Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Above: Crew beside airfield; location not recorded. F/Eng BARKER joined the crew at 1652 HCU Marston Moor, on/after 08 Dec 1944; crew posted there until 31 March 1945. However shirt sleeves and grass indicate warmer weather, so probably at 462 Squadron, Foulsham, sometime between March and September 1945.

Back, L to R: R/AG Alby PASS, W/Op Ted PARKER,
MU/AG Bill MITTING, B/A Geoff SATTLER;
Front, L to R: F/Eng Jim BARKER, Skipper Jack CAIRNS,
Nav Ernie SCOTLAND

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Above: Reverse of Crew photo shown at left, with identification of crew recorded by Ted PARKER.

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Above: Crew beside unidentified Halifax; location not recorded. Shirt sleeves indicate warmer weather, so probably at 462 Squadron, Foulsham, sometime between March and September 1945.
Back, L to R: PASS, PARKER, MITTING, SATTLER;
Front, L to R: BARKER, CAIRNS, SCOTLAND

Pilot

Name: Jack Marshall CAIRNS
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 10624 (later O31473)
Date of Birth: 09 May 1920
Place of Birth: Canterbury, Victoria
Date of Enlistment: 20 June 1940
Place of Enlistment: Melbourne, Vic
Next of Kin: Una CAIRNS
Date of Discharge: 20 December 1968
Rank at Discharge: Group Captain
Posting at Discharge: Headquarters Support Command, Melbourne
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: Nil
Prisoner of War: No
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Navigator

Name: Andrew Ernest John SCOTLAND
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 430983
Date of Birth: 26 March 1925
Place of Birth: Melbourne, Vic
Date of Enlistment: 27 April 1943
Place of Enlistment: Melbourne, Vic
Next of Kin: Andrew SCOTLAND
Date of Discharge: 04 March 1946
Rank at Discharge: Flying Officer
Posting at Discharge: 9 Aircrew Holding Unit
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: Nil
Prisoner of War: No

Photo from the National Archives of Australia: A9300, 430983

Navigator Andrew Ernest John SCOTLAND, 430983, at enlistment in the RAAF on 29 January 1943 at 1 Recruiting Centre, Melbourne; known to crew as Ernie.

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Navigator Andrew Ernest John SCOTLAND, 430983 RAAF; at similar time and location as the second Crew photo shown previously, with the Nav having taken over the chair from Skipper CAIRNS.
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Bomb Aimer

Name: Geoffrey Huey SATTLER
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 434807 (later O14183)
Date of Birth: 25 December 1924
Place of Birth: Toowoomba, Queensland
Date of Enlistment: 29 January 1943
Place of Enlistment: Brisbane, Qld
Next of Kin: Arthur SATTLER
Date of Discharge: 11 March 1946
Rank at Discharge: Warrant Officer
Posting at Discharge: 9 Aircrew Holding Unit
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: Nil
Prisoner of War: No
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Mid-Upper Gunner

Name: William Alfred MITTING
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 419324
Date of Birth: 28 September 1923
Place of Birth: Mildura, Vic
Date of Enlistment: 18 July 1942
Place of Enlistment: Melbourne, Vic
Next of Kin: Elsie MITTING
Date of Discharge: 08 June 1946
Rank at Discharge: Warrant Officer
Posting at Discharge: 9 Aircrew Holding Unit
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: Nil
Prisoner of War: No
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Flight Engineer

Name: J BARKER
Service: Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve ?)
Service Number: 2206775
Date and Place of Birth: .....
Date and Place of Enlistment: ..... **
Next of Kin: .....
Date, Rank and Posting at Discharge: .....
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: .....
Prisoner of War: .....

Sgt J Barker is included in the photo of Flight Engineers, ~ June 1945 at 462 Squadron, Foulsham, back row, 3rd from left.

** From the website http://www.ab-ix.co.uk/rfc_raf.pdf which details RFC and RAF Service Numbers: No. 2200000 to No. 2212749 were allocated from October 1942 at Padgate. This batch includes 2206775 for Barker.
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Special Duties – Radio Counter Measures

F/Sgt E C REINKE, R.218397 RCAF
F/Sgt W F KEEHN, R.164634 RCAF
F/Sgt J E GEEHMAN 435052 RAAF
F/O L J FLETCHER 55652 RAF

See also SD RCM page

Special Duties – WINDOW Dispenser

F/Sgt D J McRAE 436439 RAAF

See also SD WINDOW page

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Rear Gunner

Photo from the National Archives of Australia: A9301, 434006

Name: Gordon Victor PASS
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 434006
Date of Birth: 19 February 1922
Place of Birth: Townsville, Qld
Date of Enlistment: 09 October 1942
Place of Enlistment: Brisbane, Qld
Next of Kin: Albert PASS
Date of Discharge: 22 February 1946
Rank at Discharge: Warrant Officer
Posting at Discharge: 9 Aircrew Holding Unit
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: Nil
Prisoner of War: No

The photo of Aircraftman G V Pass was taken at enlistment in the RAAF on 09 October 1942 at 3 Recruiting Centre, Brisbane.
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Wireless Operator

Photo from the National Archives of Australia: A9301, 428504

Name: Edwin James PARKER
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 428504
Date of Birth: 17 September 1924
Place of Birth: Albert Park, Vic
Date of Enlistment: 06 November 1942
Place of Enlistment: Melbourne, Vic
Next of Kin: James PARKER
Date of Discharge: 27 February 1946
Rank at Discharge: Warrant Officer
Posting at Discharge: 9 Aircrew Holding Unit
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: Nil
Prisoner of War: No

The photo of Parker was taken at enlistment in the RAAF on 06 November 1942, at Melbourne.
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Additional Crew Information
At the time of writing for 06 May 2018 update, the following RAAF Service Files from the National Archives of Australia had been digitised:-
SATTLER (6 pages only, remainder still closed, no photo) – see below for details;
PASS (38 pages including photo) – see below for details;
PARKER (not yet digitised, but 2 summary pages and photo received from John Dann, UK) – see below for details;
As of site update for 06 Dec 2022, Nav SCOTLAND's file had been digitised – see below for details;
Not digitised:- CAIRNS, MITTING
RAF file not available – BARKER

September 1944 – Crew of 6 formed at 27 Operational Training Unit, Lichfield. SATTLER and PARKER and PASS and SCOTLAND had all been posted TO 27 OTU on 5 September 1944.

