Return to Anjo: revisiting Truscott, Australia's secret WWII airbase

Documentary film maker Dr David Smith and his father, searchlight operator Gordon Smith of the 67th AASL, visit RAAF Landing Ground Truscott for the 50th Anniversary of the completion of Australia’s secret World War II airbase. Truscott was a crucial departure point for heavy bombers making sorties over South-East Asia in the final months of the war. It was also critical in the defence of Australia following the extended bombing of Darwin from the 19th of February, 1942.

A grim feature of the base is the remarkably preserved wreckage of Liberator A72-160 which crashed on take-off, killing all of the crew. Pilot Frank Sismey’s wife, Enid, was pregnant at the time with their daughter, Helen. Helen Sismey, now Helen Brown, was tracked down just two weeks before the reunion and joined the more than seventy veterans and their families at the reunion in May 1994.

Remade using digital technology, Return to Anjo includes spectacular helicopter aerials and computer simulations of key events including Squadron Leader Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott’s last flight, as well as the crashes of Liberators A72-160 and
A72-80. David and his father explore the rusty remains of the base together. Helen confronts the wreckage of the aircraft in which the father she never knew perished.

“A masterpiece of historical significance...
...destined for the Australian National Archives.”
John Westwood,
Redgum Television Productions

an imaginACTION production
Written, filmed and narrated by David Smith
© 2010 imaginACTION pty ltd
Broadcast on Channel 31 Melbourne and preserved at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra
Original Music by Gary Arnold Anjo stills courtesy George Bell, Geoff Day, Rae & Gordon Smith

Видео Return to Anjo: revisiting Truscott, Australia's secret WWII airbase канала David Smith