| Accession Number | P02875.256 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Negative |
| Maker |
Robinson, William Herbert |
| Date made | October 1943 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Collection relating to the service of William H Robinson
Description
Kiriwina, Trobriand Islands, Papua. October 1943. "Jinker" Jelley's starter battery cart plugged into the main power socket of a No. 79 Squadron RAAF Spitfire Mk Vc aircraft for engine starting on Kiriwina airfield. Note: No. 79 Squadron RAAF was issued with one battery cart to provide engine starting power for twenty-four aircraft; hardly enough to guarantee an effective scramble to intercept enemy raiders! Flying Officer A. H. (Peter) Birch and Flight Sergeant A. J. G. (Jim) Jelley searched around Kiriwina and obtained twenty-four light machine gun carts from a US Army infantry regiment. They modified these carts so that there was one for each of the Squadron's twenty-four Spitfires.