Return to ANJO

revisiting Australia's secret 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 poignant 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.

To buy Return to Anjo or for more info, click here

• Written, filmed and narrated by David Smith
• © 2010 imaginACTION pty ltd
• Original Music by Gary Arnold  www.wavtracks.com
• Anjo stills courtesy George Bell, Geoff Day, Rae & Gordon Smith

By David Smith

Dr David Smith is a physiologist-turned-film maker. David was Associate Producer of the IMAX feature Australia Land Beyond Time and was Senior Researcher on the ABC TV series Nature of Australia. He wrote and hosted David Smith's Earthwatch on ABCTV and was 'resident zoologist' on the Don Lane and Bert Newton Shows.

In 1987 David set up his company, imaginACTION pty ltd (www.imaginaction.net.au) and has sinced written, directed and/or filmed numerous documentaries and educational multimedia projects. He has also written six books, including two Penguin eco-thrillers. Over the past five years David has moved towards medical and health-related projects, including trauma surgery, schizophrenia and emergency medicine.

David is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts and a professional member of the AFI and has always been keen to share his knowledge, especially with young budding film makers. David can be contacted at david@imaginaction.net.au.

Comments(1):

1. Anjo the movie

   David Smith has put his heart and soul into the production of this fabulous documentary. I've seen it more than once and still enjoy the many aspects of this story. Congratulations for taking the time and having the gumption to produce on video such an important part of Australia's war history. John W

   Sunday, May 09, 2010 John