REES, Robert Maitland
| Service Number: | 407339 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 14 September 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | No. 2 Bombing and Air Gunnery School / No. 3 Air Observers School Port Pirie |
| Born: | Kapunda, South Australia, 22 November 1915 |
| Home Town: | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Real Estate Agent |
| Died: | Natural causes, place of death not yet discovered, date not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Kapunda District WW2 Honour Roll |
World War 2 Service
| 14 Sep 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 407339, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Sep 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 407339 | |
| 12 Mar 1943: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 407339, No. 83 Squadron (RAF) (Pathfinder Force), Air War NW Europe 1939-45 | |
| 12 Mar 1943: | Honoured Distinguished Flying Cross, Air War NW Europe 1939-45 | |
| 25 Jun 1945: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 407339, No. 2 Bombing and Air Gunnery School / No. 3 Air Observers School Port Pirie |
About Bob Rees
Bob Rees was the father of one of my best friends, Michael. His portrait hung proudly in the living room. Bob flew two tours (60 missions) if I am correct for RAF Bomber Command in Lancasters.
I recall the story of how he was awarded the DFC. On one particularly hectic night raid, the aircraft was badly shot up and limping on one engine. The crew were lost and Bob, the navigator, struggled to find their bearings. He stuck his head into the navigator's bubble and reading the stars, quickly announced "Skipper, we're going the wrong way!" With his skill and that of the pilot, also an RAAF chap, they managed to bring the badly damaged aircraft back to England and safety. If my memory is correct, he and his pilot were the only chaps from his graduating squadron to survive the war.
Lest we forget.
Submitted 14 December 2016 by Roderick EIME
Biography contributed by Roderick EIME
"...407339 Flight Lieutenant Robert Maitland Rees, who was born on 22 November 1915 in Kapunda, SA. Rees enlisted in the RAAF on 14 September 1940. During 1941 he qualified as an air observer, bomb aimer, air gunner and Astro navigator. In April 1942 he joined 83 Squadron, RAF in Scampton, England, where he was a navigator aboard Avro Manchesters and Lancasters. In August 1942 Rees moved with 83 Squadron to Wyton, becoming part of the newly formed Pathfinder Force. Rees completed more than two months operational flying service and in March 1943 was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his skill, courage and devotion to duty. His citation reads 'Flight Lieutenant Rees has had a long and distinguished record of operational flying. On one occasion, during a daylight attack on Danzig, this officer displayed superb navigational ability in appalling weather, with constantly changing winds. In these conditions, he located the target, and pressed home the attack from below 1,000 feet, many hits being obtained. On another occasion, on the return journey from Berlin, this officer's aircraft was engaged by ground defences and two engines put out of action. With great skill Flight Lieutenant Rees navigated the crippled aircraft many hundreds of miles back to the base. throughout his long operational career, he has displayed courage and devotion to duty worthy of the highest praises.'. Flt Lt Rees was discharged from 3 Air Observer School on 25 June 1945." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)
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