Memorial News
ARCHIVE 2001
Manly Gallery Hosts One Millionth Visitor To An Australian War Memorial Travelling Exhibition
14/12/2001
- The Manly Regional Art Gallery and Museum welcomed the one millionth
visitor to an Australian War Memorial travelling exhibition when Innocenza
Toritto and her 8 month old son Nicolas, from Warringah, visited the
exhibition, Forging the nation: federation the first twenty years.
Innocenza Toritto and was welcomed to the exhibition by the Manly Regional Art Gallery Director, Therese Kenyon and the Australian War Memorial's Travelling Exhibitions Manager, Carol Cartwright.
The Australian War Memorial's Travelling Exhibition program was launched in June 1997 and since then, ten exhibitions have travelled to more than 160 venues across Australia. This year alone, 46 exhibitions have opened as part of the program.
The Travelling Exhibition program was developed to ensure that all Australians - particularly those in rural and regional Australia - have access to the Memorial's extensive collections of art, photographs and relics that tell the story of Australians at war.
Funding for the Memorial's Travelling Exhibition program is provided by the Commonwealth Government from the Minister for Veterans' Affairs' commemorative program Their Service - Our Heritage.
Innocenza Toritto received an all expenses paid weekend to Canberra including flights, accommodation, special tours of the Australian War Memorial and entry into other Canberra attractions
Defence Industry Supports Australian War Memorial
10/12/2001 Three of Australia's leading defence contractors have combined to bring major relics from Australia's last steam-powered warship to the Australian War Memorial.
The missile launcher from HMAS Brisbane is unloaded at the Memorial's
Treloar Technology Centre.
The bridge structure from the Brisbane is craned off a low-loader at
the Memorial's Treloar Technology Centre
Raytheon Australia, TenixToll and ADI-Fox have joined forces to bring to Canberra major parts of HMAS Brisbane, the last of the RAN's DDG destroyers. Items to find a permanent home at the Memorial include the bridge of Brisbane, the missile launcher, the ship's propeller and smaller items such as the contents of the Control Data Centre.
The Memorial's Director, Steve Gower, said the acquisition of the relics was a unique project which would not have been possible without the generous support of TenixToll, ADI-Fox, and Raytheon Australia, and the cooperation of the Royal Australian Navy.
"These items are valuable additions to the Memorial's collection of Australian naval relics", he said. "They join a number of items from the Brisbane already in the Memorial's collection, including a flag locker and an aft gun turret, which is on display in our Northern Courtyard. We are pleased to have these items as an important representation of Australia's naval history".
The Director said the Memorial was grateful to the Royal Australian Navy for making the items available.
HMAS Brisbane was decommissioned in October this year. It is also the last RAN ship to see service in two wars (Vietnam and The Gulf), and is the last Australian warship to have fired its guns in anger. She was commissioned in 1967, the last of three DDGs built in the United States for the RAN. Her sister ships Perth and Hobart were decommissioned in 1999 and 2000.
Two new art acquisitions of naval subjects
10/12/2001 William Nicholls Anderson (1873-1927)
H.M.V.S. Lady Loch
oil on board
25.5 x 35.0 cm
signed lower left: 'W. Nicholls Anderson'
The Memorial has recently acquired the painting H.M.V.S. Lady Loch, a rare image of a Victorian Colonial Navy auxiliary unit. In this work, the steam ship H.M.V.S. Lady Loch is depicted at a pier in Melbourne. The ship was built in Footscray for the Victorian Government (Department of Trade and Customs) as a customer cruiser and lighthouse tender and was launched in 1886. Lady Loch was also used as a government yacht and in 1887 was sent to Sydney to represent the Victorian navy on the occasion of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. As a rare painting, Lady Loch records an important aspect of Victoria's colonial naval history.
Arthur Streeton
The arrival of the British Fleet 1924
oil on canvas
49.7 x 74.8cm
In this unique work Streeton has depicted the arrival of the Empire Special Service Squadron, a fleet of six warships led by the flagship 'Hood' with the Admiral of the Fleet Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick Field at the helm. Travelling with the Fleet on the 'Hood' was the heir to the British throne, the Prince of Wales, later King George VII. The purpose of the Fleet's visit was to strengthen the British Empire's ties with the Commonwealth and allied countries, to show Empire solidarity. The Fleet had already visited South Africa, Singapore, Fremantle and Adelaide, and was welcomed by huge crowds at each port of call. The manning of British and Australian warships was interchangeable with Australian sailors on British ships and vice-versa, so there was a possibility that Australian sailors were on these warships. Streeton's painting The arrival of the British Fleet symbolises the strong links between Britain and Australia during the First World War and records a significant event in Australian/British naval history which is not otherwise represented in the art collection.
