Donald Bennett

Don Bennett was born on 14 September 1910 in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. He was the youngest son of a grazier and business agent. He attended Brisbane Grammar School and then joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1930. He transferred to the Royal Air Force a year later and became a flying boat pilot. He left the service in 1935 to join Imperial Airways as a commercial pilot. He broke several records and pioneered techniques such as air-to-air refuelling. He also wrote a book on air navigation that became a standard reference for pilots. In 1940, he set up the Atlantic Ferry Organization to deliver aircraft from North America to Britain. He rejoined the RAF in 1941 and commanded two bomber squadrons before being appointed to lead the Pathfinder Force in 1942. He was responsible for developing new tactics and equipment for precision bombing. He was highly respected by his crews and earned several decorations for his service. He retired from the RAF in 1945 with the rank of air vice marshal. After the war, he became a director of British South American Airways and later formed his own airline company. He also wrote several books on aviation history and his wartime experiences. He died on 15 September 1986 at the age of 76 from natural causes in Slough, Berkshire¹.