Hist ory
S M A D A Y ON
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Words Tony Adams/Mark Eaton
Tony Adams December 2019
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In September 1939, during the early years of World War II, Britain and its Allies were heavily engaged in conflict with Nazi Germany. Royal Air Force Bomber Command, controlled the RAF’s bomber forces. Along with the United States Army Air Forces, Bomber Command played a crucial role in the strategic bombing of Germany in WWII. Bomber Command was considered to be Britain’s greatest and mightiest weapon at the time, flying 364,514 operational sorties which involved precision and selective target attacks over parts of Europe including France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and as far as Italy. In August 1942, the effectiveness of Bomber Command was greatly enhanced with establishment of the Pathfinder Force. Under command of Group Captain Donald Bennett, an Australian, the Pathfinders initially consisted of five squadrons from each of the operational Bomber Command Groups. Other squadrons would later join the Pathfinders during the War. In all Bomber Command squadrons there
were a range of nationalities, and it was very common for a bomber crew to consist of British, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand airmen. At almost 18 years of age, a young Tony Adams from North Sydney would volunteer for the war effort. Passing his medical, he was put on the Reserve list awaiting a call up. However, within a month of his birthday on 12 January 1924, the Army called him into service. Joining 2 Division Signals, attached to the 7th Field Regiment, he learned Morse Code - although found he wasn’t at all proficient. Tony would later depart for Western Australia. Soon after he would transfer to the RAAF on 18 September 1942, going first to Bradfield Park, the Initial Training School, for a few weeks. Having completed radio training for six months at Parkes, NSW, Tony later completed Air Gunnery Training at Port Pirie, South Australia, graduating as a Wireless Air Gunner with the rank of Sergeant. At this time, it was noted all RAAF Aircrew were volunteers. After six months, all aircrew were eligible to become Flight Sergeants and after
