January 2018FLYPAST 121River front, presented a vital target.
It was known to be well defended,
with heavy and light AA [anti-
aircraft] and machine guns.
“The plan was for 159 Squadron
to attack the main bridge, 356
[Squadron, Liberator VIs] to
attack the bypass bridge and 355
[Squadron, also with Liberators] to
look after the ground defences: the
first two at 500 feet and the latter
at 4,000 to 5,000.
“In addition, three aircraft from
159 were loaded up with 100lb
fragmentation bombs and told
to cruise around and look for any
activity of AA and attack with a
small stock of bombs on their own
initiative.
“Using the master bomber
technique, this was a completely
successful raid. Hits on the main
bridge were made early in the attack
by Flt Lt Borthwick [RCAF] and
by Fg Off Haycock [RNZAF]. As
159’s special target was successfully
neutralised, the master bomber
switched the remainder to the
bypass bridge, which was destroyed
before the arrival of 356 Squadron,
detailed to attack later.”OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE
Thomas Watson’s personal qualities
and leadership were clearly
recognised by many throughout the
war. The citation for the award of
his DFC, published in the LondonGazette for December 11, 1943,
is a good summary of his exploits:
“Sqn Ldr Watson has a fine
operational record.
“In the early stages of the fighting
in the Far Eastern theatres he
completed very many sorties
flying in fighter aircraft, and was
responsible for the destruction of
at least two enemy aircraft. Three
times this officer was shot down.
On the last of these occasions he
succeeded in escaping from Java
just a few hours before the arrival of
the enemy troops in the area.
“Some two years later Sqn
Ldr Watson converted to heavy
bomber aircraft, in which type he
has completed many attacks on
various targets. On three separate
occasions, vital bridges on the
Bangkok to Singapore line were
destroyed largely by accurate
bombing and the repeatedly
determined attacks of Sqn Ldr
Watson. This officer has set an
outstanding example of courage
and tenacity.”
After his release from active service
in January 1946, he rejoined the
Canadian Bank of Commerce at
Kelowna in British Columbia.
Sqn Ldr Thomas William Watson
died in 1998. The bank’s website
commemorates him: “This brave
pilot typifies many other unheralded
‘quiet leaders’ who have served
within the ranks of the RCAF.”Above
A 5 OTU Liberator at
Boundary Bay, British
Columbia. COMOX AIR
FORCE MUSEUMLeft to right
The Digri-based
Liberators of 159
Squadron carried
nose-art, including
‘Canadian Cutie’,
‘Yvonne Yippee’ and
‘Lady X’. RCAF