It is interesting to note that Owen's Logbook is relatively incident free.  The exceptions are:

a forced landing in a Fairy Battle at Port Pirie on 21 January 1944 -
"Engine failure - (internal glycol leak at 3,000'). Forced landed and wiped tail wheel off in rabbit warren"; and on

28 February 1944, again in a Fairy Battle out of Port Pirie,
"Internal Glycol leak caused engine failure. Force landed 4 miles south of Landsborough, Victoria."  Ironically this was his third last entry before arriving in the United Kingdom.

Owen then spent a month training in Gipsy Moths at No. 18 Elementary Flying Training School in Fair Oaks, Surrey, England.  Chief Instructor J B Wood observed ...
"This officer has shown exceptional keeness and ability throughout the 5 weeks pre-A.F.U. Course on this unit."

I'd always presumed that my father served most of his time as an airman in England flying Halifaxes in 462 Squadron. My presumption was based on the numerous photos in his album and the deep affection with which he spoke, although very occasionally, of the crew.  This was reinforced when the RAF Engineer, Bill Chidlow, briefly visited Australia to reunite with the crew. Such gestures, it seemed to me at least, stemmed from close bonds forged in many months, even years of battle.

So, it was a revelation to read Owen's log book and discover that he and his crew were only with the 462 (100 Group) for three months even though he, Maurie, Hugh, Kevin, Bill Mac and Bill Davey had trained together as a crew for over three months at No. 21 O.T.U. Moreton-In-Marsh (Gloucestershire) and No. 1659 H.C.U. R.C.A.F. Station Topcliffe (Yorkshire) before joining the squadron.

In nineteen short months in Britain, Owen had no less than seventeen postings, flying anything from Tiger Moths (DH 82s), Ansons, Oxfords, Wellingtons to Halifaxes. In less than three months with 462 Squadron, Owen completed just over 70 flying hours.

Here is an extract of his flying log book at this time.

Year
1945

Aircraft
Type No

Pilot/1st Pilot

2nd Pilot/
Passenger

Duty - Result & Remarks

  O.T.U. 21 - Moreton in Marsh, Gloucestershire
February 13 Link Trainer Self Sgt Bligh Revision 'K' test
March 2 Link Trainer Self Sgt Nuttall Rough Air & compass tests
March 3 Link Trainer Self Sgt Billingham General flying practice
March 6 Link Trainer Self Sgt Nuttall Oval beam orbits

March 6

Wellington III

FO Dobbie

Self
FO James (N)
FSgt Gibson
FO Cahill
FSgt McNeel
FSgt Davey
(WO Jenkins, Screen)

Familiarisation, Petrol Starvation, Feathering, Stalling, Single Engine Flying, Circuits & Landings

March 7

Wellington

FO Dobbie

Self & Crew

Circuits & SE Circuits

March 8 Link Trainer Self Sgt Nuttall Homing to beam (3 methods)
March 9 Link Trainer Self Sgt Nuttall Back beam orbits
March 9 - 13 April Dinghy & Parachute drills with crew -signed completed F/O Beechet (Bucler?)

March 10

Wellington

FO Dobbie

Self & Crew

Circuits, SE, Flapless & Overshoots

March 10

Wellington

FO Dobbie

Self & Crew

Circuits, SE & Flapless landings

March 10

Wellington

Self

Crew

Circuits

March 11

Wellington

FO Dobbie

Self & Crew

Circuits & SE Circuits (dual check)

March 11

Wellington

Self

Crew

Circuits & SE Circuits

March 12

Wellington

Self

Crew

Circuits

March 14

Wellington

FO Grimmett

Self & Crew

X.C. Stbd Engine U/S, R.T.B.

March 14

Wellington

FO Grimmett

Self & Crew

Dual Bombing 155yds, 10,000', 8lbs

March 16

Wellington

FO Dobbie

Self & Crew

XC Frome, Scilly, St Davids Head, Priors Hardwick^, Odstone^, Base, 18,000', Oxygen

March 17

Wellington

Self

Crew

XC Gt Dunmow, Scunthorpe, Thirske, 54º00'N 02º00'E, Welles, Cheltenham, Base. 18,000', Oxygen, SBA, Stick Bombing, Targets on Track, Air Firing.

March 18

Wellington

Self

Crew

XC Gt Dunmow, Thirske, Epperstone ^, 54º00'N 02º00'E, Welles, Priors Hardwick ^, Odstone ^, Cheltenham, Base, 18,000', Oxygen,

March 19 Link Trainer Self W/O Greenhead Homing & beam orbit (drift & rough air)

March 20

Wellington

Self

Crew

Bombing 14,000', 142yds, 8 bombs

March 21

Wellington

Self

Crew

XC Wells, 54º20'N, 02º30'E, Welles, Newmarket, Trowbridges, Diss, Priors Hardwick^, Odstone^. Base, 18,000', Oxygen, SBA.

