Bomber Commander

Don Saville DSO, DFC - 'The Mad Australian

Nonfiction, History, Military, Aviation, World War II, Biography & Memoir, Historical
Cover of the book Bomber Commander by F Chappel, Pen and Sword
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: F Chappel ISBN: 9781783409501
Publisher: Pen and Sword Publication: September 19, 2004
Imprint: Pen and Sword Aviation Language: English
Author: F Chappel
ISBN: 9781783409501
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication: September 19, 2004
Imprint: Pen and Sword Aviation
Language: English

Wing Commander Donald Teale Saville DSO, DFC joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1927. From 1932 until 1939 he flew and tested private aircraft, was a flying instructor and then a Captain-pilot with Australian National Airways. In 1936, at the age of 36 years, he volunteered for the RAF whilst on holiday in England. Because of his age he was posted to the Ferry Pool Service and eventually became its Commanding Officer.

In 1941 he dropped rank from Squadron Leader to Flight Lieutenant to join Bomber Command, and in December of that year joined No 458 RAAF Squadron flying Wellington’s as a Flight Commander. In 1942 he was appointed to command another Wellington squadron, No 104, at Kabrit in Egypt. He was awarded the DFC for daring operations whilst flying from Malta against enemy airfields and ports. In March 1943 he took command of No 218 Squadron at Downham Market flying somewhat elderly Short Stirlings and at a time of intolerable losses. In July 1943 he went missing on the first mass bombing raid on Hamburg. He made the supreme sacrifice by holding his burning aircraft steady while four of his crew escaped by parachute.

He was known affectionately as 'The Mad Aussie' and was reputed to have flown 10,000 flying hours. He was fifteen or so years older than most of his aircrews and was probably the oldest pilot in Bomber Command. At the time of his loss he was in was on his third tour of operations.

This is the story of a man who carried leadership by example and was renowned as an exceptionally skilled, daring and confident aviator.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Wing Commander Donald Teale Saville DSO, DFC joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1927. From 1932 until 1939 he flew and tested private aircraft, was a flying instructor and then a Captain-pilot with Australian National Airways. In 1936, at the age of 36 years, he volunteered for the RAF whilst on holiday in England. Because of his age he was posted to the Ferry Pool Service and eventually became its Commanding Officer.

In 1941 he dropped rank from Squadron Leader to Flight Lieutenant to join Bomber Command, and in December of that year joined No 458 RAAF Squadron flying Wellington’s as a Flight Commander. In 1942 he was appointed to command another Wellington squadron, No 104, at Kabrit in Egypt. He was awarded the DFC for daring operations whilst flying from Malta against enemy airfields and ports. In March 1943 he took command of No 218 Squadron at Downham Market flying somewhat elderly Short Stirlings and at a time of intolerable losses. In July 1943 he went missing on the first mass bombing raid on Hamburg. He made the supreme sacrifice by holding his burning aircraft steady while four of his crew escaped by parachute.

He was known affectionately as 'The Mad Aussie' and was reputed to have flown 10,000 flying hours. He was fifteen or so years older than most of his aircrews and was probably the oldest pilot in Bomber Command. At the time of his loss he was in was on his third tour of operations.

This is the story of a man who carried leadership by example and was renowned as an exceptionally skilled, daring and confident aviator.

More books from Pen and Sword

Cover of the book Life of a Teenager in Wartime London by F Chappel
Cover of the book Being British by F Chappel
Cover of the book The Will to Live by F Chappel
Cover of the book Pocket Battleships of the Deutschland Class by F Chappel
Cover of the book Hitler's Headquarters by F Chappel
Cover of the book German Army on the Eastern Front: The Advance by F Chappel
Cover of the book Naval Aviation in the Korean War by F Chappel
Cover of the book Steam in the North West by F Chappel
Cover of the book Pioneers of Aerial Combat by F Chappel
Cover of the book Clacton-on-Sea and the Surrounding Coastline in the Great War by F Chappel
Cover of the book Soviet Conquest by F Chappel
Cover of the book Crusoe, Castaways and Shipwrecks in the Perilous Age of Sail by F Chappel
Cover of the book Ceawlin by F Chappel
Cover of the book The Black Bull by F Chappel
Cover of the book David Rattray's Guidebook to the Anglo-Zulu War by F Chappel
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy