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Full Description
In early March 1942 Allied forces in the Netherlands East Indies surrendered and the lightning Japanese conquest of South East Asia was complete. Amid fears of a Japanese invasion of Australia, two understrength RAAF squadrons of Lockheed Hudsons began a brave fight back against the enemy from the Darwin area. These modest initial efforts were the beginnings of an unwavering campaign by Allied bombers waged from Northern Australia until the end of the war in August 1945.
As the Hudson squadrons were rebuilt throughout 1942, they were joined by a unique Dutch squadron operating B-25 Mitchells. From 1943 USAAF Liberators joined the fight, and their great range enabled them to attack targets deep within the NEI. From 1944 they were replaced by RAAF Liberators.
Other RAAF squadrons used an assortment of aircraft including Vengeances, Beauforts, Mitchells, Venturas and Catalina flying boats. The last type waged an important mining campaign against Japanese held ports in the NEI and later to the Philippines and beyond.
Drawing on a wealth of new sources, Bombers North presents for the first time the full story of a little-known bomber offensive waged from remote northern Australia.
Contents
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Glossary & Abbreviations
Maps
Introduction
Chapter 1 Overview
Chapter 2 The Bombers
Chapter 3 The Opponents: Fighters and AA Guns
Chapter 4 The Allies Strike Back
Chapter 5 The End of the Beginning
Chapter 6 A Turning of the Tide, and the Dutch arrive
Chapter 7 Bigger, Better and Faster
Chapter 8 The Catalinas arrive; the Allies Apply Pressure
Chapter 9 A New Wing and New Aircraft
Chapter 10 Trading Hudsons for Beauforts - and the Black Cats fly
Chapter 11 The Americans and the Dutch depart; Lucky 13 returns
Chapter 12 No. 2 Squadron operations and the RAAF's heavies take over
Chapter 13 The RAAF heavies move forward
Chapter 14 The Cats fly to China, and the war's end
Conclusion
Appendix 1 No.18 NEI Squadron and its Australian roots by Elmer Mesman
Appendix 2 Flying in RAAF Bombers - Brian Winspear's Story
Main Sources
Index of Names