Will Longstaff: Art and Remembrance
A World-first exhibition at the Australian War Memorial
21/11/2001 - This Remembrance Day marked the 60th Anniversary of the opening of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. To celebrate this significant milestone the Australian War Memorial is staging a world-first exhibition of renowned Australian war artist, Will Longstaff.
The exhibition, Will Longstaff: Art and Remembrance, for the first time brings together Longstaff's series of First World War paintings - Menin Gate at midnight, Immortal Shrine, Ghosts of Vimy Ridge and Carillon. The artist himself would not have seen the paintings displayed together.
Painted in the years following the devastation of the First World War these works are a moving tribute to the sacrifices of allied servicemen and women. The first in the series, Menin Gate at midnight was painted in 1927 after Longstaff attended the unveiling of the Menin Gate memorial in Belgium which is dedicated to the 350,000 allied servicemen and women who died in the battles around Ypres. Longstaff was so moved that during a midnight walk he imagined a vision of steel-helmeted spirits rising from the moonlit cornfields. It is said that Longstaff painted Menin Gate in one session.
Menin Gate at midnight is undoubtedly one of the best-known paintings in the Australian War Memorial's art collection. Its tribute to the sacrifice of Australians during the Great War struck the right chord with many who had lost family and friends. A record number of Australians saw the painting as it toured the country during 1928-29. In 1929 the Australian War Memorial made reproductions of the painting that were sold door to door to raise funds for the construction of the Memorial building in Canberra. Menin Gate at midnight has been on show at the Memorial since 1941.
Following the success of Menin Gate at midnight Longstaff painted Immortal Shrine (Eternal Silence) in 1928, which depicts ghostly soldiers marching past the cenotaph in London for Remembrance Day. A schoolboy contemporary of Longstaff donated Immortal Shrine to the Memorial in 1943.
In 1931 Longstaff painted Ghosts of Vimy Ridge in which he portrayed the spirits of servicemen of the Canadian Corps. The Memorial stands on Vimy Ridge on the summit beneath which the shimmering spirits of Canadian soldiers gather in the silvery moonlight. Ghosts of Vimy Ridge remained in seclusion for many years in a parliamentary committee room in Ottawa, and was only recently placed on public display in the Canadian War Museum. The Memorial has worked closely with the Canadian High Commission and the Canadian Parliament to secure Vimy Ridge as part of this one-off exhibition. This is the first time it has traveled outside of Canada.
The fourth and last work in the series, Carillon, was painted in 1932. Longstaff depicts the ghosts of New Zealand soldiers on the beaches of Belgium listening to the carillon bells of their home country. Carillon, given to the National Gallery of New Zealand, was not on public display for over thirty years until it was recently exhibited at the Queen Elizabeth II Army Memorial Museum at Waiouru. The New Zealand Archive has agreed to loan Carillon to the Memorial. The painting's journey to the Memorial last year, was the first time it had left New Zealand.
By presenting Will Longstaff: Art and Remembrance the Australian War Memorial is able to present a once in a life time opportunity for Australians to view these paintings as a series, and once again engage with and explore one of Australia's most significant artists. It is unlikely the paintings will ever be shown as a series again.
Will Longstaff: Art and Remembrance has undeniable power. The paintings brings to life the many nameless heroes who fought and died on the battlefields of Europe and whom now only exist as part of the national memory of their home countries.
Will Longstaff: Art and Remembrance will be on show, at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, from 21st November until February 2002.
Rare guns donated to War Memorial
6/11/2001 - Three rare and unusual guns, surrendered during ACT Policing's recent firearms amnesty, were donated to the War Memorial today.
The guns, including a 1917 9mm German Luger self loading pistol, a 1919 Webley Mark VI and a .303 bolt action rifle are uncommon weapons from the First World War used by both Allied and German forces.
Sgt Dave Ford from the AFP, Assisant Director of the Memorial Mark Whitmore
and Senior Curator of Military Technology at the Memorial Bob Courtney
at the handover.
Memorial Australia's Top Tourist Attraction - Again
2/11/2001 - For the second year in succession, the Australian War Memorial has been named Australia's top tourist attraction. At the 2001 Australian Tourism Awards announced in Hobart, the Memorial was named Australia's best major tourist attraction for 2001. The Memorial won the same award in 2000.
