Each year, Bomber Command is commemorated at ceremonies across the country to pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the nearly 10,000 Australians who served, more than a third of whom lost their lives.
On June 7, members of the public and serving personnel will join veterans and their families at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra to pay tribute. Among them will be Wing Commander Jasper McCaldin, who grew up in Cairns listening to his father talk about flying in Africa. The stories inspired an early interest in aviation and to serve his country.
It was a fellow Queenslander, Air Vice-Marshal Don Bennett, who inspired Wing Commander McCaldin's undertaking to work with Bomber Command veterans.
In 1942, then Group Captain Bennett started the Pathfinder Force as a specialist element within Bomber Command, tasked with marking targets for the main bomber stream.
Using high-end piloting and navigation skills, and working with the latest in electronic navigation, the Pathfinders led attacks on special targets in southern Europe under missions that were timed almost to the second.
Wing Commander McCaldin said the Pathfinder crews were volunteers whose remarkable achievements came at great personal cost.
"They used innovative technology in navigation, communications, target illuminators and bomb aiming, as well as new tactics to continuously improve their effectiveness," he said.
"But they flew more missions at higher risk and suffered heavy losses."
The Pathfinders Force continues to be honoured in Air Force. Units in both Air Mobility Group and Air Combat Group present annual awards, established to recognise aviators who embody the spirit of the original Pathfinders.
'Remembering and respecting those who have gone before us cements our value of service and community across time, and gives us purpose to uphold the values they fought for.'
The 82 Wing Young Pathfinder Award was established by Allan Vial, a navigator and bomb aimer in a Master Bomber crew with the Pathfinder Force, who conducted 64 sorties.
"I was honoured to be made a Young Pathfinder in 2009, and have been actively involved with Bomber Command associations ever since," Wing Commander McCaldin said.
"I have been fortunate enough to talk directly with veterans and their families over the years.
"Their courage, mateship, sense of service and humility about what they contributed for our country always struck me."
Wing Commander McCaldin said current 460 and 462 Squadrons trace their origins to Bomber Command and continue to embody the values and legacy of those who came before them.
"I think it's important that aviators who put on the RAAF uniform today realise that they share it with the generations before them," he said.
"Remembering and respecting those who have gone before us cements our value of service and community across time, and gives us purpose to uphold the values they fought for."
Bomber Command Commemorative Day
Sunday June 7 - A ceremony will be held at 11am in the grounds of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra at the Bomber Command Memorial. A ticketed lunch will be held following the ceremony.
National ceremonies: https://bombercommandcommemorativeday.com/australian-states-memorial-ceremonies/