December 1944 – Crew posted to 74 Base, and 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit, Marston Moor. SATTLER and PASS were both posted to 74 Base on 8 December 1944, and Parker on 12 December 1944; and SCOTLAND's various documents as 08 and 12 Dec 1944. Differing dates may have been due to Leave between postings, or may be recording errors.
Flight Engineer joined to make a crew of 7.

31 March 1945 – Crew posted TO 462 Squadron Foulsham, "B" Flight, as follows .......
P/O Cairns; F/Sgts Mitting, Parker, Pass, Sattler, Scotland; and Sgt Barker

Pilot Cairns did not fly as 2nd Pilot with any crew. No doubt there were familiarisation flights after the crew's arrival and before their first Op, but these are not listed in the ORB.
Crew Ops at 462 Squadron – see later section
From information received from W/OP PARKER (via nephew Pettman), the crew participated in post-war "Cook's Tours" over Europe, with photos shown in a later section. The ORB did not usually list names of Pilot or crew.

19 and 20 September 1945 – Crew of seven were posted FROM 462 Squadron, as follows, with their higher Rankings .......
F/O Cairns; W/Os Mitting, Parker, Pass, Sattler, Scotland; and Sgt Barker

 

Jack Marshall CAIRNS 10624 (later O31473) RAAF – Pilot
RAAF Service File not available – it remains closed with end date of 1989
A photo of "B" Flight Pilots of 462 Squadron Foulsham, includes "F/O Jim W Cairns", in the back row, 4th from left, as identified by the AWM. However comparison with newly available crew photos have verified that this is F/O Jack Marshall Cairns (06 Dec 2022 site update).

Promotions

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette – Thur 17 May 1945 , page 1150

Warrant Officer appointed to Commission with the rank of Pilot Officer., with effect from 22 November 1944

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette – Thur 23 Aug 1945 , page 1818

Promoted to the Rank of Flying Officer, with effect from 22 May 1945

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette – Thur 19 Dec 1946, page 3570

Promoted to rank of Flight Lieutenant , with effect from 22 November 1946

 

Jack Marshall Cairns remained in the RAAF after WW2, until his retirement in late 1968.

Award of Air Force Cross – London Gazette Number 39244, Thursday 07 June 1951, (2nd Supplement to Issue Friday 01 June 1951), page 3097 (Also in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 07 June 1951, page 3097)

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards:-
Air Force Cross
Flight Lieutenants
Jack Marshall CAIRNS (O31473) Royal Australian Air Force
(one of 3 names in list)

The Age, Melbourne, Sat 23 Feb 1952, page 4 ........ Investiture at Government House, when Gov-Gen Sir William McKell conferred honours, including that of Air Force Cross to Flt. Lieut. Jack Marshall Cairns (also published in other newspapers).

 

Not yet known – Post War postings – however he was at 10 Squadron by April 1952

16 April 1952 – incident at Palm Islands
(Reference NAA Digitised File A9845, Lincoln A73 [Accidents Part 1] 1947-1953; pages 1, 33, 34.)

RAAF Form A.180
PRELIMINARY REPORT (INTERNAL) OF FLYING ACCIDENT OR FORCED LANDING
Aircraft – Lincoln, Number A73-10
Unit – 10 Squadron
Locality – Palm Islands, 16 April 1952, 2247 hours Night
Pilot – Flt. Lt. J M Cairns, AFC, O31473 (usual)
Crew – of 5, not named (usual)
Nature of Accident – Extensive sheets of flame issued from exhausts of starboard outer engine
Probable Cause – Loss of Coolant
Report dated – 17 April 1952
Signed – Flt Lt V D Guthrie, for Director of Flying Safety

Later Postings – not yet known

Later Promotions and Award

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette – Thur 10 Jul 1952, page 3067

CAIRNS (A.F.C., O31473) Promoted to rank of Squadron Leader, with effect from 01 Jul 1952

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette – Thur 08 Jan 1959, page 39

CAIRNS (A.FC, O31473) Promoted to rank of Wing Commander, with effect from 01 Jan 1959

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette – Thur 13 Aug 1964, page 3217

W/Cdr CAIRNS (A.FC, O31473) Granted the Air Efficiency Award

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette – Thur 20 Feb 1969, page 1110

W/Cdr CAIRNS (A.FC, O31473) – placed on Retired List at honorary rank of Group Captain, with effect 20 Dec 1968

20 December 1968 – Discharged from the RAAF, final Posting at Headquarters Support Command Melbourne, at the Rank of Group Captain. (Reference – WW2 Nominal Roll online)
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Andrew Ernest John SCOTLAND 430983 RAAF – Navigator – information below transcribed from his A9300 RAAF Service File, National Archives of Australia (enlistment photo in previous section).

Dates for the same event on different documents may vary, perhaps due to clerical error, or due to Leave between postings.
Name recorded on documents as Andrew Ernest John SCOTLAND; however signed as “Ernest A J Scotland” and known as to crew as “Ernie “.

16 Apr 1943 – Medical examination for Application for RAAF Reserve, 1 Recruiting Centre (1 RC) Melbourne Victoria; height 5 ft 3.5 inches (161.3 cm); weight 131 lb (9 st 5 lb; 59.4 kg); medium complexion, blue eyes, medium hair colour; classified as Medical category A3B.

27 Apr 1943 – Enlisted for RAAF Air Crew at 1 RC, Melbourne, Vic, for Duration & 12 months thereafter; age 18 Years and 1 month; date of birth 26 Mar 1925; British subject; Single; Religion C of E; civil occupation Public Servant; no civil convictions; no previous Defence Force Service; Next-of- kin (father) Andrew Bowie SCOTLAND, Kingsville Vic; Education – Merit and Intermediate School certificates; Public Servant Examination. (Enlistment Photo in previous section)
27 Apr 1943 – Allocated RAAF Service Number 430983
27 Apr 1943 – Classified as Aircraftman 2 (AC2)
27 Apr 1943 – Mustered as Aircrew V
27 Apr 1943 – Posted to RAAF Station, Point Cook, Vic

22 May 1943 – Posted to 1 Initial Training School (1 ITS), Somers, Vic
13 Jul 1943 – Re-mustered as Aircrew Nav (V) B

14 Aug 1943 – Re-mustered as Aircrew Nav (II) B
14 (or 17) Aug 1943 – Reclassified as Leading Aircraftman (LAC)
19 Aug 1943 – Posted to 2 Air Observers School (2 AOS), Mount Gambier, South Australia, for Course 41

