Brian Eaton
Brian Alexander Eaton | |
---|---|
![]() Group Captain Brian Eaton, Malta, c. 1953–54 | |
Nickname(s) | "The Boss" |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Years of service | 1936–1973 |
Rank | Air Vice Marshal |
Unit | No. 21 Squadron (1937–38) Central Flying School (1940–41) |
Commands | No. 3 Squadron (1943–44) No. 239 Wing RAF (1944–45) No. 81 Wing (1947–48) No. 78 Wing (1951–54) RAAF Base Williamtown (1957–59) No. 224 Group RAF (1967–68) Operational Command (1973) |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Service Order & Bar Distinguished Flying Cross Silver Star (US) |
Other work | Regional Executive, Rolls-Royce |
Air Vice Marshal Brian Alexander Eaton CB, CBE, DSO & Bar, DFC (15 December 1916 – 17 October 1992) was a senior commander in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Born in Tasmania and raised in Victoria, he joined the RAAF in 1936 and was promoted to Flight Lieutenant on the outbreak of World War II. He held training positions before being posted to No. 3 Squadron at the beginning of 1943, flying P-40 Kittyhawk fighter-bombers in North Africa. Despite being shot down three times within ten days soon after arriving, Eaton quickly rose to become the unit's Commanding Officer, and by year's end had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. To this he added the Distinguished Service Order and Bar in 1944-45, gaining promotion to Group Captain and command of No. 239 Wing RAF in Italy. His war service also earned him the US Silver Star in 1946.
In the decade following World War II, Eaton led No. 81 Wing in Japan, and No. 78 Wing in Malta. He commanded RAAF Base Williamtown from 1957 to 1959, after which he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. As Director-General of Operational Requirements in 1965, Eaton argued for increased RAAF co-operation with the Australian Army in light of growing involvement in the Vietnam War. He was promoted to Air Vice Marshal the next year, and became Deputy Chief of the Air Staff. Posted to Singapore as Air Officer Commanding (AOC) No. 224 Group RAF in 1967, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath for his work as Chief of Staff at Headquarters RAF Far East Air Force in 1969. He then served as Air Member for Personnel, before being selected as AOC Operational Command in 1973. Eaton retired from the RAAF in December that year, and became an executive for Rolls-Royce in Canberra. He died in 1992 at the age of 75.
Early career
Brian Eaton was born in Launceston, Tasmania on 15 December 1916, to Sydney and Hilda Eaton.[1][2] The family later moved to Canterbury, Victoria, and Brian was educated at Carey Grammar. His early ambition to be a doctor was curtailed when his father died and he had to leave school early.[3] He enlisted as an air cadet in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) on 20 January 1936, undergoing flying training at RAAF Point Cook.[4]
Eaton was commissioned as a Pilot Officer upon graduation from flying school in January 1937, and posted to No. 1 Squadron. Within six months he was promoted to Flying Officer and joined No. 21 Squadron at RAAF Laverton.[1] In 1938, he became an instructor at Point Cook's No. 1 Flying Training School, where he also took part in the RAAF's early long navigation exercises.[5][6] He was promoted to Flight Lieutenant on 1 September 1939.[1]
World War II
Early war service
![Single-engined military monoplane on desert airfield](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/87/MED0687Kittyhawk3Sqn1942.jpg/240px-MED0687Kittyhawk3Sqn1942.jpg)
In April 1940, Eaton was assigned to the newly re-formed Central Flying School at Camden, New South Wales, as an instructor. Promoted to temporary Squadron Leader in September 1940, he became Staff Officer Flying Training at the Department of Air in Canberra. He was transferred as Fighter Controller to No. 5 Fighter Sector Headquarters at Darwin, Northern Territory in March 1942.[1][5] In October that year, he departed Australia for North Africa via India and the United Kingdom, fearful that the fighting would be over before he arrived. He posted in to No. 1 Middle East Training School in January 1943 prior to taking up duties with No. 3 Squadron RAAF, then engaged in the Battle of Tunisia.[1][3]
