| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | P01372.009 |
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white |
| Physical description | Black & white |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
KIRIWINA ISLAND. SOLOMON SEA. 1944-03-08. FLIGHT LIEUTENANT L. HASTWELL (LEFT) AND FLYING OFFICER ...
Description
KIRIWINA ISLAND. SOLOMON SEA. 1944-03-08. FLIGHT LIEUTENANT L. HASTWELL (LEFT) AND FLYING OFFICER E. ELLIS (RIGHT) STANDING BESIDE A JAPANESE RISING SUN FLAG HANGING ON A BUILDING, POSSIBLY THE AIRCREW MESS BUILDING, AT NO. 30 SQUADRON RAAF HEADQUARTERS. THIS FLAG WAS RECOVERED FROM A JAPANESE BARGE "CAPTURED" BY BEAUFIGHTER AIRCRAFT FROM THE SQUADRON. THE BARGE WAS SIGHTED DRIFTING OUT TO SEA ABOUT 40 MILES SOUTH OF GASMATA AND BEAUFIGHTERS FROM NO. 30 SQUADRON REMAINED ON STATION OVER THE BARGE FOR 7 HOURS UNTIL A UNITED STATES NAVY PT BOAT ARRIVED AND TOOK THE BARGE ON TOW. THE BARGE WAS TOWED TO KIRIWINA WHERE IT WAS USED FOR RECREATION BY AUSTRALIAN AND UNITED STATES TROOPS. THE BOOTY, INCLUDING THIS FLAG, A BUGLE AND SAKI, FOUND ITS WAY INTO THE SQUADRON'S AIRCREW MESS. (SEE ALSO P1372/09/03&08) (DONOR D. WEST)