Australia's Govenor General in tribute to Bomber Command

[JDK]

G-G praises Bomber Command at memorial service

Governor-General Quentin Bryce has praised the courage and skill of the members of Bomber Command who were killed in World War II, at a commemorative service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Around 500 people attended the service to pay tribute to around 10,000 Royal Australian Air Force personnel who served with Bomber Command, which was based in Britain during World War II.

More than a third of them lost their lives and 3,486 airmen were killed in action, 546 died during training operations and many others were captured and held as prisoners of war.

Ms Bryce paid tribute to their gallantry courage skill and sacrifice.

"On behalf of all Australians I offer our praise, our thoughts and our thanks for all who served in Bomber Command," she said.

Before laying a wreath, the Governor General recognised the dangers they faced and praised the intensity with which they fought.

"Among the many who have served our country in armed conflict, they are outstanding," she said.

"For the intensity with which they fought, the dangers they faced, the conditions they survived and the rate at which they gave their lives."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009 ... =australia


Photo: Lancaster 'G for George' at the Australian war Memorial.


Photo: RAAF operated Lancaster nose of 'Old Fred' at the Imperial War Museum, London.

[JägerMarty]

Very nice, such a shame they never got campaign medal

[bootlegger]

My friend who served In Lancs during the war has his medals tossed in his drawer. He brags that he has never worn them. He is very bitter about the actions of the officialdom throughout his tours in Borneo, Darwin and Europe.
There was good German movie (dramatisation) based on the bombing of Dresden tonight. The second part is on next Sunday.

[Mark_Pilkington]

.
Its also a shame that only 3 combat veteran mark I Lancasters survive today, and one is only a cockpit, and while I'm pleased that Australian wartime heritage is preserved, its also a shame that only RAAF squadron aircraft survive.

(I know the RAF Museum example has earlier RAF squadron history)

Of course Just Jane as a mark VII and the Mark X at Duxford play important roles in commemorating the memories of Bomber Command but without those returning to the UK and the retention of the BBMF flying example there would really only be the RAF Museum aircraft preserved?

It is sad that post war Britain wasn't able to retain a few more of the wartime examples, to survive into preservation given the important role they played in the war.

regards

Mark Pilkington

[mustangdriver]

I love the Lanc. She is one sexy plane.

[RMAllnutt]

.
Its also a shame that only 3 combat veteran mark I Lancasters survive today, and one is only a cockpit, and while I'm pleased that Australian wartime heritage is preserved, its also a shame that only RAAF squadron aircraft survive.

(I know the RAF Museum example has earlier RAF squadron history)

Of course Just Jane as a mark VII and the Mark X at Duxford play important roles in commemorating the memories of Bomber Command but without those returning to the UK and the retention of the BBMF flying example there would really only be the RAF Museum aircraft preserved?

It is sad that post war Britain wasn't able to retain a few more of the wartime examples, to survive into preservation given the important role they played in the war.

regards

Mark Pilkington

I agree it is sad that so few Lancasters survive. Don't forget the Canadian contribution though. Were it not for the Canadians, the situation would be even worse. I do believe that one or two of the B.X's saw combat. I do know that a number of the survivors made it across to the UK in Jan.45, but am unsure of whether they were assigned to operational squadrons or not. I seem to remember reading that at least one of them had been.

Cheers,
Richard

Edit: I just found references for surviving Canadian Lancs with combat records. I'm not sure how reliable the operation counts are, but the aircraft were definitely in these squadrons, and flying missions, before the war ended.

KB839 419Sqn 26 Ops
KB882 428Sqn 19 Ops

[rcaf_100]

I agree it is sad that so few Lancasters survive. Were it not for the Canadians, the situation would be even worse. I do believe that one or two of the B.X's saw combat. I do know that a number of the survivors made it across to the UK in Jan.45, but am unsure of whether they were assigned to operational squadrons or not. I seem to remember reading that at least one of them had been.

Cheers,
Richard

Here goes:

KB839 - Greenwood, Nova Scotia - Joined 419 Squadron in January 1945 as VR-D.

KB882 - Edmundston, New Brunswick - Joined 428 Squadron in March 1945 as NA-R.

KB889 - Duxford, UK - Joined 419 Squadron in April 1945 as VR-M.

KB944 - Ottawa, Ontario - Joined 425 Squadron in March 1945 as KW-K.

KB976 - Polk City, Florida - Joined 405 Squadron in May 1945, but I'm assuming it wasn't used on operations.

FM104 - Toronto, Ontario - Joined 428 Squardon in March 1945. Not sure if it was used on operations, though.

FM136 - Calgary, Alberta - Went to 32 MU, RAF in May 1945.

FM159 - Nanton, Alberta - Also to 32 MU, May 1945.

The other two, FM212 and FM213, never made it to England (in 1945 that is)

Hope this answers some questions.