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y separately published work icon Radar Gunner single work   biography  
Issue Details: First known date: 2014... 2014 Radar Gunner
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'Born and raised in Sydney, Dick Dakeyne, survived 48 missions and 500 hours flying over Japanese enemy territory during World War Two, both as a gunner and radar countermeasures operator. Most of his service was spent living and flying with US Army Air Force bomb squadrons based at Fenton airstrip 140 kilometers south of Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia. Dick's account describes living with the Americans and flying in B-24 Liberator long-range heavy bombers, on record-breaking missions lasting 16 hours. Death surrounded him, with the loss of fellow servicemen from Japanese ack-ack (anti-aircraft) guns, machine gun fire from enemy planes, and bombing raids on northern Australia. Aircraft were lost from the hazards of flying vast distances over empty oceans, through tropical storms and into massive weather fronts.For his military service and bravery, Dick was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) from Australia. The United States also offered him one of their highest awards, the Medal of Freedom. However, the Australian Government's policy at the time barred Australians from receiving this American award, and on Dick's behalf, refused acceptance.' (Source: Google Books)

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • Coolalinga, Darwin area, Northern Territory,: David M Welch , 2014 .
      image of person or book cover 2079954957787397572.jpg
      This image has been sourced from online.
      Extent: vii,142p.
      Description: illus. (some col.), maps, ports.
      Note/s:
      • Includes bibliography and index.
      ISBN: 9780987138965

Works about this Work

Modest Hero Recounts Tale of Survival and Adventure 2015 single work review
— Appears in: NT News , 19 February 2015; (p. 33)
'Dick Dakeyne helped search for Japanese radar sites during World War II, Savied a man's life during a bombing raid and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross...'
Modest Hero Recounts Tale of Survival and Adventure 2015 single work review
— Appears in: NT News , 19 February 2015; (p. 33)
'Dick Dakeyne helped search for Japanese radar sites during World War II, Savied a man's life during a bombing raid and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross...'
Last amended 9 Jul 2015 09:20:31
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