Royal Treatment At Westminster Abbey For One Of Our Members

Jan Dimmick is a member of the Friends Of The Odd Bods Association committee and an active member of the Bomber Command Association.

She has a tale to tell us about some very special treatment she received during a visit to the U.K. in 2017.

A Wonderful Day:

"My husband Frank, as a very young man, left school and joined the Air Force. He went to England and flew as a navigator in 460 Squadron of Bomber Command and did seven ops and three food parcel drops to the Dutch. He was home before he was twenty one. Unfortunately because he became ill in 2012 and died soon after he never saw the statue commemorating Bomber Command in Green Park, but he always wanted me to go.

A couple of years after his death I went. I had been to England before but this was the first time to the new monument. I visited a few war monuments with two English friends who started a conversation with a man near the wall for WWI. They told him my father was in WWI in the 58th  Battalion at the Western Front and received high honours and Frank’s father was in the medical corp.

The man they were speaking to was the caretaker and he came up to me, asked about my interest and said I should go to the service in Westminster Abbey marking 99 years since the end of the war. I said I would love to but how do I go about it. He wrote down a phone number and passed it to me. I went back to my accommodation to ring not knowing where the phone number would lead me. I mentioned my call to the concierge and they let me ring from their phone. I dialled, a man answered, and asked if I had any contact with the wars. I told him about my father and husband and he said “Oh yes, wait a minute”. Ten minutes later I was just ready to hang up, he came back. He asked if I could meet him outside the Abbey at eleven o’clock, the service started at twelve. He would have an invitation for me. (I later found that the phone number was for the Australian Embassy)

I arrived at eleven o’clock at the entrance of the Abbey. We saw each other and he passed me the invitation, which I still have. The time to enter was approaching so I made my way in and an usher spoke to me and I gave him my invitation. He said follow me. We walked and walked, past the choir stalls and right to the front of the Abbey. My seat was A2 front row opposite the pulpit and what I call the throne seat. Six Chelsea pensioners were opposite and a gentleman came and sat in A3 and I found out he was an ambassador – we were exactly were the Queen and Royal family sit.

The service began with flag bearers leading through the Abbey– one from Britain, Turkey, Australia and New Zealand – followed by the Clergy and the Duke of Gloucester who sat on the throne seat and his security team, one of which sat in A1 – next to me.

We had a wonderful service and a children’s choir from Australia sang, all four countries had their national anthems and I still have the Order of Service.

When it finished I was ready to leave and got up to back away but the Ambassador took me by the arm and said “Madam, you are one of us” so left with all the VIPs. I walked down the middle of Westminster Abbey feeling very shy but very proud and getting to the door of the Abbey the Dean of Westminster and the Archbishop shook my hand and asked where I came from. They let me know that they would love me to visit again if I came back to the UK. They were very polite and made me feel wanted.

After the service while I waited outside Westminster Abbey looking for a taxi, it started to rain. After about a quarter of an hour I decided it was impossible to get a taxi and I needed to go to the toilet. I walked back up the steps and stood in the vestibule when a man came from the Abbey to ask if he could help me (he was an Usher of the Abbey). I told him I wished to find a toilet and he said that unfortunately they were on the far side of the Abbey but to follow him. After a short distance he said “No, I will take you to another one”. It wasn’t far but when I entered the door I saw a crown painted on it. I didn’t ask but I thought it was for Royal use.

This was one of the best days of my  life."

The following photo of Jan and her family is one of our favourites. Taken on ANZAC Day 2018 it captures the ideal location and importantly illustrates the generational interest in ANZAC.

What Many Of Us Will Never Be Able To Share On ANZAC Day

Odd Bod Maurie Smith has referred us to the archives for this article and it contains a very interesting perspective on the meaning of Anzac Day for our veterans.

The article comes from Odds'n'Ends magazine, the Odd Bods newsletter back in June 1986. The article was written by Father Max Grabau, a parish priest in a number of Melbourne Diocese up until the early 2000's.

"Many nations have an annual remembrance day, when they honor those who have fought for the country.

Yet Anzac Day has an atmosphere all its own. An atmosphere which has changed considerably over the years, and which means different things to different people.

It is inevitable that the further we are distanced from this century's two world wars, that there are changes in the outlook of the population.

