This Month "My Vietnam Adventures" Air Canada Captain Bill Christopulos

Transcription

1 Volume 41 Number 8 May Canadian Aviation Historical Society Toronto Chapter Meeting May 12, 2007 Meeting starts at 1 PM -Under the Glider- Toronto Aerospace Museum, 65 Carl Hall Road, Toronto This meeting is jointly sponsored by CAHS Toronto Chapter and the Toronto Aerospace Museum- All CAHS / TAM members, guests and the public (museum admission payable) are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served ALanding Fee@ of $2.00 will be charged to cover meeting expenses Next Meeting Sept. 15, 2007 Last Month s Meeting National Convention Meeting Dates CAHS Toronto Chapter Elections Poet s Corner This Month "My Vietnam Adventures" Air Canada Captain Bill Christopulos 1 Flypast V. 41 No. 7

2 Last Month s Meeting April Meeting Hurricanes For Russia Speaker: Air Commodore Philip J. (Phil) Wilkinson, CVO MA FRAeS FRSA RAF (Ret d) Reporter: Gord McNulty Phil points out key sites in Norther Russia CAHS Toronto Chapter President Howard Malone introduced Air Commodore Phil Wilkinson, a former --- and basically unreformed --- fighter-bomber pilot and instructor pilot who survived nearly 4,000 cockpit hours. Phil lives just a few miles from RAF Middle Wallop in the county of Hampshire in southern England, where the first of the Hurricanes sent by the RCAF arrived in the U.K. in He retired from active duty in His final assignment was as Defence and Air Attache to the British Embassy in Moscow, where his responsibilities and sphere of operations stretched over both the Russian Federation and all but one of the Republics of the former Soviet Union. Previous assignments included command of the RAF air base in Berlin during the period on either side of the fall of the Berlin Wall, leadership of the team developing Alliance arms control policy at NATO s SHAPE headquarters in Belgium, and Faculty Instructor duties as RAF exchange officer at the USAF Air University, Maxwell, Alabama. Phil is currently an aviation security consultant. He also writes as a regular contributor to books and magazines on military aviation history. He has remained very much involved with the affairs of a group of RAF veterans who deployed to northern Russia in 1941, a story that until recently has not received the attention it deserves. In May 2005 he accompanied the fitter survivors, in the presence of HRH Duke of York and First Sea Lord (Chief of Naval Staff), as they commemorated the 60 th anniversary of the ending of the war in Europe at ceremonies in Murmansk. The men who served on the operation are remembered with gratitude by the people of Murmansk. Phil highlighted his presentation with a showing of the excellent 30-minute DVD, Hurricanes Over Russia. The DVD includes the recollections of historians and veterans who describe the RAF s deployment of Hurricane fighters and crews to assist Russian forces after Hitler ended his Non-Aggression Pact with Stalin and launched a devastating attack on Russia on 22 June, The German air attack crippled the Soviet air force before it could fight back. Five days later, a British military mission was engaged in Moscow as the British quickly joined in supporting Stalin Flypast V. 41 No. 7 2

