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Doctrine | Air Power | APDC Papers and Working Papers | Conference Proceedings | Fellowship Papers | Pathfinder | Heritage Award | Historical TitlesPublic order form | Defence order form Mr Double Seven - $18.00
Author: Eric Stephenson For nearly 30 years Dr Eric Stephenson was a medical officer in the RAAF, rising to be Director General Air Force Health Services with the rank of Air Vice-Marshal. Even in retirement, he continued working in the Defence health field, until his association with the RAAF reached the extraordinary span of more than 50 years.
2nd Edition
This book records the exploits of the airmen of the first Australian Beaufort squadron in action in World War II. Developed as a torpedo and general reconnaissance bomber, the Beaufort was the heaviest, most powerful and most complex aircraft ever built in this country. It entered service with the Royal Australian Air Force at a time when Japanese invasion seemed imminent. As the tide of the war in the South-West Pacific turned from one mostly fought over the ocean to a land-based operation, the original squadron was joined by additional Beaufort units to form the RAAFÕs No 71 Wing. Employing new methods of warfare, the Beaufort crews closely supported American and Australian ground forces. Using participantsÕ own words to describe events, from the hazards of training to the fury of offensive operations, the author vividly brings to life the bravery of the aviators and the dedication and skill of the ground crews who operated Beauforts during the protracted campaign across the South-West Pacific.
Author: Chris Clark
In 1948 Britain, France and the United States of America found themselves opposed to their former wartime ally, the Soviet Union, over matters regarding control of Berlin, the capital of the defeated Nazi German regime. When the Soviets imposed a blockade of the city, the Allies had no option but to begin flying in the necessities of life for the two million inhabitants of the zones under their administration. Thus began the first large-scale humanitarian airlift in history. When Britain turned for support to its Dominion partners, the transport element of the Royal Australian Air Force had recently ceased flying a regular courier service for Australian occupation forces involved in garrisoning another defeated Axis power of World War II, Japan Ð this role having been handed over to a commercial airline. By September 1948 an unnumbered Australian squadron had joined other RAAF transport crews already engaged as part of the massive allied undertaking. To the Americans the 15-month-long operation was codenamed Vittles, while the British called it Plainfare. But to the Royal Australian Air For personnel involved, the Berlin Airlift was known as Pelican. Here the story is told of the events that made the airlift necessary, what the undertaking entailed and the part that Australians played in it, as well as the outcome and achievements of Operation Pelican.
For nine years from 1975, Neville McNamara operated at the pinnacle of Australia's defence organisation: as deputy chief of the Royal Australian Air Force, then chief, and finally as uniformed head of all three of Australia's defence services. Told in his own words, this account traces his rise from a small Queensland country town to sergeant pilot in the wartime RAAF in 1942, and eventually four-star rank - the second Australian air force officer to achieve that level. Over the course of his 42 1/2-year air force career, he served in three wars: flying fighters on operations in the South-West Pacific and Korea, and helicopters and transports in South Vietnam where he also held overall command of the RAAF units committed to that conflict. Although dubbed the "Quiet Man" for his unostentatious an unassuming style, he finally breaks his silence and writes about many of the events, projects and issues that were the centre of contention within the Department of Defence during the 1980s. "All members of the RAAF of today can learn from
the inspiring story of Air Chief Marshal Sir Neville McNamara. At a minimum,
we now know a lot more of what was happening behind the scenes during
his period in command of the Air Force and Australian Defence Force."
- Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, AO AFC
The stories contained in this collection are mostly first person accounts of evasions or escapes during World War II. Some are simple tales of unaided walking through the enemy's lines during the confusion of battle, while others are narratives of well-planned and clever deceptions that led to freedom. These accounts by mainly Australian airmen demonstrate adherence to 'the duty to escape' obligation and admirable fortitude, endurance, courage and considerable ingenuity. Most of the escapes were made possible by the efforts of those who gave shelter and guidance to hundreds of airmen 'on the loose'. These people gave this help unselfishly and in the knowledge that if betrayed, or caught in the act, they would face death, torture, or imprisonment at a concentration camp. Every escaper or evader was conscious of a tremendous debt to these modest civilians, whose courage was no less than that displayed by highly decorated servicemen trained in the profession of arms.
