Posting on Thurs. Am going
to Tasmania for certain. Then went down to beach and slept
till dinner. After dinner handed in all our issues of
equipment (books, compasses etc.). Some of us going to Whyte’s
for a party. Will comment on it tomorrow. Last night by
the way, Buck, Tiny, Tich, Phil, Gordon and myself went to Dromana
to celebrate finish of exams. Tich got very drunk and removed
a glass or two, which Buck and I are returning after tea tonight.
There is a bit of worry about it all. S.P. [Military
Police] are on the job but I think it’ll be OK. Buck and I are
right, but Tich, Tiny and Mac are not very safe. Will see what
happens later.
Had a great time at Whyte’s;
seven of us turn up, had a wonderful party. They are
marvellous people these Whytes. Hospitality from them is A1
and they’d do anything for us. Joan is coming to dance
tonight. Five of us going up to C.O. [Commanding Officer] in
the morning [re Hotel incident]; Buck, Tich, Tiny, Mac, and I.
Hope it comes off alright.
13 September 1940
Went up before C.O. and he severely admonished us. Did nothing else
thanks to hotel proprietor. Spent all day getting clearances.
Terrible job hanging around. Helped in gym for dance.
Met Barbara and Mary Hannah and
spent all the night till supper with Barbara. I lost her so I
went to bed. All the boys came in full [drunk] and started a
tremendous row, tipping beds over and such like. Mr Jennings
and Walker came in at 2 o’clock and saw the mess. They nearly
fainted, but Hut 44 was worse. Jennings threatened stoppage of
leave but it didn’t come off. The officers and N.C.O.s
[Non-Commissioned Officers] here are worse than the men. They
took women to their messes and got drunk. Several charges were
made by the officers against a couple of N.C.O.s. A very
wonderful night for our pass out. Eventually got to bed at
about three.
14 September 1940
Left camp at 12 o’clock; caught
train at Bittern for Melbourne. Went to Misses Curr’s place at
Malvern. Three elderly spinsters all knitting socks for
soldiers. Good cooks. Phil and I went to Palais
and met Athy. Linked up with three young ladies Vera, Joan and
Dorothy. Very nice indeed but Vera is A1. Took her home
at 1 am to Brighton, nine miles out of Melbourne. She is a
very sweet girl and can dance very well. I am ringing her up
on Monday. I am wiring dad for more money. Vera is very
like Alice Faye, fair hair etc. (but is she sweet !!!???). She
works at the tramway board in Melbourne. I am having lunch
with her on Monday.
15 September 1940
Did nothing in the morning and
left Curr’s place, went into the Power House for a few minutes.
Walked into town, seeing the Shrine again on the way.
Shrine of Remembrance, St Kilda Rd, Melbourne. [State Library
of Victoria PI000447]
We walked around and around town
and finished up at Air Force House for tea. At night we went
to Wesley Church, Lonsdale St., finished up at the Kings Theatre,
paid sixpence, went into the gods and saw a very 2nd rate
vaudeville show. Got home to Curr’s about 1 am
16 September 1940
Mucked around all morning.
Rang up Vera and tracked into Air Force House from Curr’s. Had
lunch at Elizabeth/Collins [Streets] with Vera. Turned out she has
very fat legs and is rather plump, not as good as first impression.
However, had tea at her place in Brighton and went to Shag’s
place for a party with her; arrived back at Air Force House at 2 am.
I am getting sick and tired at all these early mornings I’m
having. Thank goodness dad sent me three pounds today. Also a
letter from Bet and replied to it.
17 September 1940
Went to MacRobertson’s
[chocolate] factory with Phil, Stan and Blue. Saw old Mr Mac
himself but didn’t speak to him. Saw how chocolate was
prepared, how they packed them and many wonderful processes for
honeycomb etc. Rode in a funny little cable tram to the
Aquarium and stayed there till about 10’oclock. Returned to
Air Force House, had lunch and decided to go for a hot swim but felt
too tired and went into a theatrette till four. Had dinner at
the Alexander Hotel to celebrate Ian’s engagement. Went to see
The Mikado. A very nice show. Got home and
absolutely died in bed. Am feeling very tired, feet are aching
and will be glad to catch the boat tomorrow. Leave is no good
in Melbourne unless you have money. The boys are all broke and
are pooling resources for trip. A lot have drawn their pay.
I have lent a few bob to Tich. At 4.30 Ray and I saw
Melbourne from Shell House, a wonderful view - took some photos.
18 September 1940
Walked around Melbourne looked
at the shops etc, and returned to Air Force House, had lunch and
drove down to the boat at 3.30. Trip started at 4.30 and
became rather bad outside the heads, but had to travel in darkness.
Kept bumping into people in the dark. Was funny seeing
people hurtle to the railings [seasick]. Quite a lot were like
it. I felt pretty crook so retired to bed and tried to sleep.
Didn’t get much, through rolling of ship, and one time all the
kitbags fell on me.
19 September 1940
Started “A” Course at Western
Junction.
Woke at 5.30. Had a shave,
breakfast and saw Tasmania dead in front. Ship was rolling
still but we soon made the heads of Tamar River. We started up
this very navigable river at 8.30. This trip is very
beautiful, the scenery is excellent and the river in parts is barely
half a mile wide so that at times the boat was almost touching the
banks. We reached Launceston, 40 miles from the heads at 11
o’clock. Were transported to the Station, nine miles out.
This is perhaps the only flat country for plenty of
planes. [Western Junction is the site of the modern-day
Launceston Airport.] Issued blankets, etc, and settled in.
20 September 1940
Spent all morning in lecture
room. Had Theory of Flight, Navigation, Airmanship and
Parachutes. Then were issued with flying overalls, had dinner
and starting with our flying instructor on the plane. Looked
all over it, practised starting drill, taxed and were taken for a
flip to show the surrounding country, worked the controls by myself
and I think it was OK. Then he gave me a steep bank, I thought
my tummy had dropped overboard. We then landed and had P.T.
[Physical Training] and caught the bus into town, stayed at the Criterion,
mainly to have a bath, and went to the pictures after which went to
a local dance. Launceston is quite small place, situated in a
valley and the views are glorious. Bought some photos of it.
21 September 1940
Got up about 10, had breakfast
and mucked around in the Criterion all morning and went
skating and sightseeing in the afternoon. Saw Museum, “The
Gorge”, etc, got home very tired. Went out at night with Athy
to a dance at Longford.
[“Athy”
refers to Geoff Atherton; later Wing
Commander, Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar. In an apparent
tribute to his long-term friend Harold Roberts, Geoff Atherton’s
planes in the South Pacific were always given the same name that
Harold had chosen for his in Egypt: “Cleopatra”.]
Western Junction "Class 4P". [Neville
Rourke Collection from Geoff Atherton's Photo Album]
Met Nancy Box. She is a
very bright girl and is great fun. Got back into camp at 1
o’clock.
22 September 1940
Got up at 6.15 (too early) had
breakfast and through a big fog had to have lectures all morning;
Airmanship, Administration. Had lunch and started flying.
Practised turns, effect of controls, sideslips etc.
Flying getting better and enjoying it. Getting very used
to it and not getting tummy trouble so much in dives etc.
Finished at 4.30, ate a good tea and interviewed our
instructor after which I had to swot. Sorted out my washing,
it will cost me a fortune to have it washed; can’t do it myself,
through no water.
23 September 1940
Started flying at 7.30.
Between flights had instruction on Rigging and
Instruments. Had 65 mins altogether in flying. Practiced
turns, gliding and effect of controls. Brought plane almost in to
land and had a feel of the craft in taking off. Had a big talk
about gunnery with Pilot Officer Walters, C.G.I. [Chief Gunnery
Instructor].
24 September 1940
Had open-air lectures on
Signals, Rigging, and Engines and had 20 mins on landing and
circuits. Landing not too good. Turns are still
difficult but will come in practise, I hope. In the afternoon
had Drill, Navigation and Theory of Flight. Went down to the
trickle (a little creek) and tried to wash ourselves. Not too
successful. This flying makes you feel very tired.
Haven’t a minute to ourselves all day. Going all the
time, and not much at night because of swot.
Western Junction, Tasmania.
