No.2 Pilots Course, 1 FTS Point Cook, August 1948.
Autographs on reverse of No.2 Pilots Course photo. August 1948.
No.2 Pilots Course 1 FTS Point Cook, September 1949. Cross marks members ultimately killed.
Instructors 1FTS Point Cook 1948-1950.
RAAF Wirraways A20-595 and A20-747 in formation.
RAAF Wirraway A20-747 in formation.
Leon Murtagh completed No.51 AGS at Sale in 1945. Demobbed at end of WW2. Accepted for pilot training commencing August 1948. No.2 Pilots Course. 1 FTS Point Cook.
3 Sqn RAAF. P-51 Mustang flight line. Airfield unknown??
P-51 Mustangs in formation. No.3 Sqn RAAF.
Flood relief over Tamworth district, Winter 1950. Aircraft serial RFU was one of 24 C-47's loaned to RAAF by USAAF in 1941. (Photo by New England Photography Service, Tamworth).
Tour 1 crew. October 1950 - July 1951. L-R: Aircraft Captain, Flt. R.Daniel; Nav. Flt. F.Barkla; Wireless OP. W/O "Blue" Lang; Co-Pilot. Sgt. L.Murtagh.
K2 Taegu, South Korea. 35°50'N 128°40'E. View of town just West of the airfield.
The Ramp at K2 Taegu, South Korea. K2 was first airstrip used by 77 Sqn Mustangs. Aircarft would refuel and rearm and return to battle or back to home base Iwakuni, Japan at end of day. The Dakotas provided daily support flights for groundcrews and supplies.
Vehicles meet daily courier flight, K2 Taegu, South Korea.
Dak crew at K2 Taegu, South Korea. L-R: Blue lang (W/Op); Bob Bray (Nav); Steve Hardman (W/Op).
RAAF Dakota A65-70 needed an engine change at K2 Taegu, South Korea. "We amazed the Americans by bringing everything necessary for the change over from Iwakuni on another Dak - Stands, engine, crane, 4 ground crew and 2 dozen bottles of Fosters!".
Engine change for RAAF DC-3 A65-70 at K2 Taegu, South Korea. The groundcrew.
Fosters reward for ground crew after engine change for A65-70 finished at K2 Taegu, South Korea.
Aircrew and ground crew before heading home to Iwakuni, Japan after engine change for A65-70 at K2 Taegu, South Korea.
"Kim". Korean orphan adopted by Senior NCO Mess of Australian Army at Taegu,South Korea. His schooling and behaviour was monitored by chairman of The Mess. Education was funded through to tertiary level. DVA document shows Kim's name as Yung Kil Choi.
K3 Pohang, South Korea. 36°59'N 129°30'E. A USMC base and was the first airfield where RAAF 77 Sqn was based on Korean Peninsula after moving base from Iwakuni, Japan 20th October 1950.
General view of K3 Pohang, South Korea.
RAAF 77 Sqn quarters at K3 Pohang, South Korea.
RAAF 77 Sqn ground crew with local children at K3 Pohang, South Korea.
General transportation in a place of mud and wind at K3 Pohang, South Korea.
Korean village just below RAAF 77 Sqn tents at K3 Pohang, South Korea.
A church still stands near K3 Pohang, South Korea. (Probably Catholic Church).
Village ruins near K3 Pohang, South Korea.
Pohang Dong city near K3. Overpassing at 6000' on the way from Iwakuni, Japan to K16 Yong Dong Po the main transport airstrip at Seoul, South Korea.
USAF P-51 Mustangs at K23 Pyongyang the capital of North Korea. December 1950 before the Chinese Army retook it.
Daily courier to K23 Pyongyang, the North Korean capital,December 1950. L-R: Sgt Leon Murtagh (Co-pilot); WO Blue Lang (W/Op); Flt Ron Daniel (Pilot). A65-96.
Meeting the daily courier at K23 Pyongyang, North Korea. USAF Gooneybirds in background. December 1950.
Two Daks at K27 Hamhung, North Korea, the second base for RAAF 77 Sqn on Korean Peninsula. The base was emergency evacuated over 3-4 Dec 1950 as Chinese forces approached. The Daks flew shuttle flights to K9 Pusan evacuating 77 Sqn personnel and equipment. (Location also known as Yonpo).
