"G" FOR GEORGE
Most of the following information is from a book called "Lancaster, The Story of a Famous Bomber" by Bruce Robertson. Published 1964 by Harleyford Publications Ltd UK
Lancaster W4783 was delivered to No. 460 (R.A.A.F) Squadron at Breighton on October 27th, 1942, where it became "G" for George. Its first pilot was Flight Sergeant J.A. Saint Smith on the first of its ninety operations on the night of December 5/6th, 1942 to Mannheim. Alongside the bomb insignia to signify each bombing sortie flown by Flight Sergeant J.A. Saint Smith appeared a Leslie Charteris "Saint" insignia. During its sixteen months of operations, it was flown by 29 different pilots and some 200 different men, mostly Australians, during this Lancasters 664 flying hours with the Squadron. Several crews completed their tours on this “G”-George. On the night of January 13/17th George operated against Berlin taking a war correspondent as passenger, and returned with 13 flak holes for him to write about!
Lancaster “G”- George operated from Breighton, until June 4th, 1943, when most of the ground crews and equipment were moved in Horsa gliders with some WAAFs (unfortunately some were airsick) while the aircrew flew to Binbrook in their Lancasters. This was the beginning of a long operational stay on a permanent drome.
The Australian Prime Minister, Mr. Curtin, during his visit to Britain, inspected several R.A.A.F. squadrons, and also met Australians serving with the R.A.F. He was rather perturbed at the number of requests he received on whether he could have something done to prevent the number of white feathers being received by Australian aircrew on the squadrons. The feathers were a sign of cowardice to those who received them, who were considered to be dodging the war with the Japanese. This was also a strong cause for complaint when Dr Evatt visited the Australian aircrews serving in England. Mr Curtin is seen talking with Flt. Sgt. Harry Tickle, the ground staff engineer responsible for the maintenance of the famous Lancaster bomber "G" for George, which had Australian pilots on most of its 95 missions over Germany and was later flown to Australia for housing in the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Pictorial History of Australia at War 1939-45 by Charles Meeking, Volume IV
P/O HARRY "CHERRY" CARTER, the Pilot standing in the middle, with Sgt. HARRY TICKLE (fourth from the left) who was responsible for the bomber's maintenance, and its ground crew.
Strike And Return by Peter Firkins.
P/O HARRY "CHERRY" CARTER and his crew who flew the most operations in "G" George (19 ops.)
L. to R. Keith Harris (Bombaimer) Doug Hodge, (Midupper Gunner) Bob Coveny, (W.Op) Gordon Peters, (Navigator)
Cherry Carter, (Pilot) Gerry Brown, (Rear Gunner) one of a handful of air crew who wore glasses and surely one of a mini handful of rear gunners who wore glasses.
After its 95th operation when it had been damaged more than twenty times and damaged together with other planes on the ground in a bomb drop in the dispersal area. On April 22nd, 1944, its last operation the previous day, it was officially retired. It was extensively overhauled for its flight to Australia, and the unit letters AR-G disappeared but the bomb silhouettes remained together with a small "G" on the nose.
"G" FOR GEORGE RAID TALLY
The Mission Tally for "G" for George -
An impressive 95 missions
Hammer and Sickle Mystery
