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
Chapter 5: Meteorology in Aviation
Functions and Wartime Development
Service at RAAF Training Schools and Stations
Cooperation with US Personnel
Operational Expansion
Movement into Borneo
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
Index
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Movement into Borneo
As the air offensive moved towards the Philippine Islands during 1944 and 1945, taking with it the American weather units previously operating further south, the responsibilities of the Australian meteorological sections in the New Guinea area increased, since the United States air transport line of supply still operated through the territory and RAAF tactical operations towards the Celebes and Borneo were increasing. That meant augmented numbers and increased work for the D.Met.S. stations; that at Wama airstrip (Morotai Island) establishing the record number of more than 2500 operational forecasts in a single month. Aviation meteorological stations moved into Borneo with the invasion troops to service air operations by the RAAF First Tactical Air Force, and when the Japanese surrender came were operating at Labuan Island, Tarakan and Balikpapan, as well as throughout New Guinea and adjoining areas.In the North-Western Command, by 1945, the wheel of fortune had completely revolved with the establishment of a D.Met.S. aviation weather station at Koepang, on Timor Island, by the same officer who had evacuated it in the face of the Japanese advance in 1942.
To provide staff for the expanding networks in the operational area throughout the war years severely taxed the resources of the aviation section, so that personnel available for service at bases within Australia on the strategic air-routes was severely limited. Generally, working hours at the mainland stations were also long and pressure of duties severe, but a high standard of efficiency was maintained. Staffing policy of the Directorate throughout was one of regular interchanges of personnel between all northern and southern stations, so that the number of aviation met men who did not see active war service consisted almost solely of ineligibles.
Organisations in Australian Science at Work - Directorate of Meteorological Services (D.Met.S)
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Bureau of Meteorology |  |
© Online Edition Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre and Bureau of Meteorology 2001
Published by Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre, using the Web Academic Resource Publisher
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