B-24 Liberators of the RAAF

The only heavy bomber flown by the RAAF against Japanese forces, the B-24 Liberator, played a significant role in victory in the Pacific.
CONTENTS
00:00 Introduction
00:049 Prodigious Output
02:02 Early RAAF Crews
04:10 Into RAAF Service
07:52 Liberators by the Thousands
Check out the Liberator restoration project here www.b24australia.org.au/
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____________ Disclaimer ____________
Original footage and recreated scenes may not be 100% accurate to the event being described but has been used for dramatic effect. This is because there may not have been original footage of a particular event available, or copyright prevents us from showing it. Our aim is to be as historically true as we can be given the materials available.
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The Australian Military Aviation History Association is a not-for-profit association with the intent of recording, preserving and promoting Australian military aviation history.

[@Jobsright]

I had the privilage to know a former tail gunner on the Liberator. He was in the first of the group trained at Toc and said that of the 13 crews trained, 7 were lost and no one survivied. He said his crew went through the war without as much as a flat tire. In the mid 90s a plane crashed into the front paddock of his home, while he and his wife were sitting on the verandah, and it burnt. All six occupants survivied, with severe injuries, but Ron was broken. The sound and smell had triggered repressed memories of everything that he had buried for over 50 years. A great bloke now long gone, just another of the greatest generation.

[@oscarharriet7030]

My Dad, sadly passed away Dec 2018, was a W/AG on these. Spent his 20th birthday bombing Rabaul, had happy memories of flying all over East Timor and the Celebes at 50ft, one of the first a/c in to Jakarta after its surrender. Never went to Tocumwal but did all his training in the Markham valley, got as far west as Ceylon, did several repatriation flights, and crewed both 23 and 24 Sqdn a/c. Much loved and missed Sgt John Robinson of Singleton, NSW.

[@allancarey2604]

My grandfather was Allan George Robinson was also wireless air gunner who told of bombing Rabaul

[@allancarey2604]

He was from Melbourne…I don’t recall which squadron though

[@briancooper2112]

Sorry for your loss.

[@anthonyday5555]

My father was a Flight Engineer with 12 squadron. Thanks for the video.

[@Hi-lb8cq]

My grandfather was a top turret gunner and flight engineer on a B-24 during ww2 with the 464th bg 779th bomb squad out of Italy with the 15th af

[@ronaldparkinson3061]

My Father was a Navigator/Bombardier on the B24 from September 1944 to February 1945 when he was killed in a crash near Fenton. I have visited the site and laid a plaque. R. Parkinson .

[@robanderson473]

LEST WE FORGET. 🇭🇲🇬🇧

[@MarkStuart-tb6pp]

Hi Ron, my Dad was stationed at Fenton also, 1944 to July 1945 with 21 Squadron. I would like to visit Fenton one day. What squadron was your father in?

[@billyk157]

RAAF F-111Cs also were produced at Fort Worth.....

[@harryparry-okeden4165]

My Great-Great Uncle was bombardier on an RAAF Liberator which flew with the 380 bomb group, his aircraft was one of the 14 losses, crashing in 1945 from unknown causes in Exmouth, WA. To my knowledge it was the highest number of casualties in any aviation accident in WA history

[@Splattle101]

Great to see a video on this plane in the RAAF. Most people aren't aware the RAAF operated any heavy bombers at all during WWII. BTW, the 'relatively small' (@9.08) Australian air force in World War 2 was the fourth largest in the world by war's end.

[@raafdocumentaries]

I guess the 'relatively small' remark is in contrast to the USAAF's 2.4 million people and 80K aircraft (The largest the RAAF got to in Nov 1944 was 184K people - not sure how many aircraft - but about 7.7% of the US force). I think also the Canadians might argue that they were the 4th largest lol. I've not looked into it.

[@philmenzies2477]

I would think that any person interested in the RAAF operations during WW2 would be aware of the large amount of heavy bombers in use at the time. The number of wrecks that have been visited by enthusiasts scattered across northern Australia attest to that.

[@BC-op7rj]

It should not be forgotten that at the beginning of the war with Japan many RAAF aircrew were loaned out to fly on USAAC B17s out of Australia. Most of them being navigators who replaced the Americans who needed further training to be proficient in navigation. At this time Commonwealth crews were well ahead of Americans in navigation, particularly celestial, necessary to fly long distance raids on Rabaul. This was a consequence of the massive American expansion only begun the year and a half before. While Australia was without frontline planes it was able to offer the Americans refresher courses thanks to an extensive training network that had been busy before this sending bomber crews to Canada for further training. There were also RAAF pilots with more flying hours than the Americans who joined aircrews as co-pilots. They were not permitted to be the planes captain by the USAAF, but were able to pass on skills to get them up to speed. Early B17 losses often include RAAF members who had taken assignments to complete American aircrews. Which maybe explains why Americans trained Australians on B24s late in the war.

[@bruceday6799]

First Class effort. Loved this insight into RAAF in WW2.

[@blake9358]

The mosquito was the best, Australia made a huge contribution to Britain during WW1 and 2 with little assistance in return. Only a small handful of Spitfires were sent to the NT

[@CorePathway]

Aussies and Kiwis always punched above their weight whilst being under-equipped. I’m glad we (US) had your back kit-wise. Best of friends!

