NEWSLETTER - nsw.aeromodellers.org.au

The Catalina Flying Memorial Ltd

DECEMBER 2015 - FEBRUARY 2016NEWSLETTER

www.catalinaflying.org.au

As you will see from these photos we arevirtually rebuilding VH-CAT.

During the war the emphasis was onquantity rather than quality.

We had to get as many CATS as possibleinto the fray as quickly as possible.

To mine the enemy held harbours theAustralian RAAF CATS were quicklyrepainted flat black with brooms andbrushes and all the heavy armour platingand undercarriages removed.

Our VH-CAT will now be better than sheever was when new and with modernmaterials and methods and experiencedvolunteers she should last a lifetime!

www.catalinaflying.org.au 1

It is a Virtual Re-build...

Gil and John supervising, Len ,Terry and Mickin changing the front wheel.

2 www.catalinaflying.org.au

Stunning Maureen made David blush!David Sieber andMaureen OʻHaraRose Bay was home to Sydney's firstinternational airport when the SydneyWater Airport (aka Rose Bay Flying BoatBase) opened for business in 1938. Thebase remained in operation until 1974when Ansett Flying Boat Services ceasedoperations and their two flying boats weresold to Antilles Air Boats (AAB). AABoperated a large fleet of flying boats andamphibians in the U.S Virgin Islands.

AAB was headed by Capt. Charles Blairwho at the time was married to the famousIrish-born actress Maureen O'Hara. Ms.O'Hara passed away on 24 October thisyear aged 95. Charles Blair was killed in1978, when the AAB Grumman Goose hewas piloting crashed following an enginefailure. Following her husband's death,Ms. O'Hara succeeded him as Presidentand CEO of the airline.

When the time for the sale of Ansett's twoboats arrived, Charlie Blair and his wifevisited the base at Rose Bay many times.During one such visit, my friend DaveSieber, who worked as a Licenced AircraftMaintenance Engineer (LAME) at thebase, was photographed with Ms. O'Hara..

Dave is one of the volunteers working onour Catalina VH-CAT at Bankstown - amost valuable asset he has been!

Dave in his grimy overalls. Maureen impulsively approached him, linked arms and waited to be photographed.Maureen one of Hollywoodʼs most glamorous stars with her traditional head scarf, holding her down her glorioushead of auburn hair . Daveʼs not too bad looking either.

I think I have just learned somethingabout our PBY Catalina. After some 70years involved one way or another withCatalina flying boats I have only nowlearned what the name Catalina means.

During the early stages of the last war,English aircraft were given nameswhereas American aircraft simply retainedthe official designation.

For example in the UK a DH82 becameknown as a Tiger Moth, then we hadSpitfires, Gladiators, Lancaster,Sunderlands, Bristol Bulldogs, Hurricanes,and so on.

Following this the Americans decided itwas more descriptive so they called theDC3 a Dakota, a P51 became a Mustang,etc, etc.

The Catalina flying boat was always aPBY5A for example but the Brits decidedit should be called a Catalina because ofthe island of Catalina just off the coast ofSouthern California where ConsolidatedAircraft had their factory.

But why was this island called Catalina?

Is it Spanish for Catherine? Most otherplaces on the west coast of US wereoriginally Spanish with Spanish namese.g. San Francisco, Los Angeles, SanDiego, etc, etc.

I have just heard that there is a lovely ladyin TV channel 10 by the name of CatalinaFlores. Initially I assumed she must havebeen given this “Christian” name becauseher father must have been a Catalina pilotor at least something to do with the RAAFCatalina Squadrons.

But further research led me to the internetwhere there is much ado about the name– “Catalina” – more than just our PBY6Aflying boat (incidentally as most of usknow PBY6A stands for Patrol Boat, “Y” =Consolidated Aircraft, “6” the sixth versionof the original design, “A” for Amphibian).

The following theories regarding the originof the name are attached but officially theisland was claimed for the second time inthe name of Spain in 1602 by SebastianViscaino.

This is where the name originates.

The island is said to have been spotted onthe Saint Day of Catherine, so Viscainocalled it Santa Catalina. In this same way,in 1770 Captain James Cook when sailingthrough the Whitsunday passage duringthe time of the ancient British festival ofWhit Sunday, named the Whitsundays.

To us ignorant Aussies, Catalina meansonly one thing and thatʼs VH-CAT abeautiful wartime flying boat that savedAustralia from enemy invasion!l

Officially the island was claimed in thename of Spain in 1602 by SebastianViscaino. This is where the nameoriginates. The island is said to havebeen spotted on Saint Catherineʼs day, soViscaino called it Santa Catalina. In thissame way in 1770 Captain James Cook,when sailing through the Barrier Reefduring the time of the ancient Britishfestival of Whit Sunday, named theWhitsundays.

Whats in a Name? Contribution byPhilip Dulhunty


Talk to the Rotarians from Breakfast Point

Postcards from the past

Some of you know that I collect old postcard. When I went to the Menʼs Shed Convention at Newcastle I found this postcard,I could not resist to have it.

When Philip was a baby and before the Poms call the PBY s Catalina, someone send from California to Sydney this wonderfulpostcard Grounds in front of Hotel St. Catherine, Catalina Island, California.