Trainees in a classroom at RAAF No. 7 Elementary Flying Training
School. [AWM P00956.011]
25 September 1940 Wednesday
Had Signals, Rigging, Engines
and flying in the morning, I practised very terrible landings and a
little better take-offs with Pilot Officer Carter only correcting
me. Getting turns much better through the sideslip indictor.
A bit bumpy about a thousand feet. Up to today, have
done 4 hours 15 minutes. In the afternoon, had lectures on
Navigation, Medical, and Armaments. Tonight I managed to write
to dad and copy out all my notes. Am flying all day tomorrow
so will go to bed early.
26 September 1940 Thursday
Flew in the morning.
Landings terrible but take-offs getting better. Had lectures
in afternoon. Went into town for a bath in the night and had a
few drinks.
27 September 1940 Friday
Flew all day, interspersed with
lectures. Had a couple of good landings so am filled with
confidence. Hope for solo soon, a couple went up for tests.
Athy went up first solo on his birthday, today.
He is 21.
28 September 1940 Saturday
Flew in morning, landings still
bonkers. Had lectures in afternoon and caught 5.45 bus to
town, booked in at Launceston Hotel and went up to Nancy and
waited for Athy, when we all went around in the car; ended up at
Perth at the dance. Got home at 4 o’clock.
29 September 1940 Sunday
Got up at 9 o’clock, had a
hurried breakfast (porridge, fish steak and eggs and toast) and met
Nance outside in her car. Went up to her place and stayed the
day with her. Her home in a glorious position overlooking the
city. It takes a long time walking up the hills, though; when
I first tried to find it in the dark I walked miles around the
blocks. Reported back to camp at 10.30 pm.
30 September 1940
Weather rotten and windy.
Did not fly and had lectures on Rigging, Engines etc.
Noticed snow on Ben Lomond [a high mountain to the east].
After dinner had further lectures and went for a run instead
of P.T. Had another talk to P/O [Pilot Officer] Carter (Errol
Flynn). He’s a wonderful joker.
1 October 1940 Tuesday
Had lectures and flying in the
morning; landings getting better. In the afternoon had spins
and did a slow roll. Nearly fell out. Then did one good
landing followed by a few rotten ones. Did a ground-loop
taxiing out [360-degree inadvertent skid] and created a situation.
2 October 1940 Wednesday
Flew all day and had lectures
between. Still can’t get landings and am getting very worried
about solo [flight qualification]. My time is getting rapidly
shorter and they have already chucked two men out. At night
went into town for a bath and brush up.
3 October 1940 Thursday
Flew in the morning and did a
better job of flying. P/O Carter said I’m getting better.
Up to date have had 12 hours 55 minutes dual - too much
altogether. Had a Theory of Flight test - very simple.
Tried to swot tonight. P /O Carter went off about my log
book. Am feeling very down in the dumps, with several chaps
going out (can’t make the grade) I am very worried about my solo.
Can’t get much out of instructor at all which makes me feel
worse. Ah well, it’s a sad life. I brightened up a bit
when I got a letter from Sis and Dad and also got paid.
4 October 1940 Friday
Flying scrubbed [cancelled]
through wind in the afternoon, but in the morning I was recommended
for solo. Am having test first opportunity. Have got
landings much better now; feeling very confident. Friday night
went into Launceston, seven booked into the Criterion.
Had dinner and went up to Nancy’s. Athy and Biddy, Bob,
Peggy, Nancy and I went out to St Leonards and proprietor burned our
pies and toast for supper. Got home at 3 o’clock after
climbing through window to get into Criterion.
5 October 1940 Saturday
Met Nance and spent all day with
her at her sister’s place. Athy, Biddy and Bob came up and we
mucked around. Wrestled, etc. Had tea at Nancy’s and she
came into town to see me off to Western Junction.
6 October 1940 Sunday
Had lectures all day, as too
windy for flying, worse luck. Am going to have test tomorrow,
I hope. Wrote a letter to dad and fixed up my washing for
laundry and went to bed.
7 October 1940 Monday
Had lectures all morning and
should have had solo test but C.F.I. [Chief Flying Instructor] put
it off till the afternoon. Waited impatiently for the
afternoon and eventually got to plane. Solo test - took off
and did a circuit and landed well. Next circuit did a rotten
landing. C.F.I. took over, did a quick circuit and landed on
tarmac. Then I went solo. Landed very badly first turn, but next one
was perfect – flat. Ended the day’s flying. Am dying for
tomorrow.
8 October 1940 Tuesday
Flew solo in morning, but wiped
out flying next period, so had lectures all day. Got Theory of
Flight marks and got 36% (putrid). Got a letter from Nancy.
Swotted a bit at night and went to bed early. Flying
four periods tomorrow.
9 October 1940 Wednesday
Flew all day and had a thrill
when Peter Ingoldby ground-looped and smashed his undercarriage -
was most popular boy with ground staff.
[Pilot Officer Peter Ingoldby
was later killed in a flying accident with 22 Squadron on
2.5.1941.]
Went for about two circuits solo
after being with Mr Devine, I didn’t like him, he was telling me off
properly because I wouldn’t land into wind, etc. Wind was very
strong and gusty and rotten for flying; was glad to go up with P/O
Carter again. At night went for bath in Launceston and had a
few beers with Stan who got very drunk - indeed for the first time,
and he was a proper job. Saw Nance and told me she still loved
me.
10 October 1940 Thursday
Went for a whole period solo and
did loops, spins, steep turns etc. and nearly tore wings off.
Had a dogfight with Gordon White and shot him down.
[Gordon “Whitey” White
later flew with 3 Squadron in 1941/42. He is mentioned
extensively in Brian Thompson’s Diary.
Sadly, Gordon was killed in action in New Guinea, flying with 78
Squadron, on 8.8.44.]
K. C. Smith had a very remarkable forced-landing creating a
great sensation. His engine stopped at three thousand feet and
he landed between some trees in a rutty paddock without damage.
Had blind-flying and low-flying in afternoon.
11 October 1940
Friday
Wind sprang up and cut out
flying. Also a very dense fog came across, all but two
machines landed at aerodrome but these two had to make a forced
landing away. Cut out flying for the rest of day. Went
into Launceston on leave and went to St Leonards and drank beer etc.
and went to Corinna and had a barbeque. Nearly fell into river
from cliff. Got home at 4.30 very tired and dopey (Dixie).
12 October 1940 Saturday
Woke to meet Nance and went up
to her place. Had a sleep and went for a swim to The Basin
with the crowd. Had a wonderful time. Returned to camp
at 10.30 very tired.
13 October 1940 Sunday
Flew all day; had blind takeoffs
and blind gliding and turns and low flying. Went solo; did
spins, loops, gliding and climbing turns; very lazy day.
14 October 1940 Monday
Very nice morning for flying and
had two periods. Blind, loops, etc., and went solo and had a
dogfight with Buck and did low flying. It’s great practice -
loops, spins steep turns and a stall turn. Didn’t fly in
afternoon but had lectures. ‘Drip’ was quite jolly and he
cracked a few jokes. Very windy and rainy towards 6 o’clock.
Instructor and Pupil at Western
Junction 1941. Note the “blind flying” hood over the rear
(Pupil’s) cockpit,
and the “air tube” earphones for communication. [State Library of Victoria]
15
October 1940 Tuesday
Wind came up a gale and it
rained. Naturally flying was scrubbed and had lectures and an
exam in Administration. Nothing very unusual happened except
went for a run and have very stiff legs tonight. All the
ground-staff are on the prowl tonight. The Sergeants’ Quarters
are in a terrible condition. Their beds are in the rafters,
clothes tied up in the form of dummies and there will be hell to pay
tomorrow. They had a go at our hut, taking out the bolts from
beds and short sheeting several beds.
16 October 1940 Wednesday
Very windy day; all flying was
scrubbed. Had lectures all day and loafed on it; very
uninteresting day. Went into town for a bath and saw Nance,
Biddy. Introduced Stan to Biddy and Stan was very shy and
gallant. He became very serious about it all too.
17 October 1940
Thursday
Flew all day with a fair wind in
morning, which died away towards end of day. Did landings and
circuits and climbing, gliding steep turns. In afternoon,
practised flick halves, stall turns, steep turns. Last period
flew formation and fought Athy. Saw a machine gliding down and
we both dived down on him on either side. He nearly did a
somersault with fright. It was Jack Ward.
