THE MOSQUITO AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA

NUMBER 41 The Aussie Mossie DECEMBER 2004

A52-600 will wag her tail again

facilitated by building intermediate A Christmas present came early this year to ‘bulkheads’ to keep her in shape and remove A52-600 — the missing piece that will permit the slight kink in her back. the fuselage to be reconnected to the recon- structed tailplane. The photo shows the three principal workers responsible for the feat of engineering (given Father Christmas and his helpers have that they started with little knowledge of the painstakingly worked over the past months Mossie and have had to build just about eve- on creating the jigs to not only build the miss- rything required in the reconstruction). ing ‘plug’ but also support it in position while

it is intricately joined to the rear of the exist- From the left is Ron Gretton, Brett Clowes ing fuselage. who is in charge of the project for the RAAF Museum and Geoff Matthews. Many years have taken it’s toll on the exist- ing fuselage and part of it’s skin will be Some other photos are inside this publication pealed back to splice the new piece on. The to fully appreciate the work achieved. new piece has highlighted that the existing fuselage is slightly out of shape and will re- Excellent work fellas — Merry Christmas and quire some minor adjustments, this will be Happy New Year to you and all the readers. PAGE 2 NUMBER 41 The President’s Log—by Alan Middleton

breathing a sign of relief.

No doubt you read of the demise of Keith Mil- ler, an Australian cricketer of renown and also a former Pilot on Beaufighters and Mosquitoes in UK. Keith flew with 169 Squadron towards the end of the war, a Squadron operating as Bomber Support and according to his wartime buddy, Gus Glendinning, who now lives in Perth, Keith flew with the same flair for which he was known in his cricketing days.

Gus recalled to me some of Keith’s interesting Restoration of A52-600 continues at the RAAF Mu- activities, but threatened my well being if I seum Pt Cook and I commend Geoff Matthews made them public. I thank Gus for his memo- and Ron Gretton on the way they solve problems ries and respect his request. He also told me as they arise. Each week sees an advance and it he and Keith were the only Australians on 169 is encouraging to see the progress made. and he has never met another Mossie Pilot in WA. Our small band of Members continues to perform various tasks which we hope are of assistance, Perhaps Lyall Bell may be able to track him particularly the computer buffs who spend hours down. compiling a very comprehensive database of the

thousands of bits and pieces which combine to make the whole. We were delighted to receive copies of a small booklet on the RAF career of Sqdn. Ldr.

Robert C. Muir DFC, who flew as a Navigator The AGM was held in August and your outgoing with 605 Sqdn. “County of Warwick”. If any- Committee became your incoming Committee so body would like to borrow this booklet please we must be doing something right. Alternatively , let me know. nobody else is itching to become involved, but we will always be prepared for others to volunteer and would make them welcome. Sqd. Ldr. Muir was interested to learn of the restoration of A52-600 and requested photos of the project which have been sent to him. He is On your behalf I thank your Committee, particularly now 95 years of age and still retains his inter- Bob Stevens, your Secretary etc. without whom we est in the Mossie. would be out of action. In fact, all Committee Mem- bers devote considerable time to Association mat- ters in various ways. Committee Member, Terry Burke has raised the point of historical interest that a Mossie from 87 Sqdn. at Coomalie Creek may have Some time ago Pat Dulhunty, our specialist welder, flown the last operational sortie of the RAAF in had an incident at his workplace which caused him August 1945, being recalled after takeoff as some discomfort , but is now back at work and has peace had been declared. appeared at Pt Cook several times, just to ensure the restoration is progressing as he would like. Our best wishes go to Pat for a complete recovery and Terry is researching this and is contemplating a also to his wife, Carmel, who has been of tremen- return to Coomalie in 2005, 60 years after the dous support to Pat during his time of difficulty. Pat event. has indicated that he will be back welding in the new year and everyone at Point Cook will be (Continued on page 3)

The first owner of the Marlboro Cigarette Company died of lung cancer! THE AUSSIE M OSSIE P AGE 3

Mossie activity at the RAAF Museum

The President’s Log—by Alan Middleton

(Continued from page 2) time. We hope our Association will continue to survive as we believe it is important for the role the Mosquito played during WWII should be pre- One of the aspects of our Pt Cook activities is to served. develop our collection of photos etc. into a catalogued facility . If anybody has material which would be suitable for this and wants to give it a With the festive season and the start of a new good home, please let us know. year upon us, please accept my best wishes for all your endeavours for 2005 and beyond.

