The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Simple black painted brass spindle type compass with eight pointed direction indicator plate recessed in a well under a glass top. The compass was sealed in a plastic pouch to protect it from humidity.
Part of an escape kit issued to and carried by 424171 Flight Sergeant R Forbes who was the navigator of Catalina A24-97 of 42 Squadron RAAF on operations around Manila on 14 December 1944. This aircraft was responsible for jamming Japanese radar while 19 other RAAF Catalinas mined the entrance to Manila Harbour in an attempt to confine a group of Japanese Navy vessels. The operation achieved its objective. He claims that this was the first time 'window' was used in the Pacific theatre, by any nation. Ten days after the mission he was promoted to Warrant Officer. He completed two tours of duty serving with 71, 32 and 48 Squadrons, RAAF. He later served in Vietnam in Logistic Support.
2 pages from RAAF navigator's log book showing evidence of the radar-jamming tactics which enabled the successful mining of Manila Bay by the Allies 14 December 1944
White acetate sheet printed with a topographic map on each side. Title of map printed in black at top 'NO. C-44, NORTH BORNEO / AAF CLOTH CHART-PHILIPPINE SERIES' on one side, and 'NO. C-43 MINDANAO I
Silk sheet titled 'HALMAHERA'. Printed on one side with a simple map of Halmahera and Dutch (West) New Guinea. Scale is 6 inches = 90 statute miles. Part of an escape kit issued to and carried by 42
Approximately 50 strips of aluminium backed with paper, known as 'Window' or 'Chaff', of the type used to jam radar. This is a remnant sample of 'Window' from 600 units dropped from Royal Australian
Transparent yellow plastic pouch with fold in and roll down opening fitted with a press stud tab. Marked on plastic 'FOLD ON LINES / AND ROLL TIGHTLY / CLOSE SNAP'. Probably military issue. Part of
Silk sheet titled 'HALMAHERA'. Printed on one side with a simple map of Halmahera and Dutch (West) New Guinea. Scale is 6 inches = 90 statute miles. Part of an escape kit issued to and carried by 42
Transparent yellow plastic pouch with fold in and roll down opening fitted with a press stud tab. Marked on plastic 'FOLD ON LINES / AND ROLL TIGHTLY / CLOSE SNAP'. Probably military issue. Part of
White acetate sheet printed with a topographic map on each side. Title of map printed in black at top 'NO. C-44, NORTH BORNEO / AAF CLOTH CHART-PHILIPPINE SERIES' on one side, and 'NO. C-43 MINDANAO I
Approximately 50 strips of aluminium backed with paper, known as 'Window' or 'Chaff', of the type used to jam radar. This is a remnant sample of 'Window' from 600 units dropped from Royal Australian
Small round floating compass sealed in a yellow plastic pouch. Threaded through the top is a blue cotton tape tied with a knot. This tape is 380 mm in length. Small rotor compasses were sealed in cl
Small escape compass with a brass body and glass top. Within is a 'floating' steel disc perforated with four evenly spaced holes. North is marked with a dotted line. Escape compass relating to the s