The Memorial's Director, Steve Gower, with the award for best major
tourist attraction outside ANZAC Hall
To enter the national awards, nominees must first have won at state or territory level, ensuring the very highest standard of competition.
The Memorial's Director, Steve Gower, said the award further confirmed the Memorial's unique role in Australia's cultural life. "The Memorial remains a special national place, and this award underscores its importance to all Australians", he said.
He said the Memorial had undergone extensive renewal in the past five years; in particular, the opening of ANZAC Hall in June introduced new levels of museum practice. "The 'object theatre' presentation of 'Sydney under Attack' and Australia's first naval victory in 1914 dramatically tell their stories using the relics, light, sound and images".
The Director paid tribute to Memorial staff for the sustained, creative effort put in over recent years. "Without the outstanding commitment and dedication of staff, we could not have won this award for a second time".
He said the award is very reassuring to Canberra tourism given recent international events and subsequent uncertainty in the tourism industry.
Visitor numbers at the Memorial have been very buoyant this year, and greater overall than last year. "With the 'Space' exhibition at the National Museum of Australia, the Rodin exhibition at the National Gallery and the Memorial's own 'Battle Lines' exhibition from Canada, there is some optimism incoming tourism numbers may be maintained".
The Australian War Memorial is one of Australia's most visited cultural institutions, with around 900,000 visitors yearly.
Centenary of Federation - Peoplescape Exhibition (25 Nov - 4 Dec)
30/11/2001 - The Peoplescape exhibition is the final event in the Centenary of Federation celebrations, held in Canberra. Thousands of Australians, both known and unknown, who have made a significant, but often little recognised contribution, to their community or their country are represented by colourfully decorated life-size figures. The Peoplescape exhibition is on display on the slopes of Parliament House and Federation Mall until 4 Dec 2001. You can read the stories of these remarkable Australians on the Peoplescape website.
The Memorial was invited to participate and nominated John Treloar and Tom "Diver" Derrick.
John Treloar was was the driving force behind the collection of records relating to Australia's involvement in the First World War. He was Director of the Australian War Memorial from 1920, apart from time during the Second World War spent with the Department of Information, Army Headquarters and the AIF in the Middle East, until his death in 1952.
John Treloar
Tom "Diver" Derrick VC DCM won the highest award of valour - the Victoria Cross - for his actions against Japanese forces at Sattleberg, New Guinea, in November 1943. He attacked and destroyed ten enemy machine gun posts. This feat is widely regarded as one of the most outstanding displays of courage by any Australian.
Tom "Diver" Derrick VC DCM
Memorial Wins Tourism Award for the second year in a row
23/7/01 - The Australian War Memorial is Canberra's top tourist attraction for the second consecutive year. At the annual Canberra Region Tourism Awards ceremony held on 21 July, the Memorial took out the award for best Major Tourist Attraction.
The Memorial will again represent the Canberra region at the national awards to be held in Hobart in November.
The Memorial took the same award in 2000, and went on to win the national award ahead of some of the most prominent tourist attractions in Australia.
The Memorial's Director, Steve Gower, said the award was further confirmation of the Memorial's place in Australia's cultural life. "The Memorial remains a special national place, and this award underscores its importance to all Australians".
He said the Memorial had undergone a period of renewal in recent years, culminating with the opening this year of ANZAC Hall. "ANZAC Hall is the first major extension to the Memorial in 30 years, and houses its collection of large technology items, including the Japanese midget submarine sunk in Sydney Harbour in May 1942. The major relics in ANZAC Hall are displayed in dramatic "object theatre" using lighting, sound and images to convey stories", he said.
The Director paid tribute to Memorial staff for the sustained, creative effort put in over recent years. "Without the outstanding commitment and dedication of staff, we could not have won this award".
He said the award would also be a boost to Canberra, adding to the success of the local tourism industry.
The Australian War Memorial is one of Australia's most visited cultural institutions, with around 900,000 visitors yearly.
ANZAC Hall Now Open
21/6/01 - The night of 31 May/1 June 1942 - the war came to Sydney. On this night, three Japanese midget submarines entered Sydney Harbour. Two torpedoes were fired, one exploding under HMAS Kuttabul, killing 21 naval ratings.
One of the midget subs vanished, never to be seen again, the other two were cornered, their crews committing suicide before the vessels were salvaged. Parts of those two submarines were joined together to form one which has become an icon of Australia's military history.
