A History and Analysis of Airfield Defence Policy in the Royal Australian Air Force
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UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND Defending the Nest: A History and Analysis of Airfield Defence Policy in the Royal Australian Air Force A Dissertation submitted by Sean Stuart Carwardine, BEd, MHist For the award of Doctor of Philosophy 26 June 2020 Certification of Dissertation I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by another person, or material which to a substantial extent has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma of a university or institute of higher learning, except where due acknowledgement is made in the text of the thesis. _____ ______ 26 June 2020 Signature of Candidate Date Abstract It was not long after the invention of aircraft that they became powerful weapons in the third dimension, with unrestricted ability to cross borders, over sea or land, and attack seemingly at will and with great devastation of any enemy target within its range. Aircraft are precision weapons of destruction of any battle and can be the turning point of any war. The majesty and power of these birds of war, and the claim of air power they bring, is an asset to any nation at war. Yet, on the ground these powerful machines become vulnerable, and it is in this form that they broadcast their fragility. They become thin-skinned, soft targets, lacking agility and ease of movement, in short, they become very easy targets themselves. Therefore, an enemy is more likely to recognise that the best way to gain air control is to destroy or at least harass these military machines on the ground. For any military force, especially one with expensive war machines and large areas of land that are key tactical terrain, airfield defence cannot be overlooked. This vulnerability of aircraft, and the network that surrounds them, to ground or air attack has been recognised in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) from as early as 1929. It was at that time that airfield defence first became a RAAF capability. The evolution of the history of RAAF airfield defence has never before been studied in depth through a robust academic process. An overview of the writings of Australian Air Force historians to date show that there is a focus on aviation, aircraft themselves and pilots. Apart from a few sentences, Australian RAAF histories very rarely acknowledge a key facet of air- operations; the protection of the airfields. This thesis aims to capture a significant area of Australian military history and analyse its development, influences and evolution. This thesis will investigate all aspects of RAAF airfield defence from 1921 until 1970. This will include an examination of the evolution of security and defence policy, often challenged by global hostilities and subsequent times of peace. This study will uncover debate and inconsistency across the RAAF, since its inception, regarding the need to protect its airfields, and which arm of the Defence Force should be responsible for doing so. The views and influences of key personalities on the development of an Australian airfield defence capability will also be examined. This thesis will demonstrate the impacts of those policies on the ground, on Australian bases and overseas airfields and highlight the activities of airmen performing the role. i Glossary and Abbreviations Aerodrome Defence Officer (ADO) – RAAF Officer of the Administration and Special Duty Branch which was formed in 1942 to instruct RAAF personnel in weapons and ground defence of airfields and to command the defences of RAAF stations and airfields. Aerodrome Defence Instructor (ADI) – An airmen mustering created in 1942 to instruct all officers and airmen in the RAAF in airfield defence and weapons. Aerodrome Defence Scheme (ADS) – Formed on 23 August 1929 to provide AA machine gun and ground defence machine gun defence of RAAF airfields and stations. Aerodrome/Airfield Defence – The term used by the RAAF to encompass all aspects of combating attacks against the airfield. The term ‘aerodrome defence’ was last used in early 1960, after which the term ‘airfield defence’ was used. Aerodrome/airfield/air base – For this thesis these terms will be used interchangeably. An air base is a defined area on land (including any buildings, installations and equipment) intended to be used either wholly or in part for the arrival, departure and surface movement of fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. Aircrafthand – This mustering was a general mustering that covered all trades from Fitters, Armourers, Fabric Workers and so on. Aircrafthand/Guard – This was the original mustering name of the airfield defence mustering until mid 1940 when it was changed to Guard. Aircrew – A generic term describing personnel whose primary duties are conducted within the confines of an aircraft during flight