Australian bomber crews remembered

Kyt · Jun 1, 2008

Crowd gathers to remember WWII bombers - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

About 1,000 people are expected to attend a ceremony at the Australian War Memorial to remember Australia's crucial role in bomber command.

Bomber command was made up of British, Australian and other Commonwealth air crews who flew daring bombing raids into Germany during World War II.

War memorial historian Karl James says of the 10,000 Australians who fought, 3,500 did not come home.

"It was cold, dark and very isolated and they were always on edge, just looking for the elusive German night fighters," he said.

Mr James says the event will also feature a fly past of a Hawk 127 military aircraft.

"It's a really important time for people, where the veterans can get together and talk amongst themselves and to meet old mates," he said.

"It's also an important time where the nation can reflect on their contribution to the war and remember their service and sacrifice."
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Bomber crews remembered at War Memorial ceremony ABC Australian Capital Territory

More than 500 people gathered at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra to honour Australian airmen who served in RAF Bomber Command during World War II.

More than 10,000 Australians served in Bomber Command and almost 3,500 of them were killed in action in raids over Germany and occupied Europe.

Bomber Command veteran Rollo Kingsford-Smith says his best mate decided to fly on a second tour over Germany and never came home.

"I begged him not to go," he said.

"I said 'you're risking your life - if you've survived a tour don't fly again' and on that one flight he failed to return.

"For the first time in the war I actually went and wept for this man who lost his life."

Fellow veteran Ross Pearson says he vividly remembers taking fire from enemy guns during the raids.

"You could hear it exploding all around you and of course most of your trips were at night, and you've got the searchlights there and the flak going and the planes blowing up - it was rather a hairy experience," he said.
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Antipodean Andy · Jun 1, 2008

...and they held the service at one of only two places in the world where they can "meet" a Lancaster that is a Bomber Command veteran.

Didn't know Rollo K-S was still alive. Great news!

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Australian bomber crews remembered

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