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  4. Australia under attack 1942-1943
  5. Australia under attack: Mobilising the nation
  6. Australia under attack: The RAAF at war

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Australia under attack: The RAAF at war

  • Introduction
  • Under attack
  • Mobilisation
  • The End in sight

 

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) began the war with few aircraft, and fewer facilities to teach people to fly them. Australia and other nations of the British Empire combined to create the Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS). Most Australian aircrew who trained in EATS served in Europe. As the threat of war in Asia grew, the RAAF took on more comprehensive training for aircrews in Australia. The RAAF created facilities in Australia that could turn raw recruits into airmen.

In 1942 RAAF squadrons were based across Australia. Fighters defended northern Australia and reconnaissance squadrons were based farther south, along with training and support units.

With the Japanese submarine threat to Australian coastal shipping, many reserve squadrons of qualified but inexperienced aircrew were deployed on coastal patrols and convoy escort, occasionally with tragic results.

Collection Item C315617

Accession Number: P02393.009

An Anson aircraft of No. 73 Squadron, RAAF, forced down on the sea off Jervis Bay, NSW

Bravo! sons of the air

Bravo! sons of the air, bravo! sons of the sea

Collection Item C273513

Accession Number: P01818.004

The Link Trainer

Collection Item C297317

Accession Number: P02175.005

Rescue on Moruya beach

Collection Item C111044

Accession Number: REL/08358

Engine plate from crashed Beaufort bomber

Mobilisation

  • Mobilising the nation
  • Air Raid Precautions
    • Identification labels
    • The Anderson air raid shelter
    • “When the air raid siren sounds …”
  • Scanning the skies
  • The man who killed Santa Claus
    • Austerity
    • Suits and home-made toys
    • Investing in victory
  • Inventors and industry
    • Civil Constructional Corps
    • Rail transport
    • Feeding the men
  • Recruitment
  • The Australian Military Forces
    • Lines of communication
    • Militia training
    • Australia’s home guard
    • The Nackeroos
    • The RAAF at war
    • The Z men

Last updated: 26 November 2019

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Canberra Highlands in Grayscale

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS

The Australian War Memorial acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and waters. We pay our respects to elders past and present.
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The Australian War Memorial

Fairbairn Avenue
Campbell ACT 2612
Australia
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The Australian War Memorial

Fairbairn Avenue

Campbell ACT 2612

Australia

 

Opening Hours

10 am to 4 pm daily (except Christmas Day)

 

In preparation for the daily Last Post Ceremony,

galleries are progressively closed from 3:40 pm.

 

Public entrance via Fairbairn Avenue, Campbell ACT 2612

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