K27 Hamhung, North Korea. Line of USAF C-119 Flying Boxcars during emergency evacuation 3-4 Dec 1950. Position retaken by Chinese forces.
K27 Hamhung, North Korea. USAF C-119 Flying Boxcar during emergency evacuation 3-4 Dec 1950. Position retaken by Chinese forces
Nav Hank Hurley with A65-109 at K27 Hamhung, North Korea.
WO Bob"Colonel" Burns with A65-109 at K27 Hamhung, North Korea.
K9 Pusan, South Korea - on approach in RAAF Dakota. The hills and valleys to left and right at the far end ensured a wide variety of wind. A calm day at Pusan was 20-25 knot crosswind. On bad day it gusted 40-50 knots and could vary either side several times during approach.
Base Ops building K9 Pusan, South Korea. Was third base RAAF 77 Sqn located on Korean Peninsula.
Crest of 17th Bomb Wing USAF, a Douglas B-26 Invader Group. Base Ops building K9 Pusan, South Korea.
USAF B-26 Invader @ K9 Pusan, South Korea.
USMC Panthers (Carrier Aircraft) at K9 Pusan, South Korea.
USAF B-17 Flying Fortress at K9 Pusan,South Korea. B-17 had role as communications aircraft in Korea.
Sgt Leon Murtagh (Pilot) at K9 Pusan, South Korea.
WO "Blue" Lang (Wireless Op) with A65-96 at K9 Pusan, South Korea.
USAF C-119 Flying Boxcar #557 touches down at K9 Pusan, South Korea.
USAF C-119 Flying Boxcar #1178 taxying K9 Pusan, South Korea . (Later version of C-119 with dorsal strengthening of tail-booms).
USAF C-119 Flying Boxcar landing K9 Pusan, South Korea. (Earlier version C-119 without dorsal tail-boom strengthening).
USAF C-119 Flying Boxcar parked to rear of RAAF Dakota at K9 Pusan, South Korea.
The Ramp at K9 Pusan, South Korea.
K10 Chinhae loocated about 25 miles west of K9 Pusan, South Korea. Looking along runway to North. That hill is not very distant.
K10 Chinhae, South Korea. General view. Airstrip would be to the left of this view.
K10 Chinhae, at the Southern (hangar) end of strip. One edge of K10 airstrip was the sea. (One of those places you only miss once!)
On the South-Eastern end of airstrip at K10 Chinhae was a derelict hangar.
South African AF P-51 Mustang departs K10 Chinhae on a mission. Rockets with Napalm drop tanks - a fairly standard war load.
K5 Taejon, South Korea. 37°30'N 127°30'?E. Aerial view Taejon city a little N/E of airfield.
On approach to K5 Taejon, South Korea. 37°30'N 127°30'?E.
RAAF Dakota lands K5 Taejon, South Korea.
"Ooops" sign at end of K5 Taejon airstrip. Put there after C54 loaded with very urgently needed motor fuel overran the too short airstrip one night. A few days later the sign was gone - jagged ends on post and a P-51 Mustang fighter was on its back in the gully beyond.
The frozen mud that was K5 Taejon's strip and ramp surface.
A group of 3 RAR troops we left at K5 Taejon, South Korea.
Old part of Suwon City to East of K13 Suwon 37°20'N 126°50'E. Note old wall and city South gate.
On approach to K13 Suwon 37°20'N 126°50'E.
Typical scene K13 Suwon, South Korea. For a time the most Northerley strip used. Had many crashed aircraft. They were just bulldozed into heaps and burnt.
Parking block at K13 Suwon, South Korea. Parking was very restricted.
Refuelling RAAF Dak at K13 Suwon. L-R: Ron Daniel (Pilot), Leon Murtagh (Co-pilot), "Blue" Lang (Wireless).
At K13 Suwon, L-R: Sgt Bernie Harding (Co-pilot); Paddy Grant; WO Bill Ryan (Pilot); Bob Short; and ?
At K13 Suwon, South Korea. L-R: "Blue" Lang (Wireless), Frank Barkla (Nav), Ron Daniel (Pilot).
