War Service: Ivan Charles Young

20 August 1940 - 12 June 1942

Ivan Charles Young’s Wartime Flying Career

400402. Plt Off Ivan Charles Young RAAF

War record and photographs courtesy of Doug Norrie, Historian for Squadron 450 RAAF Association Inc.

Enlistment: 20.8.1940 at No.1 Recruiting Centre RAAF, Melbourne (Citizen Air Force). Aged 19 years.

Early flying training: No.1 Initial Training School (No.1 ITS) Somers, Victoria: 20.8.1940. No.3 Elementary Flying Training School (No.3 EFTS) Essendon, Victoria: 20.9.1940 - 13.11.1940. No.2 Service Flying Training School (No.2 SFTS), Wagga, NSW: 19.11.1940 - 9.3.1941. Awarded Flying badge (Wings) circa 9.3.1941.

After completing his flying training in Australia Sgt I.C. Young RAAF sailed for the Middle East as part of a contingent of Empire Air Training Scheme pilots and aircrew (for attachment to the RAF), departing Sydney on 11 April 1941 on RMS Queen Elizabeth and convoy. Also on board Queen Elizabeth was 450 Squadron RAAF a squadron he would later serve with, with distinction.

Sgt Young disembarked at Port Tewfik, Suez, Egypt on 5.5.1941. Then to: Middle East (ME) Pool, Kasfareet, Egypt : 5.5.1941. RAF Station Ismailia, Egypt on 31.5.1941 joining 71 Operational Training Unit (OTU) from 2.6.1941 - 2.7.1941. Training on Hawker Hurricanes. Sgt I.C. Young RAAF then posted from 71 OTU to 450 Squadron as part of 450 Squadron’s Reinforcement Pool document which required that one airmen pilot (ie 1 Sgt pilot ) be on strength. At this stage 450 Sqn consisted almost entirely of ground staff.

Young attached to 450 Sqn RAAF from 2.7.1941 - 9.7.1941 at Damascus-Mezze, Syria (450 was now combined with 260 Sqn RAF for the Syrian campaign ie 450 Sqn ground staff + 260 Sqn RAF pilots and aircraft - Hurricanes). Sqn known as 260/450 Sqn. First flight with 260 Sqn RAF on 8.7.1941 (Hawker Hurricanes) at Damascus-Mezze, Syria. Attached from 9.7.1941 - 18.7.1941. Attached to RAF Station Haifa, Palestine from 18.7.1941. Flying sea convoy protection patrols and the defence of Haifa. His last flight with 260 Sqn RAF on 13.8.1941 (Hawker Hurricanes).

On or around 11 August 1941 both squadrons went their separate ways with 450 Sqn being posted to the ex Vichy French airport at Rayak, Lebanon (from 15.8.1941 - 22.10.1941). During the final weeks at Rayak a Hurricane OTU was established under the command of Sqn Ldr Gordon Steege, C.O. of 450 Sqn. Trainee pilots were posted in, plus aircraft and experienced officers to do the task. Ivan Young, with 450 Sqn at this time took part, his first flight being on 3.10.1941 (flying Miles Magisters and Hurricanes). The OTU however, was short lived, lasting from 30.9.1941 - 19.10.1941 as 450 Sqn was immediately posted to Egypt and the Western Desert. On 22 October 1941, 450 Sqn moved to Burg el Arab, Egypt, becoming an Aircraft Repair Unit. (24.10.1941 - 11.12.1941). It is known that Sgt I.C. Young RAAF went with the squadron and flew the squadron's Hawker Hart on communications duties (as he had done so at Rayak). He also performed circuits over the area giving the ground gunners, ground to air gunnery practice.

On 16 November 1941 Ivan Young left 450 Sqn on posting, to Air HQ Western Desert (posting dated 14.11.1941) on attachment to 3 Sqn RAAF from 19.11.1941 - 12.12.1941. During his time with 3 RAAF Ivan flew mainly training flights with the American Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk fighter at LG 102, Sidi Haneish, Egypt. On 8 December 1941 he flew his only operation with the squadron in Tomahawk IIB, AM384 from LG 122, Egypt. Enemy aircraft were sighted but no contact was made. On 12 December 1941 Sgt Young returned to 450 Sqn, which at this time had moved to Kassassin, Egypt.

