Squadron Life In The 40's

Some interesting photos from the Warbird Information Exchange with plenty more to be found on the end of this link - http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=57501

George V. Smith - The Odd Bod Who Embraced His Fellow Man

The following article by Bruce Waxman and Walter Eacott became the basis for a formal obituary published in The Age on Friday March 18th 2016.

The Odd Bod who embraced his fellow man and enriched their lives

GEORGE VIVIAN SMITH  1 -1-1924 – 17-12-2015

Bruce Waxman and Walter Eacott

Always regarded as the father of the Odd Bods Association (UK) Inc. George V Smith succumbed to a long standing respiratory ailment, in sight of his ninety second birthday, on December 17 2015.

Most Australians would consider an odd bod as someone who is ‘not quite the full two bob’.
However, in the Royal Air Force (RAF) Officers’ and Sergeants’ messes and crew rooms in England during the Second World War, it meant someone who was a stranger to the others. ‘Who is that chap? Ah, some sort of odd bod!’ Indeed it was usually someone transferred as fill in aircrew and often an Australian.

George enlisted in the RAAF on 17 July 1942 and trained in Australia and Canada as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner. In April 1944 he arrived in the UK on attachment to the RAF and in July posted to 180 Squadron, a unit of the 2nd Tactical Air Force operating B25 Mitchell bombers in day light raids against German forces in France, based at Dunsfold, Surrey. He found himself the only Australian in a crew of 4 Englishmen.

His first operations were in support of the Allied break-out from the Normandy beach-head. His fourth mission may have been George’s last.

The aircraft was badly damaged over France, with David Kirk, the bomb-aimer, sustaining a serious leg injury. George, with little regard for his own safety and divesting himself of his parachute, moved from the rear turret to the nose to provide aid to David. He also had to clamber over David to release his foot caught in the plane’s framework. George then made a make shift tourniquet to stop the bleeding administered morphine and nursed David between his legs all the way home. In the meantime the pilot jettisoned the bombs and made a crash landing back in England. David was rushed to hospital and although he lost his leg, survived the war to rose to the rank of Wing Commander in the RAF, later migrating to Australia. When the aircraft was inspected the rear turret, where George would have been seated, was smashed to smithereens .

Some years later, when they met at an Odd Bods function in Melbourne, and David thanked George for saving his life, George retorted, but you also saved mine.

His tour of operations ended in December 1944 after 44 missions, completing his tour with the rank of Flying Officer and returned to Australia in May 1945. In 2005, he was presented with the Legion d’Honneur, France’s highest decoration, acknowledging the enormous effort he and other aircrew made to free France from German rule.

Leading up to Anzac Day 1946, he found that his fellow ex-servicemen were organizing reunions with their respective regiments, but to what did George belong? WithBruce Marshall, also ex-RAAF aircrew, George had the idea of forming their own organization so he organized some friends from RAAF aircrew in RAF squadrons, and formed the Odd Bods (UK) Association, using the term derived from the mess and the crew rooms in the UK. In mid-1947 the first get-together was held where nine veterans had gathered. By the 1960s the number reached over 500.

George went onto to be President, newsletter sub-editor and subsequently the longest serving secretary.

In September 2015, the original Association was officially cancelled and the remaining Odd Bods, were generously absorbed into the Friends of the Odd Bods Association Inc., formed for that purpose. The ‘Friends’ is made up of the descendants of the Odd Bods and carry on the traditions of their parent Association including the motto, Pressing on Remembering.

In recognition of George’s significant contributions to the Odd Bods, the Friends committee will sponsor the George V Smith Award, to be presented at the annual Wesley College, Glen Waverley ANZAC Day commemorative service, at which George was a regular speaker and guest, to the year 10 student who has written the best essay about the ANZAC spirit.

George was active in many other community organizations including the Berry Street Babies Home, the Ryder-Cheshire Foundation, the Mitcham Probus Club, and the RAAF Association.

George was born in Melbourne, to Roy Vivian and Elsie Eileen (nee Pocknee)
Smith and spent his early childhood in Collingwood but paradoxically, became an ardent Carlton supporter and was quite a handy footballer himself.