18 October 1940 Friday
Rookies flew in the morning and
we had lectures etc. A lovely day for flying and we had to fly
in the afternoon with a slight wind. Flew solo both times and
practised rolls, loops, flick halves and stall turns. Had a
great time with rolls; I got a fright when I was upside down and a
bolt hit my foot from the rudder gear or somewhere. It didn’t
seem to make much difference though. Every time I slow-rolled,
the engine would nearly cut out and I’d dive to start it again.
I flew to 7000 feet up above clouds and felt very lonely up
there. Went into Launceston on leave; met Nance and went to
see Ninotchka. Got home about 3.30, after meeting
Athy, Bid, Phil and Diane and going to St Leonards.
19 October 1940 Saturday
Woke up very tired. Had
breakfast and shopped till 11 when I met Nance. Had lunch with
her and met Athy and Biddy and went up The Gorge, had a swim and
cooked chops and had a sleep on the rock; a very restful afternoon.
In the morning had a scare when Nance showed the boys a ring -
they all congratulated me. Had to go and have a few whiskies
to think it all over. However it was a lot of torment.
Had tea at Nance’s and went on to the Launceston Hotel.
Had a bath; went home to camp.
20 October 1940 Sunday
A beautiful day, sunny and very
little wind. Junior Course flew in the morning and we flew in
afternoon. P/O Carter tested me on slow rolls and loops.
Had a solo period - still practised slow rolls, stall turns,
flick halves and low flying; had a very lazy day indeed. Wrote
a few letters at night and retired to bed very tired.
21 October 1940 Monday
Had Navigation lectures and
general study in morning and flew most of the afternoon until a big
wind sprang up and scrubbed flying. Practised a few slower
rolls and getting better. Didn’t do flick-halves too well.
Got told by C.G.I. that I’d better get my feel back and get
better marks in final exam to what I’d got in tests. Will have
to settle down and do serious swot.
22 October 1940 Tuesday
Lectures as usual in morning;
had Theory of Flight and Navigation. Flew in afternoon and
continued slow rolls etc., getting them much better. Went up
to 8,500 [feet] above some clouds and over Launceston. Very
cold and saw the Great Lake in the hills which is 4000 feet above
sea level, it is 30 miles long and 20 miles wide.
23 October 1940
Wednesday
Juniors flew in the morning,
weather very gusty and they scrubbed flying for us in the afternoon.
Had very boring lectures instead. Went into Launceston
for a bath, saw Nance who had some cakes for me. They were
devoured wholesale by the boys. Got home and some fun occurred
when boys upended their beds as we walked in.
24 October 1940
Thursday
Beautiful day for flying.
Afternoon - had a work-out with P/O Carter, ‘Shag’ dived down
on us and wanted a dogfight. Mr Carter took his number and
Shag is under arrest. Am going to give evidence tomorrow.
25 October 1940 Friday
Wind sprang up - too furious
gale, about midday. They had one period of flying, scrubbed
it. Wind was so hard that Johnny Allen was landing and when he
stalled to touch down, he stayed suspended in the air for about
thirty seconds. We mucked around in lectures and stood down at
5pm. Got dressed and went into Launceston for bath.
Booked in at hotel and went up to Nance’s for tea. Went
to party at night, where I don’t know, but I finished back at home
at 3.30. Dixie Lee and Johnny Broderick were sick and W/O
[Warrant Officer] Burns made love to Nance. He was very drunk
and passed out after supper.
26 October 1940 Saturday
Woke up at 10 o’clock, bathed
and dressed and went and had morning tea before meeting Goxy.
Met Peter Ingoldby and Pam who took us for a drive in very
small Singer Tourer up to Mount Barrow. The road is rutted
right up to the summit about 4.000 feet up rocky sides.
Mount Barrow Road. [National Library of Australia]
Saw my first snow. Had a
snow fight and took some photos. Very cold, so down we
returned and visited the Brisbane Hotel. Went up to
the Power Station after tea and returned back to camp by 10 o’clock
bus.
27 October 1940 Sunday
Very, very cold and some of the
chaps who went up were almost frozen at the controls. The snow
was a wonderful sight. Up in the hills it was very heavy but
on the drome was a very light shower. It’s like a big mist and
very cold indeed. Tried to swot tonight, but very hard to do
so. The day has been very miserable and cold and I’m very
tired. Am looking forward to the R.A.A.F ball next
Friday; it’s going to be a good show.
28 October 1940 Monday
Good day for flying and had
three periods in the afternoon. In morning, had two hours’
Drill and Command out on the drome which was very nice. First
solo I flew up above the clouds and it was very beautiful.
Flew up through them by instruments and came out on a
beautiful clear world with blue sky and billow of clouds just under
me. It was a grand sight.
Tiger Moths, NO. 7 EFTS,
Western Junction, Tasmania, 1940.
[AWM Photo AC0098]
Had a period dual and went
up last period again solo. Forced landings and aerobatics
occupy most of the flying time but I put in a few circuits here and
there. The Douglas’s [Douglas DC-3 transport aircraft] tail
wheel blew out when taxiing and she started out over an hour late.
29 October 1940 Tuesday
Lovely day - had drill and
lectures in morning; very interesting. Went for a solo flight
and practised aerobatics and forced landings. In third period
flew with W.J.C. blind and flew circuits and did a landing in blind
with him just instructing. He was very, very pleased and
congratulated me heartily. He told
almost every one about it. He’d better not praise me up too
much, or a swelled head I will get.
[Flying
Officer Walter James Carter, Harold’s instructor, finished the war
with the rank of Squadron Leader.]
30 October 1940 Wednesday
The best day we have had here,
beautiful for flying and I went up. Took some photos of Athy
and fought him and practised low-flying together over a swamp.
Spent about 30 minutes at this and enjoyed it. Later
period did all the aerobatics - covered the plane with oil and
experienced first “black-out” [due to excessive centrifugal force],
coming out of a slow roll when diving. Everything became dark
brown; my eyes flicked and eventually cleared up. Practised
forced landing and came home. Nothing else happened of any
interest except boys are discussing forthcoming cross-country.
31 October 1940 Thursday
Pay Day!!!!!! Got paid at
12 o’clock and went back to the classroom for all the afternoon, it
was so bleak; windy, rainy, cloudy - all flying was scrubbed.
Had an Armaments test in afternoon and were discussing
cross-country for Tuesday and a dinner for passing out of here.
Everyone getting excited about tomorrow night’s Ball.
Had a letter from Nance; she has
flu and it’s a toss-up whether she’ll be at the Ball or not.
1 November 1940 Friday
Terrible wind and cold; scrubbed
flying. We were going to have Theory of Flight exam when they
told us we had Leave till 0730 Saturday morning. Boys didn’t
like it very much, but eventually got into town. Saw Nance,
went to pictures in afternoon and went to R.A.A.F. Ball in evening.
Wonderful evening was spent; got back to bed, after being
tossed out by Nancy, at the Launceston Hotel at 3.15.
2 November 1940
Saturday
Got back at 7.30 this morning
very tired, had a bit of breakfast and had lectures in morning and
aeroplane testing on ground. Blew a tremendous gale all day
and our hearts sank into our boots. No flying again; devoted
the day to study in a gloomy classroom. At night broke out of
camp and Peter Ingoldby, Athy, and myself went to see Biddy and
Nance at Evandale, under the shadows let down two tents and had
a grand time, especially when a car turned its lights on us
and we had to lay in the grass for about ten minutes. Had
supper at Geoff Deane’s place and were driven back to camp.
3 November 1940 Sunday
Wind still blowing a gale.
The weather in Tasmania is putrid. Had Theory of Flight
final today and heard all about our cross-country tomorrow.
Hope weather is good for it. Am trying to swot up
Engines.
4 November 1940 Monday
Cancelled cross-country flight,
because of weather. Had Engines exams and flew in afternoon;
had a whole period blind and one solo. Tried to find Nance on
the road to Launceston but no go - couldn’t find her at all.
5 November 1940 Tuesday
First batch went to Hobart for
cross-country. Two had forced-landings and all struck terrible
weather. Snow etc. was met. I went up and chased a train
about 20 feet from it. All people in it waved to
me. Got back and did perfect Precautionary Landing.
