RAAF History and Heritage

Throughout 2024 we are exploring the extraordinary stories of how Air Force has provided support throughout Australia and abroad through Air Mobility.

In 1989, Australia experienced an airline dispute that saw the nations domestic airlines grounded. The industrial dispute involving domestic airline pilots led to the shutting down of Australia’s civil air transport network. The government responded by using the armed services –– principally Air Force –– to help deal with the resulting chaos.

From this day, 25 August, in 1989 civilian travellers were moved around the country by the RAAF, which used its Boeing 707 ex-commercial airliners, C-130 Hercules medium-lift transports, and even HS-748 navigational trainers operated by Nos 33 and 36 Squadrons under ‘Operation Immune’.

The public overwhelmingly accepted their experience of ‘RAAF Airlines’ as a novelty, however ‘Operation Immune’ did place a strain on Air Force. The greatly increased hours being flown also led to a greater maintenance load, with many teams being deployed around Australia to maintain aircraft away from their home bases.

By the time the dispute was resolved on 15 December, Air Force had flown 6,524 hours and carried 172,287 passengers.



Images caption: During Operation Immune Air Force conveyed stranded air travellers around the country in service transport aircraft. Source: Department of Defence.

Visitors to the RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre on Sunday 18 August witnessed a flypast of a No 100 Squadron English Electric Canberra, flown by Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, AC, former Chief of Defence Force.

The flypast, part of the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast 2024, coincided with Vietnam Veterans’ Day and was the first time that a Canberra has flown at Amberley since the aircraft’s retirement from service in 1982.

The versatile Canberra was one of the most successful early generation jet combat aircraft. The first Canberra arrived in Australia in 1951 and its distinguished RAAF career officially ended in 1982 after conducting operations in Malaya and Vietnam.

The 100SQN Canberra, which is based at the Temora Aviation Museum, is painted as the Canberras were when they were flown by No 2 Squadron during the Vietnam War.

Throughout 2024 we are exploring the extraordinary stories of how Air Force has provided support throughout Australia and abroad through Air Mobility.

On this day in 2014, a No 37 Squadron (37SQN) C-130J Hercules completed one of the most complex humanitarian air drop missions conducted by Air Force in more than a decade.

The Hercules detachment deployed to Joint Task Force 633 at Al Minhad Air Base was rapidly reinforced with extra crews from 37SQN in response to a humanitarian crisis on Mt Sinjar in Northern Iraq.

A large group of civilians, most from the Yazidi minority, had fled to Mt Sinjar to escape attacks from the terrorist organisation, known as Islamic State (IS). The mission delivered 10 bundles of critical supplies to people trapped on Mt Sinjar by encircling IS forces.

The Air Force C-130 was one of 16 aircraft from a number of nations who responded to the humanitarian disaster. In the following months additional air drops were conducted on Mt Sinjar and the besieged town of Amerli.



Image caption: The Iraq humanitarian air drop crew included (from rear left) Leading Aircraftman Samuel Watts, Flight Lieutenant Christopher Bassingthwaighte, Flight Sergeant Paul Ross, Squadron Leader Cameron Clark, Sergeant Barney Hayward and Flight Sergeant Greg Milne. Photo: CPL Janine Fabre.

For all our friends in South-East Queensland we have a special treat! Subject to weather and aircraft serviceability, 100SQN will be conducting a flying display at our next Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre Open Day on 18 August!

To book visit: https://www.airforce.gov.au/community/visit-and-learn/heritage-centres/raaf-base-amberley-heritage-centre

But hurry places are limited and bookings close 4pm 11 August!



Image caption: A Royal Australian Air Force No.100 Squadron English Electric Canberra TT.18 performs an aerial display over Temora. Photo: LACW Kate Czerny.

Throughout 2024 we are exploring the extraordinary stories of how Air Force has provided support throughout Australia and abroad through Air Mobility.

On this day in 1964, Caribous of RAAF Transport Flight arrive at Vung Tau, South Vietnam.

RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam (RTFV) formed at Butterworth on 20 June 1964 and moved to Vung Tau in August. At this time, RAAF Caribous were in the process of being delivered to Australia from Canada and three of the aircraft were diverted en route to South Vietnam.

RTFV undertook a variety of missions, mostly short-haul transport. One of the unit’s more unusual tasks involved dropping a Vietnamese paratroop battalion on training jumps over the field whilst en route to Saigon to commence their daily freight run.