Eaton's combat career began inauspiciously, when he was shot down three times in the space of ten days. On the first occasion, his P-40 Kittyhawk was hit by 20 mm cannon shells from an enemy fighter that he never saw. He later recalled, "I was too busy getting the kite down to be frightened. But my God was I surprised." Eaton brought his crippled aircraft in for a forced landing at El Hamma—in the midst of a tank battle between German and New Zealand forces. Making his way over to the New Zealanders after the fighting had died down, he requested a lift back his air base, to which they agreed. The second time he was shot down, his plane was struck by 88 mm anti-aircraft fire, necessitating another crash landing, this time behind enemy lines. Sympathetic Arab tribesmen smuggled him past the Germans and back to his airfield. Two days later, his P-40 was hit by fire from an Me 109 that dived at him from out of the sun. He was able to glide back to base, 80 miles (130 km) away, but on arriving found that it was under attack by German bombers. He decided he had no other option than to land the damaged plane among the exploding bombs, and managed to do so without mishap. His series of narrow escapes engendered a spirit of fatalism, and a habit of keeping his emotions severely in check while on duty: "I just couldn't see myself living when so many were dying. It was something which, at the time, didn't bear much dwelling on."[3][7]
Squadron and wing command
![Head-and-shoulders informal portrait of dark-haired man wearing flying jacket](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/MEC0115EatonPortrait1943.jpg/180px-MEC0115EatonPortrait1943.jpg)
Despite his early setbacks in combat, Eaton soon rose to command No. 3 Squadron, taking over from Squadron Leader Bobby Gibbes on 21 April 1943. He led the unit as it relocated to Malta the following month, in preparation for the Allied invasion of Sicily.[3][8] Illness forced him to hand over command in June–July, but he returned to take charge of the squadron in August as it continued to fly escort and interdiction missions in Sicily with other units of No. 239 Wing RAF.[9][10] His brother Roger, a flight sergeant serving with the RAF, was killed in a Wellington bomber raid during the campaign.[2][3] On 3 September, No. 3 Squadron took part in the opening day of the Allied invasion of Italy, supporting the British XIII Corps as it moved inland after landing at Calabria.[9] Enemy air resistance remained light and worthwhile ground targets few as the campaign progressed but, on 24 October, Eaton led an attack against German shipping off the Yugoslav coast that set a merchant ship and two barges on fire. He repeated the exercise on 7 November, when the squadron scored hits on vessels in two separate raids in the harbour at Split. On 19 November, when the rest of No. 239 Wing was unable to complete any missions due to adverse weather, Eaton found a hole in the clouds and led eight Kittyhawks in a successful attack on Opi, central Italy.[11] He was promoted to temporary Wing Commander on 1 December.[1] On 14 December, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for pressing home a night attack on Axis armour at Termoli.[12] The citation was promulgated in the London Gazette:[13]
One evening in October, 1943, this officer led his squadron in an attack on a strong enemy force, equipped with tanks, which were attacking our troops near Termoli. In spite of intense antiaircraft fire, Squadron Leader Eaton led his formation in at a low level and pressed home an attack which completely disrupted the enemy's forces. In this spirited action, Squadron Leader Eaton displayed inspiring leadership, great courage and tenacity.