USAF Grumman Albatross at K13 Suwon. (Aircraft normally stationed at K16 Yong Dong Po).
USAF B-26 "Hollywood Hangover" landing accident K13 Suwon, South Korea.
Dakota A65-74 @ K13 Suwon 06.12.50. After landing, we were stopped on Northern end of runway by ATC while they allowed section of P-51 Mustangs to depart. One of the P-51's hit us above my seat with its radiator scoop - the prop missed. He had 2 drop tanks, 60 lb rockets and full load 0.5" ammo. The pilot dropped it all safe and landed with seized engine, rolling past us on landing. The Dak was stripped over next couple of days as Chinese Army was only 10 miles away and remnants blown up. Chinese took location about 09.12.50.
Corsairs, spotter aircraft and small choppers at K13 Suwon.
USAF Sabres at K13 Suwon.
USAF F-86 Sabre FU-199 taxying at K13 Suwon.
USAF F-86 Sabre FU-191 taxying at K13 Suwon.
USAF F-86 Sabre taxying at K13 Suwon.
Ron Daniel with some locals at K13 Suwon.
Life goes on at K13 Suwon.
At K6 Pyongtaek 37°00'N 127°05'E with cargo.
At K6 Pyongtaek. L-R: Frank Barkla (Nav); member Indian Medical Team; Ron Daniel (Pilot).
The main road from K13 Suwon - K16 Seoul. We flew along this road often to stay VFR and avoid up to 3 hour delay for GCA (Ground Control Approach) into K16.
Typical countryside on direct track Iwakuni, Japan to Seoul, South Korea.
Typical Korean landscape.
Korean town.
A Japanese built Korean school.
Rice paddies and hills.
Korean village and rice paddies.
Han River not far from Seoul.
Han River near Seoul.
Korean villager.
Road and rail bridges across Han River. Bridges destroyed and partially repaired. K16 (Yong Dung Po) was main transport strip for Seoul. It is situated on island in Han River at mid-right background. Photograph taken on approach to K16.
Han River brdige into Seoul. (Far left bridge in previous photograph #106). Photo by Bernie Harding.
British Centurion tank of 8th Hussars at Han River bridge (south bank). Photo by Bernie Harding.
British Centurion tank of 8th Hussars at South bank of Han River near Seoul. Photo by Bernie Harding.
British Centurion tank #A2597 near Seoul. Photo by Bernie Harding.
British Centurion tanks of 8th Hussars near Seoul. Photo by Bernie Harding.
Battle-Damaged T-34 Tank (Soviet).
British Centurion tanks of 8th Hussars near Seoul.
British Centurion tank of 8th Hussars in rice paddy near Seoul. "ALYCIDON" 2B.
British Centurion tank of 8th Hussars. "APRIL SON". 3B #A2593.
British Oxford Carrier in rice paddy, near Seoul.
Captured prize - A flag of the Soviet Union.
Old Korean building at K14 Kimpo (another strip near Seoul) in the early days.
77 Sqn RAAF Meteors over K14 Kimpo.
Aircraft of SCAP (Supreme Commander Allied Powers, General Douglas MacArthur) arrives. (K14?).
General Douglas MacArthur SCAP (Supreme Commander Allied Powers) arrives. (@ K14?).
On approach to K16 Yong Dung Po (main transport strip for Seoul). Situated on island in the Han River (centre-right background).
Access road bridge across to K16 Yong Dung Po on island in Han River.
RAAF C-47B Dakota and USAF C-47 Gooney Bird at K16 Yong Dung Po (main transport strip for Seoul).
USAF C-124 Globemaster at K16 Yong Dung Po (main transport strip for Seoul) December 1952.
USAF C-124 Globemaster at K16 Yong Dung Po (main transport strip for Seoul) January 1953.
K16 Yong Dung Po (main transport strip for Seoul).
USMC chopper at K16 Yong Dung Po (main transport strip for Seoul).
RAAF medivac flight at K16 December 1952.
RAAF medivac flight at K16 Yong Dung Po, January 1953.
RAAF Nursing Sisters at K16. L-R: Sr. Helen Blair and Sr. Nathalie Oldham. Medivac flight January 1953.