3 in the fight against Hitler. The RAF was able to The members of the Wing were received by a supply older Hurricanes which were being Russian major-general who was commander of phased out and could be shipped to Russia at the Joint Air Operation. They met decorated once. Soviet pilots who learned to fly the Hurricanes. An agreement was reached to supply 200 By 11 September, 1941, less than three months aircraft per month via naval convoys to the after the German invasion, the two RAF strategic northern ports of Archangel and squadrons were established as a fighting force. Murmansk. Two RAF squadrons and 134 The Wing deployed to Murmansk, operating --- formed No. 151 Wing and were sent to from the nearby airfield of Severomorsk, a few Russia as the principal convoy of the first Arctic miles upriver. The Germans were about 45 Convoy. The top-secret convoy sailed from miles from Murmansk at the time. The first Liverpool in August 1941 and it carried a range combat action, on 12 September, claimed the of essential supplies, not just airmen and life of Sgt. Norman Smith, a young man who aircraft. The personnel included pilots who were was the only Wing pilot killed in north Russia. veterans of the Battle of Britain and ground However, the Wing had achieved its first crew. They were not allowed to communicate combat victory. A dangerous problem would with anyone about the operation, under threat of soon emerge. Four aircraft nearly crashed on court martial. Some politicians also travelled on account of the inadequacies of what Phil the convoy to set up missions from the U.K. and described as the abominable Russian fuel being from Poland, and there were also accredited used at the time. The engines would begin to correspondents. The well-known artist Feliks fail at altitudes of around 15,000 feet. The Topolski, a Polish-born expressionist painter, allies co-operated to solve the problem with a went as an accredited military journalist. He fuel additive, a tin-based catalyst. Phil noted completed a number of drawings, which were that in 1991, the company that developed the published in Picture Post and later put into a system reunited a group of about 40 veterans -- beautiful book which Phil managed to find a - air and ground crew ---- to publicize its fuel second-hand copy of. products. The main party sailed for Russia aboard a luxury The Soviets were soon presented with the first liner, commandeered for wartime operations and of the Hurricanes to be painted with Soviet carrying Hurricanes in crates. They arrived at markings. Flying different operations, Archangel on 1 September 1941 and the crated including bomber escort and point defence, the Hurricanes were assembled in nine days. Hurricane proved invaluable as a rugged Meanwhile, another group of pilots made the aircraft that could withstand the elements, the journey out of Glasgow aboard the aircraft relatively primitive conditions, and the carrier HMS Argus, with 24 new Hurricane Mk. tendency among Russian crews to be fairly II s stowed below the 400-foot flat deck. The rough in their treatment of aircraft. In fact, the pilots had to fly off the Argus in difficult Hurricane was probably a better choice for the conditions. Phil noted that they had never been Russian operation than the lighter Spitfire seen to sea before, never mind flying off an would have been. The Hurricane was a deadly aircraft carrier. In fact, the briefing notes stated gun platform, equipped with eight machine that the carrier deck was 427 feet long. With guns, and could perform well at high altitude. 22 knots of speed over the deck, the pilots Hurricanes were effective in escorting Soviet needed 415 feet to get airborne. Pe-2 twin-engined bombers attacking German 3 Flypast V. 41 No. 7

4 supply lines near Murmansk. On 6 October, the for the Wing s return to the U.K. On 7 Luftwaffe raided the airfield and all operational November, Stalin addressed Soviet forces in Hurricanes were scrambled as German bombers Red Square. It was a critical moment as the and fighters approached. There were no RAF Germans were only 40 miles from Moscow. As casualties and several ground crew were the Wing waited for news of their departure, commended for their coolness in standing by the promised shipments of Hurricanes began to their aircraft. Flying operations ceased when arrive at Murmansk. winter soon arrived. The winter of 1941 and 1942 saw the recovery According to official records, the Wing was of Russia and the beginning of the Soviet credited with shooting down 16 confirmed comeback which led to the eventual defeat of German aircraft and damaging more. It had the Nazis. Members of 151 Wing returned certainly established a strong, much-needed home on Royal Navy ships or on a merchant defensive shield. Phil noted that more German vessel, enduring harsh, perilous conditions at aircraft were downed by a combination of air sea. The Wing arrived at Scottish ports with no and ground attack. The Wing had made an loss of life at sea, but the men were deeply impressive showing, especially considering that conscious of the dangers faced by the convoys the air operation ran for only about a month, taking supplies to Russia. One convoy lost 22 from mid-september to mid-october. For its of the 33 ships that sailed. Given the risks, it part, 134 Sqdn. continued to train Russian pilots seemed nothing short of miraculous that the and ground crew. The Russians were excellent Wing personnel made it to Russia and back technicians. The newly trained Russian pilots safely. Back in London, the Wing commander, formed the first Soviet Hurricane squadron, and both squadron leaders and the highest-scoring in turn would train other pilots to fly Hurricanes. Wing pilot, Flight Sergeant Charlton Hall, Boris Safonov was the most famous pilot received the Order of Lenin at the Russian trained by the Wing. An adept pilot who Embassy. wouldn t think twice about taking off in In all, 550 RAF personnel and 40 aircraft snowstorms, he became an ace who downed participated before dispersing to other theatres more than 30 enemy aircraft personally or in a of war. The force may have seemed relatively group during the war. Safonov, who was shot small, measured in absolute terms, and was in down and killed on 30 May 1942 after 224 Russia for a relatively short time. However, the operations, was the first Russian citizen to be RAF crews successfully introduced the twice named Hero of the Soviet Union. Russians to the Hurricane and formed a After the transfer of aircraft to the Russians, instantaneous bond with their counterparts in members of the Wing learned to cope with the bolstering the Soviet defences around brutal Russian winter. Sports provided a popular Murmansk. The assistance was greatly way to keep fit, and football matches appreciated by the Russians, who suffered the strengthened Anglo-Russian friendship. The loss of an estimated 25 to 26 million civilians members of the Wing would enjoy shows such and soldiers during the war. as comic George Formby s slapstick film, It s In In commenting on the operation, Phil noted The Air. From the start, the Russians did not see that the DVD was given its first public showing the operation as a long-term venture. The in the Imperial War Museum before a large Russians presented the Wing with a pet reindeer audience on V-E Day in May, Just after as a token of their friendship as plans were made that, Phil travelled to Russia with Eric Carter, Flypast V. 41 No. 7 4