11 Nov 1943 – Completed 41 (N) Course at 2 AOS, PASS
15 Nov 1943 – Posted to 3 Bombing and Gunnery School (3 BAGS), West Sale, Course 41 (N)
09 Dec 1943 – Posted to Air Gunnery School (AGS), West Sale, Vic

03 (or 04) Jan 1944 – Completed 41 (N) Course, Awarded Flying Badge (also recorded as Navigator’s Badge, also recorded as Air Observer’s Badge)
06 (or 07) Jan 1944 – Posted to 1 Air Observers School (1 AOS) Evans Head, New South Wales
09 Jan 1944 – Commenced Course 41 (N) at 1 AOS
20 Jan 1944 – Certification at 1 AOS that a valid WILL in name of “Andrew Ernest John Scotland”, of Kingsville, Vic, had been made at 1 ITS, and deposited with RAAF Records (signed as “Ernest A J Scotland”).

02 Feb 1944 – Completed 41 (N) Course, PASS
03 Feb 1944 – Promoted to Sergeant (T)
04 Feb 1944 – Re-mustered to Nav (B)
04 Feb 1944 – 8 days Pre-Embarkation Leave, to 11 Feb 1944

12 Feb 1944 – Posted to I Embarkation Depot (1 ED), Ransford, Melbourne, Vic
24 Feb 1944 – Posted to 2 ED, Bradfield Park, Sydney, NSW

01 Mar 1944 – Embarked from Brisbane, Australia, for the UK

07 Apr 1944 – Attached to the RAF
07 Apr 1944 – Disembarked in UK
08 Apr 1944 – Posted to 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Centre (11 PDRC), Brighton, UK

09 Jun 1944 – Attached to HQ 50 Group, (3 EFTS) to 30 Jun 1944 (similar to Bomb Aimer SATTLER)

24 (or 25) Jul 1944 – Posted to 4 (Observer) Advanced Flying Unit (4 (O) AFU), RAF West Freugh, Scotland

04 Aug 1944 – Promoted to Flight Sergeant (T)

05 Sep 1944 – Posted to 27 Operational Training Unit (27 O T U), Lichfield, UK, formation of crew

08 Dec 1944 – Attached to Aircrew School
08 (or 12) Dec 1944 – Posted to 74 Base (1652 Heavy Conversion Unit (1652 HCU) Marston Moor, Yorkshire), addition of Flight Engineer to crew

31 Mar 1945 – Posted to 462 Squadron, 100 Group, Foulsham, Norfolk, for Operational duties.
Please refer to table of Crew Ops at later section.

03 Aug 1945 – Promoted to Warrant Officer (T)

12 Sep (?) 1945 – Recommended for Commission, 100 Group (assumed to be date error for 12 Aug 1945)
20 Aug 1945 – Discharged from RAAF, on Appointment to a Commission
21 Aug 1945 – Promoted to rank of Pilot Officer

19 (or 20) Sep 1945 – Posted to 9 Air Crew Holding Unit (9 ACHU), RAF Gamston
11 Oct 1945 – 8 days Leave to 18 Oct, 9 ACHU, Gamston
18 Oct 1945 – 7 Leave to 25 Oct, 9 ACHU, Gamston

30 Nov 1945 – Embarked from the UK

03 Jan 1946 – Disembarked in Melbourne, Vic
03 Jan 1946 – Posted to 1 Personnel Depot (1 PD) Ransford, Melbourne, Vic ex overseas
05 Jan 1946 – 7 Days Recreation Leave to 11 Jan 1946
12 Jan 1946 – 30 Days Disembarkation Leave to 10 Feb 1946

12 Feb 1946 – 1 Personnel Depot (1 PD) Demobilisation Wing, documentation and procedures commenced; signed Statuary Declaration certified Service Overseas of 22 months; payment-in-lieu of outstanding Leave (total of 67 days)

21 Feb 1946 – Promoted to Rank of Flying Officer

04 March 1946 – 1 PD, Appointment terminated on Demobilization: discharged from the RAAF, home address to be at Kingsville, Vic

08 May 1946 – Cert 21719 for service as Officer in RAAF (Pilot Officer and Flying Officer)
16 May 1946b – Certificate 18332B for Service and Discharge covering time as Airman in RAAF

Medals listed – France & Germany Star, Defence Medal, Eligible for Returned from Active Service Badge

Character and Trade Proficiency – during War Service
1943 and 1944 – rank AC2, and LAC – Character Very Good; Proficiency – under training
31 Dec 1944 – rank F/Sgt (Nav B) – Character Very Good; Proficiency – on strength for training
20 Aug 1945 and 19 Sep 1945 – rank Warrant Officer (Nav B) – Character Very Good; Proficiency – (a) Skill in Trade – Satisfactory; (b) Ability as technical Warrant Officer – Superior

File does not have a sheet for aircraft types and hours flown; nor does it have a General Conduct Sheet, or a Service Conduct Sheet.

10 April 1951 – Application for Enrolment in the RAAF General Reserve, Melbourne, Vic; former Rank F/O 430983, Aircrew Nav B; married , home address West Footscray, Vic; no civil convictions; Civil Occupation Public Servant (final outcome of application not apparent from various handwritten notations, dates, initials, and tick marks).
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Geoffrey Huey SATTLER 434807 (later O14183) RAAF – Bomb Aimer – information below transcribed from the available pages of his A9301 RAAF Service File, National Archives of Australia (no enlistment photo). Known to crew as Geoff.

