Glimpse of the RAAF Meteorological Service
Preface
Foreword
Introduction
Chapter 1: Growing Up
Chapter 2: Port Moresby Before Pearl Harbour
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
1788
1822
1840
1841
1850
1853
1855
1857
1859
1863
1873
1879
1887
1894
1901
1903
1904
1908
1910
1914
1918
1916
1917
1919
1920
1921
1928
1932
1933
1934
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940–1944
1940
1941
Dec 1941–Jan 1942
1942
1943
1944
1944–1945
1945
1946
Appendix 3: Papers Published in Tropical Weather Research Bulletins
Appendix 4: Radiosonde Observations 1941–46
Index
Search
Help
Contact us
1940
Jan: 6th Division AIF sails for Middle East and Mediterranean.Mar: W. J. Gibbs to Melbourne Central Office of Bureau of Meteorology to attend forecasters' training school.
Jul: Bureau of Meteorology transferred from Department of Interior to Department of Air with H. N. Warren in charge.
Sep: W. J. Gibbs posted to Port Moresby as Weather Officer.
24 Sep: W. J. Gibbs and Audrey Jean Taylor married St Jude's Randwick.
27 Sep: Japan signs 10 year military, political and economic defence pact with Germany and Italy.
Dec: RAAF Advanced Operational Base (AOB) established at Rabaul.
1941
Jan: First RAAF Catalina flying boat delivered to Australia.Mar: Sqn Ldr Eric Sims No 11 Squadron (ex Qantas) flies Catalina to Port Moresby.
Apr: RAAF AOBs established at Kavieng, Gizo, Vanikoro and Lorengau.
17 Apr: Formal enlistment of Bureau of Meteorology personnel in RAAF Meteorological Service. W. J. Gibbs commissioned as Flying Officer.
1 Aug: No 20 Squadron formed in Port Moresby (Wing Cmdr 'Hoot' Gibson as CO); equipped with Catalinas from No 11 Squadron. Both Squadrons continue seaward reconnaissance and establishment and supply of advanced operational bases. No 11 Squadron's Short Empire 'C' Class flying boats fitted with gun-mountings and long range fuel tanks.
18 Sep: USAF B-17 (Flying Fortress) lands at Kila Kila aerodrome. Port Moresby en route Honolulu-Manila.
Oct: Nineteenth Catalina flying boat delivered to Australia. Deliveries made by Qantas pilots because US was non-belligerent at that time.
Port Moresby 'Seven-mile' airstrip completed but length of strip insufficient for heavy bombers.
22 Oct: Audrey Gibbs gives birth to daughter, Jennifer Louise.
2 Dec: UK battleships HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse arrive Singapore
without escorting aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable delayed in Ceylon for repairs after accidental collision.
8 Dec: Massive air raid by Japanese carrier-based aircraft on Pearl Harbour (0825 7 Dec Honolulu time). Japan attacks and invades Malaya, Thailand, Philippines, Guam, Hong Kong, Wake Island. RAAF Hudson Reconnaissance and Bomber Squadrons Nos 1 and 8 and Buffalo Fighter Squadrons Nos 21 and 453 based in Malaya and Singapore engage Japanese air, naval and land forces in combat.
8 Dec: No 20 Squadron Catalina crashes into hillside after night take-off from Port Moresby harbour. Aircraft destroyed, all crew die.
Dec: Catalinas and Short Empire 'C' Class flying boats evacuate civilians (including Audrey and baby Jennifer Gibbs) from Papua, New Guinea and New Britain.
25 Dec: Japanese troops commit horrendous atrocities in butchering captured troops and British and Chinese nurses at Fort Stanley, Hong Kong.
People in Bright Sparcs - Warren, Herbert Norman
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Bureau of Meteorology |  |
© Online Edition Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre and Bureau of Meteorology 2001
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