Image right: Pilots of No. 452 (Spitfire) Squadron RAAF at RAF Station Kirton-in-Lindsey, UK, June 1941. Courtesy Australian War Memorial
As Anzac Day approaches we remember the World War II service of RAAF pilot, Sergeant Richard (Dick) George Gazzard (402115) of 19 Cotswold Road Strathfield (pictured far right). A commercial traveller for a travel goods company by profession, he was the son of Norman and Veida Gazzard and had attended Fort Street High School. He later enrolled with the Metropolitan Business College.
He joined the RAAF in May 1940 and trained as a pilot in Canada under the Empire Air Training Scheme. Gazzard was assigned to Spitfire Squadron 452 which became operational during May 1941. With the exception of two flight commanders, its personnel were all Australian – the very first Australian squadron. Based in south-east England, the squadron engaged with enemy Messerschmitts over occupied France and Belgium in a number of daring operations. The squadron also escorted bombing raids.
Spitfires of 452 Squadron, September 1941. Courtesy Australian War Memorial
Sadly the attrition rate was high. Dick Gazzard’s mate, Andy Costello (pictured 3rd from right) was the Squadron’s first casualty when he was shot down on 5 July 1941. Dick wrote home to his family about Costello’s death, with details of his letter published in the Daily Telegraph.[1] Gazzard sought to avenge Costello’s death during an operation on 10 August when he shot down a Messerschmitt. That night the squadron managed to destroy 18 of the more than 100 Messerschmitts engaged.
Operations room of Squadron 452 at Kenley, UK c.June 1941. Courtesy Australian War Memorial
Families sent food parcels to their loved ones overseas. However Richard Gazzard’s father Norman complained to authorities that parcels were being stolen. Between March and August of 1941 he had sent 15 parcels to his son in England and none had reached him.
‘Evidently in the receiving depots there are men who are not above stealing from the men daily risking their lives over England and Europe.’[2]
Norman Gazzard suggested the establishment of an RAAF parcel distribution centre at Australia House in London, a proposal that was investigated by Air Marshal Williams.
Lincolnshire, England. c.1941-06. Group portrait of pilots of No. 452 Spitfire Squadron RAAF waiting outside the Dispersal Hut at RAF Station Kirton-in-Lindsey. Courtesy Australian War Memorial
Tragically, Richard Gazzard went missing just over a week later on 19 August, just two days after his 21st birthday. He was the sole occupant of the spitfire, initially listed as missing in action, with hopes that he had been taken prisoner of war. However by October his body had been retrieved from the sea off Belgium. Flight-Lieutenant Paddy Finucane (4th from left) wrote to Richard’s father, Norman describing him as ‘the finest pilot in the squadron.’
‘On the numerous sweeps we did over France he either led a section or went as my no.2. One occasion his aircraft was badly damaged some 30 miles inside France. Dick’s first thought was to bail out – but he stuck to his aircraft and managed to land in England. This wonderful display of flying skill had a great moral effect on the rest of the boys. On your son’s last sweep over France he was leading a section behind me. We were defending the rest of the squadron from the attack of about 50 ME 109s. There were only four of us and each time I saw Dick, he was engaged in combat with the Hun and doing a great job of it. In the end we were outnumbered far too heavily and so, had to break away. Dick was last seen by me diving down protecting the rear of the squadron.’ [3]
Finucane was killed during an air operation over France during July 1942.
Richard George Gazzard was buried at the Oostduinkerke Communal Cemetery, Belgium.
During its first year of operations, 452 squadron managed to destroy 62 enemy planes and damaged a further 17 as well as severely damaging a German ship. By March 1942 however, the squadron was recalled to Australia for further training to defend Darwin from Japanese attacks.
Ten of the 16 men in the photo above were killed during the war.
Lest We Forget.
By J.J. MacRitchie
Local Studies Advisor
References
[1] Daily Telegraph 12 August 1941 p.6 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/247494191
[2] The Newcastle Sun 11 August 1941 p.4 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/167495163
[3] The Sun 16 October 1941 p.6 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/230952740