Hazards Galore (continued)

'..We always accepted that your (Met.) service was a vital need for any successful operation, for ferrying of aircraft, for the flying training courses.'

'In operations, meteorological information was sparse; especially northwards in the Pacific where the enemy lurked. Overall weather information elsewhere was reasonably good—good forecasting. However, point of target was not so good unless we used subs for local information if the target warranted this source of intelligence.'

'In all, good forecasting was the answer which could result in good planning. Not easy, and I believe that forecasters were born, not made, in some cases. Experience of the local area was necessary. In New Guinea, coastwatchers or local ex-district commissioners could accurately give you the weather pattern for the next six hours.'

'In Darwin in 1942, when I was the only night-fighter pilot—and the Japanese only flew at night—full moon periods and weather information generally were very important. In full moon periods, one usually had good weather. The cloud, rising 3,000 to 40,000 feet in moonlight was a backdrop for me to see enemy formations coming in, and it was because of such a cloud formation I picked up three enemy bombers and successfully shot one down and damaged another around about 1.30 am, 24 November 1942.'

'Generally, great reliance was placed on the RAAF weather service and the men who worked in it despite the forecasting difficulties.'[40]

Bureau of Meteorology