6 November 1940 Wednesday
Left at 8.35 for Hobart with
Sgt. MacFarlane; struck very bad weather - nearly flung out of
cockpit several times. Flew on a course through clouds and
rain and bumps for about ½ hour. Visibility ¼ mile only at
times. Eventually landed at Cambridge drome [Hobart], after
finding ourselves over Brighton about 10 miles away. Out of
eleven planes, only four got there. Left at 15.50 in a windy
gale and had perfect trip back; hardly a bump and excellent
visibility. Sgt. Mac is a wonderful chap up top; didn’t
complain, and let me fly her all the way. When we got back had
trouble about E/S.4. [RAAF Form E/S.4; Receipt for Supplies.]
Western Junction Trainees after their first
cross-country flight to Cambridge. [Neville Rourke Collection
from Geoff Atherton's Photo Album]
Note the "Sidcot" flying suits, named after the famous
Australian aviation pioneer (and spy!) Sidney
Cotton.
(Who, amongst many other achievements, developed the RAF's
war-winning high-speed reconnaissance techniques.)
Over RAAF Point Cook, Victoria, 1941. Hawker
Demon aircraft in flight.
[AWM P00956.018]
Didn’t go up but got issued with
goggles and earphones. Had lectures in afternoon and a
swim. Very hot day and had a C.O. [Commanding Officer] Parade
in the morning. Big affair.
20 November 1940
Wednesday
Flew in afternoon and had
lectures on Navigation, Armaments in morning. Demons very hard
to fly at first, and noticed greater speed in than Tigers [Tiger
Moth trainers]. They’re rather hard to land and all the
instruments get me bottled up.
21 November 1940 Thursday
Wish it were payday because am
very broke. Had a flip and went solo in it. Circuits and
bumps. Lectures. Nothing else much happened. Have
noticed ground-staff are a rough crowd and no comparison to Western
Junction. Flying organization is up to…….
22 November 1940 Friday
Had lecture and weather was
terrible, but flew for 20 minutes low flying with Sgt Barker.
All boys went on leave, except 11 of us who stayed behind and
prepared for a good bludge.
23 November 1940 Saturday
Dad’s and Sissy’s birthday.
Sent them a telegram but had no money to buy presents until
next payday. Stayed in bed all day and read and slept.
Rained all day; tried to get my washing dry.
24 November 1940 Sunday
Flew in afternoon, in rotten
weather. Went to Werribee and did circuits, landing solo.
Mucked around with lectures in morning. Went to pictures at
night. Wrote to Bet.
25 November 1940 Monday
Flew with P/O Clark over at
Werribee doing circuits and landings - powered approaches. He
is very quiet and casual about everything and very Pommy the way he
talks. Demons are getting better now and are quite good to
handle. They turn comfortably. They climb like goodness.
Had Navigation and Armaments lectures. New Armaments lecturer
is an English Sergeant and his views of Australia and R.A.A.F. are
not nice. We had quite an argument about it.
Nothing much happens here and I
am reserving writing in this [diary] until something special
happens. There is only the same old flying and lectures, which
not very interesting reading at all. At this stage I am
getting better in the Demons which are great to fly. Wapitis
[Westland Wapiti trainer aircraft] are grand and slow for instrument
flying but not much good for anything else.
--- [Three Months Later] ---
1 March 1941
Here I am, a week to finish at
Point Cook, I have my wings now and we are waiting impatiently for
our postings. There have been several crack-ups in Demons and
Wapitis. One chap was killed several weeks ago while blind
flying in a Wapiti. He collided with another “Wap”.
Three bailed out but poor old F/Lt Robbie injured his spine
while bailing out. One pupil was killed and the “Waps” were
horribly complete wrecks. Johnny Campbell force-landed too and
went on his back, but came out OK.
This is going to be a big
break-up for our old 4P [Training Class] however I’ll remember them
all; so damn fine cobbers. I was recommended in A.T.S.
[Armament Training Station] for Commission and was one of four with
above-average flying results. Our two Instructors in A.T.S.,
F/Lt Buckham and F/O Johnstone, are wonderful chaps and we have some
fun with them. In A.T.S. we’ve done bombing and gunnery which
is great fun but pretty hard. I can’t write too much but
will comment when were leave here. I am looking forward to see
my dear old dad and the girls back in Perth and I can’t get away
quick enough.
--- [Two Months Later] ---
1 May 1941
I am resuming today from when I
left off this work just as I was proceeding on leave to Perth.
The time I spent there could be described as perfect, but I
was glad to get back to some flying again at Laverton [Victoria]
this time. I am doing a conversion on Wirraways [monoplane
trainer aircraft] and in that time, I spent two weeks at Cressy
[Victoria] at bombing and gunnery.
Down there I found I had been
selected to join 3 Squadron overseas if my conversion course
succeeded, which I have now completed, and am waiting for a signal
from Air Board. The results of my bombing and gunnery were not
wonderful, but I think fair enough for Air Board. Now I’m
being watched for my character or something.
The C.O.S., Lt. Charlton, called
me in and gave me a pep talk. Apparently I am “over-
confident” and since then I have heard that mentioned several times
and I’m sick and tired of it. I flew in formation with Pat
Gleeson yesterday and apparently it was too close, so a week’s duty
crew was given to me. I heard they are trying to break down my
confidence a bit, but that will never happen. Although I say
so myself, I have confidence in myself even if I’m not too good, and
confidence in my aircraft and together they give me a pleasant
sensation. I had a forced-landing at Cressy and brought her
down OK.
I was told today that I will go
the same way as a lot of other over-confident pilots: into the dirt.
If ever that happens I will be happy in the knowledge that I
did it in the machine and trade I love, for love it I do and it will
always be my only ambition to be a first class flyer - and if I go
to war, to make a name for myself as an ace.
2 May 1941
Had a party for ‘Baron’ Von
Alwyn last night after a dinner at the mess, drank beer and
champagne until feeling very tired and silly; took Kit home.
Pat Gleeson had a fight and has now a broken nose, thick lip
and black eye. [Pat Gleeson later flew with 77 and 80
Squadrons in Northern Australia and New Guinea.]
Felt very tired and rotten when
I woke up this morning. Got back to Laverton and did
aerobatics for an hour, and dog-fighting this afternoon.
From Harold’s photo album;
Harold at far left (arrowed).
Voyage to the
Middle East:
---
[Two Months Later – in Perth] ---
Did nothing but loaf all day and
am going to bed early tonight for a change. I am at last on
embarkation leave in Perth. I received the signal PZ886 from
Air Board re my posting, after successfully attaining 16% in
air-to-air gunnery at Cressy [percentage hits of rounds fired].
Had a good time there for 10 days, went into local and mucked
around etc. Only reason I’m sorry for leaving Melbourne is
Kit. I love her very much and she does me, we have had some
good times together and I’m very sorry at having to leave her.
If I had the chance I’d take a plunge and get engaged!
Finished at Melbourne with a few
parties etc. and flew over in Ansons [in Avro Anson twin-engined
reconnaissance aircraft, as passengers] with Sgt Graham, Bill
Anderson and Sgt Haffner. Had a good trip across with a bit of
oil pressure trouble. Arrived home and went for a week to
Jacobswell to recuperate. Athy and Whitey and boys are all at
Pearce [RAAF Airbase, Western Australia] and some sessions are bound
to come. Took Joan Pule to Air Force Ball and had good time;
got to bed 5.30.
7 July 1941
On board Queen Elizabeth.
Ready to begin trip but don’t know just when we sail.
Had a dammed hectic time in Perth; was broke most of the time,
had lots of parties, etc. and was a tragedy to walk into the dive at
the Palace Hotel - I know so many people there - all
Observers etc. and got into some horrible sessions. Took out
Pat Coleman, Connie Fisher, Joy McManus, Bet Hogbin to lunch, Babs
Bennett, Freddie Bennett, Sis, Roma Bridges, Laurel Balding.
Kathy McManus became engaged to
Len Moore and we celebrated in great fashion. Last night’s
leave I had with Athy and never drank so much in all my life. Passed
out with Athy in Perth Hotel, woke up at six and went to
camp. Had a shower and shave etc and went to sleep for three
hours. Woke up and still full, so went and said goodbye to
Building Society. Jess very passionately kissed me goodbye,
wish I had another night’s leave. The farewell at 5ED [No.5
Embarkation Depot] was pitiful; women weeping etc, and was a very
watery show. 5ED was a horrible mess when we left; beer
bottles cluttered the place up. “Untidy” was a mild form to
express it.
