FlyPast 02.2018

FLYPAST 43

“Before long, these seven young men would

have to rely on each other to demonstrate

exceptional degrees of fortitude, fl exibility

and courage, to give them even a fi ghting

chance of survival”

Clockwise

from top left

Flt Lt Fred Clement DFC,

pilot. ALL VIA AUTHOR

Fg Off Bill Wilkinson DFC,

navigator.

Fg Off Norm Gautschi DFC

RCAF, bomb-aimer.

Sgt John McLachlan, fl ight

engineer.

Sgt Des Potter, wireless

operator.

Flt Sgt Jimmy Palmer,

rear gunner.

Flt Sgt Jim Balmer, mid-

upper gunner.

Stirlings and Spitfi res at

Swinderby in January

1944. COURTESY JACK
      WILKINSON

Left to right: Fg Off

Wilkinson, Sgt McLachlan,

Sgt Palmer, Sgt Potter,

Sgt Balmer, Fg Off

Gautschi, Fg Off Clement

at 1660 Conversion Unit,

Swinderby, January 1944.

COURTESY JACK WILKINSON