Nevertheless it is sad to see the day being used by extremist groups for their own ends. On the other hand it is just a holiday for many, and if Anzac Day falls on a weekend, then a holiday is claimed the following week. Which isn't exactly what it's all about - or wasn't, until recently.

So what is, or was, it all about?

Alan Seymour's play, The One Day Of The Year, is currently having a return season in Melbourne. It is a good play technically; a genuine drama about real people. A plot which is real enough and which still has point after all these years.

The old soldier whose attitude to Anzac Day is not understood by his son, and vice versa. Both sides of the argument are well presented, with the audience's sympathy, on the whole, shifting from the son to the father in the end.

But somehow even this honest attempt by an honest author fails to penetrate the real depths of Anzac Day reunions.

This is leaving the annual march to the Shrine of Remembrance, which serves its purpose as a healthy reminder to succeeding generations that the freedoms in which they luxuriate did not come about by chance, but were won the hard way, and may yet have to be defended again.

And rescinding from the fact that it is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, which happens in services all through the land. What does bring old servicemen together once a year after all this time?

Many have philosophised about this over the generations: mostly with some elements of truth, yet missing the reality. And it has little to do with the reasons wars were fought, whatever they may have been. Nor, even, the varied reasons for which men and women volunteered in the services.

Contrary to some popular views, reunions are not spent in beery braggadocio about exploits of great daring, nor in any forlorn attempt to glorify war.

Any reminiscing is mostly about amusing incidents, or a few memories about those who have died since last Anzac Day. Much conversation is about grandchildren, or arthritis, or exploits on the local bowling green.

Anyone who had ideas about the glory of war soon lost them in the face of reality. There isn't much glory to be had in a water-logged trench or in jungle mud or being pitched about in an angry sea.

And thoughts of the glamour of being heroes were soon corrected by other heads, with reminders of the so-true tale of the pied piper of Hamelin.

Even the youngest soon realised that patriotic political speeches about nothing being too good for our gallant lads had no more substance than the promises of gold to the pied piper. Servicemen are very popular in times of war and danger, but nobody wants to know them when the danger is past.

It has been truly said that a wartime serviceman's life is mostly boredom, with occasions of intense excitement. And, perhaps, therein lies the crux of the matter.

A sharing in something which nobody else could therefore share with them. Not spouses, not children, not anyone.

Of all human emotions and experiences, there is nothing quite so basic as coming face to face with seemingly certain death. To share this emotion creates a strange and remarkable bond.

This is so when it happens once; a car accident, a bomb, an escape from drowning, or whatever. If it happens several times, the bond is stronger among families in say, London during the blitz or among children who learned when to dive for the gutter during rocket-bomb raids. 

When it is between people who have volunteered to offer, if necessary, their lives, it is something else again. And when it happens not once, but by entering the same situation again and again over a long period, the bond among those who survive is remarkable.

This is the experience which cannot be described adequately, and therefore cannot be shared by anyone who did not take part in it. And it is true of any group of people who, knowing one another well, entered the occasion of seemingly certain death over and over.

It matters not whether it was in foxholes at Tobruk, a jungle in New Guinea, in opposing dugouts at Stalingrad, in German U-boats, or in a bomber heading for Hilter's Reich.

People who have something in common naturally come together to share. Whether they be philatelists, scuba divers, parachute jumpers, nudists, pediatricians or musicians.

But the repeated sharing of the presence of imminent death cannot be fully appreciated or understood by strangers to it. It is, to a large degree, what brings its sharers together, in any country.

They don't talk about it. There is no need to. It's just a sharing and they all understand without philosophising or articulating - most couldn't anyway.

In Australia it happens on Anzac Day. Nothing in their later lives will ever reach that level of intensity. For many, their later lives seem to have been lived on borrowed time."

 

Spotlight on Odd Bods Aircraft and Squadron Part 2 - The Spitfire

Spotlight on Odd Bods Aircraft and Squadrons

Part 2

In conjunction with the 100 year anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), the Friends of the Odd Bods Association would like to take a look back at where our fore-fathers served in World War II and why it is so important to ensure that this information is not lost, but preserved and recognised by the coming generations. The Friends of the Odd Bods Association hope you enjoy this series dedicated to these men as we “Press On Remembering”.

