Item in the collection re Jack Mitchell, refer Cat No 7467 for his service details. Jack as per rear, front row 3rd from the left.Photo B & W Laminated showing a 2 engine aircraft with a large group of RAAF Aircrew, 1 row standing, 1 row sitting with a sign in front.On sign, "RAAF Squadron Berlin Airlift 14.9.48 - 29.8.49 - sorties 2002 - pounds carried ......... - flown ........ - passengers carried 6964". On rear, "RAAF Berlin Airlift - Squadron Lubeck Germany - Jack Mitchell - 3rd from left bottom row".photographs, berlin, raaf squadron, airlift

Ill, maps, p.82.non-fictionIn 1948 Britain, France and the United States of America found themselves opposed to their former wartime ally, the Soviet Union, over matters regarding control of the capital of the defeated Nazi German regime. When the Soviets imposed a blockade of the city, the Allies had no option but to begin flying in the necessities of life for the two million inhabitants of the zones under their administration. Thus began the first large-scale humanitarian airlift in history. When Britain turned for support to its Dominion partners, the transport element of the Royal Australian Air Force had recently ceased flying a regular courier service for Australian occupation forces involved in garrisoning another defeated Axis power of World War II, Japan - this role having been handed over to a commercial airline. By September 1948 an unnumbered Australian squadron had joined other RAAF transport crews already engaged as part of the massive allied undertaking. To the Americans the fifteen-month-long operation was codenamed Vittles, while the British called it Plainfare. But to the Royal Australian Air Force personnel involved, the Berlin Airlift was known as Pelican. Here the story is told of the events that made the airlift necessary, what the undertaking entailed and the part that Australians played in it, as well as the outcome and achievements of Operation Pelican.cold war - history, berlin airlift 1948-1949

Hardback with dust coverFrom the famous Granada TV Series By Brian Inglis & Bill Grundy Orbis Publishing Ltd. London: 1964 ISBN 0 85613 1784

Ill, p.159.non-fictionThe Berlin blockade by Soviet forces in 1948-1949 and its subsequent breakingcold war, berlin airlift

Items in the collection re Jack Mitchell, refer Cat No 7467 for full service details. Field Marshall Montgomery visited Australia in 1947. Jack Mitchell was flying VIP flights. The Berlin Airlift was called "Operation Pelican". The crew. Flt Sgt J.H. Moor No 418451 RAAF, discharged 25.3.1948. Flt Lt O.W, Friend No 406291 RAAF, discharged 5.2.1948 W Com H. C. Plenty No 03103 RAAF, DFC & Bar, discharged 2.2.1976. Flt Lt M Palmer (unknown at this point).1) Photo B & W laminated, shows "Montgomery" shaking hands with Jack Mitchell with 4 other Aircrew around. .2) Photo B & W laminated showing "Montgomery" standing with the same crew. .3) Photo B & W laminated showing the 5 Aircrew with "Montgomery", text at the bottom and on rear.At bottom, "Montgomery of Alamein" On rear, "Monty's crew - L - R - Flt Sgt J.H. Moor - Flt Lt O.W. Friend - W. Com H Plenty - Flt Lt M Palmer - Flt Lt G.J. Mitchell"photographs, montgomery

Item in the collection of Gilbert John Mitchell (Jack) Pre WW2 Jack had service for a brief time in the 38th BN Bendigo No 447203. He enlisted in the RAAF on 31.1.1942 No 410686 age 20 years. Embarked for England on 6.1.1943 for further Training. Posted to 166 Sqd RAF Wellington Bombers then posted Operational to No 466 Sqd RAAF flying Halifax Heavy Bombers. On 18.7.1944 he and his crew in MZ313 were on a mission to attack Railway Sidings at Vaires. This was new Aircraft on 11.6.1944. They were hit by Anti Aircraft shells exploding in the fuselage. The Bomb Aimer Flt/Lt Finley advised the crew to leave by parachute as it was possible the craft could disintegrate. The Pilot Officer R.J. Evans decided to try and get the aircraft back to England, once there they abandoned the craft which was seen to disintegrate in mid air. Both were awarded the DFC. Jack was taken POW and sent to Stalag Luft 1 near Barth on the Baltic Sea for Allied Airmen. The Crew were; Roger John Evans No 410202, enlisted 5.12.1941 age 31 years. Peter Hamiliton Finley No 412294, enlisted 22.6.1941 age 22 years. L.C. Abbott, British/Allied. G.J. Mitchell, POW. Keith Mossman Tranent POW, No 426402, enlisted 20.6.1942 age 19 years 2 months. J.P.T. Finn RAF (Paddy) T.W. Wild British/Allied. On 30.4.1945 The Germans vacated the Camp Jack was in and 2 days later the Russians released them and he was placed in a British Hospital weighing 6 stone. He arrived home in Sept 1945. He stayed in the RAAF No 033130 and served in No 35 Sqd flying VIPs. He was in the Berlin Airlift 1948 - 1949, he also went on exchange with the RAF and flew in No's 24 & 511 Sqd's one a transport the other VIP transport. He was discharged from the RAAF with the rank of Flt/Lt on 6.7.1956 in No 11 Sqd. "Maunder and Sheean". In the article Jacks says that Lofty Maunder always had a joke etc when near the target to settle everyone down. The crew of Halifax LV875 were shot down by a Night Fighter near the target "Terngier" north of Paris 0n 11.4.1944. There was 157 Halifax's on the raid with 10 being lost. The Crew were; John Henry Maunder No 412562, Navigator, enlisted 19.7.1941 age 19 years 10 months. Brian Leo Sheean, No 409855, Wireless Operator, enlisted 1.10.1941 age 18 years. Research shows there were at least 3 more of the Crew KIA. Cecil John Bond No 420433, Pilot, enlisted 8.11.1941 age 19 years 11 months. John Neville Keys No 426112, Bomb Aimer, enlisted 23.5.1942 age 19 years 6 months. Clifford Young Warren No 427047, Rear Gunner, enlisted 26.4.1942 age 19 years 3 months. J.A. White, Flight Engineer, British/Allied. D.K. Messenger, Mid Upper Gunner, British/Allied. Newspaper article Herald Sun 19.4.2002, copy. Article re Jack Mitchell. The article has 6 photo insets 3 of Jack, 2 show Airmen beside an aircraft. The one with 2 Aircrew is "Lofty" Maunder and Jack. The article is mostly about "Maunder and Brian Sheean" mates of Jack. The inset photo of a women in uniform is believed to be "Maunders" English wife who he had married previously. Maunder and Sheean were KIA. "FLY THE FLAG FOR A MATE"newspaper, article, 466 sqd