We boarded the old Zephyr
and were taken out to the Queen Elizabeth, moored next to Queen
Mary and Aquitania - a beautiful target for bombers.
The Queen Lizzy is ‘huge’ - one gets lost every day - but the
workmanship in her is astounding. In the lounge is a piece of
marquetry 30 feet high and same wide depicting some historical
event, the inlaying is perfect hundreds of species of wood have gone
into it. The cabins are beautiful but they have been converted
to take many men, so are fairly crowded. In my cabin are Mal
Watson and myself (Pilots); Bill Diddums and Bob Ingram (Observers);
Ted Wood and Jack Phillips (R.A.F. Voluntary Reserve). We are
pretty crowded but get along very well together.
Am practising regularly on
ukulele. On board we have a lot of Tahitians etc. who are in
the Free French Army. They are wonderful in singing, dancing,
playing ukuleles and guitars. To hear them sing their
traditional songs is beautiful. I am sorry in leaving Perth
from the family point of view, but am dying to see some action,
which I haven’t had since leaving Laverton. I wonder how Kit
is going. I’m still in love with her but it’s such a long time
since I saw her I can hardly imagine her. I hope she feels
still the same about me, although she is 26 and I’m 20, I
don’t think it matters much really, perhaps it’s just as well I got
away when I did though.
The great reason for not wanting
to leave Perth is leaving Athy. I’ve never met a chap that I
adore so much, I’d do anything and everything with him, I’ve the
highest regard a man can have for a pal in him. I would give
anything for him to be with me here, drinking decent beer.
We’ve had great times together, he and I, and I’ll never forget him.
We are expecting any day now to pull out of Fremantle - the
sooner the better, it gets very tiring staying in the same spot all
the time. However we can’t do anything about it. I’ll
leave this resume till later and describe the voyage in detail.
--- [Four Days Later] ---
11 July 1941
At last on the briny, sailing
steadily to our destination wherever that may be. The first
night was a gale, the wind was about 60mph from N.W. and the old
crate bucked a bit, not enough to affect us though. It’s very
stuffy at night in our cramped cabin and I came out with a lovely
cold. Have been doing P.T. [Physical Training] furiously and
playing ukulele until the strings broke and I hadn’t any more to fix
it up. The officers here are very stuffy, especially A.I.F.
[Australian Army]. Haven’t had much to do with them.
Have [command of] a Flight of 16 chaps, but only see them on
parade. Today had two of them on parade, rest on fire patrol
etc.
Two pilots caught throwing
messages out in tins and are under close arrest. Free French
chappies provide interludes with their guitars and uku’s, and are
marvellous musicians. They sing their folk songs and love
songs which are very beautiful.
Had a concert on board last
night. We have some good talent aboard – strongman act,
singing, sketches, conjuring - which filled in two and half hours’
good entertainment. Today we saw a few sharks and a whale
which was a slight diversion. Tonight, after dinner watched
the phosphorous lights in the water [stirred up by ship’s wake].
Wed 16 July 1941
Pulled into Trincomalee, Ceylon
this morning at 6.30, much to our great joy. Beautiful harbour is a
naval depot. Were greeted by some ancient type of aeroplane,
low-flying. Harbour bounded by minefields. Queen Mary
and Queen Elizabeth came inside and Aquitania stayed
outside, refuelling very fast.
The great liners Queen Elizabeth (left) and Queen Mary refuelling in Trincomalee
Harbour, 1941. [AWM
302834.]
Great interest over native
crew on boats alongside. This port looks very pretty with palm
trees and forest right to water’s edge. Lovely swimming, if
only we could get ashore. Getting used to heat now.
Thursday 17 July 1941
Left Trincomalee at 5.30 and ran
into heavy rain. Nothing happening.
Friday 18 July 1941
Celebrated 12 months in
R.A.A.F., had few drinks etc. Sea heavy; nothing doing - no
fun.
Saturday 19 July 1941
Had good party at night.
Air Force chaps put in and bought A.I.F. drinks. Went through
50 gallons of beer; everyone very full, good night. Had a swim
during afternoon.
Sunday 20 July 1941
Slept all day and watched boxing
and wrestling - great show.
Monday 21 July 1941
Nothing but sea. Went
through Gulf of Aden and so into Red Sea. Getting A.R.P. [Air
Raid Precaution] positions and posts ready. Stinking hot -
anything worse? (Bert Sherborne described this as hell - he’s
right.)
Tuesday 22 July
1941
Humidity 94%; can’t think of
anything worse. I don’t like these hot tropics. Cruised
all day up Red Sea. Saw a few sharks and (on the quiet)
looking for bombers. At night, took up A.R.P. positions
11pm-4am and 12.30pm -15.30pm. Have to stand by with hoses and
buckets of sand.
Wednesday 23 July 1941
Still cruising up the Red
Sea. Not really red (not very bright). Several strange
paths of lighter-coloured water stretched right across as far as we
could see. A.R.P. duties at night.
Thursday 24th July
1941
Arrived at a place alongside the
Sinai Peninsula, opposite Mount Sinai - noted for Moses’ ten
commandants. This is a strange-looking, fearful place; desert
stretches for miles to these sheer 8000-foot mountains. These
are bare rock and no vegetation what so ever. Sharks galore
around ship. Chaps caught a few. A.R.P.
as usual.
Friday 25 July 1941
Rumours flying fast and thick -
still anchored here. Queen Mary has gone - and rumoured she
had an air attack at Genefa. A troop ship has been bombed at
Port Tufik not far from here. [MV Georgic - a huge
liner, was bombed on 14 July 1941 but was later repaired and
refloated.] Nothing else happening.
--- [One Month Later] ---
I am writing this in the Windsor
Hotel in Haifa [Palestine]. We at last continued our way
up to Port Tufik [Egypt] and disembarked into lighters which took us
to the docks.
Very bloody hot; got onto trucks
and were driven through Tufik and Suez to the Middle East Pool
[Depot Camp] outside Genefa. On way, saw bombed Georgic
on shore. She looks very battered and a complete write-off.
Middle East Pool [Camp] very large, dusty and hot alongside an
assembly aerodrome. Had no idea desert was like this -
interior miles of sand dunes. Passed a Wellington squadron
[twin-engined bomber aircraft] and Egyptian Gladiator squadron
[obsolete biplane fighter aircraft].
Went into Ismailia for leave and
eyes were opened. Dirty; chaps selling [sheep] heads etc. and
would rob you as sure as eggs. Saw about five fights between
Gippoes [slang: Egyptians]. Brought several things.
Women try to tell fortune and then sell you bangles on ankles
and arms for enormous prices. Stayed at Oassia’s Home
and went to French Club. Dim lights, dancing, music
and drinking. Lots of French lassies. Took taxi back for
200 piastre and taxi man, an Indian, loved honking horn. Every
hundred yards, would honk whether anyone there or not. Gippoes
are a dirty crowd and men wear funny hats and long flowing dress,
and may be bare footed. Love quarrelling. Women long
black dress and wonderful carriage; carry large loads on their
heads. They do all the work - husband just watches. They
ride round on little donkeys on which they pile enormous loads.
Funny to watch - donkeys pulling along streets completely
covered with huge loads. Also ride camels, plough with
oxen on side of Canal.
[Suez] Canal is wonderful
affair, running between little lakes. Came back from leave and
spent all day in Middle East Pool [transit camp] getting ready to
leave. Got a camp kit and waited till 5 o’clock when we pushed
off to the station. Got on the train in a 1st Class
carriage with luggage piled up around us.
Train trip to Ismailia
uneventful, except sights we saw on the way. Gippoes
hitch-hiked all the way on the train; along the roof, on the side
and underneath. We passed all their camps at their meal time
and they were all sitting around chewing at their melon and stuff.
Gippoes have no qualms about where they relieve themselves;
anywhere the urge gets them.
Changed at Ismailia for train to
the East. Got stuck on station here waiting for someone to
take the rations across; eventually grabbed a wog and located boys
in train waiting to go. Caught it just in time; rotten wogs
tried to thieve our tea. In carriage with an English Major, a
Polish Nurse, two Polish Officers and a woman from Cyprus.
