BCAIR fire power demonstration Onasami Shima

On 23 September 1947, BCAIR aircraft gave a firepower demonstration by bombing and strafing five targets on Onasami Shima. The Commander-in-Chief BCOF, 34 (VX20321, VX80578) Lieutenant General Horace Clement Hugh Robertson CBE DSO, and Chief of Australian General Staff 31 (SX35000) Lieutenant General Vernon Ashton Hobart Sturdee CB CBE DSO, Major General J A Lester, Commander 24 US Infantry Division, O36 Air Vice Marshal John Patrick Joseph McCauley viewed the demonstration from the bridge of HMAS Bataan together with other high ranking officers. Troops of BCOF viewed the demonstration from a number of small craft anchored near the Bataan. Before embarking on the Bataan Lieutenant General Robertson inspected a guard of honour commanded by Lieutenant D J Hamer DSC, RAN.

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My father took part in this firepower demonstration with XI Squadron RAF flying a Spitfire Mk XI during his service with BCAIR. I have some aerial photos of this event.