| Accession Number | P02541.001 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white |
| Physical description | Black & white |
| Place made | French Mandate for Syria and Lebanon: Lebanon, Beirut Tripoli Area, Rayak |
| Date made | c June 1941 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Three unidentified Australian ground crew members from No 3 Squadron RAAF, standing on the ...
Description
Three unidentified Australian ground crew members from No 3 Squadron RAAF, standing on the starboard wing of a damaged Vichy French Air Force, Liore et Olivier 451 twin engined light bomber at the Rayak airfield, Syria. The remains of three other Dewoitine D520 fighters can be seen in the background (left). Rows of abandoned French trucks and other vehicles are parked in the background behind the three Australians and there is a camouflaged hangar (right) which appears to be relatively undamaged. Rayak aerodrome was first attacked by British Blenheim bombers on 18-19 May 1941 and again on 8 June 1941 (the morning of the Invasion of Syria) by P40 Tomahawks of No 3 Squadron, RAAF, where six Vichy French aircraft were damaged on the ground. After its capture, No 3 Squadron RAAF occupied Rayak aerodrome until 3 September 1941 when it transferred back to the Western Desert.