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Crew 06, Pilot Ronald James Thomas – 462 Squadron RAAF

 

Crew 6 of 462 Squadron, Driffield - Alf Green, Paddy Cunningham, Ron Thomas, John Schmidt, Bill Shillaker, Jack Mann, Max Martin.
Photo from the 466-462 Squadrons Association

Back, left to right: Alf Green, Paddy Cunningham, Ron Thomas, John Schmidt, Bill Shillaker
Front, left to right: Jack Mann, Max Martin

 

Crew 6, 462 Squadron, Driffield, Yorkshire

Pilot: Ronald James THOMAS (Ron)
Bomb Aimer: John Charles MANN (Jack)
Flight Engineer: Thomas John CUNNINGHAM (Paddy)
Navigator: John Damian Kearney SCHMIDT (John)
Wireless Operator: Alfred Henry GREEN (Alf)
Rear Gunner: Maxwell James MARTIN (Max)
Mid-Upper Gunner: Athol William Scott SHILLAKER (Bill)

Links to additional crew information;
Crew Ops at 466 Sqdn;
Crew Ops at 462 Sqdn;
Gallantry Awards – DFC (Thomas, Green, Martin, and Shillaker); and DFM (Cunningham).

 

Reference sources – Australian WW2 Nominal Roll; The National Archives of Australia (462 Squadron Operational Record Book; Service Files); Australian War Memorial; London Gazette; "Brave & True".
Photos from the John D K Schmidt Collection are used with the permission of Margaret Szalay, daughter of Schmidt.
Photos from the 466-462 Squadrons Association, via John McManus, and John Dann.

 

Halifax MZ296 Z5-L and Crew 6 of 462 Squadron - Alf Green, Max Martin, Paddy Cunningham, Ron Thomas, John Schmidt, Bill Shillaker, Jack Mann.
Photo from the John D K Schmidt Collection

Crew with Halifax MZ296 Z5-L "Love", left to right: ...
Alf Green (Sydney) Wireless Operator
Max Martin (Sydney) Rear Gunner
Paddy Cunningham (Northern Ireland) Flight Engineer
Ron Thomas (Melbourne) Pilot
John Schmidt (Brisbane) Navigator
Bill Shillaker (Adelaide) Mid-Upper Gunner
Jack Mann (Brisbane) Bomb Aimer

Of the 7 crew members, Paddy Cunningham is the only one still alive, residing in Scotland (as advised by Schmidt's daughter, 11/2016).

Nose Art for Halifax MZ296 Z5-L, Thomas Crew 6, of 462 Squadron, "Tommos's Mob on Ops again".
Photo from the 466-462 Squadrons Association

 

Caption for Halifax MZ296 Z5-L and Crew 6 of 462 Squadron - Alf Green, Max Martin, Paddy Cunningham, Ron Thomas, John Schmidt. Bill Shillaker, Jack Mann.
Photo from the John D K Schmidt Collection

Crew 114 of 466 Squadron, Driffield, April to August 1944, and
Crew 6 of 462 Squadron, Driffield for 2 Ops in late August 1944.

Description on the reverse of the crew photo (shown at left), as recorded at the time by the Navigator John Schmidt.

 

 

Left: close-up of Nose Art on Halifax MZ296 Z5-L

"TOMMO'S MOB ON OPS AGAIN" refers to the Thomas crew.
"Lily of the Lamp Light" (reference to "Lili Marlene" sung by Marlene Dietrich, and by Vera Lynn; also to Z5-L)
Total of 45 bombs, indicating number of Ops flown by this aircraft up to the date of the photo; light for day Ops, dark for night Ops. The one Swastika possibly refers to an Air Combat event with enemy aircraft. The key indicating Op 21 may signify the "Key to the Door" as given for 21st birthdays.
The caricatures show the seven members of the crew.
The Navigator, John Schmidt, is depicted by the "old man with the walking stick". In February 1944 he had his 28th birthday, so was the "old man" of the crew (although Shillaker was 2 years older).

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Pilot

Name: Ronald James THOMAS (Ron)
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 418205
Date of Birth: 23 May 1923
Place of Birth: Loch, Victoria
Date of Enlistment: 25 April 1942
Place of Enlistment: Melbourne, Vic
Next of Kin: Richard THOMAS
Date of Discharge: 12 April 1946
Rank at Discharge: Flying Officer
Posting at Discharge: 462 Squadron
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: Distinguished Flying Cross
Prisoner of War: No
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Bomb Aimer

Name: John Charles MANN (Jack)
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 426363
Date of Birth: 27 November 1921
Place of Birth: Pittsworth, Qld
Date of Enlistment: 20 June 1942
Place of Enlistment: Brisbane, Qld
Next of Kin: Beryl MANN
Date of Discharge: 5 September 1945
Rank at Discharge: Flying Officer
Posting at Discharge: 21 Operational Training Unit
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: Nil
Prisoner of War: No

 

Aircraftman 2 John Charles Mann 426363 RAAF, on enlistment, 20 June 1942, later 462 Squadron, Driffield. Sergeant John Charles Mann 426363, on or after 4 March 1943, later 462 Squadron, Driffield.
Photos from the National Archives of Australia: A9300, 426363

Above left: Aircraftman 2 John Charles Mann, on enlistment, 20 June 1942, still in civilian clothing, height 5 ft 4½ inches, aged 20 years and 6 months. Location 3 Recruiting Centre, Sandgate, Qld.

Above right: Sergeant John Charles Mann, wearing his Observers Brevet, which he was awarded on 4 December 1942, after he had completed and passed Observer's Course No. 29 at 1 Air Observers School, Cootamundra, NSW. He completed No 29 Navigator "B" Course on 4 March 1943, at 1 Air Navigation School, Parkes, NSW, with subsequent promotion to Sergeant on the same date.

 

 

Sergeant John Charles Mann 426363 RAAF, on or after posting to 1652 HCU, Marston on 28 December 1943, later 462 Squadron, Driffield. Flight Sergeant John Charles Mann 426363 RAAF, on or after posting to 466 Squadron on 10 April 1944, later 462 Squadron, Driffield.
Photos from the National Archives of Australia: A9300, 426363

F/Sgt Mann, 426363 RAAF 466 Squadron, later 462 Squadron.

Above left: Sgt Mann at 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit, Marston Moor, Yorkshire. He was posted there on 28 December 1943. Not in RAAF uniform, and Negative envelope marked as "Intelligence Passport, not to be used for 1250" (i.e. not for RAF Identity Card).

Above right: Flight Sergeant Mann at 466 Squadron. He was posted there on 10 April 1944; and details of RAAF notation on negative.

Both of the above photos were taken from faded negatives in his Service File, with the RAAF notations appearing as reverse images.
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Flight Engineer

Name: Thomas John CUNNINGHAM (Paddy)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Service Number: 1796254 (later 191848)
Date & Place of Birth: .........
Date and Place of Enlistment: .......
Next of Kin: .........
Date of Discharge: .........
Rank and Posting at Discharge: .........
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: Distinguished Flying Medal

The notes on the reverse of Schmidt's crew photo, refer to Paddy
as being from Northern Ireland.

