Carpe Diem - 576 Squadron RAF

CREW MEMBER PROFILE
Surname:	COURTIS		First Name/s:	Wilbur Richard

Service No/s:	401915	Service:	RAAF	Branch:	Navigator

Awards:	Distinguished Flying Cross, 1939-1945 Star, France & Germany Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, and Returned from Active Service Badge. The DFC (London Gazette 23 Mar 45, p1598 and the Commonwealth Gazette 10/45, 12 Apr 45, p855). The citation reads, "For skill and fortitude in operations against the enemy." The medal was presented by the Governor of Victoria at Government House, Melbourne on 30 March 1946.

Return

Date	Event	Aircraft Flown
SERVICE RECORDS
26 Jul 1940 26 Jul 1940	Enrolled in the Reserve at No.1 Recruiting Centre, Melbourne, Victoria.
26 Apr 1941 26 Apr 1941	No.1 Initial Training School, Somers, Victoria.
23 May 1941 23 May 1941	Re-mustered as Air Crew V (Pilot)
21 Jun 1941 21 Jun 1941	Promoted to Leading Aircraftman (LAC) on completion of Initial Training School and re-mustered as Air Crew II (Pilot).
26 Jun 1941 26 Jun 1941	No.3 Elementary Flying Training School, Essendon, Victoria.	Tiger Moth
26 Jul 1941 26 Jul 1941	Pilot training discontinued and attached to No.1 Flying Training School, Point Cook, Victoria.
28 Jul 1941 28 Jul 1941	No.1 Initial Training School, 3 Squadron, Somers, Victoria on re-mustering as Air Crew II (Observer).
20 Aug 1941 20 Aug 1941	No.2 Air Observers School, 16 Course, Mount Gambier, South Australia.	Anson
15 Nov 1941 15 Nov 1941	No.2 Bombing & Gunnery School, 16 (Observers) Course, Port Pirie, Adelaide, South Australia.	Battle
10 Jan 1942 10 Jan 1942	Awarded Air Observers (O) Flying Badge
09 Feb 1942 09 Feb 1942	No.2 Air Navigation School, 16 Course, Nhill, Victoria.	Battle
05 Mar 1942 05 Mar 1942	Promoted to Sergeant on graduation from Air Navigation School, awarded Navigators (N) Flying Badge, re-mustering as Air Observer/Navigator (B).
09 Mar 1942 09 Mar 1942	No.25 (City of Perth) Squadron, Pearce, Perth, Western Australia. The following operations, extracted from the Operations Record Book, were flown with a variety of pilots: 25 Mar 42 - Anti-submarine patrol between Gage Roads and Rottnest Island (Sgt Plain) 26 Mar 42 - Anti-submarine patrol between Gage Roads and Rottnest Island (Sgt Taylor) 27 Mar 42 - Anti-submarine patrol between Gage Roads and Rottnest Island (Flt Lt MacDonald) - patrolled the arrival of the SS Queen Mary carrying 10,000 American troops. 01 Apr 42 - Anti-submarine patrol between Gage Roads and Rottnest Island (Sgt Nevill) 00 American troops. 15 Apr 42 - Anti-submarine patrol between Gage Roads and Rottnest Island (Sgt Knight) 00 American troops. 30 Apr 42 - Anti-submarine patrol between Gage Roads and Rottnest Island (Fg Off Meecham)	Swordfish
01 Jun 1942 01 Jun 1942	No.7 Squadron (No.1 Operational Training Unit), 8 Course, Bairnsdale, Victoria, to convert to the Lockheed Hudson. We have no records of flying at the unit, but his pilot is believed to have been Sgt W J Stutt.	Hudson
