Shane Smith, Naracoorte Community News
This year will mark the 80th anniversary of the greatest operation undertaken during World War 2.
Operation Overlord the invasion by allied forces at Normandy France 6th June 1944, this operation was undertaken to liberate Western Europe from 5 years of Nazi occupation.
D Day as it was known was the largest amphibious invasion in military history. It involved a staggering 6,939 naval vessels, 11,590 aircraft and 156,000 troops. Allies from Great Britain, America, Canada and France were the main contributors in the landings. By the end of the first days fighting, the allies had suffered 12,000 casualties with 4,415 being killed. But a beachhead had been secured and the liberation of Western Europe had begun.
The war in Europe would last a further 11 months, with the allies coming from the West and Russian forces coming from the East. Germany surrendered on the 8th May 1945, after nearly 6 years of war.
Percival Criddle, Neil Smith DFC, Mervyn Whittenbury, Jimmy Chapman.
Photos courtesy Naracoorte Community News.
Australia’s main contribution on D Day were members of the Royal Australian Air Force Squadrons based in England 11 in total, as well as many RAAF aircrew serving with Royal Air Force Squadrons. Four members of the RAAF from Naracoorte were directly involved in this invasion to free the people of France and Western Europe from Nazi rule.
Percival Criddle was a wireless/air gunner flying in Sunderland flying boats with 461 RAAF Squadron. Their main role was to protect allied convoys against German Submarines. On two occasions Percy and his crew detected German Submarines and dropped depth charges. Sadly Percy and his crew were Killed in Action on the 1st October 1944. Percy was working for Dalgety Co Ltd at Naracoorte when he enlisted.
Neil Smith DFC was a pilot flying Beaufighters with 455 RAAF Squadron. Their role was to attack German ship convoys and stop vital supplies reaching the German front line. Neil would survive 54 operations, with his aircraft being hit several times by enemy fire. He would be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, for leadership and pressing home his attacks against enemy shipping. Neil would later become Mayor of Naracoorte.
Mervyn Whittenbury was an air gunner flying in Lancaster bombers with 460 RAAF Squadron. Their role was to bomb targets along the French coast and deep into Germany to stop vital supplies from reaching the front. Sadly Mervyn and his crew were shot down by a German night fighter and killed 12th June 1944, just six days after the D Day landings. They were on their 23rd operation. Mervyn was a junior clerk in Naracoorte when he enlisted.
Jimmy Chapman was an air gunner who flew in Lancaster bombers with 463 RAAF, 467 RAAF Squadrons and the famous 617 RAF Dambusters Squadron. While flying with 617 Squadron, the Squadron was detailed to attack vital German targets. These included German V-1 flying bomb sights being fired from launching sites in France. At one stage the Germans were firing over 100 per day on England and London. The Squadron also attacked railway tunnels and underground submarine pens. Jimmy would survive 50 operations. After the war Jim returned to the farm at Binnum near Naracoorte.
This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.