RAAF Nursing Sister, Sr. Helen Blair. Medivac flight at K16, January 1953.
RAAF Nursing Sisters at K16. L-R: Sr. Pat Leeming and Sr. Nathalie Oldham. Medivac flight January 1953.
Navigator Jack Smith at K16 Yong Dung Po, 1953.
Leon's crew on later tour. L-R: WO John Edmonts (Wireless); Sgt Pierre De Verteuil (Navigator). Pierre was a French West Indian from Trinidad in the RAAF. At K16 Yong Dung Po.
Pierre De Verteuil (Nav) demonstrating the action of Sunny Ramadin, the West Indian Cricketer. (Pierre was French West Indian from Trinidad). At K16 Yong Dung Po.
Instrument departure procedure sheet for K16 Yong Dung Po (main transport strip for Seoul).
Flak post on hill near Seoul.
Hills to the North of Seoul. Note the hazy fog. This often required precision instrument approaches into K16, sometimes being talked onto the ground.
Seoul. City in the haze.
Seoul Prison. On approach to K16. The mast in bottom right is part of the right hand SCR 729 antenna - a navigational homing aid.
Korean houses in Seoul city. The mast is part of the right hand SCR 729 antenna, a navigational homing aid.
Main Rail Station, Seoul. December 1952. TAt that time of year the haze and fog was normal.
Another aerial view of Seoul.
Ice cutting in the frozen Han River. During Winter, blocks of ice were removed and stored in pits lines with straw and covered. In Summer, the blocks were dug up for cooling. Apparently 5 - 6 feet down, the ground stayed frozen all year.
Nam Han San Song. Ancient monastery situated 20 - 25 miles South-East of Seoul. Not used approx 200 years. First established 2000 years ago. Note ancient wall around the area. On direct flight path to K16.
Crossing Japan to Korea approx 1hr 20 min away, with a RAAF Dakota for company.
Crossing Japan to Korea approx 1hr 20min away, with a RAAF Dakota for company.
Crossing Japan to Korea with RAAF 77 Sqn P-51 Mustang. If a single Mustang was to be ferried across, the pilot would formate on us until in sight of Korea.
Crossing the Korean Straights with USAF F-94 interceptor.
"500 On Top" over the Korean Straights.
Another dawn over the Korean Straights.
A load of frost that had not been removed before departure. It turned into globules of Clear Ice and stayed with me all the day. Quite a weight increase. We were never above zero degrees. January 1953.
Island of Mishima in the Korean Straights.
RAAF 91 Wing HQ. Iwakuni Japan.
91 Wing HQ. Iwakuni Japan. Holden out the front. 1951.
100-Hourly for RAAF C-47b Dakota, Iwakuni Japan.
Dakota flight-line Iwakuni, Japan.
RAAF C-47B Dakota flight-line Iwakuni. Japanese ground-crew attend.
77 Sqn RAAF Meteor A77-134. Iwakuni Japan.
77 Sqn RAAF Meteor A77-703. A Mk.VII Trainer. Iwakuni Japan.
"Geelong Flyer" a RAAF 77 Sqn Meteor undergoes maintenance. Iwakuni Japan.
Royal Navy Sea Fury #WJ245 at Iwakuni Japan.
Royal Navy Sea Fury #WJ278, Iwakuni Japan.
Daks and Sea Furies, Iwakuni Japan.
USAF F-86 Sabre #112936 FU-936 at Iwakuni Japan.
RAAF Wirraway A20-718. "One of the toys" at Iwakuni Japan.
The two "toys" (Wirraways) before one crashed on 18.06.1952. One crashed as a result of low flying and coming into contact with cables strung across the Hiji River. The pilot, Sgt J.Codd survived. Passenger, Cpl R.J.Waddell died in hospital from severe head wounds. Both members 30th Transport Unit.
US Navy Privateers - A Liberator variant used for maritime patrols. Iwakuni Japan.
RAF Sunderland with USS "Kenith Whiting", a seaplane tender. Iwakuni Japan.
RAF Sunderland being escorted in. Iwakuni Japan.
Seaplane Slipway, Iwakuni Japan.
Flight-line Iwakuni. RAAF Dakotas and Meteors.
