I joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1941. I was sent to the Middle East and completed 75 operational flights in Spitfire and Mosquito aircraft as a photographic reconnaissance pilot. We used to fly fabulous aeroplanes! I even have a souvenir from that period. It's been over enemy territory a few times. My dear old leather helmet, it is the RAF issue, I would have been given it about 1943 and I wouldn't be game to try and put it on now because I think my head has swollen since then.

Preparing to fly a Spitfire Mk11

My most dangerous mission was a reconnaissance mission flying very low over Salonica which was occupied by the Nazis. We came in there, very low, perfect weather. It was great for the gunners but not so good for us and we came in over the hills expecting all hell to break loose, but nothing. So we took our first run at the cameras, turned around, did the second run with full coverage and nothing was fired at... that we could tell, anyway. All that and we were about 200-300 feet. Flew all the way back, exhilarated, such an amazing experience.

We then found out that the German army had pulled out of that whole area one hour before we got there. Now, I reckon they must have seen us because they'd only be an hour down the road with slow-moving vehicles. Besides all that, they still didn't shoot at us. I then found out that Kurt Waldheim had been the Commander in that area. So when there was any controversy about Kurt Waldheim, I said, "Oh no, he's a good bloke." He didn't shoot at us in 1944.

Audrey greeting me at Central Station with my family