Paddy was Commissioned from rank of Flight Sergeant 1796254, to the rank of Pilot Officer 191848, effective 20 February 1945.

He was awarded a Distinguished Flying Medal at the rank of Flight Sergeant, during his posting to 35 Squadron. His DFM was gazetted on 23 March 1945.
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Navigator/Observer

Name: John Damian Kearney SCHMIDT
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 414856
Date of Birth: 23 February 1916
Place of Birth: Beaudesert, Queensland
Date of Enlistment: 9 November 1941
Place of Enlistment: Brisbane, Qld
Next of Kin: Alma SCHMIDT
Date of Discharge: 12 December 1945
Rank at Discharge: Flight Lieutenant
Posting at Discharge: 7 Operational Training Unit
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: Nil
Prisoner of War: No

 

Photos of Schmidt below, and below left.

 

 

 

John Damian Kearney Schmidt, 414856 RAAF, at enrolment in the RAAF Reserve, on 1 July 1941 (later 462 Squadron).John Damian Kearney Schmidt, 414856 RAAF (later 462 Squadron).
Photos from the National Archives of Australia: A9300, 414856

Above left: John Damian Kearney Schmidt, at enrolment in the RAAF Reserve, on 1 July 1941, Brisbane. He had previously served as a Corporal in 9 Battalion from November 1940 to July 1941, when he was discharged to join the RAAF.

Above right: John Damian Kearney Schmidt, photo undated, and location not known, but most likely during his training in Australia.

 

F/O John Damian Kearney Schmidt, 414856 RAAF, after posting to 1652 HCU, Marston Moor, 28 December 1943 (later 462 Squadron).F/O John Damian Kearney Schmidt, 414856 RAAF, after posting to 466 Squadron, 10 April 1944 (later 462 Squadron).
Photos from the National Archives of Australia: A9300, 414856

F/O Schmidt, 414856 RAAF, later 462 Squadron.

Above left: Flying Officer John Damian Kearney Schmidt at 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit, Marston Moor, Yorkshire. He was posted there on 28 December 1943. Not in RAAF uniform, and Negative envelope marked as "Intelligence Passport, not to be used for 1250" (i.e. not for RAF Identity Card).

Above right: Flying Officer John Damian Kearney Schmidt at 466 Squadron. He was posted there on 10 April 1944.

Both of the above photos were taken from faded negatives in his Service File, with the RAAF notations appearing as reverse images.

 

WW2 medals of John Damian Kearney Schmidt, 414856 RAAF, 462 Squadron – 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45.
Photo from the John D K Schmidt Collection

WW2 medals of John Damian Kearney Schmidt, 414856 RAAF.

The top row of full size medals from left to right are:
1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal;
War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45.
The same medals are shown in miniature, first five from left to right in the bottom row.
Further details was be seen on the Australian Defence Department website under Medals/Imperial/WWII

The last 2 miniatures are shown enlarged adjacent.

 

 

Miniature WW2 medals of John Damian Kearney Schmidt, 414856 RAAF, 462 Squadron – unofficial Bomber Command, and unofficial Normandy Campaign.
Photo from the John D K Schmidt Collection

Above: enlargement of the two miniature medals, both of which are "unofficial".
Medal 1 – light blue / dark blue / orange stripe ribbon, medal with RAF in centre, outer edge in clockwise from Crown .... N (Nav), WAG (Wireless/Air Gunner), B (Bomb Aimer), E (Engineer), AG (Air Gunner), O (Observer). (Information from the website bomber-command.info under medals.)
Medal 2 – light blue / dark blue / red stripe ribbon, French with Normandy clasp, medal with words around outer edge ... "Blessent mon Coeur d'une langueur monotone". Unofficial medal made available for purchase by those who served in the Normandy Campaign, 6 June to 20 August 1944. (Information from website medal-medaille.com under normandy-campaign-medal-with-clasp.)
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Aircraftman 2 Alfred Henry Green, 422500 RAAF, at enlistment on 22 May 1942 (later 462 Squadron).Leading Aircraftman Alfred Henry Green, 422500 RAAF, at 2 WAGS, August 1942 (later 462 Squadron).
Photos from the National Archives of Australia: A9301, 422500

Above left: Aircraftman 2 Alfred Henry Green, at enlistment on 22 May 1942, at 2 Recruiting Centre, Sydney.

 

Wireless Operator

Name: Alfred Henry GREEN
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 422500
Date of Birth: 29 November 1923
Place of Birth: Bondi, NSW
Date of Enlistment: 22 May 1942
Place of Enlistment: Sydney, NSW
Next of Kin: Alfred GREEN
Date of Discharge: 24 September 1945
Rank at Discharge: Warrant Officer
Posting at Discharge: Aircrew Allocation Centre
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: Distinguished Flying Cross
Prisoner of War: No

Left: Leading Aircraftman Alfred Henry Green, No. 30 Course, at 2 Wireless and Gunnery School, Parkes, NSW. He was posted there from 20 August 1942 until 3 March 1943, when he was awarded his Wireless Badge.
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Rear Gunner

Name: Maxwell James MARTIN
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 424007 (later O25163)
Date of Birth: 25 April 1924
Place of Birth: Gunnedah, New South Wales
Date of Enlistment: 20 July 1942
Place of Enlistment: Leichhardt, NSW
Next of Kin: Arthur MARTIN
Date of Discharge: 6 September 1945
Rank at Discharge: Flying Officer
Posting at Discharge: 29 Operational Training Unit
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: Distinguished Flying Cross
Prisoner of War: No
(Photos below)

 

Mid-Upper Gunner

Name: Athol William Scott SHILLAKER
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 429896
Date of Birth: 03 March 1914
Place of Birth: North Adelaide, South Australia
Date of Enlistment: 13 November 1942
Place of Enlistment: Brisbane, Qld
Next of Kin: Gladys SHILLAKER
Date of Discharge: 12 September 1945
Rank at Discharge: Flight Lieutenant
Posting at Discharge: ACAS
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: Distinguished Flying Cross
Prisoner of War: No
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Maxwell James Martin 424007 RAAF, Rear Gunner, 462 Squadron, Driffield, 1944.
Photo from the Maxwell James Martin Archives,
supplied by Cecile Martin.

Above: Rear Gunner Maxwell James Martin beside the rear turret of his aircraft, undated, and location not named. Max's rank may be Pilot Officer or Flying Officer, however the stripe on his shoulder epaulette is indistinct. Max was a Flight Sergeant on arrival at 462 Squadron in August 1944, and was recorded at that rank for the crew's Ops there. No record has yet been located for his posting from 462 Squadron. The above photo may have been taken at 35 Squadron, RAF Station Graveley, Huntingdonshire, beside a Lancaster bomber.

 

Maxwell James Martin 424007 RAAF, 462 Squadron, Driffield, 1944, and later 35 Squadron.
Photo from the Maxwell James Martin Archives,
supplied by Cecile Martin.