![Large group of cheering men in military uniforms surround a man cutting a three-decker birthday cake on a long table](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/MED1725Eaton239Wing1945.jpg/300px-MED1725Eaton239Wing1945.jpg)
On 16 February 1944, the day after the contentious destruction of Monte Cassino, Eaton took No. 3 Squadron through a break in the bad weather to attack the ruined monastery, the only one of No. 239 Wing’s units to successfully bomb its target that day.[14][15] He handed over command of No. 3 Squadron later that month, and was transferred to No. 1 Mobile Operations Room Unit as forward air controller for the final assault on Monte Cassino.[1][3] The run of luck that Eaton experienced in his first weeks of air combat in Tunisia continued on the ground in Italy. He survived three months of constant artillery fire, including the occasion that a shell exploded directly above his observation post, striking down a British officer standing next to him. He also came under machine-gun fire when he took a wrong turn one day and drove into the German lines, but again escaped unhurt.[3] He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order on 7 April, in recognition of his leadership of No. 3 Squadron in North Africa, Malta, Sicily and Italy.[16][17]
Raised to acting Group Captain,[1] Eaton was given command of No. 239 Wing on 3 August 1944, taking responsibility for No. 3 Squadron and No. 450 Squadron RAAF, No. 112 Squadron and No. 260 Squadron RAF, No. 5 Squadron of the South African Air Force, and No. 250 Squadron of the Royal Rhodesian Air Force. Credited with leading "many outstanding raids", he was known to his staff as "The Boss", and often flew twice a day with a different squadron on each mission; when his superiors found out how many sorties he was personally undertaking and ordered him to cut back, he simply ceased recording his flying hours.[3][18] The wing's two RAF squadrons had already re-equipped with P-51 Mustangs when Eaton took over; No. 5 converted in September and No. 3 in November. As well as supporting the Eighth Army in Italy, the Mustang units carried out missions in Yugoslavia in concert with the Balkan Air Force, prior to Axis forces surrendering on 2 May.[19][20] Eaton was unofficially credited with shooting down as many as seven enemy aircraft during the Mediterranean campaigns, but was never listed among Australian flying aces. Many of the missions that he undertook with No. 3 Squadron and in command of No. 239 Wing were ground attack or anti-shipping sorties, rather than air-to-air combat. In addition, he was known as a leader who, when opportunities did arise to engage other aircraft, would attempt to manoeuvre his rookie pilots into position to make a "kill", rather than take the shot himself.[7] On 12 June, he was awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Service Order for "Outstanding skill and leadership against heavy odds".[21][22] His war service also earned him the US Silver Star, permission to wear it being gazetted on 14 June 1946.[23][24]
Post-war career
Rise to senior command
![Man in flying cap and goggles sitting in aircraft cockpit](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/JK0145EatonKorea1951.jpg/260px-JK0145EatonKorea1951.jpg)
Eaton was posted to Britain following the end of World War II, and attended RAF Staff College the following year.[5] In 1947, he was appointed Officer Commanding No. 81 (Fighter) Wing in Japan, as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF). The Australian contingent initially comprised three combat squadrons: Nos. 76, 77 and 82. By mid-1949, it had been reduced to No. 77 Squadron alone, and Headquarters BCOF had been disbanded; Eaton served as "RAAF Component" commander for the remainder of his tenure in Japan.[5][25] Returning to Australia in November, he became Deputy Director of Training at the Department of Air, Canberra, where he remained until 1951. Later that year, he was appointed Officer Commanding No. 78 (Fighter) Wing at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales.[1][26] He had reverted to a substantive rank of Wing Commander since leaving Japan, as the RAAF shrank dramatically with demobilisation and many senior officers lost the temporary or acting ranks they had gained in wartime.[27] On 15 September, he landed a Vampire jet fighter at Point Cook with one flat tyre and one wheel retracted, after its undercarriage had become jammed. The plane skidded off the runway but Eaton was able to walk away, reportedly remarking "Well, I didn't wreck it".[28] He married Josephine Rumbles at Toorak Presbyterian Church in Melbourne on 10 May 1952; the couple later had a son and two daughters.[29][30] Following Britain's request to the Australian government for a Commonwealth garrison in the Mediterranean, in July 1952 Eaton led No. 78 Wing on deployment to RAF Hal Far near Valletta, Malta, where its combat squadrons, Nos. 75 and 76, equipped with leased Vampire FB.9s. As the overseas posting was for a minimum of two years, his new bride and the families of other staff were permitted to make the journey as well.[31][32] The Australian airmen participated in many NATO exercises while stationed at Malta, and one year took first and second place in the Middle Eastern Gunnery Contest for the "Imshi" Mason Cup.[33] Promoted to the substantive rank of Group Captain on 1 January 1953, Eaton was granted command of RAF Ta'Kali when the wing transferred there from Hal Far in June.[34][35]
![Informal outdoor portrait of man and woman both wearing dark military uniforms with medals and peaked caps](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/MALTA0910EatonMountbatten1954.jpg/280px-MALTA0910EatonMountbatten1954.jpg)