Part 2 – The Supermarine Spitfire and RAF Squadrons 234 and 145 where our Odd Bods served. The aircraft also served with the Number 1 Wing RAAF and the following RAAF Squadrons 79, 85, 451, 452, 453 and 457.

One of the Temora Aviation Museum’s Spitfires

What was a Supermarine Spitfire? – It is a British single seat, single engine aircraft designed just before the start of WW II and it’s first flight was in March 1935. It was introduced on the 4th of August 1938 and 20,351 aircraft were built until 1948. It is fast, sleek and very agile aircraft and well known for winning victory laurels in the Battle of Britain (1940 – 1941). It was designed by Reginald Mitchell of Supermarine Limited in response to a 1934 Air Ministry specification calling for a high-performance fighter with an armament of eight wing mounted 0.303 machine guns. There were 24 versions of the Spitfire made with the 6,487 Mark V’s built with 32 countries (including Australia) as military operators. 

What was the aircraft powered by (later models)? – Rolls Royce Merlin 70 1710 horsepower (1276.66KW), 27 litre liquid cooled V-12 piston engine, equipped with a two speed, two-stage supercharger. The Rolls Royce Griffon was also fitted to later Spitfires.

Maximum Take-Off Weight – 5,935 to 9,900 pounds

Maximum Speed – 361 knots (669 km/h)

Maximum Altitude – 34,000 feet (early models) to 43,000 feet (later models)

Armaments included Browning Machine Guns, Hispano Cannons and 500 pound bombs

How many crew were on the Spitfire - Pilot only however there was a two-seat trainer version designed with only one of this configuration built by Supermarine.

What was special about the Spitfire design? – The original designer (Reginald Mitchell) gave the Spitfire something that still makes the aircraft graceful today. His radical design saw the aircraft have an elliptical wing with a thin airfoil that in combination with the Merlin’s efficient supercharger, gave it exceptional performance at high altitudes. This was a stroke of genius. (Footnote – A supercharger can be thought of either as artificially increasing the density of the air by compressing it or as forcing more air than normal into the engine’s cylinder every time the piston moves down).

There are approximately 70 Spitfires still in airworthy condition worldwide, four of which are here in Australia. Two of these aircraft are owned by the Temora Aviation Museum (aviationmuseum.com.au), the first being a Mk VIII (the last Spitfire delivered to the RAAF - A58-758) and a Mk XVI version which saw action in 1945. This particular aircraft has a unique history as it suffered a take-off mishap in 1951 and was essentially scrapped. The movie company, Metro Goldwyn-Mayer bought the aircraft for the 1955 movie, ‘Reach for the Sky’ based on Douglas Bader. It found it’s way to Temora in 2006 and forms part of the Air Force Heritage Collection after being generously donated by the Temora Aviation Museum in 2019.

(Information Source – Wikipedia and Temora Aviation Museum April 18 2021)

RAF Squadron 234 – Motto is “Ignem mortemque despuimus – We spit fire and death”

Did our Odd Bods serve in this Squadron – Yes;

When was the Squadron formed originally? – August 1918 and disbanded 15th May 1919;

When was the Squadron reformed?; - (1st Time) - 30th October 1939 and renumbered 266 Squadron on the 1st September 1946. (2nd Time) – 1st August 1952 again as 234 Squadron till 15th July 1957; (3rd Time) – 22nd October 1958 till 31st August 1992, (4th Time) – 1st September 1992 till disbanded. 

Is the Squadron still active? – No, disbanded 1st April 1994;

What type of aircraft did the Squadron fly in WWII? – Magisters, Battle, Gauntlets, Bleinheims Mk. Ifs, Spitfires and Mustangs.

What was unique about the Squadron? – No 234 Squadron as you can see above was formed and disbanded multiple times. When it was reformed in 1939, it was intended for shipping protection duties with a mixture of different aircraft. It was after it received their Spitfires in March 1940, the squadron flew throughout the Battle of Britain and was based in Southern England where in April 1941, it began sweeps over northern France. These operations continued between defensive patrols until January 1943 when it moved to the Orkney Islands, returning south in June.

After covering the invasion beaches in Normandy, No 234 converted to Mustangs and began long range escort missions from East Anglia. A few days before the end of the war, the squadron moved to northern Scotland to escort strike Wings operating along the Norwegian coast, but returned to East Anglia in July to convert to Spitfires. These were flown until replaced by Meteors in February 1946, but on the 1st of September 1946 the squadron was renumbered 266 Squadron. 