Above: Flying Officer Maxwell James Martin, 424007 RAAF, after his repatriation to Australia in 1945. The striped ribbon of his Distinguished Flying Cross is clearly visible below his Air Gunner's brevet. The photo was probably taken in Sydney, as the handwritten letters 'ydney' and can be distinguished on the lower left (that and another word had been partially cut off).
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Additional Crew Information – At the time of writing (late November 2016), the three RAAF Service Files for W/OP Green, Bomb Aimer Mann and Navigator Schmidt had been digitized by the National Archives of Australia. (Different documents referring to the same event may vary in date by one or two days; and several transcriptions errors were found in typed documents, due to the misreading of original hand-written documents.) The files for the other three RAAF members of this crew were not available, and the UK RAF Service File for Cunningham was also not accessible.
Information has been sourced from the National Archives of Australia (the three RAAF Service Files; 462 Squadron Operational Record Book, Forms 540 and 541); the Australian War Memorial; the Australian World War 2 Nominal Roll (online); "Brave and True" (2nd Edition), December 2007, by Stan Parker and John McManus DFC; London Gazette; a member of the Schmidt family, and from Cunningham.

By reference to the Green, Mann and Schmidt postings (see later section), it is probable that the original crew of six was formed at 27 OTU Lichfield, on or soon after 31 August 1943. Green and Mann were posted there on 17 August, and Schmidt on 31 August. They were posted to 41 Base Acaster Malbis on 5 December 1943, then to 1652 HCU, Marston Moor on 28 December 1943 where the Flight Engineer Cunningham would have joined the crew. The crew of seven were posted to 466 Squadron on 10 April 1944 (Leconfield, later relocating to Driffield), then posted to 462 Squadron, Driffield on 20 August 1944.

The crew's Posting From 462 Squadron was not recorded in the ORB, however the RAAF Service Files of Green, Mann and Schmidt all record the 8 September 1944 as the date of their posting from the squadron. Bomb Aimer Mann and Navigator Schmidt were both posted to 21 OTU Moreton-in-Marsh for Instructional Duties, training new crews in Wellington Bombers. Green's Service File records him as being posted to 35 Squadron on the same date.

The other 4 members of the crew (W/OP Green, Air Gunners Martin and Shillaker, and F/Eng Cunningham) were all probably posted out on the same date. All four commenced a 2nd Tour with 35 Squadron, with Cunningham, Martin and Shillaker in the same PFF Crew. (This has been verified by the words of F/Eng Paddy Cunningham himself, sent via Tim Dawe, and included in the later section.) Details of any later postings are not known, other than their postings at discharge (listed previously), and posting when their Honours were gazetted (details in later section). Interestingly W/OP Green, R/AG Martin, and MU/AG Shillaker were all awarded DFCs, and F/Eng Cunningham a DFM – all of which were Gazetted in March 1945, and all four serving with 35 Squadron. Green's RAAF Service File records him as commencing a 2nd Tour with 35 Squadron, Graveley, flying in Lancasters (Pathfinder Force) and completing a further 30 Ops, in addition to his 37 Ops on his 1st Tour with 466 and 462 Squadrons.

Thomas and Crew 114, of 466 Squadron – Carried out 37 Ops at 466 Squadron (Op details in later section).
The names highlighted in yellow are those who were subsequently posted as a crew to 462 Squadron.

Details of Crew 114 – sourced from "Brave & True", 2nd Edition, 2007, page 133.

Thomas Crew 114 of 466 Squadron, Driffield, later posted to 462 Squadron, Driffield.

Thomas and Crew 6, of 462 Squadron
August 1944
– The Thomas Crew was posted FROM 466 Squadron, Driffield, TO 462 Squadron, Driffield (details from ORB).
The unofficial Crew Number 6 was used by the 466/462 Squadron Association and various authors.

14 August 1944 – Bomber Command advised RAF Driffield that it had been decided to form 462 (RAAF) Squadron at Driffield, with effect from 12 August 1944.
18 August 1944 – certain ground staff personnel arrived, and Flight Lieutenant (Acting Squadron Leader) D E S Shannon was appointed to the Acting Rank of Wing Commander, and was posted from 466 (RAAF) Squadron Driffield to command 462 (RAAF) Squadron, Driffield.
19 August 1944 – Flying Officer D G Highman, RAAF, arrived to take up duties as the Adjutant of 462 Squadron.
20 August 1944 – S/Ldr B J MacDermott and S/Ldr J T Brophy were posted from 466 (RAAF) Squadron Driffield to take up duties as Flight Commanders for 462 (RAAF) Squadron, Driffield, together with 27 Officers included in 14 crews.
(See also posting details for Mann, Schmidt and Green, which confirm the arrival date of 20 August 1944.)

Officers, Form 540, page 4 (August 1944)
Pilot Officer R J Thomas 418205 RAAF
Flying Officer J D K Schmidt 414856 RAAF
Flying Officer A W S Shillaker 429896 RAAF

NCOs Form 540, page 5 (August 1944)
Flight Sergeant J C Mann 426363 RAAF
Flight Sergeant A H Green 422500 RAAF
Flight Sergeant M J Martin 424007 RAAF
Sergeant T J Cunningham 1796254 (Air Force not listed, but later recorded in Gazette as RAFVR)
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Bomb Aimer John Charles MANN (Jack) – the following details have been taken from his RAAF Service File.

December 1939 to June 1942 – Military service as Trooper in 11th Light Horse; enlisted at Gatton, Qld, while living at Toowoomba, Qld; Australian Army service number Q7331; discharged from 11 Motor Regiment on 18 June 1942 to join RAAF.

23 October 1941 – Enrolled in the RAAF Reserve at No. 3 Recruiting Centre (3 RC), Brisbane; age 19 years and 10 months; single, home address Toowoomba; civil employment as cleaner; issued Badge Number 9736; appointed as Air Crew Group V; personal details as per the Enlistment form of 9 November 1941.

31 January 1942 – Marriage, wife Beryl Jean Mann listed as Next-of-kin on later records; at various addresses during her husband's training in Aus & service overseas.

20 June 1942 – Enlisted in the Citizen Air Force at 3 RC, Brisbane; born Pittsworth Qld; age 20 years and 6 months; married, no children; height 5 feet 4½ inches; weight 161 lb; fair complexion, blue eyes, brown hair; some scars; Medical Category A1,B1,A,B (in later forms listed as A1, B, A3, B); previous civil occupation cleaner.
20 June 1942 – Mustered as Air Crew V; classified as Aircraftman 2; posted to 3 Initial Training School (3 ITS), Sandgate.

09 August 1942 – Re-mustered as Air Crew V (O) at 3 ITS.
12 September 1942 – Re-mustered as Air Crew II (O); promoted to Leading Aircraftman (LAC).
17 September 1942 – Posted to 1 Air Observers School (1 AOS), commenced No. 29 (Air Observers) Course, training in Anson aircraft; until 14 December 1942; Passed.

14 December 1942 – Posted to 1 Bombing and Gunnery School (1 BAGS) Evans Head; commenced No. 29 (O) Course, bombing and gunnery, training in Battle aircraft; until 28 January 1943, Passed.
29 January 1943 – Awarded Air Observers Badge, at 1 BAGS.

08 February 1943 – Posted to 1 Air Navigation School (1 ANS) Parkes; commenced No. 29 Navigator 'B' Course, Astro Navigation, training in Anson aircraft; until 04 March 1943; Passed.
04 March 1943 – Re-mustered as Navigator "B" at 1 ANS.
04 March 1943 – Awarded Navigator 'B' Badge, promoted to Sergeant, 1 ANS.