We were sorry to hear that the Mosquito Associa- tion of UK has disbanded due to the ravages of Alan Middleton

Most dust particles in your house are made from dead skin. PAGE 4 NUMBER 41

Mossie Data by Brian Fillery

Mosquito B Mk IV. Speed: 385mph (619kph) max 265mph (426kph) cruising Description: Bomber Engines: Merlin 21, 23 Ceiling: 27,000ft (8229m) First flight: September 1941 Max Range: 1,180 miles (km)

Wing Span: 54ft 2ins (16.45m)

Wing Area: 454sq ft (42.2sq m)

Length: 40ft 6ins (12.34m) Height: 15ft 3ins (4.65m) Weapons: Unarmed. Bomb Load: 2,000lb (907kg) Weight: 13,400lbs (6,078kg) empty 21,462lbs (9,734kg) auw Notes: Conversion of PR I airframe. 22,570lbs (10,237kg) max Short nacelles. 9 produced. Re-designated B Mk IV Series prior to Sqdn service. Fuel: 690 gallons (3136 litres)

Oil: 44 gallons (200 litres) NB: Mosquito data from various sources is often contradictory.

Bulletin Items, Historical Information

As mentioned in the “President’s Log” in this ed in receiving any items suitable for publica- Bulletin, the Association through two of it’s tion. Committee members, David Devenish and Why not send in an account of your exploits? Murray Smith are commencing a project to catalogue and preserve historical information If you wish to send items already published through the guidance of the RAAF Museum. please include a full description of the items authenticity, such as publisher, title, edition etc.

Without your input it is difficult to keep produc- If you have any items that you deem to be of ing this Bulletin and the editorial staff of one this nature and wish to send it or bequeath it does not have a great deal of spare time to to the Association, we will ensure it is suitably research or write items. stored for posterity and future research. Hope you can help out on one or both ac- If there is a history to the item(s) please in- counts. clude a written account and a tape recording with it. The editor of this Bulletin is also very interest- Merry Christmas. Ed.

Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning. THE AUSSIE M OSSIE P AGE 5

Strange Signs

In a restroom: Seen during a conference: TOILET OUT OF ORDER... PLEASE USE FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND FLOOR BELOW DOESN'T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE ON THE 1st FLOOR In an office: WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP Notice in a farmer's field: LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES. In another office: AFTER TEA BREAK, STAFF SHOULD EMPTY Message on a leaflet: THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN IF YOU CANNOT READ, THIS LEAFLET WILL ON THE DRAINING BOARD TELL YOU HOW TO GET LESSONS Outside a secondhand shop: On a repair shop door: WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (PLEASE WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR - THE BELL BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A DOESN'T WORK) WONDERFUL BARGAIN? In a London department store: Notice in health food shop window: BARGAIN BASEMENT UPSTAIRS CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS In a Laundromat: Spotted in a safari park: AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES... ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT Bureaucracy never changes

Letter allegedly written by the Duke of Wellington to the British Foreign Office in London from Central , August 1812. Gentlemen, Whilst marching from Portugal to a position which commands the approach to Madrid and the French forces, my officers have been diligently complying with your requests which have been sent by H.M. ship from London to Lisbon and thence by dispatch to our headquarters. We have enumerated our saddles, bridles, tents and tent poles and all manner of sundry items for which His Majesty's Government holds me accountable. I have despatched reports on the character, wit, and spleen of every officer. Each item and every farthing has been accounted for, with two re- grettable exceptions for which I beg your indulgence. Unfortunately the sum of one shilling and ninepence remains unaccounted for in one infantry battal- ion's petty cash and there has been a hideous confusion as to the number of jars of raspberry jam issued to one cavalry regiment during a sandstorm in western Spain. This reprehensible careless- ness may be related to the pressure of circumstance, since we are at war with France, a fact which may come as something of a surprise to you gentlemen in Whitehall. This brings me to my present purpose, which is to request elucidation of my instructions from His Majesty's Goverment so that I may better understand why I am dragging an army over these barren plains. I construe that perforce it must be one of two alternative duties, as given below. I shall pursue either one with the best of my ability, but I cannot do both: 1. To train an army of uniformed British clerks in Spain for the benefit of the accountants and copy- boys in London or perchance, 2. To see to it that the forces of Napoleon are driven out of Spain.

Your most obedient servant.

