Rank
is filed for 75 Squadron
fighter pilots at Milne Bay
THE
ranks of the four rankless fighter pilots in David Wilson’s
article on No. 75 Squadron at Milne Bay (Air Force News, August
28) were Flying Officer (Atherton and Whetters) and Flight Sergeant
(Crawford and Butler) (pictured).
Three were EATS graduates (who enlisted in the Air Force between
July and September 1940) and the fourth, Whetters, was a pre-war
Sergeant pilot.
Atherton went on to win a DFC and Bar and to later command No.
75 and 80 Squadrons and, as a Wing Commander, No. 78 Wing. Crawford
also won a DFC.
Their ages at the time of Milne Bay were: Atherton (22), Whetters
(30), Crawford (20) and Butler (23).
All, fortunately, survived the war.
Norman Ashworth
Air Commodore (Ret’d)
Conference
success always repeats
I
AGAIN had the honour and privilege to attend the annual RAAF
History Conference at the National Convention Centre in Canberra
during August 4-5.
The theme for this year’s conference was “100 years
of Aviation – the Australian Military Experience”.
As a measure of the rather significant status it continues to
enjoy, the usual one-day conference was extended to two days,
and together with the conference dinner, gave me and other delegates
considerable additional pleasure.
I found the two speakers from abroad, namely historian for the
United States Air Force Dr Richard Hallion and chief historian
of the Royal Air Force Sebastian Cox, provided considerable
stimulus into a century of military aviation.
Having attended all history conferences to date, I was again
pleased to see the high percentage of those now contributing
to Air Force history mixing with those who immeasurably assisted
in making that same history (retired members).
Regrettably in respect of the latter, it was quite apparent
the numbers of “old and bold” are thinning out –
particularly those who saw WWII service.
It was also very pleasing to see the number of uniformed NCOs
and airmen/airwomen present, no doubt due to management giving
further endorsement to the importance of Air Force history.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate
all those concerned with organising the occasion and in particular
the staff at the Aerospace Centre.
Ted Ilton
Wing Commander (ret’d)
Gold Coast, Queensland.
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