He had a somewhat unhappy relationship with his father, who insisted that George roll his cigarettes for him, the stench becoming ingrained into George’s hands, and made him a non-smoker all his life. That lack of connectedness and warmth towards his father may have been the catalyst which convinced him that men should demonstrate a greater affection towards each other beyond the customary handshake.

So George initiated the ‘Smith hug’ as a greeting gesture amongst men in the Smith house hold. Unsuspecting fathers of potential daughters in law soon learnt is was their turn to be greeted with a hug from the groom’s father and male relatives.

George married Shirley Rae Walker on 17 January 1947, who predeceased him in 1994. Together they had five children: Greg, Peter, Mark, Robyn and Debra, who themselves presented George with nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Bruce Waxman is President, Friends of the Odd Bods Association Inc.& Walter Eacott is former President, the Odd Bods Association (UK) Inc.

Lancaster In Flight

If you have 6 or so minutes to spare this video of  one of only two flying Lancasters left in the world is worth a look. The aircraft is housed at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Mount Hope Canada and can be booked for flights.

Video Link - http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2678274946/

The Museum's Lancaster Mk. X was built at Victory Aircraft, Malton in July 1945 and was later converted to a RCAF 10MR configuration. In 1952, it suffered a serious accident and received a replacement wing centre section from a Lancaster that had flown in combat over Germany. It served as a maritime patrol aircraft, with No. 405 Squadron, Greenwood, NS and No. 107 Rescue Unit,

Torbay, Newfoundland for many years and was retired from the RCAF in late 1963. With help from the Sulley Foundation in 1977, it was acquired from the Royal Canadian Legion in Goderich, Ontario, where it had been on outside display. Eleven years passed before it was completely restored and flew again on September 24, 1988. The Lancaster is dedicated to the memory of P/O Andrew Mynarski and is referred to as the “Mynarski Memorial Lancaster”. It is painted in the colours of his aircraft KB726 – VR-A, which flew with RCAF No. 419 (Moose) Squadron. Andrew Mynarski won the Victoria Cross, the Commonwealth’s highest award for gallantry, on June 13, 1944, when his Lancaster was shot down in flames, by a German night fighter. As the bomber fell, he attempted to free the tail gunner trapped in the rear turret of the blazing and out of control aircraft. The tail gunner miraculously survived the crash and lived to tell the story, but sadly Andrew Mynarski died from his severe burns.

Thanks to Fay McPherson for the link to this story.

Australian Fighter Ace

Robert Alexander Little DSO & Bar, DSC & Bar was born on 19 July 1895 to James and Susan Little in the Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn. Robert Little was educated at Scotch College before working as a sales rep for his father’s medical book business. Long interested in aviation; on the outbreak of war, Little applied to the Australian Army’s Central Flying School at Point Cook to train as a pilot. Rejected, he sailed to England in July 1915 where he undertook flying lessons, at his own expense, at the Royal Aero Club at Hendon. In January 1916 he was accepted into the Royal Naval Air Service. 

Little arrived in France in June 1916 serving with No. 1 Naval Wing and carried out bombing raids over the Western Front. In October 1916 he was posted to No. 8 Squadron RNAS flying Sopwith Pup fighters. Little’s first aerial victory was scored on 23 November 1916. During April 1917 the squadron re-equipped with Sopwith Triplanes and Little began to rack up an impressive score. The Triplane he usually flew was named BLYMP which became a nickname for his baby son. A couple of months later the squadron again re-equipped, this time with Sopwith Camels, and Little continued to score. 

Despite Little’s reputation as an ace it has to be said that he was a very average pilot and crashed on landing several times. He was, however, a crack marksman at a time when most pilots couldn’t hit anything. 

Following a period of rest in England he turned down a desk job to return to combat. In March 1918 he joined No.3 Squadron RNAS. On 1 April, the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service were amalgamated to become the independent Royal Air Force and Little’s squadron was renumbered No.203 Squadron. Little continued to fly the Sopwith Camel; racking up further aerial victories. On the evening of 27 May 1918 Little took off to intercept a flight of German Gotha bombers. As he closed on one of the bombers he was struck by a bullet that passed through both his thighs. He crash landed in a French field and bled to death before being discovered by a passing gendarme the following morning. 