Patricioʼs collection can be see https://www.flickr.com/photos/ patopostcards/collections/

Patricio gave an informative talk onCatalina's and his Uncle Robert'sownership of three in Chile, flights toEaster Island and the tale of P.G. Taylorsmishap in taking off from Easter Island, toa group of Rotarians from Breakfast Pointwho are all aviators.

We are very grateful to have receiveda substantial donation from the Rotarians.

We thank you Patricio for your timeand effort.

Contribution by Patricio Parrague

Contribution byPatricio Parrague

Contribution by Chris Medin andforwarded by John Goldsbrough

The 7 minute story of PBY-5A CATALINA (Strawberry 5)discovery and restoration for the US Navy Museum in San Diego.

It was the only remaining intact PBY 5 Catalina remaining in theWorld, and it was discovered in South Africa.

PBY Strawberry 5 was the plane that found the Japanese carriersat the battle of midway which became the turning point in thepacific theater of wwii. Beautifully done...

http://www.nxtbook.com/fx/media/ooyala/index.php?w=640&h=360&embedCode=l5cnRrbjoBGoU3i9mNk2WnlSwfvifrlA#ooid=l5cnRrbjoBGoU3i9mNk2WnlSwfvifrlA

PBY Strawberry 5lives again


Wreckage confirmed - WWII wreck isthat of No. 11 Squadron Catalina A24-25WWII Catalina aircraft wreckageconfirmed 21 September 2015| Media Release

The Royal Australian Air Force hasconfirmed that aircraft wreckage found inwaters south of Cairns is that of RAAFNumber 11 Squadron Catalina A24-25 thatcrashed on 28 February 1943, killing all11 personnel on board.

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Leo DaviesAO, CSC, praised the work of all thoseinvolved in locating and confirming theidentity of the aircraft.

“Unfortunately our history is scattered withstories of Australiaʼs servicemen who wentmissing in action during World War Two,”Air Marshal Davies said:

“The discovery of this Number 11Squadron Catalina is important forAir Force and our ongoing commitmentto account for our missing personnel frompast conflicts; currently 3124 from theSecond World War and 18 from Korea.It is even more important for the familiesto finally have some closure in knowingthe resting place of the aircraft and theirloved ones after such a long time.”

The wreckage was first discovered56 kilometres south of Cairns in 35 metresof water by Cairns diver Kevin Coombs in2013, but weather and planningchallenges delayed the final dives tocomplete the investigation. In August, AirForce investigators and a representativeof the Great Barrier Reef Marine ParkAuthority accompanied a Navy ClearanceDive Team from HMAS Cairns andtravelled to the site to gather additionalevidence in order to confirm that theaircraft was A24-25.

Catalina aircraft stationed at Cairnswere used from late 1942 by Number11 Squadron to fly long range missionsagainst Japanese shipping andsubmarines. On 28 February 1943,Catalina A24-25 and its 11 aircrew wereengaged on a 17 hour mission to provideanti-submarine cover to a convoy headingfor Milne Bay in Papua New Guinea. Thefinal radio call stating that the aircraft wasforce landing was picked up by Townsville.

Message fromAir Force News –

Update and requestfrom RAAF to locate

relatives.

The fuselage (main) and engine mount (inset) of Catalina A24-25. The aircraft was discoveredin waters off Cairns in far North Queensland. Photo: Kevin Coombs

WWII Catalina aircraft wreckage confirmed21 September 2015 | Media Release

The Court of Inquiry recorded that theaircraft crashed at sea whilst attempting toland due to exhaustion of its fuel supply.There were no witnesses and no sightingsof wreckage or crew during subsequentsearches.

Air Force intends to leave the aircraftwhere it lies as a mark of respect to thecrew whose remains are likely to beentombed in the wreckage. The GreatBarrier Reef Marine Park Authority inconsultation with Air Force has declared

the site a Maritime Cultural HeritageSpecial Management Area in order toprotect it.

Air Force intends to hold a memorialservice and place a commemorativeplaque in Cairns to honour the crew earlynext year. Any relatives of the crew whohave not been contacted by Air Force, areencouraged to contact the officer of AirForce Missing in Action Investigations, viaemail to [email protected]

Details of Crew:Wing Commander John William Daniell 140 Age 26

Squadron Leader Eric Hamilton Barkley 250281 Age 27

Flying Officer Lewis Melvin Dunham 406672 Age 32

Flying Officer Stuart Patrick King 255266 Age 36

Sergeant Norman Notley Moore 408861 Age 27

Sergeant Keith Arnold Watson 22692 Age 23

Sergeant John Daniel OʼGrady 5778 Age 36

Sergeant Allen Richard Eather 402703 Age 21

Sergeant Alexander Eric John Elsbury 415378 Age 22

Corporal Douglas Giffen Shaw Russell 13970 Age 21

Corporal John Corbett Stain 2437 Age 32

Media note: Video of the RAAF Catalina wreck will be fed to the Canberra Press Gallery later today

An image of a working Catalina is available at: http://images.defence.gov.au/20090924raaf_8208246_0390.jpg

Images of the wreckage are available at:http://images.defence.gov.au /S20152593

Media contact:Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999


During the 1941-5 Pacific War it was asimple matter for the Japanese to bomband render all our available airportsunusable. This meant the need for flyingboats became a vital necessity.

Although we had a few Sunderland flyingboats they were not the ideal boats for thejob whilst the PBY Catalina appeared tobe the perfect answer.