5 one of the veterans who was quoted in the video Revolution. and was determined to return after missing the Phil underlined the respect that Russians have th 60 anniversary celebrations because of ill continued to show their wartime British allies. health. They had visited Murmansk, the In 1994, Queen Elizabeth visited Russia in the cemetery and the museums, and were resting in first state visit to Russia by a British monarch a hotel. Lo and behold, Boris Safonov s son, since prior to the Russian revolution. The Igor, came in. Eric, who had known Boris Queen and the Duke were welcomed warmly in during the wartime operation, was thrilled to see Moscow and in St. Petersburg, where a Igor, who is roughly the same age as Eric s son. veterans ceremony was held. Royal Navy and AIt was a beautiful closing of the circle,@ Phil Merchant Navy veterans from the convoys said. joined the Russian veterans, and Phil was able Answering a number of questions, Phil said that to arrange for some RAF veterans to attend. In one of the Hurricanes that took part in the 1995, Russia held major ceremonies marking operation survives at a museum in Murmansk, th the 50 anniversary of the end of the war in but it is a mix of spare parts and isn t in good Europe. Phil managed to bring some of the condition. He noted that one of the Hurricanes veterans to Russia. AThey would stay at our to be presented to the Russians was recovered house in Moscow and we would look after and shipped back to the U.K. in pieces, where it them. They were very, very grateful.@ Phil was restored, and is now believed to be in the stayed in touch with these men and their United States. Another example of a Russian families after finishing his time in the air force. Hurricane being restored in the U.S. is just Leading up to the 60 anniversary of V-E Day in about finished. It is estimated that about 3, , Phil was disappointed to learn that none of approximately 14,000 Hurricanes built in all of the RAF veterans with Russian connections were assigned to Russia, although it is believed were invited to a prime minister s reception at that considerably fewer were received by the Downing Street for veterans of the Arctic Russians because of heavy losses in the convoys. Officials in the prime minister s convoys. There is a good chance that if a office and the ministry of defence officials Hurricane is found in Russia it is Canadian- gave a rather misinformed explanation for the built. Phil stated about half of the 1,400 omission. They told Phil that only Royal Navy Hurricanes built by Canadian Car and Foundry and merchant navy people were associated with were sent to Russia. He noted that tens of the Russian convoys during the war. At that thousands of aircraft were sent to the Soviet point, Phil started to work with a small Union by Britain and the U.S. during the war. commercial film company, digging into Over the years, aircraft recovery buffs have archives at home and abroad, and obtaining scoured Russia for the relics of aircraft such as some financial support with a lottery to allow Hurricanes, Hampdens, Bell P-39s and Curtiss the aging veterans to return to Russia for the P-40s that served the Soviet Union. Phil said he th 60 anniversary celebrations --- specifically in has been asked to write Athe definitive book of Murmansk. There would be a chance for the the RAF in Russia,@ but he emphasized it would last time to visit the cemeteries which contain be a long, complex story. The RAF s history in one or two of the Wing members who did not that part of the world goes all the way back to return from the deployment. The veterans made the period immediately following the First the trip to Murmansk on May 8-10, 2005, and World War and the turmoil of the Russian were able to handle the cold temperatures, well 5 Flypast V. 41 No. 7