The unit was also involved in night flare drops to support soldiers on the ground in contact with enemy forces.



Image 1 caption: VN/66/0055/10. Source: Australian War Memorial.

Image 2 cation: MAL/66/0024/11. Source: Australian War Memorial.

Throughout 2024 we are exploring the extraordinary stories of how Air Force has provided support throughout Australia and abroad through Air Mobility.

On 1 August 1999, No 85 Wing and No 285 Squadron were raised at RAAF Base Richmond to assist with the delivery of aircrew ground training, simulator training and basic flying skills validation in accordance with Air Lift Group syllabuses.

This was enacted due to the introduction of new flight training systems, in an effort to avoid potential risks of overburdening the operational squadrons with training roles at the expense of capability.



Image caption: RAAF C-130H simulator section, December 1999. Source: Air Force Imagery Archive.

Throughout 2024 we are exploring the extraordinary stories of how Air Force has provided support throughout Australia and abroad through Air Mobility.

On 28 July 1994, two C-130 Hercules transports of No 36 Squadron left RAAF Base Richmond to deliver water purifying equipment and medical supplies to Kigali, capital of Rwanda, to survivors of the genocide, which had claimed at least 500,000 lives in the preceding three months.

In an orchestrated campaign following the assassination of the Presidents of both Rwanda and Burundi in April 1994, extremists from the Hutu ethnic majority of Rwanda began the mass murder of their Tutsi rivals until the forces of the Ugandan-based Tutsi-dominated Rwandese Patriotic Front intervened to stop the slaughter.

As the West debated how best to respond to the disaster, Air Force was tasked with delivering aid supplies to stem the further loss of life through diseases, such as cholera, which had begun sweeping through refugee camps in Zaire.

Our RAAF 36SQN transports returned on the 5 August.



Image 1: 36SQN Lockheed Hercules aircrew in the cockpit of their aircraft on the way to Rwanda. Source: Air Force Imagery Archive.

Image 2: Unloading a vehicle from a 36SQN Lockheed Hercules in Africa, as part of the UN relief effort in Rwanda. Source: Air Force Imagery Archive.

Image 3: LAC Peter Gammie in front of a RAAF A97 Lockheed Hercules on the left, and a UN Hercules on the right. Another RAAF Hercules is on the extreme right. Source: Air Force Imagery Archive.

Throughout 2024 we are exploring the extraordinary stories of how Air Force has provided support throughout Australia and abroad through Air Mobility.

On this day in 1971, RAAF achieved a world record in its Lockheed Hercules C-130A transport aircraft A97-213.

A97-213 of No 36 Squadron based at RAAF Richmond, and captained by FLTLT D.R Stott, dropped 24 CDS (Container Delivery System) containers in a single press during an airdrop in the Londonderry Area, NSW. This constituted a world record for C-130 aircraft at the time.

Image caption: AWM P00448.143. Source: Australian War Memorial.

Throughout 2024 we are exploring the extraordinary stories of how Air Force has provided support throughout Australia and abroad through Air Mobility.

Soon after taking off from Baghdad International Airport on this day in 2004, a RAAF C-130 Hercules was hit by ground fire while keeping low to avoid the possibility of rocket attack.

A single round penetrated the aircraft’s cargo hold and struck one of three American civilian contractors being carried as passengers on the flight.

The Hercules transport immediately turned around and returned to the airport where it was met by medical personnel; the victim was taken off the aircraft for treatment but was found to have died instantly.

While there had been many previous instances of warnings and sightings of ground fire at Baghdad, this was the first time that an Australian aircraft had been hit.

Image caption: A Lockheed C-130H in its original colour scheme deploying a parachutist. Source: Royal Australian Air Force.

Throughout 2024 we are exploring the extraordinary stories of how Air Force has provided support throughout Australia and abroad through Air Mobility.

On 31 March 1944, No 40 Squadron (40SQN) was formed to perform transport duties.

Equipped with six Sunderland flying boats, 40SQN formed in Townsville, Queensland. Initial operations saw the squadron operating between Townsville and New Guinea, ferrying supplies and passengers.

In July 1944, 40SQN relocated to Port Moresby, where it continued its transport duties to mainland Australia as well as other island destinations.

