FROM NIGHT FLAK TO HIJACK lobbed in the letterbox this morning. Needless to say, all pressing, extraneous jobs clambering for attention, were ignored for many hours. It would not be right, or fair, to rave too much, let alone refer to the highly quotable parts. The greatest impression of all is undoubtably that Reg Levy was blessed with a charmed life. The close shaves he survived, more often than not unscathed, give much pause for wonderment. It was the luck of the draw, again and again.
His affection for nearly every aeroplane he flew is palpable. Take the Mosquito , for instance. His conversion onto the Mossie consisted of reading the pilot's notes, then blasting off alone for a few circuits. The subsequent extensive damage that he and his nav sustained to their aircraft on low level bombing raids, and their miraculous returns home, rank close to the unbelievable.
On page 40 he mentions two Australians who served with great distinction,
Wallace Kyle and Hughie Edwards. Both were later knighted. Both served periods of office as Governors of Western Australia.
Contrary to what Reg wrote, Hughie Edwards was never 'Governor-General of Tasmania'. No one ever was, for that office has never existed.
Postscript re the Mossie. Reg says the Mosquito was developed from the DH Comet racer. That is probably debatable.
WGCDR H. Edwards VC
Air Chief Marshal Sir Wallace Kyle -
passing out parade, Halton, 1965