05 March 1943 – Posted to 3 Embarkation Depot (3 ED) Sandgate, Qld.
14 April 1943 – Posted to 2 ED, Bradfield Park, Sydney.
17 April 1943 – Embarked from Brisbane, attached to RCAF.

05 May 1943 – Disembarked Canada from Australia, posted to No. 3 Manning Depot (3 M Depot), Edmonton, Canada (RCAF).
16 June 1943 – Posted to 1 'Y' Depot Halifax, Canada.
21 June 1943 – Detached from RCAF.
22 June 1943 – Embarked for UK, attached to RAF.

01 July 1943 – Disembarked UK.
02 July 1943 – Posted to 11 PDRC Brighton UK.

20 July 1943 – Posted to 4 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit (4 (O) AFU), West Freugh, Wigtownshire, Scotland, for Advanced Flying Training in Anson aircraft.

17 August 1943 – Posted to 27 Operational Training Unit (27 OTU) Lichfield, for Operational Training in Wellington III and X aircraft. (Here the initial crew of 6 would have formed.)
04 September 1943 – Promoted to Flight Sergeant, at 27 OTU.

28 December 1943 – Posted to 41 Base, attached to 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit, Marston Moor (1652 HCU) for Conversion to Halifax II Bombers (with the addition of Flight Engineer to make a crew of 7).

10 April 1944 – Posted to 466 Squadron Leconfield UK; relocated with the Squadron to Driffield; 37 Ops and 190 hours 40 minutes operational flying (details in later section).

20 August 1944 – Posted to 462 Squadron Driffield; 2 Ops, 7 hours 50 minutes operational flying (details in later section).
04 September 1944 – Promoted to Warrant Officer, at 466 Squadron.

08 September 1944 – Posted to 21 OTU Moreton-in-Marsh, Air Bomber Instructor in Wellington aircraft.
05 Oct 1944 – Granted a Commission.
06 Oct 1944 – Promoted to Pilot Officer.
06 April 1945 – Promoted to Flying Officer.

24 April 1945 – RAF Report (Officer) on Mann's performance as Instructor at 21 OTU, prior to repatriation – General Conduct Satisfactory; of temperate habit; 5 assessments of duties all scored as 5, and one as 6; The CO stated "A keen officer with a good technical knowledge. Bearing and discipline satisfactory". The next senior Officer remarked "I. K." [Insufficient Knowledge to assess].
25 April 1945 – Posted to 11 PDRC, for repatriation to Australia.
20 June 1945 – Disembarked in Sydney, Australia and posted to 2 PD.

29 July 1945 – Posted to 3 PD Sandgate ex overseas; and transferred to RAAF Reserve.

05 September 45 – Transferred from the Active List; discharged on demobilization, home address Toowoomba

01 October 1945 – Two Certificates of Service and Discharge, Certificate 3844A Airman, and Certificate 4064 Officer; forwarded to J C Mann at his address in Toowoomba, Qld.

Training Flying Hours (Australia) and Operational Flying Training (UK) and Non-operational Instructional Flying (UK) – total 289 hours and 55 minutes.
Operational Flying, 39 Ops, 198 hours 30 minutes.
Total all Flying hours ..... 488 hours 25 minutes.

Medals – 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45; and Returned from Active Service Badge (original incorrect entitlement of 25 September 1945, amended on 9 April 1948, after correspondence between Mann and the RAAF).

Service Conduct Sheets and General Conduct Sheet – all postings (except one) signed and "Certified No Entry" .......
However on 28 December 1943 at 1 BAGS Evans Head, NSW, Leading Aircraftman Mann "after being warned NOT to proceed on leave beyond 40 mile radius of the School did so, and subsequently proceeded to Brisbane", and also "at 0630 hours on 28.12.42 failed to answer his name at Roll Call on the morning parade".
On 30 December 1942, he was awarded the punishment of "7 days Confined to Barracks" for each offence – a total of 14 days. The reasons for his travel to Brisbane are not known, but it was where his wife was living.
These two offences did not affect his future Service with the RAAF. He progressed through his training and promotions to Warrant Officer, and in October 1944 was Granted a Commission, to the rank of Pilot Officer, later promoted to Flying Officer.
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Navigator/Observer John Damian Kearney SCHMIDT – the following details have been taken from his RAAF Service File.

November 1940 to July 1941 – Military service as Corporal in 9th Battalion Militia; discharged to join RAAF.

01 July 1941 – Enrolled in the RAAF Reserve at No. 3 Recruiting Centre (3 RC), Brisbane; age 25 years and 4 months; single, home address Lutwyche; employed by Forestry Department, Brisbane; Badge Number 9823; appointed as Aircraftman II, Group V; personal details as per the Enlistment form of 9 November 1941.

09 November 1941 – Enlisted at 3 RC, Brisbane; residence Beaudesert; aged 25 years & 8 months; single; no civil convictions; height 5 feet 7½ inches; weight 147 lb; medium complexion, brown eyes, black hair; some scars and vaccination marks; Medical Category A1B (in later forms recorded as A1B, A3B); previous civilian occupation Public Servant Clerk; education to Junior and Senior Public Certificates.
9 November 1941 – Mustered as Aircrew V; classified as Aircraftman 2; posted to 3 Initial Training Centre (3 ITS), Sandgate.

02 January 1942 – Re-mustered as Aircrew V (P), commenced No 22 (P) Course at 3 ITS, until 2 March 1942, Passed.
28 February 1942 – Re-mustered as Aircrew II (P); promoted to Leading Aircraftman.

04 March 1942 – Posted to 12 Elementary Flying Training School (12 EFTS), Lowood, Qld.

28 March 1942 – Posted to 8 EFTS, Narrandera, NSW
30 March 1942 – Commenced No. 23 (P) course at 8 EFTS, to 27 May 42; Passed.

30 May 1942 – Posted to 1 Service Flying Training School (1 SFTS), Point Cook, Victoria.

20 August 1942 – Posted to 1 Air Observers School (1 AOS), Cootamundra; re-mustered as Aircrew II (O).
21 August 1942 – Commenced No 28 (O) Course at 1 AOS; to 12 November 1942; 50 hours 20 minutes training in Avro Anson aircraft; Passed.

13 November 1942 – Posted to 1 Bombing and Gunnery School (1 BAGS), Evans Head, NSW.
14 November 1942 – Commenced No 28 (Observers) Course at 1 BAGS; until 31 December 1942; 16 hours 05 minutes training in Fairey Battle aircraft; Passed.

19 December 1942 – Marriage, wife Alma Rae Harris Schmidt added as next-of-kin, residence initially at Beaudesert.
01 January 1943 – Awarded Air Observer's Badge at 1 BAGS.

11 January 1943 – Posted to 1 Air Navigation School (1 ANS), Parkes, NSW; commenced No. 28 Air Observer's Course; until 04 February 1943; 29 hours 40 minutes training in Avro Anson aircraft; Passed, "Recommended" for his Astro Navigation.