American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating 1 olive from each salad served in first-class. PAGE 6 NUMBER 41

Daylight Attacker

The following article is an excerpt from ‘Men Behind The Medals’ in the Flypast magazine. Graham Pitchfork details some of the flying exploits of Charles Patterson, who flew the Blenheim and Mosquito on hazardous daylight bombing operations

WITH WAR IMMINENT, 19- Airspeed Oxford R6317 with Fit vert to the type. He flew his first year-old Charles Patterson re- It de Sarigny on August 6,1940. sortie with Flt Lt Derek Rowe turned from his farming studies The young trainee pilots were DFC, a 21-year-old 'veteran', in Ireland to join the RAF as a suddenly introduced to the reali- and soon afterwards formed his pilot. He commenced his train- ty of war on August 16 when two own crew with Sgt Shaddick as ing in November 1939 and was Junkers Ju 88s wrought tremen- navigator and Sgt Griffiths as air soon offered a commission. On dous havoc on the airfield over a gunner. The latter would fly all completion of a basic aircrew period of a few minutes. Two his operational hours with Patter- course at 5 Initial Training Wing hangars full of Oxfords were hit son. After some 70 hours flying, based in a Hastings hotel, he and no less than 46 aircraft were Patterson completed the course, left to commence pilot training destroyed in one of the most was commissioned as a Pilot on DH Tiger Moths at 12 Ele- successful attacks against any Officer and posted with his crew mentary Flying Training School British airfield throughout the to 114 Squadron flying the Blen- at Prestwick. Patterson was war. heim IV at Thornaby on Tees- allocated to a 19-year-old in- After 75 hours of instruction on side. structor, Sergeant Elder, and the Oxford, Patterson was post- By the time Patterson had fin- made his first flight in N9430 on ed to Kinloss to learn to fly the ished his training at the OTU in June 18, 1940, and completed AW Whitley at 19 Operational April 1941, the fear of a German his first solo after ten hours of Training Unit. After a few sorties, invasion had abated but the dual instruction. Barely six it was clear that the Sft 6in threat from the U-boat menace weeks later, he had completed (1.67rn) Patterson was having in the Atlantic was increasing. the elementary course with 46 difficulties with the rudder pedals The aircraft of Coastal Com- hours recorded in his logbook and he was "taken off Whitleys mand needed to be relieved of and an above average assess- due to shortage of stature." This the onerous task of patrolling the ment. pleased him a great deal since North Sea in order to concen- The next stage of training was he had always wanted to fly the trate their operations against the at 2 Flying Training School at , and he was U-boats. Consequently a num- Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, and promptly sent to Upwood, ber of 2 Group Blenheim squad- Charles flew his first sortie in Cambs, and to 17 OTU to con- rons were detached to the Com- mand to take on the patrols over the North Sea. These included 114 Squadron, and Patterson flew his first war sortie, a convoy escort, on April 28,1941, from Thornaby in V5888, an aircraft he would fly throughout his tour on the squadron. Orders were given to the AOC 2 Group, Air Vice Mar- shal Stevenson, to halt the movement of all enemy ship- ping between Brittany and southern Norway 'whatever the cost'. To avoid detection by radar, aircraft had to at- Patterson’s Medals: DSO, DFC, 1939-1945 Star, Aircrew Europe Star with (Continued on page 7) Atlantic clasp, Defence Medal, War Medal

A Boeing 747s wingspan is longer than the Wright brother's first flight. THE AUSSIE M OSSIE P AGE 7