20 Jul 1942 20 Jul 1942	No.1 Reserve Personnel Pool, Townsville, Queensland.
23 Jul 1942 23 Jul 1942	No.32 Squadron, Horn Island Queensland, with detachments in Papua New Guinea at Port Moresby and Fall River, Milne Bay. I believe his pilot was Sgt W J Stutt. and possibly Plt Off Shore. Operations are believed to include: 05 Aug 42 - Patrol (Sgt W J Stutt) 08 Aug 42 - Patrol off Savo Island (Sgt W J Stutt). Attacked by Japanese warships (Account related below). 09 Aug 42 - Patrol (Sgt W J Stutt) 11 Aug 42 - Patrol (Sgt W J Stutt) 12 Aug 42 - Patrol (Plt Off Shore) 13 Aug 42 - Patrol (Plt Off Shore) 15 Aug 42 - Patrol (Plt Off Shore) 16 Aug 42 - Patrol (Plt Off Shore) 17 Aug 42 - Patrol (Plt Off Shore) 20 Aug 42 - Patrol (Plt Off Shore) After this date, due to remote operations of the Squadron, no further accurate records are available.	Hudson
03 Sep 1942 03 Sep 1942	No.1 Reserve Personnel Pool, Townsville, Queensland.
04 Sep 1942 04 Sep 1942	No.6 Squadron, Horn Island, Fall River and Gurney Field, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. His pilot appears to have been Fg Off R W Shore. All operations shown are with Shore only (he may well have flown with other pilots but the ORB does not list the whole crew). Operations: 09 Sep 42 – Fall River-Port Moresby 10 Sep 42 – Recce Dawson Island 11 Sep 42 – Recce Dawson Island 12 Sep 42 – Recce Dawson Island 12 Sep 42 – ‘Snoop’ search 13 Sep 42 – Recce search Fall River area 14 Sep 42 – ‘Parallel track’ search 1 14 Sep 42 – ‘Parallel track’ search 2 15 Sep 42 – Patrol Fall River-Port Moresby 15 Sep 42 – Air Test 16 Sep 42 – Port Moresby-Horn Island 19 Sep 42 – Air Test 20 Sep 42 – Air Test 21 Sep 42 – Anti-submarine patrol 21 Sep 42 – Horn Island-Port Moresby	Hudson
22 Sep 1942 22 Sep 1942	Hospitalised at No.3 Hospital, Concord, Sydney, New South Wales, due to malaria contacted in Papua New Guinea. Released on 30 Sep 42
12 Oct 1942 12 Oct 1942	No.1 Reserve Personnel Pool, Townsville, Queensland.
01 Dec 1942 01 Dec 1942	Promoted to Flight Sergeant.
05 Jan 1943 05 Jan 1943	Returned to No.6 Squadron, Turnbull Field, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, probably rejoining his former pilot, now Fg Off R W Shore. Ops: 24 Jan 43 – Patrol 27 Jan 43 – Support HMAS Bendigo escorting Tasman 28 Jan 43 – Patrol 30 Jan 43 – Patrol 04 Feb 43 – Recce 11 Feb 43 – Recce 13 Feb 43 – Recce 17 Feb 43 – Recce 19 Feb 43 – Recce 21 Feb 43 – Recce 01 Mar 43 – Recce 03 Mar 43 – Recce: returned due bad wx 04 Mar 43 – Support HMAS Bendigo escorting Bontikoe 06 Mar 43 – Support HMAS Kapunda escorting Karsik 10 Mar 43 – Recce 13 Mar 43 – Recce 15 Mar 43 – Recce 16 Mar 43 – Recce 18 Mar 43 – Recce 20 Mar 43 – Recce 24 Mar 43 – Recce 27 Mar 43 – Recce Louisiade Archipelago 07 Apr 43 – Recce 10 Apr 43 – Recce 12 Apr 43 – Recce 13 Apr 43 – Turnbull-Amberley, QLD for maintenance at No.3 Aircraft Depot 26 Jun 43 – Amberley-Turnbull returning on same aircraft A16/131	Hudson
30 Jun 1943 30 Jun 1943	Discharged from the Service on appointment to a Commission.
01 Jul 1943 01 Jul 1943	Commissioned as Pilot Officer (Commonwealth Gazette 243/43)
02 Jul 1943 02 Jul 1943	Continuing service with No.6 Squadron, Turnbull Field, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. All flights listed are those flown by Fg Off R W Shore: 02 Jul 43 – Recce 08 Jul 43 – ‘Special mission’ photographic Milne Bay 14 Jul 43 – Recce Woodlark Island. Returned bad wx. 20 Jul 43 – Recce 04 Aug 43 – Turnbull-Goodenough-Turnbull – transporting supplies 15 Aug 43 – Turnbull-Wards Airfield: landed Gurney where tyre blew (transporting Gp Capt McLaughlin) 15 Aug 43 – Gurney-Turnbull 20 Aug 43 – Turnbull-Kiriwina (mail) -Goodenough-Turnbull 25 Aug 43 – Air Test 26 Aug 43 – Turnbull-Moresby-Wards-Horn Island-Garbutt-Cairns-Wagga Wagga	Hudson
27 Aug 1943 27 Aug 1943	No.1 Reserve Personnel Pool, Townsville, Queensland.
31 Aug 1943 31 Aug 1943	No.1 Embarkation Depot, Ascot Vale, Melbourne, Victoria and discharged under AFR 115(M), reverting to the rank of Flight Sergeant.
