After 24 squadron’s gallant but doomed defence of Rabaul they were sent back to Australia to re-form and re-equip. Whilst they were at Bankstown F/O Geoffrey Stevenson joined them. One of the squadrons training flights in early 1943 involved a leaflet drop over George, Pitt, Castlereagh and Elizabeth streets in Sydney. The flight of Wirraways assigned to this task was led by F/O Stevenson in Wirraway 525. Upon arriving at the target area, Stevenson decided to take a detour under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the rest of the flight followed. At the last possible moment however, Stevenson saw the number three man in the formation break away and attempt to climb over the enormous landmark. Fearing the worst, Stevenson watched horrified as the desperate pilot clawed for height and with much straining managed to just clear the arch of the bridge.

    The return flight to Bankstown was sombre as Stevenson considered his future after the commanding officer Barton-Honey found out about this escapade. Weeks passed while the squadron converted to the newly arrived Vultee Vengeance dive bomber, and F/O Stevenson waited for the axe to fall. Conversion to the Vengeances complete, 24 Sqn. was posted to New Guinea to re-commence operations. Stevenson never heard any more about the Harbour Bridge.

    Operations started so soon after their arrival at Dobodura that 24 Sqn. had no time to paint their tailplanes white, or even tune their radios properly. The first sortie was to bomb the bridges on the Bogadjim road. As the expected duration of the raid was to come close to the limit of the Vengeances it was decided to re-fuel at Tsili Tsili on the way back.. In keeping with their training the squadron departed in close formation, for the uneventful flight up the Markham valley. On arrival over the target they found it to be covered with impenetrable cloud, so breaking formation they individually jettisoned their bombs over enemy territory and headed for the re-fuelling rendezvous. This did not sit well with Barton-Honey who vainly endeavoured to get them to re-group.

    F/O Stevenson separated from the squadron and after disposing of his ordinance found himself alone, and began to head for Tsili Tsili. After flying for some time in what he thought was the right direction without any sign of the airstrip he became quite concerned as to the amount of fuel he had remaining. A quick discussion with his navigator and he decided to land the aircraft while he still had power. On final approach to a large patch of kunai grass, he noticed some way up the valley an American aircraft that appeared to be flying a circuit pattern. Taking this as the position of Tsili Tsili he aborted his forced landing and flew on up the valley. Finding that it was the re-fuelling point, Stevenson set up an approach that he belatedly realised was too high. Not being sure of his fuel status however, he opted to continue the approach using the dive brakes to increase the rate of sink. A good landing resulted as the engine finally ran out of fuel and with the propeller windmilling to a halt, Stevenson finished his landing run.

    The rest of the squadron was already there, and the aircraft were manhandled into a circle for re-fuelling from 44 gallon drums. The aircrew not directly involved in this played Blackjack in the shade of the wings. A short time later a formation of aircraft was noticed, as they began to bomb the far end of the strip it was belatedly realised that they were Japanese. Scrambling to the safety of the slit trenches, 24 Sqn. was left speechless by the precision bombing of the far end of the strip when the machines being re-fuelled were plainly visible at the near end, and at the audacity of the escorting Zero fighters who with nothing else to do whilst the raid progressed, staged an impromptu aerobatic display!

    The raid caused no damage, and after a severe reprimand by their CO on their formation flying, 24 Sqn. departed in very close formation, F/O Stevenson flying as the COs no. two. When they reach the Huon Gulf, Stevenson noticed three destroyers, and judging from the size of their bow waves they were moving fast. He waggled his wings to attract the attention of Barton-Honey who flew on oblivious to the impending peril. This rapidly manifested itself as the squadron came under very accurate anti-aircraft fire from the ships, who not having received the correct codes over the radio, seen the white "friendly" tail markings, or seen Vengeances before, assumed that they were the enemy. As well as defending themselves the destroyers radioed the nearest USAF fighter base that they were under attack. A large formation of fighters was scrambled that fortunately failed to contact 24 Sqn. who had hurriedly broken formation, dropped to low level and streaked for home.

    This was not to be typical of the raids or luck of 24 squadron which went on to gain an enviable reputation for accuracy and tenacity. F/O Stevenson went on to win a DFC in a low level action that left him with bullets wedged into the fins of his radial engine, and a shattered windscreen. Then in early 1944 he ruptured his eardrum pulling out of a dive, and was sent home to recover. He survived the war and lived in Newcastle until his death in mid 1997.