29 July 1942 – enrolled as Cadet in Air Training Corp, Number 20793, discharged on 29 January 1943 for enlistment in the RAAF

29 January 1943 – Enlisted in the RAAF at 3 Recruiting Centre (3 RC) Brisbane, Qld; aged 18; single; date of birth 25 December 1924; previous civil employment as Clerk; Church of England; next-of-kin was his father Arthur C SATTLER, of Toowoomba, Qld; nationality "British"
29 January 1943 – Mustered as Air Crew V, allocated Service Number 434807
29 January 1943 – Classified as Aircraftman 2 (AC2)
29 January 1943 – Posted to 3 Initial Training School (3 ITS), Sandgate (and/or Kingaroy), Qld

17 March 1943 – Re-mustered as Air Crew V (P) at 3 ITS

22 May 1943 – Promoted to Leading Aircraftman (LAC)
22 May 1943 – Re-mustered as Air Crew II (P)

27 May 1943 – Posted to 5 Elementary Flying Training School (5 EFTS), Narromine, NSW

13 August 1943 – Re-mustered as Air Crew II (N) at 5 EFTS

13 August 1943 – Posted to 1 Air Observers School (1 AOS), Cootamundra, NSW
19 August 1943 – Commenced No 41 (N) Course at 1 AOS

13 October 1943 – Crew member in an incident at 1 AOS, Cootamundra
(Reference NAA Digitised File A9845, Avro Anson A4 [Accidents Part 1] 1939-1944; pages 02, 46, 47;
the type-written page 47 had the word "Training" across the page in red hand-writing.)

RAAF Form P.T.81
PRELIMINARY REPORT (INTERNAL) OF FLYING ACCIDENT OR FORCED LANDING
Aircraft – Anson, Number A4-33
Unit – 1 AOS
Locality – Cootamundra, 13 October 1943, 1559 hours Eastern Australian Standard Time
Pilot – F/Sgt Mahony
Crew – Sgt Noble, P/O Stubbs, LAC Levy, and LAC G H Sattler
nature of Accident – Aircraft ground looped and crashed during forced landing
Probable Cause – Details not yet known
Report dated – 14 October 1943
Signed – A Stewart, for Director of Training

15 November 1943 – Completed No 41 (N) Course at 1 AOS, with "Pass" result

15 November 1943 – Posted to 1 Bombing and Gunnery School (1 BAGS), Evans Head, NSW

09 December 1943 – Posted to 1 AOS, Evans Head, NSW

09 January 1944 – Commenced No 41 (N) Course, Astro-Navigation at 1 AOS
02 February 1944 – Completed No 41 (N) Course, Astro-Navigation at 1 AOS, with "Pass" result
03 February 1944 – Promoted to Sergeant at 1 AOS
03 February 1944 – Re-mustered as navigator (B) at 1 AOS
04 February 1944 – Received "Navigation Badge" at 1 AOS (originally recorded as 4.3.44; date crossed out and re-written as 4.1.44; believed to be in error for 4.2.44 to match other entries)

04 February 1944 – Posted to 2 Embarkation Depot (2 ED), Bradfield Park, Sydney, NSW

01 March 1944 – Embarked form Brisbane, en route for the UK

07 April 1944 – Attached to RAF
07 April 1944 – Disembarked in the UK
08 April 1944 – Posted to 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Centre (11 PDRC), Brighton, UK
12 April 1944 – Admitted to Centre Sick Quarters; discharged on 16 April 1944

09 June 1944 – Attached to 50 Group, Pool, 3 EFTS, to 30 June 1944

27 July 1944 – Posted to 9 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit (9 (O) AFU), LLandwrog (Gwynedd, Wales)

04 August 1944 – Promoted to Flight Sergeant at 9 (O) AFU

05 September 1944 – Posted to 27 Operational Training Unit (27 OTU), Lichfield, crew of 6 would have formed, training in Wellington aircraft

08 December 1944 – Attached to Aircrew School
08 December 1944 – Posted to 74 Base, 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit (1652 HCU), Marston Moor, Yorkshire UK, (with crew) where the Flight Engineer would have joined the crew; conversion to Halifax aircraft

31 March 1945 – Posted to 462 Squadron, Foulsham, with crew (Ops detailed in following section)

03 August 1945 – Promoted to Warrant Officer at 462 Squadron, Foulsham

19 September 1945 – Posted to 9 Aircrew Holding Unit (9 ACHU), Gamston

10 November 1945 – Posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton
14 November 1945 – Attached to 14 ACHU, to 04 December 1945

Undated – Embarkation from UK for repatriation to Australia

22 January 1946 – Disembarked at Melbourne, Vic
22 January 1946 – Taken on Strength, and posted to 1 Personnel Depot (1 PD), Ransford, Melbourne

04 March 1946 – Posted to 3 Personnel Depot (3 PD), Sandgate, Qld

11 March 1946 – Discharged from the RAAF on demobilisation at 3 PD

Service Medals:- Defence Medal; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939/45

Sattler may have re-enlisted in the RAAF, as he had a later Service Number O14183 (O for Officer). However the the RAAF Service File Series date was to 1948, and the file envelope marked as closed to 1998. At the time of writing this page for 6 May 2018, only six pages of his WW2 RAAF record had been digitised. Both numbers 434807 and O14183 are listed on his WW2 Nominal Roll record.
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Gordon Victor PASS 434006 RAAF – Rear Gunner – information below transcribed from the available pages of his A9301 RAAF Service File, National Archives of Australia; enlistment photo in previous section. The dates for the same event recorded on different documents may differ by one or two days. Known to crew as Alby.

09 October 1942 – Enlisted in the RAAF at 3 Recruiting Centre (3 RC) Brisbane, Qld; aged 20; single; date of birth 19 February 1922; previous civil employment as Bank Clerk; Church of England; next-of-kin was his father Albert Croydon PASS, of Collinsville, Qld; also listed for contact was his Fiancée Miss E Powell of Charters Towers; nationality "British"; Medical category A1B, A3B
09 October 1942 – Mustered as Air Crew V, allocated Service Number 434006
09 October 1942 – Classified as Aircraftman 2 (AC2)
09 October 1942 – Posted to 3 Initial Training School (3 ITS), Kingaroy, Qld

31 December 1942 – AC II, Aircrew V, Under Training, Character – Very Good
25 January 1943 – Re-mustered to Air Crew V (G) at 3 ITS
30 January 1943 – Promoted to Leading Aircraftman (LAC)
30 January 1943 – Posted to 2 ED, Bradfield Park, Sydney

26 February 1943 – Posted to 1 ED, Ascot Vale, Melbourne, Vic

06 March 1943 – Embarked from Melbourne, proceeding to Canada

22 March 1943 – Disembarked in Canada
22 March 1943 – Attached to RCAF
26 March 1943 – Posted to 17 Service Flying Training School (17 SFTS), Souris, Manitoba, Canada

03 April 1943 – Posted to 2 Wireless School (2 WS), Calgary, Alberta, Canada (also listed as 2 WTS, Wireless Training School; and 2 WAGS, Wireless & Gunnery School)
05 April 1943 – Commenced Wireless Course at 2 WS

