron up to the end of 1943:"No.22 Squadron had lost 12 aircraft, the equivalent of an entire squadron. Its airmen, of whom 23 were killed or missing, had won a VC, a DSO, four DFCs and a DFM. This was indicative of the quality of their efforts, as is the fact that they had flown 135 operations, with a 99 per cent completion rate, dropping nearly 727,000 pounds (330,000 kilograms) of bombs and firing more than 650,000 rounds.
More info on 22 Squadron:
http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum...
http://www.22squadronassociation.org.au/
The nature of the fighting in the Pacific meant that many allied airmen's bodies were never found, lost to the sea or the inhospitable terrain. Here is a story of two RAAF personal found 57 years after they disappeared on an Op over Rabaul:http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft...
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P04...
THE WORLD WAR TWO GROUP
Books mentioned in this topic
Dam Busters: The True Story of the Legendary Raid on the Ruhr (other topics)Dam Busters: The True Story of the Legendary Raid on the Ruhr (other topics)
The Forgotten Few: The Polish Air Force in the Second World War (other topics)
Firestorm Hamburg: The Facts Surrounding the Destruction of a German City, 1943 (other topics)
The Conquering Tide: War in the Pacific Islands, 1942–1944 (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Adam Zamoyski (other topics)Keith Lowe (other topics)
Mark D. Johnston (other topics)
Frederick Taylor (other topics)
Mark D. Johnston (other topics)
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I take it you are enjoying the book on the bombing of Dresden so far?