“75^th Anniversary - ALAMEIN”

Monday 23rd October, 2017.

At the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.

"GUN FLASHES" - EL ALAMEIN, NORTH AFRICA.  1942-10-23.  THE 2ND BATTLE OF ALAMEIN BEGAN AT 2140 HOURS
WITH THE HEAVIEST BARRAGE OF ALL THE WESTERN DESERT CAMPAIGNS.  ON A FRONT OF MORE
 THAN SIX MILES, ONE BRITISH GUN EVERY 23 YARDS POURED A TORNADO OF FIRE ON THE DEEP AXIS DEFENCES.  
THE 9TH AUSTRALIAN DIVISION WAS IN THE FOREFRONT OF THE INFANTRY ATTACK WHICH FOLLOWED,
CLEARING AND WIDENING THE SALIENT AND EXPLOITING THE FINAL BREAKTHROUGH, ON THE NIGHT OF 01-02 NOVEMBER 1942.  
THIS PHOTOGRAPH SHOWS THE OPENING BARRAGE.  [AWM 042485]

"THE LAST SURVIVORS GATHER"  - PHOTO ESSAY

Monday 23rd of October 2017 was the 75^th Anniversary exactly of the huge 1942 artillery barrage in the Egyptian Desert that heralded the start of the truly “decisive” Second Battle of Alamein, one of the great turning-points of WW2.  

The Australian War Memorial in Canberra and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs hosted a major commemoration on this date, and we enjoyed perfect weather for it. 

Out of around 20,000 Australians who were involved at Alamein, only 23 Veterans remained fit enough to travel to Canberra for the multi-day programme.  (20 Army bods, mainly from the mighty 9th Division AIF, one Navy rep and only two RAAF: Gus THOMSON and Felix SAINSBURY – both proudly representing 3SQN.)  The Government were generous hosts, springing for accommodation, meals and transport.  

(And - this time - with no obligation to risk one’s life in return!)  

Several 3SQN Association members also viewed this emotional ceremony, which attracted an impressive crowd of VIPs and onlookers.

The 23 Alamein veterans brought in for the ceremony from across Australia by the Veterans Affairs Dept.  Seen here at the National Aboretum, Canberra.

3SQN Alamein veteran Felix Sainsbury speaking with Deputy Chief of Air Force, Gavin Turnbull.

Felix and Gus looking over Anzac Parade, Canberra.

AWM Director Brendan Nelson leads the 'Last Post Ceremony' on this important anniversary.

VIPs, including the Chief of Army, prepare to lay wreaths at the Pool of Reflection.

Poppies clustered on the 3 Squadron WW2 Honour Roll.

A TV interview for Gus Thomson.

3SQN Association Members from across the generations relax after the “El Alamein Last Post” Ceremony. 
(From Left) SQNLDR Tim FERRELL; WW2 Armourer Felix SAINSBURY; Lindsay NAYLOR (3SQN Sabre pilot, also USAF F4 Phantoms Vietnam); Veterans’ Affairs Minister Dan TEHAN; WW2 Armourer Gus THOMSON.
(Hmm, explosive chemicals and loud noises seem to have been good for these Gunnies…);
At right: Mike MATTERS (Sabre pilot in the risky 1958 “Sabre Ferry” mission to Butterworth); and Chaplain Cam CARROLL.  

[Photographers: John Sainsbury and James Oglethorpe.]