Image caption: Port Moresby, 1945. Leading Aircraftman M. M. Sullivan, member of No. 40 Squadron RAAF, is standing on the entry ladder to a Short Sunderland flying boat transport. He nominates for best moustache in the RAAF. Source: Australian War Memorial.

Royal Australian Air Force

Throughout 2024 we are exploring the extraordinary stories of how Air Force has provided support throughout Australia and abroad through Air Mobility.

30 years ago, during the January 1994 NSW bushfire crisis, RAAF C-130 and B-707 transport aircraft flew civilian firefighters who had volunteered from interstate to Sydney to assist with the emergency response.

As fires, raged along the eastern seaboard, RAAF personnel responded in several locations. Some personnel were sent to fire fronts at Winmalee, Kurrajong and St Albans in the Hawkesbury, while others helped beat back blazes which threatened houses at Medowie, Campvale, and Salt Ash.

On 6 January, RAAF Base Richmond activated its Emergency Operations Centre for the first time in support of outside organisations.

At the height of the crisis, Richmond supplied 400 personnel for firefighting duty, and was also providing catering for hundreds of visiting firefighters and evacuees from threatened areas.

The Base itself came under threat on 8 January when the flames came to within 200 metres of the base’s fuel farm.

Images caption: 1994 NSW bushfire crisis, RAAF Base Richmond. Source: Royal Australian Air Force Imagery Archive.

Royal Australian Air Force

Throughout 2024 we will be exploring the extraordinary stories of how Air Force has provided support throughout Australia and abroad through Air Mobility.

Just over 10 years ago, in January 2014, Air Force provided strategic airlift support to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) after an outbreak of violence.

UNMISS was the successor mission to UNMIS, which ended its six years of mandated operations on 9 July 2011 – the same day South Sudan declared independence, following a referendum on 9 January 2011 that voted overwhelmingly in favour of secession.

In support of the new nation, the Security Council established UNMISS for an initial period of one year, with the intention to renew for further periods as required.

Between 3-12 January Air Force conducted eight C-17A Globemaster flights and two C-130J Hercules flights delivering strategic airlift support transporting UN personnel and delivering 200 tonnes of cargo and equipment to South Sudan.

Image caption: Last RAAF flight in support of UNMISS. Source: Royal Australian Air Force.

Royal Australian Air Force

A Very Different War: RAAF Operations in the Korean War, by award winning author Owen Zupp has hit the shelves at a book store near you! Here’s another sneak peak!

British Pusan Perimeter

By late August 1950, the North Korean forces had confined the United Nations forces to a small corner on the southeastern tip of the Korean Peninsula, threatening to push them into the sea. This line of final resistance measured 100 miles by 50 miles and came to be known as the Pusan Perimeter.

Operating under the distinctive callsign “Dropkick” the area of operations for No 77 Squadron grew ever closer to Taegu as the Chinese advanced further south towards the perimeter. The battle was so close at its peak that the Mustangs were attacking targets within minutes of take-off and the sounds of the ground war could be heard on the airfield. On occasions the first flights of the day would clear the take-off and approach paths of potential ground fire from ground troops that had advanced close to the airfield boundary overnight.

Image caption: Commanding Officer of No. 77 Squadron, Wing Commander Paul Simmons, AM, CSM, discusses the history of No. 77 Squadron and its current capabilities during a book launch at RAAF Williamtown Aviation Heritage Centre, NSW. Photo: LAC K Lewis

Image caption: Pusan Perimeter Mustang. Source: Ces Sly

A Very Different War: RAAF Operations in the Korean War, by award winning author Owen Zupp has hit the shelves at a book store near you! Here’s another sneak peak!

Meteor A77-851 ‘Halestorm’

Tasmanian-born, Sergeant George Hale’s Gloster Meteor F.8 wore a map of the Apple Isle beneath the rim of its cockpit when he served with 77 Squadron RAAF in Korea. Appropriately, the name “Halestorm” also appeared on the aircraft that was officially marked as A77-851.

“Halestorm” was the last RAAF aircraft to score a victory in an air-to-air engagement. While George Hale was credited with one “kill” and one “probable”. Fittingly a ground crew member added the silhouettes of two MiGs beneath “Halestorm” near the cockpit of A77-851. Against regulations, these markings were subsequently painted over, only to resurface decades later in an Australian museum when the top layer of paint had faded.

