Bristol Beaufighters were operated by Australia in both the European and Pacific Theatres during the Second World War. In Europe, RAAF Number 455 and 456 Squadrons operated under RAF control, with 455 using its Beaufighters as part of Coastal Command’s Strike Wing, while 456 operated as a night fighter squadron.
In the Pacific, 30 and 31 Squadrons operated both British built and Australian built aircraft. Australian built Beaufighters having serial numbers in the A8- range, while British aircraft used the A19- series.
Beaufighter IC RAAF 30 Sqn D A19-4 crash landing Ward Strip PNG 18th Nov 1942
A19-6
Beaufighter IC A19-6Beaufighter IC A19-6 30 Sqn RAAF Bohle River August 1942
A19-10
Beaufighter IC A19-10Beaufighter IC A19-10
A19-11
Beaufighter IC RAAF 30 Sqn L A19-11 bomb damaged Ward Strip PNG 12th Apr 1943Beaufighter IC RAAF 30 Sqn L A19-11 bomb damaged Ward Strip PNG 12th Apr 1943
A19-15
Bristol Beaufighter IC, A19-15 O of No. 30 Squadron RAAF in flight returning to Port MoresbyBristol Beaufighter IC, A19-15 O of No. 30 Squadron RAAF and other BeaufightersRAAF Bristol Beaufighter Mk 1C A19-15 undergoing maintenance in the field. Wards Strip New Guinea in 1943Bristol Beaufighter IC, A19-15 O of No. 30 Squadron RAAF after a crash landing
A19-17
Beaufighter A19-17 of 31 Sqn. RAAF
A19-26
Beaufighter A19-26 ex T4978 crashed at Wagga NSW 1943
A19-27
Beaufighter IC A19-27. SQNLDR W. Boulton of Manly, NSW, and FLGOFF K. McCarthy of Melbourne, VIC, with their plane “Pandemonium” or “Time Gentlemen Please”.Beaufighter IC A19-27 undergoing maintenanceCrashed Beaufighter IC A19-27Crashed Beaufighter IC A19-27Crashed Beaufighter IC A19-27
A19-28
Bristol Beaufighter ICs of the RAAF A19-28 and and A19-33
A19-33
Bristol Beaufighter ICs of the RAAF A19-28 and and A19-33
A19-34
Beaufighter IC A19-34Crashed Beaufighter IC A19-34Crashed Beaufighter IC A19-34
5 OTU Burrumbuttock NSW 16 July 1943 Force landed Beaufighter Mk VIC A19-955 OTU Burrumbuttock 16 July 1943 Beaufighter Mk VIc A19-95 being salvaged
A19-106
Beaufighter VIC A19-106
A19-140
Beaufighter XI A19-140 of 31 Sqn RAAF
A19-152
Beaufighter Mk.XI A19-152 EH-K about to be towed out by a jeep 31 Squadron RAAF Coomalie Creek c 1944
A19-183
Beaufighter Mk.X A19-183 P of 5 OTU at Williamtown 1945Beaufighter Mk.X A19-183 LY-H of 30 Sqn RAAF
A19-205
Beaufighter X A19-205Beaufighter X A19-205
5 OTU
5 OTU Williamtown c 1945 Beaufighter Mk X A19-1835 OTU Burrumbuttock 16 July 1943 Beaufighter Mk VIc A19-95 being salvaged5 OTU Burrumbuttock NSW 16 July 1943 Force landed Beaufighter Mk VIC A19-95
22 Squadron
Bristol Beaufighter Mk 21 A8-57 of 22 Sqn RAAF
30 Squadron
Beaufighter IC RAAF 30 Sqn D A19-4 crash landing Ward Strip PNG 18th Nov 1942Beaufighter IC A19-6 30 Sqn RAAF Bohle River August 1942Beaufighter IC RAAF 30 Sqn L A19-11 bomb damaged Ward Strip PNG 12th Apr 1943Beaufighter IC A19-11 of 30 Squadron RAAFBeaufighter IC RAAF 30 Sqn L A19-11 bomb damaged Ward Strip PNG 12th Apr 1943Beaufighter Mk IC A19-15 of 30 Squadron RAAF 1943Bristol Beaufighter IC, A19-15 O of No. 30 Squadron RAAF after a crash landingBristol Beaufighter IC, A19-15 O of No. 30 Squadron RAAF and other BeaufightersBeaufighter Mk IC A19-15 O of 30 Squadron RAAF returning from the Battle of the Bismarck Sea 3 March 1943Bristol Beaufighter IC, A19-15 O of No. 30 Squadron RAAF in flight returning to Port MoresbyBeaufighter Mk.X A19-183 LY-H of 30 Sqn RAAFBeaufighter IC A19-37Beaufighter IC A19-43 