Glimpse of the RAAF Meteorological Service
Preface
Foreword
Introduction
Chapter 1: Growing Up
Chapter 2: Port Moresby Before Pearl Harbour
Sydney to Port Moresby by DH-86
First Impressions of Port Moresby
Meteorological Office Routine
Flight to Kokoda
Tropical Meteorology
John (Doc) Hogan
Setting up House
We Join the RAAF
A Contrast in Attitudes
Some RAAF History
RAAF No 10 Squadron
RAAF No 11 Squadron
The Catalina Story
Construction of the Seven-mile Airstrip and Reclamation Area
Meteorological Service for the RAAF
Unexpected Vistitors
Our State of Readiness
Our Domestic Situation
A Japanese Surprise Packet
What Had We Meteorologists Achieved?
Chapter 3: Port Moresby After Pearl Harbour
Chapter 4: Allied Air Force HQ and RAAF Command, Brisbane
Chapter 5: Japan Surrenders and We Are Demobilised
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
Appendix 1: References
Appendix 2: Milestones
Appendix 3: Papers Published in Tropical Weather Research Bulletins
Appendix 4: Radiosonde Observations 1941–46
Index
Search
Help
Contact us
Meteorological Service for the RAAF
It was difficult for us to provide adequate briefing of RAAF aircrew because it was necessary for our meteorological office to remain with the RAAF communications section (aeradio) at Kila Kila aerodrome. The aircrew were accommodated at the mess at Ela Beach or at Konedobu and their aircraft were at moorings in the harbour. We continued our routine of observations, preparation and receipt of meteorological messages, plotting and analysis of synoptic charts and forecasts.I cannot recall the exact date when the meteorological office was moved to the reclamation area on the edge of the harbour. We could not move without aeradio. I think the move would have occurred late in 1941 or early in 1942.
About this time we had a visit from a somewhat bumptious RAAF officer from Area HQ in Townsville to examine the state of our air-raid preparedness. Our progress had not been spectacular, no doubt because the tropical climate induces a feeling of what the Motuans call 'dohori', a word meaning "we'll do it tomorrow". The report of the visiting officer must have been unambiguous because we were soon persuaded to dig slit trenches and other air-raid protective works.
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© Online Edition Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre and Bureau of Meteorology 2001
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