The “CAT” is the most successful Flyingboat with 3,272 examples being built,including 1,418 built as amphibians.

Developed from two earlier flying boatdesigns previously built for the US Navy,the Consolidated model 28 was designedto meet a 1934 US Navy specification fora new patrol flying boat. The first aircraftflew in March 1935, and resulted in acontract for 60 PBY-1 patrol flying boats.In 1939 the last intended US Navy orderwas placed for 32 PBY-4 aircraft, resultingin a total of 216 aircraft (including theprototype) delivered by that time, howeverone PBY-4 was delivered to England forevaluation by the Royal Air Force, as theoutbreak of war in September 1939 foundthe RAF poorly equipped and seekingaircraft types from overseas.

The RAF placed an order for 200 PBYFlying Boat aircraft, now fitted with thedistinctive gun blisters on the rearfuselage and having the PBY-5 modelnumber in the US Navy but namedCatalina by the RAF. The US Navy alsoplaced further orders for the improvedPBY-5 Flying Boat and askedConsolidated to deliver its last twoexamples with undercarriage to allowamphibious operation from land andwater, leading to the definitive PBY-5Amodel.

Catalinas were built in Canada by Boeingand Canadian Vickers as the Canso (PBY-5A) Amphibian and PB2B Flying boat,while Russia built under licence a total of150 GST Flying Boats. A further 175 PBY-

6A Amphibians were built byConsolidated.

At the commencement of the SecondWorld War , Australia also found itself inneed of more aircraft of varying types. Anorder was placed for 18 Catalina (PBY-5)Flying Boats. Due to the neutrality of theUnited States, these aircraft were flownout from the US to Australia by civiliancrews manned by Qantas pilots. Qantaswas to go on and forge a long relationshipwith the Catalina, operating 5 Catalinaʼsfrom Australia to Ceylon during wartimefor VIP passenger and mail services, andpost war operating 7 Catalinaʼs in PNGand on services to the Pacific Islands. It isone of the iconic aircraft of Qantasʼhistory.

The RAAF eventually received 168Catalinas, consisting of two early PBY-4flying boats transferred from the DutchEast Indies, 66 PBY-5 Flying Boats, 46PBY-5A Amphibians and 54 PB2B FlyingBoats. A total of 29 PBY-5A Amphibianswere modified at Lake Boga andRathmines in a 1500 manhour conversionback to pure Flying Boat configuration.This included reducing weight by removalof the undercarriage to increase rangeand payload. These newer PBY-5A (M)aircraft then replaced the older PBY-5 inthe famous Black Cat squadrons, whowould mine enemy harbours andseaplanes while the remainingamphibians and flying boats undertook AirSea rescue and Patrol duties.

One of their most famous missions was tomine Manila Harbour in December 1944to bottle up the Japanese Fleet ahead ofthe landings in the Philippines by GeneralMcArthur.

This was a secret mission involving RAAFaircraft from 11, 42 and 43 SquadronsA24-88 departing Melville Bay in theNorthern Territory on a round trip of nearly9000 miles, and 15 hours flying duration.

The mission consisted of 4000 lbs ofmines, severely limiting the fuel load andduration of flight.

A24-88 transferred to 11 Squadron on 1August 1945 and remained with thatsquadron to the end of the war and wasthen allocated to 1 Flying Boat RepairDepot at Lake Boga, Victoria. She ferriedthere on 10 January 1946 for storage anddisposal.

She was sold on 5 January 1948 toKingsford Smith Air Services who strippedit for spares to maintain other formerRAAF Catalinas purchased and flownfrom Lake Boga. The hulk of A24-88 wassold for scrap but instead was stripped ofengines, wings, and tail; then converted toa house boat on the Murray River. Forover 30 years she lived in the Echucaarea, before being acquired by theMuseum.

At least six former RAAF flying boatsconverted into houseboats and operatedon the Murray River post war, including aformer PBY-4 which was converted to apaddle boat. Fortunately A24-88 was oneof the few not to suffer radical modificationof her superstructure.

The Museum is fundraising to restore theaircraft to externally complete Flying Boatconfiguration, with parts being recoveredfrom all over Australia, and overseas. Sheis one of only four original wartime RAAFCatalina's surviving in Australia, and theonly one with documented Black Catoperational history.

Although not flyable, she is then the lastsurviving RAAF Black Cat, the solesurviving RAAF PBY-5A model of 46delivered, and the only survivor of the 29locally modified PBY-5A (M) aircraftconverted from Amphibian to Flying Boat.

For further information on the Catalinaactivities and the reason we say “theCatalina did for Australia what the Spitfiredid for England”, read the availablebooks, The Night Shift, The FabulousCatalina and CATS at WAR. Nowavailable for $45.00 plus postage.

PBY - the Perfect AnswerContribution by John Williams and Philip Dulhunty

New Members 2016Chris Hunter Keith McDonald Shirley Peake John Flynn

James Higgins C Charles Kenneth Robinson Graeme Johnstone

Ken Hallam, International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians

Louis Schiavi Peter Lemon


Contribution by John Goldsbrough

Catalina visit to Port Macquarie 2008Contribution by Pam & Lew Green

http://www.bookworld.com.au/books/bill-scott bevan/p/9781925030549?gclid=CLGB_OHp0scCFVgRvQodnWEJAg#

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/ART93379/

I am currently reading this engaging book.