28 January 1943 – Granted a Commission; at 1 ANS.
04 February 1943 – Promoted to Pilot Officer at 1 ANS.

05 February 1943 – Posted to 3 Embarkation Depot (3 ED), Sandgate, Qld.
25 February 1943 – Posted to 1 ED, Ascot Vale, Melbourne, Victoria.

06 March 1943 – Embarked from Melbourne; attached to OSHQ; to UK via Canada.
22 March 1943 – Disembarked in, then departed from San Francisco.
27 March 1943 – Arrived Camp Meyles Standish. (sic, Camp Myles Standish, U.S. Army Camp, Taunton, Massachusetts).
07 April 1943 – Departed Camp Meyles (sic).
09 April 1943 – Arrived Halifax, Nova Scotia; proceeded on posting to "Q Sqdn, A Flight"; RAAF Draft.

17 April 1943 – Disembarked in UK.
18 April 1943 – Posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton.

25 June 1943 – Attached to 18 EFTS, 50 Group, Fair Oaks, Surrey, Map reading, 29 hours training in DH 82 aircraft
09 July 1943 – Detached from 18 EFTS, 50 Group.

03 August 1943 – Posted to 9 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit (9 (O) AFU) Llandwrog, Wales; 32 hours 30 minutes training in Avro Anson aircraft.
04 August 1943 – Promoted to Flying Officer.

31 August 1943 – Posted to 27 OTU Lichfield – formation of 6-man crew; 59 hours 50 minutes training in Wellington X aircraft.

15 December 1943 – Posted to 41 Base, Acaster Malbis, Yorkshire.
28 December 1943 – Posted to 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit, Marston Moor (1652 HCU); addition of Flight Engineer to make a crew of 7; 43 hours 40 minutes training in Halifax II aircraft.

10 April 1944 – Posted to 466 Squadron, Leconfield, relocated with Squadron to Driffield; 37 Ops, 156 hours 55 minutes Operational flying in Halifax III aircraft; plus 25 hours 55 minutes non-operational flying.

20 August 1944 – Posted to 462 Squadron, Driffield; 2 Ops; 7 hours 50 minutes Operational flying in Halifax III aircraft.

08 September 1944 – Posted to 21 OTU, Enstone, satellite airfield for Moreton-in-Marsh; 23 hours 20 minutes flying, Instructional Duties in Wellington III and X.

04 February 1945 – Promoted to Flight Lieutenant.

12 March 1945 – Posted to 11 PDRC, 91 Group, pending Repatriation to Australia.

20 April 1945 – Embarked from UK, destination Australia.

22 May 1945 – Disembarked Sydney.
23 May 1945 – Posted to 2 Personnel Depot (2 PD), Moore Park, NSW.
05 July 1945 – Posted to 3 PD, Sandgate, Qld, ex Overseas.
07 August 1945 – Posted to 7 OTU, as Navigator Instructor.

06 December 1945 – Posted to 3 PD, Redbank, appointment terminated.
12 December 1945 – Discharged on Demobilisation.

11 February 1946 – Two Certificates of Service and Discharge, 11463A Airman, and 14369 Officer; forwarded to J D K Schmidt at his address in Lutwyche, Qld.

Medals as shown in photograph in a previous section, 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45.

Training Flying Hours (Australia) 125 hours 05 Minutes.
Operational Flying Training (UK) 136 hours.
Non-operational Instructional Flying (UK) 23 hours 20 minutes.
Operational Flying 39 Ops 164 hours 45 minutes (plus 35 Hours 55 Non-Ops).
Total all Flying hours ..... 485 hours 45 minutes.

Service Conduct Sheets and General Conduct Sheet – all postings signed and "Certified No Entry" .......

NOTE: page 22 of the NAA digitised Service File for John Damian Kearney SCHMIDT 414856 RAAF, is actually a misfiled "Service Conduct Sheet" for Douglas James SCHMIDT 414845 RAAF (who also enlisted in Brisbane on 09 November 1941; trained at 3 ITS and 3 WAGS in 1942; and was at 8 SFTS Bundaberg on 04 November 1942). The charges listed on that service Conduct Sheet relate to Douglas James Schmidt, not to John Damian Kearney Schmidt, later of 462 Squadron.

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Wireless Operator Alfred Henry GREEN – the following details have been taken from his RAAF Service File.

24 November 1941 – Application for Aircrew, RAAF; living at Bondi; occupation as a junior clerk in the Taxation Department; next-of-kin his father, Mr A H Green who was a clerk in the Union Steam Ship Co.; his mother Ruby Isabel Green, was listed as extra contact in case of casualty; Education at Randwick Intermediate High 1936-1938, and Christian Brothers College, Waverley 1939-1940; undergoing studies in Accountancy; height 5 foot 11 inches; weight 10 st 0 lb. Signed by Alfred Henry Green, and as he was under-aged (not yet 18, date of birth 29 Nov 1923), also counter-signed by his mother Mrs R Green. In later forms, his Mother was listed as next-of-kin.

09 December 1941 – Enrolled in the RAAF Reserve at No. 2 Recruiting Centre (2 RC), Sydney; age 18 years and 1 month; born at Bondi, NSW; single, home address Bondi; civil employment as clerk in the Taxation Department, Sydney; issued Badge Number 8555; no prior military service; personal details as per the Enlistment form of 22 May 1942.

22 May 1942 – Enlisted in the RAAF at 2 RC, Sydney; age 18 years and 5 months; single; height 5 feet 10 inches; weight 126 lb; fair complexion, blue eyes, brown hair; some scars; Medical Category A1, B, A3, B (fit full flying duties).
22 May 1942 – Mustered as Air Crew V; classified as Aircraftman 2; posted to 2 Initial Training School (2 ITS), Bradfield Park, (also recorded as Lindfield) Sydney.

13 July 1942 – Re-mustered as Air Crew V (P).
12 August 1942 – Re-mustered as Air Crew V (G).
15 August 1942 – Promoted to Leading Aircraftman (LAC).
20 August 1942 – Posted to 2 WAGS, Parkes, NSW; training in Wackett aircraft; 20 hours flying time.

17 September 1942 – Commenced No. 30 (G) Course at 2 WAGS, until 03 March 1943; Passed.

03 March 1943 – Awarded Wireless Badge (2 WAGS)
04 March 1943 – Re-mustered as Aircrew II (G).
06 March 1943 – Posted to 2 BAGS, Port Pirie; training in Battle aircraft; 20 hours flying time.
08 March 1943 – Commenced No. 30 (G) Course at 2 BAGS, until 31 March 1943; Passed.

01 April 1943 – Awarded Air Gunner's Badge, 2 BAGS
01 April 1943 – Re-mustered as Wireless Operator Air Gunner (WOAG), promoted to Sergeant.
02 April 1943 – Posted to 2 ED, Bradfield Park, Sydney.

16 April 1943 – Embarked from Brisbane, attached to RAF.

10 June 1943 – Disembarked in UK; Posted to 11 PDRC Brighton UK.

11 July 1943 – Posted to 4 (O) AFU, RAF Station, West Freugh, Wigtownshire, Scotland, for Advanced Flying training in Anson aircraft, 40 hours flying time.

17 August 1943 – Posted to 27 Operational Training Unit (27 OTU) Lichfield, for Operational Training in Wellington III and X aircraft; 100 hours flying time. (Here the initial crew of 6 would have formed.)