At the time of his death Robert Little had scored 47 confirmed victories making him, not only the top scoring Australian ace of WW1, but the top scoring Australian pilot of all time. 

Thanks to Terry Maher for passing on this story from the Melbourne Legacy Bulletin.

Bomber Command Museum Gains Celebrity Backing

A campaign to raise £3m for a Bomber Command museum near Lincoln in the UK has gained support from the likes of Dame Judy Dench.

The Chadwick Centre (named in honour of Roy Chadwick, the engineer who designed the Lancaster bomber) will feature interactive displays, artwork and interviews. It will aim to tell the story of World War Two in the air and its effect on civilians.

The Chadwick Centre will be close to the existing 102ft memorial spire (equivalent to the wingspan of a Lancaster) and naming walls which were unveiled in 2015. 

Leonda Luncheon Photos Available Online

Photographer Rob Anderson took a number of portraits for the Reflections Project at our Leonda Luncheon in November but he also took over a dozen informal shots which are now available online.
If you had your photo taken for one of those informal shots, here is the link.  - http://robanderson.zenfolio.com/odd_bods

Farewell George Smith

George Smith passed away peacefully early last Thursday morning, 17th December, morning after a short illness. He was comfortable, under professional hospital care, and in the presence of family members. 

The following notice was placed in Melbourne papers by the association - 

SMITH. George Vivian. Founder of The Odd Bods U. K. Association in 1946, WW2 ex- Flying Officer RAAF and holder of the French Legion of Honour. A friend, colleague, guide, mentor and support to many. Former President, and our Secretary for over 20 years. 

Respected by all 

Thank You, George 

We Will Remember You 

- The Friends of The Odd Bods Association.

Patron and President Meet In Hobart

Friends of the Odd Bods Association Patron, AVM Peter Scully AO, met with our President , Sqn Ldr Bruce P Waxman OAM RAAF ( Rtd), recently in Hobart at the RAAF Memorial Centre.

Peter Scully is Chairman of the museum at the centre which is dedicated to the service of Tasmanians in the RAAF. The display includes memorabilia and photographs from No. 1 ITS Somers and No. 7 EFTS Western Junction where several Odd Bods started their flying training.

Bruce said – “It is an excellent collection of RAAF history and includes a memorial chapel with the walls listing the names of all Tasmanians who served in the RAAF in WWI and WWII.”

Walter Eacott Revisits Beaufighter

Last November 10^th was a significant date for Walter Eacott as he clambered through a Beaufighter at Moorabbin Air Museum. It turned out that it was 72 years to the day since he was last shot down in such an aircraft and ended up in the Aegean Sea, after which he was interred in Stalag Luft IVb.

Walter commented that it was much easier to move through the confined spaces of a Beaufighter when he was 20 years old. More photographs and some discussion on Walters visit can be found at the PPRuNe website (click here).

    

Annual Luncheon At Leonda

Today’s luncheon at Leonda was enjoyed by a range of Odd Bods, Affiliates and their family members. It was the first luncheon under the guidance of the Friends of the Odd Bods Association and President Bruce Waxman recognised the significance of the event in his welcome.

We were treated to excellent food, great company, and the usual surprise or two with some wonderful jokes from Walter Eacott, a song from Terry Maher, a poem from Weston Bate and a surprise presentation of a Life Membership to Odd Bods Treasurer Doug Parry. Walter Eacott and George Smith emphasised that Doug’s award was overdue after 15 wonderful years of service.

A feature of this year’s luncheon was a series of portraits taken for the Reflections Project by AIPP photographer Robert Anderson. Images taken under the project will be archived with the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Here are some of our own photographs from the luncheon. Simply click on a photo for a larger version.

