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AUSTRALIA’S HEROES IN THE SKIES REMEMBERED
Friday, 1 March 2013
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, has called on all Australians to remember the efforts of the men who served for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, as tomorrow commemorates the 70th anniversary of the battle.
“The Battle of the Bismarck Sea was a crucial Allied attack which prevented thousands of Japanese reinforcements arriving in New Guinea. The courage, skill and tenacity shown by members of the RAAF during this important Allied victory will forever be remembered.
“Working in coordination with the United States Army Air Forces, RAAF aircrew fought tirelessly in poor weather conditions, demonstrating excellent planning and coordination to deliver a devastating blow to the Japanese,” Mr Snowdon said.
On 2 March 1943, the Battle of the Bismarck Sea erupted as Allied forces attacked enemy transport ships making their way to New Guinea to reinforce their troops after recent defeats at Milne Bay, the Kokoda track, the Beachheads and Wau.
Thick cloud cover originally shielded the Japanese ships making their way to New Guinea but, as skies cleared, a formation of B17 Flying Fortresses attacked the convoy. These attacks continued throughout the day in relays, with several ships being damaged and at least one transport sunk. It was however the following day, 3 March, when Allied forces were most successful as skies were clear.
On the morning of 3 March, RAAF Beaufort torpedo bombers attacked the convoy followed closely by 13 RAAF Beaufighters from Milne Bay that inflicted damage to the convoy. Following further attacks by the United States Army Air Forces, the final aerial attacks resulted in the sinking of all eight enemy transport ships, four escorting destroyers and damage to a further four destroyers.
Japanese forces suffered horrendous losses with more then 2,800 killed, while the battle cost the Allies 13 lives and eight wounded.
“Records show that few Allied aircraft were lost during this Battle, however we should remember the mental and physical strain placed on pilots and crew during such battles. Forced to fly long hours, with little rest in harsh environments, these Australians did our country proud.
“They didn’t take a backwards step and asked for nothing in return. It is only right that we remember their efforts today, on the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Bismarck Sea,” Mr Snowdon said.
Media inquiries: Minister Snowdon: Marcus Butler 0417 917 796
Department of Veterans’ Affairs Media: 02 6289 6203
“We Will Remember Them”
It is that time of year again when at the 11th Hour on the 11th Day of the 11th Month, we remember the sacrifice of all Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen who have served and those who have sacrificed their lives in the defence of our Nation.
The Great War, as World War I became known was thought to be the war to end all wars at the time. Compiègne Forest where the armistice was signed in a railway carriage in France, was the scene of jubilation in WWII when Adolf Hitler did a victory dance at the same spot following the success of the German armies Blitzkrieg in 1940.
On September 7th 1920, in strictest secrecy four unidentified British bodies were exhumed from temporary battlefield cemeteries at Ypres, Arras, the Asine and the Somme. None of the soldiers who did the digging were told why. The bodies were taken by field ambulance to GHQ at St-Pol-sur-Ternoise. There the bodies were draped with the Union Flag. Sentries were posted and Brigadier-General Wyatt and a Colonel Gell selected one body at Random. A French honour guard was selected, who stood by the coffin overnight. In the morning of the 8th a specially designed coffin made of oak from the grounds of Hampton Court was brought and the Unknown Warrior placed inside.
On top was placed a Crusaders Sword and a shield on which was inscribed ‘A British Warrior who fell in the Great War 1914-1918. For King and Country’. On the 9th of November the Unknown Warrior was taken by horse drawn carriage through Guards of Honour and the sound of tolling bells and bugle calls to the Quayside. There it was saluted by Marshall Foche and loaded onto HMS Verdun bound for Dover…..The coffin stood on the deck covered in wreaths and surrounded by the French Honour Guard. On arrival at Dover the the Unknown Warrior was greeted with a 19 gun salute, normally only reserved for field marshals. He then traveled by special train to Victoria station London. He stayed there overnight and on the morning of the 11th of November he was taken to Westminster Abbey.
The Idea of the Unknown Soldier was thought of by a Padre called David Railton who had served at the front during the Great War and it was the Union Flag he used as an altar cloth at the front, that had been draped over the coffin. The intention was that all relatives of the 517,773 combatants whose bodies had not been identified could believe that the Unknown Warrior could very well be their lost Husband, Father, Brother or Son….
The Tomb of our Unknown Soldier is buried in Canberra, at the Australian War Memorial and not only on Remembrance Day, remember the men and women of the Australian Defence Force by holding your hand over your heart in recognition that we all hold our respect for their sacrifices made for our great Nation.
The tradition of holding our hand on our heart should be observed by all Australians, not just servicemen, as it is in recognition of the Unknown Soldier, buried to represent all soldiers unable to be identified or found. During the internment of the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey, the guard of honour was made up of 100 recipients of the Victoria Cross and the guests of honour were a group of about one hundred women chosen because they had each lost their husband and all their sons in the war. Every recipient of the Victoria Cross held their hands, not over their heart, but over their medals, hiding them in recognition that their deeds of valour were indeed nothing in comparison to the sacrifice of those who had laid down their lives.
“Lest we Forget”
ADF announces the death of PTE Nathanael Galagher | Aussies At War
From Evernote: |
ADF announces the death of PTE Nathanael Galagher | Aussies At WarClipped from: http://aussiesatwar.com.au/adf-announces-the-death-of-pte-nathanael-galagher/ |
ADF announces the death of LCPL Mervyn McDonald | Aussies At War
From Evernote: |
ADF announces the death of LCPL Mervyn McDonald | Aussies At WarClipped from: http://aussiesatwar.com.au/adf-announces-the-death-of-lcpl-mervyn-mcdonald/ |
ADF announces the death of LCPL Stjepan ‘Rick’ Milosevic | Aussies At War
From Evernote: |
ADF announces the death of LCPL Stjepan ‘Rick’ Milosevic | Aussies At WarClipped from: http://aussiesatwar.com.au/adf-announces-the-death-of-lcpl-stjepan-rick-milosevic/ |
ADF announces the death of PTE Robert Poate | Aussies At War
From Evernote: |
ADF announces the death of PTE Robert Poate | Aussies At WarClipped from: http://aussiesatwar.com.au/adf-announces-the-death-of-pte-robert-poate/ |