02 August 1943 – Sentenced to 48 Hours Detention, under Sec 11 (AFA), Calgary.
On his Service Conduct Sheet, further details are recorded. At #2 W.T.S., Calgary, Alberta, on 30 July 1943, LAC Gordon Victor PASS was charged with the Offence " W.O.A.S. gambling in Barracks. Sec 11 A.F.A." The Witness was recorded as "Documentary". On 02 August, the punishment of "48 Hrs Detn, and 7 Days C.B.", was awarded by S/Ldr O P Gosling.
(While On Active Service; Detention, Confined to Barracks; What was he gambling on? Who with? What was the "Documentary" witness? )
The same Service Conduct Sheet was stamped with "No Further Entry" on 5 November 1945

03 August 1943 – Admitted to Station Hospital, discharged 07 August 1943
(4 days, no further details; however the Admission was on the day immediately following his "Confined to Barracks", so it seems he may have spent 4 of those 7 days in Hospital.)

15 October 1943 – Completed Wireless Course at 2 WS

16 October 1943 – Posted to 2 Bombing and Gunnery School (2 B&GS), Mossbank, Saskatchewan, Canada
18 October 1943 – Commenced Air Gunnery Course at 2 B&GS
(On 19 October 1943, LAC Philpott, RAAF, and later in 462 Squadron, was posted to 2 B&GS Mossbank as Trainee Bomb Aimer. His Service File did not have a number recorded for his Course. Would Trainee Gunner LAC Pass also be in Philpott's Photo 3? Or would they have been in separate training groups?)

29 November 1943 – Completed No. 66 Wireless Air Gunner Course, at 2 B&GS RCAF, with "Pass" result

04 December 1943 – Received Air Gunners Badge
04 December 1943 – Promoted to Sergeant
07 December 1943 – Re-mustered to Wireless Operator Air Gunner (WOAG)
07 December 1943 – Posted to 8 Air Observer School (8 AOS), L'Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec, Canada

09 December 1943 – Admitted to Station Hospital, 8 AOS, discharged 14 January 1944 (no further details, however it must have been serious to have been hospitalised for 5 weeks)

11 March 1944 – Re-mustered to Wireless Operator (Air)

03 June 1944 – Posted to 1 Y Depot, Lachine, Quebec, Canada

04 June 1944 – Promoted to Flight Sergeant
15 June 1944 – Attached to RAF
16 June 1944 – Embarked from Halifax, Canada, en route for the UK

24 June 1944 – Disembarked in the UK
24 June 1944 – Posted to 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Centre (11 PDRC), Brighton, UK

19 July 1944 – Attached to RAF Whitley Bay, to 16 August 1944
19 July 1944 – Commenced Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) Course
16 August 1944 – Completed NCO Course, with "Pass" result

05 September 1944 – Posted to 27 Operational Training Unit (27 OTU), Lichfield UK; crew of 6 would have formed, training in Wellington aircraft

08 December 1944 – Attached to Aircrew School
08 December 1944 – Posted to 74 Base, 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit (1652 HCU), Marston Moor, Yorkshire UK, (with crew) where the Flight Engineer would have joined the crew; conversion to Halifax aircraft

31 March 1945 – Posted TO 462 Squadron, Foulsham, with crew (Ops detailed in following section)

04 June 1945 – Promoted to Warrant Officer at 462 Squadron

19 September 1945 – Posted to 9 ACHU, Gamston

10 November 1945 – Posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton
14 November 1945 – Attached to 14 ACHU, to 30 November 1945
Undated – Embarkation from UK for repatriation to Australia

03 January 1946 – Disembarked in Melbourne, Vic
03 January 1946 – Posted to 1 PD, Ransford, Melbourne
18 February 1946 – Posted to 3 PD, Sandgate, Brisbane

22 February 1946 – Discharged from the RAAF, on demobilisation

Aircraft and hours flown
Training, Canada – 2 WS – Fort II-Norseman 29h 55m
Training, Canada – 2 B&GS – Bolingbroke 10h 55m
Non-Op, Canada – 8 AOS, L'Ancienne-Lorette – Anson V 42h 05m
Advanced Training UK – 27 OTU – Wellington X 75h 10m
Advanced Training UK – 1652 HCU – Halifax III 43h 30m
Advanced Training UK – 462 Squadron – Halifax III 38h 45m
Operational Flying 462 Squadron – Halifax III 5 Ops, 29h 35m
Total Flying Hours – 269h 55m

Service Medals:- France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939/45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45; Returned from Active Service Badge
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William Alfred MITTING 419324 RAAF – Mid-Upper Gunner – RAAF service File A9301, not yet digitised at NAA.
Known to Crew as Bill.

J BARKER 2206775 RAFVR – Flight Engineer – RAF Service File not available; any later promotions not located in London Gazette.
Known to crew as Jim, so presumably James BARKER (?)

If anyone can assist with information on MITTING or BARKER, please make Contact.

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Edwin James PARKER 428504 RAAF – Wireless Operator – transcribed from the Summary page of A9301 RAAF Service File, National Archives of Australia, received via John Dann, UK; enlistment photo in previous section. Know to crew as Ted.
(Complete file not digitised at time of writing, 06 May 2018)

04 March 1942 – enrolled as Cadet in Air Training Corp, Number 149, discharged on 06 November 1942 for enlistment in the RAAF

06 November 1942 – Enlisted in the RAAF at 1 Recruiting Centre (1 RC) Melbourne, Victoria; aged 18; single; date of birth 17 September 1924; previous civil employment as Clerk and Storeman; Church of England; next-of-kin was his father James Alfred PARKER of Windsor, Victoria; nationality "British"
06 November 1942 – Mustered as Air Crew V, allocated Service Number 428504
06 November 1942 – Classified as Aircraftman 2 (AC2)
06 November 1942 – Posted to 4 Initial Training School (4 ITS), Victor Harbor; South Australia

28 December 1942 – Re-mustered as Air Crew V (P) – at 4 ITS

27 February 1943 – Promoted to Leading Aircraftman (LAC)
27 February 1943 – Re-mustered as Air Crew II (P)
04 March 1943 – Posted to 11 Elementary Flying Training School (11 EFTS), Benalla, Victoria

