No. 5 Squadron RAAF Smoke Joe Mission Reports

[Dave Homewood]

Derek Buckmaster just brought this file to my attention. He says it's, "500 pages of reports from 5 Squadron pilots, many of the missions being "Lead-in 16 F4U's (R.N.Z.A.F.)..." makes fascinating reading...
NAA: A9652, Box 7, "RAAF Squadron narrative reports - 5 Squadron - 13 April 1945 - 5 October 1945" Item ID 1760963"

recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1760963&fbclid=IwAR2__-sL_XBNq4QkcKcVgK7ga0cQMfUB2rCdarEFp1JxcvEiDg-7WmA6qhg

As the Wirraways and Boomerangs worked closely as the Smokey Joe target markers for the RNZAF Corsairs for some time (before the Corsair squadrons started to mark their own targets) this will likely be of interest for people researching the Corsair operations and also the ANZAC co-operation in the Pacific.

[corsair5517]

I’ll work my way through these as they have some resonance for me in that I met a 5 Sqn pilot who had become a firm friend of Dads; Cec was in a care home on the Sunshine Coast, and when Dad visited, he asked if we could detour and visit him. Of course, I agreed and on arrival at the home we were told that Cec was quite vague and we should be prepared for a less-than-perfect visit… none of which bothered Dad a whit. He found his room and bowled in with a hearty “Hey there, Smoky Joe! How’s tricks??” to see the lights go on behind Cecs’ eyes was something I not forget as long as I live!

Their shared experiences, so long ago, were certainly life changing, and at this remove, absolutely life affirming!!

Vale, Cec Downes and Des Stokes!!

[Dave Homewood]

That is amazing John.

If you find any interesting snippets as you go through, please highlight them here and link the page/s please.