Within it for Catalina enthusiasts, there isa reasonable amount told about the RAAFBase at Rathmines from 1941.

Bill was there painting Catalinaʼs incamouflage colours. He was befriendedby FL, G.U.”Scotty” Allan, (who first sawBill digging ditches there). Scotty flew thefirst Cat from the U.S. to the Base in1941.

Scotty took Bill up in a Cat and showedhim houses at Rose Bay that werepainted pink with red roofs, unable to beseen through the trees whilst those withgreen roofs could be seen.

Bill was astonished.

Scott Bevan also tells of RichardKingslandʼs bravery in Morocco, where heshot his way into the goal, to rescue thedetained Chief Allied Commander In-Chief, Lord Gort and the BritishInformation Officer, Duff Cooper and flythem out of the crowded harbour in hisSunderland.

He was a warded the DFC for this act.

Regrettably Richard declined to bepainted by Bill, “his biggest mistake ever!”

However Billʼs painting of Scotty won himthe Archibald Prize.

Wangi Wangi ”A place of much water”. Isfeatured of course as Billʼs home andplace of solace and recuperation,particularly after the Court casesurrounding his painting of fellow artist

and then friend Joshua Smith, to win theArchibald, but then having to endure theCourt Case to determine if it was indeed apainting and not a caricature.

He won, but then lost his health for sometime as a result of the stress andunfavourable press stories.

A good read, especially for those fortunateto live in this delightful area!

Shirley and I have stayed at Rathminesand also very close to Wangi, where wehave dined on a few occasions, whenattending the Catalina Festival andANZAC Day ceremonies.

Itʼs a magic place!

Cheers, John

It is a coincidence that I spent most of mywartime days wearing Scotty Allanʼswristwatch a CYMA waterproof timepiece.Scotty was a close friend of my cousin,Betty Hungerford and spent some time inSydney staying at her place in DoubleBay. When she finally contacted Scotty totell him she had his watch, Scottyresponded, “I wondered where it was andI have had to buy another one. Just givemy old one to Philip!”

Phil Dulhunty

George Urquhart (Scotty) Allan servedin the RAF on the Western Front duringthe First World War. In 1929 he wasrecruited Charles Ulm as a pilot withAustralian National Airways where he flewon the first airmail flights from Sydney toBrisbane with Charles Kingsford Smith. In1933 he flew with Ulm and P. G. Taylor onthe record-breaking flight from England toAustralia in 'Faith in Australia'. During theSecond World War he was seconded tothe RAAF as a trainer and after the warwas a senior executive with Qantas.

In 1941 Allan was a member of theQantas crew which brought flying boatsfrom San Diego to Sydney for the RAAF.During 1941 Allan was seconded to theRAAF as Wing-Commander and wasC.O. of various stations includingRathmines on Lake Macquarie, where hetrained Catalina crews, and No. 1 FlyingBoat Repair Depot at Lake Boga. Allanwas married to the artist Ailsa Allan(1899-1943) who studied with TheaProctor, Adelaide Perry, and WilliamDobell at the Julian Ashton School. Dobellspent time at both Rathmines and LakeBoga which is where he possibly metAllan as well as being introduced throughAllan's wife, Ailsa.

Bill: The Life of William Dobell by Scott Bevan

This gouache was executed as a preparatorystudy for Dobell's portrait of Allan which wasentered into the Archibald prize in 1941 and isconsidered one of Dobell's best portraits. Thestudy is representative of Dobell's style ofportraiture which is unique in being able toadapt to suit the character of his subject andreflect mood through his brushstrokes.


Dear Philip

I am Secretary of 30 Squadron BeaufighterAssociation and I receive your excellentnewsletter, thank you.

I have just thought you might be interested insomething that has recently come to ournotice. One of our Beaufighters went into thewater on 11th March 1945 and the Pilot andNavigator were rescued by an AmericanCatalina. The pilot was Neal Redfern, whodied some years ago, and navigator wasJames (Jim) Collison, who just died on 12thMay this year. He lived near us at BaulkhamHills.

Just a short time before Jim died we receivedan email through our website about this“rescue” from the Historian of a PBYAssociation in America asking if we had anyinformation of these men. Both of them havesons who attend our functions, so we wereable to put them in contact.

They have a website with a large report onthis rescue.

I thought you might like to read it. It isstrange to read the US report, then furtherdown there is an RAAF report on the sameincident, with practically no detail. It soundslike an amazing rescue. The only thing Jimever told me about the incident was that “theycrashed and he couldn’t swim and he thoughthe was going to drown”. At his funeral hisson told a bit of the story and produced Jim’sMae West, which he has cherished all theseyears.

The website is www.pbyrescue.org, go toHISTORY, RESCUES, MORE RESCUES BYMONTH, THEN 11TH MARCH 1945. I thinkthat is it (or similar). It was amazing that wegot this information not long before Jim diedand he was able to read for himself just whathad happened. There is a difference betweenthe American and the RAAF reports.

Keep up the good work.

Yvonne HoltSecretary of 30 SquadronBeaufighter Association

Problems!!!A husband and wife were experiencingproblems after 30 years of marriage. Theydecided to see a counsellor to resolvetheir issues.

