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News (Adelaide, SA: 1923 - 1954) Saturday 1 May 1943

RAIL CLERK'S HEROISM

Plane Crippled Flying-Officer Charles Beatty Anderson, who, after being wounded in the thigh, navigated a crippled Lancaster bomber 700 miles back to its base, was a rail way clerk at Port Lincoln before he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in September, 1941. He is 26.

His parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. Anderson, live at James street, Franklin. An elder brother, Alfred, recently joined the R.A.A.F.

Mrs. Anderson said today that Sergeant A. H. Gliddon, of Perth, who was wireless operator of the crippled plane during the attack on Stetin on April 20, had trained with her son. Later the two friends were separated, but met again in England.

Flying-Officer Anderson was educated at the Marist Brothers' School, Alberton, and belonged to tennis and football clubs.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127026070 (nla.gov.au)

Port Lincoln Times (SA: 1927 - 1954) Thursday 20 May 1943

Port Lincoln Pilot Awarded D.F.C.

FLYING-OFFICER C. B. ANDERSON 

When the news was broadcast earlier in the week that Flying-Officer Charles Beatty Anderson had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross there was much excitement among his many friends, including those at the local railways office, where he was employed as a clerk for several years, prior to his enlistment in the R.A.A.F. in 1941.

After having been wounded in the thigh, following a raid on Stettin, Germany, on April 20, Flying-Officer Anderson navigated a crippled Lancaster bomber 700 miles back to its base.    

He is aged 26, and is a son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Anderson, of James Street, Franklin. Another brother is also in the Air Force.

Flying-Officer Anderson is remembered in Port Lincoln as a keen tennis player. He also played football.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96707810 (nla.gov.au)

The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954) Saturday 29 May 1943

MORE AWARDS FOR R.A.A.F.

South Australian Wins D.F.C. MELBOURNE, May 28.

The thrilling story of how two Australians-pilot and navigator of a Lancaster bomber of Australia's famous No. 460 Squadron brought their damaged aircraft back from the Baltic is related in the citation of the awards of a DFC and a DFM to the navigator and pilot respectively. The heroes of the story are FO Charles Beatty Anderson, of Franklin, South Australia, the navigator, who gains the DFC, and his pilot, Sgt. Herbert Leonard Fuhrman, of Perth, WA, who gains the DFM. Releasing the story today, the Minister for Air (Mr. Drakeford) said that one night in April Anderson and Fuhrman were detailed to attack a German target. While over the Baltic Sea the air craft was repeatedly hit by fire from an armed enemy ship. One engine was put out of action, and the tail unit was damaged, restricting practically all rudder movement. A shell entered the bomb bay, exploding among the incendiaries which the bomber carried. Anderson was wounded in the thigh and buttock by splinters of shrapnel. The situation was perilous, but Fuhrman decided to attempt to fly the damaged bomber home. Displaying superb airmanship and great endurance, he eventually accomplished his purpose, flying the damaged bomber to an airfield in Britain, where he made a masterly landing before collapsing at the controls. During the return flight, Anderson, despite his injuries, refused to leave his post and continued his navigational duties, rendering great assistance to the pilot. Both these members of the crew displayed exceptional courage, skill, and fortitude in the face of a trying ordeal.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48914473 (nla.gov.au)

News (Adelaide, SA: 1923 - 1954) Tuesday 3 August 1943

S.A. Flying Officer Reported Missing Flying-Officer Charles Beatty Anderson, D.F.C., has been reported missing following night operations on July 29 and 30.

This advice was received today by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. Anderson, of James street Franklin. Flying -Officer Anderson was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in May. After having been wounded in the thigh, following a raid on Stettin, Germany on April 20, he navigated a crippled Lancaster bomber 70 miles back to its base.

Before he joined the Royal Australian Air Force in September, 1941, he was a railway clerk at Port Lincoln. He is 26.

An elder brother, Alfred, is also a member of the R.A.A.F.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127318649 (nla.gov.au)