09 Oct 1943 09 Oct 1943	No.66 Squadron, Bundaberg, Queensland. Operations include (pilot's name in brackets): 09 Oct 43 – Patrol (Flt Sgt Pike) 11 Oct 43 – Patrol (Fg Off Williams) 13 Oct 43 – Patrol (Fg Off Williams) Recalled to base 20 Oct 43 – Patrol (Fg Off Williams) 27 Oct 43 – Patrol (Fg Off Williams) 28 Oct 43 – Patrol (Fg Off Williams) 31 Oct 43 – Patrol (Fg Off Williams) 02 Nov 43 – Patrol (Fg Off Williams) 04 Nov 43 – Patrol (Fg Off Williams) 05 Nov 43 – Patrol (Fg Off Williams) 06 Nov 43 – Patrol (Fg Off Williams) 07 Nov 43 – Patrol (Fg Off Williams): At 2100, force landed in Anson DJ175 on a beach at Sandy Cape, Fraser Island in bad weather and with the wireless unserviceable. No injuries to any of the crew. 12 Nov 43 – Patrol (Fg Off Williams) 15 Nov 43 – Patrol (Fg Off Williams) 17 Nov 43 – Patrol (Fg Off Williams)	Anson
11 Dec 1943 11 Dec 1943	No.2 Embarkation Depot, Bradfield Park, Sydney, New South Wales
12 Dec 1943 12 Dec 1943	Embarked Sydney on board the USAT Willard A Holbrook, probably for Vancouver, Canada or San Francisco, USA
01 Jan 1944 01 Jan 1944	Commissioned as Flying Officer (Commonwealth Gazette 154/44).
14 Jan 1944 14 Jan 1944	Disembarked in the USA or Canada (precise date and port tbc).
16 Jan 1944 16 Jan 1944	Embarked from New York, USA for the UK. (Vessel not known).
26 Jan 1944 26 Jan 1944	Disembarked in the UK (port not known).
27 Jan 1944 27 Jan 1944	No.11 (RAAF) Personnel Despatch and Reception Centre, Brighton, Sussex.
07 Mar 1944 07 Mar 1944	No.2 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit, Millom, Cumbria.	Anson
11 Apr 1944 11 Apr 1944	No.27 Operational Training Unit, Lichfield and Church Breighton, Staffordshire. Here he would have joined the H R McClelland crew.	Wellington
06 Jul 1944 06 Jul 1944	No.11 Base, Lindholme, Yorkshire; administrative base for No.1 Group heavy bomber conversions.
07 Jul 1944 07 Jul 1944	No.1662 Heavy Conversion Unit, 108 Course, Blyton, Lincolnshire.	Halifax
01 Sep 1944 01 Sep 1944	No.1 Lancaster Finishing School, Hemswell, Lincolnshire (precise date tbc)	Lancaster
13 Sep 1944 13 Sep 1944	No.576 Squadron, 'B' Flight, Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire.	Lancaster
31 Oct 1944 31 Oct 1944	No.576 Squadron relocated to its new home at Fiskerton.
04 Dec 1944 04 Dec 1944	Last operation on 576 Squadron on Karlsruhe.
01 Mar 1945 01 Mar 1945	Recommended for a non-immediate Distinguished Flying Cross (precise date tbc)
28 Mar 1945 28 Mar 1945	No.27 Operational Training Unit, Staffordshire, as an instructor.	Wellington tbc
16 May 1945 16 May 1945	No.11 (RAAF) Personnel Despatch and Reception Centre, Brighton, Sussex.
20 May 1945 20 May 1945	Embarked from the UK for Australia (precise date tbc; vessel and port not known)
01 Jul 1945 01 Jul 1945	Promoted to Flight Lieutenant (Commonwealth Gazette 196/45)
07 Jul 1945 07 Jul 1945	Disembarked in Sydney, New South Wales, and taken on strength of No.2 Personnel Depot, Bradfield Park, Sydney.
