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Object description
Australian served as fitter with 1st Sqdn, Australian Flying Corps in Palestine, 1916-1918; served as Director of Recruitment, Royal Australian Air Force in Australia, 1940-1943
Content description
PARTIAL SUMMARY ONLY REEL 3 Aspects of period with 1st Sqdn, Australian Flying Corps in Palestine, 1916-1918: opinion of Ross Smith; background to award of VC to Lieutenant Frank McNamara for rescuing Captain D W Rutherford after being forced down during bombing raid, 20/3/1917, including role of BE2 C and Martinsyde G100, use of lydite shells as bombs, cause of Rutherford's initial engine failure and consequent forced landing in BE2 C, damage to McNamara's Martinsyde on landing to attempt rescue and consequent destruction, cause of slight wound to McNamara, McNamara's success in starting Rutherford's engine and taking off, Major Rutledge's initial reaction to loss of Martinsyde, his recommendation of McNamara for VC and reason for McNamara's return to Australia; Waggart's fixed Lewis gun top wing mounting for BE2 C and story of its use in action; role as as fitter and motorcyclist.
REEL 4 Continues: role picking out and marking advanced landing grounds whilst attached to Australian Light Horse; opinion of Lieutenant Ross Smith including reason for success of policy of recruiting observers from Australian Light Horse.
