North-Western Area Command
North-Western Area Command | |
---|---|
Active | 1942–1955 |
Allegiance | Australia |
Branch | Royal Australian Air Force |
Role | Air defence Aerial reconnaissance Protection of adjacent sea lanes Attacks on Japanese bases and shipping |
Garrison/HQ | Darwin, Northern Territory |
Engagements | World War II |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Douglas Wilson (1942) Frank Bladin (1942–43) Adrian Cole (1943–44) Alan Charlesworth (1944–46) Frank Headlam (1946) Glen Cooper (1952–53) |
North-Western Area Command was one of several geographically based commands raised by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during World War II. Its wartime sphere of operations included the Northern Territory, adjacent portions of Queensland and Western Australia, and the Dutch East Indies. The command was formed in January 1942, following the outbreak of the Pacific War, from the western part of Northern Area Command, which had covered all of northern Australia and Papua. Headquartered at Darwin, North-Western Area Command was initially responsible for air defence, aerial reconnaissance and protection of the sea lanes within its boundaries.
In the
History
World War II
Formation
North-Western Area Command was formed at
The outbreak of the
On 15 January 1942, an Allied supreme command for South East Asia and the South West Pacific,
1942–1943: Raids and counter-raids
On 19 February 1942, NWA's complement of aircraft included seventeen
In the wake of the disaster, NWA headquarters moved to a bush camp south of the RAAF Station, and the senior leadership was changed.
As of 20 April 1942, operational authority over all RAAF combat infrastructure, including area commands, was invested in the newly established Allied Air Forces (AAF) Headquarters under
By December 1942, NWA's flying units included six RAAF squadrons operating mainly Kittyhawks, Beaufighters, Hudsons, and
As raids continued into 1943, Bladin placed his bombers inland and his fighters close to the coast, where they could intercept the attackers.[50] No. 61 (Works) Wing was responsible for airfield construction squadrons and their support units.[47] Works squadrons constructed or improved airfields at Cooomalie, Millingimbi, Fenton, Long, and Darwin.[51] According to historian Chris Coulthard-Clark, NWA was "one of the few areas where the RAAF was free to run its own show" in World War II.[52] Bladin often employed his own judgement in selecting targets for offensive strikes, as detailed directives from superior headquarters were not always forthcoming.[53] On 27 February, acting on intercepted radio transmissions, he launched a raid on Penfui airfield near Koepang, destroying or damaging twenty-two Japanese bombers that were expected to make a major raid on Darwin.[54]
To help protect northern Australia from ongoing air attack, three squadrons of Supermarine Spitfire fighters were transferred from the United Kingdom and became operational in March 1943 as No. 1 Fighter Wing RAAF under Group Captain Allan Walters.[43] A major engagement over Darwin on 2 May resulted in the loss of five Spitfires during combat, and several others in forced landings owing to fuel starvation or engine failure, for the destruction of one Japanese bomber and five fighters. Bladin immediately ordered a retaliatory Beaufighter strike led by Wing Commander Charles Read against Penfui airfield, on the assumption—which proved to be correct—that this was where the Japanese raiders were based; four enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground.[54][55] Between March and May 1943, the number of sorties flown by NWA's combat squadrons rose from 211 to 469. The Allies claimed a total of forty-six Japanese aircraft destroyed for the loss of thirty of their own on operations, seventeen to enemy action and thirteen from other causes.[56] On 17 June, under the command of Group Captain Clive Caldwell, No. 1 Wing recorded NWA's most successful interception to date, claiming fourteen Japanese raiders destroyed and ten damaged, for the loss of two Spitfires.[57] The same month, the USAAF's 380th Bombardment Group, consisting of four squadrons of Liberators, came under NWA's control, enhancing its strategic strike capability.[58] By this time, NWA headquarters staff numbered 385, including 96 officers.[59]
1943–1945: Offensive operations
Bladin handed over NWA to Air Vice Marshal Adrian Cole in July 1943. Cole reported that the command was "well organised, keen and in good shape", but considered its air defence capability inadequate, recommending augmentation by long-range fighters such as Lightnings. He nevertheless had to make do with the three Spitfire squadrons of No. 1 Fighter Wing, and the possibility of calling on the USAAF's Fifth Air Force for reinforcements as necessary.[60] Having started out as a primarily defensive command, by mid-1943 NWA was able to support Allied advances in New Guinea. As well as the protection of Northern Australia, the command was responsible for attacking Japanese bases and shipping.[61] During August and September, Cole reduced regular reconnaissance missions to maximise his bombing effort, following a request from MacArthur to provide all available support for Allied assaults on Lae–Nadzab; NWA Liberators, Hudsons, Beaufighters and PBY Catalinas carried out raids to destroy Japanese bases and aircraft, and divert enemy forces from Allied advances.[62] No. 79 Wing was established under the aegis of NWA at Batchelor on 30 November 1943. Consisting of four attack squadrons flying Bristol Beauforts, Mitchells and Beaufighters, it was commanded by Group Captain Charles Eaton.[63]
