RAAF ww2

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A snow-clearing vehicle sweeps the perimeter track at Waddington, Lincolnshire, to enable the night's raid, on Stuttgart, Germany, to take place. In the background, Avro Lancasters of No. 463 Squadron RAAF await their bomb-loads in an already-cleared dispersal.

Surfaced German U-200 submarine is straddled by depth charges from a Costal Command Liberator of No. 120 Squadron, commanded by Flight Lieutenant Alexander W. Fraser (Australian), 24 June 1943.

 

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The Berlin airlift
Air crew of the Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) and South African Air Force (SAAF) enjoy an off-duty drink in the officers' bar at RAF Lubec

 

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These Mustangs were assigned to 86 Squadron in April 1945, No. 86 Squadron was disbanded at Bohle River Aerodrome on 20 December 1945 - which is possibly the location of this photo.

Written on reverse: Among men of the Australian fighter squadrons who are now engaged in operations against the Japanese in New Guinea, are pilots who have gained great reputations by their fighting deeds both in Britain and in the Middle East. The success of the Milne Bay operations is due in no small measure to the work of these experienced and well tried men.
Among this group of pilots now operating in New Guinea are men who flew with the famous R.A.A.F. desert squadron in the Middle East. The Officer standing on the extreme left (wearing a solar helmet) is Squadron Leader Jackson, one of the outstanding pilots of the Middle East.

Vultee Vengeance from 12 Squadron, RAAF off the north coast of New Guinea.

Raaf airman Ken Dempsey with his future wife in England on his BSA

Ken Dempsey (Flying Officer) and Bill Stanley (Pilot) Photographed in front of their Beaufighter

 

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No. 459 Squadron RAAF was a Royal Australian Air Force squadron that operated during World War II. It was formed in early 1942 and served as a maritime patrol and bomber unit in the Mediterranean theatre until early 1945, operating mainly Lockheed Hudson aircraft. In early 1945, the squadron was transferred to the United Kingdom with the intention of being transferred to RAF Coastal Command and converting to Vickers Wellington bombers; however, due to a series of delays the conversion was not completed and the squadron was disbanded in April 1945.

 

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In 1922, No. 2 Squadron was briefly re-formed as part of the newly independent Royal Australian Air Force at Point Cook, Victoria, but it never progressed beyond a cadre unit and was disbanded a few months later. It was re-formed again on 3 May 1937 at Laverton. Following the outbreak of World War II the squadron began maritime patrol and convoy escort operations off the Australian eastern seaboard, operating Avro Ansons, before being re-equipped with Lockheed Hudsons in May and June 1940.

In early December 1941, shortly before Japan's entry into the war, the squadron moved to Darwin, Northern Territory where it maintained its maritime role and deployed detachments to the islands to Australia's north, including Ambon in the Dutch East Indies. After the outbreak of the Pacific War, the squadron mounted reconnaissance and bombing missions against Japanese forces, focusing on Japanese shipping. Success came early with a 306-tonne Japanese vessel being heavily damaged on 8 December, although heavy losses also came early on. In early 1942, the squadron's detachments were withdrawn back to Australia as Japanese forces advanced south, attacking the squadron's forward bases. The squadron continued operations after this, maintaining an intense bombing campaign against Japanese shipping and installations on islands including Timor and Ambon from May to October during which 13 crews were killed. For its service, the squadron was awarded a US Presidential Unit Citation.

Throughout 1942–1943, the squadron continued operations with its Hudsons against the Japanese in the East Indies and conducted aerial resupply for elements of Sparrow Force that were fighting on Timor. Late in 1943, the squadron began training on the Bristol Beaufort, completing its conversion in January 1944. The squadron operated the type only briefly, alongside a small number of remaining Hudsons before converting to the North American B-25 Mitchell in May.After being withdrawn from operations briefly, it recommenced combat missions in late June,[ focusing on anti-shipping strikes, but also attacking Japanese airfields. Late in the war, No. 2 Squadron moved to Balikpapan in Borneo where it was used to drop supplies to Allied troops in Japanese prisoner-of-war camps before undertaking transportation duties following the end of hostilities. The squadron returned to Australia in mid-December 1945 and was disbanded in May 1946 at Laverton. Casualties during the war amounted to 176 killed

N5-134 is a B-25 Mitchell bomber operated by the Dutch in Australia. The Dutch helped train RAAF pilots to convert to B-25s in Canberra.

Modified B-25

Wearing US caps.

No. 2 Squadron, some members of 'A' Flight, photo believed taken 1943

2 sqn Hudson

 

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RAAF crash and tender boat crew, the Pacific.

 

[Phrog Driver]

Thoroughly enjoy these dino. Thanks!

 

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April 1942 USAAF P-39 arrives at Amberley, Queensland.

Here is RAAF flown Fairey Battle, L5471 overflying the International Harvester factory in Victoria circa 1941. The Fairey Battle was used by a number of RAAF units within Australia during WW2 for training purposes. International Harvester company assembled many aircraft like the Battle.

Martin PBM Mariner, A70-12 from 41 Squadron, RAAF circa 1944.

DH86A, A31-7 was impressed into RAAF service and operated by No 1 Ambulance Unit in the Middle East area in WW2.

 

[Pilot]

Thx for sharing.... all photos/stories.... Like like like like only...

 

[ausreenactor]

Martin Mariner. Now I have to see what kits there are. Very appealing airframe!