01 October 1943 – Promoted to Flight Sergeant

28 December 1943 – Posted to 41 Base, attached to 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit, Marston Moor (1652 HCU) for Conversion to Halifax II Bombers (with the addition of Flight Engineer to make a crew of 7); 20 hours flying time.

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

10 April 1944 – Posted to 466 Squadron Leconfield UK; relocated with the Squadron to Driffield; 35 Ops (details in later section).

20 August 1944 – Posted to 462 Squadron Driffield; 2 Ops (details in later section).

08 September 1944 – Posted to 35 Squadron, Path Finder Force, Graveley, Huntingdonshire, 30 Ops in Lancaster Bombers, 200 hours flying time.

08 September 1944 – attached to Path Finder Night Training Unit (P.F.N.T.U.) until 16 September, training in Lancasters, at RAF Station Warboys, Huntingdonshire, flying time not recorded.

01 October 1944 – Promoted to Warrant Officer

27 March 1945 – Awarded a DFC while posted to 35 Squadron, RAF Station Graveley, Huntingdonshire (see later Section for details).
Service File also makes reference to a DFM on 3 separate documents, but no other details; record of DFM not located in the London Gazette, or NAA or AWM. Perhaps Green had been recommended for a DFM, but the award had been upgraded to a DFC after his promotion to Warrant Officer (?)

04 May 1945 – Posted to Air Crew Allocation Centre (ACAC).
02 June 1945 – Posted to 11 PDRC, for repatriation to Australia.
22 June 1945 – Embarked for Australia, Embarkation Roll No. 92.
24 July 1945 – Disembarked in Sydney, Australia and posted to 2 PD.

24 September 1945 – Discharged on demobilization, home address Bondi, later Cheltenham, Victoria.
16 October 1945 – Received Certificate of Service and Discharge.

Flying hours recorded do not tally with those of Mann or Schmidt, and appear to be rounded estimates, not actual flying hours.
Training Flying Hours (Australia) and Operational Flying Training (UK) – total 200 hours.
Operational Flying, 1st Tour – 466 and 462 Squadrons, Halifax aircraft – 37 Ops – 150 hours.
Operational Flying, 2nd Tour – 35 Squadron – Lancasters – 20 Ops – 200 hours.

Total Operational Flying – 350 Hours
Total all Flying ..... 650 hours.

Medals – 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe and clasp; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45; and Returned from Active Service Badge. Distinguished Flying Cross.

Service Conduct Sheet "Certified No Entry" .......
General Conduct Sheet is absent from Service File, however elsewhere mention is made of ......
12 August 1942 – Offence not listed, at 2 ITS, Punishment – "3 Days Confined to Barracks, Forfeit one days pay".
However the un-named offence did not affect his future Service with the RAAF. He progressed through his training and promotions to Warrant Officer, carried out 2 Tours with a total of 67 Ops, and was also awarded a DFC.
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Flight Engineer Thomas John CUNNINGHAM (aka Paddy, or Tom) – the following posting details have been extrapolated from the RAAF Service Files of other members of this crew; and the promotions sourced from the London Gazette.

Undated, and assumed – trained as Flight Engineer at St Athan, Wales (?)

28 December 1943 – Thomas Crew of 6 posted to 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit, Marston Moor (1652 HCU); Flight Engineer Sergeant Cunningham taken on, to make a crew of 7; training in Halifax II aircraft.

10 April 1944 – Posted to 466 Squadron, Leconfield, relocated with Squadron to Driffield; rank of Sergeant; about 37 Ops, Operational flying in Halifax III aircraft.

20 August 1944 – Posted to 462 Squadron, Driffield; rank of Sergeant; 2 Ops; 7 hours 50 minutes Operational flying in Halifax III aircraft.

? 08 September 1944 – Posted to 35 Squadron, Graveley. (W/OP Green, R/AG Martin, and MU/AG Shillaker were all serving with 35 Squadron when they were awarded DFCs, all of which were Gazetted in March 1945. F/Eng Cunningham was awarded a DFM the same month, also serving with 35 Squadron. See more details below, including information from Cunningham who confirmed that he and Martin and Shillaker crewed together in a 2nd Tour at 35 Squadron. Green was posted to 35 Sqdn on 8 September, so the other three may have been posted on the same date.)

Date not known – Promoted to Flight Sergeant

Commission .... London Gazette Friday 6 April 1945; 2nd Supplement Tuesday 10 April 1945, Issue 37021 page 1885 .....
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
General Duties Branch
Appointment to Commission, as Pilot Officer
Flight Sergeants
1796254 Thomas John Cunningham (191848) .... effective 20th February 1945.

Award of Distinguished Flying Medal (see later section).

Promotion to Flying Officer .... London Gazette Tuesday 18 September 1945; 3rd Supplement Friday 21 September 1945, Issue 37276 page 4696 ..........
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
General Duties Branch
Confirmation and promotion, Pilot Officers to be Flying Officers
19th August 1945
T J Cunningham, D.F.M. (191848) effective 20 August 1945.

28 July 2014 – Information from Tom Cunningham – from an email sent to Tim Dawe, in reply to Tim's research questions about Halifax MZ296 and its nose art (viewed at top of page). Tim is a relative of Margaret Szalay (who provided the aircraft photo), the daughter of Navigator John Schmidt. In January 2017, Tim kindly forwarded this information for use on this website and to clarify Tom's postings after 462 Squadron. .... quote of Tom's words as follows (italics are my comments, Ops are listed in a later section, answer 6 not in email).

"Dear Tim,"

"Thank you for your bolt from the past. I will be 90 in September and my memory is fading so 70 years is a very long time but I will have a go."
(Tom's 90th Birthday in September 2014)

"1. A lantern. This is mentioned in the lyrics of the popular wartime song Lili of the Lamplight in the UK and Germany. Vocalists were Vera Lynn and Marlene Dietrich. See this on Google."
(in reference to the lamp light)

"2. Not sure it may be a high stool."
(In reference to what Lili is sitting on)

"3. Not certain it may be Lili of the Lamplight."
(in reference to words in the nose art)

"4. Lighter are day flights and darker night flights."
(in reference to bombs in the nose art, which relate to Ops)

"5. Quite correct – 6th June – same as my wedding anniversary – 65 years not out in 2014."
(refers to two Ops carried by this crew on D-Day, 06 June; 11th Op to Maisy, and 12th Op to Chateaudun; Wedding date 6 June 1949)

"7. I don't know who wrote 'our last' but it was on 24 August when we were bombing ships in the harbour at Brest in the morning. The plane was hit by flak and the port outer engine was damaged and we returned on three engines. It nearly was 'our last'."
(24 August 1944 was that crew's 37th and last Op at 466 Squadron, to Brest. This is different from the previous accepted belief that "our last" referred to the crew's last Op as a crew together at 462 Squadron on 27 August 1944. However the aircraft markings are clearly Z5-L of 462 Squadron. See photo of MZ296 Z5-L with nose art and "OUR LAST" on tail fin on the Halifax page.)

"You may not know that our aircraft letter was changed from R to L  after the operation to Wizernes on 28 June. It was still MZ296!"
(28 June 1944 was the crew's Op number 28 at 466 Squadron)

"My rank was Flight Sergeant and my number was 1796254."

