03/06/2026
3 June 1942: FSGT Hugh Brodie, author of the poignant poem “An Airman’s Prayer”, lost in combat with 460SQN
Did you know that on this day in 1942, FSGT Hugh Brodie, the author of the noted poem "An Airman's Prayer" was killed in combat.
On the evening of 2 June 1942, 10 Wellington’s of No 460 Squadron (RAAF) based at RAF Breighton, Yorkshire, were tasked to be part of a force of 195 Bombers to strike Essen, Germany. FSGT Hugh Brodie, an Air Observer, was one of five aircrew including a pilot, a Wireless Operator Air Gunner and two other air gunners on Wellington Mk IV Z1249.
Born in Melbourne in 1912, Brodie was educated at Melbourne High School from 1926 – 1929 and then completed at Bachelor of Arts (Honours) / Bachelor of Education at Melbourne University before teaching at Melbourne High School until the war. He enlisted in September 1940 and completed Air Observer training at No 1 Air Navigation School at Parkes before proceeding to England for heavy bomber conversion training at No 27 Operational Training Unit, England. He was posted to No 460 Squadron in February 1942.
The Wellington, carrying a full load of incendiaries in its bomb bay, was shot down in the early hours of the 3 June over Deulken about 30km west of Dusseldorf. The aircraft was destroyed with the loss of all the aircrew. Although the bodies were reportedly recovered and buried, the graves could not be located and the bodies to this day remain mssing - five of more than Australian 3,000 aviators to have no known grave.
In finalising FSGT Brodie’s personal belongings after his death, 460SQN personnel found a poem and a letter he had written to the boys of Melbourne High School where he had taught. The poem, entitled 'An Airman’s Prayer', has become one of the more poignant pieces of writing from the war and has become synonymous with Bomber Command.
At the annual Bomber Command Commemorative Service in Adelaide, 'An Airman’s Prayer' is always recited in honour of those aviators like FSGT Hugh Brodie who paid the ultimate sacrifice in serving with Bomber Command during World War 2.
At our 2026 Bomber Command Commemorative Service at Torrens Parade Ground, on Saturday 30 May, the poem was read by Ms Nikki King, daughter of SQNLDR Dave Shannon DSO and Bar DFC and Bar. The poem is particularly special for Ms King as her father was one of the Australian Dambusters that flew the famous Dambuster Mission and completed 69 Bomber Command missions with 106 SQN and 617SQN.
An Airman’s Prayer by FSGT Hugh Brodie
Almighty and all present power,
Short is the prayer I make to thee
I do not ask in battle hour
For any shield to cover me.
The vast unalterable way
From which the stars do not depart
May not be turned aside to stay
The bullet flying to my heart.
I ask no help to strike my foe,
I seek no petty victory here,
The enemy I hate, I know
To thee, O God, is also dear.
But this I pray be at my side
When death is drawing through the sky,
Almighty God who also died,
Teach me the way that I should die.
Lest we forget.