By December 1943, the character of the air war in northern Australia had changed markedly, as the Japanese were no longer able to mount air raids against Darwin; rather than merely securing NWA, Cole was keen to adopt an offensive strategy in the Dutch East Indies.[64] According to David Horner, "In the sense that he had to plan and conduct his own campaign, the AOC Northwestern Area was one of the RAAF's few operational level commanders, even if the campaign was somewhat static and limited".[61] During March and April 1944, NWA controlled thirteen squadrons, including those of No. 79 Wing, and supported amphibious operations against Hollandia and Aitape.[65] No. 61 Wing was ordered to build a 10,000-foot (3,000 m) runway at Darwin to accommodate USAAF B-29 Superfortress heavy bombers for operations against oil refineries in Balikpapan, but the deployment never went ahead.[66]
NWA's aircraft bombed Surabaya as part of Operation Transom in May 1944.[67] No. 79 Wing took part in the Allied attack on Noemfoor in June and July; sorties by all NWA aircraft in July totalled 704.[68] No. 79 Wing was subsequently earmarked for transfer from NWA to Northern Command (formerly No. 9 Operational Group) in Papua New Guinea, to undertake operations against the Japanese in New Britain.[69] No. 1 Wing received two fresh British squadrons of Spitfires in July, to replace two Australian squadrons that had been transferred to No. 80 Wing, which had formed in Darwin for a planned assault on Selaru that did not eventuate.[70][71] No. 44 Wing was disbanded on 22 August 1944, and its radar stations transferred to other units in the area.[48] The same month, No. 61 Wing departed the Northern Territory for Morotai Island, where it later came under the control of the RAAF's main mobile strike force, First Tactical Air Force.[69][72]
In September 1944, Cole handed NWA over to Air Commodore Alan Charlesworth.[73] At this stage of the war, the Allies were advancing north and the tempo of operations in the Darwin area had decreased.[74] Group Captain Peter Jeffrey led No. 1 Wing to the Tanimbar Islands and strafed targets in Selaru, but told Caldwell that he considered the raid a wasted effort and had only undertaken it to boost the spirit of his pilots.[75] Charlesworth raised concerns regarding No. 80 Wing, warning higher command that its morale would drop if it was not either given a more active role in the war or transferred to southern Australia for rest.[76] By October, the wing had received orders to depart NWA for Morotai to join the First Tactical Air Force; this left NWA with twelve squadrons at its disposal, including one Liberator unit and three other Spitfire squadrons.[69][77] In the meantime, NWA supported the assault on Leyte with attacks on ports, oil facilities, and shipping in the Dutch East Indies using Beaufighters, Mitchells, and Liberators. These operations continued through November and December.[78] No. 31 Squadron transferred from Coomalie to the First Tactical Air Force on Morotai in December.[79] By then, NWA headquarters staff numbered 651, including 156 officers.[80]
The same month Charlesworth assumed command,
Another squadron of Liberators was added to No. 82 Wing's strength in late-April 1945.[85] The bombers attacked targets in Java in the lead-up to Operation Oboe One, the invasion of Tarakan, which commenced on 1 May.[86] During this and the two subsequent Oboe operations, the invasions of Labuan and Balikpapan, NWA was responsible for mining operations, convoy escort, aerial reconnaissance, and attacks on Japanese bases and troops.[87] No. 76 Wing's Catalinas mined harbours as far north as Hong Kong and the Gulf of Hainan, China.[52] By July, NWA had been denuded of much of its offensive capability as Nos. 79 and 82 Wings had been transferred to the First Tactical Air Force in Morotai. No. 85 Wing was formed the same month under NWA's control; it comprised two Liberator squadrons but only one became operational before the end of the Pacific War.[88][89]
Post-war activity and disbandment
On 2 September 1945, following the end of the Pacific War, South West Pacific Area was dissolved and the RAAF again assumed full control of all its operational elements.[90] The Air Force shrank dramatically as personnel were demobilised and units disbanded; most of the RAAF's bases and aircraft employed in operations after the war were situated within Eastern Area's sphere of control in New South Wales and southern Queensland.[91] Darwin's Liberator and Catalina squadrons were mainly used for repatriating Australian prisoners of war.[89][92] No. 76 and 85 Wings were disbanded in November.[93] Darwin would subsequently function mainly as a transit centre and a base for peacetime exercises, rather than as a permanent station for flying squadrons.[94] Charlesworth continued to serve as AOC NWA until January 1946, when Group Captain Frank Headlam, formerly NWA's senior administrative staff officer, took over as officer commanding (OC). Headlam remained in command until October, by which time the headquarters staff numbered 108, including 23 officers.[95]