British Avro Tudor transport aircraft, Iwakuni Japan.
USAF C-119 formation approaching. Iwakuni Japan.
USAF C-119 Flying Boxcar formation overhead. Iwakuni Japan.
New USAF Officer's Club being built after USAF took over control of the base. Iwakuni Japan.
Married Quarters, Iwakuni Japan. Later, all dependents were returned to Australia.
The Group Captain's house. Iwakuni Japan.
View of the pool from Seargent's Mess Quarters. Officer's Mess is behind pool. Airmen's Mess in distance to the right. Iwakuni Japan.
Senior NCO's Mess. Iwakuni Japan.
Entrance to Senior NCO's Mess, Iwakuni Japan.
Back door to Senior NCO' Mess, Iwakuni Japan.
Bar prices. Senior NCO's Mess, Iwakuni Japan.
Sergeant's quarters, Iwakuni Japan.
Sgt Leon Murtagh's room with the latest thing (1952) in portable radios - a Transoceanic Zenith. Iwakuni Japan.
30th Transport Unit party in Airmen's Mess, Iwakuni Japan. The 30th TU was renamed from 30th Communications Unit on 05.10.1951. It subsequently became No.36 Sqn Transport Squadron RAAF on 10.03.53.
30th TU business card - front. A card the ground crew of 30th TU had printed. A box of same was given to all aircrew. On the reverse side was a great compliment. To my knowledge, the squadron only missed one day operation due to a typhoon in the Korean Straight.
30th TU business card - reverse. A card the ground crew of 30th TU had printed. A box of same was given to all aircrew. On the reverse (this) side was a great compliment. To my knowledge, the squadron only missed one day operation due to a typhoon in the Korean Straight.
Out the front gate and off to town, Iwakuni Japan.
Fitz (L) and Jack (R) in West Iwakuni, Japan.
FSgt Leon in West Iwakuni, Japan.
Jack Newson, Leon's first co-pilot. Iwakuni Japan.
"Hutch" working on A65-86, Iwakuni Japan.
"Imjim Jim" (seated). Warrant Officer Engineer got the name for swimming in the Imjim River north of Seoul.
Party in Leon's room. L-R: FSgt Leon Murtagh; Bill Snellgrove (Nav); "Blue" Connolly USAF. And the latest thing (1952) in portable radios - a Transoceanic Zenith.
Party in Ken Murray's room. (Ken not shown). Ken Murray was Sergeant pilot of 77 Sqn RAAF. He is credited with flying the most number of jet missions of any Allied forces pilot during the Korean War.
L-R: Ken Murray; Bownie; Noel; Mr Spooks. (Ken Murray was 77 Sqn Sergeant pilot. He is credited with flying the most number of jet missions of any Allied forces pilot during the Korean War).
WO "Blue" Lang (Wireless Operator) - A very reluctant co-pilot co-opted from the back.
New arrivals at Iwakuni Japan. The Australian link - a Qantas Skymaster VH-EBO. Just emerging are Don Armitt and Al Avery (both members No.2 Pilots Course, Point Cook and both killed during tour).
New arrival Ron Gutherie welcomed by Fred Collins and Ron Mitchell. (Ron Gutherie became POW and Ron Mitchell was killed). Iwakuni Japan.
"Blue Dog". This dog seemed to check the flying roster then escort us from the mess quarters to the squadron HQ in the early morning in the dark. Iwakuni Japan.
Blue Dog's pups - Ginger Dog and Black Dog. Iwakuni Japan.
Ginger Dog and Black Dog (Blue Dog's pups) with friends. Iwakuni Japan.
WO "Nipper" Masterson RIP. Army Postal Liaison officer. Nipper drowned after falling from RAAF Crash Boat en route Kure to Iwakuni across the Inland Sea. Medivac patients were normally taken from Iwakuni by ambulance to the local railway station then by train to a Military Hospital at Kure, 60 miles away. Damage to toad or rail by severe storms would sometimes require evacuees to be transported to Kure by RAAF Crash Boat.
WO "Nipper" Masterson (at right) with his replacement Robbie two days before he drowned after falling from a RAAF Crash Boat en-route Kure - Iwakuni across the Inland Sea, Japan.
