Post by grannygussie on Apr 16, 2012 19:53:27 GMT 12
One of the RAF's longest serving special duties pilots died this year, having dropped supplies and agents over 8 countries in WW2. In 138 sqdn , he was sent to Malta, to fly in the first op of Operation Bullseye. On Feb 3 42, he returned from an op to discover he'd won his first DFC.
He'd worked in a bank, pre WW2, but in May 39, he followed his elder brother, a Spitfire pilot, into the RAFVR.
In March 41, he joined 1419, (Special Duties), Flight, (later 138 Sqdn) which supported SOE and initially flew from Newmarket Racecourse. During 43, he operated over numerous countries, including dropping agents and supplies to The Netherlands unaware that the Dutch Resistance had been infiltrated and all agents and supplies were captured on landing. Later, he commanded 1575 Flight, (later 624 sqdn). He dropped the Americans of the Mutton Pork team, in France. In March 44, he got the bar to his DFC and demobilised in November 45, he also earned the Croix de Guerre, the Dutch Flying Cross and a Polish decoration.
When he tried to return to the bank, he was told that after 6 years 'playing at war' others were more up to date. They offerred him an inferior position, he rejected it and went into the timber industry.
Broadshouldered and 6' 4", Austin was very self effacing. "Once you've been through a war, you can't be frightened by the lesser risks of business."
His kindliness made him volunteer for Special Duties, with 1419 Flight, rather than fly in a bomber squadron. That outlook extended to his garden. He left a wasp's nest in his cedar tree and an old rat lived in his bicycle shed. "They cause me no harm," he said, "so I leave them in peace."
John Austin married in 1945, to Elizabeth Jessiman. She died a few weeks after her husband, on February 14th. They are survived by 2 sons and 2 daughters
Squadron Leader John Austin, 17 July 1917 to 12 January 2012.
He'd worked in a bank, pre WW2, but in May 39, he followed his elder brother, a Spitfire pilot, into the RAFVR.
In March 41, he joined 1419, (Special Duties), Flight, (later 138 Sqdn) which supported SOE and initially flew from Newmarket Racecourse. During 43, he operated over numerous countries, including dropping agents and supplies to The Netherlands unaware that the Dutch Resistance had been infiltrated and all agents and supplies were captured on landing. Later, he commanded 1575 Flight, (later 624 sqdn). He dropped the Americans of the Mutton Pork team, in France. In March 44, he got the bar to his DFC and demobilised in November 45, he also earned the Croix de Guerre, the Dutch Flying Cross and a Polish decoration.
When he tried to return to the bank, he was told that after 6 years 'playing at war' others were more up to date. They offerred him an inferior position, he rejected it and went into the timber industry.
Broadshouldered and 6' 4", Austin was very self effacing. "Once you've been through a war, you can't be frightened by the lesser risks of business."
His kindliness made him volunteer for Special Duties, with 1419 Flight, rather than fly in a bomber squadron. That outlook extended to his garden. He left a wasp's nest in his cedar tree and an old rat lived in his bicycle shed. "They cause me no harm," he said, "so I leave them in peace."
John Austin married in 1945, to Elizabeth Jessiman. She died a few weeks after her husband, on February 14th. They are survived by 2 sons and 2 daughters
Squadron Leader John Austin, 17 July 1917 to 12 January 2012.