For the purposes of historical accuracy, Stan
Gladiator's salute from Rabaul's air commander
With Rabaul, the main town on New Britain, facing imminent invasion by a Japanese fleet of more than 30 ships, Wing Commander John Lerew received a message from the Area Combined Headquarters at Townsville at 4.30 pm on this day, directing him to attack the approaching naval force. The previous day, Lerew had seen his No 24 Squadron all but annihilated in action against over 100 Japanese aircraft, his eight Wirraways being reduced to just two. Protesting the futility of delaying evacuation, he received a curt message from the Air Officer Commanding North-Eastern Area, Air Commodore Frank Lukis, to keep the airfield open. He replied with a message in imperfect Latin recalling the salutation of Roman gladiators: ‘We who are about to die, salute you!’ Ignoring a further message intended to remove him from command, and after consulting the Army commander, Lerew next day led his men away from Rabaul.
"Morituri vos salutamus"
Lerew survived the war and went on to become a senior manager at ICAO