The cockpit section of “Halestorm” survives to this day, a silent witness to the RAAF’s last air-to-air victory, achieved by Sergeant George Hale MID.

Halestorm is on currently display at RAAF Base Williamtown Heritage Centre | Air Force.

Image caption: "A Very Different War: RAAF Operations in the Korean War" by Flight Lieutenant Owen Zupp alongside a collection of his father's, the late Flying Officer Phillip Zupp's items from the Korean War at a book launch in the RAAF Williamtown Aviation Heritage Centre, NSW. Photo: LAC K Lewis

Image caption: “Halestorm” with ground crew. Source: George Hale

Throughout 2024 we will be exploring the extraordinary stories of how Air Force has provided support throughout Australia and abroad through Air Mobility.

After Vanuatu was devastated by a cyclone between 26–27 February 2004, Air Force delivered more than 18 tonnes of emergency relief supplies to the 80-island Pacific nation.

The storm, which passed over the capital, Port Vila, with winds up to 200 kilometres per hour, cut communications, destroyed hundreds of homes and damaged four ships in Vila Harbour.

Two RAAF Hercules aircraft – a C-130H from No 36 Squadron and a C-130J from No 37 Squadron – transported emergency relief supplies to Vanuatu on 1 March 2004.

As Richmond-based units had already responded to recent disasters in Iran and the Pacific island of Niue, there was a well-honed response which saw both aircraft on their way by 3.30 am this day.

After unloading was conducted by Australian servicemen posted to the region and local police, the Hercules were refuelled and back in the air within an hour of arrival.

Image caption: Unloading emergency relief supplies in Vanuatu. Source: Royal Australian Air Force.

A Very Different War: RAAF Operations in the Korean War written by award winning author Owen Zupp is available at BIG W now and in bookstores soon. Here’s a sneak peak!

British Commonwealth Occupation Forces

The beginning of 1946 saw the RAAF begin its commitment to the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces (BCOF) in Japan.

The air force component of the BCOF was known as the British Commonwealth Air Forces of Occupation – Japan (BCAIR) and comprised of units from the RAAF, Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF), and the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).

The RAAF’s initial contribution was 81 Fighter Wing comprising three Mustang fighter squadrons – numbers 76, 77 and 82. These squadrons were based at Bofu (Hōfu) Airfield in the Yamaguchi Prefecture, 90 kilometers to the southwest of Hiroshima.

The three fighter squadrons had been preceded by the members of 381 (Base) Squadron to provide logistical and administrative support. Also arriving in advance of the Mustangs were No 481 Maintenance Squadron and No 5 Airfield Construction Squadron.

Image caption: FLTLT Owen Zupp with his latest book "A Very Different War: RAAF Operations in the Korean War" alongside a collection of his father's, the late Flying Officer Phillip Zupp's items from the Korean War at a book launch in the RAAF Williamtown Aviation Heritage Centre, NSW. Photo: LAC K Lewis

Image caption: North American P51 Mustangs, 77 Squadron, lined up on the tarmac at Iwakuni Japan. Source: AWM JK1027

Throughout 2024, we will be exploring the extraordinary stories of how Air Force has provided support throughout Australia and abroad through Air Mobility.

In January 2004, 20 years ago, Cyclone Heta ravaged the small Pacific island of Niue.

In support of the emergency response, a RAAF C-130J from No 37 Squadron touched down on Niue carrying 25,000 pounds of emergency relief stores. Seventeen medics from the Australian Army’s No 1 Health Support Battalion accompanied the load. They were deployed to assist with restoring local health services and drinking water. Included in the load were medical stores, vehicles, generators, tents, and equipment for a field hospital.

On arrival, a team from No 1 Air Terminal Squadron set about unloading the entire cargo by hand, with the exception of a single six wheeled vehicle.

This task was the second emergency call made on units at RAAF Base Richmond in less than a fortnight, after another consignment of disaster relief had been dispatched to help cope with an earthquake in Iran.

Image caption: Unloading emergency relief stores in Niue. Source: Royal Australian Air Force.

A Very Different War: RAAF Operations in the Korean War, by award winning author Owen Zupp, is due to hit the shelves this week! Here’s a sneak peak!

Bedcheck Charlie

The Korean Air War is best known as the first jet war which saw aerial dogfights in Mig Alley. However, in this new age of swept wings and supersonic flight, there was still a place for wood and fabric biplanes with a cruising speed of 60 knots.