In September 1946, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal George Jones, proposed reducing the five extant mainland area commands (North-Western, North-Eastern, Eastern, Southern, and Western Areas) to three: Northern Area, covering Queensland and the Northern Territory; Eastern Area, covering New South Wales; and Southern Area, covering Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. The Australian Government rejected the plan and the wartime area command boundaries essentially remained in place.[96][97]
Between October 1949 and February 1950, NWA hosted its largest exercise since the war when No. 82 Wing
Orders of battle
April 1942
As at April 1942, NWA controlled the following flying squadrons:[103][104]
- No. 2 Squadron, equipped with Hudson general-reconnaissance bombers, based at Daly Waters[105]
- No. 12 Squadron, equipped with Wirraway general-purpose aircraft, based at Batchelor[106]
- No. 13 Squadron, equipped with Hudsons, based at Daly Waters[107]
- No. 34 Squadron, equipped with Dragon and Anson transports, based at Daly Waters[108]
- 49th Fighter Group USAAF
- 8th Fighter Squadron USAAF, equipped with Kittyhawks, based at Darwin[110]
- 9th Fighter Squadron USAAF, equipped with Kittyhawks, based at Darwin[111]
April 1943
As at April 1943, NWA controlled the following flying squadrons:[47]
- No. 1 Fighter Wing
- No. 54 Squadron RAF, equipped with Spitfire fighters, based at Darwin
- No. 452 Squadron, equipped with Spitfires, based at Strauss
- No. 457 Squadron, equipped with Spitfires, based at Livingstone
- No. 2 Squadron, equipped with Hudsons, based at Hughes
- No. 12 Squadron, equipped with Vengeancedive bombers, based at Batchelor
- No. 13 Squadron, equipped with Hudsons, based at Hughes
- No. 18 (Netherlands East Indies) Squadron, equipped with Mitchell medium bombers, based at McDonald
- No. 31 Squadron, equipped with Beaufighter long-range fighters, based at Coomalie
- 319th Bombardment Squadron USAAF, equipped with Liberator heavy bombers, based at Fenton
April 1944
As at April 1944, NWA controlled the following flying squadrons:[63]
- No. 1 Fighter Wing
- No. 54 Squadron RAF, equipped with Spitfires, based at Darwin
- No. 452 Squadron, equipped with Spitfires, based at Strauss
- No. 457 Squadron, equipped with Spitfires, based at Livingstone
- No. 43 Squadron, equipped with Catalina long-range minelayers, based in Darwin Harbour
- No. 83 Squadron, equipped with Boomerang fighters, based at Gove
- No. 79 Wing
- No. 1 Squadron, equipped with Beaufort general-reconnaissance bombers, based at Gould
- No. 2 Squadron, equipped with Beauforts, based at Hughes
- No. 18 (Netherlands East Indies) Squadron, equipped with Mitchells, based at Batchelor
- No. 31 Squadron, equipped with Beaufighters, based at Coomalie
- 380th Bombardment Group USAAF
- 528th Bombardment Squadron USAAF, equipped with Liberators, based at Fenton
- 529th Bombardment Squadron USAAF, equipped with Liberators, based at Long
- 530th Bombardment Squadron USAAF, equipped with Liberators, based at Fenton
- 531th Bombardment Squadron USAAF, equipped with Liberators, based at Long
Notes
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, p. 42
- ^ a b Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force, p. 311
- ^ North-Western Area Headquarters, Operations Record Book, p. 1
- ^ a b Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 91–92
- ^ a b "Organising for war: The RAAF air campaigns in the Pacific" (PDF). Pathfinder. No. 121. Air Power Development Centre. October 2009. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
- ^ Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 111–112
- ^ Ashworth, How Not to Run an Air Force, pp. 290, 304
- ^ Stephens, The RAAF in the Southwest Pacific Area, p. 17
- ^ North-Western Area Headquarters, Operations Record Book, p. 2
- ^ Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 300–303
- ^ Ashworth, How Not to Run an Air Force, p. 53
- ^ Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 303–304
- ^ Hall, Darwin 1942, p. 108
- ^ Helson, The Private Air Marshal, p. 145
- ^ Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 424–427
- ^ Grose, An Awkward Truth, pp. 35, 53, 81
- ^ Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 429–430
- ^ Grose, An Awkward Truth, p. 132
- ^ a b Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 136–138
- ^ Grose, An Awkward Truth, pp. 225–231
- ^ Lockwood, Australia Under Attack, p. 133
- ^ Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 431–432
- ^ Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 468–469
- ^ Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, p. 138
- ^ North-Western Area Headquarters, Operations Record Book, p. 9
- ISBN 978-0-19-551784-2. Retrieved 18 May 2019.)