The counsellor asked what the problemwas. The wife launched into a huge,passionate tirade on every single issuesheʼd had for the last three decades.

He was neglectful, she explained. Therewas no intimacy. She felt lonely; unloved;unlovable. She had persevered for solong with her physical and emotionalneeds unmet, but no more. Enough wasenough.

The marriage counsellor nodded, got up,walked to the wife and asked her to stand.

Suddenly, he embraced her, giving themost passionate, steamy, open-mouthedkiss she had ever received. It continuedfor a full minute as the husband watchedon benignly.

She stumbled backwards into her seat,breathless and dazed.

The counsellor turned to the husband andsaid: “Your wife will need this at leastthree times a week. Can you managethis?”

After a momentʼs consideration, thehusband replied: “Well I can drop her offhere Mondays and Wednesdays, but onFridays I go fishing”.

A little bit of humour is goodfor your soul.... enjoy and

have a giggle :)


Contribution by Dick Udy

Contribution by Yvonne Holt –Secretary - 30 Squadron Beaufighter Association

Revell 1/72 PBY-6A Catalina – A little bit of Historyhttp://www.modelingmadness.com/review/korean/us/usn/attpby.htm

Please note our newstreet & email address:

The Catalina FlyingMemorial LtdSuite 2.03, 2nd floor,102-104 Longueville RdLane Cove 2066Phone: (02) 9418 3881

(02) 8060 1317

email:[email protected]

Dick Udy and Dick Peel stand in front of a Second World War Catalina at the Lake BogaFlying Boat Museum. Dick Udy hasn't been to Lake Boga since 1943.

Lake Boga's 'Black Cats'remembered 70 years on

http://www.abc.net.au/news/ 2015-09-18/lake-bogas-black-cats-remembered-70-years-on/6785594


Mr HAWKE (Mitchell) (13:35): It is myprivilege to rise in the Centenary of Anzacyear to record my thanks to the efforts ofthe flying men of the Catalinas in WorldWar II and record my support for anational war memorial to be built in honourof their service here in Canberra.

I want particularly to mention theReverend Dick Udy who was a flightlieutenant wireless air gunner in theCatalina flying boat used during WorldWar II by the RAAF. The Catalina wasrecorded by General MacArthur as one ofthree reasons, principally, that the Allieswon the war in World War II. I will havemore to say about this over the course ofthis parliament.

The Catalina Flying Memorial that islocated at Bankstown Airport is currentlythe subject of a restoration project to geta Catalina to fly again. I want to paytribute to those men, those formerveterans and pilots of these great planes

in the 'Cat' club, who flew long anddangerous missions in World War II—andnot just military missions.

The only civilian service that connectedAustralia and the UK in World War II wasa flight, a double-dawn

service, from Perth to London that wasflown by these brave men.

The Black Cat crews and the Cat crewsthat are forming this group to get aCatalina flying again and also to get amemorial recording their service areenormously important. It is enormouslyimportant that we record our history; thatwe remember it and that we rememberthe service of these brave and finesoldiers in World War II.

I am looking forward to supporting themand looking forward to seeing more actionin this space this year.

Comment byJohn Goldsbroughon Alexʼs SpeechWow-not quite out of the ʻblueʼ but verywelcome to all the Catalina Veterans andPhil Dulhunty in particular.

Dick Udy must feel more satisfied in hismission to see that a suitable Nationalrecognition of the Catalinaʼs and all whosupported these marvellous aircraft in thedefence of Australia over the Japanesewar efforts in the South West Pacific inWW2, may occur!

A wonderful initiative of Alexʼs.

How can a Catalina person not be soinspired by this speech on our behalf byAlex!

Letʼs see what happens now with theAustralian War Memorial and BrendonNelson.

Where is the money going to come fromto build a suitable display, monument?

Regards and special thanks to youAlex-we are very indebted to you!


Speech by the Hon Alex Hawke MPFederal Member for Mitchell,Assistant Minister to the Treasurer Tuesday, 11 August 2015 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 7896 CHAMBER SPEECH

Date Tuesday, 11 August 2015Source HousePage 7896 Proof NoQuestioner Responder Speaker Hawke, Alex, MP Question No.

Contribution by Bob BallingalGraeme Johnstoneʼswar involvementwith CatalinasRAAF 4124552

Trained in Canada in RAFNavigation as F/Ltd

Posted with Jim Lawrence asonly two Australians onSquadron 96 RAF West Africaat Sierra Leone - 800 hours of flying

12 months RAF as InstructorNorthern Ireland

Returned to Australiadischarged August 1945


YANGON — A group of World War IIveterans from Myanmar's ethnic Karenminority, most in their nineties, prayed andsang a poignant hymn on Saturday at thegrave of a legendary British officer whosacrificed his life for them.

The gathering of old warriors at the graveof Maj Hugh Paul Seagrim — the Karencall him "Grandfather Longlegs" — waspart of a ceremony to mark Victory overJapan Day, which ended the global conflictand savage combat that devastatedBurma, as the country was then known.

"He loved the Karen people. He gave hislife (for us)," 92-year-old Saw Berny saidof Seagrim, who led a highly effectiveKaren guerrilla force deep behindJapanese lines.

When the Japanese began to torture andkill Karen civilians and threatened moreretribution if Seagrim did not surrender, hegave himself up to be executed with sevenof his Karen comrades.

