RAAF
17TH DECEMBER 2010
66 YEARS ON - REMAINS OF RAAF SPITFIRE PILOT LOCATED AND IDENTIFIED
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, today announced that the remains of a pilot that went down 66 years ago off Normandy in France have been officially identified as Flight Lieutenant Henry ‘Lacy’ Smith, of Number 453 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force.
RAAF began the identification process after 6 November 2010, when the
wreckage of a Spitfire aircraft, and human remains were recovered in the Orne
Estuary, near Ouistreham in Normandy by local museum curators.
“With the help of the local museum curators, Mr and Mrs Cobin, there was
sufficient evidence provided to RAAF to positively identify the remains are
those of Flight Lieutenant Henry ‘Lacy’ Smith.
“Flight Lieutenant Smith was lost to enemy anti-aircraft fire during the
Second World War on 11 June 1944 whilst flying a patrol in support of the Allied
invasion of Europe.
“Evidence included the aircraft wreckage engine serial number, eyewitness
reports of the other two pilots flying in the formation at the time of the
downing of the aircraft, the physical location of the recovered wreckage, a
wartime casualty report linking the aircraft tail number, engine serial number
and pilot details, and the engine serial number recovered with the aircraft
wreckage.”
“I am very pleased to know that the remains of this brave pilot have now been accounted for and can now finally be laid to rest. Finding Flight Lieutenant Smith after over 66 years is an outstanding result for all concerned particularly the family,” Mr Snowdon said.
The RAAF has contacted surviving relatives living in Australia, and arrangements
are underway for the reinterment of Flight Lieutenant Smith’s remains, with full
military honours.
This ceremony will occur in 2011, at a date yet to be set, in a Commonwealth War Graves cemetery in France, in accordance with normal practice for recovered remains.
FURTHER HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Flight Lieutenant Smith’s unit, Number 453 Squadron, was one of 17 RAAF squadrons formed under the Empire Air Training Scheme to bolster the Royal Air Force during World War II. It served at Singapore from August 1941 until Japan’s invasion of Malaya forced its withdrawal and disbandment in March 1942.
The unit was reformed in Scotland three months later and fought over Britain and occupied Europe until the end of the war. The unit disbanded in January 1946, but was reformed on 1 December 2010 when a new Number 453 Squadron took charge of RAAF Air Traffic Control in WA, SA, Vic and NSW. The squadron’s motto is “Ready to Strike.”
Over the six years of the Second World War, from September 1939 until August 1945, 39,366 members of the Australian armed services were killed or died of wounds or sickness. Just over 10,750 were members of the RAAF, including 884 who were recorded as ‘missing’ rather than ‘presumed dead’ at the end of the conflict. Many of those fliers have still not been accounted for in the decades since World War II ended.
Worldwide, about 1100 aircraft are on RAAF’s missing aircraft register, almost all of them from World War II.
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03 December 2010
F-111's farewelled after 37 years of service
The retirement of the F-111 fleet marks a significant milestone in the history of Australian military aviation. The long range strike bombers have supported Australia’s national security by providing a potent strategic deterrent,” Minister for Defence Materiel, Jason Clare said.
Since their introduction in 1973, the F-111s have undergone numerous airframe, engine, weapons and avionics upgrades. The aircraft could fly at two and a half times the speed of sound at high altitude, or at supersonic speeds at low levels, using its terrain-following capabilities to avoid detection.
“We remember those who lost their lives in F-111 accidents and who died or have suffered serious health effects from working on the deseal reseal programs. Lessons learnt from deseal reseal have forever changed military occupational health and safety,” Mr Clare said at a memorial service at Amberley.
04 November 2010
Aircraft depart Malaysia
The eight F/A-18 Hornets and 125 personnel from No 3 Squadron get ready to return home to RAAF Williamtown NSW following the exercise. Exercise Bersama Padu 2010 was a great success with No 3 Squadron achieving a 100 per cent mission launch success rate during the three week exercise.
26 October 2010
11 Squadron, volunteer South Australian
Aviation Museum
Members from Crew C of 11 Squadron Maintenance provide volunteer assistance to the South Australian Aviation Museum in Port Adelaide. The much appreciated assistance includes upkeep of the premises and more importantly maintenance in the preservation and presentation of the historic aircraft on display.
20 October 2010
Joint Stand Off Weapons trials in Woomera
Australia’s new Super Hornets are testing their deployment capabilities as No. 1 Squadron conduct their first live weapon trials at the Woomera Test Range, north of Adelaide. Five F/A-18F Super Hornets and about 100 aircrew, maintenance and support personnel from No. 1 Squadron will operate from RAAF Edinburgh during the squadron’s first deployment away from their main operating base at RAAF Amberley, Queensland.
20 September 2010
2010 Williamtown Airshow
The 2010 Williamtown Air Show was the largest air show to be held
at RAAF Williamtown, with the last one held 25 years ago. All Air Force
aircraft were either on display or participating in the event.
The air show featured the last official flying display for the retiring F-111, and was the first opportunity for the public to see the FA/18 Super Hornet in action. Historic "warbirds" were also featured in both static and flying displays.
The air show coincided with the 25th anniversary of F/A-18 operations, and the 10th anniversary of Hawk 127 operations in the Royal Australian Air Force.
