United States Army Air Force survival machete : Flight Lieutenant C C Linn, RAAF

Place Oceania: New Guinea1
Accession Number REL31297
Collection type Technology
Object type Edged weapon or club
Physical description Chrome-plated steel
Maker Cattaraugus
Place made United States of America
Date made c 1942
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Description

Folding survival machete made from chrome plated steel, with black composition grips and has a single edge blade. The machete was normally carried folded in a heavy leather pouch in the seat pack kit attached to the parachute. The blade folds and is locked in place when extended by a liner lock mechanism which is actuated by thumb pressure. The blade edge has a spring steel protective sleeve cover to prevent damage. Marked on the blade is 'Cattaraugus U.S.A.'.

History / Summary

Associated with the service of 422863 Flight Lieutenant Colin Cecil Linn, born 14 April 1915 in Mount Gambier, South Australia. In February 1942 Linn enlisted in the militia as a private and was assigned service number N334129. In May he was discharged from 2 Military District Base Postal Unit and joined the Royal Australian Air Force. In 1943 Linn qualified as an air observer and navigator. On 13 June he completed a flight in Avro Anson W2486, the nose and cockpit section of which is held in the Australian War Memorial’s collection (REL/20185.001, REL/20185.002). Linn served with 66 Squadron in Bundaberg and 73 Squadron in Nowra before being posted to Port Moresby in April 1944 where he trained to be flight crewman in B24 Liberator bombers with the 5th United States Army Air Force (USAAF). Linn returned to Australia and continued to fly USAAF aircraft with 529 Squadron and 21 Squadron. He was discharged from 7 Operational Training Unit on 21 December 1945.