(Information Source – Spitfire Association, Wikipedia and Various Sources April 18 2021)

RAF Squadron 145 – Motto is “ – Diu noctuque pugnamus – We fight by day and night”

Did our Odd Bods serve in this Squadron – Yes;

When was the Squadron formed originally? – 15th May 1918 and disbanded 2nd September 1919;

When was the Squadron reformed?; - (1st Time) – 10th October 1939 till 19th August 1945. (2nd Time) – 1st March 1952. 

Is the Squadron still active? – No, disbanded 15th October 1957;

What type of aircraft did the Squadron fly in WWII? – Hawker Hurricanes and Spitfires.

What was unique about the Squadron – No 145 Squadron was a fighter unit that fought in the Battle of Britain and the cross-channel sweeps of 1941 before moving to the Mediterranean where it took part in the campaigns in North Africa, Sicily and Italy ending the war as a fighter-bomber squadron (If you get the chance to have a close look at the Odd Bods banner, you will see it lists the Mediterranean on the upper left side);

(Information Source – Wikipedia and Various Sources Apr 18 2021)

Spitfire and Hurricane in flight.

Odd Bods On ANZAC Day - From The Archives

As we head towards ANZAC Day 2021 it might be interesting to add some memories from past occasions and the Odd Bods vault has been opened for these photos.

Our lead photo might be one of the first we have of Odd Bods marching. It was taken in 1957 and note all the uniforms.

This photo was taken in 2008, the first year that Wesley College, Glen Waverley Campus, provided our banner bearers.

And this candid shot of co-founders of the Odd Bods, George Smith and Bruce "Tich" Marshall in a moment of uniform adjustment. We are not sure of the year - perhaps a reader can help?

If you have some ANZAC Day photos to share we would love to see them.  If your photo is a hard copy, simply take a photo of it with your mobile phone and send it to us. Email to gregandsuesmith@iinet.net.au or MMS from your phone to 0406222020.

A Special Odd Bod Memory of ANZAC Day

 

"25 April 1944 my dad (Cliff Bridges, former member of the Odd Bods) was flying Wellington X HE489 O for Oboe (Oscar today). Their target tonight was the San Stephano Docks in Italy with six 500 pound bombs for 4.5 hours flight all at night. (The Australian War Memorial's  Lancaster, G for George, flew with 460 Squadron which was originally a Wellington squadron.)

Four months later dad was shot down by a German ME 110 while bombing Ploesti oil fields near Bucharest in Romania. His aircraft, Q for Queanie, lost an engine (twin engine) and he jettisoned his bombs near the Danube River and diverted into Yesilkoy aerodrome (now Istanbul). He destroyed his aircraft by firing into it with his very pistol (which I still have - don't tell the rozzers). He was interned with his crew (records have them as POWs). This was a few weeks after I was born in Scotland and not long after my mum was badly hurt by a German bomb while she was doing ARP work in London. Can you imagine what my poor mother was going through. 

Much later in life, dad told me the internment was one of the best few weeks of his life! In a reunion in England, dad met the Luftwaffe pilot, Manfred, and they became good friends. Manfred described how he attacked a Wellington which, in the dark, rolled over and dived to tree top level. He said he was not going to do that! Manfred was trapped behind the iron curtain until it was removed in 1989."

By Alistair Bridges

Alistair Bridges is a member of Friends of the Odd Bods Association Inc. and a guide at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. A number of members who attended the Commemoration of the Odd Bods plaque in 2020 would have been escorted by Alistair in the tour following the service. We would like to thank Alistair for this article which appeared in the War Memorial Guide Monthly Magazine.

ANZAC March Melbourne Registrations Open

The organisers of the ANZAC March in Melbourne have advised us that registrations for the march have now opened. They ask that those interested follow the link, now live, to register your wish to participate in this year’s ANZAC Day commemorative march in Melbourne: register.rslvic.com.au

(It should be noted that a ballot will be conducted based on relevance to the RSL criteria for marching. We understand that it is not on a "first in" basis, and veterans will certainly be given preference in the final allocation including those from WW2 who will be picked up from home and escorted to a dedicated seating area.)

Here is the content of today's RSL announcement.

