Milne Bay victory achieves a first

Pilots from 75 Squadron: (L-R) Geoff Atherton, Alan Whetters, Bob Crawford and Mick Butler (ranks unknown)

A 75 Squadron P40 in adverse terrain at Milne Bay in 1942.

Squadron Leader Peter Turnbull, who was killed at Milne Bay while attacking a Japanese light tank.

In 1942, the Battle of Milne Bay became the first time a Japanese invasion force was repelled by Allied troops.

David Wilson recalls how the Royal Australian Air Force played more than just a little part in the big picture.

AUSTRALIAN Army intelligence staff assessed the Japanese landing at Buna on the north coast of Papua New Guinea on July 21, 1942, as an indication of an impending advance overland to capture Port Moresby.

The Allied Air Forces responded to increased enemy aerial activity to the north of New Guinea by alerting two Kittyhawk squadrons, Numbers 76 and 75, which had been deployed to Milne Bay in July, of increased enemy activity.

Also tasked were Hudson aircraft from Numbers 6 and 32 Squadrons to carry out reconnaissance of maritime approaches, seeking signs of enemy naval activity.

The Japanese intention was to advance along the Kokoda Trail to capture Port Moresby.

In order to provide aerial support and secure the flank of the main force, the Japanese deemed it necessary to take over the newly-constructed airfields at Milne Bay.

The Japanese Milne Bay invasion force departed Rabaul on August 24 and was sighted by the crew of an American B-17 reconnaissance aircraft next day.

By mid-afternoon the Japanese force was within the range of the forces at Milne Bay and came under attack by the Kittyhawks and a single Hudson.

Although light casualties were inflicted on the Japanese troops aboard the transports, it was impossible to prevent the Japanese landing, which took place near the KB Mission on the north shore of Milne Bay, during the night.

Early on August 26, the Kittyhawks destroyed a number of enemy, landing barges beached near the KB Mission,
preventing their subsequent use to outflank the Australian Militia battalions.

The Kittyhawks, coordinated by ground liaison officers, flew vital close support missions, bombing and strafing enemy troops. The proximity of the enemy to the airfield was illustrated by the fact that the fighters barely had time to retract their undercarriages before commencing attacks.

So intense was the action that the 0.50-inch machine guns that were the main armament of the fighters were found to be worn out to 0.60 inches.

The battle was in the balance until the early morning of August 31 when Japanese troops attempted to overcome the defenders of No. 2 Airfield (later named Turnbull Field in commemoration of Squadron Leader Peter Turnbull, who had been killed while attempting to strafe a Japanese light tank on August 27).

The Australian forces prevailed and then began an advance until, on the night of September 5-6, the Japanese conceded defeat and withdrew their surviving forces from Milne Bay.

However, Japanese naval forces continued to harass the Milne Bay defenders. On the night of September 7, the British supply vessel Anshun was hit by naval gunfire.

To counter this activity, six Beaufort torpedo bombers of No. 100 Squadron were deployed from Laverton. Although the first torpedo bombing strike flown by the Air Force on September 8 was unsuccessful, the lessons learnt were put to good effect during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea in March 1943.

The Battle of Milne Bay was the first time a Japanese invasion force had been repelled by Allied troops. The role of the Air Force in achieving this victory was decisive. Air superiority over the battlefield was retained at all times and the Air Force flew effective army co-operation and tactical reconnaissance missions.

The victory at Milne Bay was the result of close co-operation between all three services and is a tribute to Australian military arms.

David Wilson is the executive director, RAAF Historical Records, Aerospace Centre

 

Korean War photos need identification

THE Australian War Memorial is seeking assistance from Korean War veterans to caption photographs taken of Australian servicemen during the conflict.

The War Memorial’s Senior Curator-Photo Film and Sound, Nola Anderson, said a selection of the photographs had been posted on the War Memorial’s web site, accompanied by a return email form for those who can identify servicemen in the photographs.

Ms Anderson said while the Korean War was often referred to as the forgotten war, it was a bloody and harsh conflict and represented a major turning point in Australia’s history.

The Korean War marked the formation of Australia’s standing professional Army and the first time that members of the United Nations acted collectively to repel aggression.

Some 17,000 Australian sailors, soldiers and airmen served in the Korean War. During the conflict 339 Australians were killed, 1216 were wounded and 29 were taken prisoners of war.

Ms Anderson said preserving and restoring negatives taken by the Army’s public relations department had been a major long term task – and one that would continue for some time.

The negatives were returned to Australia in sandbags, wrapped in recycled roneo paper – similar to today’s facsimile paper – with labels stuck to the bags with glue, which permeated the wrapping and stuck to the negatives.

The memorial is now steadily restoring the negatives.

Ms Anderson said that following the 50th anniversary of the end of the Korean War on July 27, now was an opportune time to identify the thousands of serviceman photographed during this conflict.

The photographs can be viewed at www.awm.gov.au/press/korea

 

Art for heritage’s sake at annual awards

Winners of the RAAF Heritage Awards in front of the winning artwork at the National Convention Centre Canberra: Darren McNamara, John Brown, Roy Shallcross and Steven Hayen. Photo by LACW Simone Liebelt

CAF Air Marshal Angus Houston announced the winners of the 2003 RAAF Annual Heritage Awards on August 4.

The art prizes were won by Mr Steven Heyen for Follow the Leader (which shows two Hawker Demon aircraft flying around the escarpment of the Blue Mountains) and Mr John Brown for Cross Country Solo Benalla 1941 (which depicts a Tiger Moth flying).

Above and Beyond, a photograph of Air Commodore Chris Beatty, DFC, AFC, won the first prize in the photographic category for Mr Darren McNamara.

All these works are now part of the Air Force’s heritage art and photographic collection.

Mr Roy Shallcross, an ex-WWII navigator in Ferry and Transport Commands, won the literature prize for his account of his experiences with the RAF. His manuscript will be published and released at the 2004 Heritage Awards.

 

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