08 Jul 1945 08 Jul 1945	No.1 Personnel Depot, Melbourne, Victoria.
31 Aug 1945 31 Aug 1945	Transferred to the Reserve (Commonwealth Gazette 207/45 p1064)
01 Jul 1947 01 Jul 1947	Appointment terminated in the Reserve (Commonwealth Gazette 222/47).
11 Mar 1949 11 Mar 1949	Appointed to Commission as Flight Lieutenant in the Reserve (General Duties Branch).

Date	Aircraft	Code	Flight Details	T/O	Land	Flt Time	Crew
576 Squadron FLYING RECORDS
27 Sep 1944	NF976	UL-Q²	CALAIS	0910	1230	3h20	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Target: Enemy fortifications between marshalling yards and the Canal de Calais. Load: 13x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs.
28 Sep 1944	NF976	UL-Q²	CALAIS	0805	1115	3h10	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Target: Enemy installations to the southeast of the town. Load: 13x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. The target was obscured by cloud so the Master Bomber abandoned the attack and instructed crews to return to base with their bombs.
03 Oct 1944		UL-R²	WESTKAPELLE	1310	1545	2h35	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Target: Walcheren Island sea wall. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 8x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Flown in support of Operation INFATUATE. The aircraft experienced electrical problems and landed at Methwold.
04 Oct 1944	PD312	UL-Q²	Methwold to Elsham Wolds	nk	nk	nk	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Return from diversion. Date and time to be confirmed.
05 Oct 1944	NG183	UL-U²	SAARBRUCKEN	1845	0150	7h05	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Target: Built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 14x 4lb incendiary clusters. Diverted on return due to fog at Elsham Wolds, diverted probably to Wratting Common (tbc).
06 Oct 1944	NG183	UL-U²	Wratting Common to Elsham Wolds	nk	nk	nk	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Return from diversion.
11 Oct 1944	PD271	UL-T²	FORT FREDERIK HENDRIK, BRESKENS	1435	1800	3h25	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Target: Coastal Battery of 5 x 4 ½” guns (2 aiming points) Load: 13x 1000lb, 4x 500lb bombs. Flew the first wave of the attack (Battle Order ‘A’ - 8 aircraft) on the first aiming point. The target was obscured by cloud so the Master Bomber ordered all aircraft to return with their bombs. NOTE: The Hardman rear crew are listed in the ORB as flying with McClelland on this operation, however logbooks show they were flying with Hardman on a training sortie at that time. I therefore propose that McClelland was flying with his regular crew, as indicated here.
14 Oct 1944	PD363	UL-Y²	DUISBERG	0705	1120	4h15	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Target: Four Aiming Points (mines and coke ovens) in the Hamborn district of the city. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie', 108x 30lb and 1170x 4lb incendiaries. Flown in support of Operation HURRICANE.
14 Oct 1944	PD363	UL-Y²	DUISBERG	2230	0405	5h35	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Target: Built-up area to the north of the docks. Load: 12x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs. Flown in support of Operation HURRICANE.
19 Oct 1944	LM651	UL-Z²	STUTTGART	1655	0005	7h10	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Target: Bad Constatt marshalling yards. Load: 1x 4000lb 'cookie' and 1,800x 4lb incendiaries. Flew first wave of the attack.
23 Oct 1944	ME801	UL-C²	ESSEN	1605	2200	5h55	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Target: Built-up and industrial areas, including the Krupps works. Load: 11x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs.
25 Oct 1944	PA173	UL-G²	ESSEN	1250	1750	5h00	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Target: Two Aiming Points in the Krupps works complex. Load: 11x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs.
28 Oct 1944	PD309	UL-W²	COLOGNE	1320	1850	5h30	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Target: Second Aiming Point in the southwestern part of the city. Load: 1x 4,000lb ‘cookie’, 5x 1,000lb, and 6x 500lb bombs
30 Oct 1944	PD312	UL-R²	COLOGNE	1730	2345	6h15	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Target: The northwestern area of the city. Load: : 1x 4,000lb ‘cookie’ and 2070x 4lb incendiaries.