March 22 Link Trainer Self W/O Greenhead Back beam orbit (drift & rough air)

March 22

Wellington

Self

Crew

Fighter Affiliation CCG.3.

March 22

Wellington

FO Cunliffe

Self & Crew

NT Fighter Affiliation CCG.3.

March 24 Link Trainer Self Sgt Nuttall Beam homing & orbit (R/T Procedure)

March 24

Wellington

Self

Crew

Bombing 14,000'. 230yds.

March 25 Link Trainer Self Sgt Rothery As above with drift

March 28

Wellington

FO Dobbie

Self & Crew

Circuits & SE Circuits

March 28 Link Trainer Self Sgt Nuttall Homing & beam orbit (drift, R/A, & INSTs U/S)
March 29 Link Trainer Self Sgt Nuttall Back beam orbit (Drift & R/A)

March 29

Wellington

F Lt Dobbie

Self & Crew

Circuits& SE Circuits

March 29

Wellington

Self

Crew

Circuits

March 30

Wellington

F Lt Dobbie

Self & Crew

Dual Check, Circuits & SE Circuits

March 30

Wellington

Self

Crew

Circuits & SE Circuits

April 3

Wellington

Self

Crew

Circuits & SE Circuits

April 4

Wellington

PO Abell

Self & Crew

XC Conway.Castle Douglas.Barnard Castle.Priors Hardwick^Odstone^Base^ 18,000', Oxygen

April 5

Wellington

F Lt Dobbie

Self & Crew

Bombing, Idlicote ^ 12,000' 215yds

April 5

Wellington

Self

Crew

Bombing, Idlicote ^ 12,000' 146yds

April 8

Wellington

Self

Crew

XC Frome.St Marys.St Davids Head.Priors Hardwick^.Odstone^.Base.18,000'Oxygen, Air Firing

April 9

Wellington

Self

Crew

XC Conway.Castle Douglas.Ramsey Bay N ^ 52º00'N, 04º20'W, Priors Hardwick^, Odstone^,Base 18,000',  Oxygen