{{cite book}}
:|website=
ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - ^ a b c Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 145–146
- ^ Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 554–559
- ^ Stephens, The RAAF in the Southwest Pacific Area, p. 30
- ^ Johnston, Whispering Death, pp. 133–136
- ^ Johnston, Whispering Death, pp. 133, 310
- ^ Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force, p. 473
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 15–16
- ^ Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force, p. 588
- ^ Johnston, Whispering Death, pp. 195, 249
- ^ Johnston, Whispering Death, pp. 138–139
- ^ Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force, p. 643
- ^ Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force, p. 646
- ^ Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 585–588
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 4–6]
- ^ Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 144–145
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 39, 42
- ^ a b c Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 649–651
- ^ RAAF Historical Section, Bomber Units, pp. 93–94
- ^ Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force, p. 481
- ^ RAAF Historical Section, Maritime and Transport Units, pp. 41, 128
- ^ a b c d Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 41–42
- ^ a b c Hall, A Saga of Achievement, pp. 211–212
- ^ "Williamtown RAAF 70 years celebration". Newcastle Herald. Fairfax Media. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, p. 43
- ^ Wilson, Always First, pp. 31–36
- ^ a b Stephens, The RAAF in the Southwest Pacific Area, p. 13
- ^ Stephens, The RAAF in the Southwest Pacific Area, p. 31
- ^ a b Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 46–50
- ^ Johnston, Whispering Death, pp. 297, 300
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, p. 54
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 59–60
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, p. 61
- ^ North-Western Area Headquarters, Operations Record Book, p. 65
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 104–105
- ^ a b Stephens, The RAAF in the Southwest Pacific Area, p. 62
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 111–112
- ^ a b Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 215–218
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 120–121
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 215–219
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 213–214
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, p. 229
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 243–247
- ^ a b c Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 297–299
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, p. 245
- ^ Thomas, Spitfire Aces of Burma and the Pacific, p. 77
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, p. 249
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, p. 246
- ^ a b Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 362–365
- ^ Alexander, Clive Caldwell, p. 164
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 246–247
- ^ Odgers, Air Force Australia, p. 121
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 301–302, 313–316
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, p. 379
- ^ North-Western Area Headquarters, Operations Record Book, p. 140
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 375–376
- ^ Nelmes, Tocumwal to Tarakan, p. 91
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 400–404
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 405–409
- ^ Nelmes, Tocumwal to Tarakan, pp. 107–109
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 451–455
- ^ Waters, Oboe, pp. iii, 124
- ^ Odgers, Air War Against Japan, pp. 476–477
- ^ a b RAAF Historical Section, Bomber Units, pp. 36, 97
- ^ Ashworth, How Not to Run an Air Force, p. 262
- ^ Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 11–12, 72–73
- ^ RAAF Historical Section, Maritime and Transport Units, pp. 29, 79
- ^ a b "Headquarters". Order of Battle – Air Force. Department of Veterans' Affairs. Archived from the original on 5 August 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
- ^ Stephens, The Royal Australian Air Force, p. 282
- ^ North-Western Area Headquarters, Operations Record Book, p. 176
- ^ Helson, The Private Air Marshal, pp. 321–325
- ^ Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 68, 462
- ^ Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 445–449
- ^ North-Western Area Headquarters, Operations Record Book, pp. 228, 230, 240
- ^ North-Western Area Headquarters, Operations Record Book, pp. 300, 324
- ^ Stephens, Going Solo, pp. 73–76, 462–463
- ^ "Battle 'nerve-centre' goes north: RAAF fighting control shifted from here". The Argus. Melbourne: National Library of Australia. 21 May 1954. p. 5. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
- ^ Ashworth, How Not to Run an Air Force, p. 299
- ^ Gillison, Royal Australian Air Force, pp. 559, 562
- ^ RAAF Historical Section, Bomber Units, p. 9
- ^ RAAF Historical Section, Bomber Units, p. 35
- ^ RAAF Historical Section, Bomber Units, p. 40
- ^ RAAF Historical Section, Maritime and Transport Units, p. 41
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, p. 43
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, p. 47
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, p. 52
References
- Alexander, Kristen (2006). Clive Caldwell: Air Ace. Crows Nest, New South Wales: ISBN 1-74114-705-0.