That submarine is now the centrepiece of the new ANZAC Hall, the $11.9 million extension to the Australian War Memorial. ANZAC Hall is the first extension to the Memorial in 30 years, and provides 3,000 square metres of exhibition space to display its collection of large technology items.
For the first time on such a scale, "object theatre" is used to tell not only the story of the midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour, but also the epic First World War battle between HMAS Sydney and the German raider SMS Emden. Innovative light and sound techniques bring to life the stories of these two important chapters in Australia's military history. And, actual historical objects - the submarine and guns from the Sydney and Emden - are used to tell the stories.
Prime Minister John Howard and Australian War Memorial Council Chairman
Major General A Clunies-Ross AO MBE (Ret'd) in front of the Centurion
Tank in ANZAC Hall
AWM 2001.198.15
Memorial Director Steve Gower says the submarine and Sydney/Emden displays set new standards in museum practice. "Object theatre on this scale has not been used previously in an Australian museum", he said. "The innovative use of sound, light and images, combined with authentic historical objects, will greatly add to visitors' understanding of Australia's military history".
The "1918" section of ANZAC Hall features technology of the First World War, including an historic British Mark IV tank, an SE5a biplane, large Allied and German artillery and vehicles - both powered and horse-drawn.
"Wheels, Wings and Tracks" includes Australia's oldest existing military aircraft, the 1913 Deperdussin, displayed alongside a Meteor jet fighter to illustrate the advances in aircraft design in a space of less than 40 years. Also part of "Wheels, Wings & Tracks" is a German Komet rocket-powered fighter, the Memorial's newest acquisition a Hudson bomber, an Iroquois helicopter, Centurion tank and the nose section of the iconic G for George Lancaster bomber (the rest of George will be displayed in ANZAC Hall once extensive conservation work is completed in 2003).
The mezzanine of ANZAC Hall contains "The ANZAC Spirit", a display exploring the spirit of ANZAC, and what it means to Australians today.
Prime Minister John Howard opening ANZAC Hall
AWM 2001.198.09
Also on the mezzanine is the new Landing Place café. The Landing Place offers snacks, à la carte dining and take-away service to the highest standards. The Landing Place and the Memorial's other café, the refurbished Outpost, are both operated by the Hyatt Hotel Canberra. Construction of The Landing Place means that for the first time, refreshment facilities are available within the Memorial building. The Director said visitors would welcome these new facilities. "The Hyatt has a deserved reputation for excellence in food, beverages and service, and visitors to the Memorial will have an enhanced experience as the result of the new and refurbished facilities".
ANZAC Hall was funded with a grant of $11.9 million from the Federal Government's Centenary of Federation Fund as part of the Centenary of Federation celebrations. It features an innovative fan-shaped design by leading Australian architects Denton, Corker, Marshall, and is located at the rear of the existing Memorial building, recessed into the landscape below and behind a wall. The wall and the recessing of the Hall mean it can't be seen from ANZAC Parade, preserving the vista of the historic main building. The work has also involved construction of two new carparks, providing a total of 365 spaces.
ANZAC Hall is the latest stage of the Memorial's redevelopment program begun four years ago. The Prime Minister opened the first part of this work - the Second World War and Post-45 Galleries, in March 1999, and on 31 August 2000, the redeveloped Bradbury Aircraft Hall was officially opened.
The Prime Minister officially opened ANZAC Hall on 21 June 2001.
'G for George' Nose Section arrives at ANZAC Hall
17/5/01 - The nose section of the Australian War Memorial's famous Lancaster Bomber, 'G for George' has moved into ANZAC Hall ready for display when it opens to the public on 7 June 2001.
G for George flew 89 missions with 460 Squadron RAAF during the Second World War. 460 squadron flew more operations, delivered more bombs to targets and lost more aircrew and aircraft than any other in Bomber Command. Two hundred aircraft were lost and 1,018 men died.
G for George was built in England in mid-1942 and was one of the first Lancasters delivered to 460 Squadron. It flew its first mission on the night of the 5 and 6 December 1942 over Mannheim, Germany. Its 89th and final mission was over Cologne on 20 April 1944.
George was then retired from service and flown to Australian for a tour to raise money for the Third Victory Loan. In 1955 it was assembled in the Memorial's Aircraft Hall where it fast became one of the Memorial's most popular items.
It remained there until 1999 when it was removed for extensive conservation work. The nose section is now ready for display in the Memorial's newest gallery space, ANZAC Hall. It is anticipated that G for George will return to display in its entirety by the end of 2003.
