Difference between revisions of "No. 1 Air Observers School RAAF"

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Brief History

No. I Air Observer's School was formed at Cootamundra, New South Wales, on 15 Apr 1940, with the first course of 70 air observer trainees commencing on 29 April. The unit was quartered! in the Cootamundra showground. awaiting the completion of new buildings at the a1rport. The first Anson aircraft arrived on 25 Jun 1940, and there were several fatal accidents in which this type of aircraft was involved whilst serving with the School.

Personnel of the unit were involved when 73 (Reserve) Squadron was formed at Cootamundra on 1 Jul 1942. By December 1942, the strength of the unit had grown to 88 off1cers, 765 airmen and 313 trainees. On 9 Dec 1943, the un1t was reformed at Evans Head, New South Wales. The unit, during its period at Evans Head, operated Anson, Battle, Ventura, Gannet, Tiger Moth and Fox Moth aircraft, and there were losses of aircraft and crews. No. 1 Air Observers School ceased to function on I June 1945, and was disbanded on 15 August 1945.

Trainees

Gerard Henzell Straughan Hemy 6 Feb - ? April 1941
Robert (Mick) Bunney 12 Nov 1942 - 8 Jan 1943 (Aircraft & Ship Recognition Course)

Notes

Source of information - Units of the Royal Australian Airforce - A Concise History - Vol 8 Training Units

External Links

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 ==Brief History==
-No. 1 Air Navigation School was formed at Parkes, New South Wales on 1 Nov 1940. By the end of the month, the unit had 10 Anson aircraft on strength. On 21 November No. 1 Air Observers' Course had commenced, with the students graduating on 17 December 1940. Activity at the School followed a routine which was seldom marred by untoward events. However, accidents did take place. On 28 Jan !941 a unit Anson undertaking an ambulance mission to Sydney crashed near Glenbrook, New South Wales, with the loss of all five aboard. Several other accidents fortunately did not involve fatalities.
+No. I Air Observer's School was formed at Cootamundra, New South Wales, on 15 Apr 1940, with the first course of 70 air observer trainees commencing on 29 April. The unit was quartered! in the Cootamundra showground. awaiting the completion of new buildings at the a1rport. The first Anson aircraft arrived on 25 Jun 1940, and there were several fatal accidents in which this type of aircraft was involved whilst serving with the School.
-During December 1942, the strength of the unit stood at 217 members (including 59 trainees) and 18 Anson aircraft. No. 1 Air Navigation School was disbanded on 9 December 1943.
+Personnel of the unit were involved when 73 (Reserve) Squadron was formed at Cootamundra on 1 Jul 1942. By December 1942, the strength of the unit had grown to 88 off1cers, 765 airmen and 313 trainees. On 9 Dec 1943, the un1t was reformed at Evans Head, New South Wales. The unit, during its period at Evans Head, operated Anson, Battle, Ventura, Gannet, Tiger Moth and Fox Moth aircraft, and there were losses of aircraft and crews. No. 1 Air Observers School ceased to function on I June 1945, and was disbanded on 15 August 1945.
 ===Trainees===
 *[[Gerard Henzell Straughan Hemy]] 6 Feb - ? April 1941
+*[[Robert (Mick) Bunney]] 12 Nov 1942 - 8 Jan 1943 (Aircraft & Ship Recognition Course)
 ====Notes====
+Source of information - Units of the Royal Australian Airforce - A Concise History - Vol 8 Training Units
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