RAAF Meteorological Service
Foreword
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Weather Factor in Warfare
Chapter 2: Establishing and Developing the RAAF Directorate of Met. Services (D.Met.S)
Chapter 3: Recruiting and Training of Personnel
Senior Officers
Recruitment and Personnel
The WAAAF
Training Courses
'Who are these Met blokes?'
Chapter 4: Meteorology in Aviation
Chapter 5: The Met. Retreating
Chapter 6: The Met. Advancing
Chapter 7: The Met With the Army and the Navy
Chapter 8: Divisional Offices of the Bureau of Meteorology During the War
Chapter 9: Research and Instrumental Development
Chapter 10: The End, Aftermath, and Beyond
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Appendix 4
References
Index
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Warren was a man of action. Quiet, courteous, yet firm and decisive, he commanded the respect and admiration of all who knew him. In his presence, one sensed the dignity and aura of a man, authoritative as much as authoritarian. Although he was not a professional meteorologist, he was able to handle the delicate role of directing senior professionals who had been in the Met. for many years. There were, inevitably, currents of resentment and jealousy that seem to be characteristic of bureaucracies, but Warren was big enough not to be seriously embarrassed by these. It was typical of his intelligence and power of application, that when he attended international meteorological conferences before, during, and after the war, delegates from other countries took him for a professional meteorologist. He learned quickly and adapted readily. It seemed consistent with his dedication to the task in hand that in 'Who's Who', his only address was given as 'c/- Central Weather Bureau, Melbourne.' Here was his post, and here he could be contacted at any time. Such a man was needed to direct a group which was essentially comprised of specialist scientists rather than administrators.
Though meticulous in his dealings with the Air Board, and beyond reproach in his sense of military duty, Warren had a mind of his own, and stood his ground against anything he saw as an encroachment on his domain. After all, he was the head of the Met. service in civilian life, and he did not hesitate to object or argue when he felt that the taking over of his prerogative went too far. Like any top administrator, he played one faction against another to derive the best results. He conducted his Directorate strictly in accordance with RAAF law and regulations. He accepted the authority of the Air Board in-so-far as a sound relationship between military heads and meteorological services was involved.
It was largely due to this leader's administrative drive and skill that the updating of the Met. was successfully completed, so that it was well prepared to meet the demands of war.
People in Bright Sparcs - Warren, Herbert Norman
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Bureau of Meteorology |  |
© Online Edition Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre and Bureau of Meteorology 2001
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