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Federation and MeteorologyBureau of Meteorology
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Table of Contents

War History of the Australian Meteorological Service

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1: D.Met.S.—Australia's Wartime Weather Service

Chapter 2: The Weather Factor in Warfare

Chapter 3: Met in the Retreat

Chapter 4: Met in the Advance
Port Moresby to Milne Bay
New Pacific Stations
9 Operational Group
10 Operational Group
Northern Command
First Tactical Air Force
Labuan Island
The End in Singapore

Chapter 5: Meteorology in Aviation

Chapter 6: Central Forecasting Services

Chapter 7: Met With the Army

Chapter 8: Research and Personnel Training

Chapter 9: Instrumental Development and Maintenance

Chapter 10: Scientific Developments in the RAAF Meteorological Service

Chapter 11: Divisional Bureaux and Their Work

Appendix 1: List of Reports Provided by D.Met.S. for Advances Operational Planning and Other Purposes

Appendix 2: List of Service Personnel RAAF Meteorological Service

Appendix 3: List of Civilian Personnel Who Worked Together with Service Personnel of the RAAF Meteorological Service

Appendix 4: List of Locations at which RAAF Meteorological Service Personnel Served


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New Pacific Stations

In August 1943 the RAAF weather station network in the islands was extended with preparations to commence service at the new Kiriwina base. FO (later Fl Lt) K. G. Humphris headed the initial party, with FO (later Fl Lt) C. Kerr taking charge midway through September. From then on forecasting services were provided for 6, 8 and 100 Squadrons—which were using the island as a staging through post in their strikes against New Britain, New Ireland and the Solomons—and for the locally based Bostons and Beaufighters of 22 and 30 Squadrons. Daily forecasts also went to the American torpedo boat base on the island

Both Kiriwina and Goodenough meteorological staffs were given plenty of opportunities for operational flying. At Kiriwina they made frequent weather reconnaissance flights over the Solomon Sea in B-25 (Mitchell) aircraft of the United States Fifth Bomber Command until these ceased in December 1943. Each flight lasted three and a half hours and RAAF weather men who took part were—FO McIntyre, 16 flights; FO Kerr, 11; FO C. W. Rodd, 16; LAC (later FO) J. K. Ashton, 7; Cpl (later WO) E. Ashbrook, 6 and Cpl (later Sgt) M. E. Wotherspoon, 3. At Goodenough the meteorological staff members who did most operational flying were Sqn Ldr J. N. McRae, Fl Lt E. A. Mizon and FO G. Powell.

The British bomber command initiated weather reconnaissance flights after several of its aircraft were adversely affected by the elements during raids on Rabaul and permission for RAAF meteorological personnel to participate as weather observers was given because of the importance of the area to Australian air operations. They proved an invaluable aid to forecasting.

Interest in the flights by weather men was not confined to professional aspects. For instance, on one flight the met man had the experience of ranging down the Bougainville coast at 50 feet and circling Empress Augusta Bay, with its fleet of small ships and puffs of smoke inland, on the day following the first American landing. On another occasion units of the United States fleet were observed, with balloon barrages floating over the aircraft carriers as they headed north to engage a Japanese task force and on still another a few rounds of 75 mm cannon were fired at an enemy radar station on the southern tip of New Ireland. Frequently the weather planes sighted Japanese aircraft that were apparently running a courier service from the Solomons to New Britain and it seemed that these machines were as anxious to avoid contact with the Mitchells as were the latter with them.

The greatest opportunity was lost when the crew on an early morning reconnaissance failed to identify an enemy submarine. Some 50 miles south-east of Gasmata what appeared to be a lugger was sighted but only when it began to sink beneath the surface was the mistake realised. A sudden 90 degree turn and the Mitchell roared full bore at dot feet to the disappearing enemy but no trace could be found. Two days later RAAF Kittyhawks claimed this submarine as a victim in Gasmata harbour.


People in Bright Sparcs - McRae, John Neil

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Haldane, T. 1997 'War History of the Australian Meteorological Service in the Royal Australian Air Force April 1941 to July 1946', Metarch Papers, No. 10 October 1997, Bureau of Meteorology

© Online Edition Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre and Bureau of Meteorology 2001
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