 

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The ladies the WOMEN'S AUXILIARY AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE (WAAAF)

 

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No 450 Squadron formed without aircraft in February 1941, and departed Australia for the Middle East two months later. On arrival squadron personnel were incorporated into No 260 Squadron an RAF Hurricane unit for operations against Vichy French targets in Syria.
With the end of the campaign in July, the two squadrons were separated and No 450 Squadron moved to Rayak, where it was allocated Hurricanes and Magisters. However, after only two weeks, No 450 Squadron's aircraft were re-allocated and squadron personnel were moved to Burg-El-Arab to undertake aircraft repair duties.
Finally, in January 1942, No 450 Squadron received Kittyhawks and began training as an operational fighter squadron.
In the face of the advancing Afrika Corps, No 450 Squadron flew constant bombing and strafing missions, as well providing escort for allied bombers. Although Kittyhawk losses were heavy, No 450 Squadron maintained its damaging attacks against German and Italian forces.
Following the Allied break through at El Alamein, No 450 Squadron was constantly on the move. Operating from hastily constructed airfields, several personnel were killed or wounded by mines left by the retreating enemy.
With the end of the North African campaign in May 1943, No 450 Squadron - staging through Malta - arrived in Italy, where the Kittyhawks were to fly ground attack operations for the remainder of the war.
In addition to its operations in Italy, the squadron also assisted Tito's partisans with attacks on ports and shipping along the Yugoslavian coastline. These attacks were particularly hazardous, as the Germans quickly developed an excellent anti-aircraft defence system.
On 21 March 1945, No 450 Squadron participated in a massed air attack against Venice Harbour, resulting in the sinking of two merchant ships, as well as the destruction of five warehouses and harbour facilities.
Soon after No 450 Squadron re-equipped with Mustangs, the war in Europe ended. Remaining in Italy, No 450 Squadron was disbanded at Lavariano on 20 August 1945.

No 453 Squadron formed in New South Wales in May 1941 and three months later sailed for Singapore. Following Japan's surprise attack on Malaya, No 453 Squadron Buffaloes deployed to Ipoh in December in support of Allied troops already retreating before the Japanese. The Unit met with immediate success destroying eight enemy aircraft, however Squadron losses were also high, with a number of aircraft being lost on the ground.
After withdrawing to Kuala Lumpur, a large formation of Japanese bombers and fighters attacked the Squadron's base, destroying five Buffaloes and damaging another four aircraft. Despite being vastly outnumbered, the Buffaloes put up a valiant fight, shooting down at least four enemy aircraft.
With only three serviceable aircraft left, No 453 Squadron withdrew to Singapore and merged with No 21 Squadron. This combined Unit attempted to defend Singapore which was now under regular attack by Japanese aircraft. On 26 January Nos 453 and 21 Squadrons were separated and in early February, No 453 Squadron embarked for Australia where is disbanded soon after its return.
Equipped with Spitfires, No 453 Squadron was re-formed in England in June 1942. Flying fighter sweeps and bomber escort the Squadron's Spitfires accounted for many enemy aircraft. Early 1944 saw No 453 Squadron operations concentrated on defensive patrols designed to keep German reconnaissance aircraft from detecting the shipping build up prior to the Allied invasion of Europe.
Following the D-Day landings the Squadron was involved in combat patrols over the beachhead. The next three months saw No 453 Squadron deployed to Europe in support of the advancing Allied ground forces. By September 1944, the Squadron was back in England, from where its Spitfires mounted attacks against the well defended V-1 and V-2 missile launching sites in Holland.
From November until the end of the war the Squadron was once again flying fighter sweeps and bomber escort. Following Germany's capitulation No 453 Squadron was selected as part of the Allied occupation forces and became the first Commonwealth squadron based in the German capital.
No 453 Squadron disbanded on 21 January 1946, and was reformed on 1 December 2010. Today, No 453 Squadron is responsible for the provision of Air Traffic Control and related services with flights operating from bases at RAAF Williamtown, Richmond, East Sale, Edinburgh, Pearce and HMAS Albatross at Nowra.

 

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Nick Phelan L.A.C Fitter RAAF, Milne Bay, New Guinea, 1942.
Beaufort A9-212

Mosquito Morotai 1945

 

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PO Willam Leeds, 3 SQN, the Mddle East.

 

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Plane was shot down by Sqn Ldr "Dick" Creswell.
Richard (Dick) Cresswell, DFC (27 July 1920 – 12 December 2006) was an officer and pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). He held command of No. 77 (Fighter) Squadron twice during World War II, and again during the Korean War. Cresswell was credited with being the first RAAF pilot to shoot down an enemy aircraft at night over Australian soil, the only man to serve as commanding officer of an RAAF squadron on three occasions during wartime, and the first officer to lead a jet-equipped Australian squadron in combat. His performance in Korea earned him both the Commonwealth and the US Distinguished Flying Crosses.

 

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R.A.A.F. crew with their bomber 'Winnie'

 

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The ladies the WOMEN'S AUXILIARY AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE

Taken on Deakin Avenue between Eighth Street and Ninth Street.

 

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In December 1941, January 1942 a number of USAAC aircraft that were bound for Asia were diverted to airfields in Brisbane, Australia. In this photo P-39 Airacobra are being assembled at RAAF Amberley by USAAf and RAAF ground crew. The hangar they are using was later the TF30 F-111C engine hangar.

Australian DAP built Beaufighter Mk 21 A8-265 painted in target towing colours.

Official RAAF photo a RAAF Spitfire Mk. VIII

5 Sqn CAC Boomerang A46-126 is flown by F/L Alf Clare and was taken in the Townsville area during WW2. The Boomerang was a home grown fighter derived from the Wirraway design.

RAAF Kingfisher from 107 Squadron Rathmines seaplane base.