Completing his tour with No. 78 Wing in mid-1954, Eaton joined Air Vice Marshal Alister Murdoch on an international mission to examine potential new fighter, bomber, transport and training aircraft for the RAAF.[36][37] The team's report advocated the F-104 Starfighter as a replacement for the CAC Sabre,[38] as well as nuclear-capable British V-bomber strike aircraft to augment Australia's Canberra bombers, and C-130 Hercules transports to replace the C-47 Dakota. While the proposals for V-bombers and the F-104 were not taken up, the Australian Government acquired the C-130 in 1958. Described as second only to the General Dynamics F-111 as the "most significant" purchase by the RAAF, the Hercules gave the Air Force its first strategic airlift capability, which in years to come would provide a "lifeline" to Australian forces deployed to Malaya, Vietnam, and other parts of the South-West Pacific.[39] The mission also recommended the locally built Vampire T.35 as a jet trainer for No. 1 Applied Flying Training School; sixty-nine were later delivered by the de Havilland factory in Bankstown, New South Wales.[40] Eaton served as RAAF Director of Operations during 1955–56, and as Officer Commanding RAAF Base Williamtown and Commandant of the co-located School of Land-Air Warfare from March 1957 until February 1959.[5][41] He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1959 Queen's Birthday Honours.[42]
Following his tour at Williamtown, Eaton spent two years as Director of Joint Services Plans before attending the Imperial Defence College, London in 1961. Raised to Air Commodore, he was appointed Director-General of Operational Requirements in 1962. Concurrently he became an Honorary Aide-de-Camp to the Queen, in which capacity he served until 1965.[5][29] As the Army reorganised to deal with Australia's increasing commitments to the Vietnam War in the mid-1960s, it sought to procure a dozen twin-engined aircraft of a size hitherto only operated by the RAAF, and also proposed a joint review of close air support. RAAF senior command chose to deal with the Army's proposals by ignoring them. As Director-General of Operational Requirements, Eaton argued that if the RAAF did not more fully satisfy the ground support requirements of the Army, then the Army itself would seek to take control of this sphere of operations, undermining the RAAF's position as the main provider of Australia's air power. Pointing out to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Murdoch, that it was "clearly the Army's intention to have complete command and control" of air-to-ground assets, he noted a parallel syndrome in America, where the US Army was looking to take over all battlefield air support in response to the USAF failing to keep up to date in the provision of basic attack aircraft. The RAAF's refusal to adequately deal with its ground support responsibilities led to long-running inter-service enmity, and contributed to the Australian government's decision twenty years later to transfer control of battlefield helicopters to the Army.[43][44] At this time, Eaton also led the acquisition team that selected the Macchi MB-326 as the RAAF's new jet trainer, as it met all requirements, could be licence-built in Australia, and was relatively inexpensive. The first of ninety-seven was delivered by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation in 1967.[45]
Senior command and retirement
![Side view of two-seat, single-engined military jet in flight, wheels down](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/RAAF_Macchi_MB-326_No_A7-047_1980.jpg/240px-RAAF_Macchi_MB-326_No_A7-047_1980.jpg)
Promoted to Air Vice Marshal, Eaton became Deputy Chief of the Air Staff in 1966. In December that year, with Australian Caribou transports and Iroquois helicopters already serving in Vietnam, Eaton advocated building up the RAAF's "sharp end" there, increasing air support for ground troops. He preferred deploying Sabre or Mirage fighters rather than the mooted Canberra bombers, which he saw as more suitable for a strategic role. Above all, he accepted the "domino theory" and believed that if Australia did not aid South Vietnam, "we'd lose the lot". In the event, Canberras were despatched rather than fighters.[46][47] In 1967, Eaton became the last AOC of No. 224 Group RAF under the British Far East Air Force (FEAF) in Singapore, as permanent squadrons were dropped from its strength. This reorganisation led to him taking over as Chief of Staff at Headquarters FEAF the following year.[5][48] In this capacity, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the 1969 Queen's Birthday Honours.[49]
Returning to Australia, Eaton became Air Member for Personnel (AMP) in October 1969. As AMP, he sat on the Air Board, the RAAF's controlling body, which consisted of its most senior officers and was chaired by the Chief of the Air Staff.[50][51] In January 1973, he succeeded to the post of AOC Operational Command (now Air Command).[3][50] He served in this position until retirement, his tenure witnessing the introduction of the F-111 swing-wing bomber to service in Australia, when the first machines touched down at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland in July. Leaving the military on 15 December 1973,[4][52] Eaton became Regional Executive for Rolls Royce Australia in Canberra. He remained with the company for the next decade, continuing to live in Canberra until his death on 17 October 1992, at the age of 75.[5][29] In 1996, his widow Josephine donated the Air Vice-Marshal B.A. Eaton 'Airman of the Year' Award to the RAAF, to annually recognise "significant contribution to both the Service and the community" by airmen and airwoman ranked corporal or below.[53]
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Air Vice Marshal Brian Alexander Eaton at Australian War Memorial. Retrieved on 10 April 2010.