“As we know, under the current health restrictions, the march to the Shrine of Remembrance has been approved with a maximum of 5,500 participants marching along St Kilda Road.

It is important to note that we must adhere to all COVID-Safe requirements. The health, wellbeing and safety of veterans and all of those in attendance at the Melbourne Dawn Service and march is paramount.

Please note - when registering your wish to march:

• Registration does not automatically guarantee a place – once you submit your registration online, you will receive an automatic response to let you know your registration has been submitted. Further communications will be sent regarding your registration in the week commencing Monday 13 April.
• Priority will be allocated to Australian and New Zealand Veterans (current and former members of the Defence Force). If places remain, tickets will then be assigned to allied forces, followed by descendants.
• Allocation of tickets will be considered based on the time of when registrations are submitted, and the priority listed above.
• All registrations will be stored in a centralised system. If health advice changes to allow more participants, additional tickets will be released accordingly.

If you have any queries please forward them to adminservices@rslvic.com.au and we will respond as soon as we can."

Friends Attend RAAF Centenary Celebrations Canberra

Air Marshal Mel Hupfield with wife Louise (left) and FOTOBAI committee member Jenny Hibbens.
Photo most courteously taken by Sir Angus Houston.

The 31st March 2021 marked 100 years of service to Australia by the RAAF and  official celebrations were held in Canberra with a range of ceremonies, flypasts, and a luncheon at Government House.

Friends of the Odd Bods Association committee member, Jennifer Hibbens, attended the celebrations and was good enough to provide us with photos of the day and a full report of her experience. Click on this link for Jenny's report.

In glorious sunshine, and with a significant public attendance at Lake Burley Griffin for the flypast, this was a very special occasion, and Jenny described it as an absolute honour to represent Friends of the Odd Bods.

It should be noted that The Queen's first public function since the latest UK lockdown was to celebrate the RAAF centenary during a ceremony at Runnymede in UK. Just a few weeks earlier she had commemorated new colours for the RAAF and they are seen in one of our Canberra photos.

Here are some photos from Canberra, and don't miss the video at the bottom of the page - 

Jenny Hibbens in front of the RAAF Memorial

Jenny with 93 year old veteran Merv Collins

The Queen's Colours are unfurled.

The parade of banners.

Spectacular Centenary Flypast Canberra

 As part of the RAAF Centenary celebrations a spectacular fly past involving 60 aircraft took place over Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra today (Wednesday 31st March 2021)

Aircraft included Hudson, Harvard, Wirraway, Mustang, Spitfire, Kittyhawk, and Catalina.

One of our readers (thank you Caitlin) was on the spot and sent us this video of the Roulettes performing the final stage of the flypast.

Friends Of Odd Bods At RAAFA Celebration for RAAF 100

In the centenary year of the RAAF, celebrations are occurring all around the country, and Sunday night's event at RAAFA headquarters in East Hawthorn included some Friends of the Odd Bods Association members.

President Bruce Waxman, and committee members Jan Dimmick and Robyn Bell joined in the evening with Robyn Bell gifting a figure of a young RAAF Airman to RAAFA. We include some photos below including one of the honour board recording Odd Bod Frank Dimmick as President of RAAFA from 1983-1985.

The WAAAF's in WW2

 

International Women’s Day (March 8th) has highlighted many contributions by women and on these pages we take a look back at WW2, particularly the Australian experience, and the role women played in shaping the outcome of that war.

Women’s contribution during WW2 varied around the globe, from countries like Russia where frontline activity including bomber pilots (**) were in the heat of the action to countries like America where the frontline participation of women was largely opposed.

In Australia the WAAF’s (or more correctly the WAAAF’s) made an important contribution to war effort as the government looked to step up community involvement – all hands to the wheel. The Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force was formed in 1941. It was the largest of the wartime Australian women’s services with some 27,000 women enlisting between March 1941 and August 1945. 

One of the key needs in Australia was for women to help support the Empire Air Training Scheme which was of course significant for many Odd Bods as they progressed to active service.

In the early days of the WAAAF nurses played an important role leading to the formation of the Royal Australian Air Force Nursing Service (RAAFFNS). By the end of the war, women were involved in more than 73 trades including fabric workers, photographers, engine fitters, clerks, cooks, meteorological assistants, and included commissioned officers (***). 

Lots of WAAAF's in this photo taken in Melbourne in early 1940's. We believe Odd Bods Founder George Smith's wife Shirley is in the photo.