of 30 Sqn RAAFBeaufighter Mk.IC A19-53 Y of 30 Squadron RAAF at Milne Bay 1943Beaufighter A19-54 LY-V 1943 of 30 Sqn RAAFBeaufighter Mk VIC A19-104 LY-Q of 30 Squadron RAAF crash landed at Kiriwina on 31 Dec 1943Beaufighter Mk VIC A19-104 LY-Q of 30 Squadron RAAF crash landed at Kiriwina on 31 Dec 1943Beaufighter Mk.VIC A19-120 LY-H of 30 Squadron at Kiriwana 1944Beaufighter A19-120 ex T5338, code LY-H of 30 Squadron RAAF 26 December 1943Beaufighter A19-134 ex JL854 LY-B 30 Squadron RAAF 16 December 1943Beaufighter Mk.XIC A19-142 J of 30 Squadron RAAF at Vivigani August 1943Beaufighter Mk.X A19-195 LY-R of 30 Squadron RAAF Noemfoor c 1944Beaufighter Mk.X A19-205 LY P of 30 Squadron RAAF c 1944Bristol Beaufighter 30 Squadron RAAF at Port Moresby 1943Beaufighters of 30 Squadron RAAFSqn Ldr Hank Henry of 30 Squadron RAAF landing his Beaufighter Australia 1943Bristol Beaufighter of 30 Squadron RAAF Vivigani, Goodenough Island Papua 12 December 1943Beaufighter of 30 Squadron RAAF at Vivigani Goodenough Island Papua 1943
31 Squadron
Bristol Beaufighters of No 31 Squadron RAAF with fitters doing their daily inspections at RAAF Base Forest HillBristol Beaufighters of 31 Squadron RAAF 1944Beaufighter Mk.XI A19-152 EH-K about to be towed out by a jeep 31 Squadron RAAF Coomalie Creek c 1944Beaufighter VIC A19-140 of 31 Sqn RAAFBeaufighter A19-17 of 31 Sqn. RAAFBristol Beaufighter Mk 21 A8-37 EH-W of 31 Sqn RAAFBristol Beaufighter Mk 21 A8-37 EH-W of 31 Sqn RAAFBristol Beaufighter Mk 21 A8-14 EH-J of 31 Sqn RAAF
93 Squadron
DAP Bristol Beaufighter A8-173 SK-Y of 93 Sqn RAAFDAP Bristol Beaufighter A8-173 SK-Y of 93 Sqn RAAFBristol Beaufighter Mk 21 A8-85 SK-F 93 Sqn RAAF Kingaroy Feb 1945Bristol Beaufighter Mk 21 A8-85 SK-F 93 Sqn RAAF Kingaroy Feb 1945DAP Bristol Beaufighter A8-173 SK-Y of 93 Sqn RAAF at KingaroyDAP Bristol Beaufighter A8-129 SK-X of No. 93 Sqn RAAFDAP Bristol Beaufighter A8-129 SK-X of No. 93 Sqn Labuan BorneoDAP Bristol Beaufighter A8-124 “Marge” SK-Z of No. 93 Sqn RAAF, crashed at Labuan 30 August 1945DAP Bristol Beaufighter A8-123 SK-S of 93 Sqn RAAF crashed at Wagga WaggaDAP Bristol Beaufighter A8-123 SK-S of 93 Sqn RAAF crashed at Wagga WaggaDAP Bristol Beaufighter A8-123 SK-S of 93 Sqn RAAF crashed at Wagga Wagga
455 Squadron
Beaufighters of 455 Sqn RAAF at RAF Station Langham September 1944Armouers fitting rockets to a Beaufighter of 455 Sqn RAAF 3 September 1944Bristol Beaufighter UB-L, NV414, of 455 Sqn RAAFBeaufighter TF.X NE458 of 455 Sqn RAAFFlying Officer Lee Turner RAAF (navigator, left) and Flying Officer Steve Sykes RAAF (pilot, right) of 455 Squadron RAAF, inspect the top of an armed trawler’s mast which became embedded in the nose of their Bristol Beaufighter TF.X during a low-level attack on enemy shipping in the harbour of Marsdiep, Holland on 12 September 1944.Beaufighter TF.X NE798, of No. 455 Squadron RAAF, in its dispersal at Langham, Norfolk, carrying two 500-lb MC bombs on a centreline attachment under the fuselage.Bristol Beaufighter TF.Xs of No. 455 Squadron RAAF, about to depart from Langham, Norfolk, on an anti-shipping strike.
456 Squadron
Beaufighter Mark IIf of No 456 Squadron RAAF at Valley airfieldBristol Beaufighter Mk.IIf of 456 Sqn RAAF
During our previous trip to Canberra, the gallery “Conflicts 1945” to Today in the Australian War Memorial was closed because of the renovations. This time however, it was open, so we took the opportunity to look around.