Daylight Attacker—contd

(Continued from page 6) dropping four 5001b GP delay- tack at very low level and make BITTEN BY THE ‘MOSSIE' fused bombs in the face of in- the maximum tactical use of tense light flak. Four days later, cloud. For the next ten months Patter- Patterson flew his second son instructed on the Blenheim "daylight weather reconnais- The North Sea was divided into a conversion Flight of 17 OTU at series of 'beats` and these areas sance sortie requested opera- Upwood before returning to op- tion, a by Air Marshal Harris had to be patrolled constantly by erational flying. After a brief spell groups of aircraft flying in line who intended to mount a large flying Douglas Bostons with 88 raid with his heavy bombers abreast so that any ship sighted Squadron, he transferred to 105 would come under a concentrat- that night. Flying at 25,000ft Squadron the first to be (7,600m) over Germany, the ed attack. The weather had an equipped with the DH Mosquito, impact on tactics and determined route took him to Magdeburg, and commanded by Wg Ceir Rostock, Kiel and Esjberg - a the number of aircraft allocated Hughie Edwards VC DFC. The to a 'beat'. Patterson flew a num- sortie completed in just over superior performance of the four hours and covering 1,200 ber of these patrols off the Nor- Mosquito soon became appar- wegian coast and, on one occa- miles (1,900km), the absolute sion, attacked a ship from 50ft maximum range for (15m) during a patrol from a Mosquito IV. On Leuchars. In mid-June, he was landing, the crew tasked to look for the pocket- were met by Hugh- battleship Lutzow. He was flying ie Edwards who close to the Norwegian coast explained that he nearing the end of his patrol was both delighted when the ship loomed up in the and surprised to twilight directly in front of him. see them back. He quickly turned away to avoid Throughout the being engaged, and to make a afternoon, the RAF sighting report by radio, which listening posts had was passed immediately to the intercepted numer- Bristol Beauforts of 22 and 42 ous German broad- Squadrons which were already casts scrambling airborne from Wick. A 42 Squad- fighters to engage the high-flying Mos- ron aircraft attacked the capital Charles Patterson was promoted to Squadron Leader at the quito - the only ship and scored a torpedo hit age of 21 ! amidships, putting the battleship RAF aircraft over out of action for six months. Germany that clay - ent. Whereas a training naviga- and Patterson and his navigator All anti-shipping operations had tion exercise in a Blenheim was had been given up as lost. proved extremely dangerous in a triangular route round the cen- Throughout the flight, they had the face of the increasingly pow- tre of England, the route in a not seen a single fighter. By erful flak, and the Blenheims were Mosquito was a tiangle around early October the second Mos- gradually withdrawn and returned the British isles - and completed quito squadron - 139 Squadron to 2 Group. Patterson had flown in a similar time. - had become operational and 26 patrols by the time his squad- revised bat-tie orders were is- After just three sorties on the ron flew in formation to West sued for the two Mosquito Mosquito, Patterson and his nav- Raynham, Norfolk, on July 19 to squadrons. Their primary role igator, Sergeant Egan, found re-commence 'Circus' operations was to attack industrial targets themselves f lying DK338 on against targets in northern deep in Germany, not only to their first operation. led by the France. He also found himself destroy factories but also to act legendary crew of Roy Raiston appointed as a Flight Commander as nuisance raids to affect the and Syd Clayton, they took off and promoted to Acting Flight morale of the civilian population. on September 22, 1942, for a Lieutenant just three months after After nighttime raids by the low-level daylight attack against joining the squadron. (Continued on page 8) the coke ovens at ljrnuiden,

Oak trees do not produce acorns until they are fifty years of age or older. PAGE 8 NUMBER 41

Daylight Attacker—contd

(Continued from page 7) ed. On November 20 he took off formation passed Woensdrecht, heavy bomber force, Mosquitos in DK338 to fly the sortie. His Bf 109s rose to intercept and would return the following night. arrival took the Germans by sur- two Mosquitos broke formation The secondary role was the at- prise and they failed to intercept to draw the enemy fighters from tack by small formations against him and he was back at Marharn the rest of the formation leaving specific industries. Patterson with his film two hours later. It Patterson to lead the second flew a number of sorties deep was the beginning of an excep- section. The heroic gamble into Germany but by the middle tional chapter in the remarkable worked and the Mosquitos at- of November, the two squadrons operational career of Charles tacked the northerly target un- found themselves conducting a Patterson. molested. Three miles short of the target they pulled up to

Expecting to see the damage caused by a force of Mosquitos, Patterson approaches the Paim- concentrated beouf petrol refinery on the River Loire. In the event, he was the only one to attack the facility. 1,500ft (450m) to series of low- commence their level exercises. Unknown to the The plan for the Eindhoven at- shallow dive-bombing attack crews, HQ 2 Group was plan- tack was complex. The Bostons, with their delay-fused bombs. ning the most ambitious low- Lockheed Venturas and Mosqui- Immediately after releasing his level daylight operation of the tos of 2 Group had very different bombs and running his camera, war: Operation OYSTER, the performances, yet the aim was Patterson broke to the north at attack against the Philips radio to condense the attack into the treetop height and made his and valve works at Eindhoven. shortest possible time. As a re- way home at low level. To avoid the enemy defences he flew During the training period, Wg sult, the Bostons were selected to lead the attack followed by the north to the Zuider Zee and into Cdr Edwards took Patterson on the North Sea near the island of one side and told him that he Mosquitos with the slow Ventu- ras bringing up the rear. Ninety Viiehors - a tactic he would use had been 'selected' to fly a spe- on many more occasions. cialist reconnaissance task us- medium bombers were assigned ing a cine camera mounted in to the task, with Spitfire and Although the losses were high, the nose of his Mosquito. He Mustang Wings required to pro- the raid was a great success was to fly down the Scheldt es- vide escorts. The raid was and the factory did not return to tuary to the German fighter air- planned to take place early dur- full production for almost six field at Woensdrecht taking films ing the morning of December 6 - months. For his leadership of that would be used to brief the a Sunday was chosen to mini- the Mosquito formation, Hughie crews taking part in the forth- mise casualties amongst the Edwards added a Distinguished coming attack. However, to cre- Dutch work force who would be Service Order to his VC and ate the correct perspective, he at home. DFC. would have to fly at 400ft Hughie Edwards led the 12 Mos- (120m) and this would give the quitos, with Patterson flying at German radars ample warning the rear of the second section. FLYING CAMERA of his approach. In his unarmed The cine-camera had been fitted Shortly after the raid on Eindho- Mosquito he would have to rely in the nose of his aircraft and he ven, Patterson was told that he on surprise and the aircraft's was to film the attack as he would be the RAF Film Unit's speed to avoid being intercept- dropped his 500lb bombs. As the (Continued on page 9)