Major brought out a bottle of whisky and we both got full.
I forgot myself properly.
Next day pulled into Haifa
[Palestine] where we spent two nights and a day. This part of my
leave was most enjoyable. Haifa is the sweetest town I’ve ever
struck. It’s clean, only about 20 years old, thus all the
buildings are modern. Plenty of shops for enjoyment and the
people are quite decent, of course the Arab quarter is dirty, but I
speak mainly of the European quarter. We saw a ship in harbour
that was bombed intentionally by the Jews. It contained
internees and the poor blighters had nowhere to go so the Jews
dynamited her with the loss of enormous numbers and a few Aussies
and English solders. A lot of nice ketches here, about
100-tonners I reckon.
--- [A Few Days Later] ---
We stayed at the Hotel
Windsor - a grand little pub. First night Ken and I went
to casino; invited two dancing girls over for a drink. They
ordered champagne. Had a Spanish dance with one of the girls.
Next night met Greta the little Austrian; very sweet.
Next day caught train for Damascus [Syria]; little dog boxes.
Distance was 140 miles and took 18 hours to do; highest train
in the world. Several times had to roll back and get up speed
again to get up hills. We all got off and walked some of the
time.
Boys kept on making tea from
engine which cracked two super-heater [steam] tubes. Arrived
Damascus at 1am and stayed the night. Had two hours next day
to wander around native bazaar, some beautiful stuff to buy here,
but have to beat them down, damned robbers. Transported by
trucks to 3 Squadron at Rayak. In a valley 3000 feet high,
hemmed in by other mountains 5000 feet high; some are snow-covered.
Weather fine with heat during
day and cold at night. Ken Stratten went for first flip in
Magister [Miles Magister trainer] and had a forced landing, damaging
tail wheel. Waited three weeks for spares and were not allowed to go
off in Tommies [Curtiss Tomahawk fighters]. Saw Beirut, Zahle
and Baalbeck. Ruins of Baalbeck interesting; 3000 years old,
built by Romans. Zahle in valley; plenty of beer gardens -
lousy beer. Nothing much done in three weeks except sleep,
eat, read - except letters; mail service bad indeed.
Rayak, Lebanon. No.3
Squadron ground-crew pick over a crashed Vichy French D520
fighter.
Behind is the Miles Magister trainer used for aircrew
qualification. [Photo:
Harry Clare Collection.]
At last got off in Magister then
Tomahawk. Latter are a glorious kite and plenty of guts.
Magister flying: did airmanship most of the time, got into an
inverted spin from slow roll at 200 mph; dammed awful. Have
done formation and gunnery now.
Shot one camel (confirmed) and
frightened numerous wogs.
[This
is probably the camel incident described in the Introduction.]
Saturday 30 August 1941
Received letter from Sis.
Have met up with Jim. Did two periods’ formation,
shooting-up [low flying] and dog-fight. Allotted crate
[Tomahawk aircraft] AK439, but it has no guts. Have burst
landing wheel tyre, but landed again without damage. Dammed
good job!
Went to see Sam Lees in
hospital. He has had a touch of sand-fly fever.
[Sadly,
Sammy Lees was to be killed in action on 22 November 1941, the same
day that Harold was to be shot down and made a Prisoner of War.]
Had my first deflection shooting
practice on lake near drome. “Shadow shooting” we call it.
[A gunnery-practice technique invented by Australian ace Clive
Caldwell -shooting live ammunition at the shadow of an aircraft as
it manoeuvres.] Had a good go at it and found it fairly easy
with reflector gunsight.
Time to leave Rayak is drawing
near. Found we are going to Sidi Haneish in desert [Egypt].
Had a couple more practice dog-fights and tested my kite,
AK439, for the long flight to Ismailia.
4 September 1941
Rose at 0400, had breakfast and
flew to Ismailia [Egypt]. Clear, going well and flew 500 miles
(approx.) non-stop. Had another breakfast here and flew onto
Amariya where we covered up our kites and hopped into Alexandria.
Stayed at the Le-Roy all the time.
--- [A Few Days Later] ---
Had some experiences in the
Excelsior and Femina [Clubs]. Girls - money
grabbing little hussies. Have come to conclusion there are no
girls like Australians. Saw Stanley Bay, King Farouk’s palace.
Saw first air raids and a few more women. Got so tired
of Alex [Alexandria] we went back to Amariya and ferried kites
[transferred aeroplanes] to Wadi Natrun to have them camouflaged.
Took Ken’s AK378 [Kittyhawk] and force-landed through oil
pressure [failure]. Landed next to a ditch; nothing broken.
Had to bum a ride to Sidi Haneish to get to Squadron, slept
night in the cold hard desert and arrived at 13.LG. [Number 13
Landing Ground] next morning.
13 September 1941
Began practicing pairs/formation
and it was a horrible start.
Combat Operations:
14 September 1941
Six of us on standby. Sam Lees,
Bruce Evans. Dave Burbury, John Jackson, Roy Bothwell and self.
Took off to do patrol of Sidi Barrani [Western Egypt], arrived
there and had to strafe Gambut [Libya]. Dave and Sam were shot
down; Dave prisoner; Sam [Lees] walked 70 miles and got back here.
I shot a Ju88 [German Junkers Ju88 twin-engined bomber].
Since this day, have done only fleet patrols [maritime] and
haven’t seen a thing, so will refrain from commenting.
Am letting this [diary] go, so
will write it as a resume until I get it going again.
--- [Three Weeks Later] ---
Have had bombing over Mersa
Matruh [RAF aerodrome] lately by moonlight. Got 17 new pilots;
Mitchell, Brian
Thompson, G. White are amongst them.
Will continue [this diary] now
by day.
5 October 1941
Tom Trimble, Sam Lees, Sgt.
Wilson and self on standby. Escorted Blenheims [twin-engined
British aircraft] to LG.75 [desert landing ground] and did cover
patrol over it while they picked up passengers and escorted them
back. Did not see any E/A [enemy aircraft], worse luck.
Had a glorious big lunch and slept all afternoon - smelling of
onions which I ate for lunch. Had a bombing scare at night;
Ju88 flew over drome, perhaps a recon kite [reconnaissance
plane].
Libyan-Egyptian Border Area Map
6 October 1941
Took off at 0600, flew to
Barrani and then did offensive patrol over Tobruk area while recon
kite went in and photographed. Nothing seen; nursed sick
engine all way and nearly forced-landed in evening. Nearly
passed out after accidentally switched off oxygen. Flew at
22,000 feet. No.2 SAAF [South African fighter squadron] jumped
by ten 109F’s [German Messerschmitt 109-F model fighters, a new and
potent enemy aircraft] and shot down two E/A to their two.
Received six letters; one from Kit with photos. Going to
bed early to write letters. No [German] raid.
7 October 1941 (Tuesday or
Monday - don’t know which).
Rose 5.30 and took off at 7.30
to provide cover for bombers over Gambut. Flew at 20,000 ft.
and saw four unidentified a/c [aircraft] going like hell for German
Territory. Apparently 109s - did not give chase over Gambut - 10min
while they bombed. Met no A.A. fire [anti-aircraft].
Returned home. Very enjoyable patrol. Did nothing
further all day except test Cleo [Harold’s Tomahawk, “Cleopatra”].
One cannon had a solenoid changed, and a change of plugs
[engine spark-plugs]. Shot-up [flew low over] the drome.
From Harold’s Photo Album
All boys are going over to 451
Squadron, so will write letters here.
8 October 1941
Jerry [the Germans] dropped bomb
somewhere around here at 0400 and dammed Wathy and Tom came in very
drunk. Great commotion. Tom insisted that I wanted to
relieve myself and pinched my pillow. There’re suffering this
morning. Muck around and had photograph taken in Sweetpea [one
of the Squadron Tomahawks] by Dept. Inf. Photographer [Department of
Information].
October 1941. Photographer George Silk gets down
in the dust to make Harold look very imposing! [AWM Photo 010163]
Terrific sandstorm all day and
the boys that took off in morning to land at Barrani returned.
Otherwise no flying. John Jackson posted back to Aussie,
lucky guy.
[John
Jackson went on to lead 75 Squadron during their most dangerous
days of service in Papua, defending Port Moresby. He was
killed in action on 28.4.1942. The modern-day Port Moresby
Airport is named “Jackson Field” after him.]