27 May 1943 – Re-mustered as Air Crew V (G) at 11 EFTS
27 May 1943 – Posted to 1 WAGS Ballarat, Vic

09 December 1943 – Re-mustered as Air Crew II (G) at 1 WAGS
10 December 1943 – Posted to AGS (location not named)

06 January 1944 – Received Air Gunners Badge at AGS
06 January 1944 – Re-mustered as Wireless Operator Air Gunner (WOAG) at AGS
06 January 1944 – Promoted to Sergeant at AGS

07 January 1944 – Posted to 2 ED, Bradfield Park, Sydney, NSW
15 January 1944 – Posted to 1 ED, Ascot Vale, Melbourne, Victoria
29 January 1944 – Embarked from Melbourne, en route for the UK

11 March 1944 – Re-mustered as Wireless Operator (Air)
12 March 1944 – Disembarked in the UK
12 March 1944 – Posted to 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Centre (11 PDRC) Brighton, UK
12 March 1944 – Attached to RAF

19 April 1944 – Attached to Satellite Station RAF Tatenhill, to 09 June 1944

04 July 1944 – Posted to 1 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit (1 (O) AFU), RAF Wigtown, Dumfries and Galloway
06 July 1944 – Promoted to Flight Sergeant at 1 (O) AFU

05 September 1944 – Posted to 27 Operational Training Unit (27 OTU), Lichfield UK; crew of 6 would have formed, training in Wellington aircraft

08 December 1944 – Attached to Aircrew School, Acaster Malbis, Yorkshire (posted with crew)
12 December 1944 – Posted to 74 Base, 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit (1652 HCU), Marston Moor, Yorkshire UK, (with crew) where the Flight Engineer would have joined the crew; conversion to Halifax aircraft

31 March 1945 – Posted TO 462 Squadron, Foulsham, with crew (Ops detailed in following section)

06 July 1945 – Promoted to Warrant Officer at 462 Squadron

20 September 1945 – Posted to 9 Aircrew Holding Unit (9 ACHU), Gamston

10 November 1945 – Posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton
30 November 1944 – Attached to 14 ACHU
Undated – Embarkation from UK for repatriation to Australia

03 January 1946 – Disembarked in Melbourne
03 January 1946 – Posted to 1 Personnel Depot (1 PD), Ransford, Melbourne

27 February 1946 – Discharged from the RAAF

Service Medals:- France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939/45

Letter from Ted PARKER to home – Travel from Melbourne – Durban – UK
Notes and transcription from the hand-written original, from his nephew Graeme Pettman – Thank you

"Letter below written to his family at 21 St John Street Windsor, Vic, approx November/December 1944, 10 months after his departure. He deleted the ship’s name, as you will see on the “back of ship pic”, which follows. Prior to embarking, he was at 1 ED, Ascot Vale, Melb, Vic. Departed MELBOURNE, FRIDAY 29/1/1944 from Station Pier, Port Melbourne."

Letter...... (quote)
"As it is now over ten months since I left Australia, I can start writing about my experiences since leaving, as the censor will allow it to get through, not that there will be anything informative in it – I hope! When I left you that Friday night in January, I knew that the next day would see me on my way. My feelings were mixed, one feeling sad at leaving home and all my friends, the other happy and excited at the thought I would soon be in new lands, broadening my mind seeing how other people lived and of course making new friends. I arrived back at camp at midnight and found the others just coming back also, each with his own personal feelings, but all with that same new excitement and expectancy.

Some, of course, had already gone to bed getting those few precious hours’ sleep before rising, as we had to be on parade at 4am. I was too excited to sleep though and was one of the first up that morning, just having a hurried wash and then breakfast and finally parade. Well, eventually, after the usual hold ups, we were out of the camp dressed in battle dress and steel helmets etc, and waiting for the train which was to take us to the port, and away from the camp where we had been for three hectic weeks getting ready.

At last we’re at the port and can see the ship which is to take us over half the world, it looks grand and I’m wondering if Dad or any of the others are looking on, as they must have known I’d be leaving. Any rate, I thought we were in a hotel, as we marched up staircases and then to our bunks, not much room to move about in was my first thought, but Jack, who I had known in the ATC, and I, managed to get next to each other. We hurriedly changed into our tropical dress and found our way on to the deck where I met others I had known in the service.

We then went down to our first meal, which was grand although later the monotony of the meals irked me, especially as we had to have everything off the same plate, soup, dinner and then sweet, but of course the sweet had a very funny taste then, so we rarely worried about it. However, we left that night at 6pm and there were press photographers on the pier taking newsreels of us as we were moving out. I, of course, seemed to miss out on all the films. Jack and I went to the stern of the ship so as we could watch the mainland fade out of sight. After that we decided to walk around the deck, only the sirens on the boat wailed, and we found out there was to be lifeboat drill, after that we had it every day for the duration of the trip.

It was very exciting those first few days, even though blackout of course came on every night and no smoking on deck, but I didn’t mind really as I smoked very little. The food began to pall us and we then used to rely on the resources of the canteen where we could get biscuits, chocolates, and other odds and ends. We didn’t see a ship until after about six days when one appeared on the horizon signalling “Good Luck” to us in aldis lamp.

After ten days we knew land would soon be in sight and we were quite excited and this excitement increased when a hew and cry was set up as a man had gone overboard. We were anxious as we had been told that if anyone did go overboard the ship wouldn’t stop as it would be too easy a prey for submarines, and some were believed to be in the vicinity at that time. We encircled the spot however but no-one was seen, although hundreds of pairs of eyes were searching the waters. Later on, we found out that it was a British prisoner who had deserted and was being taken back to Britain."
Letter...... (end quote)

Ted PARKER – Post War information, received from his nephew Graeme Pettman – Thank you

"After the war, Ted returned to 21 St John St., Windsor, next to the Prahran Technical School where he had previously attended. He was approached in the street one day by the principal of the school who welcomed him back and mentioned that the boys would really appreciate it if he could recount some stories of his time abroad. He declined the offer on the basis that his fear of public speaking far outweighed his fear of flying over Europe in a bomber.

Moved to Sth Melbourne (Young Street) in 1949 with his father, mother and sister. He took up the offer of a government scheme that assisted returned servicemen to get retrained and better qualified for future employment. Subsequently, he qualified as an accountant, and then, after attending Melbourne University, received his Bachelor of Commerce on the 12th of March 1952. Recognised by the ASA as an Associate in 1953/1966/and 1984.

