Kevin’s latest book is titled “Long Tan: Memories, Myths and Reality”. A good read with the complete picture of what happened at Long Tan. John (Bo) Plenty on 01.09.25 Many thanks Pete great job as usual. On reading Bob Bruhn's experience at the VRB it reminded me of my own. Walked into the room absolutely cacking myself to be confronted with three members, one from each of the three services. The RAAF bloke started things rolling by asking me about my surname and was I any relation to Grp Capt H C Plenty DFC+bar and when I replied that I was his eldest son he seemed a little bit surprised. This then leads me into the story of my old man’s service in Malaya and Singapore during WW2 which originally was quite uneventful but as the Japanese made their way down the Malay Peninsula things quickly changed. On the arrival of the two British battleships Prince of Wales and Repulse every one believed that Singapore would be saved but as we now know this was wishful thinking. My old mab was on reconnaissance flight up the east coast of Malaya and was stunned to see the Japanese attack and sink the two British battleships. He reported this to the British Command in Singapore (Air Vice Marshall Brook-Popham) and was immediately in hot water for breaking radio silence not to mention the disbelief in Singapore HQ. The Japanese then proceeded to shoot him down and managed to land his Hudson Bomber in the water somewhere south Of Kuantan on the east coast of Malaya, he and his crew survived and made their way back to Singapore using questionable tactics against a Malay fisherman by hijacking him and his boat for most of the journey and presenting him with all the money they at the time which is possibly more than he had ever seen in his life. Group Captain H C Plenty went on to serve in Malaya. Singapore and Milne Bay, he survived the war and completed thirty eight years in the RAAF, died of old age complications in Canberra at the age of ninety three. He is recorded in the RAAF History Association records because I made sure he was, they had no idea that he also was the founding member of the RAAF Telstar’s aerobatic team after the crash that killed all members of the Red Sales aerobatic team now known as the Roulettes. Denis Pfundt on 01.09.25 In my epistle I forgot mentioning that I met up with Dave Alderton in Broome, missed the late Al Foley who had vehicle problems and returned home. Caught up with the late Paul Coppock in Adelaide for a Chinese meal and a few froffies. Had a feed with John "wacka” Wakeling in Ballarat. Might have to gear up for one more big trip. Best regards and keep yourself neat. Links For a summary of Exercise Talisman Sabre, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0BCQ5ER3uo An interesting look at life on the Gold Coast in the early 60’s. That’s where I spent my teenage years. Oh, the memories…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oXhw8m-3rk New RAA Song The Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company Inc (RAAHC) has released a song dedicated to all past and present serving in the RAA. The song, “Punching Above Our Weight” can be listened to via the RAAHC website www.artilleryhistory.org
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