Turning it on in the mess for
the boys. Weather beginning to get very cold.
Going to bed early.
9 October 1941 Thursday
Up at 5.30 and escorted recon.
kite over Sidi Omar etc. at 20,000 feet. Heavy cloud and no
damned e/a. My opinion is that there aren’t any Germans here.
Very disgusted; nothing exciting to report. Painted
“Cleo” on kite.
10 October 1941 Friday
Rose again at 5.30; had
breakfast and went out on a high cover for Tac. Recon.
[Tactical Reconnaissance.] Sweet F. A. [nothing] to
shoot at. Dust storm all day. Went for a swim in the
afternoon.
11 October 1941
Did a fleet patrol over Sollum
Bay; three 109s attacked us and shot at Tiny Cameron, luckily
missing him. They did not stop to fight. Coming back did
formation over our drome for photographer.
Western Desert, North Africa. c.
1941. A formation of four Tomahawk
fighter aircraft of No 3 Squadron RAAF. [AWM
Photo 010891, by George Silk.]
12 October 1941 Sunday
Took off at 7.30 to do cover
over Fort Sheferzen [in the front line]. At 0900 six 109Fs
attacked us from astern and high. I steep-turned and my
elevators were shot away and a shell burst in my port wing. I
pulled her out of the dive somehow and landed her on the wheels,
taxied four miles to H.Q. of a South African unit and journeyed over
the country, had prisoners, made one carry my chute.
Eventually got back to my crate with my [ground] crew.
Took tail-unit off Frank Parker’s 112 Squadron
kite, fixed it on mine and flew it back. Spent two nights in
desert and got back to base on 14th.
A Newspaper Clipping from
Harold’s Collection
[Author Russell Brown concludes in "Desert
Warriors" (p36) that Harold's first shooting-down on the 12th of
October was probably at the hands of the famous German ace Hans-Joachim Marseille.
Marseille claimed Harold as a "kill" - so Harold had a lucky escape!]
(15 October 1941---27 October
1941)
After my adventure I managed to
scrounge a spot of leave for a week. I travelled with Eric
Lane to Alex. After flying my dud kite to Maaten Bagush [No.53
Repair and Salvage Unit] not Fuka - she was a sick as the devil -
then got into Alex and thumbed a ride into Cairo. Spent two
days here, saw Museum of Hygiene, several cinemas, the wax works and
little Katy and Daisy from Alex. Eric went to Suez. Then
we bottle rides to Ismailia trying to find Ken Stratten but “no
findy”.
[Harold’s friend Ken Stratten
had been seriously injured in a landing accident and subsequent
fire, on 21 September 1941. Corporal "Dick" Whittington of
the 3 Squadron ground crew was awarded the British Empire Medal
for bravery after he soaked himself in fire-fighting foam and
rescued the unconscious F/O Stratten.]
Spent the night at the drome and
had a raid warning; no bombs dropped. Caught the train to Alex
and found we’d just passed Ken’s hospital and were very shirty about
it. On the train, Eric and I met two nurses just out from
England and travelled with them to Alex. I liked the little
Scottish nurse, Nancy Stewart, and made a date for the next night in
Alex. The next day we ran short of money, I took Nancy out had
a good time(!) and couldn’t pay my bill for [Le Roy] hotel.
So they trusted us and will wait for it. Madam Le Roy
presented the mess with a claim. We returned by plane to base
and that same day I went on a scramble with Roy Bothwell with a
dammed cold and injured one of my sinuses, so am U/S [unserviceable]
for a while.
[Flying Officer Roy Bothwell
was killed in action on 25 November 1941.]
26 October 1941
Relieved Eric Lane as Ops
[Operations] Officer while he went on a fleet patrol with the boys.
They saw nothing and returned home to base.
[Eric
Lane was killed in action on 22 November 1941, the same day that
Harold was shot down and captured.]
All the boys are practising
tactical formation latterly. The C.O. has invented it.
Too sixes and sevens [disorganised] to be successful.
Squadrons are continually arriving round here; No.30 night
fighters (Hurry 1’s) [Hawker Hurricane Mk I single-seat
fighters] are here on the drome now and others coming up.
I think Jerry is going to get a kick in the pants this time.
Changes in Squadron routine have
been made lately. One thing is the introduction of the
“Pilots’ Mess” instead of Sergeants and Officers separately.
Operations are dealt out equally to the squadrons
now and we haven’t had a great deal of work to do. Christmas
is coming and the boys are all sending home cards. We have had
a special card for the Squadron made, which is quite good. The
last couple of days we have been hard at it censoring, etc.
I’m gradually picking up my mail some time when energetic.
I’ll write a story about the Squadron, but that’s when I’m
energetic.
Boys practised formation in a
Wing. It was a horrible show, more a dog fight than aught
else.
27 October 1941
Cold a lot better. Doc
said I could fly again thank goodness. No flying all day.
Write a few letters. WA Sportsmen’s Committee of Perth
donated to us tobacco and [cigarette] papers of Michailides Ltd.
In one leaf of papers, Elva Lee of Michailides had written her
name, so just for fun will write to her.
28 October 1941
Censored letters in morning,
practised new formation in afternoon. Formation looks terrible
but I think will be used successfully, went over to 112 [Squadron]
mess at night and had a few drinks with Ken Sands etc, they are just
back from a few days at [Landing Ground] 110.
29 October 1941
Got woken up at 4.45, had
breakfast and took off at first light for LG.110; refuelled.
With 250 Squadron and 238 [RAF Hurricane Squadron] above us we
escorted two “Tac-R” [Tactical Reconnaissance] Hurricanes over
Gambut. Put on our new formation, which came out successfully
when several 109s tried to attack us but they couldn’t. One
Jerry flew along with us for a while and when he saw us turn for him
he went like a bat out of hell for earth, all three squadrons after
him. We gave up the chase after a while. One Tac-R lost
and two of 250 Squadron. 250 got two 109s. Landed back
at base and a dust storm came up which lasted all afternoon and last
night. Everything covered in fine filthy dust.
30 October 1941
Still dusty. All day the
lousy dust has been blowing. It lifted enough to [flight] test
Cleopatra. The rest of the day I just loafed and wrote a few
letters. Received a letter from old
Athy. The old blighter shot up [flew low over] Yanchep and a
W/C [Wing Commander] put him on charge. Whether he gets out of
it or not is not certain. I hope to goodness he does; if he
stays in, there is a chance of his coming over here, a thing which I
would love. To fly with old Athy again would be great.
31 October 1941
Still blowing dust but thinning
down a lot, our tent is in a hell of a miss, a coating of filth
½-inch thick is over everything, all last night I was sucking it
into my lungs. The boys practised a spot of formation and I
went for a swim with George Silk, Dept of Inform Photographer.
1 November 1941
Rose at 4.45 and stand-by till
0830. Went for a swim and did another stand-by at 12.30-14.30
and again from 16.30. Tom Trimble and Rex Wilson had a
scramble over Matruh but saw nothing. All the boys from the
South Africans and 250 Squadron are coming over tonight for a party,
so am going to bed early. At half past three this morning,
Watty, Tiny and Scotty came over to the tent and got stuck into some
eats and made a horrible mess in the tent. The
party seems to be going very well.
2 November 1941
Rose at 7.45 and Watty isn’t a
very happy man. Still in bed and he’s not the only one there
at the moment. Barney Terry is still full; he apparently was a
very good host last night. If anyone wouldn’t have a drink, he
told them to go home.
[Barney Terry was the Adjutant
of 3 Squadron until he joined 239 Wing H.Q. on 18.4.42. He
was killed on 16 November 42 when his jeep ran over a mine near Tmimi.]
Several of our cars were hidden
by visitors and it took several hours to find them this morning.
The Fleet Air Arm chaps [naval pilots] ran into a tank trap on
the way over and bent the car a bit; several were injured.
Flew with John Manford [later
Wing Commander, DFC] as target A/C over the sea for a time and then
in the desert. Saw two crashed Wellingtons, apparently been
there for some time. Cleo not what she was; engine oil
pressure giving trouble. She’s due for a 180-hourly
[maintenance], so sooner she goes in the better. The night
fighters’ squadron, No.30, has taken up positions here and in two
nights they smashed up as many of their kites - and one of them ran
into Sam Lee’s crate and ripped a wing off. The Huns have been
over at night lately and dropped their eggs [bombs] over at Fuka and
Bagush; none here lately thank goodness. Moon is at its
fullest now so we won’t be surprised if they drop eggs here.