- ^ a b Roger Leigh Eaton: Roll of Honour circular at Australian War Memorial. Retrieved on 16 April 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "'The Boss' packs it in". The Herald: p. 25. 12 January 1974.
{{cite journal}}
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(help) - ^ a b Eaton, Brian Alexander at World War 2 Nominal Roll. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Coulthard-Clark, Air Marshals of the RAAF, p. 34
- ^ Coulthard-Clark, The Third Brother, pp. 207–208
- ^ a b Mordike, The RAAF in Europe and North Africa 1939–1945, pp. 105–107
- ^ Herington, Air War Against Germany and Italy, pp. 567
- ^ a b Herington, Air Power Over Europe, p. 57
- ^ RAAF Historical Section, Units of the Royal Australian Air Force. Volume 2: Fighter Units, p. 7
- ^ Herington, Air Power Over Europe, pp. 68–69
- ^ Recommendation: Distinguished Flying Cross at Australian War Memorial. Retrieved on 10 April 2010.
- ^ "No. 36459". The London Gazette (invalid
|supp=
(help)). 14 December 1943. - ^ Herington, Air Power Over Europe, p. 104
- ^ Wilson, The Brotherhood of Airmen, pp. 101–102
- ^ Recommendation: Distinguished Service Order at Australian War Memorial. Retrieved on 10 April 2010.
- ^ "No. 36459". The London Gazette (invalid
|supp=
(help)). 7 April 1944. - ^ Herington, Air Power Over Europe, p. 351
- ^ Herington, Air Power Over Europe, pp. 353–356
- ^ Scutts, Mustang Aces of the Ninth & Fifteenth Air Forces & the RAF, pp. 48–51
- ^ Recommendation: Bar to Distinguished Service Order at Australian War Memorial. Retrieved on 10 April 2010.
- ^ "No. 37125". The London Gazette (invalid
|supp=
(help)). 12 June 1945. - ^ Recommendation: US Silver Star at Australian War Memorial. Retrieved on 10 April 2010.
- ^ "No. 37610". The London Gazette (invalid
|supp=
(help)). 14 June 1946. - ^ Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 214–216
- ^ Wilson, The Brotherhood of Airmen, p. 144
- ^ Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 24–25
- ^ "Jet Lands On One Flat Tyre". The Sunday Herald. 16 September 1951. Retrieved on 18 April 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b c Draper, Who's Who in Australia 1983, p. 275
- ^ "Jet Fighter C.O." The Age. 12 May 1952. Retrieved on 18 April 2010.
{{cite journal}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 202–203
- ^ "They're Off To The Middle East: Brides Going, Too—On Honeymoon". The Sunday Herald. 29 June 1952. Retrieved on 18 April 2010.
{{cite journal}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ Newton, Clash of Eagles, p. 111
- ^ "Promotions in R.A.A.F." The Canberra Times. 1 January 1953. Retrieved on 18 April 2010.
