Alexander McNab by Aston Joshy

 


Alexander Charles McNab was born in Queensland on the 27th of July in 1918. He is the son of Dudley Alexander McNab and Jean Christina McNab. At the very young age of 23, he enlisted in the Royal Australian Airforce on the 29th of March 1941, which displayed his immense patriotism to serve his country, Australia. McNab’s unit number was 452 squadron. On May 2nd, 1943, McNab’s squadron was ordered to go airborne form Straus field in the Northern territory at 9.54am. His aircraft joined 3 other aircrafts at an altitude of 10,000 feet and together kept climbing to more than 16,000 feet. As McNab’s aircraft reached 27,000 feet they sighted enemy aircrafts – 21 bombers and approximately 27 fighters. The 54-squadron attacked first, followed by squadron 457 and finally McNabs squadron which was 452. After engagement, they were joined by three other aircrafts for support. According to the pilot of BS162, McNabs flight ‘seemed to be undamaged and flying steadily’, however they did notice that his flight was pointing downwards. The other pilots tried several times to warn McNab however, radio communication was incomprehensible, and they could not. McNab spiral dived, but flatted right above water, however he overturned and crashed his aircraft into the Darwin Harbour Sea. Alexander Charles McNab was a soldier that risked and gave his life towards Australia, to protect and give a future for other Australians such as us. He was a man that was born for Australia, lived for Australia and died for Australia – A true ANZAC spirit. 



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts

Rocks, waterfalls, commemoration and the Governor General

Image
  The group at the commemoration ceremony for the 100th Anniversary of the Cenotaph with His  Excellencies  General  the Honourable David  Hurley  AC DSC (Retd) and Mrs Linda  Hurley. Today was a very diverse day with visits to a Zebra Rock facility, to waterfalls, a commemoration ceremony at the Cenotaph and then to Parliament for a reception and personal tour by the Minister for Veterans Affairs in the Northern Territory, The Honourable Paul Kirby. A day to remember, as the photographs show. Viewing and polishing the Zebra Rock Florence Falls Wangi Falls B ack to Darwin and meeting the Governor General After the ceremony at the Cenotaph With the Tasmanian Anzac Prize  group In the Northern Territory Parliament House at the reception, with the Federal Minister of Veterans Affairs,  The Hon Darren Chester MP and the Leader of the Opposition in the Northern Territory Parliament, The Hon  Lia Finocchiaro. In Parliament House with the Governor General, Mrs Hurley, the Hon Paul Kirby  (NT
Read more

During this moment I came to understand the sacrifice

Image
  The opportunity  to understand the remarkable sacrifices made by war service people By Harrison Geater-Johnson Early Sunday morning, 18 April 2 021, we visited the Darwin Aviation Museum. The museum was home to a range of aircraft, including renowned bombers, jets, and helicopters. Whilst walking around the museum I was amazed by the various aircraft, the stories and displays. One of the displays I found interesting was of Hajime Toyoshima’s crashed plane and his story. Toyoshima was a Japanese zero pilot. Toyoshima’s aircraft would be damaged by anti-aircraft fire during the Darwin bombing, resulting in Toyoshima to land on Melville Island. Toyoshima’s aircraft would be damaged further during the landing, breaking the propeller, and dislodging the engine. Toyoshima was later captured and disarmed by local Tiwi Islanders. Another display that amazed me was a wall full of Australian veteran memorials who had served in Vietnam. During this moment I came to understand the sacrif
Read more