31 Oct 1944	ED888	UL-M²	Elsham Wolds to Fiskerton	nk	nk	nk	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Transit to 576 Squadron's new home at Fiskerton. Two mechanics were carried as passengers; 506 Draper, Flight Mechanic Airframes and 547 Fishpool, Flight Mechanic Engines.
02 Nov 1944	PD309	UL-W²	DUSSELDORF	1620	2150	5h30	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Target: Northern built-up area of the city. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 6x 1000lb, and 6x 500lb bombs
06 Nov 1944	PD309	UL-W²	GELSENKIRCHEN	1205	1630	4h25	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Target: The Nordstern synthetic oil plant. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 6x 1000lb, and 6 or 7x 500lb bombs.
09 Nov 1944		UL-R²	WANNE-EICKEL	0830	1255	4h25	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Target: Synthetic oil plant. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’ and 16x 500lb bombs.
11 Nov 1944	LM651	UL-Z²	DORTMUND	1600	2120	5h20	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Target: The Hoesch Benzin GmbH synthetic oil plant. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 6x 1000lb and 6x 500lb bombs.
21 Nov 1944	PB753	UL-X²	ASCHAFFENBURG	1545	2205	6h20	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Target: Marshalling yards. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’ and 16x 500lb bombs.
27 Nov 1944	PB753	UL-X²	FREIBURG	1620	2240	6h20	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Target: Enemy troop concentrations in the built-up area of the city. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 5x 1000lb and 6x 500lb bombs. Flown in support of the French 1st Army.
29 Nov 1944	PB753	UL-X²	DORTMUND	1210	1715	5h05	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Target: Industrial and rail targets within the built-up area. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 5x 1000lb and 7x 500lb bombs. FIDO in use to recover the aircraft to Fiskerton in poor visibility.
04 Dec 1944	PB753	UL-X²	KARLSRUHE	1645	2255	6h10	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Target: Built-up area. Load: 13x or 12x 1000lb bombs
06 Dec 1944	PB753	UL-X²	MERSEBURG / LEUNA	1645	0030	7h45	P1 Fg Off H.R. McClelland RAAF P2 FE Sgt A. Rhodes AB Flt Sgt J.A. Kennedy RAAF NAV Fg Off W.R. Courtis RAAF WOp Flt Sgt N.G. McGill RAAF MUG Flt Sgt M. Chapman RAAF RG Flt Sgt T.P. Coe RAAF
NOTES:	Target: The IG Farbenindustrie synthetic oil refinery. Load: 1x 4000lb ‘cookie’, 3x 1000lb and 6x 500lb bombs.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
Details
Wilbur Richard Courtis was born on 10 October 1915 in Bendigo, Victoria, only son of Richard Courtis, later of Brighton, Victoria. After attending Melbourne Boy's High School, he worked as an Accounts Clerk for the Victorian Government Railways for a year before enlisting in the RAAF. On 03 August 1940 he married Audrey Elizabeth Wright in Brighton, New South Wales and they had three children; Elizabeth Margaret, b.1941; followed by Richard, Geoffrey and Marjorie. An interesting tale comes from the Battle of Savo Island on 08 August 1942, whilst serving with No.32 Squadron, RAAF. In the early hours of 8th of August 1942 at the RAAF Fall River Base Milne Bay, New Guinea, Hudson A16-218 of 32 Squadron was being readied for an armed reconnaissance mission over Bougainville Island, the Japanese controlled waters and the islands to the east. The Fall River Base was part of the Allied Southwest Pacific Command of General Douglas MacArthur. The Hudson crew of four, were Sergeant William J Stutt, pilot in command; Sergeant Wilbur Courtis, Navigator, Sergeant Eric Geddes, Radio Operator; and Sergeant John Bell, Gunner, all just graduated from Advanced Training School in Australia. The four were briefed in the Operations Room located in a native style thatched hut near the air strip. In the briefing they were given their search pattern, the mission "to search for Japanese submarines and surface craft activity" and received the identifying code letter of the day. During the short briefing there was a mention about the possibility of encountering Allied shipping at sea in the waters over which they would fly. They received no information on the large-scale landings made on Guadalcanal and Tulagi. This information was deliberately withheld as it would have been a great liability and strain if they were forced down and captured. They would know nothing if they were interrogated and tortured. As it turned out, it would have been better if they had been informed as they might have been able to take more time and give a more accurate identification of the ships they sighted in Mikawa's force. The Hudson A16-218 being ready, the four crewmen took off at 6:15 am local time as per the Fall River