When the bosses talk about improving productivity, they are never talking about themselves. THE AUSSIE M OSSIE P AGE 9

Daylight Attacker—contd

(Continued from page 8) near Metz. The formation was more, took part with Patterson pilot and he was sent to Hatfield led by one of the RAF’s out- occupying his usual role as Film to select a Mosquito IV to use standing low-level crews, Reggie Unit pilot at the rear. The sortie for all his future sorties. He se- Reynolds and Ted Sismore, with involved almost three hours of lected DZ414, which became 0 Patterson bringing up the rear daylight f tying over Germany, for Orange and he would fly the with his camera-equipped Mos- covering 1,000 miles. rest of his many operations in quito. It was a clear spring day The Mosquitos routed across the aircraft. On February 13, as the Mosquitos flew low over the Zuider Zee and to the east 1943, he took it to Lorient on its the and, after of the Ruhr and they saw plenty first operation following behind clearing the flak batteries on the of evidence of the Darn Busters the main attack force. It was the coast, a long low-level route was attack that had taken place a beginning of a remarkable ca- flown over France to the target, few days earlier. As the aircraft reer for the aircraft which flew dog-legging every few minutes crested a hill near the Eder 24,000 operational miles to confuse the German radar Dam they encountered flak and (38,600km) during the war. Pat- and tracking system. The aircraft there was a huge fireball as two terson flew virtually all the sor- reached the target unscathed Mosquitos collided. The weath- ties in the aircraft amassing and pulled up to 30Oft (90m) to er soon deteriorated and the 20,000 miles (32,000km). It was drop their bombs and for Patter- aircraft split up in cloud. Patter- always armed with four 500lb son to run his camera. Instead of son pressed on according to his bombs and Patterson flew a few turning north- west to re-trace flight plan and descended when minutes behind the main for- their steps, the Mosquitos head- he should have been approach- mation - by which time the ene- ed due north to fly through Lux- ing the target. He broke Some my defences were alerted - embourg, Belgium and Holland of the Mosquitos attacked the dropping his bombs as the cine before exiting at the Zuider Zee primary target in very poor camera recorded the raid. and turning for home. The attack weather and against heavy flak. The low-level raids were some- had been timed for early evening Two more were lost and others times interspersed with high- and much of the route home was damaged, with some crews level nuisance raids and Patter- f lown in darkness. After a four- wounded, including the leader son took DZ414 to Berlin -to hour flight, and over 1,000 miles Wing Cdr Reynolds. It was the disrupt Hitler's birthday party (1,60Okm), all the Mosquitos last raid flown by 105 Squadron celebrations on April 20. At returned safely. before it was transferred to the 20,000ft (6,000m) the aircraft By the end of May 1943 the light Night Striking Force. As the was jolted by a flak burst. On Mosquitos had been operating Film Unit pilot Patterson no return, it was discovered that the for a year, and they rounded off longer had a role so throughout June and No. 105 Squadron Mosquito IV DZ414 '0 for Orange' 'This was Charles Patterson's cine July he camera equipped aircraft in which he flew some 20,000 miles during operational sorties. flew on night nui- sance raids against Berlin, Hamburg and Dossel- dorf tailplane had been hit and just their campaign on the 27th with bombing from 25,000ft one strand of the elevator con- the deepest-ever daylight pene- (7,600m). trol cable remained intact! May tration of Germany, with an at- Although 2 Group had lost its saw the return to low-level oper- tack against the Schott glass Mosquitos it gained a new Air ations and Patterson took part in works and Zeiss optical works at Officer Commanding, the leg- a particularly successful attack Jena near Leipzig. Fourteen air- on the rail yards at Thionville craft, led by Reynolds and Sis- (Continued on page 10)

If at first you don't succeed, try again. Then quit. No use being a damn fool about it. PAGE 10 NUMBER 41

