The squadron began working up its fledgling pilots in wornout spitfire is and upgraded to the spitfire mk. Its ground echelon formed at williamtown on 23 may 1941, as a proposed wellington squadron, but before it had arrived in britain, the air echelon was brought into being at swinderby in no 5 group on 6 june, as the raafs first uk based bomber unit. Ashworth this military book is the history of raaf 461 squadron, royal australian air force, which was formed in britain on anzac day 1942 and which spent the next. Raf and raaf orbs available on the web new version. Formed at point cook on 1 july 1939, 10 squadron was initially equipped with a motley collection of seaplanes with the intention that these would shortly be replaced with six new shorts. The further aircraft, mm412 sbf, survived the war to be sold to the yugoslav air force in 1952. This book has information about 462 squadron while based in the uk at driffield and foulsham. Personnel were drawn from many countries of the british empire, although the majority were australians.
As australias only night fighter squadron in ww2 it was formed in 1941 at anglesey in wales and served in the u. In this title, the author takes a look at the operations of 452 squadron, the first australian squadron to become operational in defense of britain. Included are the mission details, the names, ranks and musterings of crew members, and the known circumstances of the failure of aircraft to return. Brilliantly researched and sympathetically told, 44 days is more than just a fitting tribute to brave but overlooked heroes. These raids are described in detail in the squadron unit history the gestapo hunters. Although members of the squadron are required to pass the same selection and training as the australian armys commandos, the squadron is not formally part of the australian. Thanks john for the 152 sqn link, the 617 was allready in my list. The canberra bomber a84244 in the background delivered the 76,389th and final bomb earlier that day. Adfserials image gallery raaf 2 squadron, vietnam 1967. Commissioned as a pilot officer on 19 november 1943 he was later posted to no 464 squadron raaf at raf sculthorpe in norfolk on 7 december 1943. Raaf s greatest casualties were with the bomber command raids.
Click to add your info via ticket on helpdesk click to let us know via ticket on helpdesk click to buy research books from amazon. By any measure, the afc was a remarkable achievement for australia, so far from. The anzac squadron history of raaf 461 squadron the anzac squadron. This volume, the result of research undertaken at the australian war memorial, contains summaries of raaf 467 squadron fatalities in date of death order. I publish here the maps of the allied squadrons involved with wwii missions. As with molkentins previous ww1 aviation history books, this work leaves the reader with a great admiration for michaels prodigious ability to research primary sources, turn up interesting insights and integrate everything into a compelling narrative. On this day, four mosquitos of 464 sqn participated. Australia purchased twelve avro ansons which were delivered in. Sgt ted coates 1995, australian military history publications. The aim of this site is simple, to perpetuate the memory of a generation of young men drawn from every part of britain its commonwealth and the dominions who served with no. David wilson of the raaf historical section, russell act.
Flight lieutenant ted mcgindle dfc 1999, 2nd edn 2000, reprinted nov 2004, published by author. Richmond nsw nov 07 the first aircraft delivered to 38 sqn was a164 a hudson. Raaf 2 squadron canberra bomber just prior to engine start up at phan rang air base, vietnam. Daily telegraphin march and april 1942, raaf 75 squadron bravely defended port moresby for 44 days when australia truly stood alone against the japanese. To foster camaraderie amongst serving and former members of the raaf and persons with an interest in no 2 squadron.
Australia purchased twelve avro ansons which were delivered in november 1936. This military book is the history of raaf 461 squadron, royal australian air force, which was formed in britain on anzac day 1942 and which spent the next three years opposing admiral doenitzs uboats in the battle of the atlantic. A detailed historical account of the australian defence forces prior to. Formed in 1942 in the united kingdom with personnel from australia, britain, canada, new zealand, south africa and the netherlands, the squadron served in the light bomber role, undertaking operations over france and the low countries, from bases in england.
Buy raaf military books battle of britain bomber command. An anecdotal history of 462 squadron raaf august 1944 may 1945. A typical raaf canberra payload with bombs in the weapons bay and 2 underwing photo source. Phil buckley visited the frontline raaf fighter force to talk to members of 3 squadron 81 wing, air combat group acg who fly the fa18 hornets which are located at raaf willamtown near newcastle, nsw.