log. The lumbering Lockheed Hudson searched the sea west of Bougainville Island, the largest island in the Solomon's chain, and climbed for altitude to overfly the mountains on Bougainville. As they were breaking through the cloud cover on the descent about 30 miles east of Kieta, they were startled to see a striking force of eight ships. Because of the briefing about Allied shipping, they thought it was possible that the ships were friendly. Stutt took the plane down and flew briefly on a parallel course of 120 degrees. Geddes flashed the Aldis Lamp requesting the "letter of the day" There were a couple of flashes from the ships which Geddes at first thought were flashes from an Aldis Lamp in reply to his challenge. But Geddes quickly decided they were gun flashes and not the signal from an Aldis Lamp. At the same time, two float planes were seen being launched from the ships and heading toward them. Stutt recognised them as Zero float planes which left no doubt in his mind that the ships were Japanese. With the anti-aircraft bursts appearing as puffs of black smoke around the plane and the Zero float planes trying to gain altitude and heading toward them, Stutt knew he had to get away. His mission was basically reconnaissance, not combat. He had to get off a message. He climbed and headed for which little cloud cover there was over Bougainville. When Stutt thought he was out of sight in a cloud, he decided it was time to break radio silence and report to Fall River. It was 10:26 am when radio operator Geddes sent a message to their RAAF Fall River Base at Milne Bay. The message reported the sighting and gave composition of the force as they believed it to be. The Message read: "Sighted Japanese force / Three Cruisers / Three Destroyers / Two Seaplane Tenders or Gunboats / Latitude 0549S - Longitude 15607E / Course120 degrees / Speed 15 Knots." Sergeant Geddes who sent the message received no response from Fall River. The Base was blacked out by violent electric storms in the area and could not receive it. Meanwhile Sergeant Stutt in the Hudson, having sent the message but not getting any acknowledgement, decided he had to get back to Milne Bay as quickly as possible. He climbed over the mountains on Bougainville and at his top cruising speed of 180 knots set a bee- line course for the Base, expecting a return flight of two hours. After leaving Bougainville behind, Stutt had not gone far over the water when Sergeant Wilbur Courtis through his binoculars sighted two large vessels which he could not identify. Stutt circled and brought the plane lower, took the binoculars and recognised them as submarines on the surface. The Rising Sun on the conning towers told him they were Japanese. As the submarines attempted to dive, Sergeant Stutt or Courtis opened the bomb bay doors and Stutt released a stick of bombs on the first submarine which were near misses. Stutt continued on the next diving submarine and dropped another stick. One bomb appeared to be a direct hit. As the bombs were being dropped, Sergeant Geddes reported that here was a lot of Japanese radio traffic (RT) originating nearby. He said it was probably from the submarines but added that aircraft might also be nearby. Knowing that at least one of two Japanese planes had taken off in an attempt to get them, Stutt did not linger to see the results of their bombing but quickly regained altitude and again headed for base. Attacking the target of opportunity had taken only 16 minutes. Without further mishap, the Hudson touched down at 1242 as the logbook shows, which was 2 hours 16 minutes after the sighting. Their return was earlier than expected and there was quite a flurry of excitement. The armourers were told to reload the bombs and the excitement grew. But in minutes a jeep appeared and Stutt and the crew were whisked away to the Operations Hut. Stutt was debriefed and the navigation log was studied by the Officer. Stutts full report stated, "Sighted Japanese force- 3 cruisers, 3 destroyers, 2 seaplane tenders or gunboats - position 0459 S - 156-07E - course 120 degrees - at 15 knots, was immediately radioed to headquarters". The message also included, "2 submarines, course 150 degrees in position 0235S - 154E, 2 sticks of bombs dropped". Stutt could not verify that one submarine was hit. Following his return from service in the UK, Wilbur became a school teacher, achieving a Batchelor of Commerce at Melbourne University, Victoria. He was also a part-time tutor at Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, this time as Bachelor of Commerce, Batchelor of Education (Melbourne) and AASA (Senior). Wilbur died on 04 January 1999 in Melbourne, Victoria. He was 83 years old.

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Commissioning photograph