CREW MEMBER PROFILE |
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Surname: |
BASSETT |
First Name/s: |
Thomas John "Jack" |
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Service No/s: |
412097 |
Service: |
RAAF |
Branch: |
Pilot |
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Awards: |
Distinguished Flying Cross; 1939-1945 Star; Returned from Active Service Badge. The DFC (London Gazette 21 Jan 44, p428 and Commonwealth Gazette 27 Jan 44) was presented the Governor-General at Government House, Sydney on 13 Apr 46. The citation reads: ‘One night in December (16th) 1943, Warrant Officer Bassett was the pilot of an aircraft detailed to attack Berlin. Whilst crossing the North Sea, the rear gunner complained of the lack of oxygen. The cause could not be ascertained. To afford the gunner some relief, Warrant Officer Bassett came down to a lower altitude and continued on his course. When nearing the target area, one of the bomber's engines became unserviceable and had to be feathered. Nevertheless, Warrant Officer Bassett persisted in his mission and successfully attacked the target. He is a most determined and resourceful captain, whose example has greatly inspired his crew.' |
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SERVICE RECORDS |
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Date |
Event |
Aircraft Flown |
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26 Feb 1941 |
Enrolled in the RAAF Reserve at No.2 Recruiting Centre, Sydney, New South Wales. |
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22 Jun 1941 |
No.2 Initial Training School, 18 (Pilot) Course, Bradfield Park, Sydney, New South Wales |
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08 Sep 1941 |
Re-mustered as Air Crew V (Pilot) |
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11 Oct 1941 |
Promoted to Leading Aircraftman (LAC) on completing Initial Training School, re-mustering as Air Crew II (Pilot). |
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16 Oct 1941 |
No.5 Elementary Flying Training School, 18 Course, Narromine, New South Wales. |
Tiger Moth |
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13 Dec 1941 |
No.7 Service Flying Training School, 18 Course, Deniliquin, New South Wales. |
Wirraway |
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30 Apr 1942 |
No.2 Embarkation Depot, Bradfield Park, Sydney, New South Wales. |
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02 Jul 1942 |
Embarked Sydney, New South Wales, for the UK (vessel not known). |
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18 Aug 1942 |
Disembarked in the UK (port not known). |
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19 Aug 1942 |
No.3 (RAAF) Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, Dorset. |
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01 Sep 1942 |
No.12 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit, Spittlegate, Lincolnshire. |
Oxford |
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12 Oct 1942 |
Accident in Airspeed Oxford P1868. Crash-landed on a decoy airfield near Hemswell, Lincolnshire while lost - slightly injured. |
Oxford |
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30 Oct 1942 |
Promoted to Flight Sergeant. |
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03 Nov 1942 |
No.27 Operational Training Unit, Lichfield, Staffordshire. |
Wellington |
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23 May 1943 |
No.1656 Heavy Conversion Unit, Lindholme, Yorkshire. |
Halifax & Lancaster |
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09 Jul 1943 |
No.103 Squadron, 'C' Flight, Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire, flying the following operations: |
Lancaster |
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30 Oct 1943 |
Promoted to Warrant Officer and continued operations : |
Lancaster |
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27 Nov 1943 |
No.576 Squadron, 'B' Flight, Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire, flying the following operations (see details below): |
Lancaster |
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11 Jan 1944 |
No.27 Operational Training Unit, Lichfield, Staffordshire; presumably as an instructor. |
Wellington |
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17 Feb 1944 |
Discharged from the Service on appointment to commission. |
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18 Feb 1944 |
Commissioned as Pilot Officer on probation (Commonwealth Gazette 145/44). |
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18 Aug 1944 |
Promoted to Flying Officer (Commonwealth Gazette 252/44). |
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04 Nov 1944 |
Course at RAF Hemswell, Lincolnshire (no further details). |
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17 Nov 1944 |
Returned to unit at No.27 Operational Training Unit, Lichfield, Staffordshire. |
Wellington |
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19 Dec 1944 |
No.11 (RAAF) Personnel Despatch and Reception Centre, Brighton, Sussex |
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19 Jan 1945 |
Embarked from the UK for Australia (port and vessel not known). |
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22 Feb 1945 |
Disembarked in Sydney, New South Wales, and taken on strength at No.2 Personnel Depot, Bradfield Park, Sydney. |
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13 Aug 1945 |
Appointment terminated 'at own request to resume civil occupation' (Commonwealth Gazette 207/45). |
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576 Squadron FLYING RECORDS |
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Date |
Aircraft |
Code |
Flight Details |
T/O |
Land |
Flt Time |
Crew |
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02 Dec 1943 |
ED888 |
UL-V2 |
BERLIN |
1650 |
1855 |
2h55 |
P1 WO T.J. Bassett RAAF |
NOTES: |
Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 56x 30lb and 1122x 4lb incendiaries. Returned early due engine failure. Whilst crossing the North Sea, the rear gunner complained of the lack of oxygen. To afford the gunner some relief, the skipper descended to a lower altitude and continued on to the target. When approaching the target area, one of the engines became unserviceable and had to be feathered. |
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16 Dec 1943 |
JA957 |
UL-X2 |
BERLIN |
1620 |
0030 |
8h10 |
P1 WO T.J. Bassett RAAF |
NOTES: |
Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie' 56x 30lb and 1122x 4lb incendiaries. Diverted to Wickenby due to bad weather but overshot the flare path at 0028 hrs whilst landing in low cloud and fog. The captain retracted the undercarriage and the Lancaster came to a halt on its belly. Three crewmen were possibly injured. Aircraft (Cat B) was repaired but was lost on 08 Jul 44 with 9 Sqn. |
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PERSONAL INFORMATION |
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Personal Records Restricted - not available to the public |
PHOTOS & DOCUMENTS |
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Personal Documents Restricted - not available to the public |
