© 2009 454 & 459 RAAF Squadrons

Home.Our History.Members.Multimedia.

 

459 Squadron RAAF

Serial Number 404567

 

Squadron Leader F Madsen DFC

 

Well known as "Mast-Head" Madsen.  Three Nav (Bs) - "Dooley" Powell, Eric Bedwell, Colin Coote, all now deceased. Two op tours 459.

 

First Tour

 

Ft Lt. Dep Flt Cmdr. during intensive and expensive mast-head shipping attacks to help prevent pre-Alamein Rommel drive from Tobruk.  Nine 459 crews, for example - 9.7.42, attacked convoy 3 MVs, 2DDs plus flak ships located by radar at dawn.  Madsen's DD target probably damaged.  Hudson shown unsuited to attack heavily defended naval vessels.  Successful for F-boats, small supply ships.  16 F-boats sunk for 5 crews lost.  1 F boat sunk by Madsen 9.8.42.

 

Instructional Tour 75 OTU Gianaclis

 

Second Op Tour 459 as Ldr Flt Cmdr-ranged E. Med., Aegean, Dodecanese.  

 

Postwar: Airline Captain, teaching.  Now retired.

 

F. W. MADSEN