6 below zero. In fact, even at age 86 or 87, they enjoyed a good, late-evening drink or two as late as 3 a.m. This fascinating story, unfortunately, was largely overlooked through the years. Phil noted that a very contemporary account was published in 1942 and a book called Hurricanes Over Russia was written about 15 years ago. Apart from that, one has to dig very deeply into personal memoirs to find information. Even the small film company that produced the DVD did not receive sponsorship from industry, the ministry of defence, or any other source apart from very small support from the Royal Air Force Historical Society. No one seemed interested in capturing the story on film, so the DVD was financed through private contributions from people who made it possible. Phil also shared some glossy published material, produced with support from the RAF Historical Society and the ministry of defence, about the operation. Howard Malone presented Phil with a copy of National Treasure: The History of Trans-Canada Airlines by Peter Pigott in appreciation of his efforts in bringing us the enjoyable and informative story of Hurricanes for Russia. Phil opens gift as Howard Malone looks on. Flypast V. 41 No. 7 6

7 2007 CAHS National Convention By now all of you should have received your mail-out about the CAHS 2007 Annual General Meeting & Convention. Please review the material, decide what options best meet your personal requirements, fill in the registration form and mail back with your payment. Please keep in mind that registrations received after Friday, May 4 will incur a late penalty charge of $ As we go to press, it has been confirmed that Russ Bannock DFC will be the keynote speaker at the evening banquet on Friday, May 25. Russ, of course is the pilot who took the prototype Beaver CF-FHB-X aloft for the first time on August 16, We sincerely hope that you be able to attend and take part in a unique piece of Canadian aviation history. Winter / Spring Meeting Dates Meeting dates are as follow: May 12 and the Convention May 23 B 25. A June meeting is not anticipated this year due to the convention dates. CAHS Toronto Chapter Elections Elections for the Toronto Chapter Executive will follow the May Speaker. Poet s Corner P/O PRUNE CATCHES A CODE P/O Prune went into town; Of beer he had his fill; So when they asked him "QBA? He answered sadly "NIL", His comrades sat him at the bar; "Now "QAH?" They said, But ere he got a QFE, He climbed a bit instead. He stood and shouted "QUG And QTH precarious" Then QFO'd upon the floor, His language mixed and various. Oh QFR," Prune said. I guess I QGH'd too fast Control! - I'm in a ruddy mess! A QGX please! Blast! He then turned to the Bar Maid Saying, "QDR my dear?" She answered rather snappily "That QFT's right here!" The QTR is "time" at last, So QAA at mess? "You seem to me, Prune, almost tight: So QAK unless." "You wish to QAL in jug And be a most peculiar mug. So get your QDM for home; Allow for drift and do not roam." TEE EMM September 1941 The Q codes are International Radio Codes: QBA What is the horizontal visibility? QAH What is your height above...? QFE can you give me the present barometric pressure at airport surface? QUG I am forced to alight (or land) immediately. QTH My position is... QFO May I land immediately? QFR My landing gear appears damaged. QGH May I land using ZZ procedure? QDRWhat is my magnetic bearing in relation to you? QFT - Ice formation been signaled between the following heights. QTR The exact time is QAA Beware of collision, other aircraft flying in vicinity. QAL I am going to land at QDM The magnetic course to steer with zero wind to reach me is QGX may be QGW (Does my landing gear appear to be down). 7 Flypast V. 41 No. 7

8 By Taxi: Take the TTC Subway to the Downsview Station and take a taxi from there. It will cost around $8 one way, but it is by far the most convenient option for tourists, because the cab will take you right to our front door, whereas the TTC - unfortunately - doesn't! By Car: From the 401 East or West, exit at Keele Street North. Turn right on Sheppard Ave, and follow Sheppard the entrance to Downsview Park. Turn right into the park (onto John Drury Road) until you reach Carl Hall Road. Turn left at Carl Hall and continue east over the railway tracks to the Museum, which is on your right hand side. By TTC: From the Downsview TTC station take the 108 Downsview, the 86 Sheppard West, Westbound or the 84 Sheppard West, Westbound bus and ask the driver to let you off at the Downsview Park entrance (it is well past the DRDC and Idomo buildings). Walk into the park entrance and follow John Drury Road until you reach Carl Hall Road. Turn left at Carl Hall Road and continue east over the railway tracks to the Museum, which is on your right hand side. Approximate walking distance is 0.7 km. CAHS National Website : Meetings and news from all the chapters, journal back issues, and more! Toronto Chapter Meetings - 2nd Saturday of the month 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. Toronto Aerospace Museum, 65 Carl Hall Road TAM is in the former dehaviland building in Downsview Park Near Downsview TTC Station All Welcome Flypast V. 41 No. 7 8