Australia’s War Diary

50 Years Ago…

November 1 – Burma. There are 795 Australians in India of whom 528 are serving in various squadrons. Most of these squadrons are assigned to the 3rd Tactical Air Force, which has succeeded the old Bengal Command. Of those not on squadrons, 79 are in the Air Transit Pool at Poona, 43 are at Main Ferry Crew Pool, and the remainder are at headquar- ters, operational training units and other schools. Solomons. US Marines land on Bougainville in Empress Augusta Bay at Cape Tarokina. The local Japanese garrison of only 200 men is quickly overcome. November 3 – Britain. No 466 Squadron’s conversion to Halifax IIIs continues. During an exercise, Halifax DT458 is lost over the North Sea. All crewmen are posted missing, believed killed.

Italy. 12 P-40s of 3 Squadron bomb and strafe German gun positions near Palmoli. After this operation a message of congratulations is received from the AOC, AVM Broadhurst. New Britain. Twelve 77 Squadron Kittyhawks make a combined attack with 22 Squadron Bostons and 30 Squadron Beaufighters on Pal Mal Mal Plantation, Jaquinot Bay. Kittyhawk A29-185 is hit by AA fire and Sgt R McDonald ditches into the water 30km south east of Kawa Island. A rubber dingy is dropped to him but he is not sighted again. Boston A28-29 of 22 Sqn is also shot down. The pilot, W/Cdr Bill Townsend and his observer, F/O David McClymont, will survive in the jungle for three months aided by the natives, in spite of the Japanese, until escaping in February. November 3/4-Britain. Bomber Command raids Dusseldorf with 589 aircraft. 18 aircraft, including a Lancaster from 467 Squadron, fail to return. There is extensive damage to housing and industrial premises.

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