Glimpse of the RAAF Meteorological Service
Preface
Foreword
Introduction
Chapter 1: Growing Up
Chapter 2: Port Moresby Before Pearl Harbour
Chapter 3: Port Moresby After Pearl Harbour
Chapter 4: Allied Air Force HQ and RAAF Command, Brisbane
Chapter 5: Japan Surrenders and We Are Demobilised
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
Appendix 1: References
Appendix 2: Milestones
1788
1822
1840
1841
1850
1853
1855
1857
1859
1863
1873
1879
1887
1894
1901
1903
1904
1908
1910
1914
1918
1916
1917
1919
1920
1921
1928
1932
1933
1934
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940–1944
1940
1941
Dec 1941–Jan 1942
1942
1943
1944
1944–1945
1945
1946
Appendix 3: Papers Published in Tropical Weather Research Bulletins
Appendix 4: Radiosonde Observations 1941–46
Index
Search
Help
Contact us
Dec 1941–Jan 1942
Hudsons of RAAF No 24 Squadron based Rabaul, and Catalina flying boats of Nos 11 and 20 Squadrons and Hudsons of No 24 Squadron RAAF based at Port Moresby and Rabaul, carry out reconnaissance of and attempt attacks on Japanese aircraft and shore installations as far north as the island of Truk.RAAF Short Empire 'C' Class flying boats based at Port Moresby resupply AOBs.
1942
3 Jan: Port Moresby reinforced by 30th Brigade of Australian militia which included raw young troops of 39th Battalion.4 Jan: Japanese aircraft bomb Rabaul where Wing Cmdr Lerew commands RAAF No 24 Squadron comprising 4 Hudsons, 8 Wirraways.
14 Jan: Japanese invasion fleet leaves Guam heading for Rabaul.
17 Jan: Japanese carriers and other naval vessels leave Truk in support of invasion fleet headed for Rabaul.
20 Jan: Japanese carriers launch 100 bombers and fighters to attack Rabaul. Seven RAAF Wirraways shot down by faster, more manoeuvrable and more numerous Japanese Zero fighters. Wing Cmdr J. Lerew ordered by Air Force HQ in Melbourne to attack Japanese invaders. With only one Hudson and one damaged Wirraway at his disposal, Lerew replies with signal "nos morituri te salutamus", the Roman gladiators' cry to spectators at the Colosseum, "we who are about to die salute you".
21 Jan: After massive air attacks Japanese forces land at Rabaul and Kavieng. Two RAAF Catalinas of No 20 Squadron shot down by Zeros off north coast of New Britain. Catalinas and Short Empire 'C' Class flying boats evacuate AIF and RAAF personnel from New Britain.
24 Jan: Japanese reconnaissance aircraft over Port Moresby.
Jan-Feb: Repeated night attacks on Japanese forces in Rabaul by Hudsons of RAAF No 24 Squadron and Catalinas of No 20 Squadron based in Port Moresby despite heavy anti-aircraft fire and attacks by Japanese Zeros.
30 Jan: RAAF personnel evacuated from Ambon.
31 Jan: Japanese occupy Ambon.
3 Feb: First Japanese air raid on Port Moresby (at night by Kawanisi flying boats).
5 Feb: Second Japanese air raid on Port Moresby (also at night).
9 Feb: Japanese landing at Gasmata on south coast of New Britain despite heavy attack by RAAF Hudsons and Catalinas.
15 Feb: Allied surrender of Singapore to Japanese forces.
15 Feb: Some RAAF personnel evacuated from Timor. F/O Bryan Rote RAAF Meteorological Service remains behind in charge of party of RAAF and Army personnel.
17 Feb: Japanese float plane, launched offshore from mother submarine in predawn darkness, flies undetected over Sydney suburbs and harbour. Later flew undetected over Melbourne, Hobart, Wellington, Auckland and Fiji.
19 Feb: Japanese launch massive air raid on Darwin with 188 fighters and bombers from Admiral Nagumo's carrier task force (the same as that used at Pearl Harbour) together with 54 land-based bombers. Many naval and merchant vessels sunk or damaged. 23 RAAF and USAF aircraft destroyed on the ground or in the air. Military and other installations destroyed or damaged. 238 military personnel and civilians killed, 300 wounded.
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© Online Edition Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre and Bureau of Meteorology 2001
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