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16.01.2022 Link to a great interview with Don McDonald who turns 100 tomorrow.....7th October 2020 https://www.3aw.com.au/world-war-ii-hero-tells-his-remarka/
13.01.2022 Happy Birthday Don 100 today! A veteran of 40 sorties! Squadrons 578 and 466 A Halifax man! Don McDonald DFC Ld'H
08.01.2022 Tommy lived in Sydney. He made the news on Anzac Day 2020 when his street treated him to his own personal march. A long time member and supporter of BCAA, he will be missed. R.I.P.
08.01.2022 12 October 1964: GPCAPT William Brill DSO DFC and Bar, one of the RAAFs most distinguished bomber pilots of World War 2, passes away aged only 48. Did you know ...that on this day in 1964 GPCAPT William Brill, one of Australia’s most distiguished WW2 bomber pilots and commanders, suddenly died from a heart attack aged only 48 while still in the Air Force? Born in Grong Grong east of Narrandera in southern NSW in 1916, Brill was educated at Yanco Agricultural High School and became a farmer in the local area after completing school. In January 1939, he enlisted in the 21st Light Horse Regiment a militia unit. He then transferred to the Citizen Air Force in November 1940. Brill completed initial training in Sydney before undertaking basic flying training at No 8 Elementary Flying Training School at RAAF Station Narrandera. He was sent to Canada through the Empire Air Training Scheme completing No 3 Service Flying Training School graduating as a Pilot Officer in July 1941 with his Wings. Posted to England he attended 27 Operational Training Unit in late 1941 converting onto the Wellington bomber aircraft. In December 1941 he was posted to 460 SQN (RAAF) as a foundational member. He completed an operational tour of 31 missions flying Wellington heavy bombers operating from RAF Molesworth and then RAF Breighton. He quickly earned a reputation for pressing on the attack despite damage to his aircraft. This was typified by his courage and airmanship on the night of 29/30 May 1942 where his aircraft was one of 27 tasked to strike factories around Paris. Due to bad weather over the English Channel, Brill flew at an altitude of less than 200 feet until crossing the French coast. Over Paris, the bombers met heavy anti-aircraft fire, and while most aircraft released their loads from between 4,000 and 8,000 feet (1,200 and 2,400 m), Brill lined up to attack at only 1,500 feet (460 m). With the bomb bay doors open, his Wellington was struck by flak, damaging the hydraulics and rear gun turret, and leaving one of the 1,000 lb (450 kg) bombs hanging after the others dropped on target. Returning to England through more bad weather, he landed his crippled Wellington on an emergency landing ground with the bomb doors still open and one tyre flat; the plane was later scrapped. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his action on that night; he was the first pilot in 460 SQN to be so decorated. From November 1942 to late 1943, Brill was posted to an instructor position at 27 Operational Training Unit (RAF); the unit where he himself had learnt to fly heavy bombers himself. He was then posted to a second operational tour on heavy bombers serving with 463 SQN (RAAF) as a Flight Commander. On an early mission to Berlin in late January 1944, his aircraft was struck by incendiaries from a Lancaster flying above his resulting in severe damage to his aircraft's nose, rudder controls, and electricals and the port wing on fire. Having warned his crew to prepare to bail out, Brill placed the Lancaster in a dive and succeeded in putting out the flames. The crew was able to remain on board and, after a nine-hour flight, the plane landed back at Waddington. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in May for "leadership, skill and gallantry of the highest order" and "his determination to make every sortie a success" in spite of frequent damage to his aircraft. In May and on promotion to Acting Wing Commander, he was posted to command 467 SQN (RAAF) to replace the previous incumbent who had been killed in action. His unit was involved in the D-Day Landings flying extensive bombing missions across northern France. On a mission targeting V-2 supply facilities on 4 July, his Lancaster was peppered with 140 holes from flak while also successfully evading three German night fighters in an aerial dogfight. He was awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross for his leadership and airmanship on the mission. In October 1944, he completed his second operational tour but elected to stay on to mentor the young squadron. He became the first 467 SQN CO to survive his tour as its leader. He returned to Australia in early 1945 having survived 58 Bomber Command missions and been awarded the Distinguished Service Order and the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar becoming one of Australia’s most distinguished Bomber Command pilots and commanders. Post war, Brill remained in the service as a senior officer. He served as the first CO of 10 SQN flying Avro Lincolns based at Townsville, the Director of the RAAF Staff College, Staff Officer to the Chief of Air Staff, Commanding Officer of Officer Training School (RAAF Rathmines), Commanding Officer of RAAF Canberra/Fairbairn, and twice as the Director of Personnel. Tragically, still serving in the RAAF in a staff position in the Department of Air in Canberra, he died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of only 48 at his home in Canberra in 1964. Lest we forget. Images of WGCDR Brill DSO DFC and Bar, CO 467 SQN, courtesy of Australian War Memorial Digital Online Collection (Copyright expired, public domain).