If you have some of your own photos from the event please email them to us for inclusion on the website. Email to gregandsuesmith@iinet.net.au

Great Escape Tunnel Unearthed

On 11th September we published an article about Australian airman, Paul Royle, who was involved in the "Great Escape" from Stalag Luft III in 1944. Untouched for almost seven decades, the tunnel used in the Great Escape has finally been unearthed.
The  111-yard passage nicknamed 'Harry' by Allied prisoners was sealed by  the Germans after the audacious break-out from the POW camp Stalag Luft III in western Poland .
Despite huge interest in the subject, encouraged by the film starring Steve McQueen, the tunnel remained  undisturbed over the decades because it was behind the Iron Curtain  and the Soviet authorities had no interest in its  significance.

But at last British  archaeologists have excavated it, and discovered its remarkable  secrets.

Many of the bed boards which had been joined together  to stop it collapsing were still in

position. And the ventilation  shaft, ingeniously crafted from used powdered milk containers known as  Klim Tins, remained in working order. Scattered throughout the  tunnel, which is 30ft below ground, were bits of old metal buckets,  hammers and crowbars which were used to hollow out the route.

A  total of 600 prisoners worked on three tunnels at the same time. They  were nicknamed Tom, Dick and Harry and were just 2 ft square for most  of their length. It was on the night of March 24 and 25,  1944, that 76 Allied airmen escaped through Harry. Barely a third  of the 200 prisoners - many in fake German uniforms and civilian outfits and carrying false identity papers - who were meant to slip  away managed to leave before the alarm was raised when escapee number  77 was spotted.

Only  three made it back to Britain . Another 50 were executed by firing  squad on the orders of Adolf Hitler, who was furious after learning of  the breach of security. In all, 90 boards from bunk beds, 62  tables, 34 chairs and 76 benches, as well as thousands of items  including knives, spoons, forks, towels and blankets, were squirrelled  away by the Allied prisoners to aid the escape plan under the noses of  their captors.

Although the Hollywood movie suggested otherwise, reports suggest that NO Americans were involved in the actual escape. Most were British, and  the others were from Canada , (all  the tunnellers were Canadian  personnel with backgrounds in mining) Poland , New Zealand , Australia , and South Africa.

Thank you to Terry Maher for this story.

Congratulations To Gerald McPherson

We reported back in September that Gerald McPherson was the latest Odd Bods recipient of The Legion of Honour, or in full, the National Order of the Legion of Honour (French: Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur).

Our photo shows Gerald proudly wearing the medal following a recent presentation ceremony.

Remembrance Day At Repat Heidelberg

The original Odd Bods banner was designed and made in the laundry of the Repatriation Hospital in Heidelberg Victoria back in the 1950's. It now proudly hangs at the hospital suitably protected in a large frame and features, along with an Odd Bods plaque in the hospital's annual Remembrance Day service. This year the service included the dedication of a 460 squadron plaque and a flyover by a Pilatus PC9.

Ryder Cheshire Gift Cards For Christmas

Friends Of The Odd Bods are supporters of the Ryder Cheshire Foundation and we are pleased to pass on the following communication about their gift cards.

The Perfect Gift

A RYDER-CHESHIRE GIFT CARD

Supporting Klibur Domin East Timor

We offer four different cards ( 2 shown below) each with five different insert options indicating that:

A Donation has been Made in Your Name for:

. The cost of the care of one patient for one day ($10)

. The cost of electricity for the home for one day ($20)

. The cost of the purchase of a set of crutches ($30)

. The cost of educating a disabled child for one month ($50)

. The cast of the purchase of a wheelchair ($100)

Order your Gift Cards for Christmas from-  

Peter and Helen Newton

50 Myrtle Grove

BLACKBURN Vic 3130

Or contact 03 9894 3191 or email phnewton@bigpond.com

Aussie Mossie Newsletter

The Mosquito Aircraft Association of Australia (MAAA) is offering to put interested Friends Of The Odd Bods Association Inc members on their complimentary email list. This will ensure that you receive emailed copies of their “Aussie Mossie” newsletters.

