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3 Squadron Memorabilia On-Line  

in the Australian War Memorial Collection

 

The Australian War Memorial has a lavish collection of items related specifically to 3 Squadron.  Below are some hints on how to access this material via the Internet using the AWM's Collections Search page: http://www.awm.gov.au/database/cas.asp

AWM Historical Images

There are more than 800 photographs and 30 paintings and sketches of 3 Squadron in the AWM collection.  Some of these images were created by now legendary Australians such as:

·        Frank Hurley.  Who made his name with his magnificent coverage of the 1915 Shackleton Antarctic expedition, and who photographed 3 Squadron in both world wars!

·        Damien Parer.  Who later won an Oscar for the iconic documentary Kokoda Frontline.

·        Arthur Streeton.  The impressionist master who was an official War Artist in France in WW1. 

All the AWM photo captions can be read online but not all images are currently available.  (Please note: Once the first page of search results has displayed, it is recommended that you click the ‘Images’ option at the lower left of the search frame to concentrate on those items where there is an online image.  Click the ‘Long Titles’ option at the top of the page to see the full captions.)  To break the collection down into more digestible chunks, the following eight themes are recommended to display interesting sets of 3 Squadron photos in roughly chronological order:

a) World War 1. 

For 85 photos of 3 Squadron aircraft and personnel serving in World War One:

go to http://www.awm.gov.au/database/cas.asp,  and enter the phrase:

3 squadron 

Before hitting the “Search” button, set the options ‘Exact Phrase’ and ‘First World War 1914-1918’. 

b) The Last Fighting Biplanes. 

For 19 images of Gladiator operations in 1940-41.  Search (with options defaulted to ‘All Words’ and ‘All Conflicts’):

gladiator                                                                                                                                                                                

c) Hurricanes Against the Storm. 

Five Hurricane pictures from 1941.  Search:

hurricane silk

d) New Planes, New Challenges.

112 photos of Tomahawk operations in 1941, a dramatic period with battle successes in Syria and Cyrenaica but also some serious losses.  Damien Parer gives the boys the full Hollywood treatment!  Search:

tomahawk   

e) Kittyhawk Operations 1942. 

30 images, including a Nelsonian "Never mind the fighters..." quote from a grinning Bobby Gibbes.  Search (including quote marks):

"3 squadron" kittyhawk 1942

f) Kittyhawk Operations 1943.  29 images, including some pretty impressive flak damage and the eerie sight of German flares lighting up the sky during their bombing strike on Agnone airstrip.  Search (including quote marks):

"3 squadron" kittyhawk 1943  

g) Shiny New Planes and Winning Smiles.  19 late-war images 1944-45.  Search (including quote marks):

"3 squadron" mustang

h) Local Colour

There are many other excellent paintings in the AWM collection showing the areas that 3 Squadron travelled through.  These artworks convey the colours and atmosphere of each theatre in a way that monochrome photographs cannot.  It is recommended that you search the following artists:

Harold Herbert 1941

Dargie 1942

"Dennis Adams" Italy

(Many other searches are of course possible, for instance based on specific dates, individual personnel or place names, etc.)

AWM Sound Transcripts 

The AWM has an amazing collection of taped interviews with 3 Squadron WW2 veterans (mostly recorded in 1990).  The transcripts are each up to 30 pages long and contain a wealth of information.

To see the full list of the 3 Squadron transcripts, go to http://www.awm.gov.au/database/cas.asp, click on 'Advanced Search' in the left margin.  Then type in the phrase:

3 Squadron

Before you hit ‘Search’, select ‘Exact Phrase’ and click on all the small check boxes at the bottom of the page so that only ‘Sound’ is ticked.

When the search list comes up click the ‘Long Titles’ option at the top of the page and you will see the transcript icons to the right of each interview description.  Click on the transcript icon to open the full transcript.

Reading all of these transcripts may be something of a long-term project, but it is very interesting to hear the story of 3 Squadron related in the veterans' own words.  (Beware - these interviews are quite addictive!)   The interviewers have sought out a wide diversity of subjects, including aircrew, ground crew and several squadron commanders.  In alphabetical order the 22 interviewees are:

Wilfred Arthur.  Pilot 1940-42.

Nicky Barr.  Pilot - Squadron Leader 1941-42 / POW / Escaper .

Wally Bottin.  Transport Driver 1940-42.

Rod Butler.  Pilot 1940-41.

Jack Donald.   Pilot 1942 / POW.

Jack Doyle.  Pilot 1943-44 / Forward Air Controller.

Bobby Gibbes.  Pilot – Squadron Leader 1941-43.

Leon Henry.  Airframe Fitter 1942-45.

Peter Jeffrey.  Pilot 1937/ Signals Offr. - Squadron Leader 1940-42.

Wal Mailey.  Pilot 1941-42.  Desert rescue.

Dick Hickson.  Equipment Officer 1940-42.

Ken McRae.  Engineering Officer 1942-45.

Marcus MacInnis.  Supply Officer 1939-42.

Slim Moore.   Engine Fitter 1942-45.

Ted Medhurst.   Radio Operator 1940-41.

Tom Russell.  Pilot 1942-43.

Bert Pearson.  Radio Operator / Mechanic  1940-42.

Harry Silk.  Admin. Clerk 1940-42.

Bill Shoesmith.  General Hand / Canteen Sergeant 1942-45.

Reg Stevens.  Pilot / Squadron Leader 1942-43.

Bob Smith.  Radio Mechanic 1943-45.

Jock Thom.  Airframe Fitter 1941-42.  Wounded.

 

(Research by James Oglethorpe)

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