Squadron Leader Vincent Joseph O'Brien MBE (Ret'd) as a corporal airframe fitter No 77 Squadron RAAF, Korea 1950-1951, interviewed by Dr Chris Clark Accession Number: S02776

Description

Vincent O'Brien talks about his early training and service at the end of the Second World War; joining the Interim air Force on a two-year contract; training as a Fitter 2A (Airframe Fitter) prior to serving in the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) in Japan: accepting a 12-year contract in the Permanent Air Force and being repatriated; being posted to No. 77 Squadron in Japan in 1950 at very short notice, shortly after being married; hurried preparations and the trip to Japan; the difficulties of 77 Squadron operating over Korea from Iwakuni and sustaining pilot losses while families were still living there; ground crew organization and routine at Iwakuni; forward elements of 77 Squadron operating out of Korean airfields Taegu and later Pohang and Hamhung; the trip to Hamhung in a USAF C-119; winter conditions at Pohang; an issue of warm American clothing; the different consequences of the punishment for a missing oil cap on the engine fitter and the pilot who were held responsible; the effects of a change of punishment when a second oil cap was left off; servicing aircraft in the cold and cooperation between musterings; a recap on the oil cap; the daily routine at Hamhung; dependency on the Americans for most services at Hamhung; the value of Flight Sergeant Darby Freeman [A31409 Freeman, John Joseph]; the evacuation from Hamhung; arriving at Pusan and servicing aircraft under difficult conditions; assembling American drop tanks; answering calls of nature in the cold; an unimpressive Dakota crew on his circuitous return trip from Pusan to Iwakuni; a petty NAAFI (Navy, Army and Air Force Institute) employee; reflections on his last days at Hamhung; ground crew aspects on 77 Squadron's conversion from Mustangs to Meteors; Meteor pressurisation valve problems; increasing senior management staff leading to over-management; the Americans turning searchlights on the Meteors to hide their Sabres from air attack; an unorthodox disposal of a charge of absence without leave; Squadron Leader Dick Cresswell as 77 Squadron CO; non-commissioned pilots; his return to Australia via Manila; being briefed not to talk about the war; watching a Korean opera; a comparison of 77 Squadron members' treatment after a South Korea President's citation was awarded and Australian Army members after US Presidential citations were awarded; the Australian system of honours and awards; his views on the Korean War and wars in general; his brother, who was killed in an aircraft accident in PNG and his motivation for joining the Air Force; positive aspects of Korea War experiences and his being commissioned.

Details

Conflicts

• Korean War, 1950-1953

Units

• No. 77 Squadron

Tags

• Oral history
• Aerial operations