We have included some additional links below if you wish to continue reading about the contribution of women during WW2. And what about your connections? Do you have stories or photos that we could include here. We would love to have your input. Please comment below or send us an email - friendsofoddbods@gmail.com

** In the fall of 1941, with invading German forces threatening Moscow, Marina Raskova (known as the “Russian Amelia Earhart”) convinced Joseph Stalin to authorize three regiments of female pilots. The most famous was the 588th Night Bomber Regiment, whose pilots hit so many of their targets that the Germans started calling them the Nachthexen, or “night witches.” Using rickety plywood planes, the women of the 588th flew more than 30,000 missions and dropped more than 23,000 tons of bombs on the Nazis; 30 of them were killed and 24 received the Hero of the Soviet Union medal, the nation’s highest award for valor.

*** https://web.archive.org/web/20080720074942/http://www.airforce.gov.au/history/women.htm

MORE LINKS:

WAAAF - An Aussie War Time Success Story - 

https://www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews/editions/4404/story10.htm

WAAAF 1941- 45

https://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE0400b.htm

First Anniversary of Odd Bods Plaque Dedication Canberra - 14/3/2021

It is somewhat hard to believe, but this coming Sunday March 14 will be the first anniversary of the dedication ceremony for the Odd Bods plaque at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

 Talk about timing.....after many months of planning how lucky we were to be able to proceed with the ceremony..... with the Covid-19 State of Emergency and Stage 1 restrictions announced on March 16 2020, just two days after the ceremony.

With Stage 2 Stay at Home on March 26 2020, and the War Memorial itself suddenly closed on March 24 2020 we certainly timed it to perfection. (AWM only reopened on a strictly limited basis July 1st.)

Along with border closures and other constraints, if we had missed that slot then the Odd Bods could still be waiting. It was meant to be, that is for sure.

 The significance of this plaque has been written about a number of times and you can find a full rundown by clicking on the tab marked “Odd Bod Plaque At Australian War Memorial” at the top of this page.

 

Thank you to Gary Elliot for this storyline, and to Mark Smith for the photographs taken this week in Canberra. 

ANZAC Day 2021 Update - Email From The President 5/3/2021

Email To Members 5/3/2021

Dear Friends,

            Since we last contacted you about ANZAC Day arrangements in Melbourne a lot has changed.

-        There will now be a Dawn Service at the Shrine. The exact nature of the Dawn Service is subject to change, but we anticipate a ballot will allow up to 1500 people to attend. The service is scheduled to start at 0600 and In the Centenary year of the RAAF, an RAAF veteran will lay the wreath. Others will be encouraged to observe a drive way vigil similar to 2020.

-        There will be a march with massed banners and post Vietnam service veterans marching (up to 5,000 registered marchers). WW2 veterans will not march.

-        WW2 veterans will be given the option of a vehicle pick-up from their home, delivery to an undercover seating area at the shrine, and then a return trip to their home immediately following the march. I will be in contact with our veterans to determine their availability.

-        There will be no vehicles in the march and no buses or other pick-ups at the end of the march.

-        It is not immediately clear whether the Odd Bods banner will participate due to restrictions on the march however the option to have our banner at the Odd Bods tree would appear to be open to us.

-        The RSL is to make a final Covid safe proposal to the State Government by 15^th March and we expect clarification, including banner status, some time after that.

-        The Dawn Service and the march will be live streamed by the Shrine.

-        As previously advised, there will be a Reunion Luncheon at Amora for members starting at 1100 hrs on ANZAC Day. Details will be advised shortly.

-        Our Association will be conducting a Last Post co,petition similar to 2020 with more details to come.

It is great to see that more normalized arrangements are planned for ANZAC Day 2021 in Melbourne. There are still a number of matters that require clarification and we will keep you informed as matters progress.

Best Wishes

 

Bruce

 

Sqn Ldr Bruce P Waxman OAM RAAF (Rtd)

President

Friends Of The Odd Bods Association Inc. 

Spotlight on OddBods Aircraft and Squadrons - Part 1

In conjunction with the 100 year anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), the Friends of the OddBods Association would like to take a look back at where our fore-fathers served in World War II and why it is so important to ensure that this information is not lost, but preserved and recognised by the coming generations. The Friends of the OddBods Association hope you enjoy this series dedicated to these men as we “Press On Remembering”.

