He was also a rear (or tail) gunner, the most dangerous job on a plane. The 101 Squadron, meanwhile, was specially equipped bombing teams that doubled up as intelligence gatherers. But if the aircraft in general were a target, rear gunners were especially so. “Tail-end Charlies”, as rear gunners were known, had to be small to fit their cramped quarters. As a veteran of 101 Squadron, O’Dwyer would surely have been the only member of an elite unit to reach a 101st birthday.

Source: The Irish Times March 20, 2026 20:30 UTC