April 11 Link Trainer Self W/O Greenhead Link Golf 55
April 11 Wellington FO Grimmett Self & Crew Fighter Affiliation
April 12 Wellington Self Crew Fighter Affiliation
April 12 Wellington Self Crew Fighter Affiliation
April 13 Wellington F Lt Brophy Self & Crew Fighter Affiliation
April 13 Wellington Self Crew Fighter Affiliation
April 13 Wellington Self Crew Bullseye London, Base, Peterborough, Green Park (sim.Bombing Red T.I.'s) Beachy Hd, Dover, Aylesbury, 52º50'N, 05º05'W, Priors Hardwick^, Odstone^, Base, Air Firing, Oxygen, 17,000', . SBA. Coned, London Area.
April 15 Link Trainer Self Sgt Rothery Unknown beam QDM
April 15 Wellington Self Crew XC Frome.St Marys.St Davids Head.Priors Hardwick^.Odstone^.Base.18,000' Oxygen
April 16 Wellington Self Crew Bombing 14,000' 208yds
April 18 Wellington Course completed - signed by Sqdn Ldr W E Eagleton & Chief Instructor James
April 18 Advanced Link Trainer completed signed F/Lt D H Coleman
April 18 Basic Bomber categorisation for 21 O.T.U. Moreton in Marsh 'B' signed F/O Baldock Bombing Leader.
Completed - Proficient signed W/Cdr James
May 1945 No. 1659 H.C.U. R.C.A.F. STATION, TOPCLIFFE, YORKSHIRE
May 23 - 27 A.N.T. Link Self Sgt Pettapiece 4hrs 45mins bombing revision and exercises Assessment Category 'B'  signed F/O E G Holmes for Bombing Leader 1659 H.C.U.
May 24 Halifax III F/O Moore Self
FO James (N)
FSgt Gibson
FO Cahill
FSgt McNeel
FSgt Davey
Sgt W Chidlow
Familiarisation, Local area, Three engine flying, Circuits & landings
May 24 Halifax III Self Crew Circuits & landings
May 26 Halifax III F/O Moore Self & Crew 2 & 3 engine flying, 3 engine landings
May 26 Halifax III Self Crew 3 engine flying, circuits & landings
May 30 Halifax III F/Lt Appleton Self & Crew
Screens F/O Coulter,
F/O Mazer
Dual bombing & Fighter Affiliation 95 yds & 105 yds
June 11 Halifax III F/Lt Moore Self & Crew Formation & Night circuits
June 11 Halifax III Self Crew Night circuits
June 12 Halifax III F/O McKay Self, Crew & 2 Screens Radar dem.
June 12 Halifax III F/O Moore Self & Crew Dual fighter affiliation
June 12 Halifax III Self Crew Solo fighter affiliation
June 13-14 Halifax III Self Crew Cross Country, Base, Reading, Paris, Cherburg, Bournemouth, Base
(Day 5hrs 10mins)
June 14 Halifax III Self Crew Base, Reading, Paris, Cherburg, Pickering ^. 6 bombs 265 yds, Base
(day 6hrs 10mins)
June 15 Halifax III Self Crew Base, Winchester, Cap Gais, Nez, St Quentin, Ostend, Snape ^ 6 bombs 265 yds, base
June 16 Assessed as a Halifax Bomber pilot - Above average (7) F/Lt C Appleton for Officer Commanding (illegible)
No.462 (R.A.A.F) Squadron, 100 Group, Foulsham, Norfolk
June 21 Halifax III P/O Smith Self & Crew Local area familiarisation
June 21 Halifax III Self Crew Local and circuits
June 25 Halifax III Self Crew XC See & H2S, 12,000', Base, Gloucester, York, Blackpool, Leicester, base
June 27 Oxford F/Lt McGindle Self Local S.B.A. & V.H.F., B.A. revision
June 28 Link Self   Beam oval orbits
June 29 Halifax III Self Crew less Chidlow
Plus Hewlett (window)
Fink (Spec OP)
Air-min post mortem Ex German radar in Denmark. Early return PO. Feathered, oil cooler shutters U/S
July 1 Halifax III Self Crew less Chidlow
Plus Newstead (window)
Billin (Spec OP)
AM German radar, post mortem, Ex mainstream, Target Flemsberg Denmark.
Early return PI feathered oil leak.
July 4 Halifax III Self Crew less Chidlow
Plus Coleman
(Spec OP) Crawley (ABC)
ABC, Carpet & Window
July 6 Anson III F/O Sherren Self, 3 Spec OPs Driffield, Birmingham, Base
Early Warning Location Training
July 6 Anson III Self F/O Sherren Circuit & landing
July 7 Halifax III Self Crew less M.U.G. Base - Grove (Denmark)
July 7 Halifax III Self Crew less M.U.G.
Plus 8 passengers
Grove - Germany - Holland - Base
July 20 Halifax III Self 8 passengers
July 20 Halifax III Self Crew & 3 LACs & 2 WAAFs Base - Walcheren Is - Cologne - Dortmund - Rhur Valley - Base
July 23 Halifax III Self Crew & Sqdn Ldr Jones & 3 LACs & 2 ACWs Base - Antwerp - Acchen - Cologne - Dortmund - Rhur Valley - Wesel - Base
July 24 Halifax III Self Crew & F/O Cairns & Crew Base - North Creek (171 Squadron)
July 24 Halifax III
(171 Sqdn)
Self Crew Bomb Disposal - North Sea
July 24 Halifax III
(171 Sqdn)
Self Crew Bomb Disposal - North Sea (2nd trip)
July 24 Halifax III F/O Cairns Self & 2 Crews North Creek - Base
July 25 Oxford Self F/Lt Langworthy
F/Lt Smith
Base - Earls Colne
Earls Colne - Base
July 26 Link Self   Beam measuring & oval orbits
July 27 Oxford Self F/O Grant V.H.F./B.A.
July 31 Halifax III Self Crew Air Test
August 2 Anson Self F/O Britt & Crew Base - Bruntingthorpe
August 2 Anson Self Solo Bruntingthorpe - Base
August 2 Halifax III Self Crew & 2 Mosquito Navs & R.D.C. Observer Base - Sidmouth - Northampton - Base
August 3 Oxford Self F/O James (Nav) Swaffenaah - Base
(recover A/crew after forced landing)
August 14 Oxford Self F/Lt Dickson
F/Lt Van Welie
V.H.F. Beam
August 14 Sikorsky R4B Helicopter Sqdn Ldr Thielman Self Local Backwards, sideways, up & down
August 27 Halifax III Self Crew Circuits & Arrivals
August 28 Halifax III Self Crew & A/C Sybliss
ACW Robertson
ACW Taylor
Rhur Trip
August 31 Halifax III Self F/O Cairns & Crew Local & circuits
September 5 Oxford Self F/Lt Arkinstall
P/O Austwick
V.H.F. B.A. & S.B.A.
September 6 Oxford F/O McGindle Self, Cahill, James Base - Swanton - Morley - Swannington
September 6 Oxford Self Cahill & James Swannington - Montrose - returned
Stbd Eng U/S
September 6 Oxford Self Cahill & James Swannington - Montrose
September 7 B-17 Fortress F/Lt Rix Self, crew & 10 passengers Edzell - Base
September 12 Summary for 462 R.A.A.F. Squadron 70.05hrs flown signed S/Ldr Swann (O.C. 'B'FLight 462 Sqdn) and W/Cdr P M Pauls (O.C. 462 Squadron)

 

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