Anderson, Louis Tregillis Ross (Flight Lieutenant, b.1905 - d.1984)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of 263500 Flight Lieutenant Louis Tregillis Ross Anderson, Royal Australian Air Force, Australia, early 1970s.

This collection consists of one memoir of Flight Lieutenant Louis Tregillis Ross Anderson. It contains details of Flight Lieutenant Anderson’s service in Queensland and New Guinea between 1941 and 1943. This memoir is part of a larger autobiography of Flight Lieutenant Anderson, titled ‘The Dolphin Boy’, written in the early 1970s.

Wallet 1 of 2, Folder 1 of 4 consists of a title page, contents pages, an introduction by Flight Lieutenant Anderson’s friend, Robin Slessor, and a forward by Flight Lieutenant Anderson.

Wallet 1 of 2, Folder 2 of 4 consists of Chapter 13 of Flight Lieutenant Anderson’s memoir, titled ‘Lieutenant Blank – Dad’s Army’. This chapter covers Flight Lieutenant Anderson’s service in Queensland between late 1941 and mid-1942. In this chapter, Flight Lieutenant Anderson writes about his enlistment, training in cyphering, serving on Horn Island during a Japanese air raid, being Officer-in-Charge of Cooktown Royal Australian Air Force Station, encounters with local wildlife, providing hospitality to young airmen travelling to New Guinea, having a lack of information from Air Force Headquarters, and his unorthodox attempts to equip his station.

Wallet 1 of 2, Folder 3 of 4 consists of Chapter 14 of Flight Lieutenant Anderson’s memoir, titled ‘The Milne Bay Campaign – Death that Never can be Forgotten’. This chapter covers Flight Lieutenant Anderson’s service in Milne Bay, New Guinea, in 1942. In this chapter, Flight Lieutenant Anderson writes about the Japanese invasion of Milne Bay, the evacuation of experienced officers, taking a liaison role between the Army and the Air Force, conveying orders troops, the deaths of fellow servicemen, having reduced rations, and collecting food from generous local villages. He also writes of the feelings of guilt arising from giving orders that would send men to their deaths.

Wallet 1 of 2, Folder 4 of 4 consists of Chapter 15 of Flight Lieutenant Anderson’s memoir, titled ‘Beau Orchard – He Sang as Others Panicked’. This chapter covers Flight Lieutenant Anderson’s service in Milne Bay, New Guinea, in 1942. In this chapter, Flight Lieutenant Anderson writes about the Japanese invasion of Milne Bay, his efforts in taking care of Air Force personnel, the morale of the troops, Japanese air raids, having reoccurring mild sickness, being in charge of the operations room, and the end of the Milne Bay campaign. He also includes anecdotes of his everyday life and service in Milne Bay.

Wallet 2 of 2, Folder 1 of 5 consists of Chapter 16 of Flight Lieutenant Anderson’s memoir, titled ‘Major General Cyril Clowes – The Controversial General’. This chapter covers Flight Lieutenant Anderson’s service in Milne Bay, New Guinea, in 1942. In this chapter, Flight Lieutenant Anderson writes about the details of the Battle of Milne Bay, including the tactics employed by Major General Clowes, the orders to take no prisoners, the treatment of local people by Japanese soldiers, the local environment, difficulties in communication, specific actions against the Japanese, and casualties.

Wallet 2 of 2, Folder 2 of 5 consists of Chapter 17 of Flight Lieutenant Anderson’s memoir, titled ‘Wesley Young – Appropriator’. This chapter covers Flight Lieutenant Anderson’s service in Port Moresby, New Guinea, in 1942. In this chapter, Flight Lieutenant Anderson writes about his first impressions of Port Moresby, settling into his new camp, being unexpectedly comfortable, and meeting interesting people.

Wallet 2 of 2, Folder 3 of 5 consists of Chapter 18 of Flight Lieutenant Anderson’s memoir, titled ‘John Keenan – Coastwatcher’. This chapter covers Flight Lieutenant Anderson’s service with Fighter Control in Port Moresby, New Guinea in 1942. In this chapter, Flight Lieutenant Anderson writes about the history of the coast watchers, the value of coast watchers in the War in the Pacific, his work as an Aircraft Identification Officer in Port Moresby, his interactions with coast watchers in the course of his work, and gathering intelligence from different sources to establish a reliable understanding of aircraft movements in the area.

Wallet 2 of 2, Folder 4 of 5 consists of Chapter 19 of Flight Lieutenant Anderson’s memoir, titled ‘Kila – Namo Taubada’. This chapter covers Flight Lieutenant Anderson’s service in Fighter Control, Port Moresby, New Guinea in 1942 and 1943. In this chapter, Flight Lieutenant Anderson writes about his work as an Aircraft Identification Officer, adopting a dog, hunting game with two local boys, resting at a plantation, collecting butterflies, becoming the Senior Identification Officer, and being privy to top-secret information.

Wallet 2 of 2, Folder 5 of 5 consists of Chapter 20 of Flight Lieutenant Anderson’s memoir, titled ‘Major Redington – The Smooth Operator’. This chapter covers Flight Lieutenant Anderson’s service in Fighter Control, Port Moresby, New Guinea in 1942 and 1943. In this chapter, Flight Lieutenant Anderson writes about working with Major Redington of the United States Air Force, his work as the Senior Identification Officer, the capabilities of Fighter Control, his report to the American Air Force regarding procedural issues within Fighter Control, completing advanced training in Sydney, preparing ambushes for Japanese aircraft approaching Port Moresby, his role in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, and returning to Australia.

Flight Lieutenant Louis Tregillis Ross Anderson enlisted to the Royal Australian Air Force in late 1941. He was trained as a cypher, and posted to the Cooktown Royal Australian Air Force Station. In August 1942, Flight Lieutenant Anderson was posted to Milne Bay, New Guinea. Due to the absence of more senior officers, he took a leading role on the Air Force station there, and acted as a liaison between the Army and the Air Force during the Battle of Milne Bay. Flight Lieutenant Anderson was posted to Fighter Control in Port Moresby, New Guinea in 1943. There, he served as an Aircraft Identification Officer, tracking Allied and enemy aircraft in New Guinea airspace. In late 1943, Flight Lieutenant Anderson returned to Australia. He was discharged on 14 August 1944.