By
Andrew Stackpool
Volume
48, No. 6, April 20, 2006
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C-130
pilot FLGOFF Sarah-Jane Crane with Pathfinder Alby Mather.
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Photo
by LACW Amanda Campbell
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AIR
Force veterans of two conflicts will march alongside each other
for the first time this Anzac Day after a special presentation
at RAAF Base Richmond.
One of World War II’s most highly decorated units, the Pathfinder
Force, passed its laurels to Air Lift Group’s 37SQN.
The NSW Branch of the Pathfinder Force presented its banner to
the squadron at its annual dinner on March 10, in front of Air
Commander Australia, AVM John Quaife.
Formed in August 1942, the Pathfinders played a prominent role
in the defeat of Nazi Germany. Flying Lancaster and Mosquito aircraft,
they flew ahead of the main bomber streams attacking industrial
Germany to illuminate the targets.
Squadron CO WGCDR Timothy Innes said the squadron was honoured
to be custodians of the banner and carry on the traditions of
the Pathfinder Force.
“The squadron will march under the Pathfinder’s banner
on Anzac Day and other occasions to commemorate and remember the
Australian heroes from Bomber Command,” he said.
“Richmond is the only NSW base flying large aircraft [as
flown by the Pathfinders] and was formerly a bomber base,”
he said.
37SQN in turn gave 39 members of the association a flight over
Sydney and its northern beaches, including a flyover of the Harbour
Bridge.