While fighting with the Karen, many ofthem Christians, the towering Britishofficer — regarded as a maverick butoutstanding guerrilla chief — wore theirnative dress, shared their food and helpedtill their fields.

Also gathering at Yangon'sCommonwealth War Cemetery onSaturday were Chin, Kachin and membersof other ethnic minorities who had foughtbravely alongside Allied forces against theJapanese.

After Burma's independence from Britainin 1948, hoping for greater autonomy fromthe central government, a welter of ethnicinsurgent groups rose up in rebellion.

Sporadic fighting continues in some partsof the country, but Myanmar's military-backed government is attempting to forgea comprehensive peace agreement withthe Kachin, Karen and others beforegeneral elections later this year.

The Karen conflict, the world's longest-running insurgency, has been marked,

killings, torture and rape of civilians byMyanmar's military. Aid agencies saysome 400,000 Karen have been drivenfrom their homes while more than 120,000refugees, most of them Karen, aresheltered in camps along the Thai-Myanmar border. About 60,000 now live inthe United States.

Some believe that if Seagrim, who vowedto return to Myanmar after the war, hadsurvived he would have helped the causeof the Karen, who the British governmenthad promised to support after the war butthen abandoned after independence wasgranted.

"He would have been a great force forgood, politically and otherwise," SallyMcLean, a British humanitarian aidworker, said at Seagrim's grave.

McLean founded Help 4 Forgotten Allies,which provides 120 British pounds eachyear to more than 250 Karen veterans ortheir widows. The Karen soldiers were notrecognised as being officially part of theBritish army and therefore never receivedpensions or other benefits despite whathistorians say was their great contributionto the victory.

"He was clearly an inspiration to theKaren. Seagrim's influence runs on till thepresent day," said Duncan Gilmour, whosegrandfather, Lt Col Edgar Peacock, playeda key role in the guerrilla campaign afterSeagrim's death when the Karen wereunleashed against the retreatingJapanese, killing thousands.

The Burma campaign, waged away fromthe world's spotlight by what have beencalled "forgotten armies", was one of themost brutal of the war for both the Alliesand the Japanese, who invaded thecountry in 1942. Thousands succumbed injungles and mountains not only tosometimes hand-to-hand combat, but alsoto cholera, dysentery, scrub typhus andother rampant tropical diseases.

British diplomats, military attaches offormer Allied powers, senior Burmese

officers and others also attendedSaturday's ceremony, held near a simplewhite cross rising above the gravestonesof some 1,300 soldiers.

The Karen fulfilled Seagrim's last requestbefore his execution: that his Karencomrades sing the hymn O Christ theSolid Rock I Stand for him.

The elderly war veterans and othersrendered it effortlessly in part-harmonyand their own language.

Saw Berny sat in a wheelchair near thesimple gravestones of Seagrim and hisexecuted companions, explaining thatwhat he had on — black pants, whiteshirt, red Karen blouse and a shoulderbag with a Bible inside — was the samethat "Grandfather Longlegs" wore whenhe surrendered to the Japanese sevendecades ago.


From the Bangkok Post 15/8/201

Karen Remember WWII Hero

NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTIONSHave a story to tell.... perhaps one about a Catalina?

If you have something you think is interesting and worth sharing please send it to us

Contributions are very welcome.

Please email to: [email protected]

Note fromPatricio ParragueThe book I Didnʼt know That byVera Bradley. Cairns and Districts,Tully to Cape York 1939-1946 ServicePersonnel and Civilians was donatedto Canada Bay Heritage Society.

This is a great read and I stronglysuggest you get yourself a copy of thisbook. Not available from The CFMLbut try Amazon.


A24-96: 15/01/45 Lost off Sumba Island, NetherlandsEast Indies, destroyed by machine-gunfire. On the nightof 14 January 1945, during a mission to Surabaya, aplane from No. 42 Squadron RAAF, captained byFlight Lieutenant Harrigan, experienced trouble with itsport engine and immediately began to lose altitude.At 300 feet, flying below heavy cloud off Sumba Island,he jettisoned his mines, but the plane continued to losealtitude and he was forced to alight on the open sea.The hull of the Catalina aircraft was damaged andbegan to leak. However, the water was kept down bybailing. Using the radio-telephone, the crew was ableto make its position known to returning minelayers.All night they worked on the faulty engine, but withoutsuccess. However in the morning a Catalina aircraftof No. 43 Squadron RAAF, captained by Flt Lt Ortlepp,landed in the heavy swell, covered by a Liberator aircraftand took off Flt Lt Harrigans Crew. Flt Lt Ortlepp thendestroyed the disabled Catalina aircraft with machinegun fire and returned safely to base.

Contribution by Peter Wordsworth, Comments from Bob Cleworth,

The story of A24-96's

Comment By Peter Wordsworth My father, Flt Lt Keith Wordsworth was a wireless air gunner who hadreturned from Coastal Command in the UK. He joined 43 Squadron inJuly 1944 after undergoing a conversion course at Rathmines.

I remember Keith telling me he destroyed the aircraft by gunfire from theair so it would not fall into Japanese hands.

John Goldsbrough has done some research into the downed aircraftwhich if I recall correctly came from his father's squadron - 42 Sqdn.

The original photos are about 3.5" x 3.5" and I scanned these with somecare and enlarged them in the process to get as much detail as possible.I believe the camera was designed for photo reconnaissance or similarpurpose so some of the photos are out of focus at close range.

