Halifax's And 462 Squadron Remembered In Bomber Command Ceremony In SA

From RAAFA publication Wings Magazine - 

"In a small ceremony held at the Air Force Memorial in Adelaide on 30 May, RAAF Edinburgh and the RAAF Association (South Australia) partnered to honour those who served in Bomber Command during World War II.

At the Torrens Parade Ground, Senior Air Force Representative – South Australia and Air Warfare Centre Commander AIRCDRE Brendan Rogers and RAAFA (South Australia) President Robert Black AM joined Commanding Officer 462SQN WGCDR David Clyde, other ADF representatives, SA Governor Hieu Van Le, SA Premier Steven Marshall and a representative of the Opposition to lay wreaths in commemoration of those who served.

GPCAPT (Retd) Robert Black noted how wonderful it was to have RAAF Edinburgh and RAAF Association come together for such important ceremonies, stressing how it served as a means of passing on the legacy to today’s serving veterans.

GPCAPT Greg Weller, Director Community Engagement, said the commemoration has become one of the key ceremonies for which RAAF Edinburgh partners with the RAAF Association every year.

WGCDR Clyde said the ceremony is even more important for RAAF Edinburgh, recognising that No.462 Squadron, a distinguished RAAF Bomber Command Unit, was now a reformed RAAF Squadron.

“462SQN was part of the No.100 Group of Bomber Command that was responsible for countermeasures and jamming enemy radars,” WGCDR Clyde said.

The Squadron’s Halifax aircraft were modified with electronic jamming equipment to interfere with German night-fighter and ground-based radars and communications.

“Today the 462SQN patch with the three vertical yellow stripes that were emblazoned on the Halifax tail and Z5 on its body to make it easily identifiable within the RAF that the aircraft was utilised by 462SQN is a continual reminder of the Squadron’s historical links and significant operational achievements,” Squadron Warrant Officer 462SQN Darren Rhodes said.

Eight RAAF squadrons and about 10,000 Australian airmen served with Bomber Command in Australian and composite squadrons in RAAF or RAF uniforms. Of those 10,000, just over one-third paid the ultimate sacrifice. Today, the RAAF, once again, operates 460 and 462 Squadrons within the Air Warfare Centre — both originally distinguished Australian units within Bomber Command. 

WORDS Flight Lieutenant Bel Scott"