Daylight Attacker—contd

(Continued from page 9) film and returned by a devious before it was transferred to the endary and much revered Air route through Belgium. His films light N ight Striking Force. As Vice Marshal Basil Embry. He showed spectacular cloud in the Film Unit pilot Patterson no was a great advocate of low- very poor visibility and found a longer had a role so throughout level operations and he soon town, which he could not recog- June and Juiy he flew on night arranged for Patterson, and his nise. The town turned out to be nuisance raids against Berlin, O for Orange, to be returned to Weimar and it had a large rail- Hamburg and Dusseldorf bomb- the Group to continue with his way station with two stationary ing from 25,000ft (7,600m). film work. His was the only Mos- goods trains. He turned to attack Although 2 Group had lost its quito in the Group and he was them, and scored direct hits, Mosquitos it gained a new Air attached to Swanton Morley, the when 'ai 1 hel 1 let loose' as he Officer Commanding, the leg- home of two Boston squadrons. encountered intense small cali- endary and much revered Air He was sent for by the AOC and bre flak. He descended even Vice Marshal Basil Embry. He Patterson explained how the lower and flew down valleys until was a great advocate of low- Mosquito could be used, receiv- he broke clear before heading level operations and he soon ing the AOC's agreement that west for the long flight home arranged for Patterson, and his he could plan his own routes through darkening skies and the 0 for Orange, to be returned to and timings. welcoming flashing lights as the the Group to continue with his Patterson flew his first raid un- Dutch people opened and shut film work. His was the only Mos- der the new arrangements on their house doors as a signal of quito in the Group and he was August 16 when he followed 40 friendship. attached to Swanton Morley, Bostons attacking the large steel Some of the Mosquitos attacked the home of two Boston squad- works at Denain in northern the primary target in very poor rons. He was sent for by the France. He arrived 20 minutes weather and against heavy f lak. AOC and Patterson explained after the Bostons, dropped his Two more were lost and others how the Mosquito could be bombs, all with varying time- damaged, with some crews used, receiving the AOC's delay fuses to create maximum wounded, including the leader agreement that he could plan disruption, flew between the Wg Cdr Reynolds. It was the last chimneys as he took his cine ra id f lown by 1 05 Squadron (Continued on page 11)

Published by The de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd., Toronto, 1944

There will always be beer cans rolling on the floor of your car when the boss asks for a ride home from the office. THE AUSSIE M OSSIE P AGE 11

Daylight Attacker—contd

(Continued from page 10) preparing launching sites for ceived a number of telegrams of his own routes and timings. pilotless aircraft -the V-1. In- congratulation but none pleased structions were given to 2 Group him more than the one from his Patterson flew his first raid un- to concentrate on these new old boss, Gp Capt Hughie Ed- der the new arrangements on targets and almost 5,000 sorties wards: 'Well deserved./ am August 16 when he followed 40 were flown during the next six more than pleased.' Bostons attacking the large steel months. Patterson flew his first works at Denain in northern While on leave, his Flight of 487 sortie on December 21. He went Squadron breached the walls of France. He arrived 20 minutes ahead of the main formation, after the Bostons, dropped his Amiens jail, and a colleague which, once again, included Wg flew his 0 for Orange to capture bombs, all with varying time- Cdr Smith, to a site near Dieppe delay fuses to create maximum on film the famous results of but the weather thwarted the this unique raid. Sadly, his Sta- disruption, flew between the Mosquitos. The following day he chimneys as he took his cine tion Commander, Group Cap- set off ahead of the squadron to tain Pickard, who had so recent- film and returned by a devious film a site in the Pas de Calais, route through Belgium. His films ly recommended him for the which he bombed and then re- DSO, failed to return. Patterson showed spectacular damage turned before it was attacked by and were used widely by the returned from leave to find that the rest of the squadron. Two he was to be rested after almost newsreels. More importantly, it days later he was filming a site convinced Basil Embry of the three years of continuous oper- at Pommerval when he saw a ations and he was posted to the value of the cine camera- flak position was engaging the equipped Mosquito, and Patter- staff of 2 Group. However, his main bomber force, and he im- appetite for operations did not son was to spend much of the mediately attacked it, with his rest of his operational career in diminish and he managed to fly bombs putting it out of action. three more. the same role. The AOC also Over the next few weeks Patter- recognised that the Ventura- son attacked another eight rock- After an unofficial sortie, with a equipped squadrons were inca- et sites, often leading the squad- former student, just after D-Day pable of carrying out his low- ron and at other times, taking his in a Mitchell to bomb the Head- level tactics, and they started to Film Unit aircraft. quarters of the German's 21st convert to the Mosquito Vi. As Panzer Division, Patterson flew the most experienced Mosquito During February 1944 Patterson down to Northolt to be re- united pilot in the Group, Patterson was at home when he received a with his O for Orange. On June found himself attached to the telegram informing him that he 10 he flew across the Channel Mosquito Training Flight at had been awarded the Distin- to take film of the first Spitfire Sculthorpe in Norfolk, where he guished Service Order, a rare squadron to land in Normandy, was heavily involved in convert- distinction for a junior officer. before f lying round the battle ing the pilots of 21, 464 (RAAF) Group Captain Pickard, who was area at 500ft. On June 25 he and 487 (RNZAF) Squadrons to his Station Commander, had was tasked to obtain cine film of the Mosquito. written, "I can think of no more Cherbourg just before the deserving case for the award of American Army entered the city. During this training period, Pat- the DSO. Air Vice Marshal Em- terson was tasked with flying on The weather prevented him tak- bry wrote, " Pat- ing film but he returned two two raids, the first mounted by terson has shown outstanding the newly-converted 464 and days later during the final mop- devotion to duty and a complete ping-up operations when he 487 Squadrons on which the disregard for his personal safety AOC took part as Wg Cdr Smith made a number of photographic in his keenness to complete his runs at 300ft (90m). At briefing - he was wanted by the allotted missions successfully. for the murder of a sentry during before the flight he had been He has flown 69 sorties; many of told that there would be no op- his escape after being shot these have been carried out at down over France in May 1940. position so was flying slowly. low level in the face of heavy After his third run he came un- Patterson followed 464 to their opposition. I consider he well target a power station in Britta- der fire from a light flak battery. deserves immediate recognition He opened up to full power and ny. France during late 1943 indi- and the award of the Distin- cated that the Germans were guished Service Order. He re- (Continued on page 14)