Do you have the book about the Black Cats? I wonder if that has moredetail. I have carefully scanned these and enlarged them in the processto enable better detail.


Comment by Bob Cleworth The 42 SQN Operations Record Book - the crew for A24-96 isFLTLT Harrigan Captain, PLTOFF Hough 2nd Pilot, FLGOFF Stevens Navigator, WOFF BlightWAG, WOFF Pearce WAG, SGT Macdonald Flight Engineer,Sgt Lock Flight Engineer, SGT Barry Fitter 2A, SGT Gray Fitter Armourer.

The 43 SQN Record Book does not list the whole crew of A24-60 piloted by FLTLT Ortlepp butdoes list the 2nd Pilot FLGOFF Jacobson and also the other aircraft involved in the rescueA24-44 SQNLDR Moncton Pilot and FLGOFF Abbot it does note that A24-60 destroyed theCatalina on the water and the crew of A24-96 was rescued and position 1000S 11912E.At that stage it was not a requirement for all crew members to be listed.

The story of A24-96's - continued


It was a very critical time in 1942 whenJapanese submarines went rampant onthe east coast of Australia, from south ofSydney to Coolangatta, sinkingapproximately 26 merchant navy shipsand damaging 16. This was a terrible loss.Remembered well is the sinking of thehospital ship Centaur, some 30 Kms offthe south eastern tip of Morton Bay,clearly displaying Red Cross markings tono effect!

Having joined the RAAF in Melbourne Iwas sent to train in radar at the RAAFRichmond Air Base N.S.W. A Radarstation had been set up on top of theplateau at Collaroy, a suburb north ofSydney. It was to here that I was posted tooperate the Radar to track Japaneseaircraft and submarines and also our AvroAnsonʼs and Beaufort bombers whichwere in pursuit of the enemy. It was verydifficult to pick up reflections fromsubmarines. However, the station was asafeguard for the future protection ofSydney and performed very well.

A boom gate plus a long net was laid atthe entrance to Sydney Harbour followingthe sinking by Japanese midgetsubmarines of the Kuttabul costing21 lives. One midget submarine becametangled in the net at the entrance, anotherwas sunk in the Harbour and another fireda torpedo at an American warship –theUSS Chicago, a heavy cruiser with 8inchguns, but missed. The wreck of one laysoff shore on the ocean floor a little northof Sydney and is now out of bounds to all.There are many other incidents which arerecorded in the history of these times.A Japanese midget submarine can beseen on display at the Australian WarMemorial, Canberra. The photographI took with a Box Brownie camera, at thetime, shows the antenna of the RadarLW/AW which we operated.

While at Collaroy disaster struck at 2amwhile I was operating. Due to a faultyconnection on the very high voltage on thetransmitter, I received a very severeelectric shock which paralysed mecompletely, for approximately 10 seconds,through the fingers (which were touching)and hands, chest and head. I was unableto release my fingers from the contactsurface. Fortunately, my legs were intactand unaffected so I put my feet up on thetransmitter and pushed off shooting outthe back of the radar tent cover, landingon the ground outside. My two co-workersrushed to my aid, from the plotting table,and assisted me to bed. I woke up in themorning feeling OK. Nobody cared and itwas never reported.

I then received a posting to near Darwinon the Adelaide River. This requiredtravelling to Brisbane by train andspending several days at the Showgroundsleeping in a pig pen, using my shoes fora pillow. We travelled to Mt.Isa by train,then in open army trucks sitting on ourpacks- with a .303 Lee Enfield rifle and gasmask. That took a few days with nightsspent in tents on the way. It rained so hardat Elliott overnight that I grabbed theopportunity to have a nice shower in therain! Next morning we jumped in opentrain trucks for the last 300 miles or so,arriving absolutely black with soot!

During the trip we were introduced torations of tinned cold bully beef forbreakfast, warmed bully beef for lunchand fried bully beef for tea. Ourdestination was Adelaide River, and wewere driven to the campsite where a messhut had been erected. A supply of timberfrom the local trees and hessian wasgiven to each of us to make up a bed! Wecommenced the testing of the improvedLW/AW Radar of this type to betransported to Morotai in the Celebes andto be operated by our unit.A bushfire burnt our camp out and, shortlyafterwards; we were flooded out in theearly hours of the morning, findingourselves in waist deep water with thecrocodiles! The Radar station wasabandoned. I was then flown in a FlyingDoctor De Havilland Dragon plane out toPeron Island Radar station, in the TimorSea, where I was landed with somesupplies, on the beach, and off they flew!At this time 1943/4 Darwin bombings hadceased, however, we detected severalJapanese planes over time and gavefighter control their positions. The Spitfireswere scrambled and the planes were shotdown. There were about 6 Spitfire airstripsset alongside the Darwin/Adelaide Riverroad and they served a great purpose inour defence. Peron Island radar alsoserved to position badly shot up bombers,some of which had to ditch in the TimorSea on returning from strikes. Catalinaʼsfrom Darwin were immediately sent out toassist as best as they were able. This wasafter the Japs had been driven outcompletely and there were no morestrikes. Peron Island was a dedicatedAboriginal homeland and we pretty muchroughed it there. The Aboriginescontributed to our working days in a smallway and our presence there did not inhibittheir normal life.

