As everyone knows, the Royal Australian Air Force has a proud and distinguished history. That said, I have always felt that its contribution within Bomber Command, and in the defeat of Nazi Germany, has always been overlooked by some, especially when compared to the war in the Pacific. In the UK, Australian crews in Bomber Command served in both Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, flying either the Lancaster and Halifax, among other aircraft types.
A few years ago, I came up with a proposal, that only now have I found the confidence or courage to gauge the opinion of others.
Like all air forces, the RAAF is under constant change, needed to meet evolving defence strategies. Accordingly, I wouldn’t be surprised if new RAAF squadrons are formed or reformed in the near future. Therefore, I would like to propose, that the RAAF commemorated its part in Bomber Command, by naming of one or more flying units, that flew from both Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, during the war.
My recommendations are:
No.466 (Yorkshire) Squadron RAAF
No.467 (Lincolnshire) Squadron RAAF
I have added (in brackets) the counties from where these squadrons mainly operated from, to enforce the connection with the UK and these two “Bomber Counties”. Obviously, my preference for a Yorkshire based squadron relates to my keen interest in RAF Driffield.
Most Australians I believe are unaware of the service given by their compatriots towards defeating Nazi Germany. Emphasis has normally placed on the war in the Pacific, and while the service of the RAAF in the Southern Hemisphere was vital, operations from the UK have somewhat been overlooked. I believe that naming the next two formed or reformed flying units (no matter how small) will go a long way towards securing a lasting, living memorial to the sacrifice made from the airfields of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
In the UK, the RAF have renamed (or rebadged) a number of smaller flying units. For example, while the AWACS aircraft at RAF Waddington are operated by No.8 Squadron, flight training is undertaken by No.23 Squadron, yet they share the same aircraft. Larger flight training establishments divide their aircraft into smaller sub-groups, which have also been renumbered as squadrons, albeit in a reserve (R) capacity.
Admittedly, this can been seen as a way to make our diminishing air force appear to be larger than it actually is, but renaming FTS flights, is one way to preserve the living heritage of the RAF. And I think it can work for the RAAF too.
So, what do you think? Is there mileage in my proposal or should I keen my opinions to myself?
By: mike currill - 14th November 2007 at 14:24
Sounds like a good idea to me. Considering the losses of Bomber Command crews, we could not have done it without our friends from the colonies. What few people seem to realise is that Bomber Command, on more than one occasion, lost as many in one night as Fighter Command did in the whole of the Battle of Britain far as personnel are concerned.
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November 14, 2007 at 2:11 pm