Air Vice Marshall Dr E. H. Stephenson shows little Jack Keegan the nose
section of G for George.
War Memorial Canberra's most popular Easter attraction
18/4/01 - The Australian War Memorial proved to be Canberra's most popular major attraction over the Easter weekend. Figures released today by the Memorial show 24,890 people passed through the doors over the four-day period.
The most popular day was Saturday, when 7,710 people visited. Next was Sunday with 7,521, Monday with 5,882 and Friday with 3,777.
Memorial Director Steve Gower says the figures reflect the enduring appeal of the Memorial. "They also indicate that the Memorial's on-going gallery renewal program is being well received by Australians. Our next milestone - the opening on 7 June of ANZAC Hall - should further boost attendances", he said.
ANZAC Hall is being constructed with a grant of $11.9 million from the Federal Government's Centenary of Federation Fund, and will house the Memorial's collection of large technology items. The centrepiece will be "Sydney Under Attack", featuring the Japanese midget submarine that attacked Sydney Harbour in 1942.
Wartime Magazine
5/4/01 - Issue #14 of WARTIME magazine is now available.
WARTIME is the official magazine of the Australian War Memorial. It is devoted to the Australian experience of war; military history; and the effects of war on society. Articles deal fully and frankly with both the distressing and the lighter sides of war. Every issue delivers the stories of courage and survival of both service personnel and civilians.
Special Exhibition: ANZAC - The New Zealand Story
3/4/01 - This exciting new exhibition deals with the New Zealand - Australian relationship, its origins and military history, and New Zealand's role in ANZAC. It uses personal stories, experiences and relics to tell the story of New Zealand's contribution to the ANZAC ideal and its pride in shared achievements.
Special Exhibition Gallery 12 April - 29 August 2001.
For more information, go to ANZAC - the New Zealand Story.
Enigma Machine Arrives
13/3/01
- An Enigma has just been added to the displays in the Australian War
Memorial’s Second World Gallery. Enigma is the name of the cipher
machine used by German armed forces, military intelligence and state
railways during the Second World War.
The machine is a standard German Army of Air Force 3-rotor model with Stecker board of WW2 vintage. Many thousands of this type were in use with all levels of the German Army and Air Force and, for a time, the German Navy (who later went to a four-rotor model). We do not know the history of if this particular machine other than it came to Australia in the immediate post-war period.
At the close of WW2, the British obtained many Enigma machines, and distributed numbers to friendly governments including Australia. They were used here in the immediate post-war period until better and more modern encrytographic machines became available. There are now only two remaining in Australia, both owned by Defence Signals Directorate, who have kindly allowed the Memorial to display this one. It is the first time in Australia that an Enigma Machine will be on public display.
For more information on the history of the Enigma machine, see Poland's role in cracking Enigma.
Media Release - Two of Canberra's best join forces
8/3/01 - Two of Canberra's most prestigious tourism industry providers have joined forces to provide the Canberra tourism industry with a new and exciting function and hospitality facility. The Australian War Memorial has appointed the Hyatt Hotel Canberra as the preferred tenderer for its catering contract, ensuring first class catering and hospitality is now available at the Memorial.
Under a five year contract Hyatt Hotel Canberra will manage all catering facilities at the Memorial from 1 March, 2001 including two new cafés - The Outpost Café and The Landing Place - and extensive banqueting facilities.
The catering contract was signed today by the Director of the Australian War Memorial, Steve Gower, Mr Michel Koopman, General Manager, Hyatt Hotel Canberra; Mr Garry Cameron, Managing Director, Grand Hotel Group at the new Outpost Café.
Australian War Memorial and Hyatt staff at the signing of the catering
contract
Memorial Director, Steve Gower, said the new catering contract meant that visitors to the Australian War Memorial will now be able to enjoy the latest trends in modern Australian cuisine.
"As well as improving catering facilities for visitors to the Memorial, having Hyatt Hotel Canberra on board will also add an extra demension to corporate functions and hospitality held at the Memorial."
The Outpost Café was opened on March 5 after a significant refurbishment of the original Poppies café. A fresh new menu and funky furniture in primary colors of red, yellow and blue gives the café a modern ambiance while retaining its heritage features.
The Landing Place is the larger of the two cafés and will be located in the new ANZAC Hall, which will be opened by Prime Minister John Howard on 6 June. Hyatt Hotel Canberra will also provide catering for functions held in the Memorial's Courtyard Gallery, Orientation Gallery, the Sculpture Garden, Telstra Theatre and the Mezzanine level of the new ANZAC Hall.
