Walters, Allan 'Wally'

Allan Leslie (Wally) Walters, CB, CBE, AFC

457 Squadron, RAAF

Air Vice Marshall, number 0312

Wally was born 2/11/1905 and enlisted in to the RAAF on the 1/2/1928.

He was Group captain with 457 Squadron, Spitfires.

The story from Ross Williams reads as follows:-

"In Darwin, on Sunday June 20 1943, The Sons of Heaven mounted Raid 55.  Our own Officer Commanding, Group Captain A.L. (Wally) Walters, AFC, was airborne, flying as Red 2 to S/Ldr 'George' Gibbs.  But Murphy struck!

In all this confusion G/C Walters lost his position in the formation so went on alone.  He made several attacks on enemy bombers, in one case 'having the impression of my fire entering the fuselage'.

When some fifteen miles north-west of Bynoe Harbour, Wally saw a lone aircraft about 1 1/2 miles behind the bomber formation and, thinking it was a Spitfire, turned to join up with him.

When the aircraft turned head-on and attacked, Wally very wisely took evasive action and climbed back into the sun until he was about three or four thousand feet above the Zeke.  He then dived, pulling up dead astern, opening fire at one hundred yards and closing to forty yards.  Strikes were observed on the port mainplane, near the wing root.  His Log Book includes an Assessment:

1 ZEKE DESTROYED

A picture of a Jap Air Force Misubishi A6M Zero (or Zeke)

coming in for a run, most probably very similar to how Wally saw it.

I have been told Wally was naturally enough "chuffed".  I was also told by a person who should know, that he was advised to "play it cool" and wait until he returned south before he said too much.  His friend and close associate was certain the "desk drivers down south" would not be impressed and would promptly arrange a posting south.

GROUP CAPTAIN A.L. WALTERS WAS POSTED SOUTH ON JUNE 24 - four days later!  Group Captains in the RAF can do it but not those in the RAAF.

His RAAF career came to a close on the 16/5/1962. Wally rose to the rank of Air Vice Marshall and was in receipt of awards such as the Commander of the British Empire and the Air Force Cross.

By Ross Williams and edited by Julie Halliday