Part 1 – The Handley Page Halifax Mk III and RAAF Squadron 466 and RAF Squadron 51 where our OddBods served.

What was a Handley Page Halifax Mk III Bomber? – It was a four-engine aircraft designed purely during WW II and it’s first flight was on the 25th of October 1939. It was introduced on the 13th of November 1940 and 6178 aircraft were built until April 1945. This was very impressive and at one stage, one Halifax was completed every hour mainly due to the aircraft being built by 5 manufacturers, Handley Page, English Electric, Fairey Aviation, London Aircraft Production Group and Rootes Securities.The version Mk III bomber was the most popular and this was used by 7 countries (including Australia) as military operators. 

What was the aircraft powered by? - Four 1650hp Bristol XVI radial piston engines with 3 bladed constant speed propellers.

Maximum Take-Off Weight – 65,000 pounds

Maximum Speed – 282 mph

Maximum Altitude – 24,000 feet

Bomb carriage weight – 13,000 pounds

How many crew were on the Halifax? - Pilot, flight engineer, navigator, wireless operator/gunner, bomb aimer and two gunners (Total of 7).

How many operations did the Halifax carry out? - 82,773 operations dropping 224,207 tons of bombs 

How many Halifax were lost in WWII? – 1833 of 6178 built.

What happened to the aircraft after WWII? -  The aircraft was retired from operational military use in 1961. The aircraft was also used in 11 countries by civilian operators in the post war era.

Are there any Halifax’s still existing today? – Only three remain complete. They are;

1. Restored Aircraft Serial Number NA337 built by Rootes Motors and delivered to 644 Squadron – It resides in the National Air Force Museum of Canada, Trenton Ontario

2. Restored Aircraft Serial Number HR792 built by Handley Page and delivered to 58 Squadron – It resides at the Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington, North Yorkshire;

3. Unrestored Aircraft Serial Number W1048 built by English Electric and delivered to 102 Squadron – It resides in the RAF Museum London, Colindale London.

Other useful information – There is a Canadian organisation called Halifax 57 Rescue which is dedicated to the recovery and restoration of Handley Page Halifaxes. This organisation was founded in 1994 and has recovered two aircraft, one being NA337. This aircraft was recovered from 750 feet underwater in Lake Mjosa, Norway. The second aircraft LW682 was recovered from Geraardsbergen, Belgium. As part of the recovery from the bog, the bodies of three airmen was carried out and enabled them to be given a proper burial. Once recovered, the airframe was melted down and the material was used to construct the RAF Bomber Command Memorial in London which was unveiled in 2012.

(Information Source – Wikipedia Feb 17 2021)

RAAF Squadron 466 – Motto was “Brave and True”

Did our OddBods serve in this Squadron – Yes; 

When was this Squadron formed? – 10th October 1942 at RAF Driffield, East Yorkshire, UK

Is the squadron still active? – No, it was disbanded on the 26th of October 1945;

What type of aircraft did the squadron fly? – Vickers Wellington, Handley Page Halifax and Liberators;

How many operations did the Squadron fly? – 3326 sorties against 269 targets;

How many aircraft were lost? – 81 with 184 RAAF personnel also lost;

What was unique about the Squadron? – Even though this was an RAAF unit, the majority of the personnel were British Air Forces. The Squadron was also heavily committed to mine-laying operations throughout 1943;

Citations – Following a mission on the 14th of April 1943, four members of the crew of a 466 Squadron Wellington received Joint Citation after suffering an attack by a fighter aircraft over the Ruhr target in Germany. With the aircraft badly damaged and a deceased rear gunner, the pilot was able to get his aircraft back to an airfield in his country without the further loss of life.