3 November 1941
Six of us escorted two Blenheims
carrying Air Marshall Tedder and A.O.C. [Air Officer Commanding
Middle East] from LG.75 to Matruh. Went and did
shadow-shooting in the afternoon with Rex Wilson.
[Rex
Wilson, a Sergeant-pilot and 3 Squadron ace, was killed in action on
9.12.1941. Rex was awarded a posthumous Distinguished Flying
Medal.]
Also did half an hour’s
low-flying and shooting-up. At night went over to 112 Squadron
for a few beers. As all of us came, the F.A.A. [Fleet Air Arm]
landed here in a dense fog and spent the night here.
4 November 1941
Spent all day waiting for
Douglas [DC-3 transport] to pick us up, fly us in to some place
where we were to pick up kites and ferry them back. Douglas
didn’t arrive, so loafed all day.
5 November 1941
Guy Fawkes Day. Went over
to 229 Squadron and Douglas arrived, only to find it overbooked, and
two of us had to return to base. Went for a swim and had a few
beers in the mess; no Jerries over and slept well.
6 November 1941
Did nothing in the morning and
went for a swim in the afternoon and flew Cleo afterwards. The
oil pressure is cactus, so is poor old Cleo. She’s had her day
and is dying for a rest. She’s going for a 180-hourly and
perhaps an engine change. Am getting another kite, I think
I’ll call her “Cleo II”. Although
old Cleo is done, she’s been a damn good kite to me and it’s
marvellous how a chap gets attached to his kite. Oh well,
we’ll see how Cleo II takes it. Old Cleo went through the
Gambut show and was my first kite. Here’s luck and a toast to
her.
7 November 1941
Was in a crowd to do stand-by at
L.G., but my kite wouldn’t start, so stayed behind. Went up as
attacking A/C to a formation and had a swim in the afternoon.
Nothing unusual happened. Oh, a 30 Squadron Hurry
smashed-up again on the drome, pilot unhurt.
8 November 1941
Dust storm all day and no
flying. Took over Cleo II, AN373, and she seems good.
Went for a swim in afternoon. Went over to 250 Squadron
for a party with Barney and John Manford. Great show.
Jerries bombed Matruh and Fuka. Parachute flare dropped
near our base drome.
9 November 1941
Flew Cleo II in practise
formation; dogfight with two Hurries [Hawker Hurricane
fighters]. Blenheim [twin-engined bomber] force-landed near us
with full bomb load and fire. Crew landed OK.
10 November 1941---14
November 1941
Nothing worth writing up.
Big Push coming off soon [“Operation Crusader”]. Lot of
ground crew up at LG.110 now. Roy Bothwell and a couple of us
went up there by ambulance [DH82 biplane air ambulance]. Saw
Squadron Leader Pete Heath’s grave [3 Squadron’s first combat
fatality in 1940] and the boys later flew up the crates to here.
15 November 1941
112 and 3 Squadron escorted Tac
Rs [Tactical Reconaissance flights] over Gambut and Bardia. No
E/A seen but some A/A [anti-aircraft] over Bardia.
16 November 1941 - 20
November 1941
This period was spent at LG.110,
from where we had a few patrols, all in large numbers, but there was
no aerial opposition. One patrol, where we escorted Blenheims
and Hurricanes over an L.G. east of Gambut - the bombers dropped
their eggs and the Hurricanes went through and strafed some A/C on
the ground. We stooged around up top under some cloud and the
Wing Commander and I went down and looked at a 110 on the ground
which had force-landed [Me110 twin-engined German fighter].
The next day we did a Wing sweep with 112 Squadron, but saw
nil. On the way back we ran into a heavy dust storm over our
LG and the boys landed everywhere with no causalities. I
landed at LG.111 amid a lot of dust and taxied across to LG.110.
Later I found I had shot my prop [propeller] and was very
short of juice into the bargain.
On the 20th some of
us came into 122.LG by railway. We had 60 miles to go, rose at
0500 and arrived here at 1600 hrs. The dammed railways are
terrible. They stop every ½ hour and muck around for hours.
When we stopped for lunch a Tommy [Tomahawk] crash-landed
alongside us; it was ‘Slinger’ Nitschke and he had been in a scrap
with Ju87s and 109s. His hydraulic gear was shot away.
He apparently shot two Ju87 and a 109.
[Pilot
Officer R. H. Nitschke was an Australian ace, flying with 250
Squadron RAF. He was killed in action on 21.12.1941.]
When we arrived here at LG.122,
we found we’d missed some fun. Altogether our squadron had
shot down four crates. Frank Fisher had got one 109 when he
returned from a patrol with an oil throwback [engine problem].
He was coming in to land when he tackled eight 109s strafing 451
Squadron. He got shot down, crash-landed; got out and the
Jerry shot his crate on the ground. Frank received many
splinters of shrapnel in his leg and shoulder.
[Frank
Fischer, later rising to the rank of Squadron Leader, was awarded
the Distinguished Flying Cross for this action. Despite his
windscreen being covered with oil, he had managed to shoot down one
of the attacking Messerschmitts.]
Altogether the “Push” is going
well; patrols have been doing a good job and the new Beaufighters
[Bristol Beaufighter twin-engined long-range fighters] have 20 Huns
to their credit [German aircraft destroyed] when they strafed a
drome this morning.
Buzz our pet monkey is very
frisky and is jumping around our tent and crawling in with everyone;
into their beds and snuggling down.
Little "Buzz" the Monkey
[AWM 010911 - It seems
possible that Harold modelled for this photo, taken by George Silk.]
21 November 1941
“B” Flight did patrol over
Armoured Division in morning and I was 13th man, so
didn’t go off. At 4 o’clock, “C” flight on the job; on patrol
over area N.W. of Sidi Omar. No e/a sighted but witnessed tank
battle and shelling of Armoured Division. Cloud very low.
Area is very wet and boggy while dozens of tanks and lorries
are bogged. No.2 [Squadron] S.A.A.F. got two G50s [Italian
Fiat G50 fighters] - one of the Africans rammed one and damaged his
wingtip, but landed OK.
--- [End of the Diary] ---
At
the End
The sudden ending to Harold's Diary was because he
was shot down on 22 November 1941 and taken prisoner by the
Italians. He spent the next three and a half years in
captivity. - But that’s another
story!
…Danny
Roberts.
Newspaper Clipping from Harold's album
Editor’s Note - Hal Roberts' P.O.W.
Days:
The 22nd of
November 1941 was a 'black day' for 3 Squadron, with a total of nine
pilots (nearly half of the Squadron's strength) failing to return
from the two intense fighter combat operations on that day.
Even more tragically, five of these men died in action.
Author Russell
Brown, on p47 of his excellent book "Desert Warriors",
reports the contents of Harold's Prisoner-of-War Debriefing file,
regarding his final flight of 22 November 1941:
During the
dogfight, FO Roberts' aircraft was holed in the oil tank by six
bullets, his windscreen was shattered, and he was struck in the
head by a piece of the canopy. Unconscious for some seconds, he
recovered to force-land successfully on the undercarriage.
He left the aircraft intact as per orders and started walking
back, but was captured after 15 miles.
For further
details of Harold's captivity, see the diary of
Fred Eggleston,
which contains several interesting descriptions
of the later POW exploits of Hal Roberts,
(or “Robbie”, as Fred called him). Fred and Hal
became close friends in Tahuna POW camp in Libya, before being
transported by cargo ship across the Mediterranean to Italy.
Together they were moved through several POW camps in Italy.
After
the Italian surrender in September 1943, the Germans seized them
and placed them onto a train bound for Germany. Both men
escaped from the train. Fred made his way across the Swiss
Alps to freedom, but “Robbie” was recaptured. As Fred then describes,
“Robbie finished up in Germany,
in the infamous Stalag Luft III and, towards the end
of the war, had an unpleasant time fleeing across the country,
with a lot of frightened German guards, ahead of the Russian
juggernaut.”
Sulmona POW Camp, Italy
“Robbie” Roberts, second from left in back row.
Fred Eggleston, third from right in back row.
(AWM photo P00631.006)
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