Author: bccavic

Peter Isaacson interview by Dave Homewood

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New Zealand based podcaster and aviation historian Dave Homewood interviewed Peter Isaacson back in November 2015 as part of his Wings Over Australia series.

Wings Over Australia is part of the Wings Over New Zealand aviation podcast which also contains many interviews with Bomber Command aircrew of the RNZAF.

Dave was particularly interested in the tour Peter Isaacson made of New Zealand in Lancaster Queen VI which he flew from the UK to Australia.

Here’s the link: http://www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/2015/12/woa-peter-isaacson/

 

 

A 608 Squadron Navigator

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All too often the smaller aircraft types which served Bomber Command receive little attention. 608 Squadron in 1944/45 was a Pathfinder and light night striking squadron operating DeHavilland Mosquito aircraft. Alan Beavis DFM was a Navigator and flew 55 operational sorties towards the end of the war. He trained in Australia at Mt. Gambier and Port Pirie before being posted to England.

His operational time was 219.30 hours night operations and 7.20 day. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal on one of the daylight operations when they had to take over as lead aircraft.

A page from Alan’s logbook showing several of the 25 operational sorties to Berlin.

608 Squadron members pose on one of their Mosquitos. The later Mk XVI could carry the 4,000 pound ‘Cookie’ blast bomb.

Alan on leave in London

A couple of images of one of Alan’s maps showing the route taken to Berlin, known to crews as ‘The Big City’.

Alan was interviewed by Keith Webb for the Temora Aviation Museum’s Unsung Heroes project in 2017.

2018 Meet and Greet function, Toorak RSL “Heroes Club”

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Our annual meet and greet cocktail function was well attended this year and included several former Bomber Command veterans.

It’s a great opportunity to meet veterans, contributors to our Shrine commemorative ceremony and committee.

Chairman Paul Dipnall spoke of the activities of our association throughout the past year.

Our thanks goes to those  everyone who attended and also the president of the Toorak RSL, Mike Fogarty for providing us with this excellent venue.

Marie White, Lawrie Larmer and Ralph White.
Lawrie Larmer trained as a pilot at 11 EFTS Benalla and gained his wings in Canada on Cessna Cranes before being posted to England to join Bomber Command. He completed 5 operational sorties on Halifax aircraft with Australian 466 Squadron.
Ralph White also learnt to fly on Tiger Moths at Benalla and was posted to Mallala in South Australia where he was awarded his wings flying Avro Ansons. He too was posted to Bomber Command in England where after flying Wellingtons at 21 OTU, Litchfield was posted to fly the Halifax with 192 Squadron involved in special duties disrupting the German defences during bombing operations.

Chairman Paul Dipnall with Squadron Leader Derek Fox. Derek is part of the RAAF Point Cook Museum flight and led the formation of CT4 and Winjeel aircraft at our Shrine ceremony.

Paul Dipnall with Reverend John Brownbill OAM. John, a Korean War veteran presents the dedication address each year at our Commemoration service at the Shrine.

RAF 100th celebration at Government House Melbourne

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BCCAV Committee members were invited to a RAF centenary celebration morning tea at Government House, Melbourne, hosted by The Honourable Linda Dessau AC.

The gathering was also addressed by British Consul General Christopher Holtby OBE who spoke of his grandfather’s association both with Bomber Command and Australia as he was involved with the ‘Highball’ bouncing bomb trials which took place at Narromine in Australia. The Highball was a smaller version of the bouncing bomb to be delivered by Mosquito aircraft in an anti-shipping role but the war’s end precluded its use.

Committee members Jan Dimmick, Paul Dipnall and Ros Buzza

Governor Linda Dessau greets a former RAF missile specialist.