An old veteran

[Hunhunter]

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been speaking to someone on the phone through work who is a veteran of RAF Bomber Command. He flew as an Air Gunner and served with a few different Squadrons, but mainly with 462Sqn of 100 Group. He crewed various aircraft and mentioned the Lancaster and Halifax as expected, but he also flew in RAF versions of the B24 and B17.

He was telling me today that he is still in touch with his "skipper" from the Halifax of 462Sqn he served with. He told me a story about his "skipper" that sounds like one of those you hear, but you think probably isn't true, but this one came from the horse's mouth so to speak.

100 Group were responsible for the Pathfinder Squadrons and 462Sqn's job was to fly their Bombers over enemy territory ahead of the main group, and use electronic equipment to jam German radar/radio signals. The planes didnt carry any bombs, just electronics and guns for defence.

Peter, the chap I have been speaking to, told me his plane was in fact the lead aircraft for the squadron, and that his skipper, a colourful Austrailian charicter, made an unusual request to his C.O. that was approved. He said to his C.O. " If i'm going to go all the bloody way to Germany in this thing, i'm damn well going to leave a calling card" and requested that his plane be loaded with bombs!! He would fly the mission and then on the way back drop his bomb load on the nearest German airfield!!

And so Peter got to serve on the only 462Sqn Halifax that carried bombs!! I thought it was a great story. Peter just turned 80 a couple of weeks ago and his skipper, who lives in Austrailia, is now 88. I am going to see if I can find out any more interesting tales, but Peter said if I had any questions he would be happy to answer them. If any of you guys want to ask anything i'll happily put the question to him.

[Hot Space]

That's a very good story m8 and a good read

.....and I'm sure someone will come up with something to ask him

How did you found out about him m8?

Hot Space