H3: Where Eagles Dared

The RAAF’s presence in SA during WW2 went from zero to very substantial, largely driven by the Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS). EATS was a triumph of visionary mobilisation planning and execution during WW2. Britain realised it could never match potential adversaries in the manpower stakes as WW2 appeared inevitable. The original aim was to produce 50,000 aircrew. By its cessation, Australia alone had provided 27,500.

Originally intended to provide aircrew for the RAF, in the final analysis, RAAF aircrew served almost world-wide, populating what was by the end of WW2, the world’s fourth largest air force. A huge network of training schools was established in the UK, Canada Australia, Rhodesia and New Zealand. In South Australia alone, bases were established in Adelaide, Gawler, Mallala, Mount Gambier, Parafield, Port Pirie and Victor Harbor, all part of the training continuum taking candidates from ab initio to qualified aircrew.

Peter Ingman of…