The short answer

Who was the first Australian airman to be killed during World War II?

Wing Commander I.M. Donald, the Commanding Officer of 110 Squadron RAF, was killed while flying a Blenheim on a daylight reconnaissance in the vicinity of Kiel on September 28, 1939.

How many Australians participated in Operation Chastise, the famous Dambuster Raid, on May 16-17, 1943?

Twelve airmen participated, two of whom were killed (Flight Lieutenant R.N.G. Barlow and Flying Officer C.R. Williams). The survivors were Flight Lieutenants J.F. Leggo, D.J. Shannon, H.B. Martin and R.C. Hay; Pilot Officers L.G. Knight, C.L. Howard, F.M. Spafford, A.F. Burcher and B.T. Foxlee, and Flight Sergeant T.D. Simpson.

When was the sound barrier first broken in Australia?

The first deliberate breaking of the so-called sound barrier in Australia was on August 14, 1953, by Flight Lieutenant W.H. Scott, who went supersonic in the prototype Avon Sabre, A94-101.

This feature appears monthly. Send your questions on Air Force history to raafnews@defence.gov.au.

 

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