"When I left Tommo's crew I was glutton for punishment or a daft lad when I volunteered for another operational tour with the Pathfinder Force in 35 Squadron RAF based at Graveley, Hunts. (not an ideal name!). Fortunately I was joined by our rear gunner Max Martin and upper gunner Bill Shillaker and stayed together in the same Lancaster crew. Life in PFF was quite different than Bomber Command – marking targets for the main force to attack. We survived another tour together which we were truly thankful. I was honoured to receive a DFM and later a commission. My rank was Flying Officer and number was 191848."

...... (some inter-family personal correspondence deleted) .....

"Best wishes to all the Schmidt Clan. Jack was a great crew member who always found the destination and saw us safely home again. For that Ruby and I are truly thankful."
(Jack was John Schmidt, the crew's Navigator)
........... end of quote ...........
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Rear Gunner Maxwell James MARTIN (aka Max) – the following posting details have taken from the WW2 Nominal Roll (Australia), and also extrapolated from the RAAF Service Files of other members of this crew; the promotions and Award information was sourced from the London Gazette. Max's RAAF A9300 Service File from the National Archives of Australia (NAA), has not yet been digitised.

20 July 1942 - enlisted in the RAAF at Sydney, New South Wales.

Not yet known - Training and promotions in Australia, and embarkation to the UK.

August 1943 – or thereabouts, probably posted to 27 Operational Training Unit (27 OTU) Lichfield, for Operational Training in Wellington aircraft. (Here the initial crew of 6 would have formed.)

28 December 1943 – probably posted to 41 Base, with Thomas crew, attached to 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit, Marston Moor (1652 HCU) for Conversion to Halifax II Bombers (with the addition of Flight Engineer to make a crew of 7).

10 April 1944 – Posted to 466 Squadron, Leconfield UK, with Thomas crew; relocated with 466 Squadron to Driffield (Ops details in later section).

20 August 1944 – Posted to 462 Squadron Driffield, with Thomas crew; 2 Ops (details in later section). Max's posting TO the Squadron was included in the Operational Record Book for August 1944, but his posting FROM the Squadron was not. He was at the rank of Flight Sergeant on arrival, and for both Ops at 462 Squadron. The crew had previously carried out over 35 Ops at 466 Squadron, so with the additional two Ops at 462 Squadron, had completed their first tour.

08 September 1944 – Posted to 35 Squadron, Path Finder Force, Graveley, Huntingdonshire, 30 Ops in Lancaster Bombers. He is known to have crewed at 35 Squadron with MU/AG Shillaker and F/Eng Cunningham; and W/Op Green had also been posted there.

Date not known - Receipt of Commission and promotion to the rank of Pilot Officer, however this was prior to 27 March 1945.

27 March 1945 – Awarded a DFC at the rank of Pilot Officer, while posted to 35 Squadron, RAF Station Graveley, Huntingdonshire (see later section for details). W/Op Green and MU/AG Shillaker also each received a DFC, and F/Eng Cunningham a DFM, during their service at 35 Squadron. The photo shown in previous section, of Max Martin beside the rear turret of a Lancaster, was probably taken at 35 Squadron.

Date not known - posted to Operational Training Unit (29 OTU), presumably as Gunnery Instructor after completing a 2nd Tour with 35 Squadron.

Dates not known - embarkation for repatriation to Australia; and disembarkation in Australia. The photo shown in a previous section appears to have been taken at about this time.

06 September 1945 – Discharged from the RAAF; last posting recorded as 29 Operational Training Unit.

It appears Max may have re-enlisted in the RAAF as his Nominal Roll entry includes a later Service Number O25163 (O as in Officer). A file at the NAA with an end date of 1960, refers to the Resignation of Commission of F/O M J Martin, O25163.
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Crew Ops at 466 Squadron – transcribed from "Brave & True", 2nd Ed'n (pages 95 and 133), target names as recorded there.
Dates – e.g. 20/21, they departed in the evening of the 20th, and returned in the early hours of the 21st (and so on for other dates).
According to Service details for Green, Mann and Schmidt, they were posted to 466 Squadron on 10 April 1944, so for the first 10 days, the crew was probably undertaking training flights.
Total Ops for Thomas and Crew at 466 Squadron – 37.

Crew
Op
466 Sqdn
Op Number
Date Target
(as written)
1 B70 20/21 April 1944 Ottignies
2 B77 6/7 May 1944 Mantes-Gassicourt
3 B79 9/10 May 1944 Morsalines
4 B80 11/12 May 1944 Collines Beaumont
5 B81 12/13 May 1944 Hasselt
6 B82 19/20 May 1944 Boulogne
7 B83 24/25 May 1944 Collines Beaumont
8 B84 27/28 May 1944 Camp Bourg Leopold
9 B85 1/2 June 1944 Ferme D'Urville
10 B86 2/3 June 1944 Trappes
11 B87 5/6 June 1944 Maisy
12 B88 6/7 June 1944 Chateaudun
13 B90 9/10 June 1944 Laval
14 B91 12/13 June 1944 St Roch (Amiens)
15 B95 22 June 1944 Siracourt
16 B96 23/24 June 1944 Oisemont Neuville-au-Bois
17 B97 24/25 June 1944 Le Grand Rossignol
18 B98 27 June 1944 Marquise-Mimoyecques
19 B99 28 June 1944 Wizernes
20 B101 01 July 1944 Oisemont Neuville-au-Bois
21 B103 6 July 1944 Marquise-Mimoyecques
22 B104 7 July 1944 Caen
23 B106 14/15 July 1944 Les Landes Vielles et Neuves
24 B107 17 July 1944 Bois de la Haye
25 B110 20/21 July 1944 Ardouval
26 B113 24/25 July 1944 Stuttgart
27 B114 25/26 July 1944 Wanne Eickel
28 B116 29 July 1944 Foret de Nieppe
29 B118 1 August 1944 Chapelle Notre Dame
30 B119 3 August 1944 L’Isle Adam
31 B120 5 August 1944 Foret de Nieppe
32 B121 6 August 1944 Foret de Nieppe
33 B122 7/8 August 1944 Battle Area 3
34 B123 9 August 1944 Coquereaux
35 B124 10/11 August 1944 Dijon Marshalling Yards
36 B125 11 August 1944 Etaples Railway Bridge
37 B131 24 August 1944 Brest

The next day, 25 August 1944, this crew was flying for 462 Squadron, Driffield.
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Crew Ops at 462 Squadron – sourced from the 462 Squadron ORB

The following table lists the 2 Ops for Thomas and his crew at 462 Squadron – No substitutions, no early returns, no other incidents, and both Ops were classified as successful. These 2 Ops brought Pilot Thomas's total Op tally to 39, possibly 40 if he had flown as 2nd Pilot for his 1st Op. Green and Cunningham has been substituted while on Ops at 466 Squadron, so their Op totals would have been 1 or more Ops lower. Green's total for his 1st Tour was 37. Mann and Schmidt both had Op totals of 39.
Details taken from the ORB Form 541 – pages 1 (summary) and 2 (crew) for 25 August 1944;
pages 4 (summary) and 5 (crew) for 27 August 1944.