This gallery commemorates all the conflicts involving Australians from 1945 to today. This includes Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan as well as numerous peace-keeping operations.
Korean War
This section commemorates Australia’s participation in the Korean War, particularly the army’s 3RAR, the RAAF’s 77 Squadron and the Royal Australian Navy.
Of the 17,000 Australians who served in Korea, casualties numbered more than 1,500, of whom 339 were killed. The majority served with the Australian Army.
The RAAF’s 77 Squadron was initially equipped with North American P-51 Mustangs, but these were later replaced with Gloster Meteor jet fighters. These, however, were outclassed as a fighter by the faster and more manoeuvrable MiG-15 operated by the Chinese and North Korean’s. As a result, they undertook ground attack missions in support of UN forces.
The RAN stationed HMS Sydney in Korean waters equipped with Firefly and Sea Fury aircraft. These made over 2,700 sorties, losing 9 aircraft with three aircrew killed.
Gloster Meteor F.8 fighter of 77 Squadron RAAF
Vietnam War
Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War lasted from 1962 until 1973. Over 60,000 Australians participated, the majority being from the army. Of these 523 were killed and nearly 2,400 wounded.
Long Tan Cross
One of the most interesting displays in the Long Tan Cross, erected after the Battle of Long Tan, to commemorate those who died.
In August 1966 a company of 6RAR was engaged in one of Australia’s heaviest actions of the war, in a rubber plantation near Long Tan. The 108 soldiers of D Coy held off an enemy force, estimated at over 2000, for four hours in the middle of a tropical downpour. They were greatly assisted by a timely ammunition resupply by RAAF helicopters, close fire support from Australian artillery, and the arrival of reinforcements in APCs as night fell. When the Viet Cong withdrew at night fall, they left behind 245 dead, but carried away many more casualties. Seventeen Australians were killed and 25 wounded, with one dying of wounds several days later.
Displayed in the Dong Nai Museum in Bien Hoa after the war, the Government gifted it to Australia in 2017.
Other Vietnam War Displays
Representing the Royal Australian Navy’s contribution to the war is a model of the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney. Other Australian ships provided escort, or fire-support duties, while aircrew served with US forces.
The Australian Army has displays covering the major equipment used, including artillery, an armoured personnel carrier and an Iroquois helicopter in the act of inserting troops.
105mm M2A2 howitzerM113A1 Armoured Personnel CarrierThe Long Tan CrossBell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter
Iraq and Afghanistan
This section covers Australia’s more recent involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Camp Russell Special Operations base and The Ghan Chapel where ADF chaplains ministered to everyone regardless of beliefLong Range Patrol Vehicle MC2-Land Rover 110 6×6 used by the SAS in Iraq and AfghanistanIraqi weapons including one of Saddam’s gold plated AK-47s
Peace Keeping
Some of Australia’s more important and long-term engagements have been peacekeeping deployments. These have been important because they assist in stabilizing areas of unrest while helping the local people recover from or avoid conflict. A map illustrating where deployments are or have been was very interesting. Many of these have not been well represented in the press, despite their contribution to world peace.
Land Rover Series 2A as used in Namibia 1989-90Locations of Australian peacekeepers
What Did We Think?
As the War Memorial continues its redevelopment, older areas such as this will be modernised. It is still an amazing pace to visit because of what it represents and has many great displays.
Something you don’t expect to see is a five-tonne bomber on the second floor of an airport terminal. However, Canberra Airport has a Lockheed Hudson bomber doing just that. Sitting at the far end of the check-in desks, it’s a monument to all of the RAAF crews who served in similar aircraft during the Second World War.
Lockheed Hudson
Developed from the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra airliner, the Lockheed Hudson was a light bomber and maritime patrol aircraft. Initially developed for Britain just prior to the Second World War, the Hudson. Of the 2,841 Hudsons built, 247 served with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
Following Japanese attacks on Malaya, Hudsons from No. 1 Squadron RAAF became the first Allied aircraft to make an attack in the Pacific War, sinking a Japanese transport ship, the Awazisan Maru, off Kota Bharu at 0118h local time, an hour before the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105
Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 was built in 1938. It arrived in Australia in early December 1941 and was used to train RAAF aircrews. Between December 1942 and January 1943 it saw operational service in Papua and New Guinea, carrying out supply flights during the Allied advance on Buna, on Papua’s north coast.
After the war, A16-105 was flown as a photographic survey aircraft. It completed its last flight in 1998, and was purchased by the Australian War Memorial in 2001. It has since undergone an extensive restoration to its wartime configuration.
If you are interested in more of our photos of Lockheed Hudson bombers you can find them here.
Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 in RAAF markings at Canberra AirportUpper Turret of Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 in RAAF markings at Canberra AirportLockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 in RAAF markings at Canberra AirportStarboard engine of Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 in RAAF markings at Canberra AirportLockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 in RAAF markings at Canberra Airport