During December 1941 at Kassassin, 450 Sqn began receiving its new pilots (mainly Australians) and aircraft, the new American Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk fighter. Ivan Young was one of the first of the new pilots to arrive (15.12.1941). Although the squadron was based at Kassassin most of the flying training was done at 107 Maintenance Unit (MU) at Kasfareet, Egypt under the tutelage of Sqn Ldr Gordon Steege DFC MID RAAF, the C.O. During this period Sqn Ldr Steege was testing the new Kittyhawk under operational conditions for future combat operations.

By mid January 1942, 450 Sqn had its full complement of pilots and Kittyhawks. Ground crews were also allotted their aircraft. Meetings with RAF Advanced HQ Western Desert insisted that the squadron move up the desert with all possible speed as the war situation was desperate. On 29 January, 450 Sqn left Kassassin for the Western Desert and action. The first leg was to LG 012, Sidi Haneish, Egypt (30.1.1942 - 14.2.1942) before moving to Gambut, Libya (15.1.1942 - 17.6.1942). On 31 January 1942, Sgt I.C. Young RAAF was commissioned as a Pilot Officer but remained a Sgt pilot in squadron records until the end of May 1942.

450 Sqn RAAF flew its first combat operation on 20 February 1942 from Gambut Main LG, a patrol over El Adem, but Ivan didn't participate. He took part in the squadron's first air victory two days later on 22 February when Sgt Ray Shaw shot down a Junkers Ju 88 reconnaissance aircraft from 1.(F)/121. The following day 450 Sqn flew its first bomber escort to six Boston bombers from 12 Sqn SAAF as medium and high cover, with 3 RAAF's Kittyhawks as close cover. The target was enemy motor transport on the coastal road near Martuba. Between Gazala and Tmimi the top cover was attacked by Bf 109Fs from I./JG 27 during which 450 Sqn claimed one Bf 109 destroyed and two damaged but sadly lost one pilot killed, Sgt McBride, and Fg Off Thompson missing, later a POW. Sgt Ivan Young (Kittyhawk I, AK732/A) claimed one of the damaged 109s, this being his only victory claim in 450 Sqn.

In the following months an inexperienced 450 Sqn would face its toughest test against a superior and confident Axis air component of German and Italian fighter pilots flying their Bf 109s and Macchis. Although 450 Sqn claimed a credible number of victories during the first half of 1942 ie 15 victories, 10 damaged and 6 probables, pilot losses continued to mount, with two lost in March, two in April, nine in May and six in June. Pilots could expect to return from ops with damaged aircraft and wounds, others possibly having to bale out, and some having to forced land. If they were fortunate they were able to return to the squadron, otherwise they faced capture, becoming POWs. This was the situation that faced Ivan Young.

The Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk, the type that Ivan flew, was found to be too heavy, had a poor ceiling, lacked manoeuvrability and was not particularly fast, except in a dive. However, in the hands of a skilful pilot, its superior fire power could take its toll on enemy aircraft. In North Africa the Kittyhawk found its niche as a bomber escort and fighter-bomber/strafer which would continue until the end of the war.

On 19 May 1942 Sgt Young took off at 07:15 hours as part of a scramble of nine Kittyhawks to patrol SW of Gazala. During the patrol Bf 109s from I./JG 27 attacked the formation from height. They included the remarkable Oblt. Hans-Joachim Marseille from 3./JG 27 known as the 'Star of Africa' due to his exploits as a fighter pilot. During the fight Marseille claimed his 61-62 victories (of an eventual total of 158), both 450 Sqn Kittyhawks at 07:20 and 07:30 hours (German time), eight km SW of Fort Acroma and five km south of Fort Acroma. Young was the 62nd victim as he was forced to land after being heavily damaged by Bf 109 cannon fire. He immediately vacated the aircraft (AK842/OK-A) and ran for his life, being some thirty yards away when one of the Messerschmitts strafed the crashed aircraft which caught fire and burnt out Cat.III. Ivan Young escaped injury and was picked up by a patrol of the 6th South African Armoured cars at pinpoint 381415, Derna, 1/250,000. He was returned to his unit the following day.

