Australia's contribution in the air throughout the war was another proud moment in our history. While only a small nation of 7,000,000 in 1939, these volunteers helped to free Europe from tyranny. Dedicated to the aircrews of Bomber Command, and to all those who did not return, who served in the forefront of the war against the enemy for six long years, in which the squadrons were never withdrawn from operations. An immense debt of gratitude is owed to the ground crews who through thick and thin in all kinds of weather strove to keep aircraft operational. They shared with the aircrews all the dangers of fire, explosions, enemy incursions, and the dangers associated with a Bomber Command squadron. In the first 3 months after the invasion of Europe, losses by allied Air Forces exceeded those of the ground forces. Australians These young Australian men, some of the cream of their generation, were all volunteers who although not their war were prepared to go to the other side of the World to fight for freedom and for the right of other people in other lands to enjoy the freedom which we Australians value so very highly. Whilst only 2% of the total RAAF, those in Bomber Command incurred 20% of their total casualties. Killed in Action……………….......51% Killed in Crashes……………........9% Seriously injured in crashes....3% Prisoners of War…………….......12% Evaders…………………………..........1% Survivors unharmed…………....24% 3,500 RAAF men died while operating with RAF Bomber Command. 460 Squadron RAAF alone lost 1,018 men, and 200 aircraft in three years of operations. A look now at one of the most decorated of the RAAF squadrons to participate in Europe during WW2. 460 Squadron The most sorties The highest tonnage The heaviest casualties The most decorations of any Squadron in Bomber Command. Equipped with twin-engined Wellingtons, 460 Squadron formed in England in November 1941 under RAF Bomber Command. The Squadron first operations involved leaflet dropping missions over Paris and other French cities, as well as bombing missions over Germany. Attacks against heavily defended German targets were mounted in the face of a well organised German fighter and anti-aircraft defense and in the space of three months, 460 Squadron lost twenty Wellingtons with most of their crews. After briefly converting to Halifax's, 460 Squadron was re-equipped with Lancaster heavy bombers in October 1942. Lancaster operations began in November with the majority of missions being flown against heavily defended targets in the Ruhr Valley and Berlin. In June 1943, the unit dispatched twenty seven Lancaster’s against Düsseldorf - setting a Bomber Command squadron record. Two months later, 460 Squadron became the first Bomber Command squadron to fly 1,000 sorties in Lancaster’s. This extraordinary rate of effort was only possible through the dedicated efforts of ground staff, who maintained one of the highest serviceability rates within Bomber Command. By 1944, the Lancaster’s were being used to hammer coastal fortifications and other French targets in preparation for the D-Day landings. In August the squadron set another Bomber Command record, when it dropped over 1,900 tonnes of bombs during the month. During an attack over Germany a Lancaster was attacked by two Me 262 jet fighters. In a remarkable display of marksmanship where both fighters were shot down by the Lancaster’s gunners. 460 Squadron flew its last mission of the War in April 1945 when twenty Lancaster’s destroyed Hitler's mountain retreat at Berchtesgaden After Germany's surrender 460 Squadron flew Allied POWs from Germany and dropped food to starving civilians in Holland. The Squadron disbanded on 2 October 1945. During its 6,264 operational sorties, 460 Squadron was regarded as one of Bomber Command's foremost Squadrons. This reputation was achieved at an enormous cost, with 188 aircraft destroyed and nearly 1,000 airmen killed. As a testament to this sacrifice, one of the Squadron's Lancaster’s - "G for George" - is on display at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. View attachment 1095 View attachment 1096 View attachment 1098 View attachment 1099
Hi Kiwiwriter, Yes as below. Available on the net from www.banner-books.com.au $35.00 AUD or $27? USD G-FOR-GEORGE $35.00 View attachment 1185 by Michael V. Nelmes & Ian Jenkins ISBN 1875593217 G-for-George is one of the only two genuine operational Avro Lancasters remaining in the world. 'G-for-George' flew 90 operations against targets in Occupied Europe and Nazi Germany 1943-44 while with 460 Squadron RAAF. The aircraft then was donated to Australia, flew from England to Australia and became the centre-piece of the Aircraft Hall at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. 'G-for-George' today is a memorial to the 3,500 Australians who gave their lives in the bombing offensive against Nazi Germany 1939-45. The authors, Michael V. Nelmes and Ian Jenkins, researched and wrote the book while curators at the Australian War Memorial. The book describes the Avro Lancaster, and the construction of 'G-for-George', its arrival on squadron, and its operational life with 460 Squadron. As well as official reports, contributions from individual crew members and the vital ground crew are included to give a personal aspect to this history of a bomber, and the life and times of the young men who volunteered for air force service. Each operation is described, with separate crew lists for each sortie, while the effect on the target, 460 Squadron losses and RAF Bomber Command losses give the broader perspective. Details of German nightfighter activities and flak and radar defences are included. How the four-engined Lancaster came to be installed inside the hall display area is fully described, and this section should explode some of the myths about how such a large item arrived in the hall, and about which many visitors have puzzled. Appendices include: Itineraries of the aircraft on War Bond tours throughout Australia A consolidated list of all aircrew members of 'G-for-George', with name, rank, decorations, service number, place of birth and wartime loss and place of burial or commemoration, with a separate section detailing the wartime loss circumstances for each deceased man; and Extracts from the RAAF award citations for decorations awarded during ops flown in 'G-for-George'. 240 pages, Cardcover book, Second Edition, 180mm x 275mm; 110 personal and official illustrations; endpapers display the Lancaster in a sectionalised view, showing construction detail and crew positions. Cheers Geoff
Geoff You should be proud of your country's call. When Tyranny threatened Australians were not found wanting and they performed with Heroism and disitnction in almost all theaters of the conflict. Great post sir!! images/smilies/default/biggrin.gif