(Information Source – Wikipedia and Various Sources Feb 17 2021)

RAF Squadron 51 – Motto is “Swift and Sure”

Did our OddBods serve in this Squadron? – Yes;

When was the Squadron formed originally? – 15th May 1916 and disbanded 13th June 1919;

When was the Squadron reformed?; - 15th March 1937, at RAF Snaith, East Yorkshire, UK

Is the Squadron still active? – Yes, at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire, UK

What type of aircraft did the Squadron fly in WWII? –Vickers Virginia, Armstrong Whitworth Whitley, Avro Anson, Handley Page Halifax, Short Sterling and Avro York

How many operations did the Squadron fly? – 51 Squadron was part of 4 Group Bomber Command who were part of 62,000 sorties during the war;

How many aircraft were lost? – 1441 aircraft did not return from their missions;

What was unique about the Squadron – This unit was based at 6 airfields during WWII from just before the war broke out in 1938 until the war ended in 1945;

Citations / Battle Honours – 15 separate fields of war resulted in this Squadron being awarded Battle Honours. It also needs to be known that there were 16 Australian Distinguished Flying Crosses and 1 Australian Distinguished Flying Medal awarded to our servicemen.

(Information Source – Wikipedia and Various Sources Feb 17 2021)

By Michael Rossiter

Please see various photos of the Halifax below.

Top Ten Iconic RAAF Aircraft No.5 - the de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou

At number 5 in the RAAF's iconic aircraft countdown is a long-serving workhorse ideal for getting in and out of tight spaces: the de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou.

In the early 1960's the RAAF was searching for a replacement for the venerable Dakota aircraft and the Caribou fitted the bill. Arriving in 1964, the Caribou was immediately sent into service in the Vietnam War carrying troops and supplies to rugged, inaccessible airfields near the frontlines. A short take-off and landing aircraft, it continued to operate for the next 45 years across the Indian-Pacific region, often delivering humanitarian aid and disaster relief to areas other aircraft could not access. 

The Caribou had no auto pilot and was physically demanding to fly. It quickly gained a reputation as a tough reliable workhorse, much admired by Australian and allied airmen.

Click on the photo at the top of this article to be taken to the RAAF website and a very informative video about the Caribou.

ANZAC Day Arrangements 2021 - Email From The President

Dear Friends,

            At Sunday’s FOTOBAI Committee Meeting the committee discussed a plan of action to address the ongoing uncertainty regarding ANZAC Day arrangements under Covid.

The RSL has announced that there will not be an ANZAC march in Melbourne although other Australian states have announced varied responses.

            It was agreed that we would make every effort to formalize arrangements for ANZAC Day and continue the tradition of honoring all Odd Bods at this time. FOTOBAI plans include –

                        1. A reunion luncheon will be held at Amora, Melbourne on ANZAC Day 2021. We already have a booking at Amora, although the format and size of the gathering will depend on Covid regulations operating at the time. Photographs and videos will be available online for those unable to attend.

                        2. It is unlikely that a Dawn Service or ANZAC March will take place in Melbourne however we will actively seek participation of the Odd Bods banner in whatever alternative arrangements are authorised at the Shrine.

                        3. We will examine options for inclusion in other memorial services including Wesley College.

                        3. We will conduct an online 2021 Last Post Initiative similar to 2020 in which members submit their photos and stories about ANZAC Day for publication on the FOTOBAI website – details to follow.

                        4. In the absence of a Dawn Service on ANZAC Day we anticipate driveway vigils to be observed and we will invite members to submit photographs on the day for immediate posting on our website. – details to follow.

The aim of all these measures is to honour Odd Bods in the most appropriate manner given the restrictions on gatherings imposed by Covid.

            We will keep you informed of our plans and welcome your comments. In the meantime you may wish to check in at the FOTOBAI website for recent articles including the RAAF 10 Most Iconic Aircraft list.

Best Wishes

Bruce

Sqn Ldr Bruce P Waxman OAM RAAF (Rtd)

President

Friends Of The Odd Bods Association Inc. 

Top Ten RAAF Iconic Aircraft - No.6 The E-7A Wedgetail

Next up in the RAAF Iconic Aircraft countdown at number 6 is the radar superstar in the sky: the E-7A Wedgetail. 

As the first Early Warning and Control aircraft in service, the Wedgetail is easily recognised by its game-changing MESA radar (AKA the ‘surfboard’) at the top of the fuselage. More than 600 hours of wind tunnel testing was required to perfect the aerodynamic design.

This Boeing 737 based aircraft was designed by the RAAF and subsequently taken up the air forces of Turkey, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.

The Australian Air Force Wedgetail crew is able to monitor a 4 million square kilometre area and coordinate more than 60 aircraft over a single 10 hour mission. 

Click on the photo at the top of this page to go to the RAAF website and an informative video about the aircraft and its role.