Celebrating 80th Anniversary of WW2 Dambusters
The 80th Anniversary of the Dambusters Raid was marked with a commemoration service at the Air Force Memorial, Torrens Parade Ground, Adelaide. The service was co-hosted by the Air Force Association (South Australia) and RAAF Edinburgh, on Wednesday 17th May.
This very special event marked the anniversary and also acknowledged the Australian contribution to the operation, honouring three South Australian aviators (SQNLDR Dave Shannon DSO and Bar DFC and Bar, FLTLT Robert Hay DFC and Bar, FLGOFF Freddie Spafford DFC and Bar) and the 53 brave airmen who did not return from the raid.
We were delighted and honoured to share the service with Ms Nikki King, daughter of SQNLDR Dave Shannon and Ms Jean Miller, niece of FLGOFF Freddie Spafford and their respective families. We were also honoured to have at the service 100-year-old Mr Ray Merrill DFC, a Bomber Command tail gunner who flew Lancasters with No 218 Squadron (RAF) in World War 2.
AIRCDRE Adrian Maso, Senior Air Force Representative South Australia laid a wreath under the 617 SQN Plaque on the Air Force Memorial on behalf of the Air Force. The Honourable Justin Hanson MLC representing Hon Geoff Brock, Minister for Veterans Affairs SA laid a wreath on behalf of the people of South Australia and Nikki King laid a wreath on behalf of the families of South Australia’s Dambusters.
AIRCDRE Maso provided the keynote address speaking about the importance of the Dambusters Raid and its lessons for the current Air Force and Australia noting aspects such as operational risk and the need for innovation in war. Members of No 462 Squadron provided the Catafalque Party. Meanwhile, members of 617 SQN AAFC based in Adelaide provided guards at a special 617 SQN wreath on which rosemary and poppy was emplaced by attendees. This wreath was then placed at the SA Dambusters Memorial located on the Pathway of Honour at Torrens Parade Ground.
Attendees then enjoyed a wonderful lunch at the Combined Ex-Services Mess where members of 462 SQN provided short biographical profiles of the three South Australians who flew in the Dambusters Raid. It was a special day marking the 80th anniversary of one of the most audacious military raids of World War 2 and the brave aviators who flew in it.
Caption above L-R: Ms Jean Miller (niece of FLGOFF Freddie Spafford DFC DFM) and Ms Nikki King (daughter of SQNLDR Dave Shannon DSO and Bar DFC and Bar) at the service. Photographer: Sgt Nicci Freeman. Photo courtesy of Defence Image Library.
Meet World War 2 Air Observer and Dambuster Flight Lieutenant Robert ‘Bob’ Claude Hay here.