time. Airfield Defence Guard (ADG) – The new mustering formed in 1966, according to the RAAF it was to be similar the Second World War Guard mustering. These airmen would provide internal airfield defence and security for the RAAF. ii Airman/Airmen – It is acknowledged that both men and women served in the RAAF during the years covered in this thesis. However, for the period studied only men were recruited for the roles of security and airfield defence, therefore the masculine terms are used throughout this document. Anti-Aircraft (AA) – This normally covers light (LAA), medium (MAA) and heavy (HAA) artillery pieces that fire large calibre shells into the air to damage or destroy aircraft at high level. Australian Flying Corps (AFC) – The Australian air arm of the Australian Army during the First World War. General Ground Defence – The defence of the external land battlespace that is outside of the area of the air base. Ground Defence – The term used by the RAAF which encompasses all aspects of combating all ground attacks against the airfield. Ground defence machine gun – The use of machine guns within a pit or bunker for the defence of airfields from ground attacks. Ground Defence Officer (GDO) – By the mid 1950s the ADO mustering was removed, and the title of the new Branch of Ground Defence Officer was implemented. Ground Gunner – Any Aircrafthand or Guard that completed a Ground Gunner course in the Middle East during the Second World War. This mustering title was also used during the National Service Training Scheme (NSTS) in the RAAF during the 1950s. Guard – A mustering of the RAAF between 1940 and 1960 that provided security and airfield defence. Guard duty – Any member of the Air Force manning the gates onto an airfield and checking authorisation for entry. This was not always solely the role of airmen of the Guard mustering. iii Guard Gunner – From early 1940, any Guard that completed the Aerodrome Defence Scheme training and qualified on machine guns, had their mustering title change to Guard Gunner. This title was removed from the RAAF in 1944 by RAAF Headquarters. Guard War Dog Handler – From 1942 until late 1953 Guards could train as dog handlers. Once qualified their mustering title was changed to Guard War Dog Handler. Local ground defence – This is the ground defence of the internal area within the perimeter of a RAAF station. Low-level anti-aircraft machine gun – This is low-level anti-aircraft defence undertaken by men manning small calibre machine guns firing at low flying or strafing aircraft. Passive defence – this includes all precautions taken on the airfield to protect airmen and equipment from any attack. The methods can be camouflage, dispersal, protection underground etc. Technical Airmen – Airmen of musterings that serviced or repaired aircraft. Non-Technical Airmen – Any other mustering that provided a function for the RAAF. These musterings did not work directly with aircraft e.g. Clerks, Storemen etc. iv Acknowledgements Firstly, I would like to thank Dr Nigel Warwick, Dr Nathan Wise and Dr Brett Holman for their many years of support and guidance throughout this academic research task. I am particularly grateful for meeting my primary supervisor Dr Nigel Warwick, following a glowing account of Dr Warwick’s knowledge and skill by RAAF Warrant Officer Steven Bryson and an ex-RAF Regiment Officer, Squadron Leader Ben Davies, now serving as a Ground Defence Officer in the RAAF. A few emails later and an invitation to the RAAF Aviation Centre at RAAF Base Amberley would lead to a realisation that Dr Warwick and I are the only two academic researchers of airfield defence in Australia. During a walk through the Ground Defence Section of the Aviation Centre I asked Dr Warwick if he would be my supervisor for my PhD. Dr Warwick’s extensive experience and knowledge of research in the field of RAF airfield defence has proved invaluable to me, and his support and guidance during this research task has been immeasurable. I have completed many hours of research within the reading rooms of the National Archives in Canberra, Sydney and in the Brisbane Archives Centre. In addition to these, many hours of research in the Australian War Memorial Research Centre. With a total of over 1000 files opened and investigated over the years of research into RAAF airfield defence, I must thank the efficient and knowledgeable staff of these centres. I would also like to thank Gloria Bryson for impeccable editing and Lauren Carwardine for her support in collating primary sources. I would also like to thank Rosalind Turner and Sergeant Daryl Fell of the Office of Air Force History, for their extended support and understanding. I would like to thank Dr Ross Mahoney of the Aviation History Royal Air Force Museum for manuals of Air Force operations post First World War. All members of the Nos. 3 and 450 Squadron RAAF Association and RAAF Association Greenbank Sub-Branch.