No 4 squadron, royal australian air force boot camp. Only 3% of australians who served to ww2 went as part of a bomber aircrew yet 39% of all australias ww2 casualties were from this bomber command group, of which were from a single raaf squadron, 460 sqn flying out of binbrook uk. Jul 26, 2016 brilliantly researched and sympathetically told, 44 days is more than just a fitting tribute to brave but overlooked heroes. Oct 14, 2017 32 squadron raaf, camden airfield, 19421944.
Empire air training scheme raf bomber command raf fighter command second tactical air force raf. The raaf historical section has written that its aircraft flew 3,067 sorties, 7,967 operational hours and 1,835,008. The british national archives make us a nice christmas present. It was disbanded in 1948, but reformed the following year and operated jet aircraft throughout the cold war. The anzac squadron history of raaf 461 squadron flying boats. An anecdotal history of 462 squadron raaf august 1944 may 1945 e mcgindle, 1999, 2nd ed 2000, 2004. The squadron was formed in 1939 and saw active service during the second world war, conducting antisubmarine operations and patrols from bases in the united kingdom until it disbanded in late 1945. A history of no 461 squadron royal australian air force, 19421945.
It then took part in the defence of northern australia, before going onto the offensive and carrying out a mix of reconnaissance missions and attack missions across the dutch east indies. The royal australian air force was formed in 1921 and since then has been involved in all major conflicts involving australians. Most of all, as the f111 flies into the history books. Adfserials image gallery raaf 2 squadron, vietnam 1967 to. Welcome to the royal australian navys history web page. Isbn 9780977534036 e ted mcgindle pimpernel squadron. Richmond nsw dec 20 the total strength of 38 sqn 14 officers 87. Second world war fatalities, 467 squadron raaf, raf bomber. Here you will find an evergrowing account of the deeds of those who have served in australias multifarious naval forces from the passing of the colonial naval defence act 1865 to present day.
It sailed for egypt in march 1916 and fought in the palestine campaign until the end of the war. A memorial to raaf bomber crews 193945 460 squadron raaf. No 4 squadron is a unit of the royal australian air force raaf, which forms part of the australian defence force adf, who specialise in coordinating air support. Raaf 3 squadron association 3afc australian flying corps. Camden has hosted 32 squadron raaf since the time of the second world war. If youve read any books listed under unknown raf units, please email which units. British aviation archaeological council research topics. The air conditioning unit and auxillary power unit apu are out front.
The following 29 files are in this category, out of 29 total. Raaf 462 squadron, 4 group, bomber command, driffield, yorkshire. Raafs greatest casualties were with the bomber command raids. This group of raw young recruits scrambled ceaselessly in their kittyhawk fighters to an. Tragedy at raf downham market the last remaining dispersal point and remaining piece of run way dugup. The anzac squadron history of raaf 461 squadron books on. Personal history of allied forces pilots serving 1935 1945 including original research. No 2 sqn based at amberley in queensland began replacing their lincoln heavy bombers with the new australian built canberra mk20s in december of 1953, by the end of 1954 they were a fully operational squadron. The members of the squadron have developed a special relationship with the local community that has been marked by tragedy and celebrations. Its ground echelon formed at williamtown on 23 may 1941, as a proposed wellington squadron, but before it had arrived in britain, the air echelon was brought into being at swinderby in no 5 group on 6 june, as the raaf s first uk based bomber unit. This page will include general photos of squadron personnel at driffield, from the time of the squadron reformation in august 1944, to the end of december 1944 when it relocated to foulsham, norfolk. Based at richmond raaf base, west of sydney, the squadron operated its fleet of ca hercules aircraft on regular services to bien hoa, tan son nhut, phan rang, vung tau and nui dat on logistic support for the australian task force 1atf, including medivac flights of wounded personnel.
The squadron was formed in 1942 and saw extensive action in the south west pacific theatre of world war ii, operating p40 kittyhawks. Ashworth this military book is the history of raaf 461 squadron, royal australian air force, which was formed in britain on anzac day 1942 and which spent. We have the largest online range of raaf squadron unit history books that describe the operation history of many raaf squadrons during wartime and peacetime. Second world war fatalities, 467 squadron raaf, raf bomber command. A history of 462 squadron, raaf 19422008banner books, wanniassa, act, 2008. Raaf unit history sheets form a50 operations record book forms a50 and a51 number 3 squadron jul 25 aug 43 contents range 1925 1943 series number a9186 control symbol 8 access status open barcode 1158595. The squadron was formed in 1942 and was disbanded in mid1945, just after the end of the war in europe.
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