大象传媒

AIR FORCE HISTORICAL DOCUMENT
The following is an excerpt from my father in-laws Air Force Pilot Log Book. This is provided for posterity and as a memorial to him and to his squadron, since he passed away in 2003.

On the 10th August 1944, all of our aircraft Royal Air Force 615 (County of Surrey) Fighter Squadron were flying from Palel in Assam to Baigachi,Bengal. We where about 80 miles east of Calcutta when we flew into a monsoon storm.

I saw the Commanding Officer's Section disappear above me and I glanced in the cockpit, my instruments had, had it. There was no visibility and none of the planes controls were working. I made up my mind that it was time I parted company with the aircraft. This wasn't easy, the hook stuck and I had a hell of a job. Finally, it came away and to the right mainplane about three feet from the centre section. Hells teeth, I thought I had been in a hurry up until then, but I really got going now. In fact, I jumped out helmet and all plugged in. I must have swung like pendulum going around for few seconds, that seemed like hours, waiting for the thud of the ground, when I felt a jerk.

I looked up and from that moment on I have a passion for mushrooms. There above me was the chute letting me down and the chute began to fold in and spill air. I pulled on the rigging lines, as I had been told and was able to control the rate of descent. It was about 20 seconds before I saw the ground or should I say river. Yes, I landed up to my neck in water. I was helped by natives to shelter. After an hours rest, I heard news of another pilot who was a few villages away, who had been injured. I was able to get to him later that day and a sampon took us to the nearest motorable road.

We arrived in Calcutta the following day. Here, we received news that the Commanding Officer had been killed and three others. Eight of the other machines got through safely after being sucked right out of the cloud into brilliant sunshine. An airman at control ops was able to vector them in safely. This airman for his wide awake action received a mention in despaches. The Commanding Officer's body was the only body recovered, as it was thought the others were in an area that it would not be possible to get to. So these were posted missing believed killed.

The Commanding Officer was buried in Calcutta. He was thought so much of by his Squadron, that a letter was sent to his mother asking what she would like as a memorial to him. Funds were raised and a stainless glass window is now installed in the church in his home town in Australia.

He was held responsible for the accident by a court of enquiry, but I still wonder, if it was an error on his part. Three pilots bailed out successfully and one force-landed.

CASUALTY LIST 10TH AUGUST 1944
Lost:
*Squadron Leader D. McCormack, Distinguished
Flying Cross and Bar, Royal Australian Air
Force (Killed)
*Flying Officer W.S.Bond Royal Canadian Air
Force (Killed)
*Flying Officer M.Pain Royal Australian Air
Force (Missing believed killed)
*Warrant Officer Chappell, Royal Australian Air
Force, (Missing believed killed)

BALED OUT
*Flying Officer Costain Royal Air Force (Broken
leg)
*Flying Officer Armstrong Royal Canadian Air
Force (Dislocated knee cap)
*Flying Officer F.P.Fahy, Royal New Zealand Air
Force (Twisted knee)

FORCE LANDED
*Flying Officer Watson Royal Air Force (Unhurt)

8 other Squadron Aircraft and Pilots landed safely.

'LEST WE FORGET'

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