FRANCIS JAMES - Spitfire pilot

[Fantome]

The late Francis James was a renowned Sydney publisher, wit and stirrer par excellent. Many were his bold sallies against power and corruption, including Frank Packer, father of Kerry and Clyde, though one attempted razz in China backfired and he spent a few years as a guest of the Gang of Four during the cultural revolution. James flew with the RAF in the Second World War. Flying Spits, he was shot down and captured, badly burnt. His eyes needed specialist treatment. He had lost his ID and any trace of his flight lieutenant rank, so with great resource he adopted the persona and rank of Air Commodore Turtle Dove. The Germans swallowed it and he got number one attention from their top ophthalmologist, General Leurline. (This account is in Stuart Littlemore's book, 'The Media and Me', the author having worked for James on 'The Anglican' newspaper, which James owned and edited.)

[PLovett]

Fantome, I believe his incarceration at the hands of the Chinese was while reporting for "The Anglican" from China. I think the Chinese accused him of being a spy but I may be mistaken on that.

His release happened very shortly after the election of Gough Whitlam as PM in 1973 and was believed to have been one of his first priorities on being elected.