I held over posting about my adventure visiting Sqn Ldr John Jackson's grave in Port Moresby until today. Jackson was shot down and killed right over the top of Port Moresby on the 28th April, 1942. To me Jackson was the bravest of the brave and in his words, he had a "lot to fight for". Being a wealthy grazier and businessman pre-war he in fact owned a aeroplane with a greater performance than the best RAAF had to offer - a Beech Staggerwing, the Learjet of the time. Jackson could easily have served with distinction as a instructor in the RAAF during the war given his age. He chose to fight though, first in the Western Desert in Libya and Syria with 3 Sqn, then after being recalled back to Australia, took over command of the brand new 75 Sqn and took the squadron with very raw pilots up to Port Moresby - the first RAAF fighter squadron to defend Moresby. Jackson not only took up this challenge but very bravely went on the offence conducting fighter sweeps over Japanese airfields. Jackson was in fact shot down twice, the first time ditching in the sea near a reef and had to swim to shore - punching a crocodile on the snout in the process. A very painful walk back to Moresby ensued which tore up his feet, avoiding Japanese patrols on the way.
Only a few days after returning to his squadron he was shot down and killed in combat with Zeros. I think that those 44 days in 1942 at the start of 75 Squadrons combat in PNG, are some of the finest hours of our great air force in the defence of our country. After Jackson's death, his younger brother Les took over the squadron with the few remaining Kittyhawks left flyable. Single aircraft patrols were flown looking for the Japanese task force sailing towards Moresby - luckily stopped by the USN at Coral Sea. This along with the incredibly heroic fighting up in the Kokoda Trail was where this country drew the line in the mud and said - no further!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Francis_Jackson
So, onto my recent adventure. Having researched a lot on Jackson, read the book called "A Lot To Fight For" (http://www.3squadron.org.au/subpages/jackson2.htm) which is a collection of letters home and his diary put together by his son and daughter, I just had to visit his grave. I had six hours to spare at Jackson International Airport, so I made the decision to visit his grave whilst waiting for my flight home. I approached some security people in the airport and told them what I wanted to do. They very kindly organised a taxi and provided the assistance of a security guy to escort me. On arrival at Bomana, one is overwhelmed by the beauty of the place, in stark contrast to the surrounding area, which isn't good. We found a local security guy who directed us to the grave directory, looked up John Jackson and found his grave. Here are my pics from Bomana.
I am indebted to the Jackson International G4S personnel that assisted me in this task. They now at least understand a little more about the origins of their airport name (post edit - thanks Graeme
). Cheers
Adam