On 22 May 1942 Sgt Young had another brush with enemy fighters during a bomber escort to Martuba, located about fourteen miles south of Derna and home of the Axis fighter units. Enemy fighter opposition was expected to be tough, and was, as the formation clashed with Bf 109s from JG 27 and Italian Macchi 202s from 17° Gruppo. 450 Sqn lost two pilots killed. On arriving back at Gambut No.1 Satellite Sgt Young (AL131/OK-A) crash landed without flaps after his hydraulics had been shot up and his undercarriage failed to lock down. Young’s aircraft contained many bullet holes and was designated Cat.II damage. Ivan Young was again lucky to survive with shrapnel wounds in his back and arm.

On 23 May 1942 Sgt Young was specially commended for his actions during the day as one of seven Kittyhawks assisting in the escort of two tactical reconnaissance Hurricanes from 40 Sqn SAAF over the enemy held Tmimi area. Heavy A/A was encountered and contact was made with enemy fighters and a dogfight ensued. After the fight the formation and one Hurricane returned home. Sgt Young and the other Hurricane continued on to recce an area covering 50 miles south of Mechili to 40 miles south from El Adem to observe enemy movements before returning to Gambut via El Adem.

A message was received from 40 Squadron SAAF Detachment dated 23 May, 21:30 hours, thanking the squadron for its escort: We greatly appreciate today’s co-operation. Special thanks to Sergeant Young.

Advanced Air HQ Western Desert also sent a message, dated 3 June 1942, addressed to Sqn Ldr Steege: I enclose a copy of a combat report received from No.40 Army Co-operation Squadron. I am very pleased to see how excellently Plt Off Young carried out his duties, and should be grateful if you would add my commendation. I have mentioned the matter to Wing Commander Mayers.

(Sgd) A. Coningham, Air Vice Marshal, Air Officer Commanding, R.A.F. WESTERN DESERT

Ivan Young's final operation took place on 12 June 1942 from Gambut No.1 Satellite LG, Libya. On the fifth patrol of the day Plt Off I.C. Young (AL170/OK-M) and FSgt F.W. Beste (AL165/OK-H) took off at 18:55 hours (just before dusk) to reconnoitre the Trigh Capuzzo to the east of El Adem. Both aircraft carried 2 x 250lb bombs under the fuselage. German advanced columns had reached as far as El Adem and Sidi Rezegh and were advancing towards Gambut. Various R/T reports were made by both pilots, the last one reporting they were about to be engaged by enemy aircraft. Both pilots failed to return from this operation and were reported missing. Frank Beste evaded capture and returned to the squadron the following day. Ivan Young was thought to have been shot down by German fighters over recently captured enemy territory.

Two German pilots from 5./JG 27 each claimed a P-40 on this day. Uffz. Helmut Gierster at 18:15 hours (German time) SSE of El Adem for his 4th victory and Obfw. Emil Clade at 18:20 hours, south of El Adem for his 7th victory. Later, after an extensive search of Tobruk and surrounding areas by grave registration units, no trace of Ivan's grave or wreckage of his aircraft were ever found. Plt Off Young was presumed to have been killed in action, for official purposes, on 12 June 1942, aged 21 years.

Ivan Charles Young has no known grave and is remembered on Column 265 of the Alamein Memorial.

Plt Off Ivan Young RAAF had been one of the stalwarts of 450 Squadron since the early days of Rayak and before, flying with 260 Squadron RAF in 1941. He had survived many close encounters on operations, had been wounded, and his bravery and experience would be greatly missed.

Main sources: Ivan Young's personnel files held at National Archives of Australia, Canberra. 450 Squadron RAAF Operations Record Book and Appendices. NAA Canberra. Various diaries and photos from 450 Squadron RAAF members. 3 Squadron RAAF Association courtesy James Oglethorpe.

Photographs copyright 450 Squadron RAAF Association Inc.

NAA A705, 163/65/14

YOUNG Ivan Charles - (Pilot Officer); Service Number - 400402; File type - Casualty - Repatriation; Aircraft - Kittyhawk AL 170; Place - Derna, Libya; Date - 12 June 1942