In the night skies over Korea, Bedcheck Charlie had no need for speed. Bedcheck Charlie’s role was one of harassment, flying night missions to disturb the sleep patterns of those below. This was achieved by dropping fragmentation bombs and grenades, interrupting the sleep of allied pilots and ground crews. With a few exceptions, the raids caused minimal physical damage, although a No 77 Squadron Meteor was struck by shrapnel damage on one occasion.

Image caption: Flight Lieutenant Owen Zupp with his family alongside a collection of his father's, the late Flying Officer Phillip Zupp's items from the Korean War at the books launch at the RAAF Williamtown Aviation Heritage Centre, NSW. Photo: LAC K Lewis.

Image caption: Bedcheck Charlie

Tag: Owen Zupp. Author.

The official launch of ‘A Very Different War: RAAF Operations in the Korean War’ was recently held at the Fighter World RAAF Williamtown Aviation Heritage Centre.

In this 70th anniversary year, the book provides a rare human account of Australia’s part in the air war over Korea. Using No 77 Squadron operations as a timeline, ‘A Very Different War’ offers a concise history of RAAF involvement in the war and examines the roles of the transport unit, nurses, ground crews, prisoners of war and those who still have no known resting place.

Written by Owen Zupp, an award-winning author of 10 aviation books, a commercial pilot with more than 35 years’ experience, and an officer in the RAAF Reserve.

Zupp brings a personal connection to the history, as his father, commando and fighter pilot, Phillip Zupp, served in both the Second World War and with No 77 Squadron during the Korean War.

Meteor A77-851 (aka ‘Halestorm’) provided a poignant backdrop for the event. The aircraft featured in the last air-to-air engagement of the Korean War and is on display at the RAAF Williamtown Aviation Heritage Centre.

‘A Very Different War: RAAF Operations in the Korean War’ will be available for sale in the new year and we will post an update with purchase details here on Facebook.

Owen Zupp. Author.

During 2023 we are sharing stories of RAAF involvement in the Korean War, remembering aviators killed and missing in action in service of our nation.

Corporal Harry Dale
A2933/168155
No 491 (Maintenance) Squadron, Carpenter
KIA 20 Dec 1950, aged 22

Harry ‘Shorty’ Dale was born in Dorrigo, New South Wales, on 30 May 1928. He enlisted in the RAAF on 4 November 1946, training as an Aircraft Hand before re-mustering as a Carpenter in November 1947. He was posted to No 77 Squadron in February 1949 before transferring to No 491 (Maintenance) Squadron in Iwakuni, Japan, in November 1950.

Corporal Dale was killed in a vehicle accident at a railway crossing, West Iwakuni, on this day in 1950.

Lest we forget.

Image caption: Corporal Harry Dale. Source: NAA 30691121

During 2023 we are sharing stories of RAAF involvement in the Korean War, remembering aviators killed and missing in action in service of our nation.

Pilot Officer Ernest Donald Armit
O22221/446009
No 77 Squadron, Pilot, Meteor A77-949
MIA 1 Dec 1951, aged 25

Ernest ‘Don’ Armit was born on 29 July 1926 in Waverly, New South Wales. He enlisted in the RAAF in December 1944 as a trainee navigator but was discharged at his own request in August 1945. He re-enlisted in August 1948 as trainee pilot and was awarded his Flying Badge in February 1950. Armit was posted to No 77 Squadron in Korea in April 1951.

On 1 December 1951, Pilot Officer Armit was one of 12 Meteor pilots conducting Combat Air Patrol over the Songchon area in North Korea. His section was attacked by a large number of Russian MIG 15s. Three Meteors were shot down, including Drummond, Thomson and Armit. Drummond and Thomson were later reported as Prisoners of War but nothing was received regarding Armit.

Lest we forget.

Image caption: Pilot Officer Ernest Donald Armit, c. 1951. Source: RAAF

During 2023 we are sharing stories of RAAF involvement in the Korean War, remembering aviators killed and missing in action in service of our nation.

Flight Lieutenant William Victor Gray
O22176/443468
Pilot
D 20 Nov 1950, aged 32

William Gray was born in Bronte, New South Wales, on 5 August 1918. He served in the Australian Infantry Force from May 1940 to October 1943 before being discharged to enlist in the RAAF in October 1943. Gray trained as a pilot under the Empire Air Training Scheme in Australia and Canada. Gray was posted to No 77 Squadron in September 1948 and was deployed to Korea in September 1950.

