The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Part of an anti-shipping strike wing of Coastal Command, No. 455 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, became highly skilled in this role in sweeps along the French, Belgium and Dutch coasts. In October 1944 it was assigned full-time to strikes against shipping in Norwegian waters. At the stage the Germans were transferring troops and equipment form the occupied countries to help counter the grave situations which had developed elsewhere in Europe. The objective of the anti-shipping squadrons in the region was to halt such traffic. In the Norwegian fiords flying was particularly hazardous. Ships were able to anchor almost at the foot of towering cliffs and attack was possible from one direction only, enabling concentration of gun-fire upon the attackers. In the open sea several Beaufighter aircraft could divide the attention of shipboune gunners, and attack ships with rocket and cannon simultaneously. The painting shows No. 455 Squadron operating in such a situation, North Sea.
In the North Sea. 1944-07-06. An M-class minesweeper firing a wire trailing rocket at the Beaufighter aircraft of No. 455 Squadron RAAF flown by 401724 Pilot Officer (PO) C. J. Smith of Melbourne, Vic
Marching banner made of grey cotton with a dark blue section sewn in the centre. At the top of the banner the number '455' is painted in white. Sewn below this is the squadron crest which is a white c
This painting is not of a specific event - but a moody memory of the artist experience at sea. Identification of ships is difficult, mainly because this is the truth of such situations - it is hard to
Small light blue towel. There are five evenly spaced dark blue stripes at each end and a strip of white edging. There are a number of holes in the towel and evidence of several holes having been repai
Dark blue hand knitted woollen balaclava. The design is open faced with rib stitch used around the face and neck and garter stitch for the head. It bears a sewn on name tag with 'BOWMAN'. Associated
Dark blue knitted woollen neck protector. Sewn inside is a faded makers label reading 'ACF' (Australian Comforts Fund), and a white name tag with red text reading 'BOWMAN'. Associated with the servi
A pair of mid-forearm length white silk inner flying gloves. Associated with the service of 404649 Alan Wollaston Bowman, born on 23 April 1914 in Boonah, Queensland. Prior to the outbreak of the Se
