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
Chapter 6: Central Forecasting Services
Chapter 7: Met With the Army
How Weather Formations Were Created as Essential to the Army
Establishments Throughout Australia
Meteorological Staff Officer
Disposition of Flights
Successive Movements to Pacific Theatres
The Close of Hostilities
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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Disposition of Flights (continued)
This movement of No 5 Flight, under Fl Lt F. Bell, to the islands permitted the relief of No 1 Flight, which had served for over two years in tropical operational areas. In early June 1944 it returned to Australia by the transport Duntroon, followed later in the month by members of No 2 Flight also due for relief. In July 1944 No 4 Flight, commanded by Fl Lt A. F. M. Brown, was ordered to move from Fremantle (WA) where it had been operating under the control of Western Command, to join Queensland L of C Area. On its arrival in the north-eastern State the number of mobile meteorological flights in Queensland reached four, since No 1 Flight (Fl Lt J M Hall), was encamped at Barrine; No 2 Flight (Fl Lt R. Barnes) at Ravenshoe and No 3 Flight (Fl Lt G. R. Trefry) in the Wondecla area. The remaining flight —No 6— was at this time attached to headquarters, RAA Northern Territory Force, in the vicinity of Darwin.Throughout this time, and as the campaign proceeded, many technical notes and handbooks relating to various aspects of meteorological cooperation with land forces were issued in Melbourne and distributed to the mobile flights and also to the appropriate Army organisations. These included several publications containing information gained in captured Japanese weather documents.
Successive Movements to Pacific Theatres
In November 1944 No 3 Flight embarked at Cairns for Aitape (New Guinea), arriving at RAA, 6 Aust Div four days later. Conditions were primitive and some time was spent in building tables, cupboards and other essential office equipment and buildings. Much of the timber for this had to be cut and carted several miles through the jungle, but before the end of the month the job was done and the flight was functioning with full services for its area of operations and supplying meteor corrections to 2/6 Survey Battery. The OIC of the flight was also instructed to inspect local coastlines, to recommend off-loading points and beach areas suitable for use in the north-westerly season. A local organisation was initiated to observe and report on the fordability of rivers, and periodical weather reports, particularly warnings of storms, heavy rain and flood conditions that would affect bridge construction were furnished as a routine service to RAE.Because of the proximity of enemy patrols and the risk involved in carrying out pilot balloon flights outside the perimeter—for snipers were plentiful—night meteor flights were inadvisable at this time, the illuminated lanterns and theodolite revealing the position of the battery to the enemy and also giving him the knowledge of anticipated gunfire.
People in Bright Sparcs - Bell, Fred
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© Online Edition Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre and Bureau of Meteorology 2001
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