Let us know if you would like to receive the email and we will pass on your address to the MAAA. You can respond by clicking on the comment tag below this post or by emailing gregandsuesmith@iinet.net.au

More To The Vulcan Story

Last week we reported on the last flight of the Vulcan. The magnificent vision of this aircraft performing a faultless take-off and landing display was very impressive but on one flight out of Prestwick in Scotland XH558 needed a bit of help from a friend.

Apparently the nose gear failed to extend on the aircraft’s final descent and it took a slightly older aircraft, a Spitfire, to assist. The Spitfire flew close to the Vulcan’s right wing and confirmed that the wheel was only half extended. A few climbing tight turns for the Vulcan did the job and the wheel extended to allow a safe landing as it followed in after the Spitfire.

Bomber Command Interview Request

George Smith received the following email from a Mr.Adam Purcell seeking contact with Bomber Command veterans - 

The IBCC Bomber Command Digital Archive

The International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC), currently under development in Lincolnshire in the UK, aims to become a world-class facility to serve as a point of recognition, remembrance and reconciliation for Bomber Command. The completed Centre, cheduled to open in 2016, will consist of:

  . a Memorial Spire (recently erected) and walls of names of those who lost their lives serving in Bomber Command;

  . an Interpretation Centre to house exhibition, information and education facilities; and

  . Peace Gardens and sculpture parks

The Lincolnshire Bomber Command Memorial Trust, which is developing the Centre, is also establishing a Bomber Command Digital Archive. This aims to become the most comprehensive source for Bomber Command information in the world.

As part of the Digital Archive a large-scale oral history project is underway, in conjunction with the University of Lincoln, to try and collect as many different Bomber Command voices as possible. The resulting interviews will be used to tell the stories that will feature in the Centre’s

exhibitions and displays, as well as forming a valuable resource in its own right for future research.

I am a volunteer interviewer for the IBCC’s Digital Archive and I would like to invite you to be

interviewed about your Bomber Command experiences as part of the project. Your voice would be recorded and the recording would become part of the Archive in perpetuity.

The Digital Archive is also interested in collecting photographs, scrap books, log books, letters

and any other associated memorabilia. Original documents will be scanned and returned to their

owner and the resulting digital copies will be made available in the Archive.

You can find more information about the International Bomber Command Centre on the website: www.internationalbcc.co.uk

While the statistics and the overall Bomber Command narrative are reasonably well known, it’s

personal stories that will ensure that the memories of the people who contributed to it live on.

The Bomber Command Digital Archive will be a very significant record of the personal stories

behind the Bomber Command experience, and your contribution would be a valuable addition to

it.

If you would like to be involved, please get in touch:  

. Email: adam@somethingverybig.com

. Mobile: 0405 003 312

. Post: 4/16-18 Goble St Niddrie, VIC 3042

                                  

I’d love to hear your story!

Best wishes,

Adam Purcell

for

Bomber Command Digital Archive

International Bomber Command Centre

Last Flight of the Vulcan

By Odd Bods standards the Vulcan is a modern aircraft and not one that would normally grace these pages but the video below records a special event and in a very memorable way. It is difficult not to be impressed by the beauty and power of this aircraft.

The Avro Vulcan first entered service in 1957 and the subject of this article, Vulcan XH558, has just completed its final flight. Modern air worthiness regulations have made it very difficult for the aircraft to keep flying.

Leonda Luncheon Looms

Our annual luncheon at Leonda By The Yarra  comes up on Friday 20th November 2015 and bookings are open.

A booking form and comprehensive details are available by clicking here - "Leonda Luncheon". We urge you to let us know your intentions as soon as possible. Simply print out the form and send off your remittance preferably by Electronic Fund Transfer, although cheques can be mailed as well. The form includes a parking permit for the day which you will need to print out and bring with you.

As usual, feel free to make up a party of friends/family - the more who get to enjoy this great social occasion, the better.

A photographer from the Reflections Project will be attending the luncheon and taking photos of veterans. If you would like to participate in this national record we suggest you bring your medals along. 

PS - If you have any difficulties obtaining the booking form please give Greg Smith  a call on 0406 222 020.