by Lex McAulay

NICKY BARR flew P-40 Tomahawks and Kittyhawks with 3 Squadron RAAF in the Desert Campaigns 1941-42. A member of the last 'standard' RAAF cadet course in 1941, Nicky graduated as a pilot and arrived at 3 Squadron in November 1941. He was one of those people who seem to attract action, and was in combats almost from his first operational sortie.

The offensives and retreats surged back and forth across the North African coastline, and such was the pressure of events that in May 1942 Nicky was the Commanding Officer of 3 Squadron, which he led during an intensive period of ground attack sorties.

Nicky destroyed 12 German and Italian aircraft, was shot down several times, and on the last occasion was captured suffering burns. He survived the transit to Italy, and escaped several times, despite rough handling from the SS on re-capture, and later worked with the guerrillas and Allied special forces before returning to Allied lines in Italy.

Appendices list text of medal citations, aircraft details and victories, and a nominal roll of 31 Cadet Course, with the fate on active service of each man.

The Spitfire Ace

HUGO ARMSTRONG came from a well-known Perth family, and was a member of the first course of trainees to go through the programme of the Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS). Hugo was commissioned on course, graduated in January 1941 and by September was in England, flying Spitfires, and with his first victory. Hugo continued to claim victories and was promoted through command levels to squadron command in nine months, after a medical operation becoming CO of 611 Squadron RAF in September 1942.

Hugo flew on many of the successful sweeps over France, during the Channel Dash by the German battle cruisers from Brest to the Baltic, and as escort to the early US B-17 and B-24 raids. One victory was the expert who was teaching JG26 to fly the FW190, and another was the 900th victory claimed by an aircraft operating from Biggin Hill. Hugo was also successful against the low-level Luftwaffe raiders against the southeast coast of England.

Appendices include text of citations, aircraft detail and victories, and a nominal roll of the EATS course, with fate of each man included.

The Mosquito Crew

PETER PANITZ and DICKIE WILLIAMS were a successful crew on Mosquitoes on 456 Squadron RAAF, flying Intruder operations hunting trains, aircraft and ground targets low level at night in Occupied France and on Ranger operations hunting aircraft over the Bay of Biscay. After a rest from operations, they returned as a crew to lead 464 Squadron RAAF after the Normandy invasion. Here targets included a Gestapo or SS barracks, and night strikes against SS panzers in the Normandy battle area, all at low level in a hostile environment. Losses were continuous and heavy. Panitz and Williams were lost on one low level strike, and are buried in France.