Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Mitchell/Michael Casper ACHILLES and Elsie Mary Elizabeth nee HORN, of 8 Ristoban St., Toowoomba, Qld.

Husband of Margaret Emily King ACHILLES, 8 Ristoban Street, Toowoomba, Qld.

After three years’ service in the Middle East, Squadron Leader 404082 R.M. Achilles, DC who hails from Toowoomba, Queensland, is returning to Australia.  Trained in Queensland and New South Wales, Achilles reached the Middle East in March 1941 and within a couple of months was flying Hurricanes in the Western Desert.  He was an original member of the Australian squadron which did tactical reconnaissance work for the second Libyan push which began in November 1941 and was one of two Squadrons members to operate from within Tobruk perimeter for two months until the garrison was relieved early in December of that year.  The squadrons hurricanes were hidden in underground hangars unknown to the Germans and they were able to do much valuable work.  Achilles also participated in reconnaissance work and spotting for artillery in the Army’s attacks on Halfaya and Bardia pockets of resistance.  On a couple of occasions he was attacked by enemy fighters.  It was his work in the Western Desert and particularly Tobruk which won him the D.F.C. operating from Palestine and also for four months as Flight Commander of a detachment for fighter interception.  In January 1943 after only a couple of hours conversion he transferred from single to twin engine aircraft and joined the Australian Baltimore squadron as Flight Commander.  For six months he was on shipping reconnaissance’s over the Mediterranean and attacks on small  caciques suspected to be carrying enemy supplies in the Aegean.  Once he was shot up by fighters but made a successful landing at Base on one wheel.  Subsequently, Achilles joined the staff at Wing Headquarters and for the last three months has been senior Operations Officer of this wing.  He is now going home.