Everything can be filed under "miscellaneous." PAGE 12 NUMBER 41

Wal Sant Remembered

This article about member Wal Sant was sent in by his daughter Helen, she has generously taken over his membership.

Dad joined the RAAF in 1940 and served until other fellow returning from Moratai. They were 1946 and was stationed in places as wide rang- flying high and the aircraft iced up. Allan man- ing as Batchelor, Groote Eylant and Cootamun- aged to get it out of the dive it had gone into and dra. they carried on to Coomalie.

He said he never fired a shot in anger, and en- One of the pilots was a bit of a wag, and used to joyed his time in the services and the way he “buzz” the camp. He was always getting into told it, spent more time playing up than actually trouble for it. One day Dad was with him when doing war stuff. he decided to put on a bit of a display and show everyone just what the plane was capable of. Dad said he was never so glad to touch the He told us that one day when he was in the ground after that trip. He marveled at the talent Northern Territory, he was supposed to be act- of our pilots. ing as a lookout because there was an air raid expected. Another story was about one of the 87 Squad- ron Mosquitoes having to ditch on the way back He was told to stay in the trench, but as there from Java. They made it to land in the inflatable had been plenty of false alarms, thought it’d be raft and Dad thought that an aborigine from much more comfortable to stay in the tent where Drysdale Mission found them and led them to there were supplies and a fairly comfortable safety. Apparently they could not radio for as- bunk. As soon as the Tommy Guns started, he sistance before they ditched, because the Mos- made a dive for the trench and found it to be sies only had one generator and that was on the quite comfortable, thank you very much. engine that had failed. (Dad said that Kim Bonython and Ron Langford Dad was in the 87th Mosquito Squadron and would be familiar with this story. ) made the rank of Sergeant. He became a member of the Mosquito Association when it was formed and maintained a strong interest in Dad also told us he was sure that 87 Squadron the projects they undertook. never lost anyone through enemy action.

Dad was proud of his 87 Squadron and the Mos- We had the opportunity of purchasing a copy of quitoes. His war stories were always positive the print “Mission Completed” earlier this year and he had great respect for the airmen in his and Dad loved it. It occupies pride of place over squadron. our fireplace and is a great conversation piece for visitors, especially when they hear the story which goes with it. He told us a story about Allan Davies and an- Only in America

A Charlotte, NC, lawyer purchased a box of very rare and expensive cigars and then insured them against fire among other things.

