These profiles and stories were donated to the RAAF Museum by the Gold Coast Branch of the Air Crew Association.

Service Profile: Allan Vial

Allan John Vial DFC *COM (Poland) served in the Royal Australian Air Force from December 1941 to September 1945, graduating as an Observer on 3 February 1943.

* Polish Cross of Merit - Military (Gold Grade)

On his journey through the Service, Allan trod the path of many aircrew both before and after. For the record, his progress on No. 30 Course began at No. 4 Initial Training School (ITS) Victor Harbour, SA; followed by No. 2 Bombing and Gunnery School (BAGS) Port Pirie, SA; No. 2 Air Navigation School (ANS) Nhill, Victoria; No. 4 Embarkation Depot (ED) Hazelwood Park, SA; No. 2 ED Bradfield Park, Sydney; via USA to UK and the familiar movement from 11 PDRC Brighton home base to the UK 'toughening-up' course at Whitley Bay, near Newcastle in England's north; then on to No. 10 (O) Advanced Flying Unit (AFU) Dumfries, Scotland; and No. 20 Operational Training Unit (OTU) Lossiemouth, Scotland. From No. 4 Battle School, Driffield, Allan went to 1256 CU Marston Moor and was then posted to PFF, joining No. 35 (RAF PFF) Squadron at Graveley, England, on 18 May 1944, after spending 10 days at Pathfinder Navigation Training Unit (PFNTU) Warboys. He was also at Catterick for a short period.

He operated in the European theatre of war with Path Finder Force (PFF), completing 64 operational sorties as a member of No. 35 (RAF PFF) Squadron. During his operational time with PFF he was a Bomb Aimer and Radar Navigator, and was one of the few PFF Navigators who held a dual endorsement as 'Primary Blind Marker' and 'Primary Visual Marker' in a Master Bomber Crew.

During Allan's service, aircraft types in which he flew were Avro Anson, Airspeed Oxford, Wellington 1C & X, Halifax 3, and Lancaster 1 & 3.

In recognition of the large number of operational sorties he flew, and his prowess in his category, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Returning to Australia in mid-1945 via Panama on SS Rangitata, Allan was transferred to the RAAF Reserve of Officers from No. 5 PDRC Springbank, SA.

As it Happened: Post-War Techniques of a Navigator (80K PDF)