He loved travelling, making a return trip to Europe and Britain in 1957 and catching up again with his cousin in Sheffield, whom he had stayed with during the war. Learning languages was also a passion . . . Italian/German/Russian and almost anything to do with Adult Education courses after he retired was enjoyable for him.

Gifted his RAAF uniform in 1986 to the RAF Museum Hendon, London.

Attended Golden Anniversary Reunion of the Empire Air Training Scheme in Perth, Western Australia, in 1990.

Awarded his 50 Year Membership Certificate from the Australian Society of Accountants in 2001.

Donated to many charities consistently over decades.

Never married and spent his last 42 years in an apartment in Denbigh Road, Armadale, Vic. Passed away suddenly at his home on the 26th of November 2012 at the age of 88."

 

The following Photos are from the E J PARKER Collection, and relate to information in his Service history and travel letter.

.

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Identified as "Training April 1944" – Edwin James PARKER, back row, second from left. He was posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton from 12 Mar 1944 to 19 Apr 1944, when he was "attached" to RAF Tatenhill. He was posted to 1 (O) AFU, Wigtown on 04 July 1944.

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Also identified as "Training April 1944" – Edwin James PARKER, standing, third in from the right. Same time and location as photo on the left. Aircraft Airspeed Oxford (?)

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Sandy (left) and Edwin James PARKER (right) holding doll, while visiting Mrs Bull, March 1944. (see Mrs Bull's letter, below, right)

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Sandy (left) and Edwin James PARKER (right) and doll, while visiting Mrs Bull, March 1944. (see Mrs Bull's letter, below)

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Mrs Bull holding her son Christopher Bull, Edwin James PARKER and Sandy, March 1944. (see Mrs Bull's letter, at right). Sandy and Ted were at 11 PDRC, Brighton.

Information from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Sergeant Leslie Laurence BULL
1381074 RAFVR
Death 22 March 1943, age 32
buried at Patcham (All Saints) Churchyard, UK
son of Thomas and Elizabeth BULL
Husband of Dorothy Kathleen BULL, of Patcham, Brighton, UK

From RAF Commands, Aircraft Accident file
BULL was Wireless Operator in F/Lt WOODHEAD's Crew, 296 Squadron,
Aircraft Whitley BD422 – V (also killed were Pilot, Nav and Air Gunner)

Sandy has not yet been identified, but from photos and letter –
RAAF, Wireless Operator, Sergeant

 

Mrs Bull's letter, in relation to the 3 photos, above and left.

14 Overhill Way, Patcham, Brighton, Sussex
March 27th 1945

Dear Sandy’s mother,
I thought you might like these photos, taken a year ago last Sunday when Sandy visited Patcham with his friend Ted Parker, who is a relative of a friend in Birmingham. Ted came over on the boat with your son and they were both stationed at the Hotel Metropole for a few weeks shortly after their arrival in England. I’m hoping he’ll be able to forward these snaps to you.

It was a lovely warm sunny day when they were taken after we’d had tea. I wanted my baby (11 months) to be in the pictures but he cried so we stuck his rubber bath dolly in for a joke instead. The boys were very amused. In the afternoon I had taken them for a walk and showed them round Patcham. I thought what a nice quiet fellow your boy was. In the evening they taught my father-in-law a new card game they had learned on the boat and Sandy was very absorbed in the game. I remember him very clearly, although he came only once.

You have my deepest sympathy in your loss, for my own husband was a W. O./ AG and was killed two years ago last Thursday, so I always have a feeling for the air-crew knowing the odds against these fine fellows.

I hope that my Christopher (two next month) will grow up to have the same wonderful courage and spirit of the air-crews, for it is something to marvel at. My husband’s pilot left a letter for his mother, in it he said: “In case the worst happened, don’t be too down-hearted, the war isn’t won yet and you can’t have a war without a lot of people my age being killed. Evidently, the Lord has now decided my time has come, just as he will decide when it is your time, and we shall all meet again.”

I remember asking Sandy if he had any Scotch ancestors, for to me he was typically Scottish . . . in spite of living in Australia. If you would like more copies of the snaps, please just let me know. I shall be only too pleased to send some more, and hope that these will arrive safely for I do not know your name or address.

God bless you,
Sincerely yours
Dorothy Bull

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Transport Ship, including Edwin James PARKER.

Caption on reverse of photo (shown at right) – "King Neptune and his 'court' visit S.S. -------- for crossing the line (equator) ceremony, this 28th day of Feb 1944. 428504 Sgt. E. J. Parker R.A.A.F."

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Reverse side of the crossing the equator photo, shown at left.

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Edwin James PARKER – meal card for use onboard the troop ship, from Melbourne to UK, via Durban, early 1944 (see also his letter to home, in previous section)

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

"428504 Sgt Parker E. J, RAAF, Melb – Durban" – Reverse of meal card shown at left.

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

AC2 Edwin James PARKER, 428504, RAAF, labelled as at WAGS, Ballarat, Vic, but possibly earlier at 4 ITS, Victor Harbour, South Aus

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Stop-over at Durban, early 1944, in transit from Melbourne to the UK – Edwin James PARKER and unidentified airman, and African rickshaw rider with impressive tribal headdress.

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Edwin James PARKER 428504 – last diary entry, 12 April 1945.

Sunday 08 April – Night C & L (circuits and landings)
09 April – Ops (MZ457 – Kiel)
10 April – Ops (MZ457 – Plauen)
11 April – Sleep-in morning, Jack off to London
12 April – Day off – Norwich

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Edwin James PARKER 428504 – at signpost in Germany, during stop-over during either a "Cook's Tour" or transport to/from Schleswig, sometime between May and September 1945.

Sign to Flensburg pointing to the left, and sign to Rendsburg and on to Kiel pointing to the right; sign to "Marinelazarett" (Naval Hospital), and Kraft Fahr Park also to the left; based on maps the location therefore appears to be on the Strand at Schleswig, with his back to the inlet.

Crew Ops – sourced from the 462 Squadron Operational Record Book

The usual crew of seven flew 5 Ops together – no early returns, no landing away, no aircraft damage, no other problems.
Special Duties – Radio Counter Measures x 4 Ops, crew of 8 (8th man to operate RCM equipment)
Special Duties – Spoofs (WINDOW) x 1 Op, crew of 8 (8th man to dispense WINDOW)
There was only one substitution – Bomb Aimer on 16 April by Joseph Arthur BARNARD (from Crew 66, Pilot Ferguson)

The following Table lists Ops for Cairns and his crew.