- Ashworth, Norman (2000). How Not to Run an Air Force! Volume 1 – Narrative (PDF). Canberra: RAAF Air Power Studies Centre. ISBN 0-642-26550-X. Archived from the original(PDF) on 22 August 2017.
- Gillison, Douglas (1962). Australia in the War of 1939–1945: Series Three (Air) Volume I – Royal Australian Air Force 1939–1942. Canberra: OCLC 2000369.
- Grose, Peter (2009). An Awkward Truth: The Bombing of Darwin, February 1942. Sydney: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 978-1-74237-607-3.
- Hall, E.R. (1978). A Saga of Achievement: A Story of the Men and Women Who Maintained and Operated Radio and Radar Systems of the RAAF Over 50 Years. Box Hill North, Victoria: Bonall. ISBN 0-9595927-0-9.
- Hall, Timothy (2015) [1980]. Darwin 1942: Australia Darkest Hour. Abingdon, Oxfordshire: ISBN 978-1-138-91276-2.
- Helson, Peter (2010). The Private Air Marshal (PDF). Canberra: Air Power Development Centre. ISBN 978-1-920800-50-5.
- ISBN 978-1-74175-901-3.
- Lockwood, Peter (2005) [1966]. Australia Under Attack: The Bombing of Darwin 1942. Chatswood, New South Wales: New Holland. ISBN 978-1-74110-269-7.
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. Archived from the original(PDF) on 25 March 2009.
- Nelmes, Michael V. (1994). Tocumwal to Tarakan: Australians and the Consolidated B-24 Liberator. Belconnen, Australian Capital Territory: Banner Books. ISBN 1-875593-04-7.
- North-Western Area Headquarters (1942–1955). Operations Record Book. RAAF Unit History Sheets. Canberra: National Archives of Australia.
- OCLC 246580191.
- RAAF Historical Section (1995). Units of the Royal Australian Air Force: A Concise History. Volume 3: Bomber Units. Canberra: ISBN 0-644-42795-7.
- RAAF Historical Section (1995). Units of the Royal Australian Air Force: A Concise History. Volume 4: Maritime and Transport Units. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. ISBN 0-644-42796-5.
- Stephens, Alan, ed. (1993). The RAAF in the Southwest Pacific Area 1942–1945 (PDF). Canberra: RAAF Air Power Studies Centre. ISBN 0-642-19827-6.
- Stephens, Alan (1995). Going Solo: The Royal Australian Air Force 1946–1971. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. ISBN 0-644-42803-1.
- Stephens, Alan (2006) [2001]. The Royal Australian Air Force: A History. London: ISBN 0-19-555541-4.
- Thomas, Andrew (2009). Spitfire Aces of Burma and the Pacific. Oxford: ISBN 978-1-84603-422-0.
- Waters, Gary (1995). Oboe – Air Operations Over Borneo 1945 (PDF). Canberra: Air Power Studies Centre. ISBN 0-642-22590-7.
- Wilson, David (1998). Always First: The RAAF Airfield Construction Squadrons 1942–1974 (PDF). Canberra: Air Power Studies Centre. ISBN 0-642-26525-9.
Further reading
- Cooper, Anthony (2011). Darwin Spitfires: The Real Battle for Australia. Sydney: ISBN 978-1-74223-227-0.
- Helson, Peter (1997). The Forgotten Air Force: The Establishment and Employment of Australian Air Power in the North-Western Area, 1941–1945 (Masters thesis). Canberra: OCLC 224054611.