PATRICK OTTER PROFILES THE AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL’S W4783, THE “LANC THAT’LL ALWAYS GET YOU HOME”
George’s story began with the formation of 460 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force at Molesworth, then in Northamptonshire, in November 1941. Soon afterwards the unit moved to the new airfield at Breighton, just east of Selby, on January 4, 1942. Equipped with Wellington IVs, 460 was led by the tough Wg Cdr Keith Kaufmann, one of six Australian brothers serving in the armed forces.
The Yorkshire home was always going to be a temporary one for 460. New airfields were being built in north Lincolnshire for 1 Group, but 460 was destined for something a little better than the Nissen-hutted, prefabricated hangar-equipped bases being built for some of its neighbours.
Under a deal struck with the Australian Government, RAAF bomber squadrons were to get the best airfields where possible: Leconfield, Waddington and, in 460’s case, Binbrook – all pre-war ‘Expansion’ era with substantial buildings and facilities.
With the Wellingtons, 460 had gone through a baptism of fire; losing 29 on operations between March and the end of September 1942. This was a loss rate of 5.4%, the highest in Bomber Command. It must have co…