Aircraft Serial Numbers and Code numbers Z5- are thought to be correct, based on photographs and various Log Books. (There are discrepancies within the ORB, and between the ORB and various authors.)
Times up and down in red are night flights.

Target "Kiel x 1 (of 7)" means 1 aircraft tasked from 462 Squadron to the target of Kiel, with the Cairns crew being that crew, with the other 6 crews attacking a different target (and so on for the other dates).
Target "Kiel x 4" means 4 aircraft tasked from 462 Squadron to the target of Kiel, with the Cairns crew being one of those 4. There is some variation in the spelling of Target names in the original ORB, with Plauen recorded incorrectly as Plauem.
Code for Op Type – SD Special Duties; PP Protective Patrol; MF Main Force; WF WINDOW Force; SP Spoof;
W WINDOW; B Bombing; I Incendiaries; and RCM Radio Counter Measures using Special Equipment.

A photo of Halifax MZ341 Z5-P may be viewed on the Halifax page.
Halifax PN430 Z5-W "Willie" may be seen in the photo of the Boyd crew.

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Additional photos from the Ted PARKER photo collection

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Above: Halifax MZ341 Z5-P (Peter Rabbit) and Cairns Crew, 462 Squadron 1945, with tail-fin markings. Far left in distance is another unidentified Halifax (tail-fins not marked), from either 462 Squadron or 192 Squadron. (Enlargement below)

Right: Unidentified Halifax (no tail-fin markings) in flight, as viewed from a 462 Squadron Halifax during a "Cook's Tour" or transport to/from Schleswig, sometime between May and September 1945.
(Enlargement below)

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Enlargement of photo (from above left) of Halifax MZ341 Z5-P (Peter Rabbit) and five of the CAIRNS Crew, 462 Squadron, between May and September 1945. The crew also carried out one Op in MZ341 on 19 April 1944, but it was a night flight to Kiel. The nose art depicting Peter Rabbit can be seen, as well as the 3 vertical (yellow) stripes on the tail-fin. For close -up view of MZ341 Z5-P, please visit the Halifax page.

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Enlargement of photo from above right: Unidentified Halifax in flight, as viewed from a 462 Squadron Halifax during a "Cook's Tour" or transport to/from Schleswig, sometime between May and September 1945. There are no tail-fin markings, no nose-art, and no markings or serial number visible. It is probably a Halifax from 462 Squadron or 192 Squadron, both located at Foulsham. Note the 2 large ABC aerials above, and one below, as well as the Pitot Tube below – all indicated with blue arrows.

BELOW – The following six photos of German aircraft on the ground, were taken during one of the CAIRNS Crew stop-overs in Germany, possibly at Schleswig or Flensburg, or at Grove, Denmark – 462 Squadron Crews flew to those locations during "Operation Post Mortem" and/or on Ferry Flights – however crews were not named in the 462 Squadron ORB for those flights. Crew Log books are not available for further checking.
It appears that the aircraft had all been deliberately disabled to prevent any attempts to fly.
Identification of aircraft has been attempted – experts please confirm of correct aircraft ID or location by Contact.

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

James Edwin PARKER 428504 on wing of Luftwaffe aircraft, Germany 1945. Possibly a Focke-Wulf FW190 fighter (?)

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Gordon Victor PASS (Alby) 434006, on fuselage of Luftwaffe aircraft, Germany 1945. Possibly Messerschmitt ME262 (?)

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Luftwaffe Aircraft in Germany, possibly JU290 (?)
Distant building appears to be similar to that in the photo at right.

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Luftwaffe aircraft in Germany, possibly Junkers JU52, 3-engine with corrugated sheeting on fuselage (?), at same location as photo at left.

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Luftwaffe Aircraft on ground in Germany, single-engine fighter, with German Cross clearly visible. What is it ?

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Luftwaffe Aircraft with 4 forward-facing aerials for "Airborne Interception and Early Warning Radar" (reference to "Espionage in the Ether" by W J and J E REES). The Code "MR" on the fuselage is of significance. The German Cross appears to have been cut out of the fuselage, and the Swastika from the tail.

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Aerial view of damage to Cologne, with Cathedral on centre left, and two destroyed bridges in the river, post-war 1945.

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Closer aerial view of Cologne Cathedral, with railway station behind, post-war 1945

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Aerial view of damage to Krupp's Steel Works, Essen, post-war 1945

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Aerial view of damage to Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine River at Remagen, south of Cologne, Germany, post-war 1945

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Aerial view of damage to Wesel, post-war 1945

This set of six aerial photos of damage were received from the PARKER Collection, and were believed to have been taken during "Cook's Tours" – low level flying by Allied aircraft with crew of seven, and up to seven passengers. Five of the six photos were also published in "Espionage in the Ether" by W J and J E REES, so they may have been official photos then distributed to any/all personnel; or taken by various airmen, then shared with crews on the same flight. The REES caption for the PoW camp at Wesel (photo at right), describes it as south of Cologne and for "thousands of German PoWs in make-shift bivouacs in a temporary camp".

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Aerial view of PoW camp at Wesel, post-war 1945.
(See comment at left)

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

07 Halifax PN431 DT-A of 192 Squadron, Foulsham. This is similar to a photo in book by REES, however with different angle, cloudless, and different ground view. Described in by REES as DT-A "Angel" of "A" Flight, 192 Squadron, Foulsham; maybe taken during the same "Cook's Tour". Nose-art of semi-naked "Angel" sitting on a cloud, is visible on fuselage.

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

05 Unidentified Sergeant or Flight Sergeant, appears to be at the same location as the CAIRNS crew photo and Nav SCOTLAND photo, beside the airfield, sometime between May and September 1945 at 462 Squadron, Foulsham.

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

Unidentified Sergeant or Flight Sergeant, beside a Nissen Hut (?) sometime between May and September 1945 at 462 Squadron, Foulsham. If anyone can identify any of the 3 unidentified airmen – please make contact.

Photo from W/Op Edwin James PARKER Collection

28 Another unidentified Sergeant or Flight Sergeant, similar to the photo above, and appears to be at the same location as the CAIRNS crew photo and Nav SCOTLAND photo, beside the airfield, sometime between May and September 1945 at 462 Squadron, Foulsham.
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