This monograph builds on original work published by Dr John Mordike in 1992 in his book An Army for a Nation: A history of Australian military development 1880-1914. The central focus in the cover-up of Australian preparation for World War I which was originally perpetrated in the years 1911-1914 and continued in Australia's official history of the war. The findings of more recent research build on the original work. The monograph exposes how British imperialists exploited Australia's perception of Japan as the prime threat to its security with the object of ensuring that Australia made timely military preparations, not for its own national defence, but for an imperial war in Europe. Australia's political leaders also exploited the fear of Japan as a cover for their preparations, deliberately misleading the Australian People. This monograph provides new insights into Australia's entry to World War I.
Strategy and Red Ink traces the history of RAAF Staff College within the context of the main decisions and events influencing the RAAF since World War II. Beginning with the War Staff Courses, it outlines the main eras that saw RAAF staff training change from a six month, all RAAF affair, into the present course with its diverse student body and strong international flavour. Widespread use is made of personal recollections, anecdotes and photographs to support the essential facts and figures, and help put things at a personal level for the reader. All Course photographs, along with those of the Commandants, are reproduced in separate appendices.
Australian Fighter Aces is a publication of special historical value. It provides an essential source of reference information gathered and authenticated over many years. Drawing on official records and information gleaned from a variety of sources, the book deals not only with fighter aces as they are traditionally understood, but also provides the background to their origin and development. Against that background, it provides in comprehensive detail the personal biographies of those Australian fighter pilots who achieved the accolade of 'ace'. These biographies include place and date of birth, dates of enlistment, units in which they served, a log of their claims, and their decorations, including wherever possible the citations or selected extracts.
Between 1941 and 1974 the Royal Australian Air Force Airfield Construction Squadrons operated under adverse physical conditions in peace and war. Forward airfields, vital to the aerial campaigns in the South-West Pacific, were developed, often under fire. In addition to the post-war development of facilities on the mainland, Airfield Construction Squadrons served with the occupation force in Japan, built the airfield at Butterworth during the Malayan Emergency and developed facilities at Phan Rang and Vung Tau in South Vietnam. Always First is based on official records and personal memories. The
organisation, development and manning of the force are detailed. Operations
are described from an official and human perspective. The sometimes critical
nature of relations with our American allies is discussed.
For 45 years, from 1948 until 1993, the Royal Australian Air Force conducted an apprentice training scheme to provide skilled tradesmen for its engineering and radio musterings. The many thousands of youths who passed through the scheme comprised not just Australians but Pakistanis and New Zealanders too, and in its later years included girls as well as boys. For such a technical service as the RAAF, apprentice training was a key element in providing a solid foundation for supporting and maintaining an increasingly complex range of aircraft and other equipment systems. This book, specially commissioned by the RAAF to commemorate the unique contribution apprentices made to the service over nearly half a century, provides a documented record of the scheme's origins, rationale and development. It also traces the debate which gave recognition to the service's changing requirements and ultimately led to the termination of the apprentice training. Other Titles available through the APDC
This book discusses the roller-coaster ride of the RAAF Reserve, particularly since the formation of the CAF fighter squadrons in 1948. Policy, workplace and personal perspectives are provided, along with an outline of each of the nine RAAFAR squadrons, the Specialist Reserve, the Air Training Corps and the University Squadrons. The valuable contribution made by Part-Timers over the years is confirmed. A glimpse of what might have been if their great potential had been more fully developed is also provided. Given today's plans to fully expand the RAAF Reserve, that glimpse, along with the history, should provide interesting reading to regulars and Part-Timers alike.
A pictoral history of the F-111's 25 years of service with the Royal Australian Air Force. |
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The
Quiet Man - The Autobiography of Air Chief Marshal Sir Neville McNamara
- $40.00. Air Chief Marshal Sir Neville McNamara
Against
the Odds - Escapes & Evasions by Allied Airmen, World War II - $28.00.
Murray Adams (ed)
We
Should do this thing quietly: Japan and the great deception in Australian
defence policy 1911-1914. John Mordike
Strategy
and Red Ink. Doug Hurst
Australian
Fighter Aces 1914-1953. A.D. Garrison
Always
First: The RAAF Airfield Construction Squadrons 1942-1974. David Wilson
From
the Ground Up: The Training of RAAF technical ground staff 1948-1993.
C.D. Coulthard-Clark
The
Part-Timers: A History of the RAAF Reserves 1948-1998 - $27.50. An
Australian Defence Force Journal Publication
The
Flight of the Pig - $32.95. An Australian Defence Force Journal Publication