Within a month having smoked his entire stockpile of these great cigars and without yet having made even his first premium payment on the policy, the lawyer filed a claim against the insurance compa- ny. In his claim, the lawyer stated the cigars were lost "in a series of small fires." The insurance company refused to pay, citing the obvious reason: that the man had consumed the (Continued on page 13)

I love deadlines. I especially like the whooshing sound they make as they go flying by. THE AUSSIE M OSSIE P AGE 13

Only in America — contd Vale

It is with regret that the Association (Continued from page 12) must relay the passing of two of it’s cigars in the normal fashion. The lawyer sued and won! members:

In delivering the ruling, the judge agreed with the insur- DA (Doug) Harris ance company that the claim was frivolous. The Judge of WOY WOY, New South Wales stated, nevertheless, that the lawyer held a policy from the company in which it had warranted that the cigars were WR (Wal) Sant insurable and also guaranteed that it would insure them of BURPENGARY, Queensland against fire, without defining what is considered to be un-

acceptable fire, and was obligated to pay the claim. Rather than endure lengthy and costly appeal process, the insur- Wal’s daughter has provided an article ance company accepted the ruling and paid $15,000 to the which is published in this edition to lawyer for his loss of the rare cigars lost in the "fires." commemorate his RAAF service.

NOW FOR THE BEST PART The Association’s condolences go to Doug and Wal’s loved ones. After the lawyer cashed the check, the insurance company had him arrested on 24 counts of ARSON! With his own insurance claim and testimony from the previous case be- Resignation ing used against him, the lawyer was convicted of inten- tionally burning his insured property and was sentenced to One of our long term member’s Ralph 24 months in jail and a $24,000 fine. Mottram of Hawthorn, Victoria has de- cided to resign for health reasons. This is a true story and was the 1st place winner in the Thanks to Ralph for years of support recent Criminal Lawyers Award Contest. and interest. ONLY IN AMERICA! New Members

You don’t have to get a The Association is pleased to announce and welcome the following people who cold to have a sore nose! have joined as members since the last Bulletin was published:

AD (Doug) Mackay of SEBASTOPOL, Victoria

DJ (Don) Shell of VERMONT, Victoria

D (David) Wilson of MELBOURNE, Victoria

Welcome to all, we hope you all have a long, enjoyable association and take an active interest in the restoration of A52- 600.

Pilot after landing: "Thank you for flying Delta Business Express. We hope you enjoyed giving us the business as much as we enjoyed taking you for a ride." PAGE 14 NUMBER 41

Daylight Attacker Aarhus Mosquitos

(Continued from page 11) headed out to sea and back to Hunsdon where he landed after a two-hour flight thus ending his 72nd and final operational sortie. Soon after this sortie he returned to instruct- ing on the Mosquito with 13 OTU at Bicester, Finmere and Harwell before joining the air staff of Allied Command South East Asia in June 1945 where he remained until his demobilisation in January 1946. Charles Patterson left the RAF at 25 years of age having flown on some of the most hazardous operations of the war. He had survived a full tour on a low-level daylight Blenheim squadron becoming a Flight Com- Limited Edition print from an oil painting, with auto- mander and Squadron leader at the age of graphs of 3 ex-464 Sqn aircrew, Certificate of Au- 21. He took part in three of the great daylight thenticity and a brochure outlining the story of the raid low-level operations, Knapsack, Eindhoven and the signatories. and Jena and achieved outstanding results Created from first hand accounts of Mosquito opera- as the Film Unit pilot flying his Mosquito. His tions the print captures the very essence of this type superb skill and outstanding gallantry were of mission - incredibly low flying, high speed and de- recognised with the award of the DSO to termination. add to his earlier DFC. Few junior pilots re- ceived the M and the great majority of those Send cheque/money order for $220 (incl. Postage) that did, received it for a single specific act payable to the artist: of supreme gallantry. A 'non-immediate' MAX ORDINALL, award for continuous and sustained gallant- PO Box 365, KIAMA NSW 2533 ry was extremely rare to a junior officer. Few served their country better or more gallantly or phone: (02) 4296 2643 than Charles Patterson. Please include your name, address, postcode and contact phone number.

Patron: Air Vice-Marshal J.C. (Sam) Jordan AO (RAAF-Retired)

President: Alan Middleton OAM +61 3 9523 9774 [email protected] Vice President: Graeme Coates +61 3 9428 2324 [email protected] Secretary/Treasurer/Editor: Bob Stevens +61 3 9800 4364 [email protected]

MAAA Mailing Address: 32 Clarke Crescent

WANTIRNA SOUTH Victoria, Australia 3152 MAAA Web Site: http://www.home.gil.com.au/~bfillery/maaa.html

Articles in this Bulletin have been faithfully reproduced and credit has been given to the reference source where known. If any details are misrepresented or incorrect, please contact the Editor who will makes amends in following publications.

After a particularly rough landing during thunderstorms in Memphis, a flight attendant on a Northwest flight announced: "Please take care when opening the overhead compartments because, after a landing like that, sure as hell everything has shifted."