RAAF history flies into Air Force archives

IN 1945, chief security officer of Australia’s First Tactical Air Force, Flight Lieutenant T. Hennessy put together a special document for the RAAF No 5 Airfield Construction Squadron.

Each member of this group, known as The Flying Shovels, were presented with this four-page memento. Titled Advancing the Bomber Line – Moresby to Borneo, it noted precise locations and dates of their work during the Battle for Australia against Japan, throughout New Guinea and Borneo.

World War Two veteran, Corporal Charlie Baker was part of that team, serving in the RAAF from June, 1942 until December, 1945, and as a 2020 Anzac Day gift, his document has made its way into the careful hands of Air Force Association Ballarat president, Noel Hutchins via his son, Terry Baker.

“This is a most important document that should be properly preserved for historical purposes,” Mr Hutchins said.

“Who knows how many, if any, have been deposited for historical archiving? Is this the only copy that has survived?

“My action will be to get it to our national president, for him to check whether a copy of this is held at the Australian War Memorial or not, and if not, to get this document there where it belongs, rather than Ballarat.”

Advancing the Bomber Line fascinates Mr Hutchins. He recently launched an annual commemoration for the Battle for Australia and has a more personal connection to the squadron.

“It is interesting to me as I served with No 5ACS as a 20 to 21-year-old in 1960 to 61 in Darwin, and loved our Flying Shovels crest,” he said.

“The plant operator types that I served with there were the roughest, toughest, hard-drinking airmen that I ever met during my 20 years service.”

The 2020 Battle for Australia commemoration will be held on Sunday, 30 August at 11am at the Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, Ballarat Botanical Gardens.

An afternoon tea and dance will follow at the Air Force Association Ballarat Branch, Ballarat Airport.