460 Squadron RAAF / G for George Lancaster Bomber (Canberra 2003).
An historical reunion featuring Australia's famous record breaking '460 Lancaster Squadron' and the reinstatement of 'G for George' Lancaster Bomber to the Canberra War Memorial in December 2003. Warren Thomas's great uncle had the privelege of flying 'George' back to Australia.
$29.95 (Duration - 27 minutes)
Operation Manna (Food Fron The Heavens)
A Provocative and dramatic documentary detailing Holland's triumph over tragedy at the eleventh hour with Bomber Command sparing the greater population from starvation towards the end of World War 2.
$19.95 (Duration - 15 minutes)
NGVR (New Guinnea Volunteer Rifles)
Not acknowledged by the Australian Government, NGVR was formed in Rabaul on the 19th September, 1939. This Australian Militia Unit consisted of some 500 volunteer members who were planters, miners, public servants and businessmen who lived and worked in centres such as Rabaul, Lae, Wau, Bulolo and Salamaua. The NGVR engaged the Japanese in January 1942, when Rabaul and surrounding areas were invaded - some 7 months before the Kokoda and Milne Bay campaigns. Additionally, but little known, NGVR strategically contained the Japanese within the Lae, Nadzab, Salamaua perimeter for nearly 6 months until other Australian forces relieved the exhausted unit.
Not acknowledged by the Australian Government, NGVR was formed in Rabaul on the 19th September, 1939. This Australian Militia Unit consisted of some 500 volunteer members who were planters, miners, public servants and businessmen who lived and worked in centres such as Rabaul, Lae, Wau, Bulolo and Salamaua. The NGVR engaged the Japanese in January 1942, when Rabaul and surrounding areas were invaded - some 7 months before the Kokoda and Milne Bay campaigns. Additionally, but little known, NGVR strategically contained the Japanese within the Lae, Nadzab, Salamaua perimeter for nearly 6 months until other Australian forces relieved the exhausted unit.
$19.95 (Duration - 14 minutes)
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TO ORDER YOUR SPECIAL DVD DOCUMENTARY TODAY CONTACT US AT:
We would like to give sincere thanks to the following for
their generous support with our documentary division:
Our Major Sponsor: ROYAL NETHERLANDS EMBASSY CANBERRA. Dr H.H.M. (Hans) Sondaal (Ambassador Royal Netherlands Embassy, Canberra), his family and team including: Mrs. Els Sondaal, Mr. F.J.M. (Frank) Mollen (Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Political Press and Cultural Affairs), Joanna M. Oktay (Press and Cultural Affairs). As well as their financial support and hosting a terrific luncheon at Dr Sondaal’s home, Dr Sondaal also gave his valuable time for an interview about his personal experience as a six year old climbing onto his parents roof to watch the Lancasters fly the ‘Manna Drop’ over his home in Holland during WW2.
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• Governor General Michael Jeffrey: AC, CVO, MC., Maria Cicutto and staff for a lovely reception and allowing us to film inside Government House.
• Honorary Consul Capt. K. (Kasper) Kuiper: (Brisbane) for introducing us to Dr Sondaal.
• 460 Squadron RAAF: (Queensland Branch): Laurie Woods (President), Joe Brown (Secretary), Don Cummings (Treasurer) and their team for assisting us both financially and inspiring us with their “Press On Regardless” inspiration.
• The Honourable Danna Vale: (Minister for Veteran Affairs) for hosting, and allowing us to film inside Parliament House.
• Ian Kelly: (Marketing Director AWM) Canberra for permission to film inside the AWM.
• Will Davies: (Look Film) G for George 460 Squadron RAAF documentary associate (Sydney) for filming “George” for us.
• Peter Isaacson: Pilot who flew Lancaster ‘Q’ Queenie under the Sydney Harbour Bridge 22nd October 1943 for his generous support.
• Ron Rheuben: (RRR, Triple R Consulting), for assisting us with our legals.
• Colin Young: (Principle Rivermount College), for his generous support.
• Patricia Weekes: (Warren's mother and niece of Eddie Hudson) for her generous support.
• Don McNab: (Navigator) for his financial contribution.
LT EDDIE HUDSON Flew G For George (above) back to Australia 1944 for the Australian War Bonds Tour.
Airman and office supervisor, Eddie was born on 17 April 1921 at Rockhampton, QLD, Australia. He was the fifth of native born parents Samuel George Hudson, tram conductor, and his wife Susan Catherine, nee Holmes.
Educated at state schools, Eddie worked as a clerk for the Rockhampton City Council. On 13 September 1940 he joined the Royal Australian Air Force under the Empire Training Scheme.
He completed courses in Australia and Canada, qualified as a pilot and was promoted to sergeant in June 1941.Having finished his advanced training in England, in September Eddie was posted to No. 57 Squadron, Royal Air Force, with which he flew Wellington Bombers. He was commissioned in April 1942. Two months later he completed a full tour of thirty operations. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for pressing home attacks at low altitudes.
In April 1943 he began a second tour, with No. 460 Squadron, R.A.A.F. flying Lancasters mostly against heavily defended targets in Europe. Next month he took part in a raid over Czechoslovakia which involved 327 heavy bombers. The Pathfinders mistook a large lunatic asylum near Dobrany for the Skoda armanent works at Pilsen and only Hudson’s aircraft, through careful navigation and determined flying at low level, and against the bomber stream managed to hit the target, returning to base with an excellent photograph. He subsequently then required twenty missions and was awarded a Bar to his D.F.C.
Assigned to instructional duties in July, Eddie was promoted to acting Squadron Leader in November and mentioned in dispatches (MID). In 1944 he was selected to fly ‘G for George’ (a veteran Lancaster from No. 460 Squadron) via North America to Australia. The aircraft reached Amberley, Queensland in November and was to make many flights around Australia promoting the Third Victory Loan. Before that, Eddie took the plane to his home town where he and the crew received a great welcome from his family and friends, and were accorded a civic reception.
Although popular and respected, Eddie was so quiet and unassuming that his successful career came as a surprise to those that knew him earlier, but his comrades in the air force recognized his courage, skills and determination. With dark, curly hair and brown eyes, he was 5 ft 7 ins (170 cm ) tall and slightly built, weighing only 8 st. 10 lb. (55.3 kg).
While posted to No. 38 and No. 34 Squadrons 1945-46, he flew transports in Australia, the South-West Pacific Area and Japan. He was demobilized on 22 August 1946 and returned to his civilian job. In the early 1950s he moved to Brisbane where he became office supervisor with U.K. Motors Pty. Ltd. At St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Rockhampton, on 25th April 1952 he married Mavis Johnston; they were to adopt two children.
Eddie’s health deteriorated after the war, obliging him to decline an offer to fly for an international airline.
He attributed his disabilities to his R.A.A.F. service, including the effects of exposure to radiation at Hiroshima, Japan, in 1946. Survived by his wife, son and daughter, he died of histiocytc lymphoma on 7th April 1980 in South Brisbane and was cremated with Anglican rites.
Warren Thomas is the great nephew of Eddie Hudson thus creating the initial inspiration for his WW2 documentaries. Eddie flew the famous Lancaster Bomber 'G for George' back to Australia after completing 2 tours of duty.