[@nicholascallaghan4074]

1944-45 my dad was a pilot on one flying out of the N.T.

[@Hi-lb8cq]

The b24 bedsides being called 'the flying coffin" by its crews carried more bombs and could go faster then the b17

[@xaero76]

I live on the old Lowood Aerodrome west of Ipswich, it was a RAF/USAF Aerodrome, and during the war they had to station all the aircraft from a USN Carrier, because the Carrier was faring B-24Js from the US to Amberley Air Base on the Carrier... and as I am writing this you mention them faring the B-24s to Amberley Air Base

[@kevinstow3694]

Most interesting to watch. While serving as the ENGO at the RAAF Museum in1991-92 I was checking the archives for info and came across references to the composite liberator squadrons. I'd never heard of them before and it transpired that both nations airmen flew together from airfields in the NT in ops across the Japanese held Asian areas. Why this was significant for me was that there was 50th anniversary reunion held in Darwin in 1992 which I attended as part of a museum contingent. We flew in a C47 from Richmond to Darwin and then flew the vets from both the RAAF and the USAAC down to Fenton for them to have a look-see at their old stomping ground. Interesting place as there were still the remains of crashed Libs on the field. We also found old fuel drums and 50cal ammunition clips lying around in ares where the ammo belts were made up. I also had the privilege of meeting WOff Keith Schilling on one of the flights to and from Fenton. I have to add that they were 50 years older from the youngster that they were in 44-45 but they could still party like it was going out of style. A very memorable and enjoyable trip.

[@Dogboy1092]

I really appreciate this video (and this channel). Many Australians aren’t aware of this pivotal aspect of our WW2 history. My grandfather was in ground/maintenance crew in 82 Wing at Fenton from Feb 45 working on the Liberators. And was deployed with the Wing to Morotai and landed at Balikpapan mid/late July 45.

[@MarkStuart-tb6pp]

Hi, my Dad was 21 Squadron based at Fenton 1944 to 1st July 1945, then got hit by ack ack near Balikpapan on 1st July & crashed into the sea, rescued & eventually got back to Australia. Our Dad's may have even shared a beer or 2 at Fenton!

[@gary1477]

The Corunna Downs Base in Western Australia can still be seen on Google Maps. It was more than a refueling stop. B24s from the USAAF flew from their to bomb Surabaya and dams in Java. The Japanese never found Corunna Downs, but did bomb a Catholic Mission, in the mistaken belief that it was a USAAF Bomber Base.

[@blake9358]

The Mosquito should have been mass produced in Australia, they were faster than anything except for the ME262 German fighter jets. Japan had no answer to the multi role Mosquito

[@mickvonbornemann3824]

My Uncle was a pilot with one of the KNI units in the RAAF & flew the B25. He had nightmares the rest of his life after being order to straff Japanese survivors in the sea or on life boats after they had sunk their ship. I think the Battle of the Bismarck Sea.

[@blake9358]

Why American bombers, the Mosquito should have been mass produced here in Australia, they were fast and efficient and less of a target for the Japanese fighters, the mosquito could probably outrun the Zero. Half a dozen were actually produced in Australia and only one flew in 1943

[@timorvet1]

@@blake9358 Actually 212 were built at the De Haviland factory in Bankstown NSW, and operated by two RAAF squadrons 456 & 464. You should read up on the production of the Mosquito in Australia, it makes for interesting reading, including the many problems encountered along the way, including sub contractors inferior construction of airframe components, and the problems later encountered in hot and humid climates which played havoc with the type of glue employed early on in production.

[@martkbanjoboy8853]

The thought of being in that ball turret for violent combat sorties under attack by enemy fighters is horrifying.

[@MarkStuart-tb6pp]

@Dogboy1092 Hi, my Dad was stationed at Fenton 1944 to 1945 with 21 Squadron. I would like to visit Fenton one day.

[@PaulieLDP]

Thanks for the video.

[@TheWareek]

Just wondering are you considering doing a video on the B-29 in RAAF service. did they carry the Kangaroo roundel. Would make an interesting display at a model show, especially overseas.

[@raafdocumentaries]

We could - it's a little obscure - I think only a few were used in trials and not much came of it - but I've not looked into it. I'll keep it in mind, thanks for the suggestion.

[@TheWareek]

according to Wikipedia we only got 2 for research, but it does put us in a small elite group of users.@@raafdocumentaries

[@timorvet1]

Two RAF Boeing Washington B.1 aircraft (serials WW 353 and WW 354 which they retained along with their RAF markings) were transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force in 1952. They were attached to ARDU and used in trials conducted on behalf of the British Ministry of Supply at Woomera. Both aircraft were placed in storage in 1956 and scrapped around 1961 at Tocumwal in NSW along with Gloster Meteor and Wirraway trainers which is well documented in a pictorial booklet that I have. A good reference book but depressing as well.

[@pauldionne2884]

Can anyone provide details on the crash scene at 7:33?

[@stevebear4313]

Looking for the aircraft letter codes for A72-192 & A72-195 both of 200 flight. My father was in Z special & inserted into Borneo from A72-195 in a 2 ship formation with A72-192

[@LeonAust]

Id say a mistake here as this relatively small air force turned out to be the fourth biggest air force in the world by 1945!

[@stuew6]

What about HMAS Warships ww2 like destroyer & Destroyer leader , Cruiser