It was an unforgettableexperience to beamongst them particularly when they were

fishing. I watched as, stock still, they heldtheir spears, watching for fish in theshallow water. Their accuracy wasfantastic, catching up to 4 kilo sized fish.They also caught turtles and I watchedtheir families cooking and enjoying thefeast on the beach. For some unknownreason they singled me out from the 20RAAF people on the island and tookspecial notice of me. They presented mewith a special plaited grass armbandwhich I wore up north until it rotted. Ourcamouflaged radar was about 2 Kms fromour camp and we had to walk along arocky beach by either day or night, withthe occasional crocodile, then up a steephill. The aboriginals were so caring for methey often sailed me back to the camp intheir dugout canoe. On one occasion theyeven put up a sail! There were manytimes they brought a large tin full of mudcrabs for me. The problem was that thecooks and guards cooked and ate them,not even giving me a taste! For thoseAboriginals I lived with, some full bloodand others part, I now have a great dealof admiration. I must say that, at whatthey did, they were extremely good.Sometimes, I would use a stick to playwith the Death Adder snakes thatabounded on the island. I also passedtime going out in the bush to have somefun with the rifle.

The uniform shorts I was issued with werereduced to string hanging off mywaistband by the end of my stint in theNT. My hat also blew out to sea and couldnot be replaced; no doubt all of this skindamage caused me having to seektreatments.

Having been promoted to Corporal beforetouring north I was given quite a few extraduties. While on the island I had to writereports to H.Q1s, arrange 24 hr rosters,radar damaging "WINDOW 11 testsconducted out to sea and I had to co-ordinate reports to fighter control. All ourreports were forwarded by Morse code.After 6 months I was posted to Lee Point,near Darwin, to join in the operation ofadvanced Radar for the protection ofDarwin. This Northern tour lasted 12months after which I was posted back toCollaroy to wait for a further posting north.While waiting, the war suddenly endedwith the dropping of the atom bomb.E = mc2

The LW/AW radar was developed by theCSIRO at Sydney University fromextensive research done by manycountries sharing valuable knowledge.The measurement of distant objects isachieved by determining the time of

Contribution by Lewis Green(VK2AG)

Radar In Australia During WWII


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Radar In Australia During WWII - continued

transit of a radio wave (a radio pulse)from its origin and back. The frequencyused varied from 200 MHz in early daysto 10 GHz. Atmospheric attenuation isnegligible. The sensitivity of Radarreceivers is extraordinary. The pulsetransmitted power is about 105 wattswhile the co-habited received energymaybe as little as 10-14 watts.

The operating efficiency therefore was10-19 watts. The other photograph showsthe inside of the operating tent with thehandle to turn the antenna direction whileworking.

The longest distance incoming aircraftcould be detected was about 130 miles.The Radar sends out several lobes -some high and some low.

*E = EnergyM = Mass in gramsC = Velocity of light in centimetres persecond

Prior to discharge, I was transferred toMelbourne working out entitlements forpersonnel to be discharged from theRAAF.

*Compliments of Albert Einstein

Dear Readers

Joyous news! Yes, PBY will be going toWanaka for the Easter Airshow. Theorganisers of this mammoth do have beenadvertising our presence for some time –something we have never previously donebecause we are not commercially licensedand fly only on a cost share basis.However, several of our pilots arecommercially licensed and do fly for well-known airlines.

We last appeared down there in 2010.This time round there will be more thanfew on board who knew our Catalinaduring her C.FJCV and Z-CAT days.

Pierre Jaunet from Harare, Zimbabwe wasthe gentleman from whom we purchasedthe aircraft in 1994. Oliver Evans,engineer and co-pilot on the originalproving flight along the Nile will not be theonly Canadian on the pax list. Our longtime member, mentor and frequent flier,Bob Dyck, who has his own ex-waterbomber will also be joining the happy band

Well, weʼre not surprised by the interestand support of Canadians after all ……PBY was originally one of their Cansosnamely RCAF 11054.

Extract from the New Zealand Catalina Flyer January 2016 – Newsletter of the NZ Catalina Preservation Society Inc.

Call for Expressions ofinterest- a major patronelusive so far.Unfortunately, our call for expressions ofinterest has coincided with a lot of volatilityin worldwide markets for commodities andshares. These, in turn, have let to corporatebelt tightening among many of our targetsponsors. Our search for a new sponsor orpatron has unfortunately been met withmany good wishes and some generousindividual donations but the big money hasbeen elusive with “budgetary constraints”regularly cited. As we have pursued furtherdiscussions, the uncertainty has only gotworse and to date we have no concreteoffers of core support.To make matters worse, one of our majorpatrons has been severely hit with theirinvestments with their dividend income cutby 80% and a share market collapse of77% in another of their core investments.They have told us they can only providesupport for a few more months and theyhave been a very generous supporter ofVH CAT.In the present financial climate CFML willneed to give careful consideration on howto proceed. Some rather unsavoury optionswill need to be on the table, should there beno turnaround in our fortunes.We are calling on every supporter for theirideas and/or contacts as to how we cansecure a sponsor before it is too late.



BooksCats At War $45.00By Carol Gaunt And Robert Cleworth

The Fabulous CatalinaBob Cleworth $45.00

The Night ShiftBob Cleworth $45.00

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