Gray passed away on 20 November 1950, as a result of wounds sustained in a tent fire in Pohang, Korea on 14 November 1950.

Lest we forget.

Image caption: Flight Lieutenant William Victor Gray. Source: NAA 30700535

In a unique event, historical aircraft DHC-4 Caribou A4-236 was displayed beside a C-27J Spartan from No 35 Squadron (35SQN) during the squadron’s family day at RAAF Amberley during October.

‘Involving Caribou A4-236 in our family day presented an opportunity to educate the workforce on the significant role the Caribou played in Air Force’s history,’ said Wing Commander (WGCDR) David Torrington, Commanding Officer of 35SQN.

‘A significant portion of 35SQN’s history involved flying the Caribou in Vietnam and so we thought it was important to acknowledge that history.

‘We wanted to make our family day as engaging as possible by involving as much of 35SQN as possible – both past and present.’

Caribou A4-236 began its Air Force career in 1965. After the Vietnam War, it served with No 38 Squadron on humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations in New South Wales in 1990, Timor-Leste (East Timor) in 1999 and the Solomon Islands in 2003–4.

History and Heritage – Air Force lovingly restored Caribou A4-236 in 2021–22 and the aircraft is currently on display at the Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre.
‘HH–AF is pleased to have provided Caribou A4-236 for display with 35SQN’s Spartans for their squadron event,’ said Air Commodore Robert Lawson, Director General of History and Heritage – Air Force.

‘Displaying the two aircraft types together marks a proud tradition of hard work and operational effectiveness which continues today with the C-27J Spartan.’
Air Force operated 29 Caribou aircraft between 1964 and 2009. They were greatly valued as a flexible air mobility aircraft capable of airdrop, airlift and operating from improvised and unsurfaced runways – just like today’s Spartans.

35SQN personnel welcomed approximately 600 family members and friends on their family day on 21 October, with around 200 experiencing a flight in a Spartan.

Image caption: DHC-4 Caribou aircraft (left) sits beside a C-27J Spartan aircraft from No. 35 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland. Source: FLTLT Karyn Markwell.

Image caption: DHC-4 Caribou aircraft at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland. Source: FLTLT Karyn Markwell.

During 2023 we are sharing stories of RAAF involvement in the Korean War, remembering aviators killed and missing in action in service of our nation.

Flight Lieutenant Craig Kirkpatrick
O33170/428326
No 77 Squadron, Pilot, Intelligence Officer
D 14 Nov 1950, aged 26

Craig Kirkpatrick was born in Moonee Ponds, Victoria, on 4 February 1924. He enlisted in the RAAF on 10 October 1942 and trained as a pilot under the Empire Air Training Scheme in Australia and was awarded his Wings in July 1943. During World War II, Kirkpatrick served in the South West Pacific Area.

Flight Lieutenant Kirkpatrick was posted to No 77 Squadron in February 1950 on intelligence duties. He died as a result of wounds sustained in a tent fire in Pohang, Korea, on 14 November 1950.

Lest we forget.

Image caption: Flight Lieutenant Craig Kirkpatrick. Source: NAA 30723872

During 2023 we are sharing stories of RAAF involvement in the Korean War, remembering aviators killed and missing in action in service of our nation.

Pilot Officer Douglas Merson Robertson
O5672/86581
No 77 Squadron, Pilot, Meteor A77-959
MIA 11 Nov 1951, aged 21

Douglas Robertson was born on 19 July 1930 in Beverley, Western Australia. He enlisted in the RAAF in March 1949 as a trainee radar mechanic, later re-mustering as pilot trainee. He was awarded his Flying Badge in February 1951. In September 1951, Robertson was posted to No 77 Squadron.

On this day in 1951, Pilot Officer Robertson was one of a 12-ship Meteor formation conducting a Combat Air Patrol over North Korea. During the return leg, Robertson collided with Flying Officer Blight and crashed. Blight returned to friendly territory, safely ejected and was rescued without injury. No ejection or parachute was observed before Robertson’s aircraft crashed.

Lest we forget.

Image caption: Left to right, Vance Drummond, Jim Kichenside and Douglas Robertson. Image Courtesy: FLTLT Owen Zupp

Lest we forget.