{{cite journal}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ Stephens, Going Solo, p. 206
- ^ Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 38–39
- ^ Stephens, Power Plus Attitude, pp. 142, 160
- ^ Stephens, Going Solo, p. 354
- ^ Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 416–18
- ^ Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 160–161
- ^ RAAF Historical Section, Units of the Royal Australian Air Force: Bases, p. 171
- ^ "No. 41728". The London Gazette (invalid
|supp=
(help)). 13 June 1959. - ^ Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 317–322
- ^ Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, p. 298
- ^ Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 161–163
- ^ Stephens, Power Plus Attitude, pp. 124, 132
- ^ Coulthard-Clark, The RAAF in Vietnam, pp. 90–91
- ^ Stephens, Going Solo, p. 255
- ^ "No. 44864". The London Gazette (invalid
|supp=
(help)). 14 June 1969. - ^ a b Stephens, Going Solo, p. 500
- ^ Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, p. 112
- ^ Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, p. 290
- ^ Air Vice-Marshal B.A. Eaton Award (Airman of the year) at Royal Australian Air Force. Retrieved on 16 April 2010.
References
- Coulthard-Clark, Chris (1995). Air Marshals of the RAAF 1935–1995. Canberra: Department of Defence (Air Force Office).
- Coulthard-Clark, Chris (1991). The Third Brother. North Sydney: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 0044423071. OCLC 358400994.
- Coulthard-Clark, Chris (1995). The RAAF in Vietnam: Australian Air Involvement in the Vietnam War 1962–1975. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin in association with the Australian War Memorial. ISBN 1863733051. OCLC 33044097.
- Draper, W.J. (ed.) (1983). Who's Who in Australia 1983. Melbourne: The Herald and Weekly Times.
{{cite book}}
:|first=
has generic name (help) - Herington, John (1963). Australia in the War of 1939–1945: Series Three (Air) Volume IV – Air Power Over Europe 1944-1945. Canberra: Australian War Memorial. OCLC 3633419.
- Herington, John (1954). Australia in the War of 1939–1945: Series Three (Air) Volume III – Air War Against Germany and Italy 1939–1943. Canberra: Australian War Memorial. OCLC 3633363.
- Newton, Dennis (1996). Clash of Eagles. Kenthurst, NSW: Kangaroo Press. ISBN 0864177933. OCLC 37087446.
- RAAF Historical Section (1995). Units of the Royal Australian Air Force: A Concise History. Volume 1: Introduction, Bases, Supporting Organisations. Canberra: Aust. Govt. Pub. Service. ISBN 0644427922. OCLC 35296038.
- RAAF Historical Section (1995). Units of the Royal Australian Air Force: A Concise History. Volume 2: Fighter Units. Canberra: Aust. Govt. Pub. Service. ISBN 0644427949. OCLC 225376515.
- Schubert, David (20 October 1994). John Mordike (ed.). RAAF personalties in the European and North African Campaigns during World War II. The RAAF in Europe and North Africa 1939–1945: The Proceedings of the l994 RAAF History Conference. Canberra, ACT: RAAF Air Power Studies Centre. ISBN 0642224757.
{{cite conference}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - Scutts, Jerry (1995). Mustang Aces of the Ninth & Fifteenth Air Forces & the RAF. Oxford: Osprey. ISBN 1855325837. OCLC 34113576.
- Stephens, Alan (1995). Going Solo: The Royal Australian Air Force 1946–1971. Canberra: Aust. Govt. Pub. Service. ISBN 0644428031. OCLC 38386332.
- Stephens, Alan (1992). Power Plus Attitude: Ideas, Strategy and Doctrine in the Royal Australian Air Force 1921-1991. Canberra: Aust. Govt. Pub. Service. ISBN 0644243880. OCLC 27493572.
- Stephens, Alan (2006) [2001]. The Royal Australian Air Force: A History. London: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195555414. OCLC 255238793.
- Wilson, David (2005). The Brotherhood of Airmen. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1741143330. OCLC 62548280.
- 1916 births
- 1992 deaths
- Australian aviators
- Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
- Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
- Companions of the Order of the Bath
- People from Launceston, Tasmania
- Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
- Recipients of the Silver Star
- Royal Australian Air Force air marshals
- Royal Australian Air Force personnel of World War II
- Shot-down aviators