Nipper's wake. Iwakuni Japan.
A65-70 gear collapse, Iwakuni Japan.
US Forces PX Store on the island of Ito Jima in the Inland Sea - a short Auster flight from Iwakuni.
Ron Daniel with the Auster he took to Ito Jima, an island in the Inland Sea, Japan.
Personal safety preparations before departing Ito Jima (on island in the Inland Sea) for Iwakuni.
Administration buildings on Ito Jima, an island in the Inland Sea, Japan.
Training turret for big guns. Ito Jima had been a Japanese Naval training station.
L-R: "Blue" Lang and Leon Murtagh on Ito Jima , an island in the Inland Sea, Japan.
B-17 Flying Fortress from the cockpit of RAAF C-47B Dakota at Haneda (Tokyo), Japan. The B-17 had role as Communications Aircraft in Korea.
British De Havilland Comet at Haneda (Tokyo), Japan. 1952.
Entrance to EB 154 Barracks - HQ British Commonwealth Sub-Area, Tokyo, Japan.
Yokosuka, a US Navy port near Tokyo.
Fuji San at about 40 miles.
Aiming Point of the Atomic Bomb dropped on Hiroshima preserved as a memorial. 1952.
Sgt B.W. (Bernie) Harding RIP. Bernie Harding was killed when the Auster he was piloting crashed at Matsuyama, Skikoku Island, Japan on 24.04.51. Also killed were two passengers, Cpl D.S. Scott (airframe fitter 30th TU) and Sgt O. Haines (491 Maint Sqn).
Remains of Auster crash 24.04.51, Matsuyama, Shikoku Island, Japan. (See crash notes per photo #234).
Harding / Scott / Haines funeral, Yokohama War Cemetery, April 1951. (See crash notes per photo #234).
Avery and Johnson graves, Yokohama War Cemetery, Japan. All Avery (pilot) and Eric Johnson were killed in a Meteor Mk VII trainer aircraft which crashed on a ferry flight to Korea.
The Australian Flag flies. Yokohama War Cemetery, Japan.
City of Matsuyama, Shikoku Island, Japan - Beat-up!! "I was asked by the C.O. to put on a display at Matsuyama as they were having a festival. He said, "Go and beat-up Matsuyama, but don't kill yourself". I couldn't get any lower as there were balloons on wire cables".
Kawana Hotel - Main Entrance. The Kawana Hotel, approx 60 miles E-S/E of Tokyo overlooking the Inland Sea was a leave centre. It had two 18-hole golf courses. Housed VIP's, Officers, Senior NCO's and Men all at the same time without any clashes.
Kawana Hotel - the other side from main entrance. View from this side was used on cover of Dinner Menu per photo # 256.
Kawana Hotel - The Lounge.
Kawana Hotel - Officer's Dining Mess. (See centre-right per photo #249).
Kawana Hotel - NCO's and OR's Dining Room.
Kawana Hotel - The Pool. By the shores of The Inland Sea, Japan.
Kawana Hotel - One of the two 18-Hole Golf Courses.
Kawana Hotel - A phoney Christmas Cake - all icing and boards.
Cover of Dinner and Breakfast Menu.
Kawana Hotel - Dinner Menu for 11th June 1951 - food and movie.
Kawana Hote - Breakfast Menu for 12th June 1951.
Fsgt Leon Murtagh with RAAF Nursing Sister, Sr Nathalie Oldham in the aisle on medivac flight en-route to Iwakuni, Japan. (Associoted Newspapers Ltd photograph published in PIX Magazine article January 1953 - "RAAF In Korea").
Fsgt Leon Murtagh (pilot) and Ian Grove (co-pilot). (Associoted Newspapers Ltd photograph published in PIX Magazine article January 1953 - "RAAF In Korea").
Fsgt Leon Murtagh with Commanding Officer of 36 Sqn RAAF, Sqldr Malcolm Humphrey DFC, just prior to Leon's final departure for Australia in May 1953 after 349 round trips to Korea during nearly three tours of duty amassing 2500 hours of operational flying. (This photograph is one of a series of the same scene. Another from this series exists in Australian War Memorial collection as AWM negative JK 0695).