Date Op No A/c Serial Code Z5- Up Down Target Op Type Comments
25/08/1944 1 MZ296 L 1819
night
2145
night
Watten (1 of 9 aircraft tasked from 462 Sqdn) Bombing Crew of 7 as listed previously;
9 aircraft were detailed and all became airborne, all attacked the target and returned safely. Visibility good.
MZ296 Bombed Primary target from 14,000 ft., at 20.32 hrs;
Photographic report:- Aiming Point near centre of picture.
27/08/1944 2 MZ296 L 1133
day
1552
day
Homberg (1 of 10 aircraft tasked from 462 Sqdn) Bombing Crew of 7 as listed previously;
10 aircraft were detailed and all became airborne; 8 attacked the primary target; one attacked the Rhine Docks, north-east of Homberg, on three engines (Lane crew, MZ306); and one returned early with engine trouble, and jettisoned bombs (Cuttriss crew, LW955).
All returned safely. Small amounts of cloud increasing over the Continent, visibility moderate to good.
MZ296 Bombed Primary target from 19,000 ft., at 14.02 hrs;
7/10 cloud, poor visibility.
Photographic report:- Aiming Point at extreme top left of photo.

Halifax Mk III Serial Number MZ296 transferred from 466 Squadron to 462 Squadron after 462 Squadron was re-formed at Driffield in August 1944. The 466 squadron aircraft Code Number for MZ296 was originally HD-R, changed to HD-L after 28 June 1944 (ref: "Brave and True", page 326; and email from F/Eng Tom Cunningham, transcription in preceding section; and logbook from Pilot Cuttriss of Crew 7). At 462 Squadron, MZ296 was then given the new code number Z5-L "Love". The crew photo also shows part of this aircraft. Additional photos of MZ296 Z5-L may be seen on the Halifax page. The AWM online also refers to this aircraft as "Lili Marlene", perhaps due to "Lily of the Lamplight" as part of the aircraft nose art. The broad vertical yellow stripes on the tail fins were added to 462 Squadron aircraft in late September 1944. Aircraft for 466 Squadron were identified by three broad horizontal stripes on the tail fins.

Halifax MZ296 was one of nine aircraft used by the newly reformed 462 Squadron on the Squadron's first Op from Driffield on 25 August 1944. It was flown regularly on Ops during September and early October 1944. The artwork with the caricatures of the members of the crew with "Lily of the Lamp Light" and words "TOMMO'S MOB ON OPS AGAIN" refers to the Thomas Crew. The words "OUR LAST" on the tail fin, as shown in the AWM photos of this aircraft, was thought to refer to the last Op for the Thomas crew at 462 Squadron, on 27 August 1944. However an email from Cunningham refers to their last Op at 466 Squadron on 24 August 1944.

MZ296 was lost over Belgium on the night of 14/15 October 1944 by Pilot Cookson and Crew 23 returning from an Op to Duisburg. All of the crew survived, and returned to the Squadron. More details of that event are on that crew's page.
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Honours and Gallantry – Distinguished Flying Cross x 4; and Distinguished Flying Medal x 1

1. Pilot Ronald James THOMAS DFC

From the London Gazette, dated Friday 8th December 1944 (Third Supplement, Tuesday 12 December 1944), Issue 36835, page 5692 ..... quote (Citation not included in Gazette.) .....

Air Ministry, 12th December 1944. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards:-

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE.

Distinguished Flying Cross.

Acting Flying Officers.
Ronald James THOMAS (AUS.418205), 462 (R.A.A.F.) Sqn.

DFC record card for F/O Ronald James Thomas 418205 RAAF, Australian War Memorial (462 Squadron).
From the Australian War Memorial

Above: Australian War Memorial record of DFC Award to Flying Officer Thomas, for "Skill & fortitude in operations against the enemy".
Insignia presented by the Governor-General, at Government House, Melbourne on 20 October 1947.

2. Wireless Operator Alfred Henry GREEN DFC

From the London Gazette, dated Friday 23rd March 1945 (Third Supplement, Tuesday 27 March 1945), Issue 37001, page 1656 ..... quote (Citation not included in Gazette; same issue, page and Squadron as Martin and Shillaker)

Air Ministry, 27th March 1945. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards:-

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE.

Distinguished Flying Cross.

Warrant Officers.
Alfred Henry GREEN (AUS.422500), 35 Sqn.

DFC record card for W/O Alfred Henry Green 422500 RAAF, Australian War Memorial (462 Squadron).
From the Australian War Memorial

Above: Australian War Memorial record of DFC Award to Warrant Officer Green, for "Skill & fortitude in operations against the enemy".
Insignia was forwarded by Registered Post on 16 April 1946.

Citation for DFC Award to W/O Alfred Henry Green 422500 RAAF, NAA (462 Squadron).
From the National Archives of Australia: A9301, 422500

Letter of Citation

"Warrant Officer GREEN has completed numerous
operations against the enemy in the course of which he
has invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage
and devotion to duty."

3. Rear Gunner Maxwell James MARTIN DFC

From the London Gazette, dated Friday 23rd March 1945 (Third Supplement, Tuesday 27 March 1945), Issue 37001, page 1656 ..... quote (Citation not included in Gazette; same issue, page and Squadron as Green and Shillaker)

Air Ministry, 27th March 1945. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards:-

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE.

Distinguished Flying Cross.

Pilot Officers.
Maxwell James MARTIN (AUS.424007), 35 Sqn.

DFC record card for P/O Maxwell James Martin 424007 RAAF, Australian War Memorial (462 Squadron).
From the Australian War Memorial

Above: Australian War Memorial record of DFC Award to Pilot Officer Martin, for "Skill & fortitude in operations against the enemy".
Insignia presented by the Governor-General, at Government House, Sydney on 9 August 1946.

4. Mid-Upper Gunner Athol William Scott SHILLAKER DFC

From the London Gazette, dated Friday 23rd March 1945 (Third Supplement, Tuesday 27 March 1945), Issue 37001, page 1656 ..... quote (Citation not included in Gazette; same issue, page and Squadron as Green and Martin) .......

Air Ministry, 27th March 1945. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards:-

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE.

Distinguished Flying Cross.

Flying Officers.
Athol William Scott SHILLAKER (AUS.429896), 35 Sqn.

DFC record card for F/O Athol William Scott Shillaker 429896 RAAF, Australian War Memorial (462 Squadron).
From the Australian War Memorial

Above: Australian War Memorial record of DFC Award to Flying Officer Shillaker, for "Skill & fortitude in operations against the enemy".
Insignia presented by the Governor of South Australia, at Government House, Adelaide on 20 November 1946.

5. Flight Engineer Thomas John CUNNINGHAM DFM

From the London Gazette, dated Tuesday 20th March 1945 (Fourth Supplement, Friday 23 March 1945), Issue 36997, page 1598 ..... quote .....

Air Ministry, 23rd March 1945. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards:-

Distinguished Flying Medal.
Flight Sergeants.

1796254 Thomas John CUNNINGHAM, R.A.F.V.R., 35 Sqn.

If anyone wishes to add information about this crew, or can provide additional photos, please make contact.

 

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