Honouring the bravery and sacrifice of Bomber Command

Each year, Bomber Command is commemorated at ceremonies across the country to pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the nearly 10,000 Australians who served, more than a third of whom lost their lives.

On June 7, members of the public and serving personnel will join veterans and their families at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra to pay tribute.

Among them will be WGCDR Jasper McCaldin, who grew up in Cairns listening to his father talk about flying in Africa. The stories inspired an early interest in aviation and to serve his country.

Fellow Queenslander AVM Don Bennett inspired WGCDR McCaldin to work with Bomber Command veterans.

In 1942, then-GPCAPT Bennett started the Pathfinder Force as a specialist element within Bomber Command, tasked with marking targets for the main bomber stream.

Using high-end piloting and navigation skills, and working with the latest in electronic navigation, the Pathfinders led attacks on special targets in southern Europe under missions that were timed almost to the second.

WGCDR McCaldin said the Pathfinder crews were volunteers whose remarkable achievements came at great personal cost.

“They used innovative technology in navigation, communications, target illuminators and bomb aiming, as well as new tactics to continuously improve their effectiveness,” he said.

“But they flew more missions at higher risk and suffered heavy losses.”

The Pathfinders Force continues to be honoured in Air Force. Units in Air Mobility Group and Air Combat Group present annual awards, established to recognise aviators who embody the spirit of the original Pathfinders.

The 82WG Young Pathfinder Award was established by Allan Vial, a navigator and bomb aimer in a Master Bomber crew with the Pathfinder Force, who conducted 64 sorties.

“I was honoured to be made a Young Pathfinder in 2009, and have been actively involved with Bomber Command associations ever since,” WGCDR McCaldin said.

“I have been fortunate enough to talk directly with veterans and their families over the years.

“Their courage, mateship, sense of service and humility about what they contributed for our country always struck me.”

WGCDR McCaldin said current 460SQN and 462SQN trace their origins to Bomber Command and continue to embody the values and legacy of those who came before them.

“I think it’s important that aviators who put on the RAAF uniform today realise that they share it with the generations before them,” he said.

“Remembering and respecting those who have gone before us cements our value of service and community across time, and gives us purpose to uphold the values they fought for.”

A ceremony and ticketed lunch will be held on June 7 at the Bomber Command Memorial at the Australian War Memorial. Register at: bccdf.org.au/registration