"In recent years the Memorial has undergone a massive re-development program The new galleries combine audiovisuals, multi-media "experiences", paintings, relics, film, sound and light to engage visitors.
"The signing of this contract is another example of how the Memorial is working to improve facilities for its visitors," Steve Gower said.
Last year the Memorial was named the best major tourist attraction for the year 2000 by the Australian Tourism Council.
Australians at War in the twentieth century
27/2/01 - As part of its contribution to marking the centenary of Federation, the Memorial is offering an eight week course open to the public, 'Australians at War in the twentieth century'. The course is being run in conjunction with the forthcoming ABC TV series Australians at War. The course structure mirrors that of the series and participants will be expected to have watched the relevant episode as the 'reading' for the session, which will be held on the evening following the day of transmission.
The course presenters are all historians from the Memorial's Military History Section and are experts in their fields. The sessions will be held in the Memorial's galleries. They will both survey the nature of the Australian experience of war in the twentieth century and provide opportunities for questions and discussion of the interpretations offered through the television series.
The first episode will be broadcast on the evening of 25 April and the first session will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday 26 April.
| Episode | Topic | Session Date | Presenters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | Boer War and federation | 26 April | Dr Peter Stanley |
| Episode 2 | Gallipoli | 3 May | Ashley Ekins |
| Episode 3 | Sinai-Palestine and the Western Front | 10 May | Ian Hodges and Brad Manera |
| Episode 4 | WWII 1939-42 | 17 May | Peter Stanley |
| Episode 5 | WWII 1942-45 | 24 May | Dr Chris Coulthard-Clark |
| Episode 6 | Korea, Emergency & Confrontation | 31 May | Ben Evans |
| Episode 7 | Vietnam | 7 June | Ashley Ekins |
| Episode 8 | Peacekeeping and remembrance | 14 June | Dr Peter Londey |
An administrative fee of $80 will be charged for the entire course with a concessional rate of $60. Refreshments will be provided.
Places are limited and bookings can be made with the Visitor Services Section on 02 6243 4518.
Thousands flock to Open Day Open Night
3/2/01 - The annual Australian War Memorial/ANZAC Parade Open Day Open Night has been hailed an outstanding success, with 25,000 people turning up on Saturday to enjoy the fun and excitement of Open Day Open Night. The highlight of the day, the Tour of Duty - Encore! Concert featuring James Blundell, Gina Jeffreys, Doc Neeson and the Band of the Royal Military College, Duntroon, attracted 7,000 people.
Doc Neeson performing at the Tour of Duty - Encore! Concert
The Director of the Australian War Memorial, Steve Gower, said the success of Open Day Open Night was due to the hard work of staff and the many volunteer groups and performers who contributed to the day.
"By coming to the Open Day Open Night activities people were able to explore Australia's military history and discover a very different side of the Australian War Memorial and ANZAC Parade. The outstanding success of this year's event illustrates the continuing interest in Australia's military history and in commemoration", he said.
Open Day Open Night was staged jointly by the Australian War Memorial and the National Capital Authority.
Over 7,000 people celebrated at the Tour of Duty - Encore! Concert
Lockheed Hudson Bomber Arrives for ANZAC Hall
23/1/01 - The Australian War Memorial's latest acquisition has arrived at the Treloar Technology Centre, Mitchell. On Tuesday 23rd January, after a long journey by road, a Lockheed Hudson bomber, which flew in Australia and Papua New Guinea during the Second World War, was delivered to the Memorial.
The Lockheed Hudson Bomber will go on display in the Memorial's new ANZAC Hall when it opens mid-year. The Hudson will be on display at the Treloar Technology Centre until it is moved into ANZAC Hall.
Hudson Bomber being moved into Treloar Technology Centre
The Memorial's Hudson, A16-105, saw front line action as well as serving as a trainer. During December 1942-January 1943, this aircraft carried out attacks and supply flights during the final stages of the battle to drive the Japanese back from Kokoda to their coastal base at Buna. The aircraft was damaged several times, while other aircraft from its unit were shot down by Japanese fighters and ground fire. A16-105 was usually piloted by Flight Lieutenant David Campbell, who after the war became a well known poet. During the rest of the war the Hudson served with 1 Operational Training Unit at Bairnsdale and Sale.
News Archives
Read old Memorial News items.
%7Cutmccn%3D(direct)%7Cutmcmd%3D(none)%3B){kind=small}